Recent reviews by Crypher

I’ve spent around 120 hours in Blue Protocol: Star Resonance, trying to give it every chance to win me over. The art style is gorgeous, the music hits hard, and the combat (at first) feels fast and satisfying. But after a few dozen hours, you start to realize something’s wrong: beneath all that pretty anime polish, this game just doesn’t respect your time.

1) Server issues & lag:

Let’s start with the basics: there’s only one global server, located in North America. I play from Colombia, and the ping fluctuates between 180–250 ms. You feel it in every dodge, every combo, every boss fight. Combat that should feel dynamic instead becomes sluggish and inconsistent. Imagine playing an action MMO where the delay makes you miss half your skills, that’s this game.

The server instability isn’t just combat-related either. Random disconnects, infinite loading screens, rubber-banding during dungeons.... it’s all there.

2) Monetization & time-gates:

This is where most people drop it. The monetization is aggressive, even for a free-to-play MMO. Nearly every system is designed to push you toward the cash shop, whether it’s cosmetics, inventory slots, crafting boosts, or limited-time “Battle Pass Plus” rewards.

But what kills motivation is the time-gating. Daily limits on progression, capped dungeon runs... It feels like the game punishes you for wanting to play it. I wanted to grind, to unlock builds, to farm materials — but the game constantly says, “No, come back tomorrow.”

I’ve played gacha games before (ZZZ, Genshin, ToF), but none of them feel this restrictive. Here, you don’t hit a wall, you hit one every day.

3) Combat & gameplay loop

Combat starts off exciting, especially when you unlock your first few abilities. The animations are flashy, the characters have style, and boss fights look kinda cool. But mechanically, it gets old fast.

- Enemy variety is minimal.

- AI is braindead.

- Most fights boil down to dodging a glowing red circle, spamming two abilities, and watching cooldowns.

After 100 hours, you’re basically doing the same thing you did at hour 10 — just with slightly bigger numbers.

The quest design doesn’t help either. “Go to point A, kill 10 mobs, collect 5 crystals, repeat.” There’s little to no storytelling in between, and NPCs are static cardboard cutouts. Even main story cutscenes feel lifeless, like watching puppets talk in slow motion.

4) UI, UX, and design flaws

Oh my god... the interface is a nightmare. It’s clearly designed for mobile — tiny fonts, endless menus, submenus, pop-ups, and an overcomplicated inventory system. You spend more time clicking through windows than actually playing.

It honestly feels like the game was built for a phone and then hastily ported to PC.

5) Localization & voice acting

No Spanish, no French, no German, no proper localization at all. English text is okay, but voice acting is inconsistent — half the time characters speak Japanese with subtitles, the other half there’s silence. It kills immersion.


Final thoughts:

I really, really wanted to like Blue Protocol: Star Resonance. The world is beautiful. The potential is there. But the business model, the server setup, and the shallow gameplay loop drag everything down.

I don’t mind spending money on a free-to-play game when it’s fair. But here, it’s not about “optional cosmetics” — it’s about monetizing your patience. The game constantly reminds you that you’re a user, not a player.

Pros

✅ Beautiful anime-style visuals and soundtrack
✅ Fun first 20 hours
✅ Decent character customization (if you pay)

Cons

❌ One global server = constant lag
❌ Heavy monetization and time-gates
❌ Repetitive quests and shallow combat
❌ Poor localization and mobile-tier UI
❌ Feels more like a mobile gacha than a real MMO

Verdict:
A beautiful world trapped in a predatory system. Play it if you’re curious, but don’t expect it to respect your time.

EDIT: Gacha defenders are so pathetic, lmao.

Silksong is finally here, and wow! it was worth the wait. From the start it feels familiar but fresh: the world is stunning, the atmosphere pulls you in, and every corner dares you to explore (and probably die trying, but that’s part of the fun).

Hornet is a completely different beast compared to the Knight. She’s faster, more agile, and way more aggressive. At first I felt like I was just button-mashing on espresso, but once it clicks, the combat feels incredible. Bosses are tough, but fair (at least the majority of them). Every death teaches you something, and every victory feels like you just outsmarted the game itself.

The soundtrack? Unreal. Choral Chambers honestly felt like stepping into the gates of heaven; angelic, serene, almost like the game was apologizing for everything it just put me through. Then Cogwork Core hits, and it’s this intense, mechanical rhythm that makes you want to stop moving, just stand there and soak it in. It’s the kind of music that makes you forget you’re even holding a controller.

And then there are the NPCs... honestly one of the biggest upgrades from Hollow Knight. Hallownest felt like a gorgeous tomb, but Pharloom feels alive. You actually meet pilgrims, merchants, travelers, and people who react to the world. My favorite so far is Sherma, this optimistic little pilgrim you keep bumping into. He sings, he wanders, he gets himself into trouble (a lot), and Hornet often has to help him out. At one point he even disappears in Whiteward and you go find him, rescuing him feels like you actually made a difference. Later he becomes a caretaker for fellow pilgrims in Songclave, which was honestly pretty heartwarming.

That’s what makes Silksong so special: you’re not just passing through ruins, you’re part of a living kingdom. Pharloom breathes, sings, and suffers, and being in the middle of it makes your journey feel even more meaningful.

In short: Silksong is brutal, beautiful, sometimes angelic, sometimes ridiculous, and always unforgettable. It doesn’t just live up to Hollow Knight, it surpasses it in ways I didn’t even expect. If Hollow Knight consumed your free time, Silksong is going to steal your soul (and you’ll thank it).

I just finished Expedition 33 and I have to say it’s an amazing game. The worldbuilding, the atmosphere, and the overall presentation really impressed me... it feels like every detail was carefully crafted. The story and visuals kept me hooked from start to finish.

The only part I didn’t enjoy as much was the parry mechanic. I understand why it’s there and I see how some players might love it, but personally it’s not my kind of combat style. That said, it doesn’t take away from the overall experience, which I found truly outstanding.

If you’re into challenging and immersive adventures, I’d definitely recommend giving Expedition 33 a try.

I just finished the game and I see it has 5 different endings. The game is incredible—from the art style to the music, it’s something I can’t describe other than terrifying. They managed to make the immersion feel very realistic, and I loved that. The only flaw I see is the combat; personally, I don’t like that the weapon wears down since it really limits the fights, but I guess that’s how the designers intended it. Overall, it’s a great horror game, and I recommend it. I’m going to play through it a few more times to learn more about the lore.

You now EXACTLY why you have to buy this game.

RIP

If you've ever wanted to accidentally obliterate your friends in the name of Democracy, Helldivers 2 is the game for you. Nothing bonds a squad like calling down an airstrike on yourself, yelling "FOR SUPER EARTH!" while being eaten by bugs, or spilling gallons of liber-tea during a bot ambush. The friendly fire isn't just a feature — it's a rite of passage. Every failed extraction, every chaotic stratagem misthrow, only strengthens your resolve to spread Managed Democracy one orbital bombardment at a time. 10/10 would get stomped by a Charger again.

The Devil May Cry HD Collection brings together the first three titles of Capcom's iconic action franchise, offering updated visuals and a chance to experience Dante's early adventures on modern platforms. While the collection succeeds in making these classics accessible, it also exposes the strengths and flaws of each title more clearly than ever.

Here’s a breakdown of each game:

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Devil May Cry (2001)

The good:

- The original *Devil May Cry* still holds up as a stylish, fast-paced action game.
- Combat is tight, rewarding skill and creativity with combos and weapon variety.
- The gothic atmosphere, level design, and boss fights (like Phantom and Nelo Angelo) are iconic.
- Dante's cocky attitude was fresh and set the tone for the series.

The bad:

- The camera is absolutely the worst part. Fixed camera angles often disorient you during combat and platforming.
- Some missions are too short or feel repetitive (lots of backtracking).
- Platforming sections are clunky and frustrating.

Overall:

It’s a rough gem. A foundational game that, despite its age, shows why *Devil May Cry* became legendary.

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Devil May Cry 2 (2003)

The good:

- Lucia's campaign offers a different (though short) perspective and playstyle.
- More freedom of movement (like wall running and dodging) feels smoother than DMC1.
- Some weapons are fun to use.

The bad:

- This is widely considered the weakest entry, and it’s easy to see why.
- Dante’s personality is almost absent; he barely speaks and lacks his signature charisma.
- Enemy design is boring, and the difficulty is extremely uneven.
- The game feels lifeless — levels are flat, bland, and lack the atmosphere of the first game.
- The story is forgettable and messy.

Overall:

DMC2 is the black sheep. It feels rushed, soulless, and, compared to the first and third games, is clearly a low point in the series.

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Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening (2005)

The good:

- This is where the series truly shines.
- The combat system is deep and responsive, with different styles (Trickster, Swordmaster, Gunslinger, Royal Guard) that you can master and switch between.
- Boss fights are challenging and memorable (Vergil fights, Cerberus, Beowulf).
- Dante’s youthful, cocky, and fun personality is fully developed here.
- The story of Dante and Vergil’s rivalry gives the game emotional weight without sacrificing style.
- The soundtrack is absolutely killer.

The bad:

- The original DMC3 (not Special Edition) was *brutally* difficult; luckily, the HD version is based on the Special Edition with a more balanced difficulty.
- The fixed camera is still sometimes annoying, although it's improved from DMC1.

Overall:

DMC3 is easily one of the best action games of all time. It aged very well thanks to its polished mechanics, excellent level design, and stylish presentation.

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About the HD Collection Itself

Pros:

- The games look sharper and cleaner in HD.
- It’s a convenient way to play these classics without needing old consoles.
- Load times are faster than the original versions.

Cons:

- It's a very basic remaster: No improved textures, no enhanced models, no real bonus content.
- Menus and some pre-rendered cutscenes still look low-res and outdated.
- It feels like a "quick port" rather than a lovingly crafted remaster.

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Final Verdict

- DMC1: A classic that still impresses (despite technical clunkiness).
- DMC2: A major disappointment, but still worth playing if you're curious.
- DMC3: A masterpiece that alone justifies buying the collection.

If you're a fan of stylish action games, Devil May Cry HD Collection is a must-play — just manage your expectations for DMC2, and be prepared for some old-school design quirks.

Score:

⭐ 7.5/10 for the collection overall.
⭐ DMC1: 8/10
⭐ DMC2: 4/10
⭐ DMC3: 9.5/10

Great game—given its price on Steam,

it's a bargain for what it offers. Definitely one of the most engaging indie titles I’ve played recently. It’s short but challenging, and you can replay levels as many times as you want until you're happy with your score.

I’ve even got an S rank and a top global spot on more than one level—it's an absolute blast!

9/10 overall

It's perhaps one of the best anime-style games I've ever played. It's a short game but highly enjoyable. I recommend it to fans of the Granblue Fantasy saga and lovers of anime and fighting games.

It has some really interesting features, borrowing elements from games like Genshin Impact for online co-op, and it includes a very practical skill tree (if you know how to use it).

On a personal note, Sandalphon is the most overpowered character in the game. If you get the chance to play as him, take it—you won't regret it.