Recent reviews by Geondp

Absolum Arcade heart, modern brains

Co-devs of SoR4 made a fantasy brawler that feels great and plays right. Runs are ~1 hour, death punts you back to stage 1, and somehow it feels good because the routing and tech depth are pure arcade: dash/side-step/parry, air strings, wall bounces. Branching paths, camp stops, secrets, and a single-item slot keep momentum high instead of menu-mashing.

Each character plays wildly different (Cider’s grapples/pulls, Karl’s active-reload cancels, Brome’s air flexibility), and new movesets trickle in so you’re still discovering at hour 10. Beat Azra and the game flips the cab to second loop rules....harsher enemies and a cheeky “save gold for an extra life or get bodied at the door”. It’s a love letter to Capcom’s D&D brawlers (with a hint of Vanillaware)

A quirky little puzzle crawler that’s equal parts clever and gross mostly gross. Sure, the gameplay can feel a bit cheap at times, but once you learn the tricks, it’s as easy as… well… taking a dump. The poop-based mechanics are ridiculous and kind of brilliant, and getting extra backstory for The Binding of Isaac is the cherry on top of this strange, smelly sundae. Not every match game lets you weaponize turds Bumbo does, and that alone is worth the price of admission!

Finally took down the Warden. Solid tactical gameplay, fun roguelike elements, and a ton of unlockables what more could you want? The soundtrack fits the mood perfectly, and every run feels like it’s one card away from greatness. A satisfying win and a worthy addition to the backlog ‘completed’ pile!

Another one bites the dust from the backlog. Cool style, solid loop, killer soundtrack exactly the kind of ‘just one more run’ game that eats entire evenings. Sure, it gets a little repetitive, but in that cozy, hypnotic way that makes you realize it’s suddenly 3 a.m. and you’re still chasing the perfect loop. Glad I finally knocked this one off.

Incredible soundtrack, punishing difficulty, but fair as hell. Every death is earned, never feels cheap. Tight controls and rhythm driven replayability make each run a pounding, pulse-pounding riot. It’s hard as nails in the best way. A breathtaking, beat synced bullet ballet from start to finish!

Hotline Miami 2 cranks everything up louder music, bolder visuals, and even tighter controls once you find your rhythm. The synth-heavy soundtrack is pure fire: Carpenter Brut, El Huervo, Mega Drive… every track hits like a shot of adrenaline and keeps you locked in. Stylized violence meets razor sharp gameplay, with each level turning into a blood-soaked ballet of trial and perfection. Some deaths feel cheap, but when you finally nail that run, it feels earned. Less surgical than the original, but more ambitious, more chaotic, and a damn good time from start to finish.

Slice & Dice is the best $10 you’ll spend if you love tactical roguelikes. It’s crunchy, it’s clever, and once it grabs you, it doesn’t let go.

“Ruin has come to our family...”
Recommended

An incredible blend of grim aesthetics, challenging gameplay, and one of the best narrator/story combos in gaming. Every decision feels heavy, and every battle has stakes. It’s punishing but that’s the point.

Gorgeous and oppressive art style
Brutal but satisfying tactical combat
Incredibly atmospheric voice acting & story
So many cool party builds and synergies to discover

– DLCs (especially Crimson Court & Color of Madness) are amazing, but seriously overwhelming on a first run
– Should have listened and waited until after beating the base game to turn them on

Don’t be afraid of the challenge just don’t throw in all the DLCs your first time through unless you're ready to suffer as I did. This game is amazing.
“Remind yourself: overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer.”

“Stylish, savage, and oh-so-satisfying.”
Verdict: A bloody good time

What I Loved:
Unreal style. The neon-drenched visuals and gritty VHS aesthetic hit hard.
Legendary soundtrack. Every track pumps adrenaline straight into your brain it makes the game.
Tight, fast controls. It’s twitchy and brutal, but when it clicks, it’s butter-smooth violence.
The difficulty is real, but overcoming it feels incredible. You’ll curse, then you’ll conquer, then you’ll fist-pump.

Minor Gripes:
Some parts can be frustrating, especially early on if you’re not used to the pacing.
A few cheap deaths here and there but that’s part of the chaos.

Final Thoughts:
Hotline Miami is a masterclass in gameplay rhythm, aesthetic, and sound design. It’s tough, but fair and when you break through that wall of failure, it feels amazing. A cult classic that totally earns its status.

Score: 9.5/10 Play it loud, play it fast, play it again.

“A steampunk circus with style, but not enough soul.”

Time Played: ~5 hours
Verdict: Stylish but repetitive

What I Liked:

The art direction and world-building are gorgeous the idea of a Victorian steampunk circus doubling as an RPG is fresh and full of charm.
Early hours are engaging, mixing turn-based strategy with management sim mechanics.
Unique class designs (like fire-breathers, strongmen, and clowns) are fun at first and bring some flair to combat.

What Went Wrong:

After the honeymoon phase (~5 hours or so), the grind sets in hard.
Combat becomes repetitive fast same enemy types, same patterns, minimal variation in strategy.
The game has a snowball effect: small failures compound until you’re stuck in a frustrating death-grind cycle.
Circus management sounds cool but ends up feeling like a chore. You’re juggling too much busywork with too little payoff.
Loot, upgrades, and progression never feel satisfying the gameplay loop just doesn’t evolve enough.

Final Thoughts:
Circus Electrique starts strong, but quickly loses its magic. If the gameplay loop had more variety or if the grind was better balanced, it could’ve been something special. Instead, it’s a lot of style trapped inside a slog of repetition.

Score: 6/10 – Cool concept, but ultimately "meh."