chemergency
In some ways, MWII is a worthy follow-up to MW2019 featuring a solid campaign, cutting-edge visuals, some welcome balance tweaks, and superior optimization in terms of both performance and its storage footprint, though a greedy microtransaction model, the same awful update system from previous games, a mediocre map selection, and a frustratingly poor, buggy UI hold it back from greatness.
1995
A fun platformer and a highlight of the early days of the PS1 and Sega Saturn with some remarkable 2D visuals and a colorful, charming art style. Don't let its cute aesthetic fool you though, because Rayman also puts up a stone cold challenge even to some diehard 2D platformer veterans, and some levels WILL kick your ass. If you're up to conquering some deviously-difficult levels at certain points though, Rayman is still well worth your time even today.
2022
This right here, is what they call a "franchise killer."
A fun and surprisingly-polished Postal spinoff that feels more tonally in-line with the first game despite heaps of dark humor, solid level design, and a creatively goofy arsenal paying homage to many other FPS's. An easy recommendation if you're into games like Dusk or Doom Eternal.
Still among the best FPS's from its era, with a fun combination of a WWII setting with outlandish science fiction and horror elements, challenging gunplay with a kickass arsenal, classic level design, and an engrossing, innovative multiplayer component and modding community that helped set the standard for team-based shooters for many years.
2013
A great idea and the starting point for the trend of indie retro FPS throwbacks (or Boomer Shooters as they're sometimes called) crafted by many of the same people responsible for excellent games like Dusk, Ion Maiden, Hrot, etc. and a kickass soundtrack courtesy of Andrew Hulshult. Unfortunately however, it doesn't hold-up to scrutiny due to a severe lack of technical polish in many areas and some questionable design decisions that hold back the level design and gunplay.
The best of the God of War prequels/spinoffs. Despite its short length, Chains of Olympus still manages to impress thanks to a great presentation that puts it on-par with the PS2 games and a surprisingly gripping narrative that helps to contextualize Kratos' character and personality, adding much needed nuance to an otherwise one-dimensional angry antihero.
While its cutesiness and sound design can be a bit overbearing for some, Klonoa is another highlight for the PS1's library thanks to fun 2.5D platforming gameplay and level design reminiscent of the Kirby series.
2022
Possibly From's best Soulslike yet, as the BotW-esque open world sandbox turns-out to be an amazing fit for their traditional gameplay format. While general gameplay is noticeably more forgiving and laid-back than previous Soulsborne games, the boss fights and PVP are as tense and ruthless as ever, and the incredible world design and art direction with a fresh tone and atmosphere setting itself apart from Dark Souls really drives the whole experience home.
While you can aaaaaalmost notice George R.R. Martin's influence in some of Elden Ring's lore and worldbuilding, I feel like it owes more to the late Kentaro Miura than GoT's author. The giant tree covering the planet is taken straight from the Fantasia arc of Berserk for example.
While you can aaaaaalmost notice George R.R. Martin's influence in some of Elden Ring's lore and worldbuilding, I feel like it owes more to the late Kentaro Miura than GoT's author. The giant tree covering the planet is taken straight from the Fantasia arc of Berserk for example.
2011
The seminal action-RPG and follow-up to Demon's Souls that eventually made FromSoft a household name. Dark Souls takes everything great about its predecessor and elevates it with stellar level design, art-direction, and storytelling- though parts of the game will chew your balls off and spit them up your ass so be ready for a rigorous challenge if you're not a Soulslike vet by now.
Though the campaign is basically a prolonged tech demo and training mode for the now-defunct multiplayer, it still proves to be an enjoyable experience thanks to its tongue-in-cheek tone and writing that evokes schlocky 80s action and comedy films more than other generic modern millitary shooters from the time, and still sets it apart from other games in the series.
2021
Stop preordering this shit. If you catch your kids trying to preorder this shit smack em over the head with a newspaper and tell them "NO."
EA and DICE have screwed the pooch on a Battlefield launch for the fifth, possibly SIXTH (or SEVENTH if you count Star Wars Battlefront II!!!) time in a row now, at this point there's absolutely no excuse. This franchise deserves to die.
EA and DICE have screwed the pooch on a Battlefield launch for the fifth, possibly SIXTH (or SEVENTH if you count Star Wars Battlefront II!!!) time in a row now, at this point there's absolutely no excuse. This franchise deserves to die.
2021
A soulless, regressive successor to Left 4 Dead that just doesn't have enough polish, visual flair, atmosphere, or technical finesse to impress or stand-out from other zombie-themed games or even co-op shooters, even the visuals are underwhelming and painfully subpar compared to its predecessor which utilizes decade-old tech. There can still be some fun to be had with four players, but the excision of mod support in favor of cosmetic microtransactions and DLC pretty much kills all of Back 4 Blood's substance and replay value and you'll be going back to Left 4 Dead before you know it. A huge disappointment that proves Turtle Rock could not have gone anywhere without Valve's influence, and may God have mercy on them if this is bombing like Evolve did.
2010
While the first game felt like a flawed clone of Mercenaries with a large tropical map to explore, Just Cause 2 is like a playable 80's action movie with a cheesy story, a large map full of shit to blow up, and possibly the greatest grappling hook of any video game (even better than the original Bionic Commando) that gives you the potential to pull-off awe-inspiring stunts that give the laws of physics the middle finger.
2021
A playable, albeit average sequel that plays it very safe and even regresses some of the neat new features found in Far Cry 5 (gonna miss the Arcade mode/mapmaker and throwing melee weapons like the shovel), and a predictable story with a stock cast of characters- though it is a pretty fun co-op experience and the campaign has its moments with some fun setpieces here and there. It's basically a first-person Just Cause game except you don't have a crazy-overpowered Spider-Man grappling hook.