Dark Game Review - Empyrion: Galactic Survival

I take a look at Eleon Game Studios' PC space-survival sim Empyrion - Galactic Survival over on Geek Syndicate.

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Dark Game Review - PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds

If being airdropped onto an island with 99 other people against which you need to slowly outwit and fight your way to supreme victory sounds appealing, check out my review of the Battle Royale styled PC game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. You can find it on Geek Syndicate at this link.

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Dark Game Review - Die Young

An idyllic island is somewhere that many of us would love to spend some time. Being kidnapped, hounded and chased as the insects buzz and the sun bakes you isn't usually part of the plan. IndieGala's PC game Die Young puts the player in just such a position, and you can read my full early access review on Geek Syndicate at this link.

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Dark Game Review - Rising World

I take a look at JIW-Games' PC open-world sandbox game Rising World, a lovely place to visit, just remember to bring your pick-axe. You can read my full review on Amongst Geeks at this link.

Image © Copyright JIW-Games

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Dark Game Review - TIS-100

If you like puzzles and programming, the latest PC game from Zachtronics is called TIS-100 and it could be right up your street. Check out my full review on Amongst Geeks at this link.

Image © Copyright Zachtronics

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Dark Game Review - Medieval Engineers

I take a look at PC game Medieval Engineers, a great sandbox playground for gamers to build and destroy castles and other structures. You can read my full early access review on Amongst Geeks here.

Image © Copyright Keen Software House

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Dark Game Review - DiRT Rally

I take a look at Codemasters' return to the DiRT serie's roots as their DiRT Rally currently sits percolating in the Steam Early Access section. Read my review on Amongst Geeks here.

Image © Copyright Codemasters

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Dark Game Review - Killing Floor 2

I take a look at Zed slaying PC gore-fest Killing Floor 2 over on Amongst Geeks here.

 

Image © Copyright Tripwire Interactive

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Dark Game Review - Infinifactory

I take a look at Zachtronics' PC game Infinifactory, a fiendishly addictive puzzle game. You can read my review on Amongst Geeks here.

Image © Copyright Zachtronics

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Dark Review - Satellite Reign

I look at a very early version of cyber-punk PC game Satellite Reign, the game billed as a 'spiritual successor' to Syndicate Wars. It shows a lot of promise but at this early stage it still needs a lot of development. You can read my full review on Geek Syndicate here.

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First Impressions – The Long Dark

Written by Casey Douglass

Survival games have been the flavour of the month for...well, years it seems. I like this in a way as it means a departure from the infinite-spawn run-and-gun tripe that gamers seem to lap up like fizzy drink raining from heaven. Give me a game death that has consequences over one that can be erased with a few button presses any day.

The starting screen of the sandbox alpha.

The Long Dark is another so-called survival game. On first impressions, it’s very good indeed and is only in a very early stage of development. Created by Hinterland Studio Inc., The Long Dark places the player into a frozen wilderness after an apparent global geomagnetic disaster. The player must survive by scavenging food and supplies from cabins and huts, rummaging through the belongings of dead bodies, and hunting for food from nature’s larder. All of this while trying to stave off the deadly cold, hunger, thirst and illness. The crafting system will also keep you occupied.

The game has no story as yet but one is planned. The sandbox mode is where the fun is at the moment and it is this mode I have been playing for the last few days. The game offered me the choice among three difficulty modes. I opted for the easiest as it means that wolves etc. will not attack me (the forums abound with complaints of them being too aggressive). I just want to explore and survive.

I spawn near an icy lake and proceed to ransack the cabins around, picking up wood, matches and anything that is offered basically. I don’t run anywhere as there is no need and it is nice to have the illusion of walking in nature, however inhospitable. The first thing that got to me was the wind noise. I would guess that after around ten minutes, it began to seep into my mind and began to make me feel the virtual isolation. I gut a deer that has already been killed by wolves and make myself a meal of venison as the dark closes in.

I enjoy a lovely sunset as my bones freeze.

This is the start of the journey that impresses me the most. A game should give you stories to tell, moments of triumph or stupidity that stay with you and bubble up inside you urging you to tell other people. I walked through the night, using a flare as the darkness seemed to deepen all around me. I followed a rail track until it ended high on a hill. I frequently found myself about to step into an abyss below as I tried to walk down into the valley below, even the flare failing to spit its light further than a few paces. I knew that I could pass a hut or cabin and not even know it. I walked for around five minutes and decided to give up for the night and wait until morning. I found a rut in the landscape, made a fire, put all of my firewood on it in the hope it would stop me freezing to death in my sleep, and placed my sleeping roll nearby. I told the game to sleep for around five hours and crossed my fingers.

When I woke, the red smear of sunrise was painted across the horizon. I was relieved to be still alive but my character was complaining of being “So cold!” I checked my health bars and thirst and cold were at their most dangerous levels. I downed a can of soda to sort a little of my thirst and climbed out of the rut. I laughed. About 20ft away was a road, the other side of which was a collection of log cabins! I had almost died mere yards from safety! I liked this moment a great deal as it cemented in my mind what a harsh environment the game world is.

Searching through my supplies for something to eat.

I am unsure of the game’s replay value once the maps are known, but even if it is just a play-once and-move-on kind of game, it is a very cool experience. The wonderful art-style is like a graphic novel and the sound design deepens the feelings of really being there. As other things are added, like the story mode, it will be interesting to see how the game develops. If you fancy it now however, I think you will get your enjoyment from it whenever you decide to jump in.

The Long Dark is in Steam’s Early Access section and will grow and be patched over time. Only buy it if you are fully aware of this so that you don’t spit your dummy out if the game development changes drastically or even stops completely. Check it out here and visit the game’s official site here.

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Dark Review - Interstellar Marines

My review of sci-fi space FPS Interstellar Marines is now up on Geek Syndicate here. A promising game that just needs a little more fleshing out.

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Dark Review - Space Engineers

My review of space survival and building game Space Engineers is up on Geek Syndicate now here. A fantastic game that gives the player many stories to tell.

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Dark Review - Paranormal

My review of PC and Mac horror game Paranormal is now up on Geek Syndicate here. Scary mannequins and clever visual effects all add up to a fun experience.

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Dark Review - NEO Scavenger

I had a little play with the beta of NEO Scavenger, a grim little turn-based survival game for PC, Mac and Linux. I was very impressed and also far too excited upon finding some shoes. Read my review on Geek Syndicate here.

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Dark Review - Talisman Digital Edition

My review of Talisman Digital Edition is now up on Geek Syndicate here. A very nice little conversion of the Games Workshop boardgame.

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