Recent reviews by HikiGhostie

It's a cute game... No really, its cute...

Ok, now to never sleep again.

There's not alot of games that can compare to Dragon's Dogma. With its intruiging combat, vast open world and the mediaval "old-world" atmosphere, it really hooks you in and creates some spectacular moments in-game. It's offering to the traditional RPG genre of allowing up to three "Pawns" - one of which is of your own creation (looking at you creative types to create your own weird and wonderful companion) to journey with you.

Now granted this game is not for the casual gamer out there who wants to polish off a title in a few hours. The RPG elements, while being simple enough, demands more than a cursory glance, multiply that by the number of members in your party, and it does eat up time. However, given enough love and attention, your choice of Pawns and the way you develop your character will allow you to take on beasts of various sizes and strengths - another interesting offering from this game is that size plays a part in how the game is played. Unfortunately not easily explained in-game, the size of the enemy and characters affect stamina (similar to monster hunter), how hard you hit and even hit boxes.

NPC chratcters that have significnce to the protagonist's story are slightly on the sparse side, though characterisation and their accent's match the theme of the world. Quests start of being interesting, but the charm quickly fades, with interesting moments being part of the main storyline and through the interesting enconters that the player comes across.

The expansion that came with this title adds a "super dungeon" which adds a whole new plethora of items, monster types, bosses and special skills. The addition to the story lore is clear, well explained and enforces your character's role in the game. While difficult, it does add veterans a welcome challenge while new arrivals to the game are rewarded for their guts and ingenuity in tackling what the dungeon throws at them.

Overall, this game is great and if there was ever a sequel, I sincerely hope that they build upon this game's many strengths and polish its rough edges out. If you're a fan of RPG and Fantasy, I would highly recomend this game. Those who like action and overcoming challenges (of which this game has a time attack mode), but it on sale - you won't be dissapointed.

If you loved the classic Fallout 1 and 2, you'll thoroughly enjoy this game. The post-apocalyptic setting was masterfully executed - not too recently ruined, just enough that civilisation is attempting to rise from the ravages of a bygone age. The characters you meet are colourfull and interesting enough to entertain but still maintain that seriousness that forged survivors need to continue living.

Combat is satisfying, its simple and straightforward. It does encourages specialisation, but with a party of 4-6 rangers, you can cover for each character's weaknesses. There's also the custom character option which is nicely implimented, with option to choose from a set of pre-made kooky characters to wander the wastes. The skill system is gratifying - you'll get that wide grin when you realise that one skill that you first thought off as useless, (Toaster Repair... Seriously?!?!) suddenly has relevance when you encounter it.

Only downside to such a good game is the length. Its a solid 10 hours if you like to explore and immerse yourself on the story, possibly less than double that amount if you explore all the nools and cranies of the game. But ultimately, it leaves you wanting more - In a good way mind you. Wild West post-apocalyptic Rangers never sounded so cool, untill now.

It was suprisingly good. Im not an avid fan of these types of games but I believe that the makers of this game have really managed to put allot of thought and love into it. The artwork is good - not the best, but it was done to the standard that impressed nonetheless. The choices were interesting and the story took interesting turns. It had me tense and full of suspence at times, and laughing till my sides hurt at others. I liked the fact that there were difficult choices that had to be made, but I did notice that there was a "prefered" path for players to take.

Thats where the gameplay sets in. Its very good - for a pure strategy game, it has its draws. However, the difficulty was the main issue that persisted throughout the game. The curve was cruel at times, and merciless at others. That is not to say that it was imposssible, but perhaps introducing hirable mercenaries in the beginning would help? Otherwise, more interative ways to earn funds would be most welcome (It would also add variety to gameplay).

Overall, a very satisfying experience. I hope that many future games of this genre look to Sunrider : Mask of Arcadius for inspiration, and I await the next intallment with baited breath.

It's fast, it's stylish, suprisingly tactical and is only limited by player skill. Warframe brings to the table most new -era games have lost - focus on player entertainment through challenge and innovation. It won't hold your hand and it can be merciless at times, but it's a game that many people return to time and time again. The gameplay is slick, offering parkour elements to a stable and well-intigrated FPS-style combat. With the addition of Melee 2.0, the game opens up even more avenues to chanllenge players. Never has the relinquishing on ranged combat been a handicap to players - the game fosters teamwork and encourages different "Tenno" with their warframe suits to cover each other's weaknesses.

The customisation is extensive and really diversifies gameplay for each individual. Different "mods" can affect weapons, companions, pets, and even the warframe itself in new and exciting ways. The new modes being updated regularly (Seriously, this game gets updated in a span of a handful of months, compared to most Tripple A games where a small update would take nearly a year to be implimented.) The addition of the Archwing system will blow minds, from new players to old veterans - Zero G Space Combat anyone?

Given, the micro transaction system really needs to be toned down. But I can understand why its there - there is ways to obtain items without relying on real money, but it does take a while. Perhaps, lowering the prices would draw in more players. The graphics are amazing and smooth, enemy design is varied enough (within three main factions). Plus, the warframes themselves are distinct and they uniquely stand on their own in any combat situation. Give it a go, I dare you to enjoy this marvelous (and free) game.

Fus Ro DUH! It's obvious why its great... Vikings-ish. Fighting. Dragons... Vikings-ish. Fighting. Dragons... Vikings-ish. Fighting. Dragons... (you get the idea)

But seriously, its a big open world to explore, theres a wealth of quests to do. Game mechanics are pretty solid and most importantly its fun and engaging enough that you'll feel that you got your money's worth with this game. However, its not perfect; the glitches (I mean come on... Its a Bethesda game - Fallout 3 anyone?), the handholding, and the dissapointing "Join the Stormcloaks. No join Imperials" story element... *sigh*
But overall its a great game really, Bethesda is showing us the extent of next-gen games and I personally await with baited breath on their next realease.

If you complain too much about zombie games either as being too simplified of a shooter or too complicated like an RPG, then this game is a perfect balance of simplicity and complexity. Managing a group of survivors has never been so intruiging and every loss always afects your little community in some negative (maybe positive?) way. Controls are straightforward and combat is gratifying. Never has smashing three zombies' head felt so badass... Especially when one of those kills was from a dropkick to the head.

Noise and light come into effect, which adds tension and atmosphere when scavaging. Theres a balance of just how much a player can chew (Excuse the pun) before a ravenous horde of flesh eating, freaks tear the character limb from limb and gorge on your remains. Did I mention that its permanent deaths in this game? No? Well it is, and it adds again to that fearful balancing act between the need for resources, and the need to stay alive.

The only gripe I have is the dissapointing lack of randomised maps wthin the game. Sure there's more game modes which changes the mix every now and then, but it really limits the game's replayability. Overall, a very good, challenging - if not long-lived, game. Sink your teeth into it zombie affectionados!

Great game, it has all the traits of the old classics and then some more. AI is sufficiently sophisticated enough to pose a challenge and it takes awhile if anyone wants to learn patterns and actions, but by that time you couldve already lost!

Theres a comprehensive progression system and the funding that you get from countries is genious. However, one gripe would be the way teams are made, its easy to get attached to one primary team, especially mid-game. Perhaps more varied extra missions could encourage more variety.

The difficulty curve may be harsh at first, but I believe that it adds to the story - hopelessly out-gunned and out performed. Then gradually, bit by bit, taking the fight back to the aliens and finnaly winning. Just give it a go, it will not dissapoint.