Is it a good game? No, not really. The controls are clunky, the camera even more so. The entire affair is emblematic of the shift to 3D and the effect it would have on quality licensed games, the skillset needed to make them becoming more specialized and the rough edges far more easily seen.

But quality is the word here, because there's clearly effort in play. Though fumbling, the game is certainly creative, packed with references and clever ideas that the execution simply cannot keep pace with. The victory lap at the end, playing as a triumphant Reptar destroying the city with colorful news commentary in the background, is evidence enough that someone working on this genuinely cared.

This was definitely an enjoyable one. Bloodlines is a bit on the easier and shorter than some of the other Castlevanias I have played before, but it's a tight and consistent experience.

Like many probably have said before, this game looks and sounds absolutely beautiful. It really takes everything it can out of the limited hardware to offer a memorable gothic experience, even showing couple clever visual tricks to show that the devs really knew what they were doing. While the level design itself is nothing really to call home about, the bosses managed to keep the pace up with their interesting designs and mechanics.

As a platformer, the game gets a pass from me. The controls feel really limited and stiff at times and while I didn't have to fight the controller itself at any point, it felt like every input needed to be firm and made with two week's notice. In the end, this didn't bother me too much since the game seems to rely more on spacing and careful actions rather than quick last-minute ones.

I can confidently recommend playing it if you're interested in more classic Castlevania games. There are two playable characters that offer some alternative routes to levels, so it even has some replay value.

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 never even knew about the show before this game and while I can appreciate that the game was certainly made to cater the fans of that show, I really didn't feel a strong connection here. At least the developers clearly knew what they were doing and instead of doing a quick tie-in game with zero effort, they actually made a serviceable platformer.

The gimmick of this game is switching out the character you're playing as to help you clear obstacles. In the end it didn't have that big of an impact to the game, the only places I actually swapped out were when a boulder or dirt was blocking my path. As a platformer, the game starts out slow and easy, but the difficulty keeps ramping up steadily. However, I never got the feeling that game was being unfair and even the trickier spots could be cleared with skill and careful maneuvering.

While the controls are generally solid, there manages to be couple hiccups. Dashing felt really awkward at times and most of the times it happened by accident since the timing to press the d-pad twice is pretty generous. Also I had to be really careful attacking an enemy when I came off ladders since it's easy to press the attack button while still holding the up button, which activates the special attack. However, outside of these little gripes, moving and mechanics felt really solid and satisfying.

If you happen to have been a fan of this show, you should definitely give it a go. For the rest, it's just an okay platformer.