TORMENT: TIDES OF NUMENERA Review! – PS4

Torment: Tides of Numenera is the spiritual successor to the quintessential RPG Planescape: Torment. As the highest funded RPG on Kickstarter, Torment has high expectations, and comes to the table prepared. Great stats building, combat, world-building, and the best writing to ever run across a text box await, and it’s all available with console controls, to boot. Don’t wait, dive in to the Ninth World, and experience the madness!

While Torment runs on the Pillars of Eternity engine, there are some radical mechanical departures that make the game feel very different. First, this game is focused on conversation. What does that mean? Lots and lots of reading. We’re talking novels here, folks; however, since the writing is so fantastic, and your dialogue options majorly alter story outcomes, this reading is a joy.

All in all, not enough can be said for how enjoyable Torment: Tides of Numenera is. With a very lengthy game-time for those willing to dig into the content, the (honestly) best writing seen in a game to date, and rewarding conversation and combat mechanics, it’s an experience that will keep players coming back to explore again and again.

If you like reading, bizarre worlds, and have a console or PC, you’d be well-advised to give Torment: Tides of Numenera a try.

Read my full detailed review at KeenGamer.com!

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HOLY AVENGER Preview!

Holy Avenger is the new beat ’em up based on the Brazilian comic sensation of the same name. Although in Early Access, the game is already shaping up to be a welcome blast form the past. Battle with fists, swords, spells and yo-yo’s in this cell-shaded tribute to classic gaming and classic comics!

Holy Avenger is still early in its life stage, and is correctly identified by the dev team as being in alpha. The great news for those of us eager to play the game is that a lot already works great–the animations are mostly smooth, the graphics are pretty, and the action is enjoyable.

The graphics are done in a cell-shaded, Double Dragon: Neon style, and the backgrounds and objects are very World of Warcraft in feel; this isn’t a surprise, given Holy Avenger artist Erica Awano’s work on the Warcraft: Legends manga-style comic from TokyoPop. There are great animation effects that happen on-screen in the background, also, such as lighting effects, falling signs, and scampering fauna.

There are bugs, such as one that zoomed the camera in too close, and a few instances where enemies became locked off-screen, making it impossible to progress. These didn’t keep us from enjoying Holy Avenger, however, and at the alpha level, we’ve played a lot of games far less complete and less functional. Hopefully, this means Holy Avenger will make it to a worthwhile full release; if it sounds up your alley, then consider contributing to the project, and moving it one step closer to awesome!

Check out my in-depth hands-on impressions here, at KeenGamer.com!

DROPZONE Hands-On PREVIEW!

Dropzone is a new RTS/MOBA hybrid from indie developer Sparkypants Studios, powered by the minds behind the strategy masterpieces Civilization II and Rise of Nations! Players face off with teams of 3 unique mech battle machines, and try to get the most cores by decimating alien monsters and each other. With RTS controls and a host of parts to upgrade or craft, you can be the most feared commander in the cosmos!

All in all, the whole package sits on a good engine with a large amount of challenge, meaning that it won’t get old anytime soon. With new modes coming, Dropzone promises to be a breath of fresh air in the MOBA scene, something that the genre is lacking amidst the legions of DOTA and League of Legends clones.

If mechs, RTS control-schemes, and challenging gameplay sounds intriguing, and you’ve got a MOBA itch to scratch, definitely give Dropzone from Sparkypants Studios a try. You won’t be disappointed, (especially if you play us–but we’ll get better, damn it!)

Check out my full preview with in-depth gameplay mechanics at KeenGamer.com!

PHONING HOME Review!

Phoning Home is indie developer ION LANDS love letter to storytelling and boasts a tale that really is worth telling. Players take control of ION, a small robot stranded on an alien world filled with dangerous weather, dangerous monsters, and the remnants of an ancient civilization with secrets long buried. Friends will be met, heartstrings will be pulled, and gamers will be satisfied in this third-person exploration survival experience!

Phoning Home is the first indie game in a long time that looks and plays like an AAA title. The production values and writing are worthy of the big names in gaming, and ION LANDS has pulled off a great story with a game engine that does exactly what it sets out to do–engage and satisfy.

Check out my full review and let’s play at KeenGamer.com!