Recent reviews by NeN

Actually, a decent game.

Worth the price? No.

Pay $5-7 when possible.

Multiplayer and Campaign are one of the worst convoluted things I've seen in gaming recently.

If you’re going to tease a premise of exploration in Story, don’t choke it to death with restrictions.
That’s the fastest way to make people stop caring about your game entirely!!! It's called "WILDS"

- I can’t figure out why the multiplayer was designed to make playing with friends feel like an uphill battle.
- I don’t get why the main storyline and campaign cling to you like an overprotective parent. You heard of hand-holding? Well this is grabbing your hand, leg, and left ear at every turn.
- I have no clue why inviting friends is such a hassle, especially since the whole reason I bought this game was to play with them. This isn’t multiplayer, it is multipraying, begging the gods for it to actually work.
- There’s a skip button, yet unskippable cutscenes galore. For some bizarre reason, certain cutscenes and bits of dialogue can be skipped, while others are locked in place, forcing you to sit through them with no escape.
- The story isn’t gripping enough to justify this forced immersion. I’m here to smash monster jaws, not wave at the handler every three seconds.

This game took my soul, and I'm OK with it.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching my SO play this game, and I also played it a bit. I do intend to finish it; however, I felt the need to post a review much sooner whilst the feelings linger. Let me tell you about it :>

Neva is a platformer game whose narrative is driven with finely woven puzzle elements within a shattering realm. Story is that of a journey, subtly centered around breaking the 4th wall to evoke emotions in the player, portraying a need for a salient bond to the spirit of nature. It does it in such a subtle yet profoundly evocative manner, that you can’t simply put the controller down. You are drawn to it, as if it was a sweet and playful spring fragrance. You yearn to play a bit more, to sense yourself getting enriched by its lush visuals.

However, the visual narrative has a peculiar spin, unlike most platformers.
It revolves around evoking the sensation of motherhood, in this case - towards a wolf.
And it does it so beautifully, too, that I couldn’t help but feel sad whenever I saw the wolf hurt. It would squeal, in pain. It’s heartbreaking, so you are instantly focused on helping the wolf, and this gives you determination to progress further through realms of serene nature, all whilst getting glimpses of longing beauty in the distance. And, even some spicy themes of loss that are to follow.

You assume the role of this one girl called Alba, a brave adventurer and a protector, who is trying to navigate deeply shattered, yet magical world.
Alba is accompanied by an orphaned wolf cub, and their bond becomes the heart of the game’s narrative, reflecting the essence of maternal love.
As the game progresses, Alba nurtures and protects the wolf, finding herself shielded by it in return.

Mechanics wise - the game transits through puzzles in a seamless visual way. However, right from the start you are given the ability of Double Jump mechanic. and the Sliding/Rolling prowess.
It feels free and liberating for a platformer, as movement done right can make all the difference for an Indie game. A much-needed sense of freedom and agility is pivotal, and I will always advocate this as the crucial element for a platformer, as it just feels like properly engineered coherence.

Nostalgia-wise, Neva returned me to the days of Sega Genesis. That’s no small feat, as I am ruthlessly critical. We have a strong emphasis on nature and environment, whilst the protagonist uses the spirits of the forest to both navigate the world, remove obstacles, and protect the homeland from harm. You can play as the Racoon in Pocahontas to solve puzzles and remove the obstacles. In Neva, this is done interactively by signaling the spirit of the Wolf. Not to mention that both Pocahontas and Neva were drawn/painted by hand. Both games share the message that goes in the blend of Coexistence, Restoration, Harmony, Nature, and Love. Neva encourages exploration without handholding. It is relying on subtle visual cues and an intuitive camera that nudges players toward the correct path.

The theme of protecting the nature was immediately obvious, and it just clicked right off the bat.
A simple visual que was enough, and driving the narrative forward with this method is quite potent.

The sound is spot on. The music begins with serene piano melodies during exploration and intensifies into epic, choral orchestrations during battles, reminiscent of Nier: Automata. This shift adds a very latent emotional depth, turning every encounter into a testament to Alba’s bond with the wolf. Sound design is masterfully crafted, too. Listening through Sennheiser HD 800s paired with a Topping DX9, I found the audio design to be spot-on. I could pinpoint bird chirping, and I found the soundstage felt fully immersive. You’d find me always advocating that the video game’s audio is as essential as its visual and narrative elements. It adds to the immersion by enveloping the player in an intricate world of memories.
So the game simply managed to capture the core elements of gaming by creating a platformer that is visually enchanting, emotionally rich, and musically immersive.

Neva is filled with evocative storytelling, aquarelle visuals, and rich sound design. Everything lends together well, delivering a fantastic experience.
The game felt like living inside a beautiful, resonant dream, and I would gladly recommend it.

An insanely charming game that feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
Yet, somehow, the coziness keeps intensifying with each new stroke.
I'm looking forward to seeing what the creative community will do with this game, and I can't wait to watch it grow.

Right off the bat, do not play this alone. Don't do that. Find someone who is as cheeky as you, and then start. Allow each other a well mannered and proper banter. :>
If you think this is "just mini-golf", you are delusional. This is a game from hell. You've been warned.

Right. So. With that out of the way, we may start talking about the balls and holes.

In its essence, the core of Golf It! revolves around balls and holes. Go figure, right? However, the workshop courses are taking all the spotlight. Some courses are amazingly crafted. Others are borderline maniacal. Some are just like - "wtf was that?"
You have to navigate your balls properly, understand the friction, apply bounciness, and monitor your strokes.

Golf It! is a game that takes the classic mini-golf and allows the community to play with the balls in the Workshop. They did that. So as this might already tickle your imagination, be not afraid to explore.
When playing with friends this game adds a touch of playful cheekiness and mischief. Looks as innocent as any other, until you realize what the community did. And it’s perfect for those who enjoy a bit of cheeky humor in their gaming sessions. The combination of clever mechanics and lighthearted innuendo ensures that every round is a delightful experience.
With mechanics that might make you chuckle, this game is a fun experience for those with a cheeky sense of humor.

From the moment you start hitting the balls, you'll notice that Golf It! isn't just about putting them into a hole like in the classic mini-golf, but rather about how you do it.
It can bring a lot of excitement, especially once you get a grip of the friction mechanics.
You'll quickly learn that mastering the right amount of friction can make all the difference between a sensitive nudge and a powerful thrust.

The Jumping mechanics do add another layer of playful complexity.
Timing your jumps perfectly can swirl balls into a bouncy motion, or straight out send them flying through the air. Be mindful of how hard you hit them.

At the host menu, you may customize few options, so that the bounciness is just about right, Just be sure to ask others if they are ok with extra bounciness first. A little courtesy goes a long way.

The creative hole designs mean that you’ll be constantly challenged to find new ways to navigate each course. In time you will master it.
There are a lot of troll courses, too, which can make you infuriated rather easily.
The way this game makes people angry is a delight in itself.

The satisfaction of seeing your ball drop into the hole never gets old. Putting is an art form in Golf It!. You'll need to balance power and precision, ensuring that your strokes are neither too hard nor too soft.
The game rewards your delicate touch, encouraging you to develop a feel for the perfect put.

Grab your balls, line up your shot, and get ready to enjoy the playful and mischievous world of Golf It!
It’s a game that promises plenty of laughs and a lot of fun for the cheeky folk among us.

Edit: Game has Bloody Tears as part of the OST. Achievement "Symphony of the Night".
I rest my case.


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I have difficulties placing this game into any one genre.

It is a bit of Sims, a bit of Overlord, a bit of aRPG, a bit of RTS, a bit of Hack'n'Slash, a bit of Roguelike, and all wrapped into Vampire-esque lore a la early 2000s.

It is, above everything else, a management game.

I think PvP would work rather well here, as there is a lot of potential to troll opponents.

Yet Another Zombie Survivors (YAZS) is the perfect remedy for when life's got you feeling like a zombie but you're short on time for a gaming marathon. With rounds lasting around 20 minutes, it's the ideal quick-fix for unleashing your inner zombie slayer without sacrificing your precious schedule.

What sets YAZS apart is its addictive and thrilling gameplay that remains fully casual. The game utilizes an auto-aim system as its default option, which lowers its difficulty.

You are starting with some characters, and slowly unlock them through the campaign. It throws you into a world overrun by the undead, where every corner is crawling with zombies and other monstrous creeps.

Whether you're obliterating zombies with a rocket launcher or using an axe to carve your way through the horde, the action is non-stop.

The perk system in YAZS adds a strategic element to the chaos, allowing you to tailor your character to your playstyle. Given that Weapons have low Cooldown, I'd say go always with weapons and build up weapon and critical damage. I found that SWAT, Tank and Archer girl tend to compliment each other rather well.

Want to be a stealthy ninja or a heavy-hitting tank? That's fine, too.
With a wide range of perks to choose from, you can mix and match to create your ultimate zombie-slaying machine.

Visually, YAZS is standing out in the genre as it actually uses 3D models, blending the gritty aesthetics of Left for Dead with the vibrant chaos of an old classic --> Crimsonland! I recall playing Crimsonland over a decade ago, if not more. Seeing that similar genre of games became popular after Vampire Survivors made me somewhat happier.

Yet Another Zombie Survivors is a gem of a game that's sure to satisfy your craving for undead destruction, and you can play it anytime. I think that this type of a game could be played on a Handheld platform rather well.

With its fast-paced gameplay, decent perk system, and fit soundtrack, it's a must-play for any zombie enthusiast. So grab your weapon of choice, gear up, and get ready to survive – or die trying!

Prostagma.





Actually a funny & fun game. Skeleton Archer is funnies with his remarks.
Enemies tend to throw remarks and jabs at you, and so does the game at times, breaking 4th wall.
The game has a wonderful comedic flavour of Herc's Adventures for PS1 mixed with a ton of hilarious references.

Edit:

After sinking more time in, I think I really enjoy it. It has a very good sense of what makes one game fun to play. Now, the important thing for the Dev team will be to keep on bringing new content, maps, enemies, items.
The gameplay itself shouldn't change much. It's just content at this point. And maybe having an option to get a specific God more often than others.
Not a fan of RNG on Gods themselves. I end up having 12+ alterations as a starting point.

There should be an item that allows you to pick "main" god, and then who the extras will be.

11/10.