I loved this game. It felt like a lot of love went into this game and there's still so much I didn't see while exploring different pages. The interface itself is the star and combined with the music and sounds, the experience is incredibly immersive and I felt myself get sucked into this other world. Speaking of, the music is one of the best parts of the game and there are some genuine bangers in here. I loved just browsing around, customizing my desktop, and trying out the different programs. I found myself putting off missions to just explore. Putting cases together and figuring stuff out was great as well and nothing felt like it came out of nowhere or would be impossible to find. The cut to the present day as an ending and finding out the truth was something I definitely didn't expect and I felt wrapped up the game well and gives you the opportunity to go back and explore all of the things you may have missed.

I have trouble ever listing any type of media as a definitive favorite, so to call Baldur's Gate 3 my favorite game of all time would be no small feat. It has earned that spot along with all the awards that likely hold more weight than my personal opinion.

I rarely play a game at release, especially larger ones that are going to take up a ton of my time. Usually I wait a year minimum to jump in, but I was gifted this game and the allure was so strong I just had to try it out. I have not been this entranced by a game in a long time. At one point I was literally dreaming about it. It got me through many hard times in my personal life and served as the perfect escape. No game of its scale has come close to letting me live out my ideal fantasy as a queer person without it being made into a big deal. As a huge tabletop RPG fan, playing Baldur's Gate 3 came so close to the actual experience of playing in some of my favorite adventures with friends.

My only complaint is that I ran into a few bugs, especially in Act 3 but the developer has been so responsive to the community that I have no hesitation to still recommend the game at the caveat that you wait a bit if you are worried about this negatively effecting your experience.

I am so happy I didn't finish until after the epilogue had been patched in. It was the perfect way to end my journey and after 300 hours, finally say goodbye. I wish I was a better writer so I could truly express how much this game means to me. A massive thank you to Larian Studios and the entire team for creating an incredible experience.

A captivating journey into the supernatural that left me both enthralled and occasionally exasperated. Let me break it down for you.

The story is an absolute gem. What sets it apart are the delightful tidbits of lore scattered throughout the game. From the manuscripts to the TV shows and other collectibles, the depth of storytelling reeled me in. Remedy Entertainment also deserves praise for their commitment to expanding the game's universe through outside canon material, which adds a layer of richness to the experience.

The setting and atmosphere of the game really sold it for me. As someone who's a sucker for the Pacific Northwest's eerie charm, the cabin-esque interiors and the overall ambiance spoke to me. The sense of place is so palpable that it feels like another character in the story.

One of the game's standout features is its presentation through episodes. The cliffhangers at the end of each episode had me hooked and eager to uncover more of the mystery. It's a brilliant narrative device that keeps players invested in the unfolding drama.

However, the gameplay can be a bit of a mixed bag. While it offers thrilling moments, the combat can also be frustrating at times. An issue I encountered was the increase in difficulty in the DLC episodes. While the added challenge makes sense from a story perspective, it occasionally detracted from my enjoyment. I found myself running from threats more often than I'd like, which stopped me from exploring and taking in the story.

Overall still a highly recommended experience with a fun story and atmosphere. It's a love letter to the Pacific Northwest that draws you in with its mysteries and keeps you on the edge of your seat with its episodic structure. However, some frustrating gameplay moments and a noticeable spike in difficulty in the DLC episodes can be a slight blemish on an otherwise fantastic experience. If you're a fan of supernatural tales and atmospheric settings, this remastered version of Alan Wake is well worth the journey.

♪Also Old Gods of Asgard slap and I'm so glad they're on Spotify♪

I really loved my time with this game. While I would've liked more depth in the side characters the gameplay as a whole was so satisfying. I thought that the pawn system might feel overwhelming or confusing to me but it was actually really enjoyable and enlisting other player's pawns was a great feature. Another thing that took me by surprise was the Dark Arisen DLC that's included with this version of the game. I thought I would've disliked Bitterblack Isle since I'm not a big dungeon fan but something about it really hooked me in and I went from almost skipping it to getting all of the achievements for it.

On the Steam PC port which is the version I played, I did experience quite a bit of crashing when loading my save while playing, and while I was ultimately able to continue playing game it's something to be aware of.

Control is a wild ride through a twisted world of mystery and power, delivering an experience that not only captivates but also feels like a love letter to Remedy Entertainment's past works. Coming right out of Quantum Break, I was thrilled to hear echoes of Beth Wilder in Jesse, a clever nod by Remedy to their own universe despite not having the rights to the IP.

From the get-go, the game's visuals, enhanced by ray tracing, are nothing short of breathtaking. This was my first experience with a game truly built to utilize ray tracing and I could not have asked for a better way to test out my new hardware. Every detail, from the vintage designs to the font choices, adds to the immersive experience. And speaking of immersion, the integration of game mechanics into the narrative is genius. It's like the game acknowledges its own existence, making the experience seamless and organic.

Let's talk about those powers! Telekinesis felt so satisfying, especially as you unlock and upgrade skills throughout the game. It's a testament to Remedy's expertise in combat mechanics, building upon what worked in Quantum Break and refining it to near perfection. I absolutely have to mention the Ashtray Maze, it’s up there with some of my favorite moments in gaming and had me smiling at my screen.

Exploration is rewarded generously, with no fear of missing out on anything which is huge for me in games. Lore, world-building, and environmental storytelling are everywhere, enriching the experience and making every corner worth exploring.

The nods to Remedy's universe? They're everywhere, from subtle Easter eggs like a reference to a book I’ve read authored by a character in the Alan Wake games to major plot points with the AWE DLC. It's like a treasure hunt for fans, deepening the connection to the world of the game.

The DLCs, Foundation and AWE, further expand the story and gameplay, introducing new abilities and tying in elements from Alan Wake seamlessly. The Foundation was a great way to expand on the base game’s story and I enjoyed the inclusion of Marshall as a key character. The horror elements in AWE are particularly fun, and the inclusion of familiar themes and gameplay mechanics from Alan Wake was done well. I can only imagine how the ending must have felt prior to the announcement and release of Alan Wake 2.

Overall, Control is a masterpiece that continues to showcase Remedy's talent for storytelling, gameplay, and world-building. With its thrilling combat, immersive world, and nods to its own universe, it's a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.

Decided to try this on a whim thinking it wouldn't be my thing and I loved it way more than I thought I would. I was completely engrossed in the game and finished it in about a day and a half. Any game that makes me waiting to play more of it is a win in my book. The gameplay loop and combat were really enjoyable for me. I liked that nothing was too overwhelming or complicated and I loved getting used to all of the different weapon abilities to the point that I leveled up everyone to its max level. Whenever there was animation I was a huge fan of it - the transformation sequences were absolutely stellar and reminded me of magical girl style ones.

Something about playing this game during a pandemic made it hit a little different I think. I liked the concept that killing citizens would make the game easier, it really put a mechanic to attempting to keep your morals in-game. Another stand-out was the sound design, it really fit the tone of the game and set the vibe well. There were certain points in the story that didn't make sense or felt like they came out of nowhere. In particular, what I feel was meant to be one of the most important parts of the game, Jonathan and Elisabeth's relationship had no build-up and sort of came out of nowhere so I never got invested in the connection between the characters. Regardless, I enjoyed the game a lot more than I thought I would.

Something about this game just feels warm and charming. I haven't played the original in a long time so I can't compare how this version stands up to it but gosh is it fun. I wholeheartedly love this soundtrack and even if you don't plan on playing the game you should give it a listen. This game doesn't overstay its welcome but has replayability if that's something you're looking for. I love when games really make use of a player's time and I think this game did that down to letting you play the end credits.