Recent reviews by DiDi Holiday

Creepy game with a tense, realistic atmosphere!

The environment is beautifully rendered, and lighting is used to great effect in this release from JustTomcuk. My only complaint graphics-wise is with the character models. Mannequin-esque humans in well-rendered environments makes for a bit of an "Uncanny Valley" experience. The creature designs, however, tickled my fancy.

A quick-fix that will likely please fans of this genre, There's Something In The Ice is well worth the thrifty price of admission.

This is sick, twisted, and thoroughly delicious!

This visual novel touts spectacular digitally painted illustrations that create a dark, uncomfortable, and visceral atmosphere that permeates the experience. I could taste the nurse's cigarette, and practically smell Noah's cell.

The story is driven by choices, and your empathy (or lack thereof) as an interviewer will review hidden angles and surprises.

There are a few gripes: There are moments of confusing dialog (surely a miscommunication via translation), and the player won't be able to quickly move through previously-seen dialog upon subsequent play-throughs. These gripes, however, are nothing compared to the overwhelming experience!

This game is a must-play for gore-hounds, consumers of visceral horror, appreciators of good storytelling, and anyone that may enjoy a good draw-dropping revelation!

Great aesthetic, and the vocal quips are top notch. I also enjoy the visual references to classic gaming (Duke, Sonic, and more!). It has an addictive quality that makes for willing map replays.

But...

It's buggy. Enemies can shoot through walls. Enemy AI is dumb as stone. Clunky control makes for artificial difficulty. Keybinds have to be consistently rebound. Hand-to-hand combat seems sluggish.

I bought it on sale, and I'm hoping that some of this nonsense can be patched out. If I could refund this purchase, I would. I think I hate this game.

Revision (6 additional hours of play):
Okay, so I wasn't playing it right. I was committed to working my way through what's here, and I feel a little bit differently.

It's more fun than I had initially indicated, and I have to admit that I've enjoyed returning to the game.

But...

The more you play, the more bugs you will find. There are holes in the floors of some of these maps (the first and the final being the most egregious), and the penultimate map doesn't even seem finished. In my experience, some weapons fail to fire in rage mode (shotgun, laser ray).

I still find the gameplay sluggish at times, but I also recognize that I was originally playing like a bonehead...

I still wouldn't recommend, but I would no longer say I hate it. With some polish, I this could be so much better.

Pick it up. Give it a shake to hear its voice. Repair it's defects.

What was that sound...?

Man, I loved this! Excellent unsettling atmosphere, cute-but-uncanny-valley aesthetics, and addictive gameplay make for a fantastic horror experience that's pretty well suited for anyone.

Excellent game! I hope for more!

You no mess with Lo Wang!

The aesthetic is good, and the protagonist quips well. That's about all the good I have to say.

Movement is a little choppy, mouse look feels off somehow, and the weapons are abysmal. The enemy roster is humdrum. The level design is adequate, but the map is practically useless - a tiny line drawing in the upper left hand corner of the screen.

I really wanted to like this. I love to support single-developer indie titles, especially when said developer has ties to Troma. I have, however, requested a refund after about an hour and a half of play time.

There's more Island Peril than Blood here.

Come get some!

While not a game per se, Cut To The Core is a phenomenal horror experience.

A richly dark story is revealed to the player through excellent comic style illustration and kinetic design. The use of halftone color, visual texture, and subtle sound design make the experience a robust foray of enticement.

The tale is gruesome. The visuals are visceral, and the characters are disturbingly human. This is a body horror experience, not for the faint of heart!

For the price of admission, this title is not to be missed for fans of surgical and anatomical gore. Get ready to gasp, fright fiends!

It's been over 30 years. Play DOOM already!

Play Quake.