This is exactly what AC2 should've been initially.

Again, the same dynamic of AC1, so very similar to AC2 but polished out. I still think if you're going to try this series for AC6 you could skip AC2 because this game is basically AC2.5.

Gameplay is a lot smoother overall; the annoying lockbox snapping is still here, but other previous issues like weapon balancing, the level design, and pacing for the most part are fixed, and thank god the menu is not a slug to traverse anymore. It's also a better introduction in terms of difficulty because AC2 starts unforgivably hard from the beginning, and AC3 is still hard but eases you into it. Don't be tricked into thinking this one's going to be easy because of the first levels because it features the second-hardest boss in the series so far, which is a really cool fight. As for negatives, the story, even though it got rebooted, is still just...there. Nothing of interest, but that could change in the next games.

I think I'm going to stay with it for a while because I just love the Arena mode, and I want to upgrade my OP-Intensify to transfer it to AC: Silent Line.

Fyi newcomers, don't get your hopes up with analogue stick aiming in AC2. Nope, the analogue stick doesn't do anything. Genius!

Practically more AC1, but worse apart from the graphics. Somehow even clunkier, thanks to the awful hit boxes and annoying lockbox snapping into enemies constantly. Very little improvements, slower pacing, awful quality control, bland ass missions, and even COPY PASTED worse version of missions from AC1. All of that combined makes the experience not really worthwhile.

I'd straight up skip this one, unless you REALLY want more of AC1 or maybe focus solely on the Arena. The implication of who the main antagonist is, and some encounters and characterizations of the Arena mode are the only good things about this sequel.

Trying to speedrun the main series for AC6, since I'm pretty ignorant about it.

Not bad at all for what it is. Hard to say much since it's so simple, but it's decently fun and fairly challenging. Don't be afraid to try it because of its infamous difficulty, it's kind of overrated in that sense.

I think most people will probably complain about the controls (Aim Up= R2, Down = L2, and R1 and L1 for strafing), but you can get used to them very quickly. It also kinda works as making you feel like you're controlling a huge heavy robot. You can practice them in the AC Test in the Garage menu, instead of failing missions and causing you to lose money. Also, since there's no tutorial for the controls, it's important to note that if you press R2+L2 it centers your lock box to the middle of the screen. If you are still having trouble, there's a hidden weapon in the earlier levels that brings the difficulty down quite a bit. I really recommend not using it if you can, though. With maybe the exception to the final mission because fuckyouholyasdoashdKHFJTOYPU.

As to why this doesn't get a higher score, well it's a PS game, so you can imagine. Cheesy voice acting/dialogue, minimal nonsensical story, boring level design, etc. Still, fun robot shooty mcshooty.

★★½ – Average ✅

Surprisingly good, and I say that because this is considered a true urban exploration game, which is something that never really interested me before. Is there any other game like this? Definitely leave a comment if you know one, because it was really fun.

To summarize it, Infra takes you onto the role of a structural analyst who has been sent onto the field to make repairs and take photos of structural damage and any important documents you find, all while exploring the meticulously designed city of Stalburg, and unrevealing its mysterious conspiratorial plot. The main appeal of this game are the environments. I can't express enough how detailed and how naturally the infrastructure flows, specially because of how varied it is. From industrial complexes, to sewers, metros, abandoned buildings, offices, water treatment plants, urban areas, and more. The work that must have gone into creating these places is really commendable, and I guess that's the main reason behind the game releasing in three parts. But there's also some really smart environmental storytelling, lifelike puzzles, secrets, and other s̸͕̾t̶͇̔u̶̳͘f̷̳̎f̵̯̌ to find. And oh yeah, great nostalgic Source prop humor (the spider, holy shit). The plot is also really engaging if you like indulging in a really long and complex conspiratorial interconnected story (seriously, it's massive).

Now, this is probably the only game that I give a positive rating and did not finish, mostly because of a combination of factors. Between being occupied with college, getting soft locked in a puzzle, and the last chapters not being as interesting as the rest, I don't feel like continuing it. But to be honest I already got my enjoyment out of it. This is a walking sim, but it's REALLY long, like 20+ hours, so for me it's not that big of a deal. There are other complaints I have about the game, like the voice acting, but I feel like the uniqueness of it outweighs the negatives, so I'm not going to ramble about them.

If this sounds interesting for you, I recommend giving it a try. It sure didn't for me, but I'm glad I tried it. I guess thanks to David Szymanski for recommending it on twitter.

If you already completed the game, check out what happens in the B2 tunnel if you haven't already because it's uh...something.

★★★ – Good ✅

So many mixed feelings...

In terms of gameplay, I had way more fun with Part 2. The encounters feel challenging but fun, and not masochistic like Part 1. Instead of just spamming spirit-buffed hell knights every encounter, now you have the addition of some new demons that add difficulty by making you aim well, think or pay attention to them. In general, this feels way more balanced and fun.

Now for the bad, why is this so short? I was enjoying it so much, and then it just ends. Part 2 is more or less one hour shorter than Part 1, and I wish that was flipped. Part 1 felt too slow and long, and Part 2 too fast and short. Also, the final boss, considering that it is the "final" fight of Doom as a whole, feels waaay too underwhelming.

Really disappointing DLCs in general, specially because I love the base game so much.

I actually had one more complaint, but it's kinda spoilery, so I'll just say that I fucking hate marvel movies.

★★½ – Average ✅

What the fuck Id? Lmao. Borderline masoquism. This dlc feels like Doomguy doing 500 jumping jacks on your balls. I mean, if you're into that I don't judge, but I was slowly playing this between college exams whenever I found the free time, and it certainly felt like more work. Painful. Hope the next part is not as ball busting. Recommended if you're a freakazoid git-gudder though.

★★ – Bad, but playable ❌

Oh yeah, if you didn't learn to quick-switch in the base campaign, do yourself a favor and learn for this dlc because it is impossible without it.

Fun. Funny script, funny acting, funny accent, funny game.

(...And what the hell is up with Marianne's implication against your character?)

Just like Lone Sails, it tries to "wow" you with its presentation, but it's not doing much for me personally. It does add some depth to its predecessor's minimal story though, making both games in conjunction work better as an emotionally resonant adventure, but I'm not sure if it's still enough to rate them any higher. Enjoyed both games still, I just wish more from them.

If you did enjoy Lone Sails, go right ahead and try this one, because it's pretty much more of the same while also not feeling as repetitive with the addition of variety to your traversal and mechanics.

Joel Schoch pleeease make more video game soundtracks.

Dylan: Uh, what's it called? The one (podcast) that you're listening to right now?
Ryan: Uh. Bizarre Yet Bona Fide.
Dylan: So like, ghosts and stuff?
Ryan: It's like... um, yeah, the weird and the wonderful. Digging up weird mysteries and discussing if they're, well, bona fide.
Dylan: 'Boner' fide. Get it? Boner? Heh.

<sigh> ...Yup.

Impressive on the technical/visual side, not so much in others. Still, an improvement over Dark Pictures Anthology. Recommending it since it doesn't do anything that badly, it's just mediocre.

Oh, motion sickness warning btw. Blur's REALLY heavy, and you can't turn it off. Not even by messing with engine.ini or using UE4 Unlocker.

★★ – Bad, but playable ✅