Recent reviews by Psychedelic Adventurer

*Review after 100%*

Considering you can't even get this version of the game anymore, this 'thumbs up,thumbs down' review will probably be moot for some of you; though it is worth pointing out that FromSoft essentially released the same game as the remastered edition, bar the shoddy pc port oddities that were given so tastefully in the PTDE (this vesion).

-Choppy, borderline unplayable frame rate.
- 30Fps lock, unlesss modded out.

This really should have been more of a problem than it was back in the day. If this had released now, this game would have tanked on PC, and for good reason. This port is hot garbage, potencially top 10 worst ports ever in fact. By that merit alone, this review SHOULD be a thumbs down.

Thankfully, DSFIX exists to singlehandedly make this game actually worth playing.

And what a game it is.

I'm not even going to wax lyrical about all the stuff this game started for the industry. God only knows, there's enough people glazing it already - so let's talk about the stuff this game doesn't do so well.

1 - The game is objectively hostile towards new players.

I don't mean in 'let's have an easy mode' type of way. Because it doesn't, and never will. But the design of the game's pathing in regards to story, objective, stats, and progression are designed in a way which do not communicate to the player what things do. This is not a signpost where elitists can point and guffor at new players to 'gitgud'; this is objectivelty bad game design, and most damningly - they knew this. Because it was fixed in later renditions in the series. Signposting decisions, extra markers, more info boxes, etc. FS made the right decision here because so many people got lost inside the games' nebulous sphere of systems and stats - none of which explained themselves, outside of sending you to the wiki in frustration.

2 - The games' second half is bordeline unfinished, and the bosses are the worst of the series.
Again, something that FS knew in advance, and fixed for the sequels. DS is absurdely front heavy.
After you acquire the Lordvessel, it's all downhill from there.

Lost Izalith.. /Nuff Said

Genuinely, I love this series, and this game.

Honestly still a fun little 6 hour experience. Stubbs The Zombie is one of those little time capsules that make you realise just how old you are. I have fond memories of playing Stubbs way back in the mists of the past on the original Xbox. At the time it stood out for its novel approach to the usual horror conventions and its use of the Halo BLAM engine. I distinctly remembered a surprisingly moving narrative, epic set-pieces and a full range of bodily related abilities as well as a distinctive soundtrack and impressive visuals.

Upon returning, it is clear that several of these memories were rose tinted at best.

Gameplay is barebones, but fun. Eat brains, make zombies. Use zombies, and your own anatomy to kill anyone that isn't a brain eater. The combat gets a bit repetitive from what I remember, as you're limited to basic melee attacks as stubbs. Using your mind control hand let's you shoot as the controlled enemy, but the game isn't a committed third person shooter/shooter game.

There's a bitter sweet feeling to playing this again. The game is too dated and linear to really recommend and some of my fond memories were tarnished by revisiting it, but the core gameplay still has enough to keep you engaged and the setting and humour still stand out. I still think it is worth a return play for those old enough to remember it first time around and I am glad that it is finally available again; but I'm not sure it would capture the love of a first-time player. Especially one who isn't as old as the original game.

I've reviewed this game twice now:

At first I loved it. The most casual rendition of a genre I have absolutely no interest in. The gunplay, social dynamics, and looting aspects all go together really well - and the game looked to be improving.

And then the cracks started to show. Basically no weapon balance to speak of, the ease of free loads causing a complete breakdown of risk/reward dynamic of the game. I was losing interest fast.

Moving on from that, we have a more balanced perspective.

The game is good, great even. The problem discussed are still present; but the devs have successfully separated the pvp crowd from the pve quite efficiently, since the two different aspects of players are just not working as of now.

A few things that need to get better for this game to continue.

The PVP/E elements are weighted heavily in favour of 'PVE = effienct, PVP = Toxic'.

Currently, because of how easy free loadouts are to abuse, there is relatively no incentive to use rare loot in pvp lobbies, because of how superior and cheap early game weapons are. Almost any lobby you join that has a lot of PVP will be dished out between players who are rocking Stichers and free loadouts; and the occasional player who has so much loot, they don't mind losing it, which most likely they will. There is a fundamental imbalance in the perceived value of loot that is causing only PVP who are simply killing people 'for the love of the sport' to continuously kill players. Short term, I believe Free loadouts need to be nerfed, or put on a timer.

For my own part, I completely ignore the pvp aspect of the game. I have absolutely no interest in it. If I end up in a pvp lobby, I'll just continue what I'm doing; and if i get shot at, I'll just let them gun me down, because I simply don't care to fight back, as it's so easy to jump right back - and the agressor will end up being put back in pvp lobbies. The Ark themselves are brillient enemies and consistantly forces players to work together, more so at the launch of the game.

Honestly, after 100 hours, I'd definitely bag this one on sale. You'll get your milage. Come from the loot, stay for the social dynamic, leave because of the social dynamics, come back for the pve lobbies.

Team Cherry cooked.

Pretty much a cult-classic RTS repackaged into a God-Tier remaster - with extra bits bolted on.

Age of Mythology: Retold is basically the Age of Empires definitive edition, to the original HD remaster that released beforehand. New animations, new models, new engine. Beautiful. You really can't ask for more.
Sound/music has been retouched, but faithfully kept to the originals vision.The campaigns are just like you remember, only prettier; and the dialogue has been retouch, (mostly) with new voice actors.

I wouldn't call it the most hyper-competitive of RTS'; but it doesn't have to be. That's what AOEII is for.

I can't glaze this game enough.

PEAK is a masterclass in minimalist game design and psychological challenge. With its crisp visuals, immersive sound design, and elegantly simple mechanics, it manages to do what many larger titles can’t. Completely absorb your attention and forces you to work under pressure.

As for the Co-op aspect. This isn’t your typical "you go left, I go right" co-op—success depends on tight synchronisation, split-second timing, and constant communication. You’re not just playing alongside your partner; you’re climbing the same mountain together, one move at a time. Generally, playing with friends also just makes the game easier, as it's not an instant gameover if one of you dies. You'll be brought back at the start of the next stage.

The controls are intuitive, allowing players to focus on mastering the game’s increasingly challenging levels rather than struggling with the interface. PEAK doesn't need 1000 different movement mechanics to be challenging. One false move is all that you need to see your funny little guy slip off a sheer cliff, fly past your screaming friends, to smash into the ground 100 feet down, leaving all your precious gear lost.

And therein lies the negative. PEAK is brutal and unforgiving. Playing this solo almost immediately means you'll be playing this for a solid 2 hours just to get to the final biome - which is almost impossible alone; where players can't stack their inventories.

- Massive negative: No checkpoint system. A massive miss-step, this needs to be patched in, no question. Especially when the servers are still prone to crash, losing players hours, with nothing to show for it.

Overall, PEAK is a brilliant game for those who enjoy precision, patience, and a meditative challenge. It's not for the easily discouraged, but if you're the type who sees failure as a lesson and not a setback, PEAK will reward you tenfold. Just be ready to climb the same slopes more than once.

Without friends 6/10
With friends 8/10

A really interesting and ingenious side grade to the much beloved 'Boltgun'.
Words of Vengeance is essentially 'Typing of the Dead', with a 40k coat of paint.

The only thing you need to do in the game is type; and type quickly, because if you mess up a few times, you'll be back to the loading screen. For a free game, you're getting a decent little offering while people wait for 'Boltgun 2'. In relation to TotD, you're getting the bare essentials, but since Words of Vengeance is free, and Typing of the Dead isn't, it's a fair trade.

Well worth the time downloading it.

ROCK AND STONE/10

You may not like it. But this is what peak game design looks like. :2016trophy:

Keep them coming Motion Twin. Simply put, I'll buy anything you make.