David Treharne
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
Pirate Pop Plus is the kind of game I see myself going back to for a brief five or ten-minute session, and whilst this style of game is quite fittingly more appropriate for a mobile/portable system, I can see it occupying some dead time within my desktop experience as well. You might think it lacks variety or depth, but then I would put forward the argument that this isn’t what the game is trying to do. Give it a try; for the price I think it’s well worth a shot at the very least!
Lost Sea certainly has a charm; it’s a short and basic premise that opts for clarity and simplicity over length and detail, which for a roguelike, works perfectly. Lost Sea gives you simple controls and simple mechanics, but changes their flavour in each new area, increasing the difficulty slowly over the period of the game. The developer is considering a patch for allowing save game states, meaning you can put the game down after a quick session, and return to your character to continue their quest later, which is my biggest qualm with the game. Otherwise, it’s a reasonably priced roguelike that does some things great, some things not-so great, but holistically levels out to be a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre. If you can overcome some initial frustration with the mechanics to find your own unique way of dealing with them through adapting your playstyle, then you’re going to have a good game you can revisit for some quick fixes when you find yourself in the mood.
You might remember a character or two, you’ll have your favourites, and might find your new Waifu in the cast, but generally speaking, most people (even fans of Dynasty Warrior style button-masher fighters) would be best avoiding the title altogether, unless it’s on sale for a pretty low price. That said, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying this Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus as a little bit of a guilty pleasure, devouring it of its value, and moving onto your next fix; just don’t expect anything more than that. Keep in mind it’s a port of a game that was designed for handhelds, and you won’t be disappointed.
Despite its problematic narrative, Shadwen is a very unique game that breathes new life into a genre that hasn’t seen much development in a while. The last time I had such a fun and interesting time with a stealth game was Dishonored. Shadwen carefully designs and organises at every turn; every piece of the environment is deliberate, purposeful, and interesting. The graphics hold up nicely, with a sort of clay/smudged look that works well with the Medieval theme, and reminds me very much of Dishonored/Thief in visual style. If you can ignore the brief moments where the A.I. hiccups, and slightly messy controls/movement (which can be forgiven since you can rewind any mistakes!), then I can highly recommend Shadwen to anyone who considers themselves a lover of the stealth genre – especially for its low price.