2019
It’s really hard to know when you’re eligible to count a rogue like game as “completed”. You hit the credit roll but then the true nature of the game unravels and you replay and replay and replay until you’ve hit that credit roll with every character, variation and crutch possible.
Since I’ve know beat the game with a good amount of the characters, explored some of the artifacts and the void dlc, ran achievements and special runs with friends and sometimes by myself, I feel like I’ve accumulated a good enough knowledge of the game over my 20-30 hours of playing that I can confidently say I beat it. Far from mastered it, but I beat it.
I’ve had an overall good time with the genre but I never really understood the endless replay value until I finally tried risk of rain 2, and I would unapologetically call this one of the most addictively simple games.
An insanely good time either with friends or solo, and once you start getting the mechanics and systems down, the real fun begins and you can start breaking and exploiting new builds and strategies in bizarre and entertaining ways.
Since I’ve know beat the game with a good amount of the characters, explored some of the artifacts and the void dlc, ran achievements and special runs with friends and sometimes by myself, I feel like I’ve accumulated a good enough knowledge of the game over my 20-30 hours of playing that I can confidently say I beat it. Far from mastered it, but I beat it.
I’ve had an overall good time with the genre but I never really understood the endless replay value until I finally tried risk of rain 2, and I would unapologetically call this one of the most addictively simple games.
An insanely good time either with friends or solo, and once you start getting the mechanics and systems down, the real fun begins and you can start breaking and exploiting new builds and strategies in bizarre and entertaining ways.
Fun with friends. Brutal combat and teamwork. Odd gameplay loop and loot system.
Had a lot of fun with this one but I can’t realistically imagine myself putting dozens of hours into high level stuff when the redundancy is so unavoidable.
Had a lot of fun with this one but I can’t realistically imagine myself putting dozens of hours into high level stuff when the redundancy is so unavoidable.
With the coming of IOS emulation means a little retro detour is needed for the backlog. Used to love these as a kid so I thought it would be fun to revisit.
This is probably the one I remember the least, and for good reason, while the puzzles and characters are pretty cool, it’s still pretty bare bones and relies almost entirely on the brain busting and distinct visual style.
Pretty cool palate cleanser and a precursor to one of the more fondly looked back on games from my childhood. Worthy of a true gentleman.
This is probably the one I remember the least, and for good reason, while the puzzles and characters are pretty cool, it’s still pretty bare bones and relies almost entirely on the brain busting and distinct visual style.
Pretty cool palate cleanser and a precursor to one of the more fondly looked back on games from my childhood. Worthy of a true gentleman.
Might just be my favorite souls game. Hesitation is defeat.
2023
Wow wow and wow, where does one even start with a game like this. I have been playing it on and off for almost a year now, and to finally make it to a credit roll today during a LAN party was the most incredible feeling ever.
In terms of solo gameplay, I’m sure you’ve heard the praise already, BG3 is simply one of the best crafted role playing experiences of all time, voice acting excellence and sound design blended with tactical gameplay and challenging but rewarding leveling and progression. This is not a game that cuts corners and in that regard, with the amount of side aventures, quests and points of interest, it genuinely feels like a long journey with a cast of endearing (and all wonderfully complex) companions.
It’s really telling of the quality of a game when you play and one of the things you keep thinking about is what to do and try differently on your next playthrough. There is so much variety and incentive for creative thinking that it genuinely feels like miracle work handling both the level and enemy design on such a massive scale. It is impossible to experience everything in one playthrough, story and gameplay opportunity wise, and that just might be one of the strongest points of the whole game.
Sure, if suffers from some of the slower and more frustrating trademarks of turn based gameplay, but if you’re one that enjoys the genre, this is the cream of the crop. Tough, and sometimes I mean really really tough, but is is never unfair. There are so many times where I was getting my whole party destroyed in one, two turns, and then after a little save load and some strategic thinking, the whole tide of the battle shifted. It’s one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever experienced in gaming and truly another level of satisfaction when it comes to thinking outside of the box. BG3 hits all the marks and targets of a typical well received RPG, and then it explodes and charges through those limits to set new standards and implement them so flawlessly, you’d think it was done and redone before.
But Baldur’s gate 3 does not stop there, because for one looking to elevate his solo experience, or simply looking for another, possibly more appealing way to experience the game. the COOP comes in clutch with one of the simplest but most satisfying flips the game could ever do. The actual roleplaying and story depth is undeniably impacted, but it is replaced by the closest gaming has ever gotten to emulating a true Dungeons and Dragons experience. Dice rolls, last minute saves, independent dialogues and affinities, this is a whole other package that perfectly complements a game that already excels without it.
Some of the must fun I’ve ever had PC gaming was during my coop run, and I can say with the outmost sincerity I will be doing it again, and again and again. Baldurs Gate 3 is an uncontested masterpiece, and a game that should be played, celebrated and then played again, because it is rare to have something so unique but also undeniably proud in today’s gaming landscape.
Sure, I guess I’m late to the party, and my review is probably lacking, but there is a reason this game has hit these industry summits. One of the greatest experiences ever put to gaming and an incredibly packed and impactful journey to be experienced alone or with friends. I will be playing Baldur’s Gate 3 for years to come, and then some.
In terms of solo gameplay, I’m sure you’ve heard the praise already, BG3 is simply one of the best crafted role playing experiences of all time, voice acting excellence and sound design blended with tactical gameplay and challenging but rewarding leveling and progression. This is not a game that cuts corners and in that regard, with the amount of side aventures, quests and points of interest, it genuinely feels like a long journey with a cast of endearing (and all wonderfully complex) companions.
It’s really telling of the quality of a game when you play and one of the things you keep thinking about is what to do and try differently on your next playthrough. There is so much variety and incentive for creative thinking that it genuinely feels like miracle work handling both the level and enemy design on such a massive scale. It is impossible to experience everything in one playthrough, story and gameplay opportunity wise, and that just might be one of the strongest points of the whole game.
Sure, if suffers from some of the slower and more frustrating trademarks of turn based gameplay, but if you’re one that enjoys the genre, this is the cream of the crop. Tough, and sometimes I mean really really tough, but is is never unfair. There are so many times where I was getting my whole party destroyed in one, two turns, and then after a little save load and some strategic thinking, the whole tide of the battle shifted. It’s one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever experienced in gaming and truly another level of satisfaction when it comes to thinking outside of the box. BG3 hits all the marks and targets of a typical well received RPG, and then it explodes and charges through those limits to set new standards and implement them so flawlessly, you’d think it was done and redone before.
But Baldur’s gate 3 does not stop there, because for one looking to elevate his solo experience, or simply looking for another, possibly more appealing way to experience the game. the COOP comes in clutch with one of the simplest but most satisfying flips the game could ever do. The actual roleplaying and story depth is undeniably impacted, but it is replaced by the closest gaming has ever gotten to emulating a true Dungeons and Dragons experience. Dice rolls, last minute saves, independent dialogues and affinities, this is a whole other package that perfectly complements a game that already excels without it.
Some of the must fun I’ve ever had PC gaming was during my coop run, and I can say with the outmost sincerity I will be doing it again, and again and again. Baldurs Gate 3 is an uncontested masterpiece, and a game that should be played, celebrated and then played again, because it is rare to have something so unique but also undeniably proud in today’s gaming landscape.
Sure, I guess I’m late to the party, and my review is probably lacking, but there is a reason this game has hit these industry summits. One of the greatest experiences ever put to gaming and an incredibly packed and impactful journey to be experienced alone or with friends. I will be playing Baldur’s Gate 3 for years to come, and then some.
One of the more enjoyable sim games I’ve played. Delightfully simple and chalk full of stupid references that I gobbled up at every turn.
For what it’s worth, it’s really addicting and the grind feels genuinely satisfying, motivating you to push harder in your character’s training and your knowledge of the fighting system.
I would hold this in higher regard if it didn’t completely overstay it’s welcome with a somewhat weird and definitely dragged out finale that just has you running around for exposition dumps. I thought the general mechanics were ok but there are some moments where it goes from fairly challenging to just extremely easy to abuse, making the difficulty a really random thing.
Overall very fun experience that took over my afternoons for a few days, if they made a sequel I would definitely check it out.
For what it’s worth, it’s really addicting and the grind feels genuinely satisfying, motivating you to push harder in your character’s training and your knowledge of the fighting system.
I would hold this in higher regard if it didn’t completely overstay it’s welcome with a somewhat weird and definitely dragged out finale that just has you running around for exposition dumps. I thought the general mechanics were ok but there are some moments where it goes from fairly challenging to just extremely easy to abuse, making the difficulty a really random thing.
Overall very fun experience that took over my afternoons for a few days, if they made a sequel I would definitely check it out.
Simply one of the greatest games ever made. An actual magnum opus and possibly the greatest fantasy epic to ever grace video games.
This is one of those games where I wish I could just reset my memory and play them fresh all over again, despite already having a previous playthrough in the belt.
An incredible open world, fantastic character writing and hours upon hours of meticulously crafted quests and story, the Witcher 3 is simply filled with incredible mechanics and moments through and through that all come together to craft one of the most captivating and magical works of art ever put to the medium.
So much so that I feel like simply listing what I love so much would make this review 4 times the usual size. Plus, I feel like most people have heard the choirs of praise over and over again for the last decade.
If I were to put it simply, The Witcher 3 simply excels at almost everything it does and provides a mind boggling amount of content. It’s a lightning in a bottle mix of incredible content in both quality and quantity, with so many individual systems and threads that could literally suck you in for hundreds of hours.
This is the crescendo conclusion of a rich and dark universe made by a team who created something inimitable with pure passion and dedication. I have no doubt in my mind that this game will be remembered for generations to come and, if my previous paragraphs of unavoidable praise didn’t already do it justice, for good reason.
The highlight of my playthrough this time was the DLC which is the literal icing on the cake. When you think it can’t get better it just does, with hand crafted rpg perfection. Hearts of Stone delivers a perfect tie in into the main story rich with it’s own airs of conflicting moral dilemmas and heartbreakingly complex characters, while Blood and Wine goes all in with a fairy tale epilogue of twisted perversion, full with it’s own political intrigue, princesses and whole new area.
The final segments really drive in how monumental The Witcher 3 is. Where some games of such length and ambition would lose steam, The Witcher 3 kicks it into overdrive and the more you play, the deeper the hold goes, with ever expanding complexity and stakes to match character progression and explosive story beats.
It simply does not stop being great, from the moment you click on new game to the very final moments.
The only problem I have encountered during this entire playthrough was some RTX optimization bugs from the next gen update. But other than that, smooth sailing and pure fun in and out.
A masterpiece? A perfect story? An all timer role playing experience? Yes, yes and yes. But, even for how imposing such a game may sound, The Witcher 3 is one of those rare gems that leave an imprint on all that manage to handle the intimidating complexity of the first few hours.
One may say this could be nostalgia or bias, but even almost 10 years later, very few games can hold a candle to the white wolf’s triumph.
Even if you indulge in this experience for the first time or the 10th, there’s bound to be something here for you, and very possibly a game that will demolish your expectations like a bulldozer and tear down the preconceived limitations one could hold against the creative expression of gaming as an art form.
Maybe a bit dramatic, but hopefully the point still comes across. Wether you come in for the story, the characters, the action or the roleplaying, you’re in for a time to remember, filled with conspiracies, monsters, romance and swords.
Keep the potions close and the medallion closer. Good luck on the path.
This is one of those games where I wish I could just reset my memory and play them fresh all over again, despite already having a previous playthrough in the belt.
An incredible open world, fantastic character writing and hours upon hours of meticulously crafted quests and story, the Witcher 3 is simply filled with incredible mechanics and moments through and through that all come together to craft one of the most captivating and magical works of art ever put to the medium.
So much so that I feel like simply listing what I love so much would make this review 4 times the usual size. Plus, I feel like most people have heard the choirs of praise over and over again for the last decade.
If I were to put it simply, The Witcher 3 simply excels at almost everything it does and provides a mind boggling amount of content. It’s a lightning in a bottle mix of incredible content in both quality and quantity, with so many individual systems and threads that could literally suck you in for hundreds of hours.
This is the crescendo conclusion of a rich and dark universe made by a team who created something inimitable with pure passion and dedication. I have no doubt in my mind that this game will be remembered for generations to come and, if my previous paragraphs of unavoidable praise didn’t already do it justice, for good reason.
The highlight of my playthrough this time was the DLC which is the literal icing on the cake. When you think it can’t get better it just does, with hand crafted rpg perfection. Hearts of Stone delivers a perfect tie in into the main story rich with it’s own airs of conflicting moral dilemmas and heartbreakingly complex characters, while Blood and Wine goes all in with a fairy tale epilogue of twisted perversion, full with it’s own political intrigue, princesses and whole new area.
The final segments really drive in how monumental The Witcher 3 is. Where some games of such length and ambition would lose steam, The Witcher 3 kicks it into overdrive and the more you play, the deeper the hold goes, with ever expanding complexity and stakes to match character progression and explosive story beats.
It simply does not stop being great, from the moment you click on new game to the very final moments.
The only problem I have encountered during this entire playthrough was some RTX optimization bugs from the next gen update. But other than that, smooth sailing and pure fun in and out.
A masterpiece? A perfect story? An all timer role playing experience? Yes, yes and yes. But, even for how imposing such a game may sound, The Witcher 3 is one of those rare gems that leave an imprint on all that manage to handle the intimidating complexity of the first few hours.
One may say this could be nostalgia or bias, but even almost 10 years later, very few games can hold a candle to the white wolf’s triumph.
Even if you indulge in this experience for the first time or the 10th, there’s bound to be something here for you, and very possibly a game that will demolish your expectations like a bulldozer and tear down the preconceived limitations one could hold against the creative expression of gaming as an art form.
Maybe a bit dramatic, but hopefully the point still comes across. Wether you come in for the story, the characters, the action or the roleplaying, you’re in for a time to remember, filled with conspiracies, monsters, romance and swords.
Keep the potions close and the medallion closer. Good luck on the path.
A bit hard to rate this generally, it’s clunky and somewhat annoying at times but the foundation for an amazing story and excellent game are still there.
The Witcher 2 is CD Projekt Red’s turning point in creating what would soon become their magnum opus and, in its own right, a game that stands pretty well on it’s own two legs.
While it’s definitely flawed in the combat and exploration department, it undeniably delivers on the writing department with a good story and CD Projekt Red’s trademark RPG charm. I love when RPG games give you actual morally conflicting decision instead of “be nice or be evil”.
There are a few things that hindered my enjoyment here though. For starters, the difficulty curve is kind of crazy, this is by no means an impossible or hard game, but during the earlier levels it almost feels unfair how tanky some bosses and enemies are compared to Geralt. I spent a good chunk of time locked in a save, with sub optimal preparation having to power through a group or enemies or boss that would take me down in 2-3 hits.
Granted this may just be a skill issue and a lack of dedication on my part but considering most of the mid/late game challenges can just be powered through with one potion and spamming attacks, I did find it noticeable enough to make mention of it.
There are a few other elements that could have benefited from some fine tuning, and one such aspect that definitely shows its age are the forced QTE and stealth sections. I’m no stranger to linear gameplay and even I have to admit I’m a sucker for QTE’s and stealth sometimes.
Sadly I just thought it did not fit here and both mechanics suffered from a lot of jank. It kind of breaks the immersion but for a game released in 2011, I appreciate the effort and definitely understand the influence of the times when every game was trying to be a third person action/adventure title.
Overall, maybe didn’t like this as much as I thought I would but I can’t say I was disappointed. Despite a few hiccups in the side quest and gameplay departments I was fairly engaged with the main story and enjoyed most of the twists and characters.
Some sections are definitely stronger than others, but the Witcher 2 still delivers a pretty satisfying roleplaying package complete with action, romance and adventure. It may not be great just yet, but it sets an excellent foundation for fun gameplay loops and story denouements, which would soon be picked up, upgraded and expanded on all fronts by it’s legendary sequel, The Witcher 3.
Would recommend this to any RPG fan looking for a fun side adventure, or to any Witcher fan looking to get a deeper experience before they inevitably replay Witcher 3 for the 4th time.
The Witcher 2 is CD Projekt Red’s turning point in creating what would soon become their magnum opus and, in its own right, a game that stands pretty well on it’s own two legs.
While it’s definitely flawed in the combat and exploration department, it undeniably delivers on the writing department with a good story and CD Projekt Red’s trademark RPG charm. I love when RPG games give you actual morally conflicting decision instead of “be nice or be evil”.
There are a few things that hindered my enjoyment here though. For starters, the difficulty curve is kind of crazy, this is by no means an impossible or hard game, but during the earlier levels it almost feels unfair how tanky some bosses and enemies are compared to Geralt. I spent a good chunk of time locked in a save, with sub optimal preparation having to power through a group or enemies or boss that would take me down in 2-3 hits.
Granted this may just be a skill issue and a lack of dedication on my part but considering most of the mid/late game challenges can just be powered through with one potion and spamming attacks, I did find it noticeable enough to make mention of it.
There are a few other elements that could have benefited from some fine tuning, and one such aspect that definitely shows its age are the forced QTE and stealth sections. I’m no stranger to linear gameplay and even I have to admit I’m a sucker for QTE’s and stealth sometimes.
Sadly I just thought it did not fit here and both mechanics suffered from a lot of jank. It kind of breaks the immersion but for a game released in 2011, I appreciate the effort and definitely understand the influence of the times when every game was trying to be a third person action/adventure title.
Overall, maybe didn’t like this as much as I thought I would but I can’t say I was disappointed. Despite a few hiccups in the side quest and gameplay departments I was fairly engaged with the main story and enjoyed most of the twists and characters.
Some sections are definitely stronger than others, but the Witcher 2 still delivers a pretty satisfying roleplaying package complete with action, romance and adventure. It may not be great just yet, but it sets an excellent foundation for fun gameplay loops and story denouements, which would soon be picked up, upgraded and expanded on all fronts by it’s legendary sequel, The Witcher 3.
Would recommend this to any RPG fan looking for a fun side adventure, or to any Witcher fan looking to get a deeper experience before they inevitably replay Witcher 3 for the 4th time.
2017
Do you ever finish a game and just go “wow“?
Let me introduce you to Nier Automata, a game that is practically begging for you to underestimate it. I’m gonna really try to weigh my words in fear of not doing Nier Automata the justice it deserves, but this is one of those games that breaks all conventions we know of as players, to challenge us, to make us think, but most of all to make us feel.
I cannot understate how important it is go into this blind and experience this for yourself and through your own gameplay. Chock full of meta moments and delightfully freaky 4th wall breaks, Nier Automata takes full advantage of the agency of the player to put you into what may seem as a banal JRPG story: flashy main character, over the top action and combat, anime robots etc.. But it quickly flips these expectations on their heads over the course of the game to give the player progressive glimpses of it’s true form: a piece of art, philosophical and thematically charged in nature, detached and unlike anything else you may have played before.
With no punches held, Nier Automata transcends the gaming medium with constant genre switches from bullet hell to platformer to shooter to fighter (and so much more you probably wouldn’t believe), a masterclass in storytelling that really messes with your own emotions and, dare I say, some of the greatest level design and soundtrack work ever put to code. How insane is that.
I could write 3 more paragraphs and the truth is I wouldn’t even scratch the surface. There’s so much to unpack and replay and digest that I feel like this is a game I will play over and over again for a long time. But for a first experience? Nier Automata touched me in a powerful way, and left a unique imprint on me I don’t think a lot of games would be able to hold a candle too. Even now, a full day after I beat it, I find it quite hard to define all the things I liked so much about this game. It’s an elusive package that hides its true intentions so well and really feels more and more like a fever dream as you unpack this surreal and bizarre narrative.
If I were to put it shortly, Nier Automata is a masterful contradiction. It’s grand and epic but also quite and intimate, beautiful at times but just as much tragic, sad and somber but with just enough optimism to peer through the clouds. This game is incomparable and a monument to what can be achieved through art and humanity, utilizing every mechanic, concept, tool and pre established gimmick to enforce it’s incredible narrative and deeper messages from the second you boot up the game.
Never too corny or in your face, there’s a genuine moral element to the game which attempts to digest and exemplify philosophy and great life questions in almost bite sized, gameplay portions. From Nietzsche, Engels to Simone de Beauvoir and even Jean Paul Sartre, it’s an effective and admirable attempt to deepen the core messages and blur the lines of fiction and reality with questions and feelings that would be so easily justified in both settings.
Meaning? Identity? Purpose? These are all existential questions you never really get an explicit answer too. Life questions defining your existence and your sense of self, so easily defined by the good, the bad, and everything in between. And though the game may not seem like the most hopeful approach to these unanswerable meditations, through it’s constant repetition, depressing enemies and bizarre world, it uses that aforementioned perfect contradiction to break the boundary between the game and the player, to give you something real. Something so real it becomes hard to figure out if it’s your own reflection through the game or an odd message left behind. And, for old time’s sake, it does so with one last great contradiction.
"Everything that lives is designed to end. They are perpetually trapped in a never-ending spiral of life and death. However, life is all about the struggle within this cycle. That is what 'we' believe."
A better future is always possible. Glory to mankind.
Let me introduce you to Nier Automata, a game that is practically begging for you to underestimate it. I’m gonna really try to weigh my words in fear of not doing Nier Automata the justice it deserves, but this is one of those games that breaks all conventions we know of as players, to challenge us, to make us think, but most of all to make us feel.
I cannot understate how important it is go into this blind and experience this for yourself and through your own gameplay. Chock full of meta moments and delightfully freaky 4th wall breaks, Nier Automata takes full advantage of the agency of the player to put you into what may seem as a banal JRPG story: flashy main character, over the top action and combat, anime robots etc.. But it quickly flips these expectations on their heads over the course of the game to give the player progressive glimpses of it’s true form: a piece of art, philosophical and thematically charged in nature, detached and unlike anything else you may have played before.
With no punches held, Nier Automata transcends the gaming medium with constant genre switches from bullet hell to platformer to shooter to fighter (and so much more you probably wouldn’t believe), a masterclass in storytelling that really messes with your own emotions and, dare I say, some of the greatest level design and soundtrack work ever put to code. How insane is that.
I could write 3 more paragraphs and the truth is I wouldn’t even scratch the surface. There’s so much to unpack and replay and digest that I feel like this is a game I will play over and over again for a long time. But for a first experience? Nier Automata touched me in a powerful way, and left a unique imprint on me I don’t think a lot of games would be able to hold a candle too. Even now, a full day after I beat it, I find it quite hard to define all the things I liked so much about this game. It’s an elusive package that hides its true intentions so well and really feels more and more like a fever dream as you unpack this surreal and bizarre narrative.
If I were to put it shortly, Nier Automata is a masterful contradiction. It’s grand and epic but also quite and intimate, beautiful at times but just as much tragic, sad and somber but with just enough optimism to peer through the clouds. This game is incomparable and a monument to what can be achieved through art and humanity, utilizing every mechanic, concept, tool and pre established gimmick to enforce it’s incredible narrative and deeper messages from the second you boot up the game.
Never too corny or in your face, there’s a genuine moral element to the game which attempts to digest and exemplify philosophy and great life questions in almost bite sized, gameplay portions. From Nietzsche, Engels to Simone de Beauvoir and even Jean Paul Sartre, it’s an effective and admirable attempt to deepen the core messages and blur the lines of fiction and reality with questions and feelings that would be so easily justified in both settings.
Meaning? Identity? Purpose? These are all existential questions you never really get an explicit answer too. Life questions defining your existence and your sense of self, so easily defined by the good, the bad, and everything in between. And though the game may not seem like the most hopeful approach to these unanswerable meditations, through it’s constant repetition, depressing enemies and bizarre world, it uses that aforementioned perfect contradiction to break the boundary between the game and the player, to give you something real. Something so real it becomes hard to figure out if it’s your own reflection through the game or an odd message left behind. And, for old time’s sake, it does so with one last great contradiction.
"Everything that lives is designed to end. They are perpetually trapped in a never-ending spiral of life and death. However, life is all about the struggle within this cycle. That is what 'we' believe."
A better future is always possible. Glory to mankind.
2016
It’s hard to even find a place to start when considering the prospect of writing a review for XCOM 2. This is a game I’ve been playing on and off for years since it’s release and one that I simply can’t let go of. XCOM 2 is the perfect mix of turn based strategy with enough challenge and customization to ensure almost unlimited replay value.
Every couple of months I always find myself thinking about this game, wondering if the time I remember spending really was as good as I remembered or if my memories were just tainted with nostalgia. And every, single, time, I get drawn back in like a moth to a flame.
Wether it’s a new mod I want to try, a character I want to make, or a little rush of courage taunting me to go ironman just one more time, XCOM 2 has become ultimate video game comfort food and something I could legitimately have playing in the back of my head at all times. Sure, it can still be buggy and frustrating, but the mechanics and gameplay loop displayed are so damn good I genuinely find myself looking for a similar level of prestige in a bunch of other games. Usually with little success.
I started another run a week or two ago after taking a good look at my backlog and realizing I was feeling too lazy to boot up a brand new game just yet. “Just one more for old time’s sake” turned into a relentless steam workshop dive and yet another obsessive playthrough that had me cheering, yelling and cussing out my monitor at all times of the night.
With the addition of War Of The Chosen, what was already an insane package becomes this ridiculously good story crafted by your own soldiers, their respective triumphs and defeats, and stakes that are always looming over you. Everything from the base and time management to the tactical gameplay and world events just fits together perfectly to create an engaging experience that is so, so hard to put down.
For what it’s worth, nothing in terms of turn based strategy has come close to this game for me. Both a blessing and a curse, XCOM 2 has cemented itself as one of my favorite games over the course of many years and many campaigns. Until the sequel inevitably comes out, I’m sure there’ll be many more hours to come where I will be absolutely rinsing this game, but in the meantime, don’t forget your advent burgers.
Every couple of months I always find myself thinking about this game, wondering if the time I remember spending really was as good as I remembered or if my memories were just tainted with nostalgia. And every, single, time, I get drawn back in like a moth to a flame.
Wether it’s a new mod I want to try, a character I want to make, or a little rush of courage taunting me to go ironman just one more time, XCOM 2 has become ultimate video game comfort food and something I could legitimately have playing in the back of my head at all times. Sure, it can still be buggy and frustrating, but the mechanics and gameplay loop displayed are so damn good I genuinely find myself looking for a similar level of prestige in a bunch of other games. Usually with little success.
I started another run a week or two ago after taking a good look at my backlog and realizing I was feeling too lazy to boot up a brand new game just yet. “Just one more for old time’s sake” turned into a relentless steam workshop dive and yet another obsessive playthrough that had me cheering, yelling and cussing out my monitor at all times of the night.
With the addition of War Of The Chosen, what was already an insane package becomes this ridiculously good story crafted by your own soldiers, their respective triumphs and defeats, and stakes that are always looming over you. Everything from the base and time management to the tactical gameplay and world events just fits together perfectly to create an engaging experience that is so, so hard to put down.
For what it’s worth, nothing in terms of turn based strategy has come close to this game for me. Both a blessing and a curse, XCOM 2 has cemented itself as one of my favorite games over the course of many years and many campaigns. Until the sequel inevitably comes out, I’m sure there’ll be many more hours to come where I will be absolutely rinsing this game, but in the meantime, don’t forget your advent burgers.
A bit of a pain to revisit, time hasn’t done Crisis Core any favors.
This is a game that has not aged terribly well and this “remake” doesn’t really do it any favors.
The gameplay formula is polished enough to be enjoyable, but just enough, there’s really nothing too special about it that would make me want to revisit it again.
I will give it some flowers though, the story picks up quite well by the final chapters and some of the references and nods are really cool. The ending also slaps and it’s still pretty emotional after so many years.
Zack is a really fantastic character so it is a bit disappointing that this game doesn’t do him justice. The new VA really doesn’t help either.
This is definitely a game made for the big FF7 fans who really want to know more about the world and characters. While it may be mid as a whole, it still serves as a decent enough prequel with just enough passion to warrant it’s place in the FF7 canon.
This is a game that has not aged terribly well and this “remake” doesn’t really do it any favors.
The gameplay formula is polished enough to be enjoyable, but just enough, there’s really nothing too special about it that would make me want to revisit it again.
I will give it some flowers though, the story picks up quite well by the final chapters and some of the references and nods are really cool. The ending also slaps and it’s still pretty emotional after so many years.
Zack is a really fantastic character so it is a bit disappointing that this game doesn’t do him justice. The new VA really doesn’t help either.
This is definitely a game made for the big FF7 fans who really want to know more about the world and characters. While it may be mid as a whole, it still serves as a decent enough prequel with just enough passion to warrant it’s place in the FF7 canon.
Probably one of the greatest games ever made. Even the best of praise wouldn’t fully do justice to all it’s masterfully executed layers, this is an incredibly special and one best experienced completely blind.
It’s not my favorite of the MGS games, but Sons of Liberty delivers stealth gameplay (almost) perfected, an incredible narrative and one of the hardest hitting messages and sections in literally all of media. This is a transcendant story parading as a normal action game and it takes full advantage of that, messing around with the player and their expectations at every single twist and turn.
This is so ahead of it’s time and, in the vein of it’s predecessor, it’s almost scary how relevant MGS2 still is.
Upon revisiting this, the only thing I’ll say is that the original trumps this one in turns of boss battles and villainous cast, even though there are a few really good ones here and there.
Sons of Liberty is one of the best experiences in gaming, and even if some of it’s content may seem overly complicated, and sometimes it really is, it manages to pull everything together in such a triumphant way that really shows the power these silly games can have. The only thing I disliked about this back then, and still do upon replaying, is those nodes, but apart from that, everyone needs to do themselves a favor and witness this beautiful crescendo for themselves at least once.
It’s not my favorite of the MGS games, but Sons of Liberty delivers stealth gameplay (almost) perfected, an incredible narrative and one of the hardest hitting messages and sections in literally all of media. This is a transcendant story parading as a normal action game and it takes full advantage of that, messing around with the player and their expectations at every single twist and turn.
This is so ahead of it’s time and, in the vein of it’s predecessor, it’s almost scary how relevant MGS2 still is.
Upon revisiting this, the only thing I’ll say is that the original trumps this one in turns of boss battles and villainous cast, even though there are a few really good ones here and there.
Sons of Liberty is one of the best experiences in gaming, and even if some of it’s content may seem overly complicated, and sometimes it really is, it manages to pull everything together in such a triumphant way that really shows the power these silly games can have. The only thing I disliked about this back then, and still do upon replaying, is those nodes, but apart from that, everyone needs to do themselves a favor and witness this beautiful crescendo for themselves at least once.
2024
Usually when I write these little reviews, I try to beat a main objective so I’m completely assured that I’ve spent enough time with the game to give it a fair critique. It’s a concept that’s always harder to define when playing always online games, and a problem that I thought had resolved itself as I slowly but surely moved on from these types of gaming experiences as my taste and interests evolved. After all, despite the insane hold live service and online games had on me as a teen, the quality of certain big name titles have undeniably regressed, leaving in it’s decline a vacuum, a need for quality online gaming that I thought would never really become as whole as it once was.
I never thought the day would come, but today I swallow back my words and fully accept how wrong I was about the state of online gaming. There is no main objective that I could plan to beat, but for what it’s worth this game has taken over my brain ever since I first dropped down from orbit. After multiple hours with friends; a few with online matchmaking and a few grind sessions to myself, I have to say this game made me reconsider a lot. Ironically enough, it’s almost like Helldivers 2 dropped out of absolutely nowhere and it has already shattered so many records for good reason.
Outside of a commendably funny take on the usual science fiction shenanigans, Helldivers 2 feels like a perfect mix of the gritty Warhammer 40K and the satirical Starship Troopers, both in some similar themes and execution. This is the kind of in game world you can indulge in very casually but with just enough depth to match the levity of it’s comedic aspect. It’s definitely not there yet but there is definite potential in expanding the game world to match the player base and their community led efforts.
Which leads straight into something I also genuinely love about this game, it mobilizes the whole community as a joint effort. Not only does this fit great with the live service model, allowing for content drops and updates that go hand in hand with in game events, but it also makes you feel like a small part of a bigger army. It’s incredibly satisfying to see the fronts move back and forth as different squads of soldiers from across the world coordinate their efforts to varying degrees of success, it effectively allows the player base to shape the story themselves.
This may be overzealous praise on my end, considering how recent the game still is, but I think it might just be one of the best implementations of the live service model yet. Pair that with a genuinely fair monetization system, that allows you to unlock the in game “super“ currency through gameplay and basic progression, as well as an engaging and an addictive gameplay loop that manages to go from great ragdoll fun to intense firefights, and you have a great recipe for success.
I don’t want to be the one who jinxes it, but Helldivers 2 feels special. In this era of battle royales and predatory monetization systems, it feels so good to have a game that can do everything so well while sticking unapologetically true to it’s COOP centric mechanics and fair customer values.
There’s still a lot of work to be done, with maintenance issues but also with content drops and community support, but right now, Helldivers 2 feels like the closest thing to the online days of the Xbox 360 era. This is an incredibly promising start and, assuming the devs manage to ride out their initial success with a good plan and some little extra care, I’d say this has the potential to bring back a lot of gamers into the fold.
It’s a return to source that clicks all the right buttons and has a genuinely great community to boast. So what are you waiting for? Super Earth needs you.
I never thought the day would come, but today I swallow back my words and fully accept how wrong I was about the state of online gaming. There is no main objective that I could plan to beat, but for what it’s worth this game has taken over my brain ever since I first dropped down from orbit. After multiple hours with friends; a few with online matchmaking and a few grind sessions to myself, I have to say this game made me reconsider a lot. Ironically enough, it’s almost like Helldivers 2 dropped out of absolutely nowhere and it has already shattered so many records for good reason.
Outside of a commendably funny take on the usual science fiction shenanigans, Helldivers 2 feels like a perfect mix of the gritty Warhammer 40K and the satirical Starship Troopers, both in some similar themes and execution. This is the kind of in game world you can indulge in very casually but with just enough depth to match the levity of it’s comedic aspect. It’s definitely not there yet but there is definite potential in expanding the game world to match the player base and their community led efforts.
Which leads straight into something I also genuinely love about this game, it mobilizes the whole community as a joint effort. Not only does this fit great with the live service model, allowing for content drops and updates that go hand in hand with in game events, but it also makes you feel like a small part of a bigger army. It’s incredibly satisfying to see the fronts move back and forth as different squads of soldiers from across the world coordinate their efforts to varying degrees of success, it effectively allows the player base to shape the story themselves.
This may be overzealous praise on my end, considering how recent the game still is, but I think it might just be one of the best implementations of the live service model yet. Pair that with a genuinely fair monetization system, that allows you to unlock the in game “super“ currency through gameplay and basic progression, as well as an engaging and an addictive gameplay loop that manages to go from great ragdoll fun to intense firefights, and you have a great recipe for success.
I don’t want to be the one who jinxes it, but Helldivers 2 feels special. In this era of battle royales and predatory monetization systems, it feels so good to have a game that can do everything so well while sticking unapologetically true to it’s COOP centric mechanics and fair customer values.
There’s still a lot of work to be done, with maintenance issues but also with content drops and community support, but right now, Helldivers 2 feels like the closest thing to the online days of the Xbox 360 era. This is an incredibly promising start and, assuming the devs manage to ride out their initial success with a good plan and some little extra care, I’d say this has the potential to bring back a lot of gamers into the fold.
It’s a return to source that clicks all the right buttons and has a genuinely great community to boast. So what are you waiting for? Super Earth needs you.
1998
A game that needs no introduction for it's groundbreaking impact on the gaming industry, MGS is the first 3D entry to one of the best (and one of my favorite) game series of all time. I've always preached Hideo Kojima for his innovative outlook on game design and his creative approach to storytelling. The Kojima magic is really a genre of it's own and once it clicks, there's no going back.
Despite the polygon style and hardware limitations of the time, this is a game that is essentially timeless through it's design, gameplay and characters. It holds up incredibly well and the gargantuan influence it has had on decades of stealth and action games speak volumes on it's warranted legendary status.
For anyone that has the great opportunity to dive into this franchise blind, MGS is a perfect entry point and presents a gripping espionage story and the starting points to many complex, suspenseful plot threads that span across generations and governments.
It's genuinely thrilling and perfectly encapsulates the super spy fantasy in a tactical way, pushing the limits of video games as a form of media. While the meta aspects, may not be as effective today, the subject matter and some of the themes are almost more relevant than ever, and it's a true testament to the essence of masterful work that was put into this game.
If not for the game on it's own, it's also just really cool as a returning fan to see how Kojima's own techniques and writing improves alongside mechanics and hardware in the following instalments.
There are very few games like MGS. Games that capture lightning in a bottle, like a creative miracle that utilizes every part of it's mechanisms, both conventional and unconventional. in a way that simply cannot be recreated by anyone else. Games drenched in a creative flair so distinct and unique it would simply feel soulless if it was made any other way, by any other people.
Simply put, there are very few games like MGS, for the industry breakthrough it was, the incredible story and legacy it propelled to new heights, but also the legendary new standard of storytelling it set, not only for the gaming industry, but media in general.
Despite the polygon style and hardware limitations of the time, this is a game that is essentially timeless through it's design, gameplay and characters. It holds up incredibly well and the gargantuan influence it has had on decades of stealth and action games speak volumes on it's warranted legendary status.
For anyone that has the great opportunity to dive into this franchise blind, MGS is a perfect entry point and presents a gripping espionage story and the starting points to many complex, suspenseful plot threads that span across generations and governments.
It's genuinely thrilling and perfectly encapsulates the super spy fantasy in a tactical way, pushing the limits of video games as a form of media. While the meta aspects, may not be as effective today, the subject matter and some of the themes are almost more relevant than ever, and it's a true testament to the essence of masterful work that was put into this game.
If not for the game on it's own, it's also just really cool as a returning fan to see how Kojima's own techniques and writing improves alongside mechanics and hardware in the following instalments.
There are very few games like MGS. Games that capture lightning in a bottle, like a creative miracle that utilizes every part of it's mechanisms, both conventional and unconventional. in a way that simply cannot be recreated by anyone else. Games drenched in a creative flair so distinct and unique it would simply feel soulless if it was made any other way, by any other people.
Simply put, there are very few games like MGS, for the industry breakthrough it was, the incredible story and legacy it propelled to new heights, but also the legendary new standard of storytelling it set, not only for the gaming industry, but media in general.
2024
I truly believe Persona is a titan of the JRPG genre, with it’s unique art direction, engaging gameplay and great story and cast that always seem to pull on the right heart strings.
Persona 3 Reload is definitely a major stepping stone for Atlus. Outside of being their first multi-platform release for a mainline game, it’s a remake of one of the most loved entries in the franchise. One that fits perfectly for both new fans of the genre and series, but also for returning ones who were highly anticipating the opportunity to experience the story first hand again (or for the first time, it’s hard to say with persona fans).
With that being said, despite spending a good amount of time with portable and a few afternoons with FES, Persona 3 is definitely the installment I have spent the least time with out of the 3 HD games, so a return to Tatsumi Port Island was just as much of a little nostalgia dive as it was a refreshingly new experience, especially with the new models, VAs and scenes.
Gameplay wise, I’d say P3 Reload almost exceeds the quality of P5’s addicting system with even more polish and stylish animations dished out. The 1 more mechanic was always fun to me but it has never felt better than in this game. Tartarus in itself has become much less of a chore with a few new improvements, including a much needed one that makes leveling your whole party much more straightforward.
Regarding that, I really think that JRPGs shine the most when they adapt the “easy to learn, hard to master” doctrine, and P3 Reload is a shining example. It allows for the player to easily get engaged with combat mechanics and gradually evolves in complexity as you progress through the story, and ultimately progress to greater stakes and enemies. It’s pretty simple but such an effective way to draw in an audience and make leveling satisfying.
The art direction, as expected from the franchise, is stellar and all of it, from the music to the animations feels like it was meticulously prepared and placed with immense care and passion. The soundtrack never gets old and the menus and UIs have a distinct charm to them. Easy on the eyes and a welcome change considering the amount of time you’ll probably spend shifting through menus and dashing out skills.
It may not be my favorite, but I’d honestly give the same level of praise to the story. Narratives have always been a testament to one of persona’s greatest strengths and that’s the ability to stretch out such a heartfelt story throughout so many hours. It’s definitely a bit on the nose at times but it never strays too far from it’s initial themes and always delivers the emotional highs in a very satisfactory manner. This is the kind of game that slowly unfolds without you even realizing and keeps you hooked for dozens on dozens of hours.
My only major gripe here, and what stops me from calling this perfect, is the social links and some of the day to day activities. Outside of the combat and main story, a main chunk of your playtime is spent balancing social activities, from talking to people to leveling your stats. It may be a lot to take in but, as to be expected in a persona game, it quickly becomes very addictive as you get those little stat increase jingles and you meet more and more people. It can be a bit overwhelming but balancing what you want to do and who you want to do it with is a bit part of the fun.
Sadly, I really think this installment falters in terms of social links compared to other entries. It’s annoying because it’s really irregular in terms of quality. Some conversations and links are very memorable and heartfelt, while others feel like a complete waste of time with absolutely no lesson learnt or clear intent. It becomes all the more apparent as you progress through the game and inevitably max out some of the links. There’s also the issue with social stats, which are incredibly easy to max out compared to other games. I’m not really sure if this is just an attempt at faithfully adapting that aspect from the original version, or if my brain is tricking me into thinking it was harder for other games, but it renders a bunch of side activities obsolete without the associated stat increase. Pair this with the social link problem and the player’s schedule becomes more of a chore to deal in the later parts of the game.
Despite the little nitpick, I still adored my time with this game. One of the greatest strengths of the franchise is it’s ability to draw you in so easily with it’s cast, locations and story to the point you almost don’t want the game to reach a conclusion. It’s always an incredible experience and I’d say this remake captured that essence wonderfully. It’s always hard to explain what persona is about to someone who might not gravitate towards these kinds of games, but it’s genuinely unique and something I always look back on with fond memories. It’s hard to understate how moving these games can be for their portrayals of friendship and the themes they carry proudly.
Overall, I’d say Persona 3 Reload successfully delivers a great new rendition of a beloved classic, and a fitting new installment for curious gamers to jump right into, blissfuly unaware that their life might change the second they hit play.
Persona 3 Reload is definitely a major stepping stone for Atlus. Outside of being their first multi-platform release for a mainline game, it’s a remake of one of the most loved entries in the franchise. One that fits perfectly for both new fans of the genre and series, but also for returning ones who were highly anticipating the opportunity to experience the story first hand again (or for the first time, it’s hard to say with persona fans).
With that being said, despite spending a good amount of time with portable and a few afternoons with FES, Persona 3 is definitely the installment I have spent the least time with out of the 3 HD games, so a return to Tatsumi Port Island was just as much of a little nostalgia dive as it was a refreshingly new experience, especially with the new models, VAs and scenes.
Gameplay wise, I’d say P3 Reload almost exceeds the quality of P5’s addicting system with even more polish and stylish animations dished out. The 1 more mechanic was always fun to me but it has never felt better than in this game. Tartarus in itself has become much less of a chore with a few new improvements, including a much needed one that makes leveling your whole party much more straightforward.
Regarding that, I really think that JRPGs shine the most when they adapt the “easy to learn, hard to master” doctrine, and P3 Reload is a shining example. It allows for the player to easily get engaged with combat mechanics and gradually evolves in complexity as you progress through the story, and ultimately progress to greater stakes and enemies. It’s pretty simple but such an effective way to draw in an audience and make leveling satisfying.
The art direction, as expected from the franchise, is stellar and all of it, from the music to the animations feels like it was meticulously prepared and placed with immense care and passion. The soundtrack never gets old and the menus and UIs have a distinct charm to them. Easy on the eyes and a welcome change considering the amount of time you’ll probably spend shifting through menus and dashing out skills.
It may not be my favorite, but I’d honestly give the same level of praise to the story. Narratives have always been a testament to one of persona’s greatest strengths and that’s the ability to stretch out such a heartfelt story throughout so many hours. It’s definitely a bit on the nose at times but it never strays too far from it’s initial themes and always delivers the emotional highs in a very satisfactory manner. This is the kind of game that slowly unfolds without you even realizing and keeps you hooked for dozens on dozens of hours.
My only major gripe here, and what stops me from calling this perfect, is the social links and some of the day to day activities. Outside of the combat and main story, a main chunk of your playtime is spent balancing social activities, from talking to people to leveling your stats. It may be a lot to take in but, as to be expected in a persona game, it quickly becomes very addictive as you get those little stat increase jingles and you meet more and more people. It can be a bit overwhelming but balancing what you want to do and who you want to do it with is a bit part of the fun.
Sadly, I really think this installment falters in terms of social links compared to other entries. It’s annoying because it’s really irregular in terms of quality. Some conversations and links are very memorable and heartfelt, while others feel like a complete waste of time with absolutely no lesson learnt or clear intent. It becomes all the more apparent as you progress through the game and inevitably max out some of the links. There’s also the issue with social stats, which are incredibly easy to max out compared to other games. I’m not really sure if this is just an attempt at faithfully adapting that aspect from the original version, or if my brain is tricking me into thinking it was harder for other games, but it renders a bunch of side activities obsolete without the associated stat increase. Pair this with the social link problem and the player’s schedule becomes more of a chore to deal in the later parts of the game.
Despite the little nitpick, I still adored my time with this game. One of the greatest strengths of the franchise is it’s ability to draw you in so easily with it’s cast, locations and story to the point you almost don’t want the game to reach a conclusion. It’s always an incredible experience and I’d say this remake captured that essence wonderfully. It’s always hard to explain what persona is about to someone who might not gravitate towards these kinds of games, but it’s genuinely unique and something I always look back on with fond memories. It’s hard to understate how moving these games can be for their portrayals of friendship and the themes they carry proudly.
Overall, I’d say Persona 3 Reload successfully delivers a great new rendition of a beloved classic, and a fitting new installment for curious gamers to jump right into, blissfuly unaware that their life might change the second they hit play.