InMassiveDebt

Ah, Starfail: a 5/10 masterpiece if there ever was one. A game that had the audacity to be anticipated for years, promising to be "Skyrim in Space." Let's all take a moment to laugh at that tagline. Bethesda's classics like ES5 and the Fallout series? Those were playgrounds of imagination, richly detailed worlds with tons to do and see. But this? This is like Bethesda forgot what made them great in the first place. Remember how they hyped up these procedurally generated worlds? What a joke. You'd have a better time running laps in your backyard than traversing these barren, copy-pasted landscapes. It's cardio training, the game. But hey, don't worry, you'll be well-acquainted with the loading screens that pop up every time you so much as sneeze. Enter ship, loading screen. Sit down, loading screen. Take off, oh look, another loading screen. The game practically doubles as a slideshow. And let's chat about the main quest for a second. If your idea of fun is a never-ending series of fetch quests, boy, are you in for a treat! Invested time building an outpost and a decent ship? Well, pat yourself on the back, you've just wasted hours for an ending that couldn't be more uninspired if it tried. Remember the multiple-choice endings in Fallout 4? Yeah, none of that here. It's like they dangled a carrot of choice in front of us, only to yank it away and replace it with a stick. The facial animations make you wonder if they're all just animatronics gone wrong, and the AI is so bad it makes a Roomba look like a tactical genius. Ship combat? A glorified exercise in tedium. I've seen indie games from seven years ago that offer better exploration experiences than this heap of disappointment. And let's not even start on the performance issues. Crashes within the first 10 minutes? Check. Frame rates that give you a headache? Double check. And for the love of gaming, why are we still dealing with 30 FPS on next-gen consoles? I didn't invest in a powerful console to play something that looks like it belongs on the Xbox 360. The visuals? Dated doesn't begin to describe it. The game feels so last-gen, you'll wonder if you accidentally fired up an old console. And don't even get me started on the pronoun drama. It's unnecessary, sure, but honestly, that's the least of this game's sins. The one saving grace? It's on Game Pass. Spend $10, realize it's garbage, and then go play one of the 400 other, better games you could be enjoying. I actually bought this travesty and managed to get a refund—consider that a public service announcement. Just save yourself the time and money: skip Starfail

Score: 8/10 Cyberpunk 2077 has undergone a significant transformation since its launch. Initially, my review might have barely reached a 5, given the technical issues. Yet, with continuous fixes, updates, and an upcoming expansion from CDPR, this game has evolved into one of my favorites. Its engaging story, excellent combat mechanics, and skill tree contribute to its appeal. Regrettably, some aspects like police encounters and scripted car chases remain lacking, and the fact I can't fully forgive the state it launched in. However these are minor in comparison to the now fantastic game it has ultimately become.

Score: 7.5/10 Larian's latest game presents a perplexing dichotomy. On one hand, the studio's talent in crafting immersive worlds and compelling narratives is evident. On the other, glaring flaws significantly detract from the overall experience. The question arises: Are the glowing reviews genuinely reflective of the game's entirety? Or are they merely the impressions of those players boasting about being "60hrs in still in act 1"? What exactly are they doing during this time? Admiring the scenery? Lighting torches in buildings they'll never revisit? The ending is a stark reminder of the original "Mass Effect 3" debacle – a conclusion that left fans outraged. For this game, the praise seems misplaced. The abruptness, lack of depth, and multitude of bugs make replayability beyond Act 2 unappealing. Why replay when the payoff is so unsatisfying? Performance issues are hard to ignore. Even with a high-end setup, frame rates were inconsistent. Act 3, in particular, was riddled with stutters and memory leaks. This segment's lack of polish is reminiscent of the issues "Cyberpunk" faced at launch. Yet, for some reason, these problems seem to be brushed aside by many. The game's narrative suggests cut content, with characters built up in the earlier acts only to be reduced to mere boss fights later on. Raphael is a prime example. Minthara, introduced as the evil choice romance option, is riddled with bugs, making her more of a liability than an asset. Choosing her path means sacrificing two well-developed companions, a trade-off that feels more punishing than rewarding. Companion dynamics swing between two extremes: overt flirtation and outright hostility. A middle ground is sorely missing. Some companions, like Haislin, become redundant, especially when others, such as Jaheira, offer so much more. While certain aspects of the game, like explicit scenes, are detailed, others, like the final act and inventory UI, are lacking. The imbalance is palpable. Many are quick to defend Larian's dedication to the game. However, this is no longer an Early Access title; it's a full release. If these glaring issues are acceptable to some, it's a concerning reflection on the state of the gaming industry. BG3, despite its moments of brilliance, is overshadowed by its flaws. The journey, which started with promise, devolves into a different, less satisfying experience by the end. It's hard not to question the authenticity of the overwhelmingly positive reviews, especially when the game's latter stages are so problematic.

Score: 9/10 The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone DLC delivers an exceptional experience with its captivating narrative and memorable characters. However, its brilliance is somewhat hindered by its comparatively short length when compared to the expansive scope of Blood and Wine.

The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine DLC stands as an extraordinary augmentation to an already renowned and outstanding franchise, which is regarded as one of the finest RPGs in history. This expansion excels in every facet, encompassing a captivating storyline, a meticulously crafted world, and well-developed characters. It stands as the epitome of gaming excellence. Additionally, its substantial value for money is undeniable, boasting an abundance of content that far surpasses that of recent AAA titles, rendering them pale in comparison.

The Witcher 3 stands as a true masterpiece, excelling in every facet. Its captivating and fulfilling narrative captivates from beginning to end, while its expansive open world immerses players, accompanied by a stimulating and demanding combat system. Remarkably, despite being over 7 years old, its graphics remain on par with some contemporary titles, underscoring its status as a masterpiece. Furthermore, its exceptional value is evident through expansions like Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone, the former of which rivals the scale of complete games. Undoubtedly, The Witcher 3 is an essential experience making it a must buy.

Planet Zoo presents an enchanting opportunity to craft your very own zoo, designed entirely according to your creative preferences. The game boasts an impressive array of animals within its core package, accompanied by substantial hours of engaging content. The animations are executed with remarkable precision, adding to the overall appeal. However, a common pattern emerges, as seen with other titles from Frontier Developments. The game's experience is marred by a continuous influx of expensive and ultimately unsatisfying DLC content, impacting one's willingness to support a studio that follows such a model.

Hogwarts Legacy extends an immersive and enthralling journey into the enchanting realm of Harry Potter. With its captivating storyline, compelling side quests, and visually striking graphics, it initially grips players' attention. Nevertheless, the game falls short in justifying its price due to its brevity and lack of substantial content. Moreover, the limited impact of player choices on the surrounding world contributes to a somewhat unsatisfying experience, leaving an impression of emptiness.