This game wasn't in my radar at all, but seeing it nominated at The Game Awards made me give it a try. I thought I would never say this, but thanks a lot, Game Awards. What a surprise, I was expecting a simple roguelike, but the simulation part was a great surprise.
First, I would like to talk about the roquelike part, as it is the most lacklustre part. It is not inherently bad, but it doesn't shine. It is totally carried by the soundtrack and the audio design of the enemies. The combat is fine, but the enemies are quite similar. The biggest problem with this half of the game is the lack of replayability, and just the lack of innovation. It is not bad per se, but it is not to the level of the other half of the game.
Now, what truly made me love this game, was the simulation half. It is so unique, and the contrast between cute animals and several cultist tendencies make for comedy gold. The idea is amazing, and the gameplay loop when you are not in combat is fun and entertaining, as you discover things you can do, like rituals or sacrifices. It brings this average roguelike to another level of greatness.
In conclusion, there's fun to be had in the combat half of the game, but what should really make you love the game should be the cult half, where managing a bloody cult of cute animals makes for an outstanding experience.

I didn't expect a lot from this game. I did hear great things about it, but it's not my favourite genre of games. But man, I was so wrong. What really struck me after finishing the game was how I felt. Throughout the game, I made choices based on what I believed was true. Inside me, I was thinking at the end of the game there would be a clear explanation of what truly happened in the game. But there wasn't. There was some explanation, but not about everything I chose. I ended up feeling unsure about myself. But that's what the game wants. It wants you to feel like what you believed led you to your decisions, without knowing if it was true or not. And it makes a comparison with what the characters in the game also do, base their decisions on what they believe. With this feeling, I was thrown right in the mindset of the people of that age.
Talking about making you feel like you live in the past, the narrative is not the only way the game achieves this. It obviously uses its art design, which is detailed, and it shows a great care behind it. For example, the types of letters change between nobles and peasants. This is incredible, but is not the only thing it uses. The sound design also plays a big part. When you are in the monastery, for example, every step you take really sounds like it's real life. When you are in the town plaza, there's a lot of talk in the background, These are just some examples, but the game is full of this little details. Last but not least, the soundtrack also does a good job. It complements the story perfectly.
In conclusion, don't get turned away by the genre like I was and just experience what the game has to offer, you will be pleasantly surprised by little details all over and a powerful narrative with impactful themes

It took me a while to finish this game, but boy was it worth it. The main attraction is the narrative, which is splendid. I'm still wondering how they turned a rage-filled monster into a complex, flawed and deeply emotional father figure. Every beat of the story brings the main duo closer to their goal, to spread the ashes of their mother/wife. This main really brings focus to a story that sometimes seems to beat around the bush. The son, Atreus, is a mixed bag. On one hand, I understand every step of his character development and why it happens. But on the other hand, boy he becomes annoying at one point, but I guess it's part of the plot.
The main theme about fatherhood is really hammered down by other characters introduced. The relationship between Freya and Baldur is complex and hard, and does bring a powerful final battle that is not easy to go through. Baldur, as a main villain, he does really lack screen time, but he is deeply interesting by his immortality and how he enjoys every fight he has. I would also like to mention Modi. Even if he seems like a pushover, the hints of his relationship with Thor really help the main theme. Even if it does not follow the main theme, Sindri and Brok's relationship is fun and quirky. Last but not least, Mimir brings a certain richness to dialogue and world building, which is appreciated, as the voice actor is an underrated comedian.
Apart from the narrative, the gameplay is addictive and intuitive, every hit Kratos does feel powerful. Moreover, the amount of special attacks and combos really keeps the gameplay flowing until the endgame. As a personal note, I adore how they managed to put the Chaos Blades in a significant way, and not in a forced way.
The exploration is also fun, as there are abilities you learn after you need them, which leads you to revisiting every world in search of every upgrade and materials. And talking about the worlds, everyone is unique in its own way, which gives you another incentive to exploring.
In conclusion, this game explores powerful themes through great gameplay and a complex batch of characters, which really blurs the line between game and film.

This game has been in early access for a long time, and still is. But don't be fooled, it is not in early access because there are a lot of things missing. This game could be released today and be great. But the developers feel there are key components of the game that have to be there in order to have the full experience. But hell, there's still more to have?
I can not even begin to explain all the details this survival game has, like there could be hundreds. For example, to enter through a window, you first have to smash it. Then, you need to collect the little pieces. After this, you can enter without any problem, But there's more, because if a zombie has broken through the window and hurt itself with it, once you pass through it after you can get infected if you get cut by the shards. Yes, that's the level of detail we are talking about.
Another great addition to his game are its mods, which are encouraged by its developers. No joke, if they like what you are doing modding the game, you can enter the developing team to work on the game itself. That level of closeness with the player is unheard of in the gaming industry, but a welcome addition.
If you take a look at the game, don't get turned away by the graphics, they are very good and are not really a distraction once you get to playing. I also recommend the multiplayer. I had a lot of fun nights playing this game and not telling my friends I was infected until it was too late. Yes, it's not only in the movies, it also happens in video games. Last but not least, every new addition they have made is seamlessly introduced, like it should have been there from the beginning. For example, cars were implemented not long ago. But they didn't just add something you can drive. Oh no. You can modify every piece of the motor, you have to learn to drive first, you need the keys, you can lock the doors, etc. But the car is not invincible, you can easily get surrounded by zombies.
In conclusion, this is an experience you should have; you will have countless hours to discover every detail to survive this hard game, and if you take a look periodically you may find new features that are perfectly implemented in the game.

Now, I understand this rating may come as a shock, with all the controversy surrounding this game. But trust me, I had a great experience with it. Within the franchise, I believe Rockstedy managed to improve on every part of the game. In combat, for example, there has been great additions, like grabbing bats or being able to use the environment in your favour. Aside from the combat, there's another part of the gameplay introduced here: the Batmobile. Now, I understand that fights against the Arkham Knight or Deathstroke might have been better served as a one v one, but you can't judge the whole concept by these mistakes. The Batmobile, both for traversal and for combat, is entertaining and just underrated at this point, in my opinion.
The story's setup is perfect to introduce the biggest world this series has ever seen. The open world looks great even seven years later, and the way you can move around it with the Batmobile or gliding is impressive. All the events you can have while going from a main mission to another is spectacular: from mere thugs to riddles.
The narrative is great, as it gives the Joker a supporting role that gives the necessary comedy the game needs, without ever being too much (Hamill is great as always). Thanks to this change, Scarecrow can have all the spotlight, as him and all the other villains make for great antagonists. And the secondary antagonists can show what they got in their own and thrilling secondary missions.
In conclusion, the Batmobile doesn't break the game, it's another great addition; and just like the others, it makes this game the best in the franchise in every single aspect.

I know that this game is up there in the best of all time for a lot of people. I understand fully, but I have a small amount of problems with it. To get it out of the way, it was such an improvement from the first one. Just the gameplay alone was upgraded in a way nobody thought possible. It flows even better, and the flaws it had were patched and improved. Most of all, the boss fights felt different, like they were meant to be there. There were actually incredible boss fights, that will be remembered for a long time.
The asylum was great, but they manage to come up with a better world, Arkham City. Just with the introduction, you feel the power of this place, and the danger it brings. The main tower is impressive, and it makes traversal more complex. The gliding was heavily featured, and it became a gold standard for this franchise. In all the map, you can see a million secondary objectives you can follow if you feel like taking a break from the main story.
The narrative this time around is better, with such a good introduction to one of the main villains, Hugo Strange. He was not really known like other villains, but this game truly made him a star. My problem with the narrative is how diffuse it is. In the middle of the plot, you begin wondering what was the main objective in the first place. This happens mainly because of the Joker. Even if he is a great villain, he feels out of place in this story. All of this dissonance explodes in the final act, where the Strange storyline and the Joker storyline try to one up the other, which leads to a confusing ending that manages to end the Joker storyline, but leaving the supposed main story without the power it should have.
In conclusion, the game is a total improvement compared to Asylum, but a confusing mash of two storylines makes the ending lose the power it should have.

Replaying this in 2022 made me realize two things: how this game changed the video game landscape, and how it is so outdated right now. It's hard to review a title that is 13 years old, but I will try to be as objective as possible. The main thing this game excelled at was the gameplay. It's so innovative, and so easy to master. It feels great, and there was no other game like it. Obviously, right now, because of all the improvements we have seen in latter instalments, we can judge this game more. But that doesn't take away from its importance in 2009.
The atmosphere here is also great. The asylum feels alive, and every place you discover helps to the world building. It truly helps the narrative, a narrative that may be simple, but is quite effective. It serves its purpose, basically. The boss fights with different villains do feel rushed, as they were last-minute additions. And the ending, just feels wrong. There is no catharsis, no real payoff, just a big fight with a big villain, not really thematically powerful.
My main problem with this game is the semi-open world. You have all the asylum to explore, but it just feels empty, apart from some Riddler's trophies. It's such a shame, mainly because of the gothic aesthetic, which I quite dig.
All in all, this game had innovative gameplay and an atmospheric experience, but its world and boss fights have really not aged well.

We all remember quarantine, how everyone was stuck inside their homes, without anything to do. Well, we had video games. And this one truly saved me from eternal boredom. Wow, I didn't see it coming. This game has the best level design I've seen in years, and the fights are amazing. Moreover, the soundtrack is spectacular, gives you a pump of adrenaline every time you hear it.
Compared to Doom (2016), it's a clear improvement. The enemies have specific weaknesses this time around. So when you enter a new arena, you have to keep in mind every weakness and how to exploit it, which makes the gameplay more dynamic and more strategic. Apart from that, having less ammunition than usual is a good thing in my opinion, makes you think twice before wasting a gun on an enemy it has little effect on. And don't get me started on finishers, man, what an absolute pleasure it is having them in this game.
The exploration is minimal, but quite endearing. It's never hard, but gives cute rewards that are awesome Easter eggs to long-time fans. And the narrative, if nothing new, gives the perfect backdrop for all the action. The final fight, in particular, got my blood pumping and I repeat it from time to time because of how epic and well-designed it is.
In conclusion, you will have eternal fun with this game, cruising through waves of distinct enemies always having to think how to use your wide variety of weapons, and you will reap and tear like it's nothing.

I had big expectations for this game, I even bought the Ultimate Edition because of how hyped I was. But man, this was a big disappointment for me. Let me make one thing clear, I love the cast of characters of this instalment, and ho they are represented in their moves and animations. I also thoroughly enjoy the gameplay. It's basically the same from the first game, but it's obvious it has been more polished.
Now, I have a big problem with the customization in this game. The variety is great, don't get me wrong, but the fact that every piece of armour modifies the stats of the character is absurd. Moreover, it gives an unfair advantage to those people that are willing to buy boxes in order to have more gear. It is a flawed system, and I'm happy that they changed it for MK11.
The narrative in this game is nothing spectacular. When you have all the DC characters at your disposal without the limitations of a film, you may think it's going to be epic in scale. But no, they stick to their formula of having chapters with a character fighting four times in a row, which destroys the pacing of the story.
All in all, this fighting game had so much potential, but its customization system is awful and unfair, and the story is overall underwhelming.