The game’s narrative is inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, originally published in the 16th century during the Ming dynasty. This epic saga has had a lasting impact, influencing works from Ninja Theory’s Enslaved: Odyssey to the West to Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga. Black Myth: Wukong is set after the original story while incorporating familiar characters such as Zhu Bajie, Kang Jinlong, and the Bull Demon King, although some character allegiances differ from the source material.

In Black Myth: Wukong, you step into the role of a mute monkey known as the Destined One, who bears a striking resemblance to the legendary Sun Wukong, better known as the Monkey King. This connection to such an iconic character from Journey to the West adds a layer of intrigue, as players are left wondering about your true identity: Are you a reincarnation of the Monkey King, or perhaps a clone setting out on your own journey? While the ultimate answer to this mystery isn’t particularly shocking, it culminates in a thrilling conclusion to the adventure.

However, I found the overall narrative to be somewhat lacking. While it’s evident that Game Science had the freedom to diverge from the original story, I often felt lost trying to grasp the intricacies of Black Myth: Wukong’s plot. The game is structured into six chapters, each focusing on a self-contained tale that explores universal themes like love, hate, and greed. Yet, for players unfamiliar with Journey to the West or Chinese mythology, many references and concepts may be confusing.

This makes it challenging to fully engage with both the overarching narrative and its more personal stories. It’s disappointing because the opportunity to experience a Chinese interpretation of such a classic tale is inherently captivating. Many people are familiar with the story through adaptations from other cultures, so seeing it handled with care and detail here is refreshing. There are standout moments, such as the encounters with a headless monk who serenades you with a Sanxian, and the character designs are exceptional throughout. However, without a solid grasp of the source material or the context of Chinese folklore, it can be tough to fully appreciate the richness of the story being told.

One of the standout features of Black Myth: Wukong is how it integrates Sun Wukong’s extraordinary abilities into its fast-paced combat system. Players control the Destined One, who is closely tied to the legendary Monkey King, and this connection is reflected in the diverse combat mechanics available.

At the heart of Wukong’s arsenal is the Ruyi Jingu Bang, a magical staff that can change size at will. Players will find themselves executing fluid combos with this staff, which can elongate to deliver devastating blows and then retract to strike with precision. This dynamic combat style is complemented by a range of magical spells that utilize mana and come with cooldowns. For instance, players can create clones of the Destined One, allowing them to distract and overwhelm enemies. Another notable spell is Immobilize, which freezes opponents in place for a brief period, granting players the chance to unleash a flurry of attacks or retreat and heal.

Shapeshifting is another critical aspect of gameplay. The Destined One can transform into certain defeated enemies, each offering unique movesets and abilities. Early on, players gain the Red Tides transformation after defeating the giant wolf Guangzhi. This form allows you to wield a flaming glaive, inflicting burn damage while executing impressive combos. Notably, each transformation comes with its own health bar, effectively acting as an extra life. Once this health bar is depleted or after you’ve used up your Might through attacks, you’ll revert to your original form, adding a strategic layer to combat.

These elements combine to create a combat experience that feels both engaging and versatile. The ability to seamlessly switch between different styles of play—whether through staff combat, magic, or shapeshifting—keeps the gameplay fresh and dynamic. This intricate system showcases the Monkey King’s prodigious combat capabilities and offers players a variety of tactical options as they navigate the game’s challenging boss encounters and explore the richly detailed world of Black Myth: Wukong.

In Black Myth: Wukong, the combat system is intricately designed, blending unique mechanics that keep players engaged, particularly through its combo system and focus on strategic timing. The combat revolves around building Focus points through light attacks, which can then be unleashed as heavy attacks. This creates a rewarding cycle where players must balance quick hits with the timing of more powerful moves. While light attacks may feel somewhat insubstantial, serving primarily to build Focus, the satisfaction comes from chaining these attacks into heavier finishers. Executing a full combo—especially one that transitions into a heavy attack—results in visually striking moments where your staff glows red-hot, delivering significant damage and staggering foes with a powerful impact.

Finding openings in enemy attacks is crucial, particularly using the Immobilize spell to create opportunities for your most effective combos. As players master the dance of dodging and executing their abilities, boss fights transform into exhilarating, fast-paced battles. This core gameplay loop is at the heart of what makes combat in Black Myth: Wukong feel alive and dynamic.

As an action RPG that often feels like a boss rush, the quality of the boss battles becomes pivotal, and Black Myth: Wukong largely excels in this area. Each chapter introduces a cast of formidable Yaoguai, mythological beasts that offer diverse challenges. From a giant black bear to a fierce dragon and a blood-spattered tiger, these encounters are visually and mechanically varied. The combat focuses on dodging rather than blocking or parrying, with the latter being limited to a magic spell with a cooldown. This design choice encourages players to develop their dodging skills, navigating the frenetic pace of battles.

While some may find the lack of traditional blocking and parrying options daunting, the overall challenge is balanced well. Many bosses can be defeated on the first attempt, even for those familiar with more challenging action RPGs. This accessibility does not undermine the game’s intensity, as tougher bosses still provide a significant challenge without adjustable difficulty settings. The game offers a forgiving ramp-up to its most demanding encounters, ensuring that players are engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Overall, Black Myth: Wukong successfully merges its unique combat mechanics with thrilling boss battles, creating a fast-paced, strategic experience that both challenges and entertains players. The intricate design and the satisfaction of mastering its systems contribute to the game’s identity as a fresh take on the action RPG genre, rooted in the rich lore of Journey to the West.

The boss battles in Black Myth: Wukong are undoubtedly the highlight of the game, offering a visually stunning and mechanically engaging experience. The variety of settings—ranging from frozen lakes to blood-soaked pools—adds to the drama of these encounters, enhancing the feeling of immersion as you face off against the formidable Yaoguai. The fights have a choreographed elegance that combines martial arts influences with supernatural elements, creating a sense of tension and excitement. Players are encouraged to study attack patterns, time their dodges precisely, and exploit openings for counterattacks, which elevates the combat from simple button-mashing to a more nuanced dance of strategy and skill.

The strategic component of combat is particularly noteworthy; players must adapt their approach based on the unique traits of each boss. The Immobilize spell, for instance, may not always be effective, prompting players to think creatively about their abilities and transformations to exploit an enemy’s elemental weakness. This tactical depth contributes to the thrill of victory, especially when defeating tougher bosses elicits a rush of adrenaline and a profound sense of accomplishment.

While the game shares certain traits with souls-like titles—such as the checkpoint system that respawns enemies and the limited healing mechanics—its overall design diverges significantly from the genre. The linear structure of levels often feels straightforward and occasionally uninspired. While there are some branching paths that lead to optional bosses and crafting materials, the majority of the gameplay follows a singular route. This design choice can make the exploration feel less rewarding, particularly when combined with an abundance of invisible walls and a jump mechanic that lacks utility throughout most of the game. The result is that sections between the exhilarating boss battles can feel sparse and drawn out, detracting from the overall pacing and engagement.

A significant moment toward the end of the game highlights the design’s shortcomings. Players may encounter a puzzle or task that feels out of place compared to the rest of the game, requiring a very specific solution that lacks clarity. This moment can lead to frustration, as players may spend hours trying to figure out the correct approach, only to be left questioning whether they’ve encountered a bug or simply overlooked something obvious. This kind of design misstep can sap the momentum of the final chapter, undermining the otherwise thrilling experience built throughout the game.

In summary, while Black Myth: Wukong excels in delivering memorable boss battles infused with strategic depth and visual splendor, its linear level design and occasional frustrating moments can detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game’s ability to evoke strong emotions and provide exhilarating combat moments makes it a noteworthy entry in the action RPG genre.

Black Myth: Wukong undoubtedly excels in its visual presentation and combat mechanics, creating an engaging experience that captures the essence of its source material while offering players thrilling encounters. The environments, from the serene bamboo forests to the eerie, spider-infested estates illuminated by moonlight, are beautifully crafted, showcasing the game’s artistic direction and attention to detail. Each setting is distinct and vibrant, enhancing the overall immersion and making exploration feel rewarding, even if the level design itself can sometimes be linear and uninspired.

The game’s performance on PC has been commendable, particularly with its use of Unreal Engine 5. The preemptive shader compilation effectively mitigates stuttering issues, allowing for a smooth gameplay experience that showcases the stunning graphics without interruptions. This technical polish helps to elevate the overall impression of the game, making the beautiful environments even more enjoyable to traverse.

While the boss battles are the standout feature of Black Myth: Wukong, serving as exhilarating highlights that keep players engaged, the moments between these encounters can feel lacking. The scarcity of enemies and the straightforward level design contribute to a sense of stagnation, which may leave players yearning for the next thrilling clash with a Yaoguai. Despite these drawbacks, the choice to focus on boss fights rather than adhering to the traditional souls-like formula is commendable and offers a refreshing take on the action RPG genre.

In summary, Black Myth: Wukong strikes a balance between its cinematic boss battles and the less compelling elements of its design. The game is uneven, yet the highlights often outweigh the low points. Its ambitious approach, striking visuals, and fast-paced combat make it a noteworthy title, even if it falters in certain areas. Overall, it represents an exciting step forward for action RPGs, carving out a unique niche that sets it apart from the increasingly saturated souls-like landscape.

In every moment of play, Kunitsu-Gami challenges your combat skills, quick thinking, and adaptability, as you must prevent the maiden from succumbing to the rot. While the enjoyment of its sword-swinging, demon-slaying action is occasionally interrupted by menial tasks, these interruptions don’t detract significantly from the overall experience. Kunitsu-Gami is a refreshing addition to Capcom’s lineup, successfully executing an engaging gameplay loop.

In this new adventure, you take on the role of Soh, a samurai warrior dedicated to protecting Yoshiro, the divine maiden. Their home, Mt. Kafuku, is under siege by the Seethe, a demonic force spreading a vile plague of “defilement” throughout the land. Soh’s mission is to guide Yoshiro through various towns and villages on the mountain, safeguarding her as she works to eliminate the defilement once and for all.

From the outset, the game showcases a rich Japanese cultural influence. The ceremonial clothing, traditional dances, and music create an immersive atmosphere, making you feel like you’re part of a Japanese folktale. Impressively, this is achieved with minimal dialogue; the characters’ actions alone draw you into the story.

However, the narrative takes a backseat to the core gameplay loop, making the overall story feel somewhat less impactful. Kunitsu-Gami prioritizes the challenge of achieving victory over delivering a compelling narrative. While this might be disappointing, the strength of the gameplay loop, along with the addictive “just one more level” feeling, quickly mitigates any letdown.

Each chapter begins with Yoshiro and Soh at one end of the stage, with a black path indicating the route to a Torii gate tainted by rot. Cleansing the gate will restore the entire area. The game features a day/night cycle that offers two intertwined gameplay modes, each with unique challenges.

During the day, you’ll explore the area, rescuing villagers trapped in rot and purging smaller pockets of defilement. Cleaning these areas rewards you with crystals, which can be used to carve a path through the rot for Yoshiro and to assign tasks to the villagers you save. Once you’ve eliminated all the defilement in an area, a shrine opens, granting you a reward.

The initial phase of starting a stage in Kunitsu-Gami presents players with a series of stress-inducing decisions before the first attack. Crystals, being a finite resource, force you to consider whether to allocate them to villagers who provide defense or to carve a path for Yoshiro. Is there a balance where Yoshiro can reach a better-defended location than her starting point? This strategic element is both captivating and exhilarating, intensifying as day transitions to night.

When night falls, the focus shifts from strategy to hack-and-slash action as Soh and his allies confront the Seethe hordes. Their numbers swell with each wave, and a lack of solid strategy can lead to being overwhelmed. I was impressed by the variety of Seethe types, with each stage introducing new terrifying enemies, each possessing unique abilities and weaknesses. Defeating these foes yields crystals for the next daytime cycle, incentivizing you to engage with these scary creatures. Fortunately, battling these demons is enjoyable, as the constant waves of enemies deliver intense action throughout the night.

However, the Seethe can exhibit some questionable AI, disrupting the flow of combat at times. For instance, one type of Seethe is designed to attack from a distance with projectiles. Yet, in maintaining that distance, they often corner themselves, becoming stationary. Since new waves of enemies don’t spawn until the current ones are defeated, you can leave these isolated demons alone indefinitely, creating an unintended pause in the action that feels somewhat unfair.

What stands out in Kunitsu-Gami is how the nighttime battles directly reflect the outcomes of your daytime activities, highlighting any oversights in your strategy. For instance, while you might have fortified Yoshiro’s path with a protective barrier, leaving the left or right flank unguarded can lead to vulnerabilities. As multiple portals for the Seethe open in later stages, a plan that seemed balanced may only address one side. If you make a wrong decision, you can often adjust your formations on the fly or devise a new strategy in the next cycle. However, a single mistake can sometimes lead to a game-over screen, adding to the intensity of the gameplay. This instant feedback—positive or negative—creates an exciting loop that keeps you engaged and constantly strategizing for the next encounter.

While this day/night cycle forms the backbone of each stage, Capcom cleverly introduces variety to prevent monotony. One stage places Soh, Yoshiro, and the villagers on a boat navigating a river swarmed by Seethe from all directions. Another unique segment has Yoshiro possessed by a demon, rendering Soh unable to fight; in this scenario, you can only assign jobs to villagers and guide them as a small floating spirit. As Forrest Gump famously said about chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get when starting a new stage.

Many stages also culminate in a boss battle, unlocking once the primary challenge is complete. These encounters are some of the highlights of Kunitsu-Gami, offering exhilarating fights. While some bosses are larger, more powerful versions of familiar Seethe, others are entirely new creatures with distinct attack patterns that demand precise dodging, well-timed parries, and calculated strikes. Defeating these bosses rewards you with masks that grant new roles for villagers, enriching the core gameplay loop with fresh mechanics.

In addition to the core gameplay, there is a base-building element, although it feels less engaging compared to other aspects of the game. Soh can revisit previously cleansed areas and guide villagers in rebuilding parts of the land ravaged by the Seethe. These tasks unfold alongside the main story, requiring you to return to reap the rewards of your efforts.

While the base-building mechanic in Kunitsu-Gami initially seems like an optional side quest, it has an important catch: the primary reward for completing these tasks is musubi, a crucial upgrade resource for both Soh and the villagers. This necessity transforms a potentially dull side quest into a critical one, compelling you to backtrack after every stage completion, which ultimately slows down the overall experience. Furthermore, to initiate repairs, you must complete a specific number of missions, often requiring you to replay older ones, adding to the monotony.

The concept of rebuilding is sound, but its execution hampers the pace of the game. You need to physically run to designated spots in the area to start repairs, which disrupts the flow and can feel tedious. This process could have been streamlined through a menu system, allowing for a quicker return to the action and enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Kunitsu-Gami masterfully engages players with its intense day/night cycle, blending tower defense and RPG elements into a cohesive experience that shines more for its successes than its failures. While there are some missteps, particularly with the tedious base-building segments, the action and strategy at the core of the game compensate for these shortcomings, making it a worthwhile play.

Capcom has been on a roll lately with its established franchises, and now this success extends to a promising new IP. Kunitsu-Gami starts strong, and it seems we might be witnessing the emergence of the next great Capcom franchise.

In Stellar Blade, you play as Eve, a human navigating a distant future Earth overrun by monsters known as Naytibas. EVE possesses superhuman abilities, having been raised in a space colony and trained to rescue the few survivors from this pervasive threat. While the story features some intriguing twists, it primarily remains in the realm of pulp science fiction, sometimes feeling over-the-top in its attempt to surprise. Characters frequently shift their motivations to serve plot twists, often reverting to their original mindsets without acknowledgment. At times, I wished for a bit more restraint in the writing, as it feels reminiscent of a first season of a TV show trying desperately to secure a second season.

The inconsistent quality of the writing in Stellar Blade weighs heavily against it, as some puzzling side quests are followed by more engaging ones, though not frequently enough. Just when you start to feel fatigued by waypoint navigation, the game surprises you with a side quest featuring unique content and boss fights, or a narrative that goes beyond the typical search for someone who has already died. While the main story touches on themes like transhumanism and moral relativity, it fails to explore them meaningfully. The stilted and awkward voice acting further detracts from the experience, making it difficult to take the story seriously. Historically, the narrative quality in character action games has often been secondary, but those expecting more than the genre’s average will need to adjust their expectations.

Where Stellar Blade truly excels is in its gameplay. Whether sprinting down a desert dune or battling a cockroach monster that leaps out at EVE, the action is genuinely enjoyable. EVE typically embarks on missions filled with dynamic set pieces and numerous enemies, and this formula generally works well. There are some missteps, such as jumping sections, tedious puzzles involving an arcade-style pipe game or a Simon Says variation, and lengthy tunnel surfing segments that clash with the game’s inherent floatiness. However, for the most part, Stellar Blade understands its strengths and delivers an entertaining experience.

Gameplay in Stellar Blade is enhanced by an engaging combat system that focuses heavily on parries and dodges. Instead of being a simple combo fest, the game adds depth by channeling all your actions into powerful special moves. Successfully deflecting attacks or dodging enemy onslaughts not only keeps your health bar intact but also amplifies the effectiveness of your counterattacks when the opportunity arises. Defeats in battle usually stem from a lack of understanding of enemy patterns rather than unexpected attacks, inviting you to return with newfound knowledge for your next attempt.

However, a significant drawback preventing Stellar Blade from surpassing its notable inspirations is its pacing. While the game is relatively long for its genre, individual sections can feel excessively drawn out. Many doors are locked or unpowered, requiring detours to find keys or activate switches, making it frustratingly rare to simply progress as intended. Tasks that should feel like quick set pieces often become tedious, as players may have to fight through 30 enemies before reaching an objective, all while knowing they must defeat multiple targets to complete the level. These overly lengthy sections would have benefited from more decisive editing.

In some ways, it feels as if Stellar Blade wants to have its pacing both ways. On one hand, the game consistently directs you forward, creating a sense of progression. On the other hand, many enemies pose a real threat, capable of taking EVE down with a single powerful combo, while requiring multiple special moves to defeat. This balance can make encounters feel unwieldy and slightly tedious, especially when they accumulate on your path to the objective. When death only results in retracing the same combat-heavy route, it can start to feel punishing.

The game’s structure does allow for some player-driven pacing, particularly in missions set in its open areas. However, these zones, though large, tend to funnel you down predetermined paths rather than offering creative routes. Most frustratingly, there are only two desert-themed zones—one subtropical and one semi-arid—wasting an opportunity for variety. A minimap would have been beneficial in these open spaces instead of a separate, underutilized map screen. Additionally, side quests become unavailable surprisingly early in the game, and players are explicitly warned about this, leading to a rush to complete them when they would feel better spread out.

One redeeming quality is the game’s soundtrack, which features one catchy track after another. Navigating the desert and tackling sub-missions becomes almost zen-like with a vocalist’s soothing interludes. Boss fights range from heavy metal to pop, providing an appropriate backdrop to the clash of combat.

Stellar Blade often impresses with its visuals, featuring dazzling set pieces and stunning character models. While NPC designs vary significantly—some appear as lifelike plastic dolls while others reuse elements from less prominent characters—the main cast stands out in both fidelity and animation.

Although the game’s non-linear areas lack environmental diversity, the main story explores slightly broader settings. Most of the game takes place in ruined buildings and the tunnels beneath them. While the post-apocalyptic backdrop allows for creative combinations of elements and ambiance, it’s disappointing to frequently encounter similar-looking tunnels. A globe-trotting adventure in a sci-fi world should evoke a sense of wonder, but Stellar Blade achieves this only on rare occasions.

As you explore, you’ll discover plenty of loot from treasure chests and enemy drops, though it never feels overwhelming. Most collectible items consist of resources for various shopkeepers, with occasional equipment drops that cater to different playstyles. Each equippable item can slightly change how EVE plays, but none offer such significant alterations that stats become unimportant. If you prefer to focus solely on increasing numbers, Stellar Blade accommodates that as well.

Regarding the game’s controversial sexiness, I found it to be largely inconsequential, neither a strong positive nor a negative. The only time it became slightly annoying was when quests or exploration rewarded me with yet another dress that offered no stat benefits. I would have preferred items that enhance EVE’s strength rather than more skintight outfits, especially since I already had plenty in my inventory. EVE’s physical appearance felt irrelevant to the overall game, only becoming noteworthy in the early hours.

Stellar Blade possesses a dreamlike quality, though this shouldn’t be misconstrued as a sign that everything is exceptional. It resembles a half-remembered dream that lingers in your mind throughout the day, filled with vague recollections—like a collapsing train yard, a ruined opera house, or an Asian garden—while the details in between fade away. I genuinely enjoyed Stellar Blade despite its flaws, primarily due to its robust systems. Its main weakness lies in some sections feeling overly prolonged, which could be viewed as a compliment from a different perspective.

However, a lingering question remains: does this game reach the heights of its inspirations? My conclusion is no, but the fact that it attempts to do so without failing spectacularly is impressive in itself. Ultimately, it stands as a great game, demonstrating the power of being inspired by those who came before.

The third game in the main series, Golden Axe 3, was released in 1993 and follows completely new characters, while also attempting a stylistic shift from its predecessors. The game was not very well received by critics (which perhaps influenced Sega’s decision not to release it in the west) and has since largely been forgotten. But, in my opinion, the criticisms of the game were unreasonable and over the top. Read on for my Golden Axe 3 review. 

Golden Axe 3 Review

The Story

Golden Axe 3 – Kain Grinder

Golden Axe III follows four brand new characters in the form of Kain Grinder (a swordsman), Sarah Burn (a swordswoman), Chronos Lait (a beastman), and Cragger (a giant). 

As with the previous games, the main objective is to navigate a number of side-scrolling levels in order to eventually confront the game’s antagonist. In this instance, that villain is Damud Hellstrike, also known as the Prince of Darkness. 

Prince Hellstrike has stolen the Golden Axe, and the heroes are tasked with defeating him in order to return the axe and lift the curse that has blighted the world. One of the new aspects brought in to Golden Axe 3 was that players can choose the path they take to get to the Prince of Darkness. This was done at junction points in the game, and enabled players to select the direction and path they wanted to walk. 

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The Good

Golden Axe 3 – Chronos

Golden Axe III does many things well, and introduces some new features to the game that its predecessors lack. For starters, it introduces new movesets with increased variety. Each character has unique abilities and is also able to perform a super move. There is also the addition to grapple moves a la Streets of Rage. 

Another plus for the game is the introduction of new characters. Granted, Kain Grinder and Sarah Burn are almost exact replicas of Ax Battler and Tyris Flare, but we get two completely different characters in the form of Cragger and Chronos. Cragger is a brutish giant who likes to get up close and personal with the enemy, whereas Chronos is a humanoid panther who, despite being quite weak, has a special move that can get you through the whole game. 

Further positives for the game are in its decision to add variety to the route you take to the finale. This adds replay value to the game and allows you for a different experience depending on the path you take. There are also multiple endings that are based on the decisions you make. 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Golden Axe III reintroduces the little thieves that were present in the original game. I missed kicking those little tyrants around in the second instalment. 

The Bad

Golden Axe 3 – Proud Cragger

Despite being a fan of Golden Axe 3, there are some not-so-great features of the game. To start with, the background scenery is seriously lacking in vibrancy and detail in what feels like a missed opportunity for the third instalment. 

Another drawback, and this is entirely objective, is the use of grappling. One of the things that set the original apart from other beat ‘em ups (such as Streets of Rage and Final Fight) is the focus on purely melee attacks. In fact, the characters were differentiated by their melee range (e.g. Gilius had better range). The introduction of grappling makes Golden Axe 3 just like any other beat ‘em up of its era, and perhaps that’s why it was largely forgotten and overlooked upon release. 

The final negative for Golden Axe 3, and it’s not a big one, is that there are no cameos from Ax and Tyris. Gilius makes an appearance at the beginning, and is the reason that the heroes are able to pursue the Prince of Darkness, but it would have been nice to see them all together again. 

All in all, though, Golden Axe 3 is one of the best beat ‘em up games for the Sega Genesis, and the good far outweighs the bad. 

FAQs

How many stages are there in Golden Axe 3?

There are 7 stages in Golden Axe III. Some of the stages also have different paths to choose within the level. 

How long does it take to beat Golden Axe 3?

A standard play through will take around 1½ to 2 hours to complete. However, some speedrunners (see below) have been able to finish the game in under 30 minutes!

Get in Touch

Have you played Golden Axe 3? What’s your favorite game in the Golden Axe series? Let us know in the comment section below!

For any enquiries, contact me at richard@blogofgames.com

If you’re into speedruns, check out this incredible playthrough on YouTube by FlowerSpeedrun. 

What is Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales?

Thronebreaker is a roleplaying strategy game that revolves around the card battle minigame used in The Witcher 3, Gwent. In place of a combat system, this game uses cards to do battle, with each card representing characters encountered throughout the course of the game.

Yet, the game is much more than a glorified card game and features a rich story that is teaming with compelling characters and interesting dialogues.

Queen Meve of Lyria and Rivia

In this game players take on the role of Queen Meve and follow her journey as she explores areas of The Witcher world that have previously been unseen, such as Rivia, Lyria, and Mahakam. Meve is an intriguing protagonist with multiple layers and is extremely enjoyable to play as. You Along way the way you will encounter political turmoil and have to make game-changing moral decisions that will leave you questioning your levels of personal honor and humanity.

Gameplay

The game is an interesting concoction of various different gameplay styles, combining elements of adventure, strategy, point-and-click, and visual novels. The player can move freely throughout the world using a mouse or controller from a top-down perspective. Whilst roaming the map as Queen Meve, you can take on quests and gather items and resources to help you in throughout the game.

As with previous Witcher instalments, Thronebreaker makes use of animated cutscenes in the style of graphic novels in order to further the dialogue between characters and advance the story of the game. It is also possible to make dialogue choices within conversations that can sometimes lead to change in the path of the story.

Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales gameplay

You must also manage resources efficiently and recruit units within a customizable war camp, from which you can build an army and take part in epic story battles that affect the way the game plays out. Battles are done through Gwent, with over 250 cards available to use throughout the game. Special cards and leader cards are also available and provide various perks and advantages to help you claim victory. The game also implements story specific mechanics into Gwent,

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The Good

Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales has a good amount of content, with over 30 hours of story gameplay and 20 possible different outcomes to the game based on your decisions. In addition to the main story, the game has 75 side quests that are predominantly based around solving puzzles.

The story is captivating, and the characters are engaging, particularly Queen Meve, whose choices can occasionally make her seem morally questionable. These types of intriguing characters are exactly the type that you want to see in an RPG game.

Voice acting in the game is top level, as was the case with The Witcher 3, and this is supplemented with a beautiful artistic style and high-level animations.

The Bad

Thronebreaker has also had its negative critics since its release, with many claiming that the gameplay is quite slow and boring. Some players claim to have completed the game in just a few days of casual playing and, because of this, feel that the game does not justify its price tag.

Thronebreaker: animated cutscene

The game’s story has also been criticised for its linearity. Some players of Thronebreaker feel like they didn’t have enough of an active role in the plot, which inhibited the immersion of the game and rendered a lot of the dialogue pointless.

Other criticisms have pointed towards the ease of the gameplay, with some players revealing that they only had to change their Gwent deck a few times in order to complete a battle and progress through the story.

Should I buy Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales?

Overall, Thronebreaker is a fantastic blend of storytelling, RPG gaming, adventure and strategy, which all rolls neatly together into a big ball of highly captivating and impressive gameplay.

If you are not fan of card games, the story itself makes the game a must buy, especially for those who are familiar with the series. If you are a fan of card games but not the series, it is also still worth trying, as Gwent is a thoroughly well-thought out strategy game that can test your tactical abilities.

Gwent: The Witcher Card Game

Similar Games to Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

If you like Thronebreaker, you might also like Magic: The Gathering – Puzzle Quest, which has a similar battling ard game system. You may also like Hand of Fate 2 and Hex: Shards of Fate, which are card-based games with elements of RPG and fantasy.

Get in touch

If you liked this article, you might like our article on what is the best final fantasy game?

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the content. Whether you agree or disagree with the content, it would be great to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions. If you have any, please get in touch below or contact me at richard@blogofgames.com.

Thanks.

Richard, Blog of Games

Developer: Eidos Montréal

Publisher: Square Enix

Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS

What Is Deus Ex: Mankind Divided?

Deus Ex Mankind Divided – Gameplay

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is an action role-playing cyberpunk game that is the fourth entry of the Deus Ex series following on from the 2011 title, Deus Ex: Human Revolution. It is set in 2029, two years after its predecessor.

The game primarily takes place in Prague, though parts of the story see some events occur in London and Dubai. In line with the series’ cyberpunk elements, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided explores themes of elite secret societies, cybernetics, biotechnology, and unjust social division. A key aspect of the game is the divide between normal humans and augmentations, or “augs”, who are people that have technologically enhanced themselves.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided was well received when it was released, and the game was praised for its gameplay, story and graphics. It was seen as a worthy successor to Human Revolution, but there is a general consensus that the story was too short, meaning the game’s characters were underdeveloped and one-dimensional. This has, however, left people calling for the release of a new Deus Ex game.

In this Deus Ex: Mankind Divided review, we will explain why the game is worth trying, and why it is one of the best cyberpunk video games available right now.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Story

Deus Ex Mankind Divided – Cyberpunk World

In Deus Ex: Mankind Divided players take on the role of Adam Jensen, a human who became heavily augmented following an assault on Sarif Industries, where he worked as Chief of Security.

The game begins in Dubai, where Adam is undertaking a mission for anti-terrorist unit Task Force 29 (TF29), before being intercepted and attacked by a mercenary group of the augmented. Adam returns to Prague after the mission and becomes involved in a mission to discover who attempted to bomb the city.

Adam’s journey takes him on a trail of the illuminati, who have begun to use advanced biological weapons in order to kill high-level opponents to their causes. Struggling to know who to trust, Adam finds himself involved with the Augmented Rights Coalition (ARC), a controversial group that acts as a resistance to the abuse of the augmented. Adam encounters many twists and turs from here on in, and what follows is a truly engaging and well-constructed plotline that, deliberately or not, delivers messages pertinent to contemporary society.

The story in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is heavily rooted in cyberpunk and futuristic themes and attempts to evoke thought of societal injustice in the mind of the payer. Adam is a member of the augmented, a supposedly enhanced version of the human race as we know it. Yet, he and many other “augs” are segregated and looked down on as morally inferior by the game’s “normal” human population.

Deus Ex – Adam Jensen

Is this a sign of things to come? Either way, it’s certainly food for thought and, if your imagination allows, it’s possible to predict a time in the not-so-distant future where this scenario could become a reality. This is why the cyberpunk genre strikes a chord with so many people and why we say in this Deus Ex: Mankind Divided review, that this game is one of the best cyberpunk video games available right now.

Without giving too much away in this Deus Ex: Mankind Divided review, it should be known that the story, however brief, is rich in content and emotion. The game also ends without a definitive conclusion, leaving the possibility of a new Deus Ex game being released in the future.

If you’re enjoying this Deus Ex: Mankind Divided review, you might also like our Observer video game review, another one of the best cyberpunk games available right now.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Gameplay

Deus Ex Mankind Divided – Graphics

The Deus Ex: Mankind Divided gameplay is similar to previous instalments in the series. It is a first-person shooter with elements of adventure and stealth. Some animations in the game, such as taking cover and melee attacks, switch to a third-person view. Both open world and linear environments are incorporated into the game for players to explore.

Throughout the game, you will encounter various non-playable characters with whom you can interact with and will aid you in completing both main and side story quests. Completing more quests and discovering new areas will reward the player with experience points, enables players to upgrade Adam’s abilities. An in-game currency called Credits can also be acquired which allow the player to purchase item and equipment from black-market shops.

Players can adopt different strategies to progress throughout the game. Those of a more gung-ho disposition can violently enter situations all guns blazing, while those who favour stealth can equip themselves suitably to avoid the danger and silently eliminate enemies with non-lethal weapons.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Review – The Good

Deus Ex Mankind Divided – Prague

• Story: In this Deus Ex: Mankind Divided review, we have already discussed how good the story is, and it is worth reiterating. This action role-playing game has a good blend of action, stealth, exploration, and character development, all of which combine to make this one of the best cyberpunk video games of all time.  
• Setting: Seeing Prague in a futuristic cyberpunk setting is definitely a highlight of the game. It is not the only location that you will are able to explore, but it is the largest one and acts as a base for you to go travel from to other areas throughout the game. It is quite easy to spend hours just roaming around the city and taking in the sci-fi vibes while listening to the citizens liaise with each other.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Review – The Bad

Deus Ex Mankind Divided – Metro

• Lip Sync: One aspect of the game that is noticeably flawed is the lip syncing. This is slightly disappointing, especially when you consider how good the voice acting in the game is.
• Length: A lot of criticism of the game was aimed at how short the story is. It is true that the main quest line is a little on the short side, but it didn’t feel like a problem for us as the content was so good. There is also a lot of exploration in the game which occupies a lot of game time.

Games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

If you’ve already completed the game and are looking for a similar fix, there are plenty of other titles out there to try. Here are some more games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided:

• System Shock 2
• BioShock
• Anachronox
• Thief
• Prey

Blog of Games Rating

You can probably tell from reading this Deus Ex: Mankind Divided review that we are fans of the title. Despite, this is still one the best cyberpunk games around. We award the game 8/10.

Get in Touch

If you enjoyed reading this Deus Ex: Mankind Divided review, you might also like our Resident Evil 2 remake review.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the content. Whether you agree or disagree with the content, it would be great to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions. If you have any, please get in touch below or contact me at richard@blogofgames.com.

Developer: Bloober Team

Publisher: Aspyr

Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch.

What Is Observer?

Observer – Cyberpunk World

Observer is a psychological science fiction horror game that gained notoriety for its world design, story, and visual effects.

The game is set in the Kraków, Poland, in the year of 2084. The world has recently fallen victim to a digital plague, or nanophage, that resulted in thousands of deaths and a subsequent rise in war and drug abuse. Poland has ceded control to megacorporation Chiron, which has resulted in the creation of the Fifth Polish Republic.

The Observers, a police unit working under Chiron, have been placed in charge of the country’s security and have been granted access to hack the minds of inhabitants. As a result of this, criminals and drug addicts are sent away to live in run-down apartment buildings.

The game has been well received by critics and gamers alike, and collected numerous awards for its gameplay and setting. Observer was lauded for its effective amalgamation of cyberpunk, sci-fi ad horror elements, and its success has led to the possibility of a film adaptation being released in the future.

The visual effects, the story and the world design are of the highest calibre in this game. In this Observer video game review, we will try to explain why Observer is one of the greatest horror games of the past few years, and why it is one of the best cyberpunk video games of all time.

Observer – Story

Observer – Story

Players take on the role of Observer detective, Daniel Lazarski. At the beginning of the game, Lazarski receives a phone call from Adam, his estranged son. The call is traced to an apartment in one of the most run-down areas of Kraków.

After visiting Adam’s apartment building, a series of hints lead Daniel on a trail to find his son. The journey to find Adam turns out to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the detective, who eventually finds himself in an abandoned virtual reality salon called Sanctuary.

Inside Sanctuary, Lazarski encounters further surprises. What follows is a deep exploration into a digital realm that allows consciousness to exist in virtual reality and enables the possibility of transferring consciousness into a different host body.

Without giving too much plot information away in this Observer video game review, one thing we can say is that the story is as intense as it is enjoyable, with an engaging and emotional connection being crafted with the characters in the game.

If you’re enjoying this Observer video game review, you might also like our Anachronox review, another one of the best cyberpunk video games available right now.

Observer – Gameplay

Observer – Psychedelic

The Observer gameplay is similar to other psychological horror games in the genre. It is played from a first-person perspective and allows the player to roam certain areas, interacting with objects and characters in order to solve puzzles to advance in the game.

A unique feature of Observer’s gameplay is the use of the Dream Eater. This device allows the player to hack the minds of people in order to interrogate them. In this cyberpunk game, the detective is also equipped with Bio Vision and Electromagnetic Vision, allowing you to thoroughly examine your surroundings and mark any interactable objects.

Aside from the main quest, players can also search for collectibles such as patient records and Nanophage cards. There is also an enjoyable mini-game available to play through computer terminals called With Fire and Sword: Spiders.

Observer – The Good

Observer – Gameplay

• Cyberpunk setting: It is obvious from the outset that the game is heavily inspired by Blade Runner, and Observer does a great job of emulating the cyberpunk setting and feel that made so many fall in love with the genre. The atmosphere is immense, with lighting and audio playing a huge part in the suspense. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect, though, is that you are thrown into the deep end with little explanation and a ton of working out to do, it adds a great deal of immersion to the gameplay and couples wonderfully with the futuristic setting.
• Story: It is already mentioned above in this Observer video game review how good the story is, and it is worth mentioning again. Admittedly, the story is confusing at times, but if you focus on the plot there are some thought-provoking and current themes to the game’s story. Combine this with some top voice acting and impressive futuristic visuals, and Observer easily becomes one of the best cyberpunk video games of recent history.

Observer – The Bad

• Combat: Or lack of. Some players were put out by the lack of combat in the game. So, if you’re into horror games with a good dose of action injected into them, you may want to search elsewhere before trying Observer.
• Length and difficulty: A few gamers have complained about the length of the game. It will take around 8-10 hours to complete the game, depending on how much you interact with the environment. Others have levelled criticism at the ease of the game, citing the simplicity of the puzzles.

Games like Observer

Observer – Graphics

If you’ve finished the game already and are looking for something similar, you are in luck. Here are some other games like Observer for you to try:

• Soma
• Layers of Fear
• System Shock 2

Blog of Games Rating

You may have noticed from reading this Observer video game review that we are massive fans of this psychological horror game. It is, without question, one of the best cyberpunk video games of all time, and certainly one of the best psychological horror games of the past few years. We enjoyed this game immensely at Blog of Games, and this Observer video game review awards the title an impressive 8.5/10.

Get in Touch

If you enjoyed reading this Anachronox review, you might also like our Remothered: Tormented Fathers review.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the content. Whether you agree or disagree with the content, it would be great to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions. If you have any, please get in touch below or contact me at richard@blogofgames.com

What is Red Dead Redemption 2 about?

The game is a prequel to the award-winning 2010 title Red Dead Redemption and is the third instalment of the Red Dead series by Rockstar Games.

It is set in a vast, Western-themed open world, and revolves around the gun-slinging outlaw, Arthur Morgan. Morgan is a member of the Van der Linde gang, which also comprises of the protagonist (John Marston) and antagonist (Dutch Van der Linde) from the previous game.

Set in 1899 – the latter years of America’s “Wild West” – the game is premised with a botched robbery attempt in the town of Blackwater, after which members of the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With the nation’s bounty hunters and authorities hot on his heels, Morgan is forced to traverse America via a life of crime, leading to internal conflict and testing his loyalty to the gang. Morgan will also have to make moral judgements throughout the game, too, and this honor system – which is carried over from the previous instalment – means that the decisions you make will have consequences down the line and lead to different pathways of opportunities.

How is the gameplay in Red Dead Redemption 2?

A big feature of the game is the nomadic lifestyle that you must live. Camps will act as the base for your roaming adventures, and here you can interact and build relationships with other members of the group. It is also possible to pick up extra missions and contribute wealth and provisions for the benefit of the camp.

Outside of camp life, Morgan will be able to interact with all of the other non-playable characters (NPCs) in the game. This is where the honor system will come into play, as these NPCs will start to react to you based on your previous actions in the game – it’s probably worth considering this before riding rampantly through the Old West towns all guns blazing (this message is more aimed at myself than anyone else…).

One thing that all of the pre-launch reviews agree on is the wonderment and awe of the map. Within this vast open world, the player will encounter various beasts – bison, bears, foxes, deer, just to name a few of the hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of species in the game. Some are available to hunt for food, others will provide trading items, and some are just out there watching the world go by as they please. The main animal is, of course, your horse, and you must look after it

Character customization

One of the most exciting aspects of the game is the character customization and maintenance, and Rockstar have tried to make the game as immersive and lifelike as possible in this respect. Morgan will experience real-time hair growth, and players will have to visit the barber to have a cut and style, based solely on the amount of hair available on his head (no GTA-style afros being fashioned out of hairless heads, unfortunately). Items of clothing will also be able to be individually put on and taken off, enabling unique character outfit choices – keep an eye on your hat, too, it can fall off in combat if you’re not careful.

Players will have to look out for Morgan’s health, as his energy will diminish as time passes and he becomes drained from all of his gun-slinging, horse-riding shenanigans. For this, he must sleep to stay alert, and feed to maintain energy, with weight being another dynamic feature of the game. His cleanliness – or lack of – will be noted by other NPCs in the game, too, and Morgan needs to take baths in order to avoid snide comments from passers-by on the street.

Red Dead Redemption 2 graphics

The visuals in this game are truly stunning. In our opinion, this game will look good no matter what console you play on, and the gameplay trailers show that it runs solidly at 30ps. The attention to detail is simply breath-taking in this game – from the snow melting on the character in the mountainous regions, to the mud splattering on Morgan’s clothes whilst riding through the outback. The impressive graphics and the diverse environments of this huge open world map will certainly serve to enhance the games level of immersion.

When will Red Dead Redemption 2 be released?

The game will be released on October 26, 2018, and Rockstar have made special, ultimate, and collector’s editions available for pre-order. The game will also feature online multiplayer capabilities, with Red Dead Online planned for release in November 2018 as a public beta. This multiplayer mode looks incredible and if it is anything like GTA Online, players will be able to expect something spectacular.

If it isn’t obvious already, Blog of Games is stupidly excited for the release of this game. We believe it will surpass the heights of the previous instalment and could, potentially, go down as one of the greatest games to ever be released. It seems Rockstar Games have produced another classic here, and one which we certainly recommend you try. Are you excited for the game? Let us know in the comments below.

If you liked this article, you might also like our article about free open world games.

Get in touch

Thanks for reading this article and I hope you enjoyed the content. Whether you agree or disagree with the content, it would be great to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions. If you have any, please get in touch below or contact me at richard@blogofgames.com.

Thanks.

Richard, Blog of Games

There are over 200 animal species in Red Dead Redemption 2

Developer: Capcom R&D Division 1

Publisher: Capcom

Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Resident Evil 2: Remake – Story

Resident Evil 2 is a survival horror game that was originally released in 1998 for the PlayStation and has been rebooted for a second release on multiple platforms in 2019. In this Resident Evil 2 remake review, we will judge the game solely on the remake, so as to not be biased by any affection for the original.

Resident Evil 2 Remake – Zombie

The game follows the characters of Leon Kennedy, a rookie police officer, and Claire Redfield, a college student, as they find themselves immersed within a zombie apocalypse trying to escape Racoon City. Inhabitants of the city are being transformed into the undead by a biological weapon called the T-virus, developed by the big-pharma company Umbrella.

Leon, who is on his first day of duty, and Claire, who is looking for her brother Chris, discover that the majority of the police force at the Raccoon Police Department have been wiped out and then split up in order to find survivors in the city, encountering some interesting folk along the way.

The duo come to learn about a new G-virus that is capable of transforming humans into an extreme mutant bioweapon. Without giving too much away, the story then follows their journey to discover the truth about the G-virus and find a way to vaccinate it or escape from it.

If you’re enjoying this Resident Evil 2 remake review, you might also like our article on the best free PlayStation VR horror games available in 2019.

Resident Evil 2: Remake – Gameplay

The first notable difference between the original and the remake is that the Resident Evil 2 remake ditches tank controls in favour of an over-the-shoulder third-person shooter perspective, akin to Resident Evil 4. This is a great move, in our book, and makes the gameplay far more fluid, immersive and enjoyable, whilst still enabling survival horror to be the main focus of the gameplay.

Resident Evil 2 Remake – Combat

The game frequently involves puzzles and problem solving, all of which are fun and fairly challenging but do require a lot of backtracking to previously seen locations which, for some, may become repetitive. As in the original, players are required to loot their surroundings in order to gather resources and find items, yet the remake makes this a less restricting task, and players are free to explore more areas and mix up the pace of the game.

In terms of graphics, the Resident Evil 2 remake does a great job at keeping visuals crisp and smooth with some high-quality textures and ultra-realistic environments (well, minus the zombies…). If you have played the original, it feels like a real treat to see these familiar environments touched up graphically but, even to a newcomer to the game, it visually stands up well to any other game in the survival horror genre.

The combat is aptly made for a survival horror experience – nothing too extravagant and does the basics well. Players can aim their firearms using the crosshair and fend off enemy zombies whilst trying desperately not to waste the scarcely found ammunition. There is also the option to fend off zombies with a combat knife after one of them grabs you, though you must remember to pick up the knife from the undead body before continuing on.

Resident Evil 2 Remake – The Good

If you’ve read any other Resident Evil 2 remake review, it has most likely been a positive one. The game has been well received by most who have played it, and for good reason.

Resident Evil 2 Remake – Claire and Leon

The game stays loyal to the original while injecting a fresh perspective and a new lease of life in the form of a different camera angle, much-improved graphics, and smooth combat and gameplay.

With this game, Capcom have shown that a reboot can not only be as good as the original but shine brightly in its own light. They have also created a renewed buzz around the Resident Evil franchise and lovers of the RE series will now be waiting with anticipation to see what the Japanese game developer have in store next.

Resident Evil 2 Remake – The Bad

It is difficult to find a bad Resident Evil 2 remake review at this stage, and the game has received almost unanimous critical acclaim. That being said, a few gamers have certain gripes and complaints about the survival horror game.

Resident Evil 2 Remake – Leon

Perhaps the most common complaint is the decision to use an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective camera as opposed to the fixed camera from the original game. Others have also suggested that the game would have benefited from 1st person camera, like that of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, in order to maximise the suspense and horror elements of the game.

Other complaints have been aimed at the sometimes-repetitive nature of puzzles, tracking back and forth to various locations in order to find and place items in the correct places in order to progress through the game.

Should I Play The Resident Evil 2 Remake?

In a word, yes. This game is a masterpiece, regardless of whether you have played the original or not.

If you are looking for an engaging survival horror title to immerse yourself in, or if you are just looking to take a trip down memory lane while marvelling at the impressive touch-up job that Capcom have done, you won’t be disappointed.

Games Like Resident Evil 2 Remake

If you have already played RE2 and are looking for another horror title to sink your teeth into, here are a few other games like Resident Evil 2 remake for you to be getting on with:

• The Evil Within
• The Last of Us
• Dead Rising 3
• Call of Cthulhu
• Dead Space

Get in Touch

If you liked this article, you might enjoy reading our post about the best free online horror games.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the content. Whether you agree or disagree with the content, it would be great to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions. If you have any, please get in touch below or contact me at richard@blogofgames.com.

Developer: Ion Storm

Publisher: Eidos Interactive

Platform: Microsoft Windows.

What Is Anachronox?

Anachronox – Boots

Anachronox is a role-playing cyberpunk game that was released in 2001 and gained notoriety for its quirky humor and charming science fiction setting.

The game is set in the eponymous planet of Anachronox, a celestial body that is home to various space-age cities that are built upon artificial tectonic plates. The planet is distinctly divided into two areas – the northern sector is classy and chic, whereas southern Anachronox is ridden with crime and is more uncouth.

The game was well received when it was first released, and the depth and detail of the story led to comparisons with the Final Fantasy series. A sequel has long been touted, but there has not yet been any confirmation of an Anachronox 2 release date. Anachronox also led to a feature-length machinima film called Anochronox – The Movie, which one several awards and is well worth checking out.

The story, the characters, the humor and the setting are all top notch in this game. In this Anachronox review, we will lay out why it is still worth playing almost 20 years after its release.

Anachronox – Story

Anachronox – Story

Anachronox follows the story of protagonist Sylvester Boots” Bucelli, a human who formerly operated as a pirate on Anachronox. After running into some trouble with the law, Boots now runs his detective agency from above a dingy, downtrodden bar in South Anachronox.

Throughout his journey, Boots encounters several allies, one of which is maverick recluse Grumpos Matavastros. Early in the game, Grumpos commissions Boots to locate a piece of MysTech – mysterious pieces of rock believed to have once belonged to an extinct alien race. Boots is then joined by his robot assistant PAL-18 and Dr. Rho Bowman as they have to escape the planet and learn the truth about the MysTech.

The story may sound deeply rooted in sci-fi and futuristic themes, and it is. But the best thing about this cyberpunk game is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The game is fairly silly, with a huge dose of sarcasm and unconventional humour. This doesn’t detract from the immersion, though. In fact, the light-heartedness and casual manner of the game’s story help the fluidity of the plot and keeps you interested in its progression.

We don’t want to divulge too much of the story in this Anachronox review, as it would be a shame to ruin the enjoyment of what is still one of the best cyberpunk games available right now. What we can say, though, is that Anachronox
ends on a huge cliffhanger that will keep you pondering long after its completion.

If you’re enjoying this Anachronox review, you might also like our System Shock 2 review, another one of the best cyberpunk games available right now.

Anachronox – Gameplay

The Anachronox gameplay is very similar to that of Japanese role-playing games like the Final Fantasy series. You control a part of three different characters as they explore a 3D environment made up of space-age megacities and futuristic outdoor environments. The members of the party can be swapped out for different characters, all of which have unique skills that will come in useful at some point in the game.

Enemies are visible on the map and when players encounter them, the combat mode is triggered. The combat is turn-based and has a system similar to the Active Time Battle in Final Fantasy. Characters have an attack meter that fills over time, they can only attack once the meter is full. When a character or enemy’s hit points are reduced to zero, they have been defeated. Various items, such as MysTech healing rocks, can be used to gain an upper hand in battle.

As with most role-playing games, Anachronox features a level-up system that enables players to upgrade and improve the abilities of their characters. Defeating enemies earns experience points which can be used to augment different stats and attributes of the game’s playable characters.

MysTech plays a big part in this cyberpunk game. After a certain part in the story, the Mysterium Tech system enables the use of these in-game objects which are made up of eight different elemental colours. The MysTech can provide huge advantages in combat, inflicting devastating damage on enemies, healing party members, or removing status-effects.

Anachronox – The Good

Anachronox – Graphics

• Story: This Anachronox review has already mentioned how good the story is, but it’s worth repeating. This cyberpunk game really does have everything – suspense, humour, and hours of thought-provoking dialogue. It is clear that the story is the main focus of the game, whereas combat takes more of a backseat, unlike most role-playing games.
• Setting: The cyberpunk setting in Anachronox is otherworldly and breath-taking. It is easy to get lost here. Despite being 20 years old, the game does a stellar job of creating futuristic environments and sci-fi settings that easily make Anachronox one of the greatest cyberpunk games of all time. It is a pioneer in the genre.

System Shock 2 – The Bad

Anachronox – Combat

• Length: The game has hours of content and proved too long for some disgruntled critics who felt that part of the gameplay ended up becoming monotonous. Without wanting this Anachronox review to be too biased, though, I have to disagree. For me, the 30+ hours of gameplay seemed to fly by, and replaying the game is also an option due to the enormous amount of content. You miss important things the first time around.
• Bugs: A few gamers have reported issues with bugs that make it unable to enter the final area of the game. It should be noted, though, that reports of these issues are few and far between, and we certainly never encountered any problems of this manner.  

Games Like Anachronox

If you’ve already completed the game and are looking for a something similar, there are plenty of other titles out there to try. Here are some more games like Anachronox:

• Deus Ex
• Final Fantasy 7
• System Shock 2

Blog of Games Rating

Anachronox – Gameplay

You can probably tell from reading this Anachronox review that we are huge fans of this role-playing cyberpunk game. 20 years after its initial release, and this is still one the best cyberpunk games of all time. In this Anachronox review, we award the game an impressive 8.5/10.

Get in Touch

If you enjoyed reading this Anachronox review, you might also like our Resident Evil 2 remake review.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the content. Whether you agree or disagree with the content, it would be great to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions. If you have any, please get in touch below or contact me at richard@blogofgames.com.