Recent reviews by Angry Owl

Back in the day I preferred Desperados over Commandos, shame that the former went downhill right on the 2nd entry.
So after all these years getting another Desperados game in style of the 1st part and, on top of that, developed by Mimimi Games (authors of remarkable Shadow Tactics, try it out too!) is almost a dream come true.

I don't have anything worthwhile to criticize here honestly..
Clearly the developers put their hearts and souls into their creation while still operating within a budget: there are no flashy cutscenes or elaborate story instead we get polished and faithful-to-the-original gameplay, excellent presentation, sharp controls, heaps of configurations and difficulty options, loads of replayability, yet barely any bugs.. quite simply it's just enjoyable to play!

Likely current best in its genre.

8.5/10 Metroidvania

XCOM2 Lite.

It's good, has some unique things going for it (breach mechanic most notably).
Unfortunately budget and scope constraints do show here:
- EDIT: mostly patched: random bugs and glitches
- comic style cut-scenes (I don't really mind these, the XCOM2 ones weren't much too impressive)
- plenty of recycled elements (android hacking animation for example)
- technically shallow alien voice work (can't tell viper's and human voices apart, really needs some filters and distortion)
- the story is serviceable, thought more world-building is appreciated
... oh, it does cost less than a fully-fledged title though..

Regardless of all that, the game retains the same XCOM thrills and is quite enjoyable too play!

(+)

Not a fan of card games, but this one is very fun and enthralling.

Essentially, an imporved version of already great VC1.

Get 'Shantae and the Pirate's Curse' instead.


Game had potential to be awesome, yet some parts fell flat undermining the whole experience.

Things that went right:
- presentation: the pixel art is great and remains this way throughout all zones
- bosses: big and well animated, offer multiple attack patterns without the feel of being spammy or stunlocky
- controls: had no issues with those - snappy and responsive (keyboard)

Things that were ok:
- genre?: platformer? - sure, but not metroidvania
- music: hit-and-miss; it's fine, but features no catchy melodies or memorable tracks
- puzzles: some rely too much on your key-pressing rather than solving skills
- gore: it feels right in Metal Slug, but in Iconoclasts most of time gore appears to be added for shock values only

Things that went wrong:
- story: focus-less, convoluted and overcomplicated mess. The game's world is poorly thought out with player getting showered with heaps of bland exposition monologues. There is also a number of 'controversial' themes, but game never fully commits to a single one. oh and does this game even contain a single joke?
- characters: 90% of the cast is uninteresting, underdeveloped and lacking significant character arc. So many stubborn and selfish chars, yet barely any kind or friendly ones. Not sure how player should relate to any of them (except maybe for the protagonist, though I suspect it's because she gets no lines at all)
- pacing: gets really bad towards the end, with corridors replacing puzzles\challenges. And don't get me started on the final boss?.. it made zero sense.. Did the developer run out of patience\motivation?
- tweaks\crafting: useless mechanic, completed the whole thing with a single 'swing time' upgrade


In summary, a pretty platformer with staggered pacing and incoherent writing.

Short, fun and challenging!

ooh, and also free!

good

I enjoy everything about this game and struggle to find anything to pick on here..
CrossCode is splendid in it's presentation and music, story and characters, game mechanics and puzzle design.
On top of that, there is a ridiculous level of polish and attention to details, which, frankly, should put multiple AAA studios to shame.

Really though, give this one a try!