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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My Top 10 Tactical Games (X-com-likes) on PC

Welcome to yet another top ten list! This time we are leaving the RPG genre behind and going straight for intense tactical combat in the form of X-com-likes, with the X-com games included. Specifically, this means: The games on this list must have some kind of base/camp management, where the player will upgrade, equip and recruit units for the campaign. The game must also involve tactical combat, with an overlaying strategic map where decisions are made like where to attack. And finally, the most important requirement: It must be sandbox-orientated—even if it has a story, where the deaths of soldiers, agents, or mercenaries don’t result in an instant game over.

The X-com genre is one of my absolute favorites. The gameplay is dynamic, has natural high tension thanks to permanent deaths, cool sense of progression, and sweet tactical action when tasks must be accomplished. But it’s not exactly a well-defined genre on its own. However, I will try to keep it in line with the original that started it all. With that said, let’s start the list with the most obvious entry:

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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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Phase Zero – Demo Impressions

I promise, I didn't mean to release the evil god!

There have been many survival horror games made in the style of Resident Evil, with crunchy PlayStation aesthetics. But most have felt lacking, not living up to the hard-to-reach legacy of the past. So, I’m glad to say, after giving the demo for Phase Zero a go, it shows true potential for the future, while feeling like survival horror from the golden era.

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