Matt Halm
The gameplay isn't bad, but it's not great either and there are certain glaring problems with some parts of its execution.
Cold Darkness Awakened is representative of the problem a lot of people have with DLC. That is “content” for the sake of content.
_____________________________ “It’s sort of a combination of the post-apocalyptic feel of Fallout with some of the bizarre alternate-history aesthetics of Bioshock Infinite.
Deserts of Kharak is a triumphant return to Homeworld, just minus the space part.
It just also means that the very premise of a game like this set in the Game of Thrones universe is maybe not as enticing as you might think.
Mordheim manages to create a turn-based experience that is not quite like the now seemingly industry-standard XCOM but which finds its own way to tweak the genre. Aside from the jarring nearly-first-person perspective the game really does feel like a tabletop miniature game, complete with randomization and ability checks. And at the same time this is probably the most natural way to design such a game. Tabletop miniature games are essentially the original "turn-based" combat games. Making a digital version of one of the lesser known entries in the genre is completely logical.
The core of Sword Coast Legends has potential. The single player story is fine, but not remarkable, and the capacity for multiplayer is welcome but ultimately disappointing. The best thing about the game, seemingly, is that it's sort of like a set of tools that could be used (if you're ambitious enough) to create something very cool. The game just doesn't quite make it cool enough by itself.
In the end, Wasteland 2 is good, it's fun, and there is a ton of content. But it's not that different, or newly 'cut', than it was a year ago.
Massive Chalice is an interesting twist on the genre, though it does sort of feel like more could have been done to differentiate it. The game's style is good, and the basic structure is engaging and challenging. Combat could be a little more tactical, but overall it's a solid game that provides a great outlet for any turn-based craving you might have.
[I]t's more like Cube Zero than Cube: it's fun if you like that sort of thing, but if this was all you saw you wouldn't be that interested.