Spider-Man (2018) was a surprising hit with me, given that it released during a time when licensed games were notorious for being underwhelming. The game told a great story while also offering a really cool world to play around in, and I was mostly able to overlook its flaws because of how unexpectedly excellent the whole game was. Coming into Spider-Man 2, I was expecting a lot more from this game based on the standards Insomniac set back in 2018. While I do feel this is a good game, it unfortunately ended up being a huge disappointment that didn't address any of my criticisms with the first game. The most disappointing aspect of this game is its open world. Half of the world is recycled from the first game (and Miles-Morales) with very minimal changes, and the other half consists of the newly-added regions of Queens and Brooklyn. The issue isn't that the world is reused, but instead its that the world is just as unengaging as the first game. Very little of the world is interactable, and only few buildings, houses, or stores can actually be entered. Even worse, the side content is once again just copy-pasted filler content that consists of boring puzzles, meaningless collectibles, and tedious combat sections. There are a couple of good side quests, but they are way too sparse and remained strongly outweighed by the filler. I can at least say that the world is still fun to swing around in, even more so than the first game due to the new traversal method of web gliding. I was really expecting a lot of improvements to the world, but essentially none were made. The story of Spider-Man (2018) was far better than I expected it to be, and I was hoping for the same quality with this game. While the story isn't bad, it really falls flat in its writing and execution. The idea of Venom Peter is great on paper, but here it was underwhelming as it felt far too forced to the point that it became laughable. The dialogue in general is quite awkward and rarely ends up landing, and the game really could have used more moments of silence where the characters don't comment of every little detail. In particular, I was really disappointed with how uninvolved Miles felt in this story. He has his moments of excellence, but most of the time his story feels completely detached from everything else in the world. Finally, the ending was extremely rushed and finished on a very unsatisfying note. Overall, the story was just a complete mess that feels like a constant clashing of disconnected ideas. If there's one aspect of this game I can definitely praise, it's the gameplay. Traversing the world is still as fun as ever, so much so that I almost never wanted to fast travel. Fighting enemies remains completely seamless and fluent, and the developers did a great job of incorporating subtle and obvious differences between the fighting styles of Peter and Miles. Enemy variety is still somewhat low, but I didn't really mind this since they were all (mostly) enjoyable to take down no matter how many times I encountered them. Lastly, much the first game, the boss fights are very well designed and enjoyable, with some of them really showing off how much of a technical marvel this game is. Spider-Man 2 is a good game, and I couldn't justify giving it lower than a 7/10. But it still managed to be a huge letdown that not only failed to address any of my major criticisms of the first game, but also significantly regressed in areas that the first game excelled in. Insomniac is really gonna have to improve to get me to return for the third game, as I doubt I could take a fourth game set in the exact same world. In the end, I cannot see this game as being another other than a regressive disappointment.
For the longest time, I have not been on board with virtual reality. The majority of VR games that i've played have either been pretty mediocre or did nothing to convince me that this is a quality way to experience video games. But with that being said, Half-Life Alyx has singled-handedly changed my entire view on VR, as I now see that it can be an incredible way to experience interactive entertainment. From the very beginning, this game blew me away with its gameplay and combat. The way through which the game immerses you within its gunplay is something no other game has accomplished, as it not only feels realistic but also never stops feeling satisfying. In addition, the fact that the game allows you to force any object toward you (as if you are using the "Force") takes the experience to a whole new level, because it truly makes you feel as if you are an unstoppable being. Finally, all the little secrets the levels hide within them made it so exploration was never a chore, while at the same time rewarding players with even more tools to use at their disposal. In terms of pure gameplay, Half-Life Alyx is practically flawless. In terms of the game's narrative, I was pleasantly surprised with it. The dialogue always found ways to be entertaining, and the actual story elements felt very memorable. But what I really appreciated was how the gameplay was never interrupted by the dialogue, as the characters simply talk while you make your way through the levels. There are cutscenes here and there, but they never felt overly long and included enough spectacles to make them fun to watch. Also, the ending blew my mind, which only made my entire journey even more memorable. Overall, I would the story is great both for how it is presented and how amazing its elements ended up being. One of the other aspects of this game that I loved was the weapons and the upgrades. Throughout the game, you are given three different guns, which may seem small from the outside. Thankfully, the game makes up for this by having each gun be something completely different and allowing them to be upgraded in very meaningful ways. These upgrades include adding a better scope, automatically refilling the magazine, and giving a gun rapid fire. As for the rest of the game, the other great aspects would be the beautifully detailed levels, amazing level of freedom with fighting enemies, and the intuitive puzzle design. In terms of negative aspects, the only ones I could honestly think of would more so be issues with VR in general rather than the game itself. If I did give one complaint, it would be that occasionally the controls will not respond properly when trying to reload a gun, which may end up getting you killed during a critical moment. This is a very small complaint, but it is likely it will happen from time to time. At the end of the day, Half-Life Alyx is one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had with a video game. The masterful immersion and mind-blowing gameplay that it provides is something I've never gotten from any other game. Believe me when I say that it is worth buying a VR Headset just to play this game, as it is just that good. Half-Life Alyx is a truly unforgettable experience, which is why I have no problem calling this game a masterpiece.
This review will be for the PS4 version of this game, as I have not been able to try the PS5 version yet. As someone who loved Spider-Man 2018, I was very excited to play this game, and the fact that I would get to play as an entirely new character made it even better. Now that I have completed the game and put about 10 hours into it, I can safely say that this is an essential experience that ends too quickly. If you played the original game, then Miles Morales will be more of the same for you. The gameplay is pretty much the same thing and the structure of the game is designed exactly the same as before. Thankfully, the combat does have enough new elements that keep it from feeling stale, such as the electric attacks and some skills that were not present in the original game. As for the story, it was done rather well and included plenty of likable heroes and villains, and it wrapped itself up in a very satisfying way. Miles ended up being an excellent protagonist, and the game's main villain consistently impressed me with how well they got me sympathize with them. Also, the story bosses are pretty cool, even if they aren't much of a departure from what was already done. Finally, the open world is nearly the same exact location it was in the original game, with the only difference being that this game takes place during the winter time in order to alter the appearance of world. One of the biggest issues I had with the original game was its lackluster side content, as it amounted to nothing but a series of copy-pasted tasks that only existed to briefly distract from the main story. Unfortunately, this game does not fix this problem, as it side content is just as repetitive and forgettable as before, with only a few missions actually doing something interesting. This brings me to my biggest issue with this game: it is too thin for its price tag. This game may not be $60 (it's $50), but it still feels more like it should have been a $20-$30 expansion for the original game, as the story just doesn't do enough to justify it's price. I definitely felt like the story could have benefitted from being like 3-4 hours longer with more character development and more spectacles, as it would've made a pretty good story into a great one. But regardless, the content that this game does give you is a lot of fun and at no point did I ever feel like anything it did was particularly bad. At it's worst, the game just feels repetitive, which honestly is impressive compared to most other games. Overall, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a really enjoyable follow-up to one of the PS4's best exclusives, but one that also ends too quickly. If you loved the original game, I would say this game is worth picking up right now, as it will give you the same level of excitement. But otherwise, I would wait for a sale, because it's hard to justify paying full price for this game if you didn't love the original game.
Let me start off by sayin that I have never played Final Fantasy VII and know practically nothing about it either. This review is coming from the perspective of someone who is completely new to this game's world and characters, so I cannot say anything for the original game. But what I can say is that the remake is truly a fantastic game. The aspect of this game I enjoyed the most was the combat, and man was it awesome. The game gives you four different characters to control, all of which not only are fun to play as but also feel completely different from each other. Also, switching between characters during combat is not only seamless but helps to add another layer of strategy to the battles. In terms of the boss battles, there is a huge variety with some being a great challenge and others providing a wonderful spectacle. I won't name any bosses to avoid spoilers, but just know that some of the endgame bosses are truly exhilarating. Finally, the wide variety of special moves and spells the characters could pull off was a great way to mix things up, as certain enemies encouraged the use of these in very strategic ways. All and all, the combat in this game is simply excellent. Now I will discuss the story, which is the area of the game I will have to be the most critical. I definitely don't think the story is bad but it's not good either, it's just ok. Most of what occurred felt pretty predictable, and when it wasn't predictable it made very little sense in all the wrong ways. That's not to say it doesn't have its great moments (Chapter 9 was an absolute banger), but they just felt too uncommon. However, I can say that I did like this game's main characters, as they were all likeable and had a strong purpose for being involved in the action. The side characters are a lot weaker, but this game definitely nails the most important ones. To address this game's ending, I don't want to spoil anything, but I am going to say that the everything that happens within it is poorly explained and makes no sense. I don't know what it means for the story of the next game, but I can say that right now it feels rather incoherent. Overall, not a bad story, but far from being one of the best stories I've seen in a JRPG. Now that I've discussed the two most important parts of this game, I'd like to address some of its smaller aspects. First off, the side quests, while rather simple, I found myself enjoying the loop of completing them. Maybe it was only because I felt a strong attachment to the world, but I had a great time with the side quests regardless. Speaking of the world, it definitely felt fleshed out within the character department, but I didn't like the way it was designed. It felt too compacted, as if everything was designed like a one-way tunnel, so I was really disappointed the game didn't balance this out with more open and expansive levels. Also, I really didn't appreciate how long it took to kill certain enemies, as they were given far more health than they had any right to which really made fights drag on for too long. Finally, some of the other smaller things I liked included the soundtrack, minigames, and entertaining dialogue. Final Fantasy VII Remake is not only a great game, but it's one that really surprised me. I feel like this game is probably more of an 8/10, but given that this is the first time a Final Fantasy game has really impressed me I decided to be generous and give it a 9/10. If you're looking for an enjoyable JRPG with a strong action combat system then this game is one you cannot miss out on. As long as the sequel has a more impressive story and a greater focus on expansive level design, then I think we could be in for a masterpiece. But for right now, I'm so glad I gave this game a try, as it was truly a wonderful experience.
When Ocarina of Time first came out, it was the definition of a critically acclaimed video game. Everyone who played the game loved it and everything about it, so there was no denying that it was a masterpiece. And even today, the game holds up very well, as the game's pacing and dungeon design as some of the best the series has every seen. But, is it still a masterpiece? As far as the positives within this game go, there are more than enough to mention. Possibly the best aspect of this game is its pacing, as there are extremely few moments that feel as though they drag on for longer than they need to and each dungeon (except one) is a very reasonable length. Speaking of the dungeons, they are very impressive for their time and hold up quite well today, with the highlights being the Forest, Fire, and Spirit Temples. Also, each dungeon feels unique in its own way through both its setting and its puzzles. Another great aspect of this game is the items, as the game gives you access to many interesting key items, including the hook shot, megaton hammer, mirror shield, and lens of truth, all of which make for some truly genius gameplay and puzzle design. Some of the other great aspects of this game include the its good narrative, memorable towns, great boss battles, and fun tutorial. There is simply no denying it, there is a lot to love about Ocarina of Time. Unfortunately, this game is not perfect, because there are several glaring flaws I cannot overlook. First of all, why is Hyrule Field so large and yet so empty? There is literally nothing to see or do within this area besides walk to your next destination, and it creates for a very boring time in the early sections of the game. I'm not saying Hyrule Field should be filled to brim with things to do, but considering how full of life Hyrule was in A Link to the Past, it feels very dull by comparison. Secondly, not all of the dungeons in this game are created equally, as there are two that I don't like, Dodongo's Cavern and Jabu-Jabu's Belly, as well as one I hate (I think you can guess which one). All three of these always kill my enjoyment each time I play through this game, as they are either straight up boring or frustrating in their design. The rest of the dungeons do (mostly) make up for these three, but I don't like playing through them. Finally, this game's narrative is quite inconsistent. What I mean by this is that, in the first half, the game's story fills you in on all kinds of interesting lore and constantly feeds into the next part of the game, but after collecting the master sword, the story pretty much ceases to exist until reaching the endgame. Its not that the narrative is bad in either section, honestly I'm fine with a Zelda game being light on the story, its just that there is a major lack of consistency here. Ocarina of Time may not be filled to the brim with problems, but the problems it does have are certainly noticeable. Based on everything I have said so far and like 4-5 playthroughs of experience, I can say that Ocarina of Time is without a doubt a masterpiece of its time. However, I do not believe the game is still a masterpiece today, as the issues I have mentioned simply hold the game back too much. But regardless, Ocarina of Time is an amazing experience, and one that I think every gamer should play at least once. It may not be the best Zelda game (though it is one of the best) but it was definitely a game that I thoroughly loved playing through.
It always seems as though licensed video games end up being mediocre cash grabs from greedy developers. Super heroes have been no exception to this idea, as every big Marvel and DC super hero who has been given a video game, besides Batman, has been treated horribly by what their developers create. But Insomniac has finally done away with this trend and created one of the most impressive licensed titles to date. "Marvel's Spider-Man" is essentially a reimagining of the 2002 game developed by Treyarch, and throws Spiderman into the open world of Manhattan Island (New York City). As an open world game, Spider-Man succeeds immensely in creating both the feel and scenery of real-world New York City. The world includes enemy bases to reclaim, landmarks to discover, interesting side-quests, and research stations that involve restoring New York to a better state. All of these elements add up to create a fantastic open-world that is both fun to explore and beautiful to look at. As far as the story goes, its a really great attempt at creating a brand new story about Peter Parker and his secret life as Spiderman. Though, if you are familiar with the Spider-Man Universe, don't expect to see many surprises, as the majority of the common Spiderman characters are written very similarly to their traditional roots. Thankfully, this does not take away from how well-written and memorable the story is, with the main highlights being the tragedy of Martin Li and the relationship between Dr. Octavius and Peter Parker. I won't spoil exactly what happens, but I will say that it will be something you'll never forget, whether you are a fan of Spiderman or not. One of the most impressive elements of this game (and probably my favorite of all) is how fluent and overall fun its gameplay is. I can't tell you how many times I got lost in roaming the city to just swing around and enjoy the scenery while pulling off as many tricks as possible. In addition, the combat system is top notch and only gets even better and deeper as the game progresses, and the number of ways you can go about knocking out enemies (throwing them off buildings, sticking them to walls, silently knocking them out, etc.) only helped to enhance the experience. Unfortunately, this game does have its shortcomings, the biggest one being how repetitive the side missions can feel after awhile, as all of the enemy base camps play out the exact same way and collecting all the backpacks isn't all that fun. Also, even though I love the combat system, it can get kind of boring and frustrating at times. In conclusion. "Marvels Spider-Man" is a fantastic game, both as an open-world game and a licensed product. It may not go above and beyond and is not quite a masterpiece, but the sheer amount of enjoyment and satisfaction I got out of playing this game made it well-worth every penny I spent on it. I can't wait to see what Insomniac has in store for the future and I really hope this game ends up ushering in a new era of quality licensed video games.
Before I start this review, let me make it clear that I am not a big fan of Japanese RPG's, and for a lot of different reasons. Most of them utilize turn-based combat, which is something I almost always really don't like, but even when they don't, I find them to be too weird for my taste. But Xenoblade Chronicles is one of the few JRPG franchises that I love, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is no exception. The story of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is great, as it includes a very memorable cast of characters and many interesting and shocking plot elements. If you were disappointed with the story of Xenoblade Chronicles X, don't worry, this game has a story that is leagues better than the previous one. Though, it does get off to a very rough start, as the first 2 chapters are not very impressive in the story department. But, believe me, once you get past that point, the story and characters completely explode in quality and make the first 5-10 hours so worth it. I won't go much more in depth on the story, as you really should experience it for yourself, but I will warn you that the last couple chapters include some very shocking and unexpected moments that you will never forget. And what happens, you may ask? Play the game and find out. Now, I would like to discuss the negative parts of this game, because this game can certainly be bad in places. Firstly, as I said before, the early chapters (1 & 2) are rather lackluster and really failed to impress me. Throughout these chapters, the combat is rather dull, most of the characters feel very stereotypical, and, worst of all, the game has technical problems in the early areas, which include slowdown and framerate drops throughout a lot of the second area, Gormott. Thankfully, these problems seem to have been mostly fixed now, but they definitely were a problem closer to launch. Secondly, and this is a subjective choice, but I am not a fan of the art style of this game, as the previous two game had art styles that helped them feel more ambiguous (like a combination between western and Japanese RPG's), whereas this one looks way too anime-like for my taste. Speaking of which, this game includes some very weird and cringe-inducing moments within the earlier chapters, and some of them even made me want to stop playing for a while. They become less and less prevalent as the game progresses, but still, they feel out of place one way or another. Even though this game has some very low points, the high points do so much more than just make up for them. First, once you get past chapter two, this games combat system becomes so addictive and fun, as it not only allows the player to use a variety of different fighters but just feels that perfect refinement of typical Xenoblade combat. Even now I still cannot get of the combat in this game, and I don't think it will ever grow stale for me. Next, the areas of this game, which are referred to as "Titans," are very memorable and well-designed, as most of them are open to exploration and include many different side quests to complete. Some of the most memorable titans include Gormott, Uraya, Tantal, and Leftherian Archipelago. Also, the character development in this game is absolutely amazing, as most of the characters go from being typical JRPG characters to unique and loveable characters throughout the course of the story. I won't mention any names, as I really want to avoid spoiling anything, but just remember not to be so quick to judge any of the characters in this game. Some other excellent parts of this game include fun and challenging super bosses, large affinity charts to complete for each character, memorable side quests and seemingly endless customizations to give. In conclusion, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, when its at its best, it is a top-notch RPG. However, thanks to its shortcomings, I cannot give this game any higher than a 9/10. If they would've given us a better early game and more realistic art style, then I easily could've given this game a 10/10. But, you know, this is still a fantastic game, and I highly recommend that every JRPG fan picks this game up, as you will not be disappointed.
Going into this game, I had no idea of what to expect. This was a game that complete flew under the radar in 2017, as I did not hear anyone talk about the game at all. In fact, the only reason I bought this game was because it was on sale and I had seen that it got good reviews, but I was complete unsure of whether I would like the game or not. To say this game exceeded my expectations would be a massive understatement. The second I began playing this game, I instantly loved it, as the game throws you into one of the most diverse and memorable tutorials in video game history. You begin by playing through a 2D shooter-like level, before then moving into a 3D hack-and-slash playstyle that feels so much better than I ever could have dreamed of it being. From there on out, I could not stop playing this game, as it succeeds so well in almost every aspect I can think of. As I said before, the gameplay and combat are fantastic, because not only does the game give you many different types of weapons to use (all of which work really well) but all of the actions go together so well, such as the pod's ability to use many different types of powers (lasers, shields, giant hammers, etc.) and the very responsive dodging. In addition, the soundtrack is top notch, and every single song throughout the entire game feels so atmospheric and sets the tone perfectly. I found myself listening to the soundtrack for weeks after finishing the game, and even now, I still listen to many of the songs. Other positive aspects of this game include epic boss fights, fun side quests, and interesting lore. In terms of the game's story, the idea of robots ruling over a post-apocalyptic Earth may seem uninspired and unoriginal, but the formula and execution of the story are both done so well that it makes this one of the best stories in video game history. I won't go too in depth on the plot, but I will go over a rough summary: it involves an organization of android soldiers called "Yorha" that was created by humans as a last ditch effort to fight back against the robots on Earth and save humanity. The story centers around the androids "2B" and "9S" who complete many missions under the command of Yorha in order to exterminate the robots on Earth and help bring humanity back home. Throughout the course of the game, you will encounter numerous shocking plot twists, memorable characters, and unforgettable lore and dialogue. Now, the story does require multiple playthroughs in order to experience everything, but this is not a bad thing, as you will play as a different character during each playthrough and see the story from a different perspective each time. I won't spoil anything that occurs, but what I will say is that this will be a story you will never forget. Unfortunately, even with the huge amount of great aspects that this game brings, it does have shortcomings. Firstly, there is very little reason to try and explore the world of this game, as you will rarely ever find anything spectacular. You might find one or two cool things, but otherwise it isn't worth your time to do a whole lot of exploring. Secondly, some of the bullet-shooter minigames you are forced to play are way too hard. In fact, I encountered several that I swear were almost completely impossible to beat unless you put the game on easy mode, which is always a sign of bad game design. Finally, the game should've have a few more interesting side quests than it does have. Some of them are indeed great, but a lot of them don't feel worth your time and effort. All and all, Nier: Automata is an incredible game that falls just short of being a masterpiece. But regardless, this is an absolute must-have title for PS4 and PC gamers alike, and one you definitely will not forget.
Extremely underwhelming game, in fact, it's so underwhelming that I have very little to say about this game. Well, let me do my best to give a full review. Kirby Star Allies lacks just about everything that makes Kirby games fun: imagination, level design, charm, and worst of all, fun. The game really isn't fun because the game is so easy that you can beat it with your eyes closed. Now, Kirby games have never been difficult, but you always did have to actively try in order to beat the game, but not here, as many levels could be beaten with your eyes closed. But also, the levels lack creativity and charm, as they are very uninspired and generic. All of the levels feel like a massive step back from previous titles such as Return to Dreamland and Planet Robobot. Now, the game isn't all bad, as the game be somewhat fun at times, and I'm sure that the multiplayer helps to enhance the experience. In addition, there are quite a few different modes to play, which helps add in some variety. Finally, the ability to combine copy abilities was a great addition that helped add in a little creativity. Honestly, I recommend you skip this game, and I definitely don't recommend spending $60 on it. If you are really interested in trying it out, wait for a sale or price drop, but otherwise don't bother with this game, it really isn't anything special.
When Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia was first announced, I was really excited, as it meant that I would get to experience a Japan-only Fire Emblem title for the first time. Once the game came out, it did two things for me: it did a good job of showing me why long-time veterans of the series speak so highly of the older titles, but it also perfectly showed off exactly why the series has evolved and moved on from its beginnings. Before I get into this game's major problems, I will first address its strengths, as there definitely are great things about this game. First off, the story is great, and has excellent writing and execution. In addition to the story, the characters are pretty memorable too, with standouts being Alm, Clair, Saber, and Berkut. Both of these elements are a big step up from Fates (though that really isn't saying much). Finally, I have to give the game credit for trying something different and feeling like a unique game as a whole, considering it introduced new mechanics such as dungeon crawling. Other great elements include the soundtrack and the fact that your actions and choices actually have an impact on the story. While Echoes may succeed in quite a few departments, it unfortunately has some insanely glaring flaws that cannot be looked past. The gameplay in this game is archaic and boring thanks to the omission of the weapon triangle, AKA the mechanic that makes Fire Emblem the strategy series it is. Now, you might be saying that Fire Emblem Gaiden (the original game) did not have the weapon triangle either, so its a problem, but that is a terrible reason not to include it now considering the whole point of a remake is to make a game feel more modern and advanced. Secondly, the map design in this game is unacceptable, as nearly every map in this game is either an open field that is way larger than it has any reason to be or map that is designed specifically to be biased against the player. Want proof? Look at every single swamp map and the enemy placement within them. Also, the RNG system in this game is broken as hell, and I cannot tell you how many times I had a 90+ hit chance but still missed. I don't mind missing a 90 hit chance every now and then, but when I miss like one or two every map, it becomes a constant issue and annoyance. Other issues include the lack of replay value, thanks to the fact that the game never limits the number of units you can use per map (and using less units in this game does not make the game feel more fun and challenging), the horrible difficulty scaling, and poor excuse for support conversations. All and all, I would call Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia a great remake, but not a great game. Because it does a great job of feeling like a unique and modern Fire Emblem title, but lacks severely in many departments. Echoes is a mixed bag, but overall I would call a frustrating gameplay experience but pleasant story experience. If you are a long time fan of the series or strategy RPG's in general, give this game a try, but otherwise, I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone else.
This is a game I did not experience for the first time until the remastered version was released, and I will admit I was very excited to try it out, as I had heard nothing but good things about the game. What could've been one of my most memorable gaming experiences turned out to be one of the most disappointing. Don't get me wrong, I still thought Shadow of the Colossus was a good game, but I did not understand where the game's status as a "masterpiece" came from. As far as the positives with this game go, the game looks absolutely stunning, and is one of the most visually appealing games ever released. Also, the attention to detail within the world's landscapes is amazing, and it really makes the whole world feel alive. Finally, I really liked how the game took a non-traditional method to storytelling, and rather than relying on constant dialogue and cut scenes, the game tells its story through the actions of the player. Even though there are a lot of positives about this game, there are quite a few negatives that I simply cannot ever look past. First of all, the gameplay and controls both feel very clunky and unresponsive. This may have felt just fine in 2005, but in 2018, when we have games with advanced physics engines and tighter controls, this game's controls stick out like a sore thumb. Also, I found very few of the colossi to be genuinely fun and entertaining to take down, those being Avion, Phalanx, and Dirge, while the rest either felt decent at best or insanely frustrating at worst (Celosia). But quite possibly the worst of all, this game has very little replay value. What I mean by that is, once you've beaten the game once, there is no reason to back and play the game a second time, as it will be the exact same thing. So unless you really enjoyed playing through the game, I can't recommend you play through the game more than once, and I don't ever see myself playing through this game again. In conclusion, Shadow of the Colossus is certainly a good game and one I recommend everyone tries out once throughout their life. But even so, the game is incredibly flawed and far from a masterpiece, at least in my opinion.
Mario 3d platformers have now been around for more than 20 years. In 1996, we got our first experience with Mario in 3d (hell, basically our first experience with 3d console gaming in general) with Super Mario 64. The game was fantastic for the time and still is great today even though it hasn't held up too well thanks to the poorly designed N64 controller. 6 years later in 2002 we got Super Mario Sunshine, which was released to very mixed views. Some, like myself, thought it was a huge step up from Mario 64 in both controls and gameplay, but others found it massively inferior to Mario 64, though still good. But then in 2007, we got 3d platforming at its absolute finest. Super Mario Galaxy is the single most well-designed, well-written, and perfectly controlling 3d platformer to ever come into existence. This game has without a doubt the most creativity of any Mario game to date, thanks to the anti-gravity mechanic and the huge supply of different worlds that can be played. Every level is something different and never feels a total drag or too difficult. But aside from the amazing gameplay, there is an amazing character known as Rosalina, who I believe is without a doubt the best Mario character ever introduced thanks to here having a great personality and design, and a fantastic backstory, unlike a certain other princess. A lot of people like to say that the second mario galaxy game is superior to this one in every way, but I completely disagree. This game was one of the most innovative and creative Mario games ever made, while galaxy 2 copied this games style and gameplay while only adding in a few new gameplay elements. In conclusion, Super Mario Galaxy is the best experience you will ever have with a 3d platformer (and maybe even any Mario game), and it is definitely the Mario 3d platformer that has stood the test of time the best.
Sometimes games seem to get better as time goes by, meaning that a game that doesn't get the praise it deserves when it first comes out later on does get praised. This is definitely the case with The Wind Waker. When it was first revealed, people instantly started hating it because it wasn't a realistic looking Zelda game along the lines of Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess. However, I found Wind Waker to be vastly superior to both of those games in almost every way. First off, the story. Wind Waker's story is a much more unique and interesting narrative than almost any Zelda game prior to it had. Hyrule barely even exists within the game, and instead Link sets out on his journey on board a small boat into a huge open ocean with plenty of places to explore in order to rescue his kidnapped sister from a massive bird within an area known as the Forsaken Fortress. Along the way, he eventually learns that he must defeat Ganondorf, the leader of the Forsaken Fortress, in order to restore peace to the world once and for all. Though it's not the best story we've seen in any Zelda game, it's still a great narrative. Next, lets talk about the aspect of this game that fans are the most split on: the sea. Personally, I love the sea, because it really helps capture the feeling of being on a grand adventure by having both large and small islands that are either required to visit or exist for the purpose of being completely optional to visit. But regardless, it is one of my personal favorite over worlds of any Zelda game and one that looks truly amazing. Also, just like most other Zelda games, Wind Waker is home to some very enjoyable gameplay and combat elements that keep the game from feeling stale at all. The dungeon and temple design within this game is fantastic as well, as it is home to some of absolute favorite temples in the entire franchise, most notably the Earth Temple. However, there are some bad moments within the game, the sailing may eventually start to feel tedious after awhile and the Triforce Scavenger Hunt is insanely monotonous (though it can be fun at times as well). In conclusion, The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker is a truly amazing Zelda experience unlike any other that easily trumps Ocarina of Time in nearly every conceivable way. And the HD remake of this masterpiece is just another example of how less realistic graphics can still look breathtaking.
Whenever people bring up the topic of the best zelda games, the one's that hear typically brought up would be ocarina of time, a link to the past, or wind waker. However, at least in my eyes, those games do not even touch the masterpiece known as Majora's Mask. I don't even know where to begin with this one, well, maybe I could begin by talking about how it is the most unique and fun zelda game to play by far. This was the second zelda game to not take place in hyrule, instead it takes place in a world known as termina, where link accidentally got himself sent to while trying to retrieve his stolen horse and ocarina. Everything about termina eliminates anything you new about zelda games before: no hyrule, no zelda, no ganon, no master sword, and no triforce. With all of this, it may seem as though it wouldn't feel like a zelda game, but that's not the case at all. Throughout the game, link is helping a man known as the happy mask salesman to retrieve his stolen mask known as Majora's mask, and he makes it clear that you must retrieve it within three days, as he is a busy man and can't stay around for long. At first, it just seems like a fetch quest you must finish quickly so he can leave on time, but eventually you will realize this three day time limit is much darker than you could have ever imagined. I won't go any further in depth than that as you should really play the story to experience it for yourself, and let me tell you, it is one of the best experiences and best stories you will ever play through in a zelda game. Speaking of the three day time limit being dark, everything about this entire game is dark. This is the one aspect everyone knows about majora's mask, and it really delivers in that department. Every character in the game is being tortured by something terrifiying, and they all are unsure of what they should do. Some cower in fear, others refuse to leave because of uncertainty, some even accept their fate, and there are those that are still in denial. What does all of this mean? Play the game, you will find out all about its true darkness. If there is one thing about this game that is really important, it's the gameplay. This game is so much fun to play thanks to what is the greatest mechanic of any zelda game: the masks. These provide for some really awesome gameplay, as you can transform into a zora, be able to run much faster, talk to animals or the dead, or even become a super powered ultra deity. With these, the dungeons become so much fun to play through, and even platforming comes into play at certain times, which is just another reason for why I love the masks. The final aspect I will talk about is the most controversial one of all: the three day time limit. This is the aspect that turns many gamers away from this game, as they did not like the idea of playing under a time limit. But what do I'd think about it? I LOVE it. If it weren't in the game, it would be something completely different. With time always running out, everything in termina changes, whether it is the way the characters act or the moon getting much closer, it really makes the whole game feel alive. Also, needless to say, the period known as the final six hours is my favorite moment in video game history. Why is that? Well, once again, you should play the game and find out. Honestly, I could go on forever about how amazing this game is, but I think I should just end it with this final statement. Majora's Mask is not only the greatest zelda game, but is one of the greatest video games ever made. It incorporates all that I love about video games, which is just why I love it so much.
While this is definitely a good game, I am not as fond of it as other people are. The online mode does allow you to use a variety of weapons that work very differently, there are very few stages to play on (only 2 to choose at a time) and the gameplay gets kind of boring after about an hour. The story mode isn't bad either, but it's nothing too impressive or memorable. Also, almost every time I play this game online I run into connection or server errors that force me to leave the game early, which completely eliminates any fun I could be having. Though, I do really like all the customizations you can add to your character, as it adds in even more variety when playing online. Overall, good game, but far from the best Wii U game or Nintendo's best online experience.
Most underrated game of all time, period. This game is constantly overshadowed by the original Yoshi's Island on the SNES. However, I believe this game is far superior because it has a much greater variety of gameplay and is much more fun to play. Don't let people convince you otherwise, Yoshi's Island DS is a fantastic 2d platform that you definitely should give a try.
Why does this game even exist? People love to debate what the worst game ever made is, and they typically end up saying that it's Superman 64, E.T., or any of the Zelda CD-I games. However, this game is worse than any of those because it is the furthest thing from a completed game to ever to be released to the public. There is no music, no challenge (the AI truck driver never moves), zero collision detection (meaning you will not crash into anything, you will just go right through it), terrible track design, completely illogical physics, courses that will crash the game if selected, and worst of all, the ability to drive outside the boundaries of the courses to nothing (basically you enter limbo). I would love to ask the people that created this game just what exactly they were thinking when they decided to release this game as it was. This game may not have caused a video game crash or killed an entire franchise, but it certainly has all the factors that a game needs in order for it to be considered the absolute worst game ever created.
When most people look at this game, they tend to believe it is a step back after Super Mario 64. However, if you look at this game from an unbiased standpoint, then you will realize it is superior to that game in every way. The most important improvement about this game is the controls. In 64, the controls ranged from being either decent to down right awful, while in sunshine the controls are nearly perfect thanks to the use of the amazing GameCube controller. Also, with the use of FLUDD and many new tricks Mario can perform, Sunshine's platforming and gameplay are much better in this game. Another important change was the implication of a bit more linearity in the levels. In 64, some of the levels were very tedious as you had no clue what to do or where to go sometimes, but in Sunshine, before the levels begins, you are given a glimpse at where you must go. However, even with both of these improvements, Sunshine has a difficulty level that is much higher than the previous game, which is most of the time a good thing, though sometimes it can really get frustrating. Other great parts of this game include the addition of Yoshi, beautifully designed locations, plenty of secrets to discover, better boss battles, unique concept, and so much fun to be had. Super Mario Sunshine is a truly amazing 3D platformer, though not quite 3D platforming perfection.
