Recent reviews by Stoob

Ultimately, disappointing. Lack of camera options, no 'role play' (fixed scenarios), few video options (low res), etc. Better quality and variety can be found in Skyrim modding.

S'alright.

Many improvements XCOM, but with a lot of caveats. Squad choice/customization is improved, as is the combat in general (particularly overwatch turns), and procedural maps system is better (though still somewhat lacking and 'samey'), but it falls down on the base/resource management side of the game for me. Watching a counter go down to gain resources in place of a mission is somewhat disappointing, and counters are a feature of XCOM2, for the worse in my opinion. The clock of doom is also somewhat annoying, as it limits the freedom to plate spin for a while and gain some experience/swag, and turn sensitive missions are too frequent, especially when playing on harder levels. And the 'tombola' aspect of research is illogical and I'm generally confused as to why they chose that system - is Chen so dumb that she doesn't make notes and thus be able to re-create her findings to manufacture a Blaster Launcher or HazMat Armour at will? I'd think not, but Firaxis beg to differ.

On it's current comparison to the original UFO: Enemy Unknown, there have been some leanings that way but the freedom of the original is still missing. Everything is still very 'prescribed' - you must do this research, you must do this mission, etc. To aside a little, not knowing when you arrived at an Alien Base in the original whether there was even going to be a Commander there was half the fun. Scanning their minds to work out who might be worth knocking out, or none, when you felt like it, not when the game says you must. Yea you can ignore the 'advice' in XCOM2 but there's no gain to that but like I say, it's all a bit too prescribed and forced compared to the original.

I did enjoy the game, but as I say, with caveats. Mods notwithstanding, XCOM2's re-playabiity is limited due to the timer annoyance.

I'm astounded that so few in my friends list who own Portal 2 have checked this out yet, so here's a 'review'. :p

The PSM team have done a grand job of creating the Aperture facility, with their own tweaks of course - there's no chamber copying here. Not for the faint hearted, the puzzles are at the high end of difficult so be prepared for frustration and the occasional look at YouTube for solutions. While the puzzles do generally require some previous experience of community maps and their less obvious quirky solutions, it's still fun to play and satisfying when you resolve a chamber on your own.

Harry101 of YouTube fame provides the voice acting and is far superior to a lot of the paid indie games on Steam; being a free mod, certainly plus points for that. Overall quality of production is also very high.

If you're a Portal fan and like myself, thought the chambers in P2 were a little too 'hand-holdy', then this is the exact opposite.

An underrated gem from a time of groundbreaking gaming that saw Half Life, Omicron Soul, SiN, Duke Nuke'em, et al. With one of the most luscious soundtracks you'll hear in any media (as performed by Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Choir), this dialogue heavy (no bad thing), open world adventure game oozes character and charm, despite the dated FMVs.

If you can tolerate dated graphics that still perform their task well, I highly recommend this adventuring title.

Just fun all the way. Humorous and irreverent, wild and naughty, without feeling like you're compelled to do anything at all but enjoy the view while listening to the absolutely banging radio stations, my personal favourite being the techno/dubstep channel K12 with dry socialite Jane Valderama. Not to mention, the Dubstep Gun. Zeeoowwb wub-wub-wub wub-wub-wub and so on.

"There is important breaking news! And there is music radio. Unfortunately, I am presenting the latter." - Jane Valderama

The game that turned me into a fandom nerd. Although this, the first installment of the excellent Mass Effect trilogy, can be a little slow to get going, it's not so much about the action but the universe and its occupants; really well realised characters in a fleshed out world. It really is the characters and 'lore' that makes this game. Just as well, as much time is spent conversing with these characters, discovering ancient secrets of the galaxy, in a well told story of galactic anihilation. And luuuurve...

Absolute stone cold classic of a game. No other game has really come close to the feeling of isolation. Seemlessly blending FPS with RPG/Adventure elements, the game never lets you feel safe. True survival horror, though there's very few jump scares, unless you happen to turn a corner just at the wrong time, then yea, jump out of your seat and run away! Not so much of a scare-em-up, but it certainly makes you feel uncomfortable.

I'd recommend this to anyone as a masterclass of when devs get it right. Ahhh, the good old days...

Might not be the most involving 'gameplay' in the world, but it's one of the most engaging 'adventures' around.