Review - Transistor

I hesitate to label what Supergiant Games does with their work as a “formula.” Both of their releases (Bastion a few years ago and now Transistor) share the same “groove.” The ingredients that form the experiences of both games are relatively identical. Whereas Bastion had a narrator to describe the onscreen action, Transistor has a commentator to provide more emotional weight.

Review - The Banner Saga

Much has already been written about the unique art style of The Banner Saga, so I will simply say, “It is breathtaking.” I did not even notice that the character portraits were not animated (besides their shifting eyes) until I was halfway through the game. I realized that the hand-drawn art served to activate my imagination and fill in the action. In my mind’s eye, I saw their struggles on the road and their battles in the field. Despite the lack of voice-overs, I heard them speak. Despite the lack of animation, I saw them march and fight, suffer and starve, smile and rejoice. The storytelling in The Banner Saga is so strong that these characters were truly drawn to life.

Review - Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

After the mind-bending closing cinematic of the first LoS, I waited years for details about Gabriel Belmont’s second coming, imagining what it would be like to stomp around Mercury Steam’s gloriously reinvigorated Castlevania world in the legendary vampire’s boots. His prowess is certainly felt in the challenging combat, but the addition of unneeded stealth gameplay really detracts from the enjoyment.