Schafsinn
2019
So, this game's overarching plot is extremely forced and the antagonists are among the worst in the series. Kiryu's part is okay and Saejima's part has major pacing issues.
Why then, do I consider it to be my new 2nd favorite game in the series?
The short answer: maximum refinement! The combat, all the different gameplay styles, side stories and content in general is on a level of quantity and quality, polish and depth that only Zero has topped in my experience. Considering the game's size, the consistency is outstanding!
This series is known for its blood-pumping soundtracks; and this one does not disappoint one bit. (Looks like SEGA Sound Team will be my Top Spotify Artist for a third year in a row hehe.)
Now, the big highlight of Yakuza 5 are simply the main characters: even when the big plot falters, most of the people and their small moments never do - I was close to tears multiple times. Kiryu and Saejima's parts leave a bit to be desired; Haruka, Akiyama and Shinada's parts however are peak Yakuza!
And the very end to this game...is simply beautiful.
Why then, do I consider it to be my new 2nd favorite game in the series?
The short answer: maximum refinement! The combat, all the different gameplay styles, side stories and content in general is on a level of quantity and quality, polish and depth that only Zero has topped in my experience. Considering the game's size, the consistency is outstanding!
This series is known for its blood-pumping soundtracks; and this one does not disappoint one bit. (Looks like SEGA Sound Team will be my Top Spotify Artist for a third year in a row hehe.)
Now, the big highlight of Yakuza 5 are simply the main characters: even when the big plot falters, most of the people and their small moments never do - I was close to tears multiple times. Kiryu and Saejima's parts leave a bit to be desired; Haruka, Akiyama and Shinada's parts however are peak Yakuza!
And the very end to this game...is simply beautiful.
2011
I struggled to finish this - I almost didn't. I can praise the story, the atmosphere and especially some of the setpieces; the main thing that I think about when it comes to this game however is just how much I despise the combat encounters. The first game is much better.
I've come to accept that The Last of Us Part II is my favorite game of all time - for it refuses to leave my mind: after 2 years still.
2012
This is peak Stealth gameplay! When the story falls flat and rushes forward without even trying to evoke any emotion, the gameplay always delivers. What else can that be said about? The artstyle; well, for the most part. Sometimes it looks terrible but most of the time it looks perfect: the slightly cartoony look reflects the perversion, decadence and dirt of this world just right.
If you're a fan of Stealth games and don't mind when it's on the bloodier side - I highly recommend Dishonored!
If you're a fan of Stealth games and don't mind when it's on the bloodier side - I highly recommend Dishonored!
"Horizon: Forbidden West" is the perfect sequel to "Zero Dawn". I still have a few gripes with it but they are far, far fewer than the ones I had with the original: across the board this is a deeper, more compelling and polished experience!
This game comes with some of the best side missions in any Open World game I've played and some of the most diverse and intense combat encounters in any game I've played - no two fights are ever quite the same here.
The first game's story had its moments but the characters never landed for me past the intro, and the poor facial animations/repetitive camera angles certainly did not help. "Forbidden West" goes above and beyond in terms of presentation and also doubles down on character work - to phenomenal effect! It takes unsubtle inspiration from BioWare's "Mass Effect" series which works wonders here.
So what didn't I like? My few complaints mostly relate to the jank that peers through especially with the traversal still, despite major improvements - glitching through environments, reaching things you're not supposed to is still here. While a great deal of the Open World content is worthwhile, I'd be lying if I said that it couldn't have done with fewer Errands and Salvage Contracts.
This is all minor stuff really.
Overall, I loved this game. For its beauty and combat as I expected but also far more for its story and characters than I ever anticipated.
This game comes with some of the best side missions in any Open World game I've played and some of the most diverse and intense combat encounters in any game I've played - no two fights are ever quite the same here.
The first game's story had its moments but the characters never landed for me past the intro, and the poor facial animations/repetitive camera angles certainly did not help. "Forbidden West" goes above and beyond in terms of presentation and also doubles down on character work - to phenomenal effect! It takes unsubtle inspiration from BioWare's "Mass Effect" series which works wonders here.
So what didn't I like? My few complaints mostly relate to the jank that peers through especially with the traversal still, despite major improvements - glitching through environments, reaching things you're not supposed to is still here. While a great deal of the Open World content is worthwhile, I'd be lying if I said that it couldn't have done with fewer Errands and Salvage Contracts.
This is all minor stuff really.
Overall, I loved this game. For its beauty and combat as I expected but also far more for its story and characters than I ever anticipated.
I came away much more positive from this than I thought. Generally it's viewed as one of the worst entries but I cannot agree.
While playing I had quite a few Ups and Downs, it seemed directionless and shambled together at times - in regards to the story most of all. After seeing how it all comes together, I appreciate it way more knowing that everything is about the relationships between parents and their children. The finale is also arguably the tightest and least convoluted after Zero.
Some plot points don't quite make sense, some characters are criminally under-used and the ending chickens out on a key promise. It's not a perfect story.
The combat in this game is very messy but towards the end of the game I did find a bit of appreciation for it as well.
What no one seems to mention is that Yakuza 6 essentially has the best and most diverse long battles/dungeons in the series. The substories are also phenomenal; I love that they're all voice-acted too.
Last but certainly not least, the soundtrack goes incredibly hard - to list all my favorites would be impossible here.
Yakuza 6 has its share of issues that, as with most games in the series, in the end stand in the shadow of its greatest parts.
While playing I had quite a few Ups and Downs, it seemed directionless and shambled together at times - in regards to the story most of all. After seeing how it all comes together, I appreciate it way more knowing that everything is about the relationships between parents and their children. The finale is also arguably the tightest and least convoluted after Zero.
Some plot points don't quite make sense, some characters are criminally under-used and the ending chickens out on a key promise. It's not a perfect story.
The combat in this game is very messy but towards the end of the game I did find a bit of appreciation for it as well.
What no one seems to mention is that Yakuza 6 essentially has the best and most diverse long battles/dungeons in the series. The substories are also phenomenal; I love that they're all voice-acted too.
Last but certainly not least, the soundtrack goes incredibly hard - to list all my favorites would be impossible here.
Yakuza 6 has its share of issues that, as with most games in the series, in the end stand in the shadow of its greatest parts.
This is a very mediocre game. Let me start with the positives though: on the gameplay side it's pretty good - notably the gunplay. Some of the later levels and encounters are also mildly memorable. And that's all I have.
This game is built for co-op but unlike RE5 and 6, playing as the secondary characters is an absolute chore; their unique mechanics are cool in concept but it's simply not enough. Playing as Claire or Barry is infinitely more fun than Moira or Natalia.
Speaking of the characters, the story is bad even for Resident Evil standards - truly awful. Some ideas are good but any potential was squandered. What's also awful about this game is the re-usage of the EXACT SAME LEVELS in the early episodes; playing as different characters doesn't make them any more interesting.
Overall, it's an alright co-op experience. I would never play this on my own.
This game is built for co-op but unlike RE5 and 6, playing as the secondary characters is an absolute chore; their unique mechanics are cool in concept but it's simply not enough. Playing as Claire or Barry is infinitely more fun than Moira or Natalia.
Speaking of the characters, the story is bad even for Resident Evil standards - truly awful. Some ideas are good but any potential was squandered. What's also awful about this game is the re-usage of the EXACT SAME LEVELS in the early episodes; playing as different characters doesn't make them any more interesting.
Overall, it's an alright co-op experience. I would never play this on my own.
2013
Fascinating game that ultimately falls short of its potential - packed with smart ideas and a beautiful artstyle however, I think it's still worth playing. Its inspirations from games like Uncharted, Batman: Arkham and Mirror's Edge are plain: still they come together into something that feels unique and almost works.
It's a damn shame. If the combat was less janky and the storytelling tighter, I have no doubt it would actually be remembered.
It's a damn shame. If the combat was less janky and the storytelling tighter, I have no doubt it would actually be remembered.
Fr let's just wait it out...be all poetic and shit. In fact, I waited 7 years after playing the main game to get around to this. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
Resident Evil Village is a solid game, most of all because of its gameplay foundation and atmosphere; there has clearly been put so much love into the design of this world. Some sections of this game were truly masterful.
I'll get to the point: I did not enjoy this nearly as much as RE2 Remake and RE7. Why? Because it lacks the cohesion, the focus and precision that those games had. Village tries to unite the direction of PS3 era Resident Evil games and the radically different style of RE7 - this results in a theme park of different experiences. For some people, this exactly what they want. For me, it was not.
At the most scary part, I wished this game had more of it. At its most action-movie parts, I wished this game would commit to that. This game's only commitment is that it doesn't want to commit at all!
I'll get to the point: I did not enjoy this nearly as much as RE2 Remake and RE7. Why? Because it lacks the cohesion, the focus and precision that those games had. Village tries to unite the direction of PS3 era Resident Evil games and the radically different style of RE7 - this results in a theme park of different experiences. For some people, this exactly what they want. For me, it was not.
At the most scary part, I wished this game had more of it. At its most action-movie parts, I wished this game would commit to that. This game's only commitment is that it doesn't want to commit at all!
2020
Mortal Shell has immense potential, it just isn't fully realized here. Its ideas in world design, build diversity and combat are fascinating - sadly they suffer in many small ways, often through their unpolished state: this game feels very clunky. I do quite like the weapons, how using special abilities and parrying works though; at its best it can be really fun!
Level design and bosses are...not very good. There is a boss that stands out, visually it's all great and the optional metal soundtrack for bosses elevates the fights, overall however it's just lacking. The lore and story try to be like Dark Souls, to be very vague yet very deep - ultimately it just comes off as if everyone is just mumbling gibberish.
It all comes down to this: amazing ideas, middling execution! I hope it gets a sequel that irons these issues out; it could become a fantastic game.
Level design and bosses are...not very good. There is a boss that stands out, visually it's all great and the optional metal soundtrack for bosses elevates the fights, overall however it's just lacking. The lore and story try to be like Dark Souls, to be very vague yet very deep - ultimately it just comes off as if everyone is just mumbling gibberish.
It all comes down to this: amazing ideas, middling execution! I hope it gets a sequel that irons these issues out; it could become a fantastic game.
2004
This was the shit back in the day
As someone who has never really played any DMC game before, this one seems very overhated: the combat and artstyle are phenomenal and while the story is very C-tier, the performances and presentation never falter - this game just has a lot of style.
2017
Cute little co-op game.
2014
Literally the only thing I didn't fully vibe with was the combat, despite how unique and cool it is. Otherwise Transistor is perfect: everything from its artstyle, music and storytelling comes together to create something truly outstanding.