Pharaoh is one of those game that I wish I was good at playing it! It's one of those impression games that challenge you to build cities in ancient Egypt that still holds up today, both in gameplay and graphics. Gameplay wise, it's a city builder full of details that follows a single family in its many missions through out the entire span of the Egyptian empire. And it requires meticulous and master planning. As such, mistakes are really not an option and everything must be prepare ahead in order to balance everything while tending at random problems that seems to combust (play and you'll know why) at random. Besides that, the most powerful aspect is surely the graphics: beautiful and colorful as never seen ( even when it's just sheds), while soundtrack and story are pretty good. So, worth buying? yes! .... but prepare to fail many times before being successful. It's really hard. But in the end the things worth keeping are.
Arx Fatalis has always been a game that I wanted to play when I was younger, but never could due to lack of a decent PC. Now, after all these years... I liked it a lot ( almost loved it), buuuut what does it for me is its atrocious technical realization. No, seriously. It's a game that truly doesn't hold your hand, that have a nice and no-so simple story ( if you dig deeper than your primary mission) , that have one of the most complex magic system I have ever seen ( although is not perfect, but I guess that's the point).. all things that I love.. but it doesn't matter: it's still a mess, a beautiful one, mind you, but still a mess. Gameplay wise, it's an old first person RPG style of gameplay, which is something that I personally love, and combat is not what defines this game: exploration is. And also remembering everything useful. Basically, even the logbook, while useful, is completely a mess in keeping track of the quests.. and I guess that's the point. The game, again, doesn't try or want to hold your hand, every single thing you achieve comes from your own intellect ( or from internet ;)). But unfortunately other aspects are.. well combat is bare bones ( at least, for melee) while the magic system is something unique... but good luck casting a spell in combat ( yes, you can prepare three of them, but it is not enough in later levels). What truly have caught my attention was the story and settings: unique, quirky and serious. But it's like they ran out of time while developing it ( I mean, I hope that is the case.. the story is fantastic but too little? too much focus in few but good side.stories, and even then they don't receive the time needed for developing correctly.. plus the voice-acting is terrible). I mean, this game came out AFTER Morrowind.. and it looks like ages behind it. So, after all my ranting, Do I recommend it? incredibly, YES. It's a mess, but a beautiful one. Although this game is for a very tight niche kind of gamers.
Stargunner brings to the table a reasonable sidescrolling shooter completely free... which is good, 'cuz I ain't paying for this game. Gameplay wise, it has a nice upgrade system for you ship ( not for the primary gun, that are only two mods) while all other things are.. too many. too many and none of them is really memorable: Death traps, enemies.. all over the place. It's not even a challenge, it is just... not fun. I mean, it is kind of fun... but the game is way too frustrating for really being actually enjoyable ( Of course, there are always people who love being blow up a 1000 times). All other aspects are: story ( non-existing) soundtrack ( surprisingly good) and graphics ( quite enjoyable). So, if you are looking to try out something for like 12 min and then unistall it.. that's the game. Funny part is that even if it is free.. on this very site you'll find other free games with ships involved that are WAY better then this one.... Yes, I'm talking about Tyrian 2000 ( go play that one)
The Witcher: adventure game has a few going on. A well mix of cards and dice mechanics with some good challenge. However, I understand why to some seems a poor game: It requires a fair amount of strategy and decision making in dealing with alliances and in what objective one must focus in order to win. If you have patience, this game is rather rewarding and an all round experience. To be frank, I giving it three stars cuz, put simply, the game is not that accessible or its multiplayer was not all that thought. Still, for both fan of the Witcher saga and board games, this is a big yes! if not.. you could still playing and having tons of fun. Just be aware of its limitation. After all, the greatest trait of a Witcher is patience ( which means sitting around while a monster goes kill an entire village but you still need to drink all of your potions)
First of all, the actual grade would be 3, but only it would be only for this version of the games. Ignoring how GOG delivers them ( a little too rough, even for GOG standards), I give the bundle a majestic 5 star rating (based on the games themselves) That said... It's MK. I mean, do you really need an explanation? However, i want to spend a few words on this produKt itself, which is fine.. but this time, just being run on DOS it doesn't give a memorable experience. Basically, the only problems that I found are due to teKnical nature: no pausing, lack of control support ( that is understandable, however) and the key map which is.. weird? it's the only word that I found that fit the feeling. ( which again, in console version are set up way better... although it's not even a GOG problem - but they could have improved.. soooo yeah) Besides that, even if you are not fan of Kombat games ( I mean, fighting games in general) this are the games of pure rad 90' and simple yet revolutionary fighting mechanics ( at the time). And if you manage to play in this.. let's call it raw version... it would be a true... TEST (to) YOUR MIGHT. ( yuck, manage to insert this joke :) )
In my second playthrough of Kero Blaster I thought : it's been years, I don't think this game will have the same impact on me''.... OH BOY! was I wrong! Kero Blaster, spiritual successor of the indie pillar ''Cave story'', manages to be a exceptional 2d sidescrolling platform with an amazing yet simple shooting mechanics. And that's the point: simplicity. Before anything, I want to clarify, Simple doesn't mean rushed or uninspired: simple, when done properly, is very hard to achieve but extremely effective. The whole game is based on few features, but extremely well done and so well implemented that the game becomes addicting. Every weapon, monster or upgrade has been studied in order to reach a heavenly level of perfection( after all, this IS the creator of Cave story). Besides that, story and soundtracks are like the game's pixellated graphics: cute and astonishing. Usually I keep on arguing why a game should be played, but, truth to be told, this game doesn't need any explanation: if you love platform-shooting games.. or gaming in general, higher then this game you don't go. So, Yes. pest control has never been this fun. A big huge ribbiting YES right there!
Before I start, I didn't play the first Homeworld games ( although now I'm planning to do it), so I consider this game more like a stand alone experience than just a spin-off of the HW saga. Homeworld: desert of Kharak is one of those game that truly intrigue me for a perfect match of gameplay, visuals, soundtrack and overall design. However, if I have to pick the feature that most struck me, that would be the gameplay. I've never experiences a strategy game focused only on vehicles ( mostly) and in maps so open: thanks to the desert theme of the game ( which, at least personally, didn't grew boring over time) the player finds himself surrounded from all sides by miles of sand and rocks. These gameplay mechanics allow for some intense moments and challenge the players, even those accustomed to this kind of games, to develop fitting strategies ( although those who preferred the hit-and-run tactics will find a easier approach). Alongside these features, there are a fair amount of units, perfectly balanced ( well, most of the time) which encourage the player to think outside the box. Besides that, the story of this spin off is heavily Dune-inspired ( which, I must admit, I'm a big fan) and soundtracks go well with the entire setting. On top of that, the motion capture cinematics are beautiful, due to the amazing ''pencil'' effect ( like the whole game was a book) and the skills of the actors. ( Plus, the VA in this game rocks!) Now, I know that that HW is originally a space strategy ( one of the finest, I've heard), however this does not mean that this fresh take on the series isn't deserving of its own spot on the Olympus of the strategy games. Actually, I've found it extremely unique in how different this game is compared to its peers, since it does take mobility on a completely new level. So, after all my ranting, is it worth it? Ehm.. Yes? I mean it's pretty obvious how much I adore this game.
So, my review comes after my second playthrough ( finished it in one single day... today) and my first one was exactly when this game came out The final station is , without a doubt, an obscure gem which I previously though giving a 5 star rating, but with after some thought I've settled for a 4 star Thing is, the game is, gameplay wise, simple However, simple does not mean ''it's not fun'' but actually is a positive factor, which turns the game into a enjoyable and straight on point experience Although, at the same time, simplicity condemns the game to be a little monotonous in its enemies' variety and level design ( although it does not overstay its welcome) Although, again, thinking about the levels you'll encounter, there may be a deep (term extremely on point) reason why the layout of the map and missions are set in this particular way And that's because you'll always found different connected or stand-alone stories in the various areas you'll visit, and ( without any major spoiler )if the first part of the map shows the appearances, the second half, which allows to return to the train, will reveal the truth ( to some extend) of the various stories you'll encounter. And that's the whole reason to play this game: story Or better yet, how the game presents it to player, which absolutely does NOT hold your hand, leaving the player with pieces and hints of the plot, which in turn you'll have to piece it together. That's why the protagonist is a simple conductor, trying to survive and help people do the same, while cut off from the any line of communication ( I can't reveal too much because, you know, spoiler... but, oh boy, trust me when I say the plot is GOOD). Same thing goes for the soundtrack: sometimes calm or eerie, sometimes just silent but every single time is spot on. So, it's weird since, at least for me, the game doesn't reach the 5 star rating, but I'm unable to find words to explain why. Still,it is worth it? YES, all on board the apocalypse train!
Populous truly stroke me at first for its graphics that stands true to the test of time and its gameplay.. well, I had some difficulty since I started playing without reading a manual. Still, once I figured out the controls ( and all the hieroglifs), the game ''opens up'', revealing a simple but delicious core. Said core, its gameplay's mechanics, allows the player, as you can imagine, to perform godly action like raising and lowering terrains, setting up swamps or flooding the entire. Speaking of which, raising and lowering terrain are basically the main action to perform in order to aid your faithful flock to build better buildings and achieving higher peaks of technology ( and to kill all of the other guy... historically fitting ;) ). One positive thing to note is that the game doesn't allow you to take direct control of your faithful ( good ol' freewill) but technically it does allow to issue some orders for your religious leader to perform ( like commanding him to go on a holy crusade :) ). And that's its strong point, the commands are relatively few but every single one of them is relevant for the gameplay as a whole. So, a game which focuses on strategy utilizing just few commands while giving the full ''BRUCE ALMIGHTY'' ( just with less monkeys... if you know what I mean) experience? Sign me up! Deus Vult
