Stelios Kanitsakis @Stelios K.
Reviews
Disney's Aladdin (SEGA Master System)
Great presentation, but the difficulty is so easy.
The Good
Colorful graphics!
Fantastic Soundtrack.
Feels and plays like a oriental scenery.
The Bad
It is very short.
The pace flows perfect, but with ease.
Feels and plays like a "walking simulator".
The Bottom Line
Disney's Aladdin was my first movie that I saw at the cinema, so this game has a sentimental value to me. The audiovisual quality of this cartridge is superb, like the rest of Disney's Master System games. The 8-bit graphics for the city of Agrabah and the 8-bit rendition of the hit song "A whole new world" can bring you nothing more but smile. The story follows the plot of the movie, so the presence of the antagonist and the suspense moments are very well placed. The adaptation to the Sega Master System has kept all the original elements of the movie, but it lacked to create a challenging game. Unfortunately the game is rather small and you can complete in about an hour. If nowadays there was a digital platform like Steam for new Master System games, Aladdin could fit perfectly in this frenzy pace of incoming products. Back in the days you could play a video game at least a week. Although Aladdin for the Master System doesn't disappoint after all these years, but rather entertain you like a timeless fairytale.
By Stelios Kanitsakis on June 10th, 2019
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge (DOS)
The great adventure of Guybrush Threepwood.
The Good
This game has it all: Unique story, intriguing plot, clever puzzles, memorable characters, ingenious humor, vast areas and superb music! It is a prime example of interactive drama.
The Bad
Monkey Island 2 is my best point and click game, so there are not many bad things to say about it. If I can complain of something, it is the small part of the role of Elaine Marley. Elaine is such a powerful person, that whenever she meets with Guybrush, she shapes a moment that moves the narrative forward.
The Bottom Line
Monkey Island 2 is one of the finest point and click adventures, so that it can be found regularly on the lists with the top video games of all time. The game is the sequel to the legendary "The Secret of Monkey Island" and both games have fairly gained a cult status and many followers. Monkey Island 2 shares many beautiful elements that make this sequel an instant classic: A funny protagonist, an original adventure, interactive music, exotic atmosphere and an unexpected ending. LucasArts created an adventure that feels real and doesn't limit the player's imagination. If you are keen on video games with a big world and its inhabitants, you should experience this Caribbean setting at least once.
By Stelios Kanitsakis on July 13th, 2018
Cross Stitch Casper (Windows)
A vintage point and click game.
The Good
The graphics of this adventure game are very unique. It is a moving cross-stitch interactive drama. The whole story has a sad setting and it gets bitter as the story unfolds... What I liked the most were its balanced pace and how the game's elements were all carefully placed.
The Bad
The game is mostly silent. It has a main title theme and some sound effects. I think the silence here doesn't convey anything to the protagonists on this kind of story. I think some melodies from old folk songs would have matched perfectly with the black and white graphics.
The Bottom Line
Cross Stitch Casper is an adventure game without absurd puzzles and with a distinct aesthetic. Despite its sad atmosphere, it gives you a smile at what indie developers could achieve.
By Stelios Kanitsakis on May 23rd, 2018
The Lion's Song: Episode 1 - Silence (Windows)
An intriguing interactive experience.
The Good
Lion's Song - Silence is the first episode of a four part series. It takes place in Vienna at the start of the 20th century, when arts and sciences flourished. You control a composer named Wilma, as she tries to concentrate on composing her grand music piece. The atmosphere of the game conveys very well the artistic scene of that era. The limited palette of the graphics sets a nostalgic feel and the music is very delicate. The story is also very well designed.
The Bad
It is a mostly a linear experience. I would prefer more variety on the choices and probably some puzzles to solve for unlocking the creativity of the protagonist.
The Bottom Line
Silence has very well thought characters, nice dialogues, and more importantly you can learn things about the past of Vienna. If you like pixel graphics and a story with a good pace, play it with a Viennese coffee on your side!
By Stelios Kanitsakis on March 28th, 2018