tangysphere
BACKER
2021
Simple but very effective little puzzle platformer. Honestly, more games should let you throw your own head around.
2022
Pretty good overall but there were a few too many annoying things about it for me to be fully whisked away by the stories, setting and people you meet along the way
Navigating through the menus on a controller was a bit of a chore and speaking of UI, following the dialogue and stories wasn't a great experience and came through a bit 'wall of text-y', requiring some passages to be re-read before working out who said what. Also towards the end of the game it felt like I was just waiting around a lot with nothing to really do until certain timers expired on other events. This is partially due to how easy the game becomes once you have a few upgrades under your belt, including one where you can reroll all your remaining dice at any point once per cycle which kind of trivialises the checks.
On a more positive note, the stories themselves were engaging, introducing you to interesting characters and scenarios. And there was a nice 'just one more turn' feeling (at least until around two thirds in) to see where things progressed with each action I performed and how it would affect various story arcs. The game hooks you in at the beginning really well too, putting you under some time constraints making you feel like you have to choices on what avenues to go down really matter, an illusion which does unfortunately evaporate as time progresses.
Navigating through the menus on a controller was a bit of a chore and speaking of UI, following the dialogue and stories wasn't a great experience and came through a bit 'wall of text-y', requiring some passages to be re-read before working out who said what. Also towards the end of the game it felt like I was just waiting around a lot with nothing to really do until certain timers expired on other events. This is partially due to how easy the game becomes once you have a few upgrades under your belt, including one where you can reroll all your remaining dice at any point once per cycle which kind of trivialises the checks.
On a more positive note, the stories themselves were engaging, introducing you to interesting characters and scenarios. And there was a nice 'just one more turn' feeling (at least until around two thirds in) to see where things progressed with each action I performed and how it would affect various story arcs. The game hooks you in at the beginning really well too, putting you under some time constraints making you feel like you have to choices on what avenues to go down really matter, an illusion which does unfortunately evaporate as time progresses.
2020
Some aspects of the game aren't as streamlined as they could be but overall it's a neat twist on the hidden object game formula with a high quality voice work and a selection of simple but touching narratives
2022
A nice and relaxing diversion but while solving each conundrum is enjoyable the puzzles never really step out of first gear and I found that the time limit was barely even noticeable given how quickly you can blast through each scenario. I'm hoping that recently announced updates and DLC can test that grey matter just a tiny bit more but at the moment it's a pretty good way to while away an evening.
2020
Very short and the puzzles aren't exactly head scratchers but it also looks gorgeous, feels incredibly relaxing and is free. I'd love to see more from the devs in the future, as this delightfully warm 15 minute hug of a game was a better overall experience than some bigger titles I've played this year.
1997
First time I've played this since I wore out the demo disc as a child and minus some very slightly fiddly controls it really holds up. Difficulty ramps up nicely and the music goes hard, a hidden gem of the original Playstation's library.
2019
There's a more to Supraland than meets the eye - on first glance you might get hints of a Steam asset swap special but persevere just a few minutes and you realise you're in for a bit of a treat as you leave your little town and fully enter a literal sandbox filled with puzzles and platforming. You're handed upgrades at a steady pace and the challenge ramps up at a decent rate while you explore a surprisingly intricate and aesthetically pleasing world.
Unfortunately, the last couple of hours were a bit of a slog to get through thanks to an increased level of already pretty tedious combat towards the end of the game. This was amplified a little by something outside of the game's control - illness - and my patience definitely started to wear thin when I reached a massive difficulty spike just before the final boss. I also had a glitch where a very important environmental asset just would not load at all, so had to Macgyver my way around that which was way too mentally taxing for the state I was in.
But it seems harsh to criticise a game for me being unwell - I still had a good time with Supraland overall and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a 3D Metroidvania puzzle fix. You just need to be aware that it's a much longer game than it might look on the surface
Unfortunately, the last couple of hours were a bit of a slog to get through thanks to an increased level of already pretty tedious combat towards the end of the game. This was amplified a little by something outside of the game's control - illness - and my patience definitely started to wear thin when I reached a massive difficulty spike just before the final boss. I also had a glitch where a very important environmental asset just would not load at all, so had to Macgyver my way around that which was way too mentally taxing for the state I was in.
But it seems harsh to criticise a game for me being unwell - I still had a good time with Supraland overall and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a 3D Metroidvania puzzle fix. You just need to be aware that it's a much longer game than it might look on the surface
A mixed bag really. The setting and cultural subject matter aren't your usual fare, focusing on and telling stories from Hindu mythology which are narrated (along with the main story) really quite compellingly by
Durga and Vishnu. I also really appreciate the design of the world and while the platforming can be standard fare, the game always manages to look good while you're traversing temples, jungles and deserts.
On the flip side though there's the combat, which is fine but there's not a lot of weight to your actions and hitboxes can be a little all over the shop. There are attempts to vary up encounters with different weapons and choosing which elements are assigned to them, but it doesn't really change much as you end up getting into repetitive spam fights quite regularly.
As mentioned earlier, I really quite enjoyed being told the various stories in the game, the main one is slightly basic, and there are far too many times where climactic-looking events just happen and you're thrown into a completely different section of the game. And while I don't mind where the game's main story ends up going, it ends far too abruptly.
Durga and Vishnu. I also really appreciate the design of the world and while the platforming can be standard fare, the game always manages to look good while you're traversing temples, jungles and deserts.
On the flip side though there's the combat, which is fine but there's not a lot of weight to your actions and hitboxes can be a little all over the shop. There are attempts to vary up encounters with different weapons and choosing which elements are assigned to them, but it doesn't really change much as you end up getting into repetitive spam fights quite regularly.
As mentioned earlier, I really quite enjoyed being told the various stories in the game, the main one is slightly basic, and there are far too many times where climactic-looking events just happen and you're thrown into a completely different section of the game. And while I don't mind where the game's main story ends up going, it ends far too abruptly.
2019
A decent lazy afternoon game that looks nice and feels pretty cosy to play but it's lacks anything really intriguing to keep you thinking about it after playing, as well as throwing you out of the experience a little with noticeable English localisation issues.
2020
Took me 29 years to play Myst and it was... fine I guess. Much shorter than I had anticipated and while I did quite like the puzzles (most of them anyway, the second section of the Selenitic Age was very much a lowlight) I didn't really feel engaged by the story or lore.
The story is fun and I mostly liked these versions of the characters more than the recent films but ultimately it's a bit of a chore to actually play through thanks to repetitive and uninteresting encounters and bland level design.
When it focuses on slice of life situations, True Colors is maybe the best of the series with a more likable and well written protagonist in a cosy town full of surprisingly interesting people. I just wish it didn't veer away from that to satisfy a larger story or event as while it's not done badly, it's certainly of a lower quality than other areas of the game.
Still, probably my favourite game in the LiS series.
Still, probably my favourite game in the LiS series.
Despite having fun swatting away at shuttlecocks and trying to get just the right amount of spin on the ball as I try to send those ten smug pins into oblivion, I can't help but feel disappointed by what's actually on offer here. Calling it barebones feels harsh to skeletons.
As mentioned I've had a great time with Badminton and Bowling, and the basics of Chambara are pretty solid as well but the other three sports haven't really grabbed me - the route they've gone down with Soccer is fine but it all feels too slow, Volleyball ends up feeling a bit boring and Tennis just feels off, not mention the fact that it's locked to doubles-only.
I might have been okay with only really getting on with half the sports here if there was some depth to them but sadly the options available are severely lacking, and it's especially sad that there's not even a hint of local single player progression. I would have thought even following the basics of Wii Sports Resort would be the baseline but Nintendo have focused almost 100% on the online side. I can't blame them I suppose, it's just incredibly disappointing for anyone wanting just a tiny but more than playing a single game and moving on. Even something as small as adding stats (W/L records, time played in each sport or whatnot) would have been nice.
But then when it works, it really is fun. I mentioned it earlier, but Badminton really works and feels a lot different to the other net sports included, which I know was a worry for some. It's fast and frantic with a nice little tactical element when it comes to when and where you place your drop shots during the rally and on the court itself. I just wish I could do more with it than just play a 5 point game against people online of one of three set AIs ad infinitum.
As mentioned I've had a great time with Badminton and Bowling, and the basics of Chambara are pretty solid as well but the other three sports haven't really grabbed me - the route they've gone down with Soccer is fine but it all feels too slow, Volleyball ends up feeling a bit boring and Tennis just feels off, not mention the fact that it's locked to doubles-only.
I might have been okay with only really getting on with half the sports here if there was some depth to them but sadly the options available are severely lacking, and it's especially sad that there's not even a hint of local single player progression. I would have thought even following the basics of Wii Sports Resort would be the baseline but Nintendo have focused almost 100% on the online side. I can't blame them I suppose, it's just incredibly disappointing for anyone wanting just a tiny but more than playing a single game and moving on. Even something as small as adding stats (W/L records, time played in each sport or whatnot) would have been nice.
But then when it works, it really is fun. I mentioned it earlier, but Badminton really works and feels a lot different to the other net sports included, which I know was a worry for some. It's fast and frantic with a nice little tactical element when it comes to when and where you place your drop shots during the rally and on the court itself. I just wish I could do more with it than just play a 5 point game against people online of one of three set AIs ad infinitum.
2022
An aesthetically pleasing story can only take you so far. As nice as it looks, A Memoir Blue is just too simple and doesn't really do anything with its mechanics to fit in with the tale that is being told - in fact, it barely does anything at all.
2022
Combat is probably the weakest part of Tunic - it's fine but there's a bit too much of it and it doesn't really do anything to stand out barring a few unwelcome difficulty spikes.
Everything aside from the combat is absolutely terrific. An interlinking world full of secrets, puzzles and secret puzzles that you're guided through with an in-game manual (missing a lot of pages) using its own translatable language that provides some guidance on what to do next and cryptic hints to find hidden areas and items.
It requires some brain power, and I'd also highly recommend a notepad at points but if you put the time in to investigate those clues and search for hidden trinkets, Tunic really shines. It's interesting to wonder whether this game would have been better with less combat (or even none at all) and instead focused on something else, maybe more environmental puzzles and traps along the critical path, but I can only really judge what I played and even having to endure the combat, I was captivated
Everything aside from the combat is absolutely terrific. An interlinking world full of secrets, puzzles and secret puzzles that you're guided through with an in-game manual (missing a lot of pages) using its own translatable language that provides some guidance on what to do next and cryptic hints to find hidden areas and items.
It requires some brain power, and I'd also highly recommend a notepad at points but if you put the time in to investigate those clues and search for hidden trinkets, Tunic really shines. It's interesting to wonder whether this game would have been better with less combat (or even none at all) and instead focused on something else, maybe more environmental puzzles and traps along the critical path, but I can only really judge what I played and even having to endure the combat, I was captivated