Recent reviews by FIN

Review: Legacy of Kain™ Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered — A Worthy Resurrection of a Gothic Classic

The Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered collection finally brings Raziel’s legendary journey into the modern era, and it does so with respect and care. The upgraded textures, new models, smoother FMVs, ultrawide support, and unlocked framerates make these versions far superior to the old PC releases, which were notoriously difficult to run without mods. The option to switch between classic and remastered visuals is a great nostalgic touch, and the added quality-of-life features—right-stick camera, photo mode, controller support—help the games feel far more playable today.

That said, these are still late-’90s and early-2000s titles at heart, and the age shows. Combat is basic and repetitive, platforming can be clumsy, and Soul Reaver 1’s block puzzles and heavy backtracking remain its biggest pacing killers. Soul Reaver 2 fares better with more refined puzzles, though the gameplay still isn’t the main attraction.

The true strength of this series has always been its atmosphere, writing, and world-building. Raziel and Kain’s performances remain iconic, the lore of Nosgoth feels rich and mysterious, and the soundtrack still carries an unforgettable mood. Even today, few games offer such a compelling blend of gothic fantasy, philosophical themes, and memorable characters.

This remaster doesn’t modernize everything, but it makes the classics accessible, polished, and enjoyable without losing their identity. For newcomers curious about one of gaming’s greatest cult stories—or veterans wanting to revisit Nosgoth—the remaster is absolutely the best way to experience these games.

Rating: 8.5/10 — Strong remaster of two flawed but unforgettable classics.

Empire of the Ants takes players on an unexpected journey into the insect world, blending RTS mechanics with a third-person perspective to create a truly unique gaming experience. Based on the novel of the same name, this game offers a campaign filled with intrigue, tactical combat, and a surprising level of depth for what is essentially a story-driven strategy game. While the game excels in certain areas, it does leave a few key features wanting.

Gameplay – A Commander’s Role in a Tiny World

At its core, Empire of the Ants is an RTS with a twist. You are not managing a sprawling ant colony or directly controlling every aspect of your army like in traditional RTS games. Instead, you play as a single commander ant, tasked with overseeing and directing your forces on the battlefield. The rock-paper-scissors combat system keeps things accessible but strategic, as you deploy units—warriors, workers, and gunners—that counter each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

The real fun comes from the ability to recruit and utilize various insect species, such as beetles and aphids, who add unique abilities to your army. Beetles can aggro multiple enemies at once, while aphids provide healing to nearby ants. These special units introduce a fun layer of complexity, allowing you to craft diverse strategies for every encounter.

The game leans heavily on territory control, with nests serving as both a means to expand your army and unlock powerful upgrades. This gives a real sense of progression as you capture and defend new areas, but it can also lead to a somewhat repetitive pattern of "capture and upgrade" that, depending on your preferences, might feel like it's lacking in variation. The limited number of units you can control at once means you're always actively engaged, but some players may find themselves wishing for a little more complexity in the larger strategic management.

Art and Immersion – A Truly Tiny Perspective

Where Empire of the Ants truly shines is in its visual and atmospheric design. The game boasts some of the most impressive graphics in recent RTS titles, with a photo-realistic art style that captures the scale of being an ant in a vast, hostile world. Every blade of grass feels like a towering tree, every drop of water a dangerous flood. The attention to detail is staggering, with environmental elements like flooding or the constant threat of predators always keeping you on edge. The sense of scale is unlike anything I’ve experienced in a game, making you truly feel like a small, vulnerable creature in a sprawling world of giants.

The soundtrack complements this atmosphere beautifully. A sweeping, orchestral score punctuates moments of triumph and tension, creating an emotional undercurrent that elevates the experience. The sound design is similarly top-notch, with the buzz of wings, the crunch of enemies underfoot, and the subtle hum of ant pheromones all contributing to a sense of immersion.

Story and World-Building – A Surprisingly Engaging Tale

The story in Empire of the Ants is more engaging than I expected. Between missions, short dialogue snippets reveal the political and social struggles of the ant world, from peace talks with termites to the internal power struggles of your federation. While this may not sound exciting on paper, the game does a wonderful job of making these small moments feel significant. The absence of human influence in the world, save for some scattered objects like footballs, allows the game to build a completely immersive insect kingdom. You’ll find yourself invested in the fate of these tiny creatures, which is a testament to the game’s world-building.

Combat – Strategic, But Could Use More Depth

Combat in Empire of the Ants is fun, but at times it feels a bit limited. While the game offers some engaging tactical opportunities, especially with the inclusion of special units, the overall strategy doesn’t evolve much throughout the campaign. You’ll often find yourself repeating the same patterns of capturing nests, deploying units, and battling enemies. The game could have benefited from more varied combat mechanics or a greater variety of unit types to keep things fresh.

There’s also an issue with pacing at times. Watching battles unfold can be exciting, especially when your warriors send enemy ants flying through the air, but it can also lead to long stretches of inaction where you're left watching the outcome play out without much to do. For players who thrive on constant engagement, this may be a bit of a drawback.

UI and Controls – Some Growing Pains

The user interface (UI) can feel a bit clunky at times, especially during the chaos of battle. It’s not always easy to distinguish between friend, foe, and allied units, which can be frustrating in larger skirmishes. The base-building UI is intuitive and almost organic in design, but the overall clarity could use some refinement. Similarly, some players may find the camera control a bit awkward when navigating the environment as an ant. While it’s not a major issue, it does detract from the otherwise fluid experience.

Conclusion – A Charming, but Flawed RTS

Ultimately, Empire of the Ants is a game that’s easy to recommend for fans of RTS titles who want something a little different. The unique perspective, gorgeous visuals, and captivating world-building make it a standout in the genre. However, its simplicity in terms of strategy and gameplay may not appeal to those seeking a deeper or more complex experience. Despite a few UI issues and occasional pacing problems, Empire of the Ants delivers a fun, engaging, and surprisingly emotional adventure in the tiny world of ants. If you’re looking for an immersive RTS with a fresh twist, this game is well worth the crawl through its many battles.

Rating: 8/10

This DLC offers a fun and replayable heist with a dynamic stock system and strong weapon additions like the Spas-12 and Desert Eagle. The cosmetic pack is hit-or-miss, but overall, it's a solid addition to the game and worth picking up for Payday fans.

"Payday 3" had a troubled launch, but the game has seen significant improvements thanks to regular updates. The stealth mechanics, especially the new casing mode, bring much-needed variety, allowing players to perform key tasks while blending in with civilians. The gunplay also feels more refined, with tighter control and a return to the tactical feel of earlier titles.

Environmental interactions have been revamped, making activities like lockpicking and safecracking more engaging with mini-games. Even smaller features, such as the ability to close doors during a heist, add a layer of strategy that fans will appreciate.

That said, the game still faces issues, particularly with its matchmaking system, which is slow and frustrating. The absence of a solo mode, Crime Net improvements for better matchmaking control, and pre-planning tools make the experience feel incomplete. The lack of in-game features like marking missions as Stealth or Loud also limits player options.

Despite these shortcomings, "Payday 3" is heading in the right direction. There’s still a long way to go, but with continued updates, it could become the polished heist game fans have been waiting for. If you’re a "Payday" fan, it’s worth picking up on sale or keeping an eye on future updates.

"My Lovely Empress" is a strategy game with a dark twist, despite its colorful look. The main plot revolves around resurrecting your dead wife by keeping her soul alive, which requires soul essence. To get this essence, you can either cause deadly disasters, which means killing people, or you can kill supernatural beings called Yaoguai, who are all depicted as women with big boobs.

The game is a turn-based empire management sim where every decision you make affects one of four factions: soldiers, nobles, traders, or commoners. For example, if workers building a border wall are tired, you have to choose whether to let them rest, raising the commoners' opinion of you but lowering the soldiers', or push them harder, which has the opposite effect. You can’t outright lose by having low faction opinions, but it makes the game harder by lowering your population and tax base. Balancing these opinions is crucial, especially since issues have turn limits, and missing them will hurt your standing with everyone.

There are ten Yaoguai in total, and you summon them with specific items. They can explore, bring back items, create disasters, handle issues, or investigate decisions to show how they will impact factions. You can kill Yaoguai to keep your wife's soul alive, but once they’re gone, they’re gone for good—though they do leave behind useful trinkets. The game forces you to think carefully about whether to kill them, adding a layer of depth to the strategy.

The game is challenging, and it’s easy to lose without the right strategy and planning. But despite this, I love it! The UI is clean, the graphics are stylized and appealing, and the Asian-inspired soundtrack fits perfectly. The dark undertones take it to another level, similar to games like "Needy Streamer Overload." I’m giving "My Lovely Empress" a "Must Play" with a high score because it’s a superb strategy game, despite some repetitive issues. The difficulty only adds to its appeal—you just need to learn and get better. Game Changer Studios really lived up to their name with this one.

"Remnant II" emerges as a standout title in the action-adventure genre, enhancing every aspect that made its predecessor intriguing while correcting its pacing and engagement issues. The game's strength lies in its finely tuned co-op gameplay and its dynamic difficulty, which adjusts cleverly depending on whether you are playing solo or with friends. This scalability ensures that challenges are engaging but not overwhelming, making each victory satisfying.

The game beautifully combines the elements of various beloved genres, offering Souls-like mechanics with less punitive consequences, making it accessible yet rewarding. The environments are distinct and well-crafted, each offering unique challenges and promoting thorough exploration thanks to its non-linear yet directed map design.

Graphics are sharp and detailed, backed by a stable performance that enhances the immersive experience. The story, while not groundbreaking, provides enough context to keep players interested and moving forward. Remnant II's loot system and class customization are particularly noteworthy, offering deep, engaging mechanics without overwhelming players with complexity.

At a reasonable price point and free from the trappings of live service models, "Remnant II" presents itself as a high-value proposition in today's market. It's a must-play for fans of the genre and a strong contender for those looking for a compelling co-op experience.

Overall, "Remnant II" is a well-executed sequel that addresses the demands of both hardcore gamers and those looking for an enjoyable, less demanding adventure. It's easy to recommend for its polished gameplay, strategic depth, and the sheer fun of its explorative and combative elements.

"Risk of Rain Returns" masterfully revitalizes the classic roguelike formula, offering a compelling blend of nostalgia and modern innovation.

Gameplay:
Staying true to its roots, the game preserves the essence of the original while introducing quality-of-life improvements. The ability to move while shooting and streamlined level progression enhance the flow, making it accessible to newcomers and rewarding for veterans.

Visual and Audio:
The visual overhaul is stunning, with beautifully remastered sprites and environments that pay homage to the original. Complemented by an exceptional soundtrack, the game excels in creating an immersive atmosphere.

User Experience:
The intuitive UI and environmental enhancements significantly improve the overall experience. Some minor issues with scalability and interaction mechanics are present but don't overshadow the game's strengths.

Customization and Difficulty:
Customizable difficulty settings cater to a broad range of players. The variety of characters and unlockables, along with challenging Providence trials, ensures high replayability.

Multiplayer:
Despite the absence of crossplay, the multiplayer aspect is engaging and well-executed, turning brief gaming sessions into hours of fun.

Conclusion:
"Risk of Rain Returns" is an exemplary modernization of a beloved series. It's a game that will delight both long-time fans and newcomers with its engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and captivating soundtrack. The game stands out as a must-play title in the roguelike genre, offering excellent value and a memorable experience.

We traverse the complex landscape of a game that is caught in the midst of an identity crisis. Striving to uphold the rich legacy of its well-loved precursor, this sequel ventures into familiar territory with its aesthetics and mechanics, yet it stumbles as it tries to distinguish itself with unique innovations. While the game's tactical gameplay enhancements and four-player dynamics offer a deeper, more strategic combat experience that is a joy to navigate, it is the underwhelming narrative and the array of UI/UX complications that may fray the player's journey.

Visuals that blend nostalgic charm with a modern finish tantalize the senses, yet they fall short of a true evolution. Similarly, the audio, while aptly crafted, fails to carve memorable echoes in the halls of gaming scores. The review aims to peel back the layers of this ambitious sequel, revealing the contrast between its potential for greatness and the pitfalls that keep it from its throne.

Value for money isn't in question, thanks to the game's replayability and the enticement of lore-driven progression, but the true worth of 'For The King 2' lies in whether players are willing to overlook its missteps. As the game weaves its story and challenges players to band together, it is the camaraderie and shared frustrations that might just be the most enduring tale told. This review seeks to guide would-be adventurers on whether to take up arms for this quest, or to leave the king's call unanswered.

Okay, so I've decided to give this game a try since it looked so beautiful and intriguing in the store page.
I've managed to play through the game and finished it. I really do think that Across is good, but halfway through the game I can't say that there weren't times that frustrated me. I'll start by listing a few positives.

Story

The narration starts off by introducing a grieving daughter whose pet had just deceased. So the mother decides to tell a story about a little cub's journey through the world. It starts off weird because the mother will immediately talk about a family living in the countryside trying to flee soldiers right after mentioning the cub. This may seem random, but trust me on this one, it makes sense as you continue to play. Themes of tragic loss and war are readily apparent in the first part of the game. Later you'll play as a sparrow and a lioness trying to find her lost cubs. There's not much explicit plot here, but I absolutely love the ending! It's pretty implicit in that The mother was the "cub" who lost her parents and is now rebuilding a peaceful life with her daughter. The game is basically saying that war ruins the lives of families which is something that I believe people should be aware of in these times.

Art & Sounds

The atmosphere is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. The light of the setting sun feels real along with the falling leaves of the forest. The colors blend well in their respective environments: The orange autumn trees, icy tundra, and the grey ruins of an ancient kingdom. I was mind blown by the sheer quality of the world.

The sounds in this game are exceptionally crisp for the most part. The birds chirping sound so lifelike, the waterfall splashing, and walking through the grass feels so nice. The music is the real killer here. It is so relaxing to hear it during the game. You hear the peaceful strumming of the guitar while there could be a somber piano playing in another level. The music manages to perfectly match the tone of each section of the story.

What I didn't like

Alright so the game sounds pretty good so far, right? Well there are things that really hold it back from being a very good game.

*Gameplay: You're basically playing a cub/sparrow/lioness walking simulator. Is it a bad thing? Absolutely NOT, but the controls feel very clunky especially for some parts that require a bit of platforming and maneuvering. The camera control sensitivity is a bit too high and I notice a bit of a delay when I'm jumping. THIS was very noticeable when I played as the sparrow, it was exceptionally clunky at times when I tried to fly. For the game you mainly walk around interacting with glowing objects to find tidbits of the story. There are puzzles in the second half of the game that could have been explained a bit more, but they are simply "find something, interact" and a bit of switching between the sparrow and lioness.

*Narration: Okay I will be brutally honest here, you can easily tell that English isn't the native language of the voice actors and maybe the developers. It feels like the VA are just reading off of the script and you can barely feel the emotion that they're supposed to be conveying. I couldn't tell at times if the mother was tired or trying to be reassuring since she is telling a story about grief and war. There's clearly some dissonance between the content of the story and how it is being portrayed through narration. Nothing against the VA, I know how hard it is to voice a character, but this is something that could be improved.

Verdict

This game is beautiful and I find the story to be well done. I love how the story of the cub intertwines with the theme of grief in the family. The atmosphere and music are utterly phenomenal. However the controls and the narration negatively impact the immersion of Across.

If Steam had a neutral option then this game would deserve it at the very least since effort has been clearly made but the negatives really hold it back. For now I'm giving a positive because the story touched me (no not that way) and the environment is breathtaking. It's a walking simulator that I actually enjoyed that had a bit of depth to it. If the issues I mentioned were fixed then I would whole-heartedly recommend Across.

Generally, games that used retro graphics utilized distinctive features and characteristics to accentuate their gaming experience. In this context, Grand Attrition is absolute garbage and probably the ugliest game on Steam. The gameplay is decent at best and far from a memorable experience, though even if it was an extremely enjoyable experience I would still stay away from it because well... would you still eat an enjoyable meal if it was covered in s**t?

Save yourself from bleeding eyes and a forgettable game, there are many excellent RTS games at the same price point like Rusted Warfare – RTS and Mindustry just to name a few.

Thank me later.