Category: Game reviews

Darius Cozmic Collection Console Review (PS4)

 

Before I start this review, as always, I like to say thanks for the review copy I was lucky enough to get. This time it comes from a company that is legendary Taito. I grew up playing their games and pumping quarters into machines with their logo on them so having them give me a title I was expecting to be blasted into the past.

If that is what you want here, a nostalgia trip back to your childhood in the arcade or sitting in front of your SNES blasting strange creatures collecting power-ups and saying just one more go in hopes that this time you will get just a little further than last time, you are going to be very happy with this collection.

The collection consists of nine versions of six titles, which at first I didn’t think I would appreciate but it was actually rather interesting to see the subtle and not so subtle differences between how the game changes between different releases. From just the minor graphical or sound changes or even just the different ways the weapons fire it was a great reminder that while in today’s world we talk about frame rates that change or lighting differences that many gaming fans just don’t even notice, back then you could truly see and hear vast changes from the arcade and home versions of a title. It truly is like looking backward in time at history, and it can be done quickly and easily by just going into the menu and returning to the game select screen.

The games are pretty faithful to their original releases, and they are far from easy. They are a throwback to a time when you had a couple of lives and continues and you had to beat the game or start all over again. They held up quite beautifully and the controls function smoothly on the PS4. Of the many times I died I never felt it was the fault of anyone but myself simply learning how to play a game I hadn’t experienced in over 20 years. This game won’t be for everyone, but for those looking for a challenge or that simply love retro gaming and gaming history, this one should not be missed. Taito is a legend for a reason, and this one has fond memories and is considered a classic for a similar reason because it stands the test of time.  I happily give this an 8/10. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

 

Predator

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There was no time for action and sci-fi movies in the 80’s whether it was Aliens , Robocop , or Terminator the scene was at it’s peak. You can argue which is the best and for me its a close ass tie between Aliens and the original Predator.

Dutch Schaffer is the head of a crew of a special ops rescue team getting reassembled and sent into the jungles of Central America on a mission. Bullets and badassery are on the agenda and delivered as they guerrilla soldiers they came to wipe out have gotten seemingly violent as Dutch and his team find a couple of skinned bodies hanging from trees. The hostages talk of a demon in the trees. Everything seems said and done but members of Dutch’s team are getting picked off one by one by an unseen assailant with some badass tech. Can Dutch and his team survive the mission and face something inhuman?

Predator is a fantastic movie and should be seen by all- yes that’s a short review. You have memorable characters, score, kills, and plenty of badass quotes. The Predator is a Sci-fi action icon and is a great monster. The final battle between Dutch and Predator is one of my all time favorites and the Predator’s dying laugh is truly haunting. The action scenes are powerful and there is plenty of suspense once the Predator enters the scene. In the end, this is an outstanding 80’s action movie I can’t recommend more. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

P.S: R.I.P Little Richard, who’s voice inspired countless artist and set the scene for this badass movie. You will be missed.

 

Far Cry 4

far cry 4

So Far Cry 3 was a tremendous breath of fresh air for me as a gamer so when the next installment was around the corner, you bet your ass I had my seat reserved on the hype train. Sadly I had to settle for the PS3 version and not the PS4 version, so keep that in mind here as we see what adventure is in store for us.

Ajay ventures to the Himalayan region of Kyrat to scatter his mother’s wish, her final wish to have her ashes scattered at her homeland. Ajay knows she fled the country and went to America but doesn’t know about the bloody civil war developing. He’s captured by a lunatic named Pagan Minh. After escaping the upcoming dictator’s hold, Ajay finds himself thrust into the resistance, which is facing a split itself. Can Ajay survive the madness of a country divided?

Far Cry 4 is a strange case. The gameplay is solid and doesn’t change too much from 3 but the new changes like being able to lure animals into enemies and being able to tame elephants is pretty damn awesome. It’s not everyday when you raid a camp on a elephant’s back, going postal with a grenade launcher. The story, while good, is way shorter than 3 and in many ways feels repackaged. In fact, much of this game feels repackaged. Pagan is a fun villain and honestly I liked him more than any of the good guys. What the game does have is a lot of different endings with a lot of different outcomes so you can get multiple playthroughs. The locale is beautiful. There are a host of badass animals to hunt and fight off; don’t screw with honey badgers yahl. There is co-op this time around as part of the game, rather than its own separate thing. In the end, it’s a damn fun game you can finish quick but can get a few good playthroughs of I’d recommend. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

 

Resistance: Fall of Man

Resistance_Fall_of_Man

What if the horrors of WWII wasn’t a product of man but what lead to man’s downfall? Enter the Chimera, grotesque aliens that came to Earth in the early 1900’s and by the time WWII would’ve been ending, the Chimera are well on there way to domination. Can Sgt. Nathan Hale survive the war against these monstrous aliens and there impressive technology?

This was one of the PlayStation 3’s first games and in some ways it shows like the gimmick of having to shake the controller when a Chimera grabs you or the graphics that aren’t too distant from PS2 but it’s a damn solid debut. The story is a good looking apocalyptic war story that does has a nice, grim tone and feels surprisingly grounded. The Chimera are pretty creepy and fairly intelligent so they feel like a threat; while the human weapons are solid, the alien weapons are badass and a blast to use. Hale is a bland, generic protagonist but he’s serviceable. A mild issue I have is the environments are dull to look at and thankfully, the sequel has a bit more color. In the end, it’s a solid game that is worth playing if you want a solid FPS that you don’t have to  heavily invest in. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Far Cry 3

far cry 3

You what I find annoying as hell about the FPS market? The fact that a majority of the genre is divided into either military C.O.D/ Battlefield fashion or a standard paranormal shooter. Far Cry is a series like no other for me because 1 game stole my heart and only one in the series, so I ask you, do you know the definition of insanity?

Jason Brody and his friends are a bunch of  young yuppies partying in the islands, celebrating the return of Jason’s brother from the army. It was a wild time and a roaring blast…until the pirates came, armed to the teeth and watched over by crazed enforcer Vaas. Jason and his friends are captured. Escaping, Jason’s brother is killed and his friends are separated. It’s up to Jason to embrace new ways of life and the savagery of a warrior as he takes on nature and a pirate army while fighting to not lose himself in the jungle.

When I played Far Cry 3, I didn’t know what to expect but I was seriously blown away. I was insanely enamored by the scenery, exotic animals, and how by the end I felt like I went through a genuine journey and transformed. The story takes many a twist and turns, going into some true WTF territory, and Vaas is indeed a legendary gaming villain who should have been the main bad guy. What I like a lot, is the tight balance between stealth and full on gun combat, both means are supported and flushed out perfectly well for your play style. Having an tattoo on your arm that develops after you level up is also a nice touch I admired and made me want to push myself to see the final vision. What I will say as a downfall, the last quarter of the game feels flat without Vaas and Hoyt goes down pretty quickly and isn’t that great of a final villain; alongside of that, both endings to the game aren’t spectacular and pretty generic. In the end, Far Cry 3 is a damn awesome experience I highly recommend but don’t expect a great ending. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Dragon Quest, Nintendo Switch

This is an exciting review for me to write, I first played this game years ago when at a friends house on the original NES when it was called Dragon Warrior still.

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Yes, I am as old as hell itself, but it is exciting because as I write this review I can say, I finally finished a game from my childhood that has escaped me all this time. Even with the updated graphics and translations and all on the Switch the game is very basic. Much of the game is actually just grinding out levels and money. It maxes out at level 30 and if you look up a walkthrough you can seriously finish the game in probably 5 or 6 hours.

The battles are all one on one and it’s pretty much all using attack or one of the heal spells. If you are a fan of retro games it is a good time, or if you have some sort of grudge against childhood games you never finished like I do this is the version to pick up. Truthfully tho if you are just a random person looking for a good time and a cheap game to play, keep moving. You get one time, essentially no story outside of you are the chosen one and go kill the great evil with little explanation. I don’t regret my time with the game, but many of you will. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Dungeon of the Endless (Nintendo Switch)

First and foremost with all these things, huge thank you to the folks over at Playdigious for hooking me up with a review copy of this one, it’s always appreciated. I also discovered they made Cultist Simulator which is a pretty interesting game as well. So they have a history of trying new things and Dungeon of the Endless does in my opinion.

This game is a combination roguelike and tower defense, both of which it does well. You start in one room guarding a crystal and your job is to search the floor for things that will help you survive just a little longer. I don’t want to get into the story too much, but it is pretty basic but serves its purpose.

The game however does have certain flaws, most notably the tutorial is one of the worst I’ve come across in a while, and by that I mean it is almost non-existent. Luckily Youtube has plenty to cover it enough to get you going, and once you understand what is going on the game is a joy to play. The roguelike elements combine nicely with the tower defense as you build things up to keep your crystal safe but find the elevator to the next level.

The characters are also done amazingly in pixel art and are an awesome assortment of characters from random mercenary types to a pug, as in the dog. Yes, a dog with a weapon in its mouth. He was my favorite.  The game is simple to understand yet hard to learn and almost impossible to master, but it truly is a joy to play and is pretty much perfect for the Nintendo Switch. I found myself whipping this thing out to play whenever I could.  The game is a great 8/10 and to me is one of those games you have to own if you like these kinds of games. It is just a fun game it jump into for a bit and the graphics and sound are great. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order free updates thoughts

Once again, I’m late to the party on this but gaming has taken a back seat lately while working on my debut story, but when I heard Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was getting a host of free updates, I wanted to try for myself and I’m not really disappointed. I’m surprised as hell that EA hasn’t charged a dime at all for any of this. So for starters, the Inquisitor costume and red saber crystal are available once you land on Bogano early one. While it is awesome to have all the cosmetic customizations you’ve accrued through your last play-through  I was hoping for more of a Souls like experience in hard enemies and such but still the story is a great trip to play through again. The Meditation training is fun as hell and easily accessible.  In the end, this a epic update pack that makes a sweet game even sweeter. May the force be with you all and the gaming gods bring you glory.

***Update** The positives I mentioned are true but after replaying it, some massive glitches have appeared such as frame rate drops, backgrounds going nuts, and some physics going batshit. Still a great game, just now a little less great until EA fixes the bugs.

 

Dying Light

dying light

Zombies, zombies, everywhere and too many to shoot. Seriously, zombies are everywhere and like most, I usually pass many pieces of zombie media behind because they cycle through the usual tropes. Question is, does Dying Light stick out of the crowd or is it just another moaning wanderer?

Kyle Crane is a agent with the mysterious GRE sent into the quarantined city of Haran wear a viscous virus has caused the dead to rise. Once entering the city, it’s not long before Crane gets intercepted by a crime lord whose taking the opportunity to increase his power and Crane finds himself infected by a virus that doesn’t show it’s true horror until the sun goes down and the zombies grown manic and rabid and the horrific Volatilies emerge. Can Crane survive the horrors of the quarantine?

At first glance, Dying Light looks like a Dead Island clone with some Far Cry sprinkled in it. In many ways it is but once you start leveling up and unlocking new abilities, it becomes addicting fun. Combat is challenging but not overly so and parkour, while taking some time to get used to, is really fun and makes exploring the world interesting. I will warn you, some of the controls feel odd and alien so it takes awhile to get used to and even at endgame, I’d still confuse controls in a rush. The game does a good job at making night time terrifying and the Volitiles are some of the most frightening monsters of this console generation. For weaponry,their a is good assortment with nice customizable options. The game looks and sounds great but I did have some glitches where reactivity was slow and a few times where I simply just died, and die you will a lot. My biggest disappointments with this game are the pain in the ass fast travel and the weak ending. The story on it’s own is above average, including the side quests, but the end is a random QTE battle after a lot of running and climbing, making the final climax just feel like a tiny pop. In the end, Dying Light is a fun game to get lost in but despite the flaws, well worth the discount price. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen (PS4 Review)

As always we need to say a big thank you to the folks over at NIS America for tossing us a review copy of this one. I will be referring to it as Prelude from here on out so nobody has to try to figure out how to pronounce the actual name, which I am still unsure of. Don’t let the awkward name or the simple yet pleasing graphics fool you tho. Under both of those things is a compelling story that will make you wonder at times what is being implied.

The main character, Hakuowlo, wakes up injured and with no memory. He is being tended to by a young lady, Eruruu, with a tail and ears and her kid sister Aruruu. They nurse our hero back to health and he will slowly start helping out around the village to repay his debt. It won’t be long before in true JRPG fashion he is at odds with the local lord and he is leading a rebellion that will set you on a quest of love and death and of course destiny.

The battle system is a turned based tactical style system with a nice twist in that after pretty much any turn you can rewind the battle and I haven’t found an actual limit to how far back you can go, tho admittedly the furthest I have gone is about 20 turns. This resets the entire thing with no real punishment. Any moves you or the enemy has made will be gone, any defeated characters on both sides will be returned as for any zeal (used to use special attacks when the zeal gauge is full) or items, all of it will be reset to that turn. This is an easy system to abuse but I imagine you could back yourself into a corner, tho the few times I’ve used it I was saved by it.

The game itself isn’t bad and the complaints I have are pretty minor. For example, the entire voice acting is in Japanese (it is however done beautifully) and most of the names from the title to in characters in-game are beyond anything I can pronounce which while small did take away from my enjoyment a bit. The rewind for battles while interesting also took away most of the real challenge which even playing on hard didn’t feel very challenging to begin with. The game also is also at times a lot of reading and not much else as it is very story-heavy at times with no battles to break it up most notably in the early game.

I do have to say while I do have those small complaints from a technical standpoint the game is solid. The sound is nice and graphically the game is solid. It won’t win any awards but it is nice to look at with no real glitches to speak of. Fans of JRP’s and NIS America will enjoy this one and the plenty of playtime it brings, tho if you are new to the genre of RPG’s this one won’t bring you onboard or change your mind. It is a good 7/10. It is worth buying for fans such as myself, but if you are trying to break into the genre there are better gamers out there to do it with while you wait for a sale. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.