BigBlueWolf
10.1 hours, 8.5/10
18 of 19 achievements
Backlog Update - Batch 25
I finally got the itch to delve into my library again and hauled out several titles that I’ve owned for many years and well as a few recent purchases.
Happy Spring, everyone!
Beaten: 2-Mar-2019
Click the "Steam Review" tag!
Click the "Steam Review" tag!
Beaten: 16-Feb-2019
This is a short game based on the true story of 'Pier Gerlofs Donia', a towering man (~ 7 ft/2.1 m) who led a rebellion in the Netherlands to protect his people and family. That being said it's definitely a light version of the early part of his story, follows a linear chapter sequence of goals, and the game mechanics are pretty thin. Basically talk to people to get the story and move around with a mouse and attack with either left (sword) or right (melee) clicks. Attacking is not precise, but easy to get the hang of. The game is not challenging in any respect although there's a few points where you might get overwhelmed running into a crowd of soldiers. I wouldn't recommend this to serious gamers. But for easy-please types and cheevos, it's a mildly amusing way to spend a few hours.
This is a short game based on the true story of 'Pier Gerlofs Donia', a towering man (~ 7 ft/2.1 m) who led a rebellion in the Netherlands to protect his people and family. That being said it's definitely a light version of the early part of his story, follows a linear chapter sequence of goals, and the game mechanics are pretty thin. Basically talk to people to get the story and move around with a mouse and attack with either left (sword) or right (melee) clicks. Attacking is not precise, but easy to get the hang of. The game is not challenging in any respect although there's a few points where you might get overwhelmed running into a crowd of soldiers. I wouldn't recommend this to serious gamers. But for easy-please types and cheevos, it's a mildly amusing way to spend a few hours.
Beaten: 16-Feb-2019
If you know the character and loved the movies, this game is for you. While it pre-dates the films, everyone's favorite costumed smart-ass with a case of the healz is in top form here. You, "The Player", get to be a part of Deadpool's videogame that he has sorta blackmailed a Hollywood producer into helping him create. Along the way you get to kick -- and shake, and slap -- some serious booty in Arkham-style combat while living out some of D's fantasies including bitch-slapping Wolverine, trying not to be bored by Cable, rescuing a damsel-in-distress (Rogue) and thwarting the evil plot of Mr. Sinister. You are accompanied by swords, guns, grenades and the voices in Deadpool's head trying to keep him from getting too far off track. The results are hilarious. I don't think I've had a superhero brawler make me bust out laughing as many times as this game did.
The unfortunate punch line is that Deadpool is not available in the Steam store any longer, so you only get to catch this joyride if you already own it. And if you do, what are you waiting for? The world needs laughter these days. Play it now!
If you know the character and loved the movies, this game is for you. While it pre-dates the films, everyone's favorite costumed smart-ass with a case of the healz is in top form here. You, "The Player", get to be a part of Deadpool's videogame that he has sorta blackmailed a Hollywood producer into helping him create. Along the way you get to kick -- and shake, and slap -- some serious booty in Arkham-style combat while living out some of D's fantasies including bitch-slapping Wolverine, trying not to be bored by Cable, rescuing a damsel-in-distress (Rogue) and thwarting the evil plot of Mr. Sinister. You are accompanied by swords, guns, grenades and the voices in Deadpool's head trying to keep him from getting too far off track. The results are hilarious. I don't think I've had a superhero brawler make me bust out laughing as many times as this game did.
The unfortunate punch line is that Deadpool is not available in the Steam store any longer, so you only get to catch this joyride if you already own it. And if you do, what are you waiting for? The world needs laughter these days. Play it now!
Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator
Beaten
Extra Playthrough
10.1 hours, 8.5/10
18 of 19 achievements
Super dad-blast
Beaten: 12-Feb-2019
When it comes to visual novel/dating sims it's probably a good idea to be unusual (think Hatoful Boyfriend) to interest would-be players. So what about making a gay-themed sim that doesn't lean heavily on stereotypes and features heart-warming, feel-good wish fulfillment without being crass, pretentious or boring? That would be this game, which manages to take you and the best daughter you could ever imagine through a series of fun-filled social engagements.
You are Amanda's dad. And you've just moved into a home in a cozy cul-de-sac neighborhood that has several other single dads looking to make friends, hang out, and maybe more. In between unpacking and dealing with your daughter's teen-age senior-year anxieties, you cross paths with the guys in a variety of activities aimed at getting you out of the house to have fun. You also cross paths with the other dads' kids as they scope you out and decide if they like you or not. The intersecting plots here aren't terribly deep, but each of the dads has distinct personalities and interests. What could be an opportunity for two-dimensional portrayals and over-the-top sappiness is instead full of remarkably well-written characters with nuance and at times unexpected depth. They are definitely idealized and don't ever allude to the difficulties real gay and bi men face in public -- but hey it's part of the fantasy. And while it's definitely an adult game, it plays like a light-hearted rom-com; the banter between the characters is charming with some wonderfully funny twists and cultural references and zero politics or other heavy subject matter.
Also to be found: various silly and super-easy minigames. A few hidden possibilities of dying in embarrassing ways. A secret (non-canon, horror movie!) ending that you can unlock -- check the guides for it. The game is also full of more dad jokes than you can possibly imagine, but that's a good thing!
Yeah, it was fun. I played through each ending and was not disappointed by any of them. :)
When it comes to visual novel/dating sims it's probably a good idea to be unusual (think Hatoful Boyfriend) to interest would-be players. So what about making a gay-themed sim that doesn't lean heavily on stereotypes and features heart-warming, feel-good wish fulfillment without being crass, pretentious or boring? That would be this game, which manages to take you and the best daughter you could ever imagine through a series of fun-filled social engagements.
You are Amanda's dad. And you've just moved into a home in a cozy cul-de-sac neighborhood that has several other single dads looking to make friends, hang out, and maybe more. In between unpacking and dealing with your daughter's teen-age senior-year anxieties, you cross paths with the guys in a variety of activities aimed at getting you out of the house to have fun. You also cross paths with the other dads' kids as they scope you out and decide if they like you or not. The intersecting plots here aren't terribly deep, but each of the dads has distinct personalities and interests. What could be an opportunity for two-dimensional portrayals and over-the-top sappiness is instead full of remarkably well-written characters with nuance and at times unexpected depth. They are definitely idealized and don't ever allude to the difficulties real gay and bi men face in public -- but hey it's part of the fantasy. And while it's definitely an adult game, it plays like a light-hearted rom-com; the banter between the characters is charming with some wonderfully funny twists and cultural references and zero politics or other heavy subject matter.
Also to be found: various silly and super-easy minigames. A few hidden possibilities of dying in embarrassing ways. A secret (non-canon, horror movie!) ending that you can unlock -- check the guides for it. The game is also full of more dad jokes than you can possibly imagine, but that's a good thing!
Yeah, it was fun. I played through each ending and was not disappointed by any of them. :)
Beaten: 24-Feb-2019
An interesting action/puzzle adventure. You are an intelligent combat suit attempting to protect the unconscious human inside you after crash-landing into an unfamiliar base where the other AIs appear to be malfunctioning. Short but with good voice-acting and visuals, the game has really odd, clunky controls. While there isn't a lot of combat, when it happens these controls make it a sub-par experience and the big boss fight at the end really hard to manage and thus artificially difficult. But the overall story is pretty good. It will require two play-throughs to get all achievements.
Good short game if you are looking for something quick and can get it on sale.
An interesting action/puzzle adventure. You are an intelligent combat suit attempting to protect the unconscious human inside you after crash-landing into an unfamiliar base where the other AIs appear to be malfunctioning. Short but with good voice-acting and visuals, the game has really odd, clunky controls. While there isn't a lot of combat, when it happens these controls make it a sub-par experience and the big boss fight at the end really hard to manage and thus artificially difficult. But the overall story is pretty good. It will require two play-throughs to get all achievements.
Good short game if you are looking for something quick and can get it on sale.
Beaten: 24-Feb-2019
Yes, it's the third installment of Hexcells, that re-imagining of Minesweeper but much more strategy-focused. The only caveat is that this outing didn't grab me the way the first two did because there wasn't anything new beyond the random puzzle generator (the "infinite" part of the game), and many of the advanced puzzles forced me into guessing. That made the game frustrating. In the previous titles I think I only ever had to look up a solution once, maybe twice. In this game once into "World Three" and above it was very common to run into a situation where there didn't seem to be enough clues available to predict the position of a cell.
Still fun. Just a bit of a letdown. Also there is a new achievement. Play 60 of the randomly generated games. I played a few but ... nah.
Yes, it's the third installment of Hexcells, that re-imagining of Minesweeper but much more strategy-focused. The only caveat is that this outing didn't grab me the way the first two did because there wasn't anything new beyond the random puzzle generator (the "infinite" part of the game), and many of the advanced puzzles forced me into guessing. That made the game frustrating. In the previous titles I think I only ever had to look up a solution once, maybe twice. In this game once into "World Three" and above it was very common to run into a situation where there didn't seem to be enough clues available to predict the position of a cell.
Still fun. Just a bit of a letdown. Also there is a new achievement. Play 60 of the randomly generated games. I played a few but ... nah.
Beaten: 15-Feb-2019
A short and interesting little puzzle game that isn't terribly challenging once you get the basic goal down for each of types you are presented. Basically, flip and move different pieces on the face of an object until all lines or shapes are connected and contained within its surfaces. Neat concept. Could have been much more challenging.
A short and interesting little puzzle game that isn't terribly challenging once you get the basic goal down for each of types you are presented. Basically, flip and move different pieces on the face of an object until all lines or shapes are connected and contained within its surfaces. Neat concept. Could have been much more challenging.
Beaten: 23-Feb-2019
This horror title delivers big on visuals and atmosphere, even if it's short and relatively easy. The story isn't exactly clear as to why the little boy(?) you play is in this hellish place, but it is clear that survival is the top priority or risk getting killed by the other inhabitants or environmental hazards. The puzzles here are mostly about figuring out how to get to the next area or the right sequence of actions to avoid getting caught when pursued. But where are you trying to get to? And what do you hope to do once you get there? Those questions never really come up. That puts the game in the same narrative space as titles like LIMBO and INSIDE.
This can be a lot of fun when the game is offering a combination of puzzle solving and stealth to remain unobserved. But when there's a lot of "mini-parkour" action or precisely timed jumps the controller actions feel sloppy. The alignment of the camera in the 2.5D space makes this worse by distorting perspective in ways that can make you think you're moving directly toward something you need to interact with and then miss the critical timing to interact with it because your depth perception is off. This mars the experience by failing at something that seems like it should be simple. Re-spawning is also problematic. If you die you'll be sent back to the start of the room you are in, but quitting to the menu and then continuing the game can set you back several rooms you will then have to re-play. I'm not certain what purpose this serves. About the only place you know you won't lose ground is the beginning of each chapter.
If you aren't put off by the controller issues, this game is a great distraction for a few hours.
This horror title delivers big on visuals and atmosphere, even if it's short and relatively easy. The story isn't exactly clear as to why the little boy(?) you play is in this hellish place, but it is clear that survival is the top priority or risk getting killed by the other inhabitants or environmental hazards. The puzzles here are mostly about figuring out how to get to the next area or the right sequence of actions to avoid getting caught when pursued. But where are you trying to get to? And what do you hope to do once you get there? Those questions never really come up. That puts the game in the same narrative space as titles like LIMBO and INSIDE.
This can be a lot of fun when the game is offering a combination of puzzle solving and stealth to remain unobserved. But when there's a lot of "mini-parkour" action or precisely timed jumps the controller actions feel sloppy. The alignment of the camera in the 2.5D space makes this worse by distorting perspective in ways that can make you think you're moving directly toward something you need to interact with and then miss the critical timing to interact with it because your depth perception is off. This mars the experience by failing at something that seems like it should be simple. Re-spawning is also problematic. If you die you'll be sent back to the start of the room you are in, but quitting to the menu and then continuing the game can set you back several rooms you will then have to re-play. I'm not certain what purpose this serves. About the only place you know you won't lose ground is the beginning of each chapter.
If you aren't put off by the controller issues, this game is a great distraction for a few hours.
Beaten: 15-Mar-2019
Click the "Steam Review" tag!
Click the "Steam Review" tag!
Beaten: 20-Feb-2019
It's a platformer, yes, and a short and mildly challenging one at that. But the intriguing thing about this game is how the well the narrator brings to life to the thoughts and feelings of this motley assortment of rectangles. Thomas may start off alone, but as he encounters other denizens of his spare, digital world they form bonds and together mature and find a purpose for their existence. It's a charming and funny story with hidden depths... and lots and lots of jumping. Definitely a surprise favorite.
It's a platformer, yes, and a short and mildly challenging one at that. But the intriguing thing about this game is how the well the narrator brings to life to the thoughts and feelings of this motley assortment of rectangles. Thomas may start off alone, but as he encounters other denizens of his spare, digital world they form bonds and together mature and find a purpose for their existence. It's a charming and funny story with hidden depths... and lots and lots of jumping. Definitely a surprise favorite.
tsupertsundere
What a lovely spread of games!!
I’ll keep what you said about Little Nightmares’ controls in mind when I eventually play it - that does sound frustrating.
Would it be okay if I linked your Dream Daddy review in my visual novel masterlist?
BigBlueWolf
Go for it! :)
RikkiUW
I beat Talos Principle VR fairly recently. I enjoyed it but got tired of it at the end and am putting off beating the DLC. I was getting bored towards the end, and you hit exactly why. The puzzles are good but do get repetitive, but also beyond some vague hints it’s not explained well why you’re doing them. The star puzzles often involve multiple puzzles or exist outside of puzzle rooms but I generally found those ones too difficult to figure out. The ending was good but kind of predictable too, which is unfortunate. Have you played the DLC? Is it any good?
BigBlueWolf
I started it. Instead of sigils you are freeing other trapped AIs before the system shuts down per the main game’s canonical ending. The rooms design and elements are same, and there’s a new story on the computer terminals about the AIs who are trapped in this part of the simulation. Looks like there are 20-ish new rooms to solve spread over 4 VR worlds. I needed a break so I stopped after solving my first room.
Trent
Hmm, a couple of games I’ve played and a couple of games I’d like to play. :)
- I liked Cross of the Dutchman probably slightly more than you, but your review is fair. It’s a nice casual game.
- Thomas Was Alone was fantastic as a puzzle-platformer and a nice little story. Also, it was my first SG win more than four years ago! :)
- The Fall, Hexcells, and Little Nightmares all look good (for pretty different reasons). I own all but Little Nightmares.
- The Talos Principle (w/DLC) was one of the finalists as I tried to decide what game to take on this month with a little extra gaming time. It’s interesting what you say about it being a bit too long– that was kind of the feeling I got as I looked into it, that it might be a bit too much of a good thing. It remains in the backlog, but I was impressed by how it did in the poll I posed to the SG community.
BigBlueWolf
Agreed on Thomas! :)
Talos… Yeah I can see why people like it, but it does drag out. I was initially hesitant to play it as well. I had a vague feeling I wouldn’t be as impressed with it as the reviews let on. Turns out the game play was good, but I guess I needed to space out play sessions with it more. To be honest the reason I chose to do it was because Talos and Alien were among the last unplayed oldies in my backlog that pre-dated joining SteamGifts.
If I had taken your poll I probably also would have went with Bioshock, but the next two would have been The Witcher 2 and Mad Max. All three are excellent games!
Well done mate, that’s an impressive list of games. How long did it take you to beat them all?
Thanks! Approximately 114 hours. Alien and Talos were the heavies at around 30 hours each. I didn’t include time spent playing Arkham City where I cleaned up a few left-over side quests from several years ago and did Harley Quinn’s Revenge DLC. :D
Oh well naturally, just adding up the hours :P but how many days/weeks/months does it take you to rack up all those hours?
With this group of games I did them in about 5-6 weeks. Pretty fast. When I start a game I typically find it hard to put it aside until I’ve finished it or determined it’s no longer fun to play.
Ah okay, that actually turns out to be a pretty reasonable amount of hours per week. I see people posting long batches of games completed and think that I’d never be able to do that, but the actual time it takes is pretty manageable.
I’m much the same on that front! I really don’t like having too many unfinished games floating around at once - it bothers me. You’ve done exceptionally well to get the Unfinished category down to 0% !!
This comment was deleted about 5 years ago.