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When I first played Dawn of War II back in 2011, I didn't give it much of a chance. The lack of base building was something I could barely look past as an RTS game to me was unimaginable without it. Now, having given it a chance some years later, I'm happy to say that my first impression of the game couldn't have been more wrong.


As the gameplay is very different from the previous games, Dawn of War II's campaign plays out more like a real-time, tactical, squad-based RPG, rather than a traditional RTS.

You have your Force Commander who can lead up to three different squads on to missions. Each of these squads fulfills a different role, such as a Scout or a Devastator (Heavy Weapons) squad. Each of the squads is led by a different sergeant, who you can level up and equip with better items that you earn through missions, just like you would in an RPG.
The campaign structure isn't linear, but instead divided into story and optional missions that you can choose between. Story missions advance the main plot, as their name would suggest, and optional missions are more about leveling up your squad and getting better equipment, but can also have plots of their own. It can also be played co-op with a friend.

There is also a new, more in-depth cover system than in the first game, with cover now being fully dynamic. You can order your units into cover, or they will automatically take it as they move across the terrain. Cover can now also be destroyed to deny your enemy a defensive bonus or to create a new path for a flanking opportunity

The lack of base building and shrinking of the max army size also translates to the Skirmish mode, making the game more aggressive than in the past. All of your units are now built from a single structure, your HQ. As the possible size of your army is smaller than in the past, this, in turn, makes units more powerful and able to affect the battle to a higher degree. Say, you're fighting an enemy who has decked out their entire army in anti-infantry weapons. One heavy vehicle can turn the tide of battle into your favor as they are almost completely impervious to small arms, anti-infantry fire. In the past, this wouldn't have been the case as your vehicle would have easily been destroyed, providing that the enemy has enough weapons firing at it at once. Vehicles now also suffer rear armor damage bonuses, which makes flanking almost essential. It creates a new dimension of realism, while sadly sacrificing some much-loved mechanics of old. Unfortunately, as fun as the multiplayer is, it suffers as many of the playerbase has moved on to Dawn of War II: Retribution.

As far as presentation goes, the first Dawn of War set the bar high, and Dawn of War II proudly raises it even higher. The graphics have yet to show their age, as the models and terrain look beautiful. The cast of the previous game makes a return and is now accompanied by even more great talents such as Steve Blum and Fred Tatasciore. They give a lot of flair to the already excellent story that the campaign is based around, making the characters believable and relatable, while making up for their slightly sub-par development. The sound design also enhances the gameplay, as units shout out taunts between each other and react to what's happening around them.

In conclusion, Dawn of War II does bring in a lot of changes that do make up for the mechanics that were taken out, unlike a certain other game in the franchise. Changes that make the game different than its predecessor, but equally good.

So what are you waiting for? The campaign alone is well worth the asking price. It took me 22 hours to complete on Captain (Hard) difficulty as I had to make sure that my squads are at their best and even went for some achievements, which the fun gameplay actively encourages. It can also be played cooperatively with a friend, which I highly recommend.
Skirmish mode is just as fun, but there aren't many people playing as most of them have moved on to the Retribution expansion pack, so if you have no interest in the campaign, that game might be more up your alley. As for everyone else, Dawn of War II is a must-own.

Grab your copy today and purge Xenos in the name of the Emperor.
9/10

The review turned out longer than I expected, so I will include a summary of my thoughts at the bottom.

Like a lot of people, I remember Crimsonland from back in the day. I first encountered it on a demo disk that came with a magazine I used to buy. With only the first chapter of the Quests mode being playable, I remember replaying it over and over again. Some years later, I discovered the Internet and what it had to offer, so I managed to obtain the full version of the game, finally being able to play through the entire thing. Rediscovering it again on Steam was quite a surprise, with a new look and a tempting price tag. However, having found out that perks are no longer present in the Quests mode, I decided against buying it.

Forward a year later, and what do you know: Crimsonland is on sale, 80% off. Not only have the developers re-added Perks into the Quests mode, but the game now comes with the classic version from 2003. It was a steal at the discounted price and I immediately bought it.

A few weeks have passed since then and after playing through the game and going for some of the achievements, I'm happy to say that Crimsonland has not only retained everything that made it great (and a tiny bit frustrating at times), but has also managed to slightly improve upon it with a couple of new weapons, perks and game modes.


The game has two main game modes, Quests and Survival, both with their own gameplay elements.

Quests mode is separated into 6 chapters, each one having 10 levels. There is no story that follows these, but they're all thematically different from one another. They also have replay value as you unlock difficulty levels and achievements.
You start each level with a pistol, and pick up different weapons and powerups as the level goes on. You can't however switch between weapons you've picked up, but are instead stuck with the last one you did. Kills earn you XP which can be used to select perks that can help you through the current level, as they reset at the end of each one. Beating a level will unlock a new Survival game mode, weapon or perk. Everything you unlock will then be present in Survival mode, as well as future Quests levels.

Speaking of the Survival mode, it is devided into 6 other modes, each with its own set of rules. For example, Blitz is just like Survival, but sped up, with an increased number of monsters and powerups. Nukefism on the other hand has leveling and weapons disabled, allowing you to only use powerups if you want to survive.

All game modes provide a good challenge. The powerups and perks feel usefull and make a notable difference. Some weapons may seem underpowered, but each has its benefits in a specific situation. However, the randomess of it all, accompanied by some difficulty spikes may give the feeling that the game relies more on luck rather than on skill.

Even though all of the game modes are playable co-op with up to three other players, and each survival mode having its own leaderboard, there is no online play.


The sound and graphics present the game well, but are lacking in some departments.

The game has a very clean look to it, so you'll be able to tell whats happening at any given time. Over a hundred monsters can be on the screen, with particles from your weapons, perks and powerups flying all over the place, the bits and blood of the monsters you killed clearly visible on the terrain for the remainder of the level. All this while the game manages to run smoothly all the way through.

Although the graphical update of the new version boasts plenty of advantages, I feel as the developers didn't go as far as they could in some places while, at the same time, toning down the visual noise in others. For example, the only purpose for the maps you battle on may be to provide a mere background for all the carnage, but they could have greatly benefited from a bit more detail, adding to the game's atmosphere. It's something I feel worked better in the classic version, as it had grittier visuals and a less vibrant color palette.

On the contrary, all of the weapons still share the same model, which is something worth changing that, unfortunately, carries over from the classic version. I also consider the look of the menus in the classic version superior to those in this one, which look bland and generic, as if they were ripped straight out of a mobile game.

The soundtrack isn't that memorable for the most part, but some of the songs, like the menu theme, are great at setting the tone and exciting enough to not get repetitive.
As an added bonus, the soundtrack also comes separate from the game so you can listen to it at your leisure.


In conclusion:

Despite some slight missteps and wasted opportunities in remastering the visuals, Crimsonland retains its best qualities and adds onto them with new game modes, weapons and perks. It still looks and sounds good, while running and playing out with no issues. Some difficulty spikes and randomness in weapon drops and perk selection can make certain levels frustrating, but other than that the game is a blast to play and tempts you into getting all of the achievements. You can play co-op with up to 3 other people locally, as opposed to just 2 in the classic version.
There are leaderboards for the Survival portion, but the game lacks online multiplayer. Thankfully. 10tons has announced that they are currently working on three new top down shooters, so we can hope that Crimsonland 2 is one of them.

The time for a sequel is high, just as the score and the recommendation.

I rate Crimsonland a 7/10

Dawn of War is a very special game to me, not only because it served as my entry point into the WH40k universe, but also as it cemented my love for strategy games along with its expansions, Warcraft 3, Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, and The Battle for Middle-Earth II back in the day.

There may not be ample reasons to play it today, but the campaign delivers an interesting, character-driven story with stellar voice acting and writing, and serves as a good entry point for anyone unfamiliar with the series and the universe.

The multiplayer is dead, but it's very much alive in its Dark Crusade expansion, which I recommend getting as well. You'll just need the original game first to play as four out of the seven races that are playable in Dark Crusade. The fifth race, The Imperial Guard, is obtainable through the Winter Assault expansion, while the last two come with Dark Crusade.

The last thing I'd like to mention is the sneaky price increase that happened somewhere near the end of last year. The price went up from 9.99€ to 12,99€, in what I assume is an attempt to cash in on the still-growing popularity of the series now that Dawn of War III is coming out at the end of this month. It still gets heavily discounted during sales so you'll be able to get it for just 3.75€, as opposed to 2.50€, which is how much I paid for it. Nothing major, but nothing fair either.

All in all, Dawn of War is a good game that hasn't aged too badly. There's fun to be had in the game's single-player campaign, but other than that there isn't much else to do if you're not planning on getting the expansions so you could play multiplayer.

In Distraint, you play as Price, an ambitious young man who works as some sort of tax executive for a prestigious company, seizing people's properties, in hopes of proving himself and getting a partnership. However, along the way, Price realizes the impact his job has on the lives of the people whose property he seized, forcing him to re-evaluate his career choice. As guilt settles in, Price begins to lose his mind...

The main focus of Distraint is its interesting story, told well through text and visuals, as there is no voice acting. Although a horror game, Distraint isn't scary per se but manages to be unsettling and get the message of its story across.

The writing is good, although it can get naive at times and there are a few typos. Thankfully, nothing major that ruins the experience. The visuals are simple, well done, and they serve their purpose. Paired with the good sound design, they often create an eerie and immersive atmosphere. The best example of this is when you're at Price's apartment.

The gameplay could be best described as a side-scrolling point & click, without the pointing and clicking. Price has an inventory and can store up to three items which you get by interacting with the environment. You then use these items to solve puzzles in order to progress the story. The puzzles are simple, but engaging enough to keep the game fun and the story going.

Overall, I believe Distraint to be a good game. It's only two hours long, but those two hours are well spent. It definitely delivers for its asking price; you get a good bang for your buck, as some would say. And considering it goes on sale often and that there are plenty of giveaways of it (one of which I got my copy from), it's worth a try.

I rate Distraint a 6.2/10

https://www.engadget.com/2013/07/03/double-fine-kickstarter-debacle/

Now, on with the review.

Broken Age is a point & click adventure game developed by Double Fine and designed by the now-legendary Tim Schafer, known for his previous works such as Grim Fandango, Full Throttle, and Psychonauts. The game tells the story of two teenagers, Shay and Vella, both looking to break the monotony and tradition of their lives. The game is split into two acts, which were released a year apart.

Let's start with what the game does right.

The first thing that stands out is the voice acting, which is no surprise. Elijah Wood, Wil Wheaton, and Jennifer Hale are among the cast, so you'll find no shortage of great performances here. Every single character is voiced superbly well, all adding to the immersion and believability of the world.

The art style is beautiful, having a "children's picture book" look to it. The animations that go along with it are expertly done as well. All of the characters' movements are fluid and none of them feel awkward or out of place. They all work well in coordination with the amazingly drawn and animated backgrounds.

The soundtrack fits the game well and is a joy to listen to while playing.

The game lost me a bit with its story and puzzles.

Despite puzzles being one of the main complaints people have with the game, I think that they don't bring the game down to the point of not recommending it. The puzzles in Act 1 are a bit too simple but at the same time, they are logical and well-designed; while the puzzles in Act 2 are more challenging. They have a glaring, immersion-breaking design flaw and are therefore less logical, which might leave you feeling stumped more often than you should be. Once you get used to it after the first time though, it should be smooth sailing for the most part. The puzzles in Act 1 serve the story more, but managing to beat the puzzles in Act 2 feels more satisfying.

The story is interesting, and I was stunned by how well it was told in Act 1. It is truly perfect in its subtlety and execution. The dialogue is excellently written and flows really well. There isn't a single bad character in the game, as they all feel real and the dialogue makes them even more so. The immersion-breaking flaw in Act 2 is what severely damages the subtlety and execution which made Act 1 so great. I'd even say that the finale may seem a bit rushed. There are also a few plot holes, but thankfully these don't ruin the experience nor the narrative, they just sour the moment in which they happen.

In conclusion

Broken Age is a very good game. Its production values such as the art style, animation, and voice acting are among the best of the genre. The story is interesting, but its execution, subtlety, and characters are its true strengths. Unfortunately, the first two suffer greatly during Act 2 due to a design flaw in the puzzles but in turn, the challenge is improved in contrast to the simple puzzles of Act 1. The ending, while good, leaves a bit to be desired and can feel slightly unsatisfying. It leaves some things up to the imagination, but it still manages to provide some closure.

I would recommend this game to all fans of the genre, and especially fans of Tim Schafer's previous works. Even if you don't like simple puzzles, Act 1 is worth going through for the story, while you get the challenge in Act 2 at the story's expense. Since the game is about 12-14 hours long, it might feel that there's not enough content to back up the $25 price tag, but it's a steal at $10 or less.

I rate Broken Age a 7.2/10.

Grim Fandango, or "the last original thought anyone has had even within earshot of LucasArts" is one of the best point & click games I have played.
I just love everything about it; the story, the characters (I hate the bad guys though, but that's how it's supposed to be), the setting, the retro look, the fine details in design and animation, the truly amazing soundtrack, the puzzles, the overall tone, and the humour. The game is capable of going from dead serious (no pun intended) and epic, to hilarious, seamlessly.
The only problems I have with it are some technical ones, and how some of the puzzles aren't that satisfying.

I've had very few technical issues; just one crash and I got stuck once, unable to move, and therefore had to restart. Sometimes, the Steam Overlay wouldn't work, causing me to miss out on some achievements, even though I completed what needs to be done in order to get them. Restaring Steam a few times did make the Overlay work again. Now I just have to go back and get the achievements, eh...

The puzzles are great. The majority of them are really challenging, interesting and feel rewarding when you finally solve them. Unfortunately, some of them feel confusing and you're not quite sure what you're supposed to do, which resulted in not feeling as accomplished after doing them.

Also, the game has a fixed camera that changes as you move from area to area, which would sometimes obscure something you need to solve a puzzle or the path to another area. This is because the visual cues that should notify you of them aren't always easy to see.

There's no autosave system, so you'll need to save manually if you don't want to lose your progress. It's a bit of a nuisance, but I haven't lost more than 30 minutes of gameplay total.

Overall, it's an excellent game, one of the best I have played. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in it. You can wait for a sale, but I think that you'll get your money's worth even for 15€.

I rate this spooky, puzzle-solving skeleton an 8.5/10.

The definitive edition of Dawn of War still hasn't been surpassed, even by its sequels.
One of the best RTS games in the past 10 years, and I've almost been playing it that long.

Pros:
+Great entry point for everyone looking to get into Warhammer 40,000.
+Seven races playable both in the Campaign and Skirmish modes...
+...that all feel different and unique to each other.
+Campaign features a "Wargear" system that lets you upgrade your Commander after certain achievements you get during the length of your campaign, adding an RPG feel to the game. (Ex: Conquer 3 territories, Have a 3:1 unit kill ratio...)
+Great voice acting, truly stellar.
+Inovative RTS mechanics, at least back when the game came out. Still, they stood and continue to stand the test of time.
+Excellent graphics that continue to impress to this day. Especially the unit models, which rival the tabletop game Dawn of War is based on.
+Like the Campaign, the Skirmish mode can offer a lot of variety, with a good number of maps that can hold up to 8 players and the option to choose from multiple victory conditions (Ex: Destroying the enemy's HQ, Controlling certain points on the map for an amount of time, Assassinating the enemy commander...)
+Army painter; A tool you can use to create a unique look for your favorite race. You can even import custom pictures as your army's banner.

Cons:
-The Easy difficulty in the Campaign is too easy, making your units have five times the health of your opponent's...
-...while the other difficulties don't make the AI smarter, just decrease the difference in health.
-The Skirmish AI also leaves something to be desired, as it doesn't get smarter after the "Standard" difficulty and instead resorts to cheating.
-Despite the excellent models and detail, some of the textures look a bit muddy.
-When moving in large groups, the unit pathing is horrible, with units moving backwards and vehicles getting stuck.
-Some balancing issues.

Overall rating: 8/10
Highly recommended to RTS players and Warhammer fans alike.