Apocryph: an old-school shooter, version 1.0.4 (still in development).

I’m staying away from amateur works, which are appearing everywhere (the world filled of them!). Today is more easy to make game, when especially is having access to free engine or to source code. In this year a lot of games wants to remind first-person shooters of 90s, but it always depends how to tell the story. From all unprofessional games I chose Apocryph without long research. In saw was caused, that it made by skillful people. Maybe I made this decision from pushed me again boredom.

The game follows of description from developer’s web-site. Apocryph is primarily associates with Heretic and Hexen, but it because decorations. In walkthrough frequent remind was Serious Sam (I saw Painkiller in called games of authors only when began this review.). The worst of the worst that battles with creative bestiary happens rudely. Sometimes after pulling of lever in tight room from behind appear monsters. Staging is predictable till obviousness to when will a disposition by teleport of hostile dozens. Later I started to suspect and then found in options a function of turn off the music during combats. I wanted to switch off whole sounds when saw usual happening of it. Reminded me discotheque. I’m not critical on music’s qualities, but it’s a discomfort in gameplay.

Completed game on middle level wasn’t hard and there can be killed by own reckless. Gameplay was satisfy for me, because tactics is always shoot and move back. It hurtful for health if straight attack. Monster killing is going long. Disappoints that aftermath of your actions can disappear. Maybe, developer Bigzur Games will one of fixations as they made or will do it when ends shells of high damage weapon and always switch goes on second less effective magic stick. Available seven wizard arms didn’t impress me in presence and action. Interest gives “Blood mode” when after kills are filling scale and turned on regime rises damage, health and, if use more destructible weapon, longevity of this function. 

Fighting against almost smart artificial intellect wasn’t comfortable for my eyes due computer graphic. I tried to fade bright colors, but it didn’t save situation.

Apocryph isn’t finished game, but I haven’t a wish to play in full version. Rare demonstration of potential in level design or gameplay had glimmering effect. Game developed by amateurs. Nothing more.

Chronicles of Second Cold War. 07/24/2019.

Unknown masterpiece. Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi.

Accidentally knew about this game when I wasn’t looking for treasure. After exploration, I discovered unique gameplay, which supports an interesting story inspired on many fiction books and films on vampires and other monsters.

Lost Olympic competition in fencing James Patterson arrived in Romanian castle on wedding of his sister, but it was trap for them and their also attending relatives and friends. Potential husband, who has only rang count (who in reality vampire.) needs in people for making rite of awaking of Lord Malachi and turn world. Protagonist has an hour and half for saving everybody. Specialty, it’s a real time for walkthrough and it’s possible to not return all relatives or they can parish on the way. More lifes returned will make stronger Patterson with guns or garlic’s necklace with scare away monsters with vampire origin. Unsaved person gives power to Malachi. Another unique ability of the game is every new game generates randomly dislocation of rooms.  

Made in horror genre game achieved in creation of gloom ambience of early of XXth Century where I without a pleasure walked in the castle of Romanian Lord, looked for keys from rooms and was on collisions with beasts where sometimes I ran away from them in preference of time… And bullets too, because all of these staff is always not enough. Take care on this and don’t long run, because Patterson has a human factor calls stamina, what is element of horror game and it is great executed. Sure, when get machinegun – it makes horror for beasts.

Don’t forget to put powder after shot. Not for every creature it works. For vampires use a pole and better when he or she quietly lies in coffin. Against spirit monsters works saint water and a cross. Developers Idol FX made a big fantastic bestiary (music is spectacular.). With all accuracy to details and hype of action disappoints close fight when long uses sword and can get kick when out of distance. Sometimes random didn’t glad myself, when I again loaded in near with was appearing one of ugly inhabitants. In these moments must again to ask relative for walk. Movement of given protagonist is physics paradox when he can jump from any staff and he very hard goes downside. Hurdles didn’t ruin rapture expression from gameplay conception and everything for what I call it a masterpiece.

In Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi I strongly wanted to save everybody and reveal – I did it and was happy for this. I checked another games of creators of Idol FX, but saw only passing projects.