My latest addiction is this underrated gem of a mech game, I seriously cannot put it down. As someone who has never picked up an Armored Core game before, my only real reference point for the mech genre is Custom Robo (2004). The focus on customization is similar (find the optimal build and play-style to defeat certain enemies) but that's where the similarities end.

The world of Rubicon is expansive and gorgeous in a bleak, dystopian cyber-punk future sort of way. I love the way the cities look as you race through them or fly over them, and this desolate atmosphere really lends itself to the battle sequences. Gameplay is a blast; a steep learning curve at first for sure, especially when you don't have much in terms of customization options, but there is a strategy that works for every enemy.

I wasn't expecting much of a story, so I'm actually impressed with what there is. The story is told to you through found lore, conversations between your handler and certain characters, and bits of dialogue during the missions themselves. The idea of these merciless corporations hiring mercenaries and battling it out for resource extraction in a man-made hellscape filled with freedom fighters and drug-addled bandits is just a really cool setting (akin to something like Borderlands without the over-the-top campiness).

My score may change as I give this game some more time, but for now I just want to point out how fun this is to play. As a casual gamer who has always loved fighters but always sucked at them, this might be the first fighter ever to feel like it was designed especially for me. It teaches you everything you need to know and even goes so far as to provide character guides to get you acquainted with individual characters, their styles, strategies and move sets. The new "drive" system is a genius mechanic, so simple and yet it adds an entirely new dimension to fights.

The characters, art and settings are all really entertaining (except for Dhalsim, can we please just retire this trope or at the very least hire an actual Indian person to voice him? Nobody likes fighting him anyway he's so annoying). The World Tour setting is enjoyable for solo play but also a huge grind with diminishing returns. My favourite aspect is the Battle Hub, which is no small praise coming from someone who typically loathes online play. The communal arcade style format for pairing and spectating fights is just very addicting.

Picked this one up again after a few years because I never got around to finishing it. The graphics and art direction are still stand-outs even after 5 years and the game is often carried by its amazing performances, voice acting and incredible score. BUT I still have a few issues that are preventing me from giving this thing higher than a 3.5. Commencing rant:

1. Moving Arthur around is like steering the goddamn Titanic. I know they're going for a hyper realistic feel, but how realistic is it when I'm constantly running into people in slow motion or stumbling into bushes and trees? Its a little better on horseback but not by much, most of my deaths have occurred via horse collisions or by getting stuck against a rock or tree during an ambush. Which leads me to my next complaint...

2. Ambushes are damn near impossible to survive. Maybe this is a me problem, but as soon as a gang of outlaws arrives on the main roads I pretty much give up. It's honestly easier to just let them kill me and lose a few bucks than to waste my time, health and ammo desperately trying to live.

3. Controls and prompts often act very strangely (a problem aside from moving around in general). At one point I simply meant to pet my horse and ended up accidentally robbing a woman who was standing nearly 20 feet away, and I wasn't even holding a weapon.

Rockstar accomplishes some pretty good story telling at times, and nowhere is that more evident than in RDR2. I just wish they'd streamline their control schemes a bit and cool it with the clunky, awkward movement.