Recent reviews by Weeddrunken

Wreckfest 2 is pretty bare bones contentwise (3.5 tracks, 4 cars), however the game's fundament (gameplay, physics, driving mechanics, graphics & performance, bots, multiplayer) is already very solid! Ultra-widescreen is also supported, and although 5120x2133 works just fine - my beloved 5760x2400 (24:10) lets the game crash at start. Besides the amount of content, it is enough to have fun and get wrecked but the low amount of tracks sucks. I also really wish for an overall improved sound stage, but it does the job for now. I had no laggy online races, rubber banding whatsoever. And I can definitely recommend Part 2 to every true Wreckfest fan. Everyone else just wait and enjoy an also raised price tag (~$50) on release. As this is how early access (~50% off) should work, btw.

For me personally the best RPG open-world sandbox experience since TES: Oblivion (...unfortunately I've skipped out on KCD1). As KCD2 features such an immersive sandbox freedom, with its dynamic and vivid open-world where decisions and or failures lead to realistic and understandable outcomes. Also NPCs are not the usual overlooking "idiots" as in other titles and react accordingly. Paired with the most natural looking landscapes, forests and locations I've ever seen in a video game (screenshots). But it does not stop there, as KCD2 also features great visuals, sound, music and voiceovers, as well as a keen eye for details. And on top of that it is realistic as it can be while still being an enjoyable and challenging video game, you will even learn stuff just by playing it. As I don't want to spoil anything, the story and quests do fit perfectly and not to mention the historical research side of things! Thank you so much Warhorse Studios. <3
https://sp.zhabite.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3426840431

This is no review only a statement regarding the negative 'performance' reviews. My 5800X3D (@115Watt) paired with a RTX4090 (@345Watt) runs 5760x2400 (4K ultra-widescreen), DLSS Off, on Ultra settings with charming ~85fps. Anyhow right now is not the time for performance optimzations, it's about the features, mechanics and especially the driving. Also the early access price tag is way more than fair!
https://sp.zhabite.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3410370772

(v.1.2)
First of all S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is what many have wished, hoped and some of us even prayed for. And it also delivered a distinct better "gold" status condition on release, than all its predecessors! Overall the atmosphere is very dense and really good but also later on somewhat predictable, especially in moments where everything might seem "fine". The graphics are top notch (screenshots) and although the 64km² open-world does feel plausible, it is definitely no TES or KCD open-world. The sound is really good and immersive, but only when dolby atmos is enabled (a seperate licence provided). The weapon handling is pretty solid, although it is not on a level with EFT. The game's difficulty is challenging as it should be and definitely not too hard.
But regarding long-term fun the AI/NPCs should behave dynamically in general and less predictable. A-Life (open-world simulation) is not really in the game, which leads to a less dense atmosphere and overall less believable open-world. Another big flaw for me is the overall missing survival aspect in the zone. There are way to much resources (medkits, food, energy drinks, etc.) in the zone - where you should "survive"!? And loot in general should be way more varied and some rare times even precious. Additionally I've not come along rotten carcasses, with ravens picking on it for example. And where-the-f&$% are the shadows of my lighter!? This is kinda essential for a dense atmospheric horror shooter. But don't get me wrong, the game is uncanny and creepy in so many ways and delivers a very tense S.T.A.L.K.E.R. atmosphere - you definitely should experience!

High on Life is a disturbing humorous adventure-shooter and particularly a worthy Rick & Morty Universe homage. Although I do not know/think that you enjoy this title/humour when you ain't a R&M fan. But if you are one, expect lots of renowned dark sci-fi humour which is complemented by a really good voiceover. And the 3 integrated full-length 'human' movies, with additional Alien comment, is just one cherry on top. But yes, off course there is a but(t). As(s) the overall pretty basic and static gameplay fun flattens out a bit at 2/3 of the game, though keep on going and just...

The Forever Winter is definitely unfinished and edgy (enemy detection, path-finding, ...), still I was very pleased by the actual state and especially that TFW fullfils what the devs have promoted! But also as the devs have openly communicated, you should only get it if you want to support the game development. I find the implementation of their concept so far fantastic and it looks very promising. The difficulty is also really hard, which is great and should not be changed, as it encourages co-op gameplay and a dense immersive atmosphere. Regarding playtime I would say you get ~50+ hours out of it right now. Neverthless I don't want to spoil the game for me, as we dont know how dynamic the gameplay will become in the future, so I will let it cure/progress for ~12 months. The online co-op performance was always very smooth and I had no lags or rubber banding at all. Also to note is when the host/leader starts a game it takes ~30 seconds to start! And there are already some innovations as well as quality of life features other looter-shooter 'beta' titles seem not to bother much. Regarding the controversly discussed water-mechanic, I would simply recommend to give it some time... lots of stuff will be added, changed and tweaked over the next months. And last but not least Fun Dog Studios deserve some big credits for making this come (a)live.
?!? Wishes For long term fun and to be more than just another looter-shooter, TFW needs:

• dynamic generated map-layouts (or even procedurale)
  
• dynamic NPC/AI war-path scripting (or even procedurale)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2izSjSXoq8

https://sp.zhabite.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3326164828
After this essential config to "fix" the game, lets get to the actual review. I won't go into pre-release (advanced beta access) details and corporate marketing strategies, as this is about the game. So sit tight put on your seatbelt and believe it or not, TDU: Solar Crown is a worthy and immersive arcade racer. And KT Racing at least deserves some credits for this successor. Sure, you can feel TDU:SC was released early, but I did not run in many, but also pretty obvious and partly nerve costing bugs & unbalances. It is more the missing stuff/content as gameplay can be tweaked, but it feels somewhat unfinished (~85%). Another downer is the small map size for a TDU game, besides its immersive streets and alleys (map-comparison link). And also the amount of cars is pretty low, although it is definitely enough for a start. As on the other hand, in TDU you must earn a car as it is something rewarding. But the most important aspect, the car handling is great (*if you use the "fix") which makes TDU:SC an authentic arcade racer for me! Regarding the overall challenge, the AI is tough (especially at first till you get used to) and aggressive, but is also pretty static and dumb overall! The visuals are also a bit of a downer for me, as it only looks good-ish with not much fps, too. Playing in a resolution of 5120x2133 compensates that, but especially not everyone got a 4090. Positively worth mentioning is that I had no rubber-banding yet and the overall multiplayer (EU) seems very smooth, and btw this is the first online open-world title for the developer. I also had no progress or savegame loss(es). In the end Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown delivers a really solid and especially authentic arcade racing *platform*, which will (hopefully) get lots of updates and more content (maps, houses, rims, bikes, cars). And although it has its flaws, the longer I play TDU: SC the more I love it - even in its current state. Maybe because it is authentic and not made by e.g. EA.

Wishes:
! more rims
! be able to sell a car
! more enlivened world
? Honolulu (TDU1 map)
? COPS (while free roaming)
? Refueling at the gas stations
? Button pressing directly in the cockpit
? more cockpit interactions and car features
? more traffic variation (cars & trucks & trailers)
? the destruction model of BeamNG.drive :D
? be able to drive out of your personal garage into the world

What separates TDU: Solar Crown positively from NFS, The Crew, CarX:Street, FH5:
:) overall car handling
:) drift like back in ~2010
:) authenticity & immersion
:) more grown-up presentation
:) real streets (size and shape)
:) no cringy horizon participation
:) surface-types make a difference
:) you need to actually earn your car(s)
:) authentic arcade - not sim - car handling
:) Hitting a car/tree does make a difference
:) Car controls (window, indicator, wiper, eninge on/off,...)
:) Walking around (in specific areas) simply adds immerison
:) You can drive in any side street, there are no invisible walls

What separates TDU: Solar Crown from NFS, The Crew, CarX:Street, FH5:
:/ way less cars
:/ very few RIMS
:/ no car design sharing
:/ no drift missions, yet?!
:/ suddenly vanishing traffic
:/ overall visuals incl. fake shadows
:/ radio stations are mediocore at best
:/ overall less car customizations (which can also be a good thing)

Zero Hour reminds, looks, feels and plays like a spiritual successor of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six (1998+) and SWAT 4 (2005). You can feel the roots and its intention, but oh boy, the 1.0 release features a slow and brainless a.i. which also has kinda found its way back from 2005. As well as the insides of the buildings and the visuals, some textures, animations are also from the end of the last decade. Although there are some great innovations in Zero Hour and some things are even better executed than in Ready or Not! But unfortunately, in the end Zero Hour feels way past its overdue. PS: I would really love to see the devs join the Ready or Not team, to create the 'perfect' R6/SWAT successor - like Ready or Not 2.

First of all NFS:Unbound is not "better" than Forza Horizon 5. But I shouldn't have make a wide turn around NFS:U, just because of playing FH5. And besides it's flaws you've already heard of, I do wanna mention the things you do not find/get in FH5 but instead in NFS:U.
NFS:U actually has a story. The (also) arcarde handling is worse but definitely not absolute ♥♥♥♥♥♥. And overall NFS has way more (photo) realistic visuals (screenshots) and no hippster nonsense and no horizon-festival! Plus there are COPS - I repeat - there are cops in a street racer game - how innovative is this. Cars have some sort of "broken" model instead of just scratches when hitting something with 350kmh. And with a price-tag of 6.99€ on sale and free DLC like the Hot Pursuit multiplayer (career) update, it is just the better deal compared to FH5 at 34.99 on sale + additional paid DLCs - with no cops at all! And last and least, yes you can disable the "comic-effects" of your own car.

The DOOM + DOOM II newly enhanced definitive version is out, 31 years later. And features online x-platform DM and Co-Op for up to 16 players, community-published single-player mod support (with in-game mod browser), optimized renderer, accessibility options, optional modern IDKFA soundtrack alongside the original MIDI soundtracks, presented in up to 120hz in 4K and a brand-new episode “Legacy of Rust,” with new weapons and demons. And to top all of that, existing owners of DOOM (1993) and/or DOOM II (1994) receive a free upgrade to the new combined game, and can still access their previously owned versions. Am I in heaven - this cant be Hell?!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4-xswoPRpo