Recent reviews by Funk

Finally, a game that lets me defend the one thing I love more than my personal space: loud, face-melting rock!

To be fair, it's far from perfect:
- It's fairly simple
- The graphics aren’t the best (but a cool retro style anyway)
- Some gameplay flaws (try placing a tower next to the stage without accidentally unleashing your special)
- Replayability is low... except for the music!

BUT(T)!
It’s still a really cool game:
- The music rocks! (Though there aren’t enough tracks for a solid rotation)
- The concept is awesome: a tower defense game to save Rock music! :rockon:
- Your weapons are your amps going to 11, how cool is that ?!
- Perfect for quick gaming sessions
- Lots of achievements for all you achievement hunters
- Less than 1€ game (grab it during a sale!)

In the end, it’s a solid 6/10 for me. Would shred and defend again!

☑ Very deep lore
☑ Incredible storytelling
☑ Outstanding soundtrack
☑ Charismatic characters
☑ Intuitive gameplay (even if it starts feeling old nowadays)
☑ Improved graphics (but same as gameplay)
☑ Currently on 90% sale, omfg what are you waiting for???

19/20 Recommended!


Context: I’ve bought this trilogy 3 times already: PC (EA), PS, PC (Steam). Saw the 90% sale and thought it could be cool to buy this “new” version and do it all again. So, I did.

Even though it’s on sale now, it's important to note that the regular price can be quite steep. However, given the enhancements and the convenience of having all three games and their DLCs in one package, it's a worthy investment for both newcomers and long-time fans of the series imo.

To go into further details, here’s why I think everything in these games is top-level:


The most captivating aspect of the Mass Effect series is its rich and immersive lore. From the intricate history of the different alien races to the complex political landscape, every detail is meticulously crafted, making the universe feel alive and dynamic. If you’re a fan of sci-fi, the depth of the world-building will keep you engrossed for hours on end.


Mass Effect's narrative is one of its strongest points. The trilogy offers a compelling story arc that spans all three games, with decisions in the first game impacting the story in the latter ones. This interconnectivity creates a sense of continuity and consequence rarely seen in other games (granted, I haven’t played much lately). The plot twists, character arcs, and moral dilemmas ensure a memorable experience.


The music in Mass Effect is nothing short of phenomenal. Composers like Jack Wall and Sam Hulick have crafted a soundtrack that perfectly complements the epic scale of the game's narrative. From the hauntingly beautiful melodies to the adrenaline-pumping battle themes, the music enhances every moment of the game. My guilty pleasure is to stay on the galaxy map, watching the planets and listening to the background theme, imagining how many years it would take my spaceship to reach those distant worlds. This ambient music not only sets the mood but also deepens the sense of immersion, making the universe feel even more expansive and real.


One of the defining features of Mass Effect is its diverse cast of characters. Each character has a unique personality, backstory, and development arc. The relationships you build with your squadmates are pivotal to the story, and the emotional connections you form are genuinely impactful. Whether it’s the loyalty missions or the casual conversations aboard the Normandy, these interactions are deeply satisfying.


The gameplay mechanics, while slightly dated, still hold up well. The blend of third-person shooting with RPG elements creates an engaging and strategic combat system. The inclusion of different classes and abilities allows for varied playstyles, keeping the gameplay fresh. The only downside is that some mechanics, especially in the first game, might feel a bit clunky compared to modern standards, but you can use mods to counter these (minor) annoying aspects of the games. It's also worth mentioning that the game itself can feel a bit slow at times, compared to more recent games.


The remastered graphics in the Legendary Edition are a significant upgrade from the original releases. Environments are more detailed, character models are enhanced, and the overall visual fidelity is greatly improved. However, while the graphics are better, they still can't fully mask the fact that the games are over a decade old (even almost 2 decades for the first game).


Currently, the Mass Effect Legendary Edition is on a 90% sale, making it an absolute steal. For the amount of content and the quality of the experience, this is an offer that’s hard to pass up. That said, it's worth mentioning that even at full price, the trilogy provides countless hours of entertainment and replayability, making it a worthwhile investment for any fan of the genre.


If you’re a sci-fi fan, love deep storytelling, and enjoy character-driven narratives, the Mass Effect Legendary Edition is a must-play. Despite some dated gameplay mechanics (that can be countered with mods), the overall experience is unparalleled. The combination of improved graphics, engaging gameplay, fantastic soundtrack and a rich, immersive universe makes this trilogy a timeless classic. Grab it while it’s on sale, and embark on an unforgettable journey across the galaxy!

☑ Fun & motivating to help you practicing your instrument
☑ Some very nice features (Workshop, Piano support...)
☑ Educational value : lessons, both simple and (very) challenging songs
☑ Wide and diverse library (minus regional locks → VPN)
☑ Team (finally?) listening to our feedback
☐ Cheap
☐ Features complete

14.5/20 Recommended!


Rocksmith+ delivers a Guitar Hero-inspired gameplay, but with a unique twist: you rock out using a real instrument : guitar, bass or keyboard.

For context: I've been playing RS/RS2014 since 2013, RS+ since beta/launch (1000+ hours). I believe I have a good overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each version.

This review reflects my honest opinion about the game, so no RS+ bashing from me just because you can’t use CDLC or whatever. The game sure has its flaws, but also a lot to provide.


The most important thing to mention : it still is a fun rhythm game. Many things make RS+ feel more like a software than a game compared to OG or 2014, but the core essence remains: you ARE playing Guitar Hero on a real guitar, you learn to play songs for real!

If you're a musician already, you'll find plenty of enjoyable songs to play, regardless of their difficulty : there are lots of challenging songs ! However, another challenge is to find them in such a big library, a point we'll delve into later.


Note detection has been improved: sloppy playing, uncertain chords, missing vibratos or sustains are now punished, which is a good thing to improve your playing.

It’s now easier to connect your guitar with your own audio interface. But you can still use a Real Tone Cable of course – the simplest way to play. With both ways I’ve experienced minimal lag compared to RS/RS2014. They’ve also created an app (Rocksmith Tuner) designed to capture audio directly from your guitar or amp, but I haven’t tested it to provide any relevant feedback.

We could also note that, probably related to the minimalist interface, the loading times are very short, especially while looking at such a wide library, there is almost no lag when browsing the game.

The tones have been improved and they are crazy good, but we are missing a tone designer!

One of the greatest updates is the introduction of Piano: you can now connect any MIDI keyboard from 24 to 88 keys (and this is literally “plug and play”) and embark on a new musical journey within the same game! Currently, there are around 500 piano charts available, with new ones added regularly.

On the “other cool features” side we can praise the addition of the Pitch Shifter which is a tool designed to avoid retuning between songs. Although pretty cool, it does create a bit of lag which is quite annoying to deal with to be fair.

We could also mention the tab mode (replace the noteway with tabs), sheet music for piano, and the return of essential features like dynamic difficulty (adjusting song difficulty based on your skill level), improved riff repeater (practice a specific section up to 125% speed) or even the lessons, detailed and focused on different technical aspects for all 3 instruments.


In my opinion, the Workshop stands out as the best addition to the game.

Essentially, the Workshop mirrors the tool used by Ubisoft’s notetrackers to chart songs. Now, this tool is available to the community, allowing players to create their own charts for songs licensed by Ubisoft, and thus available in the game.

By extending this capability to the community, we now have access to a significantly broader selection of playable songs. Despite Ubisoft's notetrackers dedication, charting a song requires time, and it's simply not feasible for them to chart thousands of songs across multiple paths in this lifetime. The community can help with that.

For those interested in learning more about the Workshop and how to use it, check out my guide on the topic : https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3262161656


Since its debut, the game's library has undergone a remarkable overhaul. Initially, one of the main concerns revolved around the abundance of songs but a noticeable absence of renowned artists. Don’t get me wrong, I actually love discovering new bands thanks to the game, but playing some of my favorite bands’ songs definitely feels different.

The team has done a complete pivot in their strategy last year, securing deals with major distributors (Sony, Warner) allowing for some iconic artists to be added, including full albums from Green Day, Paramore, Dream Theater or Royal Blood. The past few months have seen an influx of highly popular hits from bands such as Oasis, Incubus, Coldplay, Bon Jovi, Disturbed, or Muse, among others. And we usually see HUGE drops of them. Whether or not you're a fan of these bands, their widespread fame and appeal are undeniable. Additionally, noteworthy covers of songs by artists like Van Halen, Megadeth (that just recently have been replaced by originals!), and Clapton have further enriched the catalog. We’ve even had more than 20 Metallica songs… not available in the US however. This leads to our first drawback.


Each song in the catalog is subject to restrictions due to a nightmare called “licensing”. This means that certain regions, like America, may miss out on drops from bands like Metallica when some EU countries might have access to only 4 Linkin Park songs. While you can "solve" this issue by using a VPN, it often feels like a lottery when new songs are added each week, leaving you to discover whether your ticket is a winning or losing one.

Also, songs can be deactivated at any time following a patch. While this remains relatively rare in the end, it sure is frustrating to lose access to a song, and it's even more disheartening when you've spent time charting it (yes, I have a few in this category!).


Arguably the most controversial change : the shift from a DLC model to a subscription one, which many people view as a significant drawback.

There has been much criticism about this change, and I get that. I was disappointed too at first, but I have to say there are some benefits to be fair. Having access to the full library led to cool song discoveries, and direct access to the new songs added without paying again is great.

However, the price has increased by 40% in March, and that sucks. It’s a significant raise. After questioning its worth, I considered it still valuable for my use, but whether it's worth the price for you too might be different of course, so don’t forget the free trial version to test it first.


Another significant downside is the lack of UI enhancements since launch. We urgently need a way to organize songs due to the excessively large catalog. Personal playlists are long overdue.

We also require efficient song discovery mechanisms like new additions, friend playlists, or a rating system for charts. This is currently a mess to find new material, the current system doesn’t work.

On a personal note, I also miss the leaderboard, session mode, career mode, non-stop play, some mini-games, or the possibility to have multiple account profiles to follow the individual progress in the family…


If you want to practice more consistently, improve your skills, and have fun doing it, Rocksmith+ is your backstage pass for that. Despite its flaws, the game offers many good things. Also worth mentioning, the team has heard our feedback (mainly through Discord it seems) and has given RS+ a new direction accordingly over the last year.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Riffs. ♫

J'ai joué moins d'une heure, juste le temps de personnaliser la teube de mon perso qui a magnifiquement laché un petit "enculé de ta race !" comme premières paroles, je sais déjà que ce jeu va me plaire. Je recommande !

Indémodable

Il était tard, j'avais pas le temps de lancer une nouvelle partie de Dota 2, ça pouvait durer une bonne heure, du coup je me suis dit que j'allais plutot lancer un petit jeu récupéré dans un bundle il y a quelques mois ...

... 4h30 plus tard donc, je peux vous conseiller ce jeu. Les yeux fermés. Mais pas pour longtemps, le réveil sonne dans 2h.

Des persos complètement barrés, des blagues à chaque mission, du loot dans tous les coins, des flingues et des boobz ... non mais vous attendez quoi ?!

Quoi ? Tout le monde l'a déja ? J'étais le dernier à pas l'avoir ? Bon je le recommande quand même à tout hasard si un autre type vivait comme moi dans un bunker quelque part en Ouzbekistan et était malencontreusement passé à coté de ce must have. Parce que bon, faut pas déconner quoi. Dorénavant je parle plus aux gars qui n'y ont pas joué, c'trop des bouffons t'as vu !