Recent reviews by DraconicNewt

I played the original as a child, turned to it when I had no one and kept playing when for a decade and then some. My inner child is finally at peace playing the game just as it looked and felt in the year 2025. Total rare Bethesda W.

A game that gets it right, a game that listens actively to their playerbase. A game where you fight robots and bugs and billion dollar companies for freedom, liberty, and democracy. A game that I will continue to love.

Seriously, the reason we all got mad is because we love this game and care about the players who could not continue to love this game. All in all, the community is this games biggest success. We took the fighting out of the game and into real life for our fellow helldivers, that alone is worth a positive review.

Democracy is nonnegotiable.

Need. More. Logs.

Trees.

Pain. Bliss.

I don't usually consider myself a horror game fan, as most games don't get me scared for my life through a screen. This game did, even though it did take a little bit. This game is every bit as much horror as it is terror and was incredibly fun to play. Get some friends and get ready to have hours of fun.

(Story) Spoilers Ahead:

I'm gonna start off with some criticism of the game, as even though it was very fun it is early access. First off the game has some interesting monsters chasing you, however they all are evaded the same way: Run. For the Clubfoot you run, for the Wickerman you run, for the Witch you run, for the crypt zombies you run, for the Pigman you run. It's just hoping you don't cross paths with a monster, and just run if you do. Now even though there are unique ways to deal with each, if you get caught you run.

Chapter 2:
I think it would be cooler if you could hide in the trees to escape Clubfoot/Witch I think the game would be much more fun overall since as of now chapter 2 is just running. I also would like to see the vines just appear randomly all over the map, instead of in set places which would make the entire map more dynamic.

Chapter 3:
Chapter 3 was a nice breather, but damn I got a lot of oxygen. The only real easy way to help this level would be to give less clues about the Wickerman as once you knew he would be driven away from fire or a house it made the thing so easy that he never even got the chance to chase us.

Chapter 4:
Then the Pigman in Chapter 4 followed a specific path and you would attempt to avoid it, some how lose it in the maze, or die. At the end it just got annoying because as soon as I heard the chains/music cue I would run and waste time just maneuvering. I personally believe that the pigman would be much more terrifying and less annoying if he would follow glowstick paths. It would be taking something that you rely on throughout the game and turning it against you with the most terrifying monster in the game.

Chapter 5:
I see a lot of complaints about this one, and rightfully so. This chapter was the underbelly of the entire game as it felt drawn out and long instead of creepy. By cutting out from wirecutting the lock to getting to the lumber mill the entire chapter could be better off. If the purpose was to show off the lore and the town that was abandoned, I feel like it would be better to show us some urgency much like the residents had. Maybe something like a huge storm the residents had was coming again and we were timed to complete it. But the chapter also suffered from more monsters instead of scary ones. Mosquites, leeches, and crocodiles seemed like filler. After a while, it felt like a whole new game in the bad way.

I doubt any of the chapters will change little if at all, and there probably are more nitpicks but after a first play through these are the most glaring.

But it's time for some praise:

Chapter 1:
AMAZING introduction to the game. It gives the right atmosphere and setting for the entire game and the drip fed notes and tapes gave it a constant intrigue. The sound design is masterful, and Smiley's appearance was the perfect introduction to monsters as you just had to stop, then the absolute terror you felt as you first looked into the runes of smiley's body while he listened for you will be something I will never forget. The first puzzle gives hope to the future puzzles and I was not let down. Overall 9/10

Chapter 2:
Beautiful follow up to Chapter 1, and despite the criticism listed above was still very fun. Mindless wandering made me feel secure until I hear the breathing or music pipe up bringing me back into the situation. The puzzles were fun and the combination of having to solve them before the Witch came through got my blood pumping. Overall 8.5/10

Chapter 3:
The first breather of the game, Chapter 3 was relaxing especially after the Witch, but seeing the Wickerman roam past shattered the wall. Thinking that there was another monster in the house made the entire map was unsafe and was a brilliant addition. But the sound design of the Wickerman. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. The first time I heard it was around a bonfire as he stalked past and I decided to "taunt" the AI. It was truly horrifying, whoever designed the screen shake and distorted scream deserves multiple awards. It made me feel as if the Wickerman actually grabbed my head, shook it, and put it's vocal cords into Mach 5 right in front of me. Overall 8/10

Chapter 4:
Keeping in mind that I am not usually scared, I played phasmophobia in VR and didn't feel anything, I watched many horror movies and didn't feel anything, I even went for a bike at the dead of night in forests inhabited by starving coyotes without feeling terrified. But seeing the Pigman and hearing his scream, then hearing him behind you while you desperately try to find a corner without a crypt zombie nearly gave my pants a free trip to the washing machine. It truly was the first time in any situation that I screamed out in fear within my adult life. The level was also very enjoyable as even though it was big, it made sense to me and we were never really stuck on any part of it. The art of this level and the puzzles make this a 9.9/10 instantly. Such a good level.

Chapter 5:
Finally, chapter 5 was full of criticism but it had some praise moments too. First after the terror that is Chapter 4, seeing regular crocodiles was satisfying and gave an awkward sense of security. It was cool having to time things and just around and reminded me a lot of the game Raft. The middle part was mostly fair, but the ending was cool. Maybe it was realizing we were almost done, or just good pacing but it got me excited. Overall 6.5/10

Final thoughts:
This game was fun, and I will be replaying it in the future. You can play alone if you want, but it is scores more fun with friends. I love almost everything about this game, and even though it's in early access, it is as polished, if not more polished than many AAA games coming out. I did not run into a single glitch or bug during my time playing this game, or if I did I did not notice it which is very very impressive. I recommend this game.

Can't wait to pour my life, body, mental stability (If I had one) and soul into this game. Too young to get halo 3 multiplayer in it's prime but I'm here experiencing this and ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 343 turned around. 10/10 would buy again.

If you wanna piss your pants and chase that feeling for fun until you learn how to play and still piss your pants occasionally.

This game. Wow, how can I describe it.
If you love the feeling of stagnant "air" blowing through your beard as you zipline across the cave then again as you fall to your death, this game is for you.
If you love destroying the beautiful timeless cave that's stood for millions of years just to save a few seconds of walking, this game is for you.
If you love blowing up your teammates under the pretext of killing a few enemies that may or may not exist, this game is for you.
If you love mining ammo with bullets out of an expensive machine gun that you lug around with ease, this game is for you.
If you love building friends to help you since you either don't have any or they're too lame to not buy this game then, this game is for you.
If you love getting drunk before operating millions of dollars in equipment and still completely crush the expectations by going so far above, just to finish and get even more drunk, this game is for you.
But most importantly, if you like games that have an amazing community, amazing art, cool concept, and even cooler developers who actually listen to their fan base, then this game is most definitely for you.
If you are a Leaf Lover, however, this game is not for you.