Okay, so this was my first SMT game...
Overall, I had an amazing time with this game, the frenetic and challenging combat was really to my liking, as the general flow of the game.
From what I understand, this is one of the more story-oriented SMT titles and, well, I kind of feel mixed about it. The first half or so of the game is really solid, but as the journey continues I feel like the thematic representation falls really flat. Even after the mid-point of the game, there's two specific stretches that were really good, but other than that, the alignments and the lack of plot-development are the downsides to the game imo.
Still a great game, despite that gripes that I mentioned, I'm expecting to play more games from this series soon!
Overall, I had an amazing time with this game, the frenetic and challenging combat was really to my liking, as the general flow of the game.
From what I understand, this is one of the more story-oriented SMT titles and, well, I kind of feel mixed about it. The first half or so of the game is really solid, but as the journey continues I feel like the thematic representation falls really flat. Even after the mid-point of the game, there's two specific stretches that were really good, but other than that, the alignments and the lack of plot-development are the downsides to the game imo.
Still a great game, despite that gripes that I mentioned, I'm expecting to play more games from this series soon!
2019
WE'RE SO BACK!
2019
Rubber bullets.
I always wanted to see more introspection into Kaito's character, so I was actually really excited to try this DLC out.
In same ways, you can really tell it's the first time RGG has done an actually meaningful DLC. The structure is kind of sloppy in the first act (it pays-off a lot later) and the general direction of the content seems kind-of experimentational. Yes, we've got Majima saga before in Kiwami 2, but this is something consistently more ambitious.
As I said, I find some issues in the presentation of things, but ultimately I've had a blast going through Kaito Files. Once you're hooked up with these Judgment games and the characters, you really can't get enough of them. I really liked what this adds to Kaito's character, and is a great addition to Lost Judgment's experience. Props to Jun, I ended liking him a lot, hope we see him again in Judgment 3.
In same ways, you can really tell it's the first time RGG has done an actually meaningful DLC. The structure is kind of sloppy in the first act (it pays-off a lot later) and the general direction of the content seems kind-of experimentational. Yes, we've got Majima saga before in Kiwami 2, but this is something consistently more ambitious.
As I said, I find some issues in the presentation of things, but ultimately I've had a blast going through Kaito Files. Once you're hooked up with these Judgment games and the characters, you really can't get enough of them. I really liked what this adds to Kaito's character, and is a great addition to Lost Judgment's experience. Props to Jun, I ended liking him a lot, hope we see him again in Judgment 3.
2013
Definitely a better and more fun experience than the previous entry.
While here still applies the "it shows its age", I found this game to be overall more enticing and polished. Even the dungeons I found to be more efficient and well structured, in a way that I needed very little help from guides. There's certainly a cool feeling about playing this type of older rpgs, not my cup of tea, but it's nice to see where many things come from.
That being said, Solomon Shrine really was a step down for me. I enjoyed the beginning of this final dungeon, but then it just gets going on and on, and at a certain point I was really tired of it. But hey, I liked and enjoyed the game overall!
While here still applies the "it shows its age", I found this game to be overall more enticing and polished. Even the dungeons I found to be more efficient and well structured, in a way that I needed very little help from guides. There's certainly a cool feeling about playing this type of older rpgs, not my cup of tea, but it's nice to see where many things come from.
That being said, Solomon Shrine really was a step down for me. I enjoyed the beginning of this final dungeon, but then it just gets going on and on, and at a certain point I was really tired of it. But hey, I liked and enjoyed the game overall!
2013
I guess this really shows its age, for good or for worse.
Overall, I'll say that it was fun, I didn't really expect much of Ys I, so I had a decent time with it, all things considered.
But then came Dark Fact and...well, you know.
Overall, I'll say that it was fun, I didn't really expect much of Ys I, so I had a decent time with it, all things considered.
But then came Dark Fact and...well, you know.
I feel myself kind of torn when talking about this game. It's a good game, by all means, but in a way that it could've just been a considerably more solid experience, and it's just drawn back by many aspects that weren't really polished.
While the story and lore aren't anything innovative in particular, they're quite good and I loved them, they did a really great job in this regard...but then, there's the gameplay experience. I feel like Ender Lilies tries to be Hollow Knight so badly but really fails in that regard. The game doesn't have anything that makes it stand out against other Metroidvanias, and this, to be honest, wouldn't have been an issue if the game was well designed...but it's not. Especially in the later areas, it felt kind of frustrating seeing all the visual and narrative work they put into the areas, because then the gameplay experience was really frustrating, unfair and actually stupid at many times.
In the end, I really enjoyed my time with the game, but I cannot help but feel a bittersweetness about it, maybe I'd have liked it more if it was a VN, but who knows.
While the story and lore aren't anything innovative in particular, they're quite good and I loved them, they did a really great job in this regard...but then, there's the gameplay experience. I feel like Ender Lilies tries to be Hollow Knight so badly but really fails in that regard. The game doesn't have anything that makes it stand out against other Metroidvanias, and this, to be honest, wouldn't have been an issue if the game was well designed...but it's not. Especially in the later areas, it felt kind of frustrating seeing all the visual and narrative work they put into the areas, because then the gameplay experience was really frustrating, unfair and actually stupid at many times.
In the end, I really enjoyed my time with the game, but I cannot help but feel a bittersweetness about it, maybe I'd have liked it more if it was a VN, but who knows.
2023
This is the type of solid banger that you play in a weekend and then leave with a smile in your face. A beautiful game with a lot of charisma and fun gameplay, it certainly shows how much care the devs put into it. Some of the platforming sections are kind of rough, but that's the extent of my major complains, everything else is super enjoyable.
They did an amazing job with keeping the combat and mechanics fresh troughout the entire experience by gradually adding more depth to it. And also, the ending was really cute, this was just a great game!
They did an amazing job with keeping the combat and mechanics fresh troughout the entire experience by gradually adding more depth to it. And also, the ending was really cute, this was just a great game!
Not only is this the peak of Shadowbringers, but of the entirety of FFXIV so far (I have not played EW yet) and is just, maybe my favorite piece of gaming alongside The Old Hunters from Bloodborne and the final act of Persona 3.
This ending for Shadowbringers was simply perfect and it's what solidified it as one of my favorite games of all time, as well as my favorite story told in a videogame. I will talk more about this in the full Shadowbringers review that I'm going to make relatively soon (I hope so, at least). This is just a true masterpiece.
This ending for Shadowbringers was simply perfect and it's what solidified it as one of my favorite games of all time, as well as my favorite story told in a videogame. I will talk more about this in the full Shadowbringers review that I'm going to make relatively soon (I hope so, at least). This is just a true masterpiece.
I'm going to play Endwalker relatively soon, so in preparation for that, I will be reviewing each FFXIV entry!
Now, it's been quite some time ARR, to be specific, 1 year already. I have already talked about how I got into FFXIV in my first (yes, I'll do another review) Shadowbringers ""review"", so I don't want to go too much over that—but to summarize, looking back, it means a lot to me. Not only the expansions, but also ARR, at the end of the day, it was what got me to enjoy Eorzea!
At the beginning of the journey, you don't really know what to expect. You're a regular adventurer, ready to go exploring this beautiful world, and then, you get to your first city and witness all the people and their amazing glamours and just wonder (at least I did) what adventures they've had. I think probably the best thing about ARR is, precisely, its meaning. Yes, it has a pretty slow start, with some hilariously ridiculous, yet repetitive quests, and to be honest the Titan section was very...purposeless? But, with that said, I think in terms of narrative is a pretty charming introduction to the world of FFXIV. Also, after Titan, it gets going and I think it gets more grounded. The later arcs of 2.0 I thoroughly enjoyed—seeing Coerthas for the first time with Fealty playing in the background was a pretty misterious experience, and all the stuff leading to Operation Archon was great.
Yes, I still think the first half of 2.0 could have some quests removed, but I kind of also get the point of the game presenting you each mechanic and each zone. In retrospect, I like that approach, it's just that maybe they could remove some of the quests? What is kind of odd, is the story of 2.1 and 2.2, to be honest I actually don't remember it, only that it felt kind of out of place after 2.0's ending? Well, whatever, 2.3 was more solid and the 2.4 and .5 patches (which work as an ending for ARR while also building Heavensward) were hands down phenomenal, especially the ending, that 1 hour cutscene was pure peak.
Let's talk content. This may be the strongest point of ARR (more in terms of enjoyment and variety, because obviously the expansiones are way more polished in quality). You just have a ton of content, but like, really, a ton! It's interesting, because while the expansions are way more narrative-focused (which makes sense, given the stakes), ARR gives you more freedom, it's like it encourages the player to experience different typed of content! I myself didn't do too much side-quests, but there are some that are hilarious. Now, relavant content: I love Coils of Bahamut, it's probably my favorite narrative from ARR. Also, I find sad how some people just ditch Coils and say "x is better" and while it's definitely outdated (please Yoshi, re-balance Coils for it to be in the roulettes), it has a lot of charm to it. It's the first take on FFXIV raiding so, yes, the gameplay design is kind of odd sometimes, but the general experience is really meaningful! Play Coils if you haven't, it's woth it. Really. Also really enjoyed Crystal Tower, loved his first appearance and, this being mandatory just makes a lot of sense. Definitely, those were easier and happier times, now it's all suffering and despair.
This was long, I'm sorry!
To wrap things up: I'm grateful to ARR for being a part of my FFXIV journey. Yes, it gets harsh and tedious sometimes, but thinking back and just seeing how a good friend of mine is going through it and enjoying it, brings joy and memories. It's almost like sometimes I feel nostalgic about how I was also a regular adventurer once. Also, I might add, the "The Rising" event of this year was one of the most wholesome moments I've ever had in this game. There's a beauty in experiencing this type of ARR-inspired/ wholesome event content when you have gone through a lot of unforgettable experiences in the expansions, and just the game in general.
Here, it ends. I'll see you again in the snowy mountains of Coerthas. May our aching souls march Heavensward, as they've done for so long...
Now, it's been quite some time ARR, to be specific, 1 year already. I have already talked about how I got into FFXIV in my first (yes, I'll do another review) Shadowbringers ""review"", so I don't want to go too much over that—but to summarize, looking back, it means a lot to me. Not only the expansions, but also ARR, at the end of the day, it was what got me to enjoy Eorzea!
At the beginning of the journey, you don't really know what to expect. You're a regular adventurer, ready to go exploring this beautiful world, and then, you get to your first city and witness all the people and their amazing glamours and just wonder (at least I did) what adventures they've had. I think probably the best thing about ARR is, precisely, its meaning. Yes, it has a pretty slow start, with some hilariously ridiculous, yet repetitive quests, and to be honest the Titan section was very...purposeless? But, with that said, I think in terms of narrative is a pretty charming introduction to the world of FFXIV. Also, after Titan, it gets going and I think it gets more grounded. The later arcs of 2.0 I thoroughly enjoyed—seeing Coerthas for the first time with Fealty playing in the background was a pretty misterious experience, and all the stuff leading to Operation Archon was great.
Yes, I still think the first half of 2.0 could have some quests removed, but I kind of also get the point of the game presenting you each mechanic and each zone. In retrospect, I like that approach, it's just that maybe they could remove some of the quests? What is kind of odd, is the story of 2.1 and 2.2, to be honest I actually don't remember it, only that it felt kind of out of place after 2.0's ending? Well, whatever, 2.3 was more solid and the 2.4 and .5 patches (which work as an ending for ARR while also building Heavensward) were hands down phenomenal, especially the ending, that 1 hour cutscene was pure peak.
Let's talk content. This may be the strongest point of ARR (more in terms of enjoyment and variety, because obviously the expansiones are way more polished in quality). You just have a ton of content, but like, really, a ton! It's interesting, because while the expansions are way more narrative-focused (which makes sense, given the stakes), ARR gives you more freedom, it's like it encourages the player to experience different typed of content! I myself didn't do too much side-quests, but there are some that are hilarious. Now, relavant content: I love Coils of Bahamut, it's probably my favorite narrative from ARR. Also, I find sad how some people just ditch Coils and say "x is better" and while it's definitely outdated (please Yoshi, re-balance Coils for it to be in the roulettes), it has a lot of charm to it. It's the first take on FFXIV raiding so, yes, the gameplay design is kind of odd sometimes, but the general experience is really meaningful! Play Coils if you haven't, it's woth it. Really. Also really enjoyed Crystal Tower, loved his first appearance and, this being mandatory just makes a lot of sense. Definitely, those were easier and happier times, now it's all suffering and despair.
This was long, I'm sorry!
To wrap things up: I'm grateful to ARR for being a part of my FFXIV journey. Yes, it gets harsh and tedious sometimes, but thinking back and just seeing how a good friend of mine is going through it and enjoying it, brings joy and memories. It's almost like sometimes I feel nostalgic about how I was also a regular adventurer once. Also, I might add, the "The Rising" event of this year was one of the most wholesome moments I've ever had in this game. There's a beauty in experiencing this type of ARR-inspired/ wholesome event content when you have gone through a lot of unforgettable experiences in the expansions, and just the game in general.
Here, it ends. I'll see you again in the snowy mountains of Coerthas. May our aching souls march Heavensward, as they've done for so long...
2016
It just didn't really hit.
I don't know if it was that just I didn't play it in the best of times (at that time I just finished my 150 hours long playthrough of Elden Ring, which is quite a lot of gaming), but anyway.
The game starts pretty interesting with a very eerie, almost experimental and really "raw" cinematic. When I saw that I thought "Oh wow, this is for me!" and....well, not quite so.
So, okay, yes, visually is a really pretty game, but I refer mainly to the cutscenes, character designs and some other concepts, because honestly the areas themselves felt a little bland in comparison.
Where my real issues start, (you could say the previous was more of a nitpick, so don't mind it) is with the overall gameplay. It just felt really, really repetitive. And well, while it was definitely fluid and the progression wasn't bad?, I just didn't really enjoy it. It's cool that you can try going somewhere and then elsewhere (it didn't feel too linear, which is good!), but the fact of how the game plays and how repetitive the combat is didn't add much. Yes, the cutscenes are cool and when something relevant happened, it definitely had my attention. The thing is, that relevant moments are not so frequent as I'd have liked.
At the end of the day, it was a decent experience, I'll give it that, and maybe some of you'll enjoy it more than I did, which is obviously great. Just bear in mind that it can get quite harsh sometimes.
I don't know if it was that just I didn't play it in the best of times (at that time I just finished my 150 hours long playthrough of Elden Ring, which is quite a lot of gaming), but anyway.
The game starts pretty interesting with a very eerie, almost experimental and really "raw" cinematic. When I saw that I thought "Oh wow, this is for me!" and....well, not quite so.
So, okay, yes, visually is a really pretty game, but I refer mainly to the cutscenes, character designs and some other concepts, because honestly the areas themselves felt a little bland in comparison.
Where my real issues start, (you could say the previous was more of a nitpick, so don't mind it) is with the overall gameplay. It just felt really, really repetitive. And well, while it was definitely fluid and the progression wasn't bad?, I just didn't really enjoy it. It's cool that you can try going somewhere and then elsewhere (it didn't feel too linear, which is good!), but the fact of how the game plays and how repetitive the combat is didn't add much. Yes, the cutscenes are cool and when something relevant happened, it definitely had my attention. The thing is, that relevant moments are not so frequent as I'd have liked.
At the end of the day, it was a decent experience, I'll give it that, and maybe some of you'll enjoy it more than I did, which is obviously great. Just bear in mind that it can get quite harsh sometimes.
The DLC was solid!
I have to say that, while it's hands down the best part of the game, and I loved the "beach episode" vibe, it kind of felt unbalaced. There were parts that I really liked, but that, for me, were dragged down due to some unbalancing issues. Besides that, it's a very good DLC, and it's even free if you own the game, you can't go wrong with that.
The last boss was hilarious.
I have to say that, while it's hands down the best part of the game, and I loved the "beach episode" vibe, it kind of felt unbalaced. There were parts that I really liked, but that, for me, were dragged down due to some unbalancing issues. Besides that, it's a very good DLC, and it's even free if you own the game, you can't go wrong with that.
The last boss was hilarious.
2018
The Messenger was quite the surprise for me. Having somewhat a mixed reception, I didn't know what to expect, but thanks to some friends' recommendations, I gave it a try.
I'm not going to spoil the story or the gameplay or anything, but if you're looking to jump into the game: trust the proccess. Yes, it may not be a perfect platformer, but it's quite good, I really liked the mechanics and overall design. The story is surprisingly well done for what it is, and the characters and just the general humoristic vibe of the game was really enjoying. It may be repetitive at times, I'd say that's the games' biggest weakness. But still, the overall experience is really enjoyable and worth it, it actually became lowkey like a comfort game to me.
All that being said, I encourage you to try The Messenger, it really is a compelling experience. Also, the dev team is launching soon a new game "Sea of Stars" and I'm legit excited for it!
I'm not going to spoil the story or the gameplay or anything, but if you're looking to jump into the game: trust the proccess. Yes, it may not be a perfect platformer, but it's quite good, I really liked the mechanics and overall design. The story is surprisingly well done for what it is, and the characters and just the general humoristic vibe of the game was really enjoying. It may be repetitive at times, I'd say that's the games' biggest weakness. But still, the overall experience is really enjoyable and worth it, it actually became lowkey like a comfort game to me.
All that being said, I encourage you to try The Messenger, it really is a compelling experience. Also, the dev team is launching soon a new game "Sea of Stars" and I'm legit excited for it!
2018
Yakuza 3 is in a weird spot for me. On one hand I'd like to say that it's a very underrated game, deserving more recognition, instead of people just ditching it.
But honestly I can hardly blame them. I liked the story very much, but that was mainly because of the first 4 chapters in Okinawa, they present a different side of Kiryu's personality, and one which I like very much. That being said, after that I can't help but feel that it just loses its touch and becomes, yet again, a story in which some Yakuza want to take control, escalate in Ranks and all that stuff that, while good and very entertaining, I don't hold in a high regard as, say, the Okinawa arc.
The gameplay is very rough, which normally would be understanble for an older game, but the remaster just ruins it with the frame issues, which result in the enemies blocking eternally (Blockuza 3) and the Heat bar dropping real fast. In the mob encounters it wasn't the worst, but I swear, the bosses were...let's just say I don't plan on beating them again, I legit had a bad time.
All that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed Yakuza 3. Despite its flaws, it was worth the trip, and it really has some charisma! Also, props to Rikiya, he was definitely my favorite character from this game.
But honestly I can hardly blame them. I liked the story very much, but that was mainly because of the first 4 chapters in Okinawa, they present a different side of Kiryu's personality, and one which I like very much. That being said, after that I can't help but feel that it just loses its touch and becomes, yet again, a story in which some Yakuza want to take control, escalate in Ranks and all that stuff that, while good and very entertaining, I don't hold in a high regard as, say, the Okinawa arc.
The gameplay is very rough, which normally would be understanble for an older game, but the remaster just ruins it with the frame issues, which result in the enemies blocking eternally (Blockuza 3) and the Heat bar dropping real fast. In the mob encounters it wasn't the worst, but I swear, the bosses were...let's just say I don't plan on beating them again, I legit had a bad time.
All that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed Yakuza 3. Despite its flaws, it was worth the trip, and it really has some charisma! Also, props to Rikiya, he was definitely my favorite character from this game.
2018
Being the Yakuza franchise as long as it is, having a spin-off series set in the same world, but at the same time not having a direct narrative connection, is a great way of experiencing a bit more of these great games from a different perspective. Now that JE and LJ are on PC, I was finally able to be a part of the Yagami Detective Agency and...wow, what a blast.
I love mystery and detective stories, so this game had my attention from the very start. Chapter 1 was a great way of introducing the new detective mechanics and learning about the main conflict and what's to come. It's a slower, more methodical narrative approach than Yakuza, beffiting a murder-mystery story.
In a way, you can see that it's the first detective-ish take on gameplay for RGG, but still I pretty much enjoyed the observation and the searching for clues, I found it to be a clever way of keeping up the players' attention to what's going on (the tailing sections are rough tho).
In terms of gameplay, you really can see a noticeable evolution from Yakuza Kiwami 2, JE's combat has two styles (Tiger for ST, and Crane for AoE) and while Crane is a little bit slow, I still very much enjoyed the entirety of the gameplay. Yagami's fighting is overall great and much better than anything previous imo. Along the years, RGG has really learned a lot about gameplay-design, JE being a great example of this evolution, the "dungeon"-type/long battles sections are really balanced and the bosses are generally great, the final boss being a truly amazing experience. The side cases and the side content overall is solid, although not that varied as in, say, Yakuza 0. In a way, that's understandable, JE is not that big of a game. One thing I didn't like very much about the side content though, is the reputation system, I like the idea of making a name of yourself, but it didn't feel very entertaining to me.
Now, the story and the OST were stellar. Judgment doesn't have the same dramatic approach as Yakuza, it's more set in that gritty and intimidating tone given by the story. That being said, the characters were phenomenal (I love the new gang!) and with time, you just get genuinely attached to them; also when the game feels like it, it pulls really amazing and emotional scenes. If I had to quickly summarise my thoughts on the story: really solid first chapters, a bit slower middle chapters (needed build-up though) and the last 5 chapters were genuinely amazing, it's just beautiful how things escalate and all falls in place.
It's a darker and more serious story, about accepting loss and also accepting your past while embracing the present. I really loved the ending, that credits scene was beautiful and just made me happy. I love Yagami and the gang, and thoroughly enjoyed the Judgment experience, it was truly an amazing game!
I love mystery and detective stories, so this game had my attention from the very start. Chapter 1 was a great way of introducing the new detective mechanics and learning about the main conflict and what's to come. It's a slower, more methodical narrative approach than Yakuza, beffiting a murder-mystery story.
In a way, you can see that it's the first detective-ish take on gameplay for RGG, but still I pretty much enjoyed the observation and the searching for clues, I found it to be a clever way of keeping up the players' attention to what's going on (the tailing sections are rough tho).
In terms of gameplay, you really can see a noticeable evolution from Yakuza Kiwami 2, JE's combat has two styles (Tiger for ST, and Crane for AoE) and while Crane is a little bit slow, I still very much enjoyed the entirety of the gameplay. Yagami's fighting is overall great and much better than anything previous imo. Along the years, RGG has really learned a lot about gameplay-design, JE being a great example of this evolution, the "dungeon"-type/long battles sections are really balanced and the bosses are generally great, the final boss being a truly amazing experience. The side cases and the side content overall is solid, although not that varied as in, say, Yakuza 0. In a way, that's understandable, JE is not that big of a game. One thing I didn't like very much about the side content though, is the reputation system, I like the idea of making a name of yourself, but it didn't feel very entertaining to me.
Now, the story and the OST were stellar. Judgment doesn't have the same dramatic approach as Yakuza, it's more set in that gritty and intimidating tone given by the story. That being said, the characters were phenomenal (I love the new gang!) and with time, you just get genuinely attached to them; also when the game feels like it, it pulls really amazing and emotional scenes. If I had to quickly summarise my thoughts on the story: really solid first chapters, a bit slower middle chapters (needed build-up though) and the last 5 chapters were genuinely amazing, it's just beautiful how things escalate and all falls in place.
It's a darker and more serious story, about accepting loss and also accepting your past while embracing the present. I really loved the ending, that credits scene was beautiful and just made me happy. I love Yagami and the gang, and thoroughly enjoyed the Judgment experience, it was truly an amazing game!