Rebecca Smith's Reviews
The timing of the release of The Complex is questionable considering the pandemic that's currently sweeping the globe. Once you get over the similarities between reality and video game, the plot is a great if brief distraction for a lazy afternoon. It's another smooth blend of movie and video game, even if there is more movie footage than gameplay, but this formula seems to be working well for Wales Interactive.
Aside from the pacing, the episode is let down by a variety of technical issues which add a layer of frustration and detract from the experience. Fortunately we can see that the pace of Episode 3 is likely to pick up, and hopefully that finally reaches the potential this story is promising.
Noir Chronicles: City of Crime returns to Artifex Mundi's usual formula of casual hidden object scenes and puzzle solving with an independent story looking to stand on its own feet.
Unfortunately the episode is let down by the less than subtle way it deals with delicate subjects like racism, as well as gameplay that means this episode feels like quite a slow start to the story. There are several hints throughout the episode to suggest the gameplay may be spiced up in the future, and it may need it if players are going to make it through to the end of the story.
Persian Nights: Sands of Wonders may well tell a storyline independent of the publisher's other titles, but the game mechanics will be more than familiar to those keeping up with them.
It's a world to which you want to return, but it's also a world that throws up a new problem with every visit. With several patches, this game could be a fun experience, but right now it can often be an exercise in frustration.
Candle: The Power of the Flame took a while to come to consoles but it was definitely worth the wait.
Eventide 3: Legacy of Legends provides a fitting conclusion to the trilogy, but while it has its own tale to tell, it borrows mechanics from other entries in the publisher's catalogue.
For fans of Prey, the idea of a roguelite DLC might have filled them with trepidation, but "Mooncrash" is an experience that shouldn't be missed.
If you love puzzles, you should definitely give this title a spin.
Grim Legends 3: The Dark City is a concluding episode of a trilogy that really bears little resemblance between the three episodes, although the darker story found in this episode is perhaps the most befitting of the trilogy's moniker.
Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala is the final episode of a proper trilogy with a continuing storyline, although it might not have been the best episode of the three.
Far Cry 5 is the best addition to the franchise for quite a while and it is well worth spending many hours visiting Montana.
This game unfortunately doesn't quite reach the heights of the peers that provide its inspiration, although some will be happy just to find a title that allows them to experience it at their own pace.
While not the best of the Artifex Mundi titles, especially with its minor gameplay issues, it is far from the worst of the bunch and is still worth a play.
The title is a more worthwhile experience than its predecessor, but there have been better games in the Artifex Mundi portfolio.
Some players may well prefer Max and her powers to the more grounded story of Chloe, but the prequel is still a worthwhile journey through Arcadia Bay and an appropriate telling of the events before Max returned to the area.
A Hat In Time is a game that is proud to wear its influences on its sleeve and largely does them justice.
These games won't hold your hand, won't let you take your time and will even try to kill you along the way. If this sounds like fun then you can't go wrong with this blast from the past.
The overall result is another solid effort that will keep new and returning players entertained yet again, even if some know exactly what to expect by now.