UnderRail

NOTE: I have not played this game since 2016 and since then there's been an update that, if I played it, might iron out some of the issues I had.

Underrail is a special beast.

While it's clearly a throwback to Fallout and that era of computer RPGs, it's both an update on that formula and it's own new thing, like it took a lot of influence from other kinds of games.

One of my favourite aspects is how the game uses real-time action for out of combat, and a time-unit based strategy mode for in combat. It's very cool and makes the game feel very active even with its turn-based approach.

This game has a lot of stats and mechanics and you may need a guide to get into it, but the informational barrier to entry is pretty low. Once I did a good read-up on all the mechanics and used a guide to select a build, I was good! Even with all the cogs and gears in this game's systems, they don't feel extraneous or overwhelming. It's a very rich experience that's hard to dislike, and that's why I recommend Underrail.

There are, however, some major problems that keep it from being astoundingly good– one being the game's content (and I hate using that word) is lacking. There's not a lot of quests and exploration is often unrewarding. I can't even remember most of the story. Overall, I found the plot pretty weak up until the final act. The story isn't a highlight.