Ce pack de DLC donne une bonne durée de vie supplémentaire au jeu, et surtout s'intègrent très bien au jeu de base. (Je conseillerais même aux fans de les prendre dès l'achat du jeu, en particulier pour Keepers of the Void). // The Crucible propose le plaisir du combat rapide (notamment appréciable quand on a fini le jeu), et un défi intéressant. Les récompenses sont très cool quoi que nécessitant un brin trop de grind. // Keepers of the Void, bien que que peu varié dans le bestiaire et les décors, offre une petite aventure annexe très cool, qui s'intègre super bien au flow de l'histoire principale en guise de trame secondaire. La récompense finale est particulièrement stylée. // Le prix de l'ensemble me paraît réglo compte-tenu de ce que cela propos et je n'ai pas regretté mon achat !
Il m'a fallu plusieurs semaines avant d'écrire une review car "évaluer" ce jeu semble même absurde, et en particulier en prenant une ligne classique graphisme-gameplay-histoire. Tout ce que je peux dire c'est que Hellblade, Senua's Sacrifice est un des jeux les plus marquant (émotionnellement, artistiquement, ...) auquel j'ai jamais joué et je le recommande sans réserve (si ce n'est celle du rapport à la maladie mentale : si le sujet est sensible, aussi bien traité soit-il, le joueur ou la joueuse devra peut-être passer ou du moins y aller avec précaution). Ninja Theory -le studio- a produit un jeu qui traite avec justesse et force du sujet de la psychose, et intégré cela dans un titre incroyablement cohérent et prenant. Le jeu ne se charge pas de fioritures (telles que des contenus annexes, des stats etc) et livre une aventure magnifique. A de nombreux moments tout s'aligne tellement parfaitement dans la narration, les choix artistiques, les enjeux de l'histoire et l'action que chaque session de jeu en est éprouvante (et je ne dis pas ça négativement). Le jeu a de nombreux éléments singuliers, en terme de choix de design qui font preuve de combien les développeurs et développeuses ont créé cela en réfléchissant de façon non-conventionnelle. Il y aura mille choses à dire, et cela semblerait encore ne pas rendre justice. Bref, jouez-y.
Steel Rats is a quite interesting game, at least for a few hours. Its industrial and apocalyptic atmosphere works well and suits a game about a motorcycle gang. The take on the gameplay seems rather bold and while not everything is a success, riding and fighting on motorcycle is quite fun. The story is OK and the voice over are actually well done. Unfortunately, for me the game went flat after a few hours and I didn't make it to the end. Despite the general good feeling, some controls are a bit unpractical ; the game also is a bit repetitive. However, this was still a nice experience and I don't regret my purchase. This might be just me, but when playing it, it felt like this game is what some 90s game would have been if created in 2019. (I mean it has a lot of "Genesis" feel to it, with contemporary graphics and systems.)
SW:TFU is a solid game because even with its quirks, in the end, the people behind it seemed to have focused on what could be excpected : a production that reflects the SW atmosphere, and a gameplay that makes you feel like a powerful Sith. The art is a bit aging, but overall it's still pleasant and while it doesn't have anything particular, they created several environments that make us travel all around the galaxy. The cinematics are well executed and reflects the feeling of the movies. The story isn't particularly original but, again, works quite well. A very negative point is way they needed to make one of the characters a love interest (no spoiler, it's really early in the game) : it doesn't work at all. We know nothing about her, there is not alchemy, it doesn't add anything to the atmosphere... it's just stupid. Not a big deal but I physically facepalmed on several occasions because of that. Where the game shines is the gameplay. It's quite straightforward and easy to handle, but has also a good depth to it. By playing in normal, the game proposes a challenges that encourages the player to use all their toolkit, and it's quite fun to use the force grip, the shock, the lightsaber throw and many other iconic moves. Except against certain ennemies, overall it works well and it's balanced. The skills system is quite OK. Rather simple, but rewarding and adds a touch of customisation. Finally, the game doesn't make the mistake of stretching over 20hrs. It can be done in less that 10 hours, which is more than enough, imho.
Despite a few issues (minors imho, read below), Darksiders 3 is a fantastic game and as a fan I'm glad that the franchise is alive and well. First about the game, the gameplay is very good. It has been often compared to Dark Souls, but I honnestly feel it's much more close to Bayonetta, and it actually does a good job. The fights are quite fast-paced, require to carefully manage the positionning rather than rush on the ennemies and the "counter-attack window" system is satisfying as well as a good way to breathe a little bit during the fights when doing right. The difficulty is well-designed and the normal mode is already a good challenge. The system of secondary weapons is absolutely great, both thematically and in practice, and a good evolution from DS2 (where you had to chose either a slow or a fast secondary weapon for Death). Three little drawbacks for me are the fact that Fury can sustain damage during the charged attack (which is counter intuitive given the slow mo), that bosses lack mechanics involving those 2ary weapons, and that the game could use a little bit more puzzles. The gear and "talents" system is really good : it is less grindy than in DS2 and more streamlined, but still offer some ways to adapt the playstyle (and same goes for the stats). Overall, the game takes good elements from DS2, but reverts the complexity of them to go back to a more straightforward adventure like in DS1. In that regard too, it's a really good sequel. Fury is also surprisingly well written. The character, a bit cliché at the begining, is very well evolved and humanized, not all at once, but slowly, among other things when talking with her watcher. It's rare to have main char with a big temper well-written. The music is a bit lacking, especially after DS2 which was fantastic in that regard. The environments are good, but not really innovative compared to DS1-2 ; nothing dramatic but this could have been better. Overall, a great experience. Can't wait for the DLC !
Ronin is a straightforward great action game. Though it lacks a little bit of backstory, this has the advantage of throwing the player right into the action with a short and clean tutorial. The art is more than decent with clear and pleasant graphics, and the OST is actually very good and fitting. On the gameplay side, it is surprising to find a combat game that is at the same time turn-based and very dynamic. It rewards thinking carefully about the next move(s) but doesn't feel slow ; quite brilliant. Its main default is the difficulty. Though I usually don't shy away from a challenge (at least for the genre!), near the end I abandonned after hitting a wall of difficulty. I feel that games should offer an easy way out (less rewarding but still there) which Ronin does... at the begining. However, even if not pushed through the end, Ronin was a very enjoyable experience that kept me on my toes ! =)
Hotline Miami is insanely difficult. But this is how difficulty should be handled : it's not frustrating, it's not difficult because you lack control and each time you fail, you want to try again cause you usually know why you failed and just try to do better. The gameplay is responsive and rather pleasant (even with a pad). The OST is great, and the general atmosphere of the game really gives this 80s feel. I stoped around 80% of the game but the first parts of the story are great, even if the story isn't that deep ; they lead us on a path with clues scattered around the levels (most of them being obvious), and this is very well done. I thought HM was "only" a very good game regarding to mechanics, but I discovered a brilliant art creation. Really worth a try !
