Gabriel Cavalcanti's Reviews
If, like myself, you prefer story-driven titles to present the game world and characters in a way that’s possible to connect with them, then Lucah: Born of a Dream is nothing short of disappointing (unless you’re only interested in the combat). But if you can relate to the proposed themes and the way they’re presented, then this can be a special experience which warrants multiple playthroughs, especially as NG+ offers additional content.
It should be more of what made the first installment so interesting, but in the end, Hand of Fate 2 makes additions that turn the dungeon crawler into a story-driven adventure. It also has a major focus on luck-based challenges and fights, being more predictable and frustrating than its predecessor.
World of Final Fantasy is a spin-off meant mostly for fans. Its gimmicky take on the usual ATB system is fun and refreshing, but many of its jokes might fly over the heads of unaware players. It can be a risky purchase depending on what you expect as it fails to meet all expectations, but as a lite mix of Pokemon and Final Fantasy, it does a good job.
Outcast: Second Contact is an HD remake of the 1999 cult classic Outcast. Though the enhanced graphics are a nice way to introduce the game to a younger audience, it's the only aspect that makes it better than the 1.1 version, which costs considerably less. The price range is questionable in the US marketplace but it's even more absurd in selected countries such as Russia, Brazil, and China where it costs more than $30.
ELEX is a genre-soup developed by Piranha Bytes, the studio responsible for the highly regarded Gothic franchise. Its most curious aspect is how it attempts to put different fiction genres within a single seamless open world, which serves as a gimmick more than anything. It doesn't feel special enough to compete with Skyrim, yet Gothic fans might find enough enjoyment out of its weak plot and poorly written characters.
Although it doesn't take that many risks, Hollow Knight is unique enough with its Metroidvania elements and its own take on Dark Souls lore. Its gameplay is tight and fluid, its art direction is on point, and it provides more than 30h of enjoyment if you consider the multiple endings—which are more engaging than a couple of choices right after the final boss fight—as well as the free expansion packs, all of which add enough content to prolong the experience.
NieR: Automata is a gem every gamer should play at least once, regardless of its issues. Though struggling to reach the same status as its competitors, it remains one of 2017's most unique releases as well as a hallmark in storytelling.
For all it's worth, Hob is a genuinely fun Zelda-like exploration game that despite not being a classic, is worth the asking price.
Although ECHO is not a Game of the Year contender, it certainly deserves credit for how well it executes its core concept.
Monomi Park hit a mine of gold slimes with their debut title. Slime Rancher is a simple yet incredibly fun game that can keep one entertained for well over ten or twenty hours.
There’s no doubt that the title has a public who loves everything about it, but those expecting something akin to a broader Stardew Valley will be deeply disappointed.
A beautiful game with a fitting soundtrack, Night in the Woods pleases with its writing but fails in everything else with artificial choices, pacing problems, and an ending that doesn't go with the tone set in the beginning.
Dairies of a Spaceport Janitor is a simple, fun game with a lovely atmosphere, a lot of heart, and a subtle message. Well worth a look despite a few technical problems.