14
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162
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Recent reviews by mpMaksvell

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Showing 1-10 of 14 entries
1 person found this review helpful
1
21.5 hrs on record
I dove straight into Resident Evil Village: from the very first seconds you’re thrown into a cold, unfamiliar village with no explanations, and you have to figure everything out on the fly. I was immediately hooked by the question, ā€œWho is this Duke and why does he have all these strange treasures?ā€ā€”it drove me to explore every corner.

The locations stood out: the frozen village, Lady Dimitrescu’s gloomy castle, and the eerie Beneviento estate. Two bugs haunted me in Beneviento all the way to the end. First, one of the plaques refused to activate—I couldn’t trigger it, so I missed out on some treasures and bizarre creatures. Second, the animal area was blocked by thick roots that I couldn’t clear—access stayed locked until the finale. These issues ruined the experience a bit, since I knew there were secrets I couldn’t uncover.

Another weird moment was enemies hitting through walls: you take cover, and suddenly you get struck without ever seeing the attacker. It felt like the textures were letting attacks pass through, breaking the immersion.

The final battle with the mega-mycetium roots also had its glitch: the roots themselves ā€œlaggedā€ā€”their animations jumped and stuttered even though my FPS stayed solid, creating a distracting effect during the fight.

The progression imbalance also stood out: you spend the whole game gathering resources and leveling Ethan to take down enemies with well-placed shots, and then Chris shows up in the end and kills them in one or two bullets—making all your previous efforts feel pointless.

Despite these technical flaws, Resident Evil Village is pure gothic horror. The creaking floorboards, shifting shadows, icy corridors, and echoing footsteps build unbelievable tension. It’s an atmosphere every horror fan should experience, even if you have to tolerate a few bugs.
Posted April 24, 2025. Last edited April 24, 2025.
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1 person found this review helpful
2
453.6 hrs on record (397.5 hrs at review time)
I have spent nearly 400 hours in Sid Meier’s Civilization V, and each time the game continues to surprise me with something new. Even after all these hours, I’m still discovering interesting mechanics, refining my strategies, and experimenting with different civilizations. This is one of the best turn-based strategy games, combining depth, replayability, and the satisfaction of planning every move.

The game has an excellent gameplay balance. You can develop your civilization however you like - through military conquest, cultural influence, diplomacy, or scientific advancements. The hex-based map and changes to combat mechanics made battles far more tactical, eliminating the old "stack of doom" strategy. Now, every unit occupies a single tile, adding more realism and strategic depth to warfare.

I really appreciated the intuitive and user-friendly interface. In Civilization VI, it feels more cluttered and less streamlined, whereas in Civilization V, everything is well-organized and easy to navigate. The animation and character models also look more realistic. The leaders in Civ VI have a more cartoonish style, while in Civ V, they appear more natural and fitting for the setting.

Another highlight is the variety of civilizations, each with unique abilities that make every playthrough feel different. However, a downside is that not all content is available in the base game. To experience the best mechanics, you’ll need to get the DLCs, especially Gods & Kings and Brave New World, which introduce religion, espionage, and improved diplomacy. This can be seen as a drawback, but if purchased on sale or in a bundle, it’s not such a big issue.

One more downside is server performance in long multiplayer sessions. If you’re playing co-op with a friend against AI, especially in matches that last 6-8 hours, the game can start to lag, which can be frustrating. While multiplayer generally works well, this issue can be annoying in extended sessions.

Overall, Civilization V is a game you can keep coming back to. It is well-balanced, has a smart and convenient interface, a deep combat system, and countless strategic possibilities. Even after hundreds of hours, there are still new mechanics to explore, new civilizations to try, and new paths to victory to discover.

Civilization V is the perfect choice.
Rating: 10/10 – a timeless legend.
Posted February 10, 2025.
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1 person found this review helpful
1
433.2 hrs on record
I’ve spent over 400 hours in Baldur’s Gate 3, and every single one of them was incredible. Having already poured countless hours into Divinity: Original Sin 2, I had high expectations for Larian Studios, and they managed to surpass them all yet again.

This game is a true masterpiece that works equally well in solo mode and co-op. When I played solo, every battle pushed me to think strategically, constantly analyzing my moves and finding the best way to overcome my enemies. On the other hand, when playing with friends, the game became a mix of relaxed fun and heated debates: everyone made their own decisions, leading to hilarious and often chaotic situations. This dynamic makes Baldur’s Gate 3 incredibly versatile – it’s perfect for both lone adventurers and those who love cooperative escapades.

The characters in this game deserve special praise. They’re not just well-written – they feel alive. Their backstories, motivations, inner conflicts, and even their appearances are so compelling that you can’t help but want to learn more about them. Every interaction with your companions feels like a small adventure, full of emotion.

I also want to highlight the Ukrainian localization, created with the help of volunteers. Seeing this was incredibly heartwarming, and I’m genuinely grateful for this effort. Playing such a high-quality game in my native language was an exceptional experience that made the game even more enjoyable.

The storyline is another major highlight. It’s layered, intense, and filled with moral choices, each of which has a meaningful impact. No matter how I played, I always discovered something new, as the player’s decisions shape the narrative in profound ways.

For me, Baldur’s Gate 3 deserves 10 out of 10 in every aspect: the story, the characters, their beauty and backstories, the gameplay, the music – everything is executed at the highest level. It’s more than just a game; it’s an immersive experience that you’ll want to relive over and over again.

If you’re a fan of deep RPGs that can be enjoyed solo or with friends, Baldur’s Gate 3 is an absolute must-play.
Posted January 14, 2025.
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No one has rated this review as helpful yet
37.2 hrs on record
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is a game I’ve played multiple times, and every playthrough has been an absolute pleasure. Most recently, I played it on Steam, and it was a nostalgic and rewarding experience that reminded me just how masterfully crafted this game is.

Comparing it to the first game is almost impossible – CD Projekt Red made an incredible leap forward in every aspect. The graphics are stunning, even by today’s standards. The detailed locations, realistic lighting, atmospheric castles, and vibrant cities all come together to create a world that feels alive and immersive.

The gameplay has also seen a massive improvement. Combat is more dynamic and challenging, offering a real sense of accomplishment. The alchemy system, crafting mechanics, and tactical preparation for battles are all integral to success. Every encounter, even with common monsters, requires thought and strategy. For fans of complex and strategic RPGs, this is an absolute treat.

The story is, as always, one of the strongest aspects of the series, and here it truly shines. Watching the relationship between Geralt and Triss evolve is a highlight. Their story is deeper and filled with genuine emotions that make it feel authentic and compelling. Reuniting with Zoltan and Dandelion felt like meeting old friends again, bringing a warm sense of nostalgia.

The political intrigue is another standout feature. Royal conspiracies, wars, assassinations – it all adds a sense of weight and maturity to the narrative. You don’t just feel like a participant in events; you feel like a key player driving the story forward.

One thing I absolutely love about the game is its replayability. With its branching choices and multiple outcomes, every playthrough can feel unique. You constantly reflect on how your decisions shape the story, making it impossible not to come back and experience it differently.

Are there any downsides? A few minor ones. The game is quite challenging for newcomers, and the combat controls can occasionally feel a bit clunky. However, these are small issues compared to the overall experience.

In conclusion, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is not just a game – it’s a masterpiece. It combines a captivating story, complex gameplay, and impressive graphics that still hold up today. If you haven’t played it yet, you absolutely should. And if you have, like me, you’ll find yourself wanting to return to this magical yet brutal world over and over again.
Posted January 11, 2025.
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2 people found this review helpful
36.2 hrs on record
After spending hours playing Assassin's Creed Mirage, my feelings are quite mixed. While there are a few highlights, most of the mechanics feel either recycled or poorly executed.

Let’s start with the grappling hook mechanic, which hasn’t evolved at all compared to previous installments. It’s disappointing to see such a lack of innovation when this element could have been more dynamic and engaging.

However, one thing I absolutely loved in the game is the cats. Yes, the cats are fantastic! They add a charming touch and bring the world to life in a small but delightful way.

Now, on to the Eagle Vision. It’s inconvenient that you can only use it while walking and not while running. This not only slows you down but also affects loot quality, which is a bizarre and frustrating limitation.

The pickpocketing system is overly simplistic. One button, and that's it. There’s no sense of challenge or risk, and it makes this aspect of the gameplay feel shallow.

When it comes to the PC adaptation, it’s downright terrible. The map control system is a nightmare – to zoom in, you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the screen, and then scroll back up again to adjust the map. It’s unnecessarily complicated and detracts from the overall experience.

The inclusion of the Isu outfit is just laughable. It feels completely out of place and serves no purpose other than being a bizarre, unnecessary addition.

One of the most frustrating aspects is the enemy respawning. You can spend 15 minutes clearing a fortress, but if you step away for even a moment, the guards respawn almost instantly. It ruins any sense of progress and becomes incredibly tedious.

And let’s not forget the jump mechanics. It seems like the developers forgot about this basic feature, as your character often refuses to perform necessary maneuvers, leading to awkward and frustrating moments.

Now, let’s talk about the story. If it weren’t for the ending, I’d rate it a 2/10. It’s painfully primitive and feels like it was copied from previous games. The main characters and side characters are poorly written, and their dialogues are just awful. They evoke no emotions, and you never feel invested in their actions. The whole thing feels like a secondary product, with no real weight or depth.

In conclusion, Assassin's Creed Mirage had potential, but its execution leaves much to be desired. The world and the cats are the only things really worth praising. Everything else feels either underdeveloped or a rehash of old mechanics with no meaningful improvements.