Recent reviews by TopazBriar

TLDR: A hesitant recommendation, as this game represents the first foray of 3-4 devs in a trechcoat rather than an experienced studio.

I can't say that I didn't enjoy aspects of the game - I did 100% it. I will say that it doesn't feel like it stood up to its peers. The art is truly a highlight, with beautiful immersive visions of the land that blend intractable objects seamlessly into the scene. The game play however? Repeating Quick Time Event button mashes repeatedly or navigating a small boat between obstacles. It doesn't feel like fishing or dredging like a fishing simulator or intergalactic fishing. It doesn't feel like a base builder with satisfying growth like cult of the lamb. It doesn't feed the art style with synergistic game play that makes you feel out the locations through how you play like Dave the Diver. Between the lackluster game play and a very rote story, it can make a $25 ($31 with the sixth area tucked in a DLC) price tag. I'd say buy it on sale for sure.

But why finish it? Why not just write it off as a loss? There's enough heart just below the surface that it makes you dream of what could be around the next corner. It has stylistic flourishes of things that don't usually get attention - like a whale devouring one of the tentacles that attacks your boat. It makes it feel thought out, even if the story and game play don't quite match the melody that the world appears to be setting. It starts strong and then just... fades, with it not having enough power to reach the climax (though the ending scenes are enjoyable and well done). I'd look forward far more to what the studio does next rather than dwell on the missteps here. After all, with a studio of four people, this game being the result of their first product launch is a great story, warts and all.

Did you want an additional location added to the base game without any impact (narrative or game play) on the rest of the game? If you just wanted more, this expansion is fine. For a $6 expansion? Maybe that is worth it to some, but I can't see this being a value at that price - just like the DLC that allows you to skip grinding parts. If the plot related to the main story or had different mechanics from the base game, I could see an additional area having the price tag it got.

Sweet (albeit morbid) short game with puzzles that remind me of the Rusty Lake series of games. Many short puzzles, most very atmospheric, nothing too hard.

Mindless rogue-lite that really dives down to the bare minimum needed to represent the genre. Enjoyable to just throw on in the background. No rush to get the next spin. Also has a good sense of humor.

Honestly the game itself is . . . fine. It's a Battle Royale game. It even has some novel characters, story, and team-based play.

So why the thumbs down? Simply put, on a technical level I've seldom encountered such an ill-fitted mess. Last time was Cyberpunk 2077. Control issues, connection issues, graphic runtime issues, clipping problems, invisible walls, and more are all dreadfully apparent - though the issues appear to apply equally across players, so it doesn't mess too badly with the skill. If this was a newly released game, I'd give it an easy pass for growing pains. But after years? And with EA behind it? It feels like under a different company this could have dethroned Fortnite. Instead, key parts of gameplay outside of the Battle Royale itself are mostly left behind stingy paywalls. After killing their introduction packages for new players, I wouldn't be surprised if this games days were numbered.

To round out my criticisms, here's what I think the game does exceptional at. It has a great non-verbal communication system. It has great consistency with adding new content. It has some neat experimental character types. It's just a pity it doesn't get to shine.

TLDR: Do you need to play a Battle Royale with friends and don't want Fornite? It's probably this - But keep your expectations low. Everyone else can find better games to play - though there is no shame in playing this .

Puzzle game with light quick-time bartering mini-game. I enjoyed it, but to completely finish the game, be prepared to do a lot of the potion brewing mini-game back-to-back.

Buggy, glitch-filled, and under-baked, I still am enjoying this game. The customizable character has their own personality that seems very familiar to Geralt from the Witcher series, something that is obvious afterward and adds some great depth, but is unique in the genre and for the level of choices made. The story could have used an extra polishing pass, but is enjoyable. I feel that the game should be taken as the first buggy step into a new franchise rather than as a polished and perfected game. I'm certainly enjoying the ride.

This is a game that reminds me why I love video games. A single-narrative game with fascinating characters, clearly a Hideo Kojima production, Death Stranding takes the best parts of road trucking games and open world survival games then turns it into something completely unique. There is a wonderful mix of tense, strategic moments in an otherwise serene game about being a post-apocalyptic postman (in a less preventable apocalypse than the one in progress). Has an extremely easy mode for those looking for the story, but the hard modes won't bring a souls-like challenge. Overall, this has been my best game experience for years.

If you want a game that involves constant boss-battle action combat, where timing and preparation will advance you fast and far, this is a great game. Plenty of consistent content at through 2020 with Icebourne.

Like the Thief franchise? You'll like this. A bit more fantasy, but fantastic level design that still holds a somewhat gritty steampunk-esque world.
For those who haven't played a stealth game, unlike Assassin's Creed you are a squishy goblin, not a one man army.
Greatly enjoyed so far.