Recent reviews by Reisswald

Osiris' Magic Mike Getaway ft. Bondage

Alright, let me start off by saying I've NEVER written a review for a game - let alone feel compelled to do so.
Let me start off by telling you that this game alone has changed my mind about that. In this era filled with extremely atmospheric and gorgeous looking games, this 2D-Platformer has encouraged me to write a review to share my experience.
I am hardly 10 hours in and only halfway into the game, dear reader let me tell you this now.

BUY IT - Whether it's on sale or it isn't, BUY IT.

This game came out two years ago and I felt like I've wasted so much time waiting to play such a masterpiece.
But that's okay, true works of art are timeless, and this one is no exception. Now to start off the review:

Right off the bat, you are hit with a beautiful main theme. It sets you up for what kind of atmosphere you're expecting the game to have. Bleak, depressing, dark yet with all the serenity and gentleness that comes with it. Entering the game you are met with a rather ominous scene of your character falling off a cliff. The colors fit the theme perfectly, and yet in a weird way it all still looks so vivid. The bold black outlines emphasize the already meticulously designed areas. The few sources of light enhance the extremely cold surroundings.

The game allows you to explore any area at your own leisure, one of the few things I look for when I play games.
You have the freedom to go where you please, and yet it keeps you grounded by putting obstacles for you to figure out later on. It tells you "you're not meant to go here yet" so that you have a mixture of anticipation and frustration because you want to go there. It keeps you excited, it keeps you on your toes at all times because even if the starting enemies are simple to beat you can easily lose to them by being careless. Not only that but even the terrain serves to either help you or be a detriment to you.

The levels are so diverse, each unique area serving its own quirks and themes. And the way it is presented aesthetically is absolutely gorgeous, you get a thin layer of dust in the starting areas to emphasize the once great cities built by the insects. Now abandoned and only inhabited mostly by hostile beings. There are areas with fungi and you can just see spores in the air, now you wonder if there are enemies that would poison you. These little details that most people miss out on just really helps set the pace for every level.

The bosses are memorable, I remember each individual boss I've encountered so far because it's never the same fight, never the same atmosphere. The fights are meaningful, you're not out to kill another nameless enemy for reasons you can't even begin to understand. You are there for a reason and the game tells you a story for each one - whether it be a very significant character or just a few enemies whose habitat is disturbed. It is NEVER a dull moment, never a boring fight.

I have no words to describe this game's soundtrack, they're beautiful, the same kind of quality you would expect from games like Final Fantasy where they have a wonderful composer (Nobuo Uematsu). The pieces fit each scene, each fight - the build-up, tension and serenity you feel elevates the already complex fight before you. The kind that would just encourage you to flourish your nail out and challenge your adversaries. The more tranquil pieces just lets you unwind, it tells you a different story, to stop and really try to understand your surroundings. Imagine what kind of story went on within these walls, these stations, these ruins.

And finally the NPCs, yes, the Non-playable Characters. Just when you thought you've already listened and known all there is to know about each character, they implement a system where you can REALLY look into each character's personality and their reason for being, their personal emotions. And you will come to understand more as you have that moment of realization, you now have a deeper bond with each of our beloved creepy crawlies.

To summarize: I'm asking you to save yourself the anticipation now, this game is beautiful, and well worth what they're asking for. And for 15 dollars? I would personally pay twice or thrice that amount easily, dare I even say full price? You cannot ask for a better way to spend your time. The game is wonderful, it's challenging but friendly enough to allow more casual players to enjoy it, even BACKSEAT gamers will enjoy watching this game. Just for the sheer story and entrancing soundtrack it has. BUY. IT.