"There's always a lighthouse, a man, a city."

"Time... Time rots everything. Even hope"

Not the mind-blowing masterpiece I remember it was back when it released 10 years ago, certainly not the game it was famously advertised as either. I love a lot of this games ideas but it unfortunately never culminates into anything profound or meaningful like the game insists it is or comes together like the original Bioshock does. Its still a visually striking expierence even in 2023 with lots to admire on a presentation level and I do respect it for swinging for the fences. I guess now we know that Levine has a new game finally on the horizon that's seemed to have had quite a long tortured dev cycle like this game did. We can see what he's learned in a decades time since releasing Infinite and its DLC's. Will it end up like another Evil Within or Callisto Protocol? well your guess is as good as mine, but it will be interesting no doubt and I'll be there day one to see it regardless.

Bonus: that barbershop quartet beach boys cover was a nice touch though.

"621..... Feed the fire..... Let the last cinders burn"

The best game Fromsoft could have released post such a monumental moment in gaming history after Elden Ring last year with this latest AC title. Visceral fast action combat, a bombastic score, boss fights and missions with scale and immersion that put to shame FFXVI's bogged down Asuras Wrath QTE fights with fully realized set pieces that I'm sure more long time fans of the series only ever dreamed of. Fires of Rubicon might just be my GOTY at this moment as I let the fires burn and cinders fade.

"A New Beginning"

"...I Was Able To Keep Our Promise Today..."

"...Although Someone Else Had To Fill Your Shoes."

"Giuliano, Will You Forgive Me If I Have A Dream Again?"

"A Man Can Change, As Long As He Lives"

"I Want To Race With The Kid Again... Who Taught Me That"