reavingband
2020
a short, charming visual novel that duplicitously markets itself like a challenging kingdom management game similar to long live the queen. i like the writing for the most part--it's on the upper side of "mid"--but none of your choices matter and it's very easy to steam through. the genre misrepresentation disappointed me quite a bit, too.
just delivers everything it says on the tin really
being a medieval peasant was dogshit so we made this game dogshit to play for the #realism
shame, because it has the makings of a really engaging life-sim and the micromanaging elements to it are really fun
shame, because it has the makings of a really engaging life-sim and the micromanaging elements to it are really fun
2019
innovative idea that spawned a really awesome genre of games. still fun to this day.
2021
picked it up following the free weekend. some glaring issues and not really serving the same variety of functions as other MMOs on the market (ESO and GW2 namely), but the variety of combat is enjoyable, the conceit of the game is interesting, the graphics are gorgeous, and i like the visual design
2022
still in early access, but enough exists for me to know it'll be just as fun as the first game when the full version comes out
runs like absolute dogshit but my god is it enjoyable. and it has my main girl magik! and she's flirting with nico? good for her!
i'd love to rate this higher, because the worldbuilding seems interesting and it has a quaint, nostalgic charm about its presentation that i love. however, it took me about an hour of googling to find out how to even sign up and log into the game, and the controls render it far too obtuse for me to actually sink any time into. currently figuring out how to unsubscribe.
oh, the years spent playing this at school...
incredibly unique gameplay concept that's almost perfectly executed, if it weren't for some leaps of logic that make achieving a perfect game feel a little too game-y.
2020
short but creative puzzle game with an adorable art style and a suitably simplistic story. worth the experience
2015
even script kiddies should be embarrassed at liking this ""hacking"" game
overall a 7/10, with a very strong recommendation. very glad to hear a sequel was announced, bc the game needs it to justify the rushed ending and epilogue sequence
+ interesting setting, fitting in tonally with the narrative of the game
+ the character design is fantastic, especially when it comes to family resemblance and accurate ages
+ the dialogue is engaging and the voice-acting really sells it; each character has a "voice" and it makes interactions between them feel more believable
+ characterisation in general is very strong, with each character having defined relationships, goals, and reactions to the world around them
+ absolutely gorgeous game - the environmental setpieces are both varied and stunning
+ bloody love rats, me
- suffers from pacing issues near the beginning, with the plot only becoming interesting around chapter 5 when lucas delivers some essential context to understanding what's happening
- disappointing ending, with many narrative threads for the characters disappearing in favour of a vague, open-ended "resolution" which doesn't actually resolve anything
- the gameplay is simplistic, with the level designs being incredibly linear, which can wear on you with prolonged playing sessions. it also gets frustrating during boss fights, when the bare-bones mechanics become very grating if you're used to more action-y games
+ interesting setting, fitting in tonally with the narrative of the game
+ the character design is fantastic, especially when it comes to family resemblance and accurate ages
+ the dialogue is engaging and the voice-acting really sells it; each character has a "voice" and it makes interactions between them feel more believable
+ characterisation in general is very strong, with each character having defined relationships, goals, and reactions to the world around them
+ absolutely gorgeous game - the environmental setpieces are both varied and stunning
+ bloody love rats, me
- suffers from pacing issues near the beginning, with the plot only becoming interesting around chapter 5 when lucas delivers some essential context to understanding what's happening
- disappointing ending, with many narrative threads for the characters disappearing in favour of a vague, open-ended "resolution" which doesn't actually resolve anything
- the gameplay is simplistic, with the level designs being incredibly linear, which can wear on you with prolonged playing sessions. it also gets frustrating during boss fights, when the bare-bones mechanics become very grating if you're used to more action-y games
2013
i wish i knew how to quit you
asset flip scam game, no idea how it made it onto humble bundle