MatCauthonGOAT
2017
Haunting.
Based on a Steven Wilson masterclass in music storytelling, this game weaves together the concept and emotions of the song and amplifies your perception with striking yet haunting visuals, more of Wilson's beautiful music and a plot that will have you needing a box of tissues and a stone in your chest.
A master-class of indie gaming's ability to tackle styles and genres the bigger companies can't risk and deliver us an experience so unforgettable and beautiful it sits with you for weeks.
Based on a Steven Wilson masterclass in music storytelling, this game weaves together the concept and emotions of the song and amplifies your perception with striking yet haunting visuals, more of Wilson's beautiful music and a plot that will have you needing a box of tissues and a stone in your chest.
A master-class of indie gaming's ability to tackle styles and genres the bigger companies can't risk and deliver us an experience so unforgettable and beautiful it sits with you for weeks.
Wow... in the most pure and perfect sense, a fantasy book come to life.
Every minute of this genuine masterpiece had me enthralled, immersed and captivated and feeling like I'd entered a fantasy world myself and was suddenly sprung to be the hero of a world. Incredible adaptation of a book series to this remarkably faithful and well made game. One of my alltime favourites and one I'll be visiting again and again and again.
Every minute of this genuine masterpiece had me enthralled, immersed and captivated and feeling like I'd entered a fantasy world myself and was suddenly sprung to be the hero of a world. Incredible adaptation of a book series to this remarkably faithful and well made game. One of my alltime favourites and one I'll be visiting again and again and again.
A lot of heart.
A game full of soul and visual delight. This indie adventure puzzle platformer really was a joy visually, and with a sharp, swooning soundtrack to match. Gameplay was relatively clunky but it didn't hold us back from having a good time (when we weren't frustrated at some of the harder parts). An enjoyable game which has me keen to play the sequels.
A game full of soul and visual delight. This indie adventure puzzle platformer really was a joy visually, and with a sharp, swooning soundtrack to match. Gameplay was relatively clunky but it didn't hold us back from having a good time (when we weren't frustrated at some of the harder parts). An enjoyable game which has me keen to play the sequels.
3 words - imm-ers-ion.
Immersion, the one word that sums up Skyrim perfectly. A truly immersive game, one that makes you feel you're in the world. But what's immersion without a good soundtrack?
Jeremy Soule does what he always does and strikes a chord deep in your soul(e) yet again with this score of gentle piano, bold orchestral swells and eerie wind assortments. What Skyrim lacks for in technical prowess it makes up for in world building and what really may be the greatest gaming world ever to explore. A classic through and through and a shining beacon in gaming that will stand the test of time.
Immersion, the one word that sums up Skyrim perfectly. A truly immersive game, one that makes you feel you're in the world. But what's immersion without a good soundtrack?
Jeremy Soule does what he always does and strikes a chord deep in your soul(e) yet again with this score of gentle piano, bold orchestral swells and eerie wind assortments. What Skyrim lacks for in technical prowess it makes up for in world building and what really may be the greatest gaming world ever to explore. A classic through and through and a shining beacon in gaming that will stand the test of time.
2023
Unique.
A very fun, unique take on storytelling and puzzle games as a whole. Visually pleasing with a great aesthetic and a fun concept. Definitely a little hidden gem and one of the few games I'm eagerly waiting for DLC for.
The score will be reviewed post-DLC
A very fun, unique take on storytelling and puzzle games as a whole. Visually pleasing with a great aesthetic and a fun concept. Definitely a little hidden gem and one of the few games I'm eagerly waiting for DLC for.
The score will be reviewed post-DLC
2011
Supergiant have proven time and time again they are an indie powerhouse, giving us some of the most well crafted and intricate indie games to date. Before Hades, before Transistor we first must stop at Bastion, the game that started it all.
This gorgeous adventure game blends sci-fi and fantasy and sprinkle it with some narration (I am a sucker for narration), a beautiful soundtrack and a world so vibrant and fun you will be itching to replay it as soon as the credits roll.
A perfect start to one of my favorite developers and a true Hall of Fame entry into my imaginary Indie Games Hall of Fame.
This gorgeous adventure game blends sci-fi and fantasy and sprinkle it with some narration (I am a sucker for narration), a beautiful soundtrack and a world so vibrant and fun you will be itching to replay it as soon as the credits roll.
A perfect start to one of my favorite developers and a true Hall of Fame entry into my imaginary Indie Games Hall of Fame.
Before choice driven cinematic story games a little known company called "Telltale" was a pillar in the point and click adventure genre. And few other games better represent that than Back To The Future: The Game. Blending familiar characters and story with new twists and turns, partnered with nice art style, this game achieves what could be believed and truly feels a part of the BTTF franchise. A gem in a company with far more well known games and a must play for point and click fans.
It's chess puzzles. Nothing else to say. It's a fine little time killer.
Defining a childhood.
This game resonates with me in a way no other game can and probably ever will. From the moment the game starts up I feel overwhelming nostalgia and memories flood my senses.
Everything from the colour palette, to the sprites, to the animations, to the music and even to the town and character names. Every single detail and part of this game is embedded in my memory and is a substantial pset of my life, from my childhood to now.
Even with HG/SS I feel myself drawn back to Crystal more often and it's to be at home with a game that helped raise me and there's not another game in the world I'd trade it for.
This game resonates with me in a way no other game can and probably ever will. From the moment the game starts up I feel overwhelming nostalgia and memories flood my senses.
Everything from the colour palette, to the sprites, to the animations, to the music and even to the town and character names. Every single detail and part of this game is embedded in my memory and is a substantial pset of my life, from my childhood to now.
Even with HG/SS I feel myself drawn back to Crystal more often and it's to be at home with a game that helped raise me and there's not another game in the world I'd trade it for.
Indubitably!
From the minute you take control of Sherlock you are immediately transported to late 1800s London and are swept into arguably the most immersive detective role to date.
With engaging and exciting deduction, to outstanding visuals and some truly striking scenery, this is truly an incredible Sherlock experience. Even the often harshly criticised excessive use of different mini-games, I still adored. They gave more life to the character of Sherlock and truly made you feel like you were working the ins and outs of the detective job.
And boy... the cases are all fantastic. And with such a glorious ending how can I give this anything bar a 10/10?
From the minute you take control of Sherlock you are immediately transported to late 1800s London and are swept into arguably the most immersive detective role to date.
With engaging and exciting deduction, to outstanding visuals and some truly striking scenery, this is truly an incredible Sherlock experience. Even the often harshly criticised excessive use of different mini-games, I still adored. They gave more life to the character of Sherlock and truly made you feel like you were working the ins and outs of the detective job.
And boy... the cases are all fantastic. And with such a glorious ending how can I give this anything bar a 10/10?
The Game Is Afoot.
Frogwares treats us all with a remake of their own 2007 game, and as someone who had not played the original, this was a treat.
The ever looming atmosphere of a dark and gloomy London and slow tension building string ensembles lend to create a truly creepy and haunting atmosphere. It's nice to see the combat from Chapter One wasn't prominent here and the focus was solely on story telling and detective work.
A mildly underwhelming final act doesn't do much to drag this game down as yet again Frogwares delivers yet another gem in their Sherlock catalogue.
Frogwares treats us all with a remake of their own 2007 game, and as someone who had not played the original, this was a treat.
The ever looming atmosphere of a dark and gloomy London and slow tension building string ensembles lend to create a truly creepy and haunting atmosphere. It's nice to see the combat from Chapter One wasn't prominent here and the focus was solely on story telling and detective work.
A mildly underwhelming final act doesn't do much to drag this game down as yet again Frogwares delivers yet another gem in their Sherlock catalogue.
Tragedy.
This is a hard one to write for. Rarely does a game encapsulate the horrors of war while maintaining a focus on true human emotion and true human decision. Rarely does a puzzle game have you feel everything from fear to heartbreak.
Valiant Hearts has beautiful art with incredible animation all backed up by incredible music and gameplay that helps to tell the story of each character effectively and respectfully. A true masterpiece that very well has put itself up on the top as, in my opinion, the very best modern war game ever made.
An incredible journey in every sense of the word. An absolute pleasure to play.
This is a hard one to write for. Rarely does a game encapsulate the horrors of war while maintaining a focus on true human emotion and true human decision. Rarely does a puzzle game have you feel everything from fear to heartbreak.
Valiant Hearts has beautiful art with incredible animation all backed up by incredible music and gameplay that helps to tell the story of each character effectively and respectfully. A true masterpiece that very well has put itself up on the top as, in my opinion, the very best modern war game ever made.
An incredible journey in every sense of the word. An absolute pleasure to play.
A classic.
A game that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto the set of a mobster movie akin to Copolla and Scorsese. A tonne of mafia fun with a genuinely moving plot, this game is the complete package. Besides some gameplay issues (driving in general), this game conjures up an unforgettable experience and boy do the remastered graphics look outstanding.
A game that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto the set of a mobster movie akin to Copolla and Scorsese. A tonne of mafia fun with a genuinely moving plot, this game is the complete package. Besides some gameplay issues (driving in general), this game conjures up an unforgettable experience and boy do the remastered graphics look outstanding.
An incredible experience in many regards. The detective work and unfolding, overarching story was exceptionally well done. The use of Jon was incredible. The cases were thought provoking filled with tough choices and fun twists. An incredible portrayal of a young, learning Sherlock.
Con - the combat is basic, repetitive and boring. There is more of it than needed 10 times over but thankfully it's a minor hurdle in a fantastic game.
Con - the combat is basic, repetitive and boring. There is more of it than needed 10 times over but thankfully it's a minor hurdle in a fantastic game.
2021
Adios.
Let's get it right out of the way, this is an ugly game. An ugly game with a decent sense of environmental visuals. The landscapes are nice but the models are ugly.
Anyway. This game is truly human. A game that will make you feel nostalgic for a life you never lived and will leave you with a lump in your throat. Incredibly written dialogue with a genuinely moving story. A sweet hour long game that feels right at home at that length.
Beautiful.
Let's get it right out of the way, this is an ugly game. An ugly game with a decent sense of environmental visuals. The landscapes are nice but the models are ugly.
Anyway. This game is truly human. A game that will make you feel nostalgic for a life you never lived and will leave you with a lump in your throat. Incredibly written dialogue with a genuinely moving story. A sweet hour long game that feels right at home at that length.
Beautiful.