Chad Johnson's Reviews
Chernobylite is like playing with a dozen jigsaw puzzles that were taken out of the box, dumped into a trash bag, shaken, and then put back together in an almost perfect way.
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.
One of the most enjoyable co-op experiences.
A worthy addition to the growing catalog of Souls-like games on the market, especially if you can find the humor in some of the worst aspects of them.
As a Freshman offering, BLOODIOUS GAMES has delivered what I am sure will be a cult classic that adds them to my short list of favorite horror developers.
Happy’s Humble Burger Farm didn’t change my stance on most simulator games – I still find Overcooked to be more work than fun, but the overall weirdness and light horror elements tipped the scales to make the stress worth it.
Tormented Souls isn’t going to break the mold or elevate the aged survival horror formula, but if you get around its rough spots, it will transport you back to the golden age of the genre before action and hand-holding took the place of terror and helplessness.
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.
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.
The Outlast Trials is a prime example of how horror can work in a cooperative setting with its downright disturbing series of events, shocking endings, and horrific antagonists. It’s an easy game for me to recommend with the disclaimer that your mileage is going to vary depending on who and how many players you have available to you. My best runs were over a mic with a few beers in hand alongside friends whom I could revel in victory with and laugh at failure as we figured out the mechanics together, while the worst were with some randoms who didn’t want to participate or lacked the communication skills to truly make the best aspects of the game shine.
Layers of Fear is easy to recommend to new players with an affinity for psychological experiences.
One of the most entertaining modern-retro games I have played in quite some time.
At the end of the day Post Void is a budget title that is well deserving of your cash, despite a heavier reliance on luck than true skill. It’s a unique shooter that is addictive as it is frustrating, and with an asking price of less than the cost of a meal at your favorite fast food spot, you could do much worse with your money.
By far the game’s greatest strength is the retro-inspired visuals that uses bright neon colors, leaning heavily on shades of green that callback to the Sci-Fi comics and movie covers from the 60s. If this had been released during the NES era, it probably would be known as being the best-looking NES game in existence.
Bright Memory: Infinite is a shooter that I would recommend if you’re okay with it being on the short end and having some mild gameplay issues that will pile up after a few playthroughs.
House of the Dead Remake is a great way to spend an afternoon at home if you’re a fan of the original, even if it has some minor issues.
If you grew up in the days of The Oregon Trail, but want something that’s little bit more Fallout, Ashwalkers is likely for you. It’s not going to be the most engaging game when it comes to mechanics, but it portrays an open-ended story that really does feel like you craft it, even if the road is a fairly straight and narrow one.
If you enjoy a solid mystery that dips its toe into the horror realm, and you have a strong stomach and/or a morbid sense of humor, this is something that is worth your time, even if the ending doesn’t live up to the narrative build-up.
If you are a fan of 8-bit games, especially early Mega Man, I would highly recommend Trophy, as it’s an enjoyable trip down nostalgia lane.
DEEEER Simulator: Your Average Everyday Deer Game is a niche game that is hard to recommend across the board unless you’re someone who enjoys intentionally bad games. If that’s your thing, this will be right up your alley.