Recent reviews by ℭycaleo

War for the Overworld is a real-time strategy and dungeon management game that pays homage to classic titles like Dungeon Keeper. Developed by Brightrock Games, it invites players to step into the role of an evil Underlord, building sprawling dungeons, managing resources, and commanding minions to conquer the overworld. With a mix of strategy, humor, and dark fantasy, the game combines nostalgic elements with modern mechanics to create an engaging experience for fans of the genre.

The execution is solid, the atmosphere fitting, and the creatures are interesting. However, in my opinion, the pacing is too fast, and the gameplay lacks a sense of relaxation. Additionally, there’s a slight lack of balance. The feeling of constructing a dungeon doesn’t fully come through- something I already found missing in Dungeon Keeper (2).

All in all, it was a lot of fun, and thanks to the atmosphere and the excellent narration by the voice actor, I’d give it a 7/10.

ENDLESS Space 2 is a turn-based 4X strategy game that lets you take command of one of many unique factions in a vast, procedurally generated galaxy. As the sequel to the original ENDLESS Space, this game builds upon its predecessor's foundation, offering a richer, more complex, and visually stunning experience.

The game runs smoothly and stably on an average PC. There are very few bugs, and the animations are appealing. The space battle simulator is well-executed and quite unique. While it may not be as engaging for smaller skirmishes, it shines in decisive battles, offering a great experience.

The core gameplay revolves around the classic 4X elements: eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate. From the moment you start your journey, you are thrust into a galaxy filled with mysteries, rival empires, and countless opportunities. One of the game's standout features is its diverse selection of factions, each with its own lore, playstyle, and unique mechanics.

It is generally recommended to stick with the standard factions, but creating your own custom faction can be a fun change of pace, even if it tends to be a bit unbalanced. Research is extremely delicate and often the key to success. Designing your own ship types is engaging, though it doesn't offer a vast array of meaningful variations, limiting its depth somewhat.

The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, with each faction's musical score being brilliantly composed. The mood draws you in from the start, enhancing the overall experience. However, the voice acting could be a bit more extensive to add even more depth to the game.

The game, especially with its additional DLCs, completely captivated me. It's a 5/5 for a turn-based strategy game with optional real-time elements (if enabled; during the round).

The game has a well-crafted story and atmosphere.
The humor and cynicism are unparalleled. The cutscenes are very well directed.

The combat and tactics are decent, though not exceptional.
There's plenty of equipment, the skill tree is okay, and there are some cool Easter eggs.

For difficulty, I'd say it's advanced, and the boss fights are quite enjoyable.

Some decisions in the game have significant consequences.

9/10 points from me. A solid mix of real-time and turn-based combat.

In my opinion, XCOM2 is a masterpiece in the turn-based strategy genre. The game revolves around the classic battle against malevolent, invasive aliens. The primary focus is on creating, upgrading, and equipping a squad of fighters for combat missions while prioritizing the construction and expansion of rooms within the "Avenger," an alien ship that serves as your base of operations. The missions, typical of turn-based games, require intelligent positioning and the effective use of each squad member's abilities.

The story is not particularly deep and is kept relatively short, though it does follow a coherent thread. Depending on your taste, this might seem a bit lacking, but for me, it worked well as it left more room for the action. The narrative is partially woven into the missions, which adds a nice touch to the overall experience.

The battles are always fair and gain additional dynamism through random placements. While specific tactics generally prove effective, there are moments that demand creative solutions, which is a clear plus in my book. The difficulty level is highly customizable, and for those seeking a real challenge (like myself), the Ironman mode offers an intense and rewarding experience.

The progression system is extremely motivating, as you earn new equipment and upgrade your squad. There isn't a vast amount of gear, which some might see as a downside, but it was fine for me. The sense of growth and improvement keeps you engaged, although the limited variety of equipment might be a minor drawback for some players.

Both the design of the units and the environments are superbly executed. The atmosphere is incredibly well-crafted, immersing you deeply into the game and making each mission a thrilling experience. The detailed visuals, combined with the game's aesthetic, create a mood that keeps you engaged and excited to dive back into the action.

The gameplay, stability, and controls are excellent, with almost no bugs to speak of. The core mechanics are solid, and the overall experience is smooth and enjoyable, which is a testament to the game's polish.

The replay value is average; while there is some potential for replaying, it can feel exhausted after a certain point—especially if you compare it to games like Civilization. However, the game offers enough content to keep you entertained for a good amount of time before this happens.

The class selection in the base game is somewhat limited, but it improves significantly with the addition of the "War of the Chosen" expansion. Personally, I found the bond with my characters to be very strong, although this can vary from player to player. I also enjoyed the customization options (cosmetics), which added an extra layer of fun.

Overall, I would rate XCOM2 a solid 4.5 / 5. With the "War of the Chosen" expansion, it truly becomes a masterpiece, offering an even richer and more satisfying experience 5 / 5.

Have fun guys 8-)

This game may not be to everyone's taste due to its exotic mix of fantasy and sci-fi.

The scenarios are varied, as are the units and hero developments, though some elements feel a bit unbalanced.

The story is rather meager, but the empire development is all the more exciting and motivating. The ability to make new developments and build up your empire gives the game significant replay value.

The learning curve is relatively high at first, but you quickly grasp the essentials (thanks also to the wiki). The difficulty level is moderate for turn-based games, though creating your own AIs, for instance, can make it very challenging.

If you are looking for a turn-based game with construction and research along with separate combat mechanics, this game will serve you well.

A magnificent game with a motivating big world to explore.
It's incredibly fun to experience and develop the terraforming process.

When you think you're at the endgame it's just the beginning.

The bug with plants in the base was a bit annoying.

3/5

A shame for Gothic 1. A console implementation for undemanding people.

Fazit: Don't open that door.


Die PC Version ist nicht Release-Tauglich. Die Steuerung ist katastrophal und voller Bugs.

Im Hauptmenü ist der Mouse-Over Fokus nicht auf das Menüelement ausgerichtet. Macht den Eindruck, wie wenn es ein paar Hobbyprogrammierer zusammengebastelt hätten.

Die Tastenbindung für die Karte haben Sie einfach mal so vergessen (G).

Nach ein paar Stunden Spielzeit konnte ich keine Einstellungen bei Kamera mehr machen. Sie wurden zwar gespeichert, aber im Spiel selbst funktionierten sie nicht. Eine config Datei sucht man vergebens.

Aber das beste zum Schluss: Die Kamera-Einstellungen wären essentiell gewesen, da die X-Achse der Maus beim Gegner-Lock einfach von einem Ladevorgang zum nächsten unwiderruflich aufhörte zu funktionieren. Ich dachte erst ich habe was am Auge oder einen an der Waffel. Aber ist/war Tatsache.

Wobei mir der Schwierigkeitsgrad und so gepasst hätten. Also der Game-Schwierigkeitsgrad. Nicht der der Steuerung - ich kämpfe nicht gerne gegen mein Mäuschen... ;)

Also ich schicke dieses "Meisterwerk" zurück an den Absender. Und die 10/10 Rezessionisten zur Hölle.

+Pro: Die witzlose Anti-Cheat App wird zusammen mit dem Game deinstalliert.