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Story

In the sprawling expanse of Auroa, where the waves of the Pacific Ocean caress its shores, lies a tale as old as the gaming industry itself. Meet Lieutenant Colonel Anthony "Nomad" Perryman, the epitome of rugged charm and unyielding resolve, thrust into the heart of a technological tempest. As he grapples with the enigmatic mysteries of Skell Technology, a military contractor with more secrets than a magician's hat, players are beckoned into a whirlwind of gunfire, explosions, and adrenaline-pumping action.

But let's be real here. If you're diving into this virtual escapade solely for the narrative, you might want to check your compass for a reality check. Sure, there's a story lurking in the shadows, masquerading as a reason to pump rounds into baddies. But those who seek profound storytelling in the midst of grenade blasts and tactical takedowns might find themselves paddling against the current of disappointment.

So, if you're strapping on your virtual boots and loading your digital arsenal, do it for the thrill of the chase, the blast of the firefights, and the sheer joy of blowing stuff up. Because in the end, it's not about the story - it's about the adventure. And if that's not your cup of virtual tea, well, perhaps you're better off with other games.

Gameplay

Ah, Ubisoft, the master craftsmen of filling pretty worlds with more collectibles than a magpie's nest. But fear not, for amidst the sea of weapons, enemy bases, and, well, even more enemies, boredom struggles to find a foothold. Yes, we traverse from point A to point B more times than a GPS with a glitch. Yes, Ubisoft's signature blend of enemy eradication and item hoarding dances across our screens like a well-rehearsed routine. But hey, who's complaining? Certainly not me ...

One moment, we're gallantly defending defenseless civilians; the next, we're whisking enemy officers away like some twisted game of hide and seek. And let's not forget the simple pleasure of wanton destruction. Because let's face it, there's nothing quite as satisfying as watching a meticulously planned explosion send shockwaves through the enemy ranks.

When it comes to tackling the opposition, we have choices. We can opt for the lone wolf approach, tiptoeing through the shadows with the grace of a cat burglar on a moonlit night. Or, for those who prefer a more sociable experience, there's the option to team up with up to three NPC companions. Sure, they might not be the sharpest tools in the shed at first, but with time and a bit of nurturing, they evolve into veritable killing machines. Perfect for a spot of vehicular mayhem while we sit back, light a metaphorical cigarette, and enjoy the show. After all, there's yet to be a fortress impervious to our brand of chaos done exactly like that.

Graphics

Step into the world of Breakpoint, where visuals aren't just pretty - they're downright dashing. With hardware muscle flexing 4K resolution, a blistering 144 frames per second, and the vibrant hues of HDR, this game is a certified head-turner. From serene valleys to rugged cliffs, from crystalline waters to sun-kissed beaches, Breakpoint serves up postcard-perfect vistas like it's going out of style. And don't even get me started on the action - it's like watching a blockbuster movie in real-time, minus the popcorn-induced guilt.

But here's the kicker: amidst all this eye candy, Breakpoint never breaks a sweat. The frame rate stays steady. It's stable, it's smooth, and it's as satisfying as a perfectly timed headshot.

Now, let's talk interiors. Every nook and cranny is meticulously adorned with everyday items, as if Marie Kondo herself swung by for a consultation. The environments? They ... make sense. And the architecture? Well, let's just say even the mortuary and funeral hall have a certain je ne sais quoi about them. It's the kind of attention to detail that makes you want to stop and admire the level design.

Story

Verily, within that game , the narrative remains mostly untold; instead, I shall proffer an alternative vista. Envision yourself as a stalwart but ruthless merchant of human labor, coercing your own progeny into toil upon the fields, where those deemed feeble under the harsh dominion of their overseers meet a dire fate, transmuted into the most delectable of repasts known as Soylent Green. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the fervent devotion of a religious sect venerating beasts, embracing a strict herbivorous regimen. Or become a celestial wanderer, a cosmic renegade traversing the cosmos, plundering and pilfering from settlement to settlement, heralding the creed enshrined deep within the soul of your nomadic tribe.

The crafting of lore grants boundless liberty, enabling one to manifest their truest and most authentic essence. Pursue any aspiration at will, whenever the impetus to embark upon such endeavors arises, guided solely by you volition and discernment.

Gameplay

Complexity emerges as a daunting force, akin to a formidable beast lurking in the shadows, poised to sever our heads from our very necks, stealthily and without warning. Yet, should we elect to fortify ourselves against such impending perils, we find solace in the company of predetermined narrators who guide us. Disaster and calamity, inevitable deaths, loom on the horizon, necessitating the construction of a sturdy foundation for survival and sustainability within this unforgiving milieu. The absence of such fortifications spells certain doom.

Alternatively, one may opt for the path of opportunistic exploitation, seizing resources without contribution to the communal fabric. The quandary persists: shall we extend our compassion to enhance the faculties of the less fortunate with cutting-edge prosthetics, or indulge our proteges in leisurely pursuits such as digital entertainment and culinary indulgence? A robust defense mechanism must be in place to safeguard our dominion against encroachments by uncivilized nomadic tribes.

Graphics

Indubitably, Rimworld may not claim the mantle of visual splendor among its gaming brethren. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, its graphical presentation might be characterized as utilitarian, lacking in aesthetic allure. Nonetheless, the game's profound depth and intricate complexity overshadow any deficiency in visual appeal. Indeed, the substance of its gameplay far surpasses the mere veneer of graphical fidelity or the inclusion of cutting-edge features like ray tracing effects. With time, one inevitably acclimates to the game's modest visual design, gradually transcending initial reservations to revel in its immersive intricacies, unimpeded by superficial concerns.

Story

The tale orbits around Aiden Caldwell, a soul marred by the torments of his youth, where he and his sister, Mia, were ensnared in the sinister machinations of shadowy figures, subjected to the whims of experimentation. Now, as the sands of time trickle through the hourglass, we are summoned back to the stage to unravel the enigma of the vanished sister and to enact retribution upon the puppet master orchestrating this chaos. It's essentially a vendetta narrative, akin to a dish devoid of flavor, for the scant fragments of recollection where you coalesce with your sister fail to forge a profound emotional tether. In simpler terms: you're just not invested in her fate. Ironically, the myriad of ancillary narratives interwoven within side quests pulsate with more sincerity and thrill. Personally, I never felt compelled to leave no stone unturned or to hasten my pursuit. (Greetings from Fallout 4.)

Yet, one must concede, there's a palpable increase in human interaction this time around. Although such interactions often boil down to two options: engage in conversation or engage in decapitation.

Gameplay

Dying Light - where parkour meets savage skirmishes. The parkour mechanics exude a sublime allure, permitting audacious feats and graceful traversal through the labyrinthine alleys and, more notably, atop the city's rooftops. Close combat, particularly against human adversaries, has undergone significant enhancements, retaining its enjoyment albeit occasionally succumbing to physics-induced absurdity, devoid of mirth. Wounds and gore now manifest with the visceral realism long overdue since the game's inception.

A novel inclusion is the imperative of safeguarding one's immunity. Enclosed spaces or the nocturnal abyss trigger an inexorable countdown until one succumbs to the zombified state, a fate abhorred by all. Countermeasures include fungi, inhalers, and strategic pathfinding.

The latest update now affords the luxury of scavenging weapons from fallen foes, predominantly mundane implements like machetes and baseball bats, yet a welcome addition nonetheless. Additionally, Aiden has discovered the art of weapon hurling, likely aiming for the visage of those capable of experiencing pain. Huzzah!

Graphics

The game boasts visually striking vistas, particularly when paired with potent hardware, rendering breathtaking panoramas.

Through the latest update, numerous interiors and set pieces have undergone meticulous revision, resulting in a more organic and diverse milieu. The graphics, especially in 4K resolution, approach a near-photorealistic quality, even sans Reshade enhancements.

Story

Ah, the ever-quotable John D. Carmack, a man whose opinions are as bold as his coding prowess. When queried about the narrative intricacies of video games, he famously retorted with an eloquent ... uhm... no. On secont thought, let's not dwell on the past; we've all taken that scenic route down memory lane and all know what he said.

The celestial expanse of Starbound, one finds oneself traversing a narrative landscape akin to a fleeting whisper in the cosmic wind. Indeed, to suggest that the story in Starbound holds any significant gravitational pull would be akin to claiming that one can discern the intricate brushstrokes of a Renaissance masterpiece while hurtling through the void at warp speed.

For those intrepid souls who've spent more time than deemed healthy amidst the pixels of this universe, it's abundantly clear: the allure lies not within the scripted prose, but within the boundless canvas of possibility that unfurls before them.

Picture it: a lone voyager marooned upon a sun-scorched wasteland, the sands whispering tales of forgotten civilizations in the wind. Or perhaps, delve into the depths of an aquatic abyss, constructing vast citadels amidst the acidic embrace of alien oceans. Dare to dream of carving out a sanctuary amidst the icy embrace of a world locked in perpetual frost.

In this realm of infinite potentiality, the narrative is not woven by the quill of some unseen scribe, but by the deft hand of the player themselves. Each decision, each creation, serves as a stroke upon the canvas of existence. It's an open-universe sandbox in the truest sense of the term, where the only limit is the vast expanse of one's own imagination.

Gameplay

Ah, behold the ever-turning wheel of gameplay in Starbound, where the cycle of resource gathering, crafting, and monster slaying spins its merry dance from inception to denouement. Yet, fear not, for within this seemingly unbroken circle lies the beating heart of enjoyment, buoyed by the boundless expanse of procedurally generated worlds that lay sprawled before the intrepid explorer like an infinite sea of possibility.

Armed with the versatile Matter Manipulator, we embark upon our humble beginnings, harvesting the rudimentary building blocks of existence - wood and stone - before delving deeper into the earth's embrace in pursuit of more precious treasures. With each swing of the pickaxe and each deftly placed bomb, we carve our path through the crust of alien worlds, ever seeking to unveil their hidden secrets.

Whether we erect modest abodes upon foreign soil or fashion our own celestial sanctuaries amidst the void, the choice is ours to mold and shape as we see fit. With each upgrade to our humble spacecraft, we soar ever higher into the star-strewn heavens, our ambitions unfettered by the constraints of gravity.

Yet, amidst the vastness of the cosmos, there exists a sense of purpose - a call to adventure that beckons us forth. Whether bestowed upon us by the hand of fate or whispered in hushed tones by passing strangers, the missions that punctuate our odyssey promise riches untold and glory unbound. Alas, though some may decry their simplicity, we heed the call nonetheless, for in the pursuit of our destiny, even the humblest task becomes a grand adventure.

We use the humblest of technological marvels to the awe-inspiring might of our own mechanized exosuits, the arsenal at our disposal knows no bounds. With a nod to Metroid Prime, we roll through corridors like a certain intergalactic bounty hunter, planting bombs with reckless abandon and carving a swath of destruction in our wake.

Graphics

In the splendid realm of Starbound, one is immediately captivated by its enchanting 2D pixel graphics, meticulously crafted to showcase an expansive array of assets, from whimsical monsters to awe-inspiring weapons and equipment. It's a visual symphony, a cornucopia of creativity that beckons the player to dive headfirst into its pixelated depths.

Yet, alas, even amidst such visual splendor, there lurks a subtle shadow of discontent, a whisper of dissatisfaction that taints the otherwise vibrant canvas of exploration. This, my dear adventurer, is the curse of procedural generation, a double-edged sword that both tantalizes and torments.

For you see, while the procedurally generated worlds of Starbound promise untold riches and boundless adventure, they also strip away the very essence of progression, leaving one adrift in a sea of repetitive mundanity. It's a paradoxical conundrum, where the thrill of discovery is tempered by the nagging realization that each new horizon may yield naught but more of the same.

Indeed, as one sets out to explore the vast reaches of the cosmos, the initial rush of excitement soon gives way to a sense of ennui, as one planet begins to blur into the next. Oh, the planets may wear different facades, dressed in varied hues and adorned with unique flora and fauna, but at their core, they are but variations on a theme - a theme as old as time itself: dirt.

Beneath the veneer of novelty lies the immutable truth: whether crimson-hued or sapphire-streaked, each planet is, at its essence, "just" dirt. A sobering realization.

Story

The less you know about the story before you start the game, the better. Believe me. It's perfectly normal and, above all, intentional that both you and your character Jesse will have more questions than answers at the beginning. Much will be explained in later conversations, internal memos, newsletters, printed mails and posters distributed everywhere. Some isn't. And that's where that pleasant tingling sensation you got the last time you read a random article from the SCP Foundation kicks in. Fascinating. Sometimes uncanny. Often downright bizarre. Still, it all comes together seamlessly to create a dense and immersive story that downright bleeds atmosphere. What's the deal with the Oldest House? What are Objects of Power? And what the hell is wrong with Ahti, the janitor?

Gameplay

Metroidvania meets omnipotence fantasies à la Prototype meets Dark Souls. Are you still with me? No? Okay, I'll try to explain.

Initially relatively weakly armed, as the game progresses you'll gain different firing modes for the only weapon the game gives you: the Service Weapon. This one changes so that you can either handle it like a pistol, or defend yourself with a powerful burst of fire from a shotgun. Of course, sniper mode and machine gun cadence can't be missing either.

You'll gradually gain various abilities, ranging from a neat telekinetic jolt to the ability to hover/fly. You can snatch debris from the environment to build a protective wall around you, or forgo all the finesse and simply greet onrushing enemies with a desk.

Made of metal.
Right in the face.

Because telekinesis is probably one of the coolest ways to kill one of the many different enemies. Unfortunately, the enemy design wears out very quickly and you'll encounter the same obsessive guards, kamikaze "things", and fully armored special ops squads over and over again. Some with extra armor, some without.

And as soon as you clear an area and leave, they'll all be back when you eventually return. Or they just spawn at your whim in an area that you just want to get through "quickly". Sometimes annoying, but mostly pretty cool, because the destruction of the environment makes games like Battlefield or Red Faction look old.

Here, marble pillars explode, wood splinters, dozens of items from a formerly neat office interior lie carelessly scattered on the floor, and you can be sure that everything is deadly as soon as you throw it at someone's face at increased speed. Even a coffee cup. Especially coffee cups.

Graphics

Graphically, the game is on a consistently high level and the ray tracing effects are very fancy, but never overdone. Even in a gigantic firefight over several floors, where something explodes every second, half of the office furniture is thrown around and the nice ambience looks so run down due to bullet impacts, massive violence and torn out walls and plaster - it's a real pleasure to watch this effects firework of violence and raw energy.

An appropriate computer with potent hardware is a prerequisite, of course.

The only downer are some textures on pictures and planes, which load noticeably delayed and are an indefinable mass of blurry texture-mess. But this hardly matters when you are busy using the painting as a misappropriated projectile.

Story

To make a long story short: there is none. At least not in the classic sense, as you know it from other role-playing games. Because the story unfolds dynamically during the actual game. There are countless interactions between the individual members of the group; sometimes two companions fall in love, rivalries develop and sometimes a beloved member leaves the group.

It's amazing how consistent all the decisions and story segments are throughout the game. Serious injuries leave visible scars, characters remember you, and even years later, bonds of friendship still exist between former adventurers.

Even after hours of playing, you'll always discover something new and it doesn't get boring that quickly.

Gameplay

You know XCOM? Then you know Wildermyth. Each character has a limited number of action points that can be used for movement, attacks or special attacks. Of course, abilities like riposte and hunkering down can't be missing. The mechanics of defense are interesting. As soon as heroes stand together, they support each other and thus withstand more damage or boost each other. All in all: traditional turn-based gameplay.

You know what you're getting. And if you're reasonably clever, you can also create hilarious chain reactions, such as two warriors standing in a narrow corridor in an automatic defensive position and a mage pulling the enemies one by one into range. Of course, through the previously laid traps. It's fun to see when a plan works.

In addition to the turn-based battles, you're largely on a randomly created world map that needs to be explored. There you can hire new adventurers, defend already cleared areas, buy weapons and equipment, and farm resources. Here the game plays more like Bannerlord. Which is not a bad thing.

Graphics

If you remember the long evenings with friends when you first laboriously built up a game board with countless little pieces in hours of painstaking work - then I feel sorry for you. Because that doesn't have to be the case anymore: here you get a beautiful, pen & paper trimmed look, which even shows details like amulets and belts correctly on your character. Of course, weapons and armor are also visible and the characters themselves are very diverse with a variety of hair and faces and can even be customized.