Recent reviews by LoneStarRuaḥ

The game is essentially a Ubisoft open-world clone set in the Star Wars universe. If you enjoy Ubisoft's open-world games or are a Star Wars fan, then this game is likely to appeal to you. The characters are developed well enough, and the environments are visually appealing, allowing you to feel immersed in a Star Wars experience. However, the game could benefit from more planets, and the space combat feels somewhat like an afterthought. Overall, I've had a lot of fun playing it, but I would recommend purchasing it only during a sale, as it doesn't offer significantly more than other Ubisoft open-world adventure game.

Hits the sweet spot for anyone who loves the cold war and/or cold war gone hot scenarios. Its release gives an operational, effective, and fun platform with plenty to content that can be expanded. If you love the cold war period, missile warfare, naval warfare, or anything else related, this is the game you have to buy.

Valheim is a 10/10 in terms of exploration and combat, I am in awe at how diverse this game is once you leave your home island. The wait is worth it, trust me.

Building.
Valheim is a masterpiece when it comes to building. It has one of the best building systems I have ever seen, let alone smoke that behaves like how smoke would in real life. This along with a great many other things means you have to carefully lay out your builds with intention and realistic building. You have to take into account structure, protection from weather, ventilation, etc. This may seem overwhelming, but the game manages to create a system that is easy to learn and use.

Graphics
The beauty of this game does not rely on its graphics, but rather the atmosphere. The game is beautiful to look at and explore, you never know what is around the next corner.

What it could use.
My criticism of this game is that there is nothing to do with the things you build. Sure these angry tree people will attack you every so often, but I want to be a viking. I want to go exploring a fjord until I find a settlement to trade or raid with. I want other Settlers of Odin to attack my village.

CK2 was a masterpiece in terms of roleplaying and grand strategy. CK3 is its younger brother that hasn't quite learned the ropes yet, but he's still fun and exciting. If you give him sometime he'll develop into something of a masterpiece himself.


But on a serious note CK3 does some things way better than CK2, its main drawback is the current lack of content and horrid border gore. I expect that these things will change in the future.

Have you ever wanted to play in a 3rd world country with a giant tank with legs as a mercenary? Well then this game is for you!

Let me start by saying if you are a hard core paradox fan you will have some major issues with this game. It follows a recent trend of simplicity, historically inaccuracy(for the sake of allowing people to live out there unlikely historical fantasies), and just a general lack of content. If you set this aside, you might be able to get behind the game. The war and production system, as well as building factories is probably 90% of the game and its very boring. Unlike other Paradox games, its extremely linear because it uses a "focus tree system", this means you go down a list of focus's that PERMANENTLY influences your politics(making you Fascist, Democracy, or Communist) the whole game. YES, THE WHOLE GAME! Sure, of course you can influence the politics back. But it is pointless, it doesn't fit within this alternate WW2 story that you are creating. There is no conflict and barely any meaningful opposition in politics. Now you can even set the political path other countries go down in the settings. This is an arcade grand strategy game that is trying to be complex. But it isn't complex. This is a game along with Imperator Rome that should not be allowed to sit with Paradox's other great titles. It's DLC's add in long awaited mechanics and focus trees that the base game could really use(I am not one who usually complains about PDX's DLC policy. I've even defended it at times). At the end of the day, this game is extremely lacking and fails to hold my interest or attention.

You may ask me then why have a collected 275 hours on it over the past 4 years? The simple answer is mods. They often create pretty complex and dynamic scenarios even within HOI4's linear mechanics, but after 275 hours even new good mods struggle to contain my boredom.

I understand as a company Paradox wants to branch out and grow by getting new fans. But dumbing down the games that there core fans are here for is a bad policy. I grew up playing Victoria 2, EU4, and CK2 in high school. Stellaris is a great example of a new franchise that can attract new fans and be a lot simpler. Sadly, this has become the trend sense the release of HOI4. Even the new EU4 DLC's don't reflect the thought, effort, and complexity put into their previous titles.

HOI4 isn't a terrible game, but it has a lot of issues. Ultimately, this is not the quality I expect from Paradox Interactive.

Literally the game I have wanted my whole life, and an upgrade of it's predecessor with more likely to be added!

I may or may not of committed war crimes...

The best game ever made on Earth. Cannot wait for Bannerlord.

This is the type of game I have always wanted. Paradox delivered and on top of that they have continued to improve and update the game. I am highly excited for the 2.2, just as I was for 2.0. I've had this game since release and I will continue play it.