Recent reviews by Fadingfool

A strange JRPG - with almost dating sim overtones (though purely PG). Simple choices made all the way though can really change your ending and even whether you play through the last dungeons. Had both the bad ending (well not really bad but could be better) and the golden ending and did really enjoy some of the conversation choices and reactions. Combat gets a bit samey but a poor choice can one shot kill you so does need a little thought in some situations. Going to try Persona 5 next......

Whilst a bit linear at times this is a great little real time tactical TDS. Similar to Dawn of War when you are only controlling one squad. The atmosphere and pacing keep your anxiety levels up and the noise of the tracker will haunt your mind after an extended play through. Sometimes individual squad members don't do exactly what you wish and the path they pick can be a disaster - adds a little realism given the stupid actions of the characters in the movies.

Linear young witch (Koldun) story with some roll playing elements, demon management (chorts) and a card based (spell pages) combat system. A lot or lore is included as you go along on your journey and some choices have consequences later. Graphics are simplistic but suitable and the music really helps with the atmosphere of the game. Worth at least playing through once though I did need to reduce the difficulty for some battles as I did not have the spells available to compete (need to consider the spell combinations a bit more).

After the return to sanity (threat of forced PSN linking has been removed - well done Helldivers) I can now thoroughly recommend this co-op shooter. Well paced, good progression and a real feeling of achievement after another narrow escape with hordes of enemies over-running your extraction point puts a smile on your face every time. The accidental team kills, elimination by falling enemy corpses, miss-thrown grenades and stratagems are the source of genuine belly laughs and so far the randoms I have played with have been helpful and fun. Been away since the metabuild issues - hopefully now have a bit more stability.

Well that passed a few hours of time. After getting the game as a part of the humble choice monthly games subscription I have completed the first run through. Certainly worth the one month's subscription fee but I couldn't recommend it at full price. I think my main criticism was the lack of real interaction with your companions outside of their own quest story lines - aside from when they first join the party they have no "life" outside of your interactions, no continued squabbling, loving or banter between them. The combat was fine, RPG elements were a little linear and exploration limited in scope. Pretty enough game just lacking a little in substance (if you compare it to something like Ultima V whilst the graphics and sound are better the world building, character progression, interaction with companions and NPCs and even the magic system and turned based combat don't even come close FYI Ultima V was released in 1988).

I've played through to the current story end and I have enjoyed the 30 hours or so it has taken me. Bit of a fourth wall breaking moment at the end (and at least one in game) but generally a nice slow paced space game. Docking is easy enough, combat is reminiscent of Freelancer (but on a PC below the recommended specs) and trade is non-existent except for weapons and defensive mods. There are a few glitches - HUD loses the Icons for your special weapons, menu screens lose focus and you either need to back out or switch between mouse and keyboard and controller. Music and sounds are atmospheric but the voice acting needs a bit more polish. Not quite as good as Rebel Galaxy Outlaw and not as pretty and in depth as Elite dangerous but has a more pick up and play simple charm than the latter.

There seems to be a lot of hate for this compilation of old arcade games - some justified (e.g. why you can't pick and chose the games you want) and some that wouldn't bother everyone. The interface is a bit clunky in places (quitting the game is unnecessarily long winded - but that is just a Capcom trait) - but overall it has a nice aesthetic that could do with a few improvements (e.g. the original Arcade cabinet designs would be nice - though may be region specific). So far I am enjoying my time with the first pack - I'll hold off buying packs 2 and 3 until I have played some more.

Shall I compare this game to a stone or compare it to a plant? Or is this game not a stone or a plant? Are you happy as a stone not to chose to play this game or should I make you unhappy by planting my demands that you play this game?
Or will you suffer the freedom of choice? But I have chosen to play this game and by such action have chosen for all.
I do not regret what I have done.

After 60 hours spread across a few years I've finally got to the end of Tales of Berseria (my first "Tales of" game). So first the bad - the combat can be a bit repetitive and some of the wandering through the fairly linear story seems to be space filler rather than an opportunity to find something useful. Still here? Then the good: a fairly decent story of all devouring revenge and the imperfections of the human condition. Combat is a bit button mashy (though you do get to play with the type of attacks your mashing accomplishes) and frequently there is so much going on it is hard to keep track of where you character is. If you like JRPGs then yes give Tales of Berseria a go but do beware of "Terror Island" - I still have nightmares........

Unfortunately I haven't been able to get this game to work over the last few months - even after clean installs and trying all the advice online. So when I did get to play it it was fun but not a patch on the previous Saints' Rows.