Xin Plays: Dread X Collection (PC): Part 5: Shatter/Carthanc
0To finish off this collection, which has been alright though definitely just a humble beginning for this series of collection as its definitely the worst one of all of them in comparison to its technicality and games, we get 2 more decent games... even though one of them scares me in a bad way due to one jarringly bad negative.
Shatter: This is not much of a game, as there isn't much to do except go around this map, collect a small few items and get from point A to point B. It is very much a walking sim in that regard, especially since the only threat for why you have a health bar comes at the near end of the game when you enter the otherworld and even then, its very easy to get past them. That being said, the look of the game, the style it gives and some of the story it shows is honestly enjoyable as an art piece and an experience rather than a game. Overall, it is in the middle area compared to the rest of the games in this collection, but it does have merit to it that is good for what it has.
Carthanc: Let's just keep this in mind: The AI the energy monsters have is very much unfair. You can have them be faster than the player, since you have opportunities to juke them, but when you have their AI be TOO perfect on finding you and knowing how to get to you? That becomes a problem and can end up with some road blocks for players as they struggle to even progress at all because the AI is too unfair for the average player. Now that we have that out of the way, the gameplay is fine, it has alot to offer and i think it could easily be given more into it, giving more reason and purpose to the camera and light outside of the one puzzle. It's visually pleasing and interesting and it gives off an interesting story of alien archelogy and Indiana Jones inspiration while giving off some pretty decent challenges like the ending bit with the axes and spears. The music is good too and even though it can get a bit annoying, the monsters screams are effective at putting you on edge. This game could've, and honestly should've, been really good for what it is and what it offers... but the AI shoots it down SO hard because it really is the big elephant in the room that makes it difficult for me to really look at the game fondly. It's definitely not a game you can enjoy casually, as you will more than likely keep dying in the same 1 or 2 puzzle areas again and again SOLELY because of the AI when trying to get the body pieces in their place to where you can get too frustrated to continue playing.
#XinPlays #DreadXCollection #Shatter #Carthanc