Recent reviews by sauce

If you only play single player, then go to another review, this review is entirely about co-op for the time being.


Definition: Input lag/delay is when there is a delay between the time you input an action on your input device (controller/kb+m) and the action happening on screen.

TLDR: The game in ONLINE co-op has input lag. If you are looking forward to playing co-op, please don't buy it yet.

Currently Nom Nom Galaxy (NNG) has input lag when you play in co-op. Everyone, even the host, experiences this input lag. It can range anywhere from 200 ms - 500 ms (rough estimate) depending on the connection. So if I press a button, it takes 200-500 ms for the action to happen on screen. This does not happen in single player, and when all players leave a hosted game, the host goes back to single player speed. This input lag is noticeable and gets very annoying overtime as it makes you miss jumps, and makes building your factory a laggy experience. The developer Q-Games has stated that this is currently the case because they have had a rough time with netcode, as the way they do it for PS4 doesn't work here on PC.

Here is the discussion thread: http://gtm.steamproxy.vip/app/226100/discussions/0/541906348050084830/

The developer had every opportunity to delay this game, and fix this massive issue before launch, but chose to release it in it's current, annoying to play in co-op, state. This is unacceptable Q-Games. So I will continue to warn people not to buy your game until you decide to fix this issue.

As of June 23, 2015 the game is playable, but optimization issues still remain. I recommend holding off on purchasing the title for the moment, because the performance issues are quite severe, and you will not have an optimal experience.

What made the game playable for me was after a complete verify cache failure, the entire game was redownloaded, and the newer files seem to fix a lot of the stability issues I previously had. I cannot say this with absolute certainty but in my case I believe the preload files were "unpatched" or not a good version. If you are having issues, preloaded the game, and haven't redownloaded the game, I suggest trying that.

The previous texture issue I had was due to me disabling depth of field. It seems that this game uses DoF heavily, and without it, it's quite apparently how low resolution the textures are. I hope they update the textures so that I don't have to use DoF.

With my specs there are frequent drops in framerate anywhere between 30-60 FPS. I'm currently using RTSS to limit framerate to a maximum of 60, and have unlocked the 30 FPS cap and changed it to a maximum of 60 FPS.

I don't have a complete picture of the game yet so I will not comment on gameplay just yet.



As of June 22, 2015, the game is unplayable. I will update this recommendation as patches become available.

My current specs are as follows:

Intel Core i7 2600k 3.8 Ghz (Liquid Cooled)
AMD R9 290 (4GB w/ latest recommended drivers for the game)
8 GB RAM
Samsung EVO 840 250 GB SSD
Windows 8.1 64-bit


Crashed with a bunch of error messages.
System locked, and had to do a hard reset.
Sound cutting in one particular part of the intro section.
Verifying cache lead to complete redownload of the game.
Crashes sometimes when accessing options menu in-game.
Texture quality is extremely poor for maximum settings (could be that high res textures are not included in the initial release package).
Possible memory leak, as memory usage and page file usage seems to be much higher than the norm.


Capped 30 fps (can tweak via .ini files)
No detailed Post Processing options (can tweak via .ini files) like motion blur, or Depth of field.
No mouse sensitivity options.

This game is a Simplified Side Scrolling Arcade Spectacle Brawler. You only have two buttons: Left-attack and Right-attack. The main mechanic is virtually identical to One Finger Death Punch, but in Kung Fury you only have ONE MODE and ONE STAGE. If this is too little content for you then don't bother. If you want more variety, take a look at One Finger Death Punch. If you liked the movie and want to play as the badass Kung Fury though, this game is still pretty damn fun. I say this game is worth the asking price of $2.


http://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=454796042

The game is a simplified 2D side scrolling brawler. You have two buttons: [L] Left-Attack and [R] Right-Attack. If enemies come from the left, you hit Left-Attack, if they come from the right you hit Right-Attack. The most common enemy will die in one hit, but other enemies require different combinations of [L] or [R] to defeat. For example the German officer requires you to hit him twice; the blonde girls in white require you to hit them three times in an alternating fashion (From left [L][R][L], from right [R][L][R]).

As for controls you have the choice of using the keyboard keys [A]/[D], or [<-][->], or mouse left-click/right-click. Controllers are also supported, with all the buttons on the left bound to left attack, and all the right buttons bound to right attack. You cannot rebind the keys as there is no options menu.

Kung Fury is a hyper-stylized 2D side-scroller with an older 1980s pixelated art-style. The viewing area of the game is presented like an old arcade cabinet with a non-flat CRT monitor. The presentation of the game is meant to match the theme of the movie, so if you didn't like the movie or the old CRT look then chances are you won't like the game itself.

Go watch the movie.
The game itself does not have a story, but in order to appreciate this game I recommend watching the movie. It's FREE!

As a side note the game is based on one particular fight scene in the movie, where Kung Fury fights from right to left (side scrolling).

There is no options menu. You cannot rebind your keys (though there are a fair amount of default bindings to choose from), and you cannot change your resolution or anything else. The game defaults to fullscreen, but you can change it to window mode by pressing [ALT]+[ENTER]. This is sparse to say the least, and if you are particularly sensitive to missing features such as an options menu, then don't waste your time.

CAUTION: IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED BOOK 1 and 2 of The Legend of Korra animated series DO NOT PLAY THIS GAME.
There are some story spoilers and if you haven't watched the series before you will have no idea what is going on.


I'm a fan of Platinum games, including Bayonetta, which I think is the best Action Brawler ever created as far as gameplay and mechanics are concerned (haven't played Bayonetta 2 yet though).
I also love the combat mechanics of Batman Arkham City. I consider myself a part of the PC Master Race, and buy PC versions whenever possible.


This is a Platinum-LITE game. You can finish the main content in about 3-5 hours. It does not have the sophistication of a game like Bayonetta, but it's still solid mechanically. Keep in mind that the fan base of this series are young children. If you are a fan of The Legend of Korra animated series anyway though, you will find enjoyment from this title. If you don't know or care for The Legend of Korra series and are looking for a mature core title then avoid it.


It's like any other episode of The Legend of Korra. It isn't remarkable in any way, but it's not horrible either. Just mediocre.


The combat consists of the following inputs: (L) attack, (H) attack, Block/Counter, and 2 buttons that rotate between 4 elements which progressively unlock through the story. If you time your block correctly you enter a slow-mo QTE, and by pressing the button prompted you can do additional damage. Each elemental style has 3 predetermined combos that are unlocked as you level up a specific element and by buying books/scrolls in the shop.

Combos: screenshot

There are a couple runner stages where Korra rides her trusty Polar bear dog Naga in a mini-game. These stages are quite similar in structure to BIT TRIP Runner mechanically, but follow a corridor instead of side-scrolling.

There is also a shop where you can buy combo upgrades, passive equipable items, as well as usable health potions and such.


The audience for this title is quite obvious: The Legend of Korra is a series intended for children,
and the majority of the fan base is of course, children. So it's logical then that this game was designed with its fan base's age group in mind. If you're looking for a core title designed for a mature audience then this may lack the sophistication you are looking for. If you consider yourself a part of the mature audience but are still a fan of the series, then you will find enjoyment from this title as I have.


Graphics options: Graphics Options ...yeah -_-
Binding options: Key Binding Options ...yeah -_-

Even though I am unhappy about the port, I can give it a pass because it's a $15 budget title with animated cutscenes and voice acting. If you are extremely port sensitive however, DO NOT purchase this game.

SUMMARY

- I did have fun but I do not recommend this game at full price. $30-$40 USD is my valuation.
- The hacking mechanic gave gameplay a lot of depth.
- Lots of copy pasted mechanics from Assassin's Creed.
- Story and characters are forgettable.
- Dark/Demon Souls style invasion mechanic.
- Minor mouse control issues, but still playable.
- Minor performance issues: Stuttering during high speed car chases.

DETAILS

1. THE STORY was void of emotional impact. The events in the story that should have triggered some sort of emotional response from me, instead left no impression at all. By the end I did not feel a thing for any of the characters, including the main protagonist Aiden Pierce. The only memorable character was Jordi, but even he had very little impact in the story.

2. CORE MECHANICS of the game were 90% copy pasted from previous Ubisoft titles. Now if you've never played Assassin's Creed or Far Cry then you are in luck, because a lot of the mechanics are robust the first time around. However, I've played too many ACs and FCs and I'm frankly getting tired of it.

- Hacking is the "new" mechanic introduced in Watch_Dogs. Surprisingly this mechanic adds a lot of depth to gameplay. When you are being chased by the mob or the cops you can raise road blockers, blow up steam pipes to get them off your tail. Missions where you are on foot, you can hack cameras, and use various means to eliminate or get around your foes. I THOUGHT THIS MECHANIC WAS A GIMMICK AT FIRST BUT SURPRISINGLY I WAS MISTAKEN.

- Unlock "Tower" or in this case ctOS hubs and centers to further reveal the map and gain more ctOS access. This mechanic is copy pasted right out of Assassin's Creed. Even though stealthfully getting in and out of these were interesting, that doesn't discount the fact that this mechanic lacks originality. Ubisoft needs to start developing games instead of copy pasting old tired ideas.

- Running and parkour mechanics are taken directly from Assassin's Creed. A lot of the tail missions are exact copies of AC tail missions.

3. PROGRESSION The skill unlocks are pedestrian at best. The majority of the unlocks don't matter. There is nothing innovative, unique, or original about this skill system. You have Hacking, Driving, Crafting, and Combat: Except maybe the Hacking tree nothing in particular is worth mentioning.

- Money is too easy to obtain in Watch_Dogs. You simply Hack someone's phone, and go to an ATM to get their money.

4. MULTIPLAYER/COOP There are a multitude of multiplayer modes in Watch_Dogs ranging from 1 v 1 to 4 v 4. There is also a free roam coop mode for up to 8 players. Coop, however, lacks "coop" activities. The free roam mode essentially becomes deathmatch, and coop mini games. The interesting part of multiplayer is the Dark Souls style invasion of "hackers" into your game if you allow it. To be frank this is the only interesting part of multiplayer.

5. CONTROLS I played the entire game with Keyboard and Mouse, and though it's playable there are A LOT of issues that need to be addressed.

- Mouse sensitivity is inconsistent between different menus. It is also different between free run, and aim modes. There are no seperate sensitivity sliders, which needs to be implemented.

- Some menus also have no cursor, including the radial wheel for weapon selection. This makes it very tedious to change weapons and items during a high speed chase or fire fight.

6. GRAPHICS Watch_Dogs for the most part is aesthetically pleasing. The texture quality is quite high, with great water and particle effects. Watch_Dogs is no doubt a pretty game.

7. PERFORMANCE Playing with an AMD R9 290, I didn't have too many issues with performance. After 14.6 beta drivers were released I was able to play the game at maximum settings with a managable 40-70 FPS. I did, however, experience a lot of stuttering during high speed car chases, but never on foot. This could be due to the amount of data that was streaming. I do not have an SSD, so those who do have an SSD may see better results.

Genre: 2D Action, Spectacle Brawler.

The Bad: The UI, and options menu are terrible. No rebindable keys. The map is cumbersome to navigate. A lot of art assets are poor in quality (though this may be intentional they still look like ass).

The Good: Simple, and extremely satisfying gameplay. Sizeable amount of unlocks, and gameplay variation. This game requires only 2 buttons, but has a surprising amount of depth to it's gameplay.

Bottom Line: This game is ridiculously fun, and positives far outweigh the negatives. Must Buy.

Two words: Dubstep Gun!

PS: If you are a core gamer, and know a little bit about pop culture this game has tons of references, and is hilarious at every turn. This game is in no way serious, so if you don't have a sense of humor avoid it. But if you do then you will thoroughly enjoy it.

Platinum Games is near and dear to my gaming heart, even as a core PC gamer. MGR is PG's first PC port, and the question is should we take that into account when judging a port.

For me the answer is unquestionably NO. Regardless of developer experience or lack thereof, there is no excuse, and I will judge this game as if I was judging a game by an experienced PC developer.

1) Keyboard + Mouse Controls (If K+M controls are a make or break for you, then don't buy this game. If you are fine with a controller then you can ignore this completely) The keyboard controls are bound well, with very sensible default controls. The mouse on the otherhand is another story. Though not as bad as FromSoftware's Dark Souls PC port, PG (or Konami) have left negative mouse acceleration, and a fairly sizeable movement deadzone. This means that small mouse movements are ignored, as well as the camera movement decelerating. No PC gamer in their right mind would want to play like this and it is clear that PG/Konami were not willing to put in the time to properly optimise mouse controls or PG/Konami's experience shows and were simply oblivous to it. I tweeted the creative producer of PG (@PG_jp negative mouse acceleration is the issue. Is PG aware of this problem or does it not consider it a problem?) and his reply was (@saucex4 I’ve reported the complaints. I don’t know if the issue is intentional or not.) which means to me that he and perhaps his colleagues are completely ignorant when it comes to PC game development. While I find MGR to be playable with a K+M, it's uncomfortable unlike DmC or the Arkham series.

2. Graphical Fidelity. While this is a minor complaint, MGR is a straight port with no higher resolution textures, and a 60 FPS lock. While I do not think this particular issue is a make or break for this game, I do expect that PC versions are optimised to fully utilise the power of a PC.

3. Camera While this is a minor complain, the camera may get in the way of combat sometimes, zooming in too close for you to see anything. This happens when you get yourself into a corner, so as long as you avoid those you shouldn't run into this issue.

4. Gameplay. Arkham City and Bayonetta are my 2 most favourite spectacle fighter/brawlers. MGR pales in comparison to the 2 I just mentioned. Bayonetta has more content, and a more in-depth combat system. The main problem I find with MGRs combat system is that the combos have little to no specific purpose unlike Bayonetta and B:AC. Any combo will do, and that is very disappointing.

On PC, variety is sparse for this genre, but I believe in terms of combat mechanics Batman Arkham City, and DmC are superior. If you happen to also own a PS3/360 check out Bayonetta, which imo is the best Platinum Games Game to date.

Bottom Line

I'm not saying that MGR is a bad game. It's a decent game, with some blemishes. However, there are far better games. So if you are a fan of PG games, and have already played DmC, Arkham series, Bayonetta, Wonderful 101, etc then yeah go ahead and buy it. If you care about anything that I mentioned above however, I suggest you at least wait for the price of the game to go down if you are into this genre.

If you only have a casual interest in this genre then there are far better games than this you should look into.

Devil May Cry, Batman Arkahm (series), Bayonetta (PS3/360), Wonderful 101 (Wii U)

If you're a gamer, buy it. If you're not a gamer buy it anyway. I command you to buy it.

Ok so I've only played Episode 1, and right now only Episode 1 is out. But damn the story and gameplay are just amazing. The dialogue gameplay is similar to that of other telltale games like the walking dead. The controls are not rebindable but there aren't many. The main attraction of this one is the story. Very good so far. I can't wait for the rest of the episodes.