Recent reviews by Madhouse

5 Stars - A Deep Fantasy 4X Title

Age of Wonders has had significant support since launch and now has a particularly broad ability to forge a race of powerful and personalised fantasy critters to conduct war on a large scale.

Flexibility is key here with everything from aesthetics, game objectives, world rules, race capabilities, leader type all up for customisation. I've really enjoyed the blend of fantasy immersive roleplaying with the tactical nuance in the manual battles.

Pros
Customisation
Community Support + Updates
Tactical Battles

Cons
Few
No Minotaurs

3.5 Stars - True to the Genre and fun to play

Those who liked the old Heroes series should get a good kick out of this. Game is lots of fun with cool spells and units. Atmosphere is great and all seems to run well.

The pixel graphics are done well. Whilst I was coming back to this game I was delighted, but as it is true to the classics it also suffers from some of their weaknesses. Its hard to make good AI for these titles, without campaign scripting (ie in scenarios) and some of the best bits are exploring and developing your hero, and these aren't directly tied to victory conditions. Difficulty scaling seems ok, until it doesn't.

Found a lot of comfort in this game, fun to play with others who appreciate the classics and the campaign was pretty cool to. Would love to see more campaign for the more exotic races in full release.

Pros
Atmosphere
Unit and Spell Design

Cons
Difficulty scaling can lack challenge
AI outside of the campaign

4 Stars - A real Alien experience as a well built horde co-op shooter

The game stayed true to the alien franchise and the level design is really solid. Play as one of the marine types each with different load outs and a mix and match approach to perks.

If your not playing with other humans the bots can struggle once your off the base level difficulties.

Pros
Immersion - level design and story
Character builds and perks within Alien universe
Horde Co-op

Cons
Bots - AI players need brain surgery if you plan to solo harder difficulties

4 Stars - Fun Co-Op shooter with strong RPG elements

This game is a lot of fun to get into a shoot up an alien hell wold. Characters pack a good punch and developing synergies between weapons and skills works well.

Coop is where it really shines tho and we have enjoed many good hours.

Pros
Character Building
World ambience
Coop

Cons
Server issues at launch

Pew Pew Pew

1.5 Stars - Game is as it looks.

This would probably better suit tablet gaming. It is what it looks like. Fun for a little bit, but quick to be put down

Pros
Psychadelic mode

Cons
Difficulty
Lacking

Nope

Price is right. Musketeer isn't the strongest character but still fun.

3 Stars - Delightful take on sharing the relevant war history.

Played just in time for remembrance. I enjoyed immersing in the history and the paintbrush visuals are charmingly new to me. The game isn't long enough to miss sharper edging.

Takes the view from both sides with touching stories, but does have a visual novel/ walking simulator feel.

Pros
Story
History

Cons
Short
Walking Simulator

4 Stars - A large polished world with plenty to shoot at for both paid and free players

Destiny offers a beautiful view of a tragic future. Gameplay mechanics are all solid with single story missions, pvp, raids, coop and coop-pvp all go along with a huge open world to explore.

Moving to steam/free-play has re-energised a lot of the shared content and the new shadowkeep expansion is great for expanding the story, has a good dark energy but is not required to have a good time.

Just watch out as different areas have different group sizes. While you can take 5 buddies to pvp you can't take 3 buddies exploring

Pros
Visuals
Polish
Gameplay

Cons
Grindy
3 Player Strike teams