I’m a few hours into Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and it’s been a really fun experience so far. On my setup (i9-10900k + RTX 3090 + 32 GB DDR4), the game runs great at Supreme settings with smooth frame rates and no major issues often close to 100fps at 1440p with no DLSS. Visually, it’s stunning...beautiful lighting, detailed textures, and environments that perfectly capture that old-school Indy adventure feel. The attention to detail in the ruins, tombs, and artifacts really pulls you in, and the soundtrack plus voice acting do a great job of setting the mood. In terms of gameplay, the exploration and puzzle-solving are definitely the highlights. The puzzles feel clever without being frustrating, and exploring each area feels rewarding. Combat is okay but not the strongest part of the game...enemies can feel a bit basic, and the hand-to-hand fighting could use some tightening up. The climbing and traversal mechanics are decent, though they can feel a little stiff at times. Regarding performance, my system handles it easily with everything maxed out, and load times are quick. I’ve run into a couple of minor texture pop-ins, but nothing serious. Overall, it’s shaping up to be a really enjoyable adventure game with tons of atmosphere and that classic Indy charm. I haven’t finished it yet, but so far I’d say it’s a solid 3.5/5 and definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of story-driven exploration games.
I've been waiting on this game for what feels like forever, and now that it’s finally here, I’ve spent a decent amount of time with the Deluxe Edition. While I haven’t finished it yet (obviously), I’ve seen enough to say that Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is a very mixed experience...one that nails the mood and setting, but struggles with mechanics and polish. The atmosphere is by far the game’s strongest quality. Seattle is dark, moody, and filled with that classic WoD tone. The neon glow, rainy streets, and hidden corners really sell the idea that something supernatural is lurking just out of sight. The vampire clans feel distinct, and your choice does affect how you approach the world, whether through powers or dialogue. Gameplay is where things get a little more uneven. The combat feels serviceable but underwhelming. Melee lacks impact, and while vampire powers are flashy, the controls don’t always feel tight. It’s not bad...it just feels a bit off, especially in a game where you're supposed to be this deadly, agile predator. There’s also a noticeable lack of depth in the RPG systems; there are choices, but they don't always feel like they matter all that much beyond flavor. On the technical side, I’ve hit a few bugs and performance hiccups. Nothing game-breaking so far, but there are definitely moments that remind you this game had a rough development. Occasional NPC glitches, clunky animations, and minor crashes have popped up here and there. It’s playable, but could definitely use another layer of polish. So far, I’m enjoying my time with the game mainly because I’m into the setting and the world. It’s not perfect, and it has a lot of rough edges, but there’s something here for fans of the genre. If you're into dark urban fantasy, vampire lore, and don’t mind a bit of jank, it's worth checking out. Just keep your expectations realistic. Wait for patches and a rather generous discount.
Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga is a well-done remaster of a 2010 PSP arena fighter that brings together characters from two of Falcom’s most beloved series. Combat is fast-paced and accessible, with aerial movement, assist attacks, and a style reminiscent of Ys SEVEN. The PC version adds a lot of valuable features: 60 FPS support, updated visuals, ultrawide resolution, rollback netcode for online play, and dual audio (English and Japanese). The menus and UI have been cleaned up nicely for modern displays, and performance is rock solid. The story is light and mostly fan-focused, with a few potential Trails spoilers. Still, the big roster, smooth gameplay, and thoughtful remastering make this a fun side title—especially for fans of Ys, Trails, or Falcom in general. All in all....not deep, but a polished, nostalgic brawler that's easy to enjoy nonetheless.
Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga is a well-done remaster of a 2010 PSP arena fighter that brings together characters from two of Falcom’s most beloved series. Combat is fast-paced and accessible, with aerial movement, assist attacks, and a style reminiscent of Ys SEVEN. The PC version adds a lot of valuable features: 60 FPS support, updated visuals, ultrawide resolution, rollback netcode for online play, and dual audio (English and Japanese). The menus and UI have been cleaned up nicely for modern displays, and performance is rock solid. The story is light and mostly fan-focused, with a few potential Trails spoilers. Still, the big roster, smooth gameplay, and thoughtful remastering make this a fun side title—especially for fans of Ys, Trails, or Falcom in general. All in all....not deep, but a polished, nostalgic brawler that's easy to enjoy nonetheless.
I would like to preface this review by stating that I am a huge critic of Bloober and of their games. I have played everything that they have developed from Observer to this title, and it is impossible to speak of this game in isolation as Bloober has undergone a sort of metamorphosis in and of itself. Basically, I have always considered Bloober to be Eurojank. What is Eurojank? Well, it's Eastern European games having a grand vision, but a sloppy and buggy execution. While all their previous titles: Blair Witch, Observer, The Medium, Layers of Fear were "good enough", they were always buggy and poorly poorly optimized. Those games were acceptable to me because they were not presented as a AAA masterpiece. They fit the budget and fun was had, but were still rather somewhat annoying at times with the performance issues. Then we fast-forward to my utter contempt for Bloober....Silent Hill 2 remake. I feel as though it were not actually much better or worse than their previous attempts (optimization included), but received far far far too much praise because of the IP and nostalgia. I feel if it (SH2) were judged upon its own merits, it wouldn't stand out at all, but would be just another middling AA title. Now, we come to Cronos. There is no IP to back it, nor are there any nostalgia glasses clouding anyone's eyes. Bloober has taken their experience working with Konami, it seems, along with UE5, and also the newfound fame, and are doing their best to transition to a competent AAA Dev team. This game has ambiance for sure. The combat is brutal, the resources scarce, and the struggle to survive is ever present. Now, there are technical hiccups....I mean...It's Bloober after all. Hardware Lumen (RT) absolutely tanks fps even on the 5090, and there is still the shader compilation traversal stutter ever present in UE games. The price is absolutely ridiculous too for a new IP. However, all things considered, Good Job, Bloober Team!!! You have made it!
