Recent reviews by Fuzzydude64

I've played Episodes 1-3 before this and this one is where it becomes clear that not much is actually being done to shake up or refine this series' formula. I had a decent time with the previous ones, though I did have some hiccups because these games will make you do an obnoxious amount of waiting around to try again if you die. There are checkpoints, but they're a bit too sparse to maintain the mood.
A few things they do well in this series are overall ambiance and I enjoy the retro aesthetic for horror. The "humans are the only real monsters" concept also works well. They could stand to have better flashlights (no, most flashlights do not stop after 10 feet. stop having ♥♥♥♥ flashlights, video games) and while I understand the point of the simple tasks and chores for game-play between scares, it could stand more depth or variety.

Like I said, Ironbark is where the cracks are starting to show. It's okay as far as task variety goes between gauging environment data recordings and checking out campsites, but these games seem to be pretty afraid or unwilling to step outside the very short narrative to offer any surprises. Key example being they give you bear mace and it does absolutely nothing- it has no purpose and has no effect on the environment, story progression, nor any effect on the big bad. Sure, maybe that wasn't part of the story this game is based on, but this is a video game. You put it there and you knew I would try it, so to see it do nothing is pretty disappointing. Not even an alternate ending. No, the mask will not protect him from bear mace. His eyes are very exposed, this ♥♥♥♥ would completely blind him and cause excruciating pain and immediate swelling even through a very small opening. Bear mace is meant to deter an adult bear in attack mode, if it so much as touches person's skin or is even inhaled, you're out of commission. This is stupid and frankly feels lazy.

By this point you'll also notice that these games really only have two types of active scares: random NPCs appearing behind you with a dramatic sting for an obvious fake-out and a short chase-sequence at the end. They really waste the ambiance they set up throughout as there's almost never any actual threat outside very telegraphed points. This is just a worse Firewatch. If you're easily scared, this will probably do it for you, but this one isn't for me. It's a 3/5 for me.

I don't doubt you guys can do better than this. You can step up your game, guys, I believe in you.

Shot some squirrels, made my wife a fur coat, did unspeakable things in a shady shack and met god. The experiences this man puts into the world are nuts.

This game non-game isn't even a game. Why are you reading reviews? Go outside.


Seriously though, this experience is the endgame manifestation of those silly flash games from my school days that told you repeatedly told you not to press a button and then chastised you for doing so. There Is No Game takes that concept and crafts an engaging story around it with a narrator that who both chastises and praises you at all the right times. My only gripe is one chapter themed around a lootbox parody. This satire manages to be as infuriating as real MTX systems (undoubtedly the point however) but I can forgive it for this because the humor still carries it so well for me.

I highly recommend it if you like doing things because you were told not to or point n' click-esque adventures for a laugh.

John Carpenter's The Thing but actually good unlike that game from the 90's. It's not very often you see games that let you play the monster and emphasize the horror element at the same time, bu Carrion not only does it in stride but knows just how to make your monster into an unstoppable force without actually being one. Just the right balance of difficulty, horror, power, and freedom of play style. I'm left wanting more, like an insatiable hunger- not unlike our gory beast.