Kovaelin

I bought the retail version of BioShock 2, and when they decided to let owners redeem their copies on Steam - Minerva's Den, along with the other DLC (e.g. The Protector Trials, which is a fun romp that can get you a plasmid to gain bonus ADAM in Minerva's Den), was given for free. I really liked both BioShock 1 and 2. The first game introduced an atmospheric world that was both unsettling and mesmerizing. It's a treat when a game is able to immerse a player in a different place and time. The storytelling was great and I just couldn't get enough of it, so I immediately went on to play the sequel (the perks of being a patient gamer). BioShock 2 tells a different story from a different perspective, and despite what other people might say, I really enjoyed the game. The first game's plot was surrounded by mystery, which included great twists and reveals throughout the journey, and there was a good sense of closure when you finished piecing together how the main character fit into Rapture. BioShock 2 refines the gameplay of BioShock 1, and also introduces new weapons and plasmids to freshen things up. The mysterious storytelling is just as grand, and in my opinion, it's taken to another level by the cinematography of some scenes, like in the ballroom at the beginning of the game. The follow-up is definitely worth playing if you're still interested in Rapture with another narrative. It can also get pretty emotional at times! Minerva's Den tells yet another self-contained tale, taking place parallel to BioShock 2. I did not expect there to be such a complete experience from Minerva's Den. It definitely does not feel like an afterthought from the developers. There are a couple new weapons, plasmids, and enemies, but it's the full and satisfying story that took me by surprise. Rapture is basically kept running by The Thinker, and you play as another prototype Big Daddy (Sigma) trying to get to it, which seems a little random at first. You progress through the game and learn about the power-struggle revolving around this piece of technology and the reason it's so important now. The only shortcoming in this DLC is that there are no consequences this time for rescuing versus harvesting Little Sisters, and therefore no alternate endings based on moral decision making. It's not really a big deal though, in my opinion, considering the quality of this release. I can definitely recommend Minerva's Den if you're a fan of BioShock.

A visit to Neo-Paris 2084 itself is worth playing this game. It has good action and puzzles, great storytelling, and an absolutely amazing setting. The environment and the methods that require use of the remixer glove to navigate make me think that this is what Hydrophobia Prophecy, a different game from a defunct indie developer, should have been. 'Remember Me' takes place in a beautiful futuristic city, with a little cyberpunk slum thrown into the mix. You play as Nilin, a wicked-awesome memory hunter that starts off with her memory being wiped, and goes on an adventure to get her memories back and take down a corrupt system. To help along theway, she has a glove that does everything from opening doors and moving objects (similar to Kate's keytool in Hydrophobia), to taking down enemies like a cannon, and ultimately steal/remix memories. The climbing and navigating challenges were fun, and there's also a very unique puzzle system, which exists in this game here; remixing memories at major points in the game were pieces of art themselves! However, these were used rarely (only on key characters), but I suppose the writers wanted to emphasize that this was a power not to be abused by the heroine. Still, I wouldn't have minded if they added one or two more events along the way. The story is interesting and tight, avoiding inconsequential side-quests that don't contribute to anything, and instead opt to let you see the amazing sights around you while pursuing your objectives. There are several QTEs, which I found a little annoying, but the combo system they have is entertaining and allows for interesting combat. I would really like to see whatever improvements DONTNOD might have planned if we're ever fortunate enough to see Neo-Paris again. Meanwhile, go and play this game!

I'm writing this on the day Second Chapter (SC) was announced. Trails in the Sky was released on the PSP in North America by XSEED, and is the first chapter (FC) of this amazing saga. It is a demonstration **** story-driven, semi-tactical RPG. It starts off at a slower pace to introduce the characters and the world, but you quickly start to like the charming story... a story that leaves you wanting more. The gameplay is not especially incredible, but it's polished enough to be accessible and fun. There are lots of opportunities to explore and find out more about lore of the world and the people around. There's also a NG+ option, which allows you to replay the game while keeping your current character, and allows you to experience different events depending on previous choices you've made. The game looks extremely good on the PSP, and functions very smoothly. I'm not certain if XSEED will bring their improvements back over to their digital Steam release, but I consider this to be THE best looking game in my PSP library. The only thing lacking that I would change is the minimal voice acting. This is also one of my favourite games of all time, and I would recommend it to anyone that wants a good story with interesting characters, taking place in a rich setting. Just be wary that this is only the first of an extremely long three-part arc. You may never want to let go until you've reached the end!

Jeanne d'Arc was a relatively early PSP release, and an interesting one too. The story may have been borrowed from the past, but there's a cool fantasy twist on it, and the traditionally animated cutscenes are fun to watch. The gameplay is basically what you would see in classic tactical RPGs, but I have to emphasize how polished the mechanics are. The way each character's unique ability fits in with one another really adds to the strategy element. You just have to try this out for yourself. However, it is a little too "beginner friendly", as your team usually has the upper hand in most fights to carry you through the game. So, if you're looking for a punishing challenge, you should look somewhere else. Presentation-wise, everything from the colourful visuals to the dramatic voice acting is very high quality. It's a great piece of work, so I recommend picking this up if you're into a unique story driven tactical RPG game.