Cliff Empire is one of those games unfortunately unnoticed by the specialized press despite its surprisingly good quality. Aesthetically humble but still beautiful, with a lovingly cooked gameplay free of any unbalances even if rich. It made me enjoy a city builder, a genre that I usually consider boring. A game to play with a plaid on the knees and a hot chocolate cup within reach.

Cliff Empire est un de ces jeux malheureusement passé sous le radar de la presse spécialisée malgré une qualité générale surprenamment bonne. Ésthètique humble et pourtant trés agréable, gameplay aux petits oignions sans déséquilbres malgré sa densité considérable. Il a le mérite de m'avoir fait aimer un city builder, genre que je trouve assez babrbant d'ordinaire. A jouer avec un plaid sur les genoux et un chocolat chaud à portée de main.

Let's fix an injustice.

If you're just following the actuality of that game from a distant spot, you might think the community around it is kinda schyzophrenic. Since its release a few months ago, the critics have been all over the place, ranging from best game ever to filthiest betrayal in the history of mankind.

If you're genuinely wondering, which of this extrems the game really deserve, I'll give you a simple answer: the game IS really good. If the pitch of a coop 3rd person shooter with a heavy "Starship trooper" vibe appeals to you, go for it, even at full price (even more if on sale).

Now does that mean the massive backlashes that have recently fallen onto it are unjustified? Yes. No. Depends. Let's just say that no matter which one of those crisis you consider, the proportion, the intensity of totally unreasonable behaviors was way out of line. Some of arrowhead's decision (especially the ones affecting gameplay) were totally legitimate (welcome even) and the player's rant was totally absurd. On the other end, the latest crisis adressed a very poor business decision (which, to be fair, probably emanated from Sony and not Arrowhead) where people would have been obligated to link their Steam and Sony accounts. To be honest, I'm glad that decision has been canceled but I'm also scared that it may lead to some other tantrums from the players, since this one had an effect.

At any rate, the game is very good as it is and it's unlikely that this quality will ever decrease in the future. In fact, depending on what the devellopers have in store for us, it might become even better.

For transparency, I checked the "got the game for free" box but let's just say it was some kind of gift and I have no financial motivation to promote the game.