Jump to content
Register Now

Alyxx

Members
  • Posts

    2,022
  • Points

    759 
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    46

Reputation Activity

  1. Like
    Alyxx got a reaction from Heatman in [Sponsored] Sneak Energy - the drink every gamer needs before a marathon   
    Just placed an order. I've been looking for an energy drink that gives me a boost and is relatively healthy (little to no sugar and additives) and SNEAK seems to hit the mark. The variety of flowers is also quite impressive.
  2. Thanks
    Alyxx got a reaction from DC in [Sponsored] Sneak Energy - the drink every gamer needs before a marathon   
    Just placed an order. I've been looking for an energy drink that gives me a boost and is relatively healthy (little to no sugar and additives) and SNEAK seems to hit the mark. The variety of flowers is also quite impressive.
  3. Like
    Alyxx reacted to Darth in [Sponsored] Sneak Energy - the drink every gamer needs before a marathon   
    I've heard of Sneak Energy but have never got around to trying it. I'm glad to see it being promoted here on VGR and thank you for the outstanding reviews @Shagger and @Withywarlock. What really draws me to Sneak is the variety of flavors and the exquisite bottle designs, packaging, and labels. Sleek and clean look, well marketed.
  4. Thanks
    Alyxx reacted to Shagger in [Sponsored] Sneak Energy - the drink every gamer needs before a marathon   
    Shagger Says: Sneak Energy
     
    First and foremost, another thank you to @DC and Sneak every for making this possible with the promotion here of VGR through bid for rewards. Even with my appreciation, this review is still gonna offer up nothing but the honest truth. Not that Sneak energy need to be worried as I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised by this energy drink powder and everything that it offered. Still, one would have to part with with equivalent of over $90 to buy the same package I received, so is it worth it? Let's snoop around sneak and find out.
     
    To set the parameters for this review, let establish what Sneak energy is. This is a caffeinated energy drink make for gaming that is mean increase alertness whilst also providing hydration. Sneak themselves recommend no more than two portions a day and to drink one portion before or during gaming. I was drinking the powder you mix with water in a shaker/drinking bottle that was part of the package. It's easy enough to make, pour either sachet or levelled scoop (10g) into the shaker, pour in 300ml – 400ml of water then shake and drink. However, I personally found much more success in ignoring the recommend 10 second shake time for closer to 20-30 seconds. Despite this, it is easy to prepare with clear instructions, so nobody should be put off by a lack of convenience.
     
    In my package:
     
    1 x 400g (40 servings) Blue Raspberry flavour tub
    1 x 700ml branded drinking bottle/shaker
    5 x Strawberry flavour sachet (10g, single serving)
    5 x Sneak flavour sachet (10g, single serving)
    5 x Strawberry and Watermelon flavour sachet (10g, single serving)
    5 x Neon Punch flavour sachet (10g, single serving)
     
    I touched on the price earlier, but to understand what your getting it's important understand how much value you get. Fist step, how much does this actually cost? Well, here it is, blunt and honest (I said it my package would cost the equivalent of around $90 and it would, but 5 of the sachets I received aren't listed here. More on that later.):
     

     
    To really understand this though, we have to break it down to price it per portion. Lucky for you, I've done the math for you and it works out at around £1 per 10g (300ml-400ml once mixed) portion for the tub (around $1.18) and £1.35 per sachet ($1.58). For context, that's pretty good value compared to Red Bull;
     

     
     
     
    And I'd say about the same as Monster Energy, give or take.
     

    (these prices are form a major supermarket chain that operates here in the UK)
     
    So what we have here with Sneak is a something that isn't exactly cheap, but does offer value in the long run. One thing that does need pointing out (and in answer to @Scottypops question) is that Sneak energy contains A LOT more caffeine that the two brands I'm comparing it to here. About twice as much as in that 250ml can of Red Bull and with about the same as that can of Monster Energy, but but Monster is a larger, more diluted mix with a 500ml portion. In a more direct comparison, Red Bull has 30mg of caffeine per 100g, Monster has 36mg per 100g and Sneak (may vary depending on how you mix it) contains 50mg per 100g, so it's a lot stronger.
     
    So it's a higher install price for longer term value (and more caffeine), but how does it taste compared to regular energy drinks?
     
    Before I offer my thoughts on each flavour, I want to talk about the bottle itself;
     

     

     
    As you can see from the images I posted, it looks cool. A new one would cost £10 to buy (equivalent to around $12-$13). For that price, you would expect something decent and that is what you get. There are a number of designs to choose from. This particular bottle is the "Bit Friday" design made of a dark grey, translucent plastic printed with very nice Sneak decals, a screw top lid with a nice, rigid drinking cap, an ice catcher that can be easily removed for cleaning and both ml and Fl ounce scales printed on the sides. I like it, it's better quality that I would have expected and feels like it's built to last provide one looks after it.
     
    Onto the most important part, the actual drink and the flavours. Now, it's an energy drink, not a magic potion from Gandalf, so don't expect to suddenly go MGL by drinking it, but I would say Sneaks' claims of improving alertness and concentration whilst keeping you hydrated do hold up. It also helps cut out some hunger as it claims to be a food supplement and it does stem off hunger. I know what some of you may be thinking with that and the answer is no, I would not recommend Sneak for people as an aid to dieting as you crash hard and suddenly with hunger when the effect is gone and may in fact encourage you to eat more and outside of regular meal times. A single serving does hit like a strong cup of coffee, but Sneak is more refreshing and easier to prepare. I'll talk more about the actual flavours in a moment, but I do like it. Each flavour is distinctive and overall, they taste nice.
    Now to rank each flavour. The order that you read these is the same order I tried them, with the numbers ranking them with 1 being my favourite and 5 my least favourite.
     
    5. Strawberry Millions

     
    Strong, potent flavour even at maximum recommended 400ml dilution. Tasted nice, not bitter like most every drinks, reminded me of milkshake in the smell and taste. It was a bit gritty, though. I shook if for the recommended 10 seconds, but it still didn't  taste like it had mixed right. After this, I started shaking it for longer and never encountered this issue again even after re-trying this flavour. My better half was along for the ride on this taste test and she wasn't a huge fan of this flavour, but even though this was my least favourite, I did still like it. It is refreshing and sweet however this does not taste like the strawberry millions sweets.
     
    4. “Stealth” Flavour

     
    Honestly, with such a vague name for this flavour, I wasn't sure what to expect, that became a sense of disappointment when my better half liked this one the most and claimed the remaining sachets for herself. Flavour and aroma of sherbet double dip, interesting given sneak is made with zero sugar. Sweet without being overpowering, this was a well balanced flavour that was very pleasant overall. 
     
     
    2. Neon Punch

     
    I was honestly expecting something along the lines of sour candy with this, but it was tasted like fruity bubble-gum and was very refreshing (Bubbaloo tutti-fruity bubble-gum). It's not as sweet nor as bold as the other flavours I had tried up to this point, but one of my favourites. My better half thought this one was OK compared to the others. It was at this point that I started to notice her preference for the sweeter flavours whilst I preferred the more fruity, subtle ones. Knowing how our palettes differ, that does make sense.
     
     
    1. Strawberry and Watermelon

     
    Before I get onto how this one tasted, there is something a little odd about how, or perhaps why, I even got a chance to even try this flavour in the first place. Everything else that was in the package I knew was coming because it was on the invoice I got in my email and was what I had selected. These five sachets of Strawberry Watermelon Flavour, were not;
     

     
    So why was it included? I honestly have no idea. Maybe Sneak gives this flavour out in all thier samples or something, but regardless I won't look a gift horse in the mouth because this ended up being my favourite flavour of the lot. Very refreshing, but still potent and strong in flavour with just enough sweetness to give it a little kick. If Sneak do give this to everyone to try as thier "best foot forward", I can see why. My better half compared it to the American sweets called NERD'S, so if that point of reference helps you, then so be it.
     
     
    3. Blue Raspberry

     
    This is the one I got in the form of the tub, so obviously this was the one I wanted to like the most. I didn't end up being my favourite, but I still really liked this one. The first thought that came to mind when I opened the tub was;
     

     
    And that kind of set the tone really, it tasted like, well, blue. Still a nice balance of refreshing and sweet, but a little more sour than the others, but not to the point it's unpleasant. Perhaps it would be kinder to say it had more of a kick than the others. Not my favourite, but still very good and still refreshing. The best bit though is my better half didn't care for it. Apparently the raspberry flavour is not strong enough for her liking, so I at least have this one all to myself. Maybe she's right and the raspberry part was weak, but the blue held up nicely.
     
    Final Verdict 9/10
     
    Overall, very pleasantly surprised. The drinks make you alert, the caffeine certainly works, but was also very refreshing, especially compared to the other every drinks I've tried that are usually either very flat of very bitter and dry you out, it also help hold off hunger for a period of time but be ready for a full meal. Value is to be found in the package, but it's still difficult to recommend to people who don't drink this sort of stuff on a regular basis with the high install price. I was essentially given this, and in that capacity, I love it, I really do and would defend it to the hills, but would I buy it, with money, probably not, but only because I don't drink this stuff regularly. Having said that, this still has a very real chance to convert me as the reason I don't drink this stuff regularly is because most energy taste like salty urine to me. The fact that not only do I like Sneak energy, but actually loved some of these flavours is a testament to how good this is (minus the one that was pinched because I only got to taste it once). Yes, it's not cheap, especially in the beginning with the shaker being an essential buy and how much the tubs cost, but there is value in this is you do drink this kind of thing even on a semi-frequent basis. So yeah, you do need to be prepared to drink Sneak regularly and loyally to get the best out of it, but if you do you won't be sorry.
     
  5. Thanks
    Alyxx reacted to Withywarlock in [Sponsored] Sneak Energy - the drink every gamer needs before a marathon   
    Full disclosure: I had purchased this bundle with 1,000 points from my VGR points balance, earned with creating threads and posting on existing threads. No money or favours were exchanged for this bundle. I have not received any points for the SNEAK Elite programme for this. I was offered to choose the flavour I would receive in the tub. I have experience with SNEAK (and I am going to capitalise every instance of SNEAK because it's too late to stop now) products, and this will compare to past experiences. Reviewing drinks is not my forte. This disclosure is not part of the minimum required 250 word count.
    The package that was sent to me, in a well-filled with packing paper box of their own branding consists of the following: one Bit Friday shaker; one tub of Blue Raspberry powder (40 servings); and five sachets of Neon Punch, Stealth, Strawberry Millions, and Strawberry Watermelon flavour powders. This would ordinarily cost £70.20 and there's currently an offer where each order contains five Strawberry Watermelon sachets. Each flavour has been taste-tested and consumed fully in 700ml of cool tap water (the recommended amount of 300-400ml is too sweet for me).
    Bit Friday Shaker:
    The Bit Friday Shaker is a tinted, ~80% transparent bottle with an ice catcher should you wish to shake it with ice. It doesn't feel quite as sturdy as the "OG Shaker", but not so fragile that it can't survive anywhere near as many solid drops on hard surfaces. Both are plastic (metal is available at an expected premium), and feature measurements on the side up to 700 millilitres (ml) and 25 ounces (oz).
    While I do like the transparency to see on the outside how much water you've got left in, it doesn't make the contents look particularly appetising, the tint making the water look murky. Even after being washed out it looks like droplets of mud line the inside.
    The stopper on the lid isn't as strong as the OG Shaker, as shown by how easily it leaks from all sides of the lid at any slightly tilted angle. It fails its job as a shaker, as when it is shaken water goes everywhere. I had originally criticised the OG Shaker for being too hard to open but it's become a positive in this context.
    The aesthetic is generally pleasing. The faux 16-bit SNEAK logo and SNEAK bunny evoke images of Hotline Miami and play nicely into its pop-culture marketing. Do you like slurping people?
    Blue Raspberry:
    I'll first of all comment on the tub and say that it's very secure with long neck and threading, as well as a thick foil lid. It contains 400 grams (g) of powder, which amounts to 40 10g servings, which at approximately £39.95 is one serving per £1 spent. It also comes with a little spoon to pour in a single serving... somewhere, I had to do some digging for it. Given the fineness of the powder I didn't expect to find it at the top.
    Blue Raspberry is a generic  raspberry-flavoured drink, and tastes much better in its carbonated can form than a powder as that reminded me of energy drink Red Devil, which I can't find anywhere else. It's not as tart as other Sneak flavours (bearing in mind, again, I drink these at 700ml and not the advised 300-400ml) and that works for me. It also has less of the chalky after-effect that Sneak has been widely noted and criticised for. It passes my 'gulp' test, which is four large gulps rather than my usual sipping, as it doesn't overwhelm the tastebuds and doesn't make me feel nauseous or dehydrated afterwards. It also passes my sampling test, wherein I hold it and swill it around the gums for six seconds; again, no battered taste-buds and no dry throat afterwards.
    Neon Punch:
    A 10g satchet that strangely doesn't last as long as the plastic tub (these will last until September 2022, meanwhile the tub is fine until 2024), but it seems secure enough. I have had expired sachets before and they seemed fine, but you'd best be safe than sorry. Also don't consume more than two of these per day.
    This sachet is filled with pear and guava flavour, far more pear than guava. Not exactly the Tropikilla, but a refreshing fruity drink that doesn't overpower the senses in either the gulp or sample test.
    Stealth:
    "The mystery flavour. No, we're not telling you what it is," says the webpage. This is something I don't particularly like about SNEAK: if the flavour's name doesn't give it away, nothing else will. The amount of threads I've seen people asking "what flavour is [x]" tells me others have the same problem, and I'm reminded of how glad I am to have received these for free.
    Moving on, Stealth smells different depending on what it's in. In the sachet it has a strong liquorice smell. I don't like liquorice. When poured into the water and shaken it smelt of raw sewage. I don't like raw sewage either, but I'd probably take that over liquorice. Dreading what it must taste like I put it to my lips and found it tastes of neither. It's quite pleasant, but it's very tart. It's an artificial sour flavour that has enough sweetness to not turn me off it entirely. Easily the strongest flavour I've tried of theirs without feeling the urge to throw up (see below). It's nice but it definitely needed to be in 700ml of water, and does not survive the gulp or sampling test. Like the Strawberry Millions next, it needs to be sipped to be enjoyed fully.
    I don't know why this one was discontinued from the UK, but I'm going to save these for special occasions as a result of that. I'm rather glad I got these instead of my Grape Punch.
    Strawberry Millions:
    I must admit I did buy this one partly for its marketing material. It's an attractive packet in that neon aesthetic, a nice change from the street art SNEAK normally go for. Because I've got five of these I'm going to use them more sparingly than not; the dessert to my dinner. It tastes like Strawberry Millions, go figure, but is still rather tart in 700ml of water. It doesn't pass my gulp or sample test, making it much better to savour with small sips.
    On a side note, I strongly discourage trying the Bubblegum Millions flavour. When I say it's a bad flavour I don't just mean that I dislike it; I'm not a fan of the next flavour but I can at least drink it. Bubblegum Millions tasted exactly as it should, albeit revolting as a drink. I can eat them, I can eat bubblegum lollipops, but I cannot drink bubblegum-flavoured water. It made me sick to my stomach and I had to keep adding water just to finish it. Their mixologists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
    Strawberry Watermelon:
    Last but not least, the sachet that can't be torn open. For some reason these required scissors as there was nowhere to tear it. This one tastes absolutely as advertised: the strawberry and watermelon flavours alternate with each sip, and even if I'm not fond of eating watermelon it makes for a refreshing drink. With its creamy texture it could be mistaken for juice more than a squash or flavoured water. It passes my gulp test as there's no chalky after-texture, though there is some cloying at the back of my throat which requires another swig to wash it down. The sample test of swilling the gums fails however as it's far too sweet, but at least the bitter feeling it leaves on my teeth washes away quickly. I can easily see this one being my favourite served with ice.
    How is it as an energy drink?
    SNEAK Energy is marketed toward trendy young people who wear hoodies and know what 'no cap' means. I'm none of those things. I'm an obese Englishman who would indeed have 'no cap' in a real game of Capture the Flag. That, I believe, is 'no cap'. But does it give me the energy to capture the flag, real or virtual? Not really, no.
    I will say that I do feel more alert and have a buzz from a single bottle of water laced with SNEAK, but it doesn't make my performance in games measurably better. My awareness has improved but my reflexes see virtually no difference at all, and while I'm more focussed I feel that's because of the water more than the caffeine. Bearing in mind I already drink Diet Coke by default, so having the jolt of energy from changing my drinking habits is more thanks to Yorkshire Water than the ctf_2fort marching powder.
    The marketing has more energy than the drink itself. It was corny at first but I came to like the appeal of the advertisements, and they probably contribute no small amount of placebo effect to whatever energy gain there is to be had.
    This drink may well be better in the hands (or throat) of someone who is considerably fitter and healthier. Energy drinks are meant to supplement a healthily balanced lifestyle, not replace one. I don't expect miracles of this, but I'd rather they advertise the flavour than the benefits it claims to have for its target audience.
    So, is it a Warlock Win?
    As an energy drink it gets neither a thumb up or down. When I drank this at the gym just over a year ago it was very refreshing and encouraged me to drink my recommended daily intake of water. It was a nice treat and something to look forward to during a long day of exercise. But being sat at my desk it's just a sugar-free drink that's a bit better for my teeth unlike the brown sodas I regularly consume.
    There is an improvement to alertness and focus, and I do have some get-up-and-go energy, but it isn't a gamechanger quite like replacing a bot with a decent human player in something like SplitGate.
    As a water flavourer though it's incredible, that aspect easily gets a thumb up. The flavours I've had so far are incredible, and while the ingredients are natural they don't taste it and this is likely due to the intense sweeteners they've added, which is too much even when I'm adding over double the water they recommend. It's done well to encourage me to drink more water, and does a great job of seeing to my sweet tooth thanks to it being sugar free.
    So all in all, the experience is more positive than negative. If this sounds like something you'd like I recommend picking up a Taster Pack containing six sachets of your choosing.
  6. Like
    Alyxx reacted to DC in [Sponsored] Sneak Energy - the drink every gamer needs before a marathon   
    Sneak Energy, the unique zero junk, low-calorie, sugar-free formula which is disrupting the energy drink space.
    Available in powdered form or ready-to-drink cans, Sneak is packed with amino acids, vitamins, electrolytes and minerals and is notorious for offering a powerful, sustained energy boost that keeps you alert, focused and hydrated. Sneak has a wide variety of unique flavours! Some of them are pretty self-explanatory - Sour Apple, or Raspberry Lemonade, for example. Some are less obvious - but they’re all sweet, sharp and fruity. We recommend trying their Starter Pack to find your flavours. - we know you will be back for more... All you have to do is add one scoop or sachet of Sneak to 300-400ml of water and shake. Drop in some ice for extra refreshment, and feel free to experiment with water ratios to find what suits you. 
    Sneak is a clean energy formula - it improves your performance without the junk. We’ve packed Sneak full of amino acids, vitamins and minerals - and with added caffeine, your energy levels will increase, your focus will be sharper, and you’ll feel refreshingly hydrated and know that it will make you king/queen of your game.
    Click HERE to shop Sneak Energy products.

    Interested in advertising your brand on VGR Forum? Send us an email - advertise[@]vgr.com
  7. Like
    Alyxx got a reaction from Katri Marcell in [Sponsored] Get 10% off and change your gaming experience forever   
    I have been looking for something just like this for ages! I didn’t even know they made this type of thing. I already ordered one and will let everyone know how it works out!
  8. Like
    Alyxx got a reaction from DC in [Sponsored] Enter to Win: Duracell Game Longer Getaway - 5 Days in Gaming Paradise   
    Just entered! 😋
  9. Like
    Alyxx reacted to DC in [Sponsored] Enter to Win: Duracell Game Longer Getaway - 5 Days in Gaming Paradise   
    How does 5 days of uninterrupted gaming sound? How about doing it in an amazing luxury retreat in Palm Springs? That’s exactly what Duracell Optimum is giving to one lucky gamer.
    It gets better! The contest winner will be flown first class to Palm Springs and whisked to the “Duracell Estate” where they will be able to game distraction-free for 5 glorious days. Seriously. No chores - the winner will have their own housekeeper and chef! And who needs to work since they will get $2,000 cash. And no worries about a dead controller, since a stack of Duracell batteries will be ready and waiting.
    Duracell Optimum batteries are designed with gamers in mind allowing for them to Game Longer with less distractions. Optimum batteries actually deliver longer life in the leading alkaline battery powered wireless controller. You know the pain of getting into the meaty part of a game and then getting distracted. And so does Duracell. That’s why they want to help one gamer to get away from it all, avoid those distractions, and just game.
    Entries can be submitted through Twitter, Instagram or Reddit. All of the details and official rules can be found at gamelongergetaway.com.
     
  10. Like
    Alyxx reacted to skyfire in [Sponsored] Find Your Toxicity-Free Teammates on Epal.gg!   
    I have experienced a lot of toxic teammates in games like mobile legends, PUBG and many other multiplayer online games. A lot of those can't be muted and also system don't recognize their patterns in the game chat as of now. This looks like a good idea as it can help focus more on the game than the teammates. 
  11. Like
    Alyxx reacted to Patrik in [Sponsored] Find Your Toxicity-Free Teammates on Epal.gg!   
    A non toxic gaming platform? This is surely heaven, thanks a lot for bringing this into existence
  12. Like
    Alyxx reacted to Heatman in [Sponsored] Find Your Toxicity-Free Teammates on Epal.gg!   
    One of the developments that's been a serious issue in the gaming industry is having to deal with a toxic community which we have had so much for so long now. Take a look at how toxic Fortnite community is which most people tend to walk away from as it's not a healthy community in terms of having your peace of mind. 
    So, with all that being said, this community Epal ; if it offers what they quote to offer, it's definitely going to run over with lots of gamers looking for where they would have peace of mind and feel at home. 
    Ps. Epal coming with an app of their own, is one sure way to making it very easy and user friendly to access the site/community. 
  13. Like
    Alyxx reacted to DC in [Sponsored] Find Your Toxicity-Free Teammates on Epal.gg!   
    Yes, we all had those games, where 2 minutes into the game and you already know it is a lost
    cause, because your teammates just can’t help but rage like a 3-year-old baby.
    Gaming is supposed to be fun; it is really a waste of time to be arguing with these idiots. Yet you
    need to since you want to stop your support from walk down the mid lane to feed 20 times.
    This is where Epal.gg comes in. Every single person on Epal.gg is ready to game and hangout,
    and mostly importantly, they aren’t toxic! They will work with you in-game, they can pick
    whatever character you want them to pick, they will back you up in-game, and they can even
    verbally defend you when there is toxic waste in your game.
    So yeah, it is very useful if you want a complete experience without any negativity.
    Give it a try at www.epal.gg
  14. Like
  15. Like
  16. Like
    Alyxx got a reaction from m76 in Most Revolutionary Games?   
    Doom
    It is impossible to imagine the modern gaming landscape without Doom. The game popularized the first person shooter genre, greatly expanding upon the blueprint that was set with id's previous Hovertank 3D, Catacomb 3D, Wolfenstein 3D and Spear Of Destiny games. It also was the first FPS that truly invented multiplayer modes such as deathmatch and team deathmatch. Its importance cannot be understated. Without Doom a few of the other games on this list would not exist. Most importantly, Doom was also a game to popularize modding as people eventually got to work on modding the game, a practice that nowadays is commonplace.
    Quake
    Up until Quake, most shooters relied on 2.5D engines that used tricks to simulate a 3D environment, and often relied on 2D sprites for objects in the game world (the exception being games like Blood and Shadow Warrior which used voxels to simulate 3D objects). Quake brought the FPS genre firmly into true 3D with fully 3D environments and objects. Its codebase was used for a ton of other games, and parts of it is even used in games we play today. Like Doom before it, Quake also became a popular platform for modding and creating custom content. Team Fortress started out as a Quake mod as the most popular example.
    Half-Life
    Half-Life wasn't groundbreaking in its story or gameplay. In fact, it wasn't much more than a rethread of Doom and Quake. Rather, it was groundbreaking in the way it told its story. Unlike previous games that would present the story in cutscenes or, in the case of Doom and Quake, barely have any story at all, it presented the story through the eyes of its protagonist. Half-Life never left the perspective of Gordon Freeman. Every second of the game was experienced through him with the events unfolding around you as you played. This way of storytelling went on to become the norm in FPS's and its reliance on scripted events became the basis for stuff like Call Of Duty and Battlefield. Half-Life also presented a seamless narrative in that levels were interconnected, making you feel like you were exploring a larger world and not just single levels. While still fairly linear, this approach gave the game some scope similar to games like Super Metroid.
    Deus Ex
    Games like Thief, System Shock and System Shock 2 were critical darlings but never really mainstream hits. Warren Spector definitely changed this trend with Deus Ex, a cyberpunk amalgamation of his previous ideas. Deus Ex was like nothing before it. It mixed the RPG elements and environmental storytelling of System Shock with a fairly epic cyberpunk story that blended real life conspiracies with a fictional near future. The most groundbreaking idea in Deus Ex however was consequences. Everything you did in Deus Ex had a consequence later on, affecting how people reacted to you and how missions played out. It also featured entirely open ended gameplay, giving the player tools to tackle missions how they saw fit. It was a huge hit, becoming Game of the Year when it released. To this day it remains a favourite among gamers.
    Command & Conquer
    The RTS genre undoubtedly reached its peak in the 90's with the release of Command & Conquer, a strategy game taking place in a near future where united nations ally against the Brotherhood of NOD, both aiming to seize control over a new alien resource, Tiberium. C&C featured some extremely high polish for its time, telling its story through FMV's that utilized real actors and featuring some of the best music of the decade. The modern combat setting undoubtedly went on to influence a lot of other games such as the Call of Duty Modern Warfare series.
    System Shock
    While not any mainstream success, System Shock was so ahead of its time that playing it nowadays feels almost anachronistic. It was undoubtedly one of the first FPS's that utilized environmental storytelling, telling its story through terminals and videos you'd find exploring the environment. It also was more of a survival horror game, before Resident Evil was even a thing, in that resources were sparse and you're often outnumbered and facing a terrifying enemy.
    Space Invaders
    A simple concept, you move from left to right, taking cover and shooting badguys. Even today most shooters still rely on concepts that Space Invaders invented. Its gameplay also inspired games like Galaga and had numerous arcade clones in the 80's. Easily one of the most groundbreaking arcade games of the space age.
    Legend Of Zelda
    A lot of modern games would probably not exist without Zelda. While it did not exactly invent the idea of exploring an open world (games like Adventure on Atari 2600 and several DND games on PC more or less did that years before it), it did help bring that open ended gameplay to the mainstream in a bigger way and popularized it. It's not so much fun to play today without a guide, with all the cryptic shit going on but it's needless to say it was an important game.
  17. Like
    Alyxx got a reaction from Withywarlock in Share your best screenshots   
    You might be cool. But you'll never be Billy Idol in Fallout 4 walking away from a nuclear explosion cool...
  18. Like
    Alyxx got a reaction from killamch89 in Best opening to a game?   
    Still haven't played Last Of Us but it sounds worth playing.
    So far the best opening I've seen in a game is Doom 2016. Just straight to the point, kick demon ass.
  19. Like
    Alyxx reacted to The Blackangel in VGR Member of the Month - March 2020 Nominations   
    I nominate
    @Shagger
    @Crazycrab
    @StaceyPowers
    @skyfire
    @killamch89
    @Alyxx
     
  20. Like
    Alyxx reacted to The Blackangel in Games you hate that everbody else loves!   
    That seems to happen often with a lot of games. I've experienced it too much, and games that I thought I would love, turned out to be something that caused me more anxiety and/or frustration than anything. It's part of the reason I have so many games that I have never played, and why I've had such a hard time with Skyrim.
  21. Like
    Alyxx reacted to The Blackangel in Movies you wish were games   
    That one would be crazy. And can you imagine trying to play it in first person? That's a major mindfuck there.
    I'd buy it.
  22. Like
    Alyxx reacted to SaucyPastaTho in Saint Row 3   
    Out of all the Saints row games that one in my opinion is the best.
  23. Like
    Alyxx got a reaction from StaceyPowers in Tips for fighting in the Mako in Mass Effect?   
    Uhm yeah. The Mako is OKAY for just exploring but yeah don't use the jump jets. And if possible try to fight outside it cause it's really not that useful for combat.
  24. Like
    Alyxx got a reaction from kingpotato in Mother/Earthbound Beginnings - NES Classic Review   
    Source: https://alyxxgameroom.blogspot.com/2018/08/nes-game-re-review-motherearthbound-zero.html  
    GAME: Mother (Earthbound Beginnings on WiiU)
    RELEASED: 07/27/1989
    DEVELOPER: Ape
    PUBLISHER: Nintendo
    AVAILABLE ON: Famicom, NES (unofficial release), GBA, WiiU

    SPOILER ALERT! This review will spoil the story of Mother. If you haven't played the game yet, I strongly urge you to do so! If spoilers do not bother you, please go on.

    Recently I was attacked by a nasty cold and have been out for a few days. I took the opportunity to revisit a game that's been on my mind for well over a few years now. Back in 2013, I reviewed this game on my blog without having really finished it. But already then it left a pretty lasting impression on me and it's always been sitting in my backlog since then, always having been that game that I knew I had to finish some day. And it seems that day has come as I have finally completed Mother. Granted, I have only completed Earthbound Zero Easy, a romhack of the fan translation which decreases encounter rates, increases XP gained and overall makes the game more managable so my review will more reflect this version of the game than the original, just so it's said. But I will still be keeping the original game in mind. So here's my full review of Mother after 4 years of trying to get back into it.
     
    This game knows how to ask the important questions! Mother tells the story of three characters who's fates intertwine as their world falls victim to an alien invasion. Set in a somewhat off beat 1980's America, you start out in the town of Podunk when young boy Ninten is awoken by a loud noise. He runs to his sister's room to find her doll posessed, moving on its own, and after fighting it, the doll stops moving. But not without revealing something incredible, inside it is a music box that plays a little melody, which Ninten remembers. Unknown to Ninten, this melody is part of a puzzle he has to solve in order to stop the invasion.  After finding the key to the house's locked basement on his dog, he discovers a diary from his great grandfather, George, revealing that Ninten posesses special psychic powers.

    At some point on his journey, he ends up in a faraway land called Magicant, where in a castle Queen Mary resides. She mournfully tells Ninten that she cannot remember anything. She can vaguely remember a song but seems to have forgotten this as well, and beckons Ninten to find all eight pieces of this song which seem to have been hidden around the world. Together with Lloyd, a nerd with a knack for science and Ana, a seemingly fragile girl with extraordinary psychic powers.

    The story of Mother is driven by the eight melodies and your search for them. Because as it turns out, these hold a significance beyond what you can imagine as they are the weapon you need to defeat the leader of the alien invaders, Giegue, who as it turns out, was once the adopted child of George and Maria and the melody is the lullaby she would sing to him. Reminded by the love of his surrogate mother, Giegue is forced to leave the planet and let go the people he has abducted.

    To me, the story of Mother is really what got me coming back to it. It's one of the games that somehow creates an entirely unique narrative and uses the game mechanics to tell the story in a way that gives it a unique feel I've never seen in other games. And I find the way you defeat the final boss incredibly ingenious. Since you play as children, despite your powers, there is no way you can defeat a foe that is so infinitely more powerful than you can ever imagine. The only weapon you have is love, and you have to intentionally not attack him to beat him which I find amazing. It's easy to see why this game has been an inspiration to so many modern game makers such as Toby Fox who made the amazing Undertale, since this too kind of took the RPG genre and did something new and interesting with it, even if it also fell victim to some of its more outdated perks. So let's get on to discussing the gameplay shall we?
     
    Mother, despite its cute first impression, has many dark heartfelt moments. Gameplay-wise, Mother honestly plays like a traditional RPG for the most part. You level up through battling enemies in turn-based combat, and each of your characters have different stats and different talents which you need to get accustomed to in order to fully be efficient in battles. Ninten uses mostly melee weapons such as bats and has mostly defensive PSI. Ana has a lot of offensive PSI, but a low health pool and cannot use most weapons other than frying pans (bit of stereotyping there). Lloyd doesn't deal a lot of physical damage and can mostly use guns and items such as bottle rockets, bombs, plasma beams and flamethrowers, but can dish out a lot of damage with those items.

    Much of Mother requires you to utilize the game's powerups correctly for these characters. Getting the right items can be crucial to easing the game's harsh difficulty, and there is a lot of grinding involved to make sure your characters are strong enough to tackle the road ahead. Granted I was playing the EB0 Easy hack, which cuts down on the difficulty a great deal and allowed me to appreciate the game more so I highly recommend playing this ROM if you can get it, but be prepared to deal with a lot of the typical tropes of early RPG's. This game definitely benefits from using a walkthrough so don't feel bad if you have to pay Starmen.net a visit. I used their walkthrough for EB0 for my playthrough and do not regret it as the tips and strategies in it helped a lot with easing the game for me. Granted you can play the game however you want to but the walkthrough saves a lot of time and grief from wandering around aimlessly.

    It's very hard to recommend Mother on its gameplay, because it is sadly very outdated and not always in the best way. It requires a lot of patience, and requires that you find that drive to keep playing even when it feels tiring. To me that drive was the Eight Melodies. As stated in my original review, when listening to the eight melodies I would feel inspired to play the game, to see it through. And I felt that the eight melodies I picked up were valuable treasures that were almost lost in the world, it drove me to finish the game and bring peace to the world. The game feels bigger than the world you see, it feels like you're on an epic quest to save the world from a threat you at first cannot even understand. And your enjoyment of the game will definitely depend on how engaged in the world you become.
     
    Well... fuck. Graphically, Mother isn't impressive. But it definitely has a style. Heavily influenced by the Peanuts comic strip, it uses a style that feels really easy to like. It's bright, colourful and uses the NES palette to greatly enhance each area's look and feel. From the green fields of Podunk and Merrysville, to the snowy plains of Snowman and the cold industrial designs of the factories and laboratories, the world of Mother looks as varied and diverse as you would imagine it to look. The only thing I don't really like the look of is the battle screen. It's mostly just a black screen with enemy sprites on it, which granted are really detailed and great to look at, but having a background would probably help a lot here in my opinion.

    Musically... this game has the best soundtrack of the entire NES library in my opinion. From the get-go, Mother bombards you with some of the most emotional and some of the most catchy music you may ever hear from an 8 bit system. From the mellow and soothing opening theme, to the driving beats of Pollyanna and Bein' Friends, to the dark disturbing industrial moods of factories and the sheer emotional power of the Eight Melodies, Mother's soundtrack is unforgetable. The soundtrack is varied too. There's everything from rock'n'roll tunes, to ballads, to menacing industrial atmospheric music. It feels like it never gets boring and perfectly fits every area you go to.

    Every time I hear the Eight Melodies, I cannot help crying, because the melodies feel like they represent pure love. The kind of love you've felt from your mother. It feels like a genuine lullaby. And it soothes me in a way few things can. When I am angry at my friends, when I feel down and depressed, the Eight Melodies can soothe me like nothing else I know. It's become one of my favourite tunes in all of gaming really for this reason and it's why I can truly believe it can make even an alien menace like Giegue break down in tears and leave. In its simplicity, in its eight little melodies, it holds immense power and hits harder than anything I've ever heard. It was one of the things that truly stuck out to me about the game and the reason I've kept playing through it.
     
    Thank you for your nice song indeed ❤️ Mother is flawed. Incredibly flawed. Even with a guide, the game is brutally difficult and at times is confusingly vague. It can be an infuriating game without knowing the right strategies and what the different items do. And yet, with its flaws, it holds one of the best stories of its generation, one of the best soundtracks, one of the most important messages and some of the most memorable worlds ever in a video game. It's an experience I will never forget, one I will keep with me until I die. Those moments when I sat there, singing along to Ninten, Ana and Lloyd as their song brought Giegue to tears, brought me to tears as well. The fact an 8bit game could make me feel so many emotions to me is amazing and if you're at all a fan of RPG's, or even better, Earthbound, you definitely need to play this game some day.

    I guess it's time to finally tackle Earthbound next. A game which has eluded me for a long time and I swore I would finish Mother before playing it. Now I have no excuse not to.

    SCORE

    STORY: 10/10
    GAMEPLAY: 6/10
    GRAPHICS: 6/10
    SOUND: 10/10

    TOTAL SCORE: 8/10
  25. Like
    Alyxx reacted to StaceyPowers in VGR Member of the Month - January 2020 Nominations   
    Thank you, @The Blackangel

    I second @killamch89 and @kingpotato and also nominate @DylanC, @Alyxx, @Executor Akamia, @Crazycrab, @LadyDay, @skyfire.
×
×
  • Create New...