Ostatnie recenzje napisane przez użytkownika (YouTube)Dragnix

Target Audience: Slay the Spire, RPG fans who like choice

Summary:

Gordian Quest is filled with content that will make any sort of more tabletop/traditional RPG fan water at the mouth: but doing enough to stand out from its competitors. To say you have a lot of choices and mechanics might be one of the biggest understatements of the century here, but I what I truly appreciate is the delicate balance that the developers were able to achieve (even if it has some flaws). The fact is, when you add more mechanics, classes, and options, the harder it is to get something that isn't exploitable, and Gordian Quest is somehow able to do it. I love the different classes and how you can shape them in a lot of ways, and the addition of the SP points on top of AP adds another layer of intrigue that kept me thinking through each battle. Weapons and armor felt great to get a new ones of at every corner, and really I don't want to be typing this review but would rather be playing the game.

Does it have some flaws? Many of them minor, having to do with the story and music not really standing out in any sort of way, and the game at times has so many mechanics that even a veteran of the genre can get overwhelmed, or even forget that it even exists. Granted, you have so many options to deal with that mistake that you can easily recover, and the different difficulties do a fantastic job of giving layers to experiment and challenge with.

It's a game that I warn you to buy however. It will eat up your free time.



Review Video: https://youtu.be/V4RsiowuMlg

Lists:
Positives:

• Options, Options, and Options, and all of them seem viable. A lot of content.
  
• Great balance of different mechanics that flow right into the other, keeping your engaged and entertained without being forced to take advantage of every one of them.
  
• Even when there's a difficulty spike, you feel like you're learning and can overcome it the next time around.
  
• Good different versions of enemies that will make you adapt to new things.
  
• Wonderful selection of characters and play styles that will want you to use all of them and not just stick to a favorite.
  
• Twists to traditional mechanics feel substantial and add value to the game while making it stand out.
  
• UI and sound design make traversing menus and information easy. Doesn't get lost in presentation to give you the important stuff.
  

Negative:

• With so many mechanics, the game sometimes seems to forget to give a tutorial on a mechanic (synergy for example), and you may find a new option 25 hours in.
  
• Wanted more personality from the story, in terms of our party. Too much main protagonist silence syndrome.
  
• Music is fine, but really doesn't stand out.

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Target Audience: Those with any parting interest in Tower Defense

Summary:

While it was on my radar after seeing it in the Upcoming Games section, Dwerve surprised me in it's fast tower defense gameplay, and fusion with the adventure genre. The fast pace of action keeps you on your toes, forcing quick decisions and rewarding good pathfinding to avoid enemies, while still being challenging in the process. A good mixture of different turret types take advantage of each encounter, and the game keeps a great pace in mixing new enemy types over the game's duration. In addition, you have to adapt and can't just keep one strategy: which is important to keep your attention over the game. Sure, there are little small things that will frustrate you here and there, and there's a spike or two in difficulty, but nothing to overlook the package as a whole.

While the story is what you'd expect from a fantasy atmosphere, it still has interesting characters and good writing despite using the same tropes that you would expect. The presentation does the job in giving you the information that you need without being overly showy, and the sound design is clear yet well done. It's not going to blow you away in anything in this area: despite having good character designs and still got a good mix of color despite being in a mountain and underground a good amount of the game.

What it comes down to is that the game felt a lot different then tower defense games that I have played before, and left me with a unique experience that I enjoyed throughout the runtime. It won't be a game that will live in your fantastic must play collection, but will be a game that you appreciate, and will enjoy playing even multiple playthroughs with.

Review Video: https://youtu.be/_eR0cZq8TVY

Lists:
Positives:

• Speed of gameplay goes against usually tower defense elements and helps create a unique experience.
  
• Great variety in gameplay scenarios, turrets, and enemy types. Forces you to adapt to new scenarios, and mixes things up in good ways.
  
• Fun characters that you want to learn more about, and the story is well written.
  
• Solid pixel presentation that does well in animation. Complements the gameplay nicely.
  
• Sound design adds a bit to gameplay and while can be played without sound, definitely would recommend to keep it on.
  
• World design is good and I want to come back to it.

Negative:

• Takes a little time with a controller to get adjusted to the systems here: mostly on menus in assigning the turrets. Nothing too bad though.
  
• A few spikes in difficulty towards the end of the game.
  
• Some boss fights can feel like random chaos more then strategy due to their size and patterns of movement.

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Target Audience: Those really needing some time killers.

Summary:

They are coming is very much a very generic C grade monster movie. There's some ok things here and there with maximizing routes to not lose one of your guys, or a reference here or there in the big picture that will make you go “heh” under your breathe. But much like a low budget movie that is trying to just earn more money, They Are Coming lacks the heart that's needed to keep beating to stay human: lacking any sort of stand out feature and being dull and repetitive very quickly.

The biggest thing right off the bat is the lack of terror/horror present in the gameplay. There's no AI here, and thus you could kill the person right behind a person, have them yell (if they do), and they won't do anything. Even if they see you, which isn't a guarentee all the time, many humans will just walk 15 feet, and go into “tornado drill” mode, which you, isn't great when there's zombies all around you. That's the big problem: no matter what you do you'll feel like humans are just placed for numbers purposes, and you won't ever get immersed in the game. Key animations/sounds are lacking to actually give your actions any sort of punch, and even an hour in the game is really wearing on your patience.

Powers are fine, but the lack of their inclusion and usage in the gameplay make them superficial in most cases. Even in the Zombie sense one, it feels like you have to hit it over and over again in the OFF chance there's a mine early on, even when it doesn't make any real sense (yes, I'm betting the allied forces are putting a mine right behind their medical tent. That couldn't end badly at all).

There's just nothing here to justify your time, and that's the biggest problem of all.

Video Review: https://youtu.be/tUdlWpOaYnU

Lists:
Positives:

• Getting a large horde has a “yay, I did it” kind of feel that is always appreciated.
  
• A reference here or there will make you chuckle under your breathe
  
• Music is fine.

Negatives:

• Dull after the first 10 minutes. New introductions of mechanics can't save it either: the game just gets super repetitive in the wrong ways.
  
• Barely any AI on the humans means that they literally will give up after a second or two of running, like they literally WANT to be eaten. No terror, which in a zombie game seems.....silly.
  
• Several bugs (including a bug where it saved on a checkpoint when I died) that really can take any momentum out of the experience.
  
• Lacks a punch in terms of everything. Presentation doesn't emphasize the gameplay,
  
• Lack of creativity using the space here: everything feels bog standard and lacking

Target Audience: Those new to the management genre, .or those who can get lost in imagination of a creepy world thanks to presentation

Summary:
It'd be easy for me to site the game's price, functional gameplay, and interesting premise and say that Ravenous Devils is an easy pick up for anyone out there. I mean, you can see the positive ratings its getting, and for some, Ravenous Devil's mirroring of Sweeney Todd will be something they will fall in love with. The simple gameplay of managing both a tailor shop and resturant while chopping up customers will feed those inner demons, and some great sound design (crunching of bones) and a good nod to the Victorian Era will transport some of those back to the ages of Sherlock Holmes. The game is functional with no real frustrating moments, and it has some good side stories that do explore both Beatrice and Percival and dive into those characters a little bit. It makes a great first impression, especially when unlocking a new “task” and opening up the world.

And yet, the game is very much like a meat pie without a lot of filling. Your first few bites are great, but then you start to eat the remainder of it and realize it's lacking. The main story mirrors the Sweeney Todd concept but doesn't have the same tension as its counterpart: not having many moments in which you are concerned for your actions and trying to “save” your counterparts in game. It doesn't help that in the end, regardless of the path you go on, a lot of the gameplay will feel the same, almost like your choices aren't mattering too much in success, and you're just going on another flat path to the destination that doesn't have anything different then the others. Difficulty for veterans will be a sticking point, as the game doesn't really push you in any sort of way.

In the end, it's solid but unremarkable. The first hour you'll be smiling, the next hour will start to weigh you down, and the end you'll feel disappointed. So it's about if the subject matter is worth your time in getting lost in the world, or if you want to see Management mechanics for the first time. Or if you can put it out of your head that your actions “don't matter”, and just enjoy the ride on the lazy river. In fact, that's what I can relate it to: it's a tube ride down a lazy river, enjoying the experience, but not having any big substance of note.


Review Video: https://youtu.be/Tbg9yJv5eAk

Lists:
Positives:

• Presentation uses the Victorian Era well in the color scheme while adding impactful sound design to immerse you in your deeds.
  
• First hour makes a good impression in setting up the basics and getting you into the mind of these characters and running a shop where you have to kill clientele.
  
• Functional without being too frustrating, and controls/scheme fits the gameplay going through here.
  
• Side plots regarding the main characters leave a bigger impact on characterization and show more sides to them in a way where you want to see more of them.

Negative:

• Gameplay will start to wear over time with choices that don't really mean anything in the big picture, and many other management games make you feel more in control.
  
• A lack of tension trying to mirror Sweeney Todd ends up causing you to not really get all invested: they'll make it out just fine, and it's pretty clear from the get go.
  
• A lot more could have been done to integrate the idea of getting cuaght into gameplay with people finding things in their food, having cops come around, etc. Feels like game had mechanics that may have been doing something like that, but was cut back due to budget/time.
  
• If a satisfying ending is something you need: get out now. The game will feel like it abruptly ends and you'll be wanting more in a bad way.
  
• Lack of kill animations will start to wear on you over time. Game does have visual changes but they are minor in the big picture.

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Target Audience: Those who want a bit of an creative and emotional journey

Summary:

Epiphany City is a game with heart: one that has flaws like all humans do, but has the soul that highlights some of the strengths of the passion of the indie gaming community. It's the definition of a passion project, and for the most part, succeeds in being worth your time and money.

It's an emotional story that focuses on Lily, who is a relatable protagonist that you root for, but has complexity in her actions despite the game being a relatively simple story. The game does start with the equivalent of misery porn (aka depressing event after depressing event) at the start of the game, and some people will be turned off by it, but it's purposeful to put everything in the game into perspective. It's not 100% unique in its story telling, but does pull on heartstrings well, and will get an “awwww” or a tear throughout the game.

The gameplay, while simple, does a good job of connecting the story from start to finish, and while the puzzles won't test you strongly in the puzzle field, it does a good job of mixing up solutions from problem to problem so that it isn't a cakewalk, and makes you appreciate the unique puzzle elements when playing with the environment. Some of the puzzles are better then others, and I really would have loved to see the game take the game to another level with some of the environment manipulation, but for the price of admission you do get a fun and heartful experience.

Really, this would have been a home run, but the obvious rushing in the last third of the game, where the game turns into a QTE fest, and a rushed story end, does unfortunately hold the game back, as I would have been willing to pay more for the game and still be happy with some of the content fleshed out a bit more and more puzzles. I hope to see more of this style of the game in the future, but don't let this part make you not look at the game. It's well worth your time.

Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBnBS8__6Ac

Lists:
Positives:

• Emotional Story that mimics comic book stories in certain ways, but also does good in changing things up as well.
  
• A game rough around the edges, but shows heart and it comes through in the big moments of the story.
  
• Puzzle flow is great in keeping you on your toes and making even a simple solution a little bit out of reach, and causing you to think about things.
  
• A few AHA moments that make you feel like a boss.
  
• Visuals are cute but work well for the game's comic book like story.

Negative:

• Overall story could have improved from a content length perspective: more progression for Lily's character.
  
• One or two puzzles can make you go “huh”, and no hint system can frustrate you if you don't use online FAQs.
  
• The Sword puzzle is dumb and no I'm not stubborn (I am but it could be done better)
  
• Nothing stands out as a knockout blow: it's not a game that you have to rush out to get.

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Target Audience: Very Dedicated Horror Fans that pick it up for the right sale price

Summary:

Janitor Bleeds is a game that follows a formula that has been established in the Indie Horror genre, and almost sticks it to a fault. To the point where it's hard to even recommend considering the price tag versus all the other horror games out there. It has moments where you can see some flashes of a better game, especially with some of the more subtle scares in the game. But it also has moments that really backfire on it, like anytime the game's AI attempts to do pathfinding, and finds itself stuck against a wall. Or some of the inconsistent rule sets that end up getting you killed, mostly due to the lack of detail that is present with some of the kills. It lacks a real staying factor when it comes to the presentation in the more heated moments, as your character just falling over when dying just feels very lackluster.

It's also the fact that in the modern landscape, you expect a certain level of lore and detail behind the story, and maybe my expectation wasn't set right. I found the information in the story to not really be that interesting in the big picture, and didn't make me want to see more of the universe or anything along that line. Sure, the universe is put together alright from an asset and level design perspective for the level of detail here, but it felt very much a paint by numbers type of horror game: making it get lost in the sea of games that are out there.

Look, if there was a middle thumb option, this game would get it. It's very much a game only to get for the right price, and if you're addicted to the indie game horror scene as a whole. Because there's much better games for the price out there. Which is why I end up giving it the thumbs down in the end, but again, it's really dependent on the type of player you are.

Review Video: https://youtu.be/NNXd9-nqGoc

Lists:
Positives:

• Small moments of subtle scares that can get under your skin smartly.
  
• The incorporation of the arcade elements does do a good job of adding to the overall game.
  
• Use of assets and assembly into level design done reasonably.
  
• Hints of a better game under the surface, maybe gets better with alternate/other endings possibly.

Negative:

• Inconsistent rule set that ends up frustrating a lot more then it should.
  
• AI Pathfinding is lacking.
  
• Lacks punch in the bigger moments of presentation.
  
• Nothing unique that makes it stand out from the crowd.
  
• Lack of drive in seeing more of the story: not interesting enough/information packed enough to really earn your attention.

If you want more reviews/information regarding games I've reviewed, visit my curator. Dragnix Curator

Target Audience: Those looking for laughs, all around players

Summary:

The Upturned is a case where the sum of the game is greater then all of its parts. Sure, you can point to the smart implementation of the physics based controls, on top of the level variety and say that it's worth the price of admission. The smart sound design for a comedic game with horror elements is well done, and the visuals while overall took dark for my liking, push the game into an uneasy atmosphere yet still allowing you to laugh at any point. But none of these specific elements makes the game stand out in any specific way.

Yet, that's why smart game design and feature collection that synergize with each other is important. The idea being that a particular feature is put in to not only give new functionality, but to lift up other features to new heights. This takes a smart game design plan from the get go, and I can safely say that The Upturned impressed me with how the smallest details ended up making me enjoy the entire experience. How effective use of music in key points ramped up the tension in smart ways, and how smart simple sound design kept the comedic nature of the game going, while not horribly distracting you from the horror. How the writing will make you laugh even if it's a little weird at times, but how that pairs with the gameplay well to keep you entertained in multiple ways.

If you're a player that gets hyper fixated on one thing and need it to be the best of its genre, then The Upturned isn't that game. But if you're a player who wants a good variety, wants to laugh and be startled at the same time, and appreciate a good sequence of throwing ♥♥♥♥, then the Upturned is the game for you.


Review Video: https://youtu.be/rMwnJxfxfEk

Lists:
Positives:

• Game's atmosphere leads to a funny yet tension filled game that doesn't have many dips in enjoyment.
  
• Rides the line of frustration versus fun well
  
• Level Design has a great variety for game length, good collectables to allow for completionists to really enjoy.
  
• Controls are exactly what they need to be for a physics based horror comedy.
  
• Something really enjoyable in this game in just chucking things about.
  
• Off beat humor that got good chuckles out of me without distracting too much from everything else.
  
• Interesting lore developed that I would love to see more of.

Negative:

• Honestly, the game is priced fantastically for the content you get, but given the quality of the work here, I would be willing to pay more for more levels (before you ask, yes, I got a key based on the details of the review, I'm giving games away in my review video to show that it didn't make a difference.)
  
• Tiny bugs here in there on retrospect that may have addressed some of my other complaints (inconsistent checkpoints)
  
• Really wanted a brightness setting even with the game going for that dark look.

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Target Audience: Action Players, or those who like the idea of action.

Summary:

Don't let the Early Access tag fool you regarding on Have a Nice Death, this game could easily have released out without the tag and you'd still be happy with what you have here: a great speedy action game that looks beautiful, and has character that actually makes you want to read all the lore that you come across. The world of the death CEO has fluid animation and interesting character designs, with fantastic animation that really feels like an art piece coming to life. You won't want to take your eyes off the game, and you won't because all of the action is flying across the screen.

The game feels snappy with a good weight to it: forcing you to jump from creature to creature, stunning them and avoiding hits left and right, and really makes you feel the hits with the health mechanic that has non-recoverable health (well, it's recoverable but not with the most common health recovery). Attacks feel varied with different weaponry in terms of timing/risk/reward, but the scythe has good combo and base attacks that have their own use cases. The roguelite nature of the game, you do feel yourself getting better and better with each run early on, learning enemy patterns and avoiding those bad hits and exploiting what the game has to throw at you.

Really, it's the world that really shines here. It's been a while since there was a game that made me want to read all the lore elements: including the profile descriptions, but this world has such a great atmosphere that I want to learn everything. Death is cute but has a strong personality in his animation and look, and each of the characters you run across are fantastic.

Really, There's not a lot of negatives so far that would make you not want to pick up the game. Fantastic now, and has the potential to be among the genre's best.



Stream Footage https://youtu.be/gbiuDa608CA

Lists:
Positives:

• Fantastic visuals that make things easy to see, but also fun to look at.
  
• Speedy combat that feels fantastic right out the gate, and feels fast and fluid.
  
• Good weapon/spell variety in the early going, and upgrade potential gives several different routes to go.
  
• Repeatable enemies and bosses are great for a roguelike: punishing mistakes but can be exploited with skill/learning.
  
• Good repeatability from a path aspect.
  
• Atmosphere is strong: you want to see all the writing which is clever and sucks you in.
  
• Strong characters that I want to see more of. Great designs.
  
• Very polished, does not feel Early Access.

Negative:

• Directional attacks can sometimes feel like they are firing the wrong way with what it uses to figure out the firing way.
  
• Boss variety will be important over the long haul, especially in the early going.
  
• Sometimes the health mechanic can feel overly punishing.
  
• really, some of the UI elements are a little over designed in terms of visual acuity.

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Target Audience: Those who value charm over everything else

Summary:

Witchcrafty is a game that has passion in its DNA, evident by the little touches of animation and the characterization of the main Witch in the menus of the pause menu. But sadly, Witchcrafty is the case of a game where charm can only go so far, as the design issues regarding the action platforming combined with the bizaare cases of the presentation of information end up sinking it in the big picture. Frustration will happen not because of an overall difficult game, but small little confusing elements like unclear attack times for bosses and control issues across 3 different controllers and 2 different PCs. When the game is making you question whether or not it's being serious about a very small invincibility time or a lack of transition protection (like walking immediately into an enemy on screen transition), you know that the game is going to get under your skin.

It's sad, because the main witch has a quirky but fun personality that I wanted to see more of (along with the rest of the world. The presentation is colorful yet fluid in its animation. Yet, similarities (or homages?) to other games will stand out in bad ways: where you're wondering why you aren't playing that game rather then this one. Sure, 3 or 4 hours for a 9.99 isn't a bad deal at all, but when the lack of enemy variety in the big picture plus repetition due to what feels like cheap deaths is at the forefront, all you want to do is just walk away from exploring the world.

It's a game that shows a studio with potential with the future: there's talent here at the base game, but what it needs is focus. Focus on a particular audience they are looking for, and focus on refining the main gameplay. It may be worth a shot if charm is the big thing you look forward in a game, but otherwise it's a pass as there's just too many better games out there.


Review Video https://youtu.be/ezN2ugd8PEc

Lists:
Positives:

• Beautiful pixel presentation that oozes charm.
  
• Main character is cute yet quirky in the right ways: secondary characterization with menus goes a long way for making me want to see more.
  
• Writing is off-beat yet fun, just wanted more of it.

Negative:

• Questions about controls and input eating/losing information is abudant, and that's a death nail in a platforming action game. This was across 3 controllers (Luna, Xbox One Controller, Switch Pro) and 2 PCs (laptop and main PC).
  
• Lack of consistent information in hazards/enemies led to frustrating deaths. Combined with longer then normal save points and you got a recipe for getting up and walking away.
  
• Level design in map terms is boring: too many dead ends that aren't fun to get back through. Backtracking (when minimally needed) is a chore.
  
• Questions about hit box detection at times, on both sides of the isle.
  
• Gameplay design that doesn't know what audience it should focus on (hardcore action platformer, newbies, veterans, etc) and doesn't appeal to any one of them in the process.
  
• Lack of fun with the magic spells for a game named Witchcrafty.

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Target Audience: Very dedicated sidescrolling players who want a challenge.

Summary:

This is again one of those situations where I wish Steam had more choices then just up and down thumbs for a recommendation. For the value of 5 dollars, Ancient: Legacy of Azul does provide enough content and item variety in runs to keep your attention over the long haul, with a unique element of a time shiftting world causing buffs for the enemy. Those who really like a challenge will find a game that will test them, using the different character abilities the best they can to stay alive while being fast while the game starts bearing down on you time wise. The music does engage you in battle and feels a little over-quality to the rest of the game and its price point, and there's good details on animations and a solid set of controls/abilities.

The problem is that there are some design decisions that really hamper your want to keep on going. The time element is great except you can't plan for it always: as a lack of information about where things are, what things do, and overall how you can adapt to your play is always putting a fork in your run. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with difficulty, but roguelite/roguelikes should always feel like knowledge of enemy patterns and items/etc should make you feel more confident for the next run, and that's where Ancient falls apart. I know that if the cards are dealt right, I just don't have a chance, and it's frustrating in a bad way. It doesn't help that some of the color decisions make certain elements blend into the background, and the pulled back camera perspective seemed completely unnecessary for the type of action the game was going for.

It's a game that I believe that serves a very specific subset of player, which is why I'm giong to give a thumbs up in the end but reluctantly. But this is after you've seen many of the bigger (and other cheap older) games in the genre, and need a roguelite action fix. If some of the issues would be ironed out, there's definitely more potential here.

Gameplay Footage: https://youtu.be/hiETIkBu3XM

Lists:
Positives:

• Music does not seem like it's coming along with a 5 dollar game, very good quality and sets the action mood well in a lot of cases.
  
• Solid enough of a concept on time to make you feel pressure and distinguish it from others in the genre.
  
• Skills for each character seemed balanced well enough and give them options while having weaknesses as well.
  
• Clean animations for the most part that makes seeing things walking along/attacking visually pleasing.
  

Negative:

• Luck/Difficulty can be frustrating as clues to how do better aren't easily available, and you feel like you're fighting the tides badly.
  
• A lack of information and clues to how best go in the run can frustrate.
  
• Repetition of first bosses can get old real fast.
  
• Planning doesn't feel like it can.....happen in a lot of places. Strategy just seems “grab everything you can”. Does drag it down.
  
• Pulled back camera perspective loses some of the detail in models and feels unnecessary from an action perspective.
  

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