GKreviews1
12 reviews liked by GKreviews1
Alan Wake
2010
A cool premise and interesting idea, but not executed particularly well. Pretty boring to play but story keeps a good pace until the last level, which is just awful and then the game just kind of ends
Alien: Isolation
2014
Catching up on ALIEN ISOLATION. Fun game. Lots of hiding from the alien and out of control androids. Sweet.
This review contains spoilers
For the longest time, I had only played this game once. Through an emulator, a younger me had a hard time figuring out the controls and I remember struggling with the gameplay a lot. So now, several years later, I expected to not vibe with the gameplay a lot, despite the amazing story. But the game proved me wrong. I had a blast re-experiencing this game, experimenting anywhere I felt comfortable to and the game actively encouraged me to do so.
But more than that, I was immediately captivated by the story and world of Metal Gear Solid once again. Getting to play as a character that I have always adored in this franchise, experiencing his origins and the relationships he formed on his path to becoming the legendary Big Boss gave me such a deeper appreciation for his character.
What I deeply appreciate about Metal Gear Solid 3 is its contrast with the first two Solid games in the series. They end on a high thematic note, both celebrating life in a sense. But this entry chooses to do something else. The thematic resonance relies on the understanding of Big Boss's presence in the series. As an antagonist, a man with a wrong and messed up ideology. And here, we see it shaped from the one person he idolized and loved. The Boss - who is a captivating and beautiful character on her own - has a dream for this world. A dream that forms and shapes Naked Snake into the Big Boss that we know today.
"And no one will ever understand her. That was her final mission."
Even Big Boss fell victim to that.
But more than that, I was immediately captivated by the story and world of Metal Gear Solid once again. Getting to play as a character that I have always adored in this franchise, experiencing his origins and the relationships he formed on his path to becoming the legendary Big Boss gave me such a deeper appreciation for his character.
What I deeply appreciate about Metal Gear Solid 3 is its contrast with the first two Solid games in the series. They end on a high thematic note, both celebrating life in a sense. But this entry chooses to do something else. The thematic resonance relies on the understanding of Big Boss's presence in the series. As an antagonist, a man with a wrong and messed up ideology. And here, we see it shaped from the one person he idolized and loved. The Boss - who is a captivating and beautiful character on her own - has a dream for this world. A dream that forms and shapes Naked Snake into the Big Boss that we know today.
"And no one will ever understand her. That was her final mission."
Even Big Boss fell victim to that.
my name is Gear. John Gear.
if auron has a million fans, then im one of them
if auron has ten fans, then im one of them
if auron has one fan, then that is me
if auron has no fans, then that means
i am no longer on earth
if the world is against auron, then i am against the world
if auron has ten fans, then im one of them
if auron has one fan, then that is me
if auron has no fans, then that means
i am no longer on earth
if the world is against auron, then i am against the world
For the most part, The Grimm Troupe is just a glorified backtracking simulator featuring fights against enemies who love to glitch into walls for whatever reason.
But it also adds two of the best bosses in the game alongside the infamous Path of Pain and gives you an additional well-needed charm notch, so it ends up being a pretty solid package overall.
But it also adds two of the best bosses in the game alongside the infamous Path of Pain and gives you an additional well-needed charm notch, so it ends up being a pretty solid package overall.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a breath of fresh air in more than one way for 2D Mario games and has easily become one of my favorite platformers out there.
The artstyle is great, the controls are responsive and precise and the animations are just smooth. You can really feel the amount of dedication the developers put into the game, every level has an unique Wonder Flower gimmick and the talking flowers were a personal highlight for me. It's really just a blast to play!
There are still some nitpicks I have with it. First of all, why can't different players in multiplayer equip different badges? I don't think this can be blamed on hardware limitations. Second thing, there should've been a way to play traditional online co-op and not just the "ghost mode". Oh well, maybe Nintendo thought it wouldn't work after the amounts of lag in Mario Maker 2's versus mode. Who knows! Then there's the thing with the Yoshis and Nabbit (you've probably heard it a thousand times now). They really shouldn't be locked behind a whole difficulty and the other way around, cause if you're a legit fan of these characters you can't play them without having a whole different experience. Last but not least, something feels off about the structure of levels in general. While they all feel unique in a way, they're... too simple at times. I'm not talking about the difficulty, I'm talking about the placement of things. Can't quite put my finger on what it is.
Overall Wonder was a fantastic experience though and I'll surely be going for 100% completion. Despite the small flaws I've mentioned, it's one of the most fun games this year and I really appreciate the hard work of the developers, hope they got a fat paycheck for working on this :p
The artstyle is great, the controls are responsive and precise and the animations are just smooth. You can really feel the amount of dedication the developers put into the game, every level has an unique Wonder Flower gimmick and the talking flowers were a personal highlight for me. It's really just a blast to play!
There are still some nitpicks I have with it. First of all, why can't different players in multiplayer equip different badges? I don't think this can be blamed on hardware limitations. Second thing, there should've been a way to play traditional online co-op and not just the "ghost mode". Oh well, maybe Nintendo thought it wouldn't work after the amounts of lag in Mario Maker 2's versus mode. Who knows! Then there's the thing with the Yoshis and Nabbit (you've probably heard it a thousand times now). They really shouldn't be locked behind a whole difficulty and the other way around, cause if you're a legit fan of these characters you can't play them without having a whole different experience. Last but not least, something feels off about the structure of levels in general. While they all feel unique in a way, they're... too simple at times. I'm not talking about the difficulty, I'm talking about the placement of things. Can't quite put my finger on what it is.
Overall Wonder was a fantastic experience though and I'll surely be going for 100% completion. Despite the small flaws I've mentioned, it's one of the most fun games this year and I really appreciate the hard work of the developers, hope they got a fat paycheck for working on this :p
Kingdom Hearts
2002
Filled my dark heart with light
-dante
-dante
Kingdom Hearts
2002
The oogie boogie house boss sucks
Kingdom Hearts
2002
My review for Kingdom Hearts 1 is actually going to be making points on why this game is vastly superior to the sequel, which I never realized was a controversial opinion until I looked at ratings and reviews online. I’ve yet to be convinced by a single person explaining their preference for KH2. People are free to have their own opinions and taste, but I just can’t for the life of me understand how it’s the common sentiment. After playing 2 for the third time nearly 20 years from its release, I still feel 1 is a much stronger game in every way.
Story - “The story is simple” is a common phrase you’ll see when describing this game. I don’t think that’s a negative thing to be able to follow the story clearly and not be confused by names and terminology that the sequel throws at you and poorly explains. Kh1 is a beautiful and emotional story that really makes you feel attached to these characters and the cut scenes are utilized perfectly to explain motivations and progression and main story events. I actually really like the prologue of 2 though.
Gameplay - the battle system is described as slow or clunky by some..I’ve even read the platforming elements aren’t well done. I prefer this battle system by far to the sequel for the pace, the boss fights and heartless that you have to use strategy in a really fun well thought out way. The sequel takes the fun out and adds reaction triangle button commands and relies on that far too much. I also really disliked the MP system change, 1 was a lot more sensible in earning mp with attacking. Using Cure once draining your entire MP I feel is an odd choice. I also see the platforming in 1 as evidence of it’s better level design. The heartless are all very original in this game and have unique and fun patterns that can be challenging to play against, in 2 I found the heartless obnoxious and a bit boring.
Worlds - The worlds of kingdom hearts 1 are so much fun and mix Disney classics and add depth to it with Sora, Donald and Goofy being thrown into the mix. You always feel like youre going on an adventure but the mystery of finding your friends is still your main goal. In 2 the worlds are half baked plot points from the movies without much creativity added. Traverse town is a much better safe point than Hollow Bastion in 2. Even the new worlds I liked in the sequel are not fully realized such as “the world that never was” and “Timeless River.” I will admit Atlantica is a lot more fun in 2 though.
Keyblade design - this is obviously a nitpicky aesthetic thing but it applies to a lot of other visual ideas that 1 just does much better. The keyblades are cooler and classic looking. 2 has a few I like but overall are disappointing.
I could add many more reasons why I love the first game more including score, voice actors, dialogue. Kingdom hearts 1 at the end of the the day is one of my favorite games and I hope as I finally play through the franchise I find some more to love.
Story - “The story is simple” is a common phrase you’ll see when describing this game. I don’t think that’s a negative thing to be able to follow the story clearly and not be confused by names and terminology that the sequel throws at you and poorly explains. Kh1 is a beautiful and emotional story that really makes you feel attached to these characters and the cut scenes are utilized perfectly to explain motivations and progression and main story events. I actually really like the prologue of 2 though.
Gameplay - the battle system is described as slow or clunky by some..I’ve even read the platforming elements aren’t well done. I prefer this battle system by far to the sequel for the pace, the boss fights and heartless that you have to use strategy in a really fun well thought out way. The sequel takes the fun out and adds reaction triangle button commands and relies on that far too much. I also really disliked the MP system change, 1 was a lot more sensible in earning mp with attacking. Using Cure once draining your entire MP I feel is an odd choice. I also see the platforming in 1 as evidence of it’s better level design. The heartless are all very original in this game and have unique and fun patterns that can be challenging to play against, in 2 I found the heartless obnoxious and a bit boring.
Worlds - The worlds of kingdom hearts 1 are so much fun and mix Disney classics and add depth to it with Sora, Donald and Goofy being thrown into the mix. You always feel like youre going on an adventure but the mystery of finding your friends is still your main goal. In 2 the worlds are half baked plot points from the movies without much creativity added. Traverse town is a much better safe point than Hollow Bastion in 2. Even the new worlds I liked in the sequel are not fully realized such as “the world that never was” and “Timeless River.” I will admit Atlantica is a lot more fun in 2 though.
Keyblade design - this is obviously a nitpicky aesthetic thing but it applies to a lot of other visual ideas that 1 just does much better. The keyblades are cooler and classic looking. 2 has a few I like but overall are disappointing.
I could add many more reasons why I love the first game more including score, voice actors, dialogue. Kingdom hearts 1 at the end of the the day is one of my favorite games and I hope as I finally play through the franchise I find some more to love.