Portal E7's Reviews
After establishing itself as one of Microsoft's flagship franchises, Forza Motorsport returns completely overhauled and introduces a system that rewards player skill, something I thoroughly enjoyed. What sets this title apart from its predecessors is that there is now a genuine sense of satisfaction in improving each lap time and tackling every track sector cleanly, as we are immediately rewarded for it. In other words, racing has become even more engaging. The inclusion of mandatory practice sessions ties directly into the new progression system, allowing us to gain a better feel for the tracks and test whether the vehicular upgrades made a real difference.
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The premise of carrying out an extraction operation at Area 51 is intriguing on its own, but Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle goes far beyond that. The second title from independent developer Invader Studios presents a solid plot that regularly catches us off guard with its twists. In addition to addressing what was being developed at the government facility, the narrative also explores the protagonist's past, bridging those past events to the present. The audiovisual aspects are exceptionally well crafted, establishing a constant atmosphere of dread. The game's biggest flaw lies in its gameplay, which often feels unbalanced compared to the challenges presented.
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Casual and relaxing are fitting words to sum up PowerWash Simulator. The title sets out to be a cleaning simulator and gives players various jobs to tackle, making us sink dozens of hours holding a power washer. The career mode is quite extensive, featuring 38 levels. Given the lack of mechanical variety, the game can quickly become repetitive due to its length, so my advice is to space out your play sessions with other games or activities—that's what I did.
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Fort Solis delivers a solid story, which is crucial in walking simulators to keep players moving forward; the issue is that it takes a while to pick up steam. I do believe the initial monotony is part of the game's intent to explore the unknown, given that the protagonists had no idea what was being developed at the mining facility, but on the other hand, it can be relatively frustrating, as the first 30 minutes offer nothing that truly makes an impact.
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Gylt opens with a deceptively simple story that gradually reveals new layers over the course of the playthrough. Beyond the collectibles, it's clear that the environments were also designed to serve the narrative, which centers on bullying as one of its core themes. Adopting a supernatural tone, the title delivers a meticulously crafted atmosphere with just the right amount of mystery.
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True Colors delivers everything we expect from a Life is Strange title: a standout story, charismatic characters, tough choices, solid gameplay, and a stellar soundtrack. The foundation remains the same as the franchise's first entry, combining environmental exploration with the protagonist's power. Having spent the last few years of her life in foster care, it's rewarding to watch the character gradually find herself and build bonds with others, even as it unfolds in the wake of a tragedy.
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Shieldmaiden: Remix Edition features a gorgeous visual style, a great soundtrack, and simple gameplay that works well for most of the adventure. There isn't much variety throughout the playthrough; most of the time we're dealing with the numerous enemies scattered across the levels. As it's a short game—one that can be finished in under three hours—it never felt repetitive to me.
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Silt is a puzzle-adventure game set deep underwater, where many secrets lie hidden. There is no explanation as to why the protagonist awakens chained up, nor the reason why he is risking his life in hazardous environments. The sense of mystery and uncertainty is core to the experience, leaving it up to the player to piece together the narrative's many blanks based on what they witness throughout the playthrough.
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I never tire of being surprised by the wide range of experiences provided by indie games, and Unpacking is another title that stands out for delivering a concept we rarely see in the video game industry. Making use of an innovative approach to storytelling, we follow the growth of the protagonist's life, from her childhood through to building a stable adult life.
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With each new installment, Playground Games continues to refine the formula that established Forza Horizon as one of the finest racing franchises in recent years. There are numerous factors behind such success, and it is great to see the studio taking on new ideas without losing its core identity. As a result, every new release delivers a lineup of engaging events that easily make us lose track of time. Offering settings and tweaks for every preference, the title can be enjoyed by all kinds of players.
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Alongside its stellar gameplay, It Takes Two boasts a narrative that grows increasingly compelling. It's really neat to see how Cody and May manage to reconnect as they realize they'll only escape their current situation if they can overcome their differences.
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Twelve Minutes boasts an engaging plot filled with twists, managing to hook the player right from the first few minutes of gameplay. Featuring multiple endings, this serves as a compelling reason to extend your time with the game.
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Inside is the kind of game that captivates you through the finest details. Boasting a stunning art direction, Playdead's second title sets us on a journey that gradually leaves us more and more intrigued. The pursuit of the unknown is a central element of the game, and we must face the consequences of our actions. As we progress, we encounter increasingly insane scenarios.
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Crysis takes us on a sci-fi adventure to an island packed with North Korean soldiers and a few other surprises. We are guided by a well-developed narrative with its fair share of surprising moments. The freedom offered within the levels is another highlight, especially when it comes to first-person shooters, which are mostly linear experiences. However, there is little incentive to explore areas outside of mission objectives.
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Tell Me Why upholds Dontnod's high standard of quality in crafting stellar narratives: the title offers a well-constructed story with great twists and memorable, charismatic characters. Providing representation for transgender people is certainly a point worth highlighting, but that isn't the only social issue addressed. The studio's greatest achievement was managing to build a plot that naturally encompasses a range of relevant themes, making for a rewarding gameplay experience that prompts players to reflect on the content they are engaging with.
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Many games offer a co-op experience in their campaigns, but very few require their stories to be played exclusively in this mode. As one of those rare cases, A Way Out delivers an outstanding co-op experience, requiring both players to constantly communicate and decide on the best way to move forward. It was one of the best co-op experiences I've ever had, even if the mechanics aren't quite as polished at times.
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Tom Clancy's The Division delivers an enjoyable experience, blending RPG elements with tactical combat. Designed with co-op play in mind, the enjoyment offered by the Ubisoft title is vastly heightened when accompanied by friends while attempting to reclaim control of New York.
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Featuring mechanics reminiscent of retro games, Minit manages to deliver a fresh experience through its time limit constraint. Contrary to what it might seem, you can accomplish a lot within sixty seconds, but it requires solid planning and a little patience beforehand, as the core gameplay loop relies heavily on trial and error.
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Described by the developers themselves as a "reverse horror" game, Carrion takes an approach rarely seen in the gaming industry: the character we control is actually the story's antagonist. Stepping into the role of an amorphous monster, your sole objective is to find a way out of the research facility where you are contained. To achieve this, prepare to explore a series of zones, face various types of opponents, and bypass sophisticated security systems.
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For the most part, Fractured Minds might seem like just a bizarre game: we carry out tasks without knowing why, while noticing the ever-present, albeit subtle, figure of a monster-like entity. The final scene, accompanied by a text message, makes everything clear, marking the moment when things start to make sense for those who hadn't understood a thing or were assuming it was about something else.
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