Clunky controls and very early 3D graphics aside, LBA2 is a very charming, very cute game with a lot of heart. I highly recommend powering through until you get used to the controls (it's not too bad with a controller but still clunky) and then just... playing the game. Soak in the characters, atmosphere, and brilliant music, and enjoy an old-school tale of heroism starring the quirkiest characters in a cutesy world that I am sure will intrigue you like it did me. I'm only about 20% of the way through at the time of writing but I am thoroughly enjoying myself, partly because of nostalgia for the franchise and partly because LBA 2 is a solid adventure in and of itself and a worthy successor to the first game (of which I have fond memories). I took off a star because even despite the recent update that tried to address some of its issues, there's still a lot of jank here.
Genuinely funny, sometimes-sexy P&C game from the 90s. Most of the jokes wouldn't work today, but therein lies its charm. The puzzles are also fair, kinda funny, and fit the general theme. Enjoyable P&C fun with some mild titillation throughout.
This game took me literally years to finish - I just couldn't get into it despite starting it on several separate occasions, but my will to play wore out very quickly each time. I eventually followed a walkthrough to the end just to be able to say I've experienced it, but what a dull ride, and I certainly won't be playing through it again. I suppose I should credit the writing, at least - the story wraps up quite neatly and overall the game tells an honest tale of human hubris and regret. Is it worth trudging through the brown levels and solving obtuse puzzles for, though? Definitely not.
I was blown away by Crusader back in 95 when it came out, and it still holds up today. The control scheme that used only the NUM pad was brilliant, never seen before or since, and the action was non-stop and almost literally EVERYTHING could be blown up. This, coupled with appropriately cheesy FMV cutscenes and an entertaining if predictable B-movie story, and Crusader was, for me, the perfect 90s game. Even now, 30 years later, I love it.
I love everything about old games like this - from the janky graphics to the awkward controls to the bad voice acting. None of it matters because the gameplay is just so much fun for my older gamer sensibilities, arguably more so than modern games. The lack of streamlined everything is incredibly refreshing. I've just finished the intro and am about to embark on adventures with a new party member, and I am SO looking forward to it.
