Mustang_Click
2021
Wavetale is one of those games that I wish I could give a higher score to, but there just isn't enough game to warrant it. I finished it in just over 4 hours, and there is so much to love about the game but I just wish there was more space to let it shine.
Let's start with some positives. The movement is some of the best in any game I've played, and mastering the timing of riding the waves is really satisfying. It's definitely the thing that I wanted more of the most. There is so much potential with the movement that it feels criminal that the game is short. There's also the level design, which is overall very sound. The locations in the game are fun to explore with the fluid movement mechanics, and some platforming/grappling sections feel just as good as the ocean movement. The OST is brilliant - Joel Bille's unique sound really contributes to the atmosphere. Visually the game is very easy on the eyes, and the character designs are super cute.
There are, however, some downsides to the game. I've mentioned already the disappointing length. Even if the story remained the same length, adding in more characters to interact with, more side quests and puzzles, or even more islands to explore; anything to make the game last just that little bit longer would have been welcome.
The story is fairly on the nose with its messaging, but it didn't detract from the experience much. What did however, was some of the writing. Some lines were bordering on cringey, and a few lacklustre performances didn't help. Not all the dialogue mind you, but enough for me to be annoyed by at times. There is also some combat in the game, but it is essentially just mashing the attack button and occasionally using a heavy attack. Not a bad thing necessarily, as combat definitely isn't the focus of the game, but there was enough combat for me to mention it.
Overall, Wavetale is a charming, if a little underwhelming experience. More locations to explore to flesh out the world would've been great, as would a longer story. Ultimately, I wouldn't pay full price for this game, but definitely a fun way to spend an afternoon if you can get it on sale.
Let's start with some positives. The movement is some of the best in any game I've played, and mastering the timing of riding the waves is really satisfying. It's definitely the thing that I wanted more of the most. There is so much potential with the movement that it feels criminal that the game is short. There's also the level design, which is overall very sound. The locations in the game are fun to explore with the fluid movement mechanics, and some platforming/grappling sections feel just as good as the ocean movement. The OST is brilliant - Joel Bille's unique sound really contributes to the atmosphere. Visually the game is very easy on the eyes, and the character designs are super cute.
There are, however, some downsides to the game. I've mentioned already the disappointing length. Even if the story remained the same length, adding in more characters to interact with, more side quests and puzzles, or even more islands to explore; anything to make the game last just that little bit longer would have been welcome.
The story is fairly on the nose with its messaging, but it didn't detract from the experience much. What did however, was some of the writing. Some lines were bordering on cringey, and a few lacklustre performances didn't help. Not all the dialogue mind you, but enough for me to be annoyed by at times. There is also some combat in the game, but it is essentially just mashing the attack button and occasionally using a heavy attack. Not a bad thing necessarily, as combat definitely isn't the focus of the game, but there was enough combat for me to mention it.
Overall, Wavetale is a charming, if a little underwhelming experience. More locations to explore to flesh out the world would've been great, as would a longer story. Ultimately, I wouldn't pay full price for this game, but definitely a fun way to spend an afternoon if you can get it on sale.
2022
This review contains spoilers
A great game tarnished (pun intended) by some genuinely baffling decisions. Let's start with the good. Exploring the Lands Between is the most fun I've had in a Fromsoft game by far. The world is huge with so much to find, so many unique enemies and items to find. Build variety is also great, with some really fun and unique weapons and spells to utilise. Finding some of them in different dungeons is super rewarding, and really makes you want to explore even further.
The bosses are also very good, at least in the first half of the game. The lore is cool, the designs are even cooler, and many of them are made perfectly for the combat system. However, many of them, particularly in the late game, suck absolute ass. They feel like they were designed with Bloodborne combat pass in mind, with bosses like Malenia and Maliketh using quick and punishing attacks, leaving you few options. Many of these bosses also have huge AOE attacks, like Mohg, who covers the arena with obnoxious fire, which are also difficult to avoid in an almost unfair way. There were many times that I died to these bosses that felt like it was in no way my fault. Eventually I did 'git gut' and beat them, but it stopped feeling like a tough but fun challenge that I had overcome and more a chore that I'd forced myself through. Don't even get me started on Malenia's BS healing despite hitting a shield, or Elden Beast, which should 100% have been fought on Torrent. There's also the matter of some abysmal duo bosses, like the Godskin duo which I will only ever fight with sleep pots from now on, or the Valiant Gargoyles, who I don't struggle as much on now, but when I first fought had me slamming my head on my desk in frustration. Many bosses are also really overused to the point where it feels lazy.
There are obviously some great bosses as well. Margit is the best "first" boss in the series, and Morgott takes the best parts of that fight and makes them more challenging. Some other highlights include Godrick, Rennala, Placidusax, Loretta and Elemer.
Enough about bosses, let's talk about the world. As I said earlier, the world was extremely fun to explore, on my first play through. I loved wandering into a cave and seeing what enemies and items I could find. Now though, I know exactly what I'll find in each cave, and because of that I also know what caves I can simply run past. On subsequent playthroughs the world feels far less dense because of how surface level some of the locations truly are. There are actually very few of them that are really worth visiting by the end of it, making for a very shallow experience after the first couple runs. The legacy dungeons are still all fun to explore though. Volcano Manor and Stormveil Castle are the highlights for me, with tons of alternate paths and secrets to find.
While it seems as though I've been very harsh on this game, that is more because I really wanted Elden Ring to be the amazing game I know it could have been. It's still great, sure, but there are definitely some glaring issues that emerge, especially after multiple runs. Will I keep playing it? Yes, without a doubt. However, it has the same problems that DS1 had with some bizarre bosses and a somewhat lacklustre second half compared with the rest of the game. They took so many steps in the right direction with Bloodborne and Sekiro, and then seemingly went back on them for no reason for Elden Ring. It's still a super fun experience, but its not the perfect masterpiece that everyone claims it to be.
The bosses are also very good, at least in the first half of the game. The lore is cool, the designs are even cooler, and many of them are made perfectly for the combat system. However, many of them, particularly in the late game, suck absolute ass. They feel like they were designed with Bloodborne combat pass in mind, with bosses like Malenia and Maliketh using quick and punishing attacks, leaving you few options. Many of these bosses also have huge AOE attacks, like Mohg, who covers the arena with obnoxious fire, which are also difficult to avoid in an almost unfair way. There were many times that I died to these bosses that felt like it was in no way my fault. Eventually I did 'git gut' and beat them, but it stopped feeling like a tough but fun challenge that I had overcome and more a chore that I'd forced myself through. Don't even get me started on Malenia's BS healing despite hitting a shield, or Elden Beast, which should 100% have been fought on Torrent. There's also the matter of some abysmal duo bosses, like the Godskin duo which I will only ever fight with sleep pots from now on, or the Valiant Gargoyles, who I don't struggle as much on now, but when I first fought had me slamming my head on my desk in frustration. Many bosses are also really overused to the point where it feels lazy.
There are obviously some great bosses as well. Margit is the best "first" boss in the series, and Morgott takes the best parts of that fight and makes them more challenging. Some other highlights include Godrick, Rennala, Placidusax, Loretta and Elemer.
Enough about bosses, let's talk about the world. As I said earlier, the world was extremely fun to explore, on my first play through. I loved wandering into a cave and seeing what enemies and items I could find. Now though, I know exactly what I'll find in each cave, and because of that I also know what caves I can simply run past. On subsequent playthroughs the world feels far less dense because of how surface level some of the locations truly are. There are actually very few of them that are really worth visiting by the end of it, making for a very shallow experience after the first couple runs. The legacy dungeons are still all fun to explore though. Volcano Manor and Stormveil Castle are the highlights for me, with tons of alternate paths and secrets to find.
While it seems as though I've been very harsh on this game, that is more because I really wanted Elden Ring to be the amazing game I know it could have been. It's still great, sure, but there are definitely some glaring issues that emerge, especially after multiple runs. Will I keep playing it? Yes, without a doubt. However, it has the same problems that DS1 had with some bizarre bosses and a somewhat lacklustre second half compared with the rest of the game. They took so many steps in the right direction with Bloodborne and Sekiro, and then seemingly went back on them for no reason for Elden Ring. It's still a super fun experience, but its not the perfect masterpiece that everyone claims it to be.
2015
A masterpiece from start to finish. Incredible bosses,, a perfect atmosphere throughout, and easily the most fun combat that Fromsoft have ever designed.
2016
Slightly more linear than previous games in the series, but it has the best bosses and combat in the series by far. DLCs are also phenomenal.
2014
Definitely doesn't deserve all the hate, but is probably the weakest in the series. Some repetitive and boring bosses alongside with it being arguably the easiest in the series make the core gameplay feel less rewarding. However, it also has some absolutely BS difficulty spikes with massive ganks and nonsensical hitboxes and attacks. It is still Dark Souls, but it feels like a lot of wasted potential compared to the rest. Also ADP sucks.
2011
An absolutely stellar first half with one of the best worlds to explore and some fantastic bosses is somewhat ruined by a sub par second half, with mediocre and more linear areas alongside some only okay bosses. Still, it's one of the most popular games of all time for a reason, and still very much worth a play.
2007
Hat Simulator
2022
Compared with my other favourite games, which are usually action RPGs with big worlds to explore, a medieval tapestry themed game about solving a murder in a small European village didn't seem like it would be my sort of thing. And yet, here we are. It's a game best played blind, even on repeat play throughs with all the different paths to take, but just know that this is one of the most engaging games I've ever played and I finished my first play through in only a few sittings.
2012
This game has great stealth mechanics and arguably the best level design of any game I've played. Sublime.
"Think it'll rain?"
Not as in depth as Morrowind, not as refined as Skyrim. Good fun tho
Something about this game just doesn't let me stop playing it help
2019
The greatest game I've ever played. Everything from the atmosphere, the writing, the soundtrack, the exploration and the puzzles were just fantastic. Don't look up any guides, just play the game for yourself - it is truly a one of a kind experience.