Recent reviews by Gene Parmesan

I love this game. I haven't played anything else quite like it. The loop is compelling, combat is consistently tense and enjoyable (even after 60+ hours) and the writing is really strong. I even feel like I've learned a thing or two!

I'd be super keen on seeing additional campaigns or different settings done in this style.

If "you're about to get whacked by the mob, but they're reluctant to do it" simulator sounds appealing, then I wouldn't hesitate. It made me think about the things that are truly important, whether lost or still present. Voice acting and characterisation are great. I'd wait for a sale due to the short length vs price point factor, but it's an excellent little game overall.

There's something about this game that keeps me coming back to it. It oozes this dark, off-kilter atmosphere which is almost hypnotic when paired with the deliberately paced, unforgiving (but not unfair!) combat. The lore is almost impenetrable - and is possibly mere window dressing - but what is there just adds fuel to the fire.

There's a surprising amount of depth here, including a whole lot of systems that most people will probably never even notice (a day night cycle? footstep noise? temperature?) which just makes it feel like a true labour of love from a one man band.

A very cool, weird, bloody rogue-like that I hope more people will have a crack at as time goes on.

I've never been happier to no longer be a teenager.

A surprisingly compelling little mood piece, unfortunately hampered by bugs. The game uses real world map data to cool effect, generating a new 'world' every run based off real roads. This amplifies the sense of surreal isolation that is the strongest asset of this game for mine. The gameplay is very simple; you're searching for basic survival resources, putting simple upgrades in your car and driving to the next point. Don't expect anything deep mechanics wise, but it's effective for what the game is going for.

So, the bugs. Saving and exiting often seems to make your car go missing. Your car will seemingly randomly go missing regardless. I've found another driveable car once in three playthroughs, so it's not a realistic solution. Considering the car is so important this is pretty frustrating. There's also some funky stuff going on with the map data at times - you'll get giant chasms opening up in the earth, or areas you seemingly cannot traverse.

A couple of quality of life features would be really handy: a 'find my car' button and a manual map marking/waypoint system chief among them.

It's not a glowing recommendation, but it's a cool little piece of work. If you like the washed out watercolour look and want to zone out to some cool music and bask in the isolation of an empty world, it's worth a shot at the price point.

The most underrated game of 2010.