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
Flashback: what a fantastic game with .... mmm... let's just say, despite all the modern upgrades, it didn't aged that well. However, I've never experience this game in ''its time'', but always fascinated me for its story and gameplay, so finally I've had the opportunity to picked it up on GOG with this remastered version, which is a good one. As one old Prince of Persia ( or more accurately Another world)- inspired platform, it does provide a lot of fun if approached with the knowledge that this is an, again, old school platform, which mean stiff controls, unfair camera position and combat that is both exciting and a little unfair. But this version of the old masterpiece does carry a few easy fix to a gameplay that is, after all, not that old. And not just that: sounds and graphics are both upgraded to give a more modern experience. Personally speaking? I loved it. A mix of platforming, puzzles and shooting all combined with a a typical 90' story and sounds( and overall feeling) that truly are even more fascinating to this day ( or at least, by my very preference). So, absolutely worth buying! Conrad never looked that good and more manoeuvrable than ever.... which is not that much... buuuut if you have patience, this is a game definitely worth experiencing. It will let you feel like... drifting into the stars ;)
I must admit, I never heard of Hexplore until.. well.. now, but it attracted me for its cartoonish graphics and party RPG style gameplay. That been said: it's pretty ok. I've noticed a lot of extremely positive ratings on this page. And while I think that, in its time, the game was truly something amazing, playing it now, as a new comer (with just a fixation for old style games), it doesn't strike me as it should. Not that I'm saying '' the game is bad'', that would a gross lie: Hexplore combines a well rounded gameplay, which is not just based on ''click the enemies until it dies''( but, in a certain point of view, it is) but it is based on some degree of strategical thinking, positioning and using the right character for the job, with exploration ( something that the game truly tells you right in its title :) )and a little puzzle here and there. Besides that, story serves its purpose ( the game does have a little of a poetic license when talking about ''holy'' crusaders) and its soundtrack does the same thing, while the graphics steals the spotlight with their being super colorful and pleasant for the eyes. Overall, a really good and enjoyable game, although it didn't manage to truly get my attention ( perhaps it's more personal preference than anything else). And that's the point: the problem isn't that it aged badly or it's a mess, but for me its simplicity is not enough of a positive factor to give me reason to keep playing it. However, it's absolutely worth buying not only for nostalgia gamers but for retrò or not alike. It's main feature, simple but still bit deep gameplay stands still true against the test of time.... just not, you know, enough ( man this is the weirdest review I ever gave in this site)
..Which is unfair, considering I've only played the shareware version of it, all those years ago ( can't believe it's almost three full decades now). Funny thing: It's one of those cases where I want to enjoy it at it fullest, considering that I love almost every other Apogee platform games, buuuut I can, for the simple fact that every single one of the other Apogee game are way more enjoyable and .. well.. better design. This does not mean '' the game hasn't a character'': it's actually pretty colorful and funny ( a little too much similar to Commander Keen, but to tell honestly they might share the same in-game universe) and, later, becomes a little weird. No no no no, the game really focuses too much on one single aspect: being a d**k. But not in a funny way, like Bio menace, but in a monotonous, excruciating manner that really drops the ball after the first episode, and to tell the truth even before that. Other than that, story is ( like wow) almost the same of one of the ep of Commander Keen, soundtrack is enjoyable ( if you are into old PC sounds) and the graphics are the typical Apogee game ( although there a few exception). But, in the end, although it does provide the player with the unique ability ( at least at the time) of sticking to the walls, doesn't get that placing 2000 traps in a single level for every level of the game doesn't really push the average player ( for the time, since the market was different, maybe) into playing it for a long time. So, worth buying? ...Yes, but only for retro and nostalgia fun. All other, stay very away. P.S. Unfortunately this game didn't STICK around to much! ( nope, this pun truly sucks..)
