I played Armikrog a long time ago, but it was so bad that I wrote a review for it for a small adventure games website. The game has mindboggling bugs - see a closed door next to a panel with a puzzle that will open said door? Don't bother with that puzzle - just click on the door. Not-Kleymen (sorry, I forgot his name) will just walk through like some Shaolin monk. I even skipped the villain's introduction scene and basically finished the game when I lacked one crucial item. I had no idea what's going on, the villain just appeared without me seeing him before and the game ended shortly after. I learned later that I skipped a major event and a part of the game. Man oh man. Other thing: the story is lackluster, incredibly short and just... well, pretty bad, to be honest. Nothing interesting to see here, really. It feels like half an episode of a cartoon show - and the game lasted me for 4-5 hours, too. What else... ah, yes, the puzzles. Some are good, some are mediocre and some are... incredibly bad. The worst puzzle, and a recurring one at that, was the lullaby puzzle. Just... what were they thinking? The only thing that's actually good is the visuals, but they still are not on the same level as Neverhood. Overall, there is some fun to be had with this game, sometimes it's even very fun, but the lackluster nature of this game prevented me to rate it anywhere higher than 4/10. Play it only if you're really curious, and even then prepare to be disappointed in the end.
Botanicula is Amanita Design through and through, with some amazing visuals and of course sound design (and soundtrack). It's not long, but not too short, definitely feels like a full game. The puzzles are great too! They're often simple, but creative, but sometimes will require some serious thought. It's very well balanced in this regard and most importantly: it's a lot of fun. What else to say... That it's a 10/10 experience? That it lands in my Best Games Ever list without a doubt? That if you like Amanita Design this is a must-play for you? That it's simply an amazingly crafted game?
This game is so unfunny, I don't even think it tries to be funny. Although it's unfunny, I think what's more unfunny is how dialogues aren't even well written. I mean, maybe for a kids' game it could be good, but... where is the charm? Where is the wittiness? Artstyle - I have nothing against. It's the writing that's awful.
Sorry, but... why are people raving about this game? Aside for incorporating DnD 5e into a game very well, it's just average all around. Characters? Have potential for sure, but the writing is average, if not downright boring. Atmosphere? Well, not too much of it, and the game tries to be funny too much. Yeah, that's how Divinity was and you can just accept that BG3 is basically Divinity and move on - except BG3 is different enough to remind you that this is indeed DnD. So if you're familiar with DnD and Forgotten Realms you might be put off by... everything: how it looks, sounds and feels. When I'm playing BG3 I cannot believe for a second that I am indeed exploring the world of Forgotten Realms. It feels more like some funny scenario. I haven't met a single interesting NPC so far, too. I'm bored, boss. I want interesting characters to talk to, with well written dialogues. Jesus, even findinga hideout run by young tiefling criminals didn't amount to anything interesting. Unfortunately, this is a candidate for a refund for me. How can an RPG with talking bears can be so unimpressive. Divinity 1 was more impressive than this.
Pros: (+) Good artstyle (+) Playable, competent Cons: (-) The combat isn't satisfying or exciting (-) The cards' effects are extremely basic and uninspired (-) The animations are slow and don't flow, instead there is always this pause between attacks, etc. (-) Dialogues and story are... well, present (-) The UI is very lacking The worst thing is also the lack of good feedback, like, you can make a very basic game, but with good sound feedback or meaty animations, you can squeeze more out of a game. This game lacks that satisfaction you get from doing even basic stuff, I honestly feel like the devs just didn't know how to develop this game and the result is something very basic and uninspired, even in the presentation department. There are plenty other, much more interesting deck builders out there.
The game is simple, yet excellent, plays a lot like a real NES platformer, but can I just point out how good the writing is? I laugh out loud way too much, the Shopkeeper is hilarious. And the whole thing breaks the forth wall constantly, but I don't think I ever saw it done so well. I can't even put my finger on why it's so good. Like, it IS on the nose, but somehow subtle at the same time. I have no idea how it gives me this impression, but it just does and I love it.
You've never played a dice game so well designed, I'm pretty confident about that. It's amazing on so many levels. The artstyle, the music, and most importantly: the gameplay, which is AMAZING. It's sooooo much fun, soooo much thinky, and soooo varied. The abilities are simply incredible, I don't think there is a single boring one, because even a simple one (which are very rare) have a place in this game and can prove extremely useful (simple = bigger chance that you'll have the dice to actually use them, and that's a very good thing to have sometimes). You don't want to miss out on this game, trust me.
...for years. I'm a huge fan of stealth games, probably my favorite genre ever, and for years I ignored the Thief series. Because it looked old, because I thought the mechanics will be dated. Wow. Was I wrong. Not only the presentation still holds up, but the gameplay is actually the best stealth experience I've ever witnessed. It's full of mechanics, full of tension, and it has simply THE BEST level design I've ever seen in a stealth game. It's truly genius. It feels real, immersive and at the same time it plays just phenomenally. And that sound design. THAT SOUND DESIGN. You will become fully immersed in this genius game like in no other game. Simply godly game.
It's XIII - a game that, I feel, was ahead of its time. This FPS has everything: great graphics with incredible presentation, snappy controls, good guns and shooting, good challenge, GREAT stealth mechanics, good level design and missions, actually engaging plot with interesting characters, great sound and music - I just don't know what this game DOESN'T have. It even lets you take people hostage or pick up stuff like chairs and use them for a 1-hit stun - and believe me, this is hella satisfying. It's just a thing of pure beauty. Arcadish in feel, but what a great feel it is when everything works and looks so great. Absolutely one of the best, don't miss out on it if you're a fan of FPS games.
