bruno_saurus
BACKER
A delightful and fun game! It has a charming world and characters. Story was enjoyable and whimsical. The card game was a nice bonus to play with some strategy involved, no matter how basic. A good time overall!
2021
Inscryption is a rogue-like card game that offers a lot of great variety in its three different acts, all based around this card game in this fictional world called Inscryption.
But overall, Inscryption is a game you should know very little about going into it to start off.
The mechanics of it are pretty simple to understand. You place cards on your side based on how many points you use and have to summon that card. While you're trying to also counteract the opponents attack.
Most cards have sigils, special buffs each card has, or different ways to attack. Some could even hinder you, which I find offers great balance in your strategy sometimes. As the game progresses, you get introduced to new sigils as well to strategize with, so the game keeps evolving to keep you thinking of how to win.
However, card games aren't fun if the actual world isn't at least interesting in a way. The world of Inscryption is intriguing because of how much mystery it presents at first. Then of course how much it tells you as you progress. And the areas you're in, can be creepy as all heck, but offers puzzles besides the main card game to keep being engaging outside the actual game.
Each act varies the rules of the game a bit, but the overall theme of the game stays the same throughout each act. Hit a card on the opponent's side to eventually hit the side enough to win.
Deck Building wise is also an interesting strategy as you can have your basic cards become defensive walls, support cards, sacrificial cards all the way, or offensive attackers bit by bit. If you get to a certain area, you would need to trade a card for a possibly better card, but it could cost you more points to summon. It just offers some grand variety into how you want to attack I find.
Overall, I adore Inscryption. It's one of my favorite video games I have played. It's a creepy feeling game, because of how much you don't know, and mixing that with the areas itself. Still a grand time playing the actual card game though! So the journey is grand throughout!
But overall, Inscryption is a game you should know very little about going into it to start off.
The mechanics of it are pretty simple to understand. You place cards on your side based on how many points you use and have to summon that card. While you're trying to also counteract the opponents attack.
Most cards have sigils, special buffs each card has, or different ways to attack. Some could even hinder you, which I find offers great balance in your strategy sometimes. As the game progresses, you get introduced to new sigils as well to strategize with, so the game keeps evolving to keep you thinking of how to win.
However, card games aren't fun if the actual world isn't at least interesting in a way. The world of Inscryption is intriguing because of how much mystery it presents at first. Then of course how much it tells you as you progress. And the areas you're in, can be creepy as all heck, but offers puzzles besides the main card game to keep being engaging outside the actual game.
Each act varies the rules of the game a bit, but the overall theme of the game stays the same throughout each act. Hit a card on the opponent's side to eventually hit the side enough to win.
Deck Building wise is also an interesting strategy as you can have your basic cards become defensive walls, support cards, sacrificial cards all the way, or offensive attackers bit by bit. If you get to a certain area, you would need to trade a card for a possibly better card, but it could cost you more points to summon. It just offers some grand variety into how you want to attack I find.
Overall, I adore Inscryption. It's one of my favorite video games I have played. It's a creepy feeling game, because of how much you don't know, and mixing that with the areas itself. Still a grand time playing the actual card game though! So the journey is grand throughout!
Do you like controlling chaos in a fun matter? Well I have the game for you!
Katamari Damacy is a grand time filled with rolling up innocent creatures in your giant sponge. The music is incredible! Joyous music while creating endless chaos! Such bliss! Each area is grand with some of the later ones having a bit of strategy needed to effectively do them! Effectively strategizing how you roll up people to their inevitable deaths.
Bliss!
Katamari Damacy is a grand time filled with rolling up innocent creatures in your giant sponge. The music is incredible! Joyous music while creating endless chaos! Such bliss! Each area is grand with some of the later ones having a bit of strategy needed to effectively do them! Effectively strategizing how you roll up people to their inevitable deaths.
Bliss!
2018
This review contains spoilers
Replaying this game was a joy. This game's characters, worlds, combat, and story all make this game a 10.
Kratos is trying to redeem himself from his past, but also be a good father to Atreus. Teaching him life lessons and guide him.
Atreus can be a douche, especially in the middle after he finds out he's a half-God, but he eventually comes back to his senses for the better part of the journey him and Kratos have embarked on.
The combat is impactful with lots of layers to learn, but all the fights are engaging and grand! Especially mixing the Leviathan Axe with the Blades of Chaos in different situations!
Speaking of the Blades of Chaos, this game does a great job at being set in a new world and new mythology, but not forgetting its past. You have visions of Athena and Zeus! All crazy to even think about! The great Mimir even is confounded by it. Mimir is also great let's just say that so I don't forget.
The world is beautiful in the views it gives you and the lore it hides for you to find. All building this expansive and great place to explore. You visit Helheim, an area filled with death, and then you see Freya's house which is surrounded by this gorgeous area to gaze upon.
Overall, this game is a 10. And I am so excited for Ragnarok, just as Mimir is.
Kratos is trying to redeem himself from his past, but also be a good father to Atreus. Teaching him life lessons and guide him.
Atreus can be a douche, especially in the middle after he finds out he's a half-God, but he eventually comes back to his senses for the better part of the journey him and Kratos have embarked on.
The combat is impactful with lots of layers to learn, but all the fights are engaging and grand! Especially mixing the Leviathan Axe with the Blades of Chaos in different situations!
Speaking of the Blades of Chaos, this game does a great job at being set in a new world and new mythology, but not forgetting its past. You have visions of Athena and Zeus! All crazy to even think about! The great Mimir even is confounded by it. Mimir is also great let's just say that so I don't forget.
The world is beautiful in the views it gives you and the lore it hides for you to find. All building this expansive and great place to explore. You visit Helheim, an area filled with death, and then you see Freya's house which is surrounded by this gorgeous area to gaze upon.
Overall, this game is a 10. And I am so excited for Ragnarok, just as Mimir is.
The definition of a 7.
Mario Strikers: Battle League feels weird. Like you're almost there, but not close as you should be.
First off, positives. Hyperstrikes are fun. Glad it's not so extreme to be more than 2 goals, or involved as Strikers Charged with the motion controls as the goalie.
The inclusion of gear is interesting to being able to customize all the characters to your liking. Some of them are goofy honestly.
Okay, time for the negatives. The tournament style of the single-player makes me miss the seasons that previous games offered. That lead to tournaments for the individual trophies offered. Tournaments are short, but I didn't really feel a challenge until the last two Trophy Tournaments. But if you lose a match that would give you a game over, you're offered to spend a certain amount of coins to retry, which is a nice option. After you complete all of the tournaments, you get the Hard Mode of the single-player, which offers more coins for you to spend on gear.
Another thing I don't love compared to other games in the series, you select all your teammates from the character pool. Which negates the strategy of your sidekicks in my mind. If you face a team of all Toads, you might face a team of two Toads the next game. So it doesn't offer that same variety if your Captain can be chosen by any other team as well.
Online mode is playing Clubs in Seasons. Which I haven't touched and probably won't at this rate.
Gameplay wise is fun and presentation is nice. But overall, Battle League is fun, but could've been better.
Mario Strikers: Battle League feels weird. Like you're almost there, but not close as you should be.
First off, positives. Hyperstrikes are fun. Glad it's not so extreme to be more than 2 goals, or involved as Strikers Charged with the motion controls as the goalie.
The inclusion of gear is interesting to being able to customize all the characters to your liking. Some of them are goofy honestly.
Okay, time for the negatives. The tournament style of the single-player makes me miss the seasons that previous games offered. That lead to tournaments for the individual trophies offered. Tournaments are short, but I didn't really feel a challenge until the last two Trophy Tournaments. But if you lose a match that would give you a game over, you're offered to spend a certain amount of coins to retry, which is a nice option. After you complete all of the tournaments, you get the Hard Mode of the single-player, which offers more coins for you to spend on gear.
Another thing I don't love compared to other games in the series, you select all your teammates from the character pool. Which negates the strategy of your sidekicks in my mind. If you face a team of all Toads, you might face a team of two Toads the next game. So it doesn't offer that same variety if your Captain can be chosen by any other team as well.
Online mode is playing Clubs in Seasons. Which I haven't touched and probably won't at this rate.
Gameplay wise is fun and presentation is nice. But overall, Battle League is fun, but could've been better.
Resistance Retribution is a good third-person shooter on the PSP, even with some non-overt flaws. The areas utilize cover well, but still offer enough of a variety to change exactly how you take cover.
The game is challenging. Sometimes annoyingly challenging. When you're facing off against two rocket launcher enemies that take up a lot of damage in a closed room, you want to bash your head in sometimes.
The story is basic enough for non-Resistance fans to engage with as you are James Grayson who's about to be executed due to deserting his squad after having to kill his own brother, who became infected as a Chimera. However, you are saved by the French resistance movement, the Maquis, in order to help them take out the Chimera within Europe. And your Chimeran killing spree continues basically!
Enemy introductions stand out through all of these various areas through this Chimeran assault. New enemies called, Hags, which act as walking time bombs. You have another variation of these enemies that are more kinetically enhanced. Cloven, who have been teased through the series, make their first official appearance!
However, overall enemy variety isn't that strong. I feel like a third enemy could've been introduced to have some more of that variety that could've been helpful.
The weapons of the Resistance series is a staple. With Retribution that is still true! You have your Auger, your Assault Rifle, normal grand Resistance stuff. You also get a Chainsaw gun which is a fantastic addition! Love the way that can carve through enemies!
Overall, a good Resistance entry! Story is compelling enough to give James Grayson enough weight with the likes of Nathan Hale and a little less, Joseph Capelli. Definitely enjoyable difficult parts, with some highly non-enjoyable parts.
The game is challenging. Sometimes annoyingly challenging. When you're facing off against two rocket launcher enemies that take up a lot of damage in a closed room, you want to bash your head in sometimes.
The story is basic enough for non-Resistance fans to engage with as you are James Grayson who's about to be executed due to deserting his squad after having to kill his own brother, who became infected as a Chimera. However, you are saved by the French resistance movement, the Maquis, in order to help them take out the Chimera within Europe. And your Chimeran killing spree continues basically!
Enemy introductions stand out through all of these various areas through this Chimeran assault. New enemies called, Hags, which act as walking time bombs. You have another variation of these enemies that are more kinetically enhanced. Cloven, who have been teased through the series, make their first official appearance!
However, overall enemy variety isn't that strong. I feel like a third enemy could've been introduced to have some more of that variety that could've been helpful.
The weapons of the Resistance series is a staple. With Retribution that is still true! You have your Auger, your Assault Rifle, normal grand Resistance stuff. You also get a Chainsaw gun which is a fantastic addition! Love the way that can carve through enemies!
Overall, a good Resistance entry! Story is compelling enough to give James Grayson enough weight with the likes of Nathan Hale and a little less, Joseph Capelli. Definitely enjoyable difficult parts, with some highly non-enjoyable parts.
2010
Kratos has conquered his vengeance. Olympus has fallen.
God of War 3 is a great end to this saga of Greek mythology God of War. The gigantic set pieces are here to truly tell an epic end to the story, but sprinkled in are some nice puzzles here and there.
Combat is impactful and grand as usual in this action-heavy combat system. Especially with the Nemean Cestus weapons!
The set pieces, while they are grand, the quick-time events can be a tad much with them. Which can drag down the pacing within those fights.
Story wise, it develops Zeus' motives more than just him wanting Kratos dead for the wrath he's caused on Olympus. There's a reason he feels this way which makes a lot of sense to the overall story. All of the beats themselves are well spread out, but sprinkled in between with some more intense moments. Kratos's vengeance is a bit much, sure. However, Kratos actually feels like he grows at the end of the story, even if just for a bit. Which doesn't happen all that much in this series at the time. The Labyrinth area does overstay its welcome a bit, but at least it changes to keep puzzles and combat areas different.
Puzzles, while some are grand, some do not feel like they fit in this world that much. You play a Guitar Hero-like mini-game for a section. Which feels out of place in this series.
Overall, I definitely love how this closes out the Greek Mythology saga within God of War. It does close out this chapter very well, even with Kratos's unyielding desire for vengeance. The world is grand as the debut PS3 title for Sony Santa Monica, a majority of the puzzles work well and make you think. Combat is fantastic and is a high point of the whole Greek Saga.
Definitely recommend if you already enjoy the series!
God of War 3 is a great end to this saga of Greek mythology God of War. The gigantic set pieces are here to truly tell an epic end to the story, but sprinkled in are some nice puzzles here and there.
Combat is impactful and grand as usual in this action-heavy combat system. Especially with the Nemean Cestus weapons!
The set pieces, while they are grand, the quick-time events can be a tad much with them. Which can drag down the pacing within those fights.
Story wise, it develops Zeus' motives more than just him wanting Kratos dead for the wrath he's caused on Olympus. There's a reason he feels this way which makes a lot of sense to the overall story. All of the beats themselves are well spread out, but sprinkled in between with some more intense moments. Kratos's vengeance is a bit much, sure. However, Kratos actually feels like he grows at the end of the story, even if just for a bit. Which doesn't happen all that much in this series at the time. The Labyrinth area does overstay its welcome a bit, but at least it changes to keep puzzles and combat areas different.
Puzzles, while some are grand, some do not feel like they fit in this world that much. You play a Guitar Hero-like mini-game for a section. Which feels out of place in this series.
Overall, I definitely love how this closes out the Greek Mythology saga within God of War. It does close out this chapter very well, even with Kratos's unyielding desire for vengeance. The world is grand as the debut PS3 title for Sony Santa Monica, a majority of the puzzles work well and make you think. Combat is fantastic and is a high point of the whole Greek Saga.
Definitely recommend if you already enjoy the series!
Played on PS3 on the God of War Origins Collection!
Ghost of Sparta is a grand adventure, that unlike other games in the series, focuses more on the personal side of Kratos and his backstory with his brother, Deimos. There is a good variety of areas you explore like Atlantis, Crete, Sparta itself, and many other grand ones!
The variety of Magic and Power Ups you get are great! And some I even miss in other games, like Thera's Bane where you now have flames across your Blades of Chaos. Love it so much! Great impact with them. Another Magic you get early that I love is the Eye of Atlantis! It's very helpful to get space between you and the enemies when you need a slight breather.
The puzzles and platforming work well within the game while being fun and not too difficult. All pretty breezy to get through.
The boss fights are quite spectacular, but there aren't too many to make them lose their impact or enjoyment. All highly enjoyable to fight!
Overall, I do highly enjoy Ghost of Sparta! The story it tells and how the combat gets integrated into that story with weapons and magic, while all being in a variety of areas within Greek mythology.
Ghost of Sparta is a grand adventure, that unlike other games in the series, focuses more on the personal side of Kratos and his backstory with his brother, Deimos. There is a good variety of areas you explore like Atlantis, Crete, Sparta itself, and many other grand ones!
The variety of Magic and Power Ups you get are great! And some I even miss in other games, like Thera's Bane where you now have flames across your Blades of Chaos. Love it so much! Great impact with them. Another Magic you get early that I love is the Eye of Atlantis! It's very helpful to get space between you and the enemies when you need a slight breather.
The puzzles and platforming work well within the game while being fun and not too difficult. All pretty breezy to get through.
The boss fights are quite spectacular, but there aren't too many to make them lose their impact or enjoyment. All highly enjoyable to fight!
Overall, I do highly enjoy Ghost of Sparta! The story it tells and how the combat gets integrated into that story with weapons and magic, while all being in a variety of areas within Greek mythology.
As part of my journey to try and Platinum all God of War games before Ragnarok, here comes Ascension.
Played on Playstation + Premium on the PS5!
All in all, it was good. Nothing spectacular. I enjoyed the grapple variety in combat as that helps you navigate some of the tougher battles on Hard Mode. Some of the fights got frustrating with the difficulty, especially the Trails of Archimedes! The worst!
The story was interesting, but just typical pre-2018 Kratos things. In search of truth no matter the carnage really. The villains are a good foil for Kratos I would say. All decently developed enough to justify why Kratos is important to their plans.
Puzzle wise, I enjoyed a majority of them! Might be some of my favorites in the series. All clever ways to solve them and I enjoyed the implementation with the items you get throughout the game for the puzzles themselves.
The Magic variety wasn't all that new for the series, but this is supposed to be a prequel I guess. They all feel like they've been in other games before. With these same Gods that they're based upon.
Overall, I do enjoy God of War Ascension and I'm glad I got to play it finally. Would recommend it for people, but don't expect anything too grand.
Played on Playstation + Premium on the PS5!
All in all, it was good. Nothing spectacular. I enjoyed the grapple variety in combat as that helps you navigate some of the tougher battles on Hard Mode. Some of the fights got frustrating with the difficulty, especially the Trails of Archimedes! The worst!
The story was interesting, but just typical pre-2018 Kratos things. In search of truth no matter the carnage really. The villains are a good foil for Kratos I would say. All decently developed enough to justify why Kratos is important to their plans.
Puzzle wise, I enjoyed a majority of them! Might be some of my favorites in the series. All clever ways to solve them and I enjoyed the implementation with the items you get throughout the game for the puzzles themselves.
The Magic variety wasn't all that new for the series, but this is supposed to be a prequel I guess. They all feel like they've been in other games before. With these same Gods that they're based upon.
Overall, I do enjoy God of War Ascension and I'm glad I got to play it finally. Would recommend it for people, but don't expect anything too grand.