Recent reviews by Narukoopa

Given the review rating for this game, I realise my opinion might be a controversial one, and if there was a mixed rating option I could pick, I would've preferred to choose that. Alas, because I didn't finish the game, and I left it feeling frustrated, I decided to pick the negative option.

There is a lot to like about Carto. The art style is really nice to look at. Environments are vibrant and distinct, and the characters that inhabit them are full of charm and wit. Likewise, the core gameplay mechanic is really clever and I enjoyed the various ways the game plays with the idea.

But unfortunately, I was frequently frustrated by it. I don't fault Carto for being challenging sometimes; a puzzle game being challenging is obviously a good metric to have. But puzzles should be fun to solve, and more often than not, I wasn't having a good time with them. Their logic would make sense, but their execution left much to be desired.

It also gets very repetitive, and while new things are introduced each chapter, they are not substantial enough to keep me fully invested, and the fast paced nature of the story meant that I couldn't push past my grievances with the gameplay loop. There was nothing else to hook on to, so I gave up.

Nevertheless, if you have more patience than I have, maybe you will have a better time. I see plenty of people enjoyed the game a lot more than I did, so don't let my review stop you from checking it out. Just perhaps on a discount instead.

If you would like to see a more detailed version of this review, be sure to check out my video review for the game here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_7_T-n7ge4

Herdling is a third-person adventure game that sees you shepherding a herd of animals known as Calicorns. Starting in down-trodden conditions, you and your herd must journey through a vast landscape in search of a safe harbour for you and your new-found family.

What makes Herdling stand out the most is its beautiful presentation. The screenshots show a glimpse of that, but seeing it in motion will leave you in awe. Coming across a new vista that stretches out as far as the eye can see is a unique experience that is hard to describe.

In truth, Herdling is a game about freedom, and nothing encapsulates that more than being able to run and stampede across a vast, open landscape with your herd of Calicorns, with not a fear in the world. Couple that with the game's beautiful soundtrack, and you have one of the most remarkable flow-state games to be released in recent years.

It's not all fast-paced though. There are plenty of slower moments, whether that's tending to your herd, solving puzzles and removing obstructions, or stealthing past hostile birds. How you guide your herd is important, and while getting them to move the way you want them to move can be frustrating at times, it is all part of the challenge.

Ultimately, Herdling is more varied than it initially comes across. I actually think it deserves a lot more recognition than it has received so far. Okomotive's previous titles were the FAR games, and Herdling is a notable change of direction for the developers. Regardless, their effort was a resounding success, and I can highly recommend Herdling to anyone.

If you would like to see a more detailed version of this review, be sure to check out my video review for the game here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZevmjlyVWz0

Cryptis is a retro-inspired first person shooter that sees you fighting off hordes of enemies using a variety of weapons ranging from pistols and shotguns to swords and rifles. The game feels very reminiscent of old-school shooters such as Doom and Quake, while also having a much more modern feel resulting in a buttery-smooth gameplay experience.

Combat is fast-paced, and although encounters with enemies can be drawn out and repetitive, the varied weapons and enemy types do a lot to make the game feel refreshing, and since it only took me about half an hour to finish, it didn't draw out its welcome.

Visually the game stands out thanks to its colourful lighting, both in regards to the environments and the eerie glow from the enemy designs. That last part is particularly remarkable, as each enemy stands out from a mile away. Especially the werewolves, they are terrifying.

All in all, Cryptis is a very well-made experience that is sure to keep you entertained throughout its short runtime. If you would like to see a slightly more detailed version of this review, as well as reviews for other free to play indie games, be sure to check out my video for them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4bRum7jm6M

Monument Valley 3 is the third instalment to what is perhaps one of my favourite indie franchises ever made. These games are known for their unique presentation, colourful visuals and their outstanding soundtracks, and Monument Valley 3 is no exception to any of that. This entry is just as fantastic, even if its price tag isn't entirely justifiable. (As much as I love these games, they are not worth this price)

The story follows Noor, a young apprentice to the keeper of the lighthouse, a structure that's responsible for granting ships safe passage across the ocean. Once disaster strikes, it is up to Noor to learn what it means to be a keeper of the lighthouse, and keep the light shining.

The world of Monument Valley 3 is quite distinct from its predecessors due to its location. Most of the game takes place on the sea, so a lot of the levels are islands that you must travel to. Some look normal enough, but others are much more unique and have distinct characteristics that set them apart, whether that's taking place in a vast meadow, hopping from island to island, climbing up towers situated in vast mountainscapes, or travelling inside the belly of a massive beast. Yes, that is a level.

Gameplay-wise it is very similar to the previous games, but the main feature introduced in Monument Valley 3 is the ability to sail. Some levels revolve around the need to sail from one island to another, in order to progress to the next area, so while it is a simple mechanic, the game finds ways to utilise it to greater effect.

In truth, it is more of the same, and if you are expecting something bigger, then you might be disappointed. It isn't significantly challenging, and as you can see from my playtime, it is short. But if you are fan of these games and of the atmosphere they create, Monument Valley 3 is another triumph in that regard.

If you want to see a more detailed version of this review, then be sure to check out my video review for the game here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15dgl2hJgDA

If 1984 and Animal Farm had a baby, it would be called White Shadows. If I was asked to come up with a tag line for this game, that would be it. This is very much a George Orwell-inspired creation, one that is just as harrowing and impactful. You are given a clear message of what this game contains when you open it up, listing warnings such as racism, animal cruelty, slavery, and more.

It's far from a happy experience, but I think that is easy to tell from the screenshots. In fact, the screenshots are the reason I bought this game. Not because of those horrible things I mentioned, but because of the presentation. The visuals are incredible, and they are even better in motion.

The world of White Shadows is brutally convincing. It is disturbing and tense from start to finish, and the sound design is downright terrifying at times. While occasional gameplay jank can interfere with the immersion, for the most part, I was completely hooked.

It is a simple game, and that is something worth bearing in mind. It's a platformer with the odd puzzle here and there, and a story that heavily relies on "show, don't tell". You don't really get substantial story content until after the halfway point, and even then, much of the world remains a mystery to you.

But I highly recommend it. Definitely on a discount since it only took me two and a half hours to complete, but if you're looking for an experience akin to games such as Journey or FAR: Lone Sails, only much more depressing, consider putting this on your radar.

If you wish to see a more detailed version of this review, be sure to check out my video for the game here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_EaVQBq-Ic

It's not everyday that a video game has inspired me to try out a new hobby... in fact, I don't think a game has ever done that for me before. That makes Alba: A Wildlife Adventure a first. For context, this is a small, yet beautifully charming game whose core focus revolves around uniting together to protect the environment.

The island of Seccaral is a natural paradise teeming with all kinds of creatures. Its nature reserve is essentially its main attraction, which is why the news of the construction of a giant hotel quickly becomes a major issue. You must start a petition in order to prevent this from happening. In order to get signatures, you must complete tasks, such as restoring the nature reserve, build homes for birds, clean up various sites, rebuild attractions, and spread awareness on what creatures live here.

It's a simple game with an incredibly heartfelt message that shows the positive impacts that can be made if we come together to protect our local ecosystems. What is potentially my favourite aspect of the game, however, is the immersive environment, and the birds.

There are so many birds, and they all behave incredibly realistically. Whether you're wandering through a forest or the wetland, you will hear so many sounds, and if you can a bird, you can identify it and learn what it is. It's a small, yet satisfying thing to do.

As a result, since finishing this game I have started learning more about birds. I've gone out and learned what sounds come from what birds, and it's been a really rewarding experience. In truth, I have wanted to try this out for a while now, but this game gave me the push I needed to give it a go.

So yeah, I highly recommend it. If you want to see a more detailed review, then be sure to check out my review for it down below. Let me know if you have any questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI_e5DtEQr8

El Hijo is a top-down stealth game that sees you playing as a young boy set upon reuniting with his mother. Taking place in the wild west, you must sneak your way past bandits and survive the harshness of your environment. That, and tackle with the game's many technical issues.

The biggest problem with El Hijo is that it feels like a constant battle to play. Its controls are wonky and unresponsive, which is not exactly good when you need to react to situations quickly. Its stealth mechanics are poorly refined, coupled with AI that is just downright unfair. It gets to a point where playing it feels like a chore, and it doesn't take long for this to set in.

The game does have merit, though. A good story married with stunning presentation and a charming visual style give it a definitive edge. The level design is expansive, with each one feeling alive. There's always lots of things going on, and some set pieces really do catch the eye.

Unfortunately, I don't think all of that is enough for me to be able to recommend El Hijo, simply because it fails at what it sets out to be: a stealth game. If your a die hard fan of stealth games, or wild west settings, maybe get this on a heavy discount. Otherwise, I struggle to find reasons to purchase it.

If you would like to see a slightly more detailed version of this review, as well as reviews for other free to play indie games, be sure to check out my video for them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWdmffU0v8U

Maid of Sker is a first-person horror game taking place on a remote island off the Welsh coast. You play as Thomas Evans, and are tasked by his lover, Elizabeth Williams, to travel to the hotel located on the island and rescue her from her family who are holding her captive.

Despite having a Victorian setting, it's very much a fantasy world, with the hotels inhabitants becoming shells of what they once were. They are now twisted monsters who lack the ability to see, meaning they rely on sound to navigate their surroundings. Because of this, stealth is the game's main focus.

Story-wise, it's interesting to say the least. I really enjoyed delving into the worldbuilding, and I greatly appreciated how well it ties with the main story. As far as the main narrative is concerned, however, it's just okay. It's fairly predictable, I pretty much had it figured out about an hour in, but it's still entertaining.

The visuals are what impressed me the most. The environments look stunning, especially the opening area. The atmosphere isn't always there though, and this is where the game begins to completely fall apart. Maid of Sker is not a scary game. Barely even remotely, and this becomes apparent when you meet the enemies for the first time.

Every single encounter you have with an enemy goes nearly the exact same way. Crouch around them, hold your breath if they get too close, then continue moving away. The game makes barely any effort to deviate from this. What you experience the first time you meet them is what you'll essentially get for the rest of the game. It's a shame because, conceptually, Maid of Sker has a lot of merit. It just fumbles the ball on its execution.

If you would like to see a slightly more detailed version of this review, as well as reviews for other free to play indie games, be sure to check out my video for them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPuFERAw8yI

Deliver Us Mars is a third-person, sci-fi adventure game and sequel to a title that I highly admired: Deliver Us The Moon. You can probably tell by the names: the first game took place on the moon and this new one takes place on Mars. The events of Deliver Us Mars, however, take place 10 years later.

I won't go into spoiler territory for either games, but what I will say is that you don't need to play the first one to be able to enjoy this one. That being said... play the first game. It's fantastic. The sequel is just as good in my opinion. It has a greater emphasis on storytelling and a stronger character presence.

You play as Kathy, on a mission to save a dying Earth by recovering advanced technology on Mars that was used on the Moon. This is more than just a humanitarian mission for Kathy, however, as the only reason humanity knows this technology is on Mars in the first place is due to a transmission sent to them by Kathy's father. This is just as much a personal quest to her as it is for the greater good.

To keep it short, the story is excellent. It's perfectly paced, is composed of great characters voiced by a talented cast of actors, has emotional weight and a number of twists and turns. It's a good mix of sci-fi and drama, keeping the existential tension without also becoming a soap opera.

Visually it looks stunning, if a little bit rough around the edges in some parts. One of those parts being the character models. They could look better. That being said, it didn't ruin the experience at all for me. The environments are magnificent and are full of detail, just like they were in the first game.

In terms of its gameplay mechanics, it's a bit on the simple side if I'm being honest. It's a lot of roaming around and finding things. You do have a fair number of puzzles though, and they are challenging. You also have a climbing mechanic which wasn't in Deliver Us The Moon, though this was a mixed bag for me. The zero-gravity sections return, and they are just as fantastic as ever.

Deliver Us Mars was a game I highly anticipated after playing it's predecessor. Not only did it live up to my expectations, it also proved to be one of the most memorable sci-fi games I have played. Honestly, if you haven't played either games, you need to add them to your list. These developers deserve so much more praise than they get.

If you would like to see a slightly more detailed version of this review, as well as reviews for other free to play indie games, be sure to check out my video for them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqyzkazpKeQ

Vomitoreum is a first-person, retro-inspired shooter/metroidvania taking place in a twisted, post-apocalyptic version of Earth. In this world, people have been turned into disgusting monsters thanks to an entity known as the aptly named 'Vomitoreum'.

Visually it is equally gross and stunning at the same time. The art style is inspired by the many works of Zdzisław Beksiński, which, if you are familiar with his paintings, you can pretty much see that straight away. Everything around you looks dangerous, but there's also a certain level of awe to everything you see as well. This game is able to make dead things look incredible, and that's certainly worth praising.

From a gameplay standpoint, it is very fast-paced. You will very rarely be standing still; the only times you would be is during conversations. Instead you'll be running, dashing and jumping all over the place, looking for new weapons and upgrades to your gear to make you even stronger.

Exploration is almost a must due to the vast number of enemies you will encounter. It's fair to say it's a challenging game, especially if you aren't properly equipped to the task. You start off with a basic pistol, but before long, you will have a shotgun, an assault rifle, and more.

The combat is really well-executed. Yes, it can be difficulty, but for the most part, it's brilliantly balanced, and the variety of enemies you can fight against is broad. Bonus points to their visual designs too; they're really unique. Some of the boss fights can be pretty stale, but there are also a couple of stand-out ones that make up for it.

Overall I really enjoyed my time with Vomitoreum. If you are a fan of Zdzisław Beksiński, or if you enjoy playing retro-looking games, or if you just want to shoot things, consider putting this one on your radar.

If you would like to see a slightly more detailed version of this review, as well as reviews for other free to play indie games, be sure to check out my video for them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt0QncUhMu8