Recent reviews by Michael Fox

X4: Foundations - A Universe Awaiting Your Command 🌌🎮

In the sprawling cosmos of space simulators, X4: Foundations stands as a beacon for ambitious explorers, traders, and starship captains alike. Developed by Egosoft, this game offers a truly immersive experience that will captivate both veteran fans of the X series and newcomers ready to chart the unknown. 🌠✨

Gameplay & Mechanics: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

X4: Foundations promises (and delivers) unparalleled freedom. Whether you fancy yourself a humble trader, a cunning pirate, or a powerful fleet commander, the game has you covered. From piloting tiny fighters to commanding colossal capital ships, the scale of control you have is astounding. 🛸🚀 The detailed economy, which operates on real-time supply and demand, adds an extra layer of authenticity and challenge. However, the learning curve can be steep. New players might feel lost in the vastness of space at first, but patience and a willingness to learn are rewarded immensely. 📈📚

Graphics & Sound: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Visually, X4: Foundations is a treat. The universe is beautifully rendered, with attention to detail that's truly commendable. From the shimmer of distant stars to the bustling stations teeming with activity, every corner of space feels alive. The soundtrack and sound effects are equally impressive, providing a captivating auditory experience that enhances immersion. 🎶✨🚀 The only minor gripe? Sometimes, the UI can feel a bit cluttered, but it's a small price to pay for such a rich visual experience.

Story & Lore: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

While X4: Foundations isn’t as story-driven as some of its contemporaries, it does offer a lore-rich environment that encourages players to create their own narratives. The emergent gameplay allows for countless stories of epic space battles, trade empires, and political intrigue. Unfortunately, players seeking a more structured narrative might find themselves wanting more. 📖🔍

Replayability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The beauty of X4: Foundations lies in its replayability. With countless ways to play, endless sectors to explore, and a dynamic universe that evolves based on your actions, the game ensures that no two playthroughs are the same. 🌌🔄 The modding community also adds to the longevity, with numerous mods available to enhance and customize your experience. 🔧🌟

Overall Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

X4: Foundations is a stellar addition to the space sim genre. While it has its quirks and a steep learning curve, the depth and breadth of gameplay it offers is unmatched. For those willing to invest the time, it promises an experience that's both rewarding and endlessly fascinating. 🚀🌠

Gas Station Simulator: Fill'er Up with Fun!

Gas Station Simulator is a quirky and engaging simulation game that offers players a unique experience of running their very own gas station. ⛽ It's a delightful blend of strategy, management, and a dash of chaos, making it a standout in the simulation genre. 🛠️

Graphics & Atmosphere: The game's visual style is charming and detailed, capturing the gritty yet nostalgic vibe of a classic roadside gas station. 🛣️ The environments are well-crafted, immersing players in a world filled with old-school charm and a hint of Americana. 🌅

Gameplay & Mechanics: Gas Station Simulator excels in its gameplay mechanics, providing a satisfying loop of tasks that keep you engaged. 💼 From pumping gas and managing stock to upgrading facilities and dealing with quirky customers, there's always something to do. 🚗 The game balances realism and fun, making even the most mundane tasks feel rewarding. 🧽

Story & Missions: While the focus is more on sandbox-style play, the game does offer a variety of missions and objectives to guide your progress. 📋 These tasks add a layer of depth and purpose, encouraging you to expand and improve your station. The humor sprinkled throughout adds a lighthearted touch, keeping the experience enjoyable. 😂

Customization & Upgrades: One of the game's highlights is the extensive customization and upgrade options available. 🛠️ You can personalize your gas station, add new facilities, and even change the décor to suit your style. 🚀 The upgrade system ensures a steady progression, giving you tangible goals to work towards.

Community & Social Features: Gas Station Simulator includes community-driven features that enhance the gameplay experience. 👥 Sharing your station's progress, comparing strategies, and participating in events keep the game fresh and engaging. 🏆

Final Verdict: Gas Station Simulator is a charming and addictive simulation game that offers a fun twist on the genre. 🎮 Its engaging mechanics, delightful visuals, and unique premise make it a must-play for simulation enthusiasts and casual gamers alike. If you're looking for a game that's equal parts relaxing and entertaining, Gas Station Simulator is definitely worth a spin. ⛽

Great cozy game to relax a bit and just have fun. Play it with my daughter and we love it.

I purchased this DLC to support a great game, and I absolutely love the additions that came in patch 7.0 that came with this DLC but the DLC itself is awful. The missions are terrible and it gives you no sense of why you're doing them nor when they take place. I know some are supposed to reflect stuff that happened in the other games, but you get no feedback on it and so, for people that do not know the history, such as myself, they have no meaning.

Overall, I think the DLC represents time which could have been spent making new stuff for the open game and instead it was used to make something very few players will enjoy.

Love the new tutorials but the Timeline missions really make me want to quit the game, not beginner friendly at all and I do not approve of them being recommended to new players.

Starfield: A Galactic Adventure with Room to Grow 🚀🌌

Bethesda Game Studios' latest RPG, Starfield, takes players on an epic journey through the cosmos, offering a sprawling sci-fi universe to explore.

Graphics and World-Building: Starfield boasts breathtaking visuals that bring its intergalactic settings to life. The planets are diverse, featuring vibrant ecosystems, desolate wastelands, and futuristic urban sprawls. 🪐 Each location is meticulously crafted, offering a sense of immersion rarely seen in space exploration games. Some planets feel underdeveloped though, with barren landscapes and repetitive assets. 🖼️🌍

Gameplay and Exploration: Exploration is the heart of Starfield. Players are given the freedom to chart their own path across the stars, whether they want to mine resources, establish outposts, or engage in dogfights. 🔭 The game's planetary scanning and crafting mechanics are detailed, though they can feel overwhelming at times due to complex menus. The RPG mechanics shine in quest variety and branching narratives. Whether you're aligning with a faction, smuggling contraband, or solving mysteries, Starfield ensures that player choice matters. 🔧 However, the procedural generation of many areas can make some parts of the universe feel lifeless compared to Bethesda's handcrafted quests. 🔍

Story and Characters: The main storyline, centered around uncovering ancient alien artifacts, is intriguing but occasionally falters under its own ambition. 📜 While it presents philosophical themes about humanity's place in the cosmos, its execution can feel uneven. The companion system adds emotional depth to the game. Each character has unique backstories and loyalty missions, reminiscent of Bioware's best works. 🧑‍🚀 Unfortunately, some players may find certain companions lack the charisma of iconic Bethesda characters from past titles. 👽

Final Verdict: Starfield is a massive game with a lot to offer, but it's not without its flaws. ⭐ The slow start and some repetitive elements can be off-putting, but once you dive deeper, the rich world and engaging gameplay start to shine. It's a solid entry in Bethesda's catalog, but it might not be their best work yet. 🎮

Overall, Starfield is a must-play for fans of open-world RPGs and space exploration, but it could use some polishing to truly reach its full potential. 🌟🔧🚀😊

(This review is based on a much longer playtime that I have in another system)

Hello, fellow gamers! Are you looking for a new challenge that will test your skills, your nerves, and your morality? Do you enjoy building cities, managing resources, and making tough decisions? Do you like snow? Lots and lots of snow? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might want to check out Frostpunk, a survival strategy game that will make you feel cold in more ways than one.

Frostpunk is set in a frozen world where humanity is on the brink of extinction. You are the leader of a group of survivors who have found a massive coal furnace that can provide some warmth and hope. Your task is to build a city around it and keep it running while facing various challenges such as food shortages, disease outbreaks, social unrest, and extreme weather. Sounds fun, right?

Well, not exactly. Frostpunk is not a game for the faint of heart. It's a game that will make you question your morals and ethics as you try to balance the needs of your people with the harsh realities of survival. You will have to make choices that will affect not only your city's efficiency but also its spirit. Will you enforce strict laws and discipline to maintain order? Will you adopt radical beliefs and rituals to inspire faith? Will you sacrifice some lives for the greater good? Or will you try to be compassionate and humane despite the risks?

Whatever path you choose, be prepared to face the consequences. Your people will react to your decisions with hope or discontent. They will voice their opinions, form factions, protest or rebel. They may even banish you from your own city if they lose trust in your leadership. And don't forget about the outside world: there are other survivors out there who may need your help or pose a threat. You can send scouts to explore the frozen wasteland and discover new locations, resources, allies or enemies.

Frostpunk is a game that will keep you on your toes with its dynamic gameplay and storytelling. It combines elements of city-building, survival, and 4X games into one unique experience that never feels boring or repetitive. The graphics are stunningly beautiful and bleak at the same time: every detail of your city reflects its state and mood; every snowflake adds to the atmosphere; every sunrise feels like a miracle. The sound designs are also top-notch: they convey the emotions and struggles of your people; they immerse you in the world; they make you care.

Frostpunk is not an easy game: it's challenging, demanding, and sometimes frustrating. But it's also rewarding: it's satisfying when you overcome an obstacle; it's exhilarating when you achieve a breakthrough; it's touching when you see your people happy; it's heartbreaking when you see them suffer.

Frostpunk is not just a game: it's an experience that will stay with you long after you finish playing it.

If this sounds like something that interests you (or if I scared away all other potential players), then I highly recommend giving Frostpunk a try (or another try if you already played it). It's one of those games that deserves more attention (and praise) than it gets.

You can find Frostpunk on Steam for $30 (or less if there's a sale). Trust me: it's worth every penny.

And remember: winter is coming (and never leaving).

Mass Effect Andromeda is a stunning action role-playing game that takes you to a new galaxy full of wonders and challenges. You play as the Pathfinder, a leader of explorers who must find a new home for humanity and its allies in the Andromeda galaxy. Along the way, you will encounter diverse alien races, ancient mysteries, and hostile enemies.

One of the best aspects of Mass Effect Andromeda is its story arc, which spans over 65 hours of gameplay. The story is engaging and immersive, with plenty of choices that affect the outcome of your missions and relationships. You will feel invested in your character’s journey and the fate of your crew. The story also explores themes such as colonization, identity, and cooperation.

However, some players may find the story too long and tedious at times. The game has many side quests and tasks that can distract you from the main plot and slow down your progress. Some of these quests are repetitive and boring, such as scanning planets or collecting resources. The game also has some technical issues and bugs that can affect your enjoyment.

Another highlight of Mass Effect Andromeda is its great vistas. The game features stunning graphics and environments that showcase the beauty and diversity of the Andromeda galaxy. You will explore lush jungles, icy planets, desert worlds, and more. Each planet has its own unique features and challenges that require you to adapt your strategy. The game also has dynamic weather effects that add realism and immersion.

However, some players may find the gameplay a bit repetitive and shallow after a while. The game has a lot of combat and exploration, but not much variety or depth in terms of mechanics or systems. The combat is fast-paced and fluid, but it can get chaotic and frustrating at times. The exploration is rewarding and fun, but it can get tedious and monotonous at times.

Finally, Mass Effect Andromeda has good characters that you will grow to love or hate. You can customize your character’s appearance, skills, and personality. You can also recruit up to six companions who have their own backgrounds, motivations, and opinions. You can interact with them through dialogue options, loyalty missions, romance scenes, and banter. The characters are well-written and voiced by talented actors who bring them to life.

However, some players may find the characters too bland or cliché at times. The game has a lot of dialogue and interactions, but not much impact or emotion in terms of consequences or outcomes. The dialogue is witty and humorous, but it can get cheesy or cringy at times. The interactions are friendly and romantic, but they can get awkward or buggy at times.

In conclusion,

Mass Effect Andromeda is a game worth playing if you enjoy action role-playing games with rich stories, beautiful graphics and memorable characters.
But it also has some flaws that may disappoint or frustrate some fans or newcomers of the series.

Sons of The Forest is a must-play for fans of survival horror games. It takes everything that made The Forest great and adds more depth, variety, and terror. The island is full of mysteries and dangers that will keep you on your toes. The game looks stunning with realistic graphics and lighting effects. The gameplay is immersive and rewarding, with plenty of crafting options, combat scenarios, and exploration opportunities. Sons of The Forest is not for the faint-hearted, but if you are looking for a thrilling and satisfying adventure, you will love this game.

One of the best aspects of Sons of The Forest is its amazing crafting system. You can create a variety of items and structures using the resources you find on the island. You can build shelters, traps, weapons, tools, and more. The crafting system is intuitive and fun to use, and it gives you a lot of freedom and creativity to customize your gameplay experience.

Sons of The Forest can be played solo or with friends in co-op mode. Playing with friends adds more fun and teamwork to the game, as you can share resources, fight enemies, and explore together. Playing solo offers a more challenging and immersive experience, as you have to rely on your own skills and strategies to survive. Either way, wether you're playing solo or co-op, you can always count on having a NPC companion to help you out by gathering, crafting or even hunting with or for you.

Sons of The Forest is a game that you will enjoy, especially thanks to it's amazing graphics and immersive crafting.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a fantastic MMORPG that lets you create your own Star Wars saga. Whether you want to be a Jedi, a Sith, a Bounty Hunter, or any other iconic role, you can choose your own path and make meaningful decisions that shape your story. The game has a rich and immersive lore that spans thousands of years before the movies. You can explore diverse planets, meet memorable characters, and engage in epic battles.

The best part is that you can play this game for free! You don’t need to pay anything to enjoy the main storylines and most of the content. Of course, if you want more features and benefits, you can subscribe or buy some items from the Cartel Market. But even without spending a dime, you can have hours of fun and adventure in this game.

SWTOR has various game mechanics that affect how you play and interact with the world. Some of them are:

Combat: You can engage in combat with enemies using your class abilities, weapons, and items. You can also use a cover system if you are a Smuggler or an Imperial Agent to avoid damage and gain tactical advantages1. You can also join groups with other players to tackle more challenging content such as Flashpoints (instanced missions) and Operations (raids).
Crafting: You can choose one of six crafting skills to create useful items for yourself or others. The crafting skills are Armormech (armor), Synthweaving (clothing), Armstech (weapons), Artifice (lightsabers and crystals), Cybertech (droids and mods), and Biochem (medpacs and stims). You can also use your companions to perform crafting tasks for you while you are away.
Questing: You can follow your own class storyline that is unique to your character and choices. You can also do side quests that offer rewards and reputation with different factions. Some quests are solo-only while others are group-friendly.
Exploration: You can travel to different planets and regions that have their own environments, cultures, and secrets. You can use various modes of transportation such as speeders, starships, taxis, and quick travel points. You can also discover datacrons that grant you permanent stat boosts.
These are some of the main game mechanics in Star Wars: The Old Republic. There are more features that you can learn about by visiting the official website or watching some gameplay videos.

It is also a great game for solo players who want to enjoy a rich and immersive Star Wars experience. You can create your own character and follow your own class storyline that is full of choices and consequences. You can also customize your appearance, gear, and skills to suit your playstyle. You can also recruit companions who will join you on your adventures and help you in combat.

The game offers plenty of solo content that you can explore at your own pace. You can do quests, crafting, exploration, and more without having to rely on other players. You can also adjust the difficulty level of the game to match your skill and preference by changing your companion focus. The game also has a solo mode for some Flashpoints that allow you to experience the story without needing a group.

If you love Star Wars and solo gameplay, Star Wars: The Old Republic is the perfect game for you. It’s one of the best single-player RPGs out there and it will keep you entertained for hours. I highly recommend Star Wars: The Old Republic.

The potential in SCUM is mindblowing. If it keeps following the same direction it will be a great survival game, with a very unique take, which will appeal to both hardcore survival players and newcomers.
Right now the game is a bit lacking in Solo, even the tutorial is broken and it's pretty empty with the lack of animal life and even zombies to kill, giving it a feeling that something is missing. If you play online it's better, especially if you play with friends. Graphically it's very good with great vistas.