Ruaraidh Dempster
The final two games step forward and show their well-polished improvements with graphics that laugh in the face of many 2015 releases
It's a shame [more difficult] fights are so few and far between as it is where the tactics and strategy of the genre really shine
Despite [its] flaws, Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders still provides a great and thoroughly engrossing crime story
With very little variation or side content anywhere [Bounce Rescue!] just feels like another generic 2D platformer. There is nothing new and no gimmick to separate it from the rest
There are no secrets and nothing cool to find, just a frustrating design mechanic of incessantly backtracking through areas you have already completed
The build-up in Asemblance’s mysterious psychological nature is so well done that the final pay-off being so difficult only ends up leaving a bad taste in your mouth
You would be hard-pressed to find a better looking roguelike; the voodoo theme adds a creepy and unique feel to a wealth of different maps that are already good-looking
It is a shame that every level is so well done and all required so much work, in terms of visual and audio presentation, that it means there are so few levels overall
With how rare supplies are and how easy it is to die… even the simple act of opening a door becomes a terrifying experience
There isn’t any wall-jumping, double jumps or any other fancy manoeuvres, just pure precision platforming
By end-game each one of your characters will have around 20 abilities, all with their own uses, and you will have developed a playstyle that fits the classes in your party
Put simply, Farabel is tough. To some, it may seem unfairly so, although the strategy and tactics required to actually make your way through the game are enticing.
While Ride 2 has some problems, such as questionable balancing of difficulty and credit-earning, the wealth of customisation options available and the pure gratification and thrill of competing makes it rather unlike any other experience currently available.
There are great concepts at play here in terms of the weapons and gameplay, but Ironguard is unfortunately let down by pretty much everything else.
You would think a pirate game would have a brimming personality. Yet, sailing around, doing mission after mission, I never feel like a pirate. I never dig up treasure, get in trouble with the law or even meet any famous pirates.
Barring the occasional frustration, D-Pad Studio have created a wonderful and satisfying tale filled with superb characters and marvellous presentation.
Slayaway Camp is a simple puzzle game that through evolving mechanics becomes a difficult and satisfying experience. It revels in both the ludicrous and outlandishly fun things that come from its original genre while making fun of its stupidities.
Tyranny may have its issues and it may be shorter than other RPGs but it often means that, in the end, it comes together as a greater and more concise experience.
Even with certain problems, some that stand out more than others, there is some semblance of greatness in Maize – particularly in the writing and humour that shines through the absurdity.
I have the feeling that Lamina Studios were going for a ‘Best of Roguelikes’ with Dungeon Souls, but it ends up as more of a showcase of the best and worst the genre has to offer.