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).
Devil daggers sure has some astonishing features like its morbid and lo-fi graphics and its additive gameplay. However, eventually it does fell short on the fun factor : game is amazing played for 1 or at best for another half hour as well, but then you have probably seen everything the game has to offer. So, for the lovers of the genre ( which I assume are the highest score-type) : is an instant must-buy. However, for all the others.. yes, you can buy it and enjoy it just for the theme, design and gameplay, but at the start it will give no more than a casual game experience that only after try and die multiple times can give satisfaction.. and by then you'll have already probably uninstall it.
Broforce brings to the table some engaging action packed gameplay, with shooting and jumping around while trying to stay alive, and it is accompanied by some interesting level design. However, we all know why we brought it : the bros! Indeed, most of the action heroes of the 90' are well represented, with some pixel art that really shines and some maniacal level detail that will leave your mouth wide open ( *insert 90' choke joke about a grenade stuck in a throat here*). In fact, every single piece of the scenery can be destroyed, open new paths, creating traps for your enemies or taking shelter from an orbital bombardment... and that's where the strong point of the game becomes its real problem: you'll spend so much time running around trying not to die that most of the time will be pure luck the reason the player can finish a level (which is fine for a couple of laughs, but then becomes frustrating). On top of that, while there a fun selection of characters, it's impossible to choose which one use and in some parts some boys are, well, useless. In the end, Broforce is a casual game that entertains and brings laughs with friends or even alone... that's before everything starts to explode, just right you reach the end of the level.
Unfortunately, I can't give it more than 2 stars. Maybe for someone may be fun, but for me its just a repetition of the same gameplay, the same arena with different colours or themes, repeated a thousand times. At least another arena shooters try to put in a little of humour to give a reason to keep playing ( or something to keep the gameplay fresh), but the game takes itself to much seriously, and the story to support it is plain trash and clichè. So, even if for some its enjoyable, its a niche game at best : both gameplay and story are unworthy of mention, and the only thing that can save it is its soundtrack. Sadly, I try to play it for years and it will be years before I'll forget how bad it is and pick it up again.
At this point I think I gonna write this review just for the sake of habit. Anyway, since I really don't think any explanation should be given since it's utterly impossible that you, dear reader, never heard of Wolfenstein 3D ( should like a bible for any proper gamer, or even for a casual one). Best I can say without repeating what has been repeated a thousand times : the game itself has, of course, aged badly ( if we were to give a more '' contemporary'' vote, I'd give it a 3 star) but it is still enjoyable ( ep 1-3 are the OG and the best, the mission packs are entertaining but not mind-blowing). On top of that, the pack GOG offers is complete with even the sequel (spear of destiny) so I strongly recommend buying it: I believe it is vital that these games must be play at least once in life, they are the structure in which the entirety of the fps (although I'd not call Wolfenstein 3D an FPS game) genre stands on and its simplicity is the reason it still manages to be fun and enjoyable. So, yes: the third installment of the Wolfenstein series (nobody considers the first two for Apple II) is not the first first person shooter ( mmmm feels wrong call it like that, not in a contemporary meaning, I... mean) but it is surely the very first that brought the foundation for an entire genre that dominated and still dominate the market today, and just for that it is worth to trying at least once for understand how the genre evolved.
