Recent reviews by mecha_yota

Got this gifted as a birthday present. I went in blind, only knowing it was a detective game related to paranormal occurrences. Being a huge fan of detectives, I was hyped. And, boy, I enjoyed the heck of UMDC.

The game is split into 6 episodes--each revolving around a specific case--with all being connected by the overarching plot. In each episode, you're supposed to find the case info on the net, gather clues, talk to people, and look into the past. The cases were a bit simple to my liking, but the great deal of unexpected twists forcing my jaw drop smoothed the sharp edges.

My only complaint is the occasional 'hand-holding' of the game. It strongly leads you towards the right solution with hints and (especially) dialogues. No punishment for failing, either. But then again, it'd be great for those who wish to relax and enjoy the plot. Also, before the actual gameplay, you may get bits of dialogue that are not of importance. But those are tolerable.

The local art style is lovely--clever mixture of bluish gray with small rare drops of red creates an amazing atmosphere of simplicity within complexity. Spice it with a catchy soundtrack and you get the banger.

It was a neat experience, I'm excited to see your other projects.

Ah, what a wonderful adventure that was. I went in blind and enjoyed every little thing the game had to offer. It's one of those projects made with love, where you can see the pieces of heart and soul blooming. It's experimental, confusing at times, always ready to surprise the player with another interesting decision. The art-style, the music, the attention to details, the messaging--there's so much to praise the game for. Just don't get confused and accidentally praise The Mold instead.

For anyone considering whether to play Starstruck or not--do it. It's a decision you won't regret. For the developers--thank you for making such a treat.

Well, that was fun!

At first, I wasn't really interested in the project considering it to be another cliche "yandere horror." Gladly, many YT recommendations proved me wrong, showing how well-made the game actually was. So, I gave a try and loved every bit: the insane attention to details, "alive" characters who are fun to interact to, a bunch of minigames located here and there, catchy soundtrack and a pretty good plot tackling my beloved theme of escapism and loneliness. And it's made by Russian devs, too? Perfect.

There are some questions I feel like the game didn't provide answers to, but perhaps it'll change in the subsequent updates. Nevertheless, I like the game the way it is. Hyped for the peaceful mode.

Really, good job on this one guys. Хорош! I'll definitely check your other works--both of past and future.

Perfect way to support the creator in case you liked the OG game. This one is not a sequel, but a definitive edition of the original, adding more content level-wise and plot-wise.

Just like with the OG game, this one is perfectly executed, setting necessary atmosphere without cheap jumpscares. Surely, some enemies tend to appear suddenly out of nowhere, but it's not annoying, and it reminds you to always stay alert. New locations are pretty sick, especially the "Hard Structure", reminding me of these Soviet buildings I'm always surrounded by. Oh yeah, the OST playing for the "Instructions" level is my new favorite.

Speaking of the OST--banger, from the first song to the last. Moody, chilling, sometimes groovy--what else do you need? I'm really hoping for the release of the second volume on Steam.

I'm hyped for the follow-up content in this universe. In the meantime, I'll definitely check what else "Fading Club" has in stock.

Gameplay Tip: Local phones do not treat numbers well.
Real World Tip: Every House in your location is connected via catacombs. Make sure to keep your possessions secure.

I've heard quite a lot about this game from my internet friends. After giving it a shot, I see why: simple, addictive gameplay; deep plot; perfect balance of mystery and social element; multiple choices leading to different endings; option to choose the ending you prefer; little callbacks to other interactions you've had; amazing ost; replayability...should I continue?

Honestly, there's a lot to say about the gameI, but I don't want to turn the review into yapping. Let's just say I had fun with this game, plenty of it. And would gladly erase my memory to relive the experience.

If you're looking for a game to kill time with, try Placebo Love. It's an experience you'd be happy to have. I really hope that eventually more people get to know about this gem. It deserves that.

I like this one. Without diving too much into complicated linguistic therminology, it manages to tackle the subject of pragmatics on the understandable and quite enjoyable level. The battle system is fun, focusing on not what is supposed to be happening, but rather on how it is done--a daring but efficient approach. The characters, too, are unique in their own way, funny to interact with, especially if approached with random topics. William will forever take place into my heart, that chad energy sassy boy.

I had a bit of a problem with the absence of ability to change topics in-convo, but it's not really an issue, just a gimmick I'd like to exist. All in all, a great game to kill an evening with.

And with that my dive into the Merlandese-verse had begun.

Okay, this might be my fave alongside FP for the topic it tackles. I was waiting for it to approach someday, and here it is. It feels like a great epilogue to the franchise. A perfect tribute not only to the games, but to the dev team and the community.

It was a real treat, guys. I savoured the game exploring every little gimmick and dialogue, had fun with the crew and shed a few tears at the end. It's especially great since I get to know the community over the couple past years and share a bond with it. I hope there is more we can get through together.

In any case, thanks to the entire dev team for making this beauty, and for the community for being such chads.

I loved the original game, but having tried the demo I think I'll love it even more when the update comes. New characters and cutscenes. and improved battle system. The latter is absolutely great, making battles way more exciting than they used to be. Hyped for I.V!

P.S. I booted the game for a couple of seconds to check whether it works. Got stuck for minutes watching the new title screen in awe.

Great horror game that puts you into the state of uneasiness not through cheap jump scares but with the help of a masterfully crafted atmosphere, partly created thanks to the glorious soundtrack. Definitely recommended! Hyped for more stuff from this universe.

(YIIK I.V)

Holy fattened cow! I did expect the peak, but definitely not an entire yiikstacy! I.V is not just a good update to an already neat game. It's a perfection straight up, not only reworking the gameplay and adding new cutscenes, but going beyond, drastically expanding the lore wrapping it in new layers.

The new battle system is a mesmerizing dance--definitely one of the update's highlights. Quick, pumped, and packed with action, it never makes the player bored. Especially with the addition of Kartas, allowing experimenting with builds, finding the most optional for yourself.

The Mind Dungeon of now is a fun place to explore, using the gimmicks you get throughout the game for the progression. The leveling up process is smooth, taking just a second of your time. More than that, there's even still something to explore after you start NG.

New OST must be the personal favorite of mine. Including so many bangers is a crime of stealing my heart. And you know, I'm more than happy about it. Can't wait for the release of the full soundtrack, especially the songs from the NG.

Speaking of NG, it was an unexpected but definitely welcomed surprise. It managed to subvert all the expectations in the best way possible, while adding more to the plot. I completed it all in once day, yiiking out in the process, not wanting for it to end.

The update definitely made the plot more comprehensible and accessible, so many of those who were lost might finally grasp what the game was actually trying to say and do. And what it says ad does now with the new content.

I love the cinematic vibe of the update, too. I know it is there for the narrative reasons, but I still do appreciate it as a whole. Turns the game into an even more pleasant experience.

All in all, an amazing update everyone should try, especially those who were disappointed by the original game. Please, give it another chance, it's really worth it.

P.S. Listing some of the gameplay gimmicks I feel might benefit the game even more.

- Showing the death animation for all the dead enemies simultaneously, instead of doing it separately.
- Encouraging the player to visit Monster Dens. As of now, you can beat the game pretty much without visiting them once. Would be neat, if they were one of the required reasons for you to progress (as a source of EXP to beat a tough boss, for example.)
- Same with Kartas, making the player use them more, not just as a mere shield. As of now, the enemies rarely force you to use the Kartas--you can pretty much beat them by spamming regular attacks and skills. I feel, it would be way more enjoyable to actually use Kartas strategically due to necessity.
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(Pre I.V)

I've heard a lot about YIIK. For the most part, it was either hate or mockery. And when I did manage to find a somewhat positive review, it turned out to be a sarcastic remark. So, when I launched the game after the installation, I expected to laugh as well; to meme the heck out of YIIK.

And yet here I am, genuinely loving what I saw from start to finish. Sure, the game was not perfect (especially when it came to combat); sure, it contained a bunch of ridiculous and dumb moments. But despite that, I still enjoyed it. I had fun in trying to find a meaning, to make sense in the story presented. YIIK even sparkled my interest in the postmodern genre, and I'm thankful for that.

While I enjoyed the game in its current form, I'm excited to see what new content the I.V update will bring. And I sincerely hope it makes more people appreciate the game.

To the developers, I want to say thank you. In spite of all the harsh criticism, you still keep pushing forward. And that leaves me with nothing but respect.