I bought this game due to positive reviews, but found it to be a mediocre mobile game. The mechanics and character development are bare-bones and mostly revolve around items. The plot is generic, the music forgettable, and the exploration a resounding "meh". It was inexpensive enough to where I don't miss the money, but I do miss the time I spent hoping it would get better.
An excellent game for open ended creativity, where you can optimize fleets of unique ships that you create with an assortment of weapons, thrusters, and other components. Every piece is simulated physically and interact thoroughly with each other. You will lose yourself creating and optimizing ships to meet your unique vision of performance and aesthetic. The graphics are simplistic and it has only one background synth-tune which serves as background. The game does not suffer from this. You can freely switch between building, arcade style flight of a single ship, 4X (lite), or RTS modes of play. The AI is quite decent. One of the true joys is that maps are in part populated by unique fleets created by other human players. For those who like a creative challenge and have an OCD itch to scratch, this game is a real gem.
This game plays just like old school Zelda, but instead of hack and slash, you have a procedural spell system where you can craft unique spells. This makes is comparable to Magicka, but it plays with far less difficultly, chaos, yet with a bit more complexity when crafting spells. Taking a completionist approach helps, as it will increase the probability you'll find more runes and power-ups, which will increase the amount of options and nuance for crafting spells. The gameplay is otherwise direct and simple. The plot is uninspired and the lore is undeveloped, but has distinctive potential to be something great. The game features a fairly open exploration, though you will be limited by obstacles only surmountable by runes which you acquire through the critical path. The graphics are colorful, stylized, and will run well on most machines. The music is oustanding and provides a child-like sense of wonder throughout the game. The overall challenge is light, both in terms of combat and puzzles. The real enjoyment to be had is for the sort of person that really enjoys crafting the ideal spells. There is definitely something great here, and it's worth the price (currently $25 USD). It offers casual play, exploration, some charm, and a wonderfully nuanced spell crafting system that will delight a particular type of player. It's a pretty good game, and I very much look forward to a follow-up that takes the lessons learned in this game and expands upon them both in terms of gameplay and narrative.
I bought this game in early access and have been playing up to the full release. First off, this game will be very difficult to for new players. You will need to be very observant of how enemy ships engage you, the environments are in, and take full advantage of the 6-degrees of freedom that your ship has. Learning to pilot your vessel and manage your energy will be a challenge at first--so expect to die alot. After a dozen deaths, you should be able to get the hang of it. The AI is very good. The environments are about as varied as outer-space can be, with several types of hazards to mix things up. Your exploration will constantly be hounded and hampered by pursuing enemies, so you'll need to manage your time as well. Every weapon and device are distinctive, and useful, and enjoyable to use. Consumables are worthwhile and approachable without being too avialable. Crafting is practical, and provides a strong incentive to explore. I normally dislike crafting in games, but here it is a meaningful feature. Upgrading your ship seems slow at first, but will become very noticably more powerful as you better master the game. Each of the three pilotable ships are distinctive and worth using. The Scout craft in particular is a joy to fly. Weaving through massive dogfights with shiny weaponfire and missles blanketing the screen over gorgeous backdrops is tremendous fun. Overall, I'm a big fan. It's fun, casual, beautiful, and keeps me coming back. The difficultly is a positive for me, though other players may be discouraged. The excellent piloting of the enemy AI will always keep you on your toes. Stick with it. Once you learn and appreciate the manueverablity and nuances of your ship(s), you'll keep wanting more.
I first played this game in 2013. If you like exploration, discovering secrets, negotiating traps, and robbing vaults (abandoned & in use) in an entirely unrestricted manner, this game is for you. There are no contrived restrictions on accessing any part of the game or tackling any quest. The level design is incredibly well done and rewards those who take the time to discover secrets and short cuts through the interlocking labrynths. I had basically explored the entire game before I really even began the "crticial path". Mixing rogue skills and magic is the way to go. This is not to say going anywhere you want in the game will be easy. Traps are lethal, locks are difficult to pick, monsters are simply stronger than you, and the magic system--while admirable--is difficult to use. It is possible to prepare a spell in advance for 1-click casting. utilize this wisely. That being said, the magic system is incredibly useful and will let you do all manner of things that modern conventions would consider game breaking. Some gamers may find themsevles frustrated by the lack of direction, map notes, and vague quests. This game was among the last of the RPGs before "stream-lining" became an industry standard. Difficulty is real, and you will not be able to rambo your way through this game. The graphics are dated, but I feel that they hold up. The sound is mostly ambient. It builds the cold and isolated atmosphere, but contains no remarkable music. I experienced next to no bugs. If you enjoy this genre for adventure, and have the time to methodically plump the depths of a truely elaborate labrynth, then this game is for you. If you're looking for something casual or plot driven, I would keep moving. It will be your loss though.
Oustanding game that takes everything good about the Commandos series and both greatly improves and expands upon it. Stealth is handled much better, resulting in the game being much less of a murder puzzle. The Edo period of Japan is a rich and fresh setting. The characters are distinctive in both ability and personality, with unique and useful skills that are highly satisfying to use. The artwork and sound are excellent. The level design is very good and gives the player latitude to try multiple solutions. The plot thus far gives you reason to go further, and the cut-scenes are well acted and not overdone. Controlling characters is effortless, but there are several keys that you will have to memorize. Overall, this has the trappings to be a superb game. Five stars, without hesitation.
I purchased this because it looked like a proper successor to the original Diablo. I was not disappointed. This game is an excellent dungeon crawler. It is not for the faint of heart, or those who shy away from challenge. The game is difficult, brutal, requires some practice to get going--but is always fair. Melee combat is gripping, sophisticated, and challenging. You will be interested in every fight, no matter how "remedial" your opponent may seem. The atmosphere is fantastic, the game looks good, and runs extremely well even on the highest settings. Very stable. I have yet to experience a bug--on early access! There are some negatives. Again, learning curve. You might not be up to it--but an evening of being slaughter in the practice arena should be sufficient. Early access. Even the good features do require polish, and many features are not yet enabled--chiefly spell casting and ranged combat. The music could use some help. While the minimalist tones aid the tense isolation of being alone in a dungeon, I would prefer a more engaging score. That being said, it's an excellent game. I eagerly await the completion of it's ultimate goal, Sui Generis.
Where this game shines is multiplayer. The heart and soul of it was to be a digital, immersive, table-top, D&D session. The Dungeon Master controls an interface are excellent. The tool set is brilliantly powerful and simple to use. The party system works. Buy this and play it with friends. Buy this and go online to make some new friends. Enjoy the worlds and stories others have created. Join one of the many fabulous persistent worlds and engage in some fantastic role-playing. This is D&D brought to digital life. The original campaign is the definition of mediocre. The second expansion was good, and the third was even better. Use these to familiar yourself with the game--and have fun of course, but go online. Make some friends. Have some adventures. It will be one of the best gaming experiences you've ever had.
Pros: Riveting tactical wizard chess! Effective bluffing Enough randomization/RNG to keep you on edge and permit upsets, but not disfavor the better player Games are often decisive. Timers and limited turns keep the pace moving. Good match-making and multiplayer (local/net) options. Cons: Mediocre single player campaign Music is passive and ponderous, but could use more variation and intensity Limited map aesthetics. As any board game, novelty can wear off. I adored the original Chaos!, and this is a well done update. Treat it like a board game with your friends, and you will have a great time. I have been waiting for this to come to GoG (rather than Steam) and am very satisfied with my purchase. If further expansions occur (real possibility) and add a touch more of everything (music, spells, creatures, maps), this will be a "5 star" must buy. Even in it's current form, Chaos: Reborn is highly recommended to any strategy fans.
