Resident Evil 2 Remake is like stepping back into the golden age of survival horror, but with all the bells and whistles of modern gaming. From the moment I booted it up, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. The gameplay loop, which perfectly balances tension, resource management, and exploration, is incredibly satisfying. It reminded me why I fell in love with survival horror in the first place.

The atmosphere in this game is nothing short of phenomenal. Capcom has done an excellent job of bringing Raccoon City to life with great graphics and immersive sound design. Especially the stomping of a certain character chasing you, had me on edge all the time. The revamped visuals and audio not only pay homage to the original but also elevate the experience.

What worked unexpectedly well for me, was how the game encourages multiple playthroughs. To achieve the platinum trophy, you have to dissect the game piece by piece, mastering speedruns and tackling various challenges and handicaps. Each run feels like a new puzzle to solve, pushing you to optimize your strategies and improve your skills.

However, not everything about Resident Evil 2 Remake is perfect. The story and characters, while iconic, feel a bit outdated and, at times, cringe-worthy. The dialogue can be cheesy, and the character development is somewhat shallow by today's standards. This didn't ruin the experience for me, but it did pull me out of the immersion occasionally.

In the end, Resident Evil 2 Remake is a fantastic revitalization of a classic that nails the core elements of survival horror. It's a must-play for fans of the genre and a great entry point for newcomers. If you can look past the dated story and characters, you'll find a game that masterfully combines the old and the new, delivering a heart-pounding experience that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

When BOTW released and I got my switch for the release of that game, the hype was real. And I loved playing the game, even though I took breaks here and there and it took me a while to fully complete it. I loved playing the game a lot, but it didn't feel like the best game i've ever played. I saw all of it's strengths and it felt revolutionary in many ways, not because it invented many new things, but because it stripped the game of things that I expected in an open world game and it because it stitched aspects together so well, that made other similar games enjoyable.
The moment I started really diving into TOTK however, there was only one question popping up in my head over and over again: Is this the best game ever made?
After spending so many hours almost entirely completing all the game had to offer and almost the same amount of time spent in BOTW, I can say that I never felt as close to being sure I know the answer to that question.
I feel like i don't need to really say a lot more about the game. The Switch Zelda Games are a phenomenon talked about at length everywhere and unless you lived under a rock the last couple of years, you probably know all you need to know about the games. Instead, I rummaged through my notes and want to just leave a couple of bullet points here, that describe points in the game that pushed me more and more towards knowing the answer to the question, whether this is the best game ever made or not.

- That moment when you climb up to one of the highest points in the game and watch the sunset. The minimalist soundtrack and visuals are absolutely singular and the sense of freedom I felt right at that moment, is something i barely ever felt in a game.
- From a technical standpoint it's still unbelievable the game runs on the switch hardware. Somtetimes I wondered what the devs would be able to achieve with a much more capable machine, but I think the result would be something entirely different. I think the limitations actually led to the beauty of this game. it's timeless and unique and i'm sure it will feel the same way in 20 years.
- It's a game that makes you feel smart and gives you all the power you crave as a protagonist in an open world
- TOTK is testament to the devs understanding what the community loved about BOTW and why they kept on playing. The way they doubled down on the sandbox freedom and the glitch-culture by implementing that into the gameplay loop, is one of the best iterations on a videogame formula i've seen, period.

I mean, there is no novelty in the gameplay anymore and I think it worked better with catching Pokemon in general. Even though the fighting here is good enough, it pretty much feels barebones, there is rarely any monster variety (at least until the point where I'm at currently) and it's so insultingly grindy, that you're doing pretty much the same over and over again after an hour or so. I guess the game has potential, but for now I'll retire it because I realized how mindlessly I was opening it to do some idle shit and I don't wanna do this anymore :D

As someone who has never set foot in the bustling streets of New York City, it might seem strange to express a desire to visit after immersing myself in the vibrant, fictionalized version of the city that Spider-Man 2 offers. Yet, it's a testament to the game's ability to capture the essence of NYC's progressive and diverse culture. Beyond the fast-paced action of a triple-A superhero title, Spider-Man 2 encapsulates the rich history and cultural tapestry of NYC. It's also the only game of this magnitude I remember, that gives characters with disabilities a meaningful place within it's story.

Spider-Man 2 isn't just another sequel; it's a remarkable evolution of the series. It stands as a culmination of the fantastic ideas and characters laid out in its predecessors, and it's the epitome of what Sony's first-party exclusives represent – a flawless blend of smooth gameplay and polish. While the core gameplay remains consistent, it's the ingenious additions that truly shine.
The introduction of web wings in Spider-Man 2 transforms traversal into an exhilarating experience. These wings allow you to glide through the city's urban canyons effortlessly, adding an incredible sense of speed and grace to your web-slinging adventures. The traversal feels so satisfying that it makes the technical marvel of fast travel feel almost unnecessary.

The combat in Spider-Man 2 maintains the high standard set by its predecessors. It's as thrilling and dynamic as ever, but after experiencing it across three entries in the series, it can start to feel somewhat repetitive. This begs the question of whether future installments can continue down this path without feeling like they've overstayed their welcome. Insomniac Games faces the challenge of keeping the franchise fresh while preserving what makes it great.

Spider-Man 2's narrative isn't just about heroic exploits; it's about the intricate relationships that define Peter and Miles lives. Amidst the breathtaking action sequences, there's a wealth of cinematic storytelling that draws players closer to its well-crafted characters. This depth allows you to connect with the game on a personal level, making it more than just a superhero romp.

While I remain a big fan of Sony's first party studio games, I think it's about time they changed things up a bit more bravely. I'm very curious where insomniac will go from here.