Recent reviews by Blackred

[May 2024]
Is this game good with the new update? Its the same game as before with more QoL. It does not change the loop or content of the game. It still is the same.
It is more bearable with heavy mods. Still cannot recommend it in its vanilla format.

[original] Comparing this game to other Bethesda games that have the same kind of hallmarks (i.e. Skyrim, Oblivion), this game takes 10 steps back in terms in driving innovation; Zero points on improving their sandbox formula.

If you feel you need a game to scratch that sci-fi space & exploration itch, I recommend No Man's Sky.

This game is fun maybe first 8 hours if you following various quests. Soon after, you'll start to see all the cracks.
I played over 100 hours to ensure i've tried everything that's worth trying so you don't have to, and left a disappointing and bitter taste.

- Barren-and-boring planets to explore.

- Endless loading screens.

- Endless fast travelling (in a game that wants you to "explore" LOL)

- Boring dungeon designs.. after you've raided your 5th pirate base, you'll realise they cut & pasted the same level with the same item placements everywhere. Even Skyrim and Oblivion had better dungeons of the same themes.

- Step out of any quest rails, you'll find a boring galaxy with little excitement.

- New game plus? Will having all your accumulated stats make the actual game more fun?
Let me rephrase this: If the road you travel on is filled with potholes, will upgrading to a Ferrari make the road better?

Nothing in this game says they put new ideas in, nor elevated from insights they could of gathered from the decades of Elderscroll games they've successfully produced.

Can this game be fixed? Yeah, with an entire overhaul perhaps.
Awaiting their expansion... maybe they will fix this game.

This is the best game i've played about attractive people camping out in the woods, while trying to hook up.
20/10

This game has all the elements there that would make it a great rpg. But it does not do this. Companions are 1-dimensional & dull with very little gripping progression to make you care about them. The story is 'okay' but it does not grab me. nor does most of these side quests.

The game suffers from being "Dull" as another reviewer has put it. And i believe it really is the right word.
Unfortunately, a COD game can be dull, a FIFA game can be dull ... but you cannot make a dull RPG- it just wont be good.

Might finish this eventually... or not. It really doesnt top my list in anything- except maybe the graphics- which is pretty okay for an rpg- but generally speaking graphics should not be the top selling point when it comes to rpgs.

Playing this game made me hungry.

Great DLC.
Substantially harder than base game because of the low level story- This is also Part 1 to a longer story.
Reminds me of playing Baldur's Gate 1 when you first start out with nothing but a broomstick :D

Not for whiners that cant cut a challenge.

I bought this so I can play through the story campaign only. And that's it.
Would not buy at the ridiculous full price. Only buy at +60% discount.
CTD bugs started popping up like weeds as I progressed through the campaign.
Has optimisation worse than Cyberpunk.

A shame.

This game surprised me!

A mixture of tactical turn-based rpg battles and ultra-lite Total War campaign map strategy.
What grabbed me in the end was the story endings based on your choices made across the 4 acts.
The companions were memorable and the tactical depth was spot on (not too shallow, and not to intricate).

Bought at full price, it was well worth my time. If this is the current culmination of the Expeditions games its on great form.

Couple of minor UX flows bothered me, and should be part of a quality-of-life update if possible as certain things that requires repetitive action needs to streamlined such as [largely addressed already in patch v1.3]:
- Ability to accelerate time in camp, and not only on the map layer.
- Shortcut keys for all building in camp (or why not allow this to be accessed directly on the campaign map while idling your party outside of camp)?

None of the above is game breaking nor struck enough pain for me to put it down.

Otherwise, this is a solid game with great story telling!
I look forward to the DLC and next Expeditions game!

- Supremely long, detailed, story-rich campaign (great)
- Meh on the army management side of things. Feels like HOMM-Lite with more unnecessary logistics. You can turn this off if you are in a moderate hurry.
- Deep character creation. You respec :)
- Lots of ways to role play, layer that with the new Mythic paths = crazy amount of replayability.
- Good set of companions with okay (and some surprising) backstories.

A very relaxing and casual game that's best with a fresh, hot cup of tea (or coffee).
Highly addictive and best at filling those holes between waiting upon things for 10 to 15 minutes.

I hope they make more of this, even using other themes like Lord of the Rings or even Star Wars!

Casual game play, Good.
Lots of planning and thinking work, Good.
Story - Good

What else do you want?