JJDoom
I liked this game, but I really wanted to love it. Positives and negatives below:
+Great movement mechanics
+Incredible graphics
+Varied flora and fauna
+Smooth performance
+Decent combat
-Bad main story
-Absent, forgettable villain and other characters
-Terrible main character voice acting
-Repetitive, boring side missions and activities
-Tedious resource gathering/crafting
Would love to see more Avatar games in the future, although I'm not sure I'd want Ubisoft to tackle them.
+Great movement mechanics
+Incredible graphics
+Varied flora and fauna
+Smooth performance
+Decent combat
-Bad main story
-Absent, forgettable villain and other characters
-Terrible main character voice acting
-Repetitive, boring side missions and activities
-Tedious resource gathering/crafting
Would love to see more Avatar games in the future, although I'm not sure I'd want Ubisoft to tackle them.
2023
Fun but not very balanced and it needs some more content.
Ubisoft once again proves that the fundamentals that underpin the Assassin's Creed franchise are solid, but Mirage highlights the fact that this needs to be done in conjunction with an equally great story and memorable characters.This is a good game but it could have been a great one.
2020
As somebody who is a massive fan of choice and consequence in role playing games, Baldur's Gate 3 was an incredibly satisfying experience. It genuinely felt like almost every interaction could go in any number of directions, with impacts that are felt tens of hours after the fact. One of the most impressive things about the game is the amount of interactions between systems. If you have an idea and try it, chances are it will work.
The story and characters are deep and complex, with some really fantastic, memorable villains to contend with.
What a staggering achievement in game design and a title truly worthy of the game of the year award. Currently making my way through a second campaign and already uncovering many new interactions, locations and quests.
The story and characters are deep and complex, with some really fantastic, memorable villains to contend with.
What a staggering achievement in game design and a title truly worthy of the game of the year award. Currently making my way through a second campaign and already uncovering many new interactions, locations and quests.
2022
The flow of this game didn't quite work for me, even after utilising all of the moves, weapons and traversal options it had to offer. It plays fairly well and has a distinct style, but it felt like it was missing something for me. The need to perform tricks to reload your weapons feels illogical to me, although I suspect this was a way for the developers to encourage players to make use of all of the mechanics.
2008
I remembered Gears of War 2 very fondly and I am delighted to say that it still held up beautifully today after a much needed replay.
Taking the excellent formula established in the first game, the second entry cranks up the action, gore and emotion to whole new levels. With new weapons, enemy types and locations, it was a blast to fight off the locus horde once again with the iconic cast of characters quipping hilarious lines along the way.
Not only is Gears of War 2 funny and exciting, it also tugs on the heartstrings through some intense plot moments that make it a truly unforgettable experience.
Taking the excellent formula established in the first game, the second entry cranks up the action, gore and emotion to whole new levels. With new weapons, enemy types and locations, it was a blast to fight off the locus horde once again with the iconic cast of characters quipping hilarious lines along the way.
Not only is Gears of War 2 funny and exciting, it also tugs on the heartstrings through some intense plot moments that make it a truly unforgettable experience.
2012
As a massive Resident Evil fan, I decided to replay this in 2023 since I never actually finished it back when it initially released. Capcom clearly went for something really ambitious here, with a highly cinematic game that interweaves four distinct campaigns into one package. The result is a complete mess that strays so far from what made this series great.
Due to this cinematic approach, Capcom opted for lots of interactive cutscenes with terrible quick-time-events. These sections strip the tension and fun away from so many moments, resulting in a very boring experience. The gameplay somehow holds up even worse than the original Resident Evil 4, with clunky character movements and awful melee combat that is often encouraged.
The story is rubbish too and the bits where the separate campaigns overlap can often feel repetitive since you effectively need to replay some sections (albeit from different perspectives). As Ada you pilot an attack chopper, as Jake you attack an aircraft carrier with a fighter jet, as Chris you jump a 4x4 over some skyscrapers and as Leon you are dragged to the depths of a watery cave by a zombie shark. To some, this all might sound extremely cool but to me, this isn't Resident Evil.
With other entries in this historic franchise, I can't stop playing. With Resident Evil 6, every time I picked it up I couldn't wait for it to be over.
Due to this cinematic approach, Capcom opted for lots of interactive cutscenes with terrible quick-time-events. These sections strip the tension and fun away from so many moments, resulting in a very boring experience. The gameplay somehow holds up even worse than the original Resident Evil 4, with clunky character movements and awful melee combat that is often encouraged.
The story is rubbish too and the bits where the separate campaigns overlap can often feel repetitive since you effectively need to replay some sections (albeit from different perspectives). As Ada you pilot an attack chopper, as Jake you attack an aircraft carrier with a fighter jet, as Chris you jump a 4x4 over some skyscrapers and as Leon you are dragged to the depths of a watery cave by a zombie shark. To some, this all might sound extremely cool but to me, this isn't Resident Evil.
With other entries in this historic franchise, I can't stop playing. With Resident Evil 6, every time I picked it up I couldn't wait for it to be over.
Capcom clearly tried to jump on the co-op cover shooter bandwagon with a game that feels like 'the greatest hits of Resident Evil' by pitting you and three squad-mates against familiar franchises heroes and villains.
Over the course of 7 short missions, you play as one of several characters with their own unique weaponry, abilities and perks as you blast your way through hordes of enemies.
Unfortunately the game feels clunky, with terrible AI enemies and team-mates that lead to many annoying moments. For example, you cannot switch weapons while running, certain enemies can stun lock you with melee hits and grenades are absolutely rubbish.
There is no discernible art style, with very flat graphics, poor character models and very bad lighting.
As a massive fan of Resident Evil, this was potentially the worst game I've played in this franchise. Everything here is under-baked, from the barely existent story to the shoddy game-play.
Over the course of 7 short missions, you play as one of several characters with their own unique weaponry, abilities and perks as you blast your way through hordes of enemies.
Unfortunately the game feels clunky, with terrible AI enemies and team-mates that lead to many annoying moments. For example, you cannot switch weapons while running, certain enemies can stun lock you with melee hits and grenades are absolutely rubbish.
There is no discernible art style, with very flat graphics, poor character models and very bad lighting.
As a massive fan of Resident Evil, this was potentially the worst game I've played in this franchise. Everything here is under-baked, from the barely existent story to the shoddy game-play.
2019
Horace has a lot of heart but it should be a much shorter experience. There are new mechanics introduced at a decent pace but they are not enough to prevent the game from getting stale. I did find the game very funny at times.
The first game in one of my favorite franchises, remastered with great visuals and smooth gameplay.
While this entry is a little lighter on story than some of the future games, it lays the groundwork nicely for the overarching plot and provides plenty of laughs through the banter between Delta squad.
Movement is satisfyingly weighty, making you really feel like a heavily armored COG soldier as you stomp your way through the relatively short campaign. Combat is nice and crunchy, with gore and sound effects making up for the slightly repetitive nature of the encounters.
Excited to continue my replay through this series in Co-op, which is where they really shine.
While this entry is a little lighter on story than some of the future games, it lays the groundwork nicely for the overarching plot and provides plenty of laughs through the banter between Delta squad.
Movement is satisfyingly weighty, making you really feel like a heavily armored COG soldier as you stomp your way through the relatively short campaign. Combat is nice and crunchy, with gore and sound effects making up for the slightly repetitive nature of the encounters.
Excited to continue my replay through this series in Co-op, which is where they really shine.
Separate Ways is much more than a remake of a previous experience, as it expands and improves on it in every way much like the base game does.
Ada plays at a faster pace than Leon, with the addition of a grapple that enables you to close the gap on enemies and traverse the familiar levels in new ways. She isn't quite as charismatic as Mr. Kennedy but she does have a certain 'cool' aura that is perfectly enjoyable. I'd be really excited if we ever got a full-length secret agent style game with Ada as the main character.
It tells the main story from a different perspective, remixing areas in a satisfying way and injecting some intriguing plot points with Wesker that seem to be teasing something for the future.
Capcom continues to impress with one of the best DLCs in recent memory.
Ada plays at a faster pace than Leon, with the addition of a grapple that enables you to close the gap on enemies and traverse the familiar levels in new ways. She isn't quite as charismatic as Mr. Kennedy but she does have a certain 'cool' aura that is perfectly enjoyable. I'd be really excited if we ever got a full-length secret agent style game with Ada as the main character.
It tells the main story from a different perspective, remixing areas in a satisfying way and injecting some intriguing plot points with Wesker that seem to be teasing something for the future.
Capcom continues to impress with one of the best DLCs in recent memory.
I like what Ancestors is swinging for, but unfortunately it misses the top branches and ends up being a game with poor controls, frustrating survival mechanics and a mostly unrealised vision of human evolution.
2023
Jusant is a meditative game experience where you play as a boy and a small creature who are tasked with climbing an enormous mountain on a mysterious world. Presented with a charming graphics style, you engage in simple ascendant puzzles with occasional moments of respite where you find notes that begin to shed some light on the world you're playing in.
The controls are straightforward, which I think ends up being detrimental to the experience but the game does introduce you to new mechanics at an even pace throughout the roughly 3 hour climb.
I mentioned those moments of respite and that is what Jusant feels like to me - a pleasant and reflective glade in a year of more intense gaming experiences.
The controls are straightforward, which I think ends up being detrimental to the experience but the game does introduce you to new mechanics at an even pace throughout the roughly 3 hour climb.
I mentioned those moments of respite and that is what Jusant feels like to me - a pleasant and reflective glade in a year of more intense gaming experiences.
2023
Alan wake II is a weird, wild and wonderful survival horror game that elevates the concepts of the first game to whole new levels. Whether you're solving mind-bending puzzles as the titular writer or piecing together a mystery as FBI agent Saga, there is always a compelling narrative thread driving you forward.
The visuals are absolutely stunning, alongside highly detailed character models and realistic animations that culminate in one of the best looking games I've ever played. The way that light interacts with the environments and plays on your mind as you shift between realities was particularly awe-inspiring.
Combat is much better this time around but I do think the balance between narrative sections and action sequences is not struck as well as it could have been, particularly in the first half and toward the end. It is also fairly challenging at times, with some portions of the game where ammunition felt scarce enough to keep you on edge.
I absolutely loved the pulpy neo-noir vibe of the story and world, brought to life by the exceptional character performances.
We all knew that Remedy were one of the most talented developers operating today, but Alan Wake II solidifies their place as one of the all-time greats through perhaps their best game yet.
The visuals are absolutely stunning, alongside highly detailed character models and realistic animations that culminate in one of the best looking games I've ever played. The way that light interacts with the environments and plays on your mind as you shift between realities was particularly awe-inspiring.
Combat is much better this time around but I do think the balance between narrative sections and action sequences is not struck as well as it could have been, particularly in the first half and toward the end. It is also fairly challenging at times, with some portions of the game where ammunition felt scarce enough to keep you on edge.
I absolutely loved the pulpy neo-noir vibe of the story and world, brought to life by the exceptional character performances.
We all knew that Remedy were one of the most talented developers operating today, but Alan Wake II solidifies their place as one of the all-time greats through perhaps their best game yet.
Fun, creative levels packaged up with stellar graphics and charming animations.