Splinter Cell: Conviction – Sam Going Loco [Review]

The one Splinter Cell game that, in my opinion, got the most flak. Not totally undeserved, but perhaps the critique was a tad harsh back when it was released. People wanted more of the slow, duct-crawling stealth kind. Instead, we got commando Sam Fisher, who has no problem with murdering people to the left and right for the slightest of reasons. This felt off with a lot of people. However, I think Splinter Cell: Conviction fits perfectly in the Splinter Cell lore. Sam is a loose cannon, and without anyone guiding his actions—he is just a brutal killer, especially when fueled by vengeful revenge. Having Sam go crazy with bloodlust, makes narrative sense in the grand story of Splinter Cell.

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The Alters – Are You Me? [Field Report]

This will not be a review, since I haven’t finished the game yet. Yet, I find myself compelled to talk about The Alters. I’m not going to go into too many mechanics, as I mostly want to talk about the impressive narrative structure. I’m not sure if I have actually experienced anything similar. Not in this genre at least, which is some kind of base-building/management game.

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Singularity – In Mother Russia, Time Clocks You [Review]

You will become part of the singularity reading this review

Welcome to Singularity, a game with serious time shenanigans, horrible mutants with a taste for human flesh, and masses of Soviet soldiers out to kill you—both futuristic and classic brown-shirted ones from the past. The plot isn’t overly complicated, but it’s a bit of a mess when you start to think about it, especially if you are sensitive to media tackling time travel. However, being a Call of Duty style shooter, you don’t actually have to give that much of thought, since you are here to blast things to kingdom come—regardless of which timeline the enemy belongs to.

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Knights of the Chalice – Fireball, My Only Friend [Field Report]

Welcome to this report on Knights of the Chalice. This is not a true review, since I’m far from the ending, as the game seemingly looks to be huge, with plenty of monsters and evildoers needing vanquishing. Treat this more as an ongoing field report in appreciation of what this title offers. The way I’m playing it, it fits better as an audiobook companion (don’t judge me!) than a full RPG experience that requires your complete attention—even if it does need it for success in the hairiest situations.

You see, this is a Dungeons and Dragons fighting simulator where the story only serves to take you from one challenging battle to the next. Knowledge of the DnD 3.5 ruleset is mandatory, or the orcs will make sheesh kebab out of your heroic group of adventurers before you even have time to unsheathe your sword.

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Hypogea — Vaulting for Freedom [Review]

Who knew that even robots made for war and industry don’t like to live in vast underground rusty metallic tunnels—left to rot after the end of humanity. I can’t say I blame the poor things, since while these massive subterranean constructions look wondrous and are very atmospheric—they have an air of decay to them, as they’re all that’s left of a bygone era. With that, welcome to the review of Hypogea, which is a moody third-person platformer set underground, with no voice-acting, and no enemies—except the water that will rust your bolts within seconds if you miss that crucial jump!

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The Temple of Elemental Evil (Rediscovered)

I have been playing the semi-forgotten party based D&D RPG Temple of Elemental Evil from 2003 with the mods Temple+ (engine fixes) and Circle of Eight (more engine fixes, + extra game content). The reason I mention the mods so early in the article, is that when I played Temple of Elemental Evil the first time, none of these mods existed. And Temple of Elemental Evil was not a stable game, at all, at release. However, it showed serious potential, which these excellent modders saw and started to work on. These mods are now, as I can see it: essential. Temple+ for the numerous fixes, and Circle of Eight for the additional quests, that makes the first part of the game much more enjoyable.

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