Games that I’m still fond of but don’t love as much as I expected to.

####Life Is Strange

Developed by Dontnod Entertainment

Life Is Strange is perhaps the star of “games I thought I’d love”. I see it recommended everywhere. Every time I search for games similar to Undertale, Oxenfree or Until Dawn, Life Is Strange is among the most frequent recommendations. Even I myself am somewhat disappointed that I failed to love it as much.

Now to make it clear, I love the time rewinding mechanics. I love that it is a point and click adventure and that your choices do matter in the story. However, I would rather learn a long article with default line height by heart than suffer through another of Chloe or the main character’s angsty tantrums. Seriously, you would think they are 12.

####Firewatch

Developed by Campo Santo

I first saw a playthrough of this game on Felix’s channel. Every time I see a long video from him, I would make sure to watch it, partly because the game is probably story-driven and exactly my cup of tea. And if it is, I will only continue watching after I buy it and finish it myself. In this case, though, I never did feel the desire to play it and had to agree with Felix that the ending is an anticlimax. I feel that Firewatch offers a slightly interesting plot twist in the end and nothing more.

####Fran Bow

Developed by Killmonday Games (nice name)

Since I haven’t even finished playing the demo, I am not entirely sure if Fran Bow belongs in here. This is another game recommended by Oxenfree fans and I promptly downloaded the demo also out of appreciation for the art style. Almost an hour in and I haven’t seen the appeal yet.

####Knock Knock

Developed by Ice Pick

Knock Knock, with its Russian origin, beautiful art style, and intriguing background story, seemed like a solid “my type of game”. The Russian game studio Ice Pick claimed to have received a set of 19 weird files from a stranger who insisted that they “complete the project” with all those files or else “everything would be futile”. Whether it is an outlandish but true incident or solely a marketing trick, I was convinced I would love it.

Thinking of the game still brings a smile to my face but the truth is that the lack of a sense of progress has led me to stop half way through. Perhaps I will do myself a favour to have more patience and actually finish it.

####Apotheon

Developed by Alientrap

Again, it’s the art style that first piqued my interest. Simply put, every paused frame of Apotheon is an Ancient Egyptian mural with a modern touch. The characters, the interface, even the typography, which I care very much about… every aspect of its design has exceeded my aesthetic standards.

Unfortunately, combat seems to be an integral part of the game. I have nothing against combat, only most of the time it is nothing but tedious for me (looking at you, Stardew Valley). To be honest, I can recall only Undertale, Skyrim, and South Park: The Stick Of Truth whose combat system is not my least favourite part of the game.

####Limbo

Developed by Playhead

I feel ashamed just by typing that. I will say but one word: spiders.

####Relevant conclusion

Now I feel bad complaining about these wonderful games. Please think of it like good-naturedly whining about your favourite siblings I guess <3