Recent reviews by Countersync

Full Review Temple of Stone - DLC - Is disappointing

I found the DLC disappointing, lacking in puzzle, lacking in content generally, and added very little to the game. If you're a huge fan of Greek / Roman architecture, costume gear (if you even use the cosmetics option), or yet another impossibly obtuse location you could build a base this might be for you.

1 Day / 1 Hour achievement - I'm already spoiled on how to reach Room 46 thanks to Streamers. However that's why I purchased the game. So I've gone DIRECTLY into trying to unlock the most frustrating achievement in the entire game.

It would be EXTREMELY HELPFUL if the developers made some small tweaks to enable the speed-run like mentality that is required thanks to the extreme RNG involved.

1) PLEASE at the end of the first day (or in the tab menu on only the first day) have a quick-reset to try the same save-slot day 1 again _without saving_. It should still setup a fresh day. Ideally it should also reset to the entry hall without further user input and with minimal cinematic delay.

2) When a player hasn't left the starting area yet, offer an exit without saving option (or take Alt+F4 as that). Expected result: if in an existing save file restart on the same day at next load. If not the end of the day, just don't save.

3) Expand the effective margin between menu elements (shrink the hit-zone, the same shape still works) to prevent clicks into the wrong region. In my ~100 saves that I've deleted so far I've probably accidentally started the credits about 4 or 5 times. Reducing input error will improve the user experience. In other games I've had positive experiences with menus that provide a slight visual and auditory feedback to make it clear when a menu item is under the cursor (mouse, keyboard, or controller).

Remember to adjust the settings easier / harder until it's fun for you. If you want a quicker game reducing research cost and event times can help.

I really enjoy the exploration and puzzle aspects of the game. It's also cute, at least for most of the 8 hours I've played so far. It also runs very well on Linux (with the current default Proton compatibility tool / software and the rolling release distribution Arch Linux).

I've also gifted a copy of the game to a friend who couldn't afford it but I figured would also love it.

I am thankful it has many accessibility options at launch, but I'd appreciate some extras...



This is the first game in many years I've played with a controller. I happened to buy an older Xbox controller at the start of the pandemic which I hoping to use it with a different game but never did.

I spent probably all 8 hours so far __holding the controller wrong__. I didn't even realize this until I had enough items that I was using the lower bumper buttons. My hands still get sore from trying two different controller styles. My muscles have never had to use a controller with extra buttons, let alone hold them down for so long. After some search engine use it seems I'm supposed to use my pointer finger along the seam of the LB/LT and RB/RT buttons then kind of roll it either direction to hit one of the buttons, which is absolutely counter-intuitive to how my finger muscles know to move.

The boss battles are really hard, probably too hard for my experience level with controllers and the type of games I normally play. (Usually keyboard and mouse, very forgiving time constraints.)


A difficulty adjustment aside from disabling the SP and HP systems.

• Item menu behavior options: Time passes while in inventory, Inventory disabled (and auto-closed) when in combat, Time frozen in inventory.
  
• Longer telegraphs from enemies
  
• longer player I-frames, etc.
  
• Adjustable enemies attack strength (HP change; Probably (haven't used this mode) expands the current accessibility option from Disabled / On to an enemy attack scalar)
  
• Adjustable SP is use for actions (expands the current accessibility option from Disabled / On to a cost range)

I'm not exactly sure where 'super casual' gamer difficulty is, and I suspect that people even older (and maybe much younger) than I would need even more forgiving settings.

The accessibility options outlined above could be simplified (and examples shown) but preset profiles that explain the intended audience. Individual settings should be customizable (and fork to a custom profile). It would also be nice to support multiple players (E.G. kids / parents / etc) by saving profile names.

I still recommend the game, because even if it's too hard right now, those accessibility options exist to use after the player gets stuck.

Finally, something to fill in for my lack of a Linux compatible city simulator game. It's not quite the same thing, but the ability to play with friends makes it fun in other ways.

I hear the controls are just as non-intuitive under Windows.