Emms
They got me man ...
For what's still ongoing, I'm really impressed by the way they're going about this story arc, and it reassures me in a sense that HSR is able to put a really interesting spin on what HI3rd does and expand on it (as someone who hasn't finished part 1 yet and stopped at Otto's conclusion), regardless I'm floored by what's been shown so far and makes me want to go back and finish 3rd, LOVE U AVENTURINE
For what's still ongoing, I'm really impressed by the way they're going about this story arc, and it reassures me in a sense that HSR is able to put a really interesting spin on what HI3rd does and expand on it (as someone who hasn't finished part 1 yet and stopped at Otto's conclusion), regardless I'm floored by what's been shown so far and makes me want to go back and finish 3rd, LOVE U AVENTURINE
This review contains spoilers
There sure is a lot of exposition in this script... A man called Kamui? Sounds like a ridiculous fantasy to me. I wish someone had warned me about all this in advance. Stop making up my life story, okay?! How many times have I seen that plane explode? Ha ha.. Ha.. Kill me. And I'm doing this for the right reasons? True to the maxim of my life? And REMIX means disco! Sound? Another weirdo. You're starting to annoy me old man. Wake up and smell the coffee. I've had enough of sticking my neck out for others! This is starting to sound more and more like a video game. Is there truly no end to this madness? It's like... I just woke from a long dream.
You are after all, a simple fellow, Mr Mondo.
The sun and rain keep flowers alive.
In traveling, companionship. In life. compassion.
I'm also Sumio Mondo.
I hate that word. Fate.
Thank you for staying with us. I hope you had a pleasant stay at the 'Flower, Sun and Rain.' I look forward to our next meeting. What's that? The island blew up? Yes, it did. I'm sure there is nothing left of the hotel, either. But you carry the 'Flower, Sun, and Rain' with you. The hotel 'Flower, Sun, and Rain' will love on in our hearts. I wish you a happy life...
You are after all, a simple fellow, Mr Mondo.
The sun and rain keep flowers alive.
In traveling, companionship. In life. compassion.
I'm also Sumio Mondo.
I hate that word. Fate.
Thank you for staying with us. I hope you had a pleasant stay at the 'Flower, Sun and Rain.' I look forward to our next meeting. What's that? The island blew up? Yes, it did. I'm sure there is nothing left of the hotel, either. But you carry the 'Flower, Sun, and Rain' with you. The hotel 'Flower, Sun, and Rain' will love on in our hearts. I wish you a happy life...
2023
There are not many developers out there like Remedy doing what they are doing in the gaming industry, after spending over half a month on their games I kept getting more impressed as games went by, gradually as games went by I became either more excited or more interested as to what they'll be able to pull off next, it reminded me that being excited for a studio's next game and what they do next IS exciting and that I'm here for that transition phase with the studio themselves, even if it can be rough at times, as quantum break is one of my least favorite games out of Remedy's lineup, but that's fine because it made their way of using multi-media and live action all the better, there is something in each of these games which pay off eventually for the player if you invest and immerse yourself in how insane and intriguing it gets, that's also largely why I think Alan Wake 2 resonated with me so well, this was their magnum opus, this was what they've been working for years and trying to come up with as many ideas and eventually make a whole universe that connects it all, and Remedy isn't without it's silly, witty, weird things, but the psychological supernatural aspects of it are genuinely so interesting, it feels like like they've added multitude of layers toward things we originally thought were simple, not to mention how great of an emotional core this game has, especially on both sides of the campaigns, it really does feel like we're getting closer.
Without delving into spoilers, I thought that this game hit all the right marks for me, Control felt like we were already exploring psyches and delving even deeper into the supernatural and total weirdness that these games were able to portray, and Alan Wake 1 also played a lot into the supernatural and that this is an actual thing happening to Wake himself and reinforcing that he isn't totally insane (he is), and there are so many theories you could possibly make out of anything in this game, Sam Lake even encourages us to do so and see how we fit this puzzle together, and that's also why I found this game to be so intriguing, there are a lot of answers, but oh so many questions that will leave you wondering, but not in a frustrating way at all, a way that makes you hopeful for what's next, and they've genuinely succeeded, Wake's latter campaign and the exploration of his psyche floored me at times, there are so many more details I could mention that had me staring at my screen in awe at how well done some of this game was, and Saga's inclusion genuinely make it feel a lot more complete, alongside the inspirations they've taken to make this game,
I haven't seen any David Lynch movie or series (I should) but Seven, Silence of the Lambs and especially True Detective speak so much as how they wanted to continue/conclude things in the game while still feeling absolutely true to what Alan Wake and Remedy games stood for, especially with Saga's campaign and her investigations, it was always interesting to have a case board and see how every little detail connect to one another, something that feels completely different as to how Alan approaches things with the plot board, the changing environments and that it even gets really gruesome sometimes, but trying to explain how I feel about this game and Remedy's journey to get this game out is difficult, it's one of the best things I've ever experienced and has inspired me to think differently about these mediums and how they can interlink but also a testament to how important narratives are in games, and what a developer could do within those limitations, and Remedy has outdone themselves to create a triple AAA horror game that feels like it breaks it's own chains to present a deeper, more meaningful subversion of the genre and that plays with it tropes in meaningful and beautiful ways while having strong characters and a strong emotional core, I could come up with another million buzzwords about Remedy and Sam Lake's approach to games and narratives as a whole but I think it's more interesting if you find out for yourself how they've been able to give something so faithful to their own works and how they're regarded as the weirdest studio ever, but also one that cares about the finer details while also feeling still really genuine to it all,
AW2 is one of the most insane games I'll ever have played, in so many ways more than one and I can't express that nearly enough, but that's what makes it so awesome, it's a game full of passion needing 13 years cause the studio felt like they wouldn't be able to do it justice, and they did, I think the ending wraps up quickly and leaves a few inconclusive plot points for DLC and a third game but, what at first felt like a kick in the balls, the first after-credits scene did it for me and made me cry, giving a satisfying enough ending to what will come next and the implications it has, I can't ever be disappointed at that, and I'm more than happy to have experienced it.
Without delving into spoilers, I thought that this game hit all the right marks for me, Control felt like we were already exploring psyches and delving even deeper into the supernatural and total weirdness that these games were able to portray, and Alan Wake 1 also played a lot into the supernatural and that this is an actual thing happening to Wake himself and reinforcing that he isn't totally insane (he is), and there are so many theories you could possibly make out of anything in this game, Sam Lake even encourages us to do so and see how we fit this puzzle together, and that's also why I found this game to be so intriguing, there are a lot of answers, but oh so many questions that will leave you wondering, but not in a frustrating way at all, a way that makes you hopeful for what's next, and they've genuinely succeeded, Wake's latter campaign and the exploration of his psyche floored me at times, there are so many more details I could mention that had me staring at my screen in awe at how well done some of this game was, and Saga's inclusion genuinely make it feel a lot more complete, alongside the inspirations they've taken to make this game,
I haven't seen any David Lynch movie or series (I should) but Seven, Silence of the Lambs and especially True Detective speak so much as how they wanted to continue/conclude things in the game while still feeling absolutely true to what Alan Wake and Remedy games stood for, especially with Saga's campaign and her investigations, it was always interesting to have a case board and see how every little detail connect to one another, something that feels completely different as to how Alan approaches things with the plot board, the changing environments and that it even gets really gruesome sometimes, but trying to explain how I feel about this game and Remedy's journey to get this game out is difficult, it's one of the best things I've ever experienced and has inspired me to think differently about these mediums and how they can interlink but also a testament to how important narratives are in games, and what a developer could do within those limitations, and Remedy has outdone themselves to create a triple AAA horror game that feels like it breaks it's own chains to present a deeper, more meaningful subversion of the genre and that plays with it tropes in meaningful and beautiful ways while having strong characters and a strong emotional core, I could come up with another million buzzwords about Remedy and Sam Lake's approach to games and narratives as a whole but I think it's more interesting if you find out for yourself how they've been able to give something so faithful to their own works and how they're regarded as the weirdest studio ever, but also one that cares about the finer details while also feeling still really genuine to it all,
AW2 is one of the most insane games I'll ever have played, in so many ways more than one and I can't express that nearly enough, but that's what makes it so awesome, it's a game full of passion needing 13 years cause the studio felt like they wouldn't be able to do it justice, and they did, I think the ending wraps up quickly and leaves a few inconclusive plot points for DLC and a third game but, what at first felt like a kick in the balls, the first after-credits scene did it for me and made me cry, giving a satisfying enough ending to what will come next and the implications it has, I can't ever be disappointed at that, and I'm more than happy to have experienced it.
2001
I'm going to start quoting random shit like Max does
Prince, become big and strong just like the sun which shines upon Us all.
2020
V and Johnny's relationship culminates into something really special in The Don't Fear The Reaper ending, with the inclusion of Phantom Liberty, it's just something I really can't describe, CDPR's development of this game sucked but the staff managed to create something great out of something that was initially a really big 'ambitious' mess, and PL makes it feel a lot more complete, on top of it also being some of the best content in the game due to how well polished and how well written it is
This review contains spoilers
"I'll say, Fuckin' with NUSA plans, launchin' a half-dead cyborg into orbit? Adds bricks to that edifice called legend, but clock's tickin', friend."
2021
Put a bunch of qol mods in this game and it'll be a fun time for most of it, had to grind for the final boss but anything else was fun, can't wait to finish SoP
oh what a wonder it is to feel the childlike wonder of rolling up a big katamari oh how great it must feel to be so big n round
2023
KAZUTOYO MAEHIRO WROTE A YAOI EXTRAVAGANZA . DUDES FUCKING ROCK !!!!!!!!!!
This review contains spoilers
God, where do I even start or how do I even begin to put my feelings into this game, I've been thinking about it for a few days and I've been going from really good feelings and mixed ones, but my experience was thankfully mostly great and I don't think I regret any second of playing it
If I were to express what genuinely does gripe me… is the story and I wish it didn’t cause I loved what it does on paper but it’s execution just didn’t fit the landing, it's beautifully tragic but also weird in its execution, still miles better than what BOTW had tried
Everything from about Rauru and Sonia, the first king and queen of Hyrule to the new Ganon is awesome (and Mineru is also awesome, like dawg that Spirit Temple and you getting a mech??? THAT’S SHIT AWESOME), and this possibly has one of the coolest premises a Zelda games has ever had, like the opening is so intriguing,
Link and Zelda start exploring the underground of Hyrule Castle and find that there's an arm sealing a who knows how old Ganondorf from way back and then accidentally awakening it, and Link getting his arm damaged and replaced with Rauru’s arm, Zelda goes back in time and, it’s almost the opposite of OoT, where Link goes back and forth in time but, here it’s Zelda and she’s also stuck there BUT it's all so perfectly executed.
Even in the introduction island you witness Rauru’s ghost here and there telling you about the place, but shortly after the introduction island, it’s mostly just a lot of playing the actual game and witnessing how the Upheaval has affected the world, which is awesome, but then you start seeking out the memories and watching all the cutscenes related to what the story pieces together, and it’s almost the same structure as BOTW had? Close to it at the very least if I remember correctly, but this is where my problems starts, anything story related is just insanely short and it feels like there’s not a lot of time given to establishing it all.
It felt like by the time that I had reached the Mastersword and the finale of the game, it felt like I only saw bits and pieces of the story, and it trying to tie it all together nicely, but it all seemingly not managing to stick, and I had played this for about 16 days straight, not actual gametime but I took about 2 weeks or around there to beat it and still am wanting to play more but…
Even with the dungeons, at the end there’s a cutscene explaining their perspective on the imprisoning war, and it’s… about the same each time, it’s really cool the first time and how there’s a article about that this game is about making connections but again, it’s the same each time with the imprisoning war,
While they could’ve given me more cool tidbits about their lives, living in the old Hyrule, Rauru etc, just anything that’ll make it so the player gets more from the world of past Hyrule, or the characters and everything else they had established in the memory cutscenes or JUST ANYTHING, but it doesn’t and that’s what bugs me, but none of the Zelda games were ever like this, their total cutscene runtime reaching maybe 1-3 hours, but it makes sense why they never were as big or as expansive games that reached the height that TOTK does with all of it’s aspects combined, but why does it have to fall short on the one thing that many people do love about these games? I’m just very confused on how I feel about the story structure and it being immensely short by the time I was at the finale, and anything else in the game reaches it’s highs really high, but the story not…
Everything from draconification, Ganondorf and how he came to stealing the secret stone, becoming the demon king, how Rauru underestimated him in that moment of weakness and used it to his advantage, are all so awesome, hell the final fight between Link and Ganondorf here is so fucking cool and awesome, he taunts you the ENTIRE fight and also even has flurry rushes like you do??? IT TRULY FELT LIKE THEY MADE ONE OF THE COOLEST GANON FIGHTS EVER, AND THEN THE FINAL FINAL BOSS IS GANONDORF ALSO TURNING INTO A DRAGON WITH THE LEITMOTIF PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND, AND YOU RIDING ON THE LIGHT DRAGON’S BACK, IT’S SO AWESOME.. but also just felt flat on me despite it all, it felt like the story didn’t have enough time to marinate in my head, and I had no real expectations besides it being better than BOTW but, seemingly them using the same format to hand me these really short cutscenes in the midst of this really huge game felt like nothing ever stuck with me as hard as the beginning and the ending, my journey itself was amazing, but anything I learned from Hyrule’s long gone past just didn’t manage to stick, despite it being so awesome to witness and journey through
All in all, even though my gripes only reach the main story of the game and how it didn’t live up to the impact I would’ve wanted it to give, this is regardless an amazing open world experience, there are not many games out there being able to hand you such a huge beautiful open world meshing 3 landscapes on top and down each other, the depths are eerie, creepy and full of secrets from the past, and them using ideas that they couldn’t fully execute in Skyward Sword here are also awesome, in my lifetime I’d never have expected a Zelda game where I’d be skydiving or flying in some jet in made towards a mini dungeon that looks like a cube, just one of the many examples I can give, but that’s also what’s so great about this series’ evolution, it’s puzzles and the ideas they’ve had, them having no restrictions and limitations created something truly amazing, but also something that can feel very flawed at times, but those flaws don’t ever hinder the experience itself ever, and always reach for new heights that I’m always excited for in the future of gaming and these games
If I were to express what genuinely does gripe me… is the story and I wish it didn’t cause I loved what it does on paper but it’s execution just didn’t fit the landing, it's beautifully tragic but also weird in its execution, still miles better than what BOTW had tried
Everything from about Rauru and Sonia, the first king and queen of Hyrule to the new Ganon is awesome (and Mineru is also awesome, like dawg that Spirit Temple and you getting a mech??? THAT’S SHIT AWESOME), and this possibly has one of the coolest premises a Zelda games has ever had, like the opening is so intriguing,
Link and Zelda start exploring the underground of Hyrule Castle and find that there's an arm sealing a who knows how old Ganondorf from way back and then accidentally awakening it, and Link getting his arm damaged and replaced with Rauru’s arm, Zelda goes back in time and, it’s almost the opposite of OoT, where Link goes back and forth in time but, here it’s Zelda and she’s also stuck there BUT it's all so perfectly executed.
Even in the introduction island you witness Rauru’s ghost here and there telling you about the place, but shortly after the introduction island, it’s mostly just a lot of playing the actual game and witnessing how the Upheaval has affected the world, which is awesome, but then you start seeking out the memories and watching all the cutscenes related to what the story pieces together, and it’s almost the same structure as BOTW had? Close to it at the very least if I remember correctly, but this is where my problems starts, anything story related is just insanely short and it feels like there’s not a lot of time given to establishing it all.
It felt like by the time that I had reached the Mastersword and the finale of the game, it felt like I only saw bits and pieces of the story, and it trying to tie it all together nicely, but it all seemingly not managing to stick, and I had played this for about 16 days straight, not actual gametime but I took about 2 weeks or around there to beat it and still am wanting to play more but…
Even with the dungeons, at the end there’s a cutscene explaining their perspective on the imprisoning war, and it’s… about the same each time, it’s really cool the first time and how there’s a article about that this game is about making connections but again, it’s the same each time with the imprisoning war,
While they could’ve given me more cool tidbits about their lives, living in the old Hyrule, Rauru etc, just anything that’ll make it so the player gets more from the world of past Hyrule, or the characters and everything else they had established in the memory cutscenes or JUST ANYTHING, but it doesn’t and that’s what bugs me, but none of the Zelda games were ever like this, their total cutscene runtime reaching maybe 1-3 hours, but it makes sense why they never were as big or as expansive games that reached the height that TOTK does with all of it’s aspects combined, but why does it have to fall short on the one thing that many people do love about these games? I’m just very confused on how I feel about the story structure and it being immensely short by the time I was at the finale, and anything else in the game reaches it’s highs really high, but the story not…
Everything from draconification, Ganondorf and how he came to stealing the secret stone, becoming the demon king, how Rauru underestimated him in that moment of weakness and used it to his advantage, are all so awesome, hell the final fight between Link and Ganondorf here is so fucking cool and awesome, he taunts you the ENTIRE fight and also even has flurry rushes like you do??? IT TRULY FELT LIKE THEY MADE ONE OF THE COOLEST GANON FIGHTS EVER, AND THEN THE FINAL FINAL BOSS IS GANONDORF ALSO TURNING INTO A DRAGON WITH THE LEITMOTIF PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND, AND YOU RIDING ON THE LIGHT DRAGON’S BACK, IT’S SO AWESOME.. but also just felt flat on me despite it all, it felt like the story didn’t have enough time to marinate in my head, and I had no real expectations besides it being better than BOTW but, seemingly them using the same format to hand me these really short cutscenes in the midst of this really huge game felt like nothing ever stuck with me as hard as the beginning and the ending, my journey itself was amazing, but anything I learned from Hyrule’s long gone past just didn’t manage to stick, despite it being so awesome to witness and journey through
All in all, even though my gripes only reach the main story of the game and how it didn’t live up to the impact I would’ve wanted it to give, this is regardless an amazing open world experience, there are not many games out there being able to hand you such a huge beautiful open world meshing 3 landscapes on top and down each other, the depths are eerie, creepy and full of secrets from the past, and them using ideas that they couldn’t fully execute in Skyward Sword here are also awesome, in my lifetime I’d never have expected a Zelda game where I’d be skydiving or flying in some jet in made towards a mini dungeon that looks like a cube, just one of the many examples I can give, but that’s also what’s so great about this series’ evolution, it’s puzzles and the ideas they’ve had, them having no restrictions and limitations created something truly amazing, but also something that can feel very flawed at times, but those flaws don’t ever hinder the experience itself ever, and always reach for new heights that I’m always excited for in the future of gaming and these games
2023
IT WAS PEAK LIKE THAT LEON KENNEDY TRAMP STAMP!!!!
2022
Thought it was an incredible experience enhancing the original, even if there are some clunky stuff here and there, but regardless of that the silent protagonist pov in VR works really well and makes the experience even better than it did before for me compared to normal HL2, and I can't wait to play Episode 1 and 2 in VR
it was peak like that gordon freeman-ing gman-ing etc .
it was peak like that gordon freeman-ing gman-ing etc .
This review contains spoilers
Dawg whenever Nachiroux or Eureka told one another that they were so happy they've met one another and when Nachiroux said that she was finally happy with the person she became, I've never cried or clapped harder man, that shit I FUCKING FELT IN MY HEART.
"I've never been very brave. I lived my whole life following other people's orders, blaming them, and hiding behind my lost memories. You taught me that a future exists, one that isn't decided by those sort of things. For the first time, I finally like the person I am."
"My life has been full of mistakes, but thanks to you, Eureka, I feel as though it had meaning."
"The world Nachiroux and I made... I'm so happy I was able to meet you, Nachi. And- Let's go see the flowers when you wake up..."
To hope and pray for the future. A single flower blooms within the pit of despair.
it was quite literally peak like that.
"I've never been very brave. I lived my whole life following other people's orders, blaming them, and hiding behind my lost memories. You taught me that a future exists, one that isn't decided by those sort of things. For the first time, I finally like the person I am."
"My life has been full of mistakes, but thanks to you, Eureka, I feel as though it had meaning."
"The world Nachiroux and I made... I'm so happy I was able to meet you, Nachi. And- Let's go see the flowers when you wake up..."
To hope and pray for the future. A single flower blooms within the pit of despair.
it was quite literally peak like that.
2023
it was peak like that isaac clarking