EA and EA Black Box produced the one of the best racing games of the series.

With one of the best game engine's which makes the game feel good and look amazing for that era.

Even though the game is liniar every playthrough but it's rewarding everytime completing the entire game and running through the Blacklist.

2007

The beginning of a new skateboarding sim game era.

EA started to introduce the "flick-it" system where you, as a skater and gamer, have more control over your board. Every flip, grind and grab trick feels in control and linking them together gives a lot of satisfaction.

San Vanelona, which is a fictional city for this game, is mainly based off of San Francisco and Barcelona. With inspiration drawn from those cities, many unique spots have been made in this game which the community still holds dear to this day (2023).

From all kinds of challenges to just freeskating to some good music jams, this game has it all. No pressure to "continue" the game but play at your own pace.

A continuation of the EA Skate series, simply amazing. Community is a big part of this series, therefore EA introduced a "difficulty" mode which impacts more or less the gravity of your skater and success rates of tricks.

This game adds more to the trickbook to express yourself even more, with not only tricks but all different kinds of skate styles. Not to forget fashionstyle and your specific way of skating.

Create your own skatepark of your dreams and skate it alone, or with friends. Challenges can also be created inside your own parks to keep some fun going. Combine the most weird styles together and see what you can come up with.

Storywise is the game still the same. Play the game at your own pace and complete the challenges you want to do in your order. No need to follow a specific path in terms of challenges nor when skating. Thanks to the open world and option to get off your board you can find new spots and explore the open world.

Must-play if you're a casual chill gamer.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an open-world game, focussed on freedom and exploration.

Walk the lands of Hyrule and get to know more of its history and past events. Use your freedom to your advantage by playing the game how you want. Play it normally with using weapons or be creative and create your own killing machines by utilizing the new forging ability.

Tears of the Kingdom is in my eyes the successor of Breath of the Wild. Almost every aspect of the previous game has been fixed in this sequel. Overall gameplay, the different challenges and the general feel of the world and its mysteries.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was given more depth, detail and lore with the use of the new added world layers. Creep in the depths and find hidden treasures but also more scary monsters and better rewards.

In terms of story, this game is a good balance of open-world with guidance. It's more obvious to know which quests to do and where to go by using markers and accentuating hints more compared to Breath of the Wild. This allows the user to pick up the game at any time, continue the story and immediately get back into the lore.

The reboot of Devil May Cry may not have been received well. The "new Dante" is, according to the community, an edge-lord with cringy moments. For me, this sets the game apart from the rest of the series.

Hack-and-slash your way through Limbo and destroy the overlords and demons that rule the real world. Tons of combo's compared with a sick soundtrack produced by CombiChrist and Noisia gives this game an extra edge. Pulling off a "SSSensational" combo with a ripping soundtrack playing in the background is just satisfying.

You, Dante also known as a Nephilim, Son of demon Sparda and human Eva is cursed/blessed with the ability to travel between dimensions. Not the dimensions that we know but dimensions in terms of the living, the dead and everything in between.

See the twisted "real" world from a different perspective and set things right by eliminating the evil forces with the use of your "gifted power". Tons of weapons, combo's and moves are available and give this game an endless amount of fun.

Completed the story? Don't worry, go to town with the "Bloody Palace" mode and hone your craft and ability to flawelessly kill monsters and chain combo's.

No gore in this game but definitely a lot of killing, which makes this game not suited for kids but more for the late teenagers. A must-play if you're a fan of a hack-and-slash genre combined with a sick soundtrack.

2016

Rip. and. Tear.

Unleash havoc on hellspawns on Mars by using your weapons but also your chainsaw and bare hands.

This is the absolute top tier in terms of singleplayer arena shooter with amazing controls. See enemies explode in with gore by your hands and your guns. Collect items throughout the game which pay homage to the original game in the series, there are even some hidden parts of the vintage levels playable.. you just have to find 'em!

The game is definitely one of the best singleplayer FPS games out there with the soundtrack complimenting it. Mick Gordon has produced a sick soundtrack which adds to the brutalness this game already forces you down your throat.

Storywise, it's not that deep and it's a fairly superficial story. You a good guy, demons are bad and find out what happened to the UAC location on mars. Length of the game is good but on the shorter side. Replayability is high due to the secrets that can be found and extra challenges that can be completed.

Set the bar even higher by upping the difficulty level to see if you're the next true Doom Slayer.

A Souls-like game which is relentless in every way it can be, just like it is supposed to be.

The open world is seducing but will be very ruthless if you're not prepared of haven't played any form of Souls-like game before.

Amazing game to get into and the controls are fairly basic. Easy to play but very hard to master. From skills and combat builds to knowing the damage patterns an enemy or boss can do will really pull you into this game.

One cannot play this game for only an half an hour since beating a boss, area or quest will challenge you in every way possible. It's up to you to adapt and conquer on your journey, even if it takes many tries, deaths and loss of Runes.

Not as liniar as the original Dark Souls games but it can be since the quests are all the same, every playthrough. Not all quests have to be done however; by doing just a few quests or skipping others can lead to a different ending of the game.

In terms of controls, Elden Ring has a heavy feel to it. It also can be clunky at times when fighting or navigating the world. When in combat, the camera tends to mess up when fighting dragons for instance. Facing multiple enemies can also be a hassle since the character sometimes has focussing issues which can lead to some unavoidable deaths.

Menu's are also fairly simple and sometimes confusing if you're looking for something specific. Quests are quite in depth and require a lot of reading, there is almost no such thing as a waypoint or quest marker. Make sure to pay attention when accepting a quest on what to do and where to go!

Even though this game has it flaws, it is still a very well percieved game. The option to play the game how you want is very satisfying. If you cannot beat a boss or enemies in an area are too powerful, just farm some monsters and come back!

This game got me into Souls-like games and has a special place in my heart. Elden Ring's clunkyness is however still a thing which unfortunately cannot be avoided at times.

Check out my full game review on the media platform. (NOTE: Review is written in Dutch)

https://inthegame.nl/2023/09/21/review-mortal-kombat-1/

-- ENGLISH VERSION --


The most skull-cracking, muscle-tearing fighter has received a new installment with Mortal Kombat 1. The story starts from the beginning but like never before. For over 30 years, Mortal Kombat and NetherRealm Studios have been known for their intense battles involving brutality and robust storylines. The latest addition to the series, Mortal Kombat 1, may bring the biggest gameplay change the series has ever seen.

We're talking about the new Kameo system, a kind of tag-team option where you can enlist a sidekick to deliver a few blows. These sidekicks, called Kameos in the game, are unfortunately not directly playable, but you can add them to your team. A Kameo essentially breaks the rules of the game by combining characters, making the fighting dynamic and enabling sick combinations, strategies, and interesting matchups.

While this game mechanic is not entirely new in the fighting game scene, Mortal Kombat 1 executes it exceptionally well. Each Kameo has a set of moves that you can use to make your fighting style unique.

However, there are a few aspects that could use a bit of polish, but where the game excels, as usual, is in the storytelling.

Back to basics
Don't panic; going back to basics can be good. The fighting itself is still excellent. The move list for each character is clear and easy to understand. The gameplay seems to return to basic moves in Martial Arts, with combos, to be discovered by the player, being more based on martial artistry than special moves. Of course, familiar moves from the series, like those of Scorpion and Sindel, still play a significant role in your combos.

The joy of any fighting game comes from the mix of panic and anticipation as you try to figure out which bloody finishing moves your opponent is eager to use. Mortal Kombat 1 still doesn't disappoint in this regard.

The Kameo system, although somewhat seen before in the series and other fighting games, is well-executed in Mortal Kombat 1. Kameo fighters, characters briefly entering the fight with a button press, serve various purposes, from starting or complementing combos to acting as an escape or last-resort tactic.

An attack from Kung Lao, for example, can initiate or complement a combo, while other Kameos serve as an escape or last-resort option. With thoughtful reflexes, these Kameos can also help you escape from an opponent's combo at the cost of your energy bar.

Excellent story with occasional drawbacks
Rather than a remake, as the conspicuous "1" suggests, Mortal Kombat 1 is actually a sequel to the wild finale seen in the previous game. This short but powerful sequel takes about 6 to 7 hours to complete. Although it may seem short, the story feels much longer than it actually is.

Liu Kang is now a "God of Fire" and has changed the universe to banish all evil. While it introduces a new universe, the story follows a generic path of faction switching, fan service, and endless clichés. You can almost predict the upcoming lines, as it sometimes feels too predictable.

The storyline is adjusted, choosing to portray some villains as good characters and introducing an overenthusiastic passion for the word "timeline."

However, there are some points of frustration in the story mode. In each chapter, you play as a different character, but you receive no guidance on what makes them special, their background, or their mission. The essentials, such as their combos and special moves, are not clearly explained.

Invasions are good but can be improved
Mortal Kombat 1 introduces Invasions this time. This new game mode is a kind of virtual game board that combines thematic environments and rewards from the former The Krypt with RPG-like elements from previous games and modes. The idea is good, but in reality, it could be better executed.

Each "tile" has its theme with an associated fight. After playing a few times, these fights become repetitive and quickly lose their challenge. Meanwhile, you collect rewards, keys to progress, and can occasionally take on small challenges.

The overall game mode is a nice twist for the game and somewhat breathes new life into it, but it quickly loses its wow factor.

Summary
Mortal Kombat 1 brings innovations in gameplay with the Kameo system, making fights more dynamic. This fighting system adds a new strategic layer to all battles.

The story continues its epic predecessor from the previous game, with a clear emphasis on the timeline. A short but powerful story mode where the script is often predictable. It's also interesting to see traditional "bad guys" return as allies in the story, giving the game a fresh vibe.

The single-player mode "Invasions" combines elements from previous modes but can feel repetitive and lacks challenge at times. This game mode brings fresh elements but can be improved to maintain long-term interest and replayability.

Mortal Kombat at its finest.

Gameplay is your traditional 2,5D fighting style mixed with gorey features. Think lots of blood, decapitations, dismemberment and even more.

This game has it all, from the Klassik MK-characters with their unique moveset and endless replayability. The story mode is not too long but also not too short and is challenging on itself. If you didn't get your fix from the story mode, there's always the tower challenges where you have to complete a scenario using specific moves and combo's.

Still not enough, take your A-game online and beat up people around the world to make a name for yourself.

From fatalities to klassik outfits, easter eggs to jumpscares. This game is a must if you're into the traditional fighting games and maybe even in the top 5 of best fighting games ever.

TEKKEN, what can we say about TEKKEN?

The game always delivers with it's unique look, feel and setting. Katsuhiro Harada also hit the nail on its head with TEKKEN 7.

The story follows the Kazama/Mishima family and their family feud. A nice continuation of the story with some returning faces we haven't seen in a while. Relentless fights with unique characters, do I need to tell more?

The only downside to this game I find personally is the fact that it has a fairly small character roster. Some playable characters are even stuck behind a paywall in order to play them and their stages.

Character creation is also available to customize your favorite character. Equip them with all kinds of outfits, from traditional all the way to your own made fantasy outfit.

Eventually, the fighting is where the game begins. TEKKEN always has been a very tough game to really get good at unless you're really investing time into this piece of art. The offline mode provides some good training against the bots, even after the practice update you can train your skills to put them to the test online.

Online mode is always top-of-the-line competitive and will most likely get you all riled up. Sometimes in your favor but also against.

Besides the small character roster, this game is a solid fighter and a nice addition to your collection; fighting game lover or not.

Game has a lot of potential, even after the update.

Feeling of the game isn't the same as in Fallout 4. The fact that there is multiplayer is a good thing but it's rare to find players since this game has had a rough launch.

A nice attempt but does not fit my personal liking.

Nice open-world shooter, with lots of exploration and things to do.

The addition of building your own houses or whatever you can think of is nice, but also incomplete. Installing multiple mods really finesse things to where they should be, in my opinion.

I had fun playing this game, but after one playthrough it lost my attention. The crashes that also came along with this game and the installed mods didn't help either.

A nice game but the experience gets better with community mods.

Rainbow Six Siege is the ultimate tactical shooter in a competitive form. A very solid shooter which is heavy biased to teamplay and communication.

5v5 never felt so intense when you know that 1 bullet could mean the end for your turn. Using operators to defend or attack a site, whether it be a bomb or hostage, while dodging bullets, equipment and other lethal items left and right.

This game would've gotten a 5-star however like every game, this game has had some changes in the past (sometimes for the better but mostly for the worst) which altered the game which I fell in love with.

Ubisoft is doing an amazing job with this title however their focus should shift more on managing the community by banning cheaters and improving the game with Quality of Life updates.

As a sim-racer, would say that Assetto Corsa Competitzione is the best in its class it's trying to showcase.

This sim-racing game is a must-have if you're into GT3/GT4 series. Unfortunately no LMDh cars as can be seen in the WEC or IMSA series but it's definitely an good advocate for the other series.

The force feedback the game gives through a steering wheel is currently unmatched in any other racing sim. From laser-scanned circuits and cars to ranking systems, this game and car class is definitely the best for wheel-to-wheel racing.

Online multiplayer is very active with a large community, using in-game servers and even third-party websites such as simracing.gp and others. You'll have no issue with finding a race and opponents that suit you the best and can give you a challenge.

Final Fantasy XV is the first game which I have played in the series. Mostly because of the first-time use of real action combat instead of turn-based combat.

Game feels amazing and has stunning graphics for it's time. Started playing this game on the PlayStation 4 but switched to PC as it was even prettier of an eye candy.

Gameplay overall feels very good, combat is solid and is quite intuitive. Usage of your party members and making combo's together is a nice addition and makes the combat feel detailed instead of stale.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of invisible walls which hinder you from REALLY exploring the world. This is most-likely done because of content which was cut during development, which was really ALOT of content.

The first 75% of the game has a really catchy story to it but once you come to the final chapters, you start to realize that the story doesn't add up. Things are misaligned or not even spoken about and suddenly.. poof you're in a situation which you don't have a clue about what is going.

A lot of the areas you visit in the game are a only a one-time-stop. Which is a shame, since a lot of the initially intended content was taking place in more different areas.

Game could've had way more potential from what I have learned by deep-diving into this game. Sad to see that there was a lot of content cut from the final game. Some say almost 60% of the full story was cut, the rest was released as the game we now know.