I was once a believer in the PC master race. However Xbox slowly corrupted my soul and now I am lost to team green. Come with me as I adventure through too many games across too many platforms!
Wolfenstein Youngblood is a fun time of you are playing co-op with a friend. The enemy variety and weapon chooses are interesting, making for some memorable fights. Graphics still hold up well today and movement feels great still.
However choosing the right gun for the task is the biggest downfall. Small indicator symbols above enemy types show what gun type does the best damage. So this can be frustrating at times having to cycle through guns to find the right one.
Otherwise, the game just lacks any really memorable characters. The main sisters are alright, if not generic. NPCs of the French Resistance never feel fleshed out.
Will that stop you from enjoying fighting robot Nazi dogs in occupied Paris? No, it won't. Though I'd argue that it really stops the game from reaching its potential.
This game is simply painful to play. Combat is as simplistic as you can possibly imagine. The story is simply un-interesting with its blend of Dead Space and Metro Exodus making for a forgettable outing. I will give credit for the level design at the very least, that has aged very well and it still holds up to this day. Sections where your character has to pilot a small robot? Not so much.
Top that off with issues where the developers did not properly pay for the Unreal Engine usage, the game has since been delisted from Steam. Trust me, if you see this title in the used section of your local game store simply stay away. Just skip this and play Dead Space or Metro Exodus - you'll be far happier.
You play as a young woman, hunting robotic dinosaurs. Sure there's more to know about the game but that premise alone is what sold me on the game. It does not disappoint and I'd recommend you play this game as soon as possible. I loved my time with it!
Dead by Daylight embodies what it truly means to 'survive the nightmare'. A highly addictive multiplayer game makes this a great entry to any horror gamer's library. But please be aware that is all this game is - multiplayer. Characters are fleshed out a little in their backstories you can read, however there is no single player plot.
Instead, the aim of the game is to simply a) escape the killing ground as a survivor by powering up generators to open the gates or b) as the killer, put the survivors in the dying state and then 'hook' them onto sacrificial meat hooks for the entity. Every character has their own perks that you can choose along with individual items which will enhance your character. While the objectives sound simple every game changes based on the random teammates you have, player experience level as that killer, items attached/perks active, etc. etc.
While I recommend this game, this game is not for the faint of heart or anyone squeamish towards blood. It will leave you chilled at times after seeing fellow survivors sacrificed or the killer hunting relentlessly for you. Both being the killer and survivor offer their own unique expereince that encourages high replay value of this title to perfect your approach with each character. The variety of characters, environments, and varying conditions for each game are simply amazing. Hunt on my friends and watch out - the entity knows you're here.
I bought this some time ago in a bundle package and let me tell you it's not a home run. A comedic retelling of a revolutionary war by squirrels, this turn based strategy game is simple but effective at the start. The developers hope if you enjoyed Plants vs Zombies you'll go nutty over this! However, that would be an error. The gameplay is repetitive, no undo button present while your turn is occurring, and enemy types do not vary. An overall good effort making fo*****right game. However be forewarned it is not the same caliber as say Plants vs Zombies.
Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders sets the picture beautifully. A murder occurs by an unknown assailant, who then types a letter to Hercule Poirot inviting him to try and catch him. You, as one of the best detectives around, must stop this madman!
The problem? The game fails ultimately to make you feel any sort of intelligence as Hercule Poirot. The vast majority of the game is just noticing the OBVIOUS items. A woman is fidgeting in her seat, avoiding your gaze, and breathing quickly. Your deduction - she's nervous.
That's it. As a fan of a good detective story I was shocked by just how under developed this was from a player's perspective. Surely THE CHIEF OF POLICE, who goes to ALL the crime scenes with you, can tell such OBVIOUS items as this? The game leads me to believe NO, that you are indeed the smartest person in the room.
Tragic. Otherwise Artefacts Studio really nail the world design. The visual look really suited this game rather well.
However that is the extent of this game's good graces. Puzzles are very simplistic. Voice acting at times laughably bad with speech different from the subtitles. Worst of all nothing can overcome a detective game where as the protagonist you agree with Scar from The Lion King "I'm surrounded by idiots".
Starfield begins slowly, with many items not explained. In time, the literal universe opens up and the fantasy of flying the cosmos becomes a reality. The game's scale is magnificent and problematic at the same time.
Procedurally generated planets make up most of the cosmos. While that ensures a freshness to it, the number of assets should have been increased dramatically for this. Not many building layouts and types will randomly spawn, so memorization of these buildings becomes second hand and unintersting. The plant and animal life is probably the best fitted for this procedural generation, as there are many odd and strange sights I saw due to this.
The main quest is slow and methodical. Very few times did I feel surprised or awed. If you are looking for narrative meat, the side quests available were where I truly enjoyed myself here.
The Endgame is truly creative and well thought out. I have no plans to do another session right now. Make no mistake though, Starfield is a good game. It's just a Bethesda game, filled with odd quirks and random bugs (they are improving, but why can you build a bookcase in your bases but not fill it with books?). While this may not be the best game of the current generation, it is still a marvel once it starts going and worth the playthrough.
Baldur's Gate 3 is a masterpiece. In 20 years from now, folks will point back to Larian Studio's work on this title as a benchmark for the genre. Must play title of 2023.
Robocop Rogue City is a wonderful time. Peter Weller, reprising his role of Robocop, sounds absolutely fantastic. The other cast members each give fun vocal performances that make you feel like you're in an 80's action film. The combat, setting, graphics and character models are all great at this. Where the game falls a little flat is the soundtrack and random visual glitches (not game breaking, usually just character pop in).
You should absolutely play this have though. It is fun and does exactly what it sets out to do - allows you to save Detroit as Robocop. One of the best film to video game adaptations around!
Blacksad: Under the Skin is akin to Telltale's "The Wolf Among Us". Both games personify animals in worlds where they talk and behave as humans do. However this game is much grittier, darker, and overall more satisfying to a mature audience. The work you do as a detective and the choices you make gave me a sense of importance I haven't felt since L.A. Noire.
What keeps this game from exceling to its full potential is specificity. Multiple times throughout the game you need to piece deductions together from the clues you've found. However, there is only one answer and until you select it the story will not progress. As a game that utilizes a lot of quick time events, there were multiple ones that catch the player off guard. Or even an instance when Blacksad is in a basement and I thought the game was bugged [it was NOT - just a highly specific spot in the basement needed to be stood in so Blacksad could find his objective].
Ultimately, this game is good. The teams at Pendulo Studios and YS Interactive crafted a compelling story, interesting characters, great soundtrack and nailed the aesthetic. While this may not be a purrfect first outing for Blacksad, it is rewarding and deserves to be seen by anyone who enjoys the Telltale formula.
This DLC is simply awesome. I'd argue that this is NOT optional DLC, as some of the most powerful weapons are in this area. Plus several of the best robots to face off against are here as well. The snowy lands and storms that rage as you guide Aloy to answer the questions in the Banuk's lands are breathtaking at times. Don't skip out on this DLC if at all possible, its well worth it.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake was my first foray into the Final Fantasy series. I'd heard of it in passing, but never played any of the games previously. When I saw the demo of the game at PAX East 2020, I was blown away. The graphics were amazing and I was hooked by what I saw on the floor. Thankfully, the full game did not disappoint. If you have not played this game I can't recommend it enough. The story, soundtrack, and battle mechanics all are top of the line experiences.