Recent reviews by Hawxye

A gorgeous little gem of a game. You only need to take one look at it to know you are in for a treat when it comes to the visuals. Channelling the timeless techniques of stop-motion animation alongside inspirations such as ‘Tim Burton’ & ‘Mad God’, The Midnight Walk looks stunning from start to finish. I can’t imagine the time and effort that went into sculpting and moulding the world and characters, presumably by hand, and then moving all of that into digital 3D space. This style also lends itself to the tone and art direction of the game beautifully, with a more hand-made look and jittery animation style, the horror aspects of this game are escalated significantly. Overall, a visual delight from start to finish with sets and characters that make your jaw hit the floor.
I also want to praise the sound design, voice acting and music here. Across the board, it’s top-notch. I’ll be listening to the soundtrack on this one for some time to come, and I sincerely hope the voice actors here find further work on many other projects cause they were mesmerising. At no point did I want to skip any of the story, and I think the voice acting went a long way in service of that.
Speaking of, the story is also a real highlight. Each of the more contained stories along ‘The Midnight Walk’ are in service of the larger narrative as you make your way down the road, and I found myself invested in each one. No spoilers here, of course, but the overall story is one worth embarking on, and it sticks the landing brilliantly.
Finally, the gameplay. It’s fair to say it’s simple, as an atmospheric, horror-based, walking simulator, with puzzles and tense chase scenes throughout. Won’t be anything to write home about here, but it’s not a sticking point for me as it moves at a good pace and keeps you on your toes without getting bogged down at any point.
My only gripe with the game is perhaps the price point, which is a little steep for what you get here. Can’t help but think if even £10 was knocked off the price, there would be a lot more chatter around it and perhaps more coverage. I don’t begrudge what I paid, as I’ve had an experience I’ll never forget, and the work MoonHood has put in here is worth the price of admission for someone such as myself.
After rolling credits, I can say this game is not something I’ll forget anytime soon, and I highly recommend anyone picking it up if they like what they see! Perhaps wait for a sale though to knock a little bit off that asking price. You never know, maybe we’ll see each other on our journeys down ‘The Midnight Walk’.

Taking the unusual route at the start here to simply say, you should play this game.
I get the sense Nine Sols is already partially regulated into the gaming category of ‘Hidden Gem’. This isn't a bad thing of course, but for a new release, I wish it got more attention because it certainly deserves it.
It doesn't take long to see where inspirations lie for ‘Nine Sols’; a parry-based combat system, an expansive map to explore, brilliant boss design, you know who you are. However, the culmination of all this with the developer's own unique theme, one that they have affectionately dubbed Taopunk, causes the style and charm of the game to burst from the screen a
t every turn. Great character designs, gorgeous environments and flowing animations.
Those same animations are a crucial component of the gameplay and combat, where the focus is on tight platforming and parrying. The basic combat loop is very satisfying, with parrying itself building up ‘Qi Charges’, which in turn allow you to plant a ‘Talisman’ on the enemy and detonate it for big damage. This simple loop has a nice level of risk and reward that demands you learn the enemy move patterns in order to dispose of them efficiently. On top of that, this game is still a Metroidvania, so upgrades found or selected through the skill tree all feed nicely not only into exploration but combat as well, unlocking new ways to damage enemies, parry blows and dodge attacks while also assisting in moving throughout the world fluidly.
At the centre of this world is a genuinely compelling narrative, with a protagonist who's own drive for revenge pulls you in, given that from the outset ‘Yi’ clearly knows more than you do, and you want to unravel that mystery and learn more about both his history and how he found himself in the current situation. The side characters are no slouches either, each giving a little insight into themselves piece by piece through charming dialogue with ‘Yi’ and slowly cracking his hardened shell.
The final flourishing factor in all this is the bosses. Fast-paced, challenging, unique and narratively relevant, they rarely put a foot wrong throughout the entire game. I won't spoil them here but some real highlights include an utterly terrifying and twisted version of ‘Mantis Lords’ from ‘Hollow Knight’ and a final boss that now lives rent-free in my head as one of my favourites of all time!
Other than what I would say is a slightly slow start and the occasional spike in difficulty, there is truly very little to criticise here. Red Candle Games have hit gold here with ‘Nine Sols’, and for those waiting patiently on the next Metroidvania, this is one to sink your teeth into and I guarantee you’ll love what’s being served.

Who would have thought one of gaming greatest companions would end up being a weary old station wagon. Protecting you against all the elements, while simultaneously opening all doors everytime you put the car in park.
Though after playing for a short while, it's no surprise. With it acting as your mobile base throughout, you're constantly made to interact with your precious motor, keeping the fuel and battery topped up and maintaining all parts as you make your way across the warped landscapes of the Olympic Exclusion Zone. Doesn't hurt that it feels great to drive, with a small dose of unruliness to emulate the engine you're behind. This isn't a sports car or 4x4 your're driving after all, but very much a vehicle out of it's element. This all culminates in a panicked drive back to home base; an equally run down garage and sole point of stability, to spend your hard won resources on parts and repairs, only to set right back out again.
This loop is, though simple, surprisingly addicting while being partnered with a compelling story, a wealth of upgrades for both car and garage, and another highlight, the anomalies. Various hazards in the world formed in the wake of the disaster zone, all designed to twist and turn the players experience. I won’t spoil them here, as they are as much your enemies as they are discoveries, but they add a brilliant sense of dread across the driving experience.
However, I don't think this road trip is for everyone. At the end of the day, your main focus is collecting resources above all else; which inevitably gets familiar quite fast, and although the story, anomalies and the scenery do work to keep things fresh, this won’t hold the attention of some.
On top of this, some of the later vehicle upgrades can feel either awkward or underwhelming. I say this as a lot of the mid tier parts do the job perfectly well, so why would I spend some of my rarest resources on new tires that are functionally identical to my old ones, harder to maintain and drain the battery on inclines (a solution to a problem I never felt existed). Especially when obtaining a new off-road tire is dirt cheap. I’d have liked to have seen some upgrades here that really felt like they were worth the cost. I’m fine with a bit of give and take, but when they take this much it’s a struggle to justify it.
Survival games sit in an odd spot for me. Endless gathering and exploring only to come home to find your house destroyed by a troll isn’t really fun for me. However those with a unique element or story I find far more compelling. The likes of Subnautica or Grounded. Despite the aforementioned grievances, I’d count Pacific Drive as one of the few that had me coming back. The well written and voice acted characters backed by an intriguing mystery kept me pushing forward in my beloved little wagon, keen to see what was round the next corner of the exclusion zone.

Truly a masterclass in level and puzzle design.
Moment to moment gameplay is engaging, with well layered and mind-bending puzzles, though I never felt out of my depth. The way they introduce the player to new mechanics is always very clear and beautifully done, so I always knew had the tools to hand, I just had to work out how to utilise them. The puzzles towards then end are a particular highlight, but I won't spoil them here.
Also want to pay compliments to the visuals, which are sharp and clean with some gorgeous animations woven throughout. This all makes for some intriguing world based story-telling, raising questions about what exactly we are working towards here, and why a wee bug is carrying worlds on his back. No spoilers here.
My only criticism is the price is perhaps a little steep for a game that lasts between 3-5 hours, but what is here is of the highest quality so it's personal preference.
Genuinely incredible game, and the definition of an indie gem.

The first Remnant game was somewhat forgettable. Did I finish it, yes. Do I remember much from it, not really. The shooting was decent and it played particularly well as a co-op shooter, but not much else.
Glad to say the sequel is a solid step up in nearly every aspect.
The core gameplay loop has been tightened up, with the shooting feeling great and a wide variety of guns and powers to choose from. This is supported with a new class system called Archetypes, with each one allowing a different style of play. Some focus more towards DPS and gunplay, others towards Tank and melee. There are some which are more geared towards co-op as well such as Medic or Alchemist, buffing and healing teamates. On the face of it, this is nothing new, but after some time with the game, you are given the option to equip a secondary class, which combined with amulets, rings and extensive weapon choice, build variety quickly expands.
The backdrop to all of this are procedurally generated worlds which has been improved considerably. After finishing the game twice, once solo and another in co-op, there is a great deal to offer here with worlds providing multiple layouts and outcomes. One zone had me fight through rundown victorian streets to solve the mystery behind a fae nightmare, while another trip through the same zone put me in a grand citadel and had me side with one of twin kings, asking me to kill the other. This is not suggesting there is unlimited content here, after 30-40 hours you’ll start to bump up against the same content while replaying worlds. Gunfire Games have used procedural generation slightly differently here, relying on it to lay out worlds and dungeon locations, rather than randomize everything, and it works very effectively. To top it off, the exploration and secrets hidden within these realms is fantastic, and one of my favorite parts of the game. It’s ridiculous how much has been tucked away in small corners of maps, or locked behind mysterious doors. Weapons, Armour, Gear and even secret Classes have had real thought put into their discovery.
Can’t talk about a souls-like without discussing bosses, and Remnant 2 puts on a strong showing. I won’t spoil them here, but world bosses are consistently impressive, and the final few are especially brilliant. There are some forgettable ones thrown in there, amped up versions of basic enemies, but even they are enjoyable in there own way with modifiers.
The only downside to Remnant 2 for myself is the story. Characters are forgettable, the plot is thin at best and as a whole it serves as little more than a vessel to get you to the next zone. While this is a shame, it’s hardly the main draw of the game and I’m glad they focused on what they knew would make the game standout. Strong gameplay, interesting worlds to explore, secrets to discover and a character to level up.

My past experience with Resident Evil is limited to say the least, having only played the original RE4 and RE5, and in all honesty the remake wasn't on my radar. However, the glowing praise it was getting got to me and I had to pick it up.
I'll say now, that praise is 100% deserved. Top to bottom, this game is incredible.
Visually, this is some of Capcoms finest work in the graphics department, showing what the RE Engine is capable of. There are some tonal changes through lighting here as well, making several areas darker and more moody, which helps to elevate the experience even further.
The combat here is near perfect. Every gun feels great to use. Leons range of movement is expanded and controls brilliantly, while also keeping the classic melee moves from the original. The improvements to animation and gore are also incredible, with shotgun blasts that remove limps and magnum rounds that explode heads. However, the greatest addition here is that of a breakable knife. While it may now have a health bar, you now have the ability to parry attacks, execute downed enemies, silently takedown unaware enemies and break out of grapples with it. On top of this, the fact that it's breakable only serves to raise the tension further, constantly forcing you to think on your feet. Plus, it thankfully addresses what I hated about the original game, swiping at a downed enemy to save ammo. An example of a destructible weapon done right.
From a story standpoint, there is a nice bit expanded on here, finding out more about the background of some secondary characters, and fleshing out the past of Leon further. A large part of the charm from the original game is still here, classic one-liners and all, but some has been cut in their desire to strike a more serious tone in the remake. This is not something that bothered me at all, but can see some more hardcore Resident Evil fans missing these highlights.
Also, from what I understand there is some cut content here from the original, missing one boss in particular, but in all honesty I never noticed until after having completed it and even then I had to look it up. Again though, I could see this as something only being missed by more hardcore fans, but hopefully we will see this return in potential future DLC.
In short, this was the best kind of experience for me. My expectations were high following reviews, and it still blew right past them.

In short, I ended up enjoying this way more than I anticipated.
The Dark Souls DNA is clearly here in the usual ways, but the targeting system allowing for precise dismemberment of limbs adds it's own flavour to the whole experience. Tactically removing an arm to get a weapon, or going for the head because you want your enemies helmet never gets old. All of this is shown off in great detail through the huge variety of finishers you get across all the weapon categories.
This same system ties into progression, meaning you are suitably rewarded with weapons, armour and upgrade parts for engaging with it. Need to upgrade your leg armour? Go out and aim low. See an enemy with a shiny new spear you want for yourself? Remove his arm and it's yours.
There are a few areas I've not covered here like drones, implants and the parry system, but all function really well and serve to extend the combat while also increasing build diversity.
A huge amount of work has also gone into the environment design and layout here. There is a great deal of variety, all of which is dense and packed with detail. Generally each area has 1 or 2 medbays (bonfires) and the layout of the maps is such that you'll constantly be finding new shortcuts and sneaky paths back to the same medbay, which is a masterful stroke that is not easy to pull off. However this does mean that some areas can feel a bit confusing and winding, and leave you unsure what path is the fastest way to get from A to B.
The enemy variety is also lacking here. For a world focused on machines, nanites and technology, there are an awful lot of human enemies here. Is a shame as well, as when enemies got more creative and removal of a limb wasn't enough, it made the combat more interesting. On top of this, most of the bosses are not particularly noteworthy, with more than a few repeated throughout. And the Final boss, cool design but a crap fight. Possibly one of the worst final bosses in a souls-like I've ever seen.
Despite this, and a few bumps here and there, The Surge 2 is a brilliant souls game, and one I'd like to see them expand out further in the future.

If Nioh was Team Ninjas Darks Souls, Wo Long is their Sekiro, and as a fast paced souls-like Wo Long delivers. Combat is tight and engaging with a focus on deflecting attacks rather than blocking or evading, which makes the moment to moment gameplay very addictive, all of which presented with some lovely fluid animations. This, combined with a wide array of weapons, spells and martial arts, you'll be spoilt for choice on what to equip.
The story is nothing noteworthy, but as someone who played the old Dynasty Warriors games, it was great to see old favourites of these larger than life characters again like Lu Bu and Guan Yu.
Speaking of, the bosses in this game are quite the spectacle. Managing to land the deflections on their critical attacks and watching a part of them shatter never gets old. However, I feel the challenge overall fell off the further I got into the game, as most bosses went down on my first or second try, with only a few standouts that forced me to learn their patterns and practice their moveset. Which is a shame as when this does happen the game is firing on all cylinders and the fights descend into an incredible flurry of blows.
I do think this issue with difficulty partially stems from a lack of variation, with there being relatively few regular enemies. The result of this is that by the halfway point in the game you've seen most enemies and know their pattern so they pose very little threat and nothing surprises you. This same lack of variation also extends to the fatal strikes you can land (which are satisfying). Regardless of weapon or enemy you are against, the animations are basically all the same. Considering how much work was put into the animation of the characters martial attacks and bosses, I'd really like to have seen the same level of effort extend to this area as it’s a core part of the gameplay.
Final area which has it’s ups and downs is the environments. Wo Long is structured with a level based system and some of these zones do standout. It’s certainly a step up from their previous work. However they still lack atmosphere and character. I can’t see myself remembering many of these locations in the years to come.
Flagged a few negatives here, and I’d argue that Nioh 2 is the better game if you want a taste of Team Ninjas work in the souls-like genre, but Wo Long is still a great game with plenty to enjoy, and I’ll certainly be jumping back in for the DLC later in the year.

On the face of it the combat is fun and flashy with character designs that stand out and a world style that looks fairly unique in gaming. However, you'll find that very little of this holds up beyond the 15-20 hour mark.
The lack of depth in the combat system starts to show, and as enemies get stronger and faster, frustration starts to set in with the lack of options. That's not to say you don't get more powerful. Upgrades feel significant and as characters get more powerful, their abilities get shown off very nicely, but it's not enough for you to keep up most of the time.
The aesthetic of the main city itself and a few select zones are great, leaning into their own take on a cyberpunk world that works beautifully with the lore they are trying to build. But the majority of the areas are dull & repeating, and I found myself keen to get through it so I could move on.
On top of all this is the story, which is not only a mess of every overdone trope you can think of (dimensions, time travel, disguises, evil corporations...), it asks you to play through it twice to see it from the other characters perspective in order to get the whole picture, in a combat system that doesn't hold up for that length of time, and with an alternate character who may appear vastly different on paper, operates in almost the exact same way.
The combat is fun for a bit, and is what drew me to this game in the first place. If you are keen to try it out, grab it on sale like myself, as this one overstays it's welcome fairly quickly.

A pint sized ARPG where you can go from a slug that summons the dead to a horse that fires missiles in an instant, and that's very much the vanilla side of this game. Through the wide array of classes and the mix and match gameplay, the build variety on offer here is astounding, and the dungeons encourage you to experiment to see what works.
The moment to moment activities constantly spur you on with levelling up, completing class challenges and unlocking something new, giving that sweet flood of endorphins this genre is known for that make you want to play just a little bit more.
To top it off, the game can be completed in 15-20 hours easy, and doesn't overstay it's welcome.
Great game, great time.