Recent reviews by Timid Vincent

There are FOR SURE things about this game that aren't fully polished, aren't as efficient, aren't the BEST they could be, and ya know what? Still fun, still charming, still having a great time. I'd probably recommend it on sale, but if you are a fan of the franchise, you'll likely have a great time. I remember playing the old Digimon World game for PS1 with my siblings, and this sends me right back there. If you're willing to let yourself have fun with it, it's a great game to pick up.

It took a minute for me to really appreciate what Eastward is doing -- or, what I'm getting from it, at least. It does a great job paying homage to the champions of yesteryear, but still builds upon the genre with deeper exploration of what a mini-game can do for the narrative, how to hide sleek and modern effects within a retro palette, or how to serve both escort-mission and tag-team-duo without feeling taxing . The whole deal is very dense, and if you can take some time and really let it wash over you without playing it with the same intentions as you might another game, the game feels brilliant. It took me a second to find that mindset and let it happen. This might be a unique experience for me, though I hope if someone else finds themselves feeling like you're starting to drudge through it, that they find something helpful in this review.

The hours that I've put into this game before it was even conceivable that we'd get a steam release are staggering, so there was no question in my mind to pay a fraction of what this game is worth to get it here. I've seen a lot of folks complain about the price, but I'm fairly confident the DF community know what's up and understand that a lifelong dedication to making a beautiful game like this is worth much, much more than a $30 price tag. Hell, I think it's understood that the value here goes beyond money, and that passion, love, and commitment do more for gaming than what we tend to see coming to us from AAA studios. If you're on the fence and reading this far, please give this game a shot. It's complex, baffling, funny, stressful, rewarding, and full of near-limitless exploration and FUN.

Really great job of relating the game mechanics you build upon with your real world journey of truth seeking. You learn simple concepts, add depth and complexity to them for some really challenging puzzles, and (for me, at least) finally start looking at the game not as a checklist to complete, but as a space to occupy and enjoy. It can be a game for taking a break from the real world via logic puzzles, or it can be a reflection on the perspective (ha, get it?) you have habituated when IN that real world.

I tend not to worry about how others approach their enjoyment of games, but this is one that I'd strongly recommend not spoiling or using guides for. That being said, I found myself struggling with a few game mechanics ( triangle puzzles ), but overall the game implements mechanics in an approachable way.

I am not sure if my experience with the deeper ideas in the game would resonate with everyone, but I would recommend this game to anyone who has even remotely considered playing it. Even if only a fraction of those people are affected in a similar way as I have been, I would be happy to know that others had that opportunity.

RimWorld has a rare blend of engagement -- great for when you're looking to immerse yourself in managing colonists, but also for when you want a little distraction running off to the side that you can peek into. Once you get in the groove, things can tend to run themselves, but choosing from different 'storytellers' who change the events and difficulty is a great way to alter the way you play. Some of the mechanics were a bit underwhelming when I first started, but quickly grew on me. Give it a shot if you're on the fence and have some time to kill.

I know I haven't put much time into the game, but it just didn't grab me from the start. Shame, really, because the style is so charming and intentional. Props to the artists involved, it just didn't really come together as a game I enjoy. Dialogue seems tired and forced -- like even the characters are trying to rush through meaningless conversations. For such beautifully designed worlds, the interaction within them seems empty and dull. I like the bit of combat I ended up engaging in, but I knew that all I had to look forward to after the battle was side scrolling and simple platforming that underwhelmed. I know there are people out there who will enjoy this whole-heartedly, so give it a try if you have the cash to drop. And who knows -- after I finish the games I'm currently invested in, I may re-visit Indivisible and find out that I was just not in the right headspace. Here's hoping.

The only real downside I feel Fallout 4 has is the glitchiness of the game, but we all know that's part of an authentic Bethesda experience at this point <3

Lately, I've felt guilty. Video games were such an integral part of my development, but recently I just couldn't find the time. My interest would dwindle shortly after launching. I'd become disillusioned, because the mechanic did this, that, or the other in a frustrating manner.

Then, Disco Elysium.

I haven't felt this way about video games -- that old, nostalgic hobby -- for such a long time. This game makes me feel curious and new to a world. It makes me feel like I'm experiencing a new medium all over again. My adrenaline pumps during intense scenes. The dialogue is witty and sharp, but it just feels right. I never take a moment to question how likely it is that a character would act that way. It all fits. It all works.

The skilltree is narrative. The quest items have wonderful dialogue. The history of the world shapes you, and you shape the current events. Your character's investment (and by proxy, your investment) in the world is built-in, woven, adhered to the structure of the game.

I feel that what I've been missing in video games can be reduced down (unfairly, maybe) to storytelling. Disco Elysium tells a story in a way that others have only done in a parallel fashion. Nothing is so groundbreaking that it feels alien, but the method has been thoughtfully developed and implemented. Granted, I feel like I've only scratched the surface of the game, but I'm already left feeling like my money has been well-spent.

Fun game, but emotionally manipulative management at Chucklefish, it sounds like. Even the stance taken with Polygon during that interview seemed dismissive and blaming. As someone who has put a whoooole lot of time into a number of Chucklefish games, I love the work that their team does, but don't want to see the management continue to profit. Bummer.

Absolutely love what I've played of this game. Stunning visuals, fun and varied gameplay, and the story progression motivates me to keep going. Fun skill trees, balanced roguelike dungeons, character backstory -- this game checks a lot of my boxes. I'd confidently recommend trying it out.