Cyntrac
This game is a masterclass in story telling. There is honestly not much more I can say. If I rated it only based on the story of the game, it would be 5 stars without a shadow of a doubt.
But. Sadly there are two things about this game that I dislike, firstly the combat. I enjoy the combat enough to play the game but if I could change it to something similar to the Fallen Order combat I would.
The second part is just that sometimes the game is quite tedious, frankly it's the same with Sith Lords. It just has puzzles, and some gameplay elements that slow the pace down enough to the point where it can get a little stale.
It more than makes up for it though with the story. I honestly wish I could play this game + the sequel again without knowing what happened.
But. Sadly there are two things about this game that I dislike, firstly the combat. I enjoy the combat enough to play the game but if I could change it to something similar to the Fallen Order combat I would.
The second part is just that sometimes the game is quite tedious, frankly it's the same with Sith Lords. It just has puzzles, and some gameplay elements that slow the pace down enough to the point where it can get a little stale.
It more than makes up for it though with the story. I honestly wish I could play this game + the sequel again without knowing what happened.
2016
I have had the luxury to sit back and watch this game grow from back in 2016 when it was in open beta and I first purchased it.
When I buy a game, I like to imagine that every £ that goes into it equates to 1 hour of play time in the game. I believe I purchased this game for around £10-15 so for my money's worth, I would have to play around 15 hours.
I got those 15 hours in the game in the beta alone. Since then, the game has been consistently updated by an incredible dev team who have a strong focus on where they want the game to be going, and I have loved every moment of it.
It's not a game I play very often, I normally just pick it up around once a year, mostly after I watch someone play it for the first time in ages (notably, this time, it was Jerma985), and I am super glad that I did again.
The gameplay is relaxing, but incredibly engaging. The sense of progression in the game just continues and continues to give me motivation to play it. If you really want to have a game to play in the background to relax, I cannot recommend this game enough.
When I buy a game, I like to imagine that every £ that goes into it equates to 1 hour of play time in the game. I believe I purchased this game for around £10-15 so for my money's worth, I would have to play around 15 hours.
I got those 15 hours in the game in the beta alone. Since then, the game has been consistently updated by an incredible dev team who have a strong focus on where they want the game to be going, and I have loved every moment of it.
It's not a game I play very often, I normally just pick it up around once a year, mostly after I watch someone play it for the first time in ages (notably, this time, it was Jerma985), and I am super glad that I did again.
The gameplay is relaxing, but incredibly engaging. The sense of progression in the game just continues and continues to give me motivation to play it. If you really want to have a game to play in the background to relax, I cannot recommend this game enough.
2012
It's fun! Not really a huge amount to say about it really. The core gameplay loop doesn't tend to get boring and the game throws interesting new mechanics and new ways to play often enough that the gameplay doesn't get boring.
I recommend!
I recommend!
This review contains spoilers
I mean. It's good but there are just so many things about it that I didn't enjoy in comparison to what I did enjoy.
The level design got pretty tedious around an hour in, and it doesn't help that a lot of the missions feel like they just go on forever. I beat the game in 5 hours yet it felt like an ordeal just to get through certain sections. Quick saving is easily abusable and at the end of the day, it is a part of the game, so of course it's going to get utilised. Honestly though it was one of the few things this game had going for it as it made going through some sections of the game way less tedious.
BUT, with that all said, I really enjoyed the story. I love being able to choose what side I'm on, but I'm a little sad it happened so late into the game (literally the 2nd to last mission), but even so, that choice was fun, and I hope Star Wars games in future have these again, it's probably my least favourite thing about Fallen Order, not being able to impact the story in any way. Choosing what lightsaber style to go with was also fun so I'm glad that was included.
I think this game has just been sort of obliterated by the passage of time. Back in 2003 this was probably seen a lot better, but nowadays, it just feels clunky and awkward.
The level design got pretty tedious around an hour in, and it doesn't help that a lot of the missions feel like they just go on forever. I beat the game in 5 hours yet it felt like an ordeal just to get through certain sections. Quick saving is easily abusable and at the end of the day, it is a part of the game, so of course it's going to get utilised. Honestly though it was one of the few things this game had going for it as it made going through some sections of the game way less tedious.
BUT, with that all said, I really enjoyed the story. I love being able to choose what side I'm on, but I'm a little sad it happened so late into the game (literally the 2nd to last mission), but even so, that choice was fun, and I hope Star Wars games in future have these again, it's probably my least favourite thing about Fallen Order, not being able to impact the story in any way. Choosing what lightsaber style to go with was also fun so I'm glad that was included.
I think this game has just been sort of obliterated by the passage of time. Back in 2003 this was probably seen a lot better, but nowadays, it just feels clunky and awkward.
This review contains spoilers
This is a pretty good game. The story is interesting but honestly, I think most people play it for the gameplay. I'm not going to say something like "It makes you feel like a Jedi", but this game is the closest I have felt outside of VR to be using a lightsaber. The gameplay is incredibly engrossing and i keep coming back to it, time and time again because of how much fun that part of the game is.
After playing through the game for a third time just recently, a lot more of the cracks began to show to me. While on average the level design is unique and interesting (especially for a Star Wars game), I feel like for a substantial amount of time, there is backtracking and time and time again I felt like I was lost (I'm looking at you Zeffo...). Exploring the different Worlds is genuinely fun until you have to run all the way back to the Mantis, going through enemies you've killed a hundred times just to move on. However, I don't think the planets are that uninteresting, there's some enjoyable exploration on planets like Zeffo even if it is way too easy to get lost - exploring the republic Venator on Zeffo is easily my favourite area. But one of my biggest complaints with the game is that there are not many planets to explore. You have Zeffo, Dathomir, Bogano, Kashyyyk and Ilum. There is also Bracca and Nur but you don't actually get to explore them. Also while the gameplay is fun, it does get a little repetitive at times and the game does not do itself any favours with the little planetary content outside of the base game and story.
My biggest gripe though, has to probably be the QA. Now those that actually worked on QA most likely did the best they could with what time they had, and I'm sure the programmers on the game are not the ones at fault for an unbelievable amount of glitches in the game (It's absolutely down to time. I almost guarantee that the QA portion of production had a lot less time spent on it). Regardless, it is honestly ridiculous. Every single time I boot up the game to play for an hour or two, I encounter at least one major bug that actually impedes my progress and numerous smaller bugs like visual glitches, T-Posing models or something not spawning correctly. It's honestly quite frustrating to deal with and absolutely sours my enjoyment of the game.
Overall, this game is pretty fun. I actually enjoy it a huge amount but writing this review made my realise I honestly have more to say about it that I dislike, over that I like. Which is a shame because like I said, this game is actually fun, and I am genuinely excited for the sequel. I can't give the rating over a 3 though. Come on EA, step it up.
(Also give us a KOTOR game with this lightsaber content. Thanks!~)
After playing through the game for a third time just recently, a lot more of the cracks began to show to me. While on average the level design is unique and interesting (especially for a Star Wars game), I feel like for a substantial amount of time, there is backtracking and time and time again I felt like I was lost (I'm looking at you Zeffo...). Exploring the different Worlds is genuinely fun until you have to run all the way back to the Mantis, going through enemies you've killed a hundred times just to move on. However, I don't think the planets are that uninteresting, there's some enjoyable exploration on planets like Zeffo even if it is way too easy to get lost - exploring the republic Venator on Zeffo is easily my favourite area. But one of my biggest complaints with the game is that there are not many planets to explore. You have Zeffo, Dathomir, Bogano, Kashyyyk and Ilum. There is also Bracca and Nur but you don't actually get to explore them. Also while the gameplay is fun, it does get a little repetitive at times and the game does not do itself any favours with the little planetary content outside of the base game and story.
My biggest gripe though, has to probably be the QA. Now those that actually worked on QA most likely did the best they could with what time they had, and I'm sure the programmers on the game are not the ones at fault for an unbelievable amount of glitches in the game (It's absolutely down to time. I almost guarantee that the QA portion of production had a lot less time spent on it). Regardless, it is honestly ridiculous. Every single time I boot up the game to play for an hour or two, I encounter at least one major bug that actually impedes my progress and numerous smaller bugs like visual glitches, T-Posing models or something not spawning correctly. It's honestly quite frustrating to deal with and absolutely sours my enjoyment of the game.
Overall, this game is pretty fun. I actually enjoy it a huge amount but writing this review made my realise I honestly have more to say about it that I dislike, over that I like. Which is a shame because like I said, this game is actually fun, and I am genuinely excited for the sequel. I can't give the rating over a 3 though. Come on EA, step it up.
(Also give us a KOTOR game with this lightsaber content. Thanks!~)
2014
Always fun
I really loved this game.
When it comes to Star Wars story, and being immersed, I don't think there is a better one to play (not including KOTOR 1). Fallen Order is definitely another game that i'd consider for that, but I think it falls short because it's a linear story, whereas KOTOR 2 can be played so many different ways.
But. There are two big things that hold it back. The combat and the movement.
The combat gets very tedious very quickly, and if I did not love the story, or Star Wars, as much as I do, I would probably have quit very early on.
The other part, the movement, is another aspect of the game that makes it very tedious. For the most part the character is slow and at some point it takes a while to get from one place to another, coupling this with the fact that there is a fair amount of back tracking does tend to hurt my enjoyment of this game.
I also have two smaller gripes. Some areas feel confusing as hell (I'm looking at you Nar Shaddaa), but considering that's very subjective, I wouldn't put that as a proper complaint. The other gripe is the fact that there is so much cut content, which is absolutely a shame. If you're playing it on PC (which I'd be shocked if you weren't), get the Star Wars KOTOR Restoration Mod.
Play it for the story, and you'll have a great time.
When it comes to Star Wars story, and being immersed, I don't think there is a better one to play (not including KOTOR 1). Fallen Order is definitely another game that i'd consider for that, but I think it falls short because it's a linear story, whereas KOTOR 2 can be played so many different ways.
But. There are two big things that hold it back. The combat and the movement.
The combat gets very tedious very quickly, and if I did not love the story, or Star Wars, as much as I do, I would probably have quit very early on.
The other part, the movement, is another aspect of the game that makes it very tedious. For the most part the character is slow and at some point it takes a while to get from one place to another, coupling this with the fact that there is a fair amount of back tracking does tend to hurt my enjoyment of this game.
I also have two smaller gripes. Some areas feel confusing as hell (I'm looking at you Nar Shaddaa), but considering that's very subjective, I wouldn't put that as a proper complaint. The other gripe is the fact that there is so much cut content, which is absolutely a shame. If you're playing it on PC (which I'd be shocked if you weren't), get the Star Wars KOTOR Restoration Mod.
Play it for the story, and you'll have a great time.
2018
There really is not much I can say that hasn't already been said. The game is incredible. The combat is interesting and continues to be interesting after hours of playing the game.
It's not that linear of a game but it does feel repetitive while other rogue likes don't tend to feel that way (I mean, even take Spelunky, another very similar game but it doesn't have that repetitive feel that this game has).
There aren't as many weapons as I would have hoped for but this is absolutely made up for by the fact that after collecting the different boons, you're almost guaranteed a new way to play with the weapon that you're using.
It's also still got that challenge that I love in rogue like games. It's absolutely a great experience and I do definitely recommend it.
It's not that linear of a game but it does feel repetitive while other rogue likes don't tend to feel that way (I mean, even take Spelunky, another very similar game but it doesn't have that repetitive feel that this game has).
There aren't as many weapons as I would have hoped for but this is absolutely made up for by the fact that after collecting the different boons, you're almost guaranteed a new way to play with the weapon that you're using.
It's also still got that challenge that I love in rogue like games. It's absolutely a great experience and I do definitely recommend it.
2020
I've been having an absolute blast playing through this game. Multiplayer released just over a week ago now as well and that is just as phenomenal. I've got over 100 hours on Spelunky HD and I've played almost just as much on the 2009 release of the very original. I have to say that this is the best release of the game. For entry level players, you might as well pick this one up. The other two are fun as hell but this is absolutely the best way to play Spelunky now.
There is so much content. Even the very base ending of the game will take hours (I haven't even beaten the base game single player yet). And after that there is so much to do anyway. I literally found out about more stuff in this game YESTERDAY.
It is almost a masterpiece. Unfortunately multiplayer still isn't in the best situation. Playing with friends is easy enough but you have to get used to lower FPS, and also you can't unlock new characters if you are with friends, which is probably my biggest gripe.
Despite all of that though, it's brilliant. Check it out!
There is so much content. Even the very base ending of the game will take hours (I haven't even beaten the base game single player yet). And after that there is so much to do anyway. I literally found out about more stuff in this game YESTERDAY.
It is almost a masterpiece. Unfortunately multiplayer still isn't in the best situation. Playing with friends is easy enough but you have to get used to lower FPS, and also you can't unlock new characters if you are with friends, which is probably my biggest gripe.
Despite all of that though, it's brilliant. Check it out!