The prototype Souls game.

Before I dive in, let me make one thing very clear. This is a review of the original release of the Demon's Souls on PS3: I HAVE NOT PALYED THE PS5 VERSION; THIS IS NOT A REVIEW OF THE REMAKE. Maybe the remake fixes every single problem I have, and maybe it's a phenomenal game. I will probably review it separately once I am able. As for the original...

The best thing I can say about this game is it made me appreciate Dark Souls a lot more. I used to think that game was rough around the edges, but I hadn't seen anything yet.

I found the level design in Demon's Souls to be pretty bad honestly: The levels are too symmetrical, cramped, not well-lit, and riddled with excessive, nonsensical enemy placement, especially in the Shrine of Storms. The lore wasn't particularly interesting, and it added little-if-anything to most of the fights, particularly those in Shrine of Storms. The game's difficulty is really inconsistent, often following a brutally, unfairly difficult section with an anticlimactic boss fight like at the end of Shrine of Storms(are you noticing a pattern here).

I hate Shrine of Storms with a burning passion: it's my least favorite non-optional level in any Souls game. Valley of Defilement is awful too. This game feels like a beta-test in terms of level design, structure, and lore.

In summary, I'm grateful for the groundwork this game laid, and I respect the developers for their ambition, but the initial release of Demon's Souls is an experience I'd rather do without. I'm hopeful the remake can do the original game's ambition justice, I'll know soon enough.

For now: f*ck Shrine of Storms.

The magnum opus of the 3D superhero game.

Succinctly conveying everything worth loving about the caped crusader's night in Arkham City may very well be beyond this review's skill. From Arkham City's exciting opening to its chilling end, the game provided varied gameplay, meaningful side quests, and memorable characters all supported by one of the best stories ever told about Batman. The improved presentation, new gameplay mechanics, and fantastic boss fights made the flaws of the previous game feel like distant memories. So many of Batman's iconic characters make appearances without ever feeling forced redundant. Collecting Riddler trophies is satisfying, the side quests often rival the main quest in urgency, and the gameplay is so strong that the combat/stealth side modes can provide hours of senseless fun.

It was hard for me to convey everything great about this game, I just adored it. Ten years later, and it has aged like a fine wine. I don't think we will ever have a better superhero game.

This game's short length doesn't bother me at all.

The game was originally going to be a DLC, and that does show at points: the game is short, the story has pacing issues, and certain characters come in and out of the story very abruptly. Lost Legacy can feel rushed, but I prefer that to two and four, which felt much too slow at points, and I enjoyed this game more than either of them.

For a series about exploration, this is the only game in the series where you can actually explore an open space for collectables; The stealth combat is the best in the series, aided by the lockpicking mechanic and silenced pistol; And Asav is an excellent villain: articulate with a well-defined motive and imposing demeanor while still being bat-shit crazy. Every time he was on screen, I was saying: "this is what Lazarevic should have been." It's such a shame this wound up being the last game in the series, because it took so many steps in the right direction for the franchise.

I strongly recommend Lost Legacy: it's my second favorite Uncharted game. If you want to know my favorite is, read any of my other reviews of any of the other Uncharted games.

One of the most underrated games I've ever played.

A compelling story loaded with memorable gameplay sequences, strong characters, entertaining boss fights and powerful themes. Seeing a younger, edgier and less experienced Bruce Wayne interact with a begrudging Alfred was interesting, and the thematic parallels between Batman and Joker were nothing short of artful.

I can't say I encountered many glitches or performance issues on my playthrough, but a number of re-used assets and ideas from city were distracting, and the side quests weren't as distinct or meaningful.

Still, I respect Origins as an essential chapter in the Arkham Legacy. And, just in case this review wasn't divisive enough:

Origins -> Asylum -> City is a far better trilogy than
Asylum -> City -> Knight

Video Game junk food: brief, unsubstantial, and satisfying in the moment.

I wouldn't claim bashing large droves of enemies as the garlic-loving glutton isn't fun for a time, but the combat is so simplistic and unvaried that it manages to wear out its welcome before the end of Wario World's short campaign. The collectibles can be satisfying to earn, but there are far too many of them, and they serve as little more than fleeting dopamine cookies in the long run. Still, I have to recommend going for 100% in this game, because you'll be done in about an hour otherwise.

Buy the game cheap and take it for what it's worth, you'll have a good time, a short time, but a good one.

Well that was fun: basic, but fun.

The campy tone and self-aware humor of Ape Escape 2 are enjoyable: the varied level design and gadget use spiced the gameplay up enough for me to see the trip through to the end.

However, I grappled with a frustrating camera, questionable control schema, and enough repetitive and unmemorable gameplay to make another playthrough unlikely.

It is always so obvious and easy how to catch certain monkeys and progress that the gadget variety doesn't add much; The levels look nice, but feel empty and go by too quickly to leave much of an impact; And the optional collectibles are satisfying, but putting the coins into the machine and running it over and over again makes it not worth it to get them given how long that can take.

Most importantly of all: If you do play this game, I must insist on playing the PS4 version. Otherwise, you'll be listening to Ash and Misty the whole time: That is a hard no for me.

The formula is getting a little stale.

X3 brought back the core gameplay loop of X2 with a few additions, almost none of which were for the better. The game has more upgrades, most of which are unhelpful; the game has a new villain, who gets swapped out for SPOILER at the end anyway, so what was the point; the game has the most obnoxiously cryptic hidden items in the series yet, and I don't like that. When the game isn't the same as X or X2, its worse.

X3 isn't a bad game by any stretch: the excellent core gameplay loop of the previous games is still done justice most of the time, and a number of the new boss fights, levels, and enemy designs are excellent. Sadly however, the game feels to be doing both too much and not enough.

Much like Mega Man 10, the game is perfectly acceptable, but hard to get excited about. Fortunately, the next instalment would go on to make the series feel fresh again.

Why are most of this game's most inventive and distinct levels crammed in the optional world most people wouldn't bother to find? Gex, I don't get you.

Seriously, Planet X is a pain in the ass to reach, but it houses the best levels in the game. The rest of the game is a functional, competent 2D platformer, but is very dull and predictable in terms of gameplay mechanics; Gex's quips can be annoying, the game has a really frustrating save system, the level themes are pretty generic, there is a harsh difficulty spike halfway through, and the game is over far too soon. Still, my biggest problem with the game is the repetitive and uninspired gameplay. I respect the game for making its best content optional, which is a trait I honestly associate with the amazing games. But still, this game is nothing special.

If you are curious or a diehard Gex fan then there is no harm in playing this game, but I wouldn't recommend it otherwise.

As the man who gave RE4 a perfect five stars, I feel somewhat hypocritical awarding 8 a mere 3.5, for it does deliver much of what I love in a resident evil game. I enjoy the campy tone, memorable set pieces and supernatural elements. However, while I applauded 4 for being consistent and unapologetic in its tone, I found RE8 to be a less consistent experience.

Negatives: The game left an awful first impression on me. I was rolling my eyes at he first hour of the game, which felt rushed, unnecessary and seemed to make light of Ethan's accomplishments from RE7. Overall, I did not care for the story, which altogether just felt too derivative of RE7 and riddled with tonal dissonance.
The game's level design is also on a near-perfect downward turn in quality outside of the titular village, which changes very little throughout the campaign. There are the first two areas, which I will talk about when I get to the positives section; the reservoir, which is a visually interesting location with little going on in terms of gameplay; the nest, which I almost forgot to mention given its blandness and lack of narrative significance; and the factory area, which feels like a dull maze loaded with nothing worth talking about. I ran through the area many times and still struggle to remember the layout. I haven't even mentioned that, just before you leave that dull place, you must fight the worst boss in the game. It is a pity the low point of the playthrough must come so near the end. Fortunately, it is still worth the trek to get there.

Positives: All prior grievances aside, this game, like RE4, is damn fun. I didn't start to enjoy it very much until my second playthrough, but the extensive weapon selection and customization makes the game a blast on repeat runs. The collectables scattered throughout the village, hidden goat statues, edibles, etc. This game has so much to do even outside of the insanely fun mercenaries mode. The game is filled with memorable characters and interesting locations. The castle may be the most detailed and interesting location in any RE game: filled with lore, collectables and interesting level hazards. Unlike the sheer horror that is the factory level, each room feels distinct and purposeful while still having an aura of dread and hostility.
As for the next level... I can't, in good conscience, spoil anything about it. Just play it.
Lastly, the game has quite possibly my favorite character in any RE game. His vocal performance is amazing, his powers are intimidating and his boss fight may be the best, not only in any RE game, but in any FPS I have ever played. If you played the game, you know exactly who I am talking about.

In summary, RE8 is an exceptionally fun time for anyone willing to look past a few narrative flaws and some degrading level quality. The game is worth playing for mercenaries and new game+ alone.