Recent reviews by kikiokyo

I truly enjoyed this retro styled first person shooter that has an emphasis on the comedy and having the right weapon to solve any fashion faux pas from a multitude of enemies. There are so many fashion puns and references/nods to other games to at least bring a smile with the cheeky writing and voice/sound design. Fashion Police Squad also introduces new mechanics throughout the game that does not overstay its welcome, from a turret section with drab suits on flying boards and long limousines to a fashion sniping session to correct guests' fashion disasters.

There's a lot of secrets to find throughout the game to unlock, so it encourages some replay of the levels to find it all that will unlock more outfits and visual treats. That being said, the platforming is a hit or miss as it requires some finesse with a certain weapon in order to progress. Each level will progress in adding more enemies to an arena to encourage movement and prioritize your arsenal (the belt whip will get a lot of use to keep opponents at bay). There are challenge levels as well to test your mettle.

In addition, the music is very catchy and fits the mood of the game very well. The audio is very top notch with some endearing low quality voice lines from some enemies to give them character. The announcer letting you know when you have stylized your enemies is also a cherry on top of this cake. Boss fights are very distinct and memorable too! This all comes to a head for the end of a level where you get to see all the defeated foes strutting their stuff on a walkway.

Fashion Police Squad is not a long game, but it was a welcome addition to my library that leaves quite a fashionable impression, which has been missing from the retro first person shooter genre.

Severed Steel is quite an amazing FPS that takes inspiration from F.E.A.R., Red Faction, and even Stranglehold, blending the elements into a super brisk shooter with a lot of replay-ability.

From F.E.A.R. and Stranglehold, you get a slow-mo ability that lets you relish in the destruction and mayhem you've caused, while also really feeling in control despite the odds. The enemies have their own radio chatter that The AI also reacts differently each play-through, causing some unpredictable plays each time. Furthermore, there's parkour that allows interacting with the entire level. You are able to wall-run, slides, dives and even wall-jumping. Combine this with a destructible environment, it can make each level into your own playground as you go circles around the enemy.

And lastly, from Red Faction, there's a destructible environment to plow your way through with explosives and even a second ability that comes into play. So being able to blast a hole under the floor of an enemy, only to welcome them with a hail of buckshot or bullets, is going to be satisfying and silly. It also aids in the platforming at times as well.

In addition, there's a map creator with Steam Workshop in order to experience the game in a different light. It is great fun to see what the community can cook up to test your skills. And both campaign and firefight modes are expanded upon with different loadouts and mutators that can be unlocked (like Floor is Lava and Big Head mode!)

Unfortunately the game is quite short with the levels that can sort of blend together (yet very replayable). The super fast speed and chaotic nature of the game can be disorienting at times, especially when doing a flip.

But if you're looking for an FPS that can make you feel like an agile killing machine, this is very much an experience that few have been able to replicate.

Say No! More is very much an interactive movie to a tee. It has a good meaning message with very wacky situations that the player has to go through. The main ability to just interject the word "No!" towards people who make outrageous situations to mundane requests can be quite cathartic, especially if you're working in an office/corporate job. There are points in the story that allow deviation if the player can keep an eye out for it, but the main attraction is just the ability to just tell people, coworkers and bosses the word "No!" in multiple different languages from Irish Gaelic to Japanese (each with their own male and female tones) and moods (with the ability to charge up for a bigger/louder "No!"). Moreover, players can create their own characters that can range from standard to crazy mismatched styles.

Graphically, it has an endearing blocky look that exudes the times of early 3D games. Facial expressions from the characters (including the player character) are very expressive and super silly at times. This is not a technically intensive title, but the art style is very much Say No! More's own.

The music in this game is really catchy and syncs super well with the tone of the game. Julie Buchanan does a wonderful soundtrack for this game that really does set the mood. Without it, the scenes would lack impact, especially for such a linear game.

Overall, this is a short, linear game that is super relatable to anyone whoever has run into issues of telling others "No!". It is very humorous, but still carries quite a punch in certain points. It does take about 2 hours for the first playthrough, longer if you want to listen to all the dialogue or replay for missed branching paths. There's no real fail state, but that was not the intent of the game. It is super relaxing to play through after a day at work, and Say No! More has been an uplifting experience.

This is a drastic improvement over the original visceral one-to-one input game that was already one game that gives a ton of entertainment for such a simple concept. A kicking soundtrack has been expanded upon here and even more levels to push players towards improving their own skill and reaction. There's so many more modes, as well as hidden games within the game.

The wonder of this game is that it can be played on short bursts or even a long endurance, and the entertainment value per dollar makes it an extraordinary deal. This is reactive game, not so much of a rhythm game, but for those that play it, it's one that getting into the groove is just plain addicting. The developers really outdone themselves with this game!

This is so adorable, yet brings up nostalgia that I have not felt since the golden age of the 3D platformers. It has moments of laughter, awe and even horror. The easy to pick up and play nature of the game just makes it so simple to enjoy for short stints to a complete playthrough.

To add, there is an ability to play this cooperatively in a splitscreen mode (as part of a free update), which is a rarity to find today and even in the past. I had a younger relative who would usually not play this sort of genre alone, so with this mode, it was a great way to have some bonding moments in such a cute world.

A Hat in Time is a must for those who want to play a 3D platformer again, especially to get a family, friend or significant other to join along as well!

While it is a simplistic premise, it is very zen to just fly around with an ever-changing map. Whether it is playing for a couple minutes to longer sessions to get a better score, Superflight does very well with its feature. There is no music, but the gust of wind works well on its own or whichever the player decides.

This game is very focused on what it does best and very satisfying to just pull off some aerial ballet throughout the maps. So easy to pick up and play and go at your own pace.