ckl1995
BACKER
2017
This game was a true delight to play. It took a while for it to sink its hooks into me, but once it did they did not let go.
I love the pure charm that this game gives off in its setting, characters, music and atmosphere. Zidane and the gang were (mostly) all well fleshed out, and Vivi's arc in particular was superbly done. The main plot of the game didn't grab me as much as I would've liked, but that was definitely made up for me in the stories for each individual character and how they intersected with one another. Nobuo Uematsu continues to be a genius when it comes to writing masterpiece video game music, and the ending of this game had me feeling some type of way for sure.
Overall, this was such a joy to play, and although I wish the main plot did a little more for me, the game's ideas around identity, death and purpose were spot on. Will definitely have to revisit this one in the future.
I love the pure charm that this game gives off in its setting, characters, music and atmosphere. Zidane and the gang were (mostly) all well fleshed out, and Vivi's arc in particular was superbly done. The main plot of the game didn't grab me as much as I would've liked, but that was definitely made up for me in the stories for each individual character and how they intersected with one another. Nobuo Uematsu continues to be a genius when it comes to writing masterpiece video game music, and the ending of this game had me feeling some type of way for sure.
Overall, this was such a joy to play, and although I wish the main plot did a little more for me, the game's ideas around identity, death and purpose were spot on. Will definitely have to revisit this one in the future.
2019
I knew within the final 2-3 hours of this game that this wasn't only the best Yakuza game that I've played so far, but one of my favorite games of all time.
I was floored by how good the ending of this game was. I was a bit annoyed at the pacing of the 5 different chapters, and it felt like the game was intentionally dragging itself out at times. Given the fact that I knew this was the longest game in the series up to this point, I tried to prepare myself for some slog here and there. But when all these stories came together in the end, it more than made up for any padding I feel like the game might have had.
This was a beautiful gaming experience; I came to care about these characters and their stories, triumphs, grief and dreams more than most other fictional characters, video games or otherwise. This was the first time the story of a Yakuza game really clicked for me--I've enjoyed them in the past but this one felt special. I did make the mistake of rushing through the story and not doing much of the side content (I was planning to do side content in another play-through, I usually play games the first time through for the story) and subsequently got my ass handed to me by the final boss and had to watch the last few minutes on Youtube (I plan on kicking their ass in my second play-through once I can max myself out). But this was such an incredible game, and I can't wait to see how Kiryu's story wraps up in Yakuza 6.
I was floored by how good the ending of this game was. I was a bit annoyed at the pacing of the 5 different chapters, and it felt like the game was intentionally dragging itself out at times. Given the fact that I knew this was the longest game in the series up to this point, I tried to prepare myself for some slog here and there. But when all these stories came together in the end, it more than made up for any padding I feel like the game might have had.
This was a beautiful gaming experience; I came to care about these characters and their stories, triumphs, grief and dreams more than most other fictional characters, video games or otherwise. This was the first time the story of a Yakuza game really clicked for me--I've enjoyed them in the past but this one felt special. I did make the mistake of rushing through the story and not doing much of the side content (I was planning to do side content in another play-through, I usually play games the first time through for the story) and subsequently got my ass handed to me by the final boss and had to watch the last few minutes on Youtube (I plan on kicking their ass in my second play-through once I can max myself out). But this was such an incredible game, and I can't wait to see how Kiryu's story wraps up in Yakuza 6.
WHEW my eyes got a little misty there at the end.
An emotionally exhausting + rewarding end to an emotionally exhausting + rewarding series. Getting to experience Kiryu's journey first hand from Yakuza 0 to this final game was nothing short of incredible. He's easily one of my favorite fictional characters now, and I feel like I've gotten to see him grow and develop as a character the whole way. I loved everything about this game--the new engine was beautiful (seriously, some of these cutscenes were absurdly impressive), the combat was fluid and fun and the story was tight and well-paced with the signature Yakuza twists and pay-offs.
I think this game slightly edges out Yakuza 5 for me--I loved the large, sweeping, interconnectedness of 5 and its incredible ending but I think I appreciate the smaller, intimate moments of 6 a little more. Kiryu's dedication to the people he loves really made this game shine for me, and I'm glad that the game focused more on him than a larger set of protagonists. I'm beyond glad that I decided to pick up this series, and I'm excited to see where they take the story next.
An emotionally exhausting + rewarding end to an emotionally exhausting + rewarding series. Getting to experience Kiryu's journey first hand from Yakuza 0 to this final game was nothing short of incredible. He's easily one of my favorite fictional characters now, and I feel like I've gotten to see him grow and develop as a character the whole way. I loved everything about this game--the new engine was beautiful (seriously, some of these cutscenes were absurdly impressive), the combat was fluid and fun and the story was tight and well-paced with the signature Yakuza twists and pay-offs.
I think this game slightly edges out Yakuza 5 for me--I loved the large, sweeping, interconnectedness of 5 and its incredible ending but I think I appreciate the smaller, intimate moments of 6 a little more. Kiryu's dedication to the people he loves really made this game shine for me, and I'm glad that the game focused more on him than a larger set of protagonists. I'm beyond glad that I decided to pick up this series, and I'm excited to see where they take the story next.
I know the term "peak fiction" gets thrown around a lot these days but honestly...this game comes pretty fucking close.
I really feel like I can't do this game justice with my sub-par review. The fact that I was able to play this game at release, after months of hype + anticipation, and have it surpass my expectations is just incredible. Monolithsoft took everything that was great about the first two Xenoblade games and created something truly special. The combat was fun and never got boring after my 70 hour play through; the story was deep, emotional and wonderfully paced; the characters all meshed together so well and their dynamic was so entertaining to watch; the exploration was the best in the entire series; and the music made me tear up more than once.
This game did everything right and then some. The fact that the 3 games in this series are as good as they are shouldn't be possible, but I'm so glad it is. This was a very special gaming experience, and I can't wait to replay this game sometime in the near future to take it all in again.
I really feel like I can't do this game justice with my sub-par review. The fact that I was able to play this game at release, after months of hype + anticipation, and have it surpass my expectations is just incredible. Monolithsoft took everything that was great about the first two Xenoblade games and created something truly special. The combat was fun and never got boring after my 70 hour play through; the story was deep, emotional and wonderfully paced; the characters all meshed together so well and their dynamic was so entertaining to watch; the exploration was the best in the entire series; and the music made me tear up more than once.
This game did everything right and then some. The fact that the 3 games in this series are as good as they are shouldn't be possible, but I'm so glad it is. This was a very special gaming experience, and I can't wait to replay this game sometime in the near future to take it all in again.
A pretty run-of-the-mill DLC. Nothing too special in the way of story or gameplay but I enjoyed it for what it was.
2007
It's been 10+ years since I've played this game and it honestly is much better than I remember. I think the Legendary Edition has to take some of the credit (this game plays so much better than the original release) but I think I appreciated the story and world-building more this time around. This is an excellent start to the trilogy--it sets the stakes for the larger conflict, introduces us to some key characters and begins to build the large universe that they inhabit. I definitely appreciated the music this time around more as well--the synth is the perfect complement to the sci-fi setting. Already excited to dig into ME2.
Short + sweet. I appreciated the ME1 callbacks and the rewards weren't too bad for minimal work.
Probably the most interesting Mass Effect DLC I've played so far from a gameplay perspective, the new vehicle was a lot of fun to use.
2010
God I forgot how good this game was.
I remember loving this game when I played it back when it released, and I think I love it even more now on a second playthrough. This was the first ever game I played where it really felt like my decisions mattered, and that they weren't just some illusion of choice. Getting to assemble your squad to save the galaxy may seem like a trope nowadays, but this game was groundbreaking in its story-telling, characterization and world-building--and it still is today. So glad I got to give this game another go in the Legendary Edition.
I remember loving this game when I played it back when it released, and I think I love it even more now on a second playthrough. This was the first ever game I played where it really felt like my decisions mattered, and that they weren't just some illusion of choice. Getting to assemble your squad to save the galaxy may seem like a trope nowadays, but this game was groundbreaking in its story-telling, characterization and world-building--and it still is today. So glad I got to give this game another go in the Legendary Edition.
The fact that this game was $70 at release is not great--the PS4 remaster of this game is an excellent game in its own right, and I don't think they changed the game enough to justify that sort of price tag.
That being said--this is easily the best way to play this masterpiece of a game. It's still the best story in gaming to me, period. It looks gorgeous, the movement feels much more fluid, and the enemy AI actually had me sweating a few times. The amount of detail that you can appreciate with these updated graphics is astounding and the use of the DualSense adds another layer of immersion.
It's still The Last of Us you know and love, just with a fresh coat of paint and some minor quality of life improvements. There's an argument to be made that this version should be the way a new player experiences this story but it's hard for me to recommend buying this game at full price when an amazing remaster already exists on the PS4. It's definitely a judgment call as you can't go wrong with either. But to me, this is the definitive way to play The Last of Us.
That being said--this is easily the best way to play this masterpiece of a game. It's still the best story in gaming to me, period. It looks gorgeous, the movement feels much more fluid, and the enemy AI actually had me sweating a few times. The amount of detail that you can appreciate with these updated graphics is astounding and the use of the DualSense adds another layer of immersion.
It's still The Last of Us you know and love, just with a fresh coat of paint and some minor quality of life improvements. There's an argument to be made that this version should be the way a new player experiences this story but it's hard for me to recommend buying this game at full price when an amazing remaster already exists on the PS4. It's definitely a judgment call as you can't go wrong with either. But to me, this is the definitive way to play The Last of Us.
Just as good the second time, now with Part 1's upgraded graphics and quality of life improvements. While it may be short, it provides some much needed character development for Ellie and is a beautiful story in its own right. I think this is just as essential to fully appreciating Joel and Ellie's story as Part 1 is, and highly recommend you play this after Part 1 and before Part 2. An absolute gem.
First time playing this as part of the Legendary Edition and I gotta say, it didn't disappoint. It provides some crucial lore to the larger ME universe, and is fairly significant for the entire series conflict as a whole. I can see why people were confused as to why it wasn't included as part of the main series, but I'm glad the Legendary Edition packages it into the game nicely. A very solid DLC all around.
This was so damn good. A funny and nostalgic romp through the Citadel with one of the best cast of characters in gaming and some of the best writing in the series. I felt emotional at the thought of having to say goodbye to them after this much time together. A wonderful bookend to this already incredible trilogy.
2012
An excellent ending to one of my all-time favorite stories in gaming. I think my appreciation for this game has grown since I last played it almost 10 years ago, as I was better able to connect with the emotional weight of this game as an adult. The ending I chose (with no spoilers) moved me deeply and really made me feel like I had taken this grand space-faring adventure that just came to an end. I remember playing this series as a teenager and appreciating it for its cool sci-fi setting and the (at the time) interesting combat, but now I can appreciate Mass Effect on a deeper level entirely. There's a maturity to the writing and story of this game that I was able to connect with this time around, and I'll be thinking about this game, and this series, for a long time moving forward.
Did a campaign replay since MW2 is releasing soon, and I honestly think this might be favorite CoD campaign overall. I've been a fan of this series since CoD4, and I'm often willing to overlook some (most) of the series' major flaws with my rose-tinted glasses. But this game's story feels genuinely gritty and exciting--the gunplay is tight and responsive, some of the levels are genuinely tense and its exploration of geopolitical ideas of terrorism are really poignant. Really excited to see how they up the ante with MW2 soon.