Recent reviews by Bagel

This is a really impressive release for a demo - sure, there are a couple bugs and grammar mistakes, but the dev has definitely "found the fun".

Biggest pros:
- I appreciated the effort put into onboarding. The gradual introduction to game mechanics makes them a bit less overwhelming (there's already a lot you can do!), and the tutorials are detailed. Aside from the smuggling event, there didn't seem to be a moment where I couldn't figure out what to do.
- The diversity of the game mechanics is impressive, it didn't feel like days or encounters repeated too much. Definitely shows the dev's creativity, I can't wait to try out all those different professions in development! Kinda wonder if you'll have to do some roleplaying as the Generalist to be able to unlock them (achievements maybe?), would be cool.
- The pixel art is pretty cute and I'm glad to see people are actually taking the time to learn how to make it instead of relying on AI.

I honestly think Deepspace Emporium has the potential to be the spiritual successor of Papers Please, definitely check this game out if you're a fan! This is a hidden gem of a game and I hope it can get the attention it deserves.

I had been waiting for this game since E3 2019. Even though I had high expectations for Spiritfarer, playing it exceeded by far what I had in mind. This is just the emotional, relaxing, feel good type of game everyone needs during these times. I wish it kept going forever!

Definitely my indie game of the year. You rock, Thunder Lotus.

A pleasure for the senses. GRIS is a visual and audio masterpiece, bringing a casual platforming experience along with an out-of-the-box game progression.

Great challenge, beautiful world and good mechanics. I appreciate not having to worry about armor and weapon stats.

Anyone can get into this game easily, whether they're a newcomer or a veteran. I've been playing it since launch on PS4 and picked it up again on PC, so if you want an experienced player's opinion, here's what I think are its best (and worst) features.

The Combat

• Challenging fights. Not soulslike, but definitely much harder than fighting a dragon in Skyrim. Each monster has unique movesets and can easily kill you if you don't pay enough attention.
  
• Unique playstyles. Melee or ranged; offensive or defensive; dps, tank or support, everyone can find a weapon they enjoy playing with.
  
• Amazing soundtrack. Combat music in the Monster Hunter universe is honestly some of the best I've heard. Each monster and area has a unique theme, making the fights more dynamic.

But...

• Lack of explanations. The game doesn't explain the intricacies of some weapons, so mastery can be hard to achieve. Thankfully, there are tons of tutorials to help, but it can be annoying and time-consuming. I see this as another challenge, but the learning curve has dissuaded more than one.
  
• Some lazy designing. Some monsters have different, more powerful versions. For the most part, they just have more HP, hit harder and faster.
  
• Be prepared to grind. Yes, this game can be grindy, but I kind of enjoy it. When I really need that one missing part, I try to find new strategies to hunt that monster by building different armor sets or using other weapons.

The World

• Large, open areas to explore. It can take up to a few hours to discover all of their secrets.
  
• Atmospheric scenery. Each area has its own ecosystem and feels natural, albeit imaginary. Take the time to look around you and you'll notice small details that bring the world to life in a unique way.
  
• Interactive environment. See this bush? You can hide in it. See those bugs? They'll change color and freak out when a monster is nearby. See these rocks? You can hit them to trigger a landslide. Etc.

But...

• Demanding graphics. You will need good performance to play at 60 fps and get the best looking environment.

The Quests

• Good story questline. While it isn't comparable to The Witcher in terms of depth, I found the story interesting and unexpected. It helps you discover the Monster Hunter universe and some more interesting mechanics as it progresses.
  
• Rewarding quests. Completing sidequests provides you with useful tools and items. Higher risks means higher rewards.
  
• Fun event quests. A selection of unique quests are on a weekly rotation and come back all at once every season during a 3-week-long festival, in case you missed any.
  
• Well-designed crossovers. Capcom has released crossovers with multiple games, including Final Fantasy and The Witcher. Even though the monsters are adapted to the Monster Hunter universe, you still get the feel of the original game.

But...

• Accursed cutscenes. This is probably the most frustrating thing in the game : you can't join friends on story quests until they have watched the cutscene, which is sometimes after a difficult fight.

The Co-op

• Helpful people. There is ALWAYS someone who's willing to help you. Sick of the saltiness in FPS games? This is where you come to cool down.
  
• Optional. Sometimes, you don't feel like playing with other people, and Monster Hunter lets you do that. You can complete the game and not ever see another player.
  
• Strategic. Coordinating with your team can be really fun when taking on a tougher monster. There's a huge community of people who spend their time elaborating new strats.

But...

• Connectivity issues. Even though it's rare, it happens, especially during events. At least you won't get kicked out of your quest, but the monster you're fighting does get tougher when you lose your team.

I was in love with Dishonored, completed it many times and tried getting the toughest achievements. I bought this game just after it came out, even though most reviews said that there was a big problem with the FPS (yes, I know that was not smart on my part). I was barely able to play at 30 FPS on the lowest settings, when I could play games like The Witcher on high. I still had so much fun, but was a bit disappointed of the perfomance. Yesterday, I fired it up again, lo and behold, I could play on high! I am so happy that they continued working on the issue until it was resolved. Dishonored 2 is a gorgeous game, with interesting characters, powers, level design and enemies. I adore the fact that you can adapt your playthrough however you like, stealthy or going in guns blazing, killing everyone on your path or being merciful. Thank you so much, Bethesda and Arkane Studios, for bringing us such amazing games.

Yet another great Bethesda game. Although it doesn't fit all of the criteria to be a perfect RPG and resembles more a FPS, the main questline is constructed in depth and entertaining, like most of the secondary quests. Love the added crafting menus for weapons, armor (regular and power) and settlements.
I rate it 5/7.