Recent reviews by PLAYER2

Aquanox: The Deep Descent – A Solid Concept, But Misses the Mark on Exploration

Aquanox: The Deep Descent has a fantastic concept. A submarine adventure set in a post-apocalyptic ocean world sounds amazing on paper. And, for the most part, it delivers some solid gameplay with fun combat and a unique underwater atmosphere. But unfortunately, the game feels a bit empty and repetitive in the end.

Gameplay & Combat:
The combat is engaging enough, but the enemies lack variety. Most of the time, you’re fighting the same few models, which can get old fast. The fauna and flora also feel pretty limited, with little diversity to keep things fresh as you explore the depths. Sure, there’s some cool scenery, but it’s hard not to feel like it’s just “the same zone” in a different color palette after a while.

Story:
The plot follows the stereotypical eco-apocalypse storyline, and while it has its moments, it doesn’t land as well as I hoped. It’s a bit bonkers, but the narrative kinda falls flat, especially towards the end. People complain about the ending, but honestly, the game really picks up steam around 75% completion—something that kept me going even when it felt like a grind.

Exploration & Environment:
Some zones are murky and dark, which makes sense given the setting, but these areas don't really stand out. They lack that “wow” factor. There are a few standout locations, but they feel underwhelming because there aren’t any cool hidden monsters or deep-sea creatures to discover, which would’ve made the exploration so much more exciting. If you’re after exploration, there’s definitely room for improvement here—more secret areas, hidden bosses, and even unexpected encounters would’ve made the world feel a lot more alive.

Exploration Vibes vs Reality:
In the beginning, the game gave me these incredible underwater horror vibes. I was genuinely scared of what lurked in the deep. But halfway through, it became clear that there was nothing to fear. There are no creatures that attack if you wander too far off the map, no jumpscares—just me, the ocean, and a bunch of other survivors in weathered submarines. I would’ve loved if the game kept up that tension and mystery. Maybe a sequel could introduce more factions, hidden lore, and some surprise events that keep you on edge.

Factions & NPCs:
As it stands, the game doesn’t really give you a reason to care about the NPCs and factions. I found myself not invested in the characters until literally two missions before the end. There’s potential for so much more, especially with faction dynamics. Imagine if the game added reputation systems, questlines, and branching narratives for each faction. Right now, you’re forced to recruit all factions by the end, which feels a bit unearned. A more organic approach to relationships and choices would’ve made the story more engaging.

The Mass Effect/Subnautica Comparison:
It feels a bit like Mass Effect meets Subnautica meets Outer Worlds, but with all the aspects that made those games iconic stripped away. The dialogue isn’t as interesting, the character development doesn’t have the same weight, and the exploration doesn’t quite hit the mark. There’s potential here, but it just doesn’t quite reach the level of those legendary titles.

Cult Classic Vibes:
Strangely, though, I get this "cult classic" vibe from the game. It reminds me of Waterworld (1995)—the same kind of oddball appeal where the world-building is unique, and you can’t help but love it for its weirdness. You’re traveling across the planet, hopping through what seem to be hyperspace gates—but underwater. The setting and lore are undeniably intriguing, and while the gameplay doesn’t quite hold up to the promise of the world, I still find myself drawn to its unique charm.

Recommendation:
I’d still recommend doing a full playthrough of the game. It’s an interesting experience, and the world and lore are surprisingly compelling, but once you’ve finished, there’s not much to go back to. Strangely, after completing it, I find myself wanting more of this type of genre—just not specifically Aquanox itself… unless they come out with a sequel that introduces more vessels, deeper customization, more diverse NPCs, and of course, a greater focus on exploration and hidden secrets. The world is intriguing, but it’s missing the things that would make it truly unforgettable.

Final Rating:
In the end, I’d give Aquanox: The Deep Descent a solid 6.5/10. The setting and lore can easily lead to romanticizing the game, bumping it up to an 8/10 in my mind, but when I step back and think about the actual content and experience, I realize it doesn’t quite live up to that idealized version. It’s a fun ride, but one that I’m unlikely to return to unless a sequel offers a lot more depth.

In two years, hardly anything has changed. I booted the game and started my new adventure hoping for the best only to find some couple hours in that guns still become invisible, characters still disappear and float around in a T-pose and a lot of time you find yourself waiting at a random encounter just so that everything has spawned. Then, you would have to be hopeful the event triggers at all. It is a fun experience until it isn't. The game has two settings: runs like an oiled factory machine or runs like a disabled toddler. The story is amazing and you have a lot of freedom/side stuff that can make you lose track of progress which reminds me of a cross between Red Dead Redemption and Mass Effect. It is a game that I would love to recommend if you can look past its flaws. And it has a lot of them... Sadly it undermines the succes of this unpolished gem and every now and then I have to take a break from this infuriating chaotic piece of art.

Pick it up when it is in sale.

UPDATED REVIEW – 125.7 Hours Played (Originally posted in 2022 with 33.4 hours)

Back in 2022, I left a review after spending 33 hours with Cyberpunk 2077. It was a chaotic mess. I called it an unpolished gem—amazing story, deep world, but completely undermined by technical failure.

Now it’s 2025. I’ve upgraded to a 9800X3D and RX 7900 XTX and have put in over 125 hours. The good news? Most of that chaos is gone.

No more vanishing weapons or floating NPCs. No more game-breaking bugs. Graphical hiccups like disappearing hands still happen occasionally, but they’re minor and easily fixed. The game runs very well now—but don’t be fooled: even with top-tier hardware, Cyberpunk still asks a lot from your setup. If you’re on AMD, disable ray tracing and you’ll get a smooth experience.

The experience is finally stable enough to enjoy fully—but Cyberpunk still struggles with repetitive design. If you’re aiming for 100% achievements, get ready to grind endless GCPD mini-events. Also, full completion requires purchasing DLCs, which is a pretty scummy move if you ask me.

The story, world-building, and atmosphere are still top-tier. But there are frustrating reminders of what could’ve been.

Let’s talk cut content:
You’ll find entire areas of the map that are clearly modeled and partially detailed, only for the game to teleport you back once you go too far. It kills the excitement for people like me who enjoy secret exploration—trying to reach that impossible rooftop or mysterious side alley, hoping to discover something hidden. Cyberpunk practically begs for DLC that repurposes this cut content. It’s there. Let us access it.

And then there’s the Blackwall—a concept so fascinating and underexplored that it screams for a full expansion. Imagine a high-end game zone where you're not just facing stronger enemies but entering a place that feels truly forbidden. Fallout does this brilliantly: expanding their games with whole new maps. That’s exactly what Cyberpunk needs. Let us go beyond. Give us eerie, isolated locations where the sense of "I shouldn’t be here" is real—but if you’re clever and persistent enough, the game rewards you for being that kind of player. That’s the kind of experience this world is built for, and right now it’s sorely missing.

Some scattered thoughts:

Photo mode is still incredible. Content creators will love it. In fact, it's GOLDEN.

Car customization is pretty barebones... Why can’t we tune our rides? Especially if you introduce racing?

Subway system? Neat idea, but I used it once and went back to fast travel. It's a cool feature with no real reason to exist.

Clothing stats are nearly irrelevant now. Cyberware and augmentations drive your build. Most outfits are just for looks, with only a few offering minor perks.

Conclusion:
Cyberpunk 2077 has finally become the game it should’ve been at launch. It’s smoother, more stable, and still packed with style and substance. But its biggest strength—its world—deserves more than just bug fixes and polish. It needs meaningful expansion. Let us explore beyond the borders. Build on what you already teased. Give us a reason to stay invested.

Pick it up on sale. And if they ever decide to double down on deep, lore-rich expansions? I’ll be first in line.

A super addictive old-school grainy strategy RPG.

The game is basically Heroes of Might and Magic except a bit more tactical.
When you start a new game you can choose from 3 classes and any of the 8 elements, giving you a lot of freedom of choice for such an old game. Once you have chosen you will appear on the main game map where you can see your town, and caves/place where you will find monsters to defeat, using the ability to summon creatures to aid you, hire more troops that can gain experience with you, research new spells, towns where you can direct townsfolk to work in certain areas to increase your income, this being: (Fame, Gold, Ale, Followers and Crystals). Other heroes will direct your armies as you grow them. From here on you set off to conquer everyone or save the realm.

The combat can be clunky and frustrating, so more than half of the time, you auto-calculate your battles.

The game itself has a dark yet fantasy themed grainy feel to it, reminding me of LoTR and shining in terms of 'classic'.

It is one of my all-time favourites. I still have the original disc. The voices, sound and music add a lot of atmosphere. Perfect for those cozy-fantasy eves while listening to your favourite podcast.

Also...

Please add achievements ! ! !

I can't believe you're actually reading this while you could be playing this awesome game!!! Just buy it and thank me later...