Fantastic game, but only lasts a few hours from beginning to end. I would not have been happy if I payed full price, but since I got this game for over half off I think it was money well spent. This game is all about atmosphere. Period. The mechanics are smooth and fluid, and work well with the atmosphere presented. This game creeped me out in the best kind of way. Have you ever watched a movie and knew something was coming for the character, but it's in the script so you can't stop it from happening... so you sit on the edge of your seat and wait for the inevitable with a pit in your stomach? That's how I felt during the majority of the time sensitive puzzles this game presented me with. Once I knew how something was supposed to work it was just a matter of timing it right... just right, or else your character dies in some horrible or strange way. The difficulty is not too bad. It's mainly the time sensitive nature of some of the puzzles that make the game difficult, and even then they aren't terribly hard to figure out. The ending is what makes this game art. It gives you the freedom to look at the game as a whole and think "now, what was the artist trying to say?" You may never know for sure, but there are a lot of interesting theories out there that could be credible, but the open-endedness of it all makes it really interesting. Overall, I think this game was fantastic. Entire game came with the purchase, no random DLC's to purchase later, and that's rare nowadays. Thank you to whoever made this game.
So, I got this game on sale because I was told it is a short game, which it is. It probably didn't take me a full 4 hours to beat this game, and it took me a handful of mornings to beat it. That said, this game is a wonderful mix of simple graphics, dark atmosphere, and intense, time sensitive puzzles. The timing for some of the puzzles was incredibly spot on... to the point where it had me on the edge of my seat wondering exactly how I could make certain things happen. Then, when they worked out, pure joy. No actual blood is seen, but only because it is all in black and white... Plenty of black, inky, insinuated blood spurts out of your character at times when your character dies. Tasteful, but still incredibly morbid. The character is a child, so he feels a bit wobbly to control at times... but I would expect that. It adds to the feel of a scared child running for his life. I wouldn't expect a child to be a trained soldier and have spot on movements. All in all, i think this game was very well done. A few hours of fun and frolicking in a dark morbid landscape, with just the right sound effects and music to boot. And an ending that leaves you satisfied, but curious at the same time, as there is actually zero dialogue in the game itself. It leaves you to your imagination from beginning to end. Wish more games were like this one.
So, I bought this game the other day, and to be fair I haven't beaten it. So this is an early in-game review. But, all I can say once I picked it up I lost track of time and I haven't done that in quite a while. Why? Allow me to elaborate: First, the plot, so far, is pretty simple. I don't know anything about my character's past other than she was traveling in the desert before getting swallowed into a portal. Second, the artwork is gorgeous. It's all hand drawn and vert pleasing to look at. Third, the controls are smooth and comfortable. For my computer there was no lag or anything, and everything is seamlessly executed. Fourth, the fighting is intense, and at times overwhelming, but the point is for your character to die and then to upgrade your character at the temple where she is revived. Eventually your character will be strong enough to face whatever trial killed you. To some that may be tedious, but given the amount of skill and upgrades I unlocked so far, and how many I still have to go, it seems like it is pretty well balanced. Finally, music and atmosphere are great as well. I enjoy the music's increase in intensity as enemies start to horde around you. I like the sound effects as your character is falling, with the wind whipping around and whatnot. It's a fun game so far. I'm looking forward to sinking more time into this one.
Ever watch the Marshmello "I can fly" music video and think, "wow! I that is so beautiful! I wish I could fly..."? Well, this is the closest you will ever get to that experience. First, this is not a long game. I'm talking... story line wise, if you blaze through and go to the next point of importance, like maybe 3 hours or so. (maybe less if you rush.) So, for an in depth story with lots of plots and twists... go elsewhere. Second, if you like good, simple, impactful story telling, this game has that. The main focus is flight and exploration. True, there is not a ton of things to find, but that makes it all the more exciting when you actually find something. You have a lamp that can allow you to see the afterimages of dead people from a dead civilization... Sometimes you might be surprised by what you find, or saddened by others. Sometimes they point the way to something interesting to read. Either way, it's fun to TAKE YOUR TIME relaxing and flying around the open world looking for these lore building areas. Third, YOU CAN FLY!!! I've never experienced a game that has such a great flight mechanic. Skyward Sword tried, bless it's heart, but even that doesn't come close. The art style combined with the music and atmosphere, plus the great flight mechanic make this such a wonderful gem. Though I completed the story line I will definitely be returning to this game just to fly around and relax a bit. Now... THE CON: I did experience some bugs in the second temple- I fell through the floor at one point, and couldn't stand on a particular platform to jump somewhere I wanted to go. Thankfully, these did not affect my ability to progress in the temple, though they threw me off for a bit. If you know what you are buying ahead of time there is no reason to complain about this game. Most of the bad reviews are from people who expected some deep drawn out story and didn't get one. Don't buy it if that's what you are looking for. If you want art in motion, get this game.
I got Antihero for the aesthetics... It's a beautiful game, and the music is absolutely amazing. The voice acting and sound effects and music really put together a good old England atmosphere. Game-play wise this game is fund and challenging. Much like chess, but with more options. Each piece has it's abilities, and each ability has it's advantages and checks. Strategy is key, and it is just the right level of difficulty because it's challenging, but not hopeless. The reason I docked a star was because it does get repetitive fairly quickly. You can play games against the AI or other individuals, so the value is there, but I can't help but feel that it could be more varied. For instance, there are a total of 7 types of characters. Your goal is to utilize those characters in ways that work to your advantage, but the perks you get in game are limited. Once you figure out which perks play to the biggest advantage it's pretty much a done deal and you do the same thing every time. Obviously playing against other players improves this a bit, but realistically they're going to do the same things you do because if they don't they'll be disadvantaged... Again, this game is a blast. But, with limited maps there is only but so much fun to be had. Get this game for the atmosphere and for the multiplayer, not for a deep experience. It's fun, just not something I'm dumping a ton of hours in.
Ok, so I first played this on mobile, but it was so good that I had to experience this on the PC as well. I am not disappointed. First, the game purchase comes with the sound track, which is a great bunch of instrumental compilations. Many games don't do that nowadays. Second, the story, though laced with elements from classic horror writers, is completely original. All the lil plot twists were wonderful. And third, this game literally made me jump a few times. That's hard to do. There are moments where, because of the wonderful atmosphere that is built for you, I was clicking on what I knew I should click on, but did so hesitatingly because I knew something horrible might happen. This game excels on so many levels. That said, keep in mind this is the first four chapters in an 8 chapter story. Part 2 would need to be purchased to complete the full scope of the story told. Also, this game does dive into an occultist atmosphere. If that type of theme seems offensive, then this game might not be for you. Although, it is worth noting that it does not glory in the occult or make heroes out of those who participate in such practices, but rather shows it is a bad thing to dabble with things you don't understand and can't control. Fantastic story telling, wonderful puzzles. If that's your thing, then get this game!
Ok, so if you are a fan of Zelda, Soul Reaver, and God of War... and have ever wished that somehow those 3 games could somehow be mashed together into one cohesive, smooth gaming experience... Look no further. This is the game you've waited for. I was not expecting to be enthralled by this game. The graphics are superb, and the music and atmosphere are fantastic. Something right out of a horror story. There is a linear story line, but it is combined with the open-worldness of Soul Reaver, and has special items and maps like Ocarina of Time. The fighting is similar to the hacking and slashing from the God of War series, and at times can feel a bit repetitive, but there are plenty of puzzles to even the game-play out. I was gifted this game... So I can't complain about the price. Though after playing it I would say it is worth the full price if you can afford it, and if you get it on sale so much the better. Took me a long time to beat, as the game was longer than I thought it would be. Great game.
This game is a very addictive adventure/strategy/rogue-like game. Each time you play is different, and the variety of things that can happen to your characters is staggering. The different starting characters force you to adapt your strategies according to their resources/abilities. Each mission on your multi-exploration journey makes you stronger, but once you die or end your journey the next one starts you back at square one in traditional rogue-like fashion. However, you potentially can unlock many different characters, so completing certain tasks and having the opportunity to try again with a different character is very fun. The art style is wonderful, and the music fits the game very well. The sound effects are perfect and atmospheric. The ONLY reason I gave this 4 instead of 5 stars is because even on the easy difficulty this game is hard to beat. There is obvious strategy involved, however, your luck can be against you at any turn to wipe you out, drive your explorers crazy and have them turn on each other, get trapped under a log that you can't lift... and some of it is literally left to a dice roll as to how it ends. The odds are not in your favor. However, I don't want to paint this as dismal. It makes you appreciate the actual exploration that has taken place in the past, as all these circumstances are legitimate problems that explorers must have faced. It definitely makes you that much happier to finish a journey alive, even more so if you finish in one of the higher ranks. It just isn't the type of game you can relax and play, as that random death occurrence may be just around the corner. If you can get it on sale, do it. It's fun, challenging, and worth the investment. Just don't expect to live through your first expedition, or your second, or your third...
So, I can honestly say it's been a while since I played through a platforming game that hit every nostalgia button in my head, AND refreshed me with an original story that literally made me almost tear up at the end. Shovel Knight is a masterpiece. I have started the Plague Knight campaign, and so far it is amazing as well. I eagerly look forward to the Specter Knight campaign (and of course the coming King Knight campaign and Showdown additions!) I managed to get this game on sale, but I can comfortably say this is worth the original asking price. Once everything is said and done, and the new additions are implemented, you are essentially getting 5 games for the price of 1. That is amazing. The music as classic, the look is classic, and the mechanics are a perfect mix of classic NES and newer Metroidvania type movement. The semi-linear story line is so refreshing as well. Trust me, you want this game. You may not know it yet, but this is a piece of your past, mixed with your future, that you don't want to let slip by. You will not regret this purchase.
I got this game expecting a stealth game where I was sneaking around guards and what-not. The first level delivered this, and I was very excited. However, on the second level I encountered some zombies... Ok... Haunted mine shaft. I get it. Got past them and then more guards. Fun. However, the third level was all zombies and giant two-legged monsters in tunnels... Granted, maybe later the game gets better later... But the story-line wasn't enough to push me forward. The monsters took away from the realism which the first level immersed me in. Thankfully I got this game on sale. I would not have paid full price for it. But, if you enjoy sneaking and you go into this game wanting a fantasy experience, and not a realistic experience, then you might have just found one of your favorite games here. The mechanics are great and easy to use. The music and sound effects are wonderful. The attention to detail was wonderful as well (despite the graphics being a little dated.) For the time-period the game was released I'm sure it was ground-breaking. Fun game, but again, just disappointed that they strayed from realism and entered the fantasy world so quickly. I didn't want to sneak around monsters.
