Recent reviews by Bah

Shadow of War is a very strong follow up to the excellent Shadow of Mordor. There are some issues I had with the game that I think ultimately hold the game back from being great. That being said, it still is a solid title and well worth a play especially if you enjoyed the first game.

I'm going to address the microtransactions kerfuffle at the opening of this review and then I will not be mentioning them again. The fact that MTs are in a 99% single player experience is short-sighted and unnecessary. They should never have been in this game in the first place. That being said, there is no reason whatsoever to purchase anything to play this game to its entirety at an enjoyable level. You can largely ignore the microtransactions for the most part. You may want to spend the in game currency that you earn or any gold you may earn on some of the loot boxes, but you largely can ignore the "Market" section of the menu entirely. The game does not nag you to buy anything aside from some menu mentions and you can earn Gold (the paid currency) by doing challenges. WB could've avoided a lot of negative press by never putting them in this otherwise good game.

Here are some tl;dr Pros and Cons...

Pros
+ Very strong technologically. Great graphics, voice acting/sound, and music.
+ Lots of varying regions to discover.
+ Raiding forts is a lot of fun.
+ Strong set pieces. The big moments are memorable.
+ The Orcs are hilarious and varying.
+ Flying a dragon is one of the most thrilling and satisfying moments in any current release.

Cons
- The story is shallow.
- The first 6-8 hours of the game are convoluted in almost every respect.
- Defending forts (unlike attacking) is not so much fun.
- Gear/gems system is never fully explained, but at least easy to figure out.
- Controversy around the game could've been avoided.

I'm not going to cover the minutiae of the game in my review because if you are familiar with the first game, you get what the second is about. You're here to smash some orcs and have a laugh doing so. The game delivers this in an impressive design that is gorgeous in places.

The biggest minus to the game is the story. While there are aspects of it I enjoyed (mainly around the character Bruz and anything have to do with the Nazgul), the story comes off disjointed and in pieces. There's no cohesion behind a lot of the motivation that Talion has. The game starts with a group of Gondorians as the central focus and it lacks depth and there's no foundation for empathising with their plight. There are a few splinter stories that are interesting but most of them are just slices and lack depth for obvious reasons. At the very least a lot of fun gameplay is in the splinter stories, and that helps out a lot. However, unlike the first game, I never felt the same motivation to know what happens since that began so viscerally in the first game. If Mordor is the Lord of the Rings series, War is the Hobbit series in terms of quality of story. If you're a Tolkien traditionalist, this game may not be for you as it takes dramatic liberty with some of the lore. For the most part I did not mind this and in some ways it really works, but consider yourself warned.

I currently have 45 hours in the game at the time of this review. I have completed all of the scripted stories and am at stage 4 (of 10) of "The Shadow Wars" which is the end game act. The Shadow Wars involve the mechanic of defending forts and invading if necessary and that is basically it.

Despite the controversy, Monolith deserve a lot of credit for Shadow of War. It plays well and has some really awesome moments. There is criticism that could and should be levied. But, if you enjoy third person action, this delivers on a lot of levels. There's a lot more going on in this game than in the first which is important for a sequel.

7/10

A $30 entry fee when many Free to Play games on Steam have more depth should be considered highway robbery and boycotted. The fact that this game is not at the very least in the "Early Access" category is also farcical. Almost everything in the "About This Game" category has an additional price tag attached to it.

As a game, it's a mostly shallow experience. It comes packaged with 3 modes as of launch. Free for all (just called Deathmatch), Team Deathmatch, and a soccer game style experience. While the modes themselves are relatively flimsy, they're not totally terrible and it is possible to have fun, but the game is so unjustifiably expensive.

It seems that the developers cared more about getting their microtransaction shop off the ground than putting actual content out in time for launch. The game's store is up and running and that's where you can buy as much useless nonsense as you can think of. At a $30 price point you'd expect more out of the box, but the leveling up system is as grindy as you can imagine. Oh, but they're promising tons of upcoming content. In other words this game is not complete.

3 modes, a handful of maps, and a fully stocked microtransaction store! Howbout fully stocking the game out of the box instead?

Avoid this game unless you receive it for free or it goes free to play.

Sniper Elite 4 is an outstanding game and exactly what a sequel should be. It improves the aspects of the previous games, adds some new wrinkles, and generally broadens the scope of it's predecessors....

Some basic stats:

- It took me around 16 hours to complete the main campaign on "Sniper Elite" difficulty.
- I did not find all of the collectibles.
- I did not finish all of the secondary objectives.
- I have not yet played the "Kill Hitler" DLC or either of the included Overwatch missions.

The standout improvements of Sniper Elite 4 are encapsulated by two main points. Firstly, the maps are absolutely humongous and there are a ton of indoor portions in every map. Also new to the series is verticality. There are sections where you can climb up and create your own sniper positions. They've also improved the enemy AI. In past instances of this series, the enemy was able to find you rather quickly. Now, the sniping is more realistic, allowing you to pop off some shots while they "triangulate" your location. This gives the player a sense of dominance. It is possible to stealth entire levels as well.

Some bullet point pros and cons:

Pros:
+ Extremely large and detailed maps/levels. It took me roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete each one and would've taken longer if I was set on finding every collectible my first time through.
+ Technically sound. Gunplay is very satisfying and the graphics are outstanding.
+ New variations of enemies including spotters, radiomen, and artillery strikes.
+ A large variety of weapons outside of the numerous sniper rifles to snare and destroy nazis.
+ Survival mode is very challenging and a lot of fun with friends!
+ Provides replayability with being able to decide on your own tactics, a metric ton of collectibles, and new challenges which only reveal themselves once you return for a 2nd playthrough of a level.
+ Leaves you wanting more.

Cons:
- The AI still needs some improvement, but is a large step up from III, just as III was from V2.
- Some levels did not offer a strong enough challenge, even on SE difficulty. I will be trying Authentic next to see if this changes. There were no boss battles or "unannounced" final battles in any of the main campaign levels, bar the final mission.
- It'd have been nice to see the Overwatch levels which are listed in the campaign menu as SP missions, increasing the game's length.
- Leaves you wanting more! (yes this is a + as well)

My cons are largely nitpicks, but deserved mention. I am extremely happy with what Rebellion have done with Sniper Elite 4 and am going to be returning to the game sooner rather later to try Authentic difficulty, the Kill Hitler DLC, and change my tactics in previous played levels. The additional challenges are also tantalizing to try and accomplish. The amount of content in the base game alone is satiating, but the fact there is a DLC campaign incoming as well has me excited.

Rating: 8/10

After a long time of waiting and wondering what it is, ABZU finally appears. Was it worth the wait? Yes and no.

This is beautiful game in almost every respect. It jumps out from the opening with its incredible visual style, attention to detail, and has one of the most perfect soundtracks ever recorded for a video game. Its definitely worth a look.

The question most everyone is likely going to have is....is it worth it? My answer to that is entirely dependent on the gamer who's asking it. If you are looking for an experience that will have you audibly gasping at some of the environments and enjoy exploring and taking your time without a thought about a challenge or "goal" and are able to get something out of that, then yes, its a "cream of the crop" title for that vein of game. If you are a gamer who plays games purely and simply for the "win", then I would say no. Make no mistake, this game is a "walking simulator" underwater. If that term turns you off, then you have your answer on whether or not you should play this at its current value.

PROS:
+ Stunning in literally every category. From things as simple as the sounds of a dolphin, to the music, to the vibrant world that you're in, it's at times breathtaking and full of vivid color and depth in the art.
+ Technologically sound. I was well above 60 FPS on Ultra the entire time.
+ An interesting way to learn about our ocean and the diversity of life that calls it home.
+ A meditative and relaxing experience.

CONS:
- Saddeningly short. It took me 1.7 hours according to Steam for my first playthrough. I likely could've extended this by exploring every nook and cranny, but I'm not that type of gamer.
- Vague "story" with very little explanation in respect to the point of the journey.
- Too high of an opening price point for what it provides.
- There is no challenge whatsoever. This game is very much like an interactive film in that you're controlling an avatar without a chance of dying/failing or being challenged by a puzzle.

Overall, I sincerely enjoyed my time during my playthrough. I cannot say that it's a must play or must own right now today though. If you are on the fence there is no harm in waiting. It will be there waiting for you when you are ready. Once it hits a price point you are comfortable with, jump on it and enjoy it.

Rating: 8/10 for the quality - 5/10 for the value

"It's the most innovative shooter I've played in years!"

You've probably read that line a few times if you've read anything at all about SUPERHOT. And it would be correct. This game is legitimately one of the most innovative shooters that has been seen in years. With a minimalist design and a sneakily engaging story, SUPERHOT is the type of game that needs to come around more often. It challenges the "norms" and conventions that we've come to expect in modern video gaming. It gives the shooter genre a good solid twist and flip upside down and comes up with something special.

This game should be played by almost anyone who enjoys a shooter. The "time moves only when you move" mechanic is well implemented and creates a whole new way of approaching a shooter.

Pros:
+ Strong design.
+ Challenging.
+ Thought-provoking.
+ New modes unlock after completing the campaign.
+ Replay sharing/Killstagram.com

Cons:
- MSRP (currently $24.99 at the time of this review, not counting release discount).
- Campaign length is saddeningly short. My playtime is at 3.3 hours for just the campaign - start to finish.

Overall I am very impressed with SUPERHOT. It lives up to the hype of innovation and is very engaging from the start. However, I do have a few gripes with it. Obviously, it's a fairly expensive game right out of the gate. While I respect the fact the developers put a lot of time (I've been following SUPERHOT for at least 1.5 years) into it and largely perfected the experience, it still feels high-priced for what it does provide.

There is a campaign which must be played before any of the other modes unlock, which include an Endless Mode (exactly what it means), "Challenges", and Speedruns. I am unaware at the moment if there are plans to expand the campaign levels or if there will be a level editor. I think this is exactly the type of game that would benefit greatly from that sort of addition. At the very least the Campaign is very engaging both in respect to the story (yep, there is one) and execution. Some of these levels make you feel like the ultimate badass as you cut through swathes of "red dudes". It's a lot of fun, but the length is very disappointing.

I definitely recommend this game with a few caveats. If you are a fan of shooters and want something new and different to play, this is right up your alley. If you're more of a casual gamer, I totally suggest you play it too, but you may want to wait a little while and get it down the line when its a little cheaper and perhaps will have more content or user-made content available. That said, this game is a wonderful step in a new direction and I applaud the developers for the work they've done here and no matter what you pay, you are likely to find enjoyment out of it.

Very quickly, I recommend this game with a caveat, I cannot recommend buying at full price. If you get cheaply or in a bundle, its a fun, playable little romp.

A quick summarization of the plot of this game is simple, you're a mob hitman who has a job for your boss and the location is infested of the job is infested with zombies. Not much else to say! Its a fairly well crafted 2D sidescroller with some very nice art, passable voice acting, and music that fits the time period.

My playtime is a bit skewed. At the time of this review, I have 4.8 hours into the game, but that is double my actual playtime as I was about to finish the main game around the 2.5 hour mark, but an update broke my save so I had to start over again. It's length leaves a lot to be desired needless to say.

Pros:

+ It looks great. The artwork alone is enough reason to install this game.
+ Its fun. There's a decent variety of weapons throughout the game and blasting zombies stays fun. It has a lot of classic side scroller elements that bring back the old days with a modern coat of paint.
+ The level design is fairly varied.
+ There is traditional side scroller challenge to bosses that is reminscent of similar games from back in the day.

Cons:

- Extremely short. Almost insultingly so.
- Local co-op only in a game that is screaming for online multi. It's 2015, not 1994.
- Low replayability.

This game deserves to be lauded for the heart that went into it. I really loved the artwork in virtually every respect. I could nitpick some aspects, but I don't think that would be fair because it succeeds in making a light hearted 2D zombie game within an era that is represented very well by the work that went into it. However, as I stated in my opening, I do not feel this game is worth the regular price of admission. It just doesn't provide enough gameplay if someone is on a limited budget. A multiplayer mode and some more depth to the single player game would go a long way in justifying its price point a bit more.

Verdict: 6/10. Its good at what it is and worth playing, but its definitely something to wait to get on the cheap.

This is a very interesting and pretty little game with a simple premise. Samurai swordfights, 1 on 1, first hit wins. Its good at what it is, the problem with the game is that its very one dimensional. There is a bit of depth to technique as you get deeper into the game, but the game's lack of content hurts it from being something you will put a lot of time into.

Recommended on the cheap or if in a bundle.

I have no hesitation naming "Ori & The Blind Forest" an early contender for my personal game of the year. It's an excellent throwback to classic platforming gameplay mixed with AAA technology in the way of graphics, animation, and a startlingly fantastic soundtrack. All in all, I was simply blown away by my experience with this game and I can see myself playing it again over time like returning to a good book or film. The score will go down as a classic when all is said and done and reminded me of how I felt the first time I heard Uematsu's amazing Final Fantasy 7 score.

Without getting into the particulars of the story, it's a relatively timeless story of love with elements of nature and fantasy mixed in to provide the backbone. Ori is a very lovable avatar and the way the story is composed, Ori as a character will help entice you to keep playing.

According to Steam, I have put 14 hours into this game at the time of this review. This is virtually all devoted to the main game. I did take some time to explore to seek out upgrades and such, but for the most part this time is due to the awesome challenge provided by the game's tight platforming mechanics, intriguing puzzles, and all around great atmosphere. I highly suggest you play this game with a gamepad.

Pros:
+ Beautiful game technologically. Graphics, music, everything shines.
+ Very challenging in spots. It's not the hardest platformer you'll ever play by any stretch, but the challenges are fun and rather than cause rage, make you want to succeed pulling something off.
+ Charming story and characters. Even the "villain"!
+ A game for anyone to enjoy. Young and old. If you enjoy platformers, this is a must-play.

Cons:
- Replayability for some may be low. I think this is more of a YMMV scenario. I can see some finishing this game and moving on and never returning and I can see others wanting to master it, aim for speed-runs, and that sort of thing. It really depends on your appetite as a gamer for this genre of game.
- The end portion is not as challenging as I assumed it was going to be in the lead-up. I can't call it a let down, but I think there was a missed opportunity to extend the end game.

Needless to say, I loved this game from the word go. It starts seemingly slow with exposition and setting up the "journey" you're about to take, but once the game gets going, it goes. The challenge ramps up as you go on and you'll be thankful after a hard slog of trial and error and have something laid back before diving into the next challenge.

Fantastic game and worth it at full price, but even better if you get it on sale!

Rating: 9/10

Action Henk is a fun casual game that should appeal to gamers of all ages. The premise is simple. The game is a series of "race" tracks where you're racing against the clock or against other people in the multiplayer modes. If you've ever played a game from the Joe Danger series or to a lesser extent in terms of comparison, the Trials series, you'll have an idea of what Action Henk is all about. Another game I found it easy to compare is the Bit Trip Runner series. Basically every course is based on simple physics, speed and momentum. Your goal is to finish the track in the fastest time. There is a good deal of variety throughout the courses, with your buttslide and grappling hook coming into play at various times. You'll have to learn to time your jumps and nuances of particular courses to get the fastest time.

Pros:
+ Very fun graphically. This game doesnt take itself seriously.
+ Variety of tracks.
+ Friends leaderboard.
+ Steam Workshop support. Create your own tracks!
+ Wide range of courses that unlock after a certain amount of medals in the section prior.
+ "Ghosts" and replays to see where you messed up or how to tackle a tough obstacle.

Cons:
- The music is abysmal.

All in all, Action Henk is a good entry into this genre of game. It encourages competition, but at the same time keeps it light and fun. The track creator is fairly robust and hopefully Workshop support will encourage people to make new and even better tracks.

I recommend Action Henk if you are looking for a fun game with a competitive spirit.

This game is really hard to recommend as it stands.

To sum up this game simply, it's basically a Wipeout clone. For those unfamiliar, Wipeout is a game originally released for Playstation systems. It's a "futuristic" racer that excelled with strong AI and great mechanics. This game wants to be a spiritual succesor on the PC, but it doesn't quite get there.

That's not to say it's entirely awful. It looks very good. While the tracks lack oomph or big moments, they're fine and the art designers should be proud of the work they did on this game. There's one track that goes into an underwater tunnel and I liked the way the tube was designed. Things like sound effects and music, while not spectacular, do the job and do not take away from the experience. I also liked the weight that the vehicles seemed to feel. Turning was not cumbersome and for the most part bar one key gripe, "driving" was well done.

Where this game truly suffers is in races, which for a racer is obviously a really big problem. AI is bland and the lack of depth really hurts the game. I found myself bored quickly, and considering how high I hold the aforementioned Wipeout, this really sapped my interest in Quantum Rush. The lack of a multiplayer mode hurts replayability as single player races, despite varying modes (i.e. Death Match/Courier/Career etc) just don't feel fleshed out or interesting at all. Another aspect I found really tough to adjust to was I never felt the speed. The odometer reads over 800 km/h and it just doesn't seem like you're going that fast. There's a variety of different weapons you pickup over a course, but they lack any pizazz or help keep the race interesting. It would have also been nice to have an intro/tutorial immediately upon starting the game, but this gripe would've been overlooked if the final product itself was better.

All in all I cannot recommend Quantum Rush for a purchase. If you find it as a part of a bundle, I'd say to go ahead and give it a whirl, but the lack of depth really makes me doubt I'll bother with it ever again.