Chad Johnson's Reviews
If you’re a pinball fan, Pinball M is yet another worthy addition to your catalog, even if it’s just the free base game. With the additional tables being offered in a package or a la carte, you really don’t have an excuse to not at least give them a try.
In the Silent Hill fan community, most of the post Team Silent games are shit on regularly and looked at like bastard children. I personally loved most of the entries, even if they lacked that spark that made the originals so damn satisfying. Initially, this felt like one of the best Western developed games in the series without the name attached, but by the time the credits rolled, I would say Stray Souls is only beaten out by how bad Shattered Memories was.
If you’re a fan of point-and-click games, Desolatium is an easy recommendation, even more so if you’re a fan of the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Despite not quite sticking all of the landings when it comes to the presentation, the end result is a slower-paced horror adventure that does more right than wrong.
Like a rancid fart, Kickback Slug: Cosmic Courier left an impression on my household thanks to being one of the most difficult yet addicting games I have played with my son in a casual setting, passing the controller back and forth. Even when frustration mounted, the gross-out humor and puns were there to hold me back from pouring salt all over my Switch.
At the end of the day, Hero Survival reminds me of all the times growing up when I’d ask my mom for McDonald’s on the way home and got that stereotypical response we all heard, “we have food at home.” In this instance, Vampire Survivors is the McDonald’s and Hero Survival is the ramen at home, but it’s from that discounted bulk pack that our family got because they forgot to include the flavor packets.
World of Horror is an easy recommendation if you’re looking for something new and very different than the normal run-and-gun or hide-and-seek horror game. Just be mindful of the fact that the visuals will vary in their delivery and may require you to put a little more thought into what is haunting you.
It’s been a little over a day since I finished The Gap and I am still processing everything that I experienced within the walls of Joshua’s mind, and if you choose to enter it, it will likely draw you in akin to the way What Remains of Edith Finch or your favorite narrative based walking sim would. Despite suffering due to a lack of direction on a few of the puzzles, it’s a game that you won’t forget.
I didn’t hate my time with Warm Snow, but after the first few runs, I was ready to revisit some of the better options in the roguelike genre that I openly place on a pedestal after the first few hours. If you like Hades, which I do not, this is an easy recommendation that will offer you hours of gameplay thanks to all of the various systems and upgrades that will likely overwhelm newer players who may not have the resolve to see it through to its end.
If you like difficult games that push you to your limit without doing so for the sake of just being difficult, Ghostrunner 2 is the game for you. It’s got everything the original game offered and then some. Here’s hoping that when Ghostrunner 3 inevitably releases at the end of the current console cycle (sooner would be cool too I guess), we’ll be able to revisit the motorcycle chase with the same level of improvement and care that went into every other area of this release.
Trepang2 may not have the star power, seasonal content, expansion passes, or eSport following that other shooters have, but what it does have is a lean, thrilling shooter that is free from bloat and easy on the wallet.
Since my experience is limited to the Xbox version of Anthology of Fear I would have to say this game is a pass for me, mostly due to the horrendous teeth extraction and complete inability to finish the game; however, I would recommend picking up the PC version if you have a machine that will run it since it does seem to be in working order. I wouldn’t put it up there with my own short list of indie-horror greats, but it’s worth a weekend viewing.
Project Blue isn’t going to be remembered as your favorite or the best NES game ever released, but it is yet another solid throwback title, despite missing a few elements that would’ve elevated it to something that would be more of a must-play across the board opposed to a must play if you’re a fan of retro games.
El Paso, Elsewhere is a game that has a solid foundation that is plagued by so much bloat and glitches that I wouldn’t feel right recommending it in its current state. Unless you really want to experience the narrative and solid soundtrack, there isn’t much to see here after the first 20 or so levels, and it just gets worse from there.
I may be in the minority on this one, but Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition was a big miss for me. I couldn't get into the repetitive level design, fighting the same small pool of enemies, and dealing with one of the worst arsenals in first-person gaming. The only redeeming feature for me was the ability to play as a dog, which was something that was short-lived as the novelty wore off within a few levels.
How 2 Escape is a game that I would only recommend to those who have a love for escape rooms and share that affinity with someone in their life. It will test your IQ, your patience, and your relationship in ways you may never have experienced elsewhere. May the odds be in your favor.
Since a sledgehammer runs about $100 and destruction of property charges can vary depending on your location, Demolish & Build Classic is an affordable way to experience demolition work, but it’s much less entertaining than the real deal. This almost falls into the “so bad it’s good” territory, but the issues severely outweigh the positives. If you’re really looking for a demo sim, I would recommend the 2017 entry over this one, or you could just apply to work on a construction crew and get money in exchange for your time.
If you consider yourself a patient person with a love for horror, Lempo is a game that deserves your attention - just keep in mind that it will likely leave you wandering around for what feels like hours on end until something clicks within your brain. It features some of the best puzzles I have invested myself in from recent memory, and captures the feeling of being lost in the woods to a tee.
By the time the credits rolled, I was exhausted. Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle presents a passable throwback narrative with some key flourishes that showcase the love for the genre that the developers have, but sadly, most of this game misses the mark. It is an action title hiding behind the inkling of survival horror. There really isn’t much here in terms of horror – just some random jump scares here and there that are usually nothing more than a lightbulb exploding or a thud emitting from the room around the corner. Clocking in at just under eight hours (with at least a third of that time being cinematics), with unlimited ammo being the only alternate mode or bonus feature, there isn’t much to do once you’ve finished it.
The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation is easily one of the better indie horror games of the past decade. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, has a decent narrative, and has some genuine horror bits if you’re willing to put in the work. I would even argue that Softstar Entertainment would’ve been a better choice to remake Silent Hill 2 after jumping into my first entry from them.
Everspace 2 isn’t perfection, but much like your favorite kid, it doesn’t need to be. At the end of the day, it’s an enjoyable experience that will give back what you put into it.