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.
Jill of the Jungle : one of the weirdest experience I found in this site. As a platform from the 90', it shares all the funkiness typical of that area with some unique twist of its own. So much so that I wanted to give the game a full 4 stars, but the technical issues can be rather vexing in both platforming and combat. But this is unfair : although game at the time did have more precise controls, Jill of the Jungle was programmed by few people not even expert at making video games. On top of that, it's free! So, to sum it up, download it and enjoy : as Jill goes through its crazy adventure filled with humour and some really fun puzzle you'll find solid ideas with some less solid execution, but not for this less fun.
Dark sun : shattered lands and Dark sun 2 : wrath of the ravager are kind of games that I have never ever played before : a turn-based isometric rpg with beautiful pixel graphics set in a post-magical-apocalyptic world where slavery, betrayals at every corner, mystical and mysterious creatures and prophecies meet ( basically Dune but with magic). Its gameplay is D&D at its finest, with some modification due to the different setting ( Dark Sun instead of the over-used Forgotten realms, at least in videogames). Moreover, both games have an intricate and intriguing story (no spoilers) full of interesting sub-quests and plot twist unlike many rpg games that I have seen, that really keep you on your toes and teach you to trust on one. Its soundtrack is decent ( some track memorable but they are played in a loop, which can be quite distressing) and and its graphics are quite enchanting , with the possible exception of the second entry, which is an actually a step down (much like Eye of the beholder 3, for example). Aaaand its the second entry ( wrath of the ravager) is the true reason why actually I'll not give this game a 5 star : on top of the worse graphics ( and also a looot of moments where the framerate would go down without no apparent reason), the game is so filled with bugs that I wasn't able to complete it ( fact is, after a while I simply grew tire to watch solutions). However, that does not mean you shouldn't play the game, on the contrary : plot, gameplay and those fascinating pixel used in a isometric point of view are really top-notch and the games can offer unique and memorable experience both for the average player and the veteran ( although I'll suggest to the veterans to raise the level of difficulty ). So, create your party with care : the sand of Athas are truly an unforgiving adventure where the fools fall and heroes rises.
Earthworm Jim 3D is truly a franchise killer : despite there were other platform games that found transitioning from 2D to 3D, very few of them did it so... badly, and it is a real shame. Actually, the game has real solid idea (it still came from earthworm Jim saga, originality is the main cake), even without mentioning the original pre production plans for this sequel so badly design, but the developers put them in practice in the worst way possible. And let's not mention technical problems as well : revolting camera angles, horrific character movement and some part of the levels ( particularly the second boss fight ) are simply bad design. Unfortunately, this is one of those times were I'm forced to say, even if it pains me to see such videogame series go to waste : no, don't buy it. It is simply not worth it.
SW dark forces 2 and its expansion are one of those game that I find myself playing again after years : a simple but compelling story of the SW expanded universe with plenty of action both with guns and lightsaber. Yes, that's right! you'll use both the old weapons from DF 1 and this time you'll be a Jedi ( actually, you can even choose if being one at all) with lightsaber and force powers included (both dark and light side). Amazingly, this mix works surprisingly well and never force you to play a role you don't want to, with both force powers and guns being completely fun to use ( but not perfect : some force powers are dubious and two weapons have a strange hitbox). On top of that, level design is really surprising good yet intricate sometime , but always enjoyable and to the point. Plus, the cinematics are filmed with real actors that manage to keep you immersed in the story, although some parts are a little overacted ( Jerec is one of my favorite villains of all time ). It goes without question that this game must be played : even to this day, it has aged awesomely and can be enjoy by both Fans of SW franchise and gamers alike.
Brigador is one of those game I find difficult to rate : a engaging cyberpunk twin stick shooter that makes strategy is core feature while keeping most of its gameplay simple. On top of that, its setting and music ( directly from synth and darkwave) are astonishing and perfectly well mixed with the overall feeling of the game. So, why 3 stars? For starters, the game becomes repetitive towards the end ( although many can find this features as not so detrimental ), with few new features and the same kinds of enemies (which are not, however, so few to begin with) and the overall presentation of the game (menù and story mostly) is confusing and take items to getting used to ( which is a damn shame, since the setting is really cool). Basically, its main feature, which is simple gameplay and mixed with complex strategies, becomes its greater weakness. However, that does not mean the game isn't worth buying : on the contrary, it's clearly an act of love and dedication to an idea, and it shows. So, Brigadors! It's time to make grease your party wagon : it's time to blow some mechs up!
Cook serve delicious is one of those game I find myself difficult to rate : in its genre ( which I can assume is the cooking / typing kind? although typing would imply full words and not just letters a) is one of the best, without a doubt. But if it is not, repetitions of tasks may be daunting after a while ( although the game does provide you with ample modes to try to expand the gameplay) and the pace of the game is too slow and it requires time to upgrade anything. In the end, Its a good cooking game with some pleasant presentation attached to it : both sound and visual art are alright and serving customers by typing words is, well, fun.
