jsl
2022
2022
From what I played this is a really nicely written, surprisingly cosy dark fantasy visual novel - recommended if you like that kind of thing. The music is also fantastic, really sets the tone well.
Unfortunately, the game automatically updated to an "anniversary edition" which erased all my progress at about 2/3rds of the way through, which I don't really feel like playing all the way through again (a warning would've been nice), so I probably won't get around to finishing it anytime soon.
Unfortunately, the game automatically updated to an "anniversary edition" which erased all my progress at about 2/3rds of the way through, which I don't really feel like playing all the way through again (a warning would've been nice), so I probably won't get around to finishing it anytime soon.
2022
This review contains spoilers
I'm not gonna do a proper review for this so here's some bullet point thoughts:
+ I love the 'mini Souls-like' feel I get with this, very much akin to Death's Door too. Most of Tunic really feels like you're uncovering some forgotten mystery as it slowly reveals itself to you
+ Music is gorgeous, and this is personal preference but it's exactly the kind of electronic music I love to see in games. Low-key when it wants to be but memorable and melodic at the same time, extremely evocative.
+ The instruction manual and The Golden Path is in principle a very cool way to both teach you about the game's world, give hints about future parts of the game and later become a puzzle in itself.
+ Exploring the world feels genuinely rewarding as you naturally find shortcuts and exploits that make it feel less formidable. Even with the instruction manual there's little to no hand-holding, which is very refreshing.
- The art style feels a little 'over-cooked' sometimes. This is especially egregious when the fuzzy tilt-shift effect ruins some of the wider vistas the game obviously wants to show me (e.g. via the telescopes), and the amount of bright bloomy textures can become really distracting at times.
- The final quarter/third of the game sees the pace grind to a halt as it shifts from being primarily an action-adventure to purely secret-hunting. It feels like a completely different game at this point and felt more tedious than interesting, for me. I would've preferred to see these more cryptic puzzle elements peppered throughout the game rather than all becoming essential right at the end of the game. (I know you collect the instruction manual as you go, but as far as the Golden Path etc. goes it's really not apparent until the end)
- The ending itself feels a little rushed and anti-climactic if you only go for the Golden Path, which ends the game with little fanfare (especially if you didn't try to fight the Heir first)
+ I love the 'mini Souls-like' feel I get with this, very much akin to Death's Door too. Most of Tunic really feels like you're uncovering some forgotten mystery as it slowly reveals itself to you
+ Music is gorgeous, and this is personal preference but it's exactly the kind of electronic music I love to see in games. Low-key when it wants to be but memorable and melodic at the same time, extremely evocative.
+ The instruction manual and The Golden Path is in principle a very cool way to both teach you about the game's world, give hints about future parts of the game and later become a puzzle in itself.
+ Exploring the world feels genuinely rewarding as you naturally find shortcuts and exploits that make it feel less formidable. Even with the instruction manual there's little to no hand-holding, which is very refreshing.
- The art style feels a little 'over-cooked' sometimes. This is especially egregious when the fuzzy tilt-shift effect ruins some of the wider vistas the game obviously wants to show me (e.g. via the telescopes), and the amount of bright bloomy textures can become really distracting at times.
- The final quarter/third of the game sees the pace grind to a halt as it shifts from being primarily an action-adventure to purely secret-hunting. It feels like a completely different game at this point and felt more tedious than interesting, for me. I would've preferred to see these more cryptic puzzle elements peppered throughout the game rather than all becoming essential right at the end of the game. (I know you collect the instruction manual as you go, but as far as the Golden Path etc. goes it's really not apparent until the end)
- The ending itself feels a little rushed and anti-climactic if you only go for the Golden Path, which ends the game with little fanfare (especially if you didn't try to fight the Heir first)
1996
2019
This review contains spoilers
Death Stranding ended up being a very mixed experience for me. An undeniably beautiful game with a really interesting take on traversal, I'm amazed a big-budget game like this even exists. Incredibly atmospheric with fantastic presentation; while the licensed music is great and all, the original soundtrack is really excellent too, and the sound design is equally strong. I've never been genuinely chilled to the bone like when you're required to traverse a BT-ridden ruined city, with the dark ambient sound of the music and clicking of the odradek.
Besides the closure on Clifford's story and the last run to the incinerator, the latter half of the game didn't do a lot for me (it really felt like they wanted Higgs to be your Ocelot, but without really earning it). The early story and exploration did a good job getting me onboard, but ultimately actually doing the deliveries just began to feel like busywork, and while I was a big fan of Metal Gear Solid as a teenager I think Kojima's style of story writing is starting to wear a bit thin for me (there are some pretty charming comic relief moments, though).
I can't deny how unique this game is though, and even if I didn't enjoy it entirely I'm just glad it exists - I hope more publishers take a punt on ridiculous, expensive projects like this.
Besides the closure on Clifford's story and the last run to the incinerator, the latter half of the game didn't do a lot for me (it really felt like they wanted Higgs to be your Ocelot, but without really earning it). The early story and exploration did a good job getting me onboard, but ultimately actually doing the deliveries just began to feel like busywork, and while I was a big fan of Metal Gear Solid as a teenager I think Kojima's style of story writing is starting to wear a bit thin for me (there are some pretty charming comic relief moments, though).
I can't deny how unique this game is though, and even if I didn't enjoy it entirely I'm just glad it exists - I hope more publishers take a punt on ridiculous, expensive projects like this.
2019
2022
2022
An undeniably beautiful game that grabbed me at first but couldn't hold me there; made me realise that making Dark Souls bigger doesn't work for me at all. Ran out of steam after about 40 hours but had a pretty enjoyable first 10 or so hours with it, and I think I can count the number of bosses I actually enjoyed fighting on one hand.
2018
While Dusk definitely wears its influences on its sleeves at times - especially graphically - there's way more to it than just the "greatest hits of 90s FPS games". An excellent, super slick shooter in its own right, with excellent level design, controls and unmatched vibes. The tone manages to skirt between horror, B-movie gore and black comedy without it ever feeling like a non-sequitur, and there's some legit cool set-pieces it manages to pull off too.
2015
2021
This is another one of those games I don't know if I'll ever end up "finishing", but damn if it hasn't absolutely captured my heart. Picture an arena shooter played at a lumberingly slow pace, with visuals evoking auteur cinema and folk-horror, as well as an oppressive (and fucking terrifying) soundscape, and you've got one of the most enigmatic indie horror games you'll ever play.
Even with a handful of hours invested in this I still seem to find new horrors in the dark, and even if I never end up piecing together its arcane secrets I still find Nix Umbra endlessly enjoyable.
Even with a handful of hours invested in this I still seem to find new horrors in the dark, and even if I never end up piecing together its arcane secrets I still find Nix Umbra endlessly enjoyable.
2016