Recent reviews by chu

This game does a good job of creating an atmosphere of hopelessness and the references to timeless authoritarian regimes are repeatedly bashed over your head. That same feeling translates to gameplay, however, because none of my actions seem to have an impact. The game gives you too many options, many of which are not adequately explained, but I never seem to get anywhere before the next chapter cuts off my plans. So it simply becomes a game of managing your stats to make sure you don't fall below a certain threshold and wait it out until you trigger the next act.

Hopefully someone comes up with a better version.

The art style was nice and smooth and the concept of unlocking costumes with different parts was neat. However, this game was a grind without much variety. Outside of battles you're just combing the map for candy or treasure. The battles are repetitive with no strategy besides attack (though occasionally a boss would be easier to beat with certain abilities equipped). Several costumes have similar attacks. There are clearly stamps that were more useful than others. When you beat an area, you move on to the next one and the same formula is applied. There are some puzzles but they're not too difficult if you just brute-force them.

I was hoping this would be at least a relaxing game for multi-tasking, but the battles require your attention to time attacks and defenses. Overall, it's not that this game is terrible. It's just not worth the time you'll put into it. Save your time and play another game.

I don't regret purchasing Crusader Kings II. Even though the game is now several years old, the breadth of DLC and new things to explore continues to keep me involved in the game.