From beginning to end, Sky Gamblers: Afterburner feels like an ambitious project that just needed a little more time and a few more resources.
Despite its almost complete lack of traditional gameplay concepts, Everything still manages to offer enough of a hook that it should avoid the more pedantic corners of the gaming community concerned about what is truly a game.
Complaints of repetition will probably ring true for those who want to complete every activity the game has to offer, but on a mission to mission basis, the greater nuance added through the different gameplay modes, characters, and weapon systems has resulted in a significantly more rewarding and strategic game. Yes, the focus on fast-paced action on a large scale remains unchanged, but actually thinking ahead feels more important now than ever before in the franchise.
Still, the overall experience should prove enjoyable for those looking for a retro inspired action-platformer with a beautifully produced visage; there are just some hurdles you’ll need to clear first.
Personally, I found GRIS to be a worthwhile experience but I can also fully understand those who won’t see the appeal.
It’s such a pleasantly mellow time that hours can just vanish as you constantly think about doing just one more thing before calling it quits for the day. Something a little more ambitious might have been more interesting in the long run, but for what it is there’s still some fun to be had.
In terms of gameplay, there are certainly titles that offer greater variety and complexity, but the beautiful visuals, fantastic soundtrack, compelling story and likable characters easily elevate Forgotton Anne to the level of being a truly excellent game.
Having two whole games worth of content can also be seen as a double-edged sword depending on how you feel about repetition and collectibles. In short, it’s another solid Lego game with all the good and bad that come with the franchise
hese issues might be enough to discourage some gamers, but for most it will probably serve as a fantastic way to spend a long evening or a weekend where you’re in the mood for something a little more emotionally driven than your average game, because when you reach the ending, the final moments will likely melt away every annoyance from the last few hours.
Both the gameplay and performance can feel a little too inconsistent at times as the controls and frame rate can sometimes be equally bumpy. Regardless, at its core, GRIP: Combat Racing is still an impressively fast racer that almost anybody should be able to have at least some fun with.
Shadow Fight 2 is a game with quite a bit to like, a fact that seems to only exacerbate its disappointments.
Hover ultimately feels like a sincere effort by passionate developers to recapture the spirit of a long dead concept. Unfortunately, whether it was a matter of time, resources, or talent, they simply didn't have access to the means to fulfill that desire.
Of course, the argument for this version of the game is improved thanks to the fact it includes two solid expansions, one of which instantly makes the game better thanks to the presence of Motörhead!
So, for those interested in a no-frills, story driven sci-fi adventure that doesn't overstay its welcome, Lifeless Planet is well worth a closer look.
This combination of factors doesn't make NeuroVoider a particularly revolutionary title, but it does make it a fantastic example of how all the things so popular within the indie scene can be accomplished to a highly satisfying degree in a single package.
The core mechanics are perfectly competent and generally fun, the story is a little more solid by the end, and the music is genuinely great throughout. In other words, the adventure proves to be a fairly enjoyable one by the end, it just happens to be punctuated by moments of frustration throughout.
In many ways I applaud Cycle 28's ambition, however I also kind of wish the developers had focused more of that energy on more fruitful endeavors.
Inside is a good game bordering on great.
Slayaway Camp is an all-around solid puzzle game.
Taken as a whole, ATOMINE largely succeeds at what it is trying to accomplish; the game simply wants to be a solid twin-stick shooter with rogue-like elements and it fulfills that goal precisely. Of course, this means the game never really rises to greatness and is unlikely to be all that appealing to those looking for a more innovative or compelling experience. Regardless, if you have a love for this type of game, or at least a momentary lust, then ATOMINE should be a perfectly suitable way to fulfill those desires.