MikeVollminator
BACKER
2019
Playing this game made me feel like a fucking crazy person. Zombie working as a Chef Spirit's apprentice? That premise is right up my alley, but all the positive praise I've seen makes me feel like I played a completely different title.
LIGHT Spoilers
I am genuinely struggling how to properly convey my feelings on this title as I just finished earning the platinum and I just feel off about the whole thing. My brain wants me to rate it even lower but I have to give credit to a stellar idea and some impressive sprite work from many of the enemies. I would say most of the enemies are excellent from a visual design perspective. Because of all of this I did start the opening section pretty positive. It really wasn't until I made it through the games first chapter that everything started to fall apart.
I just hated everything else about this game. I hate its characters and boring presentation. I found its story muddled like a coffee shop script writer struggling to cut any bad ideas from the final product. It feels like they had three ideas for different games but since they only could make the one title they put their favorite ideas from all three. The tones don't match and it all feels like it would be a contender on a "worst of the year" anime top 10.
I found its combat and builds under baked as the screen filling attacks from most enemies push you into a box of just making a screen clear build to progress. The controls and player movement just don't feel right with a controller. I never was pushed to be creative with my meal combos. I found one thing that worked and it got me all the way to the end on the hardest difficulty. When I switched things up it just didn't feel effective. Some of these issues may be mute if playing on keyboard and mouse, but that doesn't stop the game from feeling too limited while trying to simultaneously offer so many choices.
I found the music range from decent to pretty forgettable. I actually can't speak on most of the OST as after the first chapter ended I put on my own playlist of fitting anime music.
That is kind of it. It's level design is mostly linear. It's ending kind of just happens and its over. Got my platinum trophy and everything. This game is at its best when it is doing the cooking thing and its enemies encouraged experimentation. The moment it switches lanes to its hi-sci-fi screen filling attacks I was out.
Honestly, take my words with a bit of salt as I am 100% an outlier here. At the time of writing I am the only person on this site to rate it a 1.5 and the game currently has 5,662 reviews Overwhelmingly positive on Steam. Trust me I wish I was one of those people.
You know how even at the best restaurant sometimes a bad meal sneaks by and gives a patron food poisoning? I'm that patron, and after this experience I won't be returning for seconds.
LIGHT Spoilers
I am genuinely struggling how to properly convey my feelings on this title as I just finished earning the platinum and I just feel off about the whole thing. My brain wants me to rate it even lower but I have to give credit to a stellar idea and some impressive sprite work from many of the enemies. I would say most of the enemies are excellent from a visual design perspective. Because of all of this I did start the opening section pretty positive. It really wasn't until I made it through the games first chapter that everything started to fall apart.
I just hated everything else about this game. I hate its characters and boring presentation. I found its story muddled like a coffee shop script writer struggling to cut any bad ideas from the final product. It feels like they had three ideas for different games but since they only could make the one title they put their favorite ideas from all three. The tones don't match and it all feels like it would be a contender on a "worst of the year" anime top 10.
I found its combat and builds under baked as the screen filling attacks from most enemies push you into a box of just making a screen clear build to progress. The controls and player movement just don't feel right with a controller. I never was pushed to be creative with my meal combos. I found one thing that worked and it got me all the way to the end on the hardest difficulty. When I switched things up it just didn't feel effective. Some of these issues may be mute if playing on keyboard and mouse, but that doesn't stop the game from feeling too limited while trying to simultaneously offer so many choices.
I found the music range from decent to pretty forgettable. I actually can't speak on most of the OST as after the first chapter ended I put on my own playlist of fitting anime music.
That is kind of it. It's level design is mostly linear. It's ending kind of just happens and its over. Got my platinum trophy and everything. This game is at its best when it is doing the cooking thing and its enemies encouraged experimentation. The moment it switches lanes to its hi-sci-fi screen filling attacks I was out.
Honestly, take my words with a bit of salt as I am 100% an outlier here. At the time of writing I am the only person on this site to rate it a 1.5 and the game currently has 5,662 reviews Overwhelmingly positive on Steam. Trust me I wish I was one of those people.
You know how even at the best restaurant sometimes a bad meal sneaks by and gives a patron food poisoning? I'm that patron, and after this experience I won't be returning for seconds.
2021
This review contains spoilers
A story that focuses on how the fear and unknown of death can drive the living. It's hard not to empathize with all parties here, and its respect shown to the subject matter does a better job at providing acceptance to death than most other pieces of media.
What's also interesting is the reveal from the true ending that this games world is a result of the events of Titan Souls. With this adventure also concluding with a status quo shift in the game universe I am looking forward to seeing where Acid Nerve plan to go from here.
What's also interesting is the reveal from the true ending that this games world is a result of the events of Titan Souls. With this adventure also concluding with a status quo shift in the game universe I am looking forward to seeing where Acid Nerve plan to go from here.
2020
Equal parts witty and painfully relatable. Going Under is filled with charming characters, a banging soundtrack and unique combat that sets itself apart from its competition. A very impressive first game for a small studio and one that I recommend to anyone who is apart of that Corporate Ladder.
Improved combat and animations make this title all killer and no filler.
I am shocked that anybody in the writers room thought turning the crime boss Hammerhead into a cyborg monster was a good idea.
This review contains spoilers
Obviously the combat is still great. Shouldn't have to include that statement but feel it needs to be said when I say that this DLC feels like a a wimper when it could have been a roar.
Yuri's character development is solid, the mob backdrop is cool, Miles enlightens us on what happens if you break a toe. All good stuff.
But the bad really brings it down. This version of Hammerhead doesn't feel intimidating, the ending is ruined by the after credits scene where he is brought back to life by a "checks notes" stun boton? Okay sure, comic logic I guess.... And of course screwball is back and more annoying than ever. If It didn't feel like this story is required set-up for Yuri's character arc in the sequel I would say you should 100% skip it.
John DiMaggio is still the BEST voice for hammerhead and I would have rated this higher if they had brought him back.
Yuri's character development is solid, the mob backdrop is cool, Miles enlightens us on what happens if you break a toe. All good stuff.
But the bad really brings it down. This version of Hammerhead doesn't feel intimidating, the ending is ruined by the after credits scene where he is brought back to life by a "checks notes" stun boton? Okay sure, comic logic I guess.... And of course screwball is back and more annoying than ever. If It didn't feel like this story is required set-up for Yuri's character arc in the sequel I would say you should 100% skip it.
John DiMaggio is still the BEST voice for hammerhead and I would have rated this higher if they had brought him back.
Wanted to replay the game again before the sequel comes out and ended up not only beating the remaster but going for the platinum again as well. Game still rules, I love it.
However a side note. The internet needs to get over the face change. It's been actual years and it wasn't that big a deal.
However a side note. The internet needs to get over the face change. It's been actual years and it wasn't that big a deal.
As a huge fan of the base game I enjoy seeing this games rendition of Spider-Man and Black Cat interact. Their history feels rich and the side mission regarding her father was a fun one for as simple as it was. 4 Stars!....
....Wait Screwball is in this one? 3 Stars!
....Wait Screwball is in this one? 3 Stars!
2021
Super Sami Roll is a love letter to 3D platformers and has plenty of fun moments and great unlockable content all wrapped up in an adorable package. Not all of the levels land due to some weird deigns and repetition, but I will certainly return to this title in the future to master and unlock more. Solid Recommend.
2013
I value my achievements at the Peggle Institute more than I do my own Bachelor's Degree.
Great idea, horrible execution. I was going to rate this higher but then I realized that what I liked about this DLC was stuff that was present in the main game.
The behind the scenes museum feels like an after thought, the wave based structure has an incredibly slow pace to it and those blue ribbon challenges range from easy to buggy and frustrating. I love infinite's combat, but now that I have all the trophies I don't see myself ever playing this DLC again.
The behind the scenes museum feels like an after thought, the wave based structure has an incredibly slow pace to it and those blue ribbon challenges range from easy to buggy and frustrating. I love infinite's combat, but now that I have all the trophies I don't see myself ever playing this DLC again.
2021
After 60+ hours and a platinum trophy I can say with confidence that this game shows that cleaning can be satisfying and fun.
However, that doesn't mean it is successful in making every object fun to clean. Dishonorable mentions goes out to Carnival Attractions and that damn Temple.
However, that doesn't mean it is successful in making every object fun to clean. Dishonorable mentions goes out to Carnival Attractions and that damn Temple.
2016
Rapture isn't remembered just for being a city at the bottom of the ocean. Rapture is remembered for its art deco style, its political messaging, its memorable residents, and its horrifying reflection on the depravity of mankind.
2013
For the first time I opted to 100% complete Bioshock infinite and it's DLC content. Having never given 1999 mode a chance I was interested to see how I would feel about the title as a whole after cracking open everything it has to offer.
Holy shit, I had completely missed the level of flexibility when it comes to combat. Vigor combinations, weapon upgrades and environmental design paired perfectly with the challenge and enemy encounters that this difficulty had to provide.
So much of the complex multiverse plot is explained with even the most miniscule collectibles. This game truly only opens up from more challenging encounters.
It's styling, it's political commentary and characters are so rich with complexity that Infinite stands on it's own as more than just a mirror "what if" to the original Bioshock.
I don't believe it accomplishes everything it sets out to do perfectly. It fumbles a bit at times due to some awkwardness but this is easily an ambitious adventure that makes the name of Bioshock feel like it's own.
Crank up that difficulty, Pick up that hand cannon and take a once in a lifetime trip into the clouds
Holy shit, I had completely missed the level of flexibility when it comes to combat. Vigor combinations, weapon upgrades and environmental design paired perfectly with the challenge and enemy encounters that this difficulty had to provide.
So much of the complex multiverse plot is explained with even the most miniscule collectibles. This game truly only opens up from more challenging encounters.
It's styling, it's political commentary and characters are so rich with complexity that Infinite stands on it's own as more than just a mirror "what if" to the original Bioshock.
I don't believe it accomplishes everything it sets out to do perfectly. It fumbles a bit at times due to some awkwardness but this is easily an ambitious adventure that makes the name of Bioshock feel like it's own.
Crank up that difficulty, Pick up that hand cannon and take a once in a lifetime trip into the clouds
I can't speak on whether or not this game holds up to other WarioWare titles, as this is my intro to the series. However, I can satisfyingly say this game was a blast to play in coop and it's music/presentation gets a gold star.