Recent reviews by kefin

The controls in this game are impossible. It completely ruins the game. Why does W do a diagonal or upward dash depending on context? Let the player control that exactly like in Super Meat Boy.

Addictive but lacks depth. Most time is spent running around. Somehow enjoyed the game but also didn't.

Perfect game to play while listening to audiobooks or podcasts. Like the old Rollcage but with better graphics.

Simply freezes on linux on the title screen.
Edit: Got it to run somehow, after 2 computer reboots and trying to edit config files.

Incredibly boring, too much idling around travelling.

A classic. Still holds up. Only problem is lack of 4k support.

Paraphrasing another reviewer: "It's just multidimensional solitaire"

Wanted to like this game since I enjoyed Stardew Valley, and thought this one would be similar but with a necromancer or darker twist. I was wrong. It's grindy, and not in a good sense.

When I learned of the automation I got my hopes up for some Factorio-esque system where you'll always be trying to optimize bottlenecks (which is fun), but I was met with something that still left me grinding a lot of materials I wished to never touch again.

Another problem with this game is that information is unnecessarily hidden:

1. You can't see where on the map you are.
2. You can't see what items you need to construct a building, you'll need to go to an area's crafting bench, write down what you need, run back, and then come back with necessary items.
3. The skill tree doesn't show you crafting requirements for unlocked items.

There's a way to fast travel but it's limited by time in a way that just isn't fun. The timer is super short (about 10 seconds or so) but long enough that you have to open your inventory (which pauses the game) to see if you can teleport or not. Caused me to run around for a few seconds, pausing every now and then to see if I can fast-travel. This was super annoying when I just wanted to go to an NPC to buy something and then go back. I don't see a valid reason for this mechanic existing in this context. The game should at least be able to show the availability of teleporting without having to pause.

Finally, the intermediate nodes in the tech tree don't provide enough externalities to gameplay to make advancement satisfying. It seems like the tech is there just for advancement's sake.

To me this game died by a thousand inconvenient cuts. It could have been great.

Missed twice in real life. Game made me revisit some memories. It's good to be more cognizant of these behavioral patterns.

Good concept, just wish the UI was a little better. It's not possible to un-select an item, instead you have to select a new menu item to unselect an upgrade.
Just needs polish.

Story is great. Gameplay is great. Controls feel great. Not too difficult nor easy.

Beautiful game, leads you through 5 stages. You can attach all sorts of philosophical meanings behind these and what they represent. The meaning behind the crystals.

To me it seems a little boy went after his uncle who went on his own adventure to cultivate meaning and enlightenment. To get there he had to go on a journey of discovery (1st stage), followed by the people who are scared and stuck (stage 2), followed by the ascent (3), heaven (4), and finally, the frontier (5). As to why the frontier is cold and icy, I guess because it's Fred's story, and not yours (the protagonist's), so it does not feel right. The protagonist must forge his own, but has learned a lot along the way.