Ian Howarth's Reviews
Regardless of these minor irritations, I've very much enjoyed my time with Dandy Ace and will no doubt continue to play for a while, at least until I find a way to beat Very Hard mode! I've saved the best for last, though, as interestingly enough a big update recently released that started fixing a lot of mine and many others' complaints.
If only there was more to it. Currently it feels like a tacked-on bonus mode for a real driving game. The only progress to be made is in the form of aesthetic unlocks and they are all rewarded by accomplishing the same task over and over – have four near-misses with obstacles in a single life as the driver, or by catching the car as it falls off the track as the builder (although this may also cause the car to become glitched into the floor, ending the run). There aren’t even any other maps to mix things up, it’s all the same skybox. The lack of content is deeply disappointing, but the worst part of all is how interesting the idea is.
"I'd definitely come back to check on a sequel but it would be out of wary curiosity, not excitement. Still, I think a lot more can be done in this space and hope to see the Lust franchise continue to flourish and evolve something special come from it in the future."
Still, even without every fresh touch making it's mark on the genre or not quite living up to the high-difficulty level that many people boast the game has, I found it to be a great time.
I think I’ve had my fill of Metal Unit now with just over twenty hours in it. It’s by no means a classic. It’s not something you would run to your friends to recommend. It’s a game you can enjoy quietly by yourself, as you hack-and-slash your way through run after run, laughing off terrible plot moments and feeling satisfied.
In all, Golden Force was unfortunately pretty disappointing.
To echo my thoughts – no, Forever is not Super Meat Boy 2, nor was it ever meant to be.
This title is a really strange one.
Most people won't even give this one a second look – it's not exactly a heart-pumping triple-A action-fest or a brain-bending puzzler, and it definitely isn't telling a meaningful story, but for the right couple of people it may just be exactly what they need.
-Suarez Miranda,Viajes devarones prudentes, Libro IV,Cap. XLV, Lerida, 1658
Oddly though, because of the crazy random nature of this title and the ability for it to get totally out of hand, it also happens to be a great one to just boot up for a spell (I'm not sorry) and putter around with; much like the games that inspired it.
I suppose fans of the franchise might still enjoy this latest addition but it's mostly a nostalgia trip now.
They do mostly stick to the same formula, sadly, with AWE throwing in a couple of new light-based elements I would have liked to have seen more of, especially in combat(!), but once again both of them managed to compel me all the way through; mostly out of sheer curiosity and love of the world and its enigmas. I would really like to see more of this universe in the future and I think Remedy could get super creative with regards to upping the ante around the action. There’s the potential for a total game changer here and, after all, there are plenty more doors to discover in the Motel *wink wink*.
Either way, when all is said and done – I kind of love this game.
Can I recommend Death Stranding? Not really.
Whilst I personally feel it falls pretty far short of the 'Overwhelmingly Positive' badge it has garnered on Steam, I'm still glad I got to play it – it was an enjoyable experience in an interesting genre that's still in its infancy.
It's fair to say Battle for Bikini Bottom was hardly a revelation back in 2003 and it's definitely not one now, even with the cult popularity the original has gained due to the speedrunning community.
There are parts of Neversong that hit the right notes, if you will, but they are too few and far between for the unique visuals and music to carry one’s enjoyment, and patience, through to the end.
When it's all said and done, my main quarrel with all of these issues is that they are holding this super concept back from reaching anywhere near its potential and it's just such a shame to see.
Even with these nicks it's nethertheless a lovely cooperative experience that seems to be perfect for right now, as we're all trapped in our little pockets of the world.