Last Game You Finished and Your Rating

Observation - 8/10

Been meaning to get this for awhile, and my brother got it for me for my birthday the other week (thanks Jazzem :cool:

) and it didn't disappoint in what I expected-a gripping, tense thriller set in space. At heart, it's a point and click adventure as you move yourself (the ship AI) around the space station trying to work out what has happened to the crew following "The Incident". The puzzles are never too difficult and the main thing that will make you stall is if you get a little stuck on finding the right thing to access to progress. But they nail the feeling of the space station and you become absorbed in finding out what has happened. The first spacewalk is a great, eerie moment that the game really nails.

It's not perfect, the controls are a little clunky, signposting isn't great at times and thanks to the nature of being on a space station it's very easy to get disorientated which can be frustrating. Also, I'm not sure everyone will like the ending but for me it hit the sweet spot between keeping some things ambiguous but giving you enough to understand what has happened.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend-it doesn't outstay its welcome (6-7 hours to complete) and it's a very enjoyable experience.

Glass Masquerade 2 - 7/10

+ Good music again
+ Reasonable amount of puzzles
+ The original formula is still there and still fun
+ Some of the puzzle images are good...

- ...while some of them really aren't
- Only one shape to the puzzles this time, which makes them all feel a bit samey
- Hub area is a mess
- Keys/shards etc make no sense and serve no real purpose
- The little sayings and phrases on each puzzle are awful, and sound like something desperately trying to be deep and meaningful, but really are just bad

I was slightly disappointed in this. Not because it's in any way bad, but because I really loved the original, and this makes some changes that aren't for the better.
I won't be bothering with the higher difficulty, as it doesn't really appeal, but I will check out the DLC at some point.

Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii) - 9/10
An epic journey in every sense, it only took me from launch until July 2020 to finish! It has its niggles regarding its sheer number of side quests and item drops, inventory management and the somewhat repetitive nature of the battles; but, the story, the game world and it's scale still amazes.

Shadow of the Colossus (PS4) - 7/10
I really wanted to love this more than I did. Its such a beautiful game and getting on to / climbing the colossi is mostly amazing. I knew it was pretty much a boss rush going in, but it was all just a bit too thin. The clambering on and hitting mostly obvious weak spots became repetitive; coupled with some obvious issues with the camera and controls that made it more painful than it should have been. Though, overall, it was a wonderful experience and I'm glad I played it. The 5th colossus was the best! :wub:

Arkham Knight

I was only two firefighters short of 100% but I reached my limit and wanted to play something else. It's actually my second time playing the game and, although it is still a lot of fun, it's nowhere near as good as Asylum. Asylum was just so tight and focused but Knight is over egged and full of bloat with the worst story of the franchise.

Now I don't know what to play next as going for the 100% has wiped me out a bit. I still need to continue with Judgment but feel like starting either Dishonored 2 or Kingdom Hearts 2 instead, neither of which I've played before.

Zilnad wrote:Arkham Knight

I was only two firefighters short of 100% but I reached my limit and wanted to play something else. It's actually my second time playing the game and, although it is still a lot of fun, it's nowhere near as good as Asylum. Asylum was just so tight and focused but Knight is over egged and full of bloat with the worst story of the franchise.

Now I don't know what to play next as going for the 100% has wiped me out a bit. I still need to continue with Judgment but feel like starting either Dishonored 2 or Kingdom Hearts 2 instead, neither of which I've played before.

Arkham Asylum was my favourite. I thought City added too much stuff to do and it was less focused as a result. I never got round to playing Knight due to the PC release performance debacle at the time and complaints about the Batmobile sections. I can see it's on Game Pass now, so how does it compare?

JT986M2 wrote:
Zilnad wrote:Arkham Knight

I was only two firefighters short of 100% but I reached my limit and wanted to play something else. It's actually my second time playing the game and, although it is still a lot of fun, it's nowhere near as good as Asylum. Asylum was just so tight and focused but Knight is over egged and full of bloat with the worst story of the franchise.

Now I don't know what to play next as going for the 100% has wiped me out a bit. I still need to continue with Judgment but feel like starting either Dishonored 2 or Kingdom Hearts 2 instead, neither of which I've played before.

Arkham Asylum was my favourite. I thought City added too much stuff to do and it was less focused as a result. I never got round to playing Knight due to the PC release performance debacle at the time and complaints about the Batmobile sections. I can see it's on Game Pass now, so how does it compare?

I liked Knight a lot, Gotham looks great but the Batmobile complaints are fair. I didn't hate them so coped okay but if you dislike them, it will turn into a slog.

Judgment - One of the best Yakuza games going.

Tomous wrote:
JT986M2 wrote:
Zilnad wrote:Arkham Knight

I was only two firefighters short of 100% but I reached my limit and wanted to play something else. It's actually my second time playing the game and, although it is still a lot of fun, it's nowhere near as good as Asylum. Asylum was just so tight and focused but Knight is over egged and full of bloat with the worst story of the franchise.

Now I don't know what to play next as going for the 100% has wiped me out a bit. I still need to continue with Judgment but feel like starting either Dishonored 2 or Kingdom Hearts 2 instead, neither of which I've played before.

Arkham Asylum was my favourite. I thought City added too much stuff to do and it was less focused as a result. I never got round to playing Knight due to the PC release performance debacle at the time and complaints about the Batmobile sections. I can see it's on Game Pass now, so how does it compare?

I liked Knight a lot, Gotham looks great but the Batmobile complaints are fair. I didn't hate them so coped okay but if you dislike them, it will turn into a slog.

I think if you weren't too keen on City, you won't like Knight much. It suffers the same issues you didn't like about City but to a greater extent.

Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (PS4)

I'm counting this as finished, I got into the pre-final boss fight gauntlet of dudes that went on for at least 30 minutes or it felt like it did. I died after depleting most of my health items and it kicked me right back to the start of said fight gauntlet so I called it there and watched the ending on YouTube, as by past performance I would have arrived at said final boss with few resources and been somewhat vexed if I had to fight them with a sliver of health and/or few health items.

It's basically Yakuza turned up to 10,000 in the form of poat-apocalyptic over the top 80s anime brought to life. It was enjoyable at first but the novelty wore off after a while. Kiryu's superhuman abilities were extraordinary because they were in the context of the real world, whereas seemingly everyone in FoTNS can channel lightning, fire etc which makes it less impactful somehow.

What threw me is that there is an entire second half of the map I never got to, which I assume is post-game stuff but I have plenty more of the actual Yakuza games to get back to so would rather save my tolerance for batting minigames and running hostess bars for that. Things like upgrading the buggy you can roll around the desert in seemed like a huge faff and I never had the parts to do more than the barest minimum to progress the story.

3 Out Of 10

I just finished the first three episodes. They're free on the Epic Game store. It's sort of a very short episodic game that looks like a point and click adventure but if more of a bunch of mini games sandwiched between narrative chunks of puzzle free point and click like exploration.

I actually really enjoyed the first episode the crazy plot line mixed with some half decent mini games the problem is that the subsequent episodes seem less polished and the crazy plot hasn't really gone anywhere, each episode is a basically a stand alone episode even though there is an over arching plot about developing a game and there hasn't been any character development to speak of. I think the mini games could do with a little bit more polish but I guess that it stems from being released episodically, they are more functional than fun. That said each episode is pretty short around half an hour to get through and it's free.

Lex-Man wrote:3 Out Of 10

I just finished the first three episodes. They're free on the Epic Game store. It's sort of a very short episodic game that looks like a point and click adventure but if more of a bunch of mini games sandwiched between narrative chunks of puzzle free point and click like exploration.

I actually really enjoyed the first episode the crazy plot line mixed with some half decent mini games the problem is that the subsequent episodes seem less polished and the crazy plot hasn't really gone anywhere, each episode is a basically a stand alone episode even though there is an over arching plot about developing a game and there hasn't been any character development to speak of. I think the mini games could do with a little bit more polish but I guess that it stems from being released episodically, they are more functional than fun. That said each episode is pretty short around half an hour to get through and it's free.

Yeah, but what was the game called?

Tomous wrote:
Lex-Man wrote:3 Out Of 10

I just finished the first three episodes. They're free on the Epic Game store. It's sort of a very short episodic game that looks like a point and click adventure but if more of a bunch of mini games sandwiched between narrative chunks of puzzle free point and click like exploration.

I actually really enjoyed the first episode the crazy plot line mixed with some half decent mini games the problem is that the subsequent episodes seem less polished and the crazy plot hasn't really gone anywhere, each episode is a basically a stand alone episode even though there is an over arching plot about developing a game and there hasn't been any character development to speak of. I think the mini games could do with a little bit more polish but I guess that it stems from being released episodically, they are more functional than fun. That said each episode is pretty short around half an hour to get through and it's free.

Yeah, but what was the game called?

Lol, I'm actually having problems with games titles because I think there is a game called Hack & Slash but every time I search for it I just find information about the genre not the game itself.

Spiritfarer - 8.5/10

I haven't been as absorbed/addicted to a game since Persona 5. Part platformer, part management sim, all wonderful. The best art styling of the year, and the music made my hair stand on end frequently.

The emotion never quite completely hit me - wasn't particularly sad to see any of the spirits pass on, but maybe that's the point...

Loses a little on its score for annoyingly regular game crashes on PS4, one of which lost me a few hours progress.

Battletoads (Xbox 1X)

I have no nostalgia for the "series", but loved every minute of this 5 hour game. Huge amounts of variety in gameplay, which breaks down as perhaps 50% beat em up, 20% twin stick shooter, 20% platformer and the remainder split across mini games of varying natures.

I have seen the script criticisied by a few outlets, but can honestly say it made me laugh more than nearly any video game script in recent memory (Although The Messenger was very good for the first half).

I really did not plan on even giving this game a try, but i am so happy i did, as - much like the plot, at the end of it you feel like you have been on a rollercoaster ride (there are also rollercoaster sections which i had genuinely forgotten about until i typed that).

8/10

kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Battletoads (Xbox 1X)

I have no nostalgia for the "series", but loved every minute of this 5 hour game. Huge amounts of variety in gameplay, which breaks down as perhaps 50% beat em up, 20% twin stick shooter, 20% platformer and the remainder split across mini games of varying natures.

I have seen the script criticisied by a few outlets, but can honestly say it made me laugh more than nearly any video game script in recent memory (Although The Messenger was very good for the first half).

I really did not plan on even giving this game a try, but i am so happy i did, as - much like the plot, at the end of it you feel like you have been on a rollercoaster ride (there are also rollercoaster sections which i had genuinely forgotten about until i typed that).

8/10

I just completed this too but would be a little more critical.

My main issues were some horrible difficulty spikes, occasionally poor check pointing, and drawn out levels that repeat until the activity just stops being fun (e.g. the ship fixing level).

Despite these issues it was good fun. The variety of gameplay styles is to be commended given that most of them are pretty solid.

I also liked the presentation and generally didn't mind the writing and sense of humour.

Probably a 6/10 for me. When it's good it's very good, but when it's bad it is repetitive and frustrating.

Lonely Mountains Downhill - 8.5/10

I know I've given this rating quite a bit recently, but I'm on a run of excellent but not perfect games. This is a lovely meditative game that I can see myself going back to. Very tactile with plenty to unlock. Perhaps lacking in the variety that would fully elevate it. Could do with some good dlc.

fry87 wrote:
kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Battletoads (Xbox 1X)

I have no nostalgia for the "series", but loved every minute of this 5 hour game. Huge amounts of variety in gameplay, which breaks down as perhaps 50% beat em up, 20% twin stick shooter, 20% platformer and the remainder split across mini games of varying natures.

I have seen the script criticisied by a few outlets, but can honestly say it made me laugh more than nearly any video game script in recent memory (Although The Messenger was very good for the first half).

I really did not plan on even giving this game a try, but i am so happy i did, as - much like the plot, at the end of it you feel like you have been on a rollercoaster ride (there are also rollercoaster sections which i had genuinely forgotten about until i typed that).

8/10

I just completed this too but would be a little more critical.

My main issues were some horrible difficulty spikes, occasionally poor check pointing, and drawn out levels that repeat until the activity just stops being fun (e.g. the ship fixing level).

Despite these issues it was good fun. The variety of gameplay styles is to be commended given that most of them are pretty solid.

I also liked the presentation and generally didn't mind the writing and sense of humour.

Probably a 6/10 for me. When it's good it's very good, but when it's bad it is repetitive and frustrating.

Interesting. I did not notice any difficulty spikes in the game (i think i had to reload a checkpoint maybe 5 times in total, and they were all situated very close to the point i died), and the ship fixing level was on of my favourite diversions! I just would have loved to do it in a multiplayer environment (no online multiplayer is another knock against the game, but none of my friends game / own an xbox so not a problem for me personally).

Some of the beat em up stages did feel like they went on a touch too long though, although in truth i was enjoying the combo mechanics enough for it to not frustrate. me.

Shadowpoint (Quest)

A clever puzzle game with a thoroughly decent story running alongside it. Featured 2 or 3 of those moments that totally blow your mind when your in VR (a clever use of perspective, a seemingly impossible to progress situation that requires a little lateral thinking etc).

Graphically polished and well narrated (albeit sparsely) by Patrick Stewart (of American Dad fame). The game was somewhere in 10-15 hour region. There are also some bonus puzzles i have not completed that, in turn, unlocks some more puzzles i believe.

Knocks against it - controls can be a bit glitchy and sometimes the puzzle solving mechanic (casting silhouetes primarily) can be a bit to finnicky which is never great in a puzzle game. I also had to put slice turning on as it was giving me a tiny bit of nausea (which is unusual for me). I think it was struggling to maintain the 72hz but i could be mistaken.

The other negative is that you can really only interact with the main puzzle related items, so the feeling of immersion is compromised compared to something such as Red Matter, where you really feel part of the world.

7.

Detroit: Becoming Human - 7

Finished this last night and really enjoyed my time with it. It's far from perfect, but when it's good, it's very good, and for the most part I found it very engrossing. It looks amazing, and I loved the world building-I thought they really nailed the look of a 2038 Detroit. A lot of the little touches, like articles in the magazines, really helped. The controls are definitely clunky at times-walking around shouldn't be that much of a chore and I think the scanning mode made things too easy to find. You flick it on and just look for the yellow dots to interact with. I think it would have been better if you'd had to search a bit more before they revealed themselves. The crime scene investigations were really good too although it's a shame they never really hit the excitement and tension of the first chapter negotiation again. I also enjoyed the QTEs, they were pitched at the right difficulty to keep you engrossed and the sequences were very well done.

The story is a bit of a cliché in scifi now and it certainly tackles its big themes with no subtly whatsoever. But while the writing isn't exactly nuanced but I did enjoy the story. It's really quite impressive how much impact you can have on the outcome although in a way, this is a double edged sword as people's experience will vary quite a lot. Side note: but the flowchat addition is great for a game like this. Really satisfying see where the branches happened and how many people made each choice. Ultimately though, I was really happy with how everything came together on my playthrough:

Story spoilers:

The standout story thread is easily Connor and Hank, not least because the voice acting is absolutely superb. Both actors hit it out the park. I really enjoyed their relationship, and I played Connor as a very by the book Android with his reponses, but when given the chance always always saved Hank. Hank slowly changed his mind about Androids but continued to get frustrated with Connor when he still acted like a machine-for example, I executed the girl to further the investigation and that infuriated Hank. It ended with Connor and Hank and New Connor at Cyberlife and I opted to save Hank who then worked out who his Connor was and killed the other. And then let Connor "do what he had to do". It all came together very well.

Kara and Alice's story I also enjoyed. In my story they escaped to the Canadian border with Luther who was along for the whole ride (and a great character too) and made it across with the help of Jerry who sacrificed himself. It worked out as a nice story with them getting to safety. Also saw Rose at the border, who reconciled with her son who had changed his mind on androids which was a nice moment. However, the whole thing was let down by the completely unnecessary twist on Alice being an Android which a) serves no real purpose, and if anything undermines the whole point of the Kara/Alice journey and b) doesn't really make sense, as Kara should work out pretty quickly she's an android but doesn't. That was a shame, but I enjoyed the change of pace and more personal story they had.

Last of all, Markus, who's meant to be the star of the show but is really quite a bore. His story isn't well written or acted really. They completely skip over his motivations for becoming the leader of the movement. I played it as a violent revolution, which isn't like my usual playstyles but I found it quite enjoyable and at least the story kinda made sense in that he was bitter about being thrown away by the humans and came back to overthrough them. He had a nice side story with North through that and the battle at the end was great, but really they should have made explicitly made him Ra9 and given him more personal motivation.

Despite the disappointment with how the Markus story went, the violent revolution worked well as a backdrop to the other stories and it all came together in a satisfying way. I can imagine some people being frustrated on their playthroughs though reading about some of the other choices.

I haven't played a David Cage game since Fahrenheit (which I remembering enjoying until it went BONKERS), but reading about the others I feel this was the right one to pick up. An impressive achievement in some respects, flawed in others but would definitely recommend.

Judgment

Despite an abundance of abysmal tailing missions and the game being perhaps two chapters too long, this has still been one of my favourite games in the Yakuza series. Excellent combat, side quests and a great cast of characters. Sometimes though, I do wish Japanese games would learn to stop repeating themselves, that is to say, they use two cut scenes to provide information when one would do. In other words, the player already understands what is happening but the game is going to explain it all again anyway.

Edit - This song in the credits is awesome :msgreen:

Last Game You Finished and Your Rating

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