Recent reviews by Hacktor

Full disclaimer:
* I have been employed by Ubisoft for ~8 years (Up until 2021) and worked on the Assassin's creed series for most of that (multiple titles from AC 3 to AC Odysey, from quality assurance to level design and technical direction)
* I bought this game with my own money for 9.99$ in 2014
* This is my personal opinion, and nothing else.

Now with that out of the way:
Getting 100% was... a frustrating, preachy mess.

approximate amount of time to 100%: 15-20
Estimated achievement difficulty: 3/10
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1
Multiplayer achievements: No.
Missable achievements: No.
Grinding Achievements: YES!. Multiple "collect all" type achievements that slowly unlock as you progress the main game.
DLC-Only achievements: No.
Time-gated achievements: No.
Speed-run achievements: No.
RNG-achievements: No.
Does difficulty affect achievements: No difficulty choice.
First achievement unlock: Complete Sequence I most likely, a couple of minutes into the game.
Unobtainable/glitched achievements: Open-world jank leading to achievements breaking are possible (and reported by other users) but not in my case.

Notes:
* Because steam needs to open up Uplay (or whatever they call it these days) the game asks me to Login to Uplay EVERY TIME i boot it up. Even if i'm already loged in to Uplay in the Background (i literally have both apps open)... This is idiotic.
* Mission select (DNA) is available.
* The movement is extremely janky and only functional once you get used to it.
* Despite being a console game, controller support is missing. (steam helps with it's controller features but you'll see keyboard inputs the entire game) This is because the PC port team failed horribly.
* The user interface (especially in menus) was always ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ in all AC games. This one is way below that. As an example. try rebinding a key and realise that the you only see 5 bindings on screen at a time, and only the one you have selected is shown. This game should be taught in design schools as a negative example.
* Multiplayer features (Not many, highscores, leaderboards etc..) Are now disabled.
* The game was originally made for the PSVita and it shows. The only thing that doesn't show its' age and limitations are the voice acting and sound design, Everything else left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
* These days a lot of gamers are a bit sensitive to woke issues in games and this one... oh boy... it's full of both subtle and not so subtle preaching to the player about race, class etc.... While "there was an attempt" at portraying that particular age in a historic context, you can see that (in my opinion) they failed badly.
* the game reails for 20$ on steam right now but it's also included with AC3 Remastered (40$). That version might feature less bugs and more QOL but i'll never know...

Under 49% (way under), Not recommended.

Getting 100% was... polarizing... pun very much intended.

approximate amount of time to 100%: 5-10 hours
Estimated achievement difficulty: 6/10
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1
Multiplayer achievements: No.
Missable achievements: No.
Point of no return: No.
Grinding Achievements: No.
DLC-Only achievements: No.
Time-gated achievements: No.
Speed-run achievements: No.
RNG-achievements: No.
Does difficulty affect achievements: No choice.
Is there a good guide: I used the one on playstationtrophies.org the one by scharn73
First achievement unlock: Collect any scroll.

36 lore scrolls = 36 achievements, Some are easier than others but they are all off the main path.

You'd think you can finish the game without collecting any... However the final area and boss requires all 36 to open. The good part, that final boss battle doesn't unlock any new achievements so if that's all you want feel free to stop there. (the last boss is do-able but very annoying)

Notes:
* There is no fast travel ,sometimes you'll be locked into some nasty puzzle rooms without the ability to return to your central hub until finishing them
* The controls are infuriating, And vital for one achievement where you have to be pixel perfect in the central tube while floating.
* There's already a remastered version so maybe consider getting that instead of this one.. maybe they added some quality of life... but I'll never know


While the game is comppentent and i would say a bit enjoyable, the floaty controls, unpredictable magnet physics and lack of quality of life hinders it. And in my case made it frustrating to finish.

Below 49%, Not recommended.

Getting 100% was... an relaxing satisfying puzzle-filled story.

approximate amount of time to 100%: 5-10 hours
Estimated achievement difficulty: 1/10
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1
Multiplayer achievements: No.
Missable achievements: Yes. 2 + collectibles but super easy with Chapter Select.
Point of no return: No. you have chapter select.
Grinding Achievements: No.
DLC-Only achievements: No.
Time-gated achievements: No.
Speed-run achievements: No.
RNG-achievements: No.
Does difficulty affect achievements: No choice.
Is there a good guide: Necturnal's Guide on steam is excelent.
First achievement unlock: Finish act 1 (the exposition).

Achievement wise the game is really straightforward. Apart from the origamis (you don't need a guide but it helps) Only 2 others are missable but easy to get.

It's a good game about strugging with your fears.
Touches on mental issues and insights into introversion/extroversion.
And apart from very minor bugs was a good experience.
Technically the game was innovative in many ways, love what they did with the 2D/3D aspects, really inspiring.

Cute game, competent devs, good experience.
Recommended.

Getting 100% was... interesting but a bit boring for me personally.

approximate amount of time to 100%: 5-15hours
Estimated achievement difficulty: 2/10
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1
Multiplayer achievements: No.
Missable achievements: Yes. The lorestones, a single achievement.
Point of no return: No. you have chapter select.
Grinding Achievements: No.
DLC-Only achievements: No.
Time-gated achievements: No.
Speed-run achievements: No.
RNG-achievements: No.
Does difficulty affect achievements: No choice.
First achievement unlock: When reaching the first gate, 10 minutes or so in.

Achievement wise the game is really straightforward, 13 are unmissable and on the main path, the last one is missable but easily track-able through the lit-up runes on the lorestones (chapter select helps but sometimes just walking back to that area is possible)

*What i got most from this game is a desire to go back to God of War (2016). It kept reminding me how good that game was.
*I see what they were going for with the movement speed but for me it mostly felt like a walking simulator. Long areas of doing nothing but walking, including slow as hell backtracking, with a run button that doesn't actually run, just walks a bit faster.
*The subtitles were also broken coming in and out at various times.
*Also highly recommend the FOV tool since the game doesn't feature any way of changing this.
*I hated the ending where **Spoilers** ..... : you have to die to finish... it's a bit odd, A good reason why games don't do this.

Even tho it didn't speak to me personally I will recommend it since it's a good experience and clearly a quality product.

Getting 100% was... entertaining, and scratched that clean_map itch us completionists get.

approximate amount of time to 100%: 20-30hours
Estimated achievement difficulty: 7/10
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1
Multiplayer achievements: No.
Missable achievements: No.
Point of no return: No. After the game's ending you can return and explore.
Grinding Achievements: Not really, Maybe "reach level 100" if you skip a lot of fights.
DLC-Only achievements: No.
Time-gated achievements: No.
Speed-run achievements: No.
RNG-achievements: No.
Does difficulty affect achievements: No choice.
Is there a good guide available: An excelent set of maps by @Demajen for missing pickups.
First achievement unlock: Immediately after Beating the first boss.

I recommend this game as a solid metroidvania. Doing everything right.
If I were to make a recommendation it would be to just enjoy the game and take your time.
Nothing is missable, there are no hard difficulty walls and everything comes down to pattern.
In addition there's no penalty for dying except time wasted.

I really enjoyed this one. Hope you will too.

Getting 100% was... nice. By playing them backwards I got to see the development process that led to SwD2

approximate amount of time to 100%: 5-10 Hours
Estimated achievement difficulty: 5/10
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: One (Most likely 2 if you go in blind)
Multiplayer achievements: No.
Missable achievements: Yes. Sequence Break and each of the trophies (Speed/Gold/Deaths etc...).
Point of no return: No. After the game's ending you can return and explore.
Grinding Achievements: Yes, A fistful of dirt (Dig 2 game's worth of tiles.)
DLC-Only achievements: No.
Time-gated achievements: No.
Speed-run achievements: Yes. 2,5 hour Speed run (and another 2.5 hour Speedrun but with 100% Secrets/gold etc...)
RNG-achievements: No.
Does difficulty affect achievements: No choice.
Is there a good guide available: Yes, Look for Dessy's guide on steam. Massive help.
First achievement unlock: Scratching the Surface (Very fast after the 2-minute tutorial area)

Overall this is a recommendation from me but only if you finished Steamworld DIg 2 and want more of the same. You can see the process and development direction the team took, what they kept what they dumped and what they upgraded.
Especially at a deep sale (The game often goes on such) It's worth it.

Getting 100% was... just like playing Portal 2 all over again. I'm serious, same level of quality.

approximate amount of time to 100%: 5-10 Hours
Estimated achievement difficulty: 3/10
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1
Multiplayer achievements: No.
Missable achievements: No.
Point of no return: No.
Grinding Achievements: No.
DLC-Only achievements: No.
Time-gated achievements: No.
Speed-run achievements: No.
RNG-achievements: No.
Does difficulty affect achievements: No difficulty choice.
First achievement unlock: Most likely "sending a message" in Chapter 2. "Just in time" is available in chapter 1 but most people won't get it.

Note:
Chapter and room select available.

I rarely see a mod with this amount of quality and work put into it. If I didn't know better i'd say this was an official launch from valve, I can't understate how professional this looks. The voice acting is really good as well, and the puzzles (including the new mechanics) are challenging enough for portal veterans.

And on top of that it's free. Just play it!

A single achievement that unlocks instantly...
!! Note however steam doesn't count the game towards achievements profile.
Time to 100% : <1 minute

So... believe it or not there's a game here under all the jank. There's a dialogue system, There's equipment, a bit of level design.... Yeah there are more bugs than features, and the english translation is way out there but... there is one.. and you understand what the NPC's are saying.

Nothing wrong with developers making stuff like this just to learn the ropes, especially if it's free to play.
you might not agree with me but... Recommended, for 1-2 minutes.

Getting 100% was... Interesting. I was finally able to see what "all the fuss was about" with this game.
... ahem.... The fuss was justified.

approximate amount of time to 100%: 40-100 Hours
Estimated achievement difficulty: 9/10 (1/10 with SQWEEix character booster and mods)
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1
Multiplayer achievements: No.
Is there a Good Guide: Yes, many, I personally used bover_87's on GameFAQ's. An Excellent Guide.
Missable achievements: Yes, ( Use a guide!!!, there are missables and points of no returns galore)
Point of no return: Yes. (Signaled but not extremely well)
Grinding Achievements: Yes, (recommend booster/mods. See below)
DLC-Only achievements: No.
Time-gated achievements: No.
Speed-run achievements: No.
RNG-achievements: No.
Does difficulty affect achievements: No difficulty choice.
First achievement unlock: Win a battle, The instant you start playing, ( * see notes)

Notes:
- if you connect your SquareEnix account you have access to Speed X3 mode and character booster (super useful)
- I HIGHLY recommend modding the game with 7th heaven (In my case i used: FMV30fps,60FPSgameplay,Textures[Battle/field/etc],ChaOS,NinoStyleChibi,GameplayTweaks)
- If you do this there's an option in 7'th heaven (settings>gaveDriver>advanced>SteamCompativility) That basically launches the steam game along with the modded version ... check this if you want steam achievements through mods... OR leave it unchecked to test without omitting to the entire game since the first achievement is so early.
- The grinding is extremely repetitive, I recommend either playing the entire game with x2/x3 XP/AP mode on.
- The final bosses Achievements are extremely difficult if you didn't get EVERYTHING, and even so they have some bull***t attacks. Ultimately do-able however especially with boosted/Gameplay modded chars.
- A friendly hint if you start playing: Figure out how to farm/unlock limit breaks early.. or else you'll be hating yourself by the end.

I understand now why the story is considered one of the best the industry has ever produced. It does so many interesting things (Without spoiling, tho some are considered risky to do now a days), And tackles varied themes. The amount of content on offer here is also massive.

I can honestly say I don't regret deciding to try this game so many years after everyone else... BUT if you're not a fan of the Final Fantasy formula and tropes maybe watch a let's play.

So yeah... Recommended.

Getting 100% was... relaxing, Speaks to my inner desires to get away from everything. But apart from that there's not much there.

approximate amount of time to 100%: 3-6 Hours
Estimated achievement difficulty: 1/10
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1
Multiplayer achievements: No.
Missable achievements: No
Point of no return: No. (There's a free-roam mode as well)
Grinding Achievements: No.
DLC-Only achievements: No.
Time-gated achievements: No.
Speed-run achievements: No.
RNG-achievements: No.
Does difficulty affect achievements: No difficulty choice.
First achievement unlock: End of day 1, after you climb the tower for the first time,

The game's an extended walking simulator with not much of an illusion of choice even. It's basically an extended movie. So if you like that kind of stuff you'll like this game. Don't expect complex game-play.

eltorga's guide on steam is a good source of info for where to find those last missing achievements.
The game wants to hook the player with a couple of mastery threads but in my opinion they all kind-of failed to hit their mark. There's hints of supernatural, crime, etc.. but i feel they are not concluded very well.
The game also has a lot of reading if you want to see the world-building.
The dialogue, while good, reminds me constantly of that Borderlands jokey-irreverent style that really annoys me personally... It's just me right? ... right?

So in conclusion, I'd recommend this game but only at a steep discount (luckily you can often find it on sale)