Full disclosure: This was the first RTS-style game I ever played and I only played the single-player campaign, utilizing the tactical pause from chapter 3 onwards. Also, I just played the Steam version. Short assessment: I guess, if you're a 'hardcore' fan of RTS this game might not be for you. If you're like me and you mostly play games in general for their story and characters and also like to try different genres from time to time, then The Valiant might be up your alley. The story - while not being mind-blowing - is quite servicable and nicely told. It ties together the overall 16 campaign chapters quite fittingly, leads you to various places and gives each mission a narrative background. The voice acting is really good and the voices fit their respective characters well and all actors really bring their roles to life. Speaking of characters: I liked those quite a bit. Of course I didn't expect to get to know all that much about them in a game like this, but at least they actually have some personality. The gameplay was enjoyable enough for me, though I can see how it might get boring if you're playing the game continuously (I finished 2 missions on a given day at most). Also, admittetly the in-game tutorial didn't do the best job (for me) to teach me all the game mechanics. The tactial pause on the other hand was invaluable and also gave me the time I needed to figure things out on my own. Conclusion: I think The Valiant makes for a great 'introduction' to the RTS genre with a nice story, varied characters and pretty fun gameplay that's comparatively light on the strategic part (as far as I'm able to tell). Pros + great voice acting + good soundtrack + interesting setting + interesting characters + varied environments Neutral | servicable story (nothing you haven't seen, and it also gets a bit tacky, but it's enjoyable enough) | gameplay was fun overall, but could have changed it up a bit more often, maybe Cons - (none really, from my point of view)
I had high hopes for GreedFall. When I played it for the first time, I was a little disappointed, admittedly, but I'd say it was because I expected a little too much. So, GreedFall didn't become my new favorite game, like I had hoped, but it's still a very good game and I enjoyed my time with it a lot. It really feels like you're going on an adventure - one with beautiful landscapes and interesting characters and stories. Exploring this world was really worth it for me and I took my time taking in the sights and sounds and listening to everything the NPCs had to tell me about the world. And even if GreedFall doesn't reinvent the wheel, the game was still fresh and interesting enough to reel me in. Pros + great setting and atmosphere overall + beautiful landscapes in particular + beautiful soundtrack and sound design + interesting lore and characters + non-restrictive skill tree Neutral | game would have benefitted from more fast travel points or ability to initiate fast travel from any point of a map | not really open-world (which might bother some people, I actually prefer it that way) Cons - duplicate interiors - „dead ends“ unless a quest triggers some event, new path or loot - backtracking I would recommend GreedFall to people who played and enjoyed other Spiders games (obviously), like Technomancer or Bound By Flame. Other than that it's a bit like Dragon Age: Origins (map-wise - plays more like DA:I or Witcher, I'd say). Vampyr is another game that comes to mind which feels similar in regards to gameplay (and map) and also strikes the same chords with me, in general.
Vampyr isn't perfect, but it’s still special. I love parts of it so much I've played it 4 times in about 1 ½ years. When I watched trailers of the game I was intrigued by the setting and atmosphere. What put me off was the design of the main character who looked like a hipster which didn't seem to fit in with the rest. Playing the game for the first time I quickly decided that it didn't bother me much. Especially with a character who's portrayed by his voice actor so darn well. Seriously: To me, Anthony Howell's performance here is one of the best in video game history. So that, combined with an intro sequence that still gives me chills every time I see and hear it, reeled me in right from the start. To cut this short: The story couldn't quite keep up with the great first impressions. Too many plotholes and too little time put into making the various (exposition) dialogues at least a little more interesting (and there ARE a lot of those). And that's a bummer, because to me, story and characters are the most crucial aspects in a video game. Usually. Two aspects of the game are so well done however that they outweigh my gripes with the story and make Vampyr so special to me: the atmosphere and the soundtrack. There are some games out there that can pull you in with their great surroundings, but I’ve never seen it done quite so well as in Vampyr. I love the art style that looks a bit like it was painted. It's a very nice and fitting touch. And while the streets of London are dark, gloomy and dirty, the lighting gives it such a beautiful look. Combined with weather effects like rain or fog it feels amazing. The music contributes to this as it’s hauntingly melancholic and just evokes many emotions in and of itself. The indoors are very pleasant to look at, as well. The combination of setpieces and lighting works to create a gloomy and yet cozy atmosphere. Even on my 4th playthrough I couldn’t get over how gorgeous the world looked and the music tracks sounded.
After reading about this game and watching some reviews I was looking forward to playing it myself, because it was praised by everyone. When I played it myself however, I failed to see why. It's got no depth, no character, no emotions, no nothing! The characters are pretty shallow and most of them are annoying rather than interesting. I didn't care for anyone or anything in this game and the overall story - aside from being pretty nonsensical overall - left so much open to interpretation that the game might not have bothered with any explanation in the first place. The only good things about A Plague Tale: Innocence, in my book, are the graphics and the music, but the stuff I usually care about most (story and characters) are a completely insufferable.
