Recent reviews by PapaNox

$15/mo for a Sandbox MMO with no real questing or story content, nor any systems in place to continue adding additional content to enjoy, just doesn't compute to me. I could see them charging a monthly fee but for much less, or if you're gonna charge $15/mo make it worth while. Maybe a free account has restricted access certain things in game like game chat, auction house, trading, etc. The game itself is a pretty awesome experience with interesting crafting mechanics and an immersive first person experience, but with the player griefing that occurs after people put in time to earn what little they can just to lose it all starting out, in it's current state overall it's a frustrating game that could be the greatest Sandbox MMO ever created if some changes were made to protect casual/new players and not charge so much to play.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an absolute masterpiece that sets a high bar for modern RPGs. The game's gorgeous graphics are nothing short of breathtaking, with stunning landscapes and meticulously detailed character designs that bring the world to life. Every scene is a visual feast, making exploration a joy.

The combat system is both fun and exciting, offering a perfect blend of strategy and action. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the genre, the intuitive controls and dynamic battles will keep you engaged and on your toes.

One of the standout features is the great storytelling. The narrative is rich and immersive, with well-developed characters and intricate plotlines that draw you in from the very beginning. Each decision you make feels impactful, adding depth to the overall experience.

Moreover, the gameplay is impressively bug-free, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish. It's clear that a lot of care and attention went into polishing the game, making it a truly seamless adventure.

In summary, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a must-play for any RPG enthusiast. Its stunning visuals, thrilling combat, compelling story, and flawless execution make it a standout title in the genre. Highly recommended!

Fallout 76: A Tale of Redemption

Remember when Fallout 76 stumbled out of the vault like a tipsy radstag? Launch day was… well, let’s just say it was a bit like trying to build a C.A.M.P. on a cliff edge during a radstorm. But Bethesda didn’t throw in the towel; they donned their power armor and got to work.

Since then, Fallout 76 has undergone a transformation worthy of a legendary questline. The Wastelanders update was like finding a pristine pre-war Nuka-Cola in a dusty vending machine—it injected life into the game. NPCs returned, dialogue trees sprouted, and suddenly, Appalachia felt less lonely. The Brotherhood of Steel questline? A crescendo of storytelling that left us craving more. And speaking of storytelling…

- The Story: A Vault-Tec Masterpiece

The narrative in Fallout 76 has evolved like a ghoul after a few centuries. The original plot was like a half-baked Radstag steak—edible but not exactly gourmet. But then came Wastelanders, and suddenly, we were knee-deep in faction politics, moral dilemmas, and secrets buried deeper than a mole rat’s burrow. The Appalachian wasteland became our canvas, and the stories etched upon it—both heartwarming and heartbreaking—kept us coming back for more.

- The Joy of Exploration

Remember that first time you stepped out of Vault 76? The sun peeking through the scorched trees, the distant sound of a Super Mutant’s battle cry, and the thrill of uncharted territory—it’s like being a post-apocalyptic tourist. Appalachia isn’t just a map; it’s a playground. From abandoned amusement parks to hidden bunkers, there’s always something around the corner. And let’s not forget those random encounters—a wandering trader, a cryptid sighting, or a quirky robot with existential questions. Each discovery feels like finding a hidden stash of caps.

- Team Up or Go Solo? Your Choice!

Fallout 76 is like a Nuka-Cola mixer—better with friends, but still enjoyable solo. Teaming up with fellow Dwellers for events, nuking Fissure Sites, or just sharing stories around a campfire adds a layer of camaraderie. But when you’re feeling lone wanderer vibes, the game adapts seamlessly. The solitude of exploring a crumbling mansion or deciphering cryptic holotapes—it’s oddly serene. Plus, your C.A.M.P. becomes your personal sanctuary, where you can build a cozy shack or an elaborate fortress. It’s like Sims meets the apocalypse.

- Legendary Loot Galore

Ah, legendaries—the golden geckos of Fallout 76. That moment when you down a three-star legendary enemy and see that sweet loot drop—it’s like Christmas morning in the wasteland. Will it be a furious handmade rifle? A bloodied gauss shotgun? Or maybe an explosive minigun that makes Scorchbeasts regret their life choices? The thrill of the unknown keeps us grinding events, dungeons, and daily ops. And let’s face it, we’re all chasing that perfect roll—the unicorn of legendary gear.

- Events: Where Chaos Meets Fun

Events in Fallout 76 are like mini Wasteland Olympics. Whether it’s defending a workshop from waves of feral ghouls, racing against the clock to repair a nuclear reactor, or launching a parade float (yes, that’s a thing), events inject chaos and hilarity. Picture this: You’re at the Fasnacht Parade, wearing a giant mask, dancing with robots, and collecting confetti. It’s absurd, and it’s glorious. Plus, the rewards—scrip, plans, and rare outfits—are the icing on the radioactive cake.

In Summary: A Vault-Tec Miracle

So, my fellow Vault Dwellers, here’s my 9 out of 10 review for Fallout 76: It’s a phoenix that rose from the ashes of its own nuclear blast. If you’re looking for a game that combines exploration, camaraderie, loads of content, and legendary loot, Fallout 76 is your ticket. It’s like riding a rollercoaster through a nuclear wasteland—equal parts thrilling and unpredictable. Redemption? Check. Graphics? Glorious. Story? Riveting. Content? Overflowing like a Brahmin’s feed trough.

Appalachia awaits, just remember when you’re out there in the wasteland, keep your Pip-Boy handy, your stimpacks stocked, and your sense of adventure intact.

So as others have stated in reviews, this game is not going to be for everyone (right now). At the time of writing, there is a heavy emphasis on crafting, exploration, & skill leveling, all of which are time consuming yet enjoyable & somewhat relaxing/chill. Graphically it's beautiful, the sound & music are superb and pull you into the wilderness as well.

It should go without saying, but it's in Early Access of course so bugs, crashes, & lack of content is to be expected. Animals sometimes run backwards/side to side weirdly and pathing is kind of messy, minor server hiccups now and again, etc. however, if you are looking to support what I think is going to be a VERY promising game as it continues development and enjoy building, crafting, gathering, & exploring then I would recommend at least picking up the base version to start. As the game develops more features, gameplay, & quality of life features will come.

It took me about an hour or two to really start to feel the allure of Pax Dei, at first I debated on refunding it (albeit I already knew what to expect before playing based on some reviews) but once I started building my house, learning new recipes, finding new mats by exploring the wilderness, & realizing what this game could potentially offer when complete I started to fall in love with it.

Building is satisfying and fairly open to your imagination for the most part, seems to be a lot of nice "prop" pieces to place around your home and building pieces to use. The "plots" are not super large so if you are planning on building some large mansion you'll need to pick up the Artisan or Master Founder's pack for additional plots to connect to each other.

The combat definitely needs some love, it's fairly bare bones with some basic abilities that come with the type of weapon you have equipped and there is no dodge option, simply face roll enemies and run away if you feel you can't win.

I am excited to see where Pax Dei goes and if you've been on the fence about trying it out, I would just bite the bullet and see for yourself.

Been playing PUBG since Early Access in 2017, I've taken breaks here and now, but can say that I am still impressed with the game overall. They have continued to improve and innovate the game over the years, keeping it fresh and fun. I'm sure cheaters/hackers will always be a rampant thing in any BR or competitive shooter so it's hard to give negative feedback to others who will play the game. Just know, you will run into a hacker at some point. If you are looking for a fun BR with a more realistic feel with the gun play and TTK then look no further, PUBG does it best IMO still.

Graphics - 8/10
Gameplay - 8/10
Sound - 9/10

Overall - 8.5/10

Fun, lots of content, great action combat/gameplay, and consistent updates!

Fun, fluid, interesting. 8/10 for Early Access

Purchased my Steam Link on launch day from Gamestop. Setup is a breeze and for now using an Xbox 360 controller with wireless adapter on it and my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. So after having it over a week now I can say that I am VERY pleased with it and it works better than I expected it to. Stream quality is superb with little to no pixilation or latency on any game I've played with it. I have tested it with Ethernet and Wifi 802.11ac and both work fantastic. I tried the Steam Link on Wifi upstairs in my bedroom with my modem/router downstairs a good distance away and had ZERO issues playing Fallout 4 and MGSV on the "Beautiful" stream setting.

I currently have a 120Mbps with Xfinity so not sure if you have a much lower speed if you will have the same great experience I have had so far but there are three settings for stream quality. I fortunately can have it set to beautiful which gives me very little loss in fidelity of the video quality. I tested the other two, Balanced and Fast, both are a fine experience with balanced really being the go to if you don't have the connection speed needed for the "Beautiful" setting. Definitely recommend picking one of these up if you have any desire to play anything from your PC, anywhere in your home. I would say an 8.5/10 at this point. I am sure with some time and updates it can only get better, such as, support for Xbox One w/ Wireless adapter support, even better quality streaming, and a little more integration with Steam itself. The only real gripe I have is that I still don't understand how to actually turn on the Steam Link without unplugging it and plugging it back in, my Xbox 360 controller does not wake it up when I turn it on.