Tibert
2007
Man, what happened to you?
TF2 was once the GOAT of multiplayer class based FPS(s), I have terrific memories of the game centred around playing frequently with small communities on dedicated community servers.
Since its launch it has had a series of changes of focus which have almost entirely altered how the game plays, how people engage with it, and even what the purpose of playing is.
Been dropping into it over the last couple of days and damn, alot of those changes were not for the better. The move away from community hosted servers means you're almost constantly playing against randos and the population of bots - putting it generously - is not insignificant. What servers do exist, are sparcely populated playing heavily modified game mods or are just for farming items.
The changes to the gameplay through item updates actually added alot of dynamic changes to each class (sometimes making the higher skill focused classes like Scout more approachable), but has ultimately resulted in an item/economy based grinding loop that detracts from the actual gameplay. The changes also gradually began to erode the consistent aesthetic the game strived for.
It's a shame, because even now there is clearly a lot of love for the game in what remains of the community, in its peak for me; this was a 4+ star game. These days, it feels like a cheap abandonware FPS.
Some kind of TF2C would be very welcome.
TF2 was once the GOAT of multiplayer class based FPS(s), I have terrific memories of the game centred around playing frequently with small communities on dedicated community servers.
Since its launch it has had a series of changes of focus which have almost entirely altered how the game plays, how people engage with it, and even what the purpose of playing is.
Been dropping into it over the last couple of days and damn, alot of those changes were not for the better. The move away from community hosted servers means you're almost constantly playing against randos and the population of bots - putting it generously - is not insignificant. What servers do exist, are sparcely populated playing heavily modified game mods or are just for farming items.
The changes to the gameplay through item updates actually added alot of dynamic changes to each class (sometimes making the higher skill focused classes like Scout more approachable), but has ultimately resulted in an item/economy based grinding loop that detracts from the actual gameplay. The changes also gradually began to erode the consistent aesthetic the game strived for.
It's a shame, because even now there is clearly a lot of love for the game in what remains of the community, in its peak for me; this was a 4+ star game. These days, it feels like a cheap abandonware FPS.
Some kind of TF2C would be very welcome.
No real room for role-play in this game. You feel very defined as a character. DLC once again the star of a Bethesda-Fallout but still pales in comparison to even FO3.
Base building mechanics are somewhat fun, but don't seem to work quite right - the maximum build size is an odd choice also - compared to say F76 where I can understand why it's warranted.
Ultimately, if you're looking for a fallout themed FPS base builder - here you go!
If you're after anything else, Fallout New Vegas!
Base building mechanics are somewhat fun, but don't seem to work quite right - the maximum build size is an odd choice also - compared to say F76 where I can understand why it's warranted.
Ultimately, if you're looking for a fallout themed FPS base builder - here you go!
If you're after anything else, Fallout New Vegas!
2016
This review contains spoilers
Nicely paced with good vibes, people harp on the suddenness of the ending and the lack of closure - but I think that might be the point; thus I don't factor it in.
As a result of the above, there's not a great deal of consequences to the choices you make other than defining why you are this character you're playing - which in a sense is good enough.
The art style, pacing, chemistry of the main characters and the intrigue of the plot keep this going, but depending on your liking of the ending and how you feel about the choice that are occassionally made for you - you may find this a more shallow narrative adventure.
As a result of the above, there's not a great deal of consequences to the choices you make other than defining why you are this character you're playing - which in a sense is good enough.
The art style, pacing, chemistry of the main characters and the intrigue of the plot keep this going, but depending on your liking of the ending and how you feel about the choice that are occassionally made for you - you may find this a more shallow narrative adventure.
Been playing this casually a few weeks now and I have to say; it's like being sent back in time, but to a different time-line where Valve's focus on content was different.
TF2C is classic-lite, some QOL features from modern TF2 exist, but also so do some new weapons and game modes and while not every choice/weapon/mode sits right with me 100%, I've still been enjoying my time with it.
If you at all crave to re-visit the memory of TF2, but very specifically just before Sniper vs. Spy - then you gotta peep this.
There's a handful of "vanilla" servers that are regularly well populated.
TF2C is classic-lite, some QOL features from modern TF2 exist, but also so do some new weapons and game modes and while not every choice/weapon/mode sits right with me 100%, I've still been enjoying my time with it.
If you at all crave to re-visit the memory of TF2, but very specifically just before Sniper vs. Spy - then you gotta peep this.
There's a handful of "vanilla" servers that are regularly well populated.
1994
Classic
Short game with a interwoven and engaging thread throughout revolving around the titular golden idol. Engages with a lot of themes and has good world building around it - expanded in the DLCs.
Visually it's kind of ugly - but in a sort of detailed way that works, one of the central premises is the greed and ambitions of people driving them to heinous lengths, so like maybe that's an intentional choice.
Gameplay is fun, though easily subject to brute forcing if you get stuck - though I guarantee anyone playing will have a moment where the solution (or indeed twists in the plot) will click and you'll feel like Neo seeing the code of the matrix - I honestly wish one could bottle that feeling and sell it. It's likened to the Obra Dinn, which to my understanding (having not played) has a narrative reason for your investigation, this does not - you're very much an outside perspective.
Ultimately, the game (and it's DLCs) provide a short but engaging narrative journey. It doesn't overstay it's welcome and I look forward to future work by these devs.
Visually it's kind of ugly - but in a sort of detailed way that works, one of the central premises is the greed and ambitions of people driving them to heinous lengths, so like maybe that's an intentional choice.
Gameplay is fun, though easily subject to brute forcing if you get stuck - though I guarantee anyone playing will have a moment where the solution (or indeed twists in the plot) will click and you'll feel like Neo seeing the code of the matrix - I honestly wish one could bottle that feeling and sell it. It's likened to the Obra Dinn, which to my understanding (having not played) has a narrative reason for your investigation, this does not - you're very much an outside perspective.
Ultimately, the game (and it's DLCs) provide a short but engaging narrative journey. It doesn't overstay it's welcome and I look forward to future work by these devs.
Went back to revisit this near Halloween after wondering if I'd mis-interpreted it. I hadn't; it's grim for reasons pertaining to let's call it... character motivation.
Plot is near nonsensical when you pause to think about it and it seems to be on the fence about whether paranormal is real, until very abruptly deciding it is.
The Shining is one of my favourite films and this draws a lot of inspiration from it; but then does almost nothing with it, using it entirely as a setting when there's other things that could be done. The reason I mention this is I wish the directions it took had been different.
The game-feel is there, but the narrative choices are misguided.
Give this one a miss.
Plot is near nonsensical when you pause to think about it and it seems to be on the fence about whether paranormal is real, until very abruptly deciding it is.
The Shining is one of my favourite films and this draws a lot of inspiration from it; but then does almost nothing with it, using it entirely as a setting when there's other things that could be done. The reason I mention this is I wish the directions it took had been different.
The game-feel is there, but the narrative choices are misguided.
Give this one a miss.
2021
Wish I could go back and experience this blind again - a relatively simple premise that gets milked for everything it's worth (in a good way), lots of interconnectivity and trickery.
Strong recommend.
Also has an endless mode which, whilst fun, can be repetitive.
Strong recommend.
Also has an endless mode which, whilst fun, can be repetitive.
2021
Semi-comfy city/farm/field/forest/sea/lake/river builder revolving around placing tiles. Has a self-contradictory approach where continued expansion and creation is based around placing tiles with conditions on them to get more tiles.
This often means a sudden switch to tactical and less aesthetic placements; which seems quite antithetical to what the initial aim is? Despite its best efforts to make you mix and match, it seems that the ideal plan is to have a field area, a town area, a river area, etc. than a natural intermingling scene.
Might just be a me-issue I guess.
This often means a sudden switch to tactical and less aesthetic placements; which seems quite antithetical to what the initial aim is? Despite its best efforts to make you mix and match, it seems that the ideal plan is to have a field area, a town area, a river area, etc. than a natural intermingling scene.
Might just be a me-issue I guess.
Not a fan of this one.
To a credit, actors are doing their best with what they got to work with but damn, I can only walk down the same foggy road with little change a few times before I'm dissociating.
Massive bug at the end which will crash your game if you make a specific choice around 10 minutes prior.
As this series doesn't seem to massively interweave, maybe skip this one.
To a credit, actors are doing their best with what they got to work with but damn, I can only walk down the same foggy road with little change a few times before I'm dissociating.
Massive bug at the end which will crash your game if you make a specific choice around 10 minutes prior.
As this series doesn't seem to massively interweave, maybe skip this one.
2019
Damn good approach to isometric RPG, no direct combat outside of decision based antics.
Soundtrack is an absolute gem. Kim is a treasure.
Legacy of the game somewhat encroached upon by controversy surrounding ZA/UM.
Soundtrack is an absolute gem. Kim is a treasure.
Legacy of the game somewhat encroached upon by controversy surrounding ZA/UM.
2020
Competent boomer shooter, but can feel very samey as time passes on. Entirely sure the last 2 areas are just quake maps, but overall feels like it lacks an identity of it's own.
Option to put the music in midi mode is brave and cool.
Option to put the music in midi mode is brave and cool.
Has is moments but ultimately quite forgettable.
Maybe it was just my route, but I felt that it never revealed the whole song and dance, which is a double edged sword in a sense - so I can't be too disappointed.
Short, but slightly sweeter than bland.
Get free or on-sale.
Maybe it was just my route, but I felt that it never revealed the whole song and dance, which is a double edged sword in a sense - so I can't be too disappointed.
Short, but slightly sweeter than bland.
Get free or on-sale.
2022
I've played enough of this to be confident on the review. This is game makes it a lore reason that base/colony building is your job.
Unfortunately, like realife, I'm bad at my job.
That said; it's a fun and varied experiences and the challenges in different biomes/etc add a good spin. I like the idea of different races being better at different roles in the community and building your systems around that. Unfortunately, you can't (or can't seem to) focus your settlements around specific things or industries - maybe I've just not being doing that.
Ultimately, if you love city/colony builders - give it a spin for a bit of a twist.
Can't think of any storm puns, sorry.
Unfortunately, like realife, I'm bad at my job.
That said; it's a fun and varied experiences and the challenges in different biomes/etc add a good spin. I like the idea of different races being better at different roles in the community and building your systems around that. Unfortunately, you can't (or can't seem to) focus your settlements around specific things or industries - maybe I've just not being doing that.
Ultimately, if you love city/colony builders - give it a spin for a bit of a twist.
Can't think of any storm puns, sorry.
2015
A short little choice and sometimes consequences experience around the concept of an old school messenger platform, not one that was prolific in my country however so some nostalgia is lost there.
That said it is almost depressingly nostalgic and put me in a bad mood, so it's effective I guess.
I'm like 90% sure it's free so have a go if you've got an hour to kill.
That said it is almost depressingly nostalgic and put me in a bad mood, so it's effective I guess.
I'm like 90% sure it's free so have a go if you've got an hour to kill.