kuromizu780
2021
I totally get why some people might be put off by how different this is to the first Axiom Verge. It took a couple of hours before it really clicked for me how incredibly ambitious of a follow-up/prequel this is.
You can't really play these games as normal metroidvanias. To fully appreciate what Tom Happ has created here, you need to read every document, absorb the crazy detailed environmental storytelling, and fill in the blanks using your own brainpower.
You can't really play these games as normal metroidvanias. To fully appreciate what Tom Happ has created here, you need to read every document, absorb the crazy detailed environmental storytelling, and fill in the blanks using your own brainpower.
2021
I picked this up because I thought it looked neat, and it is neat, but I have realized I'm not much of a twin stick shooter guy.
2019
This is a great rogue-lite that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Honestly, there's stuff here that I like more than Hades, but there are also a few issues. While the main story narration is fantastic, the in game text for the family lore and documents is pretty lackluster. As someone who likes to read those kinds of things in games, that was disappointing.
I also think the final boss encounter could have used a little more oomf. Give me two or even three phases! So much of the game is about building up to this final encounter, but the impact just isn't quite there.
But look, these are minor grievances overall. I think this is an awesome game that deserves more attention.
Honestly, there's stuff here that I like more than Hades, but there are also a few issues. While the main story narration is fantastic, the in game text for the family lore and documents is pretty lackluster. As someone who likes to read those kinds of things in games, that was disappointing.
I also think the final boss encounter could have used a little more oomf. Give me two or even three phases! So much of the game is about building up to this final encounter, but the impact just isn't quite there.
But look, these are minor grievances overall. I think this is an awesome game that deserves more attention.
2017
It's fine.
Mario Golf GBC remains undefeated.
Mario Golf GBC remains undefeated.
I really wanted to like this, but the game feel is just off.
Flynn is so slow in comparison to every enemy you encounter. You move slow. You charge magic slow. You swing your sword slow. The result is that combat never feels fun. It's never outright bad, but it only seems to range from tedious to frustrating.
It's a shame because it's otherwise a well made game. It looks great, sounds great, and runs great. I just wish it played great too.
Flynn is so slow in comparison to every enemy you encounter. You move slow. You charge magic slow. You swing your sword slow. The result is that combat never feels fun. It's never outright bad, but it only seems to range from tedious to frustrating.
It's a shame because it's otherwise a well made game. It looks great, sounds great, and runs great. I just wish it played great too.
One of the best written games I've played and was on its way to a 5/5, but I got pretty thrown off when it suddenly shifted into a campaign simulator at the end. Still, it's a fantastic experience and there's nothing else quite like it.
This was a decent prequel story to The Expanse, but as an adventure game with the Telltale name, it's severely lacking.
I just wish there was more to do. Give me more interesting environmental puzzles. Make the shoot-outs and fist fights more dynamic. Quick time events CAN be done well (see Wolf Among Us or Until Dawn).
Not a bad game overall, but I'd only recommend it if you're already a fan of the show.
I just wish there was more to do. Give me more interesting environmental puzzles. Make the shoot-outs and fist fights more dynamic. Quick time events CAN be done well (see Wolf Among Us or Until Dawn).
Not a bad game overall, but I'd only recommend it if you're already a fan of the show.
Lieutenant Bedrosian is a psychopath.
With that out of the way, this isn't just a great Star Trek game, it's great Star Trek period. Yes, it's rough around the edges and was clearly made on a shoestring budget, but if you're a '90s Trekkie fan it really doesn't get better than this.
With that out of the way, this isn't just a great Star Trek game, it's great Star Trek period. Yes, it's rough around the edges and was clearly made on a shoestring budget, but if you're a '90s Trekkie fan it really doesn't get better than this.
Good story. Okay fights. Bad level design.
2022
I give these guys credit for bringing Duelyst back from the dead, but this is in no way a sequel or follow up to the original. It's literally just the same game but slightly worse.
2023
Good but not great second entry in the Pixel Pulp series.
The framing device with Lou is a neat reveal, but by the end I really wished this was standalone story. I just think there were too many gaps in the 1954 story that didn't get explored enough, since we keep cutting back to '81.
Xantos needs his own game stat!
The framing device with Lou is a neat reveal, but by the end I really wished this was standalone story. I just think there were too many gaps in the 1954 story that didn't get explored enough, since we keep cutting back to '81.
Xantos needs his own game stat!
2019
Cool character creator and decent action rpg but the atrocious pacing is what really drags this down.
2023
There's a lot to love here, especially if you've become disillusioned with Pokemon. But a few baffling design decisions and quality of life issues hold Cassette Beasts back from being a truly great monster taming game.
Contemporaries like Coromon and Monster Sanctuary are better in my opinion, but I reckon Cassette Beasts has a stronger foundation for potential sequels.
Contemporaries like Coromon and Monster Sanctuary are better in my opinion, but I reckon Cassette Beasts has a stronger foundation for potential sequels.
2018
Iconoclasts is a real struggle to review. There's stuff I adore in this game and stuff I absolutely hate. I wish Robin wasn't a silent protagonist and yet I understand the choice. I wish the moment to moment combat was more interesting. Puzzles are ok but no real big brain moments that made me feel smart. Overall though, I think it's still a great experience.
5/5 Story 4/5 Characters 3/5 Metroidvania
5/5 Story 4/5 Characters 3/5 Metroidvania
2020
Although mechanically superior and more fun to play than Alwa's Awakening, it nevertheless falls short of its predecessor.
Being a throwback NES game, Awakening's design flaws felt intentional and charming. Its simplicity was its greatest strength.
Legacy's design flaws on the other hand slowly reveal themselves to be rather tedious. By introducing more complexity - more characters, story, items, magic upgrades, and abilities - my expectations rose dramatically. But Legacy never fully meets those expectations. The new magic upgrades are neat but never feel essential. And while there is some clever use of the new abilities in certain dungeons, they more often seem to trivialize the platforming challenge.
Still a solid little metroidvania and I hope we get a third game in the series.
Being a throwback NES game, Awakening's design flaws felt intentional and charming. Its simplicity was its greatest strength.
Legacy's design flaws on the other hand slowly reveal themselves to be rather tedious. By introducing more complexity - more characters, story, items, magic upgrades, and abilities - my expectations rose dramatically. But Legacy never fully meets those expectations. The new magic upgrades are neat but never feel essential. And while there is some clever use of the new abilities in certain dungeons, they more often seem to trivialize the platforming challenge.
Still a solid little metroidvania and I hope we get a third game in the series.