Recent reviews by jennatar

I have some quick notes on the Dredge DLC. First, the bad/iffy:

- If I had to liken this stage to another stage in terms of the actual design, it is MOST like Twisted Strand. Do with that info what you will. I personally thought Twisted Strand was mid, but only in comparison to how outstanding the other level designs were.
- I made very quick work of the DLC… I think? It's short. I tooted around for a while, feeling directionless and a bit confused, and then I was like, wait, was that it? I guess some major stuff had happened, but I didn’t realize I’d reached the conclusion (which does make sense, since this is a new, discrete island that isn’t part of the main story).
- I initially felt underwhelmed, but my opinion did change the longer I ruminated.

The good:

- After thinking about the ending, I was like, oh, I guess our guy finally helped out... technically. (And, after thinking long and hard about what the creature under the ice is, I was like, ok, that's pretty horrifying actually.) (editing/updating to be more explicit, but this detail is only for folks who’ve already completed the DLC:) The reason the island is “over” is because you put the big boi with four eyes—who is probably a cross between the little guy you saw, and a Shoggoth—back to bed. We did it, everyone.
- Playing this level opens up a cool and useful bonus power. If you’re planning to restart Dredge—or to play it for the first time!—let the Pale Reach be a mid-game stop on your travel itinerary.
- Horror is comedy, and zipping DECISIVELY toward a very bad thing is hilarious.
- Destructible environments are a very welcome addition.
- Similar to the Gale Cliffs’ serpent fish, I’ll definitely be coming back to play tag.
- The audio design and music are as good as ever here. (As with the Twisted Strand, the audio—here, the sound of ice snapping—is more frightening than the actual threats.)
- Even though Stellar Basin contained some references to At the Mountains of Madness, everyone on Reddit wanted an ice level anyway. Well, you really can’t ask for more. It’s a whole vibe.
- It’s a bleak vibe, though. It’s ominous, alien, and isolated, similar to Devil’s Spine, but it’s also very… very "still," very subtle, and kind of downbeat.

If you’re reading this writeup, you’re probably trying to decide either whether to buy and play a new level or, alternatively (if you’re a first-time player), how much of Dredge to buy. To both questions I answer, “more Dredge is more Dredge.” Dredge is a skinny, nimble game that doesn't last as long as you'd like, so why wouldn’t you want to tack one more island onto the map?

To new players, I’d mention that the bonus scenario gives you a chance to earn a goodie with a more obvious and tangible benefit than the Blackstone Key does, for just one U.S. dollar more than the Blackstone Key costs. So it’s totally worth the value.

In conclusion:

- I wasn’t sure what the main scenario was, much less whether it had ended.
- The scenario is interesting, but—mechanically—the level itself is just OK.
- Ice go crash! Destruction is fun!
- Miskatonic vibes for days.
- If you plan to ever do a fresh playthrough, the "ice blocks" and special new item are both probably worth your time, effort, and dough.
- In other words, be clear on what this is. You’re paying money for the goodies, which you earn through a short and easy bonus round. You’d ideally play this bonus round in the middle of a run.
- Yay, more Dredge!

A disturbing premise, with branching narratives reminiscent of 999, Paranormasight is an extremely enjoyable, well-paced visual novel. The characters are generally very likable, and the artwork is outstanding. Sometimes funny, sometimes cozy, there are very few "true" puzzles, but they have wildly clever solutions.

A special mention should go to the music and sound design, which I initially found SO atmospheric and SO creepy, that I actually repurchased this game on my iPad rather than "going through with it" on my computer. (I'm jumpy.) This was super unnecessary (lol), but this is to say that the audio is definitely effective.

I'm only disappointed that none of the plot's twists and turns were, to me, unexpected, and I also agree with those reviewers who found the conclusion of the main storyline to fall a bit flat. (That said, it's yet another false end, and really dedicated players -- or cheaters -- might find a more satisfying conclusion elsewhere.) In addition, the prologue is SO thrillingly grim and macabre that the rest of the game struggles to ever reach those horrific heights again.

Still, the game was so compelling that I played through it in one exhilarating, exhausting sitting. Definitely worth a look for fans of visual-novel mysteries (my frame of reference is Ace Attorney and Jake Hunter), supernatural Japan, and reading great dialogue.

Great little game! I'm not really a casual-game player, but I do enjoy Solitaire. I got suuuper into Regency Solitaire, then into Jewel Match Solitaire, which plays similarly. So I went looking for a relaxing solitaire game that could scratch that Yuletide itch. Santa's Christmas Solitaire is it! It's identical, mechanically, to Jewel Match (items are used to break "obstacles," coins are hiding under cleared decks, and so on). And it's very cozy, like playing a Christmas card. It isn't as visually stunning as Jewel Match: Winterscapes -- here, the graphics often remind of a Facebook or mobile game, and the art itself honestly isn't quite as good -- but the added "casual gaming" challenge/bonus stages are a nice added touch! All in all, I really liked what Santa's Christmas Solitaire offered (and the price is right!).