Arcesius
2016
I generally adore speedrun-focused games. Bound is one such game, and is additionally really unique in its artstyle and presentation.
Despite being in 3D, Bound doesn't require too much precision and thus still feels great to play and sequence-break, although there are still a few moments where the camera can be your worst enemy.
Also, the 100% speedrun can be a pain, as some of the collectibles blend with the background and can easily be missed.
Despite being in 3D, Bound doesn't require too much precision and thus still feels great to play and sequence-break, although there are still a few moments where the camera can be your worst enemy.
Also, the 100% speedrun can be a pain, as some of the collectibles blend with the background and can easily be missed.
Great game if you approach it with a lot of patience and are not expecting explosive action all of the time.
The story and character development is the highlight of this game. I even enjoyed going for 100% completion, but there are some things that could have been better. For example: mark completed challenges as completed even if done before the corresponding challenge level is unlocked.
The multiplayer however, was a dreadful, empty, lackluster experience.
The story and character development is the highlight of this game. I even enjoyed going for 100% completion, but there are some things that could have been better. For example: mark completed challenges as completed even if done before the corresponding challenge level is unlocked.
The multiplayer however, was a dreadful, empty, lackluster experience.
2017
Pyre is an unusual game. Half visual-novel, half sports-game, it combines two genres that I generally don't play or like. And yet, I really enjoyed my time with Pyre! It managed to keep me engaged with the plot, and the team-based matches were surprisingly fun to complete.
Has to be said: The visuals are fantastic.
Has to be said: The visuals are fantastic.
2016
Thumper is an unusual rhythm game. Instead of focusing on the music, it focuses on the rhythm instead. Industrial sounds go well with the overall moody and eerie atmosphere.
The gameplay itself is also really good. The rhythm always correspond to the chapter number (4/4 in Chp. 4, 5/4 or 5/8 in Chp. 5, etc..), and so what initially seems to be chaos, actually is very much ordered.
Gameplay is simple but requires fast reflexes, though thanks to the liberal checkpoint-system and quick restarts of subsections, they can be easily replayed multiple times. This is especially useful when going for S-ranks.
The gameplay itself is also really good. The rhythm always correspond to the chapter number (4/4 in Chp. 4, 5/4 or 5/8 in Chp. 5, etc..), and so what initially seems to be chaos, actually is very much ordered.
Gameplay is simple but requires fast reflexes, though thanks to the liberal checkpoint-system and quick restarts of subsections, they can be easily replayed multiple times. This is especially useful when going for S-ranks.
2016
What a rollercoaster... The base game started out great, managed to make me want to explore the world and follow along on the journey. But after a while, the entire gameplay turned into riding around from checkpoint to checkpoint, and holding down a button whenever I was engaged in combat. Gone is the complexity from previous entries, gone is the coherent, engaging story.
The DLCs couldn't change my opinion, either. The ones related to the individual characters are not abysmal, but they are not great either. However, the Comrades Multiplayer expansion was such an awful, soulless experience..
This Final Fantasy was a huge change in direction compared to the previous entries, and one in a direction that doesn't resonate with me at all.
The DLCs couldn't change my opinion, either. The ones related to the individual characters are not abysmal, but they are not great either. However, the Comrades Multiplayer expansion was such an awful, soulless experience..
This Final Fantasy was a huge change in direction compared to the previous entries, and one in a direction that doesn't resonate with me at all.
2018
Absolutely fantastic game with one very clear aspect that makes it stand out: combat.
This game shows how focus can help crate something refined, engaging and enjoyable. By removing build-diversity, the devs created a game that forces the player to become good at one specific approach to combat, and the entire game can be designed around one single approach instead of having to be balanced for various playstyles.
Sekiro is, in my opinion, the closes FromSoft has come to perfecting combat in an action game.
This game shows how focus can help crate something refined, engaging and enjoyable. By removing build-diversity, the devs created a game that forces the player to become good at one specific approach to combat, and the entire game can be designed around one single approach instead of having to be balanced for various playstyles.
Sekiro is, in my opinion, the closes FromSoft has come to perfecting combat in an action game.
2019
Simple premise, incredibly addicting, skill-based gameplay. With only two swords and minimal assets in the background, Beat Saber is a rhythm game in VR, and the best VR game I have played to date.
Initially you can get used to the VR-setting as well as the gameplay by playing on the easier modes, but slowly working your way up to perfecting Expert or even Expert+ songs is such a rewarding and fun experience!
Fantastic game to show to anyone that has never played something in VR, as it can be easily picked-up by anyone and is immediately super fun.
Initially you can get used to the VR-setting as well as the gameplay by playing on the easier modes, but slowly working your way up to perfecting Expert or even Expert+ songs is such a rewarding and fun experience!
Fantastic game to show to anyone that has never played something in VR, as it can be easily picked-up by anyone and is immediately super fun.
2016
Trackmania Turbo is my first real experience with a proper racing game. A game that starts out easy enough, but will bring you to your limits by the time you reach the final set of tracks.
Achieving gold medals in some of the black tracks was really challenging for me, and by the time I was done with all 200 tracks, I felt exhausted.
Having to get used to a different car every 10 tracks was also a bit unecessary. I would have welcomed if you could progress the campaign on each environment independently.
Achieving gold medals in some of the black tracks was really challenging for me, and by the time I was done with all 200 tracks, I felt exhausted.
Having to get used to a different car every 10 tracks was also a bit unecessary. I would have welcomed if you could progress the campaign on each environment independently.
2010
2018
Darksiders III is as over-the-top as the predecessors, and can convince with its level and enemy design, and its fast-paced combat.
However, I cannot rate a game with this many technical issues any higher. Freezing on screen transitions / loading zones, out of bound glitches, floating boxes, stutters, game-breaking glitches. Should not have been released in the state it did.
However, I cannot rate a game with this many technical issues any higher. Freezing on screen transitions / loading zones, out of bound glitches, floating boxes, stutters, game-breaking glitches. Should not have been released in the state it did.