Recent reviews by TheOnlyPavel

"Alone in the Dark" (2023) is a revival of a series that has always held a special place in my heart. As someone who has been a fan since the original 1992 release, I approached this reboot with equal parts excitement and trepidation, hoping it would capture the magic of the early games while updating it for modern audiences.
**Story:**
The story is where "Alone in the Dark" (2023) truly shines. It stays true to the series' roots with its blend of psychological horror and supernatural mystery. Set in the haunted Derceto Manor, the narrative feels like a love letter to fans of the original games. The plot, filled with twists and chilling moments, captures the eerie atmosphere that made the series iconic. The characters are well-developed, and their backstories are compelling, adding depth to the overall narrative. The dialogue is well-written, with enough nods to the original to satisfy longtime fans while still being accessible to newcomers.
**Graphics:**
Visually, the game is stunning. The developers have done an incredible job of bringing Derceto Manor to life. The attention to detail in the environment is impressive, with each room and corridor dripping with atmosphere. The lighting effects are particularly noteworthy, playing a crucial role in creating the game’s tense and foreboding mood. Character models are detailed and expressive, adding to the immersion. However, there are occasional issues with frame rates and textures that detract from the experience, but they aren't enough to overshadow the overall visual excellence.
**Sound:**
Sound design is another area where the game excels. The eerie soundtrack and ambient noises work together to create an unsettling atmosphere that keeps you on edge. The voice acting is strong, with performances that bring the characters to life and enhance the story. The sound effects, from the creak of a door to the distant wail of something unknown, are perfectly executed and contribute significantly to the horror experience.
**Gameplay:**
Gameplay is where "Alone in the Dark" (2023) stumbles slightly. While it successfully modernizes some mechanics, there are moments where it feels clunky and outdated. The combat system is serviceable but lacks the fluidity seen in other contemporary horror titles. The puzzles, a hallmark of the series, are well-designed and challenging, though occasionally they can be a bit obtuse.
**Final Rating:**
Overall, "Alone in the Dark" (2023) is a solid return to form for the series, despite some gameplay shortcomings. As a fan, it’s a joy to see this beloved franchise back in the spotlight. I’d give it a solid 8/10. The story, atmosphere, and dedication to the series' legacy make it a must-play for any fan, even if it's not without its flaws.

Dota Underlords offers a strategic and engaging auto-battler experience within the Dota 2 universe. The game's deep hero pool, varied alliances, and evolving meta provide ample room for strategic exploration. The user interface is intuitive, making it accessible for both newcomers and seasoned players. Regular updates demonstrate a commitment to keeping the game fresh, although occasional balance issues may arise. Overall, Dota Underlords successfully combines the complexity of Dota 2 with the accessibility of auto-battlers, offering a rewarding experience for fans of the genre.

Nosferatu: Wrath of Malachi, a first-person horror game developed by Idol FX and released in 2003.

Story:
Nosferatu: Wrath of Malachi is set in the late 19th century and follows the story of James Patterson, a young man who travels to the remote Castle Malachi in Transylvania to marriagge beloved sister, Rebecca. However, upon arriving at the castle, James finds that the entire family and staff have disappeared, leaving him to uncover the mysteries of the castle and confront the ancient evil that lurks within. The game's storyline is engaging and well-written, with plenty of twists and turns that keep players on the edge of their seats.

Graphics:
Considering that the game was released in 2003, the graphics are decent, but they may seem outdated to some modern gamers. However, the game's dark and eerie atmosphere, as well as the attention to detail in the castle's design, make up for any visual shortcomings.

Sound:
The sound design is one of the game's strongest aspects. The music is haunting and atmospheric, perfectly setting the tone for the game's horror elements. The sound effects are also well-done, with creaking doors, howling winds, and other eerie noises adding to the game's overall creepiness.

Gameplay:
Nosferatu: Wrath of Malachi is a first-person horror game that incorporates elements of survival and exploration. Players must navigate the castle's many rooms and corridors, solving puzzles and fighting off hordes of monsters using a variety of weapons. The game's controls are easy to use, and the combat is satisfying, but some may find the game's difficulty to be frustratingly challenging.

Conclusion:
Overall, Nosferatu: Wrath of Malachi is an excellent horror game that is definitely worth playing for fans of the genre. The game's engaging storyline, eerie atmosphere, and solid gameplay make for a memorable gaming experience. However, some may find the game's graphics to be outdated, and the difficulty may be a turnoff for some. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a scary and atmospheric game that will keep you on your toes, Nosferatu: Wrath of Malachi is a great choice. 7/10

Genital Jousting is a multiplayer party game developed by Free Lives.

Story: Genital Jousting does not have a traditional story, but instead focuses on providing players with fast-paced, multiplayer action centered around the concept of genital jousting. Players take on the role of anthropomorphic genitalia and compete against each other in a variety of wacky mini-games.

Gameplay: The gameplay in Genital Jousting is fast-paced and easy to pick up, with a wide variety of mini-games that range from simple obstacle courses to more complex team-based challenges. The controls are simple and responsive, and the game does a good job of keeping players engaged with its variety of game modes and randomized courses. However, the game's controversial subject matter may not appeal to everyone, and the game can become repetitive after extended play sessions.

Sound: The sound design in Genital Jousting is well-done, with a playful and upbeat soundtrack that perfectly sets the mood for the game's wacky and whimsical atmosphere. The sound effects are also well-done, and the game does a good job of creating a lively and immersive experience.

The good points: Genital Jousting is a standout party game, with fast-paced, multiplayer action and a wide variety of mini-games that are sure to keep players entertained. The controls are simple and responsive, and the sound design is excellent, creating a lively and immersive experience.

The bad points: While Genital Jousting is a standout party game, there are also some issues that hold it back. The game's controversial subject matter may not appeal to everyone, and the game can become repetitive after extended play sessions. Additionally, the game's lack of a traditional story may not appeal to everyone.

Final score: 6/10. Genital Jousting is a unique party game that is sure to provide hours of entertainment for players who are comfortable with its subject matter. With fast-paced, multiplayer action and a wide variety of mini-games, it's easy to see why this game has become a hit with some players. However, the game's controversial subject matter and lack of a traditional story may not appeal to everyone, and the game can become repetitive after extended play sessions.

Garry's Mod is a sandbox game developed by Garry Newman and published by Valve Corporation.

Story: Garry's Mod does not have a traditional story, but instead provides players with a physics sandbox that allows them to experiment with the game's various tools and objects. The game's lack of a traditional story provides players with a great deal of creative freedom and allows them to experiment and create in ways that traditional games do not.

Gameplay: The gameplay in Garry's Mod is centered around its physics sandbox, which allows players to experiment with a wide range of objects and tools. Players can create their own contraptions, play with friends in multiplayer, or take part in a variety of custom game modes. The game's controls are simple and intuitive, and the game provides a great deal of creative freedom. However, the game can become repetitive after extended play sessions, and the lack of a traditional story may not appeal to everyone.

Sound: Garry's Mod does not have a traditional soundtrack, but instead features a mix of ambient sounds and physics-based effects. The sound design is well-done and creates a believable and immersive experience.

The good points: Garry's Mod is a standout sandbox game, with a unique physics-based sandbox that provides players with a great deal of creative freedom. The controls are simple and intuitive, and the game provides a great deal of replay value.

The bad points: While Garry's Mod is a standout sandbox game, there are also some issues that hold it back. The game can become repetitive after extended play sessions, and the lack of a traditional story may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, the game's reliance on user-created content means that the quality of the experience can vary greatly.

Final score: 9/10. Garry's Mod is a must-play for fans of sandbox games and creative experimentation. With a unique physics-based sandbox, intuitive controls, and a great deal of creative freedom, it's easy to see why this game has become a classic in the genre. Despite its flaws, Garry's Mod is a standout sandbox game that is sure to provide hours of entertainment and creative experimentation.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an action role-playing game set in an open world environment, developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks.

Story: The main story of Skyrim revolves around the player character's quest to defeat Alduin, the World-Eater, who is prophesied to destroy the world. Along the way, the player can also choose to pursue various side quests and interact with the many different factions and characters found throughout the game world. The story is well-written and provides a good sense of adventure and discovery, but it can sometimes feel disjointed due to the lack of direction in certain areas.

Gameplay: The gameplay in Skyrim is similar to previous entries in the series, with the player character exploring a vast open world, completing quests, and battling enemies. The game features a range of different weapons and spells, as well as a leveling system that allows players to tailor their character to their playstyle. The controls are smooth and responsive, and the world is filled with a wealth of content to keep players engaged. However, the AI can sometimes be lackluster, and the combat can feel repetitive after extended play sessions.

Sound: The sound design in Skyrim is excellent, with a memorable and immersive score that sets the mood for each area of the world. The sound effects are well done, and the voice acting is top-notch, with a large cast of talented voice actors bringing the characters to life.

The good points: There's a lot to love about Skyrim. The vast open world is breathtakingly beautiful, and it's filled with a wealth of content to keep players engaged. The story is well-written and provides a good sense of adventure and discovery, and the sound design is excellent.

The bad points: While there's a lot to love about Skyrim, there are also some issues that hold it back. The AI can sometimes be lackluster, and the combat can feel repetitive after extended play sessions. The story can also feel disjointed at times due to the lack of direction in certain areas.

Final score: 9.8/10. Despite its flaws, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a must-play for any fan of open-world role-playing games. With a vast open world filled with content, a well-written story, and excellent sound design, it's easy to see why this game has become a classic in the genre.

Dying Light is an open-world survival-horror game developed by Techland and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The game was released in 2015 and has since received positive reviews from critics and players alike.

Graphics:
Dying Light's graphics are excellent, with a highly detailed and atmospheric game world that effectively conveys a sense of danger and desperation. The character models are well-done and the animations are smooth and believable.

Sound:
The sound design in Dying Light is excellent, with a rich and immersive soundtrack that sets the mood and enhances the gameplay. The sound effects are well-done and add to the overall immersion of the game.

Story:
Dying Light takes place in a city overrun by zombies, where players take on the role of a survivor trying to stay alive and find a way out. The story is well-written and engaging, with a compelling cast of characters and interesting twists and turns.

Gameplay:
Dying Light is an open-world game that combines elements of survival-horror and action. Players must scavenge for resources, craft weapons and equipment, and survive against hordes of zombies and other dangers. The game also features a day/night cycle, where the zombies become more dangerous and aggressive at night.

Good Points:

Excellent graphics and sound design
Engaging and well-written story
Unique combination of survival-horror and action elements
Dynamic day/night cycle adds to the game's sense of danger

Bad Points:

Some repetitive missions and side activities
Some performance issues on older hardware
Limited enemy variety

Conclusion:
Dying Light is a well-designed and engaging survival-horror game that combines elements of action and survival. The game's excellent graphics and sound design, along with its compelling story and unique day/night cycle, make it a standout in the genre. However, some players may find the missions and side activities repetitive, and there are some performance issues on older hardware. Additionally, the limited enemy variety may become repetitive over time.

Final Score: 8/10

Dishonored is a first-person action-adventure game developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks.

Graphics:
Dishonored features detailed and immersive environments, with a unique and stylized visual style. The game's world is atmospheric and believable, with intricate design and attention to detail. The character models and animations are also well done.

Sound:
The sound design in Dishonored is excellent, with a rich and atmospheric soundtrack that sets the mood and enhances the gameplay. The sound effects are well-done and add to the overall immersion of the game.

Story:
Dishonored takes place in the city of Dunwall, and the player takes on the role of Corvo Attano, a bodyguard to the Empress who is framed for her murder. The player must navigate through the city, uncovering the conspiracy behind the murder and seeking revenge on those responsible. The story is well-written and engaging, with a strong narrative and well-developed characters.

Gameplay:
Dishonored is a first-person action-adventure game that emphasizes player choice and stealth. The player has a variety of abilities and weapons at their disposal, and can choose to play through the game with a stealthy and non-lethal approach, or with a more aggressive and violent one. The game also features a variety of environmental puzzles and challenges, adding to the overall gameplay experience.

Good Points:

Excellent sound design
Well-written and engaging story
Emphasizes player choice and stealth
Variety of abilities and weapons, and environmental puzzles

Bad Points:

Some players may find the controls to be a bit clunky
The AI can be inconsistent, with enemies sometimes acting in unexpected ways

Conclusion:
Dishonored is a standout first-person action-adventure game, with excellent sound design, a well-written and engaging story, and a focus on player choice and stealth. The variety of abilities and weapons, and environmental puzzles, add to the overall gameplay experience. However, some players may find the controls to be a bit clunky and the AI can be inconsistent.

Final Score: 9/10

Deceit is a multiplayer survival horror game developed and published by Automaton Games. The game was released in Early Access on Steam in 2017.

Graphics:
The graphics in Deceit are decent, with well-detailed environments and character models. The game features a dark and ominous aesthetic that sets the mood and adds to the overall horror experience. However, the graphics are not the most cutting-edge, and some players may find them to be lacking in comparison to other games in the genre.

Sound:
The sound design in Deceit is effective, with a tense and atmospheric soundtrack that sets the mood and enhances the action. The sound effects are also well-done and add to the overall immersion of the game.

Story:
Deceit is a multiplayer game, and as such, it does not have a traditional story mode. Instead, players are placed in a randomized map with other players and must work together or against each other to survive against a horde of infected monsters.

Gameplay:
The gameplay in Deceit is a mix of survival horror and multiplayer action. Players must work together (or against each other) to survive against the infected monsters, and there are opportunities for players to deceive and betray one another for their own advantage. The game also features procedurally generated maps, adding replayability and unpredictability to each playthrough.

Good Points:

Tense and atmospheric sound design
Mix of survival horror and multiplayer action gameplay
Opportunities for players to deceive and betray one another
Procedurally generated maps for added replayability and unpredictability

Bad Points:

Graphics are not the most cutting-edge
Limited replayability due to the multiplayer-only format
Game balance can be uneven, depending on the behavior of other players

Conclusion:
Deceit is a unique and exciting multiplayer survival horror game, with a mix of survival horror and multiplayer action gameplay that adds replayability and unpredictability to each playthrough. The game's tense and atmospheric sound design, opportunities for players to deceive and betray one another, and procedurally generated maps are all highlights. However, the graphics are not the most cutting-edge and the game balance can be uneven depending on the behavior of other players.

Final Score: 7/10

Deadlight is a survival horror platformer game developed by Tequila Works and published by Microsoft Studios, released in 2012. The game is set in the year 1986 in Seattle and follows the story of Randall Wayne, a survivor of a zombie apocalypse who is searching for his family.

Graphics:
Deadlight features high-quality, hand-drawn graphics with detailed environments and character designs. The game's art style is dark and moody, creating a believable world that is overrun by zombies. The graphics hold up well even several years after the game's release.

Sound:
The sound design in Deadlight is excellent, with a haunting soundtrack that sets the mood and accentuates the action. The sound effects are also well-done and add to the overall immersion of the game.

Story:
The story of Deadlight is well-written and engaging, following Randall Wayne as he searches for his family and tries to survive in the zombie-infested world. The game's narrative is well-paced and has plenty of twists and turns that keep players interested.

Gameplay:
The gameplay in Deadlight is a mix of platforming and survival horror. Players must navigate through the dangerous and zombie-filled environments, using stealth and combat to survive. The game also features puzzles that players must solve in order to progress.

Good Points:

High-quality, hand-drawn graphics with a dark and moody art style
Excellent sound design with a haunting soundtrack
Well-written and engaging story
Mix of platforming and survival horror gameplay
Challenging puzzles to solve

Bad Points:

Linear levels with limited exploration options
Repetitive combat
Short length

Conclusion:
Overall, Deadlight is a well-made survival horror platformer with high-quality graphics, excellent sound design, and a well-written and engaging story. The mix of platforming and survival horror gameplay, as well as the challenging puzzles, are highlights of the game. However, the linear levels with limited exploration options, repetitive combat, and short length can detract from the overall experience.

Final Score: 7/10