Am I already so deeply engrossed and fascinated with the Alan Wake lore and plot to the point where I feel this game is sometimes treated a little too harshly by some people? Oh, absolutely. Despite initial expectations, I find myself wholeheartedly invested in Alan's journey and the expansive universe surrounding him. Don't get me wrong, this game isn't all that great, but there are still redeeming qualities within it.

While Alan Wake's American Nightmare offers a somewhat familiar gameplay experience, it tends to feel dull quite often. Despite some refinements, it still falls short, and despite the game's short length it tends to drag on longer than the original game did. However, what truly stands out once again is the unique plot and storytelling.

I understand not everyone might vibe with the story as much as the original, but after experiecing The Signal and The Writer, I actually really appreciate that this game delves more into the wackiness of Alan's mind and introduces us to Mr. Scratch. The dialog may venture into weird territory, but I believe this quirkiness adds to the game's undeniable charm.

Let me start by saying that my initial experience with the game was soured by the motion sickness I endured for the first 1-2 hours of gameplay due to the lack of an option to disable motion blur. I almost dropped the game because of that, but thanks to modders, I was able to overcome this annoying issue and immerse myself fully into the game.

Alan Wake's soundtrack, atmosphere, and story are incredibly captivating. From the depths of dense forests to the eerie solitude of abandoned cabins, every location feels thoroughly designed to immerse you in its haunting atmosphere, creating a sense of constant unease.

Sadly, the game's greatest weakness is its gameplay. While the gameplay is well thought out, it became too repetitive rather quickly. And goddamn, Alan needs some cardio training because this man can't run 5 meters without getting out of breath. Seriously, the stamina could as well have been non-existent. I also feel like some set pieces have overstayed their welcome, making me wish they would just end already so that the plot I was really engaged in can go on. All of this dragged the pacing and overall flow of the story down for me.

At its heart, Alan Wake shines through its fantastic storytelling and engrossing plot. As someone who truly enjoys narrative-driven games, I had a good and unique experience. However, the repetitive and somewhat dull gameplay, specifically shooting down the Taken, diminished my overall enjoyment.

Ok, listen. As an adult lesbian, I was genuinely excited when I heard about this VN, mainly because the Yuri genre tends to be saturated with innocent and wholesome schoolgirl fluff, and honestly, I'm just tired of it. I was thrilled to see someone finally tackling the relatively unexplored realm of Yuri omegaverse. Unlike the hugely popular BL omegaverse genre, larger-scale Yuri omegaverse projects are practically non-existent.

But the VN left me with mixed feelings - it was both disappointing and great at the same time. The pacing was breakneck, rushing to introduce players to its vision of an omegaverse setting, which felt pretty basic compared to other omegaverse works. It seemed like ideas were thrown around and plot points were set up, only to either remain unresolved or fall flat upon execution. Despite this, the writing was still very enjoyable and refreshing.

However, the biggest letdown was the VN's length. It was incredibly short, much shorter than their previous games. I finished it in about 1.5h, leaving me feeling like the game ended just as it was getting started. Which is frustrating, because I really liked the relationship between the two leads.

Overall, it's a great Yuri VN with excellent artwork and character design that tries to stand out from generic schoolgirl-themed ones, but is soured by its short length.

Stardew Valley feels like coming home.

I can't remember which playthrough I'm on, which is a rarity for me. I've revisited childhood favorites like Zelda and Mario countless times, cherishing each experience. However, as an adult, this happens less frequently. Maybe it's because modern games don't resonate with me as deeply, or maybe my gaming habits have simply changed over time. Yet, whenever I boot up Stardew Valley, it hits all the right notes. Whether I've talked with the residents of Pelican Town dozens of times or played through its events repeatedly, the game retains its magical allure. It feels like a nostalgic return to childhood gaming, a comforting experience I can enjoy every time of the year.

What's truly remarkable is the developer's commitment to continually expanding the game with substantial updates and expansions, all provided for free. Stardew Valley brims with passion and love. Despite its status as one of the most successful indie games of all time, the developer continues to pour his heart into it, enriching the experience for players. I deeply respect and appreciate this dedication, which unfortunately is no longer a given in today's gaming industry.

I could honestly ramble endlessly about this masterpiece of a game. Nearly a decade after my first playthrough, it still holds a special place in my heart and it probably always will.

Persona will never be this great again.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment is justifiably hailed as a classic for its gripping story, unique atmosphere, and memorable characters who are not constrained by the typical student roles found in many JRPGs and later entries in the Persona series.

Just like P1 and P2:IS, the vibe and atmosphere presented in this game are immaculate with its gritty urban setting and eerie supernatural elements. Eternal Punishment delves into mature themes the series never really has since, at least not in a way like EP did. As a sucker for old-school and adult characters, the stylized character designs not only reflect the era in which the game was created but also contribute significantly to the overall atmosphere and tone. It's a rarity in JRPGs and anime these days, which is a shame because I believe these mediums could benefit greatly from more variety.

However, one aspect that really disappointed me was Maya's sudden role as a silent protagonist. It's an annoying trope all too common in JRPGs and in a game with such rich character development, Maya's silence felt like a missed opportunity for further exploration of her character. I've never really been a big fan of silent protagonists to begin with, but this trend never fails to annoy me. I get that silent protagonists are popular in JRPGS, but Maya being one in a story and character-driven game like EP felt like a huge mistake.

Despite this, the story of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment hooked me from the very beginning. Just like its predecessor, its intricate plot weaves together supernatural elements with psychological depth, creating a narrative that kept me engaged throughout the whole thing.

P1 and P2 are, without a doubt, the best Persona games Atlus has ever cooked up, despite their clunky and dated gameplay. If you're a Persona fan, you will be doing yourself a disservice by not trying out these amazing games. But what made me really love and appreciate these games, aside from the great characters and stories, are the atmosphere and vibes that only retro games can truly emphasize.

Among Persona fans, there are those who proclaim Persona 2 as the pinnacle of the series, and you know what? I totally get them now.

After having played both P1 and the first part of the P2 duology, I can't help but appreciate the differences between the old games and P3 to 5. Honestly, I'm glad P1 and 2 are not all like P3 to 5 because I don't think I'd have enjoyed them as much.

P2's gameplay is a major step up from its predecessor. It's pretty much the standard JRPG experience, and it can be a bit tedious at times, but just like in P1, it was worth trudging through. That being said, the encounter rate is still shit. It's not as torturous as in P1, but it's still annoying.

But let's talk about what really shines here—the story and characters. Man, the plot is just so darn intriguing and good. It's got its dark, heavy moments, but then it throws in these bursts of humor and wackiness that really keep things lively. And I think they did a pretty good job at balancing the humor and seriousness, which enriches the overall experience and leaves a lasting impression. The cast is also great. Each member of the main cast is carefully designed, with their interactions filled with chemistry and undergoing significant development as the journey unfolds. I really enjoyed my time with them. However, after P1, the soundtrack here takes a noticeable dive. While there are a few standout tracks, the overall soundtrack is kinda forgettable, which is a shame.

P2 Innocent Sin might have some outdated and average gameplay, but it's got one of the best stories and characters Atlus has ever cooked up for a Persona game. Finishing it has only got me more hyped for Eternal Punishment, especially because I get to see more of Maya and meet even more grown-up characters, who are the main cast this time around. An adult cast in Persona? Yeah, it's really old-school, huh?

I know P1 is not exactly the poster child of the series, especially with its outdated gameplay mechanics and that nightmarish encounter rate that feels like it's out to get you. But there's still something special about this game that often gets overlooked.

First off, let's address the absolute worst aspect of the game: the encounter rate. God, whoever thought it was a good idea must have had a sadistic streak. But once you get past that initial frustration and manage to keep your sanity in check, there's a lot to love here.

The vibe and atmosphere of P1 are immaculate with its gritty urban setting and eerie supernatural elements. It's a far cry from the flashy, modern aesthetics of later entries, but that's really part of its charm and just hits all the right spots for me. The main characters in the game are excellent. There may not be much in the way of more drawn-out interactions, but the characters in the context of the plot are awesome and their dialogue in the overworld gives a lot of extra nice bits of characterization. It's also refreshing to play a Persona game without the overly bloated and drawn-out plotlines that can bog down the newer titles. P1 knows what themes it's going for and does what it sets out to do, and for that alone, I really liked it.

The soundtrack of the PSP version is honestly great. I know a lot of people say that the original PS1 version is better but I have to disagree as I've found myself listening to certain PSP songs on repeat a lot. I feel certain ones are among the best in the series as a whole. A lone prayer is a bop.

Now, P1 definitely isn't without its flaws. The encounter rate alone drove me insane and almost made me quit right at the beginning, and the dated gameplay is definitely frustrating at times, but it was still worth trudging through.

As someone who is really tired of the "modern" and overused anime tropes, as well as the sometimes regressive writing in certain aspects that are present in newer titles, I think P1 was a breath of fresh air and has made me excited to try the P2 Duology.

I'm so glad that after all the years of waiting, the game ended up being great. In terms of JRPGs, Relink was honestly a refreshing experience. The game easily distinguishes itself from others in the genre, setting a new precedent in terms of polish, gameplay, aesthetics, and overall fluidity.

Every time I've played the original gacha game years ago, or any other gacha game for that matter, I've always imagined what it would be like if they were fully realized console games without the grindy and annoying f2p mechanics. And man, Relink is the answer to all these imaginations. If anything, Relink affirmed me in my belief that gachas will always be wasted potentials. Because look at what we could get instead! I'm also thankful that Djeeta is in the game. A game that lets me choose the gender of the protagonist will automatically always be a better game. ̶T̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶e̶s̶,̶ ̶A̶t̶l̶u̶s̶

As someone who genuinely appreciates the Granblue Fantasy characters, world and lore, but isn't a fan of gacha games, I'm extremely grateful that the developers continue to release these higher-budget console games. This allows me to fully enjoy the franchise without having to deal with the frustrations of gacha gameplay and grindfests.

Rising is, without a doubt, the most enjoyable fighting game experience I've had in a long time. It addresses all the shortcomings of the previous game, resulting in a highly refined experience. I also adore the attention to detail in the character interactions and animations. Despite being a fighting game, each character radiates personality and charm, just like in the mainline and event stories of the gacha game, making them all a joy to play.

One of the standout features of Rising is its accessibility. It allows newcomers to jump in and pull off impressive combos with ease, yet the system is complex enough to require dedication to master. It's simply a fun fighting game.

While the game may not have completely recreated the sense of wonder I felt as a child playing the old-school 2D Mario games, it certainly served as a delightful reminder of the joy and excitement that those games brought into my life, and I honestly couldn't ask for more.

The true highlights for me were undeniably the new lively and adorable animations. There are just so many little touches to the point where you can tell the developers really cared about making this game as charming and cute as possible, and they succeeded.

I'm disappointed with this game. I was open to new characters in the franchise since Kiryu's journey (seemingly)
came to an end. However, aside from Ichiban who's great and actually a pretty loveable dork and a great contrast to Kiryu, the other characters are not really memorable. Like many other people, 0 was my first Yakuza game and my favorite in the franchise. I played all the other games and fell in love with the series as a result. So when they announced Yakuza 7 I was really excited but also concerned, because of the decision to change the combat to a turn-based system. The previous games were all amazing to play in its beat em up format, so I thought changing to turn-based will make the game play just like every other JRPG out there. And well..I was right.

The combat itself is your totally standard JRPG turn-based combat. Tactics and strategies are all well and good, but most JRPGs as well as LAD don't require them. Both turn-based combat and real time combat can be executed well or badly and both have advantages and disadvantages designers must consider when making their game. It really depends on how good the turn-based system is. Well designed turn based combat gives players direct access to the strategic elements of combat. For example, I love me some good SRPGs like Fire Emblem, but LAD and other JRPGs just happen to have a very bland and generic system implemented that require no strategy/tactics whatsoever.

The turn-based fighting system can be a change for the first few hours in the game, then it gets insanely slow and monotonous. What REALLY frustrated me was the grinding.
Previous Yakuza games didn't need this cheap way to make the game "last longer" while you need to go through hundreds of fights to farm exp points and level up the characters. What I usually most immerse in is the story. Unfortunately, to get through the story, you have to grind through thousands of boring encounters and repetitive fights. The turn-based combat is just not very engaging and most fights are without any challenge. The game is also very unbalanced. I just don't have the time and patience for a game that purposely wastes my time.

LAD seems slightly more campy and overacted, which is not a bad thing considering it's a completely new saga featuring new characters. It's also pretty fitting for a main character like Ichiban. For the Kiryu games, however, I prefer the balance of keeping overacted and cartoonish aspects in the substories and general side content of the game (which I always adore), while the main story remains serious and tense. So I'm curious how LAD 8 will handle this.

Overall, I'm not a huge fan of the JRPG mechanics. The story starts strong but goes off the rails very early on and gets really slow and boring. I don't think LAD is necessarily a bad game, but its not a good Yakuza game neither. I really wish this had been a spin-off instead.

For me Yakuza 6 undoubtly has one of the weaker stories in the series, if not the weakest. But it's nontheless also one that pulls at your heartstrings, because it highlights once again Kiryu and his strong bond to his loved ones.

While I do not like certain aspects of the story, like Haruka's teenage pregnancy and the long search for the father that followed after, I could still enjoy it for what it was. But mostly because it was great to see how committed Kiryu is to his family. Papa Kiryu in Y3 was a sweet experience, so Grandpa Kiryu in Y6 is just as endearing and heartwarming to see. Just like in Y3, I like how the game switches from grandpa simulator to the usual Yakuza stuff we're used to and I honestly couldn't ask for more.

Kiryu and his ties and strong emotions towards his loved ones is a strong component of the series, so it's only natural that family bonds, especially fatherhood, and blood ties are the main aspect of Kiryu's final journey....or so I thought.

With the announcement of LAD Gaiden and LAD 8 it's clear that Kiryu's journey seems far from over and honestly? I'm very happy about that, because Kiryu is one of my favorite characters in all of gaming. The fact that LAD Gaiden will also feature the traditional Yakuza combat, which I really love and will dearly miss in future installments, makes me even more happy and excited.

This is by far one of the best Yakuza games and one of my favorites in this series. I consider Yakuza 5 to be the embodiment of everything that makes the Yakuza series great. There are so many twists and turns that kept me engaged through out the whole thing. I was completely hooked from beginning to end and I loved it.

This game has 5 cities to explore, the most in any Yakuza game, and they’re all packed with hilarious or emotional sub stories. Combat and graphics are also greatly improved on from the previous games.

It's a less refined and focused experience than Yakuza 0, which is my absolute favorite in this series, but does a lot of unique things from a series standpoint that has not been replicated since. And no matter what people say, Saejima's story was very interesting and fun to go through and I enjoyed that they included Haruka as a playable character. While I can see that some may be turned off by Haruka's story, being that it is rhythm game oriented, I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt that, for what it was, they did a great job.

Overall, If you're a Yakuza fan, you will be doing yourself a disservice by not playing this amazing game, because it reminded me again why the Yakuza franchise is one of my absolute favorites.

On a sidenote, after Yakuza 5 I'm even more disappointed that the series switched to boring turn-based combat.