Nottutum
BACKER
One of the best story-driven games of the past few years - great humour, music and writing; it really felt like I was playing my way through a massive adventure.
The game is well paced and keeps pushing you through the story, with a lot of detail and interactivity with levels. A lot of care and attention was clearly put into it.
The only downsides were the combat feeling slightly unresponsive and weightless & the large amount of bugs on PS5, which forced me to restart at some checkpoints.
The game is well paced and keeps pushing you through the story, with a lot of detail and interactivity with levels. A lot of care and attention was clearly put into it.
The only downsides were the combat feeling slightly unresponsive and weightless & the large amount of bugs on PS5, which forced me to restart at some checkpoints.
This is the first Yakuza game I haven’t completed (chapter 12/15)- whilst I’ve enjoyed the JRPG combat change and the new characters, it suffers from the same issues as most JRPG’s… the need to waste your time grinding thanks to random difficulty spikes.
To me, it feels like a game is wasting your time when it gets you to grind your way through a boss or to get to the next story point - it’s just superficial padding to make the game longer.
I put up with it for a while, but just lost patience when it literally signposted a grinding mechanism and threw a boss 15 levels above enemies in the last area into the mix.
To me, it feels like a game is wasting your time when it gets you to grind your way through a boss or to get to the next story point - it’s just superficial padding to make the game longer.
I put up with it for a while, but just lost patience when it literally signposted a grinding mechanism and threw a boss 15 levels above enemies in the last area into the mix.
2018
A solid, fun Roguelike which is strangely addictive, whilst blurring the lines between having gameplay and being a glorified ‘clicker’ title.
Gorgeous visuals that look like a hand crafted, origami hellscape, with a pretty decent soundtrack (not that you’ll be listening to it much - a 2nd monitor game).
Overall, a pretty great game, but I was done with it by the time I’d finished the adventure mode and unlocked free play.
Gorgeous visuals that look like a hand crafted, origami hellscape, with a pretty decent soundtrack (not that you’ll be listening to it much - a 2nd monitor game).
Overall, a pretty great game, but I was done with it by the time I’d finished the adventure mode and unlocked free play.
2020
I decided to try and play this as someone who hates platforming games, due to the great reputation of the original (this one being on Gamepass).
Safe to say, it's a solid platformer with a large challenge curve; if you're into a bit of masochism & platforming, then it'll be right up your alley.
Safe to say, it's a solid platformer with a large challenge curve; if you're into a bit of masochism & platforming, then it'll be right up your alley.
A fun trip down memory lane, but not a compelling enough remaster to power through to endgame.
2020
A fantastic bundled-in title which demonstrates the features of the PS5 that make it feel next-gen. As well as being a very competent platformer, it plays like a museum of fond memories for long-time PlayStation fans, with plenty of Easter eggs that make you smile.
I’d be very interested in a more developed sequel, as this game definitely doesn’t outstay it’s welcome.
I’d be very interested in a more developed sequel, as this game definitely doesn’t outstay it’s welcome.
2021
An incredibly slow Zelda-esque game… once it actually allows you to play. A completely uninteresting story gets in the way of the game actually being a game. I found myself asking why I’m still pushing forwards when I’m just sat there waiting to actually play (after 6 hours of total play time).
2021
Very enjoyable zombie co-op shooter. You can clearly tell that it's a spiritual successor to Left4Dead, that tries to add it's own modern spin via added features like weapon customisation & it's card system.
My issue with the game isn't with the mechanics or the features, but unfortunately the matchmaking. I either can't find a game for the levels I need to push through in the campaign, regularly, or when I do, people leave the second someone goes down, seemingly without penalty.
I always get worried when I pick up a title that requires matchmade co-operation, for exactly this reason. Another case of this being proven right - this wouldn't be an issue, if they'd created a single player experience that's playable, rather than punishing you for making this choice.
My issue with the game isn't with the mechanics or the features, but unfortunately the matchmaking. I either can't find a game for the levels I need to push through in the campaign, regularly, or when I do, people leave the second someone goes down, seemingly without penalty.
I always get worried when I pick up a title that requires matchmade co-operation, for exactly this reason. Another case of this being proven right - this wouldn't be an issue, if they'd created a single player experience that's playable, rather than punishing you for making this choice.
2018
This review contains spoilers
A great ending to the series, but by this final part, I could only deal with the identical gameplay loops and lack of enemy variety for so long. Got to the White Tower and ended up giving up.
A real shame, as the series is unique, but perhaps 3 parts was just too long.
A real shame, as the series is unique, but perhaps 3 parts was just too long.
2016
Slower in pace than the first, but carries over all that's enjoyable (and the continued lack of enemy variety).
2021
I really enjoyed the time loop mechanic and slowly learning more about the mystery of the core story. The ending does just appear randomly however and whilst feeing earned, is quite abrupt, and nonsensical (IMO).
The acting from Ridley, McAvoy oh & Dafoe is pretty standout and a highlight of the title.
A very unique and short game; totally worth the price of admission; even better if you can play it on Gamepass.
The acting from Ridley, McAvoy oh & Dafoe is pretty standout and a highlight of the title.
A very unique and short game; totally worth the price of admission; even better if you can play it on Gamepass.
2014
A visually stunning and incredibly fun Strategy RPG. Really unique story that somehow gets you to care about the characters, in a world that appears to be coming to an end. The only criticism I can really level is the lack of enemy variety; which I'm told is improved upon in the sequels.
UPDATE - I have recently replayed the game and it has ‘clicked’; things are still dated, but my god is it still fun, once you take the time to adjust to the UI and difficulty.
I REALLY wanted to love this game, as a huge fan of D&D, but RPG games have just come such a long way since this title originally launched in the 90's. Personally, the mechanics do not feel like they have aged gracefully, which made combat a slog that I couldn't continue to fight through.
I REALLY wanted to love this game, as a huge fan of D&D, but RPG games have just come such a long way since this title originally launched in the 90's. Personally, the mechanics do not feel like they have aged gracefully, which made combat a slog that I couldn't continue to fight through.
2019
Well polished and fun "Survival-lite" game; get's old fast though, once you go to another planet and realise that the entire game is the same loop. Could have been a lot more than it is.
A fantastic, addictive building game, for those of us who like the satisfaction of ticking things off of lists. Super relaxing and simple, but with plenty of content.
Only abandoned as I was on the last part of the game and a save bug on the Series X made me lose hours of progress - I couldn’t be bothered to play back through some of the grinder sections to complete.
Only abandoned as I was on the last part of the game and a save bug on the Series X made me lose hours of progress - I couldn’t be bothered to play back through some of the grinder sections to complete.