MarlBocks
2023
Not a perfect game, but a fun one indeed.
I do think the first half was dragged a lot, but the last half was good and overall i liked the (again) new way to bring the P5 style to another genre.
Like i said in my Strikers review: i will be there for every last drop of milk Atlus get from P5... See you next year my fellow thieves!
I do think the first half was dragged a lot, but the last half was good and overall i liked the (again) new way to bring the P5 style to another genre.
Like i said in my Strikers review: i will be there for every last drop of milk Atlus get from P5... See you next year my fellow thieves!
I mean, it's better than shadowlands at least...
Dragonriding is so good!
Dragonriding is so good!
What a bitter way to end a trilogy...
Zero Time Dilemma almost feels like a Zero Escape game. All the things I liked about them are missing in this one.
The escape rooms are boring, some overly complex, others too easy, they have nothing to do with the story. All of them, made just a obstacle to be passed and forgotten.
The story tries to tie up all the loose ends of VLR, in the worst possible way. There are cool moments, but the balance is very low. The characters are disappointing. Those we already know and love are held back by poor plot flow. The Q team? Why the hell are they there? THEY ARE TERRIBLE AND USELESS.
It's a game that you'll probably like a little if you liked the first 2, but it's the weakest of them, and it ends the trilogy in a way that I wasn't satisfied with.
Zero Time Dilemma almost feels like a Zero Escape game. All the things I liked about them are missing in this one.
The escape rooms are boring, some overly complex, others too easy, they have nothing to do with the story. All of them, made just a obstacle to be passed and forgotten.
The story tries to tie up all the loose ends of VLR, in the worst possible way. There are cool moments, but the balance is very low. The characters are disappointing. Those we already know and love are held back by poor plot flow. The Q team? Why the hell are they there? THEY ARE TERRIBLE AND USELESS.
It's a game that you'll probably like a little if you liked the first 2, but it's the weakest of them, and it ends the trilogy in a way that I wasn't satisfied with.
This Joryu is really cool.
A game clearly meant to be an extra chapter in Like a Dragon, it grew to be independent (and full-price). Justifiable? Definitely not. But here we are, thanks gamepass.
Some quality of life, but still a Yakuza, so many unbearable boss fights. The Akame Network is okay, but I didn't like that you sometimes have to rank up it to continue the main story. I didn't grind because I always do all the secondary content before moving on, but that's not cool.
A game in the same way as other Yakuzas, definitely a spin-off to make money. BUT DAMN, HOW THE HELL DO THEY CONTINUE TO MAKE ME SUFFER WATCHING KIRYU? He deserves a vacation free from all this pain he endured.
Let's go to Hawaii.
A game clearly meant to be an extra chapter in Like a Dragon, it grew to be independent (and full-price). Justifiable? Definitely not. But here we are, thanks gamepass.
Some quality of life, but still a Yakuza, so many unbearable boss fights. The Akame Network is okay, but I didn't like that you sometimes have to rank up it to continue the main story. I didn't grind because I always do all the secondary content before moving on, but that's not cool.
A game in the same way as other Yakuzas, definitely a spin-off to make money. BUT DAMN, HOW THE HELL DO THEY CONTINUE TO MAKE ME SUFFER WATCHING KIRYU? He deserves a vacation free from all this pain he endured.
Let's go to Hawaii.
2023
After experiencing some questionable moments during my adventure in Alan Wake's Universe, I have discovered a truly masterfully crafted game here, something that only Remedy could have accomplished.
Let's begin with the weaker aspect, which is the combat. The survival horror elements were not executed as effectively as in some other games within the same genre. While it did work, it fell bad sometimes.
However, that's where the negatives end. The rest of the game is absolutely mind blowing. Everything about it is phenomenal. As someone who is easily scared, I found myself enduring an abundance of jumpscares and an atmosphere that continuously drew me deeper into a sense of despair. Even though the game isn't particularly terrifying, you will not fight much and explore a lot without anything happen. Surprisingly, I played through it all with a smile on my face (and some screams).
I could list all the game's qualities, but that wouldn't make for an interesting review. What truly surprised me is that, after my mixed feelings about the franchise, I now find myself eagerly awaiting the next game and how they will take their storytelling to a whole new level, just as they have done with this one.
Let's begin with the weaker aspect, which is the combat. The survival horror elements were not executed as effectively as in some other games within the same genre. While it did work, it fell bad sometimes.
However, that's where the negatives end. The rest of the game is absolutely mind blowing. Everything about it is phenomenal. As someone who is easily scared, I found myself enduring an abundance of jumpscares and an atmosphere that continuously drew me deeper into a sense of despair. Even though the game isn't particularly terrifying, you will not fight much and explore a lot without anything happen. Surprisingly, I played through it all with a smile on my face (and some screams).
I could list all the game's qualities, but that wouldn't make for an interesting review. What truly surprised me is that, after my mixed feelings about the franchise, I now find myself eagerly awaiting the next game and how they will take their storytelling to a whole new level, just as they have done with this one.
It was cheap, at least that.
Please, just skip to the next game.
Please, just skip to the next game.
2019
This game resides in a universe with a rich and amazing lore, but it lacks the charisma to make it truly work. It's as if it's lost Control of its direction.
There are numerous concepts to explore, and the entire Remedy's franchise has been masterfully crafted. With a different gameplay approach focusing more on third person with powers, it should work, right? Well, it doesn't.
I found more enjoyment in watching videos and listening to podcasts discussing the game than actually playing it. This is not a positive sign. The gameplay works, the story is decent, and everything falls into the realm of mediocrity, sometimes even bordering on uninteresting, despite the interesting backstory.
It's a must play that I highly recommend for those looking to explore more of this rich universe. However, keep in mind that you won't find a highly enjoyable gaming experience here.
There are numerous concepts to explore, and the entire Remedy's franchise has been masterfully crafted. With a different gameplay approach focusing more on third person with powers, it should work, right? Well, it doesn't.
I found more enjoyment in watching videos and listening to podcasts discussing the game than actually playing it. This is not a positive sign. The gameplay works, the story is decent, and everything falls into the realm of mediocrity, sometimes even bordering on uninteresting, despite the interesting backstory.
It's a must play that I highly recommend for those looking to explore more of this rich universe. However, keep in mind that you won't find a highly enjoyable gaming experience here.
2010
It's not a game, it's an ocean.
Alan Wake is a game that, even though it was never completely removed from my "games that I might play" list, wasn't one I initially desired. Then, Alan Wake 2 was released, and everyone seemed to be enjoying it, hailing it as a new contender for Game of the Year, and so on. So, I thought to myself, it's cheap, and it's relatively short, so why not give it a try?
Despite the somewhat dated gameplay reminiscent of the PS3/Xbox 360 era, the lantern mechanic proved to be interesting. Although it did become quite repetitive, it was still tolerable to play.
Alright, Alan Wake isn't exactly a horror game, but the atmosphere it creates is truly remarkable. The story and the lore of Remedy's Gaming Universe are strong, and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring it through various media to uncover every detail.
In conclusion, apart from the lore and weak gameplay, that's essentially what Alan Wake is. It might not be a great game, but it's a well-crafted universe that rightfully deserves a place among the classics.
Alan Wake is a game that, even though it was never completely removed from my "games that I might play" list, wasn't one I initially desired. Then, Alan Wake 2 was released, and everyone seemed to be enjoying it, hailing it as a new contender for Game of the Year, and so on. So, I thought to myself, it's cheap, and it's relatively short, so why not give it a try?
Despite the somewhat dated gameplay reminiscent of the PS3/Xbox 360 era, the lantern mechanic proved to be interesting. Although it did become quite repetitive, it was still tolerable to play.
Alright, Alan Wake isn't exactly a horror game, but the atmosphere it creates is truly remarkable. The story and the lore of Remedy's Gaming Universe are strong, and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring it through various media to uncover every detail.
In conclusion, apart from the lore and weak gameplay, that's essentially what Alan Wake is. It might not be a great game, but it's a well-crafted universe that rightfully deserves a place among the classics.
After several years without playing through the entire storyline, I allowed myself a vacation in SWTOR to reminisce about the good old days.
Of course, I chose to be a Jedi Knight, fully embracing the Pure Paladin of Justice on the Light Side for the entire journey of the base game and its expansions (excluding Legacy of the Sith that i did not sub for it).
The core storyline remains the best aspect of the game. It may not be as well-crafted as other BioWare games, but it's incredibly immersive. You get to mold your character into whoever you want, even if the big choices don't have a significant impact, the small ones and the way you interact with them work better to me.
Rise of the Hutt Cartel and Shadow of Revan are still decent. Their campaigns are relatively short but work well, and I particularly love the Forged Alliances dungeons.
However, when it comes to Knights of the Fallen Empire (KotFE) and Knights of the Eternal Throne (KotET), I was somewhat disappointed. I remembered them being better than they actually are. Instead of delving into the "choices matter" drama, I'll focus on how these expansions seemed rushed, as if they were meant to be at least twice the size. Chapters 1-9 of KotFE are great, but after that, it feels like a big fast-forward to the conclusion of KotET. It's still a fun story, especially if you're a Force user, of course.
(Let's not talk about the garbage train that was the Traitor's Arc)
Ossus and Onslaught were a breath of fresh air and give me hope that Legacy of the Sith continues the narrative grounded in the hero of the Republic/Empire without the cosmic destruction or Force-related storyline.
I still love SWTOR, and it remains an amazing game, probably the only one aside from KOTOR, where you can truly create your dream Star Wars character. Just keep in mind that it's a 12-year-old MMO that hasn't aged well in terms of gameplay, and then you'll have a good time.
Of course, I chose to be a Jedi Knight, fully embracing the Pure Paladin of Justice on the Light Side for the entire journey of the base game and its expansions (excluding Legacy of the Sith that i did not sub for it).
The core storyline remains the best aspect of the game. It may not be as well-crafted as other BioWare games, but it's incredibly immersive. You get to mold your character into whoever you want, even if the big choices don't have a significant impact, the small ones and the way you interact with them work better to me.
Rise of the Hutt Cartel and Shadow of Revan are still decent. Their campaigns are relatively short but work well, and I particularly love the Forged Alliances dungeons.
However, when it comes to Knights of the Fallen Empire (KotFE) and Knights of the Eternal Throne (KotET), I was somewhat disappointed. I remembered them being better than they actually are. Instead of delving into the "choices matter" drama, I'll focus on how these expansions seemed rushed, as if they were meant to be at least twice the size. Chapters 1-9 of KotFE are great, but after that, it feels like a big fast-forward to the conclusion of KotET. It's still a fun story, especially if you're a Force user, of course.
(Let's not talk about the garbage train that was the Traitor's Arc)
Ossus and Onslaught were a breath of fresh air and give me hope that Legacy of the Sith continues the narrative grounded in the hero of the Republic/Empire without the cosmic destruction or Force-related storyline.
I still love SWTOR, and it remains an amazing game, probably the only one aside from KOTOR, where you can truly create your dream Star Wars character. Just keep in mind that it's a 12-year-old MMO that hasn't aged well in terms of gameplay, and then you'll have a good time.
2011
Damn, i want Portal 3 now...
Peak Valve here, i was really surprised. Singleplayer and Co-op were amazing both, and how much i love the humor in this game.
GABE I WANT PORTAL 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peak Valve here, i was really surprised. Singleplayer and Co-op were amazing both, and how much i love the humor in this game.
GABE I WANT PORTAL 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is arguably the most Yakuza game since Yakuza 0, but I don't think it managed to surpass that mark.
I won't deny that I started playing the series last year with Like a Dragon in mind, largely because of the sudden boom in popularity. Yakuza 0 was, and still is, the pinnacle of the series. I'm beginning to realize that the reason Like a Dragon became such a fuss is because it showcased the essence of a Yakuza game for people that did not know, rather than being exceptionally high in quality compared to other similars.
The transition from a beat 'em up style to turn-based combat was acceptable, given that it was their first attempt in this genre. However, what bothered me the most was the change in the overall "feel" of the game. Yakuza games have always struck a brilliant balance between a serious and dramatic main storyline and the goofy side content. Unfortunately, the turn-based combat system pushed the goofiness too much into the main story, which didn't work out very well for me.
Surprisingly, the side content turned out to be one of the weakest aspects. The substories were underwhelming, the bond system felt useless, part-time hero is completely garbage, the money-making mini-game was far too easy and quickly became tedious, and I never felt motivated to switch jobs.
In terms of the story, it met the typical Yakuza game expectations, better than average but still pretty ordinary. However, Ichiban is an amazing protagonist, which was a relief after losing Kiryu's spotlight. The party members were okay, not very well developed but charismatic enough.
So, with a lot of mediocre and passable elements, you might wonder why I didn't give it a lower rating. It's because it's a Yakuza game, plain and simple. It delivers what I love most about the series, and after breezing through 60 hours of gameplay, I had fun all the way. I acknowledge that this is not the most objective game review i done from a quality perspective, but I genuinely enjoyed playing it.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon remains an amazing game, and even though I have some concerns about the future of the series, what I've seen of Infinite Wealth shows promising improvements to the issues I had. With better turn-based mechanics and enhanced side content, it seems like we can look forward to a healthy amount of excellent games in the series' future.
I won't deny that I started playing the series last year with Like a Dragon in mind, largely because of the sudden boom in popularity. Yakuza 0 was, and still is, the pinnacle of the series. I'm beginning to realize that the reason Like a Dragon became such a fuss is because it showcased the essence of a Yakuza game for people that did not know, rather than being exceptionally high in quality compared to other similars.
The transition from a beat 'em up style to turn-based combat was acceptable, given that it was their first attempt in this genre. However, what bothered me the most was the change in the overall "feel" of the game. Yakuza games have always struck a brilliant balance between a serious and dramatic main storyline and the goofy side content. Unfortunately, the turn-based combat system pushed the goofiness too much into the main story, which didn't work out very well for me.
Surprisingly, the side content turned out to be one of the weakest aspects. The substories were underwhelming, the bond system felt useless, part-time hero is completely garbage, the money-making mini-game was far too easy and quickly became tedious, and I never felt motivated to switch jobs.
In terms of the story, it met the typical Yakuza game expectations, better than average but still pretty ordinary. However, Ichiban is an amazing protagonist, which was a relief after losing Kiryu's spotlight. The party members were okay, not very well developed but charismatic enough.
So, with a lot of mediocre and passable elements, you might wonder why I didn't give it a lower rating. It's because it's a Yakuza game, plain and simple. It delivers what I love most about the series, and after breezing through 60 hours of gameplay, I had fun all the way. I acknowledge that this is not the most objective game review i done from a quality perspective, but I genuinely enjoyed playing it.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon remains an amazing game, and even though I have some concerns about the future of the series, what I've seen of Infinite Wealth shows promising improvements to the issues I had. With better turn-based mechanics and enhanced side content, it seems like we can look forward to a healthy amount of excellent games in the series' future.
2023
If you managed to find something genuinely enjoyable in this game, without a hint of irony, then you are truly the hero of this story.
Personally, I like playing and watching things that aren't good but they know they aren't good. So, yeah, I had some fun with this game, sharing screenshots and videos of its most stupid moments. However, once I paused, took a deep breath, and reflected on it, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, this is pretty terrible."
It's an indie game, and that fact is screaming at your face every time. There are plenty of indie developers out there who, aware of their limitations, endeavor to create experiences that prevent you from either finding them or unfavorably comparing them to similar bigger titles. Crafting a game that clearly draws inspiration from Persona but only incorporates its worse aspects is a flawed approach.
The point I'm getting at here is that I've spent a considerable amount of time discussing this game, which honestly shouldn't be the case. Let's move on. We've already got a strong contender for the title of "Worst Game of the Year."
Personally, I like playing and watching things that aren't good but they know they aren't good. So, yeah, I had some fun with this game, sharing screenshots and videos of its most stupid moments. However, once I paused, took a deep breath, and reflected on it, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, this is pretty terrible."
It's an indie game, and that fact is screaming at your face every time. There are plenty of indie developers out there who, aware of their limitations, endeavor to create experiences that prevent you from either finding them or unfavorably comparing them to similar bigger titles. Crafting a game that clearly draws inspiration from Persona but only incorporates its worse aspects is a flawed approach.
The point I'm getting at here is that I've spent a considerable amount of time discussing this game, which honestly shouldn't be the case. Let's move on. We've already got a strong contender for the title of "Worst Game of the Year."
Why do people betray each other? It's all because of that darn cat.
Zero Escape: 999 was a game that truly astounded me with its quality, showcasing how a well-rounded and meticulously crafted game could excel. Now, Virtue's Last Reward continues to uphold this standard flawlessly.
This game, significantly larger in scale, occasionally borders on being overly bigger. Nevertheless, it rewards players with small pieces of information until, in the end, a complex and astonishing narrative unfolds.
The escape rooms have seen significant improvements, and the characters remain as charismatic as those in the first game, drawing you in effortlessly.
The story is the culmination of everything you've been yearning for, leaving you craving more. Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward has once again proven itself as a must-experience game for fans of visual novels.
Zero Escape: 999 was a game that truly astounded me with its quality, showcasing how a well-rounded and meticulously crafted game could excel. Now, Virtue's Last Reward continues to uphold this standard flawlessly.
This game, significantly larger in scale, occasionally borders on being overly bigger. Nevertheless, it rewards players with small pieces of information until, in the end, a complex and astonishing narrative unfolds.
The escape rooms have seen significant improvements, and the characters remain as charismatic as those in the first game, drawing you in effortlessly.
The story is the culmination of everything you've been yearning for, leaving you craving more. Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward has once again proven itself as a must-experience game for fans of visual novels.
2007
After all these years, it's still alive.
Portal is so well done that I don't think I can say anything more than what was already said about it.
Definitely a big jump from Valve and a big classic. Short, cheap, funny and extremely satisfying. Just go on and play it.
The Cake is a lie.
Portal is so well done that I don't think I can say anything more than what was already said about it.
Definitely a big jump from Valve and a big classic. Short, cheap, funny and extremely satisfying. Just go on and play it.
The Cake is a lie.
2023
A sea of good and pretty ideas, but it lacks the substance to surpass even the most generic JRPG out there.
The game is undeniably visually stunning. I'm not a fan of the character portraits, but there are so many other issues to dislike that I simply overlooked them. The entire map, both in dungeons and the open world, is breathtaking. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to the open-world experience it attempts to portray; it's much more linear than you might expect. The story is overly linear, with minimal side content.
The story is disappointing. It doesn't start off well, and you may hope it improves as the game progresses, but it doesn't. The protagonists lack charisma, the rest of the party is uninteresting, and the pacing is terrible. You'll spend nearly 10 hours with only three party members, and about two hours to finishing the game you add another one? What the hell?
Another aspect I strongly dislike is the need to include cameos from The Messenger. A significant part of this game revolves around references, playing songs, and "epic moments" that you won't understand if you haven't played their previous game. Sea of Stars isn't supposed to be The Messenger 2 (or in this case, 0), but it still deviates from the main story to make references...
The combat system starts off interesting, but after just five battles, it becomes repetitive and, above all, boring. Many bosses and regular enemies are damage sponges, and nothing is genuinely challenging. You'll find yourself using the same two skills and basic attacks for an extended period until you finally unlock more than 1 ultimate attack in the very end of the game. The combos are most useless because every normal enemy will die before you even get 1 of it.
In reality, there isn't much to discuss about Sea of Stars. I haven't played Chrono Trigger yet, but you can't create a game purely for nostalgia. If that's what you're after, you should consider playing Chained Echoes instead, which appears to be far superior to this game in what it attempts, and fails to achieve.
The game is undeniably visually stunning. I'm not a fan of the character portraits, but there are so many other issues to dislike that I simply overlooked them. The entire map, both in dungeons and the open world, is breathtaking. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to the open-world experience it attempts to portray; it's much more linear than you might expect. The story is overly linear, with minimal side content.
The story is disappointing. It doesn't start off well, and you may hope it improves as the game progresses, but it doesn't. The protagonists lack charisma, the rest of the party is uninteresting, and the pacing is terrible. You'll spend nearly 10 hours with only three party members, and about two hours to finishing the game you add another one? What the hell?
Another aspect I strongly dislike is the need to include cameos from The Messenger. A significant part of this game revolves around references, playing songs, and "epic moments" that you won't understand if you haven't played their previous game. Sea of Stars isn't supposed to be The Messenger 2 (or in this case, 0), but it still deviates from the main story to make references...
The combat system starts off interesting, but after just five battles, it becomes repetitive and, above all, boring. Many bosses and regular enemies are damage sponges, and nothing is genuinely challenging. You'll find yourself using the same two skills and basic attacks for an extended period until you finally unlock more than 1 ultimate attack in the very end of the game. The combos are most useless because every normal enemy will die before you even get 1 of it.
In reality, there isn't much to discuss about Sea of Stars. I haven't played Chrono Trigger yet, but you can't create a game purely for nostalgia. If that's what you're after, you should consider playing Chained Echoes instead, which appears to be far superior to this game in what it attempts, and fails to achieve.