What else can be said, believe the hype. The most surprising thing to me is how fun the game it is to play in Co-Op.

The amount of combinations and permutations every encounter, storyline, conversation can have is astounding and a miracle of game design in some cases.

Only minor complaint is how some of the later companions are not as developed as the core 6 you unlock first but they are still fun to get, specially since they are fan service for fans of the previous games.

How do you review an utter masterpiece like this? Like for real.

It's just perfection. MGS 2 is a fantastic game but ruffled a lot of feathers at the time. So this was Kojima "apologizing" for that and making the most bad ass, james bond like Snake game he could.

This game has the greatest video game song ever made IMO, one of the best openings and a heart tugging emotional, amazing conclusion. The story is peak, the characters are fantastic and the boss fights are so so good (on the same level as 1 if not better for best in the entire series).

All of the survival elements are well ahead of their time, well thought out, and done very well.

I don't know man. I could go on and on. This game is a masterpiece though, and one of the greatest games of all time. God bless Hideo Kojima.

Oh childhood nostalgia how I love thee.

As I get older and reflect on some of the amazing games I've played, very few stand out to me like Super Mario RPG. Self admittedly, I'm not the biggest Nintendo fan, especially now a days, as I prefer a focus on story, and narrative over gameplay and "fun" which Nintendo seems to excel at. However, this game longs from my childhood as one of my favorites, and something that (along with FF7) introduced me to JRPG's probably one of my favorite genres of games.

Re-visiting this now, while it doesn't hold up quite as well as I remember, it's still easily one of my favorite Nintendo games ever, and a true triumph for Square, especially for the time period.

The combat is nearly unmatched, and it's insane that more JRPG's don't use the timing mechanic (shout out to Sea of Stars for lovingly ripping it off and putting their own spin on it).

The story here is easily the best story in a Mario game, and it actually does perhaps the unthinkable, give a personality to Mario. All of the companions here are fantastic, and it's a true love letter to Mario, even today.

Now I do have some issues with this remake. I think overall I do prefer the original graphical style. While this is no doubt gorgeous (and pops on the OLED) there's just something so wonderful about the OG style I can't help but adore even more. Also the music, while again I like it, and it's great, I think I prefer the OG (thankfully that's easy to toggle on).

Overall though, I still really like this game quite a bit, even if it might not be one of my favorites of all time anymore, this is certainly a trip wroth taking once again, and a must play for anyone who has never experienced it.

I think to start this review one thing needs to be made very clear. I despite tactics gameplay. I do not like the challenge or the strategy involved, I do not like the difficulty, and it's just something I've personally never jived with,

I feel like Persona 5 Tactics was made for someone like me, more than the hardcore tactics fan. Someone who's a hardcore Persona fan, who maybe wants to dip their toe into something a little bit new.

Dare I say, by the end of this game, I enjoyed some of the creative style boss fights and gameplay. Not enough to try more difficult ones, but just enough to keep the experience from being Dull for me.

What really shines here for me is the story. Erina and Toshrio are fantastic characters, and just perfect additions to the persona cast. This is certainly more of a side story than Strikers (strikers was a proper epilogue really) but if I'm being honest, I think I enjoyed the story in this game even more than Strikers, based off the work by these two damn strong characters. Erina is someone so awesome I wish she was in the main cast. It's a shame she wasn't.

The music, as always is tremendous. My biggest complaints about this game (besides the gameplay being a style I don't really like), I think the side quests sucked. They were mostly puzzle based ones where you'd need a pretty exact solution to figure it out, and that just wasn't fun to me.

Overall though, This was a wonderful game, and a total surprise from me. I didn't even have plans to play it this year, but I gave it a shot and it hooked me. Persona games clearly hold a special place in my heart (from the tremendous Persona 5 Royal being one of my favorite games of all time) so I'll clearly give anything involving this cast a bit of a bump, but this one was genuinely fantastic in my opinion.

Like a Dragon Gaiden pays a heartfelt homage to Kazuma Kiryu, cementing the Dragon of Dojima's legendary status as one of the greatest videogame characters of all time. As a dedicated Yakuza enthusiast, diving into Gaiden felt like a pilgrimage to the core foundations of the series, creating an ultimate celebration of Yakuza's storied history while injecting a refreshing narrative full of crazy twists.

Set against the backdrop of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Gaiden asserts itself as a standalone entry, crafting one of the most unique tie-in gaming experiences I've encountered. The narrative weaves a deep and personal tale, skillfully drawing on elements from previous games to resonate with long-time fans while introducing new layers to the lore.

The combat system in Gaiden, utilizing the robust Dragon Engine, showcases a branching from the style seen in the Judgment series. The introduction of the addicting Agent style, reminiscent of the agile Crane style used by Takayuki Yagami, adds a layer of excitement to large group encounters. The game's emphasis on facing larger mobs of enemies highlights the developers' commitment to providing a thrilling and dynamic combat experience, encouraging players to experiment with an arsenal of gadgets and abilities.

One of the standout features of the Yakuza series has consistently been its electrifying and intense soundtrack, and Gaiden lives up to this tradition. The blend of EDM, heavy rock, and high-energy pop creates a sonic landscape that is quintessentially the soul of Ryu Ga Gotoku. Standout tracks like Hellish Octagon, Bring It On, Fleeting Dream, Like A Butterfly, and Deadly Struggle contribute to an OST that is not only memorable but also a strong contender for my personal soundtrack of the year for 2023.

Avoiding a deep dive into the story to preserve the impact for fellow Kiryu enthusiasts, I can't help but emphasize the emotional connection I felt throughout the narrative. Kiryu, a character I've cherished since my teenage years, delivers a poignant experience that culminated in a 2am emotional rollercoaster, leaving me in tears. As I eagerly await the release of Like a Dragon 8, Gaiden stands as a testament to the developers' dedication to creating a game tailored for Kiryu fans worldwide. It undeniably deserves to be hailed as the peak of the Yakuza series, offering an immersive and emotional journey that resonates long after the credits roll.

I didn't think this game was going to be this good after both hearing that it was made in 6 months and after playing Ishin and being a bit cold on it but this game turned out to be so much fun. From the two fighting styles that feel fresh, to the substories being integrated with the Akame Network creating an addictive gameplay loop, this is a masterclass of creating a spin off title.

The story was surprisingly good and better than even some of the main games, leading to one of the most memorable moments in the franchise from another perspective and an ending that I didn't expect that made me tear up a bit. RGG doesn't miss.

Wow what the actual fuck. I did NOT expect this to go so fucking hard.

As a long time yakuza fan (I've basically played everyman line game, the judgment games, and pretty much anything I can that has been imported) I had been feeling a bit down on the series lately. Lost Judgment was one of the weaker entries for me story wise, and Ishin, was just down right bad IMO. The creator of the series gone, Kiryu back for some reason, the entire thing was making me nervous, and while I was going to give Infinite Wealth a chance, I had penciled in that might be my last yakuza game.

When I'm wrong, I'm wrong. This is not only a fantastic game, and one of my favorites of this 2023, but one of my favorite yakuza titles overall. The combat is super fun (not quite on the level of Lost Judgement, but certainly better than Yakuza 6), the story is fantastic, and is a perfect bridge story to explain what's going on in the story, and really why Kiyru is back at all.

For a game that was going to be a DLC, this turned out excellent (and probably would have been my favorite DLC of all time if it was)

As it is, it's a fantastic entry, a great story with so many loving throwbacks, and a perfect step forward for the future of this series.

Fuck you Sega for not releasing a physical copy in the west though.

So going into this game, this is probably the Metal Gear I was least nostalgic for/excited to replay. I do love all these games, so much, but for whatever reason MGS 2 doesn't have that same pull for me, despite being an obviously incredible game. After my replay, I can't say too much has changed, but it's clear that this is still an utter masterpiece.

The story is so so far ahead of it's time here, and that's been talked about to death. The early twist in this game is one of the best ever done, and it still makes me mad how upset "gamers" got about it (and would again get angry later in TLOU2 over it. Gamers do NOT like being fooled)

Raiden is awesome, Snake is awesome, all the characters are so great. The soundtrack in this game is phenomenal just heater after heater.

So what makes this not a 5/5 for me unlike the other MGS games (besides V?). I think for me, the only thing holding me back here is a couple of things. My nostalgia for some of the other games plays a huge part, but I also feel like the setting is one of the weakest in the series. That's not necessarily a bad thing, it's still very good, but compared to shadow Moses and the jungle, I just enjoy this setting a little less, and that's really the only knock I have on this masterpiece of a game otherwise.

Kojima is a creator who is much discussed, but MGS has made him the GOAT. God I fucking love these games.

Ho boy. When i say this is the most important game of all time to me, and perhaps one of the greatest, I truly mean it.

Metal Gear Solid is a love letter to gaming for me. I can still remember playing this game late at night, sneaking up past my bed time to get a little time in on the old Playstation 1. The way this game made you think out of the box with some of its creative puzzles and boss fights, it's a level of creativity that is still unmatched today and only could have been done by someone like Kojima.

The story is of course tremendous, with fantastic voice acting, character work.

The boss fights are iconic.

This game still holds up incredibly well, and I'll be honest, if you don't think it does, that's a you problem, not this games problem. A true masterpiece in every sense of the word. Godbless Metal Gear.

This is the best 2D Mario game since Super Mario World by far. The gameplay feels super smooth and the design is amazing, the New Super Mario Bros. look, feel, and sounds are gone replaced by something much better in my opinion. The animations are charming and fun, and the stage designs are immensely creative even before you factor in the Wonder Seeds. There are tons of new enemy types and very creative level ideas, plus a badge system, badge challenge stages, KO arenas, and many more to shake it up.

The Wonder Seeds are the true game changer here, basically every standard stage has one to find and when you do the game gets weird (in a great way). The whole world warps and suddenly you could be in the middle of a musical, or space, or transformed into some sort of creature, or TONS more. This is really Nintendo showcases their creative muscles. There are also tons of stages spread across the multiple worlds, it really feels like you are on a grand adventure.

The game is also super fun to get 100% in. Finding the 3 hidden coins in the stages is never too hard but makes you explore more thoroughly and really appreciate each stage. Having to get all the standees was maybe a bit much but I didn't really have to go out of my way to be able to afford to do that so ultimately wasn't a huge issue.

If you are a platforming fan you owe it to yourself to try out this special game, you will not be disappointed.

Jedi: Survivor is an outstanding ode to the Star Wars universe, seamlessly intertwining a captivating narrative, immersive atmosphere, and top-notch lightsaber combat to deliver a truly unforgettable gaming experience.

One of the most striking elements of Survivor is the depth and development of its returning characters. In contrast to its predecessor, Fallen Order, this game goes above and beyond to flesh out these beloved individuals. A prime example is Cere, a character I previously dismissed as forgettable. However, in Survivor, she transforms into a formidable and compelling presence on screen, leaving a lasting impression that caught me off guard. Cal Kestis, the already compelling protagonist, also experiences significant growth, further cementing his status as one of my favorite Star Wars leads. His constant internal struggle is masterfully portrayed by Cameron Monaghan's powerful voice acting and delivery. Every emotion he conveys resonates with the player, making his character even more relatable. In fact, there's not a single character in the game that I didn't thoroughly enjoy seeing in action.

Another noteworthy aspect of Survivor is its gameplay, which features significant improvements to the skill tree system and the introduction of new lightsaber stances. I found myself constantly switching between stances, unable to choose a clear favorite, as each one offers unique and highly useful abilities that make combat both challenging and addictive. If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be the dual-wielding stance, which evokes the exhilarating combat of Force Unleashed. The attention to detail and thought put into these stances ensures that there's something for every type of player.

Without delving into spoilers, the game's main antagonist is exceptionally well-written, leaving me awestruck by the level of storytelling on display. Star Wars has struggled to create compelling villains in recent years, especially with the somewhat disappointing arc of Kylo Ren. However, Respawn has clearly taken the time to understand the rich Star Wars lore and incorporate it into their villain's character, while also recapturing the essence of classic Star Wars storytelling.

The music in Survivor also deserves special mention. Many Disney-era Star Wars adaptations have had a mixed record when it comes to their musical score, with some pieces being exceptional and others feeling generic or mediocre. However, the music in Survivor consistently shines. Boss fights, in particular, feature mind-blowing tracks, especially during the later game encounters. The soundtrack's consistency and quality contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience.

Technically, Jedi: Survivor impresses, even with a few minor bugs. Running on my PS5 in fidelity mode, the game excels in maximizing resolution and displaying vibrant colors that pop on the screen. The visual quality and smooth performance make for a visually stunning and satisfying gaming experience.

Overall, Jedi: Survivor is an exceptional game that exceeds expectations, despite its minor flaws. It sets the bar high for future entries in the series, and I eagerly await what Respawn has in store for the next installment in this captivating Star Wars saga.

This is easily one of Supermassive's best games, I am going back and forth in my mind if I liked this on balance more than Until Dawn or not. The camp setting is a huge draw to me because I have always been drawn to the woods setting in horror. The supernatural element to the game is quite good, maybe a little lesser than Until Dawn but I thought it was a solid, not overly complicated story which made it a blast to run through. Where the game is a big step up is characters, I enjoyed all the different playable characters in their own ways, with Dylan, Abi, Kaitlyn, and Emma being my favorites. Unlike Until Dawn I actually wanted them all to live and I was sad when I messed up and got one of them killed. The presentation is also really good, the characters feel very real and other than a few uncanny valley type scenarios and weaker lines I was very engrossed by a lot of the performances.

I hope they continue to make games like this, I look forward to whatever big project they do next (and will be ignoring the Dark Pictures until then).