middleman6251
>star wars
>quantic dream
lol'd
>quantic dream
lol'd
Okay, damn. THAT took up a lot of my time, but I'm back on backloggd...
The writing, sound design and music are up to par with the first game, if not better in some examples. That being said, the game comes to a grinding hault on the third case with the most unlikable characters and infantile logic that made it very frustrating. The last case is great but drags on for way too long. The thing I liked the most would be the game's subtitle "Justice for All" and how it relates to the story's themes from start to end, very enjoyable stuff.
All in all, there's just a moderate amount of things that bring this game down for me. I gotta admit though, playing case 3 with drinking game rules was miserable yet enjoyable for me and my friends. If you want to partake:
1. Every time someone calls Regina cute take a drink.
2. Every unfunny Moe joke take a drink.
You will get absolutely trashed.
The writing, sound design and music are up to par with the first game, if not better in some examples. That being said, the game comes to a grinding hault on the third case with the most unlikable characters and infantile logic that made it very frustrating. The last case is great but drags on for way too long. The thing I liked the most would be the game's subtitle "Justice for All" and how it relates to the story's themes from start to end, very enjoyable stuff.
All in all, there's just a moderate amount of things that bring this game down for me. I gotta admit though, playing case 3 with drinking game rules was miserable yet enjoyable for me and my friends. If you want to partake:
1. Every time someone calls Regina cute take a drink.
2. Every unfunny Moe joke take a drink.
You will get absolutely trashed.
1998
If you don't like this you're a weirdo.
2021
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Graphics Device does not meet the application's minimum specifications.
Graphics Device does not meet the application's minimum specifications.
2021
Yeah, as a huge Battlefield fan, please go fuck yourself.
It would be a 5/5 if it had a "kill yourself... now!" sticker.
2001
Expert made me want to kill myself but other than that pretty funky game.
2009
No
In theory, Chain of Memories has a smart way of Metroid-ing our main characters in preparation for Kingdom Hearts II. A way in which this gradual loss of memories and abilities is thematicallly relevant to the overall story. This is effective, and I can't stress this enough, ONLY in theory.
In practice, Chain of Memories is almost unbearable if not for the interesting and complex story developments that take place within it. The gameplay attempts to combine the hack-and-slash combat of the original with an obtuse, unorthodox card system that just does not do it for me at all. Although I can appreciate some balances, interesting mechanics and the great menu navigation, this game feels like a Frankenstein's monstrosity of two gameplay styles that do not mesh together, whatsoever.
Characters like Naminé, Axel and Larxene are enjoyable, with great moments that are only truly present in cutscenes. The story takes a dive for the intricate and complex, which may be incomprehensible to people who are not fully committed to it. Other than that, Chain of Memories is a slog I have absolutely no intention of going back to. I can't recommend this to anyone, despite the fact I did enjoy the story and some details in the design.
In the journey to discover my appreciation for Kingdom Hearts, this has definitely been a speed bump that I can only hope is aliviated with the next game in the series.
In practice, Chain of Memories is almost unbearable if not for the interesting and complex story developments that take place within it. The gameplay attempts to combine the hack-and-slash combat of the original with an obtuse, unorthodox card system that just does not do it for me at all. Although I can appreciate some balances, interesting mechanics and the great menu navigation, this game feels like a Frankenstein's monstrosity of two gameplay styles that do not mesh together, whatsoever.
Characters like Naminé, Axel and Larxene are enjoyable, with great moments that are only truly present in cutscenes. The story takes a dive for the intricate and complex, which may be incomprehensible to people who are not fully committed to it. Other than that, Chain of Memories is a slog I have absolutely no intention of going back to. I can't recommend this to anyone, despite the fact I did enjoy the story and some details in the design.
In the journey to discover my appreciation for Kingdom Hearts, this has definitely been a speed bump that I can only hope is aliviated with the next game in the series.
Quality of life improvements that almost could raise the game's total score by one point, but I'll have to see how that statement holds up when I replay on highest difficulty or attempt to speedrun.
The best way to play the first Kingdom Hearts.
The best way to play the first Kingdom Hearts.
2002
Years ago, when I first experienced the Kingdom Hearts series, I was not only befuddled by the absurdity of its concept, but to put it simply, I just did not understand what made the game special and why people loved it so much. The same perspective pervaded my mind throughout me playing most of the games in the series. Now that I have developed a more complex taste in games and matured, I decided to play through the entire series once more. The journey begins here.
Kingdom Hearts' first outing is decent enough to grab one's attention. Some of the series' outstanding qualities however are rooted in this game, such as the flawless music, satisfying combat and some of the best art direction in any game series. That being said, some of the series' glaring problems also start here, and definitely haunt this series all throughout.
The strenghts are what I noticed most, however. The combat is a tad bit janky, but it still feels very satisfying and there is a decent level of challenge and learning even to the easiest difficulty setting. The magic casting and item distribution are enjoyable due to how fluid and accessible the menus are. Menuing in this game is a total treat and by the halfway point, you will have muscle memory for casting healing and exchanging items in your stock. Kingdom Hearts shines at the technical and gameplay aspects.
The world design is in the middle ground for me. Platforming adds a bit of charm but it still feels very floaty and downright unecessary in some sections such as Monstro. That said, each world brings at least one unique twist, style or distraction to the game that is elevated by the legendary score composed for the game.
In the more negative side, the story is one of the most interesting concepts I have seen in any game. Looking past the fact it's a crossover between FINAL FANTASY and Disney characters, the story is two things. It is incomprehensible, horribly paced and one of the most generic I have ever experienced. At the same time, it is one of the most thematically rich stories in gaming, with lovable, complex characters and genuine emotional moments. Why is this? I really can't say, since I'm at the cusp of replaying the entire series with my goal being to understand how I feel about this.
All in all, Kingdom Hearts is a good introduction to this sprawling series. Althougth a bit janky by today's standards, it holds up with its music, gameplay and art. Despite my problems with the story and some of the world additions, I definitely see this game in a more positive light now.
Now, to continue my journey of discovery. All along, despite my complicated feelings, have I had an emotional connection to Kingdom Hearts? We'll see...
Kingdom Hearts' first outing is decent enough to grab one's attention. Some of the series' outstanding qualities however are rooted in this game, such as the flawless music, satisfying combat and some of the best art direction in any game series. That being said, some of the series' glaring problems also start here, and definitely haunt this series all throughout.
The strenghts are what I noticed most, however. The combat is a tad bit janky, but it still feels very satisfying and there is a decent level of challenge and learning even to the easiest difficulty setting. The magic casting and item distribution are enjoyable due to how fluid and accessible the menus are. Menuing in this game is a total treat and by the halfway point, you will have muscle memory for casting healing and exchanging items in your stock. Kingdom Hearts shines at the technical and gameplay aspects.
The world design is in the middle ground for me. Platforming adds a bit of charm but it still feels very floaty and downright unecessary in some sections such as Monstro. That said, each world brings at least one unique twist, style or distraction to the game that is elevated by the legendary score composed for the game.
In the more negative side, the story is one of the most interesting concepts I have seen in any game. Looking past the fact it's a crossover between FINAL FANTASY and Disney characters, the story is two things. It is incomprehensible, horribly paced and one of the most generic I have ever experienced. At the same time, it is one of the most thematically rich stories in gaming, with lovable, complex characters and genuine emotional moments. Why is this? I really can't say, since I'm at the cusp of replaying the entire series with my goal being to understand how I feel about this.
All in all, Kingdom Hearts is a good introduction to this sprawling series. Althougth a bit janky by today's standards, it holds up with its music, gameplay and art. Despite my problems with the story and some of the world additions, I definitely see this game in a more positive light now.
Now, to continue my journey of discovery. All along, despite my complicated feelings, have I had an emotional connection to Kingdom Hearts? We'll see...
2002
Not much to say about Metroid Fusion other than it being the best in the series so far. It's a mix of Zero Mission and Super, in that the atmosphere and world design are once again standouts, but it takes a more linear approach to progression.
I never thought I'd type out "linear metroidvania" let alone say that the concept works. Lo and behold, Metroid Fusion is a masterclass in suspense, exploration and combat.
I never thought I'd type out "linear metroidvania" let alone say that the concept works. Lo and behold, Metroid Fusion is a masterclass in suspense, exploration and combat.
Why then is Rugrats, one of our favorites of this week, the proud recipient of two E's? To be sure, it's got to be one of the weirdest events in the history of our ratings. Overall, Rugrats is an A game, but the sloppy control gets an E as does the difficulty level, if there is one. We feel bad giving the E's, but they are deserved.
The control can be very uncooperative thanks to the poor analog control, which will give you an idea of what it's like to be walking a baby. Is this intentional? Maybe so. Is it annoying on occasion? Absolutely. Does it preclude you from enjoying the game? Absolutely not. Will you get sick of running into walls just because these kids can't walk right? Maybe, maybe not. You might get a kick out of it.
Again, it is a great game, you should definitely play it. Parents should definitely buy it for young ones. It is one of the most imaginative games we have ever played. It is also one of the best lincense based games we have ever played. THQ did an outstanding job utilizing the voice actors from the Emmy-winning TV show to set up each game scenario with an in-game, cinematic sequence.
Our appreciation of this incredibly unique title is so high we want to show you the entire game, but unfortunately we just don't have the time. Maybe we'll set aside some time in January or February to cover the game in greater detail.
To give you an idea of the outstanding level set-ups and strong characterization, sit back for a few minutes and enjoy some hilarious clips from the Rugrats PlayStation game. We'll be back with Gex.
The control can be very uncooperative thanks to the poor analog control, which will give you an idea of what it's like to be walking a baby. Is this intentional? Maybe so. Is it annoying on occasion? Absolutely. Does it preclude you from enjoying the game? Absolutely not. Will you get sick of running into walls just because these kids can't walk right? Maybe, maybe not. You might get a kick out of it.
Again, it is a great game, you should definitely play it. Parents should definitely buy it for young ones. It is one of the most imaginative games we have ever played. It is also one of the best lincense based games we have ever played. THQ did an outstanding job utilizing the voice actors from the Emmy-winning TV show to set up each game scenario with an in-game, cinematic sequence.
Our appreciation of this incredibly unique title is so high we want to show you the entire game, but unfortunately we just don't have the time. Maybe we'll set aside some time in January or February to cover the game in greater detail.
To give you an idea of the outstanding level set-ups and strong characterization, sit back for a few minutes and enjoy some hilarious clips from the Rugrats PlayStation game. We'll be back with Gex.
TBD
LMFAO yeah as if!
2016
This review contains spoilers
It took me a long time to truly appreciate Dark Souls III.
Admittedly, it is not nearly as good as Dark Souls I, but that's saying a lot since I am still giving it a 10/10 score. On the other side of the coin, it isn't nearly as divisive and unique as Dark Souls II was. III is a rethread/combo of Dark Souls and Bloodborne, in that it references and incorporates multiple aspects from DS1 with an aesthetic reminiscent of what you would see in Bloodborne. In no way am I saying it isn't unique in some aspects, but the influence of the success of those games is definitely felt all throughout.
The gameplay is not much different from past games. The 30fps restriction on most consoles adds to a bit of jankiness, but overall the menuing and navigation feel the best they've ever been. When it comes to challenge, I feel like Dark Souls III stumbles in some aspects. I do see how the game might be easy for players of the past games, as the combat we have mastered has not changed much, but there is room to criticize the over-abundance of checkpoint bonfires. Some bonfires are so unecessary that they could be taken out and the game would be better off without them. Overall, the gameplay is more of the same but with more room for customization and experimentation, which I welcome albeit not at the cost of challenge.
Dark Souls III almost feels like the peak of the series, and not necessarily in quality but in ambition and themes. Although I vastly prefer DS1, I have to admit it does outshine its predecessors in themes, narrative and imagery. The world of Dark Souls III is one of sickness and fire, with disgusting monstrosities at every corner, some unwilling to fight in a world where nothing is worth it anymore. You are the only hope for this world to thrive, and if you are as thematically involved with these games as I am you will slowly realize that you are merely perpetuating the cycle that has led the world to so-called "peace" that permeates the world with sickness and death. All of the bosses represent this sick and painful world, with some not even fighting you at first and others bestowing upon you the weapon required to slay them.
It's all topped off with the best DLC in the series, that only adds to the already beautiful and vast land of Lothric. The atmosphere and world design feel like a blend of Bloodborne and Dark Souls I with not much interconnectedness and a lot of linearity but with beautiful landscapes and excellently designed enemy encounters. The music and art just add to the beauty, with some of my favorite areas being Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, The Painted World of Ariandel and the Ringed City.
This is a section of the review with spoilers as it details the final boss of the main game of Dark Souls III.
Your entire journey through this sick and terrible world reaches its climax with a battle against the Soul of Cinder. Your final obstacle is no dragon, monstrosity or giant, but a duel with a knight. You recognize he fights in a way very similar to you, and performs moves that other classes possess. The music swells up as you seem to defeat him only for him to raise his blade a final time and challenging you, as the boss theme for Gwyn from DS1 plays. Albeit, not subtle, it is made clear that Soul of Cinder is an amalgamation of everyone who linked the First Flame. In other words, everyone that throughout the Dark Souls series completed the ultimate challenge. You are fighting the Chosen Undeads, you are fighting all of the players, you are fighting... yourself. The true ending comes as you finally defeat the Soul of Cinder, and considering the state of the world perpetuated by this cycle you decide to let the flame die out. Humans reject change and some are even terrified of it, but sometimes we have to let go of the past, accept change and move on.
The fire fades... and an age of ash begins...
Admittedly, it is not nearly as good as Dark Souls I, but that's saying a lot since I am still giving it a 10/10 score. On the other side of the coin, it isn't nearly as divisive and unique as Dark Souls II was. III is a rethread/combo of Dark Souls and Bloodborne, in that it references and incorporates multiple aspects from DS1 with an aesthetic reminiscent of what you would see in Bloodborne. In no way am I saying it isn't unique in some aspects, but the influence of the success of those games is definitely felt all throughout.
The gameplay is not much different from past games. The 30fps restriction on most consoles adds to a bit of jankiness, but overall the menuing and navigation feel the best they've ever been. When it comes to challenge, I feel like Dark Souls III stumbles in some aspects. I do see how the game might be easy for players of the past games, as the combat we have mastered has not changed much, but there is room to criticize the over-abundance of checkpoint bonfires. Some bonfires are so unecessary that they could be taken out and the game would be better off without them. Overall, the gameplay is more of the same but with more room for customization and experimentation, which I welcome albeit not at the cost of challenge.
Dark Souls III almost feels like the peak of the series, and not necessarily in quality but in ambition and themes. Although I vastly prefer DS1, I have to admit it does outshine its predecessors in themes, narrative and imagery. The world of Dark Souls III is one of sickness and fire, with disgusting monstrosities at every corner, some unwilling to fight in a world where nothing is worth it anymore. You are the only hope for this world to thrive, and if you are as thematically involved with these games as I am you will slowly realize that you are merely perpetuating the cycle that has led the world to so-called "peace" that permeates the world with sickness and death. All of the bosses represent this sick and painful world, with some not even fighting you at first and others bestowing upon you the weapon required to slay them.
It's all topped off with the best DLC in the series, that only adds to the already beautiful and vast land of Lothric. The atmosphere and world design feel like a blend of Bloodborne and Dark Souls I with not much interconnectedness and a lot of linearity but with beautiful landscapes and excellently designed enemy encounters. The music and art just add to the beauty, with some of my favorite areas being Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, The Painted World of Ariandel and the Ringed City.
This is a section of the review with spoilers as it details the final boss of the main game of Dark Souls III.
Your entire journey through this sick and terrible world reaches its climax with a battle against the Soul of Cinder. Your final obstacle is no dragon, monstrosity or giant, but a duel with a knight. You recognize he fights in a way very similar to you, and performs moves that other classes possess. The music swells up as you seem to defeat him only for him to raise his blade a final time and challenging you, as the boss theme for Gwyn from DS1 plays. Albeit, not subtle, it is made clear that Soul of Cinder is an amalgamation of everyone who linked the First Flame. In other words, everyone that throughout the Dark Souls series completed the ultimate challenge. You are fighting the Chosen Undeads, you are fighting all of the players, you are fighting... yourself. The true ending comes as you finally defeat the Soul of Cinder, and considering the state of the world perpetuated by this cycle you decide to let the flame die out. Humans reject change and some are even terrified of it, but sometimes we have to let go of the past, accept change and move on.
The fire fades... and an age of ash begins...