Tag: Impressions

NORSE: Oath of Blood – Demo Impressions

NORSE: Oath of Blood I have followed for a while, so this demo didn’t take me by surprise like Of Ash and Steel. However, the demo by itself is a surprise in how entertaining it felt, especially going by the atmosphere, writing, and the satisfying turn-based combat. A prerequisite is that you must like Vikings, as the setting is supposed to be as authentic as possible to them, according to the developers. No monsters, dragons, or zombies this time around, yet murderous slavers, and lunatic forest hermits can be unsettling enough!

Continue reading “NORSE: Oath of Blood – Demo Impressions” →

Of Ash and Steel – Demo Impressions

It’s rare, but sometimes it happens. That rare stumble upon a game that both has a fantastic demo, and a release date not set in the far future of 2035. Of Ash and Steel is this game, and after giving it three hours, I couldn’t help but give it two thumbs up! It’s an old-school RPG in the form of Risen—and trust me, I did the test. I swung my sword at the back of my host as thanks for nursing me back from death, and he promptly kicked my ass. But see, he didn’t kill me, he just knocked me out, called me something foul and took my bow as compensation. If that isn’t old-school “living-world” mechanics, I don’t know what is!

Continue reading “Of Ash and Steel – Demo Impressions” →

Menace – Demo Impressions

Finally, the Menace demo has arrived for us to download and play like the tactics starved maniacs that we are! So, how is it? I would say it’s okay, showing potential for the future. However, the high boardgame feel of it really surprised me. It’s a game that is a lot more abstracted in combat simulation, LOS (line of sight), and damage than I was expecting—especially compared to their last title; Battle Brothers.

For example, “overwatch” has been dumped in favor of faster gameplay, forcing you to move forward instead of turtling behind defenses to ambush the enemy. Fair, I guess, but it also means that the defensive safe playstyle that I like is out the window. And it feels a tad ridiculous that my special forces unit when having action-points left after a move, say up to a building, can’t defend themselves. 

Continue reading “Menace – Demo Impressions” →

Bloodgrounds – Demo Impressions

What is better than to test your mettle in the warm arena sand, beneath the scorching Mediterranean sun! Well, to do it in a fantasy setting of both Roman and Greek mythology. So, it’s not only men and women equipped with gladiuses you have to fear. It’s Minotaurs and magic-users as well, among many other creatures of legend. A bloody good time will be had—in both senses. Welcome to Bloodgrounds!

Continue reading “Bloodgrounds – Demo Impressions” →

Hell is Us – Demons of Boredom [Early (Final) Thoughts]

This is not a full review of Hell is Us, since I haven’t completed the game, but I felt I had to give my opinion on what I have played so far. Now, when I tried the demo, I got impressed, despite the large sword-anime antics, which is something I’m allergic to for the most part. Even so, the story felt mysterious, and the world, while being fairly large with plenty of areas to seek out, still felt tightly designed with an enjoyable dungeon to tackle at your own pace. I thought the full game would follow this premise, but so far, that’s not so.

Continue reading “Hell is Us – Demons of Boredom [Early (Final) Thoughts]” →