Recent reviews by Cravez

Unfortunately one of the core issues I have with the game is that it simply won't work for me, I've been having consistent crashes with a good spec PC, updated Windows, updated GPU drivers etc.

When it does work, the core idea of the game is an amalgam of a lot of things I like: RPG, Open World, Sandbox, Survival, Difficult. But I feel like it's trying to be hard to be all of them without being a refined experience in any of them. Particularly in the survival aspect as while it has a complex cooking and alchemy system, it's far too saturated with too many recipes that are possibly too hard to get that early game is essentially a Bedroll Sleeping & Jerky Eating simulator. Bandages early game aren't always easily available and you need to heal a lot from combat (hence Bedroll and eating Jerky).

Once you engage in melee combat you might think you're at home if you've played Dark Souls, but it turns into a clunky mess of your character feeling like they're in mud, with very little visual feedback of your attacks doing anything to your enemies. Imagine your character feeling like they are highly encumbered and your enemies have high poise. And also because of this, special attacks are not worth doing as it ends up hurting your character more than benefiting. Your better off keeping guard up, and consistently moving around the target until you see an opening, which isn't always engaging combat.

I'm aware there's other aspects of combat such as ranged and magic, but with the game's issues it couldn't hook me in enough to properly try or comment. But based from the tutorial, Magic seemed like an interesting aspect of combat where you could combo certain spells for more effectiveness.

There are some good aspects of the game; Crafting system is decent and allows for experimentation. Game world (world building, aesthetics of buildings/weapons/armor, creatures, lore) from what I saw in my short time playing seemed interesting enough. Tutorial was also quite decent, in-depth and hands on to get you ready for the game.

I'm a bit disappointed because besides the technical issues and my gripes about the other certain aspects, I think I would enjoy a game like this. And possibly someone else might find something worth their time playing this and will enjoy it, I just didn't.

I had an enjoyable time with Resident Evil 8. I feel as though the jump from RE8 to RE7 was how RE4 jumped from RE 1-3 was; a more action horror focus rather than survival horror, but in the good way like RE4 did. Good action sequences while not completely diminishing the horror aspect of the series.

You can tell RE8 is very much inspired from RE4 when you contrast the similarities in locale (European Rural setting), Set Pieces (Castles, Village, Fortified Strongholds), collecting coins and treasure from the environment to sell to a mysterious merchant to upgrade gear etc. There were some aspects I liked with this such as the added cooking mechanic to upgrade Ethan's stats like Health or Blocking by encouraging you to explore the locations a little more.

My only noticeable criticism with the game was the extremely strong game start, with a meh midway, and then an adequate finale. It's obvious they used the start of the game for the marketing since it's the most interesting aspect of it (IMO), it has a very strong hook to lure you into the rest. But I enjoyed the game enough to not be completely dis-satisfied either. The game does eventually tie in the lore between RE7-RE8 and even into the greater Resident Evil universe.

It's definitely worth playing for any fan of Resident Evil.

Mortal Online 2 is a diamond in the rough. A unique throwback to old school MMO's like Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies and an experience you won't get from other MMO's currently on the market. A very immersive MMORPG with lots of potential for your character's development in many ways.

Be warned, it's not for everyone, it's an unforgiving sandbox with full loot PvP. Your chances to thrive increase greatly when you roll with a group or guild, and social interactions is a big part of the game to forming friendships, alliances or even enemies. Solo is possible (I have been predominately solo for these 2k+ hours) but you are currently unable to do most of the big dungeon bosses solo. There are plenty of Points of Interests spread out around the world to fight PvE mobs and get some loot as a solo player. There is planned upcoming dungeon content that is more orientated for smaller groups and solo players.

The game is by no means perfect, it has some outstanding issues that need to be addressed before a potential release on other platforms in the coming months, however those issues are being addressed and fixed over time, one of which recently is player/animation rendering at longer distances, which was one of my particular peeves. I'm confident Star Vault will improve on these issues over time.

If you're willing to accept the nuances of the game, and understand it's a big MMO made by a SMALL team, you'll find a unique amazing experience in this MMO to sink hours into.Nearly 2k hours since making this initial review, I am still having fun.

Duke Nukem: 2077

A fun, sprawling, action packed Cyberpunk addition to the 'Duke Nukem-like' series. Interesting juxta position of weapon types such as a revolving pump action shotgun, and Ion powered crossbows. Enemy types were also interesting, but maybe could have had some more further variety, most enemies you see in earlier levels you see throughout the remainder of the game (exception being zombie like mutants). Loads of explorable secrets and 80's/90's pop culture references you can shake a stick at. Playing through the campaign, it gave me Half Life vibes with interactive environments, connecting levels and the various location types you visit, from urban city, executive offices, to sewers, mountain ranges, to secret laboratories. Shelly is a decent protagonist, but doesn't carry the same hubris of her fellow Nukem-like protagonists that we're used to.

I highly recommend the game, especially if you're looking for a similar fix to old school Duke Nukem or Shadow Warrior.

A surprisingly well crafted love letter to the old school horror franchise. Has clear inspiration elements from Resident Evil series and Silent Hill. Good balance of combat, puzzles and difficulty. Offers additional game modes for replay value after completion. Would recommend for the price.

While the gameplay loop of Warframe has remained consistently the same throughout it's development cycle, the mechanics, lore and world building of the game has evolved tremendously. It's a F2P game of Triple A quality and some of the most passionate development teams in the current gaming Industry. Excusing some in-game market new player traps, It also has one of the most fair in-game economies and premium currency monetization for a F2P game.

One of the best story telling and adventure games iv ever played. The Walking Dead makes pushes your moral choices with the benefits and consequences that go with those choices, this creates alot of tension within the game that feels like it rests on your shoulders. The game offers alot of emotional depth to the characters within the story and I guarantee you will not be left disappointed after playing this game..

Note: I have hundreds of hours in this game since 1998

One of the greatest squad based tactics game ever made. A sheer classic to a wonderful series, this game provides everything needed for Strategy junkies to keep you playing for hours.

It mixes Micro & Management well in a world where Diplomacy is also key to surviving the Alien threat. Need more funding? Ally yourself with the political parties. Need more Medkits? Ally yourself with the local medical organisation. Need more scientists? Ally yourself with the local biomedical organisations.

The combat feels alot more personal in this game, you fight the UFO's over a city Geoscape rather than a planet wide attack, the UFO attacks have potential to affect every organisation in the game and can indirectly affect their influence towards you. If one of your stray rockets unintentionally hits an organisations building, they will become hostile and may plan on raiding your HQ if you don't smooth things over.

The game also introduces Real Time combat into the tactical based missions. So if anyone isn't a particular fan of turn based games the game allows you the option to experience in Real Time.

The game allows you to set your own pace, unlike the more recent Enemy Unknown/Within, you don't feel as rushed playing Apocalypse, allowing you to enjoy the journey of the game to it's fullest.

This game certainly stands the test of time as being a great tactical squad based game.