alinsane2000
2021
+ Charming art design and overall wholesome vibes make for an extremely enjoyable, relaxing experience.
- Some of the back-and-forth on later, larger levels can be a bit tedious when you're searching for a specific item or character.
- Some of the back-and-forth on later, larger levels can be a bit tedious when you're searching for a specific item or character.
2023
+ A refreshing and heartwarming story that explores cultures and themes very rarely seen in games.
- An extremely brief experience that also never really makes the most of it's occasional 'gameplay' sections.
- An extremely brief experience that also never really makes the most of it's occasional 'gameplay' sections.
+ A culmination of everything that Shovel Knight was working towards since its initial release – incredibly tight controls, tough but fair difficulty, and an outrageously generous amount of content.
+ Surprisingly deep card game that grew on me as the game progressed.
+ Surprisingly deep card game that grew on me as the game progressed.
2018
+ Some of the most incredible art and music ever put to an interactive medium. There are certain moments that are as cinematic as anything I've ever experienced in a game.
- Lack of real challenge and slightly (although understandably so given its design) too short.
- No easy way of backtracking was slightly frustrating for my completionist mindset.
- Lack of real challenge and slightly (although understandably so given its design) too short.
- No easy way of backtracking was slightly frustrating for my completionist mindset.
2023
+ The climbing is a genuinely interesting and engaging mechanic that could have sustained itself for even longer if needed.
+ While the art style is relatively simple, the game is a beautiful showcase of Unreal Engine 5, with the lighting in particular looking spectacular.
- The storytelling and writing is okay, but the way it is delivered as sparse, lengthy passages of text isn't very interesting. I think the game would actually be improved by having the story told wordlessly through the environment.
+ While the art style is relatively simple, the game is a beautiful showcase of Unreal Engine 5, with the lighting in particular looking spectacular.
- The storytelling and writing is okay, but the way it is delivered as sparse, lengthy passages of text isn't very interesting. I think the game would actually be improved by having the story told wordlessly through the environment.
+ Extremely tight platforming and combat.
+ Introduces some fantastic Metroidvania quality of life improvements that should be used as a benchmark of the genre going forwards.
- While definitely not bad looking, visually the game is reasonably uninteresting.
- Poorly spaced out fast travel points make back-tracking a pain, especially at the beginning of the game when your mobility is limited.
+ Introduces some fantastic Metroidvania quality of life improvements that should be used as a benchmark of the genre going forwards.
- While definitely not bad looking, visually the game is reasonably uninteresting.
- Poorly spaced out fast travel points make back-tracking a pain, especially at the beginning of the game when your mobility is limited.
+ As vast and crazy as is to be expected from a Yakuza/LAD game at this point. There's so many options of things to do at all times that it never becomes tedious or boring even after 70+ hours.
+ Expands and improves on the RPG combat from the previous game - and with the job system and skill inheritance, it stays interesting through the entire game.
+ While the wider story isn't really that interesting to me, where the game shines is its extremely strong characters, with Ichiban solidifying himself as one of the best protagonists in history.
- Suffers from the same issue as previous Yakuza games, where cut scenes take 10 minutes of dialogue to explain what could be conveyed in 1.
- Loses a bit of steam towards the end, and I feel while the story doesn't necessarily leave any threads open, a lot of the resolutions feel slightly flat.
+ Expands and improves on the RPG combat from the previous game - and with the job system and skill inheritance, it stays interesting through the entire game.
+ While the wider story isn't really that interesting to me, where the game shines is its extremely strong characters, with Ichiban solidifying himself as one of the best protagonists in history.
- Suffers from the same issue as previous Yakuza games, where cut scenes take 10 minutes of dialogue to explain what could be conveyed in 1.
- Loses a bit of steam towards the end, and I feel while the story doesn't necessarily leave any threads open, a lot of the resolutions feel slightly flat.