Recent reviews by SwiftStrikes

My journey to becomming King has finally concluded.

Thoughts/Opinion(s):
I loved the world setting, music, and its flat back red haired knight enough to continue to the end of its stretched out pages. What I disliked is how stretched out the ending felt and the lack of NG+ features it gives you. Sure, once you beat the game you gain access to a new dragon fight, keep your powers but have to find them again, and you keep your Money/MAG currencies as well as items. But honestly, that's just not enough for me. I want my Prince at the start instead of the end for NG+. I want to feel over powered instead of having to go through the journey again with enemies having a +1 turn. I wouldn't mind grinding out the party's love system all over again, that's just my take.

Perhaps modders will create a better NG+ for the longevity/replayability of the game. Until then, I can finally close this fantasy book and move on to better stories.

9.5/10
You can't fully explore the rich world that is created here. However, it is a Visual Masterpiece, worthy of your purchase. The journey is punishing and rewarding, leaving you with a story to remember.

Made a litter of pawns, now my friends run into them all the time whenever they play. KEKW

I've melted enemies, stolen souls, and killed all the npc's with fashion fit for a god.
I have fallen like a lord. Fallen in love with this game so hard that in the end of it, it stole my very own soul.

After 100+ hours do I suggest this game?
Yes. I personally think this is better than Lies of P. However, combat wise, Lies of P is slightly better. (very slightly)

Why do I suggest this game?
It has the build variety that I am looking for, making each play through feel new. It hits different.

What do I like about this game?
+ I prefer my souls-likes to be in a Medieval Setting (Unlike Lies of P/Steelrising)
+ The world is wonderfully crafted and breath taking.
+ The armor and weapon designs are so cool that I want 200 more of them!
+ The Idea of traveling to the world of the undead like a call back to the classic Soul Reaver games in a souls-like is just pure genius to me.
+ The voice acting is actually really damn good.
+ Devs Patching the game 3x a day or more shows they really care about there product. I like that.
+ 3 different endings to chase for different outcomes is welcomed. I want more.

My Negatives/Gripes about this game;
- Sound design could be a little better. (Weapon hits, Parrys, the audio que stuffs)
- Some animations could be better, but its fine enough.
- Bosses are honestly WAY to easy and some of them just have gimmicks that don't fit well for my tastes for a souls-like game. Regular enemies are scarier than the actual bosses themselves at times.
- I didn't like audio story telling through Soul Flaying Memories. I prefer more cut scenes instead.
- I don't like the bonus content being locked to in-game only (Digital Artbook and Soundtrack).
- Co-Op Netcode needs to be worked on. Playing with friends and randoms is a lag fest but still fun if you're the host or connected with someone with a really good connection.
- Invasions: Same thing as co-op. Its a lag fest and annoying to even bother doing at the moment. Good matches can be had, however it feels like its only 10% of the time instead of 80-95% of the time.

Overall Thoughts;
Buy it. Support it. Show them that we want more and that the next title they do will be even better than this one.

Its a solid 8.5 or 9/10 game.

My first play through was enjoyable as everything was new and fresh. That feeling kept me interested in engaged.

It gave me feelings of Fallout with the progression style of Skyrim. At first I really liked it. Over time, I began to slowly dislike that. I started to realized my progression in power felt like a chore instead of feeling like I was actually growing with the annoying skill challenges that made me feel some what roadblocked (ship/armor/weapon modding).

The UI:
While beautiful, it is a absolute nightmare. EX: Menu, Menu, Menu, Fast Travel.
I eventually got used to it over time, but thinking about it..Sheesh...Talk about tedious.

The story:
It's mid/Semi-Generic to me. Just my opinion. But its fine enough to make you semi motivated to go exploring. I guess.

Story Characters:
Honestly. I really hated everyone except Andreja and Vosco. If the game didn't have plot armor attached to them, I would happily leave them on a ship and blow them up. Fuhk-em.

Gameplay:
Its Fallout, just a little more polished.

Customization:
Honestly, its decent. Better than some of there other Character Creators. I still felt some what limited though. I don't know why.

Ship Creation:
I think this is probably the fun part of the game, honestly. It's kinda annoying that its a 'Late Game' feature, because who wouldn't want to just customize right away and have there first experience in there OWN ship? But its fine. Whatever. Least its there.

Exploration:
Straight up bland. Nothing around this. Planets are either dead or just the same outposts. Rinse and repeat.

Space Powers:
They don't feel unique enough to me. I feel like they just took Skyrim's Dragonborn abilities and put them in the game. They are kinda over powered. Which I guess its fine? The entire game is easy enough without them.

New Game Plus:
It's a nice change from having to re-make a character to explore different options. Getting a new suit to symbolize a different universe is also really cool and rewarding. New Dialogue to make you feel like your a mind reader to the NPCs? Well, thats subjective. But I found that it kinda took my immersion away after a couple of story quests. But, I am glad they did it this way, honestly. It lets me keep my current character and continue without having to delete, make a new character, new rolls, and experience it in a different play style. I can just continue and play how I like.

Over all thoughts:
It's a good game. Its not perfect. Its not a TOP Tier game. But for what it is, its simply just a good time and I think that part really delivers, especially on your first fresh play through of the game. Its one of those titles that you pick up and play maybe 1x a year (for me) to keep things feeling good. I would wait a solid year for the Modding Community to really make this game shine brighter than it is. Because we all know that will happen. Especially with this game. I look forward to coming back with a fully modded game with a fresh experience, all over again.

Rating:
7/10 (No Mods)
8.5/10 (With current mods) | date: 9/10/2023

I don't think I have had this much fun in a long time.
Act 3 could use a little more polish/bug fixing.

Overall, worth it. I strongly recommend buying this.
I look forward to trying different combinations and seeing different outcomes on my different characters!

It's not game of the year. But its the right game to start the year.
You will for sure enjoy yourself, so I would say it's worth the purchase.

My only issue are the lack of enemy types, but that is easily overlooked.

Thought I would like it. Ended up hating it.
Punishing Gray Raven and Aether Gazer is 300% better than this.

I have to admit. This is a really really great game.
BUT. The performance problems often hindered me in boss fights from time to time.
If you can power through the stuttering and crashing, you will absolutely love it.
I sure did.

I give it a 9.5/10 due to performance problems.
worth it.