Xelha
2023
Wonderful love letter to Stanislas Lem's works.
Not really a "game" but a beautiful narrative adventure. Storytelling, ambiance, art direction, music, landscapes...all in all, I find no weak points.
Really worth a try for those who likes solid and clever S-F story. Absolutely need to play for anyone who likes the books of Stanislas Lem.
Maybe the videogame experience could be even better if you have read the book before.
It's was so unexpected for me to land on Regis III after all this years since the first reading. Having the novel in mind as background had strengthened many parts of the game for me.
On the other hand, discover Lem's novel with this excellent game cannot be a bad choice anyway.
Without a doubt two completely different experiences that one is unable to experiment.
Fully enjoy yours !
Not really a "game" but a beautiful narrative adventure. Storytelling, ambiance, art direction, music, landscapes...all in all, I find no weak points.
Really worth a try for those who likes solid and clever S-F story. Absolutely need to play for anyone who likes the books of Stanislas Lem.
Maybe the videogame experience could be even better if you have read the book before.
It's was so unexpected for me to land on Regis III after all this years since the first reading. Having the novel in mind as background had strengthened many parts of the game for me.
On the other hand, discover Lem's novel with this excellent game cannot be a bad choice anyway.
Without a doubt two completely different experiences that one is unable to experiment.
Fully enjoy yours !
2018
When it was launched, Castle of Heart had many issues. Since it was patched and updated, it's a pretty challenging platformer game. The concept of the curse that may turn you into stone and kill you had more challenge. On another note, I really do like the medieval ambiance (music, art direction).
2018
First I must admit that I was charmed by the visual art. And the game didn't deceived me in play : there is a solid universe with a perfect associated ambiance. Controls can be a little disappointing at first but nothing that practice cannot managed.
I'm not found of survival crafting based videogame although I played some Fallout. But the story of this one keep me hooked until the end.
Beyond the quest of a mother trying to discovered what happened to her son, it appears that Hope is the true heart of Smoke and Sacrifice's story. It's also about Forgiveness and Redemption. It's not a simple story about Good and Evil. And the end definetely worth the playing time.
There is lot of challenges in Smoke and Sacrifice, mainly in combat.
Some of the biggest common ennemies can nearly one shot Sachi. Even a group of weak ennemies in one on one can be fatal if you are not correctly prepared. Fortunately, you can manage to make ennemies of different species to fight each other.
There is also the spectres, the fog, different kinds of trap...
The meaning of survival take all its sense in the adventure of Sachi since the first minutes. But with patience and tenacity Sachi may be able to face off difficulty.
I'm not found of survival crafting based videogame although I played some Fallout. But the story of this one keep me hooked until the end.
Beyond the quest of a mother trying to discovered what happened to her son, it appears that Hope is the true heart of Smoke and Sacrifice's story. It's also about Forgiveness and Redemption. It's not a simple story about Good and Evil. And the end definetely worth the playing time.
There is lot of challenges in Smoke and Sacrifice, mainly in combat.
Some of the biggest common ennemies can nearly one shot Sachi. Even a group of weak ennemies in one on one can be fatal if you are not correctly prepared. Fortunately, you can manage to make ennemies of different species to fight each other.
There is also the spectres, the fog, different kinds of trap...
The meaning of survival take all its sense in the adventure of Sachi since the first minutes. But with patience and tenacity Sachi may be able to face off difficulty.
The remaster of the first two Duke Nukem are nearly perfect.
Blaze brings black those two old & excellent platformer videogames and modernize them just as necessary to be fully enjoyed nowaday.
For those who played them in time on MS-DOS, improvements are great (like full screen, frame rate). For the others, it's simply the best way to discover them.
You even can switch to the original MS-DOS version at anytime for nostalgia, curiosity or challenge.
The cult Duke Nukem 3D in its Total Meltdown version aged a bit (it's not a remaster but a port from Playstation). But for those who met Duke at his glorious days there is still a lot of fun there. Controls are better on EXP than on Original which may be a little clunky due to the lack of buttons.
This cart is a must have for all Duke and old platformer fans as well.
Blaze brings black those two old & excellent platformer videogames and modernize them just as necessary to be fully enjoyed nowaday.
For those who played them in time on MS-DOS, improvements are great (like full screen, frame rate). For the others, it's simply the best way to discover them.
You even can switch to the original MS-DOS version at anytime for nostalgia, curiosity or challenge.
The cult Duke Nukem 3D in its Total Meltdown version aged a bit (it's not a remaster but a port from Playstation). But for those who met Duke at his glorious days there is still a lot of fun there. Controls are better on EXP than on Original which may be a little clunky due to the lack of buttons.
This cart is a must have for all Duke and old platformer fans as well.
2018
Excellent arcade game in its purest form. Simple mechanics but challenging. Charming pixel art. A little gory and a good bunch of humour. I definetly like the plot of the game : an old Arthur with all his glory faded away going to his last quest...
Some sounds reminds me Ghouls 'n Ghosts also the difficulty past mid game.
Some sounds reminds me Ghouls 'n Ghosts also the difficulty past mid game.
2019
If you like science-fiction story, quiet ambiance, pretty landscapes and having time to going as your own speed this game worth a try.
The puzzles aren't too challenging. You'll never really being stucked anywhere. That allow you to appreciate appreciate this highly critical trip in order to save the Earth and solve the mystery of the silencing Moon station.
It was a pleasant and nearly quiet journey on the Moon all along even if the story was a bit conventional. Despite this fact, I like the way of the story goes about theme of task and duty.
I'll surely come back on it later in order to discover some elements that I missed on the first run. But for now I want to know what's going on on Mars !
The puzzles aren't too challenging. You'll never really being stucked anywhere. That allow you to appreciate appreciate this highly critical trip in order to save the Earth and solve the mystery of the silencing Moon station.
It was a pleasant and nearly quiet journey on the Moon all along even if the story was a bit conventional. Despite this fact, I like the way of the story goes about theme of task and duty.
I'll surely come back on it later in order to discover some elements that I missed on the first run. But for now I want to know what's going on on Mars !
2018
Black Paradox is a nice shmup which has a touch of humour, pretty visual art, strong arcade vibes and an excellent soundtrack ; but has a noticeable weak point.
The game remind me an another shmup in some ways : Steredenn Binary Stars. No doubt that it was an inspiration. But Fantastico Studio picked up in 80's to give a charming personality to this spiritual son (visual aesthetic, powerful synth-wave).
You have only one spaceship, a flying DeLorean lookalike. You'll be able to customized it in many ways for completely different gameplay. For this you'll need cash that you'll earn and keep after each run.
There are some good ideas. Like the possibility to make combos with some power UP. Your special attack : calling up an alias from a parallel dimension to back you up. The possibility to gain an extra and strong power UP by defeating this alias. The New game + : a boss rush where you'll fight against the bosses from the parallel dimension.
The soundtrack is really astonished. A powerful synth-wave made by HIR. I must admit began many runs with the only wish to listen it.
The game is challenging until the end and the beginning may be harsh. The new game plus is also a challenge.
The only weak point is the lack of scoring that minor the replaybility.
But the game still worth the play for any shmup amateur.
The game remind me an another shmup in some ways : Steredenn Binary Stars. No doubt that it was an inspiration. But Fantastico Studio picked up in 80's to give a charming personality to this spiritual son (visual aesthetic, powerful synth-wave).
You have only one spaceship, a flying DeLorean lookalike. You'll be able to customized it in many ways for completely different gameplay. For this you'll need cash that you'll earn and keep after each run.
There are some good ideas. Like the possibility to make combos with some power UP. Your special attack : calling up an alias from a parallel dimension to back you up. The possibility to gain an extra and strong power UP by defeating this alias. The New game + : a boss rush where you'll fight against the bosses from the parallel dimension.
The soundtrack is really astonished. A powerful synth-wave made by HIR. I must admit began many runs with the only wish to listen it.
The game is challenging until the end and the beginning may be harsh. The new game plus is also a challenge.
The only weak point is the lack of scoring that minor the replaybility.
But the game still worth the play for any shmup amateur.
2016
The count Lucanor is an excellent child's fairy tale in an horror way. I enjoyed this game nearly as much as Dolls, the movie by Stuart Gordon ; which is also mixed those themes but with a good bunch of humour in addition. There is also some humour in this game but not really the same, nor in same amount.
The game is slow-paced but that fit very well the storytelling and let the player enjoyed both beatufull pixel art and ambiance. By the way, as the game is rather short, it's not really a bad point.
From the innocent colorful first minutes to the weird and creepy following, the adventures of the ten years old Hans into the Count Lucanor's castle are well wrote and done. The attention is kept alive until the end. It was a pleasure to help Hans to investigate and solve all the mysteries and finally discover the truth about the castle. On its way, Hans will encountered some very peculiar characters.
Besides the narrative part, you have many things to do before reaching the ending. There are some rewarding puzzles, which are not too difficult nor too easy ; infiltration and investigation ; cat and mouse game with fatal enemies. Some of your choice or discovery may impact the following of your adventure and the end.
This indie game may be a real wonder if you play it like you'll watch a good 80's horror movie.
The game is slow-paced but that fit very well the storytelling and let the player enjoyed both beatufull pixel art and ambiance. By the way, as the game is rather short, it's not really a bad point.
From the innocent colorful first minutes to the weird and creepy following, the adventures of the ten years old Hans into the Count Lucanor's castle are well wrote and done. The attention is kept alive until the end. It was a pleasure to help Hans to investigate and solve all the mysteries and finally discover the truth about the castle. On its way, Hans will encountered some very peculiar characters.
Besides the narrative part, you have many things to do before reaching the ending. There are some rewarding puzzles, which are not too difficult nor too easy ; infiltration and investigation ; cat and mouse game with fatal enemies. Some of your choice or discovery may impact the following of your adventure and the end.
This indie game may be a real wonder if you play it like you'll watch a good 80's horror movie.
2014
Caladrius Blaze is a pretty good shmup with a lot of contents.
There are different games mode (three story mode, a boss rush, a score attack) ; a large choice of difficulty levels allow all kinds of players to enjoy the game ; eight characters/ships to choose (all with different weapons and unique story), a gallery and replay mode.
The gameplay is good and graphics too. The weapons mechanic is interesting : each ship has four weapons, three can be upgrade, all of this three has its own specificity in battle.
The music is average but do its job.
Stages and bosses are enough challenging and so are they the three story mode with their own scoring mechanics in order to keep you busy a while.
And now, about the "shame break"... Or Caladrius the strip shmup ! All playable characters and bosses, when they are hit, will be striped a bit. Ok, we're not in Waifu Uncovered ! But in Waifu, at least, that was the core and the meaning of the game.
I'll not argue about the true value of it in a shmup that would be, without this, a classic and solid one .
If you like fan service it'll be a plus. Fortunately if you dont, Moss add the option to disabled it for those who just want a classic shmup experience.
Despite the "shame break" which may be discordant, Caladrius Blaze remains a solid and entertaining shmup experience.
There are different games mode (three story mode, a boss rush, a score attack) ; a large choice of difficulty levels allow all kinds of players to enjoy the game ; eight characters/ships to choose (all with different weapons and unique story), a gallery and replay mode.
The gameplay is good and graphics too. The weapons mechanic is interesting : each ship has four weapons, three can be upgrade, all of this three has its own specificity in battle.
The music is average but do its job.
Stages and bosses are enough challenging and so are they the three story mode with their own scoring mechanics in order to keep you busy a while.
And now, about the "shame break"... Or Caladrius the strip shmup ! All playable characters and bosses, when they are hit, will be striped a bit. Ok, we're not in Waifu Uncovered ! But in Waifu, at least, that was the core and the meaning of the game.
I'll not argue about the true value of it in a shmup that would be, without this, a classic and solid one .
If you like fan service it'll be a plus. Fortunately if you dont, Moss add the option to disabled it for those who just want a classic shmup experience.
Despite the "shame break" which may be discordant, Caladrius Blaze remains a solid and entertaining shmup experience.
2010
In Split/Second we have an excellent arcade game : intense action, great concept, well done realized. This concept to act onto the environnement in order to destroy your opponents is fantastic.
Undoubtedly my favorite racing game ever. But I must confess that racing game are not really my cup of tea, despites some good memories on Super Mario Kart on SNES or Daytona USA on arcade.
I play dozen hours on Xbox 360 in solo or with friends when it was released. There are a lot of circuits, different kinds of race and many cars to choose (although not all interesting). The controls seems perfect for me.
I truly like the cinematic vibes. Musics are a well balanced mix of electro/orchestral that is perfect for this racing game cinematic show lookalike.
Now playing it on Steam Deck. It runs smoothly, had aged very well and it's still a lot of fun.
Undoubtedly my favorite racing game ever. But I must confess that racing game are not really my cup of tea, despites some good memories on Super Mario Kart on SNES or Daytona USA on arcade.
I play dozen hours on Xbox 360 in solo or with friends when it was released. There are a lot of circuits, different kinds of race and many cars to choose (although not all interesting). The controls seems perfect for me.
I truly like the cinematic vibes. Musics are a well balanced mix of electro/orchestral that is perfect for this racing game cinematic show lookalike.
Now playing it on Steam Deck. It runs smoothly, had aged very well and it's still a lot of fun.
2017
Ambition of the game was to put you into the role of a blind person. It's the core of the game alongside the storytelling. You'll have to use echo localisation to advance.
It's a bit like in Daredevil's movie with Ben Affleck. In game, the mechanics works well and fits properly to the fantastic/horror theme.
It's a first person adventure in which we have to help Cassie to find the causes of her nightmares in an unknow mansion.
Although this fantastic/horror story may be a bit conventional, the way it goes is interesting and the quality of the voice acting (mainly Cassie) help greatly to follow it until the end.
There are different game modes to choose.
First about Cassie, we decide her to be talkative or silent (it means that Cassie will speak a minimum, if you want to focus on the ambiance rather than on the character).
Then we have to choose between three difficulty levels :
- a story mode (no danger to allow the player to focus on the story) ;
- second mode is a mix of story and a bit of danger : you return to the mansion with no lost in case of death ;
- in the last one the enemies will be more aggressive and you return to the game titles in case of death.
If you seek for some challenge, you must choose the hardest because the game is pretty easy and rather short.
It was a pleasant adventure ; a bit common by its story but with an interesting approach that I would recomand to those who search an unusal interact storytelling.
It's a bit like in Daredevil's movie with Ben Affleck. In game, the mechanics works well and fits properly to the fantastic/horror theme.
It's a first person adventure in which we have to help Cassie to find the causes of her nightmares in an unknow mansion.
Although this fantastic/horror story may be a bit conventional, the way it goes is interesting and the quality of the voice acting (mainly Cassie) help greatly to follow it until the end.
There are different game modes to choose.
First about Cassie, we decide her to be talkative or silent (it means that Cassie will speak a minimum, if you want to focus on the ambiance rather than on the character).
Then we have to choose between three difficulty levels :
- a story mode (no danger to allow the player to focus on the story) ;
- second mode is a mix of story and a bit of danger : you return to the mansion with no lost in case of death ;
- in the last one the enemies will be more aggressive and you return to the game titles in case of death.
If you seek for some challenge, you must choose the hardest because the game is pretty easy and rather short.
It was a pleasant adventure ; a bit common by its story but with an interesting approach that I would recomand to those who search an unusal interact storytelling.
2020
I cannot resign myself to be harsh with Crisis Wing despites its weakness. I had some good times with it and still had when I launch it for some plays.
This lookalike Tatsujin is an pretty average shmup but in an old arcade way that I like. The tribute to the Toaplan's arcade game is completely assumed here.
The design is often common but the pixel art is globally rather good. Musics aren't memorables but not bad, and the Megadrive's sounds like is nice and fits the game very well. The scoring mechanics and the gameplay are very easy to learn and allow you to play once a while and be in the games dynamic instantly. And when the hitbox and ship's movements are mastered, there are some fun and challenges with Crisis Wing.
In addition to the arcade mode there are three other modes : practice, time attack and boss rush. The boss rush is a little bit uncommon. Before heading against a boss you'll encounter some ennemies, a group of mid boss, then the boss. Noticed that mid-bosses and bosses are much stronger than in arcade mode. There is no difficulty levels to choose so boss rush may be considered as a hard mode. The time attack mode is also completely different from arcade and boss rush. The difference between those three modes expand the longevity of the game.
Is the tribute to Tatsujin well done ? I would say yes in some ways. Crisis Wing has a true 80's/90's feeling. Playing it made me remember dozen of hours spent on Megadrive playing Tatsujin. And after some runs on Crisis Wing, I always want to return on Toaplan's title.
Not excellent nor equal his model, Crisis Wing is nevertheless a pretty challenging old new shmup with strong 90's arcade spirit. By far not the shmup that I play the most but I easily do a series of runs when I launch it.
This lookalike Tatsujin is an pretty average shmup but in an old arcade way that I like. The tribute to the Toaplan's arcade game is completely assumed here.
The design is often common but the pixel art is globally rather good. Musics aren't memorables but not bad, and the Megadrive's sounds like is nice and fits the game very well. The scoring mechanics and the gameplay are very easy to learn and allow you to play once a while and be in the games dynamic instantly. And when the hitbox and ship's movements are mastered, there are some fun and challenges with Crisis Wing.
In addition to the arcade mode there are three other modes : practice, time attack and boss rush. The boss rush is a little bit uncommon. Before heading against a boss you'll encounter some ennemies, a group of mid boss, then the boss. Noticed that mid-bosses and bosses are much stronger than in arcade mode. There is no difficulty levels to choose so boss rush may be considered as a hard mode. The time attack mode is also completely different from arcade and boss rush. The difference between those three modes expand the longevity of the game.
Is the tribute to Tatsujin well done ? I would say yes in some ways. Crisis Wing has a true 80's/90's feeling. Playing it made me remember dozen of hours spent on Megadrive playing Tatsujin. And after some runs on Crisis Wing, I always want to return on Toaplan's title.
Not excellent nor equal his model, Crisis Wing is nevertheless a pretty challenging old new shmup with strong 90's arcade spirit. By far not the shmup that I play the most but I easily do a series of runs when I launch it.
2022
Peculiar fantastico-surrealistic aesthetic, railshooter, sometimes seems lack of polish, Queen-ish rock opera soundtrack, Space Harrier vibes, a lot of content but many of them are barely necessary, videogame icon, colorful, a bit of Panzer Dragon...this mixed bag may be seems kinda weird but it's result a game fun to play and great to listen. Sometimes I launch it for its musics, other times for the stress-free shoot experience, every time a nice trip. I enjoyed unlock all contents and played various game modes. And I definetely like the bosses intro. This is an excellent 80's arcade feeling experience without taboo made by a videogame legend. May appears a bit weird, a bit crazy, but so much passion and love in it !
I hadn't played this version back in the days. I was fine with the PC version and none of my friends had it ; so nobody to lend me the game.
When I bought the remaster of the Duke Nukem I & II on Evercade, I look at that PlayStation version like a curiosity which I'll launch once just to see...
Gosh ! Nukem is still the Duke !
Ok we have the Megaton and Anniversary world tour versions to continue to play this cult Duke Nukem 3D in a cosy way. But played it with PS pixel is a true and enjoyable time travel. The game seems a bit harder, and the unreliable frame rates make it a challenge by itself.
I was surprised to enjoy playing it so much. This Playstation Duke Nukem 3D is far from be able to claim to be the best version, even a simply really good one. But there are some good : bonus episode, musics...and, to be honest, the original game is so good that even a lower version worth a try. And no doubt that for those who couldn't be able to play it on PC back in the days, there was much fun in it. Time makes me look with a tender regard at this mis-love Duke.
When I bought the remaster of the Duke Nukem I & II on Evercade, I look at that PlayStation version like a curiosity which I'll launch once just to see...
Gosh ! Nukem is still the Duke !
Ok we have the Megaton and Anniversary world tour versions to continue to play this cult Duke Nukem 3D in a cosy way. But played it with PS pixel is a true and enjoyable time travel. The game seems a bit harder, and the unreliable frame rates make it a challenge by itself.
I was surprised to enjoy playing it so much. This Playstation Duke Nukem 3D is far from be able to claim to be the best version, even a simply really good one. But there are some good : bonus episode, musics...and, to be honest, the original game is so good that even a lower version worth a try. And no doubt that for those who couldn't be able to play it on PC back in the days, there was much fun in it. Time makes me look with a tender regard at this mis-love Duke.
2017
Two words : old school challenge.
It seems that what's the game was made for. Hard as nails in the first run, but I rather enjoyed it.
The game is rather short in straight line but the difficulty... It was made for challengers. There is all you need for speedrun and scoring. After beating the game you unlock a Boss rush, a Challenge mode and a New game +.
The boss rush help a lot : learning pattern and trick to defeat them ; but you have only one try and do not recover health between battles. Oldschool as I said The New game + turn the World upside down and add more ennemies for even more harsh challenge... The challenge mode suffer from fram rate trouble...it may sometimes be barely playable.
Ok, I'm probably just an average gamer, but an average gamer used to those unforgiving kind of games (Kid Chameleon, Adventure of Rad Gravity, Ghouls n Ghost, Spelunker...). I needed more than a dozen of credits to beat it on the first run, and nearly half of them just for the final boss ; it's not Dark Fact from Ys in nightmare but you still need nerves of steel in front of him (victory is all in your skill).
Besides the difficulty level, the game is pretty charming. Pixel art and design are good. The musics are average but fits the game. Story is basics but it's there.
I would say that the game fits perfectly the past time where it took its inspiration, not the best, but not the worst. Nice try for a first game from a small indie studio. If you know where you put your feet in, there is something there to keep you happily busy.
It seems that what's the game was made for. Hard as nails in the first run, but I rather enjoyed it.
The game is rather short in straight line but the difficulty... It was made for challengers. There is all you need for speedrun and scoring. After beating the game you unlock a Boss rush, a Challenge mode and a New game +.
The boss rush help a lot : learning pattern and trick to defeat them ; but you have only one try and do not recover health between battles. Oldschool as I said The New game + turn the World upside down and add more ennemies for even more harsh challenge... The challenge mode suffer from fram rate trouble...it may sometimes be barely playable.
Ok, I'm probably just an average gamer, but an average gamer used to those unforgiving kind of games (Kid Chameleon, Adventure of Rad Gravity, Ghouls n Ghost, Spelunker...). I needed more than a dozen of credits to beat it on the first run, and nearly half of them just for the final boss ; it's not Dark Fact from Ys in nightmare but you still need nerves of steel in front of him (victory is all in your skill).
Besides the difficulty level, the game is pretty charming. Pixel art and design are good. The musics are average but fits the game. Story is basics but it's there.
I would say that the game fits perfectly the past time where it took its inspiration, not the best, but not the worst. Nice try for a first game from a small indie studio. If you know where you put your feet in, there is something there to keep you happily busy.