GothamInGray
175 reviews liked by GothamInGray
This review contains spoilers
Going from Persona 3 ending to this kinda fucked me up a lot, it really got the point ''Am i masochist for doing that to myself?''
Crisis Core is one of the few instances that you know a character's death is coming one way or another, the odds not in the favor for the last 2 chapters is already obvious enough but man, the way the showed to you the final cutscene and Zack's face is just too painful to watch, a lot of people including myself the highest point of this game is the ending itself. But something about the post timeskip writing and decisions regarding to Angeal dynamic and the moments they had just hits to deep to the core and even more with Aerith's relationship with Zack, Zack's being busy with Soldier work all the time and carrying the reputation of being Soldier 1 and the same can be applied to Aerith's position of being the only Ancient and being watched by the Turks both having their share of trouble but still trying to relationship hurts the more you realize it.
The soundtrack is one of the most beautiful and cohesive work i've seen in a while, Takeharu Ishimoto being the lead composer did wonders while respecting Uematsu's work and giving a lot of life doing the battle/boss themes, all of them sounds inspired while constantly using motifs from the Title Theme, Price of Freedom and one more that i forgot but they all sound different and the contextual usage for all of them has a purpose that really hits to the player.
I think my issue regarding to this game is just sometimes this game can give actual good scenes that enforces Zack's dynamic with Angeal, Sepiroth and others while giving the more unecessary padding while speeding running at times to get the story going while not giving that much space for some of the plot points or decisions in the first half.
Nevertheless still a good game that really felt needed to tell in Zack's POV and connection of Cloud came in and became part of himself.
Crisis Core is one of the few instances that you know a character's death is coming one way or another, the odds not in the favor for the last 2 chapters is already obvious enough but man, the way the showed to you the final cutscene and Zack's face is just too painful to watch, a lot of people including myself the highest point of this game is the ending itself. But something about the post timeskip writing and decisions regarding to Angeal dynamic and the moments they had just hits to deep to the core and even more with Aerith's relationship with Zack, Zack's being busy with Soldier work all the time and carrying the reputation of being Soldier 1 and the same can be applied to Aerith's position of being the only Ancient and being watched by the Turks both having their share of trouble but still trying to relationship hurts the more you realize it.
The soundtrack is one of the most beautiful and cohesive work i've seen in a while, Takeharu Ishimoto being the lead composer did wonders while respecting Uematsu's work and giving a lot of life doing the battle/boss themes, all of them sounds inspired while constantly using motifs from the Title Theme, Price of Freedom and one more that i forgot but they all sound different and the contextual usage for all of them has a purpose that really hits to the player.
I think my issue regarding to this game is just sometimes this game can give actual good scenes that enforces Zack's dynamic with Angeal, Sepiroth and others while giving the more unecessary padding while speeding running at times to get the story going while not giving that much space for some of the plot points or decisions in the first half.
Nevertheless still a good game that really felt needed to tell in Zack's POV and connection of Cloud came in and became part of himself.
Cassette Beasts
2023
That was fucking awesome. Excellent monster catcher. Of course it takes some aspects from Pokemon, namely the creature collection and evolution aspect, but the battle system and its volatility and difficulty feel MUCH more inspired by Megaten, which is even more evident when you realize the story takes many of its beats from games like Persona 3 (there’s literally a character who’s just like Koromaru here). It’s also very pleasing to look at, with a style of chibi sprites roaming around a 3d-rendered overworld, and obviously that’s pretty clearly reminiscient of the graphical style of Pokemon Gens 4 and 5. The open nature of the game scales very well too, and in many ways the map and its grid, and to a degree, the premise, remind me of old handheld Zelda games, particularly the ones on the GameBoy Color and Advance. If any two games inspired narrative aspects here, I feel like it’s a marriage of Link’s Awakening and Persona 3. Does that mean it’s anywhere near as melancholic or existential at times? No, but it has the capability to talk on that. Referring to this as a “Pokemon Clone” is a disservice. It’s a love letter to that series, but it’s also its own thing. As for negatives, the postgame quests are very grindy and repetitive, but the core game is so utterly addictive that it can offset this. Also the game can run a bit oddly. It’ll stutter in some cases to load in the environments. Nothing unplayable, but your immersion can and will be gutted at moments like that. Overall an amazing time.
Persona 3 Reload
2024
Still sorting through my more complex thoughts about this one (and might make an entire video at some point), but it's definitely the definitive way to experience Persona 3 unless you're a glutton for weird game design. For everything lost, for every cut mechanic and awkward Unreal Engine-lit environment, there is also something beautiful gained. It's a fool's errand to expect any remake to evoke the exact vibe of the original experience, but Reload maintains the heart and soul where it matters.
Up their with Kingdom Hearts 2 for Square Enix's 'Most Improved Sequel' award
I think it's very brave of Square to have Chadley make a girl version of himself and proceed to beef with her constantly. A+ stuff.
I think it's very brave of Square to have Chadley make a girl version of himself and proceed to beef with her constantly. A+ stuff.
A Short Hike
2019
I'm so mad at myself for not playing this sooner, but so happy I eventually did. The definition of perfection has been blank all this time...until now.
A great collection of mostly "fine" titles, held up especially by Aria of Sorrow. Though the game quality can be a mixed bag (Dracula X in particular sucks ass to put it nicely), putting all of these now-elusive and expensive titles into a far more affordable collection is something I'll always champion game companies to continue doing.
Rita Mordio changed my life
Persona 3 Reload
2024
Somehow timed my playthru to end on actual March 5th. This was always my answer when someone asked me what my "dream remake" would be. I still can't believe this game is real.
While this has its frustrating moments this is overall a Megaten game that's very hard to hate
It's got great atmosphere, fantastic music, solid fast paced gameplay, and a really enjoyable story with fun characters and interesting themes
It's got great atmosphere, fantastic music, solid fast paced gameplay, and a really enjoyable story with fun characters and interesting themes
Roboquest
2020
It's entertaining roguelite where you fight robots, and you fight robots, and you fight robots, and you fight robots, and you fight robots, and you fight robots and you fight robots.