I don't think I need to explained what blood is: as the last one of the 'trinity' (together with Duke and Shadow) of the build engine (and perhaps the one considered the best - I personally prefer Shadow warrior) Blood has marked the end of the 2.5D era (which unusually ended with a blast, and not a whimper, let me tell you) with pristine graphics, cohesive design, perfected gameplay, interesting story (and a fantastical voice acting by Stephan Weytel). Basically, the game is born by combination of all the features developed throughout an entire generation, but not without introducing something new of its own. So.... yes. It's still a blast to play even to this day, and beyond. And this remastered version contains a lot of quality of life improvement (although, at the start of the release, things weren't so great) well worth the price. Yup. Blood lives... again! (sorry, couldn't resist)
...Where god****n is my second tome? Ok folks, I won't spoil much, but the fact that this game is now *free* really outrages me! Sang-Froid is one of the simplest examples why I consider some indie game to be pure art form, and despite having little to no budget, Sang-Froid have something that 90% of other games don't: VISION, and a cohesive one to boot! Sang-Froid is, welp, a game, yes, but also a tale. A tale where you'll find yourself inside a book about werewolf, stories of ol' and Canada's Folklore. The game manages to weave an adventure about two brothers and a sister against insurmontable odds, with an astounding ability to make you invested start to finish. Gameplay wise, it's a tower defence... but extremely elaborated and grounded (for the most part), which kept me replay both brothers (whom represent also the difficulty), even if the two playthrough are separated by almost a decade apart! But what really shines, apart from story and graphics (which it is actually the game weak point, but it is still integrated with the game's overall design) is the music (man, I still listen to them- Les Deux Vendredis by La Volée d'Castors, go check it out). Downsides? just some part of the melee feels clunky and the graphics (which, again, weirdly, are actually perfect for the tone of the game). So, worth it? ... I mean, you serious? even if this game is not your cup of tea, doesn't matter ('cuz is not a game, but an experience worth having).
...HUNTDOWN! (you must ready it with the narrator voice, or it doesn't work) *starts synth music * I wasn't sure how to start this review... but I think the best way is to simply say ''BUY IT'' (all capital) 'cuz folks, you DO NOT GET HIGHER THAN THIS. If you are not convinced, bounty hunter, just answer this simple questions. Do you wish to BE in an action movie straight out of the Late 80's/ early 90', with a more-than-fitting story and a memorable presentation to boot? Do you wish crispy, pristine, astonishing, PERFECT pixel graphics with the most correct representation of good ol' dystopian cyberpunk city? Do you wish for fast-paced, old school but modernized, 2d side-scrolling gameplay? So, was all yes? if it wasn't... well, nobody is perfect but goddamn people, never seen so much love for a videogame (I mean, not at THIS level). So, even if you are not a fan of pixel graphics or 2d side-scrolling run-and-gunning gameplay, trust me when I say: this won't disappoint.
...Not the original. Syndacate wars is basically a bigger version of the first installment, with new graphics, weapons and a story that continue the one from the expansion, giving extra dystopian vibes to this already astonishing game. However... the game is also... well, it is repetitive. Simple as that. It's not even boring. Just repetitive. the mission given propose just a bunch of objective that, in the long run, starts to blur, to the point that the game becomes a little stale. Still, totally worth playing, even more discounted!
...The pace. Knights and merchants is an enjoyable and fun RTS experience set in a medieval world, with a fitting story (and a repeating soundtrack!). Now, without any nostalgia for the game, I can safely say: it has a slow pace. Mortally so. even for its day, actually. Putting the game mechanics of the settlers in this kind of game was overall a good Idea... but they could adapt it better. Another flaw, already mentioned in the other reviews, is the A.I., which will lead your army and citizens to do a lot of illogical things which involves a lot of boring micro-management that definitely feels more like a chore.... So, worth it? Now, believe it or not, it's not a bad game, and if discounted I say give it a try. It's not perfect, and required patience could be rewarding. Just don't expect a masterpiece, but an almost calming experience.
...No longer unique. As a God simulator (where you actually get to play a God), the Populous saga was unique in a way that didn't allow you to order around directly your followers, but only to influence them, by casting different spells (which the most common was as simple as raise/lower ground - and even if it was that simple, that spell had a lot of functionality). Now, although definitely not being a bad game (I recommend it, actually, even not discounted), the third instalment of the saga gives you the role of a would-be God shaman and the ability to control directly your people... basically, every RTS ever (just with a Godhood twist), with simplified gameplay choices and a confusing, bad camera. Still, I believe it is a good game, worth getting. Perhaps even great if you are into the more 'traditional' rts genre... buuuut, for me, although marketed as a 'God simulator', the feeling of 'godhood', the uniqueness of gameplay mechanics of the first two were lost in the process of giving Populous: the beginning a more modern (and commmon) gameplay, so to speak.
The Way is one of those games that truly fit in my personal category ''It could have been a masterpiece with a little more effort''. Truly, its graphics soundtrack and story (although a little too ''single minded'', which I believe is also the point) are really entertaining, masterfully crafted, even. Buuuuut unfortunately, the game just had to have a lazy excuse for a gameplay. Yes, we all loved another world, Flashback and whatnot, but those game had pace, rhythm, technical ingenuity, while the way.... welp, it simply doesn't. Yes, again, a puzzle here and there is fine, but for me there are too many ''dead'' moments in something that could have been jaw-opening with all that sci-fi goodies. Basically, the game does what is promises, but knowing that it could have followed a different...way (...sorry) almost ruined the enjoyment for me. That and all those useless puzzles, bad platforming sequences and ''fighting'' moments which are a pain to play through. .... So! worth buying it? yes... but discounted. Unless you are an aficionado of platforming puzzle game with beautiful graphics and sci-fi shenanigans. Then, this is... the way! (couldn't help myself)
Empire earth: gold edition is probably one of the most ambitious (for its time) project that truly tries to give a complete experience on human warfare (at least in its gameplay, since the story, although faithful historically, is narrated in a way that's almost comical). Or at the very least, that was the idea. Unfortunately, what came out of that idea is a mediocre RPG with a bad AI and confusing overlays. That doesn't mean the game is bad... it has some good qualities, but not enough. So, yup. You can play it and found joy in it, if you look past its failings.
Odallus: the dark call the kind of game that forces me to say 'Yes, it's an inspired retrò game. Yes, it's interesting and challenging....buuuuuut when does it become fun?' Basically, an arcade/castlelvania (a difficult combinations to obtain, I ll give them that) fantasy 2d platformer that it tries a little too hard coping the old games, which I still believed it's wonderful, IF implemented right, and with new moves (after all, when the old games where 'new' they reach peak of fun thanks to their INNOVATIONS, at their time). It also tries a little too hard to be... welp, hard. And , as other games such Volgarr the viking as taught as, if you don't know how to place checkpoint and how to use a multiple life system, just give up. Still, for anyone with enough patience (and time), this game is a viable option. Just prepare for quite an unfair challenge (and stiff controls).
...That weird moment of transition between 2D and 3D graphics? welp, Rayman 2 is an example of that: good game that could have excellent if not for all those technical problems that period brought with it. However, having to carry the heavy load of being the successor of one of the greatest platformer of all time, it didn't do that bad. Actually, the game does have some really nice moments and it is absolutely worth trying out! In fact, its successor, Rayman 3, is perhaps of the best 3d platform around, and that game builds on this one. So, Yes, it is really much worth buying (provided you download the unofficial patch that makes it 'workable') 'cuz, although perhaps the weakest of the series, it is STILL a Rayman! P.s. I love this trilogy even more than the 'newest' one, Rayman origins, since it maintains that design so magical, which was dictated by the first one through the third entry. After that, the saga has be a little underwhelming for me (still great, though. It's undeniable that originality is one of the greatest point s of the french.... spring? hero without arms? ...you get it)
