Recent reviews by Exostenza

I don't want a game that is EXACTLY the same. I want a game that builds on the foundations of the original while bolstering the strengths that made it so good while adding more to the experience and an up to date engine. It just feels like a different game entirely (and a super dumbed down - aka streamlined in the industry - version of it to boot ... maybe in anticipation of a console release due to controller UI restrictions) rather than a sequel.

That is my issue with it.

It might be a decent game without expectation set from SPAZ 1 as it is definitely a far cry from the original SPAZ experience in terms of overall gameplay and mechanics. For all intents and purposes it might have served the devs better to call it something else and start a new IP so people who were huge fans of the original wouldn't be let down like I was because we were expecting SPAZ 2... not this game. SPAZ 1 just grabbed me and I played it forever as it heavily drew from the Escape Velocity Nova formula/genre and I loved that game and the general style which is just not really present in SPAZ 2 and I can't seem get into it at all. I think it is because it no longer resembles that type of experience anymore. I was expecting something like VoidExpanse except with higher production values and that just didn't come to fruition with this title. Even though that game is fairly low budget I had way more fun with it than SPAZ 2 (and enjoyed SPAZ 1 even more) as it keeps closer to the formula of the type of game I was expecting. Again, I am not saying it is a bad game, I just think it isn't what SPAZ fans had in mind for the sequel is all.

I think this is all reflected in the 11 CAD (so maybe 10 USD) sale before the launch. I think they know they don't have a game that lives up to the expectations of the original SPAZ on PC. Console player, however, might find it a very different experience not having the original for reference if they aren't also PC gamers. That is where they will likely get their revenue from if they maket it well enough as it definitely screams "made for console" in every respect that the game has been changed from the original.

This game is truly a masterpiece and with the two expansions I believe it to be one of the best RPGs ever made; definitely in the top 3 of all time and probably takes the number one spot for me. The world is well crafted and quite large with tons of exploring and quality questing to be had, the engine runs well and the graphics are good while they are great in Blood & Wine as they got enhanced. The gameplay mechanics are much better than the Witcher 2 although it still can be a bit clunky at times, especially when riding roach. I think the slight wonk with the controls is my only complaint as everything else about this game is par-excellence. The combat is good and there is tons of loot and play styles so everyone should be at home with their RPG character focuses.

That being said, where the Witcher 3 truly shines is in the plot department. Every side quest feels meaningful and all the decisions you subtly make coalesce into a wide range of how the game plays, how the characters respond to you, and it has multiple endings as well. You truly feel like you are Geralt and your choices actually matter where in so many RPGs today you just get strung along a line of quests that don’t actually shape who you are and how the world and its characters react to you. The Witcher 3 does all this with absolutely top notch craftsmanship where there are very few comparisons, especially since this is an AAA title so they had the budget to really flesh out the game with a massive scope, excellent writing, and superb voice acting. This really is the total RPG package and I just can’t get across how good this game is in every respect. I never felt like I was just doing side missions for XP or loot as they are all written so well they all feel like the heart of the game itself. It is truly rare when a game like this comes a long and to have two such amazing expansions is just icing on the cake. In fact, Blood and Wine feels like an entire game on its own as you explore a new part of the world with a substantial plot while Heart Stone is set in the same part of the world you still get a masterfully crafted plot that the Witcher 3 is known for.

If you haven’t played this game you have done yourself a great disservice missing out on one of, if not the best, game of all time.

10/10

Great stealth game sticking to tradition mechanical roots which is great compared to all the "stealth" games of late where you truly need to be stealthy or else you get cranked. I played this one late as the next installment is already out and apparently my only grievance is the clunky controls that can ruin otherwise well timed executions have been solved in Shards of Darkness. That being said, if you are a fan of the stealth genre this is about as good as it gets and the story is pretty decent as well when you get a bit into the game. It seems generic at first and then becomes pretty interesting - not particularly deep but much better than I anticipated.

So, other than some clunky control issues this is a great traditional, hardcore stealth game and if that is up your alley then this game is a definite buy.

7.5/10

Wow. What a fantastic game.
I did not think that MGS would translate well into an open world game but it is truly a masterpiece. Metal Gear Solid and Grand Theft Auto style gameplay with well crafted stealth and shooting mechanics… who would have thought. The controls can be clunky at times, but the story is well crafted as any fan of Kojima would expect and the scope is just ridiculously huge. So large in fact that they didn't even get to finish the game. There is a solid "ending” to it, if you stop after chapter one, that gives you a decent bit of closure while you can stop there or you can go on to play post game missions as MGS games tend to have yet they feel rushed and aren’t put together well. It is sad that Kojima was able to make such a fantastic game with a great engine while he was cut short due to budget issues and then canned by Konami. If he was able to finish Chapter 2 and 3 this game would have been something for the hall of fame. With that being said, it is still a fantastically fun game and you could easily get 100-150 hours no problem which is WAY more than the vast majority of AAA games.

If you like shooters, stealth, open world, GTA style, all out warfare, base building/management, and good plot this game is definitely one which you shouldn't miss. As I said before the engine is well made so it runs well on a wide range of setups and the gameplay (although a bit clunky) is really fun and there are SO MANY ways of going about a mission that you can replay them using greatly differentiated tactics as you upgrade your immense arsenal. The buddy system is a good addition as always having someone/something at your side assisting you and/or calling a serious heli strike is tons of fun.

I held off because of all the negativity surrounding the game due to being unfinished and am really glad I decided to grab it on sale as it is truly a great game. If you are the fence about getting this game - get it. The price is really low on steam (30 CAD at the time of writing) which is totally worth it while the game also goes on sale all over the net a lot (I think I got it for 20 CAD) but now knowing how much fun it is and the sheer scope of it this game is easily worth 60 bucks.

8/10

If you like science fiction and philosophical contemplation (much like SOMA) this game is extraordinarily good plus it is a great puzzle based game to boot! Its mechanics are well crafted just as the story is. This game is truly something special and I think that everyone who likes puzzle games, plot driven narratives, and philosophical contemplation should definitely get this game. One of the most refreshing gaming experiences I have had in a long time. It is kind of like the Stanley Parable except way more of a game and SOMA except a bit more fun due to it being a well made puzzle based game. I highly recommend this game even at full price it is totally worth it. The graphics and audio are also done superbly. Really, just an all around great game that is worth your time and money. The developers deserve our support on this one and I am looking forward to what they have in store for us next!

8.5/10

Four controllers and a nice big HDTV with this game is so much fun. I have had so many 4 player couch sessions with this game through the alpha and have loved it every step of the way. So good to see it completeled. Definitely a buy even at full price. SO much fun to be had.

8/10

This is one of the VERY FEW shining examples of early access, especially in the survival category, that deserves your support. If you are looking for a survival game that is in early access this is one of the three or four games that is actually worth it in my opinion. The devs are constantly active adding content and upgrading graphical features. If you are on the fence I would say this game is worth it, even for full price.

Even though it is an early access game it is one of the shining examples of it. They are continually working on the game and it morphs so much every time I come back to it. The developers are invested in this title and it keeps getting better and better. Even though it is still in development it has more content than most "AAA" games. This is one of the only early access survival games that I would recommend investing in - even for full price.

UPDATE:

It is hard to comment more than that as the game has gone through so many changes that my review would just become obsolete so quickly. Since playing they have completely revamped the way mining, crafting, building, and character survival and skill progression work while also upgrading the graphics and animations including how zombies react to how you hit them and with what. They have added deeper farming mechanics and are continually adding new items to the game which change how it is played if you use them. I would be quite content if this game never comes out of early access because they are putting so much work into it I never want the improvements and additions to stop!

Two of the only point and click adventure games I ever cared to beat in my adult life. Something about these two games just kept me going until each conclusion although admittedly they are both on the short end. Highly recommended!

Too much fun - a person could get hurt.