MikeVollminator
BACKER
2015
Its tactics gameplay starts off a little slow, but by the start of act 2 things really heat up. I recommend playing on the "Experienced" difficulty as challenging foes make every encounter feel tense. The game also includes my favorite cast that this world has introduced so far. Filled with the same quirky attitudes and a great presentation you would expect.
I'm also surprised at the direction it went. I wasn't a fan of the ending of Dig 1 when I played it but it set up a good amount of stuff that pays off really well here. Currently SW: Heist is my favorite of the series and I hope this isn't the last we see of this hat obsessed crew.
I'm also surprised at the direction it went. I wasn't a fan of the ending of Dig 1 when I played it but it set up a good amount of stuff that pays off really well here. Currently SW: Heist is my favorite of the series and I hope this isn't the last we see of this hat obsessed crew.
I'm not playing it because my bet right now is that in 1 year the servers will be shut down and the game will become lost forever. I am assuming WB won't give Rocksteady the greenlight to add that offline mode as they have no financial incentive to do so.
Now is this a one off goofy crossover or the start of something larger down the line? Impossible to tell, but this free content update offers more Kiwi goodness and that's hard to complain about.
I had seen Macbat appear in a few of the other Siactro titles and always found his design charming. Can now confirm that his game is equally as such. The levels are low difficulty diorama style hubs that have quite a bit of variety amongst them. It feels like a collage of all the different ideas Siactro would incorporate in their future games.
As a game it's so-so, but as a cool piece of a developer history it's worth checking out.
As a game it's so-so, but as a cool piece of a developer history it's worth checking out.
2022
It's everything you hope for from a Siactro title. It has excellent movement, charming visuals and a great soundtrack. It's incredibly impressive how they manage to make these bite sized experiences so memorable.
I had a big dumb smile on my face the whole time. This is absolutely my favorite I've played so far and can't wait for what's next.
I had a big dumb smile on my face the whole time. This is absolutely my favorite I've played so far and can't wait for what's next.
2021
A very strong city builder with a unique theme. Creating Dams and directing the flow of water is very fun and there is a lot of flavor between the two playable factions. Building vertical structures was also a genius idea as it makes district layouts feel like it's own puzzle.
There are two main things that hold this back however. It's UI is very messy and can make understanding how certain systems work feel like trial/error. Also there is a severe lack of dynamic events. At the time of writing the game has 2, Badwater Tides and Droughts. Both are great challenges but I think the game needs more to keep long playthroughs interesting.
Thankfully the game is in Early Access, has a strong community behind it and Devs who are open to feedback. Timberborn is a great game now and I see a bright future where it will be truly excellent. I really do look forward to checking in on this game as it updates.
There are two main things that hold this back however. It's UI is very messy and can make understanding how certain systems work feel like trial/error. Also there is a severe lack of dynamic events. At the time of writing the game has 2, Badwater Tides and Droughts. Both are great challenges but I think the game needs more to keep long playthroughs interesting.
Thankfully the game is in Early Access, has a strong community behind it and Devs who are open to feedback. Timberborn is a great game now and I see a bright future where it will be truly excellent. I really do look forward to checking in on this game as it updates.
2001
Credit where it's due, the visual and audio design is actually superb. Whether on a handled or blown up on a giant tv this game is actually kind of great to look at. That's the only nice thing I have to say here!
The camera makes levels feel like a frustrating maze, controls feel stiff and objectives are incredibly annoying. I got to the end of the first world before having to call it quits. It's so frustrating tip toeing around trying to find your way to the goal, only to get knocked off the edge by an offscreen enemy and get sent back to start.
They clearly ignored the limitations of the Game Boy. Just because you can put a 3D style Spyro game on the system, doesn't mean you should.
The camera makes levels feel like a frustrating maze, controls feel stiff and objectives are incredibly annoying. I got to the end of the first world before having to call it quits. It's so frustrating tip toeing around trying to find your way to the goal, only to get knocked off the edge by an offscreen enemy and get sent back to start.
They clearly ignored the limitations of the Game Boy. Just because you can put a 3D style Spyro game on the system, doesn't mean you should.
1989
I love a lot of things about this game. From it's incredible soundtrack, to the fact that Metal Man's only true weakness is himself. It has a stronger sense of identity amongst its robot masters, making the abilities more useful across all the stages.
It's no surprise to find this to be an upgrade from the first. It's a challenging experience that keeps things fair....most of the time. It defiantly lost that last star for it's overly demanding Wily Stages.
It's no surprise to find this to be an upgrade from the first. It's a challenging experience that keeps things fair....most of the time. It defiantly lost that last star for it's overly demanding Wily Stages.
1987
It's a product of that era of games where they had to pad out its short length with nonsense level layouts. While I have a strong fondness for this title, it's Wily stages really brought down the experience from charming to frustrating. Overall I would say Mega Man's first outing would be a stronger one if they didn't throw the kitchen sink at you.
I never played Ty growing up but have many friends who have spoken highly of the series over the years. However I found his first outing to be not what I expected. While I really did enjoy Ty as a character I couldn't look past the abysmal camera and awkward gameplay.
It does have some fun ideas, but this outback themed platformer focuses too much on being cool over playing well.
It does have some fun ideas, but this outback themed platformer focuses too much on being cool over playing well.
2017
It's incredibly impressive how much of an improvement this is from the first. Light upgrade customization provides meaningful progression at a steady pace. Improved movement and tools create excellent flow state like movement. And characters are expanded upon making even the most simple of concepts from the original feel rich with personality.
It's a title I couldn't put down and highly recommend. You don't have to dig very deep to find out why this game shines.
It's a title I couldn't put down and highly recommend. You don't have to dig very deep to find out why this game shines.
2021
While the game concept of "What if Super Meatboy was Horny" is a novel one and its gameplay is fluid, the levels lack any unique visual identity to feel distinct from one another.
It doesn't overstay its welcome and I did have fun. But If I'm being honest I likely won't remember my time with it.
It doesn't overstay its welcome and I did have fun. But If I'm being honest I likely won't remember my time with it.
2022
What appears at a glance to be a simple Pikmin clone, Tinykin molds the formula into a title that strips away combat and focuses exclusively on platforming. It provides expansive locations with fun characters and charm.
Each Tinykin type is bursting with personality and it was always a treat to see what parts of the house I would explore next. This title is an absolute gem and I couldn't recommend it more.
Each Tinykin type is bursting with personality and it was always a treat to see what parts of the house I would explore next. This title is an absolute gem and I couldn't recommend it more.
I'm very mixed on the Last of Us Part II. I find much of it flawed and I absolutely despise its pacing. But I am not going to act like there aren't moments that I find incredible and pretend that this is anywhere near a bad game. I said so as much in my original pro/con review of the 2020 release.
I truly believe after listening to the Director Commentary and checking out much of the behind the scenes stuff that this game succeeded in what it set out to do. It is an evocative experience that didn't play it safe and got the mixed reactions that only art can provide. That doesn't absolve it from being criticized, but there is a right and wrong way to do that.
We all know that poor faith criticism has been thrown it's way from the moment the game was leaked. To a lesser extent there has also been moments of downplaying or "talking down" to individuals by those who do consider the game a masterpiece. I think what we can all take away form this is that the discourse regarding the Last of Us Part II has been pathetic. It is genuinely not fun to talk about this game with most people. It almost rivals Star Wars discourse.....Almost.
All of this culminating to this re-release. We've seen this before and it is nothing new. Many PS3/360 era games received the remaster/rerelease treatment when the PS4 and Xbox One were in their infant years. Hell my favorite game of all time is a re-release version. I think the way Naughty Dog went about this version was fair. $10 upgrade or buy the boxed product for 49.99 US Dollars. I liked The Last of Us Part 1 remake but I felt $70 for a game we all played felt a little much for just a graphics update. For this to be priced this way, to include the No Return mode and the behind the scenes content? I think is fine. Originally I felt sour for my purchase of the upgrade but I've put enough time in the additional content to feel I justified my $10.
To sum up my thoughts on No Return, I really like playing it but it is far from perfect. Its progression, difficulty spread and variety is severely lacking. I've seen the same maps, same weapon upgrade animations, and same enemy patterns that I am seeing maybe too many runs play out the same way. Despite that I am still playing it at the time of this review because I like the combat. Aside from Joel and Tommy, whose lack of dodge makes them feel inferior player options, the tense survivor horror gunplay of playing this game on survival difficulty is incredible. Fuck Grounded but that is also fun too.
I'm choosing to rate this version higher than I did the original. While I still will say I don't like a good portion of this game, if any part of this clicks with you I think this version is an upgrade. I do hope however this is the last remaster/re-release we see from Naughty Dog for a while. Since 2020 they have released 3 of them and it's starting to get old. Hopefully the next time we hear from them they have something new.
TLDR: I would like this game more if Abby was the main character and the story was completely separated from the events and characters of the first game.
I truly believe after listening to the Director Commentary and checking out much of the behind the scenes stuff that this game succeeded in what it set out to do. It is an evocative experience that didn't play it safe and got the mixed reactions that only art can provide. That doesn't absolve it from being criticized, but there is a right and wrong way to do that.
We all know that poor faith criticism has been thrown it's way from the moment the game was leaked. To a lesser extent there has also been moments of downplaying or "talking down" to individuals by those who do consider the game a masterpiece. I think what we can all take away form this is that the discourse regarding the Last of Us Part II has been pathetic. It is genuinely not fun to talk about this game with most people. It almost rivals Star Wars discourse.....Almost.
All of this culminating to this re-release. We've seen this before and it is nothing new. Many PS3/360 era games received the remaster/rerelease treatment when the PS4 and Xbox One were in their infant years. Hell my favorite game of all time is a re-release version. I think the way Naughty Dog went about this version was fair. $10 upgrade or buy the boxed product for 49.99 US Dollars. I liked The Last of Us Part 1 remake but I felt $70 for a game we all played felt a little much for just a graphics update. For this to be priced this way, to include the No Return mode and the behind the scenes content? I think is fine. Originally I felt sour for my purchase of the upgrade but I've put enough time in the additional content to feel I justified my $10.
To sum up my thoughts on No Return, I really like playing it but it is far from perfect. Its progression, difficulty spread and variety is severely lacking. I've seen the same maps, same weapon upgrade animations, and same enemy patterns that I am seeing maybe too many runs play out the same way. Despite that I am still playing it at the time of this review because I like the combat. Aside from Joel and Tommy, whose lack of dodge makes them feel inferior player options, the tense survivor horror gunplay of playing this game on survival difficulty is incredible. Fuck Grounded but that is also fun too.
I'm choosing to rate this version higher than I did the original. While I still will say I don't like a good portion of this game, if any part of this clicks with you I think this version is an upgrade. I do hope however this is the last remaster/re-release we see from Naughty Dog for a while. Since 2020 they have released 3 of them and it's starting to get old. Hopefully the next time we hear from them they have something new.
TLDR: I would like this game more if Abby was the main character and the story was completely separated from the events and characters of the first game.
2010
Sucker Punch Productions captivated an audience with their incredible PS2 Trilogy. Providing worthwhile characters, fun settings, solid levels and a witty sense of humor. This collection should have been an easy high rating. But unfortunately Sanzaru Games treated this like my first apartment and gave these games the landlord special.
It isn't a complete mess but after a while cracks really start to show. If this is your only means to play these games you will still have a great time. But now that I've platinumed all three titles, I will stick with the PS2 versions when I want to revisit this series.
It isn't a complete mess but after a while cracks really start to show. If this is your only means to play these games you will still have a great time. But now that I've platinumed all three titles, I will stick with the PS2 versions when I want to revisit this series.