Bio
Film was my thing until watching too many made me miserable. Then I played TLOU2 and realised video games are the best form of storytelling so now I'm here.
Personal Ratings
1★
5★

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GOTY '23

Participated in the 2023 Game of the Year Event

Gone Gold

Received 5+ likes on a review while featured on the front page

2 Years of Service

Being part of the Backloggd community for 2 years

Donor

Liked 50+ reviews / lists

On Schedule

Journaled games once a day for a week straight

GOTY '22

Participated in the 2022 Game of the Year Event

Elite Gamer

Played 500+ games

Liked

Gained 10+ total review likes

Noticed

Gained 3+ followers

Shreked

Found the secret ogre page

Roadtrip

Voted for at least 3 features on the roadmap

Gamer

Played 250+ games

N00b

Played 100+ games

Favorite Games

The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Skate 3
Skate 3
Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy

558

Total Games Played

001

Played in 2024

040

Games Backloggd


Recently Played See More

Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Jan 07

Jusant
Jusant

Nov 03

Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Oct 23

The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II

Sep 24

The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us Part I

Sep 16

Recently Reviewed See More

This review contains spoilers

Sure is a Spider-Man game, again! And with Venom in it.

I was excited for this but I didn't think it would be good. It was more just that the feeling of distracting yourself with something new for a whole weekend is such a nice feeling. And I was lucky enough to be able to experience that feeling again.

The game itself pretty much lived up to my expectations. It initially exceeded them as Miles' story was actually interesting and I bought Harry's relationship with Pete & MJ. But once Venom comes in, it really fumbles. You play as him purely cos the subreddit would've gone mad if you didn't and the gameplay is no different to the gameplay of the Spider-Men that it doesn't get across how bad Venom actually is. The two Spider-Men's combat in this Spider-Man series are so incredibly brutal and violent. And apart from boss fights, you're always fighting the same faceless goons. And when you play as Venom, you're that same level of violence fighting those same faceless goons. The game puts no effort into aligning the story and gameplay so the final stretch of the story feels conflicted and even more boring than if it was just another "uh oh whole city sick again like first game".
When Pete has the symbiote it's actually intriguing and scary but once it comes off him, I lost interest as it became just another superhero story.

One with the most hilarious glitches that the whole final mission had absolutely no emotional impact cos I was laughing the whole time (even if there weren't glitches, I still don't think it would've resonated with me). I must've taken at least 15 videos on my PS5 of the two Spider-Men just being cubes. MJ being a floating head or not appearing at all like Venom in one cutscene too. I hadn't laughed so hard in so long. It was amazing so I'm very thankful the game gave me that. Cos after all, it's a piece of entertainment, this silly little piece of fiction was obviously never gonna be anything more than fun times for the kiddies. But if that's the case, maybe don't make the heroes we're supposed to root for stupidly violent.

Anyway, Miles: I did not give a fuck about him in his spin-off and I was anticipating this being more of a Pete game anyway so I wasn't expecting much but damn, they do so well with his character until they just give up halfway through. His arc about letting go of the hate for Li is fine [and I really liked his addition to the story too] but it's like they forgot that wasn't the only part of his character they were working towards for him in this game. The whole game, he's putting off his responsibilities (college essay) by taking care of other people's responsibilities which I LOVED. It's such an interesting angle for a superhero story because it can lead to a question if they actually a hero if they're only helping people for their own selfish reasons (distracting themself from their own life). I also liked it cos I just found it relatable as someone who piles up my own responsibilities so I can take on others'. But they just forgot that part of his arc?? So they threw in a line in the post-credits scene where he offhandedly says he finished the college essay. Then homie comes in with an ugly-ass suit for absolutely no reason that doesn't serve the story but instead serves an Adidas sponsorship, I guess :/

But hey, post-credit scene made me go "I know that thing" so it's automatically good. I'm joking obviously but I fucking love Cindy Moon, so I am excited to see her in mainstream media FINALLY!

So, yeah, it's fun. I beat it in three days, and platinumed in 28 hours over four days. I clearly didn't dislike it. Despite it fumbling at the end, it still perfectly met my expectations cos I wasn't expecting much of anything from the story to begin with. The new additions to traversal are fantastic. Web wings have really brought a whole new life to the game and progression actually takes effort too which is nice cos the first game was too easy.




"I was supposed to die in that hospital."

Four and a half years ago, there was a moment where it seemed like I was about to die in the hospital and this is the only thing that has made me glad I didn't.

It's so utterly astonishing to me that every little bit of pain is worth it to experience this. Despite being such an emotionally exhausting experience to the point I take a physical toll, the idea of replaying it gives me such buoyancy. Oh, but what I would do to play it for the first time again. Each playthrough has been longer than the last -- to savour that feeling because I know nothing else will give me anything like it.

Such a genius approach to this story. Flawlessly woven non-linear narrative revolving around these two incredible characters.

So well-laid out in terms of messaging & themes yet so much to interpret for yourself; it's beautiful. So meticulously crafted that no-one will be able to build something as masterful as this again.

Clarification: While films like Aftersun and 'Everything, Everywhere' push me to be alive out of my love for others, this is the only artwork that makes me happy I still am.

"When you're lost in the darkness, look for the light."


okay but like imagine Abby looks into your eyes and says "you're my people" to you...

Went to play a new save on Grounded and wimped out last second and played on Survivor...
And, for me, that's enough. I know people say Grounded is the true immersive Last of Us experience but the characters are so incredible; it's the writing I'm more immersed into, ya know. Pop on some gamer headphones for the whole game and that's super immersive too. I don't actually wanna be in the zombie apocalypse (unless I get to be friends with ellie in which case sign me up). I enjoy a challenge, especially on a replay, but still would prefer to focus on the story and it's hard to do that when you do a jim face to the fake camera every 2 minutes when you die trying to escape the Colorado mall.

Plus, what's so great about this game is that it's suited to non-gamers too. Just perfect in terms of accessibility. Still so happy this got the remake treatment so we weren't cursed with an ugly looking 7th gen version of this.

(Also, the game didn't glitch and it actually gave me the Platinum Trophy this time which is nice)