Daniel Weissenberger sits down to chat with John and Rob Doncan — the two-man group behind development studio Bad Viking. They released Strange Horticulture in 2022 to rave reviews, and now they’re on the verge of releasing their new title, Strange Antiquities. We chat about design, how puzzles fit into a world with items, and which cat is best. Be sure to keep an eye out for Strange Antiquities which releases September 17th for Steam and Switch!
HIGH Slo-mo limb-severing explosions.
LOW Replaying the same five minutes ad nauseum.
WTF How big is this dance club?
While making the video preview of Sniper Elite 5, I sent a question to the developers inquiring why they added non-lethal options on top of the already-present stealth takedowns and ranged combat. Maybe this was all just a huge misunderstanding, and the developers were so laser-focused on the mechanics of their game that they didn’t stop to consider the context in which those mechanics were being implemented.
There’s a new Sniper Elite game coming soon.
On one level this is super-exciting because as a longtime fan of the series I’ve reviewed all of them for Gamecritics, and have watched as the franchise has gradually improved and been perfected over the years by developers with a passion for delivering the most intense stealth and sniping experience possible.
HIGH The Thoroughly Modern Circe.
LOW The hive queens feel a little OP.
WTF The rhyming pigman!
HIGH Spending time with Original Platcha!
LOW When characters started talking about how the game was almost over.
WTF “I just happen to have brought along swimsuits for everyone!”
HIGH Gross neck stumps all around!
LOW Everything else.
WTF Two missions couldn’t end because boss death animations didn’t load.
HIGH The reveal of what’s going on with the villains.
LOW Trying to fight anything but the lowest-level monsters with a sword.
WTF There are two different monsters, both called “Rippers”.
HIGH Executing a perfect set of dodges and then walloping a goon.
LOW Minibosses showing up whenever they want.
WTF Sucker-punching is the ultimate technique.
HIGH Both phases of the last boss fight.
LOW That damn chaser dragon.
WTF How is this game-within-a-game so addictive?