TheBluejay
2001
Review #8 - 2019
https://www.gamingdragons.com/en/game/buy-silent-hill-2-download.html
My first experience with Silent Hill was my sophomore year of high school, 2009. A girl I was dating at the time introduced me to the series, having me start with "Silent Hill 3". I installed it onto my laptop, hid under the covers in the middle of the night, and was thrust into a terrifying world I had never experienced before.
My thoughts on that title will be saved for another time, for it was my next horror experience with "Silent Hill 2", that left me even more haunted than my first time in this disturbing town. This review is based on my 2nd playthrough, which would be my first playthrough on stream back in 2020.
Taking a step away from the narrative of the first entry, "Silent Hill 2" has you playing a whole new story. You're James Sunderland, a man who is visiting this town after receiving a strange letter from his dead wife, inviting him to find her there. It starts off somber and quiet, and not to soon after, you're pursued by the creatures of the town, with the silence drowned out by the sound of your radio as the nightmarish creatures of the town move closer toward you.
Combat isn't the strong suit of the game, but really, it doesn't need to be, for most of the time you'll find yourself running from the enemies as they deliver a serious amount of damage to James. Some battles are best left unfought, but sometimes, you'll get pinned in a corner, or stuck in a narrow hallway between two creatures, and you'll have no choice but to defend yourself. Encounters can be stress inducing, especially when you get a good look at the creature designs before you. My absolute favorite design is the Mannequin. It may look simple, but their movements are unnerving as they lurk toward you, and attack with their second pair of legs on the top half of their body. Their moans of pain/pleasure as you fight back, still make my skin crawl.
This is a series known for its well timed scares, for most of the time, there aren't any. The scares are brought on by your own mind, over thinking and hesitating as you anticipate what might happen if you open that door. And since you're spending your time letting your mind wander, when the game does decide to play a trick on you, it's startling, and highly effective, which I greatly appreciate, as it leaves you further on edge, wondering if it'll happen again somewhere else.
The story is where this game shines the most. Not only is your main character's story dark and disturbing, the characters you meet (especially for the case of Angela Orosco), are equally as disturbing, if not more so. It handles these subject matters maturely, and not just for show, giving the player pause and much to take in. I still love talking about this game, unraveling all the details and metaphors.
The game is further improved with the great work being done by the team behind the "Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition", which is a true "HD" remaster compared to the dumpster fire that was Konami's attempt. If you've played this game before and thought it looked great before (or maybe you didn't), then you haven't seen anything yet. Do yourself a favor, buy a PC copy using the link at the top, and check out their work below.
http://www.enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/
"Silent Hill 2" is a phenomenal way to get into the Silent Hill series. It's iconic for a reason, and in a time where horror titles are all about flash and no substance, games like this are great to fall back on, especially if you're looking for something that's patient, meaningful, and of course, horrifying.
https://www.gamingdragons.com/en/game/buy-silent-hill-2-download.html
My first experience with Silent Hill was my sophomore year of high school, 2009. A girl I was dating at the time introduced me to the series, having me start with "Silent Hill 3". I installed it onto my laptop, hid under the covers in the middle of the night, and was thrust into a terrifying world I had never experienced before.
My thoughts on that title will be saved for another time, for it was my next horror experience with "Silent Hill 2", that left me even more haunted than my first time in this disturbing town. This review is based on my 2nd playthrough, which would be my first playthrough on stream back in 2020.
Taking a step away from the narrative of the first entry, "Silent Hill 2" has you playing a whole new story. You're James Sunderland, a man who is visiting this town after receiving a strange letter from his dead wife, inviting him to find her there. It starts off somber and quiet, and not to soon after, you're pursued by the creatures of the town, with the silence drowned out by the sound of your radio as the nightmarish creatures of the town move closer toward you.
Combat isn't the strong suit of the game, but really, it doesn't need to be, for most of the time you'll find yourself running from the enemies as they deliver a serious amount of damage to James. Some battles are best left unfought, but sometimes, you'll get pinned in a corner, or stuck in a narrow hallway between two creatures, and you'll have no choice but to defend yourself. Encounters can be stress inducing, especially when you get a good look at the creature designs before you. My absolute favorite design is the Mannequin. It may look simple, but their movements are unnerving as they lurk toward you, and attack with their second pair of legs on the top half of their body. Their moans of pain/pleasure as you fight back, still make my skin crawl.
This is a series known for its well timed scares, for most of the time, there aren't any. The scares are brought on by your own mind, over thinking and hesitating as you anticipate what might happen if you open that door. And since you're spending your time letting your mind wander, when the game does decide to play a trick on you, it's startling, and highly effective, which I greatly appreciate, as it leaves you further on edge, wondering if it'll happen again somewhere else.
The story is where this game shines the most. Not only is your main character's story dark and disturbing, the characters you meet (especially for the case of Angela Orosco), are equally as disturbing, if not more so. It handles these subject matters maturely, and not just for show, giving the player pause and much to take in. I still love talking about this game, unraveling all the details and metaphors.
The game is further improved with the great work being done by the team behind the "Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition", which is a true "HD" remaster compared to the dumpster fire that was Konami's attempt. If you've played this game before and thought it looked great before (or maybe you didn't), then you haven't seen anything yet. Do yourself a favor, buy a PC copy using the link at the top, and check out their work below.
http://www.enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/
"Silent Hill 2" is a phenomenal way to get into the Silent Hill series. It's iconic for a reason, and in a time where horror titles are all about flash and no substance, games like this are great to fall back on, especially if you're looking for something that's patient, meaningful, and of course, horrifying.
Review #7 - 2019
If you owned a VHS copy of "Monsters Inc.", then you most likely owned the CD-ROM that came with it. That CD-ROM of course, was this neat little pinball thing, themed around the film. It would barely run on my Dad's Windows 98 desktop, but we still managed to have fun playing it. Now in my adulthood, I found a copy of this game on eBay, and it runs as smoooooth as butter. Child me would be so jealous.
It's extremely simple, although challenging enough that I haven't seen all this game has to offer. I know that as you progress, the stages begin to change appearance, which is a pretty sweet incentive to keep playing. It's also a great game to play hot seat with another player, as it saves your high scores so you can try and best each other in future sessions. It's a neat little gem of a game that's worth hunting down for your collection!
If you owned a VHS copy of "Monsters Inc.", then you most likely owned the CD-ROM that came with it. That CD-ROM of course, was this neat little pinball thing, themed around the film. It would barely run on my Dad's Windows 98 desktop, but we still managed to have fun playing it. Now in my adulthood, I found a copy of this game on eBay, and it runs as smoooooth as butter. Child me would be so jealous.
It's extremely simple, although challenging enough that I haven't seen all this game has to offer. I know that as you progress, the stages begin to change appearance, which is a pretty sweet incentive to keep playing. It's also a great game to play hot seat with another player, as it saves your high scores so you can try and best each other in future sessions. It's a neat little gem of a game that's worth hunting down for your collection!
2001
Review #6 - 2019
The game that started it all still manages to capture my imagination after all these years. This was my first FPS experience, and my first experience with a game that has you play through unforgettable cinematic scenes. The atmosphere and scenery is gorgeous, the introduction to the now iconic enemies you face feel so lifelike with their dialogue and well programmed AI, and the soundtrack provided by Martin O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori is my absolute favorite of the whole franchise ("Under Cover of Night" and "Covenant Dance" are my favorites), as they blend elements of rock and new age that create a sense of wonder and epic peril depending on the level you're in. Some say the game hasn't aged as well even with the Anniversary update back in 2011, but I adore these early graphics and gameplay, and I wouldn't have it any other way. This is a landmark in video game history, and one I will cherish til the end of time.
The game that started it all still manages to capture my imagination after all these years. This was my first FPS experience, and my first experience with a game that has you play through unforgettable cinematic scenes. The atmosphere and scenery is gorgeous, the introduction to the now iconic enemies you face feel so lifelike with their dialogue and well programmed AI, and the soundtrack provided by Martin O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori is my absolute favorite of the whole franchise ("Under Cover of Night" and "Covenant Dance" are my favorites), as they blend elements of rock and new age that create a sense of wonder and epic peril depending on the level you're in. Some say the game hasn't aged as well even with the Anniversary update back in 2011, but I adore these early graphics and gameplay, and I wouldn't have it any other way. This is a landmark in video game history, and one I will cherish til the end of time.
2000
Review #5 - 2019
This is a game I remember playing at a friend's house as a child, and with that said, I had never seen anything like it. An FPS that takes you through various time periods all themed around the culture or year it's inspired by. So much variety in terms of design, with an incredible soundtrack made my Graeme Norgate that I have memorized and know by heart.
The story mode isn't very up front with lore, other than a briefing you'll find in the pause menu giving you exposition as to why you are where you are. Later titles expand on that department with cutscenes and side missions giving you a more in depth storytelling experience. In this title, all you need to know, is that there is a crucial item you need to pick up, and once you get it, you gotta survive and get it back to Point A before the TimeSplitters do. Very simple in premise, but if you like a challenge, you'll certainly find it here.
The gameplay is very similar to that of the N64's "Goldeneye", which by today's FPS standards hasn't aged well. As much as I adore this game, holding down L2 to get a shot down is an absolute pain, even with auto-aim, so if you're going to throw down the harder difficulties, get ready for a real challenge. The harder the difficulty, the longer it takes to clear a level, since the map gets deeper and deeper with each difficulty setting, making it crucial you remember your surroundings, and where you need to deliver the object once you pick it up. It helps that each level is designed with much variety and detail, so you can go off of landmarks and objects to remember where to go.
And really, that's the strong suit of this game. Each level is completely unique and full of life. From the maps themselves, to the enemies you'll come across. Each level has a character specifically designed for that level, making it really fun to unlock each level to see what time period you'll fall into next, and what it'll look like.
Speaking of unlocks, there are a TON. This game may seem like a tech demo in terms of its story mode, but damn, it's one BEEFY tech demo. So many characters to unlock. So many game modes to play. So many things! Get your friends involved, and it gets even more enjoyable. Multiplayer is chaotic, and is a real BLAST.
Last but not least, the glorious mapmaker. Oh BOY was this thing incredible for me as a kid. I'd spend hours creating my own maps to play with friends, or even to just run around on my own with AI. It's not very detailed in terms of textures, but it's still pretty decent, with later titles expanding on what you can put in your maps, including making more detailed story scenarios.
I have a lot to say about this game, because I LOVE this series, with "TimeSplitters 2" being my absolute favorite of the 3. What "TimeSplitters" lacks in story substance, it makes up for with literally every thing else it provides. It's fun, it's full of variety and character, and even though the controls are a pain sometimes, it never seems to get old for me, and I love sharing it with friends and family.
This is a game I remember playing at a friend's house as a child, and with that said, I had never seen anything like it. An FPS that takes you through various time periods all themed around the culture or year it's inspired by. So much variety in terms of design, with an incredible soundtrack made my Graeme Norgate that I have memorized and know by heart.
The story mode isn't very up front with lore, other than a briefing you'll find in the pause menu giving you exposition as to why you are where you are. Later titles expand on that department with cutscenes and side missions giving you a more in depth storytelling experience. In this title, all you need to know, is that there is a crucial item you need to pick up, and once you get it, you gotta survive and get it back to Point A before the TimeSplitters do. Very simple in premise, but if you like a challenge, you'll certainly find it here.
The gameplay is very similar to that of the N64's "Goldeneye", which by today's FPS standards hasn't aged well. As much as I adore this game, holding down L2 to get a shot down is an absolute pain, even with auto-aim, so if you're going to throw down the harder difficulties, get ready for a real challenge. The harder the difficulty, the longer it takes to clear a level, since the map gets deeper and deeper with each difficulty setting, making it crucial you remember your surroundings, and where you need to deliver the object once you pick it up. It helps that each level is designed with much variety and detail, so you can go off of landmarks and objects to remember where to go.
And really, that's the strong suit of this game. Each level is completely unique and full of life. From the maps themselves, to the enemies you'll come across. Each level has a character specifically designed for that level, making it really fun to unlock each level to see what time period you'll fall into next, and what it'll look like.
Speaking of unlocks, there are a TON. This game may seem like a tech demo in terms of its story mode, but damn, it's one BEEFY tech demo. So many characters to unlock. So many game modes to play. So many things! Get your friends involved, and it gets even more enjoyable. Multiplayer is chaotic, and is a real BLAST.
Last but not least, the glorious mapmaker. Oh BOY was this thing incredible for me as a kid. I'd spend hours creating my own maps to play with friends, or even to just run around on my own with AI. It's not very detailed in terms of textures, but it's still pretty decent, with later titles expanding on what you can put in your maps, including making more detailed story scenarios.
I have a lot to say about this game, because I LOVE this series, with "TimeSplitters 2" being my absolute favorite of the 3. What "TimeSplitters" lacks in story substance, it makes up for with literally every thing else it provides. It's fun, it's full of variety and character, and even though the controls are a pain sometimes, it never seems to get old for me, and I love sharing it with friends and family.
2015
Review #4 - 2019
This is a clever game that I recommend playing with 4 players if you can, but is still really cool on your own. The levels bring a variety of challenges that require your fast reflexes, as the ghosts you encounter mimic the moves you made in previous rounds. Meaning if you did an awesome and deadly move in a previous round, a ghost in the next round is going to do the exact same thing, and as these mimicking ghosts stack over the coming rounds, the game will get even harder depending on how you chose to deal with ghosts in the past. Add 4 players into the mix, and you can imagine the chaos that ensues. It's a sweet little gem of a game, that I recommend you try at least once.
This is a clever game that I recommend playing with 4 players if you can, but is still really cool on your own. The levels bring a variety of challenges that require your fast reflexes, as the ghosts you encounter mimic the moves you made in previous rounds. Meaning if you did an awesome and deadly move in a previous round, a ghost in the next round is going to do the exact same thing, and as these mimicking ghosts stack over the coming rounds, the game will get even harder depending on how you chose to deal with ghosts in the past. Add 4 players into the mix, and you can imagine the chaos that ensues. It's a sweet little gem of a game, that I recommend you try at least once.
2014
Review #3 - 2019
I'm not entirely familiar with these types of games, so when I first gave this game a go, my first and only thought was that it plays like "Diablo", but with a lot less variety and a lot less interesting design. It was fun for about an hour, but started to get tired fairly quickly. It's not a terrible experience, but it only made me want to play "Diablo" as the game went on.
I'm not entirely familiar with these types of games, so when I first gave this game a go, my first and only thought was that it plays like "Diablo", but with a lot less variety and a lot less interesting design. It was fun for about an hour, but started to get tired fairly quickly. It's not a terrible experience, but it only made me want to play "Diablo" as the game went on.
Latest Title Review #2 - 2019
I don't think I've ever played a game like this before. A dungeon crawler/visual novel that tells a compelling story about 7 characters who wake up in some sort of purgatory, who each represent one of the deadly sins. Each "level" has you exploring each character's backstory, as you travel through different liminal spaces, that each represent a location behind each character's tragic deaths.
I never did get a chance to finish this one, but I certainly look forward to replaying it now that I know better how the game's mechanics work. It took me a long time to get used to the grid style movement in FPS, and just as well, it took me awhile to realize I can interact with icons that pop up on the screen (like the one that you need to click on that stops the ceiling from caving in on you). Once I got those things down, I was crawling with ease, and the challenges that laid before me were intense fun. I've no clue how this story ends, but to this day, I still think about this title, and wonder where it may lead. Indeed, I need to return to this game.
I don't think I've ever played a game like this before. A dungeon crawler/visual novel that tells a compelling story about 7 characters who wake up in some sort of purgatory, who each represent one of the deadly sins. Each "level" has you exploring each character's backstory, as you travel through different liminal spaces, that each represent a location behind each character's tragic deaths.
I never did get a chance to finish this one, but I certainly look forward to replaying it now that I know better how the game's mechanics work. It took me a long time to get used to the grid style movement in FPS, and just as well, it took me awhile to realize I can interact with icons that pop up on the screen (like the one that you need to click on that stops the ceiling from caving in on you). Once I got those things down, I was crawling with ease, and the challenges that laid before me were intense fun. I've no clue how this story ends, but to this day, I still think about this title, and wonder where it may lead. Indeed, I need to return to this game.
2007
Review #2 - 2019
It had been YEARS since I had picked up and played this title. My memory of the story is fuzzy, but more than anything, I remember that addictive and enthralling gameplay not just in the campaign, but even more so, in multiplayer. Whether it was online, or on the couch doing LAN parties, this game was, and is, still incredible to play.
It had been YEARS since I had picked up and played this title. My memory of the story is fuzzy, but more than anything, I remember that addictive and enthralling gameplay not just in the campaign, but even more so, in multiplayer. Whether it was online, or on the couch doing LAN parties, this game was, and is, still incredible to play.
2019
Latest Title Review #1 - 2019
Now THIS is how you REmake a game. I was absolutely mind blown seeing the visuals that made the original Resident Evil games so brilliant, brought to life once again with today's graphics. It brought me back to the feeling of being terrified by your surroundings, and the creatures and abominations that lurk within, for the first time in a long time. Seeing the original character and building designs from the PS1 era remade with so much love, simply took my breath away. If only the Silent Hill games could get this much love.
Now THIS is how you REmake a game. I was absolutely mind blown seeing the visuals that made the original Resident Evil games so brilliant, brought to life once again with today's graphics. It brought me back to the feeling of being terrified by your surroundings, and the creatures and abominations that lurk within, for the first time in a long time. Seeing the original character and building designs from the PS1 era remade with so much love, simply took my breath away. If only the Silent Hill games could get this much love.
2012
Review #1 - 2019
One of those rare gems that I wish would find its way onto the Switch, but I highly doubt it will happen. This game is a WONDERFUL time, and though it's one of those you'd probably get tired of after a couple hours, those first several moments are worth the laughs and fun you'll have. Me and my friends LOVED "Mario Chase".
Until I get a copy for my own, I can't speak for playing it in solo mode, though I can see how that would be not as much fun, given a lot of these games were designed to be played with friends. Some minigames are better than others, and you'll end up finding one you'll REALLY enjoy, and probably stick to that one like we did with "Mario Chase". If you have a Wii U and don't own this yet, do yourself a favor and add it to your collection! If you're getting into the Wii U, don't pass this one up!
One of those rare gems that I wish would find its way onto the Switch, but I highly doubt it will happen. This game is a WONDERFUL time, and though it's one of those you'd probably get tired of after a couple hours, those first several moments are worth the laughs and fun you'll have. Me and my friends LOVED "Mario Chase".
Until I get a copy for my own, I can't speak for playing it in solo mode, though I can see how that would be not as much fun, given a lot of these games were designed to be played with friends. Some minigames are better than others, and you'll end up finding one you'll REALLY enjoy, and probably stick to that one like we did with "Mario Chase". If you have a Wii U and don't own this yet, do yourself a favor and add it to your collection! If you're getting into the Wii U, don't pass this one up!
Review #13 - 2018
The Smash Bros. to rule them all. Ultimate brings it all together in this massive compilation of not just Nintendo franchises, but also, franchises that live beyond Nintendo's shores.
People debate about whether or not this game is better than previous titles in terms of speed and what not. I'll leave that debate up to the pro players and Melee purists. At the end of the day, it's FUN, and that's what matters. It's fun to play solo, and it's fun to play with friends. It's fun to collect the stickers, and it's fun to play through the new storyline. It's incredible to be able to have all these characters in one place, as you watch Banjo & Kazooie fight Joker from Persona. What started as a game with only 12 Nintendo characters, now has nearly 100. Again, filled with not just Nintendo characters, but characters from other franchises as well. What an absolute blast.
The Smash Bros. to rule them all. Ultimate brings it all together in this massive compilation of not just Nintendo franchises, but also, franchises that live beyond Nintendo's shores.
People debate about whether or not this game is better than previous titles in terms of speed and what not. I'll leave that debate up to the pro players and Melee purists. At the end of the day, it's FUN, and that's what matters. It's fun to play solo, and it's fun to play with friends. It's fun to collect the stickers, and it's fun to play through the new storyline. It's incredible to be able to have all these characters in one place, as you watch Banjo & Kazooie fight Joker from Persona. What started as a game with only 12 Nintendo characters, now has nearly 100. Again, filled with not just Nintendo characters, but characters from other franchises as well. What an absolute blast.
2017
Review #12 - 2018
https://shellshock.io/
Ya know, it's kind of amazing how a little game where you play as eggs with guns works and plays so well. It's brilliantly simple, and is super fun to be able to just boot up the site, and get right into the game for a few moments, but nothing more than that. It's worth keeping in your bookmarks for those moments of boredom, or heck, getting some friends together (or your stream audience) to play along with you for a bit. It's an eggcelent time.
https://shellshock.io/
Ya know, it's kind of amazing how a little game where you play as eggs with guns works and plays so well. It's brilliantly simple, and is super fun to be able to just boot up the site, and get right into the game for a few moments, but nothing more than that. It's worth keeping in your bookmarks for those moments of boredom, or heck, getting some friends together (or your stream audience) to play along with you for a bit. It's an eggcelent time.
2019
Review #11 - 2018
I grew up with a little computer game called "Pocket Tanks" (which you can still find btw https://classic.blitwise.com/ptanks.html), and so this game was a very warm welcome for me. It plays like most mini tank games: you set your angle, set your power, choose your missile type, and then fire. What sets this game apart, is your ability to be able to upgrade your tanks, and level up, which adds a bit more to the gameplay. It's a nice pick-up-and-play game, that has a great look, and keeps these kinds of tank games alive and kicking.
I grew up with a little computer game called "Pocket Tanks" (which you can still find btw https://classic.blitwise.com/ptanks.html), and so this game was a very warm welcome for me. It plays like most mini tank games: you set your angle, set your power, choose your missile type, and then fire. What sets this game apart, is your ability to be able to upgrade your tanks, and level up, which adds a bit more to the gameplay. It's a nice pick-up-and-play game, that has a great look, and keeps these kinds of tank games alive and kicking.
2017
Review #10 - 2018
I remember thinking when this game launched back in 2011, "this is brilliant, but how far can it really go?". Oh wow, I couldn't even imagine.
The impact this game has had on all generations of gamers is insane. I work at a preschool, and seeing the next generation before me loving this game and claiming it as their own beloved favorite, just goes to show how timeless this game truly is, and will be.
You build, you explore, you survive, you create. It's simple in premise, but with a game as heavily customizable as this is, the possibilities of what you can do with those 4 simple notions, is seemingly infinite. I for one, love keeping it vanilla, for the game in its plain state is enough to keep me entertained for a few hours, as I do solo runs cutting through mineshafts, building my home, and my favorite part, trying to survive.
"Minecraft" opens the mind to think creatively, and that's something I greatly applause. And when in the hands of children, I applaud it even more, for I think it's a brilliant tool for inspiration and learning.
I remember thinking when this game launched back in 2011, "this is brilliant, but how far can it really go?". Oh wow, I couldn't even imagine.
The impact this game has had on all generations of gamers is insane. I work at a preschool, and seeing the next generation before me loving this game and claiming it as their own beloved favorite, just goes to show how timeless this game truly is, and will be.
You build, you explore, you survive, you create. It's simple in premise, but with a game as heavily customizable as this is, the possibilities of what you can do with those 4 simple notions, is seemingly infinite. I for one, love keeping it vanilla, for the game in its plain state is enough to keep me entertained for a few hours, as I do solo runs cutting through mineshafts, building my home, and my favorite part, trying to survive.
"Minecraft" opens the mind to think creatively, and that's something I greatly applause. And when in the hands of children, I applaud it even more, for I think it's a brilliant tool for inspiration and learning.
2017
Review #9 - 2018
I don't have a whole lot to say about this one, other than it's cool, and I'd like to give it more time. I bought a copy before it went free, but me and my friends were busy playing other shooters at the time. The brief moment we did play it, it was a good time. Fantastic gameplay, with a story I was somewhat interested in, but not captivated enough to dive in deep.
I don't have a whole lot to say about this one, other than it's cool, and I'd like to give it more time. I bought a copy before it went free, but me and my friends were busy playing other shooters at the time. The brief moment we did play it, it was a good time. Fantastic gameplay, with a story I was somewhat interested in, but not captivated enough to dive in deep.