This game has terrible controls and is headache inducing, not at all fun. The graphics are pretty bad too. Avoid
Mars War Logs is an action RPG from Spiders Studios. It has a pretty decent story, interesting characters, mostly decent voice acting(some is whiny and annoying) and good graphics for a 2013 title, all in a cool post apocalyptic Mars setting. There are many sidequests, gaining you experience and serum, along with the main story. Some sidequests have to be completed to move the story forward. There are 3 chapters and once you've finished a chapter you cannot return to that area. There are dialogue choices that can affect whether or not you are perceived as a good or bad guy. The dialogue is okay for the most part, but at times it's like 'what?' You can craft health and fluid potions, nails for your nailgun, grenades, traps and turning items into other items. The items that you collect from crates and junk piles can also be used to upgrade your armor and weapons that have slots. The crates and junk piles are shiny and easy to spot. You have 3 different skill trees; Combat, Renegade, and Technomancer. With each level up you get 2 skill points to spend on your skill trees. Your melee weapon is assigned to the X button on a controller. The main problem that I have with the game is that the combat can be awkward at times and the ability to assign only 3 buttons to skills, firing weapons or items. Seriously, what were they thinking? You have to assign 1 of the 3 keys to fire a weapon, throw a grenade, use your Technomancer abilities or any of the 12 slots on the skill wheel. It's a completely asinine way of using the weapons with the possibility to accidentally reassign the wrong buttons during combat is really frustrating. I don't think it was not a very well thought out design decision. I really wish Spiders would get the combat right in their games. Their games seem to always not have the best combat controlls. Overall, I really liked Mars War Logs and I'd give it a 7/10.
Spec Ops: The Line is an awesome game that challenges ones moral convictions. There are tough choices to be made as Walker slowly descends into madness. Its an incredible story set in a realistic post-apocalyptic Dubai complete with blinding sandstorms and scattered debris. The controls should be better, but they aren't that bad. There a a few sections that are a little tough that tighter controls would have been nice, but overall its an awesome game. 9/10 will play again
Niche - a genetics survival game is a fun, addicting survival/breeding game. It has good graphics, a nice variety of creatures and a lot of replay value. I haven't completely played through the story mode yet, due to dying and restarting because I didn't like the way things were progressing. I made it to the 227 day before my species went extinct the first time. I've been playing around trying different types of strategies, it's an interesting and addicting game.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is an extremely unique gaming experience! It has an incredible story, amazing graphics and the voice acting is superb. The atmosphere is intense with the voices in Senua's head and the darkness. Not having a HUD, not having a health bar, no stamina bar, not being able to heal yourself in any way, no upgrades, no items to manage all added to the realism, the tension, and the immersion in the game. I've never played a game that drew me in, made me feel the oppression, the desperation, and the agony of the main character like this game did. From Senua's facial expressions to her body language to the superb voice acting done by Melina Juergens, you feel what the character is feeling and it draws you in. The voices really add realism to Senua's psychosis. They can be helpful and warn you "watch out!", "FOCUS", "behind you" or they can taunt you "she's going to die", "she's going the wrong way, she's lost". Senua's eyes are the most realistic I have ever seen in a game. Her eyes move in a way that makes her seem alive. Looking into them is like you're looking into her tortured soul. Combat is pretty much dodge, parry, watch for the enemy to have his guard down, quick attack, dodge, wait then strong attack. There are several boss fights, which were easier than being attacked by multiples of the lesser enemies. Each time Senua dies, a black "rot" grows up her arm and if reaches her brain, death is permanent. It adds to the intensity of the combat, making you more cautious, not rushing in and hack n slash. You have to have patience, watch your enemies movements and time your hits to cause damage. Is Hellblade a perfect game? No, but almost. It could have been longer, could have had a little bit more variety, but it is an awesome gaming experience. It's a slightly flawed artistic masterpiece, with an incredible story, gorgeous graphics, and outstanding voice acting. Not perfection but close, 9.5/10
