Recent reviews by Ehbean

I went into this game not really expecting what I ended up getting. I figured that I was buying a rat themed romp through a tiny world, but Small Saga was so much more than that.

While the game itself isn't large (rather apt if you ask me), the story is well written and impactful. The writing is wonderful. The amount of love and care that was poured into the game can be seen in all the details. From the weapons used by the protagonists of the game, the ensemble of characters that you discover, the world building. It's just all there. I've not laughed or cracked a smile at a game in the way this game has in a long time. The goofy moments perfectly balance the more intense moments that made me feel genuine unease to some of the characters and moments.

The art and music in the game also slap. Music in the game is varied. I never got tired of it and it elevated several points of action or drama. Bagpipes always get the mood right.

Early on I did feel that combat was a bit easy and could be easily tipped in the player's way, but I don't think that is a bad thing here. You are, afterall, a mouse with a straight-up knife. It makes sense that it would be easy to win a fight with that. As the game went on, I got more comfortable with the fights being set as they are, but man. The bosses in the game are fantastic. You can really see how the combat can be quite challenging at times in some of the final fights.

All in all, I would highly recommend picking up Small Saga. It is a wonderful little story that packs a punch.

This review is being posted a few months after I actually finished the game, but it's one of those games that I just cannot quite get out of my head. The sheer level of complexity in a game that revolves around something as grim as solving a murder is stunning.

A story of hate, love, depravity, change, failure, forgiveness, recidivism, abuse, addiction, rage, class struggle, politics, people and so much more all rolled into the most compelling characters that I've experienced in a game. The narration elevates this game to another level. Lenval Brown's voice and talent that he provided to this piece of art is one of my favorite parts. The writing pairs perfectly with his crispy, gravely voice.

The different aspects of the detective's personality in the Detective head provide wonderful commentary on the situations around you.

The music as well. Oh man. Sea Power also did an amazing job creating songs that convey and personify Revachol.

I cannot recommend this game enough. I sounds snoody to say that this game is a once in a lifetime kind of game, but I believe that it simply is.

You Go Fish! You Go Mad!

From what little I've played of the game so far, I've been enjoying it. I'll discuss some non-gameplay aspects of the game before going to the actual gameplay itself.

The stylized displays gives me a papercraft feeling with wonderfully vibrant colors that slots right into the feeling of the world. The colors pop and everything gives a warm feeling. The music was advertised as a live music performance and it is wonderfully done. The orchestra's work adds a mystique to many of the scenes, The Magican's Theme comes to mind.

The character writing is fantastic as well. The Comte is snarky in a way that you'd feel he is being polite to you, the mute has a level of personality despite being unable to verbally communicate. Other characters that you meet in the story speak in ways that ooze personality and frames them in the exact archetype that they were designed to be.

The gameplay, while difficult, is equally rewarding. It may just be me, but I can't help grin whenever I can finally figure out whatever cheat that you are using feels good. Sometimes the explanations can be a bit confusing, but that is the nature of a trick. You can't really watch to figure it out, and having the additional steps explained by the characters feels good.

It's a very brain-y game, and it can be confusing at times. I've seen people say that the game isn't for them and they are frustrated by it, which I can understand, but there is a difficulty slider. The game starts you on the intended difficulty, but you can go up one to have a harder story in which death is a legitimate concern. You can also go down a step and have more forgiving experience.

Overall, I would recommend the game.

Kickass Soundtrack. Amazing voices that fit perfectly in the setting. Mystery that isn't just aimless puzzles. Amazing visuals paired with fantastic environmental and audio storytelling.

Even if this game is currently in alpha is still feels really well built, the environment is well built to give that feeling of dread we all crave deep down inside.

This is a game that will chew you up and spit you out. You'll be on top of your game one moment, a full party of powerful heroes that you've grown attached to. Next moment someone bled to death, another gets skewed by some indescribable nightmare, another falls over dead from a heart attack, and the last hero just barely escapes. But all the death aside this is a fantastic game with a surprisingly deep lore, amazing art design and fantastic narration that ties the whole thing together in a horrific bow. All in all I would suggest this game to anybody that is looking for one that is challenging, but rewarding if you are willing to tough out the worst of times.

YOU CAN BE THE BOMB