Phil Villarreal's Blog, page 48

PHIL ON FILM: "Paper Spiders"

 For my full review, click here.

"The Longing" Review

Left alone in the dark to fend for yourself, "The Longing" eschews hand-holding or even gentel guidance in favor of obtuse obfuscation. To progress, you will need to tinker, try, fail, fail again and hope for the best. 

With shades of "Limbo" and "Inside" as artistic inspiration the puzzler from developer Application Systems Heidelberg challenges you to think for yourself. Expect to spend plenty of time going nowhere, puttering about, considering the meaning of it all.

In this day and age, games that leave you stranded on your own are a welcome shakeup. The respect and challenge, however, come at a hefty price.

There is plenty of trial and error at play -- often to a frustrating degree, amounting to a brick wall of progress. The bottlenecking, combined with limited save capabilities, can make "The Longing" try your patience.

As you crawl your way through the plot -- which gives you a 400-day countdown to finish -- you are left to your own devices to tinker and tailor your ventures toward the ultimate goal.

If that sort of thing makes you smile rather than wince, this is probably the time of game for which you'll find yourself longing.

Publisher provided review code.

PHIL ON FILM: 5 Shows to Binge in May

For my full story, click here.

PHIL ON FILM: "Mortal Kombat" review

 For my full review, click here.

"Say No! More" Review

An experimental game that actively averts gameplay, "Say No! More" centers around the whimsical absurdity of its premise. You play as an office worker whose sole purpose seems to be on turning people down. 
The dev team at Fizbin shows off its flair for humorous writing and visuals, crafting a thin but enjoyable romp that takes no skill. 
The story offers little replay value, but that's just as well, because "Say No! More" thrives on the element of surprise.
The narrative opposite of the 2008 Jim Carrey comedy "Yes Man," "Say No! More" explores the various ways in which the act of denial can be empowering and, at times, courageous.
Living vicariously through your character is a joyously aspirational experience that allows you to find strength in unlikely, brash self-determination.
With a distinct art style that makes the game a breezy, playful and surprisingly impactful experience. It's an easy one to say yes to.  
 Publisher provided review code.

PHIL ON FILM: Movies Leaving Netflix in May 2021

 For the full story, click here.

PHIL ON FILM: "Thunder Force"

 For my full review, click here.

Book Report: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Douglas Adams' trailblazing, free-wheeling, eminently quotable novel is a fun, exuberant experience that ends way too quickly. The sense of playfulness, the sharpness of the wit and satire on display, and the endless trove of imagination no doubt inspired the likes of "Futurama" and "Rick & Morty."

Sci-fi absurdity elevated beyond its extreme is the order of the day, and Adams hits his stride in the opening, never looking back and only reaching farther and getting stranger as he goes.

While his characters leave little to connect to, and his plotting is a snake eating its own tail, then puking it up and swallowing it once again, all the perceived shortcomings are mitigated by the wild, untamed nature of the storytelling. At times the story plays as though concocted by Mad Lib. There is always a sense of Adams making it seem like he's getting away with something that he shouldn't bem and you're along for the ride.

He gives you many fish for which to be thankful, and proves beyond any reasonable doubt that the answer is indeed 42.

View all my reviews

PHIL ON FILM: 5 Shows to Binge in April 2021

 For my full story, click here.

PHIL ON FILM: "Godzilla vs. Kong" Review

 For the full story, click here.