MikeVollminator
BACKER
2023
It's not without its flaws but I think Lies of P does a lot right to stand on its own despite its clear inspirations from Bloodborne. Its more linear nature is welcome and its world is one I was interested in seeing. The presentation is top notch, though I think it excels more with the mechanized horror of the puppets over some enemies you see in the later third. Overall sound design is straight 10s across the board. Every hit, block and parry sound just incredible.
I was surprised by the story. Not where it was going but more how well it was told. It's a more straight forward tale from other soulsborne titles. Lovingly taking elements from the original fairy tale and expanding on them. They really play into the bit and if the sequel tease is legit I think we can expect more of that in the future.
Combat is a bit of a mixed bag to be honest. The weapon customization is a mechanic I want to see others adopt. The difficulty curve on the other hand doesn't really prepare you for the late game. I would say it starts off a bit too easy and then just slams you against the wall out of nowhere. There are absolutely fights that feel unfair for the sake of it. But that didn't stop me from running headfirst into them with my giant electric pizza cutter.
Overall I think Lies of P is a really great game and I'd be lying if I said this wasn't worth your time.
I was surprised by the story. Not where it was going but more how well it was told. It's a more straight forward tale from other soulsborne titles. Lovingly taking elements from the original fairy tale and expanding on them. They really play into the bit and if the sequel tease is legit I think we can expect more of that in the future.
Combat is a bit of a mixed bag to be honest. The weapon customization is a mechanic I want to see others adopt. The difficulty curve on the other hand doesn't really prepare you for the late game. I would say it starts off a bit too easy and then just slams you against the wall out of nowhere. There are absolutely fights that feel unfair for the sake of it. But that didn't stop me from running headfirst into them with my giant electric pizza cutter.
Overall I think Lies of P is a really great game and I'd be lying if I said this wasn't worth your time.
2024
At the time of writing Helskate has been released in Early access for about a week and to be honest...it is rough. Placeholder text, missing assets and a fair amount of glitches. Yeah problems are expected in Early Access, but for a $25 USD asking price that is kind of a lot for a game in this current state.
Aside from that while the core experience is fun it is deeply flawed as there is a struggle to meld the Tony Hawk gameplay/controls with the Rogue like combat design. I've enjoyed what I played but the idea of this one feels compromised. Rating it right now feels foolish as there is no telling where this will end up. Studio Phantom Coast has a long way to go before this even remotely reaches its potential.
I'll check in as updates roll out as I'm hoping they can land this one. But I won't be surprised if I come back saying this was a wipeout.
Aside from that while the core experience is fun it is deeply flawed as there is a struggle to meld the Tony Hawk gameplay/controls with the Rogue like combat design. I've enjoyed what I played but the idea of this one feels compromised. Rating it right now feels foolish as there is no telling where this will end up. Studio Phantom Coast has a long way to go before this even remotely reaches its potential.
I'll check in as updates roll out as I'm hoping they can land this one. But I won't be surprised if I come back saying this was a wipeout.
2023
I fell off from cooperative gaming a few years back. I used to have a core group of friends that I really loved to play with. But that situation became super toxic and it led me to avoid playing games with a regular crew. The fun factor was just not there as it didn't feel the same after playing with the same friends for a decade.
Due to all of this I was really apprehensive of Lethal Company. But I'm really glad I gave this a chance as it was the most fun I've ever had with a multiplayer game.
Working, laughing, screaming and cheering here was nothing short of incredible. I really hope the four of us can get together and play more of this soon.
Due to all of this I was really apprehensive of Lethal Company. But I'm really glad I gave this a chance as it was the most fun I've ever had with a multiplayer game.
Working, laughing, screaming and cheering here was nothing short of incredible. I really hope the four of us can get together and play more of this soon.
2015
Its tactics gameplay starts off a little slow, but by the start of act 2 things really heat up. I recommend playing on the "Experienced" difficulty as challenging foes make every encounter feel tense. The game also includes my favorite cast that this world has introduced so far. Filled with the same quirky attitudes and a great presentation you would expect.
I'm also surprised at the direction it went. I wasn't a fan of the ending of Dig 1 when I played it but it set up a good amount of stuff that pays off really well here. Currently SW: Heist is my favorite of the series and I hope this isn't the last we see of this hat obsessed crew.
I'm also surprised at the direction it went. I wasn't a fan of the ending of Dig 1 when I played it but it set up a good amount of stuff that pays off really well here. Currently SW: Heist is my favorite of the series and I hope this isn't the last we see of this hat obsessed crew.
I'm not playing it because my bet right now is that in 1 year the servers will be shut down and the game will become lost forever. I am assuming WB won't give Rocksteady the greenlight to add that offline mode as they have no financial incentive to do so.
Now is this a one off goofy crossover or the start of something larger down the line? Impossible to tell, but this free content update offers more Kiwi goodness and that's hard to complain about.
I had seen Macbat appear in a few of the other Siactro titles and always found his design charming. Can now confirm that his game is equally as such. The levels are low difficulty diorama style hubs that have quite a bit of variety amongst them. It feels like a collage of all the different ideas Siactro would incorporate in their future games.
As a game it's so-so, but as a cool piece of a developer history it's worth checking out.
As a game it's so-so, but as a cool piece of a developer history it's worth checking out.
2022
It's everything you hope for from a Siactro title. It has excellent movement, charming visuals and a great soundtrack. It's incredibly impressive how they manage to make these bite sized experiences so memorable.
I had a big dumb smile on my face the whole time. This is absolutely my favorite I've played so far and can't wait for what's next.
I had a big dumb smile on my face the whole time. This is absolutely my favorite I've played so far and can't wait for what's next.
2021
A very strong city builder with a unique theme. Creating Dams and directing the flow of water is very fun and there is a lot of flavor between the two playable factions. Building vertical structures was also a genius idea as it makes district layouts feel like it's own puzzle.
There are two main things that hold this back however. It's UI is very messy and can make understanding how certain systems work feel like trial/error. Also there is a severe lack of dynamic events. At the time of writing the game has 2, Badwater Tides and Droughts. Both are great challenges but I think the game needs more to keep long playthroughs interesting.
Thankfully the game is in Early Access, has a strong community behind it and Devs who are open to feedback. Timberborn is a great game now and I see a bright future where it will be truly excellent. I really do look forward to checking in on this game as it updates.
There are two main things that hold this back however. It's UI is very messy and can make understanding how certain systems work feel like trial/error. Also there is a severe lack of dynamic events. At the time of writing the game has 2, Badwater Tides and Droughts. Both are great challenges but I think the game needs more to keep long playthroughs interesting.
Thankfully the game is in Early Access, has a strong community behind it and Devs who are open to feedback. Timberborn is a great game now and I see a bright future where it will be truly excellent. I really do look forward to checking in on this game as it updates.
2001
Credit where it's due, the visual and audio design is actually superb. Whether on a handled or blown up on a giant tv this game is actually kind of great to look at. That's the only nice thing I have to say here!
The camera makes levels feel like a frustrating maze, controls feel stiff and objectives are incredibly annoying. I got to the end of the first world before having to call it quits. It's so frustrating tip toeing around trying to find your way to the goal, only to get knocked off the edge by an offscreen enemy and get sent back to start.
They clearly ignored the limitations of the Game Boy. Just because you can put a 3D style Spyro game on the system, doesn't mean you should.
The camera makes levels feel like a frustrating maze, controls feel stiff and objectives are incredibly annoying. I got to the end of the first world before having to call it quits. It's so frustrating tip toeing around trying to find your way to the goal, only to get knocked off the edge by an offscreen enemy and get sent back to start.
They clearly ignored the limitations of the Game Boy. Just because you can put a 3D style Spyro game on the system, doesn't mean you should.
1989
I love a lot of things about this game. From it's incredible soundtrack, to the fact that Metal Man's only true weakness is himself. It has a stronger sense of identity amongst its robot masters, making the abilities more useful across all the stages.
It's no surprise to find this to be an upgrade from the first. It's a challenging experience that keeps things fair....most of the time. It defiantly lost that last star for it's overly demanding Wily Stages.
It's no surprise to find this to be an upgrade from the first. It's a challenging experience that keeps things fair....most of the time. It defiantly lost that last star for it's overly demanding Wily Stages.
1987
It's a product of that era of games where they had to pad out its short length with nonsense level layouts. While I have a strong fondness for this title, it's Wily stages really brought down the experience from charming to frustrating. Overall I would say Mega Man's first outing would be a stronger one if they didn't throw the kitchen sink at you.
I never played Ty growing up but have many friends who have spoken highly of the series over the years. However I found his first outing to be not what I expected. While I really did enjoy Ty as a character I couldn't look past the abysmal camera and awkward gameplay.
It does have some fun ideas, but this outback themed platformer focuses too much on being cool over playing well.
It does have some fun ideas, but this outback themed platformer focuses too much on being cool over playing well.
2017
It's incredibly impressive how much of an improvement this is from the first. Light upgrade customization provides meaningful progression at a steady pace. Improved movement and tools create excellent flow state like movement. And characters are expanded upon making even the most simple of concepts from the original feel rich with personality.
It's a title I couldn't put down and highly recommend. You don't have to dig very deep to find out why this game shines.
It's a title I couldn't put down and highly recommend. You don't have to dig very deep to find out why this game shines.
2021
While the game concept of "What if Super Meatboy was Horny" is a novel one and its gameplay is fluid, the levels lack any unique visual identity to feel distinct from one another.
It doesn't overstay its welcome and I did have fun. But If I'm being honest I likely won't remember my time with it.
It doesn't overstay its welcome and I did have fun. But If I'm being honest I likely won't remember my time with it.