FuzzyPackRat

Story: 9/10 Gameplay: 8/10 Music: 6/10 Animation/Graphics: 7/10 Third part of a cool series! Inquisition was a joy to play even later in 2020 when I got to it. My choices effected the storyline there were many things to discover and learn. It had diversity and representation abound including poc and trans npcs. It's a great game for the story and the personality of the characters. Gameplay wise- it's not as great. Finding roads to trek up are sometimes hard and the game will not just let me climb up rocks. It's a micromanagers dream though with all the crafting and inventory management work that you can do. Takeaways Pros: real RPG where your choices affect the game, great for micromanaging looters like me who want to pocket everything, your character can be in a relationship. LGBTQ+ representation Cons: appearing very open world but having limitations on gameplay (like not being able to access some areas/climb rocks).

Story: 6/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Music: 10/10 Animation/Graphics: 9/10 You create the story in Banished based on how you provide for your town when you've been cast out to survive on your own. It's a city builder game that doesn't try to be anything more and as a result- kicks butt at city building. This game is great for those who love strategy and multiple difficultly levels keep the re-play value up. Takeaways Pros: build a medieval town, you decide the future of the story. Cons: would be great to rotate/place building diagonally, some bugs with villagers getting stuck.

Story: 6/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Music: 10/10 Animation/Graphics: 10/10 This game is the other reason I love indie games! It's creative and I love running around as a goose, being a terror to everyone in the neighborhood. This game is excellent for parties or playing with a backseat gamer/friend. I look forward to the next creation from House House! Takeaways Pros: be goose, do crime; honk at everyone, laugh a lot. Cons: it's was over too quickly for me- I would like more goose time to cause shenanigans

Story: 8/10 Gameplay: 7/10 Music: 7/10 Animation/Graphics: 6/10 DA2 is quite different in gameplay from origins and it's not my favorite change I'll admit. They tried something new but it's better to make sure you know what your players love when making a sequel. That being said, it's not that bad ****- just very very average and not my cup of tea. Takeaways Pros: again- your character can be in a relationship (I think also a same sex one) and the combat is faster? but you have less control over it than origins. Cons: playstyle of game is very different from origins, relationships with companions are either love or hate and it's not my personal favorite.

Story: 9/10 Gameplay: 8/10 Music: 8/10 Animation/Graphics: 7/10 *this review is me reflecting on playing this game back in the early 2000s) at the time it came out- it was a big deal for video games and probably the best RPG. This game embodied what it meant for your actions and decisions having consequences or effects on the game. Also one of the few games where you could have a player character who has so much agency you can choose to be in a same sex relationship. Full of fantasy and lore- although wordy at times, made the game feel like a real world. However now in 2020 the graphics and gameplay are a bit dated but it's still a good game. Takeaways Pros: real RPG where your choices effect the game, great for micromanaging looters like me who want to pocket everything, your character can be in a relationship. Cons: none for the time it came out, now though there are some newer RPGs to play. But there will be fourth game in this series coming out so if you may be interested in that- playing the past games really help you get the story vibe (or youtube summary vids)

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Story: 8/10 Gameplay: 9/10 Music: 8/10 Animation/Graphics: 9/10 This game is one of the reasons I love indie games- they try new things and really think outside the box. It's not a long game but has so many interesting ways you can interact on the different chapters/levels. Also- who doesn't just want to throw paint balls around and see what happens?! Great to play with a backseat gamer/friend. Takeaways Pros: multiple play throughs really show of the mystery in this game, very unique gameplay. Cons: none for me (tho not a game for people who don't like to think outside the box)

Story: 8/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Music: 8/10 Animation/Graphics: 9/10 Probably my favorite co-op game to date! Silly cute storyline, many different player avatars to unlock and play, fun and sometimes frustrating maps that really do get you and your partner to communicate better and work together (if you stick through the tough parts and use strategy). If you're looking for a fun co-op game that offers many hours of gameplay, look no further! Takeaways Pros: cute story, dumb puns, great co-op relationship building. Cons: recipes were not real to live so as a result I still have not learned to cook. XD

Story: 7/10 Gameplay: 8/10 Music: 5/10 Animation/Graphics: 9/10 I like this game but it is not for everyone. It's very grindy (sometimes this was hard for me even), the story is weak-don't play for the story, and the music gets old- BUT you get a kitten companion, get to make armor and weapons out of the monsters you trap or kill and the ambiance of the game is magical and mysterious. Oh and there is a massive amount of text to read/understand to play well. That's not great. Takeaways Pros: sidequest forever, hunt w/friends, make fun armor. Cons: waaaaay to much to read in the beginning, very repetitive gameplay loop.

Story: 10/10 Gameplay: 9/10 Music: 10/10 Animation/Graphics: 9/10 My best recommendation is to NOT look up anything about the meaning of this game. If possible, play with a backseat gamer friend and just take 3-5 hours and go on a journey. Reflex, be mindful, and you'll be able to see the magic in this game. It's not a long game but there is no shortage of feeling and togetherness you will hopefully feel. Stop reading and go play it! Takeaways Pros: simple game with a beautiful message/takeaway, wonderful music, great to play if you feel sad. Cons: can be confusing at times but don't overthink it and take time to enjoy the play through(s).

Story: 0/10 Gameplay: 4/10 Music: 0/10 Animation/Graphics: 7/10 My standards were not high for this game- cause come on, you flop around as bread and try to toast yourself. It's a funny and cool idea but the controls were not easy or fun to use. Also there is one music track and it's short so maybe be ready to find other music to listen to. It has a cool concept and I wish that it had been more developed before they released it. Takeaways Pros: flopping around as bread is funny. Cons: terrible work on game controls make game hard to play and enjoy, annoying music.

Story: 10/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Music: 8/10 Animation/Graphics: 10/10 This game has so many things I love in it: stealth, mounted combat/riding, ranged attacking, strong women, an interesting story. It's refreshing to play such a good game where you play a woman after years of rarely having that option and video games execs claiming 'women don't sell'. This game is a slap in the face to those folks. Beautiful scenery in this game, customization options, interesting story line, pretty good motion capture work, and fun collecting/crafting. My partner had to tell me to get off the game after I'd finished all the quests and the main story. I've very excited for the next one! Takeaways Pros: many ways to play, cool story, beautiful graphics, one of a kind game. Cons: i spent 3+ mins thinking and the answer is- nothing (which is odd as there is usually something I don't enjoy in every game I play.

Story: 0/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Music: 7/10 Animation/Graphics: 7/10 *rated higher than these four grades based on what it is and claims to deliver EXPECTATIONS: Let's set them. This game is a crazy mess of graphics and that is how it's intended to be so if doing whatever pops into your mind is not the idea of a fun game than this one may not be for you. It's short but perfect for groups/parties and pairs very well with alcohol. I bought it on sale- I don't think I would pay more than $5-$7 for it but it's absolutely worth that for the laughs. Takeaways Pros: do all the things as a goat, cause mayhem. Cons: gets old after awhile so save it for when a friend visits and watch them play, can sometimes make you feel a little nauseous.

Story: 4/10 Gameplay: 8/10 Music: 7/10 Animation/Graphics: 7/10 Puzzle co-op game for two. It's one of the more fun co-ops I've played but the storyline was a little too much- it's nice that there is a story but these characters don't have dialogue sooo maybe the story can be less forced romance and more just combined powers for good? Regardless it's a good puzzle game that doesn't stress you out a bunch. It's a good beginner co-op. Takeaways Pros: fun puzzles and cool fire and ice type powers. Cons: the storyline was not my favorite, sometime it was unclear where to go/controls to use.

Story: 9/10 Gameplay: 7/10 Music: 8/10 Animation/Graphics: 8/10 Cute, short indie game. Funny characters and a loose but funny storyline. It's not a hard game and presents a fun game mechanic idea. It's great for backseat gamers and chill nights. Takeaways Pros: funny dialogue and characters, fun game mechanic. Cons: some sound effects could have been toned down- looking at you texting sound effect.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Story: 7/10 Gameplay: 8/10 Music: 10/10 Animation/Graphics: 7/10 A classic. Most all the quests outside of the main quest have been interesting and fun but Skyrim is all about sidequesting so it's totally fine in this game. There are many ways to play and re-play this game. Lots of choices from what direction you take in the game, to building custom houses, and looting everything to to craft so many different things. The game is older though so there are a fair number of bugs that can be encountered but it was my second rpg and a fav for a lond time. Also- the music is wonderful. Takeaways Pros: lots of customization and types of quests, options options options, great music. Cons: older game so is falling behind in the graphics area, can be buggy especially at high player levels.

Story: 9/10 Gameplay: 7/10 Music: 4/10 Animation/Graphics: 7/10 The storyline is pretty interesting and there's lots to sidequest on which I love. There is a lot of customization for gear and guns and a good variety in companions to find and travel with. But it's very glitchy, more than it should be. And the **** not very good which matters to me in a game that can take many hours of gameplay. It's a solid game, but for 2019 (when I played it) there are better options. Takeaways Pros: lots of customization and types of quests, decisions that effect the storyline, good storyline. Cons: lack of music variation, many bugs, can feel grindy at times.

Story: 9/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Music: 9/10 Animation/Graphics: 10/10 A choose your own adventure type of game with many ways to play, this one is my favorite video game to date. I love stealth games with story and personality and this one is the best! Kassandra is the funniest and most believable character to play as and there are lots of things to loot and customize in this game. I'm happy to have spent so many hours in this game and I'm so excited for Valhalla to come out in November 2020. Takeaways Pros: lots to explore, relationships to have, tons of equipment/quest options, gorgeous scenery, lots of Greek lore, amazing and believable protagonist. Cons: equipment menu music gets old kinda quick, the animus-story line is pretty dumb but doesn't take up much time.

Story: 9/10 Gameplay: 9/10 Music: 10/10 Animation/Graphics: 7/10 Cute, simple yet challenging, full of surprises. It's a 2d farming sim and the bar was low- I did not expect the game to charm me as much as it did. It's perfect for playing with a friend or partner. Ideal for the days when you want to play a fun game but not overthink everything. ALSO- wonderful music (which makes a game playable for many more hours)