squiddard
I enjoyed Yakuza 6 way more than I expected to, mostly because of the characters and the story. Shoutout to the entire Hirose family and Someya for being amazing. The final few chapters of the game and ESPECIALLY the finale are super exciting and I enjoyed every second of it.
I haven't played much side content, so maybe I'll change this rating when I come back and play more, but for now I only have a few minor complaints. Dragon Engine combat stills feels a little rough even after upgrading my PC, but I had a better experience with it than I did with Kiwami 2 (I think mostly thanks to the performance improvement). I also thought it was kinda dumb that I had to sit through multiple occasions of the JUSTIS/clan creator side story interrupting the main story, but again just a minor complaint.
Seriously, the tension in the finale and the ending (which I imagine is controversial but I thought was great) make this 100% worth playing.
I haven't played much side content, so maybe I'll change this rating when I come back and play more, but for now I only have a few minor complaints. Dragon Engine combat stills feels a little rough even after upgrading my PC, but I had a better experience with it than I did with Kiwami 2 (I think mostly thanks to the performance improvement). I also thought it was kinda dumb that I had to sit through multiple occasions of the JUSTIS/clan creator side story interrupting the main story, but again just a minor complaint.
Seriously, the tension in the finale and the ending (which I imagine is controversial but I thought was great) make this 100% worth playing.
2019
This game is ridiculously big. This is great in many ways - I loved having 5 cities to explore and piecing together how each character is involved in the overarching story. Unfortunately, it's hard to achieve this scale without some slow moments throughout the game. Saejima's section was particularly rough for me, especially at the start. I was also semi-disappointed by the ending, but I don't think it was particularly bad, just a little underwhelming.
Outside of the pacing, there's so much more to love about Yakuza 5. Playable Haruka and Shinada's character top my list, but I was also a huge fan of the friendship between Akiyama and Haruka. Doing more side content will be an enormous time investment, but I'd still like to come back soon and experience more from this game.
Outside of the pacing, there's so much more to love about Yakuza 5. Playable Haruka and Shinada's character top my list, but I was also a huge fan of the friendship between Akiyama and Haruka. Doing more side content will be an enormous time investment, but I'd still like to come back soon and experience more from this game.
2019
The main characters completely made this game for me. They all play completely different from each other, and it's really fun to take a different approach to combat depending on who you play as, even though it is all under the same system. Tanimura, especially, is super unique and I had a blast playing with him.
Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan of 4's story. It felt really confusing for most of the game as there are so many moving parts. I could just be dumb, but I would have preferred something a little easier to follow lol. I was kinda disappointed that there is no new map to explore, but there are many new areas of Kamurocho which helped a bit. Overall, good Yakuza game but far from the best.
Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan of 4's story. It felt really confusing for most of the game as there are so many moving parts. I could just be dumb, but I would have preferred something a little easier to follow lol. I was kinda disappointed that there is no new map to explore, but there are many new areas of Kamurocho which helped a bit. Overall, good Yakuza game but far from the best.
2018
I wasn't expecting much coming into this one. I love the Yakuza series, but I knew 3 has a reputation for being the weakest entry. I wound up enjoying this game way more than I ever thought I would.
The main complaints I see are related to the slow start and combat, which are fair because it takes a while for the weight of the story to increase and enemies refuse to stop blocking. However, the moments with Kiryu spending time at his orphanage are spectacular - it's very satisfying to see him happy after all he has lost over the previous games. These events may have been better as substories to improve pacing, but I'm honestly fine with them in the main story. The story itself is also really exciting and emotional, and I love a few of the new characters.
The combat didn't feel as bad as people made it out to be, although I did play on normal so maybe that's why. I plan on revisiting on a higher difficulty and completing more side content, so maybe I'll update my score after that, but for now, this game is definitely underrated in my eyes.
The main complaints I see are related to the slow start and combat, which are fair because it takes a while for the weight of the story to increase and enemies refuse to stop blocking. However, the moments with Kiryu spending time at his orphanage are spectacular - it's very satisfying to see him happy after all he has lost over the previous games. These events may have been better as substories to improve pacing, but I'm honestly fine with them in the main story. The story itself is also really exciting and emotional, and I love a few of the new characters.
The combat didn't feel as bad as people made it out to be, although I did play on normal so maybe that's why. I plan on revisiting on a higher difficulty and completing more side content, so maybe I'll update my score after that, but for now, this game is definitely underrated in my eyes.
2017
I think any Yakuza game has enough ridiculous side content and badass Kiryu moments to keep me entertained. However, I enjoyed the combat and story of other Yakuza games way more than I did in Kiwami 2. I'm not sure if I'm just not used to the Dragon Engine yet or if my PC is too old to run it well (I'm planning to replay after an upgrade), but combat in Kiwami 2 just felt really off compared to other games I've played.
The story is entertaining enough throughout most of the game, but it gets super sloppy right at the end and that kinda put me off. I wish my perception of this game wasn't tied as much to the other Yakuza games I've played, but I can't help but feel a bit disappointed by this entry. Still a good game, but I was expecting better.
The story is entertaining enough throughout most of the game, but it gets super sloppy right at the end and that kinda put me off. I wish my perception of this game wasn't tied as much to the other Yakuza games I've played, but I can't help but feel a bit disappointed by this entry. Still a good game, but I was expecting better.
Pokemon should have more direct sequels! It's been a while since I last played BW1, but I still remembered enough about Unova in those games to really enjoy spotting all of the changes made in BW2.
For me, the most important part of a Pokemon game is the Pokemon themselves, and BW2 having one of my favorite regional Pokedexes is enough to make it a good game on its own. Additionally, Hugh is a great rival and I really enjoyed how Team Plasma was handled in this game.
I think I still prefer the story of BW1 (again, it has been a while though!) and I definitely get tired of Pokemon battles way faster than I did as a kid, or else I would have enjoyed this game a bit more. Still a great experience!
For me, the most important part of a Pokemon game is the Pokemon themselves, and BW2 having one of my favorite regional Pokedexes is enough to make it a good game on its own. Additionally, Hugh is a great rival and I really enjoyed how Team Plasma was handled in this game.
I think I still prefer the story of BW1 (again, it has been a while though!) and I definitely get tired of Pokemon battles way faster than I did as a kid, or else I would have enjoyed this game a bit more. Still a great experience!
2001
Golden Sun was such a huge part of my childhood, and after not touching it for many years, I'm really happy I was able to come back and still really enjoy it.
Golden Sun's class and Djinn system is easily the game's greatest strength. There's so many different builds to experiment with for each playable character, and since it is so easy to swap classes, you have basically the entire game to experiment and find a style you like. Even once you've picked a class, you need to think about whether to use the Djinn in battle since their abilities are very powerful but come at the cost of your character's stats. Golden Sun isn't very difficult, so just about everything is viable and it's up to the player to decide what they enjoy most.
I wish there wasn't as much backtracking, and I wish the cast of characters were more interesting and memorable. I also found the dialogue to be pretty jank at times, especially since Isaac can only ever react with a 'yes' or 'no'. Overall, Golden Sun is a flawed but great JRPG and I'm really glad I can still enjoy it today. Onto The Lost Age!
Golden Sun's class and Djinn system is easily the game's greatest strength. There's so many different builds to experiment with for each playable character, and since it is so easy to swap classes, you have basically the entire game to experiment and find a style you like. Even once you've picked a class, you need to think about whether to use the Djinn in battle since their abilities are very powerful but come at the cost of your character's stats. Golden Sun isn't very difficult, so just about everything is viable and it's up to the player to decide what they enjoy most.
I wish there wasn't as much backtracking, and I wish the cast of characters were more interesting and memorable. I also found the dialogue to be pretty jank at times, especially since Isaac can only ever react with a 'yes' or 'no'. Overall, Golden Sun is a flawed but great JRPG and I'm really glad I can still enjoy it today. Onto The Lost Age!
2023
The gameplay of Engage is spectacular. I already really enjoy FE gameplay, but the new mechanics of Engage really add a ton of different options to player phase, which is a great thing. I thought I would hate literally every character in this game, but I actually liked Kagetsu and Alfred. There's a few others that are okay but the rest are Fire Emblem characters.
And then there's the story. LMAO just kidding no there's not
And then there's the story. LMAO just kidding no there's not
If you've played a fire emblem game before, playing Lyn mode for the first time is complete poop. It feels like an endless tutorial that forces you into wasting a knight crest. I actually don't hate the characters in Lyn mode though, since they get (some) development outside of supports which 30 years to build in GBA FE.
As for Eliwood mode, the gameplay is better but I really didn't find the story interesting. I can't remember many things that happened even though I'm writing this review not too long after I finished the game. Still a decent enough game thanks to FE gameplay, but very far from my favorite.
As for Eliwood mode, the gameplay is better but I really didn't find the story interesting. I can't remember many things that happened even though I'm writing this review not too long after I finished the game. Still a decent enough game thanks to FE gameplay, but very far from my favorite.
Pretty darn good! The gameplay's pretty easy (seth :D) but still super fun. Story is interesting enough with a good villain, but nothing too crazy to be honest.
I think GBA FE kinda shoots itself in the foot by making supports such a pain to build - if you're like me and don't want to sit around for a bunch of turns just building supports, most of the cast is severely underdeveloped as characters. This leaves (mainly) Eirika and Ephraim to carry the story, but I don't think they have much to offer. At least the music goes really hard!
Solid game overall, but it definitely could have been better.
I think GBA FE kinda shoots itself in the foot by making supports such a pain to build - if you're like me and don't want to sit around for a bunch of turns just building supports, most of the cast is severely underdeveloped as characters. This leaves (mainly) Eirika and Ephraim to carry the story, but I don't think they have much to offer. At least the music goes really hard!
Solid game overall, but it definitely could have been better.
can't believe they made an entire game on top of korok torture simulator. and it's a really good game too!
Seriously though, the freedom given to the player when solving puzzles and traversing the world is almost ridiculous. It was awesome to see Hyrule evolve after Breath of the Wild, and honestly, even though I replayed Breath of the Wild right before Tears of the Kingdom, there was more than enough new content to keep me interested.
I guess my main criticism is the sage abilities? They are a complete pain to use since I always click on the wrong one. Whatever, still a fantastic game.
Seriously though, the freedom given to the player when solving puzzles and traversing the world is almost ridiculous. It was awesome to see Hyrule evolve after Breath of the Wild, and honestly, even though I replayed Breath of the Wild right before Tears of the Kingdom, there was more than enough new content to keep me interested.
I guess my main criticism is the sage abilities? They are a complete pain to use since I always click on the wrong one. Whatever, still a fantastic game.
Breath of the Wild at its peak is probably my favorite gaming experience ever. Exploring such a huge and engaging world for the first time was absolutely mind blowing.
There's also so much room for creativity in solving the puzzles the game throws at you. The player is completely in control the whole time, which makes it so satisfying to accomplish what you set out to do.
The game certainly isn't flawless though. This kind of experience comes with compromises in the story and a shallow soundtrack (although what is present is amazing). The Divine Beasts are also pretty weak dungeons, but Hyrule Castle is unbelievable to make up for them.
Even with these flaws, Breath of the Wild is such an incredible experience that everyone should at least give a try.
There's also so much room for creativity in solving the puzzles the game throws at you. The player is completely in control the whole time, which makes it so satisfying to accomplish what you set out to do.
The game certainly isn't flawless though. This kind of experience comes with compromises in the story and a shallow soundtrack (although what is present is amazing). The Divine Beasts are also pretty weak dungeons, but Hyrule Castle is unbelievable to make up for them.
Even with these flaws, Breath of the Wild is such an incredible experience that everyone should at least give a try.
2022
There's a lot to love about this game. I didn't expect to enjoy the story, but it gets pretty interesting and exciting at the end. There's plenty of great quality of life features, and an open world filled with Pokemon is amazing. Changing types is also my favorite generational gimmick so far.
I just wish this game was finished! The bugs and frame drops were too frequent for me to look past. While there's plenty of new ideas, I didn't find myself engaging with some of them as I found them lame or boring. And I think I don't really like traditional Pokemon battles nearly as much as I used to.
Still, I'm glad this game made so many steps in the right direction. With a bit more polish, it would've been great.
I just wish this game was finished! The bugs and frame drops were too frequent for me to look past. While there's plenty of new ideas, I didn't find myself engaging with some of them as I found them lame or boring. And I think I don't really like traditional Pokemon battles nearly as much as I used to.
Still, I'm glad this game made so many steps in the right direction. With a bit more polish, it would've been great.
I don't think there's anything I can say about the story that hasn't already been said. This game is worth it for the story alone. Yoko Taro, thank you so much.
Other than that, there's plenty of interesting side quests, beautiful environments and landscapes, and the combat is fun. Oh, and the soundtrack is INSANE!
As a Switch port, there are some noticeable compromises in graphics quality and the frame rate can dip from time to time. These issues weren't common enough to ruin my experience, but it's something to consider if you're choosing between versions.
Other than that, there's plenty of interesting side quests, beautiful environments and landscapes, and the combat is fun. Oh, and the soundtrack is INSANE!
As a Switch port, there are some noticeable compromises in graphics quality and the frame rate can dip from time to time. These issues weren't common enough to ruin my experience, but it's something to consider if you're choosing between versions.
2011
Amazing!
Portal left me wanting more since that game is so short, so I'm so glad that Portal 2 was able to satisfy that feeling. There's so many fresh ideas on top of the basic mechanics from the original, and it does a great job expanding on the lore while retaining Portal's personality and humor.
AND the co-op is fantastic based on what I've played so far.
Portal left me wanting more since that game is so short, so I'm so glad that Portal 2 was able to satisfy that feeling. There's so many fresh ideas on top of the basic mechanics from the original, and it does a great job expanding on the lore while retaining Portal's personality and humor.
AND the co-op is fantastic based on what I've played so far.