Recent reviews by H-sama

I like the ICO.

Bullets flying over your head actually suppress you now unlike before where it's all visual and you can ignore every single bullet that does not hit you. That made machine guns useless as shooting as single burst will make you a target for EVERYONE who can see your tracers while not providing any suppressive fire at all.

Too many casuals and kids are negative review bombing the game because they can't play lone wolf anymore.

Hope the game continues more in this direction. It's more mil-sim now than ever before. Before ICO the game was basically an arcade

Great game and I'm addicted to it!
How does the "flatten terrai" work though?

Okay, I have played the first game and it works well. However, this game is great, i actually like it more than the first one, the only problem that I have with it is that it will constantly freeze after an hour or so of gaming. Please fix that.

Watch my first 90 minutes of gameplay here so you can judge for yourself what I will say here in this review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXb9SQ5BfiM&t=4963s

Okay so I've been seeing a lot of negative reviews about the game so far. Mostly because people have said that the performance of this PC is "very bad".

I'm going to say that in my own machine which is basically just a LITTLE BELOW the recommended specs this game is running PERFECTLY. It might just be me though but I'm having higher frames and smoother gameplay than what Atelier Lulua gave me the first time that came out.

So what is it about this game that is particularly good?

Well, for me it's the usual. The Characters.
The characters in this game are pretty fleshed out. I like their interactions and their full on voice acting too. You can actually some real stress in the relationship of some of the characters with each other pretty early in the game which is something I don't usually see in Atelier games.

Another thing I absolutely loved in Atelier Ryza is that the battle and synthesis gameplay has been changed. The battle sequences with the "timeline" is very awesome although it did need getting used to from the more traditional Atelier battle but it was an overall VERY GOOD change for me. I loved the fact that it feels more of an actual battle and that you have to decide faster what you need to do.

The Synthesis mechanic is also amazingly well done. It made alchemy. The bread and butter of this game more intuitive and fun to do. I really missed the puzzle style grids of the mysterious series when Atelier Lulua came out and that was one of my negatives about Lulua. However, THIS synthesis is quite easy to understand and gives more flair and fun to the mixing and matching of the alchemy in-game.

Graphics and performance are AMAZING. I'm running the game at a good 60 - 90 frames a second depending on the environment on a GTX 1060, I expect it to be even better once I upgrade fully to my 2070 super. The vibe of the place gives me a nostalgic feeling to Atelier Totori and that is a plus point.

Music is also very well done! The symphony of the many instruments in the background adds a very relaxing feel but at the same time epicness to the game.

The only negative criticism I can actually give to this is that the game has lost the ability to talk and interact with the townspeople. I just liked reading random comments from people in town. Also... if you've seen in the video I've posted above, the townspeople ghosted me when I walked towards them lol.


Overall, I can't recommend Atelier Ryza enough. I am loving every minute of the game so far!

Okay so let me start by saying that this game looks absolutely GORGEOUS. Make sure you're not running a potato and you'll be fine. If you're running Nvidia and having some issues with frame rate just disable your V-sync manually in Nvidia control panel for Lulua and it will be good.

Now let's start with the review of this game.

PROS:
1) There is NO time limit in this game.
- Now, I am an avid fan of the Atelier series, have been playing this game since forever. I liked(-ish) how they have the time limits before but they simply suck when you want to continue your progress post game and it abruptly ends because of the time limit. Removing the time limits have really allowed more possibilities and experimentation in this game. Is made story telling a bit slower though but that is not an issue for me as I like to take things a bit slowly.

Purist of these games will be all over you if you even suggest that an Atelier game is fun without the time limit. Just ignore them. Again I have played these games since the very beginning and I liked the change of removing the time limit. If they want it back I still hang around my review that I left a long time ago that Atelier Firis had the best implementation of the time limit. It goes like this: Time limit during main storyline -> No time limit after main storyline = PERFECT

2) Graphics are AMAZING!
- I just finished playing the DX version of Meruru before playing this game and the graphics of Arls when I visited it here in Lulua almost made me cry. I finally saw for my own eyes the actual changes that Meruru did for her kingdom and with such HD graphics and colorful hues at that! Walk out in a sunny morning that actually feels like a painting! I might need to get a better CPU and a GTX 1080 for this tho.

3) Lulua is such an energetic and lovable character
- Now, some people say she's too cutesy and I do agree... but that's what makes her so damn likeable! I'd definitely say that she is there with some of my most liked Atelier characters, namely Firis, Totori, Meruru and her. I know people love Rorona a lot but I really find her character (and game... sue me Totori and Meruru were better games lol) quite boring.

4) The animation and character movements in this game is sublime.
- Those MOVEMENTS, I have never seen an atelier game where a character moves so lively before. Definitely an improvement.

CONS:
1) Graphics are great but can be too demanding.
- I have been reading and hearing people saying that Nvidia cards are having some issues with this game's framerate. Try the solution I said in the beginning of this review first. It might just work for you as it did for me. The C-sync in this game is seriously crippling some cards.

2) The synthesis system has been reverted back closer to the Arland series.
- Now, the bread and butter of the game, synthesizing. I am really enjoying the game but it was quite a let down to see the puzzle style synthesis system from the Mysterious series disappear. That, at the very least for me, made the synthesis a lot more fun and engaging rather than just throwing some materials with traits in a pot. The puzzle system made me feel that I am actually working on getting some traits that want for my end product which sadly was cut from this game.

3) Meruru and Totori ain't free.
- Okay, I bought them DLC's that made Totori and Meruru playable. But DAMN i think they should be playable from the very beginning anyways or at the very least put them BOTH in one DLC without the costumes for the price of one. Seriously, I can live without the costumes.

4) Why is CORY not in the game?
- Like dude Cordelia was one of the most popular characters of the Arland series... why not put her here?

5) WTF did you do to Sterk?!
- Another gripe with the graphics. Sterk was GORGEOUS in Meruru... he looks like an angsty teenager here!

So there you go. If you made it this far through my review I surely hope you're liking the game as much as I do.

Very nice game for the the very first Atelier game that I played back in the days!

PROS:
1) Cute characters and very nice story.
2) Good banter and chemistry between characters. Cory, Hom, Astrid, Rorona and Sterk have really really good interactions with each other and this very nicely translates to an enjoyable experience.
3) Hom (girl version)... what else can you ask for???

CONS:
1) Time limits. Yes you read it right, I HATE the time limits in this game. Purists of the game will just tell you to "git gud" or "you're not a fan of the game if you don't like time limits" are just literally that, purists who don't really have the same mindset as the MC. The MC wants to learn alchemy and be good with it and use it to have fun, time limit purists want the time limit because "it adds challenge to that game". NO it DOES NOT, all it does is annoy you because you are more worried about the time than actually focusing on your alchemy. I love Atelier Totori too but man I am NOT looking forward to the time limit of that game as it means absolutely NOTHING to the storyline anyways unlike Rorona's.

2) Replayability, almost non-existent. Because of said time limits you just CANNOT get into the proper mindset of the MC trying her best to become a very good alchemist. You NEED to replay the game AGAIN from the VERY BEGINNING just to get the good traits off of your alchemy. It makes the game very repetitive and boring. Why make me watch a cutscene I have watched on my last playthrough? I just really want to make that got tier staff and armor man, I'm not gonna play another playthrough just for the sake of one trait in one stick.

Alright Review Time!

Valkyria Chronicles 4 is amazingly done. Some people say it's "too similar" to the first game but THAT IS THE REASON IT'S GOOD! I love the way it feels, the way it looks and the way characters feel. I'm gonna divide the good and the bad here and please do watch for spoilers if you're reading this cuz there's gonna be some.

THE GOOD:
1) Leena's ASS.
2) Huge amounts of missions. I do mean, HUGE!!! There are chapters in the game comprosing of 2 missions at a time and it made you feel the game has a lot of substance.
3) The story is pretty decent. Not the best one, I still prefer VC1's storyline. (I'm really biased in support Alicia you see.)
4) The game is very easy to learn even if you haven't played the original VC.
5) I absolutely LOVE Riley. Not only her character design but also her class. You see, the grenadier class in this game is BLOODY OP if you know how to use them. I once used RIley to literally wipe out entire maps of enemies with the support of a single engineer to restock her ammo. The Boss fight with the tank on the ice berg, slap Riley with that AT mortar + demolition order and end the mission in one turn.
6) I also loved the mechanic in the game where you can promote a regular member of your squad into a leader role for extra command points. It makes me really take care and I really feel attached to my best and favorite characters. I haven't felt so greatly rewarded as much as using Neige, Nico, Hannah, Ferrier and vancey because I can switch them to leader status at different points in the game when I need to.
7) That APC driven by Dan??? Thumbs freakin' up!
8) There's more side stories that actually focus more on the minor members of the squad in Squad Stories. I absolutely loved Neige's short and simple storyline.
9) Did I mention Leena's ASS???

CONS:
1) Being a "real" sequel to the original Valkyria Chronicles, this game is gonna be compared a lot with the latter. And for me, VC1 was way better in terms of characters, storyline and gameplay.
2) The lack of Valkyria action made me frown quite a few times. I was in FEAR everytime Selvaria made a move in the original because she was genuinely dangerous . The Barious Ruins, Naggiar Plains heck even when she was in her mortal form she was bloody dangerous in Ghirlandaio fortress. The Winter Witch looked scary at first when I saw her but man, it was so easy to beat here. Like really? She's *cough spoilers cough* holding her bloody weakness all the time!!!
3) An extension from point 2. Another thing that made VC1 stand out was the good use of BOTH of it's Valkyrias. IMHO Angie was kind of underplayed, quite a bit too much at that.
4) Character development was better here in VC4 in terms of screentime but it was negatively affected by weakly written and uninspired characters. I mean I REALLY HATED Minerva for like 3/4ths of the game. The only time she made sense as a character was the VERY LAST part where she almost detonated the nuke herself.
5) The obsession of the characters about "protecting Gallia" while they were fighting for the Feds was kinda annoying. Especially when they were completely ignorant that the Gallian invasion has been successfully thwarted. Like... how could they NOT know that big news but receive a ceasefire order from what seems to be the Federal HQ all the way in the Imp Capital. WTF???
6) Character chemistry was all over the place from the beginning to the end of the storyline. Compare Claude and Riley's relationship to Welkin and Alicia and you'll see it's no contest. ESPECIALLY if you compare ANY character developments that happened in the whole of VC4 for to what Isara and Rosie had in the original.
7) Lastly, the level designs of VC4 is kind of mixed in my opinion. It had VERY BEAUTIFUL levels in the first half of the game but was reduced in scale and quality for the last half of the game. I mean, just look at the simplicity of the maps for the chapters where they needed to fight Walz and the Winter WItch back to back and you'll see that the game levels were very simple and uninspired. It made the game very easy to get an A rank all the time becasue of how easy it is to traverse the map.


So, those are my good and bad thoughts about the game. I still love the game though and completely recommend it to any VC fan!!!

I love this game's setting, weapons and everything. BUT... BUT, there is ONE THING that bugs the ♥♥♥♥ out of me and I CANNOT recommend this game right now.

Quiet! Can you hear that deafening QUIETNESS??!!!!
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ man! Get to cover by yourself cuz your squad AIN'T GONNA TALK to you. Even if you talk to them the best way possible as a team mate.

Honetly, this kills the game. Might change my review if it gets changed but man people should be banned if they do not talk. Seriously.

I still remember my last time playing a proper dungeon crawler similar to this one was way back in 2000, back then games were simple but very challenging because you got big-ass maps with tough hard bosses. Like, you really NEED to grind FOR DAYS in order to continue forward with the game.

Mary Skelter Nightmares offers that game very well albeit without the days long grinding that you will need to do with the older dungeon crawlers.

So, what is good about this game?
- The "Jail" dungeon is one bloody hot mess of traps and turns that, if you like playing without the minimap like me, you will have a HARD time getting around the labyrinths.

- The horror part of the game was nicely done. An invincible nightmare chasing you around is a damn scary proposition, add to that the confusing mazes and traps around the dungeons and you'll be in for a nightmare fueled panic spree in no time.

- The girls, although quite generic, are well writen enough that people will not feel bored of them for quite sometime.

- GRETEL. Just... just play the game and you will see that GRETEL is more fitting of the main heroine role that some other main character that was driven to the sideline pretty damn fast.


Cons about the game.
- The battles become too repetitive because of the frequency of random battles. I literally walked about in one area in the first dungeon and met at least 20 different random encounters in the first hour of my playthrough.

- The horror of the nightmare chase events become a bit stale after chapter 3 since you already know you can just beat the living snot out of the nightmare and walk your ass to safety pretty easily. It removes the fear factor out of the chase quite quickly after the third nightmare.

- Alice is one useless *******!!!!!! I liked her at first but man she got annoying VERY quickly. She also has a tendency to attack your players way more if she goes pink (I hope this does not spoil anyone). The only reason I let her stay in the party is that I needed a tank while Cinderella becomes by main physical damage dealer.

Okay this game is AMAZING. Plane performances are GENERALLY okay but they have A LOT of ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up things in the flight model.

HOWEVER... if people and developers in this community understand what a sim is then please ACTUALLY USE REAL LIFE PERFORMANCES OF THE PLANE!

There are 3 main issues in this game and after over 1200 hours of flying this game I think I know what I am talking about.

1) German planes are OVERPERFORMING at high altitudes. Yes German planes are monsters against the VVS at 5000 meters but if you can catch a P-47 with a G-14/ G-6 at 7000 - 8000 feet you have some issues.

2) About the P-47, the things is SLOW AS ♥♥♥♥, so is the P-40. The devs insist on "using the manuals as a base" are definitely getting their ♥♥♥♥ wrong when the top speed of a P-47 in level flight rarely goes above 250-260 mph when it should go at 320+/ 330+ mph at around 5000 feet at 1975 torque meter b.h.p. at 2700 R.P.M. and 52.6" hg. manifold pressure. Don't believe me? The take a look at this. http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-47/XP-47B_40-3051_PHQ-M-19-1288-A.pdf

Only time you'll do this in a P-47 in level flight is if you turn on water injection.

It should be noted that EVERY AMERICAN PLANE is like this, Why? They insist, again, in using the "manuals" in which the American ones are conservative as hell. Tell you what, when the P-51 comes out it is going to be slow as hell too. But hey, literally everyone in this game hates US fighters right?

3) Flaps, yes, the damn flaps in this game are annoying. Okay, remember that there are many types of flaps for aircraft. The 190's, most soviet fighters, spitfires and the P-40 has the split flap (it does not really matter anyways). Guess what, they can use this "magic flap" to essentially out turn any fighter out there. You can actually out turn a dedicated fighter like the spitfire, or 109, or LA-5 with the 110 if you put down your flaps. They can also do this at medium speeds above the "plane manual's" warning speed for the flaps.

Now, people will tell you to, "use the flaps too if they are out turning you" to level the playing field.
Ehem... "sim"?