Ratings and Reviews by Jo the Plunderer

Play as a private detective suddenly forced to take over your mentor’s business when he suddenly goes missing. Solve crime, find your mentor, duel a rampaging wizard, and make your mark on Seattle all in a few days’ work.

While this game isn’t in my usual genre, I was immediately drawn in by the noir vibes, my grim but honorable private detective MC, and the 1920s setting. Prohibition era Seattle, with its fog and rain and speakeasies and social and political tensions, was an excellent backdrop to a story revolving around lies and corruption and institutional hypocrisy. Dialogue is snappy, the prose has a nice rhythm to it, and even the stats screen has personality. But the game doesn’t commit enough to the setting or to the overall narrative. It follows too many mini plotlines at the expense of character development and a strong central narrative; supernatural elements felt undeveloped and sometimes out of place; and blatant historical deviations distracted from the otherwise compelling setting. My overall verdict: it’s fun enough, but ultimately falls flat, though I think it will be quite enjoyable for players who appreciate the noir genre, enjoy a bit of quirk in their stories, and don’t mind a modern coating to historical settings. I do a more in-depth review on my Substack https://jotheplunderer.substack.com/p/cogs-latest-noir-wizard-game-has

This game certainly has a vibe. It’s lightly humorous throughout and has quite a bit of personality and some interesting woldbuilding potential. It’s creative, spunky, and in some places, quite funny. Unfortunately, its lack of focus make it hard to really settle into the world or enjoy the characters or plot. The game is just too short for the amount of infodumping, the number of characters, and the variety of different missions you’re given. It feels frenzied and a bit all over the place.

I do a more in-depth take on my Substack https://jotheplunderer.substack.com/p/posthuman-guardians-vs-psion-by-evan

You can tell Dawn of Heroes was written by someone who really loves superheroes, enjoys the medium, and isn’t afraid to try new things. There’s a vibrancy to the story and characters that sets it apart from many other titles. Unfortunately the game also lacks technical polish. Pacing issues, plot inconsistencies, unclear game mechanics, and pervasive typos hinder the game from reaching its full potential. I don’t feel good giving the game more than two stars because of these issues, but I do think that for the right audience it will remain a fun read. You may be the right audience if: you love superheroes, like fully customizing your character, want plenty of interesting romance options, and can have some patience with said technical issues.

I do a more in-depth review on my Substack https://open.substack.com/pub/jotheplunderer/p/dawn-of-heroes-by-c-claymore-review?r=8225x5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

While The Road to Canterbury is missing some of the polished mechanics of more recent CoG titles, the game’s intricate setting, memorable characters, and descriptive language help it stand the test of time. Overall, it’s an enjoyable experience, though it suffers from a lack of commitment to a particular audience. Hardcore medieval enthusiasts may get frustrated with the lack of fidelity to Chaucer’s works or the modern veneer taking from the medieval feel, while more casual players might struggle to find their grounding with some of the unfamiliar terminology and mechanics. It will feel too medieval to some, and not medieval enough to others. I’m giving it a picky three stars1, though I think for the right audience four would be quite fair. A good fit for players interested in historical trivia, immersive settings, and political intrigue, though not for those hoping for a lighthearted adaptation of the original Canterbury Tales.

I go into more detail on my Substack for anyone interested https://open.substack.com/pub/jotheplunderer/p/the-road-to-canterbury-by-kate-heartfield?r=8225x5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

A decent enough game for pre-existing CoG fans that probably won't appeal to a large audience outside the CoG ecosystem. The concept, overall plot, pacing, and gameplay are all well-done, but the story and prose lack depth, artistry, and realism. I do a deeper dive on my Substack for anyone that cares https://jotheplunderer.substack.com/publish/post/192455590