Recent reviews by Remul0k3

The Thaumaturge is an adventure/RPG game by Fool's Theory. Your adventures unfold in a Warsaw of two faces, a reflection of the country's subjugation to the Russian Empire. Discover a story that blends combat and investigation, set against a captivating narrative, in 19th-century Poland.

A fantastic adventure/investigation game set in 19th-century Poland and Russia, blended with fantasy folklore.

There's plenty to read to build atmosphere and advance the investigations: a great feature is that each document you find grants XP to keep you motivated.

The cases resolve themselves once you've found everything and have the required levels in the four Thaumaturgy branches to uncover clues. However, you can still make mistakes and accuse innocent people if you rush things.

The atmosphere is very well done, somewhere between Call of Cthulhu and Sherlock Holmes, with a touch of The Witcher for the investigations into the fantastical creatures that influence humans.

The gameplay is simple: you walk, read everything you find, and talk to lots of NPCs.

There are a few optional collectibles to find after the prologue (sketches, magazines, clothing, "tourist" viewpoints, slides).

There are also some turn-based battles, quite strategic (on "challenge" difficulty: the most interesting, the slightest mistake is fatal).

The combat gameplay evolves significantly as you level up, since each thaumaturgical power unlocks a new ability. Very enjoyable. Many are optional: you can avoid conflict by talking or simply stay away from areas where a fight might start.

A real gem that I highly recommend.

Enjoy the game!

17/20

+ Strong points:

- Breathtakingly beautiful, from the characters to the environments
- Fast-paced gameplay supported by meticulous direction
- Exceptionally violent combat, stylishly choreographed
- Divine sound design
- Puzzles that are less tedious than before
- Plenty of accessibility options

- Weak points:

- The exploration aspect hasn't evolved at all: it's a straight line.
- Very simple, even simplistic, gameplay, which can dampen enthusiasm.
- 2.39:1 aspect ratio that cannot be disabled (resulting in black bars on a 16:9 screen).
- No French voice acting despite the game being quite talkative.

Summary: Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is a game developed by Ninja Theory and published by Microsoft via Xbox Game Studios. The title follows the events of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, where the heroine, Senua, journeys to Viking hell to retrieve her husband's soul.
Dim the lights, turn up the volume, and extinguish the candles. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II succeeds in its audacious gamble to be the highly anticipated next-gen visual stunner, even if its hand still bears the hallmarks of a purely narrative-driven 2017 game with simplistic gameplay and linear exploration.
More condensed, and more brutal too, Ninja Theory's creation ultimately changes little from the original formula but strengthens all its mechanisms to the point of becoming a formidable war machine.
If you're a Game Pass subscriber, grab it; you're in for a great time.

16/20

+ Strong points:

- A mature psychological thriller with powerful themes
- Cinematic and horrific direction
- Inspired art direction (brutalism, Zdzisław Beksiński)
- Musical compositions by Akira Yamaoka and Arkadiusz Reikowski
- The presence of a Nemesis portrayed by Troy Baker
- The exploration of physical/spiritual planes and powers

- Weak points:

- An (overly) linear adventure
- A noticeable lack of pacing during the first part of the adventure
- A frequently absent sense of danger and urgency
- Subpar technical execution

Summary: The Medium is a psychological horror game where you play as Marianne, a medium. Straddling the line between the world of the living and the world of spirits, you will be haunted by the murder of a child, which will lead you to a mysterious, abandoned resort.
Bloober Team delivers a psychological and supernatural thriller with a masterful blend of influences, and a narrative that is both dark and touching.
The Medium is a complete work of art, both visual and musical, whose universe is well worth exploring.
The Polish studio also manages to capitalize on this playful duality between the physical and spiritual realms without innovating excessively within a linear adventure.
The threat looming over Marianne, however intense it may be at times, too often loses its impact to leave a lasting impression on players.
Ultimately, The Medium is an "arty" horror experience, much like the developers' previous work.

14/20

+ Strong points:

- Good lifespan, promising hours of immersion and thrills
- An innovative concept that works wonderfully
- The Karma system, which allows you to personalize your game and influences the experience
- Simulations that are all equally terrifying
- An excellent atmosphere

- Weak points:

- The difficulty, even against relatively small opponents
- The aiming is sometimes imprecise or erratic, which complicates combat
- There are a few graphical glitches, but nothing that truly detracts from the overall experience


Summary: A.I.L.A. is a first-person horror game set in a near future filled with immersive technologies. Play as a tester of a revolutionary AI. Survive terrifying experiments that prey on your fears as the lines between virtual and real blur...

As a horror fan, I couldn't pass up A.I.L.A. I was immediately intrigued and very curious to discover what artificial intelligence could bring to a video game and what a surprise! From the very first minutes, the game captivates with its storyline, its oppressive atmosphere, and its varied simulations.

On paper, A.I.L.A. really has everything going for it: a gripping horror atmosphere, unsettling adversaries, stimulating puzzles, and above all, simulations that keep the tension at its peak. Despite its innocent appearance, the AI ​​never stops testing you! Even the "rest" phases in Samuel's apartment are never entirely safe. A.I.L.A. subtly infiltrates the player's daily life, adding a constant layer of unease. Finally, the game's length is satisfying, with nearly 10 hours of gameplay if you want to unlock all the achievements.

The only flaw I could point out concerns the difficulty. The aiming, sometimes temperamental, doesn't make combat against enemies, even the smallest ones, any easier, and let's not even mention the bosses… That said, this difficulty also contributes to the adrenaline rush and intensity of the game. It might discourage some, but it will delight those looking for a real challenge. Technically, there are a few graphical issues, but nothing that really detracts from the overall experience. Personally, I didn't find the game particularly beautiful, but graphics aren't everything. Here, aesthetics take a backseat to atmosphere… And in terms of atmosphere, it delivers!

In conclusion, A.I.L.A., the studio's second title, confirms that Pulsatrix Studios has mastered its universe and succeeds in creating an immersive, original, and captivating survival horror game. A real treat for fans of the genre, who will find here an experience that is intense, surprising, and memorable.

15/20

+ Strong points:

- A successful and oppressive retro-futuristic atmosphere
- Methodical gameplay
- Inventory and crafting that truly structure the experience
- Good progression
- Mastery of horror tropes: silence, tension, vulnerability
- Outstanding sound design

- Weak points:

- Good ideas but often too formulaic execution
- Unmemorable bosses and sometimes frustrating fights
- No Polish voice acting

Summary: It's no small feat to tackle the theme of time in a work, whether literary, cinematic, or (in this case) video game.
Let's be clear from the start: yes, Cronos is clearly influenced by other works. From Dead Space and Bioshock to Silent Hill and even Resident Evil, the inspirations are obvious.
But the game doesn't rely solely on its predecessors. It's a true melting pot of the best ideas from the genre's masters. Nevertheless, the game manages to forge its own path and offers an interesting perspective.
Cronos certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, but playing it is truly enjoyable. You want to know what happened to our good old planet, what the real cause of all this mess is, and ultimately understand what we're really doing here.
As you'll have gathered, the story is easy to follow, even if it's sometimes nebulous or even cryptic.
The atmosphere is masterfully crafted: It's oppressively heavy, almost suffocating. The environment, while linear, manages to be quite intricate.
The bestiary maintains constant pressure throughout the adventure and will not forgive any mistakes. This is largely thanks to an old-school, yet no less interesting, inventory system. You'll sometimes have to replay a section several times to complete it optimally.
In short, Cronos: The New Dawn is not a game for everyone. If you enjoy challenging survival horror, where counting your ammo and fleeing from confrontations are central to the experience, then yes, you'll find it to your liking! Otherwise, frustration is likely to set in quickly and leave a bitter taste...
Good luck to the brave souls who dare to try it.

" Such is our calling "

15/20

+ Strong points:
- Sublime art direction and staging
- Immersive soundtrack perfectly suited to combat and exploration
- No two playthroughs are ever the same
- Constant discovery of new things
- A living and immersive mythological world
- Enriched and vibrant hub (baths, bar, additional NPCs) that enhances immersion and social interaction

- Weak points:
- A repetitive structure, especially after several hours
- Dialogues are slow to trigger
- Inconsistent balance of divine blessings, which can make some runs easier or more frustrating from the start.

Summary: Hades II is the sequel to the first episode released in 2020. After Zagreus, it's now the turn of his sister, who will do everything she can to save her father and take revenge on Kronos. Explore the underworld, encounter the Greek gods, and acquire new weapons and skills to reach the end of your journey.
Hades II succeeds in the audacious feat of respecting the essence of its predecessor while adding layers: enriched gameplay, a deeper narrative, enhanced art direction, and a grandiose soundtrack. That said, the game doesn't completely transcend repetitiveness - cycle after cycle, run after run, you end up recognizing the same biomes, the same room layouts, the same visual motifs - which can diminish the sense of wonder after long sessions. If you accept this condition - that repetition is part of the journey - then you'll experience an adventure blessed by the gods.

" Death to Kronos "

18/20

Still Wakes the Deep is a survival horror game set in 1975, when a disaster struck the Beira D oil rig off the coast of Scotland. The player's objective: to save the crew before the ship finally sinks, as a storm breaks and a monster approaches.
A horror adventure on a Scottish oil rig, a premise that promises something original.
The game plunges us straight into the atmosphere. We play as McLearly, an electrician who has been laid off, a layoff he considers very unwelcome. The first few minutes are peaceful, under a gray sky, we navigate within sight of the workers, both indoors and outdoors, the images are beautiful and realistic. The voice acting is also excellent, with delightful accents.
The rig quickly becomes the scene of fantastical events, as monsters straight from the depths take over the ship. The game quickly becomes a nautical survival game with a very captivating atmosphere. The threat is disturbing, and it's truly immersive.
What might put some players off, however, is the lack of direct confrontation with the creatures. There are no weapons in the game, nor any combat. For once, I even missed the jump scares.
The game's soundtrack is also very good, but not fully exploited. There was excellent potential; I would have really appreciated seeing even more spectacular things outdoors, especially since the game often allows for this with sequences and wide shots of the ocean... alas, nothing on the horizon.
From start to finish, the game favors and multiplies scenes involving climbing, balancing, and racing. It's very linear and frankly easy. But there's real work on the sensations, which are omnipresent. As for the story, we're intrigued by the events, but the mystery doesn't fully deepen. A blessing in disguise, since we draw the conclusions we want.
On the other hand, the game ends (a little too quickly, 4/5 hours) with a rather pretty and moving ending. This is certainly the only successful emotional touch, since the game can't really say that it really touches our hearts; the characters are obsessive and not very endearing. This is due to its quick prologue, which didn't properly introduce its characters.
All in all, I recommend the game to anyone hoping for a modicum of thrills and a small survival game with a solid atmosphere, graphically perfectly suited to this generation.

14/20

+ Strong points:
- The supernatural exploration of the Federal Bureau of Control
- The architectural brutalism of the Old House
- The intensity and power emanating from the combat
- The ease of handling the powers and the Service Weapon
- A narrative experience driven by mystery and discovery
- Subtle phases of reflection
- The heroine's rise to power
- An adventure dubbed and subtitled in French
- A good length (+15 hours)

- Weak points:
- A somewhat directive adventure
- Basic artificial intelligence
- The multitude of collectibles to collect
- Poor dialogue and lip synchronization ( in French )

Summary: Control is an action/TPS game from 505 Games and Remedy Entertainment. You play as a young woman with very powerful telekinetic powers and an intriguing weapon. The game also includes a multiplayer dimension. Control is not without its flaws and tolerates several clumsinesses, starting with its excessive linearity and the redundancy that emerges from the adventure after about ten hours of play. However, Remedy Entertainment takes us to the doors of the supernatural and crosses them with a certain talent. This extra-dimensional TPS made of intense combats and subtle puzzles takes the gamble of a narration by the exploration of an atypical place freed from the laws of physics and time... and the magic operates at the heart of the Federal Bureau of Control.

15/20

+ Strong points:
- Generous remake bringing a ton of new features to the adventure
- A stronger horror dimension than ever in exploration and combat
- Awesome art direction
- Delightful music and sound design. Good performances from the actors
- Excellent length for a game of this genre (and multiple endings)
- A story that's still as strong as ever

- Weak points:
- Passages that are too long and repetitive, even if you get the idea
- Animations (facial and body) of human characters are not always successful
- No-nonsense gameplay that gets straight to the point, perhaps too much so

Summary: Diving back into this Silent Hill 2, completely rebuilt by Konami, is like returning to a childhood village dear to our hearts decades later, or stumbling upon a passionate declaration written by a person with whom ties have been severed... everything is there as in memories, but everything is different too. James Sunderland is back, accompanied by his eternal demons. If our hero had doubts about the necessity of his arrival in the heart of the cursed city, we no longer have any: this harrowing journey is a dream for fans, as much as it will be a nightmare for others. Within this striking story in which we are the Eros (and Thanatos), the infernal round trips to the confines of darkness - even more numerous than in 2001 - will leave tourists by the wayside. Bloober Team has written a love letter primarily to Silent Hill 2 fans. A letter at least as powerful as the one Team Silent wrote to survival horror fans 23 years earlier.

17/20

+ Strong points:
- A moving and profound story
- A plot with surprising twists
- Fast-paced and tactical gameplay that works perfectly
- A unique and exhilarating playstyle for each team member
- Rich customization (Pictos/Luminas, skills, etc.)
- Sumptuous and captivating artistic direction
- A cast of impeccable and well-developed characters
- A catchy soundtrack that grabs your heart
- A beautiful balance in the tone of the story, dark and light

- Weak points:
- A storyline that sometimes overloads us with information
- The final structure of Act II is a bit cumbersome and tedious
- The Pictos/Luminas menu lacks legibility and ergonomics

Summary: Driven by their passion for role-playing games, the young team at Sandfall Interactive has transformed this first attempt into a stroke of genius. With the tip of their brush, dipped in paint materialized thanks to the talent of their teams, the Montpellier studio has proven that a video game with a modest budget can overshadow the greatest RPGs. I had high expectations for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and the adventure has met all my expectations, managing to constantly amaze me thanks to its universe and its gameplay and continually surprising me through its storyline. Few video games have moved me so much. There is a before and after Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and some of its scenes will never leave me. No, Sandfall Interactive's title is not a daub, it is a fresco as sublime as a Renoir painting. An unmissable work of art, this is the RPG not to be missed this year.

" For those who come after. "

18/20