Recent reviews by MrBlue

I'm very happy Wolfire decided to remake Receiver. And a worthy remake is definitely what it is. This is a game with an simple underlying premise - you are stuck in the dreaming, a dangerous world full of automated weapons out to kill you. You must find and listen to cassette tapes scattered around the procedurally generated world, with the promise of awakening. These tapes give you vital backstory and lore to who you are, why you're there and how to best escape. Admittedly, I have only 20 or so hours of Receiver 2 and have yet to finish the game.

Of course, we can't continue on without making a comparison to the first receiver. The second doubles down on three major areas - the realistic gun mechanics, level design/graphics and story. In comparison with the first game, many more guns have been added, with the realism of these weapons being dialled to 11 (gun jams, ejection failure, holstering accidents are all here). Some of the included guns are the Glock 17, Colt M1911A1, Smith and Wesson Model 10, Bereta 92FS, Desert Eagle and Hi-Point C-9. The game is truly unique in that aspect alone. No other game properly and realistically re-creates every moving piece of a firearm, and requires you to master the complicated operation of it in order to play. Each individual gun feels different and unique - with handling, masterful sound design and their respective ways of operating them. Mastering each weapon comes as a very satisfying learning curve. When you finally become adept at the use of a weapon, you're able to operate it smoothly and effectively.

The second receiver adds so much to the original story introduced in the first. In addition to the tapes that you are required to listen to to advance, the world is also littered with floppy disks with entries from other receivers. These disks give you more lore and mystery to theorise about, more gameplay instruction and tips, and even ciphers that contain secrets. There are even red secret floppy disks which are hidden in hard-to-reach areas which encourage exploration. It's true, I haven't as yet finished the game. However, theories are swirling around my head after reading/listening to the many tapes and disks. All of this just serves to add to the allure of mystery the game has always championed and that I can never get enough of. Never has receiver's story been so enticing. There are even other secrets to tapes and notes that I won't even dare speak of, for fear of spoiling the joy of discovering these secrets for the first time.

With the improvement to the gun's realism comes increased difficulty. Shots aren't always easily made, especially at a distance. You will need to be proficient in your use of your given weapon to be effective at taking out drones and turrets. Speaking of, new, harder enemies have been added, with each enemy's intelligence being upped. The game has five 'ranks' that you advance through, each one harder than the last - more enemies and fewer bullets force you to play cunningly at times, even trying to hack drones when you're desperate. Perma-death makes every choice important. There's nothing worse than spending hours on a playthrough to quickly be taken out by a drone because of carelessness. Where you choose to go and how to choose to deal with enemies are all the name of the game. Receiver rewards thoroughness and patience.

Receiver 2 is the sequel/remake that receiver deserves.

This is the time we have prepared for...

When I think about Receiver, I think about the power of simplicity. I think unparalleled gun mechanics. I think intense and edgy situations. I think about a game that oozes intrique, that is unreservedly difficult, that dares you after each death to better your skills and keep going. I think about a game that is just plain fun.

Cities Skylines is what the new SimCity should have been. Beautiful. Realistic. Charmingly relaxing. Cities Skylines, like any city builder, gives you the power to gradually build and grow your very own city. Design it's roads, manage districts, transportation, education and a plethora of other aspects of your creation, all wrapped in a fairly deep system that isn't hindered by a sheer learning curve.

For a game that obviously capitalises on computer resources, even loading large developed towns isn't that much of an issue. With mods-galore on the steam community to add vast variety or powerful tools and tweaks to the already substantial UI, your purchase ensures that you won't run out of things to do.

The visuals and soundtrack to this game gives it it's relaxing vibe, the former being detailed and sharp, most of all doing justice to both the man-made and natural environment that will contrast on your screen, creating beautiful vistas that won't disappoint. Add to that a happy, pleasant and ultimately charming audio banquet, and you've got quite a lovely simulator that undoubtedly won't be satisfied until you've sunk some sizeable, yet relaxing, hours into it's creative sandbox.