pyr_ice
1999
such a transcendent experience. only a few games dig deep into heavy philosophical questions such as mortality and human nature and still manage to emotionally cut into the player's heart. it's incredible how raw and self-reflective the game is, even in the fantastical world of planescape. it is truly a masterclass in RPG writing, and one of the best narratives i've had the chance of experiencing.
2012
a thrilling end to the commander shepard trilogy. very expansive, but the ending leaves more questions and resigns everything to a color-coded choice.
an expansive and compelling RPG, shadows of amn is an incredible step up compared to the first game. the quests are plenty and full of depth, while the dungeons are seemingly endless. it does, however, ever so slightly nudges the player into the main quest. Irenicus is also one of the best video game villains I've ever encountered.
2000
a straightforward dungeon crawl, icewind dale is as brutal as its winter-cold setting. the areas are surprisingly interesting to explore for a purely combat focused game. the narrative is also surprisingly well-written, but leaves little room for character reactivity and roleplay experience.
2019
sensitive and volatile, disco elysium is bleeding and raw with detail - it actually hurts. how you experience the world through harry's head is ocean vast - in the vein of a true, evolved RPG. truthfully, what made disco elysium so painfully cathartic is that it loves humanity so much that it is able to successfully string into a personal set of conversations what humanity rejoices and what it mourns. in the end, to believe in something is not merely political, but human.
1997
the world of fallout is bleak and uncaring; it makes the experience all the more memorable for the humble protagonist. the pacing is actually pretty superb. the gameplay and combat is simple but it is complete, full of depth, and it "makes sense" in every sense of the phrase.
a star wars experience reminiscent of the original trilogy films, with an amazing twist that makes it stand on its own as one of the best RPGs ever made.
2016
with interesting storytelling and a very satisfying gameplay loop, quantum break is a common yet welcome retelling of the immutability of time.
2015
underneath the unremarkable visual execution and unforgiving combat lies a incredibly deep and complex RPG that opens up after multiple playthroughs.
one of the better pokemon games with cool side content and great pacing
this holds as the best rpg i've ever played, bar none.
chris avellone is a master at using the star wars setting to deconstruct itself. the writing is so cutting, clever, poignant, and complete. it's a masterclass of video game narrative.
the companions have agency incomparable to any other video came companions that come before or after.
the game has puzzles and sequences some may find tedious and boring, but i found very much fitting given its presentation, and i found it executed very well. i think it should have been set standard as the natural progression of rpgs, but alas, the game isn't that popular.
the game didn't feel that unfinished, even without the restored content mod. i found it really fitting that the game just ends there, leaves you wanting more, leaves you to the weight of your decisions.
it's honestly such a great rpg, very much ahead of its time. there is little out there that holds a candle to it.
chris avellone is a master at using the star wars setting to deconstruct itself. the writing is so cutting, clever, poignant, and complete. it's a masterclass of video game narrative.
the companions have agency incomparable to any other video came companions that come before or after.
the game has puzzles and sequences some may find tedious and boring, but i found very much fitting given its presentation, and i found it executed very well. i think it should have been set standard as the natural progression of rpgs, but alas, the game isn't that popular.
the game didn't feel that unfinished, even without the restored content mod. i found it really fitting that the game just ends there, leaves you wanting more, leaves you to the weight of your decisions.
it's honestly such a great rpg, very much ahead of its time. there is little out there that holds a candle to it.
2016
the dark, brooding atmosphere of dystopian Mars is what makes technomancer very incredibly engrossing, though its quest flow and almost fragmented writing endgame hurts it a little bit,
though it starts off really interesting, it loses a bit of push at the middle, but finds its footing again at the end. revelations is a strong end to ezio's narrative.
though an interesting setting, the narrative is too fragmented to give an impression, ultimately falling flat
it does feel like the roleplaying aspect of this game is held back by its MMO system. drew karpyshyn's writing really shines all throughout.