Hotline Miami 2 is, unfortunately, a bloated and sub-par product compared to its predecessor. While the music and effects are still charming, the gameplay is compromised by bugs and bad design choices. First, the original was so fast and frenetic because it was set in tight corridors, allowing for quick melee attacks. The sequel takes place in large, open rooms with long and drawn-out gunfights. 90% of the time you will have your pinky on the shift button, trying to suss out on the the stick figures on the other side of the room (who you can't hit anyway due to the godawful mouse smoothing.) Nor does it help that the AI is bugged out. Enemies' hearing is often unresponsive while the dogs are prone to spinning in circles. Adding to the madness are various furniture objects whose heights cannot be determined due to the pixel art and top-down view. In short, you cannot tell the difference between an obstacle and piece of cover. Ultimately, Hotline Miami has decided to go out, not with a bang, but a whimper. The developer lacked the same focus he had for the original, and obviously not enough playtesting was done. A poor showing.
Commandos is not a squad tactical shooter. It is a puzzle in which each mission has you deconstruct a scenario, and complete tasks with your severely outgunned soldiers. There is no shame in quicksaving, since this is about figuring out the map, and not necessarily reflexes (well, not ALL reflexes.) And when you plan comes together, and all your soldiers come out alive, you'll feel pretty accomplished.
Alright, let's be level here. Ignore any 5-star reviews. These people are writing from a place of nostalgia. Every game feels like a masterpiece when you're 6 years old, and it's the only one you own. The controls for this game are HORRIBLE. Not just outdated, but bad for the time it was released. The action sequences are stiff, unresponsive, have uncomfortable key placement, and will only annoy you. The commands themselves are overly complex for a game which utilizes only two buttons and the directional pad. Besides the godawful controls, it's actually a pretty addictive game. The political intrigue is fun to watch play out, and the top-down sections are actually playable. Do I recommend? If you find it on sale, sure. Otherwise, find a roguelike with more manageable controls.
FRACT OSC is a pretty astounding game in terms of what it does to the player emotionally. Few games will ever make you feel so utterly alone. You are in a synthetic Hell - or at least purgatory. The places you explore are the rotting infrastructure of a neon world. The synth music which hums in the background is so artificial and detached, that it sounds more like the creaking of an abandoned factory. I HIGHLY recommend trying this game, both if you are a lover of electronic music, or are just looking to live out your Omega Man dreams. Pros: - Fantastic make-your-own soundtrack - Built-in synthesizer - Beautifully desolate world, a la TRON. - Engaging music-based puzzles Cons: - Sometimes easy to get lost
This is as good as adventure games get. The story is brilliantly written and paced, the puzzles are clever and fair, and the whole thing is drenched in rainy, cyberpunk chic. Well worth the price.
This is Dungeon Keeper with a James Bond skin. The music and visual style is superb, but the mechanics and AI are pretty poor. The game blocks access to vital base additions needed to continue building until your unlock them (and doesn't tell you how), your minions' AI is godawful, and you'll spend most of your time staring at a world map screen. If you can put up with this, it MIGHT be worth a shot when it's on sale. Otherwise, not worth the asking price.
Uplink is one of the most immersive and thrilling games you could ever find, since you play as none other than a person sitting at a computer. You will live a cyberpunk dream, complete with viciously competing corporations, thumping electronic music, and a cold, clean interface to help you delve into the inky blackness of e-spionage. This game does not tolerate failure. You must learn to cover your tracks, use command prompts, and navigate the internal politics of the net. If you can pull it off, then each server crash or bank heist will feel immensely satisfying. Otherwise, your "retirement" will be quick and painful. Buy Uplink. This game cannot be recommended enough.
