Sonix
A good game hindered by some questionable design decisions and technical shortcomings.
The core gameplay idea and loop are good and implemented in the right way could make this game or a possible successor a truly great action adventure game but in this first iteration too many things just don'T click perfectly.
There are numerous technical problems like extremely long loading times, loading stutters while in game, noticable drops in performance and some progress-killings bugs.
Additionally, some of the levels are just too big and because of no fast-travel system in the levels themselves big levels tend to annoy instead of spike curiosity.
The story is a little unfocused and the main character isn't that interesting.
Gameplay-wise the game feels mostly fine, however the "Dark Souls"-style fights weren't that good or enjoyable which made me tune the difficulty down to "easy" to get through the bigger challenges without too much frustration and loading (loading times after dying were awful as well).
Still, the game had its high moments, some very nice side characters and I feel like its a good starting point for a series that hopefully will continue to iterate on the good core concepts laid out here.
The core gameplay idea and loop are good and implemented in the right way could make this game or a possible successor a truly great action adventure game but in this first iteration too many things just don'T click perfectly.
There are numerous technical problems like extremely long loading times, loading stutters while in game, noticable drops in performance and some progress-killings bugs.
Additionally, some of the levels are just too big and because of no fast-travel system in the levels themselves big levels tend to annoy instead of spike curiosity.
The story is a little unfocused and the main character isn't that interesting.
Gameplay-wise the game feels mostly fine, however the "Dark Souls"-style fights weren't that good or enjoyable which made me tune the difficulty down to "easy" to get through the bigger challenges without too much frustration and loading (loading times after dying were awful as well).
Still, the game had its high moments, some very nice side characters and I feel like its a good starting point for a series that hopefully will continue to iterate on the good core concepts laid out here.
2016
I'd put this game under the title "mildly interesting". It often evokes a curiosity in the player but from my perspective fails to reward it. Instead the game seems to be confident to just stay confusing and never really resolve anything.
I found the predecessor a lot more engaging because the setup was clearer.
Still, the mechanics weren't bad and there were some really fun and/or surprising sections.
I found the predecessor a lot more engaging because the setup was clearer.
Still, the mechanics weren't bad and there were some really fun and/or surprising sections.
I was pleasantly surprised by this game, it's one of the best "classic" 3D Zeldas I've played. The graphical style holds up really well and all the QoL improvements do seem to help this game a lot.
Despite some problems like a still annoying camera (although much improved over the original), a confusing upgrade and crafting system and some minor pacing / repetition issues this is a very good game.
Characters, setting and overall feel of this game are great, as are most of the areas you visit and re-visit. Dungeons and Locations are well laid out and memorable.
I didn't like the fighting system too much (I played with button controls), the sword direction-thing just didn't work well for me. Maybe its really good when playing wiht motion controls.
Overall a really good game that I gladly completed in around 35 hours.
Despite some problems like a still annoying camera (although much improved over the original), a confusing upgrade and crafting system and some minor pacing / repetition issues this is a very good game.
Characters, setting and overall feel of this game are great, as are most of the areas you visit and re-visit. Dungeons and Locations are well laid out and memorable.
I didn't like the fighting system too much (I played with button controls), the sword direction-thing just didn't work well for me. Maybe its really good when playing wiht motion controls.
Overall a really good game that I gladly completed in around 35 hours.
A super-massive adventure in a beautiful world, hindered only a little by some core mechanics and some uninspiring quests and NPCs.
The main character (especially Kassandra, who I played) is really likable, the core motivation si good but sometimes the games takes a little too long for a simple fetch quest or you cn get overwhelmed by how big the world is and how much stuff there is. AC games, especially the newer ones, should be played just by having fun existing in the world and doing things there, progressing slowly as you go through the locations and do your quests. There is no strong choreographed storyline than can pull you through some motivational slump. Rather, you as the player should probably stop and continue when you're ready to just dive back in.
DLC was also amazing and made me care for all the "supernatural" stuff happening in the franchise, which doesn't happen too often for me.
The required grinding was a little too much for me, especially approaching LVL 50 before being able to beat some of the harder challenges in the game.
The main character (especially Kassandra, who I played) is really likable, the core motivation si good but sometimes the games takes a little too long for a simple fetch quest or you cn get overwhelmed by how big the world is and how much stuff there is. AC games, especially the newer ones, should be played just by having fun existing in the world and doing things there, progressing slowly as you go through the locations and do your quests. There is no strong choreographed storyline than can pull you through some motivational slump. Rather, you as the player should probably stop and continue when you're ready to just dive back in.
DLC was also amazing and made me care for all the "supernatural" stuff happening in the franchise, which doesn't happen too often for me.
The required grinding was a little too much for me, especially approaching LVL 50 before being able to beat some of the harder challenges in the game.
2018
It really is the best racing game (that is not a simulation) of all time. The world is vast, interesting and dynamic, seasons impact everything from gameplay to challenges. Tons and tons of amazing cars that are fun to drive and play and the whole game is filled to the max with awesome stuff to do. Even someone who doesn't like racing games will ave tons of fun here because the game is just so well designed.
2019
Great gameplay, amazing graphics, a lot of content and a surprisingly fun and interesting storyline. MK11 always stays on my Xbox for local multiplayer matches that are always fun and easy to pick up. Character interactions are fun and the whole package is just very round.
2019
A fun little game with humor, although after a few levels I had my fill and didn't really find a reason to jump back in.
For me a great GamePass game.
For me a great GamePass game.
1998
One of the greatest RTS of all time and established some absolute core concepts of the genre which became must-haves for future RTS titles. Created a whole esports scene out of nothing because of the perfect multiplayer. Campaign was also amazing with great worldbuilding and a real rollercoaster of actions an interaction experiened through multiple different campaigns and viewpoints.
A high for its time that probably will never be achieved again.
A high for its time that probably will never be achieved again.
Great package.
3D World is a great new direction for Mario games and the level design, interactions and platforming were fantastic. Precision, especially when trying to judge depth wasn't great, which occasionally became frustrating due to difficult platforming, but the game more than made up for that with amazing levels, cool powerups and a lot of personality and creativity everywhere.
Bowsers Fury was a nice little extra, although I felt it was a little repetitive, especially in the later parts. However the game ended "soon enough" and didn't overstay its welcome just before things could get really frustrating.
3D World is a great new direction for Mario games and the level design, interactions and platforming were fantastic. Precision, especially when trying to judge depth wasn't great, which occasionally became frustrating due to difficult platforming, but the game more than made up for that with amazing levels, cool powerups and a lot of personality and creativity everywhere.
Bowsers Fury was a nice little extra, although I felt it was a little repetitive, especially in the later parts. However the game ended "soon enough" and didn't overstay its welcome just before things could get really frustrating.
2004
A technological masterpiece when it came out and still boasting a very distinct graphical style. The tone of the game shifted a lot compared to the previous games though. While DOOM always had horror elements to it the focus on dark hallways, jump scares and "cheap tricks" didn't work for me that well.
Add to that some gameplay problems like not being able to hold a flashlight and a weapon at the same time and enemys always spawning in right behind you.
Not the best DOOM game, but interesting enough and still very playable.
Add to that some gameplay problems like not being able to hold a flashlight and a weapon at the same time and enemys always spawning in right behind you.
Not the best DOOM game, but interesting enough and still very playable.
One of the greatest Mario platformers (I know, debatable, as you're playing Yoshi and this game spawned its own whole series) of all time. Art style, soundtrack, general world setting and feel of the game are timeless classics.
Gameplay is great, platforming is fun and the game is quite challenging and mixes things up very often. The whole package, greatly recommended for anyone.
Gameplay is great, platforming is fun and the game is quite challenging and mixes things up very often. The whole package, greatly recommended for anyone.
1989
A game to be viewed more from a nostalgic and historical point-of-view rather than from a pure gameplay perspective.
As the first Mario game on the Game Boy it had huge implications, but the game itself aged quite badly. Jumping and movement don't feel very Mario, or just very good at all.
Still it had some very memorable stages and I recommend playing through it at least once, even if for nothing else than the historical perspective.
As the first Mario game on the Game Boy it had huge implications, but the game itself aged quite badly. Jumping and movement don't feel very Mario, or just very good at all.
Still it had some very memorable stages and I recommend playing through it at least once, even if for nothing else than the historical perspective.
2016
Abandoned the game after around one hour of trying to find out what to do and why I should care.
Now, maybe I should care, but the game never told me, and to expect from the player to push through without anything thats guiding them or giving any kind of motivation turned at least me off.
To be fair, I am not a huge fan of "plain" puzzles without them being embedded into something more relatable. The Witness seems very "straight to the point" in that regard.
Now, maybe I should care, but the game never told me, and to expect from the player to push through without anything thats guiding them or giving any kind of motivation turned at least me off.
To be fair, I am not a huge fan of "plain" puzzles without them being embedded into something more relatable. The Witness seems very "straight to the point" in that regard.
A very strong core game (its Starcraft!) sadly hindered by a dumbed down storyline. What was a interstellar conflict with unexplained and unspeakable dangers and horrors in the first game has become a story about personal loss, love and the feelings of a few characters. The new story could have been still good, but sadly it never really gets interesting enough to care too much.
In some parts a very strong finish to the trilogy, sadly in others it doesn't quite stick the landing.
The story doesn't quite find what it wants to be about and the relationship between the main antagonist and Lara feels very forced. Ethical questions get asked but don't get a satisfying answer, neither through story nor gameplay.
The core game however is the strongest of the trilogy. The temples are amazingly designed, the whole game is extremely beautiful and the mechanics work great.
I like the direction the series went with this trilogy and hope there will be a new attempt at some point in the future.
The story doesn't quite find what it wants to be about and the relationship between the main antagonist and Lara feels very forced. Ethical questions get asked but don't get a satisfying answer, neither through story nor gameplay.
The core game however is the strongest of the trilogy. The temples are amazingly designed, the whole game is extremely beautiful and the mechanics work great.
I like the direction the series went with this trilogy and hope there will be a new attempt at some point in the future.