I know how we all have huge back-logs of games which are only expanding as new ones get released. Flynn: SoC, being at a first glance similar to lots of other 2D platformers, might make you skip it (you know: "Oh, another one, huh?.."). Don't. It's GOOD. The controls are tight, the level design is outstanding. There's a clear feeling of progress and as you get better with the controls, and the evades, and the combos you realize how well balanced the game is and that it follows the classic "easy to pick up, difficult to master" paradigm very well. It has challenge maps, a fairly basic but straightforward skill tree and it's just... Good. Seriously, do give this one a chance, you might be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Just wanted to chime in and support the developers with a review. I remember trying out Pirate's curse like 5 years ago and not being able to get into it due to some clunky and questionable UI and gameplay design choices. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this sequel is so much... "closer to a normal game", i dunno how to explain it. If like me you never really were into Shantae series and considered it more of a "gimmick", this one might change your opinion. Just don't expect any real challenge, since the game is quite easy. But it does have a ton of cute and sexy girls - both good and evil. And that's wonderful.
I seriously can't fathom why so little people have heard of Valfaris. Do yourself a favor - don't be one of them. Check out this masterpiece of a 2D action platfomer. Apart from everything else, it's also unique in a very original way - player CHOOSES the difficulty. No-no.. Not in the menu.. Not when starting the game... You can "vary" difficulty DURING gameplay using in-game tools! Player can either make the challenge easier, but partially sacrifice one's ability to upgrade gear, or make it truly challenging by avoiding checkpoints. Or anywhere in between! I have to say, this is one of the main reasons I enjoyed the experience - you're in control when it comes to both the gameplay AND the level of challenge. EXCELLENT job, guys!
I'll keep it brief: if you enjoy narrative-driven games and non-repeating puzzles with a good flow as well as games where the developers don't "hold your hand", give this one a try. It really IS a complete experience and not some episodic nonsense: it has a cool beginning and a satisfying finalé. You'll get to float about in zero-g, roam around in a lunar rover, hop across the Moon surface and make a cute little friend along the way. The reason it gets 4/5 are these: - There's an awkward QTE action scene which is so out of place it's baffling (IMHO). - The game is well optimized for the first 2/3 of the story, but the rest... Unless you have a fairly descent GPU with at least (!) 1GB of dedicated RAM (GTX 970 or GTX 1060 should do), the last two or three large segments of the game will at some places turn into a stuttering fiasco, which will (yes, it WILL for you too if you're experiencing those even a little bit) culminate in a giant slideshow finalé where you really need to have complete control to beat the last challenge, but the frame-rate drops are so jarring that I believe this was the first time I had to retry 4 times not because of my lack of skill, but due to having to deal with a frame-rate of 2-4 fps AND try to focus on the objective. Changing graphics and resolution to low settings don't help much since it's all about fast GPU memory and plenty of hardware shading units this game requires in certain sections. BUT, having said that, I do not regret playing and completing this captivating and heart-warming story a single bit. Oh, yeah: make sure not to skip the credits!
This is the weirdest and most inconvenient fighting mechanics I've ever seen in a game. How come DA: Origins lots of people keep bringing up was SO much more dynamic during battles and felt so... organic. This though? Slow-paced, enemies just keep walking towards you like in a tower defense sort of manner, skills feel weak and the tutorials... They are short, text-based and lackluster! Graphics are so-so and yet managed to stutter on my GTX 1070 (!!!) in mere 1080p in many places. Loot is also nothing to talk about. Samey icons but different stats? Is this what's standard in a looter RPG nowadays? What is this? Who is this for? It's NOTHING like DA:O in any way. It's slow and way overcomplicated than it needs to be, which can also be said about the UI. Oh my god the UI... Let me just say that 100% is the max UI scale you can set. And you WILL need a freaking magnifying glass to read all texts and stats if you don't want to break your eyes playing this "gem". How is this considered a 5 or even a 4!?
Listen, you gotta MAKE yourself play through the first 15-30 minutes, ok? The game is very slow on picking up its pacing in the beginning. So slow, it's almost annoying. BUT if you do power through, you'll be awarded with several new game mechanics which actually make this... a GAME and not a 2D walking simulator. Beautiful, beautiful visuals though, 10/10
Plot gets trickier and trickier, "no cheap" scares, awesome "scientific-no-religious-bull*t" approach that makes you wonder to what exactly makes us human. Ending is so powerful, it made me think what I'd do in that situation. And I was legitimately scared even after beating the game.
