Recent reviews by johnny.killstring

Dated, and not in a particularly good way. I found very little to enjoy here.

I just finished a conversation where it was suggested (jokingly, I think), that my perfect video game would include at least two of the following:

• Watercolor art
  
• A button you can press to sing along with the soundtrack
  
• Makes me cry through the end credits

This may or may not be true: but GRIS checks all three boxes. It is achingly beautiful, a requium in playable form. I cannot reccomend it highly enough.

As a side note: this game touches on themes of grief, loss, depression, and despair. Some reviewers have dinged it for being a bit on the nose: especially for those dealing with such forces. All I can say is that everyone's experience with such things is different: but as someone for whom this applies all too well, I did not find it cloying, patronizing, or any of the like. I found it to be a journey through powerful emotions; one that I'm glad I went on.

Damn, it was good.

Kickstarter backer, finally got around to playing the game. Super hyped!

Unfortunately, there's no sound. AT ALL. This is the only game - or indeed, program - where this happens. Went through help topics, tried reinstalling audio drivers... nothing.

Sorry, but this game is broken. Since I'm a KS backer, I can't get a refund either. It looks like a lovely game, but I cannot reccomend it in good conscience.

Kickstarter backer and long-time fan of Harebrained Schemes' games. This is quite different from their Shadowrun work, but quite good. Wasn't exactly what I was in the mood for at the time, but when I'm feeling the need for a good, chunky, turn-based tactics game, this is going to scratch that itch, I'm sure.

I'll update this review more when I dig into it, but I've enjoyed my small sample.

UPDATE: Got dozens of hours in, and things really do open up! Once I got into the cinematic quests (Second Dream really kicks this off), the game that I had hoped was there all along began to show itself. And it's lovely.

I do feel quite invested in this world now. The combination of story content, and fun grindy mini goals, combined with the smooth combat gameplay, and the fun of crafting different builds, all combines into something that's an absolute joy.

It's very different from Destiny 2, but I enjoy them for similar reasons. D2 has moved more towards endgame content and exotic chasing, and away from narrative content, whereas Warframe has done the opposite, integrating increasingly rich narrative content into its already choice loot grind.

I enjoy both games, but prefer the directon that Warframe is moving. Also, Space Mom is Best Mom.


So my verdict: it's fun! You kind of get to see the game grow up as you play. If you don't enjoy the Platinum Games-style action loot grind, then you'll never make it to the cinematic quests. But if that kind of thing is your bag, then Warframe has a delightful amount to offer, and probably the lovliest community in online gaming.

***Original Review Below***

Was reccomended this game by friends who know I've greatly enjoyed Destiny 2. Many have said that this game is everything that they hoped D2 would be.

That is not my experience in the slightest.

But thus far, I've found it to be a very enjoyable game, suitable to bite-sized chunks of playtime. I'm told it really opens up in time, but I'm not sure how long that takes. Right now, cinematic quests and the like seem very far away.

But rather than worry about the potentially excellent game that may or may not be waiting for me, I have been enjoying the entirely servicable game that I have for now. Anything that adds on to that is a pure bonus: but I'm already quite happy with what's here.

If you're coming from Destiny, do yourself a favor and don't compare the two: they play very differently. Think less Halo, and more Nier or Bayonetta.

All told, this is a lovely game: and I'm keenly aware that there are several more lovely games, buried beneath its grindy, grindy surface.

Character creation is the best part of the game.

But the rest is pretty good too! I've never been a fan of real-time w/pause combat, but I find gameplay much more enjoyable here than in Pillars of Eternity. Interesting world and story that, unfortunately, they don't do a ton with. My main criticism is that it doesn't do enough with its concept - too much of the time, you're walking about, doing quests for folks like it was any other RPG. That feels like a missed opportunity to me.

Still, I can heartily reccomend this to fans of Isometric RPGs. Lovely spell-crafting, enough lore to swim around in, Skill check opportunities are fun.

Unquestonably worth the cash, from my experience.

Pretty fun thus far! Silly, high-octane, and gleefully violent: if you ever wondered what it would look like if Mario Kart and Mortal Kombat had a baby, well, that's an odd thing to wonder.

But this game incorporates elements of both, so there's that at least.

Thoughts on improving the game: I was a bit confused that I wasn't naming or customizing my racer. Not sure why, just felt like an expected first step. The career mode isn't lighting my heart on fire, but it's an excuse to race and have fun, so it serves that purpose.

But really, my biggest complaint is that it isn't Skitchin'. That game was my jam: and this has made me even more nostalgic for it. It was so dumb and fun and ridiculous. Then again, Road Redemption is certainly those things!

How good is this game?

Despite having anxiety issues - and the game being full of jump scares - I heartily reccomend it to anyone who enjoys Immersive Sims. The layout of the station is remarkably logical: unlike in Deus Ex games, where it often felt like vents & such were created to make traversal easier for spies, alternate routes don't just presnt themselves in Prey.

Everything feels organic, and earned thus far. I really, really enjoy this game: hats off to Arkane for another damn fine title.

I really thought this one would be for me. It reminded me of Grandia, Tales of Symphonia & Zestria, Chrono Cross, and other bright, cheerful JRPGs from my past. But it did not click for me at all, and the primary reason is simple:

Most NPCs are introduced by being an absolute jerk to the protagonist.

I like the heroine, though the writers didn't seem to, going out of their way to remind us that she's forgetful, irresponsible, etc. But most major NPCs are introduced by a simple formula:

• Meet main characters
  
• Be an absolute tool to Estelle
  
• Estelle's "friends" and companions likewise heap insults on her
  
• Time passes
  
• I'm supposed to like and sympothize with them now

And this is repeated for what feels like the majority of major characters. I have other issues, but this was the main one: in what is clearly designed to be a fun, cheerful coming-of-age story, I'm bombarded by mean, snippy, negativity in a way that most similar games don't thrust on me. I got to chapter 3, and just lost the will to continue.

If this doesn't bother you as much as it did me, there's a charming game in here. But this felt like the "nice" freind who's always negging you: thanks, but no thanks.

The content warning at the beginning is appropriate.

I should have listened. I did not.

This game is brilliantly crafted. Really, really well done. I genuinely appreciate it, even though I'm really upset, and really not enjoying the game. That's on me. So I can reccomend it, but with a caveat. If you (like me) have anxiety issues, maybe heed the warning.