Radishface
2020
First, the game ran very poorly even on a high-end PC. This was a major drawback that detracted from my enjoyment.
Second, the game feels really disjointed in almost every way. The presentation, the story, and some of the gameplay elements feel like they don't belong in a Serious Sam title. I wish it was more like the older games in the series and less like Serious Sam 3.
Still, it somehow manages to play like a Serious Sam game we all know and love. And it's fun in co-op.
I hope Croteam finally finds the right direction to take this series.
Second, the game feels really disjointed in almost every way. The presentation, the story, and some of the gameplay elements feel like they don't belong in a Serious Sam title. I wish it was more like the older games in the series and less like Serious Sam 3.
Still, it somehow manages to play like a Serious Sam game we all know and love. And it's fun in co-op.
I hope Croteam finally finds the right direction to take this series.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run is what you get when you take a collectathon platformer and mix in gameplay elements from Crazy Taxi and Driver games.
There are only a few types of missions, and they all focus on driving. It gets repetitive very quickly.
But the game has a charm that's hard to deny. The world is fun to explore and there's a lot of stuff to collect. Fans of The Simpsons will have a great time.
If you're going to play this game on your PC, be sure to check out Lucas Simpsons Hit & Run Mod Launcher. It fixes numerous issues with the game and allows you to side-load user-created content.
There are only a few types of missions, and they all focus on driving. It gets repetitive very quickly.
But the game has a charm that's hard to deny. The world is fun to explore and there's a lot of stuff to collect. Fans of The Simpsons will have a great time.
If you're going to play this game on your PC, be sure to check out Lucas Simpsons Hit & Run Mod Launcher. It fixes numerous issues with the game and allows you to side-load user-created content.
2003
This game was not what I expected and I regret not playing it sooner.
Sending in the squad to do your bidding never got old. I also appreciated how the game encourages you to go back and forth between different locations to make the objectives easier to accomplish.
The atmosphere is dark, helped immensely by Jesper Kyd's excellent soundtrack.
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys squad-based shooters.
Sending in the squad to do your bidding never got old. I also appreciated how the game encourages you to go back and forth between different locations to make the objectives easier to accomplish.
The atmosphere is dark, helped immensely by Jesper Kyd's excellent soundtrack.
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys squad-based shooters.
2019
It is a shameless Diablo 3 clone set in the Warhammer universe, and I don't see that as a bad thing. I had a total blast playing this game in coop. The value proposition here is insane; I got the Slayer Edition on GOG for 90% off.
Check it out if you like ARPGs and are waiting to fill the void until Diablo 4 comes out.
Check it out if you like ARPGs and are waiting to fill the void until Diablo 4 comes out.
2004
The game gets better as you unlock more powers and unravel elements of the plot, which focuses on mind control experiments and government conspiracy.
My main complaints are the terrible controls and the auto-aim system. This game would benefit greatly from a modern remaster.
If you're playing on PC, check out Peixoto's patch for improved visuals and HUD scaling.
My main complaints are the terrible controls and the auto-aim system. This game would benefit greatly from a modern remaster.
If you're playing on PC, check out Peixoto's patch for improved visuals and HUD scaling.
2015
Black Mesa improves on the level design, pacing, and first-person controls of the original Half Life. It's a much more enjoyable experience.
The Xen chapter had the most drastic improvement, although it overstayed its welcome. I wish they had done away with hitscan weapons and enemies. Performance was all over the place, even on a powerful PC.
For those new to the Half Life series, I'd still recommend the original game with some mods installed (like MMOD for example).
The Xen chapter had the most drastic improvement, although it overstayed its welcome. I wish they had done away with hitscan weapons and enemies. Performance was all over the place, even on a powerful PC.
For those new to the Half Life series, I'd still recommend the original game with some mods installed (like MMOD for example).
2007
Despite being a bit generic, I still have a soft spot for this game. If you're playing on the PC, be sure to download the startup crash fix from PCGamingWiki.
The time manipulation powers are a standout. You can slow down, stop, and reverse time. Expect to use the slow and stop time abilities a lot. The reverse time ability is mostly needed for puzzles. I felt it was a missed opportunity the way it was implemented. I think it would have been more fun if the reverse time ability created a pre-recorded clone of the player, similar to the Blynx games.
Some weapons are interesting and fun to use. Gunplay is tight, but as other players have noted, the game can be challenging. You'll have to rely on save scumming and time abilities quite a bit.
You can tell they were inspired by Half Life 2. Just replace alien portals with time travel, with some cyberpunk aesthetics thrown in. I didn't see that as a negative.
I also liked the graphics. It comes from the era when programmable shaders were all the rage. There are some really cool looking effects and surfaces. Most objects can be affected by physical forces. The lighting is also dynamic. I hate screen space effects and thankfully this game predates them.
If you want a decent shooter from the late 00s, there are worse options.
The time manipulation powers are a standout. You can slow down, stop, and reverse time. Expect to use the slow and stop time abilities a lot. The reverse time ability is mostly needed for puzzles. I felt it was a missed opportunity the way it was implemented. I think it would have been more fun if the reverse time ability created a pre-recorded clone of the player, similar to the Blynx games.
Some weapons are interesting and fun to use. Gunplay is tight, but as other players have noted, the game can be challenging. You'll have to rely on save scumming and time abilities quite a bit.
You can tell they were inspired by Half Life 2. Just replace alien portals with time travel, with some cyberpunk aesthetics thrown in. I didn't see that as a negative.
I also liked the graphics. It comes from the era when programmable shaders were all the rage. There are some really cool looking effects and surfaces. Most objects can be affected by physical forces. The lighting is also dynamic. I hate screen space effects and thankfully this game predates them.
If you want a decent shooter from the late 00s, there are worse options.
A solid improvement over the Chaos Rising expansion, and similar in fun factor to DoW 2.
There are six playable races in total, each with their own campaign. I've only completed the Tyranid campaign in co-op, which was a lot of fun.
They've also improved the leveling system. There are no more incremental stat upgrades. Instead, each skill point spent unlocks a skill. A single galaxy map screen was a welcome addition, as it saved unnecessary transitions between planets.
I'd recommend this game to Warhammer 40K fans and people who are remotely interested in the RTS genre.
There are six playable races in total, each with their own campaign. I've only completed the Tyranid campaign in co-op, which was a lot of fun.
They've also improved the leveling system. There are no more incremental stat upgrades. Instead, each skill point spent unlocks a skill. A single galaxy map screen was a welcome addition, as it saved unnecessary transitions between planets.
I'd recommend this game to Warhammer 40K fans and people who are remotely interested in the RTS genre.
Much better than Episode One in almost every way. Episode Two took all the good parts of the original game and cut out all the fat. It's the same Half Life 2 you know and love, just compressed into a four hour (give or take) experience.
Episode One felt like a fan-made expansion using assets from the main game. It's decent, but not as good as the main game. There were a few cool sequences, but most of it reminded me of the least interesting parts of Half Life 2. It's worth playing just for the story and as a transition to Episode Two.
2004
Half Life 2 hasn't aged a day. I was surprised at how well it held up almost 20 years after its original release. Nostalgia has nothing to do with it - it's just that good.
Every single aspect of the original Half Life has been improved in the sequel. The gameplay is tighter, the visuals are better, the story and atmosphere are more compelling. I could go on and on. It may come across as bitter, but playing HL2 in the current gaming landscape was a breath of fresh air.
I do have a few nitpicks, but they are minor. Mostly pacing issues in some missions and a few frustrating encounters, especially towards the end. Still, it doesn't detract from the overall experience. Everyone should play it at least once.
Every single aspect of the original Half Life has been improved in the sequel. The gameplay is tighter, the visuals are better, the story and atmosphere are more compelling. I could go on and on. It may come across as bitter, but playing HL2 in the current gaming landscape was a breath of fresh air.
I do have a few nitpicks, but they are minor. Mostly pacing issues in some missions and a few frustrating encounters, especially towards the end. Still, it doesn't detract from the overall experience. Everyone should play it at least once.
Cool tech demo with developer commentary. Worth checking out for Half Life fans, or those who are interested in game design and rendering.
Decent expansion, though not as good as the base game. The main difference is the morality system influenced by corrupted Chaos gear, which feels a bit tacked on.
I'd still recommend it to those who enjoyed the Dawn of War 2 campaign or like the Warhammer universe. And play it in coop if you can.
I'd still recommend it to those who enjoyed the Dawn of War 2 campaign or like the Warhammer universe. And play it in coop if you can.
Short, simple, and less ambitious than the original game and the Opposing Force expansion. There are no new enemies, weapons, or boss fights. This may sound like a step backwards, but it is not. I found the experience to be focused and enjoyable. There are no annoying encounters, unnecessary backtracking, or slippery platforming sections.
I'd recommend playing the original game first, the Opposing Force expansion second, and this one last.
I'd recommend playing the original game first, the Opposing Force expansion second, and this one last.
Like the original Half Life, but with more action and less platforming. I felt the pacing was improved as well. It was less frustrating than the original game. It was interesting to see the plot unfold from a different perspective.
I have to say that I hardly used the new weapons. Squad mates would often get in the way or shoot me in the back, so I didn't find them that exciting.
Definitely check this out if you played the original game.
I have to say that I hardly used the new weapons. Squad mates would often get in the way or shoot me in the back, so I didn't find them that exciting.
Definitely check this out if you played the original game.