Cyber Knights: Flashpoint – Impressions (semi-review)

Now, after spending about 30 hours in the deadly cyberpunk world of Cyber Knights: Flashpoint, I’m ready to write some impressions. I would rather do a full-blooded review, per usual, but the game is not complete, even after being released as 1.0. Call me autistic, but I think this should mean something, especially in this world of gaming when dubious Early Access releases are very common. I’m not calling Cyber Knights: Flashpoint “dubious”, far from it. Yet, it doesn’t change the fact that it was released unfinished, as I will show in screenshots after the jump. Other than that, it’s a good title for anyone who enjoys X-com-like games.

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Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India – Punjab Adventures

The Assassin’s Creed Chronicles continues with Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India. While it’s a better game on a technical, story and gameplay level, I’m not sure if I appreciated the added difficulty in the form of assassination immune units, multiple timed events, and forced stealth segments. Specifically the last one, which I think ruined a unique aspect of Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China. The mechanic that lets you continue despite your failures, but punishes you with a lower score. Now, that is still a thing, yet, way too many levels suffer from insta-restart if you make the tiniest mistake.

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Cyber Knights: Flashpoint 1.0 is out!

Finally, after years, and months of suffering, Cyber Knights: Flashpoint version 1.0 is here. Goodbye Early Access! I have already given it about six hours of my life, and my first impression: pretty damn good. However, it’s not without faults. I think going 3D should have come with a tad more polish concerning the visuals and animations. Characters can come across somewhat weird in a cartoony way, and when moving, it looks like agents and soldiers ice skate instead of walking. A little sloppy, unfortunately.

Two other issues are the alarm system for when going loud, which punish you with endless enemy reinforcements. Never liked these types of mechanics, even if I know why from a gameplay standpoint (to punish you for getting caught). The final problem (so far) is that initiative/turn-order is individual instead of being group based. It adds to the tedium when you have to make daring escapes, as it can be really hard to plan ahead. More in-depth first-impression coming soon (probably). Other than this, the game is fun, and the narrative device seems interesting as well. Check out the launch trailer below!

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More survival horror with Liminal Point

The craze for more indie survival horror games continues unabated with Liminal Point by the two-man developer team HideWorks. The game is far from release, being set to launch next year according to Steam. However, a five-minute trailer was recently released with uncut gameplay, which allows for a peek into the mechanics, and the setting.

From what I can tell from the gameplay shown, it will be a top-down isometric experience, with a striking looking female protagonist. Gameplay, and tone seems to be a blend of classic horror a la Resident Evil, accompanied by a psychological aspect much like Silent Hill 2. The combat also seems to be somewhat more involved than the usual survival horror title. Melee seems to be skill-based, requiring dodges and timing when to attack. Overall, things are looking very promising. Down below, you can take a look at the trailer yourself at the survivalhorrors channel.

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Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China – Mongol Prevention

It’s once again time to assassinate a bunch of folk. From people of history to the lowly unknown guards, just doing their boring job of walking back and forth, thinking about their life decisions. To eventually not change one thing, so the Templar-Assassin’s Brotherhood war can continue in perpetuity. Yep, I’m going into Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China a bit salty. It’s because of the drawn out modern-time plot of the Assassin’s Creed franchise that never seems to go anywhere. However, I’m pleased to say that the gameplay is top-notch, even if the story is a standard revenge type of thing, in the usual Assassin’s Creed manner.

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