skyebaron
A decent Search-Action game. It starts strong but it devolves into monotony in the second half due to tedious water levels and frustrating puzzles. The melee system is robust and the movement controls are tight. Graphics are gorgeous, reminiscing a PS1 era art style. I could not use RTX, since it crashed 10 minutes into playing on DX12. Fortunately DLSS still worked and game ran great on DX11.
Its a shame FIST botches its second half. It could've been a hidden gem with its great movement and gameplay. There's potential for a dramatically better sequel if it has better level design.
Its a shame FIST botches its second half. It could've been a hidden gem with its great movement and gameplay. There's potential for a dramatically better sequel if it has better level design.
2021
An action RPG with a fantastic fighting system and cool setting is dragged down by atrocious anime tropes. This had the potential to be a classic but the embarrassing dialogue, cliched party members and uninspired missions hurt it a lot.
Beware of the input lag. Even playing on the platform with the least amount, it can be felt tremendously. Its sad when even free emulators do a better job that what can be paid for.
It still is a collection of 3 classic X games and X3, but when vastly better alternatives are out there, its difficult to recommend this version.
It still is a collection of 3 classic X games and X3, but when vastly better alternatives are out there, its difficult to recommend this version.
2023
Nightdive Studios makes the best remasters. Even the E3 demos are recreated.
A batshit insane sci fi story wrapped in mundane game play. Its a delivery man simulator for most of its runtime. Death Stranding will test your love of the monotonous though its game play since 80% of it is walking or driving from one place to the next. What makes this interesting is the amount of effort put into the terrain design itself since you can easily stumble, fall or break the cargo youre transporting. The game drips you solid upgrades when completing your deliveries including vehicles and exoskeletons. Also, there is multiplayer that consist of making your fellow players life easier by dropping signs, vehicles and even roads for them.
Death Stranding shows the value of people coming together through its story and game play in a wholly unique matter. It is impressive. A shame that the story is told in a overly repetitive and overexposed way. I get that the subject is convoluted and theres a ton of lore to explain, but it couldve been done assuming the player has a bit of brain retention and not repeating concepts right after the scene that explained them has ended. The story badly needed an editor.
Still, its a wholly unique game that will be divisive among people. It asks you to put your faith in while you just walk and administer your cargo load from one place to the next for the nth time.
Death Stranding shows the value of people coming together through its story and game play in a wholly unique matter. It is impressive. A shame that the story is told in a overly repetitive and overexposed way. I get that the subject is convoluted and theres a ton of lore to explain, but it couldve been done assuming the player has a bit of brain retention and not repeating concepts right after the scene that explained them has ended. The story badly needed an editor.
Still, its a wholly unique game that will be divisive among people. It asks you to put your faith in while you just walk and administer your cargo load from one place to the next for the nth time.
2023
A nice gameplay mix of Super Mario RPG and Chrono Trigger with amazing pixel art and soundtrack. The combat can be fun but it wears out its welcome well before the final act because of the few choices it provided. The combat has a lock system that makes you land specific powerful attacks on enemies so you can interrupt them is a good addition but does not solve the fatigue.
Just like the developer's previous title, The Messenger, for some reason the game has to change gears and force a twist in the late game. Its not as drastic as changing a game genre, but the final act felt unnecessary and a lot less inspired that what came before. The second act's conclusion should have been the game's finale with some tweaking here and there. The finale is not awful, it just pales in comparison to what came before.
This is an RPG that should not be beaten in a few sittings. If you take it slow and take in the vistas, the fun but repetitive combat, the nice story and charming characters you will be delighted by how much this developer nailed the classic JRPG formula.
Just like the developer's previous title, The Messenger, for some reason the game has to change gears and force a twist in the late game. Its not as drastic as changing a game genre, but the final act felt unnecessary and a lot less inspired that what came before. The second act's conclusion should have been the game's finale with some tweaking here and there. The finale is not awful, it just pales in comparison to what came before.
This is an RPG that should not be beaten in a few sittings. If you take it slow and take in the vistas, the fun but repetitive combat, the nice story and charming characters you will be delighted by how much this developer nailed the classic JRPG formula.
2023
Payday 3 feels like they had to downgrade Hitman: World of Assassination to make it multiplayer. Give a chance to the weird comparison, steeping aside the obvious that one is a FPS and the other is in 3rd person and youll observe that everything from level design, dead enemy AI to objectives had to be sacrificed in order to accommodate multiple players. The biggest differentiator is that it turns into a mediocre horde shooter when stealth is no longer an option. Leveling up is a bloated, tedious grind rivaling most free 2 play games. The always online requirement and server problems are baffling at launch.
The game emits a shines when playing with friends. Needing multiple people to observe surroundings or open some sort of lock can be rewarding. Shooting is an upgrade from its previous title, though its not great yet. Some of the upgrades feel tangential, giving a good feel of progression.
The few maps offered would fall into repetition if not for the smartly implemented randomization of items, cameras and npcs. Higher difficulties also add NPCs and other variables so your approach will not be the same every time.
Payday 3 is a "just fine" title whose saving grace is that other, better games do not offer a multiplayer coop variant. Good for gamepass and a deep sale only if you have a crew of friends.
The game emits a shines when playing with friends. Needing multiple people to observe surroundings or open some sort of lock can be rewarding. Shooting is an upgrade from its previous title, though its not great yet. Some of the upgrades feel tangential, giving a good feel of progression.
The few maps offered would fall into repetition if not for the smartly implemented randomization of items, cameras and npcs. Higher difficulties also add NPCs and other variables so your approach will not be the same every time.
Payday 3 is a "just fine" title whose saving grace is that other, better games do not offer a multiplayer coop variant. Good for gamepass and a deep sale only if you have a crew of friends.
2022
A great concept brought down by weak gunplay and stealth.
Weird West has a fantastic premise and story beats that get you interested in its world but its ultimately ruined by its gameplay mechanics.
Shooting never feel good, accurate or satisfying. Going for a slow as molasses Stealth approach requires patience fit for a saint since the NPCs all react erratically and your crouched movement is way too slow (even after upgrades). The immersive sim mechanics are fine. Your actions have some sort of consequence, making the world feel alive. The game shows promise and begins to get interesting but then you're brought down when you start to play it.
A disappointment. I can stomach a great story if the gameplay is at least average, but this game just isn't fun to play.
Weird West has a fantastic premise and story beats that get you interested in its world but its ultimately ruined by its gameplay mechanics.
Shooting never feel good, accurate or satisfying. Going for a slow as molasses Stealth approach requires patience fit for a saint since the NPCs all react erratically and your crouched movement is way too slow (even after upgrades). The immersive sim mechanics are fine. Your actions have some sort of consequence, making the world feel alive. The game shows promise and begins to get interesting but then you're brought down when you start to play it.
A disappointment. I can stomach a great story if the gameplay is at least average, but this game just isn't fun to play.
Kirby's transition to a Super Mario 3D World level design is a triumph. Every power is upgradeable and fun to use. The secret filled levels are so inspired and the graphics are a delight especially in 4K, 60fps on Ryujinx.
Though, this game is more about an experience than a challenge. The games very easy difficulty might bore some but personally, the world is so charming that I enjoyed my time with it.
Though, this game is more about an experience than a challenge. The games very easy difficulty might bore some but personally, the world is so charming that I enjoyed my time with it.
2023
A great Mega Man X style game with beat em up mechanics. The controls are precise, abilities are varied, music fits the MMX aesthetic and the level design is great. This is marred by the hookshot. Its finicky controls hurt the great pacing when going through the levels. Still, the game is fun throughout its three hour runtime and other modes unlock after beating the main story.
This developer gets what a Mega Man X game is. I would love it if they get a crack at a revival.
This developer gets what a Mega Man X game is. I would love it if they get a crack at a revival.
2020
After playing countless shooters the gameplay in this just feels slow and unexciting. The roguelike elements wouldnt feel like a drag if the act of going through the levels was so boring.
2022
Give me more Doom Eternal gameplay clones of this quality.
2023
You get what you see in the first 20 minutes. I got a loop of oversimplified QTE's for catching fish and materials, going to town, selling and upgrading. This never changes in the first 10 hours. Theres no wrinkle, interesting story or event. The game feels like a mindless MMO fetch quest stretched over a dozen hours. You level up the ship, have more space and repeat the same tedious process over and over. Some might call it cozy or meditative, to me its just boring.
The art style and controls are nice at least.
The art style and controls are nice at least.
2023
The definitive edition of a SNES classic that could have used a difficulty option as the game is extremely easy. The timing of the action button for offense and defense still remains one of the most engaging gameplay innovations in an turned based RPG today. The game is perfect for a first time RPG player.
2021
Exceptional worldbuilding and graphics are brought down with slow, repetitive gameplay.
The Ascent has a stunning graphical style. The cyberpunk world is dense, populated and oozes atmosphere. This makes up for the gameplay mechanics a lot. The game is a Diablo style twin stick shooter. The action is plentiful with exploding wet chunks mixed with slabs of concrete everywhere. The mission structure is the basic go there, shoot that or defend this spot.
What makes this game a difficult recommendation is the slow movement speed. Takes ages to get anywhere even with fast travel. Though I can see the argument that this makes you soak in the world's atmosphere, I can't help it and get bored a lot of the time. You will also blindly shoot enemies away from the screen because of the camera and the cover system feels tacked on.
Your love for explosive, Diablo style twin stick shooter action, beautiful graphics and expertly crafted cyberpunk world will determine your tolerance for finishing this game.
The Ascent has a stunning graphical style. The cyberpunk world is dense, populated and oozes atmosphere. This makes up for the gameplay mechanics a lot. The game is a Diablo style twin stick shooter. The action is plentiful with exploding wet chunks mixed with slabs of concrete everywhere. The mission structure is the basic go there, shoot that or defend this spot.
What makes this game a difficult recommendation is the slow movement speed. Takes ages to get anywhere even with fast travel. Though I can see the argument that this makes you soak in the world's atmosphere, I can't help it and get bored a lot of the time. You will also blindly shoot enemies away from the screen because of the camera and the cover system feels tacked on.
Your love for explosive, Diablo style twin stick shooter action, beautiful graphics and expertly crafted cyberpunk world will determine your tolerance for finishing this game.