Sang froid really is quite an amazing game.. Needs more however.
First off something about the way the game's picture on steam all the way down to the gameplay has a unique atmosphere to it..From the moment i open this game i literally feel like i am in a little snowy log cabin deep in the woods. The atmosphere they were going for could not have been done better! its hard to describe but i just feel so cozy and old fashioned when i am playing this game.. I can almost smell the smoke from his pipe and the wood/pine of the cabin! That unique feel they were going for is actually a big part of why i purchased the game.. and wow was it worth it!
One of the things i like about this game is how the developers just "wing it" when it comes to how the enemies will organize, and how the waves of attacks will play out..Rather than the typical strategy games where the developers spend crazy amounts of time making sure every aspect is perfectly balanced down to the nearest micron.. I like games where i can find a strategy that feels unique and original only to me!! And nobody else knows about it! And in my personal experience games that are too overly balanced don't offer that ability.
Something about this game weighs heavy on my conscience! I literally HATE losing! The atmosphere is so immersive that when i fail a night or die i actually feel like i have let my in-game family down! I actually laughed out loud this morning when i noticed that i was sitting in silence for about 40 minutes just staring at my monitor planning out my traps/attack plan like a mad scientist. Rarely do i ever take games this seriously.
Not only that but the actual axe swinging/rifle discharge and all the other sounds are really good. Everything about the physical combat works out extremely nicely, the controls are perfect and the combat really feels great.. When i swing that axe and hear it pound a wolf it just sounds great. I was surprised how intricate the combat system was.. I like to sprint around the will-o-the-whisps so that the fireballs miss me than DASH IN and beat the living hell out of them. I was addicted to how every aspect really matters about how you execute your attacks.
The game also runs very nicely for an indie game, i was expecting at least a glitch or two but i honestly did not run into one.
There are few MINOR things that i did not agree with however, like spending hours to plan out my strategy of how i would take care of the incoming waves just to be later surprised by an additional attack wave that they decided to throw in without telling you? That kind of stuff goes against the word "strategy" because you cant.. well prepare for those. I did not like that personally.
Also the amount of levels they provide you is a little insulting for the $15.. I know they like to think presenting a story safeguards them from the need from more gameplay, but honestly i felt they seriously ripped us off as far as levels and nights.. It seems like the first 75% of the levels are just introducing you to the different weapons/traps.. Than the moment you finally get a feel for the resources you have at hand.. It abrubtly ends. Seriously there is only like 20 days. All in the same map. For 15 bucks that is kind of an insult considering you can buy triple A titles on steam for $3-$5 dollars these days with thousands of times more gameplay.. Its not a matter of them not having the resources because they already finished the game layout, all they would need to do is provide more waves.. Seriously just let the story end where it ends than provide an additional 150 days of defense just to protect your family.. Honestly the amount of levels they provide you is like what you would expect from the "LITE VERSION" of an ipad app.. Whereas you could than spend the 99 cents and get the full 200 levels.. Honestly as great as this game is i feel it only has enough content to satisfy an ipad app. For pc i personally don't think it should cost anymore than $3 with the content being provided.
Its still a great game i won't soon forget.. A shame they could have just gone lightyears further.. Things i have in mind are user created maps, co-op, downloadable maps, time competitions, daily bonus's.. i just hope they make more content they really have something special here