Recent reviews by TheWolfbat

A deceptively cute title that makes sure to whoop your ass and then some while still providing challenge that is fun to overcome. The vibes and music are and is so enchanting that you don't mind the whooping of said ass at all though!

Crowtel Renovations is a short but sweet game with a very endearing theme, art style and sense of humour. While the game is short and simple, the game is no slouch and offers some challenging boss fights and platforming (moreso in the second story mode than the first). The game has excellent design that telegraphs to you how to play or handle obstacles before ramping up the intensity, all without having to explicitly state a tutorial. Easy to beat in one sitting, achievements such as not dying and beating the game in under 20 minutes do offer replay value to those aiming to perfect it. If you're looking for a platformer to lose an afternoon to at a relatively low cost, Crowtel Renovations is a great way to do so!

Squad is a really good game for those looking for a middle ground between the authenticity of ARMA while still looking for some of the gamey-ness of Battlefield. The game is continuously being updated with a lot of free content on the roadmap, making your first purchase the only purchase you ever need to make to access all content (so far). Matches are usually around an hour long and involve working with a squad of up to 8 in a team of 50. Gunplay feels authentic while time to kill is still balanced. The learning curve is steep in totally understanding the game, but joining a squad and playing as the default class of rifleman is hard to screw up. The biggest factor for good games is the team. Poor communication or inexperienced leadership can make games drag, but on the flip side a team that communicates creates peaks that I haven't found matched by any other multiplayer shooter. I highly recommend this game, even for more casual military game fans, but do so with the caveat that it does take a few hours to really find the groove of the game. When you do though, you won't regret the time spent to get there.

ICO UPDATE:
Everything in my original review still holds true. There's a lot of griping about the new mechanics in the game, and I think its fair that it alienated some people, but that new niche is part of the appeal. The game feels a lot more strategic and like you have to have to rely more on planning/careful movement than pure reaction speed. That means its more punishing in some regards which can be frustrating for some players, but on the other hand it means the enemy has to do the same. Far less often am I being one tapped out of nowhere, and now instead fights can be drawn out with losses meaning we were out-positioned rather than just clicked on first. This makes it a lot of fun for me personally, but that may not be the case for everyone.

Insurgency: Sandstorm is a great follow up title to their standalone Insurgency game in which the keep the best parts of it and improves on the weaker areas. This game is definitely not for everyone in that it has a focus on somewhat realistic gunplay and close quarters urban combat with a fast time to kill, but it does not loan itself to a level of simulator realism that makes it inaccessible. Essentially you'll enjoy this game if you like punishing pvp gameplay that rewards skill and strategy, yet sometimes leaves you relying on how good your luck is.

The community can sway wildly from toxic to hilarious. The VOIP features of both proximity and team chat, as well as being able to be overheard by the enemy, lends itself to some great gameplay moments that sorely lack from more restrictive games. These moments wouldn't be possible without the kind of players who play this game. The wild and untamed nature of the chat does mean you have a few rotten eggs who are discriminatory or otherwise sore losers, but the good by far outshines the bad.

By far the best part of the game is the continued support it is receiving. The devs are constantly working to add content in the form of weapons, maps and cosmetics, all updated free of charge. There is occasional weapon balancing, but the quick time to kill and realistic nature of the gunplay means the gameplay stays very consistent despite constant updates. All cosmetics are earned in game and there is no randomised or payment nature to anything. Once you buy the game, you own the game and everything in it. With upcoming mod support, it is clear the devs really do care for their players. There are some issues in terms of optimization, but these are only improving with time. At release, with a GTX 1080 and on the highest settings, I tended to get 60-80fps on average but now am more so in the range of 100-120fps consistently.

I recommend this game if you're a fan of this type of shooter, as it is the best of its kind on the market. However if the level of punishment and reward in the game doesn't feel up your alley, make sure to check out some gameplay before making the purchase. The game seems like it will have long term support and is a labour of love since it's original HL2 mod. You honestly can't go wrong with a purchase.

Abzu is an absolute masterwork in terms of atmosphere and storytelling. Its mechanics are simple and intuitive, immersing you fully in the world. The game is phenomenal and I completed it in a single sitting due to how engaged I was with the story. This was possible, however, due to the brief length of the game. It takes about an hour and a half to complete, with replayability being limited to collectables or achievement hunting, which wouldn't take more than another playthrough. The game is also very linear which allows it to tell its story expertly, but does limit the player in terms of exploration.

Both of those things do not hamper the game, but are important to know in case you are expecting more out of it. I highly recommend the game, especially those looking for a more relaxing and ambient experience rather than something action packed, but would suggest waiting for it to go on sale or to pick it up in a Humble Bundle as the price tag is somewhat steep for game length and replayability.

The perfect mix between realistic and arcade-like, this game provides tense matches that feel real enough to enjoy, but not too real to hinder gameplay. I personally love this game, and enjoy every bit of it, but it is not for the faint of heart. This game is VERY difficult and not easy to jump in to, but if you're a fan of games like ARMA and a bit of a history nerd, this game is perfect for you. It has plenty of free weekends, so either play it a bit or watch gameplay before buying it to see if it is a game you would actually enjoy. If it is, I wish you the best of luck in the many hours you'll be playing it.

From a gameplay perspective, this game isn't much apart from a simple point and click puzzle solver, but that's not all that makes a game. From a story perspective, this is hands down the most fantastic game I've ever played. The player's choice in the protaganist's actions link you with the characters in the game in a way I've never seen before, and if you are willing finish this game with emotional scars, then I don't see what you're waiting for. Just add it to your damn cart already.

It's like TF2, but for bigger and more immature kids. This game is the definition of dumb fun.

War Thunder is a brilliant, fast-paced and skillful game with visuals that would never lead you to suggest it was Free-to-Play. The aerial combat offers a challenge that comes with great reward when you finally line up a kill shot. The gameplay never ceases to give enjoyment, especially when flying in a squadron of friends. The thing that amazes me the most however, is how (despite microtransactions) the game has avoided feeling like it is "pay to win". While premium members do get amazing perks and aircraft, as a free-to-play player, the fight has never felt unfair, and that is something tremendously difficult to pull off. I will say however, that if you are not a fan of plane games, then this is not for you, but this does not mean it isn't easy to pick up and learn how to be an ace in the skies. I am looking forward to the addition of ground and naval troops, creating altogether 3 completely different styles of game all mixed up into one.

Yes, this game is a linear First Person Shooter. But it's made how linear FPS games should be made. I don't recall a single moment throughout the main story in which I grew bored of shooting up bandits, all the while listening to the ingenuity that is Silas' narration of the game. Despite the level technically being repepitive, I assure you, you will never find the tiresome. Everything from the scenery, to the art style, to dueling with the West's greatest outlaws makes this game what is in my opinion the best FPS ever made. The dialogue is witty and entertaining, and the shootouts seem to lack nothing. If Red Dead Redemtion was a Western, then Gunslinger is a WILD Western. This game is well worth $14.99 and I recommend you buy as soon as you can to get a taste of the joy this game offers.