jeffbizloc

Beat Gears Tactics on Experienced difficulty. Very well done game. Game(s) like: XCom Pros: - Kinda enjoyed the no grid system - Graphics, presentation were top notch - Just a fun game to play with a good mix of skills to make the tactics interesting Cons: - About 20% too long - the side missions dragged - The navigation system to add equipment was kinda annoying

I played this on PC but it wouldn't let me add it there. Really enjoyed Lord of the Rings Adventure Card Game so wanted to add a review. Game(s) like: Hearthstone Pros: - The core gameplay was excellent - The 3 campaigns were a good length and variable enough to make it interesting - Strong UI and mix of cards Cons: - Online game, gave me issues a couple times - It can be frustrating to get deep into a quest to realize you need a deck with a different archtype. While fun building a deck I would prefer each quest have a deck prebuilt to make the quest specifically challenging and consistent.

Fire Emblem Three Houses was a game that I would enjoy if it was focused on tactics. It wasn't designed for difficulty/strategy - way too easy on standard. That makes all the non-battle pieces not really matter in the end (unless you are really into the story). Game(s) like: Banner Saga, Persona 5 Pros: - Cool concept of mixing tactical battles with offline story to power up Cons: - Difficulty made the game boring; harder difficulties were apparently not tuned well either - Offline game became stale after a while and well didn't matter since the battles were so easy

Played about half way through 15 or so hours of Fantasy General II's campaign before it got too repetitive. I did enjoy my time the game just didn't evolve. Game(s) like: Fantasy General, Panzer Corps Pros: - Cool setting - Solid UI - enjoyed the look and feel of the maps. Though the overview screens were blah. - The upgrade trees were cool Cons: - You upgrade based on loot you find, but sadly that loot is random - After several missions the strategy of attacking/repeating/heal and using either your whole or flanking two armies became repetitive - Frankly I like strategy game where each mission is basically atomic - by carrying over troops/experience the game gets either really easy or hard

I enjoyed the gameplay of Blasphemous. The difficulty wasn't too bad except for the final 2 bosses. completed in about 13 hours. Game(s) like: Salt and Sanctuary, Dead Cells Pros: - The sword play was satisfying - Enjoyed the boss fights Cons: - Not a lot of skill/weapon upgrades - If you are going to fit a boss multiple times don't make me wait and ride and elevator each time and listen to the same dialog!

Shovel Knight is such a great series. I had already beaten the others with my favorite being King of Cards. This game was way easy compared. Game(s) like: Shovel Knights other entries, 2D platformers Pros: - Game was fun and that is the most important thing - Enjoyed the platforming and collection of special skulls Cons: - Slightly on the easy side, though collecting all items is a challenge

I played through the campaign of Unity of Command II and had a blast. Excellent strategy game as you fight through WWII as the Allies. Game(s) like: Panzer Corps, Fantasy General II Pros: - The supply line was a lot of fun to manage and cut off - Unique turn based combat using steps as units - Nice long campaign - took me about 30+ hours Cons: - The game could be a little obtuse on special units, steps - but they have added more tooltips with details - I still never understood your percentage to hit on air strikes and the special attacks - suppression and others. Either I missed it or they should add a better UI display.

I had played Steamworld Heist on PS4, but wanted to play again as this game is pretty perfect. Ended up beating it on the hardest difficulty Elite. Game(s) like: Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Pros: - Turn based gameplay is easy to understand yet tactical enough to make you think about every move - Good variety of characters and missions Cons: - I suppose if I gave a con it would be if you don't level up a character early it is really hard to use them on later missions (unless you grind)

This game has three modes which are basically the same. As far as I can tell you keep playing and then try and beat your own score. Game is pretty garbage. Maybe about 5 minutes of play then you are like this is a waste of time.

Really enjoyed Dicey Dungeons - it was a lengthy game and took me around 35 hours to defeat Lady Luck. There is definitely a mix or skill and random luck to beat the game. Game(s) like: Lighter Slay the Spire, Insane Robots Pros: - Each character and each episode felt unique and interesting - Easy to play game that was just fun Cons: - Would of been nice to have options to make gameplay speed up - I sometime couldn't get information on what my equipment was or what equipment others had before a fight. Should show you to help pathing and reduce random.

What a well done game. Shovel Knight: King of Cards has some truly fun platforming and an above average card puzzle game. Game(s) like: Shovel Knight, Ducktales (NES) Pros: - The platforming stood out, it was difficulty but the levels were short enough to get over difficult parts - I enjoyed the card game after I figured it out Cons: - Why doesn't Switch have achievements so I could validate my time by going back and getting 3 medals on every level!

Battletech is a fun turn based strategy game where you manage your crew. I beat the campaign in about 40 hours. Game(s) like: MechWarriors, XCom Pros: - The game and mechs looked great - Combat was fun especially the skills and ability to pinpoint shots - Weapons were intersesting as trying to build your mech was a huge part of the game for me Cons: - The battles got repetitive especially the non-story based ones. Would have preferred less sandbox battles and more streamlined story based ones. - The enemies and missions also didn't seem to have lots of variety after a while.

I really enjoyed Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair. Though after getting all 48 bees I found out the the last lair is indeed "impossible" for me. Game(s) like: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Pros: - Top notch medium difficulty platforming - Vivid visuals make the game pop - Tonics are such a fun idea to alternate the way levels can be played - The overworld puzzles were quite enjoyable Cons: - The impossible lair itself. I generally like difficulty but having no checkpoints for 20 minutes is insane. I think the dumbest thing is you couldn't use your tonics which were integral to the rest of the game.

Rad is a rogue like that was very difficult. After about 10 runs and "easy mode" on I got to the last level. But there were too many annoyances to carry on. Game(s) like: Enter the Gungeon Pros: - The power ups were fun lots of interesting ones - I enjoyed the look of the game - I liked they had mutations that could either be positive or negative Cons: - You had to activate 2 or 3 temples to clear a level. It could be frustrating to find the last one (especially when you've done this 20 times over its just a trick one) - Had trouble seeing some enemies as they would fly on screen

Space Tyrant was a bit of a disappointment for me. I spent about 8 hours before I lost the enjoyment of this quick play strategy game. Game(s) like: 4X Plants vs Zombies Pros: - The outer world and different paths/mission objectives were well done - The game was pretty funny Cons: - The battles just didn't feel tactical or fun. You just didn't seem to be able to control much yet they were fairly trivial. Judging the enemies battle size was tough.

I am usually terrible at twin stick shooters but really enjoyed Assault Android Cactus+ on Switch. Each level could be beaten in about 10 or so minutes which made it pick up and play. The difficulty was much more on my level. Game(s) like: Twin-stick shooters Pros: - Good difficulty (on normal) as I could actually beat this game - Like the different characters and weapons - Enjoyed the staged bosses Cons: - It is exactly what it is - a twin stick shooter. For me this means some quick plays and nothing in depth.

Trine 4 was enjoyable for the puzzles and leveling structure. I ended up beating it after 12 or so hours. Game(s) like: Other Trine games, Unruly Heroes Pros: - The puzzles and levels were well done - The environments looked great - The powers of each character were fun Cons: - The characters themselves seemed sort of cheesy - The combat was not very fun

I put about 10 hours into the Outer Worlds before my enjoyment wore out. Game(s) like: Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas Pros: - The slow motion mechanic was a lot of fun - The story kept me engaged at the beginning Cons: - Felt like a lot of "fetch" quests - Combat never really seems too difficult - Lots of loading times as is common in these type of games - I just didn't find the world/gameplay interesting enough to keep waiting

I beat the main game of Pit People and enjoyed the playthrough. Game(s) like: Massive Chalice, Battleblock Theater for personality Pros: - The game was funny and engaging - Enjoyed the concept of capturing your team members and new types of team members Cons: - Didn't find the game had lots of strategy - you couldn't pick who to target and there is even an autobattler. - Didn't seem to have a lot of depth after I got a good team together

Phantom Doctrine had so much potential. I got about 8 hours in and did enjoy the time before I "figured out" the game. Game(s) like: XCom, Hard West Pros: - The game looked and played great - Liked the idea of awareness and really the entire system was well done - The infiltration period was cool Cons: - Too many random missions (Beholder events). I wanted to stick to main story missions but the game dragged out. - The infiltration with disguises became way too easy after you figured it out - The non-tactical portion became very repetitive after the first chapter

Thought I would really enjoy My Friend Pedro but ended up only getting half way through. Game(s) like: Max Payne, Superhot Pros: - Awesome concept Cons: - Not enough challenge, I was just coasting through levels without much tactics - Not enough enemy variety or puzzles

Was excited to play Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night on Gamepass. I ended up beating it but it was trivial due to a particular shard. Game(s) like: Castlevania games Pros: - Nice atmosphere and level design - Fairly cool bosses - The shards were fun to play around with especially summoning shards Cons: - One shard basically made the game cake. Yes I could not of used it but come on. - Almost an overabundance of shards. Like there weren't enough enemies were I could use one shard against that seemed to make a difference. - Not enough platforming

Read a story on Kotaku so picked up Ichidant-R on the Switch. Had a blast beating it. Game(s) like: Old school arcade mini games Pros: - Most the puzzles were very entertaining - Enjoyed the train game (both the tracks and counting), and the crane game the most - I didn't have to spend 100 dollars in quarters to beat the game Cons: - Not much replayability - there were 15 or so mini games - Older game so if you are not used to those graphics/interfaces/controls watch out

Never quite finished Aegis Defenders. It seemed like a game I'd enjoy but I set it aside for a while and could not get back in it. Game(s) like: Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare (real time tower defense) maybe mixed in with some simple 2D platforming Pros: - Awesome concept Cons: - Both the platforming and the tower defense were just ok - The tower defense especially was not enjoyable. I could put a defense down and the layout made it unclear if it would actually hit certain entry points - I personally did not like the graphics - Gather resources between waves felt unnecessary

Agent A was a fun point and click game that I beat in about 6 hours. Game(s) like: The Room, Myst Pros: - Enjoyed the story/atmosphere of the game - The tap controls I really appreciated - The puzzles/clues were mostly well done Cons: - Felt like the puzzles could of been more challenging - Some of the game felt like just tapping to find the right area versus "solving"

Beat Unruly Heroes in maybe 7 or so hours. It is a platforming game where you switch different characters in real time to beat levels. Game(s) like: Giana Sisters, Rayman Pros: - The game looked great - Like the concept of switching out characters in real time to beat levels Cons: - Imprecise controls killed this game for me - Wasn't super difficult or creative in the platforming

I am not much of a FPS player - I find them repetitive. But Gears 5 was on Gamepass so I played through the campaign and really enjoyed it. I think it took me about 15 hours. Game(s) like: previous Gears Pros: - Devs did a nice job of small things like text size adjustment that stood out to me, just a well done game and interface - Jacks's abilities made it so it wasn't just shooting and gave a bit more tactics - Some stealth was a nice addition Cons: - Campaign maybe a bit too long - Maybe have even more situations where shooting wasn't the only solution

Well I got this for 99% off so wasn't expecting much. Membrane turned out to be a great game. I like games that use your tools to build paths and solve solutions. Game(s) like: Semblance Pros: - Good puzzles and length of the game (about 5-7 hours) Cons: - The controls did not seem exact to me - Some of the later levels were a bit frustrating due to the inexactness

Lines Infinite was a fun game and got exactly what I expected. Game(s) like: N/A Pros: - 99+ puzzles - Get exactly what you'd expect - a number link game Cons: - The organization of puzzles seemed odd, like it sort of got more difficult really as you went up but some trivial puzzles were thrown in between

It was a lot of fun to play through Super Mario Maker 2. The story mode was beaten and played probably 100 or so user made levels. Game(s) like: Super Mario Bros 2D games Pros: - Glad they added a story - Loved the concept of no jump levels or you had to get so many coins - Good search capability to find online levels Cons: - I wish they had better stats on the online levels (again Nintendo achievements would have lengthened my gameplay here) - The versus mode was laggy for me

Creature in the Well started off pretty fun but I only made it half way through. Game(s) like: Pinball w/Hyper Light Drifter Pros: - Fairly unique gameplay in you use a pinball like action to get through rooms Cons: - I thought there would be more puzzles but it was really just hitting the ball into things - Could have done so much more with different ball types and stick types that did interesting things

Bard's Tale IV seemed like a perfect game for me. Tactical turn based in a grid! Using columns for strategy! Sadly the devs made a grave error - could not read the text. Always make text readable (give the option to make larger if necessary). I gave up a couple hours in since I couldn't read anything.

The Gardens Between was a pleasant surprise to me. Though it only lasted about 3 hours, the quality over quantity is appreciated. Game(s) like: Braid Pros: - Always enjoy timestop puzzles - the puzzles weren't too complicated but it is nice to have a relaxing game that still makes you think a bit - Very inviting world, sound, and story Cons: - I wanted more levels and puzzle mechanics

Timespinner was a game I thought I would enjoy but didn't end up finishing. Game(s) like: The Messenger, Hollow Knight Pros: - The general gameplay was fairly fun as it was a metrovania type game - Any game with a timestop mechanic (or timetravel story) I enjoy Cons: - I put this down for a couple days and had a hard time figuring out where to go next. Not necessarily Timespinner's fault but enabling waypoints would be nice. - The drab environments didn't really bring me into the world.

Monster Slayers was fairly fun but can't hold a candle to Slay the Spire. I beat the game with the Rogue though there are several other characters you can continue on with. Game(s) like: Slay the Spire Pros: - I liked the dungeon layouts and how you had choices to explore Cons: - The interface was pretty bad - Equipment seemed like a hassle - The main issue is I didn't feel like I was making tactical decisions per fight. Like you didn't know what the monster was going to do on his turn so you just always tried to max your block, hp, and damage every turn and hope the monster didn't kill you.

Slay the Spire is such a great game. I've gotten to 19 Ascension on Silent and beaten it plenty of time with the other two characters. Game(s) like: Rogue-like Thronebreaker Pros: - Addicting game that makes every run and decision exciting - Several ways to win with such a solid variety of relics and cards - Like that there are three different characters with different cards and strategies Cons: - Random is part of the game, but on higher ascensions it does **** if you get all blocks when your enemy is blocking or you just get crappy random events or boss relic choices

Beat Swords and Soldiers II in about 10 or so hours. Game(s) like: Swords & Soldiers, Castlestorm Pros: - Improved on the first version (though didn't feel as fresh to me obviously) - Basic gameplay is solid and simple - had a good mix of all unit types Cons: - The game interrupted levels a lot which was annoying - Felt like the first one played better where you explored 3 different factions, this one was kind of all mixed in

Beat The Surge in about 20 or so hours. It was definitely a tough game but really glad they made a sci-fi souls like game. Game(s) like: Dark Souls, Dead Space feel Pros: - Great presentation and graphics - just felt like a polished game - The combat strategy was very well done - targeting certain areas for easier fight vs harder fight+rewards - Liked that you could bank credits. Also you didn't have to grind too much which wasnice. Cons: - The most common flaw was the combat hit boxes. I did find some of the hit boxes frustrating but didn't effect me too much. - Would of liked to see more diverse areas. The dark souls games are best when you get cool varied areas to explore/defeat.

What a great surprise OlliOlli: Switch Stance was for me. It is really more a platformer and this version contains both the first OlliOlli and the sequel. I beat all the Amateur levels (it was not easy) and a couple Pro levels. Game(s) like: Trails? Pros: - Gameplay is slick, fast-paced, and fun - Good build up of skills and good tutorials/practice areas - There were 10 areas of 5 levels each and all had fun themes Cons: - Didn't like you had to 5 star to open up the Pro levels, would have preferred the stars just as achievements - Could of used a bit more variety, maybe some more insane platforms or unique obstacles

Iconolclasts just could not pull me in. The platforming felt too outdated and the story didn't draw me. Game(s) like: Owlboy, old SNES games Pros: - The gameplay was part platforming and part simple puzzles and it was average Cons: - Some of the bosses you get an NPC character and I just had trouble figuring out what was going on. Imprecise. - Platforming felt imprecise as well - Started on hard and it was fine until I got a couple bosses in, switched to normal and it was too easy.

Katana Zero brings quality over quantity as a time slowing platformer/tactical game. It also mixes in a psychedelic story. Game(s) like: Mark of the Ninja Pros: - Gameplay was super fun being able to slow down time. Any time manipulation and I am pretty much liking the game. - Though I couldn't always follow the story I like the Metal Gearish type story Cons: - Save points were bad. My son switched to another game and I had to pretty much play over a level. This happened a couple times. - Couldn't skip dialog even if I'd seen it - I usually prefer quality over quantity but the gameplay was so good this game should of been longer

Shadow of the Tomb Raider - I knew what I was getting since it completes the trilogy and mostly enjoyed the final entry. Game(s) like: Tomb Raider games previous, Uncharted Pros: - Gorgeous game as you'd expect - Enjoyed the stealth gameplay wish there was more - Not too many gunfights were forced and the mix with stealth and platformer kept the game fresh Cons: - The camera panned too fast and felt janky. Gave me headaches sometimes. - We need a next step in adventure platforming. It isn't really a challenge or skillful. All climbing games have basically the same controls and there isn't much skill to it. - A lot of the skills or all were basically unnecessary. Would of been nice to have places to use different skills and strategies to pass

Steamworld Quest is a card based tactical game that I really enjoyed. I beat it on Legend difficulty and outside of a couple battles didn't find it overall too tough. Game(s) like: Thronebreaker Pros: - Steamworld games are just awesome in general - the setting and characters are enjoyable - Gameplay was creative with the play 3 + bonus system - Card collection/upgrade system was well done though about halfway through I had about the same characters and cards Cons: - You could play with 3 chars but had 5 in the end. Would of liked the game to force you to use all versus use the same tactics/cards throughout most of the later journey

Hard West seemed like a game I would really enjoy but left me disappointed. I think on the PC this may of been a better game. Game(s) like: Wasteland 2, XCom Pros: - General gameplay with the Luck factor as well done - Cool setting and I like the little missions outside the core turn based missions - The poker bonus while simple were fun Cons: - Had trouble knowing if I was flanking, it would look obvious and I'd plan my move around it and then after moving if I wasn't flanking it would kill my turn and possible mission - No save points made the above point more frustrating as having to redo 45 mins for something you just couldn't see was bad - Hard to see some of the turn based gameplay sometime - Clunky interface, especially when setting equipment

I was really excited for Octopath Traveler and was left disappointed by the complete non-challenge bore it became. Maybe I wanted a more strategy game then RPG story. Game(s) like: Old school Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior Pros: - Graphics and setting were nice - The stories I played I enjoyed Cons: - No strategy/tactics really needed, just way too easy - Random encounters are never fun

I got to the 3rd dungeon in Ashen and my coop partner kept falling off cliffs or something like 6 straight times. It became too frustrating as I need him to delve deeper. Game(s) like: Dark Souls Pros: - The combat and design were fine overall - Movement was fluid Cons: - Frustrating coop experience that makes it difficult if the CPU is gone - Tried to beat a subtask but apparently you had to beat the 3rd dungeon first. No indication in the game this was the case. - Wasn't a huge fan of the art style

Mutant Year Zero did not disappoint. After beating the game on Hard I was very pleased that I played this turn based tactical game. Game(s) like: XCom, Wasteland 2 Pros: - Enjoyed the story/setting overall. Usually not into human animals but this was gritty and cool. - The stealth mechanic was well done and added a lot to how battles were started - Good upgrade system and mutations were fun Cons: - About 90% of the game was isolating enemies. Would of been nice if that was 50% and 50% were bigger fights where you had to cover and move more. - Enemies were basically human/robots could of used a bit more of a variety

This is a rhythm game disguised as a tennis game. Mario Tennis Aces is no doubt pretty fun to play but didn't keep me engrossed after beating Adventure Mode. Pros: - The design with Zone and Trick shots work well - The Adventure mode was decent Cons: - In the Adventure mode I felt like there should be more or something different to keep me engaged - Online was pretty slow to find a partner and just didn't feel great

Gold Peaks is a relaxing puzzle game that never really goes beyond the basics. You get 109 puzzles/holes (1 in the credits) to play through. Pros: - Great interface - Innovative puzzler in the way it mixes with golf Cons: - When solving a puzzle it felt more brute force then me being smart - Never really challenges

I started on Crushing difficulty in The Lost Legacy but wasn't agreeing with the stealth - it was too difficult. So played the rest on Normal and breezed through. Just couldn't get all the way into this game though. Pros: - Great looking game - Enjoyed the climbing sections - The two main characters in general were good but its hard to make an iconic character like Drake Cons: - Being a spin off it was harder to get into the story and take the game seriously - Would rather have it focus on stealth, felt like I've played this game too many times - Story was just there more of the same