Not an horror game :) This game is pretty short and easy but it is worth its price (when it's on sale). The graphics are nice, simple 8bit that works well, dialogs are funny, and the cases you "solve" are pretty wacky. Situations are original enough, characters are funny, there are many small easter eggs. There are some puzzles and basic point-and-click mecanics but nothing really complicated. Ideal if you just need to spend a few minutes or a few hours with no stress nor complicated thinking. Waiting impatiently for the sequel since this opus does build an interesting setting (surprisingly intriguing, given the lack of a "serious" storyline) for a sequel!
This is a pretty different take on the VN style, especially in its visual identity. It does have its flaws (only 3 hours of gameplay, alternate choices that don't really matter) But it is nevertheless a good experience. I suggest getting it while it's on sale. The universe is pretty grim and brutal, which really reminded me of The Witcher. I am pretty sure this is no coincidence because the setting is basically the same. And I am not saying it like it's a defect, because it is done efficiently and doesn't feel like a rip-off. It feels like playing a VN spin-off the Witcher series on a far-west setting. It's nice. The plot holds enough mystery, suspens, reveals and twist so that it is engaging, entertaining and somewhat thrilling. Not a masterpiece but definitely worth a few hours and a few . I hope there will be more episodes.
As most reviews say, this game represents approximately 5/6 hours of gamelay, and has little contents : small map, no ennemies, no loot, nearly no storytelling. But it is good at what it does : fast-paced, skill-based, non-repetitive boss figths. I should also add that the "hard mode" and "true last boss" give it a good replay value. The game is unforgiving but not really punitive. Gameplay mechanics are simple to learn but hard to master. Most boss require analysing the situation and having lightning-fast reflexes... or just being really cunning. If you want short fights that will bring your skills at their limits, this game is perfeclty fine. Some patience is required (I died 524 times on my first, 6-hours run...) but it rarely becomes frustrating since fights rarely last more than 30 seconds. Once you get a hang of it, managing to defeat a boss is a reward of itself. Il you just accept the minimalist nature of the game and use your imagination on the few elements you encounter while visiting the map, it actually has a pretty immersive atmosphere. Its full price is certainly a bit exagerated, but I would recommand getting it on sale without hesitation.
This third opus really marks a big step forward for the Trine series. The world is as beautiful as ever and the depth effect made possible by the third dimension really allows for some stunning scenes. But. There is still room for improvement. The RPG dimension of the series is completely gone, and some aspects of the physics of the game are not completely mature, such as cubes that move in an uncontroled manner, or perspective problems. None of those issues are really bad, but they do hint that the game may have been released while it was still a little too young. Lastly, there real problem here is... four hours ? This gives the impression that the game has been released just to test new gameplay mechanics, see how the public reacts to the 3rd dimension, and only after that, maybe release the real game. I sure hope they do, having fixed the issues I mentionned above. If so, that'll be a well deserved 5/5, but for now, this is somewhat underwhelming.
After reading so many things about this game, I decided to play it. Let's be clear, it is not bad, but it is still somehow disapointing. There is little depth to it, the gameplay is not especially original and the "creepy" style is not masterfull enough to not seem gratuitious on some occasions. There are good ideas and a good artisitc direction, and I think if I had less expactations I would have been less disappointed. Moreover, 10$ for 3 hours of gameplay seems to be overpriced. So, a decent, somewhat original game, but nothing that exceptionnal.
This game does have some issues, but it is nevertheless worth playing. I'd still recommand to get it while it's on sales since it represents something like 8h of gameplay. A few things lack polishing, such as the weird grapling hook physics or the dumb gards not seeing you, a little girl and three dead bodies right in front of them because all this is stuffed in a small bush. After you accept these things, the game is pretty interesting though a little easy and repetitive. The level design is pretty good and the time stop/rewind make the game feel really smooth, since you can just think before you act and correct your mistakes right on the spot. The game is rarely frustating nor irritating. There is little scenario but it doesn't hurt the game since the small story being told is still satisfying, especially if you listen to the few interesting guard dialogues and you choose to not let the girl see you kill people. Not much more to say. Visuals are ok, there are few different characters or cutscenes but they are ok too. The gameplay certainly lacks a challenge and variety, so the best I can say is I hope there will be a second, improved opus!
This game is pretty fun to play, but it manages to become repetitive even though it takes litteraly less than 4 hours to complete on hard settings. There is a replay value (new game+), but still, it feels like 1€/hour is a little expensive. Few ennemies, few weapons, few skills, little storyline, shabby voice acting, nothing really original. But as I said, it still manages to be kinda fun, so I guess it is not a scam nevertheless. If you plated the first, you'll notice they did add some neat things, like experience, skills, two "vehicles" and few characters, even though it's not really deep. The experience is less "survival" and more "arcade", less dark and more punchy.
I do not entirely agree with people saying this is a successor to Dark Messiah, since the role play and exploration parts are fairly slim and this game is far more action-centered than its predecessor. Still, an important part of it is clearly inspired from DM, sometimes even a little too much, dare I say. Lichdom is really linear and its scenario won't surprise you, but what it does, it does really-well : being a generous Battlemage simulator. The length of the game is really satifactory, on higher difficulty some battles are really challenging, and the graphics are really nice, especially the special effects of the spells that are the heart of the game. And it's a success : you can burn, freeze, pin, glue, explode everything, and it looks awesome. Even though some aspects of the game are a little stiff (no jumps, few real secrets, no interaction with the scenery), the number of spells, combinations and other options are really generous and I think two playthrough are a minimum to discover all the system has to offer. In my opinion, Dark Messiah had a better narration, a slightly better feel, and gave a far better choice on the way to approach things, when Lichdom gives you only one : blowing things up. But once you understand and accept this, it is a good action/fps with a wide variety of ways to kill stuff. Let's hope there will be another one, with a little more subtle approach :)
