Recent reviews by Merciful Hacker

So I've played a LOT of mystery games, and most of them have disappointed me. I hate when a game feels like it doesnt trust me to "find the fun" in solving a big mystery. I've tried a lot of Sherlock Games, and they ALMOST got it with this one. "Crimes and Punishments" gives you more options than previous titles when it comes to actually using critical thinking to solve each mystery--

--BUT--

--unfortunately, there's still an alarming amount of hand holding and clue-feeding to where I just didnt feel like I was using deduction to solve each crime. You'll get a crime scene to explore, but Sherlock (not YOU) still decides what is and is not relevant to figuring out what happened and what you should do next. The game just focuses a little too much on random fringe details (like Sherlock's costumes..?) and being nice to look at.

If you want a game that TRULY challenges your ability to solve a mystery, try "Return of the Obra Dinn" and "Unheard."

All of it is amazing. Ive been going through a hard time these last few months, and this game really helped me cope in ways I wasnt expecting.
Thank you thank you thank you!

A wonderful alternative to "Where's Waldo?" in a world that constantly replaces paper games with digital ones. Its like living my childhood puzzle fun times all over again. Super charming and AMAZING Dev team.
10/10 would search for small folk again :)

Absolutely amazing. I dont post reviews often, but I had to spread the word here.
This game is GREAT for those who love micromanaging stuff in games. You get the fun and chaos of top-down hack n' slash in the dungeons while the running the Moonlighter almost acts as a respite from all the action and you can have fun just arranging your inventory and setting prices, shop accessories, whatever. It literally takes the relaxation you can get from managing inventory and selling stuff in other games and makes it a huge part of Moonlighter's gameplay.

10/10 especially because even MORE free content is coming out and the devs are super awesome.

Please be warned!--A GOOD percentage of negative reviews here are NOT due to quality of gameplay, richness of overworld or number of fun and interesting side quests.

People are pissed because you have the OPTION to buy content through steam (such as ammo,etc...its really not worth it) to insert into your campaign. You dont need it to win and certainly not to have fun.

There is also an online feature called "Breach" (not in story mode) where you level up your AI Avatar and do the same stuff Jensen would do but in a "digital"-ish environment. You can beat scores, play lots of random levels, and again, you DONT need to buy anything outside of the game. However, its not great. But its also not terrible and its hardly an insult to consumers.

So long story short? If this thing is on sale (I got it in a sale for $15) and you liked Human Revolution, buy it and enjoy. It really is a good game, as you can see I put a LOT of time in it just exploring and breaking into places just to see if I could. Its a LOT of fun.

## INTRO
Fighting games are a bit like tennis. I had to practice for several months before I could reliably hit the ball over the net into the opponent’s side. This is the basic competence required to play the game. If you can’t hit it over the net and into the opponent’s area then you can’t play tennis “for real”.

Fighting games also have an obstacle that beginner players must overcome. Complex inputs, precise timing, and combo strings all keep many people from ever experiencing the “real game”.

Fantasy Strike aims to help players get over that initial hump and immediately start playing “for real”. Street Fighter designer David Sirlin created Fantasy Strike as “a fighting game that anyone can play.” In this regard Fantasy Strike is wildly successful.

## PITCH
If you don’t play fighting games then this game is for you. There are no complex inputs, no long combos, and the entire genre has been cleverly deconstructed to be easy to learn yet still difficult to master.

If you do play Fighting Games than Fantasy Strike offers a middle ground; e.g. if I play Guilty Gear and you play KoF it could take months before we learn each other’s games well enough to play. But Both of us could learn and enjoy Fantasy Strike within a few minutes.

## REALITY
Often my opponent will use a move or strategy that I immediately think is cheap and unbeatable.
But after a few minutes in training mode, trying stuff out, I can usually find a simple counter, and use it in the very next match.

This game really does let me jump right into the mindgames and the strategy.

Amazing game. Does amazing things within the tactical RPG genre, and is just soooooo fun to play.

But..it requires patience with your intuitions and personal playstyle, which could simply just not work in a long-term strategy game like this. Be willing to start over if you have to.

And for God's sake be CAREFUL with those random events.
I would recommend that if ANY (and I mean ANY) random event occurs, you IMMEDIATELY check the Wiki for what could occur given the choice you make within the event.

Why? Because while I really and truly love EVERYTHING this game does as a tactical RPG (and yes I've played the XCOMs, I still prefer this game), the events are not just like "aw, that sucks, but whatevs."

Instead, they're like "Wait...what??....but I'm almost there! NO. SCREW THIS. IM STARTING OVER/NEVER PLAYING AGAIN." Events can be brutal and screw up your long term plans, which you worked suuuuper hard for. And that just feels poopy.

But seriously, other than that (and the annoyance that just comes from random chance) this game is amazing and you should give it a fair shake, especially if its on sale.

Soooooo this might be the most innoative use of a rogue-like system I've seem\n yet. And I've played a fair few, but they all mostly fall into a "dungeon crawl" grind after a while.

The biggest pro on this is that you change the difficulty of your own session simply by making (usually terrible) decisions throughout each expedition--decisions that could win you the game or get sucked into the void. And EVEYRwhere else in between. Its amazing. You're managining health, distance, how far away you are from being devoured by a raptor, bazillions of volcanos, figuring out where that DAMN pyramind is, and your own companions russian roulette with all of your lives by occasionally deciding to things on fire for like, no reason.

Senario: "Okay cool I'm in good standing, just gonna rest and---OOH! An idol could be mine...But do I try to snatch it with my low-ish dice count? But I REAAAALY want it....maybe if I,,,,CRAP. RUN AWAY, I'm on a "no combat" run and angry villagers are fast uuuhhhh....yes! Far enough away, but..wait-- OH. OH. OKAY. Since when is there DESERT in a jungle??? Is there water nearby? Phew, okay, I can rest and pack up here aaaaaaaaand great, Jim "FIRE LOVIN'" Sterling has set fire to everthing for no reason. AGAIN. Like, EVERYTIME we camp. And now velociraptors are surrounding me with 50% aggro and I'm out of horn flutes, GOD I hate this game, seriously Im do--OOH is that a necronomicon?? SWEET. VICTORY IS STILL MINE, SCRUBS! New frustrations await!"

10/10
Love this game. Want more content.

Amaaaaaaaazing game.

I'm a huge fan of minimalist puzzle games. I've bought the top 20 games in that category on Steam and still haven't found one that scratches that itch like Hexcells does. Definitely recommended.

But be warned.
This game's "infinite" aspect will turn you into an addict. I literally time by work-breaks by "how many Hexcells puzzles can I finish".

I actually literally can't stop playing.
Please don't make me.
YOU CANT MAKE ME.
I DO WHAT I WANT.

10/10.

fantastic game, tight controls, and some of the best music and platforming since Super Meat Boy. Combines Dark Souls, Mario 3, Castlevania, and Megaman.