Before we start, I didn't play this game when it came out : I played for just an hour last year and thought ( wrongly) it was an horror game ( which it really isn't.. more like a thriller), then I uninstalled it, just to start playing it roughly a month ago and finishing it just few moments ago. So I writing this review without nostalgia glasses ( still have the N glasses for games of the 90', though) and I can safely say : This game is impossible to just categorize this game in bad or good category (the 4 stars in the review are my most subjective view, counting all the fun I had or how much I got attached to the lore and story of the game - If I had to give a more objective gade, it will be most likely a 3 star). Let me explained. The game is a fps (more likely doom like) with puzzle and narration like a point and click ( although I would personally call it a ''system shock like, If you know what I'm saying) and for that idea, this game is almost pure gold. Indeed, the story, or rather the idea and basic structure, is utterly engaging and its lore is immersive, running around the house and other places finding weapons and their ammo ( until a certain point) is fun and feels like a resident evil or, again, system shock, and the puzzle are of medium difficulty and enjoyable. But at the same time : the controls are difficult to master in a fight, some monster are kind of dumb, at a certain point you find some weapons that make survival and counting ammo almost useless and the director and actors are ATROCIOUS ( buuuuut in a way that is almost 'it's so bad is so good') in some part and in other are, surprisingly, on point and appropriate. So, starting to understand why this game is difficult to rate? However its failings, I finished it unto the end and even wanted a sequel ( which was cancelled, unfortunately) because this game manages to be both interesting and fun, which is what games should be all really about. ... So It's a big yes, buy it, is really worth it!
Cannon fodder is one of those game that I don't know how to rate : it's so simple that can be both hilarious and boring at the same time. Gameplay wise, you guide a band of soldiers to complete a simple objective, usually kill or/and destroy something, and for the original system this game was invented, that was enough. But for PC gaming, even by yesterday standards.. is lacking that something to be a perfectly enjoyable experience for new comers. So, if you are a nostalgia gamer or a retrò that want to try something smashing in the past,... yes buy it! If not... you can still buy the game and have fun ( simple is not always a detrimental feature, and the game is a good war parody) but it could be repetitive in the long run.
Not gonna say much in this review, the first, or at the very least the most important that started the whole genre on pc, platform game for pc ( basically, its super Mario). With its 5 games in one, you gonna experience the firsts of the whole massive franchise of Commander Keen , as you experience them. However, there 's a bit of controversy about the name of this game : the title. It's surely a worth it pack... but not complete : there are missing various episodes in this collection. But if you forgive this little misconception, C'mon.. It's Commander Keen, just as you remember it, and if you don't , time to enjoy a piece of PC history. the backbone of the PC golden age, the killer app of ID software before DOOM.
been wonderful. Among the indie, I consider Volgarr the Viking a milestone, only problem : its own strength, which is the difficulty. To clarify, the game accomplishes exactly what it promises : an arcade experience, with brutal and quick thinking challenges considered ''old school'', and for some that is clearly enough. However, ''old school'' doesn't mean sacred. Unfortunately, Volgarr doesn't get that, it tries too hard ( ... pun intended) to be .... hard ( sorry), and it sacrifices for it enjoyability, even for players that have actually enjoyed difficult games such as Castlelvania or the more modern ones, like dark soul. Indeed, and it accomplishes this by eliminating any permanent save feature ( when you boot up the game you have to start over, regardless of previous achievements) and by giving the player no quarter in both the number of hits the character can take and the number of deadly challenges ( which could be a great thing, but not in the lack a solid save system). So, a good game to try out, that's for sure ( maybe discounted, at full price its basically robbery) since it is, without a doubt, one of the most worth indie experiences, but it misses the landing zone of greatness for a few centimetres ( which is enough to get you killed in this game, fitting).
Hedon : a new, fresh Doom-like masterpiece or, simply, an act of pure love. That's about it, this game has everything that a FPS ( and not just Doom like) should have : hand crafted levels, a surprisingly good and solid lore to support the story ( and just the right way to develop it and help the players discover it), a good variety of creeps to fight ( this is actually the ONLY part where the game could be accused of having flaws, which, in reality, it is just a ''good enough'' part, everything else is ASTONISHING.) and solid action-but-also-explorative gameplay. Usually, there is a review for the retrò gamer and another for the more ''modern'' one : in this case, there is only one, and that only one spells b-u-y i-t, you won't be disappointed. No, seriously. This game has multiple, interesting items to use, a engaging story that manages to be have classical fantasy races but ''delivers them'' in a seldom way ( a very particular but refreshing way, believe me), a 90' feeling with a silent and badass protagonist, solid and different weapons and, most importantly, a beautiful level design, with much to explore and tons of secrets and easter eggs to discover. Not to mention the cooperation of Alex Brandon, I mean... that alone is worth the ticket. So, After my not-so-impartial-but-perfectly-honest review, I'd say : give the Demon blood gal a chance, she really wears the heavy mantle of 90' fps ( and not only that) perfectly.
ROTT 2013 : the music is dope, or at least a good re-imagination of the already stellar soundtrack of the original by Lee Jackson and Bobby prince. That's how the one redeeming thing about it, every else is buggy ( and there are a LOT of bugs in this game) or simply... bad design. Sincerely, I can't say how someone would call it ''retro gameplay'' : it's just junky and, frankly, uninspired. However, It's not easy to take such mantle : the original one ( which I gave it a 5 star score on this site), although less famous than its contemporaries, has stellar gameplay, level design, soundtrack and the graphics too were, at least, charming. Here, none of it is present, especially the level design, which tries to connect with old style but just feels... empty. Still, this game, however I criticize it, has been made out of love, that's a clear sign, plus the soundtrack is really worth listening it to. Unfortunately, it fails to deliver, but, if you have already beaten the original multiple times, this could ( and could here is perfect) be for you... but 'd personally stick to the old one.
To tell the truth, I was captured by the game design and overall fantasy settings : the soundtrack, graphics and the story is something that both holds to its fantasy foundation and go beyond to be its own beautiful experience. Gameplay wise, it's a mixture of town management and turn-based strategy game, with the ability to cast spell... ok, it's like Heroes of Might and magic with just a little more complex management features. Speaking of the gameplay, I sincerely cannot tell whenever this game is fair, at least in the campaign mode : AI spamming every few turns tons of enemies or just teleporting around the map and some mission success felt like pure luck, or in other cases, the gameplay can be a little redundant (some mission have little inspiration). So, not matter how much many will tell you, unless you have a good talent for this genre, you are gonna have a bad time or will simply resort to exploit the AI, which is not something that I personally enjoy in a strategy game since it feels like cheating. However, besides that, the game is a truly a wonder (sorry) to behold, the graphics may have aged, but like fine wine, the soundtracks are something that I personally loved and the gameplay is good and surprisingly deep.
From top to bottom : an excellent FPS. That's really about it : a combination of story telling and graphics by Lucas arts combined with the mechanics of the 90' FPS's. Regarding that, although the story is pretty simple and full of clichè, it's a perfect fit for the western setting of the game and the beautiful cutscene are stunning and filled with the loved Lucas style, while its gameplay is full of quality level design ( maybe a little convoluted, like the sawmill and the map8) and few but fun enemies and weapons to discover ( maybe a little bit full of shotguns variety). Plus, I particularly appreciated the reload system, quite special in comparison to its contemporary. Basically, to cut it short : a timeless masterpiece that, thanks to its evergreen gameplay and beautiful design, manages to still curve a little niche of fan base, still active today, and to be a refreshing experience to be played every once in a while and that still stands up today. So, Don't be stupid, Marshall!... are you going to really pass it one up?
Now, finally setting aside the meme ( it is hilarious , though), I can say : it's actually pretty ok. Mind you, the game has SERIOUS flaws, but all in all it is decent. Sometimes it manages to reach high peak of fun with its action packed levels ( near the end, there'll be more frantic shooting at the cost of some unpolishness ) and an interesting law system, actually : some action you'll perform have ''moral'' consequences ( and also in game mechanics, since it'll be game over) like shooting incendiary ammo on civilians. Which is interesting how rebellion wanted to bring some of the philosophy from the comic book into the game (or at least something lore friendly). Unfortunately The game is son of an era of video games that I despise ( mid 2000') and it's also across-console, which mean its interface and overall things you can do are actually pretty limited. On top of that, most of its appeal actually comes from being born as franchise of judge Dredd, without it it would pass unnoticed. However, this does not mean the game isn't worth it : quite the contrary, for every fun of both FPS and judge Dredd's franchise, this is almost a must-buy that you'll keep you entertained for a while... or if you don't feel like playing, you can just press E : '' Hands over the head, CREEP''.
Tangledeep comes very close to be one of the greatest rogue-like of all time with its wide range of things to do and its charm, both in gameplay and design. Gameplay wise. the selection of multiple, interesting character's classes allows for interesting and various strategies, and that's not even considering the possibility to multiclass and learn multiple weapon specific skills. On top of that, there is even a companion system, similar to pokemòn, where you can feed and bring along the various critters you capture along the way. Furthermore, its graphics and soundtrack help a lot in the player's immersion in the adventure and exploration of various dungeons that offer a good variety of enemies and items to finds. And these elements (graphic, design, soundtrack and gameplay) support the main star of Tangledeep: its exploration's system. Indeed, same as every rpg rogue-like out there, you'll go floor to floor to find better loot and side-quests, but believe me when I say Tangledeep does in its own style and makes it so rewarding and satisfying. However, as mention before, TD didn't manage to escape the clutches of repetitivity: after a while of exploring, the game ends too soon with new things to discover, after that it is just monotonous. And that's where the game fails : as a rogue-like, it does not manage to be interesting after you discover and beat it the main story, and even before the ending of the game starts to be boring. But, besides that, the game surely is something to behold and to play at least once in your life , because what you'll find is something more beautiful than simple gameplay : a sense of discovery and winder that, I don't know even how, that the game carries like a glim of light in a deep and dark cave in the forest (.. too poetic but you'll get the idea if you buy it).
