Gravity Rush Remastered flails about it’s main character Kat as she tries to remember her past after waking up in a strange city amongst the clouds with a ‘cosmic’ cat by her side.
The gameplay is an interesting one, you essentially control Kat’s center of gravity, instead of flying, she falls everywhere. I found, a lot of the time, the aerial combat to be frustrating beyond measure, it’s essentially boiled down to a ‘falling kick’, but it has a half-done lock on effect that more often than not leaves you flying past where you intended to go and heavily disorientated.
Now, the good parts: It had a somewhat decent storyline to follow. It has sooooo many collectible gems just thrown around that are used to level up your abilities (even though the kick really never felt like it was getting more powerful) and, while sometimes frustrating, the controlled falling in any direction was just incredibly fun.
The gameplay is an interesting one, you essentially control Kat’s center of gravity, instead of flying, she falls everywhere. I found, a lot of the time, the aerial combat to be frustrating beyond measure, it’s essentially boiled down to a ‘falling kick’, but it has a half-done lock on effect that more often than not leaves you flying past where you intended to go and heavily disorientated.
Now, the good parts: It had a somewhat decent storyline to follow. It has sooooo many collectible gems just thrown around that are used to level up your abilities (even though the kick really never felt like it was getting more powerful) and, while sometimes frustrating, the controlled falling in any direction was just incredibly fun.
2012
I’ve never been great at metroidvania-esque games, especially when they do not hold your hand at all. No idea what it is about them that I can’t do. I either end up getting lost or frustrated.
That happened multiple times while playing Fez, however there was something about the gameplay that just made me want to keep playing, to keep exploring.
It’s such a simple concept that a few other games have done - having a 2d side scroller that incorporates 3D, but Fez does it so well. Managing to make the 3D aspect all about how you see the world, how platforms to get higher are formed or how you discover the next area.
I can see why this game has remained an ‘indie darling’ even 10 years later and it’s a shame we’ll never get a sequel.
That happened multiple times while playing Fez, however there was something about the gameplay that just made me want to keep playing, to keep exploring.
It’s such a simple concept that a few other games have done - having a 2d side scroller that incorporates 3D, but Fez does it so well. Managing to make the 3D aspect all about how you see the world, how platforms to get higher are formed or how you discover the next area.
I can see why this game has remained an ‘indie darling’ even 10 years later and it’s a shame we’ll never get a sequel.
2021
I've had PowerWash Simulator since its early access release, and let me tell you, this game. this game. It will drain your life from you with how addicting it is.
I found myself so often being like 'eh, I'm bored of this now but I just have this one little bit left to clean so I'll just do that.' cut to 4 more hours passing by.
I'm honestly impressed by how much it changed for the better, too, from its initial early access release to its full release. There's an interesting, if unnecessary, story woven throughout it all just to provide you with something to read while blasting dirt off of a multitude of different things - from houses to cars to boats to ancient statues.
I do feel like there needs to be some form of 'wider' nozzle with better strength though, as I got to the final two levels and felt myself feeling like it was taking forever, even with the three pronged nozzle.
Absolutely buy this game but note it will drain your life.
I found myself so often being like 'eh, I'm bored of this now but I just have this one little bit left to clean so I'll just do that.' cut to 4 more hours passing by.
I'm honestly impressed by how much it changed for the better, too, from its initial early access release to its full release. There's an interesting, if unnecessary, story woven throughout it all just to provide you with something to read while blasting dirt off of a multitude of different things - from houses to cars to boats to ancient statues.
I do feel like there needs to be some form of 'wider' nozzle with better strength though, as I got to the final two levels and felt myself feeling like it was taking forever, even with the three pronged nozzle.
Absolutely buy this game but note it will drain your life.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy makes you wonder 'Why does this control like a Tomb Raider game' and 'Why am I stuck playing as the least interesting Guardian?' while telling a somewhat okay story that involves those pesky guardians getting up to shenanigans!!!!!!!!
The game is fine. That's the best way of putting it, it's buggy, it crashed on me 4 times, I had to reload saves on boss fights and 9/10 times I wouldn't make a jump I was supposed to make from a slide.
But the idea of the combat was interesting at least and the story was okay. I just can't help but feel like the game didn't go anywhere and I would've felt more enjoyment just watching the movies.
The game is fine. That's the best way of putting it, it's buggy, it crashed on me 4 times, I had to reload saves on boss fights and 9/10 times I wouldn't make a jump I was supposed to make from a slide.
But the idea of the combat was interesting at least and the story was okay. I just can't help but feel like the game didn't go anywhere and I would've felt more enjoyment just watching the movies.
2022
This review contains spoilers
Stray is a very enjoyable experience. I had so many moments of being like 'how can I be the /asshole/ cat in this situation' / 'what can I destroy here?' and that's exactly what I wanted from this game.
Now onto the actual thoughts of the game - It's an indie title so it's short. I seem to have this issue all the time with indie titles that I enjoy and it kinda affected my love of this game. Had it been a few hours longer and expanded on some of the things in the game, it would've been so much better.
I loved the small 'open-world' segments, giving you a small segment of the city to explore and solve puzzles, but when it came to the main story elements I felt it was lacking.
I wanted to know more about the world, I wanted to know more about the 'Zurks'. Just when I thought it was going somewhere suddenly the Zurks were no longer required for the story and completely gone for the rest of the game.
It's things like this that just make it annoying that if it was just a few hours longer I'm sure the devs would've expanded on this and made just such a truly phenomenal game.
Now onto the actual thoughts of the game - It's an indie title so it's short. I seem to have this issue all the time with indie titles that I enjoy and it kinda affected my love of this game. Had it been a few hours longer and expanded on some of the things in the game, it would've been so much better.
I loved the small 'open-world' segments, giving you a small segment of the city to explore and solve puzzles, but when it came to the main story elements I felt it was lacking.
I wanted to know more about the world, I wanted to know more about the 'Zurks'. Just when I thought it was going somewhere suddenly the Zurks were no longer required for the story and completely gone for the rest of the game.
It's things like this that just make it annoying that if it was just a few hours longer I'm sure the devs would've expanded on this and made just such a truly phenomenal game.
2005
The Sims 2 for Nintendo DS was a huge nostalgia trip I wanted to jump onto as I remember fondly sinking a lot of time into this back when it released.
However... it has not aged well at all. It's weird how lifeless the entire game is - and just how 'Small' it all is - even for a DS game.
I found the 'based on real time' system to, while it was popular when the DS was released, be annoying and making money was also irritating.
You essentially are made owner of a hotel in the middle of the desert and have to build rooms, check in guests (who stay for real world days and your main income comes from them checking out) and essentially micromanage it all. Vacuuming the hotel, cleaning up puddles, putting out fires, saving up money to expand and get that 100% hotel score.
All while you have a 'main storyline' that's split into three, very small, acts. I'd have preferred they ditch the three main 'levels' and focused more in on the hotel management because both parts feel incredibly underwhelming.
Replaying it definitely was a bad move as my love for this game is ... gone.
However... it has not aged well at all. It's weird how lifeless the entire game is - and just how 'Small' it all is - even for a DS game.
I found the 'based on real time' system to, while it was popular when the DS was released, be annoying and making money was also irritating.
You essentially are made owner of a hotel in the middle of the desert and have to build rooms, check in guests (who stay for real world days and your main income comes from them checking out) and essentially micromanage it all. Vacuuming the hotel, cleaning up puddles, putting out fires, saving up money to expand and get that 100% hotel score.
All while you have a 'main storyline' that's split into three, very small, acts. I'd have preferred they ditch the three main 'levels' and focused more in on the hotel management because both parts feel incredibly underwhelming.
Replaying it definitely was a bad move as my love for this game is ... gone.
2020
Resident Evil 3 is definitely the weaker remake out of the two released so far - however - having never played the original I don't take as much issue with it as the die-hard fans do.
It's short. Like, annoyingly short. But Resident Evil games are not something I associate with length. There is still plenty of enjoyment to be had in this short 'side story' to the events of Resident Evil 2 though.
It's short. Like, annoyingly short. But Resident Evil games are not something I associate with length. There is still plenty of enjoyment to be had in this short 'side story' to the events of Resident Evil 2 though.
The Darkside Detective is a short and sweet point and click game that tries to emulate the golden years of lucasarts games with its comedic charm and puzzle solving - however I found that most of the puzzles were far too easy.
I didn't think I'd like this game as I'm a big wuss who cannot do the whole first-person horror genre, but after forcing myself to just face it head on I actually started to really enjoy it.
Of course there are moments where it's 'scary' - mostly during story segments in pitch-black interiors, but even then pretty much all of those missions can be bypassed by some good old-fashioned run and 'gun'-ing.
Now, while I did have a lot of fun playing through the story the one thing that constantly bugged me throughout playing was, annoyingly, the parkour - even though this also was the best part of the game . There were so many times where I'd either end up wall-running when I just wanted to jump, or I'd miss a ledge, or I'd simply not move on a pole because I wasn't looking in the right direction causing me to then move off of the pole onto a nearby ledge and then back onto the pole again.
Annoyingly though, the parkour is the best part of the game because while the combat is there, it can be 'cheesed' by literally just drop kicking everyone - and also, no weapon repairing? really? I know you get hundreds in the game but cmon? upgrading and repairing? practically basic stuff in games now.
Of course there are moments where it's 'scary' - mostly during story segments in pitch-black interiors, but even then pretty much all of those missions can be bypassed by some good old-fashioned run and 'gun'-ing.
Now, while I did have a lot of fun playing through the story the one thing that constantly bugged me throughout playing was, annoyingly, the parkour - even though this also was the best part of the game . There were so many times where I'd either end up wall-running when I just wanted to jump, or I'd miss a ledge, or I'd simply not move on a pole because I wasn't looking in the right direction causing me to then move off of the pole onto a nearby ledge and then back onto the pole again.
Annoyingly though, the parkour is the best part of the game because while the combat is there, it can be 'cheesed' by literally just drop kicking everyone - and also, no weapon repairing? really? I know you get hundreds in the game but cmon? upgrading and repairing? practically basic stuff in games now.
Kirby transitioned to full 3D for the first time and while there are a few dimensional growing pains (simplistic level design, not enough use for all the powerups you end up collecting) - the overall experience is a joyous pleasure to go through and one I’d happily do again.
2020
Honestly one of the more frustrating-yet-fun 'sandbox' games I've played in a while.
Besiege throws scenarios at you, a bunch of tools and says 'build something to conquer this'. There's so much freedom in how you conquer obstacles, so much so that half of the tools I haven't even touched through my playthrough - logic related stuff I just completely ignored and ended up creating a somewhat 'one-size fits all' type creation that lead me through the majority of the game.
Besiege throws scenarios at you, a bunch of tools and says 'build something to conquer this'. There's so much freedom in how you conquer obstacles, so much so that half of the tools I haven't even touched through my playthrough - logic related stuff I just completely ignored and ended up creating a somewhat 'one-size fits all' type creation that lead me through the majority of the game.
Return of the Obra Dinn is one of the most visually distinct games I've ever played, and I mean that as a compliment.
Sure, at times it becomes hard to make out faces because of the art style, but that's part of the gameplay itself - trying to sift through these memories of people that died upon the Obra Dinn to find out who they are and what killed them.
Which brings me onto gameplay - It's such a simple premise of a murder mystery but it's incredibly addictive. Simply walk about a ship, relive memories of the crew and solve how they died, if they died, and by what means.
There's not a lot I can say without potentially spoiling the game but my god, If you get the chance and aren't put off by 'point and click' esque games, definitely check it out.
Sure, at times it becomes hard to make out faces because of the art style, but that's part of the gameplay itself - trying to sift through these memories of people that died upon the Obra Dinn to find out who they are and what killed them.
Which brings me onto gameplay - It's such a simple premise of a murder mystery but it's incredibly addictive. Simply walk about a ship, relive memories of the crew and solve how they died, if they died, and by what means.
There's not a lot I can say without potentially spoiling the game but my god, If you get the chance and aren't put off by 'point and click' esque games, definitely check it out.
Forbidden West takes everything that made Zero Dawn so damn enjoyable and expands upon it tenfold, with more engaging side quests that feel like whole arcs, more characters and good writing for each, more weapons and traversal tools that make it a joy to get across the vast open world.
It’s also absolutely jawdroppingly gorgeous to look at - having some of the best visuals the PS5 currently has to offer. I often found myself stopping and just staring at the beauty of the landscape and then spending too much time in photo mode.
While I did thoroughly enjoy - There were times where the controls bugged me. Underwater segments are never my favourite thing in a game, Forbidden West has quite a few of them and I found myself wrestling with the navigation through these sections. I also found a few times where Aloy would just not grab onto the next ledge or completely slide off of something she’d meant to land on.
Do not get me wrong though, I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel and that conclusion to the epic story Guerrilla have laid out…
It’s also absolutely jawdroppingly gorgeous to look at - having some of the best visuals the PS5 currently has to offer. I often found myself stopping and just staring at the beauty of the landscape and then spending too much time in photo mode.
While I did thoroughly enjoy - There were times where the controls bugged me. Underwater segments are never my favourite thing in a game, Forbidden West has quite a few of them and I found myself wrestling with the navigation through these sections. I also found a few times where Aloy would just not grab onto the next ledge or completely slide off of something she’d meant to land on.
Do not get me wrong though, I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel and that conclusion to the epic story Guerrilla have laid out…
2019
Luigi’s Mansion 3 provided a fun but short experience that had me chuckling throughout. Some puzzles took me a little too long to get (maybe that’s just because I’m stupid) but there was never a moment I stopped enjoying it.
It did make me wonder how an egyptian pyramid with tombs, a pirate cove with an ocean etc. all fit into a skyscraper-esque hotel but the variation to each level they provided was absolutely worth the absurdity of it all.
I did feel like it was missing something to actually spend all the coins on (I know the point of them is for the end scoring, but upgrades, abilities etc would’ve been a nice touch).
The bosses were each a delight to battle against having their own unique approach and style with that added charm and comic characteristics you expect from a luigi’s mansion game.
Also 2 stars just for the press A to ‘maaarioooo’ feature
It did make me wonder how an egyptian pyramid with tombs, a pirate cove with an ocean etc. all fit into a skyscraper-esque hotel but the variation to each level they provided was absolutely worth the absurdity of it all.
I did feel like it was missing something to actually spend all the coins on (I know the point of them is for the end scoring, but upgrades, abilities etc would’ve been a nice touch).
The bosses were each a delight to battle against having their own unique approach and style with that added charm and comic characteristics you expect from a luigi’s mansion game.
Also 2 stars just for the press A to ‘maaarioooo’ feature
Forbidden West takes everything that made Zero Dawn so damn enjoyable and expands upon it tenfold, with more engaging side quests that feel like whole arcs, more characters and good writing for each, more weapons and traversal tools that make it a joy to get across the vast open world.
It’s also absolutely jawdroppingly gorgeous to look at - having some of the best visuals the PS5 currently has to offer. I often found myself stopping and just staring at the beauty of the landscape and then spending too much time in photo mode.
While I did thoroughly enjoy - There were times where the controls bugged me. Underwater segments are never my favourite thing in a game, Forbidden West has quite a few of them and I found myself wrestling with the navigation through these sections. I also found a few times where Aloy would just not grab onto the next ledge or completely slide off of something she’d meant to land on.
Do not get me wrong though, I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel and that conclusion to the epic story Guerrilla have laid out…
It’s also absolutely jawdroppingly gorgeous to look at - having some of the best visuals the PS5 currently has to offer. I often found myself stopping and just staring at the beauty of the landscape and then spending too much time in photo mode.
While I did thoroughly enjoy - There were times where the controls bugged me. Underwater segments are never my favourite thing in a game, Forbidden West has quite a few of them and I found myself wrestling with the navigation through these sections. I also found a few times where Aloy would just not grab onto the next ledge or completely slide off of something she’d meant to land on.
Do not get me wrong though, I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel and that conclusion to the epic story Guerrilla have laid out…