Guest Post
This author account hasn't been claimed yet. To claim this account, please contact the outlet owner to request access.
Writing For
GameSpew Latest Reviews
All in all, Moon Hunters is a short, engaging game, innovative in its approach to replay value, with each subsequent playthrough increasing in depth and pleasure. But is it worth your time? It really depends on what you are looking for; those craving the usual high-strung brawls and firefights will not find solace here. Moon Hunters is a much subtler and artistically inclined video game, eschewing traditional concepts for something that at times does and does not deliver, but is ultimately deserving of praise and recognition.
Overall, Rory McIlroy PGA Tour certainly does have its good points. The tight mechanics and gameplay cannot be overlooked and EA certainly has made good on that ground. Is it as enjoyable as the previous titles? No. It lacks the depth which its predecessors possessed and as a result, you’re left with little will to return. Regardless, this is the first half-decent golfing game on the current gen consoles, and aside from the gimmicky Night Club Challenges and inclusion of Star Wars Battlefront-themed courses, Rory McIlroy PGA Tour offers a level of realism that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else right now. Hardcore fans of EA’s previous PGA titles may be a little disappointed at the comparative lack of content and the disappointing career mode, but despite its flaws, there’s still plenty of enjoyment to be had.
Mordheim: City of the Damned is a superbly well-crafted game that fully achieves what it sets out to do. The best, and most quotable, comparison I can make to sum it up would be XCOM by way of Dark Souls. It’s satisfying to play and it’ll give you wonderful stories with hours of gameplay. What more can you ask for? Now if you excuse me, I’m going to try and work up the nerve to take Squeekums and co into an online match.
Overall, Dropsy is funny and uplifting (for the most part) and it’s surprisingly challenging, while bringing an immersive experience and innovative gameplay. It does have some pitfalls like its hazy narrative and high frustration factor, but it’s great for those who enjoy an unorthodox adventure and for only £6.29 on Steam, it’s fairly cheap for what it has to offer.
Satellite Reign is a great game. It really is. I usually don’t buy into hype surrounding new games but this is really worth giving your attention to. If you are into strategy games or if you enjoy cyberpunk style environments, then this is the game for you. It may not be the most welcoming to those unfamiliar to the genre, but if you take your time it’s definitely worth the effort. The environments look beautiful, the controls are tight and the sheer amount of options you have for progression really makes this an interesting experience. Give it a go. You may just fall in love with it.
Very unusual for a video game, Magnetic: Cage Closed lacks a music soundtrack. Surprisingly, it actually pulls the game together, leaving you to focus on the puzzle itself without distracting you from the task at hand. The sounds of the environment around you make the situation very immersive. The only downside of the soundtrack is the main menu, which is very noisy and disruptive. It doesn’t fit with the storyline or atmosphere to the game.
Finally, the dialogue. I cannot describe how much I loved the dialogue in Shadowrun: Hong Kong. From Is0bel’s standoffish demeanour to Kindly Cheng’s evil but soothing tone, every conversation felt visceral, grounded in the world. The way the dialogue is presented paints a picture of every scene in the player’s head, thanks to its descriptive nature as well as the amazing character portraits that accompany the conversations. Compounding on this is the etiquette system, which gives unique dialogue options depending on the situation. For example, choosing the socialite etiquette gives unique options in social spaces. Unique dialogue options are also unlocked if certain karmic requirements are met (having level five in decking for example).
In the end The Swindle is an ambitious game that unfortunately just falls in at average. If you’re a die-hard fan of rogue-likes or if the premise sounds very interesting to you, it may be worth a purchase, as long as your expectations aren’t too high, otherwise it’s regrettably a game that can be passed over.
As to the downsides of Limbo? There aren’t that many. There isn’t much depth to the story and Playdead have clearly focused on the gameplay and creepy atmosphere of the game, so if you’re an RPG player that needs your fix for great storytelling, this game probably isn’t for you. Likewise, if you’re an FPS player that needs your octane thrills and explosive action to enjoy a game, Limbo is definitely not for you. If you’re interested in trying something a little different, or maybe taking your first foray into the mists of the indie genre, then this your game. Limbo isn’t particularly lengthy (unless you’re terrible like me) but it’s a shining gem in the indie genre, and with Playdead’s Inside (the spiritual successor to Limbo) coming out later in 2015, what better time to revisit where it all began?
For those who enjoy a challenging puzzle game that requires a good amount of thinking, then 0rbitalis is worth checking out. However, for the more casual gamer, the lack of any real instruction or tutorial coupled with the heavy reliance of trial and error may quickly become irritating. That said, the level editor offers good fun, and the gameplay can be rewarding for those willing to put in the time to figure it out.