Not sure why I like this one the most of the series. Not a PvP'er so the major strength of this game (according to the fanbase) is lost on me, I think the DLC is overhyped at best and actively annoying at worst, and nothing in this game particularly stands out as being exceptional. In fact, there's about 5 areas in the game I would say are some of the dumbest stuff I've ever played. I guess I enjoy this so much since it is the most 'gamey' of the Souls series; it's not overtly ambitious like DS1 and doesn't feel like an awkward fan apology like DS3. DS2 is primarily concerned with customization and expression, and the variety of ways you can mess around and break the game with dumb and creative builds makes it weirdly inline with something like the SaGa series or FFT than anything similar to how the Souls series typically approaches RPG mechanics. When you look at the game as essentially a giant sandbox to experiment in, and are willing to use a walkthrough to find the materials to make good experiments, the stupid parts become a lot more bearable.

I think Mikami understands to an unnatural degree that video games are fundamentally about problem-solving. Unlike an academic interpretation of "problem-solving" though, Mikami understands that the exercise of problem-solving is less about solving the actual problem but of learning new ways of thinking. Sure, other video games are problem-solving in a base sense, but Mikami's problems have that magical "Oh Shit" element to them; everyone who's done one playthrough of this game will instantly remember all three wolverine encounters, the first time they encountered Regenerators, the Krauser section, the entire 4-4 homestretch, etc. Consistent to all these amazing sections is that the game feels like it's adapting along with the player--as if Mikami was a math tutor guiding us along the workbook. "Ok you know how to deal with Wolverine now, but what if we stuck in you a locked cage with one of them? What if we put two of them in the same room? How would you adapt then?" You have to recontextualize and reinvent constantly, without forgetting the fundamentals that got you there. One of the fundamental pillars of a conservative mindset is the idea that change is risky--the problem might get worse if you approach in a new way, so it's safer to keep doing things the same way. RE4 looks at this mindset, kneecaps it, then gives it a head-exploding suplex--change is necessary, even if it is risky; use more of your resources, resupply, be more precise, exploit another weakness, or use a goddamn rocket launcher if you have to--just don't think the old way is the only way if you want to make it through. It's a constant escalation of gameplay, and that the narrative matches this escalation tit-for-tat is just aces. Literally one of the most radical games of all-time, in every sense of the word.

Tbh I don't think this game is terrible, obviously it can not live up to a 18+ year dev cycle with the game being restarted multiple times.

DNF feels outdated even at the time of the game being released. The humor is dry, but the actual gunplay and gameplay is mediocre at best. However, it is what is it and I personally thought it was okay at most.

Working on getting every achievement one day on Steam, but shelved as of right now.

Great shooter with a good open world. Probably my favorite of the STALKER games, but I'll need to replay the others to be sure. The atmosphere is engrossing and can lead to many spooky moments when exploring abandoned buildings. Combat is fun when fighting either human or mutant enemies. Theres a great variety of main and side missions that dont get stale or boring, they never really start feeling like a slog. Getting through the dangerous anamolies to hunt for artifacts can be really rewarding and a great challenge. Even though the game takes aroud 20 hours to complete when you take your time and do all or most of the missions, it still feels like its lacking atleast one more area. The ending just didnt feel right and almost feels like it comes out of nowhere, but its not that big of a deal.