Radishface
1994
It was interesting to see where my beloved racing series started. However, it hasn't aged well. It's a very basic and often frustrating racing game. I'm almost willing to bet that it started out as an interactive car demo for Road & Track magazine and then somehow became a game.
Still, I'm glad that it exists, and some of the series' DNA can be felt here, even in small amounts.
Still, I'm glad that it exists, and some of the series' DNA can be felt here, even in small amounts.
2018
It's a survival game, but with an interesting story. There is also a way to complete the game so you don't just wander around aimlessly.
Watch one of the Missing 411 documentaries before playing this game for extra immersion. And make sure you have someone to play in coop with.
Overall, I'd recommend The Forest to anyone - even those who aren't fans of the survival genre of games.
Watch one of the Missing 411 documentaries before playing this game for extra immersion. And make sure you have someone to play in coop with.
Overall, I'd recommend The Forest to anyone - even those who aren't fans of the survival genre of games.
2023
This might be the worst game I played in 2023, though calling it a game is somewhat insulting to the medium.
You have very little agency as a player: none of your choices matter, and there's no penalty for failure. The entire "gameplay" loop consists of pushing the left stick forward, completing QTEs (or not), interacting with computer terminals, and looking at random objects. There's a lot of backtracking, and it doesn't help that the player character moves at a very slow pace. Oh, and there's no run button.
The story is very weak and as predictable as you can imagine. There was no interesting mystery to uncover. There's only one twist, but you see it coming halfway through. The ending sucks too. None of it mattered.
The only positives I can think of are the visuals and the performances of the voice actors.
You have very little agency as a player: none of your choices matter, and there's no penalty for failure. The entire "gameplay" loop consists of pushing the left stick forward, completing QTEs (or not), interacting with computer terminals, and looking at random objects. There's a lot of backtracking, and it doesn't help that the player character moves at a very slow pace. Oh, and there's no run button.
The story is very weak and as predictable as you can imagine. There was no interesting mystery to uncover. There's only one twist, but you see it coming halfway through. The ending sucks too. None of it mattered.
The only positives I can think of are the visuals and the performances of the voice actors.
2007
Short and innovative puzzle FPS, with a legendary legacy, not helped at all by its obnoxious fan base.
Most puzzles can be solved intuitively, and using the portal gun never gets old. The atmosphere and narrative get creepier and creepier the more you play.
However, some of the puzzles - especially the ones towards the end - were a bit weak. They mostly relied on platforming rather than creative problem solving.
I'm glad I finally finished it, but looking back, I should have done it sooner.
Most puzzles can be solved intuitively, and using the portal gun never gets old. The atmosphere and narrative get creepier and creepier the more you play.
However, some of the puzzles - especially the ones towards the end - were a bit weak. They mostly relied on platforming rather than creative problem solving.
I'm glad I finally finished it, but looking back, I should have done it sooner.
2019
Absolutely amazing atmosphere and setting. Just got tired of key hunting, that's all.
It's a fun double-A co-op horde shooter, reminiscent of games from the Xbox 360/PS3 era.
I think its biggest flaw is that it's so generic that you could easily replace all the xenomorphs with other creatures and not even notice. It doesn't really feel like an Alien game.
It's still fun, and if you're looking for a decent co-op game to pass the time, there are far worse options out there. As a bonus, it also runs really well on the PC.
I think its biggest flaw is that it's so generic that you could easily replace all the xenomorphs with other creatures and not even notice. It doesn't really feel like an Alien game.
It's still fun, and if you're looking for a decent co-op game to pass the time, there are far worse options out there. As a bonus, it also runs really well on the PC.
It's surreal to think that this was released on the PSP back in 2005. Even after all these years, there's something really cool about being able to play a GTA title on a handheld.
It's a full GTA experience from that era, with a noticeable downgrade in visuals, which is to be expected. So if you enjoyed GTA 3 and Vice City, chances are you'll enjoy this as well.
Toni is by far the most evil protagonist in GTA history. What he has done to Fort Staunton is unforgivable.
It's a full GTA experience from that era, with a noticeable downgrade in visuals, which is to be expected. So if you enjoyed GTA 3 and Vice City, chances are you'll enjoy this as well.
Toni is by far the most evil protagonist in GTA history. What he has done to Fort Staunton is unforgivable.
2007
The clunky controls and minion management almost made me give up on this game. I'm glad I gave it a chance, because its charm makes up for its flaws.
A proper remake with mouse and keyboard controls would be great, but I doubt that will ever happen.
Quick tip for those who want to play it: put green, red, and blue minions under the same marker, and send the browns separately. It will save you a lot of headaches.
A proper remake with mouse and keyboard controls would be great, but I doubt that will ever happen.
Quick tip for those who want to play it: put green, red, and blue minions under the same marker, and send the browns separately. It will save you a lot of headaches.
2021
Fun and simple twin-stick shooter set in a cyberpunk world. It's filled with relentless violence, gore and destructible environments. The world design and art direction deserve special praise.
The only aspects I didn't like were the long dialog sequences and the lack of stability. Switching to a borderless fullscreen mode reduced the number of crashes for me, so it's worth a try if you're experiencing similar problems.
Play it in co-op if you get the chance.
The only aspects I didn't like were the long dialog sequences and the lack of stability. Switching to a borderless fullscreen mode reduced the number of crashes for me, so it's worth a try if you're experiencing similar problems.
Play it in co-op if you get the chance.
2019
Control was much better than expected. Although I have to admit that my hopes were low after the disappointment that was Quantum Break.
As the game progresses, you unlock more weapons and special powers, all of which make you feel really powerful (especially after the upgrades).
Speaking of progression, you are given some freedom in how you approach your main and secondary objectives. Although you will eventually be gated from progression, Metroidvania style. This and the need to farm materials for upgrades were the aspects I didn't enjoy as much.
I know it sounds strange, but this is probably the closest we'll ever get to a true Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy sequel.
As the game progresses, you unlock more weapons and special powers, all of which make you feel really powerful (especially after the upgrades).
Speaking of progression, you are given some freedom in how you approach your main and secondary objectives. Although you will eventually be gated from progression, Metroidvania style. This and the need to farm materials for upgrades were the aspects I didn't enjoy as much.
I know it sounds strange, but this is probably the closest we'll ever get to a true Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy sequel.
Siberian Mayhem is lipstick on a pig that is Serious Sam 4. This series desperately needs a reboot. Now that the Siberian Mayhem team is working at Croteam, let's hope they release a proper sequel. Preferably one that ditches the weird direction the series took with the third installment.
1997
Quake II feels like it should have been released under a different name - it's very different from the original Quake. Still, it's a great first-person shooter, made even better by Nightdive Studios.
Special credit goes to Machine Games for releasing an amazing expansion for it at no extra cost.
If you're a fan of the original Quake and/or a fan of first-person shooters, you owe it to yourself to check this out.
Special credit goes to Machine Games for releasing an amazing expansion for it at no extra cost.
If you're a fan of the original Quake and/or a fan of first-person shooters, you owe it to yourself to check this out.
1996
This is a game that most indie "boomer shooters" wish they were.
Had the chance to finally finish the "enhanced" edition of this game in coop. It still holds up many years later, and the improvements made by Nightdive Studios make it even better.
I think it's the creepy gothic atmosphere that sets it apart, helped immensely by the visuals and soundtrack. This could easily have been a horror game with a few minor changes to the gameplay.
There's a fair amount of backtracking, and you can expect to get lost from time to time. Some enemies can also be bullet sponges. But nothing too major to detract from the experience.
If you are a fan of first-person shooters, you have to play this game on principle.
Had the chance to finally finish the "enhanced" edition of this game in coop. It still holds up many years later, and the improvements made by Nightdive Studios make it even better.
I think it's the creepy gothic atmosphere that sets it apart, helped immensely by the visuals and soundtrack. This could easily have been a horror game with a few minor changes to the gameplay.
There's a fair amount of backtracking, and you can expect to get lost from time to time. Some enemies can also be bullet sponges. But nothing too major to detract from the experience.
If you are a fan of first-person shooters, you have to play this game on principle.
2015
Cute little game where you control a clumsy robot and build a vine infrastructure to try to reach the top. Can be easily beaten in less than three hours. A good palate cleanser.
2006
Daxter is an early PSP tech demo disguised as a mediocre platformer.
I first played this game in 2006 and dropped it shortly after. It wasn't until recently that I made the commitment to finish this game, because for some reason it always bothered me that I had left it unfinished.
Everything in this game feels like it takes too long. This includes traversing large empty levels and various mini-games that you have to complete in order to progress.
Platforming sections are no fun either, due to clunky and unpredictable controls. Combat wears thin early on, as you'll be fighting the same looking bugs over and over again. Once you get the flamethrower attachment, you'll be using it for the rest of the game.
I think they've pushed the PSP a little too hard, as it struggles to maintain a consistent framerate at its default clocks. Be sure to overclock your PSP to 333 Mhz for a more consistent experience.
I first played this game in 2006 and dropped it shortly after. It wasn't until recently that I made the commitment to finish this game, because for some reason it always bothered me that I had left it unfinished.
Everything in this game feels like it takes too long. This includes traversing large empty levels and various mini-games that you have to complete in order to progress.
Platforming sections are no fun either, due to clunky and unpredictable controls. Combat wears thin early on, as you'll be fighting the same looking bugs over and over again. Once you get the flamethrower attachment, you'll be using it for the rest of the game.
I think they've pushed the PSP a little too hard, as it struggles to maintain a consistent framerate at its default clocks. Be sure to overclock your PSP to 333 Mhz for a more consistent experience.