blackcat
334 reviews liked by blackcat
Hades II
2024
I truly can’t recall the last time I purchased a game so quickly. Hades 2 is already the perfect sequel, even in early access.
The mechanics are familiar and similar to the original but 2 brings in countless new fun aspects. I personally feel that the addition of spell-casting brings a brand new challenge to the way you play, making you think more about the way you move and attack compared to the previous game. And the story is shaping up to be absolutely beautiful, the characters both new and old are captivating in every single way (especially our protagonist Melinoë).
It’s everything you love about the original game but with new, fun additions. Supergiant Games is the epitome of what all studios/developers should aspire to be, it’s evident that they have put every fiber of their beings into giving us fans what we want and that they are passionate about their craft. I will endlessly sing praise for the Hades games, they are truly flawless roguelikes, nothing can compare. Death to Chronos.
The mechanics are familiar and similar to the original but 2 brings in countless new fun aspects. I personally feel that the addition of spell-casting brings a brand new challenge to the way you play, making you think more about the way you move and attack compared to the previous game. And the story is shaping up to be absolutely beautiful, the characters both new and old are captivating in every single way (especially our protagonist Melinoë).
It’s everything you love about the original game but with new, fun additions. Supergiant Games is the epitome of what all studios/developers should aspire to be, it’s evident that they have put every fiber of their beings into giving us fans what we want and that they are passionate about their craft. I will endlessly sing praise for the Hades games, they are truly flawless roguelikes, nothing can compare. Death to Chronos.
Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus, Review,
Spoiler Free,
As a huge fan of this series of games I was so excited to check this one out as I never got around to playing it when it first released.
I quite enjoyed Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus, getting the Platinum trophy was a blast. The gameplay as per usual for a Ratchet and Clank game is absolutely superb with creative weapons, a diversity of amazing worlds and is something that just feels right at home for me. This is a legendary series and the story takes an interesting turn which is deeper explored in Rift Apart. The implementation of the jet pack and jet boots are welcome additions and the new gadgets are really satisfying to use and tie into the platforming really nicely.
In terms of negatives, I think that the game is just far too short. It felt so disappointing to go to the fifth planet knowing that was it. The Clank sections in this are also awful, I finished the game 3 times and they never grew on me due to being frustrating, tedious and feels so lack of anything creative.
Overall, Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus is a great and worthwhile entry into the franchise. If you haven't checked this out yet I do think its worth your time and gives you so much context for Rift Apart.
Spoiler Free,
As a huge fan of this series of games I was so excited to check this one out as I never got around to playing it when it first released.
I quite enjoyed Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus, getting the Platinum trophy was a blast. The gameplay as per usual for a Ratchet and Clank game is absolutely superb with creative weapons, a diversity of amazing worlds and is something that just feels right at home for me. This is a legendary series and the story takes an interesting turn which is deeper explored in Rift Apart. The implementation of the jet pack and jet boots are welcome additions and the new gadgets are really satisfying to use and tie into the platforming really nicely.
In terms of negatives, I think that the game is just far too short. It felt so disappointing to go to the fifth planet knowing that was it. The Clank sections in this are also awful, I finished the game 3 times and they never grew on me due to being frustrating, tedious and feels so lack of anything creative.
Overall, Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus is a great and worthwhile entry into the franchise. If you haven't checked this out yet I do think its worth your time and gives you so much context for Rift Apart.
Assassin's Creed Mirage, Review,
Spoiler Free,
I was very skeptical about this one being any good but honestly a return to a smaller scale Assassin's Creed was a nice change of pace for me.
I haven't been this engaged in an AC game for a while because Valhalla almost killed it for me but Mirage, with its smaller open world and satisfying gameplay gave me the enjoyment I needed before the repetitive nature of all AC games burnt me out again. I think Basim as the protagonist is an interesting choice and gives further context for his actions in Valhalla and the world of Baghdad is just so fun to explore. Synchronizing viewpoints and stealth options that take me back to the Ezio trilogy and a focus on the Brotherhood once again just felt right and I wish Ubisoft continued to expand and be creative in this space rather than try to make an inferior massive RPG.
In terms of negatives, the platinum grind got a little tedious in the end due to the climbing becoming more annoying as the game progresses and the lack of variety in things to do really becomes noticeable. The combat is also really bad, its not supposed to be something to be relied on but it is just so janky and doesn't work at all. The story is quite forgettable for the most part and the majority of characters are pretty boring with lifeless voice acting.
Overall, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a really good entry in the franchise, its not the best AC game but I don't think it ever was trying to be and because of that it's just an enjoyable game that reminded me of when Assassin's Creed was just such a blast to play and not a tedious chore.
Spoiler Free,
I was very skeptical about this one being any good but honestly a return to a smaller scale Assassin's Creed was a nice change of pace for me.
I haven't been this engaged in an AC game for a while because Valhalla almost killed it for me but Mirage, with its smaller open world and satisfying gameplay gave me the enjoyment I needed before the repetitive nature of all AC games burnt me out again. I think Basim as the protagonist is an interesting choice and gives further context for his actions in Valhalla and the world of Baghdad is just so fun to explore. Synchronizing viewpoints and stealth options that take me back to the Ezio trilogy and a focus on the Brotherhood once again just felt right and I wish Ubisoft continued to expand and be creative in this space rather than try to make an inferior massive RPG.
In terms of negatives, the platinum grind got a little tedious in the end due to the climbing becoming more annoying as the game progresses and the lack of variety in things to do really becomes noticeable. The combat is also really bad, its not supposed to be something to be relied on but it is just so janky and doesn't work at all. The story is quite forgettable for the most part and the majority of characters are pretty boring with lifeless voice acting.
Overall, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a really good entry in the franchise, its not the best AC game but I don't think it ever was trying to be and because of that it's just an enjoyable game that reminded me of when Assassin's Creed was just such a blast to play and not a tedious chore.
A strong intro into this trilogy of games. It lays out the basic character traits, gameplay and style, but not flawlessly.
The core gameplay is sound, and the linear levels are well crafted and fun. On the other hand, the minigames are some of the most frustrating things I've ever played. They are all either boring, annoying, or infuriating. The worst part is that they become more common as the game continues. The last whole world is pretty much a bunch of them stitched together and its lame.
As much as those sections weigh down the game, I can't dislike it. Running around like a thief in the normal levels collecting bottles is too much fun, and the charming characters and style keep me from staying annoyed too long.
The core gameplay is sound, and the linear levels are well crafted and fun. On the other hand, the minigames are some of the most frustrating things I've ever played. They are all either boring, annoying, or infuriating. The worst part is that they become more common as the game continues. The last whole world is pretty much a bunch of them stitched together and its lame.
As much as those sections weigh down the game, I can't dislike it. Running around like a thief in the normal levels collecting bottles is too much fun, and the charming characters and style keep me from staying annoyed too long.
Sly 2 is most certainly a step up from its predecessor. The story, characterization and gameplay are all elevated while still retaining what made them fun.
The biggest shift between games is the sandbox type level design featured here as opposed to straightforward levels connected by a hub in Sly 1. Personally, I think this was a great change, as it allows the areas you are sneaking around and plotting heists in to feel much more present. Sucker Punch even managed to retain the smooth platforming levels of the first game in miniature levels found throughout the world.
Another big step up is that you can now play as all three members of the Cooper Gang. While Sly remains the most fun to play as, the other guys are a nice change of pace. The strengths and weaknesses of each of their play styles make everyone feel equally valuable to the team. This is extremely evident in a certain portion of the game.
Unfortunately, there are still some things that hold it back. The minigames (turret sections, Bentley's hacking, etc.) are still pretty frustrating. Maybe I'm just stupid but I have such a hard time with the controls that it just feels awful. Luckily they are toned down here in comparison to Sly 1.
I also found the detection for grabbing onto or landing on things was often wonky. Sometimes I'd press circle and Sly would refuse to grab onto what was right in front of him, costing me time or sometimes the entire mission. Other times he would get magnetized to something miles away from what I was trying to land on. This was a consistent frustration throughout the experience.
Lastly, I feel the pacing of the story could have been better. Some villains you go up against feel like they are stretched out a bit too long, while the climax feels very rushed. I overall like where the story goes, but it is not entirely smooth in getting there. The characters themselves are a charm throughout though.
Overall, this game is fantastic. It is super fun for its majority, with a great style and characters to boot.
The biggest shift between games is the sandbox type level design featured here as opposed to straightforward levels connected by a hub in Sly 1. Personally, I think this was a great change, as it allows the areas you are sneaking around and plotting heists in to feel much more present. Sucker Punch even managed to retain the smooth platforming levels of the first game in miniature levels found throughout the world.
Another big step up is that you can now play as all three members of the Cooper Gang. While Sly remains the most fun to play as, the other guys are a nice change of pace. The strengths and weaknesses of each of their play styles make everyone feel equally valuable to the team. This is extremely evident in a certain portion of the game.
Unfortunately, there are still some things that hold it back. The minigames (turret sections, Bentley's hacking, etc.) are still pretty frustrating. Maybe I'm just stupid but I have such a hard time with the controls that it just feels awful. Luckily they are toned down here in comparison to Sly 1.
I also found the detection for grabbing onto or landing on things was often wonky. Sometimes I'd press circle and Sly would refuse to grab onto what was right in front of him, costing me time or sometimes the entire mission. Other times he would get magnetized to something miles away from what I was trying to land on. This was a consistent frustration throughout the experience.
Lastly, I feel the pacing of the story could have been better. Some villains you go up against feel like they are stretched out a bit too long, while the climax feels very rushed. I overall like where the story goes, but it is not entirely smooth in getting there. The characters themselves are a charm throughout though.
Overall, this game is fantastic. It is super fun for its majority, with a great style and characters to boot.
A solid end to the trilogy. A bit of a step down from Sly 2 due to multiple characters not being fleshed out due to a short story. I like the story in broad strokes, but some characters play major second fiddle. The Guru feels like a bit of an afterthought, and Dimitri only gets two levels in the entire game. In contrast, I thought Panda King's implementation was fantastic.
With more team members comes a return to more of a reliance on alternate play modes (minigames). My previous reviews have made known my distaste for some of these, and while I'd still prefer more of a focus on stealth/platforming, at least here they were implemented well. None of them were overly frustrating/infuriating in the way some had been in the previous games.
Regardless, the bottom line is that it's fun.
With more team members comes a return to more of a reliance on alternate play modes (minigames). My previous reviews have made known my distaste for some of these, and while I'd still prefer more of a focus on stealth/platforming, at least here they were implemented well. None of them were overly frustrating/infuriating in the way some had been in the previous games.
Regardless, the bottom line is that it's fun.
Animal Crossing
2001
I WILL cry a single, manly tear listening to the ost. The childlike whimsy is off the charts.
Aurora my beloved <3
Aurora my beloved <3
Psychonauts
2005
Buyer beware: the Ps2 version of this game runs like doo doo.
Unfortunately I was not aware of this until after purchasing it. I attempted to give it a good honest try nonetheless and put about 5 hours into it. Even still, I wasn't very gripped by the story or gameplay, but I don't know how much of that comes down to just how poorly it runs. One day I might try it again, but definitely on a different platform.
Unfortunately I was not aware of this until after purchasing it. I attempted to give it a good honest try nonetheless and put about 5 hours into it. Even still, I wasn't very gripped by the story or gameplay, but I don't know how much of that comes down to just how poorly it runs. One day I might try it again, but definitely on a different platform.
This review contains spoilers
As a kid I played the first Ratchet and Clank over and over on my brother's PS2, but never any of its sequels. I have been looking forward to experiencing the rest of the trilogy, similar to how I went through the Sly Cooper trilogy a while back.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this game as much as I had hoped. That is not to say that this is a bad game by any means, its actually very good. To me it just doesn't seem to come together the way the first game did.
I will say the gameplay has been streamlined nicely, and Ratchet feels much better to control. Strafing is a godsend for many enemy encounters. I really liked a lot of the new weapons, especially the Bouncer. Weapon leveling is also a sick addition that made me enjoy using the guns way more.
While the moment to moment gameplay is fun, certain sections can grow very tedious and frustrating. For example, the Thugs-4-Less boss fight was easy but took forever, while Planet Grelbin and its yetis are an absolute pain.
I think my biggest issue in this though is the story. It felt very much like an "and then..." plot, where the next thing happens just so that something can happen. There really isn't anything in the way of character growth or change, Ratchet just goes from being a misinformed errand boy to a correctly informed errand boy. In the first game you really got a sense you were exploring a galaxy, in this several of the worlds feel like they just exist as a level to shoot some guys and get an item in. The first game's story is no magnum opus, but its simple with a well defined character arc and engaging villain. The villain in this game is a last minute twist that leads to a mediocre final boss and the quickest story wrap-up I've ever seen.
These issues don't completely tank the experience, because the story is not the main focus of these games. The big focus is running around and shooting guys, and that hits way more than it misses here. I just can't fully get behind the "perfect evolution of the series" take I've seen. Hopefully Up Your Arsenal can marry the gameplay of Going Commando with a more engaging story akin to the first.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this game as much as I had hoped. That is not to say that this is a bad game by any means, its actually very good. To me it just doesn't seem to come together the way the first game did.
I will say the gameplay has been streamlined nicely, and Ratchet feels much better to control. Strafing is a godsend for many enemy encounters. I really liked a lot of the new weapons, especially the Bouncer. Weapon leveling is also a sick addition that made me enjoy using the guns way more.
While the moment to moment gameplay is fun, certain sections can grow very tedious and frustrating. For example, the Thugs-4-Less boss fight was easy but took forever, while Planet Grelbin and its yetis are an absolute pain.
I think my biggest issue in this though is the story. It felt very much like an "and then..." plot, where the next thing happens just so that something can happen. There really isn't anything in the way of character growth or change, Ratchet just goes from being a misinformed errand boy to a correctly informed errand boy. In the first game you really got a sense you were exploring a galaxy, in this several of the worlds feel like they just exist as a level to shoot some guys and get an item in. The first game's story is no magnum opus, but its simple with a well defined character arc and engaging villain. The villain in this game is a last minute twist that leads to a mediocre final boss and the quickest story wrap-up I've ever seen.
These issues don't completely tank the experience, because the story is not the main focus of these games. The big focus is running around and shooting guys, and that hits way more than it misses here. I just can't fully get behind the "perfect evolution of the series" take I've seen. Hopefully Up Your Arsenal can marry the gameplay of Going Commando with a more engaging story akin to the first.
Doronko Wanko
2024
Very cute and very short game where you play as a muddy puppy trying to get the house as messy as possible! Think of untimed, noncompetitive Splatoon. Takes only like 30 minutes to play and is free, so why not check it out?
3/5
3/5
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