Recent reviews by Banana Panda Yuu

So relaxing to play, yet still challenging. The music, which builds as you do, is delightful. Graphics are beautifully minimal.


I adore this game and couldn't recommend it enough.

Completed this game with my partner. Haven't played this on my own.

tl;dr two people in a hard-to-control spaceship collect friends and defeat bosses in 2D generated galaxies, pew pew, yay, love is returned! *squeaky noise here*

With two people, it's one of the best couch co-op games I've played on PC, and is very true to the 'co-operative' label. It requires good teamwork, constant communication and occasionally a bit of yelling at each other. The horrifically twee 'storyline' (if I read the word "love" one more time, I might hit someone), very cutesy art style and that little dance thing that happens whenever your characters pass each other can help lighten things a bit when it gets a more tense. I haven't seen another game quite like it.

That said, this isn't a game either of us would play again. There's just enough variety in the game for one playthrough, but probably not more, not with the same person. It was worth the purchase just to try it out though, and I do recommend it. When the four-player comes out, we'll be playing it again with friends. Could be the best/worst double date ever.

One last thing: I say controllers are required. We started out sharing my keyboard and I just couldn't get used the controls.

tl;dr If you like this kind of game (pick-your-own, number crunch-y, visual novel and kind of dating sim-like), it's a very nice example of what it is. Otherwise, you're probably not going to like it.

Initially,I sucked at the game and hated it. Then, I used a couple of walkthroughs, lightbulb moment happened and now I quite like it. It's a text-based game with consequences, but it's not as straightforward as that. If you're slightly mathsy: instead of 'do x and y will happen' it sometimes feels more like x + v + u * w means y is very likely to happen, and maybe z too if your character feels more depressed that day'. It makes it almost realistic. In a way.

It's still not going to appeal to everyone, though.

My pros:
- Outcome engine well designed, and well-disguised, which prevents the game from feeling simplistic despite first appearances.
- Art is cute. Music doesn't irritate me despite the repetitiveness.
- The dating sim element is more interesting than most and doesn't feel tacky or forced. Except for the bit where she can get forced into marriage, of course, but I'm talking about gameplay here.
- This is basically a quick hit if you like achievement mining. I like achievement mining.

My cons:
- It's a visual novel-style game. For many players unfamiliar with them, or maybe text-based RPG games, I think it's not going to feel that engaging. Having to scrutinise a balance sheet of skills every round might not be that appealing to some either.
- Wasn't the most intuitive game for me - had to rely on walkthroughs until I actually understood how to not keep dying by week 20. But that's probably my fault.
- In terms of replayability, it can get very repetitive after a while. But I'm on something like my 35th playthrough.

Summary:
Take a basic but twisted concept with a lot (I mean a LOT) of shallow Christian references, mix it with straightforward top-down RPG/shooter gameplay, an crazy amount of potential upgrade combinations and increasingly more difficult (and unlockable) bosses, and you have an addictive game with the apparently infinite replayability that is the Binding of Isaac. I was recommended this a long time ago, got it and intially wasn't impressed. But I kept playing it at said recommender's insistence, and now it's one of my favourite games of all time.

The good:
Easy to get started.
So much content for a game that is simple in its setup. There's a reason why there's a Binding of Isaac wiki.
The music is good.
The game doesn't give a crap about being superbly balanced. Be prepared for some really hard runs where you do awfully, and then some really awesome runs where you're overpowered as ♥♥♥♥.
It's a game I can play in short-ish bursts (45 min to over an hour). As much as I also love more intense games that hook you for days at a time, I have a special place in my heart for good games that I can also play a full round of in my lunchbreak, then forget about for the rest of the day while I get work done.
It's just.. fun. That's why I play games!

The bad:
It doesn't get quite as good until after you unlock the first dozen or so upgrades in the game, although this is quick to do. This was why I wasn't initially impressed.
So badly optimised, especially on a Mac. I guess this is why Flash is being slowly phased out.
No save option, other than achievements and overall game completion - you do one run at a time. If you need to leave in the middle, prepare to leave the game running in the background, or abandon it.

And of course, Rebirth is now out and apparently makes this gem of a game pale in comparison.

Still, until Rebirth drops to 75% off (I'm a cheapskate), I'll be playing this for a long time yet.

Summary: Fun, very casual puzzles that are nice to wind down or relax with. But if you're looking for something very intensely engaging or a massive timesink, this is probably not going to be it.

Pros:
Very nice to look at whilst still being quite minimal in style.
Unique puzzles that make you think a little differently - to be precise, think very much in 2D.
Relaxing - I like to play Kami when I want to zone out of work or at the end of the day. It's challenging enough to be engaging but not so addicting (for me, anyway) that you want to play it until 2am. At that late/level of tiredness you probably couldn't get anywhere with the harder puzzles anyway.

Cons:
The music. I just switched it off, but then, it's just not my type of background music. It might be yours.
This is a VERY casual puzzle game with no extras (other achievements besides 'Oh hey, you completed the level, here's the next one', or a story). It's part of its appeal but may also turn people off who are looking for something a little more exciting.

A good English-language visual novel (VN) with good (though not perfect) storytelling. It kept me completely engaged once I pushed myself into getting into the story and getting used to juggling who's who. The terminal screen does add some unique interaction for a VN, but is still an aside compared to the textual bulk of the main content. The ending(s) are quite satisfying, and the bright art and cosplay make a nice balance for the more serious themes.

That said, it's a game made for a somewhat niche market, ie. people who are already familiar with visual novels and dating sims. It also goes into some LGBT issues, and the story requires effort on the player's part to want to find out more - it's a complex story that isn't immediately engaging, but it is rewarding. Prepare to remember a lot of names.

If the above descriptors feel nowhere near your style of gaming or storytelling, then this game is not for you. Otherwise, this game is, overall, a small treat.

Note: While I'm all for the discussion and exposure of LGBT issues and problems of gender equality, at the same time, this game banks on having dating sim-esque elements (cute, 'pursuable' female characters, albeit ones with morre depth that most dating sims). Am I the only one who finds this a bit weird?

A really good game that is quick to pick up but definitely not easy, great for people who prefer a challenge, as well as those who really like micromanaging things.

The music especially is delightful and great for strategizing.

Note: My hours on this game are actually a lot more than Steam recorded.

Addicting and you can put in as much or as little time as you want. It's very well put together, worth what I paid for it (admittedly, I got it on offer) and the music is A++.

My only complaint is that it's far too short! That being said, replayability is great and there's always something new, some new way to pass a level, which is fun. Slightly more challenging puzzles would have added even more to it.

Beautiful graphics (her hair especially, it always looks like it's immersed underwater) and worlds to explore, but rather repetitive in gameplay. Like it overall, though.