Nedávné recenze uživatele 🌠Comet

Edit: Updated after playing 56 hours from day 1 release. (see header)

With more serious artstyle comes more serious gameplay.

Sheltered 2 builds upon and offers more refined progression compared to and in relation to its predecessor. In contrast to Sheltered when one can easily skip tiers of equipment and max upgrade everything very easily and very early, Sheltered 2 offers a bit of a challenge. This challenge comes with accomplishment of faction goals that tracks everything the faction members do and accomplish. Although this may sound like "a bit tedious" as some reviews may put it, these are hurdles and not outright roadblocks. The doing and accomplishment of these goals not only puts a clear path of progression but also allows the player to experience what most of the game has to offer and ties neatly with its core gameplay of collecting, managing and crafting. The game so far balances it out to provide enough tension and participation from the player so as not to make the experience "too repetitive and boring" like eventually late game Sheltered 1 becomes.

If you are a fan of management-survival games and do not shy from a bit of a challenge, then this is for you. But if you like a much more simpler gameplay with the option to be able to easily finish the game in no time, coupled with its pixelated art-style then the 1st Sheltered should do the trick.

---------------The Update-----------------

Bugs, bugs and bugs.

I must admit that I ignored the game running a bit slow when opening the world map (kinda stutters with the forced motion blur even when I had it turned off in the settings).. but that was actually just a tip of the iceberg. A couple of annoying (but not game-breaking bugs):

>item tooltip that remains even after closing the inventory window.
>no descriptions for higher tier food recipes (only placeholder text like item.descrip.)
>cannot autopsy corpses on the medical bed despite having the perk for it.
>people going directly to the pantry even when there is a sink with soap on the way there and getting food poisoned (i think it says that people automatically use it when their hygiene meter exceeds 50%)
>people keep wandering to the edges of the shelter and into my cold storage (suffering the freezing moodlet debuff). They should not move to non-ideal temperature areas when idle.
>cannot raise a stat already maxed out with "experimentation perk" despite having the medical bed.
>(already patched-I think) planter thief spawning immediately to take your fully harvested crops when reloading a save.
>faction "rescue mission" bugged and remains on faction screen even after completed
>"trade request location" remains stubbornly on map with the wrong faction after said wrong faction wins the territory of the intended faction (basically can't trade with the intended faction cause the other faction conquered their area - such that the intended faction always says that his representatives haven't returned on the faction screen)
>trading in excess of your weight capacity causes traded items to disappear forever
>destroying an entire faction by simply trading at their HQ... (traded them a lot of meat)

Overall these bugs accumulated, make the experience quite annoying and sometimes frustrating when everything else, especially the gameplay loop is very solid and shows promise. I'd still recommend the game as the developers are doing their best to iron things out with each latest patch at 2GBs. I just wished that they released this game a bit better and not make people play-test it when it did not release as an early-access game.

P.S. the game does run a bit slow even when by system meets the requirements....

Stardew Valley is a gem of a game.

Stardew Valley is reminiscent of the Harvest Moon Games of old. While comparable, it establishes its own as one of the best in the farming sim/small town genre which fans of HM and similar games have come to love. While you could play it optimally (like I did, stressing myself for no reason just to make the most money in a day), Stardew Valley excels in giving a calm and relaxing atmosphere, when you choose to take it at your leisure. Speaking to townsfolk, romancing people or engaging in various festivals is a good break from farming (or fishing or tree-harvesting or mining) activities. Lots of good stuff to mention really, so its worth the price for an experience to shift from the hustle and bustle of real life.

If you enjoy the old HM games then this is definite worth a buy. :)

Good story. Good Game mechanics :3 (will make a proper review in the future :) )

This is a Review for Life is Strange 2 - Episode 2

If you are looking for the review on the 1st episode here is the link:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/id/rubrumstella/recommended/532210

Know this that when I played this episode I already lowered my expectations about it beating the reputation that the 1st season has set (Because so far, it is still very short of what made season 1 great). However, I'm still making comparisons for better comprehension of how this season is different from the 1st. This is a review of how the second episode has improved on the first episode and as a way of giving credit to the developers when there is due credit to be given.

If you haven't read my review of episode 1 - I'll tell you that (to save your time) the review is a negative one.

However, in this one, I can consider this as a solid entry in the LiS 2 story and the LiS franchise in general. Though I wouldn't say (for me) that it surpasses or even pars with Season 1 with the emotional levels.

Guess that's because I was already expecting that the game would throw an early loss against the brothers - because of the trailer - the trailer spoils too much Mushroom dies . So I already readied myself. However, in my first playthrough, indeed some of my choices, especially one where it involves destroying one's imaginative childhood vs or preserving that innocence lead to some unwanted consequences in the later part of the episode and was indeed quite a shocker to me (and really subverted my expectations). So this earns a good point in the "choices matter" department.

Storywise, the plot is solid (although that also applies to the rigidity of the events where the player can't really choos, contains more nuances and the political references are subtle (if you are really not looking hard enough) or almost non-existent in that regard (which should have been the case in episode 1). Although I don't like how the game makes the player justify Sean's failure to think rationally in the opening of the first episode here in a specific dialogue wheel in episode 2 (this is the same as the Arcadia Bay reference in episode 1 and how collecting those bottles in episode 5 of LiS1 were implemented with the latter being turned into an achievement - as a clever way for the developers to justify something in the game) - but that's just me nitpicking. It also emphasized a "Rachel Amber Mystery-like" type secondary plotline here with the mystery of why the brothers' Mom left them which also is an improvement from the politically motivated episode 1.

Gameplay-wise. Daniel's Telekenetic power still does not serve the same purpose in LiS 1 as it seems more of a plot advancement tool (major choices involve the use of Daniel's power) rather than as a game element like a way to get to the next stage of the game (like how Max uses rewind to get into the Dorm blocked by Victoria) . I think Dontnod could have done more in that department like a sequence where the brothers have to arrange boulders that would allow passage but still preserve something necessary in the environment (something like that barn puzzle in LiS1) - to make this feel more of a game than a visual novel (which also distinguished LiS from the creations of Telltale)

Furthermore, I think its good that they lessened the sequence with the brothers walking alone in the woods (would have turned it into a walking simulator like episode 1) and focused on building what really mattered in the LiS franchise - character relationships. The interactions between characters are more organic (not fantastic though) vocally but for me not graphically, which leads me to...

Graphics. Environment-wise stellar world-building again by Dontnod. Subtle details here and there that would add to the immersion of the world. However, what is not really that immersive is the facial expressions. They just seem a little bit off to me compared to that of LiS-BTS, wherein in that game, you could almost see the micro-expressions on the characters faces (come on DontNod its 2019, you can do better facial animations than this). I think people complaining about Sean's VA has something to do with how the emotion doesn't really translate fully to the faces of the character models. Added to this graphical problem is the stuttering of the models in-game, almost sometimes leading to occasions where textures would not load (e.g. Sean's drawing notebook is all black during the Christmas market sequence and after that snowballs in the later scene after that were also black). Might be a Denuvo issue? I don't know.

As to the relatability of characters, though the main protagonists were highly unrelatable in the first episode (due to catering to the political story and the constant lying by Sean -which (for me) I didn't like). Episode 2 at best tries to redeem the season as it takes the time to get you invested with the story of the brothers, the loss they suffer early on is not that absurd to draw from personal experiences by the player (that is if you're a dog lover) and the game allows you to continue the lying game or to be honest and true to every situation (which should have been handled better in episode 1). Overall the 2nd episode takes its time to develop its characters well (even those characters from Captain Spirit) and thus allows the player to slowly relate to the experiences of the protagonists (but not as fast as the immediate *click* when playing as Max in LiS1)

The ending also in episode two is much more better implemented than in the 1st episode as here in the 2nd, the future path of the brothers now seems uncertain as there seems to be another course for them now: that instead of going to Mexico, they may go to their alienated mother which allows players to speculate on the future path of the brothers, in which the 1st episode fails to do.

Other aspects like sound, and others are as expected, welldone. So I will not comment on that

I preordered the whole season - so I can't really say anything about the review bomb that's happening because of the unavailability of purchasing the second episode as a standalone (though I wouldn't say that preordering an episodic game like this is a good practice myself, with all the debacle with Telltale games, I do realize that I'm taking a risk. I also understand the precaution that people are taking nowadays)

I can't really say that the delayed release is justified also, since in my playthrough I experienced a few bugs and some pathing issues (with Daniel sometimes teleporting through Stephen or passing through Sean in all that) - destroying immersion for a few moments. There is certainly a lack of polish in the release that would put people off- but not enough for me to not give a recommendation.

I will review the 3rd episode once it comes out

TLDR: Episode 2 is a great improvement from the 1st episode of the second season by its own right, but still not as good as the first season, in almost all respects. In other words, it is good, but not that great.

After a long time of waiting (more than a year) the 2nd episode to This War of Mine -Stories has finally been released. Can't say I'm not bitter, been waiting for this episode for a very long time (as I've paid for the season pass) while Frostpunk (11 bits' other game) continues to get constant updates. From what I understand, a dlc should be released well within one year of the offer of a season pass (unless a season lasts more than a year - which I believe does not). Changed my review from negative to positive in view of the recent development, but if the 3rd episode would also be released as delayed as the 2nd episode then a negative review might stay.

This Review is for Episode 1 of Life is Strange 2

Edit: If you are looking for the review of the 2nd episode here is the link: https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/id/rubrumstella/recommended/895490

As always, most of the negative reviews start with a statement of hype that didn't get met when the game finally released. Let me tell you that I would belong to that group. No matter how hard I try to convince myself that the game is good, in all honesty, I just can't. Allow me to explain in detail as these feelings cannot just be summed up with mere bullet points.

"Everyday relatable characters facing universal issues, laced with the twist of the strange" - that is according to the developers, Dontnod, the core DNA of Life is Strange. I must admit, said statement initially upon its face did convince me that indeed, it is the Life is Strange formula. However, after playing the 1st episode, I would now very much disagree with an important part of that statement (or rather its implementation), even if the same comes from the developers.

Life is Strange as I have discovered, does indeed involve relatable characters laced with the twist of the strange, but what it doesn't involve is blatant showcase of universal issues. For me, universal issues in life is strange is more subtle, as evidenced in the first season, and has always taken a back seat to what I believe is the main lifeblood of LiS, which should be about character relationships and interactions .

Putting this into perspective, the main reason why Season 1 for me had been a tremendous success is that it hints universal issues through the interactions with other characters. It does not wave a big flag in front of you and tell you that something happened because of an underlying widespread issue. It does not tell you squarely in the face that the main characters had to suffer because of a politics. What Season 1 does right is that it advances these issues through the actions or personal conflicts of side characters made known to the player through the interaction of the protagonist with said side characters. The universal issues only support the main formula which is the meaningful interactions of the characters and not the other way round. Life is strange has always focused on specific people and their stories and not universal issues overzealously promoted by the characters.

This is where I found myself missing in Life is Strange 2, episode 1. Because of the way the story is structured, most of the interactions only occur between the two main protagonists and you spend most of the time just looking at the scenery, listening to (by the way is a great) soundtrack or fumbling through posters, documents or collectibles. There are not enough interactions with other side characters (or there were never enough side characters to begin with) that would not only hint of universal issues (so as not to overwhelm what is most important), but also show indicators of character development of the main protagonists (like Max from being a shy girl to time wielder in Season 1).

Don't get me wrong, I really love those moments of contemplation in Season 1, but are not really that very enjoyable in this season. This is for me because those moments of aloneness in Season 1 were done to relax from the many side character interactions and to gather thoughts. In Season 2, episode 1, you really can't say that you have that alone time since, you have always been alone with your brother for the most part in the episode (You are merely amplifying the already lonely setting of the story). The only time I feel that the life is strange formula had been hit was not when I was exploring the forest with my little brother, finding inanimate collectibles or documents, but those during heartfelt conversations with people, (like that phone call with Layla or the climax of the episode which was the last scene which should have been longer) which by the way is very, very, very few.

Speaking of heartfelt conversations, I found conversations with Daniel to be lackluster in the earlier parts as you play the role of a liar. This is because Sean keeps those emotions boxed within himself. If there's anything about life is strange that I know from Season 1, is that characters (given the proper responses) would open the pandora's box to their emotions, making the interactions impactful and with gravity. This feeling cannot be achieved with constant lying and concealment as what Sean was doing for the most part. Further, the side characters in this Season are mostly one dimensional characters. Unlike in Season 1, there were always hints in character interactions or in the ending montage that side characters were not just there merely to antagonize the protagonists, but also have their own personal reasons and motivations for their actions in the episode and have the capacity to grow just like the main protagonist. This makes the world in Season 1 more believable and relatable, unlike in Season 2 wherein the side characters are too fixed on their parts to play and obviously would not have character development considering that the main protagonists in season 2 are always on the road.

Another reason also wherein I find the pilot episode to be quite disappointing was that there were very minimal instances where Daniel's powers where shown, and that was only during main plot points of the story (although this is quite understanable considering dirction of the tale). It would have been better if there were more minor manifestations of such power within the episode to intrigue the player or as an additional thing that the player would have tried to explain

Lastly, the experience was also quite a bit laggy and motion blur was really very bad. I believe this is another Denuvo matter which is already of widespread knowledge.

I might change this review into a postive one, once the next episodes are out, but until then, this game for me was a little bit more of a walking simulator than a Life is Strange game, when compared under Season 1's great shadow.

Edit: Updated reasons for lag experience and engine info

I'm sorry. I really would not want to give this game a thumbs down but I wouldn't want to give it a recommendation either (even if it's free).

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit I feel is really just a tech demo (or a survey if you've agreed to the opening EULA) for what's new in the game's technical side. Even so, it lacks the optimization that previous LiS games have achieved (Hella High in previous games vs Very High in this one). Some say it's due to Denuvo being implemented in this free game (Can't really say I'm an authority on such information). Really ruins the immersion when you suffer a lag spike when exploring areas. Although I would commend the effort to achieve better in the graphics department, the story should've been given more emphasis as this is what Life is Strange is all about.

Speaking of the story, I really felt that this game was really lacking compared to the standard set by the previous games (It had its moments, but yeah, only moments). I believe this is because of the following:

(1) The first season's story of LiS really is hard to top and people really can't help but compare this game to the original. This game does not have that explosive and mysterious start (like that giant storm in the beginning of LiS or that train in LiS - BTS) that immediately hooks or intrigues people to know what would happen next. True that the opening sequence of LiS - BTS really is not that intriguing, but being a story related to one of the main protagonists of the first season really did carry the player through the first part.

(2) Chris is not so relatable. While I found myself really being in the shoes of Max and Chloe in the previous games (more of the former and quite less on the latter), I really could not establish myself playing the protagonist in this game. Believe me, I had my share of daydreaming of superpowers and adventures (even imaginary friends) when I was a kid but somehow this game does not make me feel that nostalgia. I can symphathize with Chris on what he's going through the loss of his mother but only as an outsider to the emotion and not the very person feeling such pain unlike in the previous games. The game just fails to deliver that emotional package that established the first two games of the series.

(3) Story is really cliche. The narrative lacks the unique spin that immediately establishes its predecessors.

Other reasons which may or may not relate to the story progression:

(3) The game does not hold your hand. Unlike in the previous games where the main protagonist gives an inner thought on how to proceed to find/obtain the next objective, this game (most of the time) just leaves you fumbling around with no idea how to find the next objective. An example is the garage key. Although the game does say that it is inside the house, it doesn't provide a specific-general area as to where in the house and that garage key is really pretty small to find . I think I spent a good chunk of my time in-game just going back and forth trying to find that one little thing. Even resorted to view a walkthrough just to find it.

(4) The game lacks an engaging game mechanic. Compared to LiS and LiS-BTS, where you really engage in a process that has choice or chance of failure (time-rewind, back-talking). This game only makes you observe a child raise his hand in front of objects to give a different dialogue or predictable outcome (except in some cases with imagination or dream sequence). Nothing really engaging. . . Sometimes it's even quite cringey.... It would have been better if such action would have always taken Chris to his world of imagination where you could play a little child-themed mini game of some sort even if it was all in his mind. Such an alternative would have been better than just doing chores in a video game (If I enjoy doing chores then I would not play a video game about it and just do it in real life).

I really feel like I'm being too harsh to a game that is supposed to be merely a teaser to the proper game (LiS 2) coming out soon. But if this is the game that is meant to establish the setting of a new LiS, the one that would replace (or add) to my Max and Chloe, then this game in my opinion has not achieved that and it really saddens me. I do want to play Life is Strange to experience that emotional wreck but I would do so for the right reasons, that having a real emotional and relatable story and not merely the feeling of being sorry about a game that could've been better.

P.S. I Love Hawt Dawg Man... Hope there were stuffed toy merch (Looking at you Dontnod... pls make it happen :)

Since I saw a gameplay of this game on Youtube, I immediately fell in love with this game.

The premise of the game is to keep your duplicants alive within the confines of an asteroid by not only managing the scarce and ever-depleting resources within the map and by accumulation of basic necessities, but also managing other factors resulting from the use of such resources (like heat, and gases). Overall even in early access, you will find that even without random or recurring events (like the hounds in the game Don't Starve, another title by the developer), the game constantly puts you on your toes and constantly on a look out for the next resource that's almost depleted. If you love resource management games with a lot of cuteness (that even when duplicants end up in bad situations you can't fault them) this is the game or you. :) (still true even after release :) ).

As a person who loves story driven games. I consider Portal 2 as one of the greatest in the genre which is crazy since the protagonist does not even speak a single line of dialogue. Lots of twists and turns in the story arc that even if you are not good with puzzles (Since Portal series is essentially a puzzle game in itself), you will be motivated or driven by pride to accomplish said tasks. Nice voice acting and soundtrack (especially the epilogue and end credits) brings life to characters and brings more immersion to the game. Game mechanics are unique and makes you question if humanity will ever be able to build a portal gun in the future without violating the fundamental laws of physics (Been watching too much Portal theories in the internet would do that to you).

Only comment is the non-seamless loading of the Source engine which sometimes ruins a frantic pace sequence in the story, but it is understandable for the time period when the game was made.

Overall: 9.5/10