I'm pretty bad at puzzles in games but Myst has always intrigued me. The concept and lore of the series just really fascinates me: the idea of fantastical worlds created like an author writes a book, linked by actual books. Thanks to the kind gift of someone else on GOG, I finally gave Myst a try... ... and I had to resort to a guide just to get past the first puzzle. That's really my only actual complaint with this game: the puzzles are frustratingly difficult and make me wonder how anyone ever figured out this game without help. But, let's be honest, that's a lot of the appeal. Where this game shines, at least in my book (pun intended) is the atmosphere, story and overall feel. This game is pretty short (completed in 4h30m with a guide) but it felt much longer than it was. I felt like I was genuinely exploring the different Ages, trying to unravel the mysterious story behind them. The puzzles, while feeling rather unnatural to the environment, were still fun to do with a guide. They put the sense of adventure in "adventure game" as, even with said guide, I felt like I earned my way to the end of the game. The story is woven in a way that keeps the player guessing the entire way. When I reached the end and was faced with a final choice, I genuinely didn't know which decision to go with. I just chose what made the most sense to me. The story isn't as lore-heavy as future games (or so I hear) but the roots are like hints at what is to come. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the Ages are all very well-made and pretty for their time, feeling realistic and immersive despite their fantastical/alien appearance. Altogether, if you like challenging puzzles, laid back adventure, great environmental storytelling and remarkable atmosphere, this game should be on your list of games to try someday. I'll certainly play through it again someday (from memory without a guide), hopefully with realMyst! PS: I'm running Win7 and I didn't have the issues that one reviewer mentions.
DISCLAIMER: I haven't played the game nearly enough to judge all of its aspects. As a result, this will be more of a first impressions sort of review. I never understood nor enjoyed Gwent inside of The Witcher 3 but when I bought Thronebreaker a couple months back, I decided to give this a go and finally say I've played at least a little of every Witcher game in my collection. I was pleased to see that this version of the game plays the same that it does in Thronebreaker, rather than the way it does in The Witcher 3. The Witcher 3 version of the game wasn't well-explained and was quite frustrating but in Thronebreaker and this version of the game, they both do a great job of explaining its mechanics. I'm terrible at card games like this; the only one I ever did even slightly okay in was The Elder Scrolls Legends but I was pretty bad there, too. However, as far as card games go, this one is definitely among the best. The mechanics make the game feel less like a Hearthstone copy and more like a game of its own. It also manages to go beyond FEELING like a card game, giving the player the sensation of commanding a battle. This makes the game more appealing to me. As I said, I haven't played enough to fairly judge every aspect but from what I can tell, the game's monetization is fair and consumer-friendly. I never felt pushed to purchase anything. I also loved how I got some rewards in Gwent by playing the other Witcher games (particularly Thronebreaker). This isn't a surprise, given CDPR's reputation for crafting an exceedingly consumer-oriented business model but still, it's always nice when you see it. To conclude, if you are a fan of card games, chances are that you'll love this game. If you aren't normally a fan but enjoyed it in The Witcher 3, then you'll probably enjoy it a little here and there. If you didn't like it even in The Witcher 3, still give it a go as I didn't care for the original version but I've come to enjoy this version here and there.
I'll state right off the bat: unless you're a hardcore Witcher fan (books & all), this game may not be for you, especially not at full price. I'm not quite a hardcore fan myself (yet), but I definitely wanted to complete my Witcher game collection. As a result, this review is more of a first impressions sort of review. In short, The Witcher Adventure Game is basically a digital adaptation of a Witcher board game and, as a result, lacks the highlights of the series gameplay. However, it CAN be quite fun as a quick distraction. It also includes a multiplayer mode which, I can imagine, would be loads of fun with friends. I haven't played this version, however; just single player. Basically, what you do in this game is run "quests" which are basically a series of objectives for your chosen hero. These "quests" will take your hero across the board and you'll be faced with randomized challenges that you have to overcome with some visually pleasing dice. That's basically the whole gist of it. It's nothing that'll keep you glued to your screen for hours, but it can be a fun little distraction here and there. As far as digital board games go, this one was executed quite well, I just wish they'd re-release it on mobile and give it regular maintenance to get more people playing it. It's one of those sorts of games that I feel like it could have had better success had it come out at a different point in time. Art-wise, it's a gorgeous game for the style of game that it is. The way it tries to replicate quests from the games does evoke a slight sense of adventure, making the "adventure game" moniker a little more appropriate than a marketing ploy. To summarize, if you're a fan of The Witcher, this could be worth buying on sale. The usual $1.50 price tag during sales is completely reasonable and makes for a cool piece to round out your Witcher video game collection. And if anyone is interested in trying the multiplayer, PM me; I haven't played much but I'd love to try MP!
Total Annihilation: Kingdoms gets a bad rap. If you can get past some minor technical issues, you'll discover the most amazing fantasy/medieval strategy game ever made. It plays similarly to its predecessor, but there's enough of a difference to make it feel like more than a standalone expansion. This game involves four factions led by four sibling monarchs whose competition for the throne of Darien has left the world in ruin. Unlike the first game, this one has only one resource to manage: Mana. The four monarchs use magic to build up their forces and win their battles. Units in this game are highly intriguing, ranging from basic archers to ghost ships or stealthy assassins. Units are much more versatile this time around, some having multiple ways to attack. Construction types can fight this time, but to limited capacity. Some complained that the game is "dumbed down" but in reality, this game is still highly strategic. Units of the four factions are relatively balanced, meaning that strategy is still necessary in order to win. Furthermore, the unit tiers are far more streamlined, meaning that you don't feel like you're rushing to get to the advanced units; the basic ones are equally useful. There's also a lot more base building capability this time around thanks to the variety of defenses that can be built: standard walls, toggleable gates, archer towers, etc. This adds massively to multiplayer battles, in particular. I'd like to briefly mention that the graphics in this game outdo even modern strategy games. The magic effects are VERY beautiful, but not overwhelming. However, I noticed that it takes a bit more tweaking than the first one in order to get it running properly. To summarize, TA:K is a game that lets you live out your fantasy battle dreams in a way that feels natural. You have to rule your forces with quick thinking and strategy. Like the first game, this is worth it at any price if you keep in mind the aforementioned technical hiccup.
