kazideib
BACKER
This review contains spoilers
The Last of Us Part II is a misunderstood masterpiece.
God, I don't even know where to start. It just makes me sad to see how many people hate this game. I understand it's not what people were expecting. But putting the bias of the love for the first game aside, I truly believe this game deserved all the praise it got.
I really only want to talk about the most controversial aspect: the story. I don't care what anyone says, it's genius. It hurts, man. Killing off Joel was a crazy and risky decision by part of the writers, as he was the protagonist of the first game. Even if his death was a plot device, it wasn't nonsensical or insignificant. Joel's death not only moved the plot forward, but it also allowed Ellie to have insanely good character development.
Ellie is the ultimate way for the game to transmit its message to the player. Her journey for revenge only ends up making her lose everything she had. She is a completely different person by the end of the game and I love that. She is excellently written and I will stand by that until I die. She genuinely became one of my favorite protagonists by the end of the game.
You can't talk about the story without also talking about Abby. One of the singlehandedly most controversial and hated characters in gaming ever, but I still think she's an amazing character. By the end of her campaign, I did not feel a single bit of hatred for her. Quite the opposite, actually.
Abby is a heavily misunderstood character. People forget that, in the apocalypse, there are no heroes or villains, only survivors. What Abby did to Joel was horrible, but wasn't what Joel did to the world horrible too? Nor Joel or Abby were morally correct, and that's okay. Abby is human too, and her campaign made sure to show this. I genuinely believe that if you hate Abby, you do not understand the circumstances that not just her, but the world of The Last of Us as a whole are in.
And finally, the ending, and alongside it, the theme of the game: the cycle of revenge. Ellie, after choosing to go back and find and kill Abby, just when she's about to win over her, decides to let her live. She decides to break the cycle. As much as people will get mad for Ellie not killing Abby, the truth is, if it wasn't this way, then the game's central theme wouldn't really make sense. It's not just about revenge, but about forgiveness. Learning how to forgive is something we as humans overlook too much. Maybe it's not about forgiving our dad's killer, but about forgiving others for things we sometimes never let go of, even though we should.
After all of this, Ellie comes back home, only to find out her girlfriend, Dina, and their son have abandoned her. Ellie lost it all. She lost Joel, she lost Jesse, she lost Tommy. And now, she lost Dina, and her son, too. She became so obsessed with the idea of revenge that she only ended up hurting herself and those around her. And now, she's alone.
Finally, Ellie goes upstairs to her guitar. The guitar, an instrument capable of playing beautiful tunes. And now, the only thing she has left. The only thing connected to Joel that she has left. She plays it, but, because she lost two fingers in her fight with Abby, it doesn't sound well anymore. Those two fingers she lost represent all the horrible things Ellie has done, and the guitar is her life. She thought that after avenging Joel, her guitar would sound happier and more vibrant. But, the only thing that this pursuit of revenge caused is that nothing in her life sounded the same to her.
God, I don't even know where to start. It just makes me sad to see how many people hate this game. I understand it's not what people were expecting. But putting the bias of the love for the first game aside, I truly believe this game deserved all the praise it got.
I really only want to talk about the most controversial aspect: the story. I don't care what anyone says, it's genius. It hurts, man. Killing off Joel was a crazy and risky decision by part of the writers, as he was the protagonist of the first game. Even if his death was a plot device, it wasn't nonsensical or insignificant. Joel's death not only moved the plot forward, but it also allowed Ellie to have insanely good character development.
Ellie is the ultimate way for the game to transmit its message to the player. Her journey for revenge only ends up making her lose everything she had. She is a completely different person by the end of the game and I love that. She is excellently written and I will stand by that until I die. She genuinely became one of my favorite protagonists by the end of the game.
You can't talk about the story without also talking about Abby. One of the singlehandedly most controversial and hated characters in gaming ever, but I still think she's an amazing character. By the end of her campaign, I did not feel a single bit of hatred for her. Quite the opposite, actually.
Abby is a heavily misunderstood character. People forget that, in the apocalypse, there are no heroes or villains, only survivors. What Abby did to Joel was horrible, but wasn't what Joel did to the world horrible too? Nor Joel or Abby were morally correct, and that's okay. Abby is human too, and her campaign made sure to show this. I genuinely believe that if you hate Abby, you do not understand the circumstances that not just her, but the world of The Last of Us as a whole are in.
And finally, the ending, and alongside it, the theme of the game: the cycle of revenge. Ellie, after choosing to go back and find and kill Abby, just when she's about to win over her, decides to let her live. She decides to break the cycle. As much as people will get mad for Ellie not killing Abby, the truth is, if it wasn't this way, then the game's central theme wouldn't really make sense. It's not just about revenge, but about forgiveness. Learning how to forgive is something we as humans overlook too much. Maybe it's not about forgiving our dad's killer, but about forgiving others for things we sometimes never let go of, even though we should.
After all of this, Ellie comes back home, only to find out her girlfriend, Dina, and their son have abandoned her. Ellie lost it all. She lost Joel, she lost Jesse, she lost Tommy. And now, she lost Dina, and her son, too. She became so obsessed with the idea of revenge that she only ended up hurting herself and those around her. And now, she's alone.
Finally, Ellie goes upstairs to her guitar. The guitar, an instrument capable of playing beautiful tunes. And now, the only thing she has left. The only thing connected to Joel that she has left. She plays it, but, because she lost two fingers in her fight with Abby, it doesn't sound well anymore. Those two fingers she lost represent all the horrible things Ellie has done, and the guitar is her life. She thought that after avenging Joel, her guitar would sound happier and more vibrant. But, the only thing that this pursuit of revenge caused is that nothing in her life sounded the same to her.
God, where do I even start? Everything- from the game's rich art direction, to its eccentric characters, its intricate and immersive gameplay loop. Everything about this game is perfect. I'm only one playthrough in, and there's still so much for me to do. So I'll definitely be coming back to this game soon.
With no combat, or action, or cinematic visuals, Disco Elysium manages to be a better game than most AAA titles are. I have immense amount of respect for everyone who worked in this game. If everything goes well, and the game comes back to the hands of its creators, I hope the possible sequel for this game is just as amazing as this one.
I wish I could say more about this game, but my mind hasn't fully grasped around this game yet. Until then, I'll be playing some other stuff alongside another Disco Elysium run.
DETECTIVE. ARRIVING. ON THE SCENE.
With no combat, or action, or cinematic visuals, Disco Elysium manages to be a better game than most AAA titles are. I have immense amount of respect for everyone who worked in this game. If everything goes well, and the game comes back to the hands of its creators, I hope the possible sequel for this game is just as amazing as this one.
I wish I could say more about this game, but my mind hasn't fully grasped around this game yet. Until then, I'll be playing some other stuff alongside another Disco Elysium run.
DETECTIVE. ARRIVING. ON THE SCENE.
A very interesting experience. Playing through each indvidual story, and learning the unique mechanics that came with each one was certainly very fun. The message of the game is also very beautiful, and the ending was quite shocking. It also definitely benefits from how good the artstyle and stylization is.
2019
A short and sweet puzzle experience whort your time. Superliminal has a very strong foundation, and does a lot with it during its three hour runtime. I'm not a big fan of puzzle games, but this is probably an exception. The message of the game is also very beautiful, and I was not expecting the ending to be that emotional.
An alright expansion, though incredibly unnecessary.
Gosh, I loved this game so much. I played this over a weekend and don't regret a thing.
The Last of Us is an amazing game, and I can see why it's gotten all the praise it has. While it is definitely not a 10/10, or the "game of the century." It still is an experience worth your while.
From the weird beauty you can find in its post-apocalyptic world to the compelling story it presents, The Last of Us hooks you from the very start and takes you on an amazing journey. However, what stands out the most is Joel's and Elly's relationship. They start off as complete strangers, but end up as found family. A slightly overused trope, yes, but the way it is executed in TLOU makes it stand out from any other example.
Overall, this game was an amazing weekend experience. I don't regret the ungodly amount of hours I spent playing it, and I'll definitely be playing the second part.
The Last of Us is an amazing game, and I can see why it's gotten all the praise it has. While it is definitely not a 10/10, or the "game of the century." It still is an experience worth your while.
From the weird beauty you can find in its post-apocalyptic world to the compelling story it presents, The Last of Us hooks you from the very start and takes you on an amazing journey. However, what stands out the most is Joel's and Elly's relationship. They start off as complete strangers, but end up as found family. A slightly overused trope, yes, but the way it is executed in TLOU makes it stand out from any other example.
Overall, this game was an amazing weekend experience. I don't regret the ungodly amount of hours I spent playing it, and I'll definitely be playing the second part.
2018
Played this from time to time with my cousin. Not really that great.
2013
Well, I'm definitely biased. This was one of my favorite games when I was a child. Just checked the time I spent on it today and it's absolutely insane.
2013
BioShock Infinite never really enraptured me, but what it did is leave me with one of the best endings I've seen. It's one of those endings that make your jaw drop. Amazing.
The game itself was pretty good, but I feel like it's clear the narrative was the focus of the game. The gameplay didn't really stand out to me. But, the game is still great!
The game itself was pretty good, but I feel like it's clear the narrative was the focus of the game. The gameplay didn't really stand out to me. But, the game is still great!
2023
Cool character designs but it's just REALLY boring.
It has Aigis so it's an immediate 10. Sorry haters.
2024
This review contains spoilers
TW: Mentions of suicide and also spoilers.
Persona 3 isn't just a game about death, it's a game about life and the way we find meaning in it.
It's been now three years since I first played Persona 5 Royal for the first time. Persona 5 Royal is a game that I consider changed me or at least heavily influenced me. Ever since then, I've always wanted to experience Persona 3. But I hadn't because of the rumors of a remake. Three years later, that remake I had hoped for years ago is finally here: it's real.
I didn't know what to expect of Persona 3 as I had been avoiding spoilers this whole time (I don't know how I did it either). But now that I've finished it, I can say Persona 3 has earned its spot as one of, if not my favorite, game of all time. From its beautiful story with some impactful moments to the rich aesthetic and soundtrack found in the game, Persona 3 is an almost flawless experience.
The story of Persona 3 is truly one of the best in gaming. I had high expectations for it, but it somehow managed to surpass them. The story was thrilling from start to end, and the themes surrounding it were even better. The external and internal conflicts and the twists and turns of the story had me invested in this world and its story during the whole game. I also loved how the theme of death was presented in this game, with the characters having such a human display of emotions when faced with the terrifying fact of an unavoidable death.
The cast of main characters was, as usual with the Persona series, incredibly lovable and easy to get invested in. I had heard people argue that they never really felt like friends, but I wouldn't say so. The characters felt united, even more so than in other entries of the saga. They are all forced to live together to deal with a task in which they are the only ones who can do it. They go through some horrific and even traumatizing events together, which ultimately builds a stronger bond between them.
However, I can't help but admit that the Social Links, a defining mechanic in the Persona series, are quite lacking in this game. Not only are the lowest of the lows in this game TERRIBLE, but most of the other social links are a big 'meh,' which hurts to say because I had loved the Social Links in the other games. Even then, the best SLs found in this game are also some of the best found in the series, like the Sun or Aeon Social Link. The two of these are extremely memorable and align with the central themes of the games perfectly.
There isn't a lot to say about the gameplay of Persona 3 other than the fact that it is incredibly satisfying. It takes the best parts of Persona 5's gameplay and applies it to the themes and aesthetic of Persona 3. It's great. Tartarus didn't feel like a chore at all and was very fun to go through. It was also very visually striking.
Lastly, I'd like to talk about the impact the game had on me. I don't think I have cried to an ending in a video game this much before. I, in the past, have struggled with suicidal thoughts. So, having a game talk so much about finding meaning in one's life felt very personal to me. The protagonist starts as an apathetic dipshit, oblivious to the horrors that surround him, and overly immersed in his little world. I related to him. I understand how it feels to find no meaning in life, to feel as if nothing has and will ever really matter. But by the end of the game, he understands the inherent beauty that comes with life. He makes friends, grows as a person, and ends up giving up his own life to save the rest of the world. He finds meaning.
After some time, I too, found the meaning of my life. And that is simply existing. The mere fact that we are born gives us meaning. You don't have to do anything else. Just that gives you meaning, a reason to live. That is why I found this game to be so beautiful. Even if it didn't change my way of thinking or help me find a reason to live, it still reinforced what I already felt. It was beautiful. I will never forget my time with Persona 3, and I will definitely treasure the message that comes with it close to my heart, forever.
"You don't have to save the world to find meaning in life. Sometimes, all you need is something simple, like someone to take care of."
- Aigis, in 'Persona 3.'
Persona 3 isn't just a game about death, it's a game about life and the way we find meaning in it.
It's been now three years since I first played Persona 5 Royal for the first time. Persona 5 Royal is a game that I consider changed me or at least heavily influenced me. Ever since then, I've always wanted to experience Persona 3. But I hadn't because of the rumors of a remake. Three years later, that remake I had hoped for years ago is finally here: it's real.
I didn't know what to expect of Persona 3 as I had been avoiding spoilers this whole time (I don't know how I did it either). But now that I've finished it, I can say Persona 3 has earned its spot as one of, if not my favorite, game of all time. From its beautiful story with some impactful moments to the rich aesthetic and soundtrack found in the game, Persona 3 is an almost flawless experience.
The story of Persona 3 is truly one of the best in gaming. I had high expectations for it, but it somehow managed to surpass them. The story was thrilling from start to end, and the themes surrounding it were even better. The external and internal conflicts and the twists and turns of the story had me invested in this world and its story during the whole game. I also loved how the theme of death was presented in this game, with the characters having such a human display of emotions when faced with the terrifying fact of an unavoidable death.
The cast of main characters was, as usual with the Persona series, incredibly lovable and easy to get invested in. I had heard people argue that they never really felt like friends, but I wouldn't say so. The characters felt united, even more so than in other entries of the saga. They are all forced to live together to deal with a task in which they are the only ones who can do it. They go through some horrific and even traumatizing events together, which ultimately builds a stronger bond between them.
However, I can't help but admit that the Social Links, a defining mechanic in the Persona series, are quite lacking in this game. Not only are the lowest of the lows in this game TERRIBLE, but most of the other social links are a big 'meh,' which hurts to say because I had loved the Social Links in the other games. Even then, the best SLs found in this game are also some of the best found in the series, like the Sun or Aeon Social Link. The two of these are extremely memorable and align with the central themes of the games perfectly.
There isn't a lot to say about the gameplay of Persona 3 other than the fact that it is incredibly satisfying. It takes the best parts of Persona 5's gameplay and applies it to the themes and aesthetic of Persona 3. It's great. Tartarus didn't feel like a chore at all and was very fun to go through. It was also very visually striking.
Lastly, I'd like to talk about the impact the game had on me. I don't think I have cried to an ending in a video game this much before. I, in the past, have struggled with suicidal thoughts. So, having a game talk so much about finding meaning in one's life felt very personal to me. The protagonist starts as an apathetic dipshit, oblivious to the horrors that surround him, and overly immersed in his little world. I related to him. I understand how it feels to find no meaning in life, to feel as if nothing has and will ever really matter. But by the end of the game, he understands the inherent beauty that comes with life. He makes friends, grows as a person, and ends up giving up his own life to save the rest of the world. He finds meaning.
After some time, I too, found the meaning of my life. And that is simply existing. The mere fact that we are born gives us meaning. You don't have to do anything else. Just that gives you meaning, a reason to live. That is why I found this game to be so beautiful. Even if it didn't change my way of thinking or help me find a reason to live, it still reinforced what I already felt. It was beautiful. I will never forget my time with Persona 3, and I will definitely treasure the message that comes with it close to my heart, forever.
"You don't have to save the world to find meaning in life. Sometimes, all you need is something simple, like someone to take care of."
- Aigis, in 'Persona 3.'
2019
I got this game because of the hype for Alan Wake, and because it was on sale. I don't think I'll ever finish it. The story failed to grab my attention and the combat felt very repetitive. The characters were also not that interesting to me. I might come back and finish it but that seems unlikely for now.
2017
I first got A Hat In Time in 2021 as a Christmas gift. But it wasn't until now that I finally decided to finish it. I tried many times to play it, but it never truly clicked with me until now. However, I can say that my time with the game is one I do not regret. A Hat In Time is the definition of a silly game. It's a fun platformer with a light story and fun mechanics. It was very short, but it was a joy to play. And there was never a time when I found myself frustrated with the game.
The gameplay is pure fun. I liked the hat mechanics and the smooth movement. The camera was a bit frustrating, however. But it never got to a point where I was infuriated with the game. The art style is also incredible, and the music is great, too. The characters were also a standout, as they were incredibly charming, and I was surprised that they had voice acting.
Overall, I do not regret playing A Hat In Time. I am sure I will continue to play this game again from time to time to get all the time pieces I missed.
The gameplay is pure fun. I liked the hat mechanics and the smooth movement. The camera was a bit frustrating, however. But it never got to a point where I was infuriated with the game. The art style is also incredible, and the music is great, too. The characters were also a standout, as they were incredibly charming, and I was surprised that they had voice acting.
Overall, I do not regret playing A Hat In Time. I am sure I will continue to play this game again from time to time to get all the time pieces I missed.
2020
After many months of leaving this in my backlog, I finally finished this.
I didn't expect much from this game at first. But now, I can proudly say this has become one of my new favorite games of all time. I thoroughly enjoyed every second I spent with this videogame. It took me a while to really get into it, but once I got hooked, there was no going back.
I think Persona 4's biggest strength is its' characters. Without them, the game wouldn't have been as enjoyable as it was. The whole theme of facing your true self is inspiring, and seeing how all the characters connected and bonded with one another after they saw the deepest and darkest parts of each other was beautiful. I got heavily attached to these characters, and having to say goodbye to them at the end of the game had me in tears.
The story was great, too. Even though I don't think it was as strong as other aspects of the game, it was still enjoyable. The mystery surrounding Inaba and the fog had me on the edge of my seat multiple times throughout my playthrough, even though I got spoiled on the true culprit's identity beforehand. I loved seeing the characters facing roadblocks in their journey and eventually overcoming them together.
The gameplay aspect of it was incredible as well. Even though I prefer Persona 5's varied dungeon design, I understand this game came before it, and I won't criticize it for it. Still, the dungeons weren't the best, but they never felt like a chore to get through. The combat was great, too. It was always very engaging and fun, and there was never a time when I felt the necessity to use the 'Rush' button.
Artistically, this game is incredible, too. The art style is strongly defined and is a joy to experience. The character designs are amazing and varied and make each character stand out with their characteristics. I, of course, need to mention the soundtrack, too. Just like the other Persona games, it's incredible. I added so many tracks to my Spotify, and they will be on my music rotation for a long time.
I will never forget how enjoyable my time with Persona 4 Golden was. This world, its characters, and its music have won and will always have a special place in my heart. It has already won a spot in my top games of all time, even rivaling Persona 5. I will eventually replay this game so that I can relive this incredible and unforgettable experience.
I will never forget you, Inaba.
I didn't expect much from this game at first. But now, I can proudly say this has become one of my new favorite games of all time. I thoroughly enjoyed every second I spent with this videogame. It took me a while to really get into it, but once I got hooked, there was no going back.
I think Persona 4's biggest strength is its' characters. Without them, the game wouldn't have been as enjoyable as it was. The whole theme of facing your true self is inspiring, and seeing how all the characters connected and bonded with one another after they saw the deepest and darkest parts of each other was beautiful. I got heavily attached to these characters, and having to say goodbye to them at the end of the game had me in tears.
The story was great, too. Even though I don't think it was as strong as other aspects of the game, it was still enjoyable. The mystery surrounding Inaba and the fog had me on the edge of my seat multiple times throughout my playthrough, even though I got spoiled on the true culprit's identity beforehand. I loved seeing the characters facing roadblocks in their journey and eventually overcoming them together.
The gameplay aspect of it was incredible as well. Even though I prefer Persona 5's varied dungeon design, I understand this game came before it, and I won't criticize it for it. Still, the dungeons weren't the best, but they never felt like a chore to get through. The combat was great, too. It was always very engaging and fun, and there was never a time when I felt the necessity to use the 'Rush' button.
Artistically, this game is incredible, too. The art style is strongly defined and is a joy to experience. The character designs are amazing and varied and make each character stand out with their characteristics. I, of course, need to mention the soundtrack, too. Just like the other Persona games, it's incredible. I added so many tracks to my Spotify, and they will be on my music rotation for a long time.
I will never forget how enjoyable my time with Persona 4 Golden was. This world, its characters, and its music have won and will always have a special place in my heart. It has already won a spot in my top games of all time, even rivaling Persona 5. I will eventually replay this game so that I can relive this incredible and unforgettable experience.
I will never forget you, Inaba.