kuehnau's Profile - Metacritic

Average User Score: 6.9

Dec 9, 2018

5

Vampyre is kind of a hybred of a adventure/horror/rpg/mystery game in which you play as a Doctor who has managed to come down with a bad caseVampyre is kind of a hybred of a adventure/horror/rpg/mystery game in which you play as a Doctor who has managed to come down with a bad case of vampirism. While struggling with his own demons, he also finds himself in the middle of a horrible epidemic of spanish flu.

Your role in the game is to discover why you were turn into a vampire while still trying to hold on your humanity and save as many people as possible, all while groups of hunters and monsters attempt to tear you to ribbions.

The entire concept is actually really good, but it has been implemented poorly as there is a complete lack of polish to the game.

There have been times that dialog spoken and subtitles do not match, as if the voice actors couldn't properly remember what they were supposed to say. Sometimes, there can be multiple vocal dialogs going on at the same time, making it hard to understand who is saying what or what is going on.

Characters have what appears to be almost completely static faces, It's almost impossible to be able to tell how they feel or what they are thinking based on looking at their faces. There are cases in which characters may be talking but their mouths don't even move.

Most of the game enviroments feel like they are nothing more than cattle paths, pushing you to a specific location or place. A bigger issue arises when locations are built maze like and you are never quite sure where you are supposed to go. Add to the fact the quest tracker for the game is complete garbage and it can be a overall frustrating experience trying to get a job done.

For a game that likes to tout that your decisions and choices matter, a lot of times it feels like the developers (or in this case the writers) often try to shoehorn you into many decisions to meet whatever criteria they have for the writing of the story.

As RPGs go, I never really felt immersed in the game, because I couldn't put myself in the role of the main character and the game refused to allow me to make choices that I would want, instead simply forcing the character's opinions on me. What makes this even more frustrating is the game never really gives you any clear ideas on what your choices will do or how they will change the landscape, comebine that with a completely unforgiving save system that refuses to allow you to back track.

Combat is the worst part of the game by far, especially with the stamina system they have in place. Playing as a vampire you should feel powerful, but often everyone else around you is more powerful than you in almost all aspects. What kind of vampire gets tired after swinging an axe two or three times? I mean honestly!

Enemies are often at much higher levels than you, putting you at a constant disadvantage. Expect to die. A lot. You'll constantly encounter quests that are 5 or 6 times out of your level range, the only way you'll know they don't expect you to be there yet is by going in to an area and dying. When I bought this game, I wasn't under the impression this was some sort of Dark Souls knock off.

It really is a beautiful game under all of this rust, but I would never be able to recommend this game to anyone at it's full retail price. If you can get it at a discount (like I did), go for it. Otherwise I'd suggest you wait.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Yooka-Laylee

Average User Score: 6.5

Dec 3, 2018

4

Yooka-Laylee is inspired by retro platforms like Banjo Kazooie, Super Mario 64 or Gex. It's another run of the mill collect-a-thon games thatYooka-Laylee is inspired by retro platforms like Banjo Kazooie, Super Mario 64 or Gex. It's another run of the mill collect-a-thon games that require you to run, jump and swim through worlds, collecting random odds and ends in order to unlock newer worlds, events and skills.

It's a beautiful looking game and when you turn the settings up to max, it really outshines even some of the more modern releases of games in the same genre.

With that out of the way, I have nothing nicer to say about Yooka-Laylee.

The game worlds are huge, often too large, if you ask me. Much of the space is completely empty, leaving you wandering around while you look for the bits and pieces you need to collect to progress in the game. Even enemies are amazingly sparse in the game. If the developers would have made the worlds smaller and more populated I feel as if the game would have been significantly more enjoyable.

As it is, the game feels like it's 90% mini games and 10% action and adventure. Some of the worst aspects of the game are all of the racing trials the game puts you through. They aren't handled well and are amazingly frustrating, combine that with super poor hit detection and slippery as ice controls and you are gonna be in for a bad time.

On the surface, this game looks like it would be great for children, on the contrary, the game can be so so frustrating that I can see younger players throwing controllers and melting down in frustration over the game. I myself ended up doing the first racing challange about a dozen times before I was able to beat it and by the time I was done, I was already sick of the game.

Frankly, I don't know if I can even bring myself to complete this game. Yes, it's a throwback to an earlier games from yesteryear, but even those games knew how to package it and present it to the players. Yooka-Laylee does it all completely wrong and brings out the worst aspects in this genre of games.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Code of Princess

Average User Score: 5.0

Dec 2, 2018

5

Code of Princess is a mobile game that was ported over to various other platforms, including the PC.

As for what it is, it is your standardCode of Princess is a mobile game that was ported over to various other platforms, including the PC.

As for what it is, it is your standard beat-em-up game that mixes in some light RPG like elements and a equipment system.

If you are a fan of games like Streets of Rage, this game might be for you. If not, well it's rather grindy and is going to require you to take time to actually level up character in order to be able to actually finish the game.

The games not bad, but it uses the leveling and equipment system to increase the length of the game. Without it, I doubt this game would be more than an hour or so worth of play. As it stands, I wasn't a huge fan of it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Fallout 76

Average User Score: 2.7

Nov 27, 2018

0

Fallout 76 is as much of a Fallout game as that awful Brotherhood of Steel game was.

3 of 4 users found this helpful

Meltys Quest

Average User Score: tbd

Sep 26, 2018

8

I ended up seeing this on STEAM and noticed that it was now advertised as uncensored. Far be it from me to judge anyone on what they areI ended up seeing this on STEAM and noticed that it was now advertised as uncensored. Far be it from me to judge anyone on what they are playing, but for me personally, if I am going to indulge myself in some H-JRPGs, then I expect them to be uncensored.

The game is uncensored and the art is surprising very good. Accompanied with the h-scenes are also audio tracks to help immerse the player in the "action". The only thing they could have done to make the X-Rated content better was if they had actual animated scenes.

More intresting is the fact that the game has different ways to play and even encourages the players to try to beat the game without succumbing to primal desires. I give them credit for that.

As a JRPG, it's pretty good. Like many other JRPGs the game is largely a huge grind, but thankfully the developers added in a system that allows for players to easily grind out what they need to, having constantly respawing monsters and resources for you to collect.

The combat system is basic, but it isn't shallow. As you play the game, you'll find different kinds of outfits for Meltys, they all offer different kinds of stats or buffs, but more importantly, they work as the game's class system, once you master a type of clothing, it'll also unlock a new skill or ability you can use.

As for the outfits themselves, they change your appearance and are even sometimes required to complete specific quests. It was a nice little touch that the developers didn't HAVE to do, but did it anyways and it really makes the game shine.

There are a few problems with the game and while they aren't killers, they are still annoying. The dialog is long, tedious and boring. The developers clearly realized this because they added a TON of speed options for dialog, but that doesn't change the fact I often find myself speeding through windows full of text I just can't bring myself to care about.

The second problem is that the game will just randomly freeze from time to time, for no reason. I have a rig that cost almost $2,000.00, there's no way Meltys Quest is going to bog it down, but there has been a handful of times now that I have had to force restart the game because it just freezes up and won't respond.

At the end of the day, this game is still pretty much a basic JRPG, but that doesn't make it bad. It's a very well polished and thought out JRPG. Granted it is very pornographic in nature, but I honestly feel like that just makes it more appealing in the long run.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Lobotomy Corporation: Monster Management Simulation

Average User Score: tbd

Jul 15, 2018

1

Lobotomy Corporation: Monster Management Simulation Image

Lobotomy Corporation touts itself as a mix between a buisness/monster simulation and a roguelike game. This description is incrediblyLobotomy Corporation touts itself as a mix between a buisness/monster simulation and a roguelike game. This description is incredibly misleading. When you think of a "simulation", one would assume that there would be different aspects you control in the game, but those mechanics are completely shallow. And the "roguelike" aspect only comes from the selection of artifacts or monsters you choose from when given the opportunity to do so.

As far as the whole simulation aspect is concerned, there's very little of it. You can "hire" employees, change their equipment and decide what they do, based on the department they work in. That's it. There's really no management of resources, or selections of departments or tools or anything like that.

As far as the game goes, it's very simple, each successful day completed you choose from a new "abnormality" (which is labeled under a serial number). Then you spend the day trying to understand it by studying it while maintaining and containing all of your other abnormalities.

Studying a abnormality is completely a game of guess work and can completely ruin a game until you know what's going on with it. Unless you've watched play throughs and understand what they do and what they need, all you can do is blindly click.

After you complete research of a abnormality, it's just a matter of grinding energy and packages from them. That's it. The first couple of day(s) can be fun, but the longer you play, the longer you realize that's there's actually very little gameplay holding this game together. And it gets boring very quickly.

For almost $25.00 for a "indie" game, I would have really expected a lot more based on what they actually advertise. In some instances I would actually argue their STEAM store page may be misleading and possibly false advertising.

If you can get this game for $5.00 then fine, take a chance. But at full price this game is a full blown rip off.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Sea of Thieves

Average User Score: 5.0

Apr 10, 2018

0

When I think of the high seas, I think of games like Sid Meier's Pirates, Risen and Assassin's Creed Black Flag. Each one of those gamesWhen I think of the high seas, I think of games like Sid Meier's Pirates, Risen and Assassin's Creed Black Flag. Each one of those games offers interesting and fun game mechanics in a attempt to simulate the concept of piracy.

So Imagine my surprise when I discovered Sea of Theives is nothing more than a shallow imitator of any of the above games. Simple fetch quests, bare bones mechanics in almost every aspect, a complete lack of polish, these are just a FEW of the problems Sea of Theives have as of the launch date.

I have no idea how they managed to RUIN a game about sailing the high seas and comitting piracy, but they managed to do it in a way that is just completely awful.… Expand

6 of 8 users found this helpful

Secret of Mana

Average User Score: 7.3

Feb 17, 2018

7

Secret of Mana (2018) is a remake of a SNES classic from the 90's era of video game. It boasts updated graphics, new audio and even voiceSecret of Mana (2018) is a remake of a SNES classic from the 90's era of video game. It boasts updated graphics, new audio and even voice acting.

For everything the remake of Secret of Mana is, there is a lot it isn't as well. While the game's graphics may have been updated to match a more modern look, the game still largely relies on outdated mechanics from a game that was released 25 years ago.

The combat is clunky as ever. There will be spells and attacks that are completely unavoidable, giving some enemies an unfair advantage. When it comes to boss fights, the area you are given to move around is often times far too small, making it a huge pain in the arse.

The player AI for your companions is just as terrible as they were when the game first launched. Nine out of ten times they are completely worthless and not worth reviving. As the game progresses, they'll unlock useful spells that can help in combat, but considering how clunky the companion mechanics are, it's almost worthless.

The game itself has issues on the development side. I have a fairly powerful rig I built just this year to play most modern releases on ultra settings, I spent a pretty dime on the whole thing. Given the specs of my system and the quality of the game remake, you'd think it'd run perfectly, but that is far from the truth. From animations freezing up, to frame rates all over the place, the game lacks a lot of polish you'd expect from a game costing $40.00USD.

It's not a bad game and I am enjoying it, but I really feel like they should have worked on updating some of the poor mechanics the original game had, worked on better companion AI and streamlined some of the otherwise cumbersome aspects of the game. And there's no excuse for the lack of polish on the development side as far as game performance goes.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful

The Mummy Demastered

Average User Score: 6.0

Feb 12, 2018

5

The Mummy Demastered is a retro styleized "Metroidvania" that takes the idea of the Mummy movies into an action adventure game.

The gameThe Mummy Demastered is a retro styleized "Metroidvania" that takes the idea of the Mummy movies into an action adventure game.

The game looks great, the music sounds great. Everything about this game would be great if the developer hadn't made so many stupid mistakes.

1. Monster Spam - Way too many monsters. Every screen is just FULL of monsters, many of them re-spawn constantly and quickly so it's impossible to clear a room out. Trying to make a series of very complicated jumps? Well how about having 300 birds flying in your face when you are doing it? What makes this even worse is the monsters never seem to drop what you want or need at any given time.

2. The Monsters themselves - All of them are bullet sponges, flying ones can go through almost all walls and lets not forget to let the monsters shoot through walls and platforms while you can't. Completely unfair.

3. The game only has a very few ways to fill up on health. You either collect it when it drops or you pick up a health pack that increases your health and fills it up. Why don't save points restore your health? The ammo caches restore all your ammo.

4. Forcing players to only carry a few weapons at a time. This is a video game, not real life. I don't want to have to run to a ammo cache every time I want to use a different gun. Terrible design.

5. Player Death - This one just sucks, you die, you drop everything and you have to go find the corpse of the last "agent" and kill them to get all your gear back. What in the WORLD were they thinking? You can't pull this kind of crap in a Metroidvania game. All you have to do is search online to see that there's TONS of complaints about this.

6. Bosses - Not only are the bosses super tough, most of the encounters won't give you the oppertunity to restock health, ammo or gernades during the fight. Many times I find myself running out of everything and being forced to use the crappy starter gun you begin with. If you somehow managed to defeat a boss, they never drop enough to fill everything up.

Bad design after bad design took what should have been an amazing game and turned it into one giant dog turd.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

Average User Score: 8.8

Feb 4, 2018

5

Final Fantasy XII is out for PC now, with improved visuals, new mechnics, and other options to try and justify charging $40.00 for a 12 yearFinal Fantasy XII is out for PC now, with improved visuals, new mechnics, and other options to try and justify charging $40.00 for a 12 year old game that you can get brand-new for $15.00 on Amazon for the PS2.

I never played this when it first came out. To be honest, I was starting to move away from Square by the end of the PS1 era of their RPGs. And their new ones on the PS2 never really grabbed my attention. I grew up with and loved some of their classic games, like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, but as the years went on, Square seemed to move further and further away from the kind of game development that caused me to fall in love with them in the first place.

After seeing some pretty good reviews for Final Fantasy XII online and the reviews on here, I decided to give it a chance and see how it held up. Visually it is a beautiful game and Sqaure did a good job remastering the graphics of the game. For all intents and purposes, their OST for the game is fine too. It's not going to blow anyone's mind, but the music is "good enough".

That's about all the good stuff I have to say about this game, unfortunately.

The writing feels half hearted, it's another basic story they have going on, that has been retold since they started doing RPGs in the late 80's and early 90's. Character behavior is weird, a lot of times someone will do something, without really ever being able to justify it.

Vaan, one of the main characters is basically an orphan and lives off the streets, stealing from people and working odd jobs for friends. At some point he gets it into his head to break into the royal palace, bypass a ton of security and steal "something" from the palace. He doesn't even know what it is he's looking for, he's just looking for something, anything to steal. It makes no sense.

Speaking of characters, none of them are likeable in any capacity. For me, they were all just kind of there. All of them have about as much character and depth as a puddle of rain water and show about as much. They are just talking heads, there to drive the narrative forward, unfortunately they fail to grab my attention in any sort of meaningful way.

It's nice that Sqaure introduced a system to play the game, without having to worry much about the actual mechnics, they have a normal, easy and hardmode you can start off with. And easy mode, (new game plus) starts you off with characters all at level 90. This would actually be more impressive if Final Fantasy XII were a game you could enjoy just for the narrative, but it's not. Starting off in new game plus is just going to make the game that much more boring.

XII has a basic concept of a leveling system in place, which has been a standard since Final Fantasy 1. The issue is they keep fouling it up by trying to get fancy or "unique" with how it's all handled. Their job system is like a poor mix of Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy X and it's completely garbage. What's the point of even having a job system if you are going to lock players into one or two roles?

The combat is just a mess. It's like a mix of the classic Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy 10 and Final Fantasy Online. All the fights are bascially "live", but still has a weird turned base feeling to it. Other party members will run around and do whatever based on their "gambit" system. You can also command each party member, but to be completely honest, the whole thing is such a mess, it's so chaotic, it's just easier and less frustrating to let the computer do what it wants to do.

I'm pushing to play the game right now, just so I can justify the money spent on this title, but there's no way I could recommend it to anyone, especially at the current asking price.… Expand

4 of 12 users found this helpful

kuehnau

MY SCORES