Recent reviews by Kett

(Review is completely subjective and based on my own experiences, not others.)
(I may spoil gameplay mechanics, but I won't spoil the story/key facts)

TL:DR
Storyline/Entertainment/Gameplay 9/10
Combat 2/10
Environment 9/10
Controls 9/10
Replayability 2/10

Overall: 7/10 - Would recommend to those who are more casual gamers or those interested in a interactive story, not intense action shooters.

Details:
I saw this game while browsing the steam store page. I happened to buy the humble bundle including this game, so awesome! When you enter the game you are greeted by the death of well.. yourself. The story is all about discovering who is your killer, while uncovering the hidden truths which plague the town.

Storyline/Entertainment/Gameplay:
The game presented itself as a abnormal murder mystery story where when you think you have a good lead on the killer, things suddenly get intense or theories unravel and get thrown out the window (bad storyline pun). There were very few moments where I was bored during this playthrough, mainly the walking between areas of the map, although this space was filled with side-quests or objectives. During gameplay i had only one immersion-breaking bug, which was when i was in an area and explored off deeper in the area following the plot, but upon return to the beginning of the area the game was like "ERRR, where was this guy before? Oh well, just play all the cut-scenes again until we get to where he is now!" Per good storylines, I was not expecting the ending. It was also nice that the main character was able to piece together elaborate stories from a few hints, and conviently explain them to the other characters (and the player). The only infuriating part of the gameplay is having to find the right spot to click or where to find the next hidden clue to progress the game.

Combat:
This game felt as though combat was a last minute idea to add challenge to the game. The only combat in the game was when ghost/spirits obstructed your path and maneuvering around them was too much of a pain, so a quick-time event is needed to rid of these.

Environment:
All the scenery and graphics were visually appealing, although at times i thought to myself, "If im playing on max settings, why isn't it as pretty as in the trailer?". Though, i guess companies ramp up graphics in trailers to boost sales. Each area had about 7-20 (maybe) little pick-ups which, when collecting them all, gives a side-story/backstory to the game.

Controls:
Not much to say for controls. At times, I couldn't hit keys at the right time during quick-time events, but its much more a personal thing then key-mapping. I didn't encounter too many issues otherwise, nothing which was immersion-breaking.

Replayability:
Since this game is linear and follows the same storyline each time (to the best of my knowledge), there is no point to re-play the game unless a period of time has past and you want to re-live the story, or to 100% the game by finding all the little hints.

(Review is completely subjective and based on my own experiences, not others.)
(I may spoil gameplay mechanics, but I won't spoil the story/key facts)

TL:DR
Storyline/Entertainment/Gameplay 9/10
Combat 6.5/10
Environment 10/10
Controls 8/10
Replayability 1.5/10

Overall: 8 - 7.5 /10 - Would recommend to those who are more casual gamers, not intense action shooters.

Details:
I saw this game while browsing the steam store page. Trailers seemed awesome so, *click, buy*. When you enter the game you are immediatly immersed with backstory and introduced to the main character, Nilin. While i won't spoil any of the storyline, I'll overview the general way in which things were layed out. The story is all about discovering Nilin's past while rebelling against the forces controlling Neo-Paris. Where she is, why she is here, what happened to get her in this situation?

Storyline/Entertainment/Gameplay:
This game, to me atleast, is much more a story with interact-able content than a point-and-click adventure. Im not saying that the game was intense on cut-scenes (it wasn't, but ill address this later), but more that each episode of the game is linear (not open world) and would lock doors behind you, preventing exploration backwards in the level. There was never a moment where I was bored during this playthrough, enjoying every little event which happened. Every turn was new and new gameplay mechanics were added continually as you progressed. Although when some mechanics are added, there is no tutorial. So you have to work it out on the fly. The story is spread out along 7 or so episodes, each progressing on the previous to tell the story of the rapidly-evolving state of Neo-Paris and Nilin.

Combat:
To be blunt, I felt the combat was clunky, but innovative. You're rewarded for doing combos by getting a rockin' soundtrack playing in the background. This however is taken away when you take just one hit. Combos are built off of 'nodes' and vary in effect. The first punch/kick is standard and then after that, the combo combinations can either be healing, damage, recharge (of special attacks), or link/extend (boosts effects of previous node). The farther in each combo a node is placed, the stronger effect it is. These nodes can be changed at anytime in or out of combat, allowing for a strong damage combo to instantly be changed out for one that heals if you are low on health, or recharge if you need a special attack and quick! Fighting sequences were well spread and bosses were unique, but each was defeated in similar mannor. Attack when boss is idle, dodge when attacking, and do a quicktime event-like sequence for the final blow. Combat, i feel, could have been removed or re-vamped, but the change in pace from story to combat is pleasant and added to the storyline of the game.

Environment:
All the scenery and graphics were absolutely stunning. I took a few screenshots at key points which really show the beauty of this game. Because of this, it was a bit laggy at times, but i attribute that more to my computer being on the low-end, spec wise, not the game. Each map/area had little areas which could be explored, pick-ups which increase stats, and pacs which give even more backstory to this immersive game.

Controls:
Not much to say for controls. At times, I couldn't hit keys at the right time, but its much more a personal thing then key-mapping. I didn't encounter too many issues otherwise, nothing which was immersion-breaking.

Replayability:
Since this game is linear and follows the same storyline each time (to the best of my knowledge), there is no point to re-play the game unless a period of time has past and you want to re-live the story, or to 100% the game by finding all the little story pacs and power-ups.