OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood is probably one of the best 2d skating indie out-there ( not a lot of competitions, mind you). Basically, this game allows the true believers of the ''skater'' culture to express themselves at ''muzzle'' velocity: everything is played fast and with style. There are TONS of tricks, stances and everything feels authentic and made by someone that truly understands the discipline ( I am a skater myself, you know). This, however, is what could potentially alienate a lot of potential gamers: some tracks must be played a LOT ( at least, this is what I found out playing at my skill level.. and general reflexes) in order to proceed. Besides that, graphics are colourful and the music is enjoyable enough. So, this game is a true 360 degree of yes, (especially for any skater-gamer out there).. however, I hope you love games that required a good amount of reflexes, if not... well I would say try it out but could be frustrating.
Yup, that's basically: the game is simple, offers an adequate challenge and it does have some action. Basically, you are the bad guy that is trying to assimilate earth: you get towers to defend your core, you can block the path to your base while piloting an alien spaceship. That's it. I honestly don't understand the hype that this game has. I mean, I get it: it is good because it is simple, but in the long run it really becomes boring and repetitive ( which is only logical, few are the games that manages to keep it simple while having the value of re-playability). Meanwhile, the enemies all look alike, same thing for the bosses, and the various locations of earth are almost indistinguishable. So, there isn't really much to talk about here: buy it if you are into the genre, if not... can give some enjoyment but after a while the game becomes stale. Good but not excellent, just enough.
Uprising: Join or Die is one of those games that I really try hard to enjoy but I can't. As a FPS (vehicle) - strategy hybrid, the game manages to combine both of those genre quite well: intense action while managing your resources is enjoyable and entertaining. Ironically, there isn't truly a part that wasn't well done (at least, for its time): Combat is good, the difficulty is handed quite well and the game is... consistent in delivering more of the same through out the entirety of the playthrough... and perhaps that is the problem: the game becomes stale a little too fast meanwhile its simplicity, that should be rewarded becomes a detrimental factor in the gameplay. I thought myself a Lover of this kind of game ( after playing dragon commander, which is fairly similar) but I didn't enjoy this one ( although I cannot deny the appeal for other players). Hence, is this game worth it? yes... but it's not a masterpiece, just a good game that has aged a little too bad.
Star Trek away team - effectively being a Commandos' Clone - is not the worst nor the best... It just is. Care, it is not a bad game... it is a decent one, even with some unique perks typical of the Star Trek Epopea (Such as phasers and other Sci-fi weapons and features). Problem is: the game is both dull and easy (an horrific combination for a game, let me tell you), and this coming from me (I am definitely not an expert in this kind of game.) Personally, don't even know how it got 4 stars on Gog: I was going to give it a 2 but in the end it is a decent (?) game. So, if you are fan you might want to check it out.. if not.. stay clear and jump to lightspeed (towards better games, I hope).
The wheel of time is one of those game that I didn't knew anything about ( as I didn't knew about its source material either, if not for the new tv series) and still managed to blow my mind away. Sure, the game has some little cracks and other problems (like the hard difficulty, chosen for my first run and finish, but I believe the game was developed more for normal difficulty), but other than this it's gorgeous! As a fps, The wheel of time is simple and yet creative: the powers that you can wield are interesting, both straight-forward and not so straight-forward. Plus, level design, albeit not perfect, is actually pretty enjoyable and gets the job done. Welp, story is basically a spin off of the books, buuuut I must admit that, although in some part is a little too simple, is entertaining and in other parts is actually great ( really enjoyed it) and with some pretty good twists. So, as a representative of the 90-2000' shooter era, ( that weird moment of transition that gave us Deus ex and other masterpieces) all I say is: although the wheel of time always spin, this game is truly... timeless (YUCK).
Oh boy, this gonna be a very short review. Populous 2 :Trials of the Olympian Gods is basically the first.. just bigger (in spells) and better (in functionality), and instead having a non-defining deity you have the olympian gods as your enemies. As a god simulator, you'll be expected to guide your people to victory using your powers to raise the land or creating champions and so much more. Plus, the game is, like, HUGE, tons of levels (a little bit repetitive in some part but if you like the system, you'll love it). So, it's a big, GODLY yes! won't be disappointed!
Shadowgrounds is one of those games that I played because I had nothing to play otherwise, and it actually surprised me by having decent shooter mechanics and solid gameplay (a little too repetitive, but in this peculiar case, we can give it a pass). Gameplay wise, as top-down alien shooter, the game does it job by providing a decent roster of enemies, weapons and level layouts to support the two things. Although is clearly not a masterpiece, it does grown a little on you for its fast pace shooting and constant movement. However, for anything else.... welp, soundtrack is ok (actually, some part are pleasantly well done, while the setting and story... is one of those cases ''it's so bad is so good'' ( I actually laughed a lot by listening to the VAs speaking and trying to '''play'' the roles assigned to them and failing miserably). Strangely enough, this counts especially in the cutscenes, while the PDA and other kind of info found in the game are not that bad in setting up the atmosphere... if the atmosphere was not ruined by everything else. Still, the game, despite not being revolutionary ( won't certainly change your life not playing it), is actually worth a try: it's simplicity of gameplay is the very ''meat&bones'' that this game offers Just shut down your thinking process and kill the space bug ( Damn, just realized that the story is basically a 90's B movie about aliens).
Nightmare reaper is a compromise: stuck between old and new, rogue-like and story (sort of) driven, Fps arena and old school...Doom and Borderlands? Basically, it's an old school ( I prefer the term Doom-like) FPS with an interesting take on loot-shooter mechanics: complete levels after levels( there are, like, a TON of them) finding inspired weapon ( and sometimes inspired means the exact same weapon from a different franchise) and upgrading your character through minigames ( much ''inspired'' from the old 90' Nintendo's portfolio). Gameplay wise, it's a old pixel doom-like but with a more focused ''three dimensional movement'' freedom, which includes platforming session. This liberty of movement is actually quite an interesting choice, since the game does provide with multiple options. Plus, at the end of each mission, you go back to the main hub, where there is also an arena mode. As said before, there are also a loot system, with different weapons, some unique, some from new and old games ( Just two hints: aliens ( of gold) and ''For the Emperah!'', nicely surprised by them) which you can take from level to level. Plus there is also three ''upgrade'' system ( again, this game takes the word cameo to the next level). Besides that, the soundtrack is composed by the same guy that made the ones for the modern DOOM, so you can be certain that the music is purely rock-ntastic. Meanwhile, the story.. there is a little bit, and it's dark ( I mean, the game isn't exactly hiding that) and serves its purpose, and the graphics.. are maybe the least interesting to talk about, but still there on point ( considering the this game's settings). Downsides? although the game was made to be re-playable, I must admit that at the end I was a little bored for the repetition of game mechanics ( not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but for me it was). So, worth it? goddamn YES. jumping around killing demons is fun! Don't sit this one out! ( or, in this case, Sleep ;) )
If you have win10 and this version of the game (GOG) than I would suggest you buy another version of the game! Basically, I couldn't run the game. I had to acquire another copy and play in a different system. (didn't ask for refund for time reason). BUT! on that copy, the game was good! well, a little ''needy'' for some tricks and tracks ( pun intended) but overall a good skateboarding game... at least while we are still talking about 2d games. But, that aside, yes it is fun but I didn't find very entertaining ( at least for my taste). However, this game is also a classic indie game ( at the time of its release, it was pretty radical) so... worth it? yes! but if you do not have a passion for these kind of games, it won't be long before you are bored (this is the reason I giving 3 stars, not for the technical issue encountered).
