unfairlight
Self-Ejected
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2017
- Messages
- 4,092
Most of the users here are Polacks, Russians or other assorted eurotrash, me included. Don't sweat it.
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Vapourware RPG Codex's Best RPGs - 2019 - REVIEW THREAD!
- Thread starter felipepepe
- Start date
Mark Richard
Arcane
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2016
- Messages
- 1,216
ATOM RPG: Post-apocalyptic indie game
Unabashedly wearing its influences on its sleeve, ATOM may not have the philosophical pedigree of its idol, but it does have the dual advantage of evoking nostalgia while still managing to present itself as something fresh. Bopping around post-apocalyptic Russia makes all the difference in rekindling the sense of discovery that accompanied the earliest Fallout games, and the distinct Eastern European outlook also manifests in an unsanitized writing style to open up roleplaying opportunities many of today's leading Western RPG studios would balk at. This confidence is what allows the game to touch that late 90s glow without being wholly consumed by it, ensuring ATOM won't go down in our memories as merely a decent homage to a better game.
Unabashedly wearing its influences on its sleeve, ATOM may not have the philosophical pedigree of its idol, but it does have the dual advantage of evoking nostalgia while still managing to present itself as something fresh. Bopping around post-apocalyptic Russia makes all the difference in rekindling the sense of discovery that accompanied the earliest Fallout games, and the distinct Eastern European outlook also manifests in an unsanitized writing style to open up roleplaying opportunities many of today's leading Western RPG studios would balk at. This confidence is what allows the game to touch that late 90s glow without being wholly consumed by it, ensuring ATOM won't go down in our memories as merely a decent homage to a better game.
Sailor Woedica
Cipher
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2018
- Messages
- 1,121
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is the totally awesome sequel to 2015's 90s inspired rpg Pillars of Eternity I! Made by the famous xbox games studio Obsidian, with development led by the totally cute Josh Sawyer, become The Herald of Berath and chase the god of light for your shining soul across the wonderous and beautiful Deadfire Archipelago!!! Has totally iconic companions that you will be living for (and maybe even fall in love with!), a familiar but different fantasy setting that has only grown more amazing since the 1st game, totally fierce polynesian-inspired lewks, and complex rival factions all hoping The Watcher of Caed Nua will help them control the region. The Gods of Eora will also facetime you sometimes! The game is a lot like Fallout: New Vegas and is one of the best rpgs ever, there's really waay too much cool stuff to write about. You can play it rtwp (which is really cute even tho I ignored learning how penetration worked with the systems lol) but they also have a new turn-based mode that I haven't played yet because I'm waiting for the Switch version! Oh, it's also totally fully voice acted by the cast of Critical Role and is better than the 1st game! :heart emoji:
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Darth Canoli
Arcane
Wasteland 2
As a ranger, you're the sherif of the wasteland.
The combat is a smart mix of covers, flanking, back attacks and attacks from above.
Full party creation but you can also recruit NPC on the way, DC adds some fun quirks, weapons are modifiable and maps are very well designed, very good path-finding too.
It's also rewarding to sneak around an enemy camp to get into position before a tough fight.
Not everything is perfect, of course, or this game would hit the top 10, the non-combat skill system is hardly enjoyable (timer and debuff on critical failure), there's some weird camera views on some maps, there's a lot of factions but their philosophy and goals go from weird to psychotic, your faction offers you no support besides a quest hub and a shop and the first half of the game is less entertaining than the second, by far.
The result is a flawed gem but if you're searching for a cRPG with a good combat system and a decent story, you just found one.
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There's 6 more i could write if necessary (mixed feelings but leaning toward positive):
- Lords of Xulima
- Might & Magic X
- ToME
- Expedition Viking
- DOS 1
- Tyranny
As a ranger, you're the sherif of the wasteland.
The combat is a smart mix of covers, flanking, back attacks and attacks from above.
Full party creation but you can also recruit NPC on the way, DC adds some fun quirks, weapons are modifiable and maps are very well designed, very good path-finding too.
It's also rewarding to sneak around an enemy camp to get into position before a tough fight.
Not everything is perfect, of course, or this game would hit the top 10, the non-combat skill system is hardly enjoyable (timer and debuff on critical failure), there's some weird camera views on some maps, there's a lot of factions but their philosophy and goals go from weird to psychotic, your faction offers you no support besides a quest hub and a shop and the first half of the game is less entertaining than the second, by far.
The result is a flawed gem but if you're searching for a cRPG with a good combat system and a decent story, you just found one.
--
There's 6 more i could write if necessary (mixed feelings but leaning toward positive):
- Lords of Xulima
- Might & Magic X
- ToME
- Expedition Viking
- DOS 1
- Tyranny
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My goal here was making this sound surface-level positive while also actually being a big fuck you:
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the ultimate baby's first action RPG. The world is a collection of high fantasy tropes and brightly colored Disneyland design, the combat is simple and action-packed and the quest design is straight to the point and guided every step of the way by the big red quest arrow. While a sharp decline from The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind for experienced RPG gamers, Oblivion was undoubtedly a fishnet that scooped up a new batch of fans for the genre from pools of console players, casual gamers and people used to other genres. The level-scaling, while removing a lot of what RPG gamers look for in a deeper game, allows those new to the genre to set off in any direction without fear of roadblocks, easing their transition into better games to come. Oblivion succeeds in the same way a Saturday morning cartoon does, initiating the young and naive to concepts that will be expanded upon in more adult and challenging fare later in life. Even many experienced RPG gamers enjoyed Oblivion in a "shut your brain off" way, exploring the big bright world at a leisurely place while zoning out, letting their baser instincts take the wheel while they mash the left mouse button and walk in random directions. Oblivion truly had something for everyone.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the ultimate baby's first action RPG. The world is a collection of high fantasy tropes and brightly colored Disneyland design, the combat is simple and action-packed and the quest design is straight to the point and guided every step of the way by the big red quest arrow. While a sharp decline from The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind for experienced RPG gamers, Oblivion was undoubtedly a fishnet that scooped up a new batch of fans for the genre from pools of console players, casual gamers and people used to other genres. The level-scaling, while removing a lot of what RPG gamers look for in a deeper game, allows those new to the genre to set off in any direction without fear of roadblocks, easing their transition into better games to come. Oblivion succeeds in the same way a Saturday morning cartoon does, initiating the young and naive to concepts that will be expanded upon in more adult and challenging fare later in life. Even many experienced RPG gamers enjoyed Oblivion in a "shut your brain off" way, exploring the big bright world at a leisurely place while zoning out, letting their baser instincts take the wheel while they mash the left mouse button and walk in random directions. Oblivion truly had something for everyone.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2018
- Messages
- 4,241
You made a tiny spelling error there, but don't worry, I fixed it.
Darth Canoli
Arcane
Humanophage
Arcane
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2005
- Messages
- 5,514
Pathfinder: Kingmaker
It probably helps to have fresh impressions when determining what exactly makes you like a game. I would of course happily write something about Underrail, Space Rangers, LoX, or a bunch of others, but I haven't played them very recently.
PF:KM expands on the formula of Baldur’s Gate 1 by introducing much richer character-building from the P&P original.
It preserves freedom of exploration, a hallmark of BG1 that its spiritual sequels lacked. Loyalty to the original P&P system makes PF:KM less simplistic and “streamlined” than has come to be expected from the genre in the recent years. It does not pander to the low-skilled: the combat is famously uncompromising, character-building invites planning, spells and buffing are not to be ignored, whilst equipment needs constant updating. The game does not artificially isolate you from opponents above your level. This lack of hand-holding makes PF:KM uncommonly exciting and rewarding.
PF:KM has an expansive campaign with plenty of choice reactivity, including branching decisions which may affect companions. Unusually, the campaign dedicates a hefty portion to low-to-mid level adventures - a welcome change from the regular heaping of gods and dragons onto the player. The setting is well-explained - say, there are flavourful descriptions for monsters. Initially bug-ridden, the game has been fixed by now. PF:KM is detailed, dynamic, diverse, enormous, tough, bold, and brimming with late 90s ethos while looking perfectly modern.
It preserves freedom of exploration, a hallmark of BG1 that its spiritual sequels lacked. Loyalty to the original P&P system makes PF:KM less simplistic and “streamlined” than has come to be expected from the genre in the recent years. It does not pander to the low-skilled: the combat is famously uncompromising, character-building invites planning, spells and buffing are not to be ignored, whilst equipment needs constant updating. The game does not artificially isolate you from opponents above your level. This lack of hand-holding makes PF:KM uncommonly exciting and rewarding.
PF:KM has an expansive campaign with plenty of choice reactivity, including branching decisions which may affect companions. Unusually, the campaign dedicates a hefty portion to low-to-mid level adventures - a welcome change from the regular heaping of gods and dragons onto the player. The setting is well-explained - say, there are flavourful descriptions for monsters. Initially bug-ridden, the game has been fixed by now. PF:KM is detailed, dynamic, diverse, enormous, tough, bold, and brimming with late 90s ethos while looking perfectly modern.
It probably helps to have fresh impressions when determining what exactly makes you like a game. I would of course happily write something about Underrail, Space Rangers, LoX, or a bunch of others, but I haven't played them very recently.
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Dayyālu
Arcane
Nier Automata
Good enough? I'm not a Jap games guy, but I liked Automata a fair bit.
I've replayed both Diablo and Diablo II in recent times, but I don't feel I'm the most experienced man in the genre. If no one takes Diablo 1, I'll throw some lines for it.
Let's be honest, the vast majority of you will know Automata thanks to the generous...assets of 2B, the protagonist. Surprisingly enough, there's more to this than gratuitous fanservice.
Back in 2010 a lesser-known Japanese developer named Cavia managed to throw out Nier, a somewhat clunky yet weirdly fascinating action RPG that suceeded in gaining a cult following (despite being financially unsuccessful) thanks to varied gameplay, charming plot and likeable characters. More than half a decade later some Cavia employees (amongst them the infamous Yoko Taro) managed to get money from Square and expertise from Platinum Games to develop an unlikely sequel.
Set into a post-apocalyptic far future Robot War where not everything is exactly as it seems, Automata is solid a third-person action RPG, its combat mechanics good enough to keep you interested. However, Automata is more of a storyfag game, as the focus is clearly on the narrative and character interaction. It's also essentially anime, so expect melodrama and cheap cultural references thrown into the mix just for the "cool" factor.
Nonetheless, Automata manages to give me an impression few games do: to be a work of love. It's in the little details, in the writing and the impressive soundtrack, the cute animations or the variety of joke endings. It's a game that wants to give something to its audience. Torment it ain't, but it has a soul that few games have.
Back in 2010 a lesser-known Japanese developer named Cavia managed to throw out Nier, a somewhat clunky yet weirdly fascinating action RPG that suceeded in gaining a cult following (despite being financially unsuccessful) thanks to varied gameplay, charming plot and likeable characters. More than half a decade later some Cavia employees (amongst them the infamous Yoko Taro) managed to get money from Square and expertise from Platinum Games to develop an unlikely sequel.
Set into a post-apocalyptic far future Robot War where not everything is exactly as it seems, Automata is solid a third-person action RPG, its combat mechanics good enough to keep you interested. However, Automata is more of a storyfag game, as the focus is clearly on the narrative and character interaction. It's also essentially anime, so expect melodrama and cheap cultural references thrown into the mix just for the "cool" factor.
Nonetheless, Automata manages to give me an impression few games do: to be a work of love. It's in the little details, in the writing and the impressive soundtrack, the cute animations or the variety of joke endings. It's a game that wants to give something to its audience. Torment it ain't, but it has a soul that few games have.
Good enough? I'm not a Jap games guy, but I liked Automata a fair bit.
I've replayed both Diablo and Diablo II in recent times, but I don't feel I'm the most experienced man in the genre. If no one takes Diablo 1, I'll throw some lines for it.
SniperHF
Arcane
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2014
- Messages
- 1,110
Divinity: Original Sin
A prequel to the earlier Divinity games, Divinity: Original Sin brings an entirely new gameplay model to the series and it's a treat. Turn-based combat, the return of a party, and multiplayer rule the day. The level of freedom while exploring is in some ways unparalleled. Players can combine items into that one great tool you need via an Ultima-inspired crafting system, tactically use those environmental effects in conjunction with your skills, or sneak around to find the unbeaten path. D:OS is an RPG where you can kill everyone on the map or strictly follow the story and everywhere in between in order to complete the game. The game's narrative suffers as a result though, the story is convoluted and ultimately devolves into a save the universe pitch. But what D:OS lacks in storytelling it makes up for in familiar Larian charm and humor. With a substantially more interesting combat system and new emergent gameplay features, D:OS takes Larian's RPG series to new heights.
A prequel to the earlier Divinity games, Divinity: Original Sin brings an entirely new gameplay model to the series and it's a treat. Turn-based combat, the return of a party, and multiplayer rule the day. The level of freedom while exploring is in some ways unparalleled. Players can combine items into that one great tool you need via an Ultima-inspired crafting system, tactically use those environmental effects in conjunction with your skills, or sneak around to find the unbeaten path. D:OS is an RPG where you can kill everyone on the map or strictly follow the story and everywhere in between in order to complete the game. The game's narrative suffers as a result though, the story is convoluted and ultimately devolves into a save the universe pitch. But what D:OS lacks in storytelling it makes up for in familiar Larian charm and humor. With a substantially more interesting combat system and new emergent gameplay features, D:OS takes Larian's RPG series to new heights.
unfairlight
Self-Ejected
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2017
- Messages
- 4,092
This is quite a traditional RPG that went under the radar and got a lot less attention than it deserved. Logic Artists clearly took a lot of influence from Fallout 1 and 2 -- time limits, map-view travel and everything.
The Danes really did an ace job with the historical setting, quests, music, visuals and pacing, which always felt even and high quality. They also added a non-lethal toggle to combat, which was probably one of the best ideas in the game, due to how they often acknowledged that you didn't kill certain characters in dialogue and quest outcomes even if you had the option to do so. Overall I think the game is really well rounded, not lacking in very many aspects other than a undercooked travel/camping system and a somewhat scuffed levelling and skill point system. Darth Roxor wrote a better and more long-winded review in our forums.
purpleblob
Augur
I really enjoyed the game but disagree on above points. Hardly remember quests where non-lethality actually made a difference. And the number of quests were so uneven between Northumbria & Pictavia. Plus, combat encounter gets easier as the game progress (at least the earlier version I played).
Safav Hamon
Self-Ejected
- Joined
- May 15, 2018
- Messages
- 2,141
I spared every important NPC in two playthroughs, and I can't remember any instances where it wasn't acknowledged.
Northumbria and Pictavia both have 9 quests, although I did find Northumbria's questline more enjoyable overall.
Northumbria and Pictavia both have 9 quests, although I did find Northumbria's questline more enjoyable overall.
Doktor Best
Arcane
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2015
- Messages
- 2,887
I remember that i shot this review from the hip not caring much about phrasing. I could go over it with a quick edit if felipepepe thinks it is worthy of an entry.
Gregz
Arcane
Pathfinder: Kingmaker
A profound wasted opportunity inspired by the Russian philosophy of go fuck yourself. Or as one Steam reviewer so aptly put it, Kingmaker is "Bad GMing, The Video Game." Kingmaker features claustrophobic quest timers with fatal end states, potentially game ending choices and consequences which you have to make blindly, feminist themes, race-mixing cuckold fetishes, and more! While Kingmaker starts strong, your only reward for playing is pain and suffering, which gets increasingly worse with each advancing chapter. This game hates you. It hates your party. It hates fun. It probably hates itself. Try as you may to build your party and enjoy a classical D&D experience, the metagame, whether in the form of fatal quest timers breathing down your neck, terribly implemented kingdom management mechanics, or fatal bugs in required quest chains will make you wish for the painful death of Owlcat's sadistic and incompetent developers. Kingmaker is not difficult in any traditional sense. Either you telepathically glean what the developers were thinking when they cobbled this mess together, or you lose the game.
Outside of the metagame issues, how is the combat system you ask? More metagame abuse!
The ambition and scope of Kingmaker is astonishing, the design and execution is a critical
Outside of the metagame issues, how is the combat system you ask? More metagame abuse!
The ambition and scope of Kingmaker is astonishing, the design and execution is a critical
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purpleblob
Augur
The number of quests are so uneven by the time I was done pillaging through their villages and churches, I found that I still had a positive/tolerated reputation with Northumbria.
Safav Hamon
Self-Ejected
- Joined
- May 15, 2018
- Messages
- 2,141
purpleblob
Augur
It sure did feel like there's more quest on Northumbria side - maybe more sub quests?
Either way, you end up with much higher reputation with Northumbria:
Picts Reputation gains and losses
Reputation can be won with this faction the following ways:
Here's To The Future improves reputation by 20 points.
Completing Mac Taidg Must Die increases reputation by 10 points.
Completing The Princess Bride increases reputation by 10 points.
Killing Leofric during Punching Through increases reputation with 5 points.
Upon meeting with Drest mac Gordain the first time with neutral reputation, he is unwilling to sell items or take commissions from the player character, but with 3 diplomacy, he can be convinced to do business one time and increase reputation by 5 points with the Picts.
Completing the Witch's Curse improves reputation by 5 points.
Northumbria Reputation gains and losses
You can gain reputation with this faction the following ways:
Completing the quest The Battle of Yngilwood improves reputation by 50.
Here's To The Future improves reputation by 20 points.
Completing all bounties improves reputation by 10 points.
Completing the quest An Axe to Grind improves reputation by 5 points.
Completing Wreck And Ruin improves reputation by 5 or 10 points.
Completing The Barghest Cometh improves reputation by 5 points.
Completing Forbidden Tribute improves reputation by 5 points.
Completing The Hunting Party improves reputation by 5 points.
Completing Snakes Among the Trees improves reputation by 5 points.
Either way, you end up with much higher reputation with Northumbria:
Picts Reputation gains and losses
Reputation can be won with this faction the following ways:
Here's To The Future improves reputation by 20 points.
Completing Mac Taidg Must Die increases reputation by 10 points.
Completing The Princess Bride increases reputation by 10 points.
Killing Leofric during Punching Through increases reputation with 5 points.
Upon meeting with Drest mac Gordain the first time with neutral reputation, he is unwilling to sell items or take commissions from the player character, but with 3 diplomacy, he can be convinced to do business one time and increase reputation by 5 points with the Picts.
Completing the Witch's Curse improves reputation by 5 points.
Northumbria Reputation gains and losses
You can gain reputation with this faction the following ways:
Completing the quest The Battle of Yngilwood improves reputation by 50.
Here's To The Future improves reputation by 20 points.
Completing all bounties improves reputation by 10 points.
Completing the quest An Axe to Grind improves reputation by 5 points.
Completing Wreck And Ruin improves reputation by 5 or 10 points.
Completing The Barghest Cometh improves reputation by 5 points.
Completing Forbidden Tribute improves reputation by 5 points.
Completing The Hunting Party improves reputation by 5 points.
Completing Snakes Among the Trees improves reputation by 5 points.
MpuMngwana
Arbiter
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2016
- Messages
- 342
Since I have WAY too much free time, I'll write a couple more. If enough better reviews end up being written, feel free do disregard my crap.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Trails in the Sky is the first in the Falcom's Trails series (which currently consists of nine games). It follows Estelle and Joshua Bright on their quest to become bracers (basically trouble solvers for hire), seeking approval of various guilds throughout the country of Liberl. This works great to slowly introduce the player to the world, which has recently underwent a magic-based industrial revolution, while also setting up various plot threads to be explored later. The game is a slow burn, focusing mostly on low-key stories and character interactions while building up towards the main conflict. Fortunately, the characters are extremely likeable, and the game simply oozes charm. Unlike most typical jRPGs, the combat is grid-based and resembles a simplified version of Final Fantasy Tactics.
Second chapter continues immediately where the first left off, while Trails in the Sky 3rd stars one of the supporting characters and focuses more heavily on dungeon crawling. All three games are well worth playing, and easy to recommend to anyone who isn't turned off by anime graphics or linear storytelling.
Also, the music is really really good.
The Witcher 3
This game is far from perfect. Equipment progression is terrible, combat is serviceable at best (though some of the death and dismemberment animations are pretty fun to watch), alchemy has tragically been dumbed down since the first game, it has that annoying "enemies who are higher level than the player have artificially inflated stats" thing going on, and even the story kinda drops the ball near the end.
What the game does well, however, it does really well. Most of the time, it feels like a quality fantasy TV show - there is the overarching search for Ciri going on in the background, but the focus is on whatever is going on right now. The writing, voice acting and presentation are good enough to give context to the mostly repetitive gameplay and make it an enjoyable experience. There is a lot of care put in every single quest - even the seemingly generic monster hunts will have some memorable moments or a twist. And if you ever get bored and are in the mood for some actually good gameplay, The Witcher 3 has you covered with the addictive Gwent minigame.
The game has received two major expansion packs since release. Hearts of Stone has some of the greatest storytelling and quests in the franchise, while Blood and Wine gives Geralt of Rivia a much more satisfying conclusion than the base game's somewhat mediocre ending.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Trails in the Sky is the first in the Falcom's Trails series (which currently consists of nine games). It follows Estelle and Joshua Bright on their quest to become bracers (basically trouble solvers for hire), seeking approval of various guilds throughout the country of Liberl. This works great to slowly introduce the player to the world, which has recently underwent a magic-based industrial revolution, while also setting up various plot threads to be explored later. The game is a slow burn, focusing mostly on low-key stories and character interactions while building up towards the main conflict. Fortunately, the characters are extremely likeable, and the game simply oozes charm. Unlike most typical jRPGs, the combat is grid-based and resembles a simplified version of Final Fantasy Tactics.
Second chapter continues immediately where the first left off, while Trails in the Sky 3rd stars one of the supporting characters and focuses more heavily on dungeon crawling. All three games are well worth playing, and easy to recommend to anyone who isn't turned off by anime graphics or linear storytelling.
Also, the music is really really good.
The Witcher 3
This game is far from perfect. Equipment progression is terrible, combat is serviceable at best (though some of the death and dismemberment animations are pretty fun to watch), alchemy has tragically been dumbed down since the first game, it has that annoying "enemies who are higher level than the player have artificially inflated stats" thing going on, and even the story kinda drops the ball near the end.
What the game does well, however, it does really well. Most of the time, it feels like a quality fantasy TV show - there is the overarching search for Ciri going on in the background, but the focus is on whatever is going on right now. The writing, voice acting and presentation are good enough to give context to the mostly repetitive gameplay and make it an enjoyable experience. There is a lot of care put in every single quest - even the seemingly generic monster hunts will have some memorable moments or a twist. And if you ever get bored and are in the mood for some actually good gameplay, The Witcher 3 has you covered with the addictive Gwent minigame.
The game has received two major expansion packs since release. Hearts of Stone has some of the greatest storytelling and quests in the franchise, while Blood and Wine gives Geralt of Rivia a much more satisfying conclusion than the base game's somewhat mediocre ending.
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Darth Canoli
Arcane
Tyranny
Close to being the true Planescape Torment's sequel, Tyranny setup is a breath of fresh air.
The main character is empowered by a powerful entity and yet has to cope with the mighty Archons, the introduction is original, NPC and companions a real piece of art and the story enthralling.
What's not to like ?
The combat system, RTwP, like Planescape with a "new" mechanism, team skills isn't that bad, compared to recent similar games, but the enemies lack in variety, particularly in the old wall area where you're going to be sick of fighting.
The outsourced companion's quest are also underwhelming and Obsidian treated loading screens like a piece of art, letting us enjoy it as long as we can endure it and beyond.
Overall, if you're in for the story with a 1 month old gaming computer, you'll probably enjoy it, if you love the RTwP system, probably as well, otherwise it's going to be a mitigated experience.
Still, it's probably one of the most legitimate entry, amongst the recent AAA cRPG.
--
Doktor Best Just do it!
Close to being the true Planescape Torment's sequel, Tyranny setup is a breath of fresh air.
The main character is empowered by a powerful entity and yet has to cope with the mighty Archons, the introduction is original, NPC and companions a real piece of art and the story enthralling.
What's not to like ?
The combat system, RTwP, like Planescape with a "new" mechanism, team skills isn't that bad, compared to recent similar games, but the enemies lack in variety, particularly in the old wall area where you're going to be sick of fighting.
The outsourced companion's quest are also underwhelming and Obsidian treated loading screens like a piece of art, letting us enjoy it as long as we can endure it and beyond.
Overall, if you're in for the story with a 1 month old gaming computer, you'll probably enjoy it, if you love the RTwP system, probably as well, otherwise it's going to be a mitigated experience.
Still, it's probably one of the most legitimate entry, amongst the recent AAA cRPG.
--
Doktor Best Just do it!
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Marten Broadcloak
Savant
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2015
- Messages
- 246
I'm not a native English speaker so I hope the grammar of this review is acceptable. Feel free to remove or edit weird sentences if you spot some, Felipe.
Diablo II
With its innovative gameplay and incredibly solid atmosphere, the first Diablo is an unparalleled masterpiece – and yet, it is dwarfed by the scale and mastery of Diablo II. It expands on all of Diablo's mechanics, doubling the number of character classes and succeeding in making all of them equally interesting and very different from each other: while the assassin is using martial arts training to kick demons in the face, the necromancer hides behind its own skeleton army, raised from the corpses of his enemies. Combined with a clever procedural level generation, random and satisfying loot, multiplayer co-op and an enormous world divided into five acts, those classes give Diablo II an incredible replay value where each game feels like a distinct adventure on its own.
Another truly remarkable feat, and perhaps the best part of Diablo II – best enjoyed with its near-perfect expansion Lord of Destruction – is how it is able to build a vast, cohesive, convincing universe using only few words. Town dwellers aren't the talkative type, the hero almost never speaks, and yet through items and enemies names (as well as superb level design) Diablo II's dark and tortured world feels more alive than many others. A feeling its sequel would fail to replicate.
If this review is OK, then maybe I will write more if some games don't get much love.
Diablo II
With its innovative gameplay and incredibly solid atmosphere, the first Diablo is an unparalleled masterpiece – and yet, it is dwarfed by the scale and mastery of Diablo II. It expands on all of Diablo's mechanics, doubling the number of character classes and succeeding in making all of them equally interesting and very different from each other: while the assassin is using martial arts training to kick demons in the face, the necromancer hides behind its own skeleton army, raised from the corpses of his enemies. Combined with a clever procedural level generation, random and satisfying loot, multiplayer co-op and an enormous world divided into five acts, those classes give Diablo II an incredible replay value where each game feels like a distinct adventure on its own.
Another truly remarkable feat, and perhaps the best part of Diablo II – best enjoyed with its near-perfect expansion Lord of Destruction – is how it is able to build a vast, cohesive, convincing universe using only few words. Town dwellers aren't the talkative type, the hero almost never speaks, and yet through items and enemies names (as well as superb level design) Diablo II's dark and tortured world feels more alive than many others. A feeling its sequel would fail to replicate.
If this review is OK, then maybe I will write more if some games don't get much love.
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Nice. I wanted to write one about trails in the sky, but i suddenly got sick, got my blood tested and turned put i have dengue fever.
Been hospitalized the last 2 days
Been hospitalized the last 2 days
Vlajdermen
Arcane
Underrail
If there's ever any doubt about if crowdfunded "retro-revival" games can be any good, let Underrail lay it to rest. Granted, it is heavily influenced by Fallout, but it also has its share of fresh ideas that elevate it above your average wannabe. For example, its world is designed like a maze of interconnected areas and hallways, rather than an open map. There's also the Oddity system which awards you XP for discovering hidden items, the Thought Control skill which gives you a variety of telepathy-based abilities, and a whole bunch of little twists that keep the quests interesting.
Though, what truly puts Underrail above the rest is the execution. The world is not only densely packed with content, but it's content you'll be looking forward to. That especially goes for the combat; it's just the right amount of skill as opposed to luck, and I always felt like hot shit after beating a tough group of enemies. Underrail is, simply put, one of the most enjoyable CRPGs since Baldur's Gate 2.
If there's ever any doubt about if crowdfunded "retro-revival" games can be any good, let Underrail lay it to rest. Granted, it is heavily influenced by Fallout, but it also has its share of fresh ideas that elevate it above your average wannabe. For example, its world is designed like a maze of interconnected areas and hallways, rather than an open map. There's also the Oddity system which awards you XP for discovering hidden items, the Thought Control skill which gives you a variety of telepathy-based abilities, and a whole bunch of little twists that keep the quests interesting.
Though, what truly puts Underrail above the rest is the execution. The world is not only densely packed with content, but it's content you'll be looking forward to. That especially goes for the combat; it's just the right amount of skill as opposed to luck, and I always felt like hot shit after beating a tough group of enemies. Underrail is, simply put, one of the most enjoyable CRPGs since Baldur's Gate 2.
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