Gil Almogi
If you’re already a fan of the series, or if any of this niche game sounds appealing to you, I urge you to give Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy a try. Certainly, those who played the previous two (or five) games will want to know how the trilogy ends. For the others who are not into super English puzzle games or are barely into that section of the newspaper, there are more creatively-engaging games on the market. However, consider putting the gun down now and again. Puzzles can bring great peace, but puzzles also inspire unnerving chaos.
Not to ruin anything, but the ending of God's Acre will leave you in absolute shock. No, more than the last one. I'm just going to be racked with anxiety until I play it.
That Dragon, Cancer is a game that you will lose. You will not beat it. You don't win. Even This War of Mine has "winning" conditions. It is so fitting that this is a game, not a movie. From the jilting scene transitions to selective interactions, the dioramic games within the game to the increased level of abstraction and perspective changes, the mode of storytelling works. But it mostly excels at being a lesson that as much as you can "game-ify" elements of life, you will be confronted with perma-death—real death.
Because of a greater focus on subtler story cues, reining in Pandora's complete irreverence for normalcy, "Escape Plan Bravo" works in a way previous episodes didn't, though "Atlas Mugged" came close. The emotional moments worked without that awkward, out-of-place feeling that came with similar scenes in the past. There is an action scene, a giant shootout of sorts, but you have to see it to believe it, and it serves as some necessary comic relief before the final act.
All told, Jotun is a wonderful experience with just a few sour notes. My only regret about it is that it feels short.
There are more challenges to unlock in Fenix Rage than I should bother mentioning, including one that butts heads with my infinite-jumping utopia, so it's worth noting that on top of an already enjoyable and cookie-filled game, you'll find yourself revisiting earlier levels again just to maximize your investment. It could go on for a long time, in other words.
The game represents social anxiety in all of us and the choices we make each day to mitigate that. But ATRAX Games put all that stuff there to tell you, "This is for you." And it is. Hopefully, this opens up new avenues of understanding regarding a condition that can be life or death for actual people, not just characters in a video game.
While I had my own ideas about how close Malachi and David should be, and there were some antiquated hang-ups in execution, this is a neat game for fans of Jensen and the genre alike.
The story, the full narrative, is relevant to a lot of children like Ethan Carter and is steeped in sobering realism. For that, I would encourage you to discover it and find him.
This episode held my attention much better than the previous one, because of better action sequences and more of getting on with the story. I hope Telltale makes me feel more emotionally invested, though.
Ambivalence aside, this is definitely an engaging and challenging story worth imbibing.
Regardless of my complaints, Toren still successfully brings home an intriguing experience, rife with beauty and intrigue. Its technical merits or lack thereof may frustrate some, but I feel no worse for wear. If you're looking for a short, colorful adventure to entertain you for a few hours, it's hard to go wrong here. Just watch your step.
And that’s that. Zero Time Dilemma is an amazing game of equivalent overall caliber to its predecessors, and its ridiculous, complicated take on scientific theories and horror thrillers is a must-witness. Despite being quite accommodating newcomers, I recommend the deep dive into the previous entries first, if anything, to be a buffer for the science-fiction you’ve yet to imbibe. Regardless, you’ll get great, well-rounded characters and a memorable trip into one of gaming’s greatest works of fiction even if you’ll scream, “Oh, come on,” as often as “Holy shitsnacks!” That’s me being at my most objective.
And of course, the phenomenal performances of both Rich Sommer and Cissy Jones contribute the lion's share of this personal resonance. They brilliantly demonstrate emotional nuance and sensitivity, and now I selfishly want them to voice all the things together. By the ending, my heart felt so heavy not just because of the events that unfolded, but because I believed in the myth of Henry and Delilah I created over a tumultuous summer in Shoshone. Although I loved the exploration, I felt the loneliness when no voice was on the other end, wanting to joke with or occasionally comfort me.
Was this story consistent in its delivery in any way? Nope, not at all. But the overall effect is satisfying, and I can't pretend I was bored along the way. I don't know that diehard Borderlands fans will appreciate this series' approach, but it's worth a shot if you're into the story more than the shooting. That final act tho.
If you can let go of semantics and get involved in a story you don't control directly, then there may be something for you. It's a moving story told through gorgeous graphics, excellent voice acting, and a transcendent musical score that pleasures your ears during poignant moments. And yes, you basically just walk around much in the same way you can boil many games to just doing any number of repetitive actions. Give this a try. You may fall in love.
Though the premise of an adventure game about a lovable clown is not enough to win me over on the surface, it's the complex tale of a cynical and unforgiving world the player is expected to change through loving and non-violent interaction that ultimately seals the deal. Adding in the wonderful presentation and dynamic soundtrack, this becomes an adventure game that should not be missed. It is a must.
While I do believe some players may dismiss the game as a "walking simulator" (as they are wont to do nowadays), Neverending Nightmares falls into the must-play section of the horror genre. Whether or not you find it scary, you'll definitely be disturbed and intrigued as you seek resolution to the madness. There are also branching paths, something the game will point out, but the actions or lack thereof Thomas must take to find them are elusive and will keep players guessing. Get used to the blood.
It's more of what you love for a very reasonable asking price.
Fans will definitely enjoy the ride, latching onto each minute. Newcomers, well, go play the whole series—they're on sale often and you'll thank me when it's over.