Recent reviews by lighthaze

Mid-30 male with three decades of video game experience. These overviews focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. More information at the bottom of the page.

☑️ A personal all-time classic
⬜ Will probably play this again
⬜ Finished it once and that's OK
⬜ Didn't finish, but fine with my purchase
⬜ Just not my thing

Initial Feel
☑️ Instantly hooked
⬜ Fun from the start
⬜ Slow burn
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
⬜ Perfectly polished
☑️ Satisfyingly smooth
⬜ Takes getting used to
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
⬜ Easy to pause and resume
☑️ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
⬜ Regularly loses track of time
⬜ Balanced engagement
☑️ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
⬜ Split Focus Friendly
⬜ Active Focus
☑️ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
☑️ Intuitive flow
⬜ Rewarding challenge
⬜ Complex, but you'll get it
⬜ You might need to watch some videos

Break-Friendly Design
⬜ Easy to remember mechanics
☑️ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
☑️ Sensory Masterpiece
⬜ Artistically Cohesive
⬜ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking

Further notes
I don't like horror games or movies. I love this game. Makes sense, because the only horror movies I enjoy are sci-fi horror movies. That being said: playing this game definitely stressed me out and the fact that you can't freely save but need to use save stations didn't make it easier.

I recently made several refinements to this review system to enhance its effectiveness. One key change was shifting to (mostly) four options instead of five, eliminating the middle choice that often becomes a default selection. This change encourages more decisive and thoughtful feedback. It's crucial to understand that each review statement stands independently and shouldn't be translated into a numerical score. While some statements may carry negative connotations, these aspects aren't universal drawbacks – they might actually be positive features for certain players or simply reflect personal preferences rather than objective flaws. I've also introduced a new sections to provide a more comprehensive evaluation. "Further Notes" addresses important aspects that don't fit the other criteria but deserve attention.

Mid-30 male with three decades of video game experience. These overviews focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. More information at the bottom of the page.

☑️ A personal all-time classic
⬜ Will probably play this again
⬜ Finished it once and that's OK
⬜ Didn't finish, but fine with my purchase
⬜ Just not my thing

Initial Feel
⬜ Instantly hooked
☑️ Fun from the start
⬜ Slow burn
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
⬜ Perfectly polished
⬜ Satisfyingly smooth
☑️ Takes getting used to
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
⬜ Easy to pause and resume
☑️ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
⬜ Regularly loses track of time
⬜ Balanced engagement
☑️ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
⬜ Split Focus Friendly
☑️ Active Focus
⬜ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
⬜ Intuitive flow
⬜ Rewarding challenge
☑️ Complex, but you'll get it
⬜ You might need to watch some videos

Break-Friendly Design
⬜ Easy to remember mechanics
☑️ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
⬜ Sensory Masterpiece
☑️ Artistically Cohesive
⬜ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking

Further notes
You need to be OK with some frustration. There's a lot of dice involved and one of the main challenges of mastering this game is learning and understanding in what order you want to do certain things.

I recently made several refinements to this review system to enhance its effectiveness. One key change was shifting to (mostly) four options instead of five, eliminating the middle choice that often becomes a default selection. This change encourages more decisive and thoughtful feedback. It's crucial to understand that each review statement stands independently and shouldn't be translated into a numerical score. While some statements may carry negative connotations, these aspects aren't universal drawbacks – they might actually be positive features for certain players or simply reflect personal preferences rather than objective flaws. I've also introduced a new sections to provide a more comprehensive evaluation. "Further Notes" addresses important aspects that don't fit the other criteria but deserve attention.

Mid-30 male with three decades of video game experience. These overviews focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. More information at the bottom of the page.

⬜ A personal all-time classic
☑️ Will probably play this again
⬜ Finished it once and that's OK
⬜ Didn't finish, but fine with my purchase
⬜ Just not my thing

Initial Feel
⬜ Instantly hooked
☑️ Fun from the start
⬜ Slow burn
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
⬜ Perfectly polished
☑️ Satisfyingly smooth
⬜ Takes getting used to
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
☑️ Easy to pause and resume
⬜ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
⬜ Regularly loses track of time
☑️ Balanced engagement
⬜ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
☑️ Split Focus Friendly
⬜ Active Focus
⬜ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
⬜ Intuitive flow
☑️ Rewarding challenge
⬜ Complex, but you'll get it
⬜ You might need to watch some videos

Break-Friendly Design
⬜ Easy to remember mechanics
☑️ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
⬜ Sensory Masterpiece
☑️ Artistically Cohesive
⬜ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking

Further notes
None so far.

I recently made several refinements to this review system to enhance its effectiveness. One key change was shifting to (mostly) four options instead of five, eliminating the middle choice that often becomes a default selection. This change encourages more decisive and thoughtful feedback. It's crucial to understand that each review statement stands independently and shouldn't be translated into a numerical score. While some statements may carry negative connotations, these aspects aren't universal drawbacks – they might actually be positive features for certain players or simply reflect personal preferences rather than objective flaws. I've also introduced a new sections to provide a more comprehensive evaluation. "Further Notes" addresses important aspects that don't fit the other criteria but deserve attention.

Mid-30 male with three decades of video game experience. These overviews focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. More information at the bottom of the page.

⬜ A personal all-time classic
☑️ Will probably play this again
⬜ Finished it once and that's OK
⬜ Didn't finish, but fine with my purchase
⬜ Just not my thing

Initial Feel
⬜ Instantly hooked
☑️ Fun from the start
⬜ Slow burn
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
☑️ Perfectly polished
⬜ Satisfyingly smooth
⬜ Takes getting used to
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
⬜ Easy to pause and resume
☑️ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
⬜ Regularly loses track of time
☑️ Balanced engagement
⬜ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
⬜ Split Focus Friendly
☑️ Active Focus
⬜ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
⬜ Intuitive flow
☑️ Rewarding challenge
⬜ Complex, but you'll get it
⬜ You might need to watch some videos

Break-Friendly Design
☑️ Easy to remember mechanics
⬜ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
☑️ Sensory Masterpiece
⬜ Artistically Cohesive
⬜ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking

Further notes
No single-player at the moment, voice communcation is not necessary and not expected, especially on lower difficulties. You don't need to talk to people if you don't want to. Have not encountered any toxicity yet.

I recently made several refinements to this review system to enhance its effectiveness. One key change was shifting to (mostly) four options instead of five, eliminating the middle choice that often becomes a default selection. This change encourages more decisive and thoughtful feedback. It's crucial to understand that each review statement stands independently and shouldn't be translated into a numerical score. While some statements may carry negative connotations, these aspects aren't universal drawbacks – they might actually be positive features for certain players or simply reflect personal preferences rather than objective flaws. I've also introduced a new sections to provide a more comprehensive evaluation. "Further Notes" addresses important aspects that don't fit the other criteria but deserve attention.

Mid-30 male with three decades of video game experience. These overviews focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. More information at the bottom of the page.

⬜ A personal all-time classic
⬜ Will probably play this again
☑️ Finished it once and that's OK
⬜ Didn't finish, but fine with my purchase
⬜ Just not my thing

Initial Feel
⬜ Instantly hooked
☑️ Fun from the start
⬜ Slow burn
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
⬜ Perfectly polished
☑️ Satisfyingly smooth
⬜ Takes getting used to
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
⬜ Easy to pause and resume
☑️ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
⬜ Regularly loses track of time
☑️ Balanced engagement
⬜ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
☑️ Split Focus Friendly
⬜ Active Focus
⬜ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
☑️ Intuitive flow
⬜ Rewarding challenge
⬜ Complex, but you'll get it
⬜ You might need to watch some videos

Break-Friendly Design
⬜ Easy to remember mechanics
☑️ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
☑️ Sensory Masterpiece
☑️ Artistically Cohesive
⬜ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking

Further notes
On paper, I should love this game. I just don't. Maybe I'm getting too old. It's a fun game and it's gotten better with updates, but it's frustrating to know that 15-year-old me would've played nothing else for months.

I recently made several refinements to this review system to enhance its effectiveness. One key change was shifting to (mostly) four options instead of five, eliminating the middle choice that often becomes a default selection. This change encourages more decisive and thoughtful feedback. It's crucial to understand that each review statement stands independently and shouldn't be translated into a numerical score. While some statements may carry negative connotations, these aspects aren't universal drawbacks – they might actually be positive features for certain players or simply reflect personal preferences rather than objective flaws. I've also introduced a new sections to provide a more comprehensive evaluation. "Further Notes" addresses important aspects that don't fit the other criteria but deserve attention.

Mid-30 male with three decades of video game experience. These overviews focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. More information at the bottom of the page.

⬜ A personal all-time classic
⬜ Will probably play this again
☑️ Finished it once and that's OK
⬜ Didn't finish, but fine with my purchase
⬜ Just not my thing

Initial Feel
⬜ Instantly hooked
☑️ Fun from the start
⬜ Slow burn
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
⬜ Perfectly polished
⬜ Satisfyingly smooth
☑️ Takes getting used to
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
⬜ Easy to pause and resume
☑️ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
⬜ Regularly loses track of time
☑️ Balanced engagement
⬜ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
⬜ Split Focus Friendly
☑️ Active Focus
⬜ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
⬜ Intuitive flow
☑️ Rewarding challenge
⬜ Complex, but you'll get it
⬜ You might need to watch some videos

Break-Friendly Design
☑️ Easy to remember mechanics
⬜ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
⬜ Sensory Masterpiece
☑️ Artistically Cohesive
⬜ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking

Further notes
After getting back into CRPGs with Baldurs Gate 3, I read that the Pathfinder series was recommended. I decided to play Kingmaker first. If you're in the same boat as me, I'd probably skip Kingmaker and go directly for Wrath of the Righteous. There's more than enough content there and it's a better game than Kingmaker.

I recently made several refinements to this review system to enhance its effectiveness. One key change was shifting to (mostly) four options instead of five, eliminating the middle choice that often becomes a default selection. This change encourages more decisive and thoughtful feedback. It's crucial to understand that each review statement stands independently and shouldn't be translated into a numerical score. While some statements may carry negative connotations, these aspects aren't universal drawbacks – they might actually be positive features for certain players or simply reflect personal preferences rather than objective flaws. I've also introduced a new sections to provide a more comprehensive evaluation. "Further Notes" addresses important aspects that don't fit the other criteria but deserve attention.

Mid-30 male with three decades of video game experience. These overviews focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. More information at the bottom of the page.


⬜ A personal all-time classic
⬜ Will probably play this again
☑️ Finished it once and that's OK
⬜ Didn't finish, but fine with my purchase
⬜ Just not my thing

Initial Feel
⬜ Instantly hooked
☑️ Fun from the start
⬜ Slow burn
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
⬜ Perfectly polished
☑️ Satisfyingly smooth
⬜ Takes getting used to
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
⬜ Easy to pause and resume
☑️ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
☑️ Regularly loses track of time
⬜ Balanced engagement
⬜ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
⬜ Split Focus Friendly
☑️ Active Focus
⬜ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
⬜ Intuitive flow
☑️ Rewarding challenge
⬜ Complex, but you'll get it
⬜ You might need to watch some videos

Break-Friendly Design
⬜ Easy to remember mechanics
☑️ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
⬜ Sensory Masterpiece
☑️ Artistically Cohesive
⬜ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking

Further notes
No further notes at the moment.

I recently made several refinements to this review system to enhance its effectiveness. One key change was shifting to (mostly) four options instead of five, eliminating the middle choice that often becomes a default selection. This change encourages more decisive and thoughtful feedback. It's crucial to understand that each review statement stands independently and shouldn't be translated into a numerical score. While some statements may carry negative connotations, these aspects aren't universal drawbacks – they might actually be positive features for certain players or simply reflect personal preferences rather than objective flaws. I've also introduced a new sections to provide a more comprehensive evaluation. "Further Notes" addresses important aspects that don't fit the other criteria but deserve attention.

Mid-30 male with three decades of video game experience. These overviews focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. More information at the bottom of the page.


Mid-30 male with three decades of video game experience. These overviews focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. More information at the bottom of the page.

⬜ A personal all-time classic
☑️ Will probably play this again
⬜ Finished it once and that's OK
⬜ Didn't finish, but fine with my purchase
⬜ Just not my thing

Initial Feel
⬜ Instantly hooked
⬜ Fun from the start
☑️ Slow burn
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
⬜ Perfectly polished
☑️ Satisfyingly smooth
⬜ Takes getting used to
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
☑️ Easy to pause and resume
⬜ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
⬜ Regularly loses track of time
⬜ Balanced engagement
☑️ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
☑️ Split Focus Friendly
⬜ Active Focus
⬜ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
⬜ Intuitive flow
⬜ Rewarding challenge
☑️ Complex, but you'll get it
⬜ You might need to watch some videos

Break-Friendly Design
⬜ Easy to remember mechanics
☑️ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
⬜ Sensory Masterpiece
⬜ Artistically Cohesive
☑️ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking

Further notes
No further notes, so far.

I recently made several refinements to this review system to enhance its effectiveness. One key change was shifting to (mostly) four options instead of five, eliminating the middle choice that often becomes a default selection. This change encourages more decisive and thoughtful feedback. It's crucial to understand that each review statement stands independently and shouldn't be translated into a numerical score. While some statements may carry negative connotations, these aspects aren't universal drawbacks – they might actually be positive features for certain players or simply reflect personal preferences rather than objective flaws. I've also introduced a new sections to provide a more comprehensive evaluation. "Further Notes" addresses important aspects that don't fit the other criteria but deserve attention.

As someone in my mid-30s with three decades of video game experience, I write these overviews with a focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. The criteria are deliberately subjective - check out my other reviews to see what resonates with you. These ratings are practical descriptions, not meant to be converted into numbers.

━━Resonance Score━━
⬜ Left a lasting mark
☑️ Will definitely revisit
⬜ One and done
⬜ Didn't finish
⬜ Wouldn't purchase again

━━Breakdown━━
Initial Feel
⬜ Instantly hooked
⬜ Grew on me
☑️ Took time to appreciate
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
⬜ Perfectly polished
⬜ Satisfyingly smooth
☑️ Takes getting used to
⬜ Never feels quite right
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
⬜ Easy to pause and resume
☑️ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
⬜ "Where did my evening go?"
⬜ Regularly loses track of time
☑️ Balanced engagement
⬜ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
⬜ Split Focus Friendly
☑️ Active Focus
⬜ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
⬜ Intuitive flow
⬜ Rewarding challenge
☑️ Steep but fair
⬜ Frustratingly complex

Break-Friendly Design
⬜ Easy to remember mechanics
☑️ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
⬜ Sensory Masterpiece
☑️ Artistically Cohesive
⬜ Distinctively Styled
⬜ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking

As someone in my mid-30s with three decades of video game experience, I write these overviews with a focus on how games fit into an adult life full of responsibilities. The criteria are deliberately subjective - check out my other reviews to see what resonates with you. These ratings are practical descriptions, not meant to be converted into numbers.

⬜ Left a lasting mark
☑️ Will definitely revisit
⬜ One and done
⬜ Didn't finish
⬜ Wouldn't purchase again

Initial Feel
⬜ Instantly hooked
☑️ Grew on me
⬜ Took time to appreciate
⬜ Never quite clicked

Mechanical Flow
⬜ Perfectly polished
⬜ Satisfyingly smooth
☑️ Takes getting used to
⬜ Never feels quite right
⬜ Actively frustrating

Schedule Flexibility
⬜ Perfect for micro-sessions
⬜ Easy to pause and resume
☑️ Needs dedicated time blocks
⬜ Requires long uninterrupted sessions

Hook Level
☑️ "Where did my evening go?"
⬜ Regularly loses track of time
⬜ Balanced engagement
⬜ Natural stopping points
⬜ Easy to walk away

Mental Engagement Required
⬜ Podcast Game
☑️ Split Focus Friendly
⬜ Active Focus
⬜ Full Concentration needed

Learning Curve
⬜ Intuitive flow
⬜ Rewarding challenge
☑️ Steep but fair
⬜ Frustratingly complex

Break-Friendly Design
⬜ Easy to remember mechanics
☑️ Needs refresher time
⬜ Steep re-learning curve
⬜ Like starting from scratch

Aesthetic Impact
⬜ Sensory Masterpiece
☑️ Artistically Cohesive
⬜ Distinctively Styled
⬜ Mismatched Elements
⬜ Notably Lacking