Recent reviews by Mdk25

TL;DR A micro-transaction based MMORPG, with a near perfect feedback-loop.

Like many others, I started playing Fallout 76 in the wake of the Fallout TV show being released on Amazon Prime in April.
Unlike many others, I’m actually a long time Fallout fan, started with Fallout 1 & 2, played Fallout tactics, Fallout BOS, and obviously the newer Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas, and Fallout 4.
I really enjoyed Fallout 4 for the most part.
The graphics there was greatly improved, skills/perks tree was revamped, and crafting and base building was introduced.
I however do acknowledge that some things became worse in Fallout 4. The combat became less turn based, the story wasn’t as good (especially compared to Fallout 1 & 2), and there was too much useless text/fluff. I understand providing some backstory for world building purposes… But at some point some backstory turns into too much backstory, turns the backstory into fluff you don’t want to read anymore.

I realize this is a review for Fallout 76, and not of previous games :)
But I do feel it’s important to mention the previous games, to understand how Fallout 76 fares in comparison.

First of all, this is a much dumbed-down, combat-centered version of Fallout.
The focus of the game is (in that order):

1. Battles with monsters
   
2. Character building
   
3. Crafting
   
4. Base building
   
5. Trading
   
6. Missions / Quests

Unlike the “regular” Fallout games, where the focus is on open-world RPG, and the ability to solve missions in different ways (sneaking, stealing, speech checks, paying money OR combat). Here the focus is on combat 95% of the time spent on missions.
Between missions, you’ll spend most of your time upgrading your character, gear and your base.


Microtransaction based games are games where the player can spend real money to purchase items, in game-currency or a game-pass. This is a common practice in modern free-to-play mobile games. Noted examples: Candy crush, Plants vs. Zombies, Brawl Stars, etc…
And have no mistake - Fallout 76 is a microtransaction based game. You can both buy in-game currency with real money and buy a monthly game-pass that gives you additional advantages in the game. For example the free-to-play “Brawl Stars” also has the same microtransaction options.
The main characteristic of any microtransactian based game is the feedback loop.
Think of a hamster in a hamster wheel, that is given a treat as long as it keeps running in the wheel.
The more the hamster runs, more treats it gets, which gives it the incentive to keep running.

“Regular” games are sold on content-per-$$$ basis.
You pay a fixed sum of money upfront, and in exchange you get a game with a set content.
The more hours of enjoyment you get from the game, the more worthwhile the game is to you as the player.
This is not the case in microtransaction based games.
Here the goal of the game is to get you to spend as much money, and for this the goal is to keep you playing as long as possible (preferably indefinitely). Much like a casino.
Similar to many mobile free-to-play games, you are limited in the number of things you can do in a day (vendors have a limited number of caps per day, you can only trade a limited number of legendaries for scrip per day, etc.), while you are encouraged to come back and play every day (daily free items, daily missions for “seasonal” bonus awards, daily refresh for caps & scrip, etc.)
So while in a “regular” game you can play the whole weekend, and then not play at all for the whole week, you would not lose anything. Here playing 1 hour for 7 days, can potentially net X7 more awards than playing 1 day for 7 hours.

Another “first” in this game, is fast travel between points now costs money, probably in order to make the players spend their caps instead of hoarding them, so they would need to grind more of the game to get more caps.
Want to move your base to a new location or build a base at one of the workshops in the game? Pay up...
The only thing that doesn't cost caps to move or travel to, is the tent - which you need to pay Fallout 1st every month to get.


Similar to Diablo III & IV, this game even when played alone, is a multiplayer-only game. Which has deep effects on the gameplay.

• You cannot save & load the game. When you leave your inventory and location is noted, and when you return you are spawned approximately in the same location. So unlike a “regular” game, where you can save and leave before a big boss battle, and then return to finish it later. Here you cannot do it. If you leave and return, the boss will simply not be there anymore.
  
• This also means you can’t pause the game if you have something IRL to attend to. And you can’t play the game for a couple of minutes. Every play sessions needs to be long enough to finish a task from start to finish.
  
• For this reason there is also no modding support for the game. Any quality-of-live improvements from previous games - will not exist here. No better UI. No mods for improved carry weight. No nothing.
  
• Like the aforementioned Diablo games, this game is centered around grinding. Until level 50, you are progressing, doing quests, improving your character, crafting items of increasingly higher levels and better stats, etc. Starting level 50, you stop progressing, and the game starts to revolve around min-maxing, building the perfect build, and grinding for more resources and better random rolls on legendaries.

Due to length constraints, this part is expanded in the full review: https://steamproxy.net/app/1151340/discussions/0/6369856944157548040/


This is not a bad game (in its current state).
Not by a long shot.
And I have over 140 hours in this game, so it’s definitely doing something right.
There is (in its current state) tons of content, fun stuff to do, a very live and vibrant Fallout world, which scratches the itch very well. (No wonder Amazon gave away the game for free when the TV show was released)
However, even after playing that much hours, and paying for Fallout 1st, I still have this nagging feeling like I’m playing a free-to-play mobile game.
Like the game deliberately limits your carry weight on the one hand, and forces you to carry/store an increasingly larger amount/weight of items on the other hand in order to progress in the game.
And the only way around it? You guessed it - pay a monthly subscription fee.
So while it may not be a Pay-to-win or Pay-to-play kind of game, it’s definitely Pay-to-progress or Pay-to-enjoy kind of game.

Prepare for a frustrating start with "Hogwarts Legacy," as it takes several minutes to "prepare shaders" each time you open the game. This technical hiccup can be a nuisance, disrupting the flow of gameplay.

One of the most baffling oversights is the inability to save your progress during the tutorial. This means you're locked into playing for several hours straight without the option to save, which can be inconvenient for players with limited time.

Despite these drawbacks, the game redeems itself with its plethora of side quests. These missions add depth and variety to the gameplay experience, offering hours of additional content beyond the main story.

Speaking of the main story, it's disappointingly lackluster. "Hogwarts Legacy" seems more geared towards Wizarding World fans than die-hard Harry Potter enthusiasts. While the world of Harry Potter is faithfully recreated, complete with an accurate replica of Hogwarts, the absence of main characters from the books is glaring.

However, the game shines in its open-world RPG elements. Players can engage in a wide range of activities, including raising beasts, brewing potions, growing plants, and even building and decorating a secret room. The world feels alive, with NPCs going about their daily routines and a dynamic day/night cycle enhancing immersion.

In summary, "Hogwarts Legacy" may frustrate with its technical issues and lackluster main story, but its vibrant world and abundance of RPG actions offer plenty of entertainment for Wizarding World enthusiasts.

Disclaimer: This review was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.

There's a distinction between being "original" and being simply "good." While The Shady Part of Me has garnered acclaim for its innovative approach, it falls short of excellence as a game. It's a decent puzzle-platformer, nothing more.

In this game, you control two characters: a girl and her shadow. The girl navigates a 3D environment within shadows, manipulating objects but unable to jump. Conversely, the shadow operates in a 2D plane, capable of jumping but unable to interact with (most) objects directly. Both characters must work together, utilizing their unique abilities to solve puzzles. As you progress, new mechanics are introduced, predominantly for the shadow character, which adds complexity to the puzzles.

The narrative remains elusive, leaving much to be desired. The story feels MIA (Missing in action), failing to captivate or engage players beyond the gameplay itself.

The sound design and music are serviceable, albeit unremarkable. They provide adequate ambiance but lack the memorable qualities found in truly standout titles.

Overall, while The Shady Part of Me offers an original concept, its execution leaves something to be desired. It's worth a playthrough for puzzle enthusiasts seeking a unique experience, but don't expect it to leave a lasting impression.

Disclaimer: This review was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.

This game is basically a combination of "Papers, Please" with "911 operator".
Like "Papers, Please" we're living in a dystopian totalitarian state. The only difference is here it's a historical reality of 1930s Germany under Nazi rule.
And like "911 operator", it's a level-based tactical game, with minimalistic graphics.
Both these games btw, I gave a negative review.

But I can't give this game a negative review.
If only for the fact that it deals with such an important topic.
A topic that is forgotten more and more as years go by...

But game-play wise - the game doesn't have much content.
The missions are monotone and repetitive. The variation is not very large.
And in any case, the result of the mission are of a limited variation: money, supporters, morale, "heat" reduction, items or a new character (if you have an open slot).
You have stats, missions have requirements, and a random "dice toss" decides if you succeed or fail.

Another thing detrimental to the gameplay, is the fact that you have story-related "cutscenes" between every 2 days of the game, which disrupt the flow of the tactical part of the game.
So instead of playing one game-day, setting up a long-term plan, and following-up on them the next day...
You play one game-day, then get a "cutscene" with lots of text, and choices you need to take, which are in no way related to the actions you took on the tactical part of the game, yet can affect it on the next day. And only then start the next day of the game, when you already forgotten half the things you wanted to follow up on from the previous day.

I think it's important to come to this game with proper expectations.
If you come expecting an interesting and engaging gameplay, of a strategic resource management simulator OR a choices matter text adventure game - you will be disappointed.
Instead, this is a dystopian dictatorship games (like Beholder, Papers Please, Do not feed the monkeys, etc.) that shows the horrors of war/dictatorship (like This war of mine, Valiant Hearts, 11-11 Memories Retold, etc.), that gives a lot of backstory and world-building background of real historical events.
This is more of an important historical lesson, less a piece of digital entertainment.


P.S. If you like this theme, I suggest you watch the critically acclaimed 2023 mini-series "A small light".
Which tells the story of the people who hid Anne Frank's family in Nazi-occupied Holland.
And has a very similar look & feel, of how was it like living under the Nazi rule, while trying to resist it.

As a fan of Bomber Crew, I couldn't resist diving into Space Crew to see how it measures up.

One of the most noticeable improvements in Space Crew is the larger crew size, which adds a whole new dimension to the gameplay. With more crew members, there's a greater sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Additionally, the introduction of new dynamics like jettisoning into space, collecting items, cracking codes, and engaging in away missions adds depth and excitement to the experience. These new elements allow for thrilling scenarios, such as rescuing a stranded crew member or venturing into the unknown depths of outer space.

The campaign in Space Crew has undergone a significant overhaul, making it easier to differentiate between main story missions and side missions. This restructuring enhances the overall narrative flow and provides a more immersive gameplay experience.

Space Crew introduces formidable adversaries that can board your vessel, forcing you to engage in intense combat scenarios to defend your ship and crew. Away missions also offer exciting opportunities for exploration and discovery, further expanding the game's universe.

While Space Crew retains the essence of Bomber Crew, some dynamics have been removed, such as dropping bombs or changing altitude. However, these changes are to be expected given the shift from flying a bomber to commanding a space vessel. Despite these alterations, the core gameplay remains engaging and enjoyable.

In summary, Space Crew builds upon the foundation laid by Bomber Crew, offering a larger crew, new challenges, and revamped campaign mechanics. While some dynamics have been removed, the overall experience is a worthy successor to its predecessor, delivering more of the addictive gameplay that fans of Bomber Crew love.

Disclaimer: This review was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.

This is really not what I planned to write in my review.
This game, despite it's bugs and design flaws really has some great qualities, and an amazing story...
But I simply can't give a positive review to a game that broke my PC. Twice



The original review I was going to leave:
I would categorize this game as: an atmospheric walking simulator

You start in a weird world/parallel universe, and gradually discover it's history and backstory through clues in your environment, and notes you find

The musical score is well timed, and perfectly fits the mood.

The world around you is huge, and weird, and amazing, and strange

Although this doesn't mean the graphics are amazing.
They're pretty good.
But far from an AAA game graphics.

The annoying part of the game - is the game-breaking bugs (obviously).
Which appear in the game even if you don't do anything special, and just play the game as it's intended to be played.
For example: You can't load a game if "Head Bob" is enabled in the settings.

There are also pseudo-bugs: Like the fact the game "freezes" every time you find a microphone.
But in fact it's just waiting for your input (to roll the mouse wheel).
But unfortunately it's not properly explained - so can lead to a lot of frustration, reloading, and people thinking it's a bug.

The second most annoying part of the game (after the bugs) is the walking speed. It's slow. Very.
And "running" only marginally improves it.
However this "bug" is actually a feature.
The game is a slow walking simulator.
There isn't much to do in the game except that. There is no action. There are no puzzles. There are no choices to be made.
You walk. You watch the environment around you. And you read the notes you find.
That's pretty much it.

If you could simply run through the game - there would be not much game left...

The redeeming quality of this game - is the story and the atmosphere.
The story is very original, and really draws you in (especially if you are like me, and love alternative history)
And the atmosphere the game builds around the story is great as well.
You're not told anything point blank, or have endless walls of texts to read.
You're told very little, and need to piece together what happened from the very few notes, items and clues you find through your travels.
And simply by observing the world around you.
If you are able to overcome the bugs and design flaws of the game - there is a real gem hiding inside it...

Gorogoa is a peculiar little game that may leave you scratching your head at first.

It takes some time to grasp the underlying game mechanics, and until you do, it's mostly a trial-and-error process.
However, once you unravel its secrets, the experience becomes much more engaging.

Strangely enough, Gorogoa managed to induce a bit of seasickness in me, despite its lack of moving parts.
It's a curious phenomenon that detracted slightly from my enjoyment of the game...

In the end, Gorogoa is a delightful puzzle game. While it may be short, it's nonetheless a fun and unique experience that's worth your time.

Disclaimer: This review was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.

DARQ's visuals may not be the most stunning, but they set a suitable stage for its eerie atmosphere.

At first glance, DARQ draws comparisons to atmospheric titles like INSIDE. However, while INSIDE transformed a wordless narrative into a post-apocalyptic masterpiece, DARQ opts for a horror movie approach. Personally, I prefer the former over the latter, resulting in a less favorable impression of DARQ compared to INSIDE. Nevertheless, it's still a commendable game.

DARQ's puzzles are its standout feature. They offer a satisfying level of challenge without veering into frustration, making for a rewarding gameplay experience.

The game's score effectively enhances its horror atmosphere, even though it's not my personal preference. Credit is due where it's deserved.

DARQ isn't a lengthy game, and even with the DLCs, it can be completed within 4-5 hours.

In conclusion, while DARQ may not captivate me as much as other similar games, it delivers a captivating horror puzzle adventure with challenging puzzles and an immersive soundtrack.

Disclaimer: This review was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.

Shivah is a compact adventure game that offers a concise yet engaging experience, perfect for an evening's playthrough. Its unique selling point lies in its portrayal of a Jewish character, a rarity in the gaming world, adding a refreshing perspective to the narrative landscape.

The plot unfolds as a classic detective mystery, immersing players in an investigation that lands squarely in the lap of the protagonist. As you navigate through the story, piecing together clues and untangling the mystery, you'll find yourself drawn deeper into the compelling narrative.

What makes Shivah even more remarkable is the fact that it was crafted by a single individual, Dave Gilbert. The sheer dedication and craftsmanship evident in every aspect of the game are commendable, showcasing Gilbert's talent and commitment to his craft.

For those unfamiliar with Gilbert's work, Shivah serves as an excellent entry point. Having never explored his other creations myself, I found Shivah to be a pleasant surprise, sparking my curiosity about his other titles.

In conclusion, Shivah may be short in duration, but it packs a punch with its unique premise, engaging storyline, and the impressive achievement of its solo developer. It's a must-play for those seeking a thought-provoking adventure with a distinctive cultural perspective.

Disclaimer: This review was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.

TL;DR: Desperados III, from the creators of Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun and Aiko's Choice, stands as a testament to refined tactical gameplay and engaging storytelling. With improved pacing, intuitive mechanics, and a plethora of diverse levels, it surpasses its predecessors in every aspect.

Pros:
- Pacing Perfected: Desperados III boasts much-improved pacing compared to its predecessors. The inclusion of a shadow mode that pauses the game, a suggestion from the community, enhances tactical decision-making.
- Engaging Narrative: The story in Desperados III is not just coherent but also deeply engaging, drawing players into its Wild West tale of revenge and redemption.
- Subdivided Levels: Dividing levels into sub-levels with cinematics in between adds depth and excitement to the gameplay. Gone are the days of grinding through lengthy, monotonous levels; instead, players are treated to short stories, small locations, and limited goals that keep the experience fresh and dynamic.
- Abundance of Content: With numerous levels in the main game, additional DLC levels, and a plethora of "extra" levels offering special tasks and alternative completion methods, Desperados III offers a wealth of content for players to enjoy, ensuring a long and fulfilling gameplay experience.

Gameplay:
Desperados III excels in delivering a refined tactical experience, blending intuitive mechanics with strategic depth. From its enhanced pacing to its diverse level design, every aspect of the gameplay contributes to a truly immersive Western adventure.

Duration Consideration:
The abundance of levels and additional content ensures that players will have plenty to sink their teeth into, offering countless hours of tactical enjoyment and exploration.

Conclusion:
Desperados III is a masterful blend of tactical prowess and narrative excellence, surpassing its predecessors in every regard. With improved pacing, engaging storytelling, and a wealth of content to explore, it stands as a testament to the evolution of the tactical genre.

Disclaimer: This review was written with the help of ChatGPT 3.5.