It was an interesting game! All of its parts were good, but the longer I played, the more things just dragged on to where I just wanted to be done. And, like I said, that desolate fourth island just felt like padding. And it was the sort of padding that made me thing I had to be about over, but then there was another, full island to get through. At least I had enough tokens to fish my way to getting all the collectibles I needed to breeze through it!

Timely review, Overdrive! This one is the featured title in this month's Humble Choice bundle. I'll get to add it to my collection on the cheap! Which sounds like the way to go, based on your impressions with the game. I hate it when lackluster acts in the middle or near the end of the game burn through the momentum the game had going up to that point.

Maybe you can get back to it now and see the rest of what you've been missing this last decade or two! Or three. Something like that...

I remember starting it a couple decades or so, but for some reason I never finished it. It was a good game, so quality wasn't the issue. I think it was because I'd just discovered emulation, so I was literally downloading and starting every single retro game I had anything resembling interest in, so most of them wound up getting abandoned at some point because I was always picking them up and realizing that I didn't remember what I was doing because it'd been months since I'd last played it.

Jason:
Ignore the "mark." My hand slipped and I hit that instead of "reply." Anyway, I'm cautious when approaching cozy anything because some cozy stuff is just boring. However, this and Creatures of the Deep have proven that the concept can be done right. I'm still searching for a cozy builder similar to Minecraft. I thought I found that in Terraria, but the game does come with an implied time limit of sorts that I don't feel like abiding. That and I want one that's first-person. Dragon Quest Builders might end up being what I want, but finding the time to devote to it is another issue.

Hut:
I fault no one for not like this one. I enjoyed it because it was just what I was looking for, but I can see how it might either grate someone's nerves or leave something to be desired. I, too, want to play the sequel, though some folks have said it's not as good as the fist one. This means it'll either be more fulfilling for those who weren't impressed with the original, or it'll further leave them desiring something.

Thank you both for reading!

Hi again, I just went to submit reviews for a couple of smaller indie games, but noticed they’re not yet in the database.

The first is below:

Title: Choice Chamber
Platform: PC / Steam
Developer/Publisher: Studio Bean
Year: 2015
https://store.steampowered.com/app/359960/Choice_Chamber/

And the second is:

Title: Simmiland
Platform: PC / Steam
Developer/Publisher: Sokpop Collective
Year: 2018

https://store.steampowered.com/app/932850/Simmiland/

Both added

Thanks so much in advance!

I can't believe we've had all these retro reviews over the years, and still no one has reviewed Crusader of Centy. It looks like it might be a great game!

Well, you certainly enjoyed this more than me! But that's good, glad you had a good time with it. I can see why you saw this as a comfy title to play as a stress relief.

I've been meaning to play the second game, but since I'm waiting for the physical release, I'll just have to wait a little longer to see if it sees any improvements over the first game.

Cozy is big right now. It has been for some time, but especially now. I see it in fiction a lot. Even genres you wouldn't associate with cozy at all now have cozy variations. I think we're a few months from someone producing cozy grimdark fantasy at this point. But cozy can be really dull sometimes, if there's not some sort of tension (in fiction) or a sense of satisfaction (in games). I'm glad to see Slime Rancher manages to walk that line you mentioned.

Sorry for the late reply!

I was very curious about Syd for the longest time based on the graphics, so I was in the same boat as you.

Shame how it turned out, though it seems the gameplay for the series seems all over the place, especially depending on what system they're played on. On the PC Engine, the games were more known for their anime-esque cutscenes and CD quality music and audio dialogue, so a lot of that stuff didn't carry over when brought to the Genesis; Valis III's Genesis port had a TON of missing content due to limitations.

It does make me curious to try the Valis Collection PC Engine versions, but I've heard mixed things about the Steam edition. Apparently the Switch versions are the way to go regardless of the quality of the games themselves.

Thanks for reading!

This game looks so good in the screenshots, like it might be a standout entry in the Genesis library, but your review makes a strong case for... otherwise.

I just went to post a review and noticed the PC platform was missing, so could someone add Clone Drone in the Danger Zone on PC?

Title: Clone Drone in the Danger Zone
Platform: PC / Steam
Developer/Publisher: Doborog
Year: 2021

Added.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/597170/Clone_Drone_in_the_Danger_Zone/

Thanks so much. :)

SPOILER ALERT: And neither is the next one. Or the one after that!

Guess I don't have anything mapped out after that, so anything's possible, but I wouldn't bet on it!

This is not a Sharp X1 review, My demands were clear.

Great review with some good analysis about what makes the game work and what holds it back. Since the game seems not to have attracted much coverage/attention anywhere, it seems your opinion falls pretty close to the consensus. I'm still looking forward to maybe someday playing it, but now my expectations should be more in sync with reality. Thanks!

Yeah, there's a maze, but it's doable. Mainly, it just feels out of place and unnecessary. That's also where enemies run into their own trip wires and blow themselves up.

As for the transformations, I had a few that were not meant to trigger. I think it partly boils down to how well you take care of your allies. I got careless a few times and ended up having to put down a few guys because they got infected, or I reloaded and found they were infected before the checkpoint. Honestly, I had more issues with squadmates attacking me in a fit of psychosis or offing themselves.

There are so many more River City games released over the years! There's even a fairly recent feudal one, for some reason. It seems to be the franchise Arc System Works prefers. I collected a lot of them but haven't played them. There was that huge collection of Double Dragon and River City games a few years back that everyone should have by now, though.

I feel like I should dive back into the River City games at this point. Surely the River City Girls games have better gameplay... right?

Also, I didn't realize I submitted this review on a Tuesday. That wasn't planned!

Thanks for reading.

I'm sad they still didn't get things right. Double Dragon (and its fans) deserve better, it sounds like!

I reviewed this game 20 years ago. Now, I am dust.

I was surprised when I heard this got the remaster treatment. I remember it was received fine but no one was begging for it, especially after the lukewarm reception of the other The Thing film no one speaks about. I don't remember a lot about it; I recall hating that squad mate turns all seemed to scripted and there was a bad maze segment?