djkoutsos
2015
This review contains spoilers
(Series review: This review encapsulates all games in the series as of this date which are the following: Hylics, Hylics 2)
Hylics is stylish, lighthearted without being goofy or hard to invest in. The challenge of the game is very simple, but interesting enough to not be a filler for the rest of the beautiful content.
These games use audio to enhance everything from top to bottom. The combat music is always groovy while maintaining the dreamy, otherworldly tone found everywhere else. One key difference I found between the first game and second: the first incorporates attack and ability sounds to make them sound like a piece of the soundtrack, while the second has a more fixed battle theme.
Without needing to use cheap concepts to differentiate areas of the game, key locations are memorable because of the music, characters, and environment pieces.
Side quests prompts and flavor dialogue are often indiscernible which enhances the feeling of understanding for players who are truly willing to play along with this strange world.
Finally, though this is obvious from simply watching a trailer, every visual asset used in these games is near-perfect. I frequently found myself admiring a prop or enemy without being able to place its form in my mind at all.
I recommend these games to everyone. However, I would also suggest that one play through them only if you're willing to escape for the duration and really immerse in a different universe.
Hylics is stylish, lighthearted without being goofy or hard to invest in. The challenge of the game is very simple, but interesting enough to not be a filler for the rest of the beautiful content.
These games use audio to enhance everything from top to bottom. The combat music is always groovy while maintaining the dreamy, otherworldly tone found everywhere else. One key difference I found between the first game and second: the first incorporates attack and ability sounds to make them sound like a piece of the soundtrack, while the second has a more fixed battle theme.
Without needing to use cheap concepts to differentiate areas of the game, key locations are memorable because of the music, characters, and environment pieces.
Side quests prompts and flavor dialogue are often indiscernible which enhances the feeling of understanding for players who are truly willing to play along with this strange world.
Finally, though this is obvious from simply watching a trailer, every visual asset used in these games is near-perfect. I frequently found myself admiring a prop or enemy without being able to place its form in my mind at all.
I recommend these games to everyone. However, I would also suggest that one play through them only if you're willing to escape for the duration and really immerse in a different universe.
2020
This review contains spoilers
Carrion allows the player to solve its many puzzle-like encounters with an impressive level of genuine variety. Instead of feeling forced into one of two paths, picking the one I like better as many real-time combat puzzle games often do, I felt I was able to experiment and feel satisfied when my plan worked out.
The story and atmosphere were subtle but ultimately not too interesting, but the mechanics driving movement and combat were gripping enough to easily get me to the end of the game, though I didn't feel compelled to backtrack and find every secret.
I recommend this game to those who can stomach gore and want something short and visceral with a satisfying, definitive ending.
The story and atmosphere were subtle but ultimately not too interesting, but the mechanics driving movement and combat were gripping enough to easily get me to the end of the game, though I didn't feel compelled to backtrack and find every secret.
I recommend this game to those who can stomach gore and want something short and visceral with a satisfying, definitive ending.