Recent reviews by JoeMD

The Phantom: The Video Game is the first major console/PC game from Australian studio Art of Play, and while it has a lot of potential, the fact that it’s the studio’s first big game shows.

The game has often been compared to Streets of Rage 4, but the comparison is a bit unfair due to the larger budget and team behind SoR4. The Phantom feels more like an older brawler, moving more a little slower than some modern counterparts. Many have said they there are not enough moved in The Phantom. This is untrue as a said-by-side count of the moves available here compared to [/i]Sor4[/i] show that with special moves counted, the two games are on equal footing. Still, there is certainly a feeling of "old school" to The Phantom's gameplay. To carry forward the Streets of Rage comparison, The Phantom feels more like playing the original 16-big Streets of Rage rather than the newer fourth entry in the series. Please note that I am not suggesting that this is a bad thing, as I feel this is still a perfectly relevant style of play.

And in-level character animation and the environmental art is a highlight, showcasing unique locations, with all the characters presenting a wonderful sense of personality. However, the comic-panel cutscenes could have been better, feeling akin to old-internet Flash animations. The soundtrack is excellent, evoking the different cultures and atmospheres the game explores. Unfortunately, some of the voices and sounds in cutscenes are muffled behind the wonderful score.

The gameplay is enjoyable but sometimes attacks lack the impact found in other games of the genre. It’s a shorter experience, taking around 2.5 - 3 hours to complete on medium difficulty. While boss fights present a cool idea in the form of horse/ bike/ car/ etc chases, they can become repetitive. Guns, while available, don’t feel overpowered and are more used for stunning enemies and setting of traps. This is in line with the lore of the comic, where the Phantom doesn’t kill.

Fans of The Phantom will likely appreciate the numerous references, but non-fans might find themselves confused by certain plot points and lore-heavy moments that aren’t explained clearly. The game does wear its comic inspiration and love for the source material on its sleeve which, in this era of comic book games redesigning characters until they are nothing but a hodgepodge of homogeneous styles, should be commended.

Ultimately, the game is fun for those who are already fans of The Phantom and/or those who enjoy older-style brawlers, but it may not meet the expectations of those looking for something more modern or polished. The devs are constantly refining the game, however, so things may improve over time. Personally, I reckon it's certainly worth checking out.

“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
― Isaac Asimov

I loved Call of the Sea so was really looking forward to this. While it has a nice aesthetic and a cool story, the puzzles go from boring to frustraiting. I really did not enjoy this. If you enjoy puzzle platformers you're better off playing something like Price of Persia, Flashback or Another World

I think the marketing process for The Vagrant went like this;

"So, we've a game that's a half-assed Golden Axe clone. It's a bit crap. What should be do?"

"Add BOOBS?"

"Genius!"

Perhaps that's a little unfair, but the robust mammaries of almost every female character are probably be the only thing this game is remembered for. The game's plot is paper thin and, hilariously, often translated incorrectly.

As you bounce along there are plenty of enemies to smite, but it all becomes something of a button mashy mess. Bosses have a huge endowment of health, which prolongs fights to ridiculous proportions.

The environments and enemies are actually really lovely. The backgrounds have a water painterly style and the enemies have a somewhat European comics/ 2000AD look to them. Why the hell they then went for these Rubanesque women that have been ground through an anime filter is beyond me. They look incredibly stupid (although, as I have said before on this site, I have something of an aversion to anime stylings). Even when you change armor your character's sprite doesn't change, she is always in her leather bikini (although your weapon graphic does change. Hmmm...).

I picked this game up because a host of a podcast I listen to said it was similar to Golden Axe. The only similarity is that they are both set in fantasy worlds. Even Tyris Flare could wear the bras of The Vagrant's girls as an oversized swimcap.

I spent three hours with the game before I felt I'd seen enough. Some might get more out of this than I did, but if you want to try it out just wait for a deep sale.

Kind of fun...until I got to an area where I just kept getting stuck on the geometry and couldn't move forward. Even re-loading saves didn't help. I've read that the Elder Scrolls games are basically much better versions of this, so I think I'll jump over to those.

Owlboy is one of those games where you think "why has no one ever done this before?" The verticallity of the environments really helps the game stand out.

The game also moves away from the more traditional 2D platformers by having three different characters to help you on your journey. While you always control main character Otis, you will be able to call to your aid others with varying abilities to help navigate and fight enemies. The way their various abilities are woven into the game is very well done, although they perhaps could have been used a little more for environmental puzzles and so forth. There is really only one boss fight in which all three abilities are needed.

The pixel art of Owlboy is absolutely beautiful. Locations are lush and vibrant and the characters are all really well animated with heaps of expression. The music, too, is really lovely and I can see myself listening to it outside of the game.

My only complaint is one mini-game that is required for 100% completion. It controls like no other part of the game and is absolutely horrible. It was the last thing I had to do to get 100% and I just decided to skip it, despite the time I'd put in already in getting all the collectables. It's a shame, as it's a single blemish on an otherwise wonderful game.

If you're a fan of 16- and 32-bit 2D platformers but are looking for something a bit different, this is well worth your time.

Game completed with the regular ending. I did go back and try to get the good ending, but that bloke with the sword is just too tough (I spent like two hours trying to beat him), and knowing there are two more fights after that I don't feel the desire to grind out the stats and tools I'd need for it. Shame, because I really enjoyed everything else in the game. It's not quite as good as Symphony of the Night, but it comes pretty close.

I loved this! I really enjoy both point-and-click adventure and folk horror, so a game that combines them is right up my alley. Hobs Barrow is absolutely brilliant in every way. Wonderful pixel graphics, a great creepy atmosphere, clever, but not obtuse puzzles and a cracking story. Oh, and that ending!

If you enjoy horror and this genre of game you have to play this!

A short but find puzzle platformer. Clearly inspired by Flashback, this is a must-play if you enjoyed that classic game. Beautiful pixel art, wonderful animation, great gameplay and top music. My only complaint is that the in-level graphics were a little *too* pixelated. Still, I wish there were more games like this!

The new Xen totally ruined this for me. Frustrating, overly long and full of bugs. Just play the original. Really wish I could get my money back for this.