Recent reviews by Saul

We Went Back isn't the kind of game I'd typically play, but I'm glad I did. Enticed by the setting and graphical details, I had an interesting experience worthy of the half hour I spent playing. As alluded to, the aesthetics are pleasing and clean and there is plenty of visual interest. I'm sure I didn't see everything the game had to offer. The ambient sounds helped immersed me in the setting, an abandoned lunar station, and intensified the scarier moments. It certainly got my heart racing.

The puzzle wasn't complex, rather intuitive, but I didn't necessarily feel it was lacking. It added purpose to the experience which overall lacked an objective and was perhaps poorer for it. The ability to interact with more objects would be fun and could introduce greater scope for development. Similarly, a narrative of some kind wouldn't go amiss, however, there is enough for the mind to create its own backstory etc.

I wasn't fond of the scene in the gym/rest room where the creature revealed itself. I felt showing it so plainly eroded some of the suspense and mystery. Moreover, the fact it confronts the player yet doesn't kill them, implying it isn't hostile, diminishes the threat.

There are a couple interests I think could be developed to add either to the atmosphere or the horror factor. Animating the gloves on the right wall in the laboratory could introduce more fear, and perhaps the butterflies could come alive in the same room.

Finally, I thought the threats were disjointed. Realistic aspects like the fire or broken habitat glass (asphyxiation) clash with the fictional creature, which leaves something to be desired.

I don't think these aspects detract from the game/experience, instead they are points for expansion and development.

For the price of this collection of brilliant games, and Halo 4, it's practically criminal not to buy it.

Reality and fiction become one as I slip into my suit and tie, my polished shoes and pressed trousers, and my life story of a football manager kicks off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m19_ZUI-T5Y

A fun, if unspectacular game in which I enjoyed attaining all the achievements yet wouldn't play through again.

Game play is Hotline Miami-esque with quick and frequent deaths - sometimes questionable - but with enough substance that I was respawning with equal haste to get back into the fight. The controls and camera-manipulation are solid; however, I sometimes found my aim interrupted by a flying car or alike which was irritating. There's a good variety of weapons, yet there is no reason to use old guns once you've upgraded to a more expensive model. There is a difference in the weapon classes, snipers, rifles, etc. which allow you to change your playstyle and add flavour to the action.

It is after all, the action which makes this game worthy of a playthrough. The story on the other hand is pale, non-existent and didn't interest me. The environment, supposedly Tokyo, doesn't play to the narrative either. Not that I would know it was Tokyo, a city I have visited, were it not for the title. There is no resemblance. NPCs make comments alluding to a world without cities that could provide intrigue, yet I never found this, and similar pieces of information built upon or explained. The fast-paced nature of the game had me dashing past these comments. The style of the game doesn't lend itself to the veiled driving narrative, and I think the attempt to force it onto the player hurts the overall quality of the game. Skipping dialogue however alleviates most issues with the story content, and the lacking narrative doesn't impact the experience providing you know you aren't playing this for the story.

That does however, mean you likely won't be replaying it to experience a gripping narrative with memorable characters. There are collectibles, albeit highly inconsequential to gameplay, which kept me in the game for a few hours after I finished the main questline. If you are looking to attain these collectibles, there are many helpful guides on Steam.

I can't comment on the multiplayer as there is no one playing it. I think it could be a fun experience. That is speculation, however.

Overall, it was an interesting game with nice graphics - not worthy of a more substantial adjective - with nice music - see reasoning behind my judgement on the graphics. It's fun and I would recommend it as a game to play while waiting for a AAA title. It was worthy of the time I spent on it, and my subsequent review.

Fantastic!

The game that just keeps on giving. How a game should be.

Being an avid fan of FTL I had checked out Subset's website a few month ago and caught a glimpse of Into the Breach and honestly didn't think much of it and forgot about it.

It showed up on Steam today and after briefly looking at the reviews and the outstandingly good price, I dove in.

What a great decision! It's as if they have replicated FTL without copying it. A similar formula but put to a different use is possible the best way I could describe it.

If you love strategy games, love FTL, love a bargain, love life, Into the Breach is for you!

I implore you to play this game.

I had put 45 hours into this game what seems like a year ago at the time of writing, and after returning to it today I couldn't help from spreading the warm feelings this game gives me. Its unplayable without an accompanied smile.

From the meaningful relationships you form with NPCs to the sense of accomplishment from completing bundles for the Junimos at the community centre, you will enjoy and feel rewarded by everything you do. Even the planting, watering and harvesting of plants lacked the tedium which could be expected. Quests and adventuring maybe be out of the ordinary in a farming game but are foundations for merriment to be had.

The vibrant colours and cheerful music makes a variety of areas fresh from one another, each having unique collectables that will keep you returning again and again. Even the somewhat melancholic yet beautiful tones of winter reflect the season's harsh but picturesque nature perfectly. This is the rule of the game, not the exception – everything is well thought out and crafter to perfection.

There’s a lot to appraise in this game, but without writing a real review I'm not sure what else to say to convey my feelings of elation, it must be experienced by one’s self for a true appreciation of a masterpiece.
I hope Stardew Valley induces happiness in you as it has myself.

With the addition of Steam mod-support, DayZ has turned itself around, and is once more a worthwhile experience.

https://youtu.be/kuReSFi2fas