Recent reviews by Klinisk

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Still Wakes the Deep: An Atmospheric story of Suspense and Mystery

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Currently playing through the game. I will update with a full review once iv played through the entire game. The game so far has a really good and unique atmosphere, Visuals seems Good, and the voice acting and story is up to par, gameplay wise its a little lacking for those who aint a fan of walking simulators, but the game seems great so far. Even though the game performs good for me (recommended hardware), some people that have the minimum hardware requierments might experience some stutters and not optimal performance. Here are some tips i found to make the game perform and look a little better for those who want to have a better experience.

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( Remember, These values might beed to be changed depending on your current setup )

- Using Nvidia Deep-Learning LSS at balanced Gives the best performance compared to quality imo.
- Open nvidia control panel and set sharpening to 0.35 - 0.65 based on preferance
- Sound option = breathing volume to either 25% or 30%
- Play the game in fullscreen instead of borderless
- Setting shadows and Geometry Lower helps with lagg and stutters.
- Reducing the lighting option from epic to high is a 20 fps boost.
- Vertical Sync and film grain should be turned Off
- Game Has ministutters from time to time, no matter what you do (atleast for me)
- If you have recommended hardware i would recommend to play with everything on high and
texture quality at epic, if you still have stutters put shadows to medium. This is what has
looked the best to me while still keeping a decent performance.
- I wish the game had a built inn option for contrast. If you have a built in option
for contrast on your monitor, try adjusting it for better finetuning.
- You can also set the FOV slider to 105 without much loss in FPS. Any higher i wouldnt
Recommend.
-Game also lacks Raytracing options for those who thinks thats important.
-Ctrl + alt + delete -> Details -> Still wakes the Deep -> right click -> Set affinity, and uncheck
one of your CPUS for Windows usage helps a little with stutters.

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Having played the first hellblade, which is genre defining in its immersion and emotional expression i have high hopes for this game. I will give my Initial impression after starting this game and update this review to a full review after i complete the game. My takes so far are:

- The performance is not as good as the first game in terms of fps, it’s to be expected being an U5 game. And to be honest it seems like one of the better U5 games performance wise yet, The visuals are absolutely stunning, like in the first game but only better. Hellblade has always been a master of sound, storytelling, world building and last but not least, emotional expression. Sauna’s sacrifice 2 takes this to the next level. I will say that the lack of ray tracing is somewhat disappointing, but the visuals are still extremely good, however, one could ponder how godlike the visuals would look with that feature included.
- The emotional expressions, sound track, and narration have been elevated on another level, which also is to be expected when taking the leap from U4 to U5.
- The gameplay and combat problems lacking in hellblade 1 still seem persistent in this follow up
- DLSS seems to perform better than AMD FSR 3.0 Both FOR FPS and quality at the moment.
- Playing the game at 1080p or 1440p will see you have around 60 fps with high settings, with a 2070 - 3090 graphics card.
- If you plan to play it at 4k, i would wait for patches.

Short take so far: The implementation of U5 elevates this game in the areas it truly shines, Emotional expression, storytelling, worldbuilding and sound, are all categories which seem improved beyond belief. It looks gorgeous so far, the only thing im dissapointed at is the lack of a raytracing option.

Cuphead: Retro Delight and Boss Blitz Bonanza

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🎮 Gameplay: ( 9.5 / 10 )
Cuphead is a thrilling boss fighting simulator that demands precision and quick reflexes. The game's primary focus is on intense boss battles, each with unique patterns and mechanics that keep the gameplay fresh and challenging. Each boss has different phases with different mechanics, the start order of these phases are randomized each time you start a boss fight, which makes it more challenging than learning only one pattern. The Run and gun levels offer a nice change of pace, and gives the players coins that can be used to buy various items and upgrades. Expect a steep difficulty curve that will test your patience and skill, but likewise is also equally rewarding.

📘 Story: ( 6.8 / 10 )
The story of Cuphead is simple yet charming. You play as Cuphead and his brother Mugman, who must repay their debt to the Devil by collecting the souls of runaway debtors. The narrative is minimalistic but fits perfectly with the game's old-school cartoon aesthetic, providing just enough motivation after wiping 50 times after each grueling yet rewarding encounter.

📺 Visuals: ( 9.1 / 10 )
Cuphead's visuals are one of its standout features. The game boasts a meticulously crafted 1930s cartoon art style, complete with hand-drawn animations and watercolor backgrounds. Every character and environment is bursting with personality and detail, making each frame a visual delight. This unique art style sets Cuphead apart from any other 2d platformers on the market.

🎧 Sound: ( 8.7 / 10 )
The sound design in Cuphead is top-notch. The soundtrack features a collection of jazz and big band music that perfectly complements the game's retro aesthetic. Sound effects are crisp and impactful. The voice acting, though minimal, adds a touch of authenticity to the characters.

🏍 Engine: ( 9.3 / 10 )
Cuphead runs smoothly on its custom engine, designed to faithfully replicate the feel of classic animation. The game performs well on a variety of systems. The controls are responsive and the animations are smooth, which is crucial for a game that demands such precision.

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🏆 Overall: ( 8.7 / 10 )
Cuphead is a masterpiece for those who appreciate challenging gameplay. Its difficulty may be off-putting for the average gamer, but the satisfaction of overcoming its tough battles is immensely rewarding. With its unique and well-crafted art style, excellent sound design, and polished mechanics, Cuphead is a must-play for fans that like challenging gameplay.

Indika: A Sureal, witty and genre defining narrative experience.
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🎮 Gameplay: ( 6.95 / 10 )
Indika takes the "walking simulator" genre and gives it a jolt of existential caffeine. The gameplay still follows the basics of a walking simulator but Indika adds a depth of layer with its switches to 2d and its occasional minigames and puzzles. This method gives players a minibreak from constantly walking, which I would say is rather refreshing. The puzzles are not hard, but challenging enough to make the player not lose focus, while the minigames often are timing based. What they did right here, is having the right balance of difficulty, not make anything seem tedious.

📘 Story: ( 8.9 / 10 )
The story is a philosophical deep dive wrapped in layers of humor, sarcasm, and some good old-fashioned trolling. It's like a therapy session with a snarky therapist who sometimes questions your choices and makes you laugh at the absurdity of it all. Themes of religion, self-worth, and reflection over what’s good and bad are explored with a unique twist, making you ponder your existence while trying to decipher the surreal world you are currently bound to. The characters are both unique and well crafted, it does not give you the sense of like heroes or generalized characters, they seem both surreal and real, in some sense they are comical. But If you were in their shoes, in this time period, the reflection of how they act is, funny, sad and in a sense real to the situation they are currently in.

🌆 Worldbuilding: ( 8.9 / 10 )
The world of Indika is a surrealist's dream (or nightmare). Imagine walking through a Salvador Dalí painting while having a conversation with Douglas Adams. The game uses proportions to its advantage by making smaller objects much larger, giving the world a sense of surrealism while still having familiar elements in the right proportion. They also take geometry to the extreme, and have things at really sharp angles, extreme heights, or really big and broad objects. Indika really nails the fact that they have created their own surreal world, even though it’s based in a realistic timeline. The way sound, visuals and characters are portrayed, helps this game create a really unique world that further help establish its own true identity, amidst a dozen other titles that fail to do the same.

📺 Visuals: ( 8.1 / 10 )
Visually, Indika does pretty good, it could be compared to the game “the invincible” but it falls a little bit short. The art style is bold and unconventional, it does a good job at complementing the game's twisted atmosphere. The graphical design melds together elements of dreamlike fantasy and gruff reality, creating a visual experience that keeps you engaged. The attention to detail could be improved. The same thing could be said about facial animations and expressions in general. Even though this game has 80% of its game in 3d, implementing a certain percentage of 2d, elevates the game overall feel, and the visuals are overall pretty good.

🎧 Sound: ( 10 /10 )
What makes this game truly shine, is for me the sound design. The aim is to throw you off your normal rhythm for this kind of game, it seems almost trollish, which creates an unique and interesting atmosphere. The sound effects sounds nice, crackling wood, wind, sudden chimes and different elements that you don’t expect also helps you be emerged in the game.

Now the best part of the game: The narration. The narrator’s voice is compelling; he is great at putting pressure on different tones to different words, which helps immensely with immersion. The narrator keeps mocking you through the play through with witty remarks and sarcastic comments, but also gives you a change of pace with philosophical questions that make you reflect. It is easy to focus on his words, rather than thinking about the fact that you are playing a walking simulator. Which is what story driven games should be doing. In a sense it reminds me of Hellblade: Senuas sacrifice, only better.

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🏆 Overall Score: ( 8.6 / 10 )
Indika is a refreshing take on the walking simulator genre. It deftly combines surrealism, humor, and philosophical reflections to create a game that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. The game has a really unique feel compared to other walking simulators, with its twisted vibe and cleverly thought out distinct aura. While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate a good dose of sarcasm, witty humor, and genre defining narration, will definitely enjoy this gem of a title.

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📖 Notes and tips
- The game is pretty short, playtime is around 2 and a half to 3 and a half hours, so even though this a gem, the price is pretty steep compared to the content you get.
- I also found the audio to be somewhat off balance, and would recommend players to set the environmental volume to 75, while keeping the other values at 100.

The invincible: A Sci-Fi Adventure by Stainslaw lem
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🎮 Gameplay: ( 5 / 10 )
The gameplay in The Invincible is a blend of exploration, and immersive storytelling. As a walking simulator, it prioritizes atmosphere and narrative over traditional mechanics, allowing players to delve deep into the mysterious the world presents. The reason I give the game a 5 here, is even though it’s a walking simulator, there are no tedious tasks, which makes the “walking” not seem tedious. While the pacing may feel slow to some, those who appreciate a more immersive gaming experience will find themselves drawn into its intricacies, wanting to explore the deeper meaning of the mysteries that lie within the game.

📘 Story: ( 9.7 / 10 )
The heart of The Invincible lies in its captivating narrative, which is based on the original book by the legendary Stanisław Lem. Set in a distant future, the story unfolds with a sense of mystery and intrigue that keeps players engaged from start to finish. Players get put with dialogue choices that can lead to one of eleven different endings, which also helps with player engagement and choices actually mattering. With thought-provoking themes and unexpected twists, it's a journey that can linger long after the credits roll, giving players a feeling of wanting more of Stainslaw Lems beautiful crafted universe.

🎧 Sound: ( 9 / 10 )
From the expressive echoes of deserted corridors to the eerie hum of alien machinery, the sound design in The Invincible is masterfully crafted to enhance immersion. This being said, what really makes the sound design in the invincible stand true to its craft, is the voice acting. The narrators / voice actors put heavy emphasis on different words and meanings while portraying a professional sense of realism that keeps you invested in both the story and characters. The choice of background music is also excellent, different themes of music portray different kind of emotions and feelings, which is also almost timed to perfection in regards to the different scenes and scenarios.

🌆 Worldbuilding: ( 9.2 / 10 )
The worldbuilding in The Invincible is both unique and breath taking. From the intricate details of futuristic technology to the enigmatic landscapes of uncharted planets, every aspect of the game's universe feels meticulously realized. Players will find themselves immersed in a world that feels both familiar and alien, with secrets waiting to be uncovered around every corner. The world is Familiar yet surreal. One trick they have used here is giving you something familiar, but then twisting it with something you wouldn’t think of.

📺 Visuals: ( 8.9 / 10 )
Visually stunning, The Invincible boasts spectacular landscapes and familiar yet unique environments that helps bring its sci-fi world to life. From the desolate beauty of abandoned space stations to the awe-inspiring vistas of distant planets, the invincible offers some breathtaking views. I will say that the art style of the game is very unique and crafted in a masterful way. Even though this is true, if you’re a fan of hyper realism, this style might not suit you. Comparing it to Hellblade, Senuas sacrifice, the emotional expression in the characters is lacking, but this is not The invincibles main focus, it rather tries to win on story and worldbuilding, which it doesn’t fail to deliver on.

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🏆 Overall Score: ( 8.4 / 10 )
The Invincible is a testament to the power of storytelling and world building, offering a compelling narrative experience with a well-made unique art style. While its slow pace and emphasis on exploration may not be for everyone, those who appreciate rich storytelling and immersive worldbuilding will find themselves being dragged further and further inn Stainslaw lem amazingly crafted world.

Hellblade - Senuas Sacrifice: “A Masterclass in Emotional Storytelling, World building and emotional expression”
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🎮 Gameplay: ( 5 / 10 )
While Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice isn't groundbreaking in terms of gameplay mechanics, it's important to recognize that the focus here lies more on the narrative experience than on innovative gameplay. Combat is very unpolished and feels somewhat repetitive, the same thing can be said about the puzzles, while thematically relevant, they feel a tad bit boring. Both regular fights and boss fights can be cheesed out with ease. If you don’t like walking simulators, this game might not be for you. However the gameplay serves its purpose in driving the story forward and immersing players in Senua's journey.

📘 Story: ( 8.5 / 10 )
The story is captivating and deeply emotional. It's a narrative explores themes of mental illness, trauma, and resilience with unparalleled depth and nuance. Senua's personal journey is both compelling and haunting.

🌆 Worldbuilding: ( 9.3 / 10 )
From the grim landscapes of Viking-era Scandinavia to the nightmarish depths of Senua's own mind, the world of Hellblade is a masterclass in atmospheric design. Every detail, from the crumbling ruins to the whispering voices that echo in the darkness, contributes to a sense of unease and immersion that is second to none. This game blends real life inspiration from the Viking era and combines it with fantasy elements, which results in a unique world that creates its own unique identity.

📺 Visuals: ( 9.7 / 10 )
Visually stunning and meticulously crafted, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a feast for the eyes. The character models are incredibly lifelike, and the environments are breathtaking in their beauty and brutality alike. This game exceeds in emotional expression, which I find to be its strongest suit. The acting is Amazing, and the visual and emotional expressions makes this game into a masterpiece in regards to visuals, one could almost say it sets a cinematic standard for story driven games.

🎧 Sound: ( 9.1 / 10 )
From the chilling whispers that echo Senua's tortured mind to the thunderous clash of combat, the sound design is nothing short of exceptional. Every sound cue serves a purpose, drawing players deeper into Senua's harrowing journey and intensifying the emotional impact of each moment. The constant voice that talks to you through the play through also helps in keeping the players involved in the story, which is an important selling point, not making the journey tedious and boring. The sound composed by Andy LaPlegua also perfectly complements the game's themes and narrative beats, enhancing the emotional resonance of Senua's story. From somber melodies to pulse-pounding rhythms, the music evokes a wide range of emotions.

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🏆 Overall: ( 8.3 / 10 )
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a masterpiece of storytelling and world design that sets a new standard for emotional expression in gaming. While its gameplay may not be revolutionary, its narrative depth and immersive atmosphere more than make up for any shortcomings. This is a game that demands to be experienced, offering a journey that will linger in your thoughts long after you've put down the controller.

"Biomutant, the RPG that should never have been made"
( The only ever game iv refunded withn 20 minutes of gameplay. )
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🎮 Gameplay: ( 3.4 / 10 )
Biomutant was touted as a groundbreaking open-world action RPG with innovative gameplay mechanics. Unfortunately, what players received was a repetitive and uninspiring experience that fails to deliver on its promises. The combat is clunky, the crafting system is convoluted, and the exploration lacks depth. The game's mechanics feel outdated and lack refinement, making for a frustrating and tedious gameplay experience.

🎧 Sound: ( 2.1 / 10 )
While Biomutant's soundtrack is decent, the sound design overall is lackluster. The voice acting is inconsistent and often feels disconnected from the characters and world, leading to an immersion-breaking experience. Ambient sounds are repetitive and fail to capture the richness and diversity one would expect from an open-world game of this caliber.

🏍 Engine / Performance: ( 2.8 / 10 )
One of the most glaring issues with Biomutant is its poorly optimized and buggy game engine. Players have reported numerous glitches, frame rate drops, and game-breaking bugs that severely impact the gameplay experience. Movement and combat feel sluggish and unresponsive, further exacerbating the frustration of trying to navigate the game's world.

📺 Graphics: ( 5.2 / 10 )
Despite the modern hardware requirements, Biomutant's graphics are underwhelming and fail to impress. Character models lack detail and facial animations are stiff and lifeless. Environments are bland and repetitive, lacking the vibrant and immersive world that was promised in the game's marketing. The overall visual aesthetic feels dated and fails to meet the expectations set by other contemporary open-world titles.

📘 Story: ( 1.9 / 10 )
Biomutant's narrative falls flat, offering a clichéd and uninspired post-apocalyptic world with forgettable characters and a disjointed plot. The game's storytelling lacks depth and fails to engage players in a meaningful way, resulting in a forgettable and unremarkable experience. Dialogue options are limited, and the choices players make have little impact on the overall outcome, making for a linear and predictable storyline.

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🏆 Overall: ( 3.1 / 10 )
Biomutant is a prime example of a game that has severely underdelivered on its promises and failed to live up to the hype. From its subpar gameplay and graphics to its poorly optimized engine and lackluster storytelling, the game falls short in nearly every aspect. Given the high expectations and modern hardware requirements, Biomutant is a disappointing and frustrating experience that is best avoided by those looking for a rewarding and immersive open-world RPG. Save your money and invest in a game that delivers on its promises and offers a truly engaging and memorable experience. Avoid at all cost, one of the worst games ever made in comparison of the cost.

"Evil west, where zombies meet cowboys"
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🎮 Gameplay: ( 4.1 / 10 )
"Evil West" offers a generic and uninspired gameplay experience that fails to stand out in the crowded action-adventure genre. The combat mechanics are basic and lack depth, relying on repetitive button-mashing rather than strategic gameplay. The powerups and abilities available to players are not particularly impactful or game-changing, making progression feel less rewarding and exciting. Additionally, the game suffers from poor enemy scaling, with monsters simply increasing in HP as you progress, resulting in encounters that feel dragged out and tedious rather than challenging and engaging.

🎧 Sound: ( 5.2 / 10 )
While the sound design in "Evil West" is decent, it fails to impress or leave a lasting impression. The background music and sound effects are serviceable but lack the depth and immersion found in other titles in the genre. The voice acting is average at best, with performances that fail to capture the intensity and emotion of the game's narrative. Overall, the sound in "Evil West" does little to enhance the gaming experience and feels like a missed opportunity to create a more immersive and atmospheric world.

🎞 Replay Value: ( 3.8 / 10 )
"Evil West" offers little incentive for players to return for multiple playthroughs. The linear and uninspired gameplay, combined with the lackluster story and progression system, make it difficult to justify investing more time in the game once the initial playthrough is completed. The absence of meaningful choices and branching paths further limits the game's replayability, resulting in a disappointing and forgettable experience that fails to offer new and engaging content for returning players.

🏍 Engine / Performance: ( 5.6 / 10 )
Despite being developed with a presumably decent game engine, "Evil West" fails to capitalize on its potential. The game suffers from technical issues, including poor optimization, occasional frame rate drops, and inconsistent performance, which detract from the overall gaming experience. The game's engine feels underutilized and fails to deliver a smooth and seamless gameplay experience, further contributing to the game's overall lack of polish and refinement.

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🏆 Overall: ( 4.6 / 10 )
Evil West is a disappointing and lackluster addition to the action-adventure genre, offering a generic and uninspired gameplay experience that fails to leave a lasting impression. The co-op mode is poorly implemented, with restrictive save file mechanics that limit the enjoyment of playing with friends. The gameplay is repetitive and lacks depth, the sound design is unremarkable, and the game suffers from poor enemy scaling and pacing issues that make it feel dragged out and tedious. Despite its AAA aspirations, "Evil West" feels like a cheap and uninspired cash grab, offering little to entice players to invest their time and money in this forgettable and disappointing title.

"Counter strike 2, A good game but we deserve more"
(This review is based upon the main game + the value of the launch of counter strike 2)
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🎮 Gameplay and Performance: ( 7.4 / 10 )
Counter-Strike 2 delivers what fans have come to expect from the franchise: a fluid engine that provides a smooth and responsive FPS experience. The gameplay mechanics are solid, and the game runs well even on moderate hardware, ensuring that players can enjoy the intense action without any significant performance issues. The core gameplay remains as engaging and competitive as ever, making it a solid choice for both new players and seasoned veterans of the series.

🌎 Updates and Features: ( 3.6 / 10 )
While Counter-Strike 2 excels in its performance and fluid gameplay, the lack of substantial updates and new content is a major downside. The only notable additions to the game are the dynamic smokes and an insignificant upgrade to the microtransaction system. While these updates are appreciated in some regard, they don't bring enough new content or improvements to justify a full-fledged sequel. Fans of the series have been eagerly awaiting new maps, weapons, and gameplay modes, but unfortunately, Counter-Strike 2 falls short in delivering on these expectations.

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🏆 Overall: ( 6.7 / 10 )
Counter-Strike 2 offers a solid and fluid FPS experience that fans of the series will appreciate. The game's performance is commendable, and the core gameplay remains as engaging as ever. However, the lack of meaningful updates and new content is disappointing, especially considering the long-awaited release of a sequel. While the dynamic smokes are nice additions, they are not enough to elevate the game to the next level. Counter-Strike fans should rightfully expect more from a sequel, and unfortunately, Counter-Strike 2 fails to deliver on this front.