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Target Audience: JRPG fans, Story fans

Summary:

Keylocker's unique take on the JRPG genre shines in the combat area, allowing for a tight strategy experience while keeping the fun counter mechanic from Virgo vs the Zodiac. In addition, the charge element and grid based combat makes for even more strategy and I found myself really enjoying every battle, as no battle was a simple encounter. The Paper Mario elements come off strong, but I do love the focus on the weapons and attacks more then anything else. Granted, new players to the genre may get overwhelmed as there's a lot of small statuses and elements that can be confusing even to veterans: and sometimes the game doesn't explain all its mechanics well. The side missions are fun, and there's a good amount of side quests to look for: despite the fact that you'll probably get lost at times especially with some of the weaving natures of the maps.

The game is colorful with interestingly designed characters, and the underlying plot embeds the themes of society and roles rather nicely, while still being fun to listen to.I do like the characters here (Rocket in particular), but it falls a tiny bit short compared to the top tier characters within Virgo vs the Zodiac. That's a high bar to clear however, so you really shouldn't hold that against it: it's going for a different type of plot: one focused on the themes more then anything else. It makes you ask questions in the right way, and it does seem like there will be a lot of references to search for. Granted, the rebellion element may feel familiar, but there's enough twists along the way here to make it worth wild (without spoiling anything). The presentation uses color extremely well, and the music, while not having the impact that I hoped, wass still fantastic.

Is it as good as Virgo vs the Zodiac? I don't think so: but that's a really hard bar to cross. It's just under it though: and may be above it if you really like the story content themes for a dystopian cyberpunk universe. Buy it, and enjoy it.


Review Video: : https://youtu.be/jK9P6zihR08

Lists:
Positives:

• Strong RPG and strategy elements that have unique aspects to make it stand out from the rest.
  
• Themes are strong and will resonate with many while still being accessible to others.
  
• Character/Enemy designs have a great variety and fun to them, always like to see the references.
  
• Those writing elements, when they hit, are a home run. There are small and big moments that you'll remember.
  
• Music hits a wide range and is something to listen to outside the game, but....

Negatives:

• Able to get lost where to go/find quests next: it can get frustrating if it involves backtracking/
  
• Can be tough on newbies to the genre and can do a better job of explaining certain mechanics.
  
• Music doesn't have the impact at times that I would hope it would. May want to mess with audio sliders.

Target Audience: Those looking for laidback exploration platforming without a lot of thought

Summary:

I admit, despite me saying this is recommended to play, that's only going to be a subset of players out there from day one. It's one of those games where despite some moments of intrigue and a concept of shadow jumping that is interesting on the surface, it doesn't hit the heights that I really think it could given enough time and resources.

Don't get me wrong: the game when it's firing on all cylinders and using things like night flickering lights and playing around with moving people, it can be a bunch of fun. The visuals are sleek and the animation work is great, and there's some very charming moments in the game. There was obviously a lot of effort put into it, and there's a baseline it hits that's satisifying from a platforming perspective.

It's just that, I couldn't help shake the feeling that it was meant to be a lot more. It doesn't explore some out there ideas with the shadow based platforming that would have taken it to the next level: things like a rave or even sudden rain clouds and storms that could have been interesting. The story that it tells is a little confusing, almost forgetting about the character of the shadow you are playing as, and again, feels like it misses the mark because there's some gaps that don't make sense. The pacing is probably the worst part of it: you could go from a level that is tremendously long and frustrating, and then follow it up with something that's 20 seconds. The last half of the game has parts that feels like filler at times, and in a game that does the same thing a lot that can be killer.

The elephant in the room is the price. Look, I'm going to say from the get go that for me, games are usually under priced. I know that's controversal, but for the amount you get out of them a lot of the time and the cost to make them, I feel that yes, in most cases it is. But it's hard to sit here and look at Schim at that launch price, and not recommend games in the alternate platforming genre before it. It's just a hard sell at that point, and for some it's going to be a game you put on your wishlist and wait until it's at a deep sale.

Did I have fun? Yes. Do I think the game has problems? Yes. Is it worth playing? Eventually, for the price you're comfortable in buying it at.


Review Video: : https://youtu.be/wGnOZ8inAnU

Lists:
Positives:

• When using the shadow jumping concept at its most creative, the game can be rather unique and really stand out in certain sequences.
  
• Controls are just where they need to be at without making it too frustrating.
  
• Key moments in the game will linger with you on an emotional level
  
• Strong sound design with appropriate volume levels and clear captured tones that enhance the experience from left to right.
  
• Visual design is striking especially in its animations.

Negatives:

• Pacing, especially from a gameplay perspective, is all over the place in a bad way and makes for an uneven experience.
  
• Feels like the concept falls short on several occassions and could have been more creative with the design at times.
  
• Story falls short with the integration of the shadow and feels like a missed opportunity.
  
• 
  
• Implementation of the objective button feels like it could use an overhaul especially in longer more complex levels.

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

Target Audience: Like any NES platformers

Summary:

So far, Fallen Leaf is proving to be in the upper echelon of 2D platformers in the first few hours that I've played, and I will continue to do so in the upcoming week. But I wanted to write a review after the first stream because it was that good of an experience, and we all know the algorithm could always use another good review.

Great controls and some straight forward yet varied level design keeps things moving throughout the playthrough, and its clear from the get go that the developers have a love of all things 8 Bit platformer. The influences of games like Mega Man, Shovel Knight, and Super Mario Brothers 2, are present in the DNA of everything: from the presentation following the old school color schemes, to the level and enemy design will remind players of the NES era of those old games. This is done with class and feels like an inspiration, and the music is fantastic in setting up the levels feelings and energy they are going for.

The writing is clever, and I like how they explain even the smallest things in universe. The comedy got me on several occassions, setting up jokes well with simple yet effective characters. There's reasonable things to search for in terms of extras like items to give to people in game, and quite frankly there's really not a lot of negatives I can say about the game right now. Everything has a good explanation, there's a good sense of fun, and it really transports me back to the days in front of the CRT.

If it keeps it up, it may be a GOTY candidate, and well, that's saying something. I'll be finishing another video review and other streams, but first chance I get, I'm back here.


Video Review: : https://youtu.be/u3C4xYH2dqM

Lists:
Positives:

• Great controls and level design that keeps the challenge up without being annoying. Fun
  
• Influences from NES type platformers is obvious and yet feels woven into the gameplay and world with precision and care.
  
• Enemy design is reasonable and yet takes advantage of the different characters strengths and weaknesses. There's reasons to switch between characters, and yet isn't required a good amount of the time.
  
• Writing has been fantastic so far. Several large laughs with good “heh” moments, and the in-universe explanation for certain items/things actually makes sense and I'm surprised that I haven't seen them before.
  
• Great 8bit color and presentation that somehow gets emotions off, and some of the best animations that I've seen in a while.
  
• Good secrets/looking for paths.
  
• Music is fantastic and top tier.

Negatives:

• Uh........Honestly, the difficulty starts easy.....but there's time to get people into the game. It's not a real complaint.
  
• That I don't have the time right now to take the day off work and play more of it.

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

Target Audience: City Builders who want something to dig into visually

Summary:

Horticular is one of those games that a certain subset of people will spend hundred of hours in, building their perfect world and modding it up and down to include all their favorite things. The UI and controls make for a casual “city type” builder that knows when to stop you from having free reign in order to give you purpose, but knows where to give you freedom to mess with things. Sure, it's nothing ground breaking in the genre, but it understands how elements like the sound design helps to give the end user the information they need at a single tone, but without being that annoying to. It forces variety and I appreciate that, not allowing you to over saturate one item and strategy. The animal elements are fun in trying to get them to come in, and overall was fun throughout the playthrough.

Mostly. The pacing, especially on later runs, can feel annoying when you've got nothing left to do in a day and the skip to the end of the day button just won't appear for some reason. It doesn't help that there's slight inconsistencies in control elements where one way works to target something and one doesn't, despite feeling very similar in nature. It doesn't help that certain elements, like the defend sequence, doesn't feel like it adds a whole lot to the overall gameplay with how easy it can be. A lot of the negatives in the game is like small thorns in your side: they aren't going to stop you, but they are annoying and really start to dig into your skin the more you play.

Look, is this game a breakout hit in the genre that will have those who don't like city building and casual type games wanting to play it? No, it definitely has a niche, but it definitely does its job and has reasonable potential with its mod support from day one, along with a good selection of options. This is actually one of those games where if you like what you see with others playing it for a bit, it's going to be a game you want to pick up: because that's exactly what you're getting.

Review Video: : https://youtu.be/UkeB5sdqhZ0

Lists:
Positives:

• Visual variety and choices can help create inserting biomes and really customized to your likes
  
• Knows enough of when to restrict your control and not to make decisions meaningful and force different strategies/rearrangements
  
• Mods being available from day one means the games growth could be explosive, and really plays to the games strengths.
  
• UI/Controls for the most part are where I'd want them: not in the way, and relatively to use, with minor exceptions.
  
• Reasonable sound design to tell you selections and to sell the world.
  
• Enough mystery to make you want to see what you're missing or to try specific things.

Negatives:

• Pacing is slightly off as there are down periods that don't feel necessary, especially on runs where you got the gist of what's going on.
  
• A tool to draw straight lines/not redig things would have been appreciated at times, or an undo if it hasn't actually been started.
  
• Variety in early game campaign on runs could be better: more randomness/issues could have really taken the game to the next level
  
• Small moving creatures can be hard to heal/target that can get frustrating on why you can just target it.
  
• “defend” gameplay feels like it really isn't necessarily needed and doesn't add a whole lot.

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

Target Audience: Those who like a intelligent challenge

Summary:

Thistlemine is a game that is going to frustrate you, but it's sorta the point in the end. You need to figure out how to get through a battle or a puzzle with only your wits and some effort, and the game will pay it off thanks to some well designed puzzle encounters, as well as an interesting world of corruption. Granted, this isn't the type of game that's going to hold your hand while you power through it: those who are needing hints or are likely to try to look up a guide aren't going to get the most out of the game: it's better to struggler through it. Granted, you'll get lost, and quite frankly the game at times could do a better job of nudging you in a direction despite having some open endedness to it.

If you're looking for creative solutions to RPG fights, this isn't that type of game, but it's still fun never the less. Knowing when to heal, when to save for a crit, or when to even just unleash every thing you have: that's fun itself. Exploring around and getting aha moments is fun too: but it's not going to knock you off your feet in the process.

The thing that the game has going for it more then most is that the replayability with puzzles and specifically saving items/going down different paths, along with the time element, does give the game a unique angle that let's you play around with “well, what if I tried this series of things instead?” It'll make me come back to the game, and is why you'd probably want to pick it up right now. But it's solid none the less from the puzzle element: and if you're looking to stretch your brain logic: Thistlemine is a solid choice.

Review Video: : https://youtu.be/EUgKlU0SRYY

Lists:
Positives:

• Smart RPG puzzles that push your strategy without feeling too oppressive....most of the time.
  
• Replayability of paths for a puzzle game is great, and adds a good amount of intrigue.
  
• An interesting world with Miasma/Corruption that I want to see more of.
  
• Character designs are interesting and tell a fun story, but are themed well. Like corruption in particular
  
• Good battle music that keeps the blood flowing.
  

Negatives:

• The game could do a better job of subtly pushing the player to a specific new puzzle, as opposed to randomly running around.
  
• High frustration factor will turn off some to the game.
  
• Certain environment puzzles follow a similar formula. Still fun, but I could see some being turned off by them.

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

Target Audience: Most Everyone, but in particular Survivor Horror Fans

Summary:

It's easy to say that Crow Country is a game from the past in the form of a mashup between the PS1's Resident Evil's gameplay and Final Fantasy 7's aesthetic. It would be an accurate representation: but Crow Country's use of nostalgia just sets the basis for a wonderful experience that keeps you tense without focusing on jump scares. The story is typical for the genre yet has reasonable side characters that I wish there was a little more of, but also has a good set of lore and makes you wonder what truly is happening at the park. Exploration is good and allows you to find items and secrets without needing a guide to it. Those looking to be hand held will find minor tools to help, but the game is much better when you're figuring things out yourself.

The combat is alright, but the base speed of Mara is too fast for my liking: you can run by a lot of the challenges that the game presents, and I think the combat is effective even with the interesting camera angle. When pushed into a corner you do get the panic that you'd expect. Did I feel like I was in trouble a lot of the time? No, but I also realize that having played a lot of games like this, I may be asking too much from the game. But that doesn't overshadow the creepiness the game presents. The game gets those uneasy vibes without being in your face about: it lets things fester, and does some tricks to keep you off your game, especially as the game progresses.

In the end, Crow Country is a blast from the past while still having nice changes from that formula that makes it different enough to stand out. It's a game that most everyone, even those who may not have had good experiences with Survival Horror in the past, will enjoy.


Review Video: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt925tUp6cg

Lists:
Positives:

• Puzzle design with multiple layers (puzzles beyond puzzles) really succeeds in making the player feel smart without frustrating or being too easy.
  
• Atmosphere created leads to natural tension, capture the feeling of the first Resident Evil for the original Playstation.
  
• Presentation takes you back to the PS1, in good ways.
  
• Controls feel reasonable in Combat. Good pace of combat/puzzles throughout the game.
  
• Good focus on Observation and Exploration skills.
  
• Reasonable story that has enough intrigue to keep you guessing.

Negatives:

• Mara's base speed means you can run by pretty much everything with the controls here: a lower speed would have created more tension (Maybe a modifier?)
  
• Would have liked to have one or two more bosses.

Target Audience: Those Who Will Play with Friends like the old Beat Em Up Arcade Games

Summary:

This is a hard one to sum up in a thumbs up/thumbs down evaluation. The game definitely has an audience: as there isn't a lot of games out there in the Top down shooter/Coop/Competitive/Beat em Up like genre that it goes for here: and when the game is hitting all cylinders, you'll feel like your with your friends in the arcade, just playing together around and laughing and having fun. I'd make a joke about being old enough to know when therre were arcades other then dave and busters......but now I just made myself depressed.

The thing is, the game's biggest issue has to do with the difficulty. Your characters and game design elements regarding enemy placement and damage taken really makes it easy to get through without really running into major problems. I think the scoring system is a little tilted to survivability and not effectiveness in killing things, and the standard partner AI is a little bit too effective. I think the game can turn into a visual mess at times, despite some great music and a lot of different planet/monster design.

And yet, it's the type of game that you play with friends via Steam Remote Play and it's going to really be strong for those looking for a more casual yet a little chaotic game experience. The thing is, there's not a lot of games that I can think of that are like this specifically (tell me if I'm wrong), which is why despite my issues, it gets the thumbs up. It definitely has room to grow however.


Review Video: : https://youtu.be/GaNUh5F-JHQ

Lists:
Positives:

• Creates the formula to really enjoy with friends without it being taken super seriously.
  
• You do feel the chaos of everything on screen. Feels taken from an arcade.
  
• Music really drives the action forward and is a highlight.
  
• Good variety in presentation design with the different planets.
  
• Good selection of powerups

Negatives:

• Difficulty is lacking in several areas: veterans of the genre aren't going to feel the rush of the genre in terms of SHMUPs/Top Down Shooter
  
• The AI is a little too effective at its base level when it comes to your partners.
  
• About 50% off the bosses need a ramp up in terms of spectical and awe.
  
• Visual noise can make it hard to focus on very specific things and can start to give a headache.

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

Target Audience: Those looking for some action

Summary:

It's very easy to dismiss Death of a Wish even before the game started: its presentation can be offputting to some, and it may not have a pitch that will draw in a majority of players. Yet, Death of a Wish proves that you can't judge a book by its cover: especially when the cover is so inherently key in its overall success.

Death of a Wish's combat was designed by a sculptor's touch: its rewind system is used wisely to not only inherently teach a player how to deal with certain obstacles, but it also plays well into an overall risk and reward system that feels satisifying. Combat can feel like a visual nightmare when just staring at it from outside of the grasp of a controller: but great sound design and smart visual clues keep you fighting without feeling overwhelmed....most of the time. The corruption system gives reasons to min/max your effort and to keep fighting at the best of your abilities, and the Aria combinations lead to interesting fighting styles that are fun to experiment with. The comparison to dark souls has been made by others, but Death of a Wish does enough to distinguish itself in the genre not only to allow for more fun, but to also integrate with the story as well.

As for the story, it is inconsistent with its pacing at times to the point where you're sorta wondering what's going on: and I admit I wanted some more side stories/side quests despite the game having a reasonable amount of content. But it's look on the hero's journey is a great one: especially with the fantastic set pieces that will leave a mark on you when all is said and done. It does not pull punches, and I will warn those who are sensitive to tough social and human topics will need to be in the right mindset before playing the game: or it could trigger past trauma or very dark feelings.

The thing that Death of a Wish does more then anything is provide a game that feels unique while still feeling familiar: meaning that it's something that action RPG/dark souls players will definitely want to play to add something refreshing to the library. Honestly, it's a game that shows that graphical fidelity isn't the only way to make an impression, and it's a game that will be some players favorites just with the way that it distinguishes itself.


Review Video: : https://youtu.be/WoD2hiTvZHI


Lists:
Positives:

• Well Designed Combat that synergizes on all fronts: gives you reason to keep fighting and doing well.
  
• Rewind system plays well to risk and reward and makes it impactful.
  
• Want to Emphasize the restraint here in general: devs knew when to push and when to let things play out from a gameplay perspective in combat.
  
• Presentation plays to the games themes and can be surprising how it's able to get the detail across at times.
  
• Set Pieces and High Story beats hit hard, leave memorable moments on your doorstep that you'll come back to.
  
• Crunchy Sound Design really plays a lot into the effectiveness in battle.

Negatives:

• If you have a bad sense of direction: you're not going to have a great time: the game doesn't help you with navigation at times and it can lead you to just wandering in frustration.
  
• Story pacing is a bit off, feels like some elements were left on the cutting room floor.
  
• Visual Noise at times can be offputting: and be aware that (while I cannot 100% confirm this as I don't know if I was sick at the time), I did feel dizzy/light headed at certain points of the game.

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

Target Audience: Veteran Strategy Players Who Have High Tolerance For Frustration

Summary:

Necrosmith 2 is one of those games that eats up hours of time, and you don't know at the end if you truly got everything you wanted out of the session. Don't get me wrong, the game's base mechanic of putting parts together to create creatures is fun and making monsters like Frakenstein's doctor is engaging. The game's RNG elements do provide alright variety and force you to adjust, but can be frustrating if the game gives you a particular bad world where the parts you get can't deal with the enemies in question. The presentation, while not stunning, does the job in giving you the information you need, and you will enjoy the first world and the gameplay loop.

The biggest problem is the difficulty curve, and anyone who gets extremely frustrated easily is going to need to be weary of picking up this game. The second “boss” that spawns will feel like a imprentable wall even after 5/10 attempts, and you'll feel like you're never going to get over it no matter how hard you try. The Titans mechanic, while being novel and adding something to the game, lacked oompf as a big feature compared to the original game, and I believe different options should have been approached to add variety and complexity.

This is the type of game you put on with a podcast, pay attention to somewhat, but don't get overly engrossed in, and for the cost the game squeaks out a recommendation for strategy fans. And if the balance issue is addressed, then maybe for more. But others will want to avoid.


Review Video: : https://youtu.be/a2TUkDdc57M


Lists:
Positives:

• Base concept of creating creatures engaging, keep gameplay going.
  
• Adjusting to elements/strategy can be fun, especially in the early going.
  
• Trying to find recipes for specific creatures is enjoyable, and visually the creatures range from beautiful to dumb but endearing.
  
• Permanent upgrades, especially the items, allows for some good strategy without being overpowered.
  
• Solid Sound Design for the Most Part.
  
• Presentation doesn't get in the way.

Negatives:

• Difficulty Curve makes you crash into a wall that many won't get out from. Sometimes the game's RNG will screw you.
  
• Lack of hotkeys will frustrate more veterans of the genre.
  
• Inconsistencies in Sound Design and Visual Presentation can make you question what you're looking at.

Target Audience: Platforming Fans who like to explore and collect

Summary:

With the references to Mega Man X and the pre-release imagery, I could see why a lot of people would expect a game along the Mega Man series line, but I'm here to say that's not entirely the case. Sure, there's definite influences in the presentation and some of the movement elements, but rest assured, Berserk Boy is more of a platformer more then anything. It's about moving through the levels with a brisk pace while using the tools in your arsenal wisely, and in that element, it succeeds. It starts to get reasonably good when you start getting more powers and have to choose between them, and finding the various resistance members can be fun for those collectahon players. It's got a heart filled presentation, with good design elements especially for the main character's forms, and it doesn't take itself too seriously.

But be aware of the fact that if you're expecting a Mega Man X clone in any sort of way, you need to look elsewhere. The combat for the game is rather easy and repetitive, there isn't the positioning factor to take out enemies, you're sorta just a barrel of destruction rolling along with several of the powers. In addition, the bosses are probably the weakest part of the game: difficulty is not there and isn't the climax of levels that it really should be. There are parts of the game that are inconsistent that will have you scratching your head, sometimes it's something significant, but a lot of them are small things that add up. It makes sense for a new studio that may not have the pedigree of others to have some of the mistakes, but it's the fact that many of those mistakes are ok in other areas of the game similar to it, like there was a weird inconsistency that developed.

Overall, while it wasn't what I was hoping for entirely, it's still a solid game in the platforming genre and worth your time: but isn't something you need to drop to play right away if you have other games you're focusing on.


Review Video: : https://youtu.be/I64vsTQI-FM

Lists:
Positives:

• Solid speed like platforming that takes advantage of form decision making in later levels.
  
• Reasonable replay value especially in the art of speedrunning.
  
• Great use of color and character design without being too distracting from gameplay.
  
• Music keeps the action and adrenaline up and definitely is an OST I'll listen to outside the game.
  
• Cheesy in a 90s cartoon kind of way.

Negatives:

• Difficulty of Combat is not there, definitely a secondary element but still fails to constantly deliver.
  
• Boss Battles are weak and do not invoke the spirit of the games that it was directly influenced by.
  
• Inconsistencies in gameplay/presentation that can stand out and confuse you at times.