In the ever-evolving landscape of video games, it’s rare to find a title that genuinely pushes the envelope. Arkane Studios’ Deathloop does just that, offering a fresh take on the first-person shooter genre that will leave players questioning their perception of time, choice, and consequence. Set on the enigmatic island of Blackreef, it throws players into a mind-bending temporal conundrum. As Colt, an assassin trapped in a never-ending day, you’re tasked with breaking the loop by eliminating eight targets before the clock strikes midnight.

Temporal Architecture

Deathloop’s most striking innovation lies in its masterful implementation of the time loop mechanic. From a systems design perspective, Arkane has woven it into every aspect of the game, creating a playground where time itself becomes your most valuable resource and deadliest enemy. The loop isn’t just a gimmick; it’s the core around which the entire game revolves.

The genius of this system is how it transforms failure into a tool for progress. Each cycle through Blackreef’s repeating day offers new opportunities to gather information, upgrade abilities, and inch closer to your ultimate goal. Death isn’t a setback but a chance to approach problems with new knowledge and enhanced capabilities. This “knowledge as power” progression system is a brilliant way to handle the roguelite influence without the frustration often associated with the genre.

Streamlining the Immersive Sim

Perhaps most importantly, Deathloop takes the immersive sim genre—of which Arkane is a master—and streamlines it for a broader audience without sacrificing depth. The game strikes a delicate balance between accessibility and complexity, offering multiple approaches to every objective while ensuring that players are never overwhelmed by options.

This is evident in the level design, which is a maze of interconnected paths and hidden secrets. Each district can be approached in myriad ways, rewarding both stealthy players and those who prefer a more direct approach. The freedom to tackle objectives in any order adds another layer of strategy to the loop, as players must decide how best to use their limited time each day. It respects the player’s intelligence, trusting them to unravel its mysteries through experimentation and observation.

Visual Identity and Narrative Framing

Arkane’s signature art direction shines brightly, painting Blackreef in a bold, retro-futuristic aesthetic that blends 1960s mod style with sci-fi elements. The island is a visual feast, with each district sporting its own distinct personality. From a production standpoint, the asset reuse across different times of day is managed with incredible efficiency, changing the “feel” of a location through lighting and NPC placement rather than entirely new geometry.

The voice acting is a highlight, particularly the dynamic between Colt and Julianna. Their banter crackles with humor, tension, and genuine emotion. However, this strength also highlights a missed opportunity with the rest of the cast. While each Visionary has a distinct personality, the lack of direct interaction or cinematics during pivotal confrontations leaves them feeling somewhat distant. The absence of traditional cutscenes is a bold choice, but it sometimes denies players the chance to fully appreciate these characters in the moment.

Ups and Downs

Despite its many strengths, Deathloop isn’t without its flaws. Some abilities, particularly Karnesis, feel overpowered in the late game, allowing players to breeze through encounters. From a balancing perspective, once you have a fully kitted-out Colt, the AI (which is intentionally somewhat “dumb” to fit the pulp action vibe) can’t always keep up.

Lastly, while all the maps are beautifully crafted, some areas like Fristad Rock feel underutilized for much of the game. It’s a shame to see such well-designed spaces not get as much “loop-time” as others.

In conclusion, Deathloop is a bold, innovative game that pushes the boundaries of what we expect from first-person shooters and immersive sims. While it has its flaws, the overall experience is one that will stick with you long after you’ve broken the loop. For fans of Arkane’s previous work or anyone looking for a fresh take on the genre, it’s must-play.

In the world of video games, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of revisiting a beloved franchise from your childhood. Recently, I had the opportunity to dive into RoboCop: Rogue City, a game that brilliantly resurrects the spirit of the classic 80s cyborg cop.

The Nostalgia Factor

From the moment you boot up the game, the nostalgia factor hits you like a well-aimed round from RoboCop’s signature Auto-9 weapon. The original actors’ voices and faces, such as Peter Weller’s portrayal of RoboCop, are faithfully recreated. The gritty style and familiar locations of a dystopian Detroit all contribute to a sense of warm familiarity. It’s like stepping back into a world you thought you’d left behind, but finding it just as captivating as ever.

It’s worth noting that the game completely ignores the 2014 remake, directed by the Brazilian José Padilha.

However, this familiarity can also work against the game. The original RoboCop movies were clearly low-budget productions, and while the game does an excellent job of recreating their aesthetic, it can sometimes feel a bit too faithful. Some areas of the game feel a bit sparse and could have benefited from a bit more detail or variety.

Despite this, RoboCop: Rogue City doesn’t shy away from the source material. It embraces the original’s super violent, yet goofy nature. The game is a bloody ballet of bullets and one-liners, a testament to the enduring appeal of the RoboCop franchise. It’s clear that the developers have a deep love and understanding of what makes RoboCop so iconic.

Graphics and Gameplay

The graphics are top-notch, with detailed environments and character models that bring the dystopian future of Detroit to life. However, the game’s AA budget is evident in some areas, such as the facial animations during cutscenes, which can be a bit of a detriment. Fortunately, these cutscenes are not crucial to the overall gameplay experience.

The gameplay is straightforward but effective, offering a satisfying experience despite its simplicity. The core mechanics involve aiming and shooting, with little strategy required. This doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of mowing down waves of criminals with RoboCop’s iconic gun. The game offers a variety of weapons, but RoboCop’s signature sidearm is often the most efficient choice due to its infinite ammo. It requires a bit of determination from the player to actually care to use other guns like bazookas, shotguns, or even throwing chairs and monitors at enemies, despite being fun.

One downside of the game is its lack of difficulty. For the most part, the game is quite easy, with only the final boss providing a significant challenge. Additionally, the mini-bosses can be easily exploited by hiding in blind spots and shooting, which takes away from the excitement of these encounters.

The Story

The story of RoboCop: Rogue City is delightfully cheesy, but it doesn’t innovate much. It uses several tropes from the original movies, and some beats even seem like they’ve been copy-pasted from the source material. The villain, known as “The New Guy,” is a classic RoboCop bad guy, and the plot involves nuke drug, a scheme to replace RoboCop with a fully mechanical cop, and a second-in-command trying to climb the corporate ladder. It’s all very RoboCopy and fans of the franchise will appreciate the nods to the original films. However, the game’s story is not its strong suit, and it’s clear that the focus was on gameplay rather than narrative.

The RPG elements of the game are simple but add a layer of depth to the gameplay. You can upgrade various aspects of RoboCop, from his weapons to his targeting system. While none of these upgrades are essential, they do make the game a bit easier and more enjoyable. Additionally, the game features side characters that you can interact with, but none of them are particularly fleshed out. They’re not irritating, but they don’t add much to the overall experience.

A Parallel Surprise

One of the most pleasant surprises while playing, I searched for news about the cast and the universe, I ended up discovering a documentary titled RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop (8★★★★★★★★). This four-episode series features interviews with all the cast and crew of the original 1987 movie, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. It’s a fascinating watch, full of easter eggs and insights into the precarious and tense shooting environment. The documentary reveals the struggles the filmmakers faced, from fights over budget to disagreements about artistic vision. It’s clear that the creation of RoboCop was a labor of love, and the documentary does an excellent job of capturing that spirit.

RoboCop: Rogue City is a nostalgic trip down memory lane that respects its source material while offering a fun and engaging gameplay experience. The graphics are impressive, the gameplay is satisfying, and the cheesy story is a loving homage to the original films. While may not be groundbreaking, it’s a solid shooter that’s worth checking out for fans of the franchise or anyone looking for a good time. And if you’re a fan of the original movie, be sure to also check out the RoboDoc documentary.

In the vast landscape of video games, it’s a rare gem that can truly captivate and immerse you in its world. Originally born as a mod for Skyrim (9★★★★★★★★★) (which I’ve never played), The Forgotten City has since evolved into a standalone game that masterfully weaves together elements of Roman mythology, time loops, and detective work. Having heard the whispers of its brilliance, I found myself irresistibly drawn to it, and after spending nearly 13 hours-straight unraveling its mysteries, I can confidently say that it exceeded my expectations.

From the moment you step into its realm, it presents a visual feast. The game’s graphics are nothing short of stunning. The city itself is a character in its own right, with its crumbling ruins, intricate architecture, and a palpable sense of history that seeps from every stone. The developers have truly outdone themselves in creating a world that is as beautiful as it is mysterious.

The gameplay of The Forgotten City is a masterclass in incentivizing exploration and experimentation. As you navigate the city and its inhabitants, you’re encouraged to delve deeper, to ask questions, and to test the boundaries of the world around you. This isn’t a game that holds your hand; instead, it trusts you to find your own way, to make your own mistakes, and to learn from them. While it may not reach the heights of detective work seen in games like Return of the Obra Dinn (9★★★★★★★★★) it still offers a satisfying and engaging experience for those who enjoy unraveling mysteries.

The characters are, for the most part, fascinating and well-developed. Each has their own story to tell, their own secrets to hide, and their own role to play in the grand tapestry of the game’s narrative. The voice acting is top-notch, bringing these characters to life in a way that makes you genuinely care about their fates.

The story is a captivating and intricate web of mystery and intrigue. It uses, and at times subverts, the tropes of time travel stories to great effect. It unfolds gradually, revealing its secrets layer by layer as you delve deeper into the game. The narrative is a testament to the power of storytelling in video games, demonstrating how a well-crafted plot can draw you in and keep you hooked for hours on end.

However, the game’s ending, while satisfying in its own right, feels somewhat rushed. In a sudden flurry of exposition, villains explain their motivations and actions in a manner reminiscent of an old James Bond movie. This hasty revelation, while providing necessary closure, lacks the nuanced build-up that characterizes the rest of the game.

“The Many Shall Suffer for the Sins of the One”

Every one will be turned into gold if even a single person commits a sin

Despite this minor flaw, The Forgotten City is a standout game that offers a unique and immersive experience, offering insights into Roman and Greek cultures that will appeal to history buffs and newcomers alike. A shining example of what can be achieved when creativity, passion, and skill are combined in the world of game development.

Every year, I try to compile a list of games, books, and movies I experienced. For the complete list, check the Ratings. Here we go (sorted by rating then alphabetically)!

This year my game library is over 1000 games. 1/3 I’ve never touched it. 1/3 I’ve barely played. So I can stop buying games for a while and still have a lot of fun.

Finished

1. Battlefield V (9★★★★★★★★★): Only played the single-player campaign, and like its predecessor Battlefield 1 (9★★★★★★★★★), I loved it. Short stories about multiple characters and theaters of war, each with unique mechanics.
2. Hades (9★★★★★★★★★): An amazing game loop, showcasing the best of the rogue-like “dying and repeating” gameplay. The dialogue options and voiced characters are nothing short of amazing.
3. Skyrim (9★★★★★★★★★): After a decade, I’ve finally completed the Dragonborn legend in the land of the Dovah! After watching some hilarious videos of The Spiffing Brit channel exploiting its mechanics, I was convinced to restart. I installed a dozen mods to enhance visuals and UI. It’s much better.
4. Assassin's Creed Syndicate (8★★★★★★★★): Surprisingly good. Reasonably relatable protagonists. Good gameplay loop despite repetitive side missions and a lackluster current-time storyline.
5. Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist (8★★★★★★★★): Hilarious fun in an experimental game. Top-notch story and humor. And it’s free!
6. Strange Horticulture (8★★★★★★★★): A unique puzzle about selecting flowers based on descriptions, hints, and clues about their usefulness. The Cthulhu-lite underlying story adds a nice touch.
7. 3 out of 10 Season 2 (7★★★★★★★): Not innovative and sometimes boring. As a game developer, I have a deeper appreciation of its humor.
8. Call of the Sea (7★★★★★★★): Short puzzle story game with a Lovecraftian-ish theme.
9. Cube Escape Paradox 1 (7★★★★★★★): The first half of the puzzle game (a full game by it’s own) is free. Escape room-like gameplay with a mysterious plot. Part of a broader multimedia experience (with a movie and a second game to complement the story).
10. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak (7★★★★★★★): Visually adorable, nice story (though a bit confusing for those not remembering the main game story). Focused on combat without major building elements.
11. Lucifer Within Us (7★★★★★★★): A quite nice short adventure with a dark them.
12. Quadrilateral Cowboy (7★★★★★★★): A crazy hacker game with multiple ways to solve puzzles and unique visuals.
13. The Fall (7★★★★★★★): A puzzle (with little action) short game with a nice premise and story.
14. Bernband (6★★★★★★): An experimental sensorial game, a true walking simulator focused on relaxation. And it’s free.
15. Dear Esther (6★★★★★★): A visually stunning riddle wrapped in an enigma, perfect for gamers who like their plots like abstract art.
16. Ghostwire: Tokyo (6★★★★★★): The first moments of the game I was expecting an horror game. The mood starts definitively scary. But after a couple of hours, I found out that stealth is almost a cheat, except some bosses. The open world collectibles are 99.999% pointless.
17. Old Mans Journey (6★★★★★★): A little relaxing game about an old man traversing landscapes. Doesn’t harm but doesn’t make a dent either.
18. Oxygen Not Included (6★★★★★★): Klei_ is not famous for the RTS genre, but they tried to mix RTS with survival like Don’t Starve. Not great, but enjoyable.
19. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (6★★★★★★): It tumbles through the jungle, where combat feels like a chore, traversal lacks thrill, and the storyline and characters are as cookie-cutter as they come.
20. The Silent Age (6★★★★★★): A short puzzle story. Nice, but not remarkable.
21. Rage 2 (5★★★★★): The gameplay is good, but the story is passable. It seems rushed, as the final 25% of the map is kind of irrelevant. I prefer Mad Max (7★★★★★★★) or Just Cause 3 (8★★★★★★★★) from the same developer.
22. Baba Files Taxes (4★★★★): An experimental game from the same developer of Baba Is You (7★★★★★★★).

Currently Playing

1. Beyond: Two Souls (8★★★★★★★★): Starting this story-driven game with my wife. Expecting to finish it in the next couple of weeks. Heavy Rain probably coming next.
2. Deathloop (9★★★★★★★★★): In the middle of the game and loving it. The protagonists are amazing, though some “bosses” are a bit wacky. The personalities are hard to define, but hoping to get used to them. Notably, it seems a bit too easy.
3. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (8★★★★★★★★): Tried playing it years ago and found the story hyper confusing. Giving it another shot now, realizing Kojima aimed for an analogy with real-world references. Similar to Death Stranding: Director's Cut (7★★★★★★★).
4. The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos (8★★★★★★★★): Didn’t see it coming, a genuinely funny classic turn-based RPG with top-notch humor.
5. Mortal Shell (8★★★★★★★★): A tough-as-nails romp through a beautifully haunting and punishing world where every victory feels well-earned. My Xbox controller stopped working, so it’s waiting for a fix.
6. Paradise Killer (8★★★★★★★★): CRAZY! Do not let the visuals fool you. Amazing. Loving this amazing true detective game where, as far as I know, you can draw any conclusion you want.
7. Desktop Dungeons (7★★★★★★★): I’ve played a demo web version of it ages ago and i liked so much that I’ve even bought Dungeons of Dredmor by mistake. I’ve never remembered the name the one I liked but recently they created a remaster and gave the original for free. Very clever and hard.
8. Duskers (7★★★★★★★): Recommended by RPS and released free on Epic Game Store. Unique visual presentation of this Matrix rogue-like.
9. Overland (7★★★★★★★): A puzzle game with a post-apocalyptic theme.
10. Subnautica (7★★★★★★★): Played it years ago, enjoying the open nature of the game. Playing again to finish it.
11. The Outer Worlds (7★★★★★★★): A recent addition from Amazon Prime Gaming, just scratching the surface.
12. Pikuniku (6★★★★★★): Kinda kids game, very welcoming.
13. Titan Souls (6★★★★★★): An indie game expanded from a 48h game competition, really nice. Got a bit lost in the map, but the bosses are unique and challenging.

Not finished yet (for one reason or another)

Many projects barely begun. Installed to test, but mostly in limbo—WIP or collecting dust. Unfinished tales of exploration and hesitation.

1. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (8★★★★★★★★): Holy moly! Got it from my brother on my birthday, had only a couple of minutes to play, but it’s already shaping up to be a favorite.
2. Astrologaster (8★★★★★★★★): Indie small game with crazy humor. Liked it very much so far.
3. Black Mesa (8★★★★★★★★): The official/unofficial Half-Life 1 remake. Superb! Curious to see what the fuss was about HF1 after finishing Half-Life 2 (8★★★★★★★★) last year.
4. Gris (8★★★★★★★★): Beautiful first level.
5. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun (8★★★★★★★★): Liked the thinking in this game. Definitely one I’ll try to complete sooner than later.
6. Supraland (8★★★★★★★★): Harder and much longer than anticipated, but loving the sarcastic tone and bucketload of jokes.
7. Thronebreaker (8★★★★★★★★): A great RPG using the core mechanics of the Gwent card game. Unique premise and a VERY fun game.
8. Unravel Two (7★★★★★★★): Still to finish with my wife. Slow-paced and forgiving, allowing infrequent plays.
9. This War of Mine (8★★★★★★★★): Far into my third playthrough, but still to survive and see the game credits.
10. while True: learn() (8★★★★★★★★): Logic programming puzzles. Amazingly fun and challenging for a programmer. The special bonuses for optimized solutions request multiple plays for each scenario.
11. Baba Is You (7★★★★★★★): Played some levels, up to the second or third “world.” SUPER clever.
12. Cloudpunk (7★★★★★★★): Weird visuals and relaxing gameplay. You’re a taxi driver in a special city.
13. Death Stranding: Director's Cut (7★★★★★★★): Kubrick walking simulator. Paused to focus on Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (8★★★★★★★★) for a better understanding of Kojima’s latest endeavors.
14. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (7★★★★★★★): liked the first title, Deus Ex: Human Revolution (8★★★★★★★★), but this one is a far inferior game. The story is not nice and the gameplay is not fun so far.
15. Heaven’s Vault (7★★★★★★★): Highly anticipated game, played a bit and liked the story so far. Space for multiple run-throughs to explore all possible branches (not sure if I would do it tough).
16. Observation (7★★★★★★★): Excellent storytelling despite clunky controls. Removed to free up space; redoing the narrative may be challenging after a couple of months.
17. Superhot Mind Control Delete (7★★★★★★★): Played several levels already, yet to finish.
18. Surviving Mars (7★★★★★★★): Played a couple of times but never completed a single level. It’s dry.
19. Breathedge (5★★★★★): This “Subnautica in space” is funny, but the gameplay loop is not engaging. Considering giving up on this.

Continuous playing

I play them eventually. Most of them, are strategy games. Nothing new from last years list, except:

1. Fall Guys (8★★★★★★★★): I’ve finally got it working on Linux (not trivial due the anti-cheat components), so I could play alone and with my wife this funny little-hearted game. It’s controls are easy enough for my wife to try playing a competitive game.

Next games on my radar

Finally, here is a list of games that I already have in my collection that I plan to play in the next months. Its a bit ridiculous to talk about next game, considering the amount of unfinished ones, but the catalogue is so vast that I can afford to play ahead.

1. Doki Doki Literature Club: Not particularly my style, but intrigued due to the positive reviews. Played for just a handful of minutes.
2. Ghost of a Tale (7★★★★★★★): Followed the development process for quite some time because it was made using Unity3D. It looks adorable.
3. Heavy Rain: Planning to play this critically acclaimed story-driven game from Quantic Dream with my wife.
4. Hitman: Never finished Contracts due to perfectionism. Hoping to play more relaxed with this one.
5. Prey Mooncrash: I’m a fan of time travel/ time loop ideas. I bought it but days later I got Deathloop (9★★★★★★★★★) (following game from the same company) for free.
6. Undertale: Started several times, but the lack of synced saved games (using Steam) made me start over each time.
7. We Are There Together: Bought to play with my wife, but not included in Play Together on Steam. Considering convincing another soul to play with me
8. XCOM 2 (6★★★★★★): Received praises in the past few years. Time to take a look at it.

Engines

These are the heavy lifters, the unsung heroes, the powerhouses of our game creation dreams. They’re like the hearts of our games, only less bloody and more… code-y.

• Unreal: It’s Unreal! No, literally, it’s Unreal. The Hollywood superstar of game engines, loaded with stunning visuals and a propensity for high-end performances, but with a learning curve steeper than a mountain goat’s breakfast.
• Unity: A friendly neighborhood superhero, always there to help you take your first steps in the wacky world of game development, with a heart as big as its asset store.
• Unity: It’s YouTube channel.
• Godot: The quirky indie darling that dances to its own beat, showing you don’t need big bucks to make big waves in the game creation sea.
• Flax Engine: The new kid on the block, ready to rumble. A fresh-faced newcomer that’s easy on the eyes and on the code, ready to give the old-timers a run for their money, one shader at a time.

Developer Diaries and Personal Blogs

Peek into the minds of the people who’ve been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. It’s like reading someone else’s diary, only legal and less awkward.

• Alan Zucconi: The Da Vinci of game dev, but with less flying contraptions. Dive deep.
• Cliffski Blog: Like having a chat with your eccentric uncle who’s been in the game biz since before it was cool. Grab a beer and join him.
• Michael Lyashenko: Unity tutorials with a dash of rogue-like charm. Adventure awaits.
• Aras website: It’s like the Matrix of Unity. Take the red pill.
• GameDevBlog: Part industry insights, part friendly voice in the wilderness. Find a friend.

News and Updates

Hear ye, hear ye! Get the latest and greatest from the four corners of the gaming world. It’s like having your own personal town crier, but less shouty.

• GameFromScratch.com: Learn how to conjure games from the void. Start your incantations.
• Game Developer: The pulse of the gaming world. Check the heartbeat.
• Game-ci: Docker updates, hot off the press. Get the news.
• games.greggman.com: News, tutorials, it’s a smorgasbord of info. Fill up.
• data.ai Insights: The trends, the data, the future. Get clairvoyant.
• GameAnalytics: Like an oracle for industry trends. Consult the oracle.

Tutorials and Learning Resources

From spells of wisdom to maps of uncharted territories, these scrolls of knowledge are here to guide you on your epic quest of game development. They’re like the mentor in your hero’s journey, only less prone to dying tragically to advance the plot.

• PushyPixels: Because pixels need to know their place. Learn the art of pixel wrangling.
• Pro Indie Dev: My old pal Gabriel Chaves created a consulting firm with a lot of tutorials and tips.
• GDC: Wisdom of the ancients, delivered through YouTube. Feel the wisdom.
• Game Makers Toolkit: It’s like a Swiss army knife, if Swiss army knives were used for making games. Get tooled up.
• JacksonDunstan.com: All the C# and Unity you can handle, and then some. Get your fill.