Recent reviews by lita_llost

I didn't think much of it at the start — not my circus, not my monkeys, and I know the clowns all too well... Too pompous and too obviously influenced by soulsborne (beloved ER in the first place) on every level. Nevertheless, it really grew on me, it just took quite some time in. X)

And the game turned out to be overall worthy of all that time (mostly; looking at you, “beach challenges”). With that rather smooth writing, imaginatively assembled and beautifully voiced characters (yep, now they are my monkeys, too) and a more engaging battle system (than the jRPG-standard one — for me).

Yes, it does consist of familiar blocks: hello, Dishonored, hi again, Elden Ring, oh, come along, BioShock Infinite, take your cutscene, Death Stranding, etc. — maybe in a bit bigger ratio than usually considered appropriate for a “new” creative IP... Even the flashy OST contains a lot of references. But those are there for a reason: I love them too, you know, and what else is worth propagating if not the things we love?

Besides, with all those familiar blocks Clair Obscur manages to construct a somewhat unique story, unexpectedly personal and, surely, notable. This story even provokes some thoughts — how far is too far in the murky nature of a relationship between a creation and a creator, for example, or is a neglect for childhood dreams so inevitable, or whether it's better to be naïve or that deep into therapy... Is the so-called reality better than self-controlled fiction? Are sub-creation creatures “worthy” of empathy? Why every time we try to paint a nice thing we get the baguette?..

All of that remains open for discussion — which is good enough for a game nowadays. Oh, and there is also a thing that is really clear: flying on a silky pantalonian deity is indisputably cool. And pétanque, of course!

An absolute delight — witty, engaging and remarkably stylish — except the misrepresentation of typographically correct dashes.

Never have I thought that the hybrid of dear XCOM and adulted Magicka in the (seriously) fancy robe of Traffic Wizard should even exist... But we definitely need more of it.

Warning: contains therapy-speak! It might be the least annoying documented case of that to the date, though. Х)

As a mad fan of Elden Ring, I knew I wouldn't vibe with this one: ridiculous fast pace (don't ask, run, if you stop you'll see that it makes no sense at all — and not for the lulz, but for the bloated online-time); a half-baked but rigid co-op (not the one we asked for, really) and excessive pressure — ok, maybe when (if) the real world would feel more relaxing...

And if you enjoy fierce spelunking in the Tarnished Archaeologist's comment section, for example, this won't scratch your itch — too shallow and recycled.

But if you have a couple of deranged friends who really enjoyed the technical part of ER and tolerate mods, go for it. Help yourself to a hand grenade, it's pretty and could be fun in a niche of its own!

Myself is not going to refund it either... yep, I do hope that Amy Lee gets some of those shiny coins: that eyeliner does not come for free, you know.

Картошка-на-розовых-ножках исполняет сомнительные, но (порой) очень захватывающие трюки! Этакая наследница FEZ и VVVVVV, намного менее снисходительная к игроку (иногда — к сожалению). Могу от души её порекомендовать, ведь где ещё 33 мб могут вместить столько красивенных цветов и фетишных предметов из 90-х, используемых в столь загадочных целях?!

I must admit that the basic gameplay is way too meticulous for me. (That's why I still haven't finished it.)
Otherwise, this game is a pure work of highly admirable art, and I just love it. (That's why I'll be back).
The voices and music are so catchy that you can immediately adopt some phrases and really overuse them at home (like people in this household). Also, the lore is sweet and dense. Mmm.

It's a very bumpy road (especially if it's your first ride in a year), but what a journey! With a *view* (Cerulean Coast here I come), tearful revelations (Shaman Village 💔) and unprecedentedly generous farm spots (I earned my ”Rauh Ancient Ruins, East” site of Grace, you, fire-swirling piece of ****!).

Some things did bother me, of course: a lack of new achievements (seriously, nothing for digging those strata on steroids?), the absence of Gloam-Eyed Queen's origin (are we doomed to this Melina-is-GYQ nonsense for all eternity now?) and oh, screamer-owls are a huge no-no!

Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the lore and loot outcome — it pumped me up to the NG+ — but I still hope that someday we'll get less Berserk and more Frieren, so to speak. And for now, humanity should appreciate this best-to-date reflection on its culture, history, and trauma in a “fantasy” videogame setting.

A perfect one-night treat, elegantly executed, if a tad dawdling. Despite the grim subject this one contrives to end on a somewhat hopeful note.

A Monty Python's thick (sausages all over the shop; unilingual in punches) cousin in that “horrors are never ending yet I remain silly” T-shirt.

Pros: Yorkshire charm™; eye-candish; short.
Cons: short; unnecessary harm to flora and fauna; some rhubarb is *not* folded.

Luv it anorl!

There even are two S-tier jokes: the coaster and the watering can, and I'm going to steal them.

Наконец-то стимпанк, который мы заслужили!

Любо: детальное внимание к великолепнейшим механизмам; очень-очень приятная озвучка, в особенности бубнёж самой Индики <3; ламповый (ну, некоторые лампы могут ж быть и дневного света) арт.

Грубо: скомканная концовка; технологические препятствия; жестокое обращение с животными.

И хоть, может, катарсиса и чутка не долили, но в общем игра-то явно получилась, и место своё на метафорической чумной полочке она уже занимает.

I cannot recommend this game in all detail it deserves to avoid spoilers (which'd really steal that pure joy of exploration) and schizophrenic vibe.

So I just leave my blob of utter adoration here: it's so pleasurably stylish, very engaging for “just” a puzzle game, and with all that analogue clock and rotary dial (which could possibly offend a whole bunch of zoomers, though).

Imagine if Kentucky Route Zero, Signalis (ok, Silent Hill for our consolian friends), Twin Peaks and the most recent glamorous incarnation of Ripley had an orgy under an eyeroll from The Path.

But wait, there's more: buying this one actually provides you with three more minigames (fierce and not that byte-seyesed) — it's the only opportunity to play at least some version of brilliant SPL-T for non-Apple users.

The one and only real flaw of this one is obvious: no special “back” button makes all the manipulations more annoying than it's justified. Also, the ending (although very beautifully executed) is quite questionable, but it's their funeral...

Trigger warning: focus-hungry, puzzlicious and coffee-propagating.

All in all it's a wonderful family (or party) game to share (if your fam is into existential horror kinks).