Silverfall is a hack n slash - Diablo clone and one game directly linked to my childhood and a game I still owe a physical copy. After almost two decade I had the chance how playing it again! .... welp, removing the nostalgia glasses, it's pretty alright. Basically, the skill tree, crafting your own gear and the whole technology- nature conflict is what set this apart from it's competition, what really made it special, but besides that it's pretty bland. However, this does not mean it's bad, if you are a fan of the genre or simply want to try an old gem (for its time), this could be for you.
Furi is a game that puts your skills to the test : it is a frenetic ( words meant for this game) bullet hell top-down shooter that heavily relies on your reflexes to get through the various stages. Gameplay wise, it's inspired to japanese games like no more heroes : basically it's only boss fights with both melee and long range attacks involved and these are a blast, although some section may be a little frustrating due to its difficulty and skills required. The tone, story, soundtrack and style of the game settings are heavily inspired to the masterpiece Afro samurai ( which its creator directly contributed to the art of the characters of the game) but in space! It is worth it? definitely yes... but if you are new to the genre may take some patience to get through the game. So, Raiders, it is time to take your pistol and katana and decide your path!
''Alan Wake : American nightmare'' is a nice spin off (or sequel, whatever) that gives more insight to what happens to the protagonist of the first entry of the saga (at this point, let's call it ''expanded universe''). The game manages tires to nail the establish mysterious theme by focusing on the fictional in-verse night spring television show , but it does that with mixed results. Indeed, the story, in same part, it seems stale and clichè and other times is quite enjoyable. Speaking of the technical parts of the game itself, it is way more action oriented, shorter and there a massive usage of the same areas through a plot device always in theme with the mysterious that does give annoyance in the end. However, still it is an Alan Wake game, with features that give reason to buy and enjoy this game not only as a piece of the saga but even as a stand-alone. So, One more mystery episode to uncover.... in Night Springs.
War wind 2 tries to expand and upgrade the formula of its predecessor, but ultimately it ends creating something way worse As an RTS, the first entry of the series was brilliant : an unique game with almost truly unique races and features. However, the second instalment of the series introduced the Human races ( eliminating that feeling of strangeness from the clashing of completely alien cultures and uniqueness that was given to the saga) and it does that TWO times (the descendant and the military) which is not only idiotic but an immeasurable waste and downgrading the whole setting to a point that it now feels.. bland. On top of that, the previous races were crammed in just two factions to give enough space to the TWO human campaigns (which is a combo in genius game design's choices, let me tell you) , and eliminating the possibility to create other new and more interesting races. Gameplay wise, the elimination of Inn ( structures where units are acquired) is both bold and damaging : the units necessary for the army must be acquired from the map, which is implied that if you make a mistake you have to start over since that's all what you gonna get for the mission. In the end, the reason why I gave it three stars is that although it has nothing truly unique at point, the game can be still play decently like any other RTS (although some I found some mission to be a little unbalanced).
Yup, that sound does describe it : Last Rites has a lot of things going on but all of them leaves a weird taste. As a FPS, it is all right : it does have some interesting level design choice (both good and bad but ALL of the maps are gigantic and twisted), weapons that sometime just feel right, other times they are completely off, enemy's AI dead ( pun intended) and the engine does have a charm to it, although completely outdated even then. So, is it worth it? Believe or not, I say give it a chance : although the network doesn't work anymore, just the single campaign does have really good ideas and some fun shooting, the level are few but big ( and it is also one of the game bad sides, since it can be really confusing) and overall fun to explore. Plus the story (yes, it does have it some little narrative event, so to speak) is interesting and does give some 80'/90' vibes to it, accompanied by some really surprising and awesome soundtrack (which is weirdly the greatest part of this game and without really any downside). Just wait to a discount... and don't wait until you're dead to try it out! (YUCK)
That's pretty much it, really. Dark reign is a interesting sci-fi RTS with a really surprising deep lore ( heavily inspired by Dune or the Foundation) and some mechanics that, at the time, were even rare or experimental, like the different effects of various terrains or their altitude. Unfortunately, compared to others of the same genre of its time and beyond, I found the game pretty weak and with some huge issue about pathfinding, balanced units and some mission are a little too tough to be even considered fun at all. On top of that, the game put you 80% of the time in missions where is a sort of stalling between you and the adversary where there's a constant spawning of units, no strategies involved, which is a shame since the game was set to have some ''unique'' (at the time) features as mentioned above. So, should you buy it? mmmm yes but on discount. PS I've come to understand that there no music in this game, just sounds from units and background, so be warned.
System Shock has, without a doubt, revolutionized the FPS genre and how it will be designed and felt throughout the decade. Although the second entry is more famous ( as the other pretenders such as the Bio or Deus ex saga), the first one sets the stone that will lay foundation to a completely new way of thinking about FPS and how cyberpunk games HAVE to be conceptualized, This is one the few cases that I'll not write anything about the game ( about its mind-blowing core mechanics, masterful level design nor its magnificent way to narrate the plot) but I'll say just this : if you are aficionado of the FPS genre, a retrò gamer or just one that enjoys gaming in general, System Shock is THE masterpiece to play, period. It time to explore, hack, survive, destroy and escape the clutches of a crazy IA and to extrapolate from its difficult and complicated exterior the literal art that this game was, is and probably will be.
Must admit, Blake Stone series really got me hooked for its different kind of gameplay : action fps but with a little more of thought of your regular Wolfenstein (which the game was supposed to be a sequel). Although smaller (yes, it is - no more episodes), it's better than the previous one : Black stone planet strike offers new enemies, a new gun and way more action. Worth it? yes! although Planet strike was a little beyond its competition at the time but it offered a rare experience and it manages to give satisfaction even to this day. So, grab your plasma rifle and preserved your radar for any possible secret in the maps : it's time to finish the long run of Dr. Goldfire!
Puzzle Agent is one of those pearl that I really wanted to give a 5 star, but unfortunately I can't. First and foremost, Puzzle Agent is a.... puzzle game ( well, yeah) that plays like a point and click adventure and uses instances in the game to provide the player puzzles to solve in a separate screen. This puzzle may be Tetris kind, arithmetical or simply logic based and I personally found most of them of moderate difficulty and without too much ''nonsense'' like other puzzle game. On top of that, story is strangely engaging and with some nice ''hidden'' ( sorry) twist that really was a nice surprise, of all this accompanied by some soundtrack and visual art that is not something to be amazed at, but still does the job and helps create immersion. However, the game is short and becomes just a little repetitive after a while, and some puzzle is not too much clear on the description of its rules. Beside that, this game can be advise to all ages and all tastes, truly a little gem.
Nex machina is an arcade top-down twin stick shooter that really puts the emphasis of arcade part. It's cyberpunk design and graphics are top notch and its old school arcade gameplay is one that really pushes the abilities of the player. In fact, as a product aimed to fast paced action, it punishes the player who don't have enough skill and endurance to survive its hordes of enemies. And that's where its great limitation is : it's difficult immediately become frustration since it puts you in a constant state of attention and actions through the course of the stages, where you have a limited amount of lives to use it (at least in normal mode) and where should you lose, it's back to the beginning. However, If you are a fan of arcade bullet hell with some serious 80/90' vibes and in need for some serious challenges, welp it's time to get a controller, you won't be disappointed.
