markfm
2015
I have a soft spot for this game. It's definitely cringey at times, but I like how it creates a little community around you, the amount of choices it gives you. It's characters are developed well so they feel believable, despite being a little stereotypical at times. It's like a high school movie, in the good and bad aspects of that.
2023
I’ve been absolutely hooked on this. It looks and sounds amazing, and is constantly keeping you guessing with twists and new ideas. There’s a constant sense of suspense and mystery, and can be genuinely scary, particularly early on when you know less. But it retains the personality and endearing humour of Alan Wake and Control. Shooting is still just ok, but I appreciated the perspective shift and focus on storytelling and suspense over waves of enemies.
There’s a lot to unravel, which is fun to ponder on, but also a bit too convoluted for me by the end. Not everything connected or paid off as well as I’d hoped. But a lot of it did, and the promise of a new game plus that reveals further mysteries does appeal to me, if not immediately. I’m also glad I played Alan Wake and Control, as I’d have been lost otherwise. It was easily my favourite of the three, and made up for its imperfections with just how impressive and inventive it is overall.
There’s a lot to unravel, which is fun to ponder on, but also a bit too convoluted for me by the end. Not everything connected or paid off as well as I’d hoped. But a lot of it did, and the promise of a new game plus that reveals further mysteries does appeal to me, if not immediately. I’m also glad I played Alan Wake and Control, as I’d have been lost otherwise. It was easily my favourite of the three, and made up for its imperfections with just how impressive and inventive it is overall.
2010
This review contains spoilers
While I don't always click with Rockstar games, I think this one is pretty special. I love how it isn't afraid to create a world of open plains and clear skies. It's not always clamoring at you to do something, and my favourite aspect of it was exploring these plains on my horse, with its spare soundtrack and ambient sounds.
The story is well done too, and grabbed me from the start with the arrival at McFarlane ranch. Bonnie and John have a great relationship and set you up for future encounters. I loved how it moves you forward to new areas, and sets up some great encounters with your former gang. The end is excellent too, an unflinching reminder that you are not special or different from anyone else in this world just because you're the protagonist.
This still has a lot of issues that I have with Rockstart - meaningless busywork, mediocre combat. It works best because the fantasy and world are just more appealing to me than being a criminal in a city full of assholes.
The story is well done too, and grabbed me from the start with the arrival at McFarlane ranch. Bonnie and John have a great relationship and set you up for future encounters. I loved how it moves you forward to new areas, and sets up some great encounters with your former gang. The end is excellent too, an unflinching reminder that you are not special or different from anyone else in this world just because you're the protagonist.
This still has a lot of issues that I have with Rockstart - meaningless busywork, mediocre combat. It works best because the fantasy and world are just more appealing to me than being a criminal in a city full of assholes.
1998
One of my favourite games as a child, and one I can still revisit fondly every now and then. The offbeat cartoon style of this game gives it a lasting charm - its humour, characters and music.
There's a nice readable simplicity to the simple colours and level design. Each level is perfectly sized, just large enough for each concept to feel fully fleshed out without becoming overstretched. I never felt overwhelmed with collecting because there was enough variety and fun in the platforming to make it feel worth it. Each level has distinct character and soundtrack, with my favourites being Treasure Trove Cove and Freezeezy Peak.
Banjo and Kazooie have a nice moveset that amusingly compliments their design as a duo. The sprinting and flying I remember being a little awkward to control, but that was common at the time. The camera has similar issues. The game is far from unplayable though, and worth a look, especially on Rare Replay or something like that.
There's a nice readable simplicity to the simple colours and level design. Each level is perfectly sized, just large enough for each concept to feel fully fleshed out without becoming overstretched. I never felt overwhelmed with collecting because there was enough variety and fun in the platforming to make it feel worth it. Each level has distinct character and soundtrack, with my favourites being Treasure Trove Cove and Freezeezy Peak.
Banjo and Kazooie have a nice moveset that amusingly compliments their design as a duo. The sprinting and flying I remember being a little awkward to control, but that was common at the time. The camera has similar issues. The game is far from unplayable though, and worth a look, especially on Rare Replay or something like that.
2021
This game’s been sitting unfinished for me since…. 2010 possibly. The praise around AW2 has motivated me to give this and Control a go before I try it, since they’re both on PS Plus. I love the setting and tone of this game, a good balance of mystery, spookiness and just the right amount of cheesiness and humour. The atmosphere is great, and the fog covered trees and flares look fantastic.
Gameplay is ok, but I quickly got bored of it. It’s very samey and not particularly satisfying. The story does help carry it as there are some memorable moments and the allure of solving the mystery. Overall I enjoyed it, but I think it could be improved in the execution. I can understand why it’s taken me this long to finish it. I’m hoping for a little more in Control and AW2.
Gameplay is ok, but I quickly got bored of it. It’s very samey and not particularly satisfying. The story does help carry it as there are some memorable moments and the allure of solving the mystery. Overall I enjoyed it, but I think it could be improved in the execution. I can understand why it’s taken me this long to finish it. I’m hoping for a little more in Control and AW2.
X: My first FF game after VIIR, and I loved it. The turn based combat is excellent, I really enjoyed configuring my party and switching them in and out for the right moments. The story is generally pretty interesting, and has some wonderful peaks, as you learn about the journey these characters are on, watch them love each other and learn what they have to sacrifice.
I liked the characters too. I liked Tidus and Yuna's relationship, the history with Auron, Jecht and Braska. It feels like there was missed potential with some of the party though, like Kimari and Lulu, but they're not bad.
The game does drag a bit towards the end, trying to grapple with the endgame sidequests was a needless frustration for me. Fair play if you like it but I found it convoluted and frustrating. And Blitzball was pretty naff. Overall this one sits just behind FF IX and VIIR for me, but not by much.
I liked the characters too. I liked Tidus and Yuna's relationship, the history with Auron, Jecht and Braska. It feels like there was missed potential with some of the party though, like Kimari and Lulu, but they're not bad.
The game does drag a bit towards the end, trying to grapple with the endgame sidequests was a needless frustration for me. Fair play if you like it but I found it convoluted and frustrating. And Blitzball was pretty naff. Overall this one sits just behind FF IX and VIIR for me, but not by much.
I came out of this one a little mixed. I loved the Oldest House and it’s weirdness, austere and striking style, and how it hints at depths and strangeness you can only imagine. There are so many cool ideas here, and I loved discovering through its documents, video and audio clips, and terrifying puppet shows. This game is seriously unsettling at times, even when it might not mean to be. The writing and voice acting is great, and like Alan Wake has a tone and style all its own. It respects your intelligence, and isn’t afraid to be weird, abstract and wryly humorous. More than anything that might be what I loved here, a game with a style and tone all its own, that I’d love to see more of.
I enjoyed the slower sections of this game, the exploration, the light puzzle solving. The combat wore me down though. It starts out quite fun, particularly as you gain new abilities. It eventually became a persistent roadblock for me, another tedious wave of enemies to mow down so I could get back to exploring. There was just too much of it, and for the DLC I put on the cheats so I could enjoy it unencumbered. I would’ve preferred if there had been more of the abstract puzzle solving, kinetic movement and exploration than shooting. It felt more appropriate for this game. Still, I’m very interested to see where Alan Wake 2 goes from here, as the final ‘AWE’ DLC was excellent.
I enjoyed the slower sections of this game, the exploration, the light puzzle solving. The combat wore me down though. It starts out quite fun, particularly as you gain new abilities. It eventually became a persistent roadblock for me, another tedious wave of enemies to mow down so I could get back to exploring. There was just too much of it, and for the DLC I put on the cheats so I could enjoy it unencumbered. I would’ve preferred if there had been more of the abstract puzzle solving, kinetic movement and exploration than shooting. It felt more appropriate for this game. Still, I’m very interested to see where Alan Wake 2 goes from here, as the final ‘AWE’ DLC was excellent.
3D World
Pretty good. I like the 2D/3D design. Levels feel like ornate puzzle boxes, like the toy castles and houses I played with as a kid. Picking apart each level for hidden platforms and nooks was very satisfying. There’s a Fez-like quality to how the game plays with perspective. Each level is perfectly sized into a few bite sized chunks, and easy to replay and look for the stars you missed.
I did have a few issues, mostly with camera perspective and auto-scrolling levels. Generally I liked the puzzle focused levels more than the platforming or speed focused ones. Can’t see myself 100% this game as it’s pretty large, but I’ll probably jump back in for some of the bonus levels.
Bowser’s Fury
Also pretty good! As much as I liked the level construction of 3DW, getting a bigger world with full camera control felt great. It’s definitely my preferred style for Mario, and there’s a nice variety of challenges here.
BF feels like a fairly chunky DLC, taking the 3DW mechanics and powers, and mapping them onto a small to medium sized open area. The ‘fury’ aspect is a nice idea but quickly grew tedious. It’s too chaotic to really go for that risk reward aspect. I did enjoy the supersize Godzilla fights though. The best aspects of this game were the 3D platforming challenges, so it’s definitely got me excited to play Odyssey.
Pretty good. I like the 2D/3D design. Levels feel like ornate puzzle boxes, like the toy castles and houses I played with as a kid. Picking apart each level for hidden platforms and nooks was very satisfying. There’s a Fez-like quality to how the game plays with perspective. Each level is perfectly sized into a few bite sized chunks, and easy to replay and look for the stars you missed.
I did have a few issues, mostly with camera perspective and auto-scrolling levels. Generally I liked the puzzle focused levels more than the platforming or speed focused ones. Can’t see myself 100% this game as it’s pretty large, but I’ll probably jump back in for some of the bonus levels.
Bowser’s Fury
Also pretty good! As much as I liked the level construction of 3DW, getting a bigger world with full camera control felt great. It’s definitely my preferred style for Mario, and there’s a nice variety of challenges here.
BF feels like a fairly chunky DLC, taking the 3DW mechanics and powers, and mapping them onto a small to medium sized open area. The ‘fury’ aspect is a nice idea but quickly grew tedious. It’s too chaotic to really go for that risk reward aspect. I did enjoy the supersize Godzilla fights though. The best aspects of this game were the 3D platforming challenges, so it’s definitely got me excited to play Odyssey.
2014
Pretty fun game. It looks and runs great on PS5. The lighting, effects and reflections are all gorgeous, and the city looks really nice. I also liked the graffiti theming and how that weaves into the story. You can tell it's an early gen game for how much they try to use the touchpad and motion controls, as if to say 'look what we can do now!'
Movement is great and the city is designed very well with plenty of launching off points for your powers. It's fun to zoom around picking up activities as you find them. The story is ok, but felt like it ended before it really began. I'd have liked more of that and less open world checkboxy stuff.
Movement is great and the city is designed very well with plenty of launching off points for your powers. It's fun to zoom around picking up activities as you find them. The story is ok, but felt like it ended before it really began. I'd have liked more of that and less open world checkboxy stuff.
This review contains spoilers
Tied with 2 as best in series for me. The leap in technology is apparent, this game looks jaw dropping to this day, and plays better. Combat and movement are smoother, and there are some nice additions like the long grass and the rope climbing. There's probably too much sliding though, Drake's jeans are probably shredded by the end.
The change to a slower, more emotionally driven story works better than I expected it to. This game takes a lot of the charm and heart from the Last of Us, the well written relationships and deeper look at who these characters are, but is smart not to attempt to go to the same dark places.
It's a slower game, one that wants to meditate on who these characters are and how they move on from a life of adventure. It's a needed change of focus, as trying to escalate more than 3 would've lead to absurdity, and it gets the balance just right.
It's less perfectly crafted than 2. It drags at times, and the characterization isn't always spot on. Sam in particular feels to casual to me, too much like Drake. We're meant to see the differences in these brothers, the one who never got to have these adventures, and yet any time spent with just the two of them, they feel like almost the same person. These parts of the game drag for that reason. Other characters in Uncharted all felt meaningfully distinct where Sam doesn't.
I don't mind that though. I love how this game changes things up, allows itself to be slower, more of an exploration, and ultimately a celebration of these characters growing and understanding themselves. The game itself is beautiful, and still has some great action and set pieces, although these feel less important here. If anything I think a slightly shorter campaign with less of these would've helped, but it's not a big deal. Against all odds, the fourth Uncharted has great claim to be the best of the lot.
The change to a slower, more emotionally driven story works better than I expected it to. This game takes a lot of the charm and heart from the Last of Us, the well written relationships and deeper look at who these characters are, but is smart not to attempt to go to the same dark places.
It's a slower game, one that wants to meditate on who these characters are and how they move on from a life of adventure. It's a needed change of focus, as trying to escalate more than 3 would've lead to absurdity, and it gets the balance just right.
It's less perfectly crafted than 2. It drags at times, and the characterization isn't always spot on. Sam in particular feels to casual to me, too much like Drake. We're meant to see the differences in these brothers, the one who never got to have these adventures, and yet any time spent with just the two of them, they feel like almost the same person. These parts of the game drag for that reason. Other characters in Uncharted all felt meaningfully distinct where Sam doesn't.
I don't mind that though. I love how this game changes things up, allows itself to be slower, more of an exploration, and ultimately a celebration of these characters growing and understanding themselves. The game itself is beautiful, and still has some great action and set pieces, although these feel less important here. If anything I think a slightly shorter campaign with less of these would've helped, but it's not a big deal. Against all odds, the fourth Uncharted has great claim to be the best of the lot.
Managed to squeeze one more in before the end of the year! I loved this game. It controls perfectly and each level is paced well. There’s a great balance between precision, quick jumps, climbs, swings. Checkpoints are perfectly placed and lives are generous enough to feel fair, but still make items worth collecting. Vehicle sections and faster levels are exhilarating and (mostly) fair in giving you time to react and look ahead. Both levels and bosses have this wonderful feeling of ending right when they should, and are excellent at introducing and expanding upon concepts both within levels and across each island.
The difficulty curve is spot on, with only a few of the last levels feeling a bit too nasty for me to want to try them again. The bosses are excellent. I particularly loved the polar bear, tough but satisfying. The final boss is a bit more tedious than fun, which is a shame but not the end of the world. The music is typically excellent, atmospheric and uplifting. The art direction is bouncy and fun, lots of fun little animations and bright, colourful trees, sands and hills.
Grassland Groove is easily my favourite level, a joyful delight of African rhythms, wonderful jumps and climbs, as trees and giraffes bounce along to the music with you. Amiss Abyss also stands out for its gorgeous dark underwater swimming, lit up intermittently by sea life below. But there are so many to choose from. Overall a great end to the year for me.
The difficulty curve is spot on, with only a few of the last levels feeling a bit too nasty for me to want to try them again. The bosses are excellent. I particularly loved the polar bear, tough but satisfying. The final boss is a bit more tedious than fun, which is a shame but not the end of the world. The music is typically excellent, atmospheric and uplifting. The art direction is bouncy and fun, lots of fun little animations and bright, colourful trees, sands and hills.
Grassland Groove is easily my favourite level, a joyful delight of African rhythms, wonderful jumps and climbs, as trees and giraffes bounce along to the music with you. Amiss Abyss also stands out for its gorgeous dark underwater swimming, lit up intermittently by sea life below. But there are so many to choose from. Overall a great end to the year for me.
Showing its age at this point, but great at the time and the start of an excellent series of games.
2010
This review contains spoilers
This game often falls into the 'so bad its good' category for me. Something about it just feels off, with the voice acting, the setting, it feels false. Nobody really feels like an actual human. But it's very entertaining in that way. Press X to Jason is kind of the symbol of that, it's just not quite right, but it's entertaining because of that.
That said, I do think the trials Ethan goes through are genuinely good, no irony. Driving through traffic, cutting his finger, killing that guy. It's intense and really well directed. The choice based system is fun to play with, and offers genuine consequence. It's just a shame how off a lot of the characters and story beats feel. Well, kind of a shame, kind of amazing.
That said, I do think the trials Ethan goes through are genuinely good, no irony. Driving through traffic, cutting his finger, killing that guy. It's intense and really well directed. The choice based system is fun to play with, and offers genuine consequence. It's just a shame how off a lot of the characters and story beats feel. Well, kind of a shame, kind of amazing.
1996
Obviously a classic but I just never got on with its controls. Unparalleled in what did for gaming, but from a personal stand point I clicked with later titles far more.
2015
For a lot of people this game is one of their favourites, something that really spoke to them. I just like it, which feels like it's not enough, like I'm insulting it because it didn't change my life or something.
It's a clever game with a lot of funny, clever ideas. It's very sweet in spots, and I love how it feels so tied to the creators personality. When it wants to go to crazy, angry or hilarious spots, it goes there. It's 'act' mechanics make each battle fun to unfold, and are a great way to reveal character.
I like how it uses basic game structure to tell a story about outcasts and creatures considered weird or unimportant. Its story goes to some sweet and moving places.
I don't know though, it just didn't click with me as much as others. Some of the characters were a bit annoying. Sometimes the joke wasn't funny, and sometimes the joke was beaten into the dust. The actual mechanic, of moving your heart around to avoid things, I didn't really like. It's a small detail, but considering how much you do it, it's a big one.
It's a good game, bordering on a great one, and I love it's originality, how tied it is to one person's particularly mindset. I'm just not in love with it to the point of getting a tattoo or making fan art or something.
It's a clever game with a lot of funny, clever ideas. It's very sweet in spots, and I love how it feels so tied to the creators personality. When it wants to go to crazy, angry or hilarious spots, it goes there. It's 'act' mechanics make each battle fun to unfold, and are a great way to reveal character.
I like how it uses basic game structure to tell a story about outcasts and creatures considered weird or unimportant. Its story goes to some sweet and moving places.
I don't know though, it just didn't click with me as much as others. Some of the characters were a bit annoying. Sometimes the joke wasn't funny, and sometimes the joke was beaten into the dust. The actual mechanic, of moving your heart around to avoid things, I didn't really like. It's a small detail, but considering how much you do it, it's a big one.
It's a good game, bordering on a great one, and I love it's originality, how tied it is to one person's particularly mindset. I'm just not in love with it to the point of getting a tattoo or making fan art or something.