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It's a sweet game with an interesting and somewhat unusual setting, cats and martial arts are cool. Why is this game so mid-range all around? If you like any third person Jump&Run with cutesy mascot characters like Spyro and Ratchet & Clank, give it a try. There is certainly a lot to enjoy here, but everything is just a little worse than it could have been. Weirdly enough, this doesn't stop at the graphics. I like fancy graphics just like everyone else, but enjoy retro and stylised graphics as well. Especially those PS2-era games look beautiful and age very well, because the visuals are more style and less bling. What drives me nuts here though is that the PS2 original looked way prettier than the Anniversary Edition, because they overdid the bloom, plastic textures and blank stares. This would not be too bad if there was a switch to get the original back. The PS2-version is superior in all but resolution, if you already own it and really want to play it on PC, this is better than nothing, but worse than emulation. For everyone else, it is still worth a try, it's okay, it's not bad, it's alright and all the other meh phrases. But remembering these meh games brings some valuable perspective to all those 8/10 "worst game ever" reviews. Don't scoff at meh games, they are by definition not bad at all.
The Deponia games are one of the few bright lights on the sky of German game development. This is classic point & click, though without too crazy Sierra or Lukas Arts logic. It's still bonkers, but in a satisfying way. What should I say? Love it or hate it. The English translation and synchronisation is good, but not terrific. The German original is obviously better in a few key aspects. Many jokes just cannot be translated properly, but they did their best and it shows! If you can stand the concept of point and click at all, you have to play it and there is no better place than GOG for that.
Here is enough content for about two hours of gameplay, no new game plus, nothing you will likely miss, but it is very cleverly designed. You will spawn holes that all things which fit inside will fall into and vanish. It's all wrapped into a neat and colourful story and even though the gameplay does not pose any challenges, the whole package is so neatly put together, you will probably want to play it another time. I should add that even though the story is fit for children, no text is spoken, it's all in writing. Give it a play, it's worth it.
... and all because of one major flaw: click through menus (sometimes). Low on health? Quickly drink a healing potion. Oh no, my character runs into the fire and dies. Thank you for nothing. The game is nice when it works an I can still recommend it to some extend. But for me it is really hard to like a game where every time I play it, my characters run into danger or do stupid things because I happen to want to interact with the inventory.
Spec Ops: The Line is a war-game that does not like war. Very nice story with twists and turns, without too many or too long dialogues or (all together now) random documents and audio logs. This is just a drama-thriller-war-story pushed into a thrid person shooter. Gameplay is solid, nothing exceptional but fun to engage with. And every now and then the characters yank you back into "reality" in the sense that this is war. This is not supposed to be fun (it is though). You have to make a few decisions and can never be too sure if it was the right choice from a narrative perspective. Speaking gameplay, there are no wrong choices, you play a story here. You are the hero. Are you though? Are there heroes in war? Is there a right or just several variations ranging from wrong to terrible? It is not very long, so if you happen to be not happy with the outcome of you decision, keep on playing! You will not regret continuing, if you really want to see the alterantives, play it again. And again. And again... Everyone even remotely into shooters should take a look at it because there is no game like that and likely there will never be one again. You don't like shooters? Then you should still play it if you: - want to experience moral dilemma - like "Apokalypse Now" or "Full Metal Jacket" - are generally intersted in the topic "war" - want a short, entertaining experience - enjoy good writing & characters - yearn for games you feel take you seriously as a thinking human being If still in doubt, just play the game to be sure!
In Pumpkin Jack you play as a rather likeable and stylish pumkin-headed dude. It is obviously inspired by Medievil, but surpasses it on many many levels. For those who don't know Medievil: I'm sorry. But not to worry, here you get you fix on running, jumping, hitting enemies and collecting various things all mixed up in a nice and interesting story. You want to relax after work, not think too much, don't talk to anyone because you have to talk during work the whole time? Sit back, relax, get a controller (seriously, you want a controller for that) and play for a level or five. Pumpkin Jack is the type of game where you will be happy just because you will be glad that obviously games like this are obviously still made. Please make another one, it doesn't need to be a sequel, maybe new characters + setting, this formula is just so innocently enjoyable! Tl;dr: good jump&run, want more!
This game is unironically so good, every time I see it on sale I have the strong urge to buy it again. I have it on Steam, on GoG and twice as a hard copy, because the cover was not looking so well anymore. It gives you several stories to experience from the perspective of several protagonists, all of them are the same, but have minor or sometimes major differences. Just give it a go, install the fanpatches and don't feel bad if you don't enjoy your first run. Try again. And again. And again. And at some point you fall in love with its deep and well written characters, its brilliant atmosphere, strong writing, awkward and stiff gameplay. Games like Vampire Bloodlines are a rare gem, both superior and inverior to blockbusters like GTA. It is dialogue and story driven, but for everyone who can appreciate that it is a one of a kind experience they will not regret. Also it is one of few games where vampires are cool without being edgy and where the setting is presented with an adult and most of the time dignified fashion. I love it so very dearly!