The Vertical Slice
HomepageThe Vertical Slice's Reviews
Among the Sleep is a really clever take on the first person horror genre. I don't know how they came up with this idea, but I'm glad they did, because it worked really well, from the story, the atmosphere, all the way through, you can tell the hard work that went into getting this idea to its final form.
I feel like this is a game that you need to either get your hands on yourself, or see it in action to really understand what it's all about. I think the bigger focus is on the arcade and multiplayer as somewhere you'll be getting the most fun, online, with friends, or with bots. If that's where your heart lies with this I do think you'll get enough bang for your buck at full price.
For what Fortified offers, you could do a hell of a lot worse with fun factor on the marketplace. This is a game that I know I will find myself going back to and I suspect I won't be the only one with that thought. In fact, I can hear it calling to me right now. Excuse me, I have to go save the world. Or, in my case, try to save the world and end up failing miserably.
I like a lot about Yesterday Origins, however, there’s just as much bogging it down as I enjoyed. As it stands, I praise the really good bits highly, but the low ones, well, they creep up far too often. I do recommend the game, though I think if you’re not already a huge fan of the genre, you may want to wait to see if the bigger, more “game-breaking” issues get fixed before you jump in.
Honestly, I really enjoy the game. I had a ton of fun with the game, on both systems, and I still plan on having a ton of fun going forward. Yes, there are issues with Lost Sea, and even some I would personally consider major ones, but you may not, and if you don’t, that’s even better.
I didn’t like this game when I first tried it out. In the end, with as much fun as I had playing it, and as much fun as I expect to keep having with it on my way to 100%, I’m glad it wasn’t the unicorn I unreasonably wanted.
There’s a lot to like with 10 Second Ninja X, that’s for sure. The experience doesn’t last a very long time (whether by skill or by design), but if you want to 100% the game, it’ll last you enough to realize it was well worth your money.
There is a certain player in mind with this style of game, and I’m well aware it’s not for everyone. If an arcade platform shooter is something you miss or just downright love, this is something you should grab now, because you’ll get your money’s worth out of it.
The bottom line on The Huntsman: Winter’s Curse is this: I liked it. Was it incredible? No. Was it entertaining? Yes. It kept my interest the whole time and even though I found a lot of the story predictable and cliched, I still didn’t feel like I was let down in any huge way. If you’re looking to add to the lore of the franchise, you should pick this up at some point. If you’re just looking for a quick-ish, non-traditional traditional RPG, you’ll likely get your money’s worth here.
A sad, yet touching story with simple mechanics and puzzles for a good price. You could do so much worse.
Yes, I think this is absolutely something you should buy, but that comes with a huge caveat. I thought the story and situations were great. I think the engine needs to go. Yesterday. Were it not for the technical side, this would have been rated much higher.
The Old Blood was everything I wanted and hoped for in a Wolfenstein game. MachineGames made the weapons feel exactly as if you were holding them in your hands, made you move around in action scenes in meaningful ways, a robust map that encourages wanderlust, and so much more. I mean, they've done it. They really have.
At the end of the day, The Park has some really nice set pieces going for it. The mood it's looking for mostly achieves, and the voice work really hits the nail right on the head. The way the game moves isn't a chore like so many other First Person Experience games tend to be. It does some things right, just not all of them. If your expectations are in order, taking a trip to Atlantic Island Park may not be such a scary proposition after all.
At the end of the day, there is a game here that's easy to like, but at times, it starts to show its warts. The game can be very difficult, and I'm not convinced it's because of good design. There were levels I failed dozens of times, and most of those failures seemed unavoidable, almost as if the game was fabricating evidence against me (pun intended).
Overall, this puzzle game is certainly enjoyable. At times, it can feel too repetitious, and when that starts to hit, it's best to take a breather. Burn out on something like this can ruin the next experience, whether it be the next time you boot up this game, or another game like it. If you're looking for a different kind of puzzle experience than what you're used to, you could do worse than this game.
The bottom line with Super Night Riders is that this is a fun experience. Faults aside, if you go into this game understanding what it is and what it set out to do, you can absolutely find your enjoyment. For a sequel to Night Riders (the first game and homage to old school racers), this is the next logical step, and a worthy one. This is a pure arcade experience, lovingly recreated by someone who is fond of the old days. If you are in the same boat, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
To me, there are some really neat ideas on paper that just did not come together as well as I would have hoped. But, again, I think this is worth a look at some point. Just go in with some tempered expectations and you may find it much better than advertised.
Aside from any of the nitpicks and unfortunate realities of the game, I did have fun with Organic Panic! and everything the game had to offer. The load times were good, the colorful graphics kept things engaging visually, and the fun lasted to the end, wanting to punch a wall sometimes, included. You’re likely not going to find your game of the year here, but you certainly won’t find a dud, either. If you’re into physics based games or just puzzle games in general, you’ll find fun playing with your food, even though we’re constantly told as kids not to.
Overall, if you’re in the market for a local multiplayer only kart racer, you might want to look into this game. Of course online play would have been great, and it definitely would’ve given this game more life (no pun intended, I think…), but such is the give/take of small studios.
Overall, I had plenty of fun with my time searching for Lilly and uncovering the mysteries of the village. This game does enough right to be worthy of playing. It’s not too long to outstay its welcome, even if you decide to 100% it, and there’s value to be had should you decide to take the plunge and find out the oddities of the land for yourself.