Dear Esther Review

 Since the beginning of video game development, industries and developers have tried to offer their customers an immersive experience that they'll never forget. Many fail at this, either making the game realistic enough to ruin the fun or unrealistic enough to seem overly saturated. Some try making the game as photo realistic as possible, like in Crysis, while others try to focus on the credibility of the characters, like in Mass Effect. When I saw the trailer for this game, if it can be called as such, I imagined an adventure-based puzzle game mixed with some horror elements, like Amnesia or Penumbra. However, when I started the game I already came up with the expectations of a game that would leave me on my toes. Instead, I found myself continually pressing W and enjoying the outstanding views that were being rendered among me. I could hear the wind whispering by, the nearby plants shifting about and I could watch the sun as it settled among the horizon. The incredible soundtrack intensifies this experience even more. This is a proper example of what games should be considered. How they can really be art, even if there is really no core gameplay onto it. It's simply an interactive story where events are presented orally and you are given the liberty to stroll around a desolate island while the narrator makes remarks of what is being shown to you. At first it doesn't look like much, but Dear Esther is an incredibly well-thought, and beautiful game that will take you into a meditative journey troughout a breathtaking island.

Graphics

 Taking in mind that this was initially a Source Mod, and it that has been created by an indie developer that hasn't really made any other games before, it really looks great. It's not that Valve should take most of the credit- or any credit at all for the engine, because what surprised me most is how different this game looks from other source engine games. The textures have been completely changed. Objects have been designed and rendered for own use, instead of using the Source engine's default, and the caves... Well, let's say TheChineseRoom has set a standard on designing caves. The vividness of the environments, the overwhelming hugeness of everything that is around you, the visual treat that is seeing something that is eerily desolate. The only real issue of the visuals is that the grass and the plants don't look that good when compared to other games. You may not think that this is not an important flaw when it comes to visuals, but they take a lot of part in the game, since it's the part that should be polished the most.

A beautiful, desolated island

Gameplay

 Many people will heavily criticize this game for having no actual gameplay mechanics, but the gameplay is totally driven by the argument, which is present from time to time in between slow walks along greatly detailed environments.We can say the core gameplay is the combination of the intricate graphical style, the impeccable soundtrack and the emotive story. If you are a hardcore player you won't like this game much, as there is no action, and no other mechanic other than walking and observing. If you like games that try to step into new ground and are really successful at doing so, you will love this game. It's all about knowing that the game is not going to throw you into any kind of conflict or put you into situations where you will have to flee, or kill, or hide. It is just an interactive story, and an outstanding one; but that is all.

Some of the greatest caves you'll ever see in a game

Sound

 I think, and no one will argue with me, that the game wouldn't be anything if it weren't for the effort that is put into the sound. The quality and voice of the narrator couldn't be better. The story is told with so much intensity, and the background mumbles of the island adds to the loneliness of the situation. During the events songs are played in the back adding to the jawdropping experience. The soundtrack of this game is so flawlessly created that it should the reason why you would buy the game in the first place. The soundtrack stands in the shelf along with other excellent pieces from games like Shadow of the Colossus, Oblivion, or Kingdom Hearts. Jessica Curry really deserves a lot for this.

Lasting Appeal

 It took me about an hour to complete this game, but there is so much more. You have many different roads to take; all of which change the overall plot and story. It really doesn't feel like much when you finish it, but it is totally worth is as you will revisit some places over and over again just for old time's sake or simply because you didn't get the story at first.

 In the end, Dear Esther is an outstanding game, but it is a very limited one. It stands out because of it's innovation, and sends a message to current developers setting a standard on how games should focus on the plot rather than on anything else. Some may say it's not enjoyable at all if it's just you cruising around a desolate island, but when you're in the game you feel you are in the island, because of how well they have mixed gameplay aspects to make up for a utterly fullfilling story with great emotion and beauty.

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Chili Challenge!

Have you ever seen a cinamon challenge? It is great, really funny. If you have, check this out and if you haven't check this out anyway. This guy takes challenges into another level! Cinamon challenge is history now!

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ATL Weekly newsletter #3

Hey guys! As you probably can see, we've had an extremely busy week. So busy I couldn't even write a weekly newsletter last sunday. Hopefully, we'll get some things moving again in no time. I will do some album reviews, and soon I'll start doing a review for Space Marine, and  a monthly special review. I really don't know what the rest are going to do, but I''ll keep working on my things. Bye!

ATL staff

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Dungeon Defenders Review

It seems like the indie developers' latest fad has been the one about developing tower defense games. We had the unusual yet excellent Anomaly: Warzone Earth, and then we had a more comic approach to the genre with Orcs Must Die! Frankly, I haven't tried either of them, but I do, in fact, have played, and are still playing Dungeon Defenders. Unlike the two games I mentioned earlier, Dungeon Defenders has the possibility of playing with up to four players in one server. I have come to a verdict to say that it is absolutely successful when delivering a frantic and consistent multi-player experience.

Graphics

 The game uses the Unreal Engine, but, it doesn't look like an ordinary Unreal game would. It doesn't have that moody, dusty bloom that Unreal Tournament 3, or Gears of War have. This one is bright, colorful and cartoony. I really have to say, Trendy Entertainment has put quite a lot of effort into making this game look different and completely original. It plays excellently, and it looks like it was taken out of a comic. Everything is so detailed and so shiny, that it sets a bar on cartoon-styled videogames. The artwork is also top-notch. The characters are masterfully modeled, and the texture work and design of the maps make up for a battle of epic proportions. At first it won't seem like much, but when you're against a horde of hundreds of orcs and goblins the game shines at its best.

Gameplay

 How could I describe the gameplay in a sentence? Addictive co-op madness. This is a real jewel. It's basically the normal tower-defense game in which you can choose between four types of characters (apart from the DLC ones). First, you've got the mage. The mage can cast spells and has a special move which creates an orb of magic that damages nearby enemies. His main trap is a tower, which is a hand-like structure that throws whatever element the mage chooses to their opponent. Then we have the knight (squier), who uses his sword to make his way through the crowds of orcs and goblins, and can sometimes protect himself from nearby attacks. His traps are also based along throwing projectiles, but they have nothing to do with magic, like the harpoon turret or the cannon ball turret. You've also got blockades: one with spikes, and another one with blades that slices through everything. Another character is the Huntress, who uses a crossbow for ranged attacks which are extremely useful at all times. However, her traps are a bit weak. She just puts proximity traps, which only work at times, and don't take too much health. Hopefully, we've also got the monk. He uses spears as a weapon, but he doesn't use any traps. Instead, he invokes auras, which debilitate targeted enemies. All of this amount of character-creating is wrapped up with an intricately designed level-up system and equipment management that adds an RPG-style to the gameplay which fits in perfectly. It also lets you choose between first person, over-the-shoulder third person, and top-to-bottom third person view so that anyone can adjust it to his or her liking.

Our four brave heroes.

Sound

 The sound is the only thing that I wouldn't classify as being "over the top". The music is fine, but it could get repetitive at times. The effects and overall sound make it silly and playful, like the visuals try to do, and they pair up quite well, but there's nothing here worth mentioning that breaks new ground.

Very, very fun maps

Lasting Appeal

 Man, you've got entertainment for hours. Numerous maps, missions, dozens of achievements, characters, DLC's, and items. The replay value in this game is indescribable; you've got four characters to max-out, hundreds of items to find, and dozens of challenges to complete. In a year of tower-defense games, this one stands out as the best, and most successful attempt.

 In the end, Dungeon Defenders is a great, fun co-op experience fit for any Strategy-RPG fan. It doesn't try to break new ground in some aspects, like the sound or the overall gameplay, but it feels fresh with the RPG elements that they've thrown into. I'm completely satisfied with this game, and I recommend anyone to buy it if they are willing to.

4 out of 5 stars

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