229 reviews liked by SiammeDarc


A lot more streamlined with the ideas that Assassin's Creed 2 introduced even though it did feel like we were just going over the same motions again. The story has great spectacle and production value but it didn't feel as engaging as 2's story was especially with how at least on Ezio's side, how abrupt it ends. The feeling of being a master assassin though feels executed in a satisfying way here with the authority Ezio commands in the story as well as the recruitment mechanics. There's a ton to do in this game to net full completion but I really only went so far to just get the Romulus armor. Speaking of, the linear levels in these games are pretty enjoyable, they remind me a lot of the Prince of Persia games I enjoyed.

I did encounter a lot of bugs and exploits sadly that still haven't been patched to this day Ubisoft really needs to update this game to work more naturally on modern hardware.'

Ah, Assassin’s Creed 2. The first gaming experience that deeply resonated with me as a kid, even if I could only appreciate only half of it at first. This game was already special to me 15 years ago, but replaying it after getting older and having a better understanding of gaming as a medium, made me realize how much care and love had been put into it and how deep it actually is in some aspects.

This game is just one of these games that makes me “feel” things. You know, how a game can move you, evoke deep emotions within yourself just by sheer presentation alone. Running across Venice’s rooftops, with Jesper’s Kyd’s fabulous soundtrack playing in the background and the sound of the bustling streets below; none of the Assassin’s Creed games have been able to replicate this feeling for me, even if some handle gameplay and story elements better.

This game is our first introduction to one of gaming’s most iconic protagonists, Ezio, who is undoubtedly AC’s most loved protagonist for many reasons: one being that he is just very likable, but also because he got the most room to grow as a character thanks to having three games dedicated to him. Though not being the best part of his story, AC2 is a strong starting point that offers compelling characters and some of the most iconic scenes in the series, as well as a rich narrative that delves into subjects such as the price of revenge, or the struggle to find meaning in a conflict you were thrust into without your approval.

It also introduced many of the mysteries that made the AC franchise and its modern-day story so compelling in the first place: what happened to Altair after he defeated Al Mualim, and why did he write the codex pages? Who was Subject 16, and what did he discover while in the Animus? And who are the precursors that created the apple of eden, and what are they trying to warn us about?

Even outside the story, the game communicates through its visuals and gameplay. How each city has its unique personality, with distinct color palettes and level design, pushing you to adapt, and making the parkour rewarding and engaging. Or for instance, how you can see the color grading of Monteriggioni slowly change and the street becoming busier as you renovate the villa, reflecting its financial state. These are small details, but they matter and show the thought and care that was put into this game and now feel absent in current Ubisoft titles. It just enhances the overall atmosphere and immersion, coupled with the ambient sounds of the city and Jesper Kyd’s mysterious yet elegant soundtrack.

From a gameplay standpoint, AC2 pretty much improves and refines everything its predecessor did. More ways to assassinate your enemies with new techniques and weapons, more ways to interact with the world around you for social stealth. The combat, although simple, is stylish and you’ll find enjoyment in trying to look as cool as possible. The game structure has been made less repetitive and offer more interesting side activities to tackle, such as the iconic assassin’s tombs that are intricate parkour challenges in mesmerizing locations. Though I surely miss the more open aspect of AC1 assassinations that gave much more player agency on how to plan them out.

I will never get tired of this game, even if it's a painful reminder of what Assassin’s Creed used to be. It can be hard to believe that Ubisoft used to make games like these when we look at their current catalog. But even so, this will always be one of my favorite games and a clear example of why I love video games.





Stellar level design and fantastic soundtrack. A must-play for every platforming fan.

Farewell to your sanity.

Jokes aside, Farewell is an amazing and engaging finale for Celeste and the true ending is absolutely worth the efforts you're going through.

A fantastic entry and easily the best game in the franchise when it comes to bosses (and they're the main draw of the Souls games). Many cool designs and movesets with a good soundtrack make for some memorable fights.

Unfortunately Irithyll Dungeon exists. The person who made this ten-minute-long 'experience' is probably still laughing, knowing they've made the most unfair level in the game.

But overall an easy recommendation from my side, awesome game. If you've liked ANY other Souls game before, you'll very likely love this one too.

Hades

2018

In the name of Hades!

Creating a story-based game around roguelike gameplay is certainly a challenging task, but Supergiant did a fantastic job with the ludonarrative consistency throughout the game. The insane amount of (voiced!) dialogue really make you connect with Zagreus' journey through his eyes and all the various highs and lows he's going through. Also the gameplay is great, no wonder Zagreus is always going through those same chambers again and again!

Now about the cast, they're all great and unique and the artstyle paired with the designs really brings them to life. The friendship system and occasional encounters really help them flesh out their personalities. In my opinion the developers really did a great job on depicting Greek mythology in the way they did.

I should've mentioned this earlier, but the game is very casual-friendly for a roguelike and definitely worth looking into, even if you're not into these kind of games normally. Because of the sheer amount of dialogue and permanent upgrades the games presents you between your runs, you always have something new and fun to look forward to. It also has an easy mode, which still lets you experience the same journey with less stress - don't feel ashamed to use it!

Give Hades a shot if you love mythology or roguelikes, or the artstyle or anything! This journey has been truly unique, and I've hardly ever seen a gameplay loop integrated so well into a story. Can't wait for the sequel!

I don't know if more things can be said about this game that haven't been said already by everyone else but this game is truly masterful, not perfect because it maybe aged a little bit but still, playing MGS even after more than 25 years since its release is an incredible experience.

The gameplay made me fall in love with the stealth genre and the story, twist after twist, is never boring, always interesting and fresh.

This game is overall an experience that I think everyone should try at least once, I totally recommend it

An improvement over its predecessor in every aspect.
I know Vice City is a fan favourite for many but to me it's not much more than a game with cool 80s vibe and a nice story

MGS3 is objectively an impressive game, so impressive to the point where it should be considered the best the Metal Gear Saga has to offer... and yet I put it below games like MGS1, MGS2 and MGSV.
I struggled to understand why for a very long time but I came to the conclusion that maybe it's the fact that each of the games I mentioned earlier left "a mark" on me for a reason or another, they felt special, while Snake Eater is a VERY good game but it fails to feel special to me in any way, I don't feel that personal attachment that I feel towards other MGSs. Still, I recommend this game to everyone and I can't wait for the remake

One of the most important Zelda games because of how it impacted the rest of the series and, in general, one of the most important videogames of all time. It shows its age in some areas but I think it's one of the best Zelda games even today