Jeroen Janssen
- Half-Life
- Fallout 3
- Tomb Raider (reboot)
The potential in this game is certainly there, as at the start it seemed to me like this was going to be a pretty interesting plot, but ultimately the execution turns out to be somewhat lacking. While you can indeed replay the game with different choices to experience all five endings—and suspicion can even be corrected immediately at the end, meaning you can essentially have seen all the endings right away—unfortunately, this does not offer a truly different gaming experience. The story and setting are and remain quite flat and do not really come to life, although the acting is quite decent and visually the game looks very slick in every respect. The interaction with objects adds absolutely nothing, given that you can already see which objects contribute to the story and which do not.
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The days of imprisonment tick down very slowly, and meanwhile, I have already been trapped in this game for over 10 hours. Luna Abyss is far from unique as a shooter, yet the platforming and shooting feel delightful and quite addictive. The extra elements such as double-jump, generating platforms that disappear after a few seconds, and hanging on rails from a sort of roller coaster have all been shown before, but they do add a bit more depth to the platforming. The chaos of flying balls trying to destroy you, the enemies exploding in your face, the challenge, and the gameplay all work well, and at a very stable framerate. So, if you like a DOOM-style game, with mostly platforming and a little less shooting, this game ticks all the boxes.
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The environments in Directive 8020 feel too one-sided, the 'who can you trust?' element is actually far too lacking and not convincing enough, and the real horror is also somewhat lacking. You do see some bloody tentacles pass by here and there, but you pretty much already know what to think about certain characters (or their duplicates), and it would have been 'the charm' if there had been more of that element of surprise regarding mutual mistrust. You can, of course, play the game alone or together, although both experiences felt pretty much the same. The ability to rewind past decisions is a good addition and was often missing in previous games, where you practically had to start a new playthrough. That is not necessary now, although you can mainly view the results per segment, so the entire playthrough does not change retroactively. Directive 8020 is ultimately not a bad game, certainly not; I enjoyed myself thoroughly, but it had much more potential, provided they had looked even more closely at its sources of inspiration.
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Did the game MOUSE: PI For Hire not disappoint us at all? Actually, no. The game features a unique graphical style that isn't necessarily outstanding due to sharpness or quality, but purely in terms of setting and the lack of color scheme, it really shines. The gameplay feels simply delightful, the mini RPG elements work well, and the various area settings work excellently. Ultimately, the game will start to feel a bit repetitive after about 10 hours, and mowing down opponents is somewhat one-sided, but it never really gets boring either. The game has an incredible amount of content considering the relatively low price; as far as I'm concerned, even a price of 60 Euros would have been very justified. However, this title costs just over half that, making it an unquestionable must-play for every casual shooter enthusiast.
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Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is a game with two faces; on the one hand, the game feels unique up until chapter 2, but after that, the complexity and the Vault really kick in, making things a lot harder and less engaging. After chapter 3, I started to feel the rut and began to lean more towards using the included walkthrough, as the investigations and deductions started to bore me. The important Vault, which forms part of the core of the investigations, is, in my opinion, a bit too emphatically and prominently present, and even in exploration mode, finding your way out isn't always straightforward. In terms of atmosphere, the game emphatically sets the mood, especially in the first three chapters, and it excels there. However, it quickly declines after chapter 3, when you are about halfway through the game. With about 10 to 15 hours of gameplay, the game can take up quite a period, but in fact, the game isn't even that big if you knew exactly what to investigate, activate, and follow. Furthermore, the clues are far from always clear, meaning that even with hints, things sometimes remain unclear. Especially in Chapter 3, I found the clues quite muddled and too mixed up, and following 'trails' was also far from effective. All in all, I can conclude that if you are a true investigator, or a persistent puzzler, this will be a very challenging title. But for the slightly more seasoned casual gamer who enjoys a bit of puzzling, action, and some RPG elements, this game falls a bridge too far.
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The 9th Charnel is a game with potential, but it is simply executed way too sloppily. Sometimes, working in a team instead of alone has its downsides. As a result, the game lacks any direction or thought process. The AI has received too little attention, the story is messy, especially towards the end, and the gameplay feels outdated. There is no cohesion between the elements and it looks a bit like a haphazard mess, with attention mainly focused on the cutscenes and the artwork of the main menu, which do look reasonably sharp. Yes, the game gave me quite a scare at times, and the setting isn't all that bad, but the true cult vibe is pretty much ruined by the mediocre execution of the enemies and the other mechanics. With its four hours of gameplay, The 9th Charnel is therefore a game you are better off skipping.
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Project Songbird really relies on the atmosphere, the sound effects, and a bit on the story. In terms of gameplay, there is something to criticize everywhere, and the puzzles you solve are mostly based on converting numbers and codes into interactions with objects, which I personally found a bit dull. Audiovisually, the game is remarkably strong, and the claustrophobic atmosphere in particular, where you constantly feel like you are not alone, makes the game a true thriller, especially from Act II onwards. Having played for about 6 to 7 hours, the game is coming to a good end, meaning you certainly can't complain about the game's length. Is Project Songbird a must-have then? No, perhaps not quite, but for enthusiasts, the game will undoubtedly live up to its promises. If you enjoy a terrifying adventure that manages to grip you just as effectively without jumpscares, then this is a very good choice.
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The only real downside to Vampire Therapist I can think of is the repetitive graphics . The graphics are top-notch, but they're repetitive to the extreme and don't vary enough to stay interesting. The dialogue, however, remains consistently engaging, even though you're constantly reading and judging. Making mistakes is part of the game, and you're hardly punished for them, which is perfectly fine, to be honest. This isn't a game you'll want to play through four times, or even twice. This is simply a one-time experience, an education in assessing certain human psyches—erm... I mean, vampires. If that interests you, then this is indeed BAFTA-worthy.
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LOVE ETERNAL wasn't the varied platformer I was looking for, as expected. The story also forms a thin thread through the somewhat generic and standard gameplay, which can become a bit monotonous after a while. This game is for the true die-hards, who can't get enough of dying and trying again. It works reasonably well, but it could definitely have been more. Especially if they had perhaps added a few more gameplay elements and allowed the story and atmosphere to shine a little more prominently.
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Mario Tennis Fever feels like a complete game, which wasn't the case with Aces on day one. The many characters, Fever Rackets, unique modes, and extra-strong online mode make Fever the best gameplay in the series ever.
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I Hate This Place turned out to be a pretty fun idea in terms of concept, and it's good that the game gets on your nerves, but unfortunately, that's also due to the unnecessarily complex and confusing controls and sluggish gameplay. The game itself plays reasonably well, and after about eight hours you're pretty much through it, but I didn't really experience a sense of satisfaction. I Hate This Place is therefore a game for the hardened player who is truly looking for an intense top-down stealth and partly action game, and who is willing to accept the shortcomings.
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Desvelado feels like a surprise. The game does cost ten euros, which is certainly not a lot considering the three to four hours it will take you to complete. I doubt you'll finish it again, given the linear puzzles you'll eventually encounter. Completing the bonus levels doesn't offer the satisfaction you might crave, so completing it will be sufficient. Quality-wise, the game has virtually no loading times, runs smoothly, and there are no DualSense features or anything like that to be expected. Ultimately, the game looks atmospheric, the gameplay is excellent, and the light puzzle elements are innovative and addictive. I highly recommend Desvelado to any fan of simple puzzle-platformers.
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Total Chaos isn't for everyone; true horror fans who appreciate a claustrophobic atmosphere, with a few throwback Resident Evil elements here and there, including resource management, will love this game. Just because this was once a mod for DOOM doesn't mean it plays the same way. The gameplay is calmer and more sluggish, and the atmosphere is much grimmer. If that's your thing, this game delivers exactly what you're looking for, and with about ten hours of playtime, you undoubtedly won't be disappointed with the content either.
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Painkiller's concept is far better than its execution. The concept of raiding and earning upgrades and tarot cards is fine in itself, but it defeats the purpose if you have no idea why you're doing it. After completing nine levels, you're done. The gameplay is so monotonous and there are no ranking features, so you basically have to entertain and satisfy yourself with customizations you can purchase. In terms of content, the game offers a decent amount of gameplay, around six hours, but you're pretty much done after two levels. The chaotic gameplay has little real skill; it's mainly shooting and more shooting. The light platforming elements and interactions you can perform in the levels don't make this any better. This doesn't make Painkiller the reintroduction we were truly hoping for, but it is a mindless shooter that plays simply and easily, but nothing more.
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Tormented Souls 2 is definitely not an entry-level game for someone expecting a horror game like Resident Evil or something similar. You really need to like the puzzles, gameplay, and atmosphere, but if you do, this is a winner. The gameplay, UI, and graphics are a bit clunky here and there and certainly aren't high-quality, but the game still feels very atmospheric and frightening. Distant screams, footsteps that seem to be walking towards you, and all sorts of bloody scenes regularly terrify you, and that was certainly the developer's goal. Personally, the game's patience and puzzle-solving tested me quite a bit, and that sometimes worked against me, partly due to the clunky mechanics. But all in all, the target audience will undoubtedly have a great time with this adventure puzzle game.
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Chicken Run: Eggstraction feels and plays like a solid top-down adventure game. The story isn't particularly special, but the cinematics are quite cool. Gameplay-wise, it's easy to play, but the interesting level design makes the puzzles here and there quite enjoyable. The game plays best in co-op, as it allows for better teamwork. The AI isn't as engaging and interactive in single-player, as you feel like you're on your own too much. With about five hours of gameplay, and a bit of extra co-op content, the game isn't exceptionally long, but ultimately, I had a great time. Unfortunately, it's not much more than that.
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Once Upon a Jester certainly isn't a groundbreaking game or an action-packed title whose gameplay will blow you away with originality, but it does offer a unique concept that truly shines. Think of it a bit like a musical; some will love it, while others won't be able to fathom the fun aspects. Here and there, you'll see some slightly amateurish aspects emerge, and the quality is lacking, especially in the audio department. The distinctly Dutch elements that have been deliberately incorporated are especially appealing to us Dutch, and I really appreciate them. Graphically, the game looks very stylish and sharp, though it does have its rough edges here and there. If you're looking for a game to relax in and experience something different, then this PlayStation 5 port is highly recommended.
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It's not often that games get almost everything perfect, but Little Nightmares III comes incredibly close in my opinion. The gameplay feels fantastic—although the mechanics can sometimes be a bit of a drag—the bosses are incredibly intimidating, the level design is impressive in both 2D and 3D, the chemistry between the two protagonists, the graphic quality, and the audio—it all comes together to create this fantastic mix you can't get enough of. The fact that the game feels a bit short with its four chapters is probably more due to the enjoyment I had, as I still managed to clock up a good number of hours before finishing the game (I'm guessing 6 hours, as Sony's tracker is completely inaccurate). Thankfully, there's more to come in 2026, but please, please add offline co-op soon so you can also enjoy some spooky moments in one room. What’s more, the game doesn’t even cost the full price, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
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As a platformer, PAC-MAN never really delivers anything special. The game plays smoothly and the gameplay is solid, but it never becomes anything special. The classic arcade games are a nice addition, and the bosses offer a bit more variety, but the levels themselves are often a copy-paste of a new platforming element squeezed into a single level. This certainly doesn't make it a bad or good game, but rather mediocre, and whether that's really what you're looking for is debatable.
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EA Sports FC 26 is one of the biggest steps forward in terms of gameplay, with the Authentic Play mode offering more realism than ever before. In terms of content, the game doesn't offer any unprecedented new features; in fact, it's mainly limited to slightly expanding on existing content. With some fine-tuning, it would be great if the minor bugs that are clearly present here and there could be resolved quickly. EA has therefore primarily focused on improving the overall gameplay with the two modes now present in the game. In my opinion, that's a good move, and it leaves you wanting more.
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