When Obsidian told us, they'll make a new game in the style of the old Baldur's Game titles, I was all over it. Pillars of Eternity came out and... It was pretty good. It wasn't groudbreaking. But still, it was good. Then, I decided to give the "b-side" a shot. You see they made this other game as well, called Tyranny... Girls and boys (and all i between and over), this is THE ONE. A game, similar in mechanics, except all of it is just refined enough compared to Pillars to be pretty much flawless. The story is much more clean-cut - meaning it's more meaningful and more driven, but also more compact and way more interesting. Even if the plot ends very abruptly (and it does), it feels way more engaging The graphics are way more stylish as well. You can take a look at an NPC and know what they're all about. Also, they're better written. In a nutshell: this is a shorter, more refined, more imaginative, more... well original take on a "baldur's gate" style game. And you can beat it in a couple of days.
Warlords is pretty close being a super-simplified Heroes of might and magic game. The sequel is just more of the same, an enhanced version of that. That's pretty much all there is to them. And yet, they can be a lot of fun, especially when played with and against friends. The limited number of options lead to a rather tight gameplay (regardless of the large maps). The heart of the gameplay is unit production and movement along the map. You also have heroes, but they're not as prominent, and they have limited use - but the encourage exploration, and in the second game, you can get some quests as well. I have fond memories of these games from my childhood - just like most reviewers herre, it seems. They are great entrerance-level turn-based stragegy games - especially for children. I have no idea how newcomers would like this game in 2020. They're not the prettiest or the most complex titles - that said, they're very easy to pick up and have a play-party. If Heroes 3 has too much micromanagement for you and your buddies, this might be the game for you. I honestly don't think there's a reason to play Warlords I. besides nostalgia, so newcomers can jump right to Warlords II deluxe. (note: this package doesn't seem to include the original WL II - the deluxe version is way better in most aspects, but I was really fond of the original's crispy, dithered graphics, and slighty different interface)
Masquerada has a lot of brilliant ideas, many of it remains untapped unfortunately. The game takes place in a higy-fantasy setting, which is modeled after an italian city during the late renaissance. The lore is rich, original the world is unlike anything I've seen. It's compontents might be derivative of several other games when it comes to their function, but the developers still managed to make something extremely unique with them. All that's enhanced by the artwork, music, the writing, all amazingly well realised. The characters are intriguing, and the voice acting is top notch. The game mechanics are easy to understand, the combat, skills, controls are easy to understand and can be fun. All's set for a great RPG experience, which, sadly is not here. While the gameworld and lore is one of the most captivating I've come across in recent years, the world severly lacks interaction. You can't engage in conversations with almost any of the citizens - unless the plot practically forces you to do so. All background characters, stores, vehicles, items, etc are just for decoration. You can eavesdrop to hear a couple of conversations between some people, but that's all about it. The lack of interaction is further pushed by absolute linearity of the story. There aren't any sidequests, alternate routes, not even any dialogue options. You click on the next waypoint, and that's it. The only "truly interactive" part of the game is the combat, and while it's fine, it also lacks the many options of an Obsidian game, for example - even though the fighting's similar in approach. All in all, the whole game feels like a very bare-bones JRPG, mixed with a strictly linear adventure game - that somehow got put into one of the best looking and sounding, most imaginatively crafted setting. It really is a disappointment. Good thing is, the story, characters and writing really are stong enough to get you through most of it. Bad thing is, these elements deserved a better game.
Remember those intricate pop-up books from your childhood? When you opened it, a castle folded up, you could open the door and there was the prince, the princess, and when you moved a little lever they waved at you? This is the basic gist of this "game" as well, when it comes to mechanics. You "control" it through very simple gestures and interactions, pushing the story forward (without being able to influence how it goes). Some of these are REALLY clever, and really amp up the emotion of certain scenes - though it doesn't change the fact they are basically just more interesting and fitting ways to flip a page in a picture book. The story itself is about a Girl, and her first big Love. And it goes exactly the way all these stories go. You've seen this a million times, it happened to literally all of us, and despite how personal it tries to be, it adds very little new, and stays on a thin surface level. It comes dangerously close to being bland. All that said, I don't want to be ungrateful, and I'm not going to lie about it: indeed, it managed to really move me at times. On one hand, it's due to me being a dummy, but on the other, there are definitely points, where the pretty visuals, the nice music and the well thought-out gestures really come together. There is something interesting and captivating here, but - despite the attractive packaging - it's only very partially realized. Lengthwise, and considering the style this definitely feels like a mobile game, as it is incredibly short and there's no challenge to it whatsoever - yet, I'd say the graphics work way better on a big screen and the controls work just fine with a mouse. I don't regret my purchase, but be sure to keep the things above in mind and set your expectations accordingly before buying.
Why should you play this? Because this is the most unique adventure Lucasarts ever made - from a gameplay standpoint. Most puzzles have multiple solutions, the game can be beat with entirely different approaches. You messed up a task? Try a different method, it might work just as well. You can't screw yourself, there are multiple ways to succeed. This makes the game feel VERY organic, and gives it a level of urgency and realism. It also has great voicework, some beautiful art, and good music. Now, what are the issues with it? The steam slowly but surely runs out around the halfway pont. Spoilers: you'll eventually find Atlantis, and while it looks great and has amazing atmosphere, it's a pretty infuriating place. Exploration is great but constant backtracking is not. Imagine this: you come across a gateway to the inner city. Where are your keys? You mean you didn't pick them up at the enterance? Well Indy did pick them up automatically each time before, but not his time. Go through the labyrinth and fetch it, then come back again! Done? Good, now operate this robot! What, you're missing a part? Go through the labyrinth rooms again and look for that little blob on one bg that meant to be a cog. Got it? now come back and try agin. Still doesn't work? Oh, you have to dismantle a robot you've put together eariler, you'll need one of it's parts. So go through the place and come back again. Got it? Great, now it works, you can go in! Let's operate this other thing! What, you've run out of orichalcum beads while experimenting the earlier machine? Too bad, now go back trhough the labyrinth and the sewers, harvest some lava, go back to the bead making machine and come back. But don't forget to dismantle the robot again, you'll need the parts! All done? Brilliant! Have a MAZE! It's not hard, just a waste of time... Jeesh. Also, though it is an actual movie licence this is one of Lucasart's least cinematic games. In short, starts our brilliant, turns into a chore. Too bad.
Ol' gramps passed away and left you his magic pants. Your bro, Big, took the pants and ran off, so it's up to you, "Tiny" to set things right. Riveting storytelling aside, the game is about you running around an old canyon and ancient temples, cutting stones, climbing and leveling buildings. That's basically it. Still, this mechanic is one of the most satisfying I've ever came across in any game. The way you cut and take apart whole mountains with your tools, and the way those huge stones and pillars slide, fall, crash and thump about the place is just fantastic and it never gets old. It literally can't. The game is unfortunately way too short for it. That's the only thing against it. Still, there's brilliant gameplay, beautiful art, great music, amazing mood, it just leaves you wanting even more of it in the end.
