Recent reviews by theKOTL

Strinova is a free-to-play, anime-style third-person tactical shooter that has taken the gaming community by storm. Developed by iDreamSky, this game offers a unique blend of fast-paced action, vibrant visuals, and innovative mechanics that set it apart from other shooters in the genre.

At its core, Strinova is a hero shooter where players control agents with distinct abilities and playstyles. The game features a variety of game modes, including Team Deathmatch and Demolition, each requiring different strategies and teamwork.

One of the standout features of Strinova is the Stringification mechanic, which allows players to transform their characters into paper-thin 2D forms. This mechanic adds a new layer of tactical depth to the game, enabling players to:
Hide and Ambush: By turning into a paper-thin form, players can attach to walls, hide from enemies, and set up ambushes. This makes it easier to surprise opponents and gain the upper hand in combat.
Dodge Bullets: The reduced hitbox in the 2D form makes it harder for enemies to hit you, allowing for more dynamic and evasive maneuvers during firefights.
Glide and Climb: Players can glide through the air or climb walls in their 2D form, providing new ways to navigate the battlefield and reach strategic positions.
Reload While Transforming: One of the lesser-known but highly useful aspects of the Stringification mechanic is the ability to reload while transforming, which can be a game-changer in intense situations.

Strinova boasts stunning anime-style graphics that bring its vibrant world and characters to life. The attention to detail in the character designs and environments is impressive, making each match a visual treat. The audio design complements the visuals perfectly, with immersive sound effects and a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience3.

As a free-to-play game, Strinova offers a generous monetization model. Players can unlock new characters and cosmetics through gameplay-earned currency, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to enjoy the game without spending money. Optional cosmetic purchases are available for those who want to customize their experience further3.


Innovative Stringification mechanic adds tactical depth
Diverse roster of characters with unique abilities
Stunning visuals and immersive audio
Generous free-to-play model with fair monetization
High competitive depth and skill ceiling


Limited content and gameplay variety in its early stages
High skill floor may be challenging for new players
Monetization scheme seems to be extremely aggro (It is very expensive to get new skins); the game could remedy this by allowing character skin unlocks to unlock its companion weapon.
Game lacks enough to stay relevant among other popular multiplayer games.

Overall, Strinova is a refreshing addition to the hero shooter genre, offering a unique and engaging experience with its innovative paper mechanic. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a competitive player, Strinova has something to offer for everyone. Give it a try and see if you can master the art of Stringification! The game is overall satifsfying for a free to play shooter.

EXTRA GLAM, DEF.WORTH SLAYING TYRANIDS IN STYLE!

At its core, Space Marines 2 is a fast-paced third-person shooter with an emphasis on tactical combat and cooperative play. The gameplay is refined from its predecessor, featuring:

Combat Mechanics: The combat system is both fluid and engaging, blending cover-based shooting with dynamic movement. New weapon options and abilities offer a greater variety of tactical choices. The game’s arsenal includes everything from rapid-fire plasma rifles to heavy-hitting boltguns, and satisfying melee weapons that pack a punch (especially during executions).

Squad Dynamics: Teamwork is central to the gameplay, and Space Marines 2 introduces a more sophisticated squad management system. Players can now issue commands to AI teammates with greater precision, and cooperative multiplayer allows for seamless coordination with friends. The synergy between different squad roles, such as assault, support, and sniper, is crucial for success in the game’s more challenging missions. The operations are a blast!

Progression and Customization: The RPG elements have been expanded, offering a more intricate progression system. Players can level up their characters, unlock new skills, and equip various upgrades. The customization options are extensive, allowing for deep personalization of both the player’s marine and their equipment.

Graphics and Audio
Space Marines 2 boasts impressive graphics, utilizing the latest technology to deliver highly detailed textures, realistic lighting, and fluid animations. The game’s environments are visually striking, and the alien worlds are particularly noteworthy for their imaginative design and scale. The visual design of the Tyranids and the Chaos Space Marines are incredible.

The audio design complements the visuals with a high-quality soundscape. The soundtrack is epic and immersive, featuring a mix of orchestral and electronic elements that enhance the sense of grandeur. The voice acting is top-notch, with well-performed character dialogues and convincing enemy vocalizations that add depth to the narrative.

Performance and Technical Aspects
On my older PC sporting a 1080TI, Space Marines 2 performs admirably. Load times are quick, and the game maintains a steady frame rate even in the heat of battle. However, there have been some reports of minor bugs and glitches.

Operations
Six missions available with a nice range of difficulty. All feel like additions to the campaign. The missions can be done with bots or other players but offer a nice PvE loop for those than don't enjoy PvP but still want to customize their Space Marine.

Conclusion
Space Marines 2 succeeds in building upon the solid foundation of its predecessor, offering an engaging blend of tactical combat, cooperative gameplay, and rich storytelling. While the game does have a few minor technical issues, its overall experience is both thrilling and satisfying. Fans of the franchise will likely find much to enjoy, and newcomers will appreciate the game’s robust mechanics and captivating universe.


NO ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ GRINDING! (IMO)
Enhanced combat system with diverse weapons and tactics
Deep squad dynamics and cooperative multiplayer
Visually stunning environments and effective audio design
Rich storytelling with expanded lore
Great customization system


Minor bugs and performance issues
Some missions may feel repetitive
Stale PVE loop with the operations
Score: 9.0/10 - A worthy nomination for GOTY!

More content to be dropped with updates such as a Horde mode, another level of difficulty, and more!

The PvP mode is fun at the surface but unpolished the closer you look. The chaos space marines feel like they've been molded to fit the PvP framework. Mechanically they're identical, therefore, it feels a bit stale. Would have been cool to have unique abilities. I do really enjoy the fact that you can get cosmetic rewards faster in PvP if you win matches than in PvE. Drives people to want to win which is refreshing. Fast paced combat, quick respawn times, dev's who keep making tweeks and changes, plenty of class customizations, match pacing is good, and encourages multiple play styles. Overall, a delightful experience to play. In its current state, it could use some balance tweeks.


I hope you find this review helpful!
***
Everything has a purpose. The Emperor ordains it so. You may corrupt the souls of men. But I am steel! I am doom! I march for Macragge, and I know no fear!
***

100% completion in 85.9 hours! FOR THE EMPEROR! !
Maybe Henry Cavil will notice me senpai!!!

Trying to support some folks making a fun game! Happy hunting!

It could have been way more....maybe I will come back to it later.

Play with friends and enjoy a great shooter.
1 like = 1 air squat to disgrace the enemy (preferably over the face).

S O L I D. . . .2 I S O U T T H O

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⣿⡿⢏⣵⣾⣿⣿⣿⡿⢉⡉⠙⢿⣇⢻⣿⣿⣿⣿⡟⠉⠉⢻⡷
⣿⣷⣾⣍⣛⢿⣿⣿⣿⣤⣁⣤⣿⢏⠸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣬⣥⣾⠁⣿⣿⣷
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣭⣕⣒⠿⠭⠭⠭⡷⢖⣫⣶⣶⣬⣭⣭⣭⣭⣥⡶⢣⣿⣿⣿
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⣟⣛⣭⣾⣿⣿⣿⣝⡛⣿⢟⣛⣛⣁⣀⣸⣿⣿⣿⣀⣀⣀
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿
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⣿⢰⣿⣿⣿⣿⣟⣛⣛⣶⠶⠶⠶⣦⣭⣭⣭⣭⣶⡶⠶⣾⠟⢸⣿⣿⣿
⡻⢮⣭⣭⣭⣭⣉⣛⣛⡻⠿⠿⠷⠶⠶⠶⠶⣶⣶⣾⣿⠟⢣⣬⣛⡻⢱⣇


*FUN WITH FRIENDS, OTHERWISE, IT IS THE BATTLE OF THE LOOT GOBLINS!
**I do think this game would benefit from a PVE story campaign, IMO.

2$ game play...you get what you pay for. Have fun! Great time drunk jumping with friends, every fall is a drink! CHEERS!

Nostalgia central! Love it on steamdeck too!