“It’s the eeeend of the world as we know it. And I feeeel…. intrigued.”

Game Name: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (2020)
Developer: Vanillaware (Dragon’s Crown, Odin Sphere, Grim Grimoire)
Platform: PS4
Categories: Non-Linear Storybook, Sidescroller, Adventure, SciFi Homage Frappé, Tolerable Japanese Teens, Multiple Playable Viewpoints, Intertwining Fates, Mecha, Kaiju, Time Travel, Dystopia, Gorgeous 2D Art, Hideous 3D Battles, Pausable RTS,
Insane Onscreen Unit Count, Tower Defense 2.0, Hero Unit Positioning, Mission Rankings, Unlockable Abilities, RPG Statistics, Lame Techno/JPop, Inconsistent Sound Design, Impressive Voicework, Likeable and Fully Realized Characters, Physical Bundle Artbook.

May Appeal To: manga nerds, sci-fi critics, digital artists, RTS dominators, and seasoned gamers looking for fresh game elements blended in interesting ways.
May Repulse: impatient or juvenile gamers looking for simple plots and consistent action.

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Killing isn’t his hobby, but he’s so good at it.

Game Name: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
Developer: CD Projekt Red (The Witcher 1 and 2, Cyberpunk 2077)
Platform: PC (reviewed on PC, w/ PS4 controller or Keyboard)
Categories: 3rd Person RPG, Solo, Real-time Swordplay, Spellcasting, Potion Swigging, Buff Stacking, Extreme Crafting and Inventory Management, Massive Equipment List and Discoverables, Boss Monsters, Exploration, Collectible Card Game, Sprawling and Realistic World, Grounded Fantasy, Modern Epic, Gigantic Cast of Characters, Polish Folklore, Spattering Gore, Mounds of Tittilating Nudity, Superb Writing, Extensive Dialogue, Gorgeous and Detailed Graphics, Riveting Musical Score, Branching Story Resolutions, Delayed Ramifications, and Situations that Challenge your Wit, Judgement, or Reflexes

May Appeal To: “mature” gamers lusting for blood, sex, and dwarves to drink and curse. Oh, and it’s easily one of the most thoughtful, poignant, fun, engrossing, expansive, and surprisingly well-executed roleplaying experiences made in my lifetime.
May Repulse: the bitter, chaste, and cranky individuals that can’t see past that first sentence to internalize the second. There is some offensive stuff in here, and the game skirts a fine line in appeasing both carnal delights and cerebral pleasures.

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You brought nameless goons to a protagonist heroine fight?!

Game Name: Last of Us: Part 2 (2020)
Developer: Naughty Dog (Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, Uncharted)
Platform: PS4
Categories: Waist-High Cover Shooter, Limited Stealth, Adventure/Exploration, Survival, Horror,  Post Apocalypse, Real-Time Crafting, Weapon Enhancement, ‘Shroom Zombies, Bandits, Seamless Cinematics, Stunning Vistas, Incredible Mood, Haunting/Chilling Audio, Commendable Acting, Non-Linear Story, Multiple Playable Characters, YA Cast, Depression, Torture Porn, Gore and Violence, Jaw-Dropping Concept Art, One Ending, Built-In Cheat Options, 3D Model Viewer, Useless Collectibles, Funky Save System,
The Best Difficulty Customization, Sequel Syndrome, Hype Train, “Woke” As Fuck

May Appeal To: wrist-slitting emotional teens and any who’d prefer that Nathan Drake be driven exclusively by bloodlust. If you get your jollies from depression, I have a game for you! Other than that, everyone drawn in by crafting/survival mechanics should be pleased.
May Repulse: die-hard fans of the original, crotchety adults, Tarantino haters, peaceniks, and those that get upset if an ending is telegraphed and unfurls in slow-mo.

Comparable To: Crash Bandicoot…. in no perceptible way. Uncharted, with its level design and combat/exploration balance, is pretty darn close (though “TLOU2” could use some Xanax by comparison). While I crawled on my belly, learning enemy search patterns and executing stealth kills in the forest, I was reminded of MGS3:Snake Eater’s infiltration (and also MGS4’s final fistfight). Some sequences had strong elements of building dread like with the whole Silent Hill series. Horizon: Zero Dawn has inspirational terrain similarly rife for exploration. Red Dead Redemption shares sentiment with the loneliness, danger, and hostility of a wild frontier. Resident Evil 4’s weapon selection, tone, bullet-counting survival gameplay, and tandem sidekick team-ups resonate strongly with this and the last game. Just like SpecOps: The Line, TLOU2  comments on the futility of war, PTSD, and a warrior’s psyche under duress. Continue reading →

Alright fine, I take it back – Wyverns have ears!

Game Name: Monster Hunter World (2018)
Developer: Capcom (Streetfighters, Resident Evils, Megamanszs, Devil May Crys)
Platform: PC, PS4, XBone (reviewed on PC -> PS4 controller, and w/ ICEBORNE DLC)
Categories: Single Player Origins, Multiplayer (Rarely Required), Fantasy Violence, Creature Stalking, Crafting and Preparation, Traps, Bombs, Nets, Tranquilizers, Fishing, Beast Mounts, Dozens of Weapon Types, Combos, Power Moves, Bows/Arrows, “Miniguns”, Hulking Mobile Cannons, Massive Swords, Aerial Combat, Evolving Playstyle, No Experience Levels, Personal IRL Growth, Gorgeous Environments, Lighthearted Tone, 20-50 Minute Sessions, Deceptively Complex, Wilderness Exploration, Arena Battles, Classic/Dated Sounds, Cat Pal Customization, Collectibles, Inventory Management, License Crossovers, Grinding Galore, Tribal Aesthetic, Worthwhile DLC, Seasonal Events, Post-Release Freebies, Unlimited Missions/Challenges, Lame Story, Deliberate Controls, Vivid and Enthralling Monsters and Environs, Customizable Gear with Endless Possibility

May Appeal To: OCD grinders, stat crunchers, meta gamers, tag team warriors, those that only want sporadic 30 minute romps against colorful, frightening boss monsters.
May Repulse: the opposite of whomever this appeals to!

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Biological experimentation? Physical therapy tubes? National gold exchange convention?          Nah, it’s just the most exclusive club in Night City!

Game Name: Cyberpunk 2077 (2019)
Developer: CD Projekt Red (Witcher 3 – maybe my favorite game of all time)
Platform: PC, PS4, XBox One, Stadia, PS5, XBox X/S  (reviewed on PC, PS4 controller)
Categories: Single Player, FPS, 1st/3rd Person Driving, Fantastic Vehicle Selection, Gorgeous Lighting, RPG Conversations, Meaningful Relationships, Emotional Investment, Philosophy Subtext, Subtle Repercussions, Social Commentary, Engrossing Setting, Corporate Militarization, Dystopia, Rogue AI, Man/Computer Integration, Hacking, Interactive Holograms, Stealth, Forensics, Mercenary Life, Multiple Intros, Multiple Endings, Internal Wiki, Reputation, Clunky Crafting, Street Samurais, Urban and Desert Biomes, Tacky Clothing Aesthetics, Staggering Music Selection, Excellent Acting and Voice Work, Slick Combat, Run ‘n’ Gun, Viable Playstyle Variance, Loot Hoarder, Numerous Missions, Scant Filler or MiniGames, Impressive Skill Progession System, Ambitious Beyond Means, Buggy Upon Release, Incomplete but Fun, Controversial Production Ethics, Playstation Refunds, Hypersexual, Extreme Violence, Disturbing Themes, Jarring Special Effects

May Appeal To: perverts, philosophers, CDPR Lapdogs, dice-rolling tabletop fanbois, and Keanu groupies. If Fight Club is in your top 10 movies of all time, give this a look.
May Repulse: prudes, console players, epileptics, and any who agree that Mr. Reeves is one of the stalest actors of this generation and fell ass-backwards into some incredible movie opportunities (seems like a nice guy though).

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