Recent reviews by Dragoon

Expedition 33 is, without a doubt, the most painfully beautiful and impactful game I have played in the last two decades.

From a visual standpoint, it is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s the most graphically impressive game I have ever experienced. But to reduce it to just visuals would be a blatant disservice. The real magic lies within the vast, twisted, and whimsical world Sandfall has crafted. A place teeming with creatures both wondrous and terrifying. The music is enchanting, the combat is engaging and unforgiving, and the characters are relatable yet flawed.

To put it bluntly, the game is a masterpiece and rightfully deserves all the praise it has received. It’s an indisputable triumph of storytelling, design, and emotion. The world it presents is unlike anything you have seen before, and no video summary can ever capture its full weight or depth. You owe it to yourself to experience it firsthand: to lose yourself in the exquisite, vivid beauty of its environments; to struggle against the horrifying creatures that inhabit the world; to experience the heartwarming and often hilarious moments between the characters; and to feel the oppressive, slow burn of its gripping narrative.

For me, Expedition 33 arrived at the perfect time in my life. I’ve grown up, and games should, too. The story and themes explored are packed full of raw, gritty emotions: survival, loss, grief, hope, happiness, and a looming uncertainty about the future. It is an unexpected (but welcome) evolution of the traditional RPG format, crafted for a more mature audience, one that can appreciate the weight of its world. It does not sugarcoat the harshness of its reality.

Expedition 33 gripped me, pulling me back to a time when games were more than just distractions. With every step, I was transported to the wonder and innocence of my younger years and simpler times when I would lose myself for hours in imaginary worlds. The sense of discovery, the thrill of the unknown, and the joy of exploration all came rushing back, reminding me why I fell in love with games in the first place. Sandfall has achieved something extraordinary: they have created not just a world, but a living memory-a place where the teen in me could run wild once more, even as the adult in me grappled with the story’s deeper, painful truths.

For those who come after.

Still the best Monster Hunter experience.

i don't miss the loot boxes and somehow still get a sense of pride and accomplishment with each attachment I unlock

This game is not what it once was. It's not even similar to the promise that was made years ago. After all the changes and years of development what we finally received is an empty, repetitive shell of a game that looks the same on the outside but has had all of its fun bits removed. I bought this game from Picroma's website several years ago and had a blast, but this ain't it, chief.

Sure, the game runs great and it's got an excellent style. The simplified combat is okay at first, but when you enter a new zone? Welcome back to square one. The most enjoyable part of the alpha was leveling, gearing, and exploring with friends. If you decide to try this game (which I simply cannot recommend) get ready for a boring, frustrating run across lots of empty space with overpowered enemies with seemingly endless nighttime.

I really enjoyed it. First game I played with a Steam Controller.

It's not perfect.. the controls had to be tweaked a lot for the controller, but it was comfortable to play from the couch.

It's also the first game I've played with my wife from beginning to finish in a long time, cuddle up on the couch.

It's a solid experience that really makes you think, and I'd say it's definitely worth $5-$10, only because it's so short.

We went slow and it still came to be about 5 hours of play. Still worth the time to experience. It's beautiful.