Recent reviews by Dapper Raptor

Son of Nor has a lot of GREAT ideas and concepts, but fails horribly in poor execution. I have no idea how it is "mostly positive", but I experienced an utterly unimaginative game with a lot of bugs and boring story. For my full review, check out this link: http://shoddypixels.com/son-of-nor-review/

The Old City: Leviathan is an amazing title, and it’s really quite difficult to explain, without a huge lengthy and very exploratory document, explaining each scene and what they all mean in the overall scheme of the game. This is, in fact, only the first part of an ongoing story the developer intends to tell, and it’s an amazing beginning to an already intricate and fantastic story. Anyone who likes narrative in games really should not pass up this title,despite the commitment required to really get the most out of it. If this is what the belly of the Leviathan holds, then call me Geppetto, because I’m all in!

For more of what I thought, check out my full review: http://shoddypixels.com/the-old-city-leviathan-review/

Immune is a game that immediately caught my attention; it was the games charming aesthetic. Despite being, when it comes down to it, a pretty gritty survival game where players are put up against both zombies and human foes in a fight to the death, the art style of the game is gentle and inviting. It’s a bit of an odd pairing, and in some regards it brought my thoughts back to games like Minecraft, where that same contrast of “OH ♥♥♥♥ IM GONNA DIE!” and “ooh… that’s soothing” pervades the entire experience. Thankfully, to the developer’s credit, Immune is more than just a pretty face, and the game is honestly an enjoyable gem that does a great job of pulling away from the hordes (see what I did there?) of other survival games and providing an experience that is, above all else, fun.

For my full review, check out the article over here: http://shoddypixels.com/indie-focus-immune/

DeadCore is simultaneously one of the most irritating and enjoyable games I have played in the last decade. This isn’t for the faint of heart, but anyone looking for a great challenge in a fast-past first person perspective, this might be for you!

For my full review, check out: http://shoddypixels.com/deadcore-review/

Victor Vran proves that isometric APRGs can still be relevant, despite the failing of other games in the genre in recent years. Even in it's current Early Access state, it easily beats Diablo 3 and is one of the most enjoyable games in Steam's early access system at the moment!

For full early access article check out http://shoddypixels.com/indie-focus-victor-vran/

Dying Light presents a great example of the zombie genre’s coming of age. Serious, impactful and brutal, but still suffering from a few lingering issues that seem to plague the entire concept of the undead in interactive entertainment. Poorly directed narrative with little motivation beyond getting from point A to B, a lot of stereotypical NPCs, and a traditionally out-dated damsel-in-distress plot-point are among the most glaring of pitfalls the game suffers, but taken as a whole package, it stands high above most other zombie games and declares, “I am different. I am fun. I am Dying Light!”. And you know what? It is different. With it’s speed orientated focus on survival and it’s visceral and punishing combat, it differentiates itself from even it’s closest kin, the Dead Island franchise, which frankly feels like a proof of concept for Dying Light by comparison. It is fun. With a great level of challenge, a huge array of weaponry and moves, more Easter eggs than the upcoming Christian holiday, and loads of pop culture references, it is fun. And, well, it is Dying Light. Need I say more? 8.9/10

For full review, read my article over at http://shoddypixels.com/dying-light-review/

Into Blue Valley is a beautiful and haunting title. It's a tad on the short side, but still one of the most memorable games in the exploration genre to date. If you like games like Dear Esther, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, Eleusis and Nuissancee, then you'll find something enjoyable here.

Read my full review here: http://shoddypixels.com/blue-valley-review/

Styx is a lot of fun. It's not absolutely perfect, but it does nail a lot of elements that a lot of other stealth games miss. That said - I strongly suggest playing it on the Goblin difficulty (hardest one) as it is a LOT more enjoyable IMO this way. The dark fantasy universe crafted in this game is great, and the narrative is decent enough. Voice acting is also fun and overall, a very good experience. Should probably have a AAA price tag as it certainly holds up against it's contemporaries (Assassin's Creed and the others), but it doesn't have that... so... go for it :)

For the full review, head over here: http://shoddypixels.com/styx-master-shadows-review/

Synergy is awesome fun. It's a completely different way to play a classic SP game. It is full of glitches and bugs, and it will crash more than once, but that doesn't change how much fun it is to experience the never-meant-to-be moments of Half-Life 2 Co Op.

Was fun back in beta at least. No idea now :P