Quite possibly the best stealth gameplay the franchise has ever seen! Smart AI, a big map encampment that feels robust, and one of the best optimized experiences I’ve seen. You can feel the love and care that was placed in this game and all the ways you can approach it. And while the short time with it feels like a drawback, it’s only because you’re having so much fun that you don’t want it to stop.
2013
A big leap in the franchise offers the best gameplay it has ever had, even if it loses some of the bolder aspects that made the big open world feel so rich. The three character juggle mostly sticks the landing. Each character feels larger than life with unique traits and specials. It's a really good game but had this followed through with the planned single player DLC, we'd be calling it the best.
One of the best in the series just might be one of the most criminally overlooked.
The gameplay is diverse with loads of extra ops and main ops to choose from. And you actually do have a choice. The characters and story are as topsy-turvy as you'd come to expect. But when you wade through the dense content experience, there's a tragically sympathetic character arc that fills in the world of MGS with something that feels vital and meaningful.
The gameplay is diverse with loads of extra ops and main ops to choose from. And you actually do have a choice. The characters and story are as topsy-turvy as you'd come to expect. But when you wade through the dense content experience, there's a tragically sympathetic character arc that fills in the world of MGS with something that feels vital and meaningful.
The culmination of 20 years of game narrative pays off in full as the story of Solid Snake comes to a satisfying close.
If the last game was a great entry point for newcomers, this game is the antithesis of that. Sure, you might enjoy the gameplay flow and recognize good performances from the cast when you see them, but the game DOES NOT hold your hand. This is a game made entirely for the fans. And as a fan, I can say in confidence it just might be the best in the series.
If the last game was a great entry point for newcomers, this game is the antithesis of that. Sure, you might enjoy the gameplay flow and recognize good performances from the cast when you see them, but the game DOES NOT hold your hand. This is a game made entirely for the fans. And as a fan, I can say in confidence it just might be the best in the series.
An existential journey of neon that delivers on everything it promised at launch and more!
The game is diverse, the world is expansive, and missions full of so many little details, you'll grow a new appreciation for micro rich stories told on a macro level. If you've been waiting to play this game until now, continue yourself one of the lucky few and stop waiting. The water is perfect.
The game is diverse, the world is expansive, and missions full of so many little details, you'll grow a new appreciation for micro rich stories told on a macro level. If you've been waiting to play this game until now, continue yourself one of the lucky few and stop waiting. The water is perfect.
A side-story with a little narrative push and a Big Boss character development.
The context it gives may not seem major on the surface, but it feels vital and very much appreciated. With new game mechanics introduced and a ton of new faces, this entry brings a strategic element to the series that, if not yet fully realized, offers a decent proof of concept.
The context it gives may not seem major on the surface, but it feels vital and very much appreciated. With new game mechanics introduced and a ton of new faces, this entry brings a strategic element to the series that, if not yet fully realized, offers a decent proof of concept.
A streamlined experience with memorable characters, creative boss fights, and a deeply impactful story.
But what may be the best part is how this acts as a perfect entry point. It's not reliant on expansive lore or convoluted character development. If you want to show someone why this series is praised so much, this is the game you should show them.
But what may be the best part is how this acts as a perfect entry point. It's not reliant on expansive lore or convoluted character development. If you want to show someone why this series is praised so much, this is the game you should show them.
2013
Multiverses, time paradoxes, and a story about the struggle of freewill vs determinism.
This return to the Bioshock universe delivers on what it promises! With an emphasis on the shooting mechanics, we finally get a game that can keep up with whatever pace you want. And with a story as rich with character development as the first, it reaches for the heights of the original and, impressively, almost gets there.
This return to the Bioshock universe delivers on what it promises! With an emphasis on the shooting mechanics, we finally get a game that can keep up with whatever pace you want. And with a story as rich with character development as the first, it reaches for the heights of the original and, impressively, almost gets there.
Not the disappointment you might remember!
When this game came out, the opening level was universally praised while everything else was panned on the simple fact you didn't play as Solid Snake. But looking back now, you can appreciate it more for the big swing it was! It's well written, plays great, provides tons of character development, and may have been a little too conceptual for us when it first released.
When this game came out, the opening level was universally praised while everything else was panned on the simple fact you didn't play as Solid Snake. But looking back now, you can appreciate it more for the big swing it was! It's well written, plays great, provides tons of character development, and may have been a little too conceptual for us when it first released.
It's a game that keeps giving the more you put in.
Rockstar have been making the same game so much that when something like this threatens to go in a different direction, it's revolutionary. And while you will eventually see their formula poke its head up from time to time, there's so much care put into it that you walk away convinced you played one of the most advanced games around.
Rockstar have been making the same game so much that when something like this threatens to go in a different direction, it's revolutionary. And while you will eventually see their formula poke its head up from time to time, there's so much care put into it that you walk away convinced you played one of the most advanced games around.
A meaningful step forward for the franchise in all the ways you'd hoped.
The combat and skill trees are more impactful. The acting and story has more weight. Even the environments offer more incentive to explore. With some diverse DLC and game modes, this packs a lot into one of the most memorable adventures Lara has had.
The combat and skill trees are more impactful. The acting and story has more weight. Even the environments offer more incentive to explore. With some diverse DLC and game modes, this packs a lot into one of the most memorable adventures Lara has had.
Retreading familiar territory with an uninspired main character, this return to Rapture is only saved by its DLC.
The story feels like a bunch of multiplayer gameplay loops strung together. Protect the Little Sister from waves of slicers, rinse, repeat. The whole game comes across rushed with boring level designs and one note side characters. But a surprisingly stellar DLC stops this from falling into the trench of mediocrity.
The story feels like a bunch of multiplayer gameplay loops strung together. Protect the Little Sister from waves of slicers, rinse, repeat. The whole game comes across rushed with boring level designs and one note side characters. But a surprisingly stellar DLC stops this from falling into the trench of mediocrity.
2020
Fast paced dogfights and a unique story offer a fun experience even without the VR!
Though it wouldn't hurt. This is a game that is absolutely enjoyable on its own. A cast of characters with personality. Game modes that bring something different to the table. And not a lightsaber in sight!
Though it wouldn't hurt. This is a game that is absolutely enjoyable on its own. A cast of characters with personality. Game modes that bring something different to the table. And not a lightsaber in sight!
A dystopian landscape serves as the background for a story about an all consuming failure to outrun your past with a lot of heart.
The reason this game is remembered so fondly is the relationships. There's a strong bond of chemistry between the characters that makes up for any repetitive puzzles or stage designs. Something that bleeds through the narrative and says there's no easy endings.
The reason this game is remembered so fondly is the relationships. There's a strong bond of chemistry between the characters that makes up for any repetitive puzzles or stage designs. Something that bleeds through the narrative and says there's no easy endings.
1991
A shoot'em up that would be remembered as one of the greats if it wasn't so watered down for the home release.
Unfortunately, that flicker of what makes the game special ends up stampeding off a cliff. Fun stages and powerups are hit with the limitations of consoles as a unique entry in the genre is reduced to a bare minimum Contra clone.
Unfortunately, that flicker of what makes the game special ends up stampeding off a cliff. Fun stages and powerups are hit with the limitations of consoles as a unique entry in the genre is reduced to a bare minimum Contra clone.