Recent reviews by Talmorus

Lego Builder’s Journey is a beautifully crafted, short puzzle game that delivers a surprisingly emotional and visually stunning experience. Clocking in at around three hours, the game doesn’t overstay its welcome but still manages to provide a satisfying journey.

The puzzles are mostly on the easier side, making for a relaxing and enjoyable play through. That said, I did find myself stuck on a couple of them, which added just enough challenge to keep things interesting. The game’s ray tracing is absolutely gorgeous, bringing the Lego bricks to life with stunning lighting and reflections that make every scene look like a meticulously built diorama.

While the story is a bit odd at times, the father/son adventure at its core is touching and adds a nice emotional depth to the experience. Completing the game was rewarding, and achievement hunters will be happy to know that reaching 100% is quite easy.

Overall, Lego Builder’s Journey was well worth the money. It’s a relaxing, visually impressive, and engaging puzzle game that any Lego or puzzle fan should consider picking up.

Ah, Banana—the game that snuck into my life with the allure of free bananas and quietly turned everything upside down.

When I first stumbled upon Banana, a simple clicker game, I didn't think much of it. Just a little tap here, a click there. How harmless, right? Wrong. Turns out, clicking in this game doesn't actually matter. I found myself hypnotized, sitting in front of the screen, waiting for those random bananas worth 3 cents to appear.

It started innocently enough—a few minutes here and there, just to pass the time. But Banana doesn't play fair. It plays with your mind. Before I knew it, minutes turned into hours, and hours into days. I missed meals, social gatherings, and even a family reunion because I couldn’t tear myself away from the endless pursuit of bananas. Friends and family were concerned, but they didn’t understand the rush of seeing those tiny yellow fruits pop up on my screen, each one worth just a bit more than the last.

My sleep schedule? Obliterated. Productivity? Nonexistent. Banana has become the background music to my life—a constant, insistent tune that I can’t get out of my head. My life’s priorities have shifted: work meetings, household chores, and even human interaction have taken a back seat to the game’s addictive madness.

In conclusion, Banana is the most subtly addictive game I've ever encountered. It crept into my life and took over, one random banana at a time. So, if you're thinking of giving Banana a try, consider this your warning. It will ruin you, but you'll be too busy collecting those precious bananas to notice.

Proceed with caution, and may the bananas be ever in your favour.

I've been a Magic: The Gathering player for over 30 years, and I've witnessed the evolution of this incredible game. Magic: The Gathering Arena does an excellent job of capturing the essence and intricacies of the physical card game. The digital interface is intuitive and the animations add a new layer of excitement to the gameplay. It’s truly a delight to see my beloved cards come to life on screen.

However, one challenge I've encountered is the rapid release of new card sets. While it's exciting to see fresh content, the frequency of these releases can be overwhelming, making it difficult to keep up with the latest strategies and cards. A slightly slower pace would allow players to fully explore and appreciate each set before the next one arrives.

Another feature I’d love to see implemented is the addition of multiplayer round table-style games. There's something incredibly fun and strategic about playing in a group, taking turns to see how each player’s strategy unfolds. Bringing this element to Magic: The Gathering Arena would be a game-changer, enhancing the social aspect and making the gameplay even more engaging.

Despite these points, Magic: The Gathering Arena remains a thrilling and enjoyable experience. The developers have done a fantastic job of preserving the core aspects of the physical game while adding new dimensions to keep it fresh and exciting. Whether you're a veteran player or new to the world of Magic, Arena offers something special that keeps you coming back for more.

Squirrel with a Gun is an absolute gem in the indie action-adventure game genre! This game delivers a unique and whimsical experience, blending the wild antics of a gun-wielding squirrel with the charm and chaos reminiscent of Untitled Goose Game and Goat Simulator.

The story line is delightfully absurd: a squirrel breaks into a top-secret lab, eats a hard drive shaped like an acorn, and embarks on a hilarious rampage through a suburban neighbourhood. The inspiration from the Yakuza franchise and Shadow of the Colossus is evident in the game's mix of combat and exploration.

Players control a seemingly ordinary squirrel armed with a variety of firearms, from pistols to RPGs, navigating a sandbox world filled with interactive objects and NPCs. The combat is engaging, and the platforming puzzles are a fun challenge, rewarding players with golden acorns.

What makes this game even more appealing are the non-violent activities and stealth elements. You can steal food, help NPCs with tasks, or sneak past enemies, adding layers of depth to the game play. The range of costumes for the squirrel is a delightful touch, making the game even more enjoyable.

In short, Squirrel with a Gun is a must-play for anyone looking for a fresh, entertaining, and hilariously chaotic gaming experience.

I had high hopes for Throne and Liberty, but sadly, it fell short. The graphics are stunning—no doubt about that—but the beauty of the game can't make up for its clunky and overly complicated combat system. An example? Dodging by pressing the D key and Q key together—needlessly confusing.

As for the story? It’s bland and uninspired, lacking the emotional depth and intrigue that could have made the game memorable. It's a visually striking world, but one that ultimately fails to engage or entertain. If you're looking for a game with substance, I'd steer clear of this one.

In it's current state, I wouldn't recommend it. Navigation isn't the best, the story is really awful - I just couldn't get into the vague plot. Combat is rather boring and basic. I'm sure it's likely one of those games where "just give it a chance, sink another 10 hours into it!". Naw. If a game doesn't hook me in the first hour, I'm usually rather done with it. I might try it again in the future, but we'll see.

In the vast digital landscape of farming games, "Rusty's Retirement" stands out as a delightful and innovative experience. Unlike its peers, this game doesn't confine itself to a full-screen interface. Instead, it cleverly resides at the bottom of your screen, allowing you to multitask seamlessly while tending to your virtual farm.

The heart of "Rusty's Retirement" lies in its quirky premise. The farm isn't tended by humans but by industrious robots. These mechanical farmers work tirelessly, converting common crops into biofuel to power their circuits. As players, we step into the metallic shoes of "Rusty," the lead robot farmer. His mission? To cultivate a thriving farm and ensure the well-being of his fellow automatons.

The game's most intriguing feature is its unobtrusive interface. Imagine glancing down at your screen during a work break or while browsing the web, only to find Rusty planting seeds, and harvesting crops. It's a refreshing departure from the usual full-screen immersion, allowing players to engage with the game without sacrificing productivity.

"Rusty's Retirement" is more than a game; it's a delightful companion that coexists with your daily tasks. Rusty's farm hums along quietly, reminding you that even in the digital age, nature (albeit mechanized) thrives. So, if you're seeking a unique farming adventure that won't monopolize your screen, give Rusty's farm a visit. You'll find that retirement isn't about slowing down—it's about recalibrating your circuits for a new kind of growth.

Hell Divers 2 is not just a game; it's a hilarious interstellar journey that teaches you the true meaning of 'freedom', 'liberty', and 'democracy' - one conquered planet at a time!

As I embarked on my quest to liberate the galaxy, I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony. Here I was, a star-spangled hero, bringing the light of freedom to every corner of the cosmos. But for some reason, the planets just didn't seem to appreciate our generous offer of sweet, sweet liberty.

The gameplay is a riot. You'd think offering a helping hand in self-governance would be met with gratitude, but no! These ungrateful planets have the audacity to fight back! I mean, who wouldn't want a piece of that delicious democratic pie?

The graphics are top-notch, with explosions so realistic you can almost smell the burning embers of 'freedom' in the air. And the soundtrack? It's like an eagle's cry mixed with the sound of a freedom bell – truly inspiring!

But the best part has to be the multiplayer mode, where you can join forces with fellow liberators. Together, you'll puzzle over why these planets just won't accept their freedom fries and liberty shakes. It's a hoot!

Hell Divers 2 is a must-play for anyone who loves a good laugh and doesn't mind a bit of satirical space conquest. Five stars for freedom!

Probably one of the best games I've ever played in my life. The story telling and voice acting are superb. Though I haven't finished the game just yet, the plot really does pull at your heart strings.

I highly, highly recommend this.

Played for 27 minutes. A couple of those minutes were attempting to install a rather common mod, which would constantly crash the game. But, that's not what I'm reviewing.

During my short adventure. I spawned in the dark, spoke with a crow. And was chased by monsters within the first 30 seconds of game play. No way of protecting myself at all, zero instructions or directions. Just ran around like a fool dying over and over until sunrise. At which point 90% of the monsters were gone. I was only able to figure out how to collect wood and flint (berries if you count that...) and I found a workbench. I made a club. Yay.... I then found an empty shanty with a chest and a beehive in it. Of course, the bees decided to attack me. I had NO way of removing the hive and ended up dying again. I mean, you'd think slamming a beehive with a club would eventually break it. But, no.

Oh, that's when the crow appeared and highly recommended I build a bed. Of course, without any direction. So that didn't happen, as I didn't know how.

I'm sure some people enjoy playing survival games, with no instructions or direction. I personally don't. Even Minecraft gives you basic instructions on how to play. I also fully understand that all my questions are only a Google search away, however, is that where we're at with Indie games now? "We don't need to provide instructions, they have Google!" :/

Once this is out of Early Access, I might be tempted to pick it up again. As basically everyone I speak to boasts how great this game is. I just personally don't see why.

It's like trying to build Ikea furniture without tools, instructions, or fasteners. And, having someone drag you 100ft away from your project every 30 seconds.