Recent reviews by skello!

Entertaining!

Crashes a few seconds into startup, during the very first logo / loading screen.

Refunded after trying all the usual things as well as other potential fixes reported on forums.

I wanted to give the devs some support, but now I'll just wait until the game is free to see if they fixed it.

Props to the developers and publishers for focusing on player enjoyment and proving that it can still be done the right way. Congratulations on Season 5 and a fantastic game overall!

"I have only one rule. Everybody fights, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll kill you myself!"

There are mainly two parts to the game - base building/creating and exploring/fighting. And both are really satisfying and surprisingly complex, especially considering this is still in Early Access.

Everything has a level of detail and polish that exceeds expectation. I was also pleasantly surprised by the deep skill tree and the variety of ways you can build your character. And there is already enough content for me to safely recommend a purchase.

I'm a big fan of the genre and especially Jagged Alliance 2. While there are some things that could improve and some design choices that don't make much sense, it is a game that's dear to my heart, because of its vibe and how it actually feels to play it. And I'm happy to say that virtually the same could be said about Jagged Alliance 3.

One MAJOR improvement, not just for the for this franchise, but for the whole genre: there is no % chance to hit, rather you get a list of "+" and "-" factors affecting your chance to hit, for example + scope, + prone, - fog, - range. This makes engagements feel more realistic, as you're now actively looking for ways to get more "pluses" and for ways to negate the "minuses". Gear, timing, positioning and aiming now feel more meaningful. You're no longer wrestling with RNG % probability rolls and focusing more on actually playing tactically, and I feel that the game rewards you appropriately.

JA3 continues with the Jagged Alliance style of humor - expect a ton of pop culture references (with emphasis on 90's action movies) as well as references to the previous games and fourth-wall-breaking situations. Some of it is a bit on the nose, but that's the charm of this franchise, so I'm not counting any bad jokes as a bad thing.

The game is not huge, you could blast through it much faster than JA2, but there is also a lot of detail and almost every area has something engaging happening in it. What I appreciate is the amount of dialogue that has been recorded (although the most basic phrases could use some variations!), especially the little conversations between your mercs and NPCs. I was very impressed how well connected each merc was to the world, even the ones you hire online - they're not just soulless stats, they each have something to chip in, things to point out and sometimes even get into arguments or offer significant new dialogue options. In this way, your squad always feels alive and real, no matter which mercs or allies you pick up along the way.

If you like X-COM or other games of this genre, you will probably enjoy JA3. It's a more light-hearted experience, but built on solid foundations and solid gameplay.

It's a chill game for sure. So far I've had fun!

This is a fantastic game. Not quite as challenging as classic Dark Souls games, but also not a mindless "run and gun" arcade. The worlds you visit and the bosses you fight are fantastic, full of surprises and depth. Art direction, sound... all beautiful, unique and atmospheric.

Huge replay-ability, as each game is generated differently - you might find different gear, visit different areas, even fight completely different bosses (with a whole set of alternate loot drops). Play through a full story Campaign and/or generate quick "Adventures" in the world of your choice.

The devs have really worked their ass off to bring this vision to reality - each world is truly unique and comes as an awesome surprise when you get there. I felt like I was constantly discovering cooler and cooler areas and enemies, not a single stage of the game felt "phoned in" or lazy, quite the opposite.

The DLCs are well worth it - one (Swamps of Corsus) expands on the Adventure mode and adds a ton of cosmetics and gear as well as a whole new "Survival" mode, the other (Subject 2923) adds an entirely new Campaign set in a completely new world, greatly expanding the lore and build progression.

Another point for replay-ability is the co-op Online play, which allows you to help others, or invite your friends (or strangers) to help you. This is one of the most fun co-op shooters I've ever played.

Hardcore mode (permadeath) also adds a whole new set of challenges and rewards, which is great - it's not just a difficulty increase for the sake of difficulty.

The music fu**ing slaps.

+160 hours playtime on the Epic Games Store version.

I couldn't play this back in the day on my GTX 960, so I've been looking forward to playing it on new, capable hardware.

Control is a really enjoyable, story-driven 3rd person shooter experience with emphasis on exploration and creative combat.

Without spoiling the plot, the setting is a kind of retro-futurism, thriller, sci-fi mystery... The vibe is similar to Arcane Studio's PREY - you're trapped in / exploring a surreal environment (in Prey it was a space station, in Control is "The Bureau", a paranormal investigation and containment office located inside an ever-shifting structure known as The Oldest House). Another comparison could be made with System Shock 2. Everything feels dream-like and you never know what plot twist will turn your world upside down.

Explore, unlock, return. Talk to NPCs, read redacted research notes, listen to audio tapes, watch real live-action presentations on projectors, piece together the plot and expand your arsenal of supernatural powers and versatile weapon loadouts. Fight against a variety of enemies, including epic boss battles.

RTX and physics are what completes this thoroughly enjoyable system of combat and exploration - countless windows and polished walls offer realistic reflections and readily break and shatter when you shoot them or use telekinesis near them. Bits of walls, railings, office furniture, papers - all sent flying with explosions in the most satisfying way. The telekinesis power (being able to pick up various objects -including enemies- and throw them) is one of the most satisfying mechanics in games, ever.

Be prepared to do some reading and exploring in between fight scenes, like PREY, it is a game of patience as much as quick reflexes. Although this game is far from straight action, the shooter aspect should not be underestimated - it is still a challenge.

Get outta here, Dewey!

We're playing Vampire Survivors and you don't want no part of this ♥♥♥♥.

No, you don't want this. Get outta here!