Recent reviews by Oktaliuz

10/10 does exactly what it says on the tin.

PEAK YURI!!!!

If you've ever played Slay the Spire or similar roguelite deck-builders, then you understand the basics. However, the idea of using dice instead of cards might make one scrunch their nose. Do not write this game off by that initial reaction. The dice system is genuinely engaging and makes deckbuilding feel very distinct from titles that use cards. The game gives you various ways between the 6 playable characters that lets you manipulate the RNG in your favor. The dice also promotes deckbuilding that isn't just stacking into a singular "wombo-combo" (looking at you, Poison Silent) as consistently since you need enough rerolls to actually get the combo off. The gameplay is more nailbiting and requires you to react on a turn to turn basis.

I've talked all about dice but nothing about the purification/corruption system as well as the hearts. It's honestly refreshing to not have to think about a life total, but rather bounce between 7 and 1 "hit points" to activate various abilities when you lose "life". It's simple to learn and still a very punishing system if you get careless with your 3 lives that you are given.

The 6 different Oracles are distinct and interesting where you'll find at least one, but most likely multiple characters, that you'll enjoy taking to the higher difficulties.

Finally I wish to talk about the artstyle. It's a wonderfully stylistic game that is a constant treat and pleasure to look at. Seriously, do yourself a favor and play through it.

I have 2 critiques about the game: firstly, you need to beat a run with every oracle before you can progress to the "end game boss". Some Oracles will "click" with some players, while they can be frustrating for others. (the moth oracle took a few runs but when it clicked it felt really fun). Slogging through runs with oracles you're less inclined to play makes sense from the games story perspective. But I think removing the restriction would prevent a "quit moment" for some players.

The other critique is that the soundtrack gets repetitive. Hearing the blaring "victory music" as you sort through multiple rewards from a boss made me mute the game. The sound track is good, but after a few hours I'd recommend muting it and putting on your own music/podcast/youtube video to save your sanity.

These two critiques are minor nitpicks of an otherwise phenomenal and innovative game. If every rogue-lite deckbuilder had the charm and creativity of Astrea, I'd quickly go broke.

Solid 9/10 game.

If you want to play DnD more/your group has scheduling issues, this is perfect.

Hell, even if you don't have an opinion on DnD and just want one of the best RPG-experiences available on PC it's great.

It's just like having a really good DM that let's you mess around, quick save, and play the game just how you want.

Also it has one of the most amazing character customizations in the terms of gender expression. Most characters are Bi so whatever way you swing you're bound to find some companion to romance!

They updated the game. Now you need to launch it through 2Ks own garbage steam wannabe, which for me currently doesn't work. The old launcher was phenomenal and worked great. This one just gives me a new store that says I don't own the store.
They've fallen to the point where they're just like ubisoft and all other garbage games publishers.

If they ever fix the launcher situation, I'll update the review.
For now avoid it like the plague on the gaming market it is

Even after almost 30 hours of quality play time, I barely dare to review the game as we still have 2 bosses left to discover and down (unless there is more after that).

Rust meets a very light and simple dark souls combat system with a focus on PvE sandbox progression very akin to Terraria.

You can build a simple base or a flourishing town, regardless a good chunk of hours will be spent gathering and crafting the necessary materials for you to be equipped to handle the next boss. After the boss is dead you'll unlock something new that let's you progress towards the next boss. Rinse and repeat.

They took all the boring and tedious bits out of a crafting sandbox (by removing most of the survival elements and only leaving the interesting aspects), and as someone that usually isn't too involved in this genre, it has been a ton of fun.

Basebuilding is very jarring the first few times, but once you get core wood and an idea of structural integrity, I found a lot of joy in building.

Progress is constant and linear, and there is never really any down time where you aren't working towards something new and exciting.

My experience is however biased because I've played it with friends. If you went at it solo your mileage MIGHT vary depending on if you enjoy the gameplay of a crafting sandbox where you have to put together a bunch of different resoures (hence playing co-op reduces that tedium and splitting tasks becomes really good).

I can't speak of the PvP in large, but from what me and my friends have tested so far, the player vs player combat isn't a good reason to get this game. It's focus is on co-op, you and your friends vs the world, and it fulfills and exceeds it's goal.

Did I mention that the visual design, music and lighting creates an incredibly immersive experience that is absolutely absorbing? Well it sure is.

Also exploration by boat is captured incredibly well and feels natural and necessary thanks to how the game operates.

a serious 10/10 co-op viking crafting sandbox.
Get a few friends and grant yourself this experience

It's a free 1 hour to complete game that could best be described as "good puzzle game (where you can skip everything minus the bossfight) where you date quirky and loveable demons" quick edition

Violent, bloodpumping and truly fast paced combat. They've taken every enjoyable aspect of an action FPS and crammed it into a beautifully bloody mess. Health regen comes through "glory kills", over the top melee executions that you perform once the enemy is at low health. This makes the action never stop and even if you're at the brink of death a glory kill or two gives you a fighting chance. You don't reload, instead you're encouraged to switch weapons constantly meaning you'll never even have the chance to thinking about getting bored.
The soundtrack is the best video game soundtrack ever in terms of fitting with the gameplay, hands down!
This game is for anyone that enjoys a good fast paced FPS with a good challenge and great and gory visual design.

Most prominent Pros:
- Every weapon feels good to use, gunplay is 10/10.
- No health regen. Instead you punch (or rip) every demon apart as it becomes your personal health piñata.
- No reloading, instead you're encouraged to switch weapons and keep plowing through demons
- The most fitting and well made soundtrack of all time.

Neutral:
- Campaign is "only" at about 7-9 hours but it ensures that it doesn't overstay it's welcome. The game offers higher difficulties and an arcade mode.
- The story isn't super engaging but it knows that it is mostly a back drop to slaughtering hordes of demons.

Cons:
- If you're squeamish or generally don't like blood and gore, this game isn't for you.

Best deckbuilding roguelite available.
You'll hear about a lot of StS clones (slay the spire clones) because the game that originally did the core best is this game.
If the idea of digital deckbuilding roguelikes sounds interesting, this is THE BEST starting point.

A solid 10/10 game that offers tens of hours for the casual player and 100s of hours for those that get stuck in the genre.

If you're gonna get this game you should really know what you're getting in to. The combat could be fun for some, but to me it's dull, unintuitive and lacks depth of any kind. It's not about skill it's all about your gear.

The missions are uninspiring and feel like quests in MMOs, that would've been fine if not for the fact that this is a single player gane and I expect more from it.

The story wasn't too gripping at first but there might be some people who are really interested by it.

The travelling is boring and takes waaaaaaay too long.

The soundtrack is good though so I give it a plus there, the voice acting is also good and there seems to be put in a lot of effort there.

Do your research before buying the game, this is a very unique game... For good or bad (With my taste it's bad bu tI can see where others find the appeal).

All in all I'd say this is a very niche game, but if you're looking for a star citizen or elite dangerous type of game this is not it.

I had a great time, just be sure to bring firneds or you will want to end your life. Otherwise really challenging.