Overly simplistic game. Overrated. Mini games that are as bad as the "clean and brush your pony" games my daughter plays on her IPAD. Story is predictable. I knew within minutes that it would be another "your better off without a man" storyline. Well, at least Florence was hetero and, for that, it gets two stars instead of one. Truly disliked this waste-of-an-hour playtime. There are certain women who may like it and I recommend it for these women and I have no problem with that. Games are to be enjoyed but this was just not for me.
Caligula Effect began well. You can choose your name and gender. Nice. But then came the opening cutscene. The animation was stiff and the graphics poor. Awful. So, would the game play save it? The game has three major elements: a fair story, a good combat mechanic, and a dull social behemoth. Story summary; you’ll learn the following in the first 30 minutes. You begin aware that you are stuck in a Matrix-like world called Mobius. Most students believe it’s real life. The overlord of Mobius is it’s creator and baddie. You join a group of aware, rebel students. You and they want to escape to reality. This group provides most of the dialogue and voice acting which is good albeit too hyperbolic in tone and subject. Sadly, your character mostly listens to your allies conversing among themselves. You are usually a mere silent spectator. The combat is a clever turn-based mechanic. You fight rogue students. In a single turn all grouped characters can perform multiple skills in a certain order which you can move forward or backward on a time bar. You then watch a preview of what “might” happen which includes the enemy’s moves. You then can move or change skills. When satisfied, you accept your plan and let the bullets fly. It can be very satisfying but it can get grindy. The social piece is awful. You have 500 students to befriend. Amount optional. To do this, you approach a wandering student and talk to them 3 times which levels them to “friend.” You speak not a word and somehow you get responses as though you actually said something. Their canned responses you will hear, quite literally, a hundred times. You then get a side quest that resolves some personal, social crises they have. Imagine trying to keep track of 500 names and quests. To “help” you’ll find an overwhelming chart that shows all 500 students and their relationships! Those who love JRPG social games might bear the grind but it's no Persona. Sadly, I admit that I paid to imprison myself in my own Mobius.
My daughter and I played this together. Chillax is a chic word at her school these days. It fits this game perfectly. This unstressful game is about a girl named Auk who can shape shift into a bird. Visually, it is beautiful. The polygonal art style renders into objects what looks like chisel marks in a wood carving and it fits the Native American motif. The music is soothing and ethereal. The lore is impressive. But is it fun? In a muted way, yes. So what is AER? For starters, it's an adventure game that uses device-manipulation puzzles that require no inventory. Most of them come with clever visual cues. Although easy, they feel tangible and satisfying and they often move some monolithic objects. Second, AER is a platformer. In indoor areas, where you can't fly, your progress often requires that you complete 3D platformer runs. They are always fairly easy but still entertaining enough to make you feel as though you've accomplished something. Third, it's a flying simulator. And here AER excels. AER requires that you jump to start your flight and then hit another key to sprout wings and soar. The two step process really makes it feel as if you're making an effort to take off. When in flight, the game requires you to flap your wings to speed up and to climb faster. This give you the sense that you are powering your flight. My daughter often plays AER just to fly around. BTW, you can't die in this game so crash landings are safe landings. Fourth, AER is a spiritual story and exploration game. It gets a little too metaphysical for its own good sometimes and is a bit humorless but it is interesting and deep nonetheless. Final thoughts: You can always determine what to do next by talking to NPCs. The game illuminates the next goal in any sequence. You won't get lost. If you want a game that delivers a sense of wonder, a few relaxing hours of game play, and a chance to have a waking-state flying dream this may be for you. Good game to play with your child.
Fallout 3 is a magnificent game. I say that while also assuring you that I have played and loved Fallout 1, 2 and NV. The originals were awesome but Fallout 3 has many, many strengths and it captures the feeling of the originals as well. Early on you will be reminded of Fallout 1. After a unique growing-up segment you hesitantly exit your familiar vault home and are presented with a formidable wasteland to explore and to fear. Off in the distance is a ruined Washington DC. It's a breathtaking sight. You wonder where to go next, what's going to kill you, and who is going to help you. You feel helpless. The alien world into which you have stepped feels very broken, very poisoned and very deadly. The cast of characters you'll soon meet are often funny, often lethal, extremely well voiced, and superbly scripted. They will set you upon quests that are never trivial. They are highly developed mini-stories that have dedicated locations and multiple characters whom you will meet. You will have to take sides and make some unpleasant choices. These colorful tasks don't feel tacked on. Rather, they feel born of this ruined world. As for the presentation, Fallout 3 even stands out over the originals; its use of the first person perspective is VERY immersive. You will feel as if your heart is beating right where you stand. That's significant because Fallout 3's location is truly awesome. Exploring Washington's numerous monuments, now wrecked or inhabited by monstrosities, is a gaming experience I'll never forget. Most noteworthy might be the Arlington Cemetery. Out of respect, no enemies appear here; a very classy thing for the developers to do. The game also retains Fallout's dark apocalyptic humor and sometimes funny and always consequential perks. As for the DLCs, with the exception of the Anchorage DLC, they are quite good, with Point Lookout and Broken Steel the standouts. Give Fallout 3 a chance, you won't be sorry. It may even become the best game you've ever played.
