Recent reviews by BlackClaw™

it is game

Originally posted by Maja Moldenhauer, Studio Director at Studio MDHR:

I mean, there’s no shortage of ideas, coming from the era and the game play homages that we wanted to pay tribute to. But like so many other developers can probably attest to, when you put out a game, there are so many things that make it on the cutting room floor. For us, it was more figuratively because of the costs associated with physically doing animation and not incorporating it, but it was in the back of our minds, and we couldn’t let go of it. And so, at the end of the day we thought, you know, so that we can rest our heads at night and feel like this is a complete chapter, we need to do this DLC. Incorporate Legendary Chalice as a main hero of the trio of characters as Ms. Chalice, and also continue to pay homage to these last few bosses that we always wanted to do.

Cuphead was already a banger, from the incredible art style, to the fluency of the hand drawn assets.

And this DLC does not come short on any of these strengths, but expands on them and defines them even more for the player to enjoy.

The main menu change was a little bit of an initial throw off from the original jingle, but I feel like it was a good premise as to what the game was trying to get across. This studio takes what you know and love, and slightly improves and adds onto it just right that you just grow to adapt and accept just how good it also is.

Not to mention this DLC is a freaking blessing for your wallet. I mean basically a whole other story arc worth of content for just $8 dollars?! I am blessed to receive such an offer for such an amazing title but it really does blow my mind. All the hours of preparation and perfection needed before this was able to launch. Countless minutes drawing and redrawing the same boss animation over and over so it becomes as crisp as possible. All these amazingly talented artists and developers creating a masterpiece like this for $28 in total for all the content they have to offer... Meanwhile you got AAA Studios out here pumping out the same copy and paste mumbo jumbo and slapping a $60 price tag on that bad boy and it still working out for them.

Cuphead deserves the moon, stars, and the rainbows. It's been a long time since I've seen a game with so much passion put into it compared to most of the games that get released nowadays. Surrounded by all these Early Access, Alpha, Betas or even 1.0s that obviously show that the last priority they have is actually getting the game where it should and can be, and that their priority ends up being how much money can they get from it initially, and if it surprisingly profits a lot to possibly end up dropping all progress on the game as a whole, due to the fact they made the money they wanted, and can now move elsewhere to focus their time and money.

All i'll say to that is if you want to buy or try a game make sure to look at how much the developers work and make updates on the game depending on it's selling point (Full
/E.A.) typically that will give you a glimpse of whether or not you'll see any action for it later on. Cause that's the last thing you need in your life, is to be hyped by a game only to come to the realization that it probably will never get that QoL fix, or that major content update, and just having to work with what little you've been given and make the most out of it at that point.

On a brighter note, I hope everyone can be able to experience even a boss or two from this game throughout their gaming experience. From the music to the movement, this game is just built different. And thankfully this time around that's a good thing.

Have a lot more hours on PS4 trust me.

"Journey is a wordless story told through gameplay and visual-only cutscenes. The player's character begins near a small sand dune in a vast desert. Walking to the top of the dune, the character can see looming in the far distance a large, mysterious mountain with a glowing crevice that splits its peak."

When it comes to most games of my liking, I tend to lean a lot towards more Action, Strategy, and FPS style video games rather than other genres available. But this game is something special. Journey provides the player with such a feeling of mystery but at the same time with such un-explainable certainty as you make your way up to the mountain. When you start, you are left off at quite an abrupt placement, not knowing where you are or where you came from and everything in between. Nonetheless, the first thing the player is introduced to is the first step in what would be many, by crawling up this little hill to eventually be greeted with something so grand and so mesmerizing, but even so, with that single image being presented you have already made your decision in what you must accomplish.

The game overall itself is fairly short but within those short minutes, it truly feels like a lifetime of progress and overall accomplishment. If you were to go from start to finish no detours or delays, you would be able to complete the experience within a mere 1-2 hours. But with the extra time you're willing to give it, the more you'll definitely be able to get out of your own experience when you are able to see even just the little details that are gently resting in there waiting for you to unearth it.

With this Journey, there may be a possibility that you might be accompanied as well. After you've made a little bit more progress throughout the game, you will reach one of your first checkpoints that will grant you the ability to run into and meet other players, so as long as there are other players online that you can actually run into.

The interesting function that they decided to implement into this experience is the inability to know anything about the other person in any shape and or form. Both of you look completely identical personage wise and that's all that you're really granted with when it comes to getting to know your soon to be partner better.

But odd enough, I have never been able to experience something quite like this but once I was finally able to, the feeling is just so surreal that after every play through i'm still flabbergasted and overjoyed at just the overall feeling there is when it comes to the people you spend this Journey with. The fact that you'll most likely never see the person again, it's extremely touching the unspoken bond you can receive with someone like that. Being left completely in the dark about this other player but knowing that you both share the same goal and help each other through that is something that I can't truly explain how marvelous it is in the moment.

The music in this game has such an excellent job in assisting in your immersion as well. The orchestral pieces and solos that play as you enter different terrains and areas, and that the music alone can completely set the mood perfectly and get you ready on how you should be feeling when and where. As you venture you'll get these breathtaking high highs and these defeating low lows, but without the music, it would not be the experience it is, with it not standing side by side with the visuals in importance.

I was never expecting my wife to leave me just like that.

It was December 2, 1992.
The cold harsh Winter was cruising in, as we resided in the comfort of our humble abode, sitting alongside the children and warming our bodies around the fireplace. The Elf was situated alongside the wall making sure it had a good eye on the children to report to Santa at the end of his shifts. The children asked me, "Father Drokthnor, what beith a memory that which resides in your cerebellum with times of misfortune and sorrow?" to which I replied, "You know, ‎Intel® Core™ i9-9900KS that is a good question."

I can't believe it was already 2 years after ‎Intel® Core™ i9-9900KS's funeral.
The local Clown, Vartex and Banjo player, Breeker were already slowly losing themselves over time after she had left our lives. What a sweet soul she was. If only there was a way I could see her again. I'll never forget the words she would always tell me and my wife before bed.

"Unexpected item in bagging area. Remove this item before continuing."

‎Intel® Core™ i9-9900KS was the last thing my wife held onto for a sense of happiness. After her departure, my wife, Darrel was fed up with the world and demanded a change of pace. She packed up her bags, took Red Solo Cup and left the following day.

I knew I wouldn't see them ever again. But was there really anything else I could do? Her mind was made up. And even if there was a sliver of opportunity, it's most likely already gone by now.

Sitting in my dark room with my Whinnie the Pooh 1997 Limited Edition Glock Extension as the light on my monitor flickers at a moderate 60 fps refresh rate, something caught my eye. I browsed the Steam Store and was presented with Never Split The Party. What an odd title it was. But it was different. And thankfully that was something I needed in my life.

I fired the application up.

I had never met another person in my life besides my wife and my children so I felt that I had to venture forth alone on this journey. My party consisted of solely me, myself, and I.

Not only two seconds in I had already lost 3 hearts. After completing my first room I felt a wave of adrenaline fill every single pore residing on my body. I felt renewed, I felt strengthened, I felt reborn. It was then after that, I executed the most complicated combo any man had ever witnessed in all of history and proceeded to snag the world record of 0:00:7.

At that moment, a knock was at the door. I approached in a calm and sophisticated manner. It was her. Darrel had come back to me and brought my son Red Solo Cup into my presence once again. She informed me about how she heard that I had just gotten the World Record for NSTP and begged for us to start over again. I was so happy. My very being just filled with pure joy. During this happy reunion, my daughter ‎Intel® Core™ i9-9900KS, who's body had still been on the kitchen floor after all these years immediately arose and presented us with a gift. "Great Thanksgiving everyone."

We had never received a gift like this in our lives before. It instantly struck a chord with my soul and my eyes began to water with the overwhelming emotion overtaking me. "I can't believe it... Canned Bread. I couldn't have asked for anything better."

As I wiped the tears off my eyes I opened them to be presented with ‎Intel® Core™ i9-9900KS quickly teleporting around the room, proceeding to grab my neck from behind, and evidently ending my life.

This game saved me. This game changed me. This game is short af.

So long Origin. I barely knew ya.

Gunfire Reborn is another rouge-like shooter that has done a fantastic job of making the game as addictive as possible.

For most games, how I define the greatness for the most part is based on how re-playable the experience can be. And Gunfire knocks it right out of the park with that one.

Although Gunfire is still in Early Access with many changes and additions planned to make their way in, it already is super solid for how it is currently. It's enough for me to say that if it didn't have (EA) attached to it at the moment, I would definitely believe that it was a ready game.

Gunfire Reborn is just like Risk of Rain and Binding of Isaac and all other rogue likes in which when you die you start fresh, but it does a good job by still making you feel like you're progressing even though it's a restart for every session.

The game implements a very thorough Talent tree in which the profits you make in your runs can be easily converted to the skills you wish to enhance, to better off your upcoming runs in the future. With this, each skill you upgrade is also represented as your player level. The more skills you unlock, the higher level your account becomes. And when it doesn't come to replay ability, Leveling system is immediately the right hand man for what gets me hooked on a game.

The weapons in Gunfire are pretty self explanatory, they're guns. But for those who wish to use other means of attacking they put that into account too and also added cool gadgets and gizmos to use instead. Such as, a laser glove, a fire dragon, a whole lizard, and even primary skills that each unique character has catered to them.

Thankfully if one character doesn't suit your taste with their play style, they also have 2 additional ones currently that spice things up a little.

The list of characters and their specialties:

The Crown Prince (Cat): Elemental damage, Smoke Bomb usage/buffs, Energy Orb Primary skill.

Ao Bai (Dog): Gun improvements, overall sustainability perks, grenade buffs, Akimbo Gun Primary Skill

Qing Yan (Bird): Overall sustainability perks, winged attacks, Claw Leap Primary skill.

Although there may seem very few in character numbers, their uniqueness makes the game play experience completely different from each other.

The game also uses a very subtle elemental system of three elements: Corrosion, Fire, and Lightning. With these three elements, based on who you're fighting they may have an element that consists of their being. By figuring out which element counters which, you can choose the appropriate weapon to gain bonus damage on said enemy. As well as dealing less damage if the enemy element is countering your current weapon.

A complete run of a Gunfire session takes about an average of forty minutes minimum, and up to an hour or longer afterwards. Don't expect to win a session on your first try, but with the help of unlocking items and learning each enemy's combat styles, you'll be soaring through the rooms in no time.

I've had my eye on this game for quite some time and finally got the urge to complete the purchase and i'm shocked as to how much time it has already sucked from my day to day life. The matches are played so differently every time that once i'm finished I hop right back in and see what new situations I am put against to squeeze my way out of this time.

If you are a fan of Risk of Rain and Binding of Isaac's play style, as well as most rouge genre games, Gunfire Reborn is surely up your alley.

Mama hates you

The Metroidvania we have needed for quite some time. Blasphemous does an outstanding job making this world feel so alive as you traverse through the land (although everything is pretty much dead).

Blasphemous is your classic Metroidvania mode of transitioning throughout the map, with a hack-n-slash uniqueness alongside it. You, as the Penitent One, start the game awoken in a pit of thousands of corpses, and proceed to make your way out of the area to find out that this world needs to be purified of it's wretched sins from the highest mountains, to the deepest of caves.

Many people say that it is very similar to that of the Dark Souls aesthetic, and although it is fairly accurate in some means, the game truly is just unique in every aspect in which it cannot really be compared to anything else, for there is not a game that is near similar to it's overall feel.

The exploration in Blasphemous is one of the core focuses for the player due to the fact that without taking the time to truly check all your corners, there are items later on that you are physically unable to go any further without obtaining it prior. One thing that the developers definitely made sure of, is that they make sure you feel satisfied by going out of your way to check specific areas, and are granted with either extremely powerful items or items that you can bring to places later on that overall buff your character. Whether it be bonus health, extra potions, etc. One thing that you as a player should definitely be weary about, is that as for all Metroidvania games it is crucial to make sure you truly check everything, otherwise you spend a lot of downtime trying to see which room you didn't fully check and it's quite the hassle.

The overall combat throughout the entire game is ridiculously rewarding to the player, with the amazing sprite work and quality that was brought forth to give the player the satisfaction of actually securing a kill. Whether it be just the classic blood splash from vanquishing a foe, to unique slaying techniques that your character is able to unleash to the poor attacker that gets in its way.

The Boss fights are insanely creepy looking but it helps immensely to give the player the notification that this is not your average enemy, for it is its own monstrous being, and that mercy was never an option. Most of the Bosses are done very well in a way that is on the borderline of not too ridiculous and extremely challenging.

There were a lot of little details and quirky things that either the Penitent One or just other beings in the game do that don't really make quite a lot of sense, yet at the same time seeing it happen in the moment just lets you understand it completely for that short period of time which makes it quite interesting and impressive as a player. To not be able to pin down what you're feeling, but knowing that what you are feeling is exactly what the developers intended.

If you have never tried a Metroidvania and or hack-n-slash I would definitely pick this up and have a swing at it ( h a ). But promise me you'll treat Viridiana with love and care. Thank you.

Originally had this on the PS3 back in late 2012. The amount of time I have had on that version is exponential to what I currently have on the computer. Which goes to show how ridiculously fun this is

Castle Crashers is your average Beat 'Em Up/Scroller but with they way they executed the gameplay function especially with a group setting, it is essentially the closest you can get to perfection.

As much of a nostalgic tie I have had with this title, for new players as well you will easily find the same amount of enjoyment just by how silly this game plays out. Castle Crashers is tons of fun in a solo player experience, but with a full four man party, has the power to create some of the greatest memories out of the pure laughter and enjoyment of just doing wacky stuff with your buddies.

The game overall is fairly short if you play each level back to back, but the game rewards the effort to go above and beyond and search throughout each level. By doing so, you get the opportunity to find many different types of weapons hidden around, as well as pets that you can bring into your arsenal and pick and choose at any given moment. Although this game is short for a one time playthrough, every time you beat the game, depending on who you chose for your first adventure you unlock a character based on who you picked. And by picking that character you have just unlocked you can finish the game again and obtain another character as well.

Castle Crashers also does a great job by showing you just how much you are progressing as a whole. With it's simple level up system, being able to increase specific stats based on your preference. And although there are different trees you can max out first, each one is based on a different playstyle, therefore if you want to play far back or front line, you have the ability to do so and work on both at the exact same time.

The story of the game goes like so: You are a Knight celebrating at a party/gathering within the castle walls. As you party your little heart out, a warrior gets toppled into the room covered in blood and proceeds to die. You and your squadron proceed to check the perimeter of the area, only to find out that the King is being attacked by an evil wizard, who proceeds to steal a magic crystal that the King has held in his possession for quite sometime. After the Wizard escapes, the King declares a demand of action to return the crystal to its rightful place. After hearing said declaration, you and your teammates make your way out through the land as you find out where the Wizard lies, to defeat him and return the King's crystal. Not even seconds after you venture outward, you see that the Princesses of the land proceed to get kidnapped by the Wizard's henchmen, and you are now faced with a second trial in which you have to rescue these fair maidens as well.

After you save the Princess, you are allowed to kiss her as a token of her gratitude. If you are playing with friends however, it turns into a free for all, showing who truly has the strength to deserve her kiss. Playing this throughout my years I have never had more fun in this game than during these little mini events. The amount of tension and chaos between me and my friends, shouting who deserves to kiss her first, or who thinks she's pretty and therefore they deserve it are memories I will always cherish.

With that said, this game is a banger and if you don't give it a try imma come over there and slap you with my leftover Snickerdoodle.

What is your deep dark secret?

You had a crush on the Nurse as a kid don't lie