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Stealth games were not really the kind of games I had played before, and I did not have any prejudice about them either. Once I played one, I realized that I could actually enjoy this type of game. It was a pretty fun assassin story, and I can say that it really increased my interest in this genre. Mechanically, I can say the game was really close to flawless. The supernatural powers you have push the game's assassination system to its peak. Without your skills it would probably have been a boring game, but when you use your skills effectively while playing, the game turns into something very enjoyable. The game really has just the right amount of mechanics, not too few and not too many, Bethesda did a nice job. In the DLCs you get the chance to try out a few more different skills, which was nice too. I do not know if it is because I played on normal difficulty, but I think the NPCs had a really hard time spotting me, maybe it is not like this on the other difficulties. Still, I think it would have been much better if you were a bit easier to spot by NPCs on normal difficulty. The game's melee combat and gunfights are not that good, but you should not be playing this game by fighting that way anyway. A linear and pretty nice story is waiting for you. The decisions you make let you affect how NPCs talk to you, how some events end, and the fate of some characters. The game is split into separate missions, and each mission has a different main story and a few small side stories. What you do in the side stories often creates results that help you in the main mission. So the game encourages you to do side missions too. Visually, I think this game has an interesting quality. When you first look at the game, the graphics do not really look good to you. But as you keep playing, your eyes get used to the game's art design and the environments, and then you say "not bad actually...". The design of the city and how dark the atmosphere is pull you further into Corvo's story. Playing the game without killing anyone at all (including your main enemies) and without getting detected multiplies the enjoyment you get from it. Dishonored became a game that brought me closer to stealth games. Mechanics: 2/3 Story: 3/3 Graphics: 2/3 Music: 0/1 Initiative: 1/1 8/10

Playing this game with its fantastic art design was really enjoyable. Even though it's 2D, it has a world that looks great and well-made combat mechanics, so it's easy to tell it was a passion project. Playing games like this, made with real passion and attention to detail, is always a lot of fun. Mechanically, it has as much variety and different gameplay options as you could expect from a 2D game. Having lots of offensive and defensive abilities lets everyone create their own build. The fact that bosses have different attack and defense styles stops the game from feeling repetitive. I never felt any repetition anywhere, which kept me from getting bored. Some enemies are designed with annoying mechanics, but even if they annoy you, it's not enough to push you away from the game. The game mostly uses environmental storytelling. You read items you find while exploring, talk to shopkeepers, and learn about the world and story that way. This isn't really my favorite way of telling a story, but I was able to follow it well enough, and when I wanted to know more, I just looked it up online. The developers meant for you to piece the story together yourself anyway. It actually has a good story, though I would have preferred it to be told step by step in a linear way. The characters aren't purely good or bad, and these gray characters make the story deeper. Opening up new areas with newly unlocked abilities to progress the story is standard for this genre, and it works well. Abouth the graphics, the game looks really impressive. The visual effects in boss fights, the backgrounds, and the distinct look of each area all make playing it more fun. It's hard to find 2D games with graphics like this these days. The visuals do a great job of making you feel cramped in dark places or relaxed in nice, bright spots. Overall, it was a great experience. Even though I haven't played many games like this, it never bored me and always kept me curious. It even made me want to play it again in the future. It was a really great experience, and it's amazing that such a small team could make something of this quality. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 2/3 Graphics: 3/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 10/10

I decided to play this game because its setting in 10,000 BC caught my interest. Also, since I hadn't played any game from the Far Cry series until now, my expectations for this game started out a bit high. However, apart from the atmosphere, I can't really say there was much I liked. The tasks being extremely shallow was just the icing on the cake. The mechanics of the game are generally simple; since this game takes place in a very ancient era anyway, you shouldn't expect that many weapon varieties, etc. Still, it's nice that they added weapon upgrades and a few different weapons. I found the owl mechanic particularly enjoyable. The artificial intelligence of the NPCs is really bad. I smash the skull of an armored NPC right behind another one, but the guy in front has no clue. Killing enemies was also way too easy, even though I played on normal difficulty. I spent most of the game shooting arrows. The story aspect of the game turned out really bad. Aside from two scenes where the Shaman makes us drink a concoction and shows us the inner workings of two enemy tribes, there isn't even a proper story narrative. In general, the game has a story where key NPCs you recruit to your village tell you to go kill this, go bring me that, or go rescue him. Graphically, it offers visuals slightly above average. The design of the forests and snowy regions looks pleasing to the eye. The cutscenes played inside the tents of characters when you receive quests from them looked especially nice. However, it's not a flawless game visually either; you do encounter visual bugs in some animations. Overall, aside from nicely capturing the atmosphere of 10,000 BC, the game doesn't really have many good points. If you want to clear your mind and wander around in the forest, you can give it a try, but I can't say it offers a particularly great gaming experience. Mechanics: 1.5/3 Story: 0.5/3 Graphics: 2/3 Music: 0/1 Initiative: 0/1 4/10

Very few games in this genre come out nowadays. It has a very niche style of gameplay. I started playing it without much expectation, as it caught my eye during a period when I just wanted to focus purely on gameplay rather than the story. Overall, the game is genuinely enjoyable in terms of gameplay and pushes you to come up with strategies. The length and difficulty of the levels are balanced very well. In some places, it also allows you to take down your opponents using interesting methods. I don't know if it's because I played on normal difficulty, but the NPC AI didn’t feel very good. It's way too easy to kill regular NPCs with Bianca, and no NPC ever thinks, "Well, 4 people went behind that door and none of them came back." Maybe this changes depending on the game's difficulty, but even on normal difficulty, small details like this would have made the mechanics much more impressive and forced you to play taking even more things into account. The fact that each character has their own unique abilities makes the game truly enjoyable, as no single ability of one character resembles that of another. While some characters are good at melee combat, others excel at trickery. Planning your moves and taking down multiple people simultaneously feels extremely satisfying. Especially the ability to quick save and quick load prevents the potential frustration that one might expect from games like this. First of all, you shouldn't play this game for its story. It has an extremely superficial narrative. Of course, a nicer and deeper story would have made it a much more enjoyable experience. However, since the game's main focus isn't the story, this didn't bother me too much. The game's graphics are quite good. Even when graphics are subpar in isometric games, it's usually tolerable, but they did a nice job with the graphics here as well. The Western-themed visuals look great. The characters, environments, and animations are also pleasant. There are very minor visual bugs every now and then, but they aren't even worth mentioning. Overall, if you want to have a fun puzzle/strategy experience without caring about the story or overthinking things, this is a game you can give a try. There is no need to worry much about its plot. Additionally, after you finish a level, it gives you certain objectives for that level, providing a nice motivation to replay it. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 1/3 Graphics: 2/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 0/1 7/10

Like the first game, this one also delivers a pure RPG experience. It's hard to understand how games this detailed and ambitious were released back then, yet even today there are still so few games like them. Unlike the first game, you begin this one with prior knowledge of the outside world. You know about it, even if the Chosen One doesn't. Even so, the fascinating stories scattered throughout the wasteland continue to surprise you. Just like the first game, this one offers what feels like a true sandbox experience. There are no detailed quest descriptions, so you have to rely on whatever information you've managed to remember. Progressing through quests requires constantly talking to NPCs, and I actually like this design because it feels more like real life. No one gives you a complete explanation of what you need to do. Instead, you gather information from different people and decide how to proceed. You can choose to get involved in the problems of the settlements you visit and influence their futures for better or worse, or simply ignore them and let events unfold on their own. Although the inventory management and combat systems have been improved compared to the first game, they still feel quite cumbersome by modern standards. As with every Fallout game, the SPECIAL system allows you to experience true role-playing, with your character build having a meaningful impact on the way you play. As for the story, while it isn't as dark as the first game's, it's still very compelling. More accurately, you shape the story yourself through the choices you make. You progress by traveling to nearby towns you've heard about from NPCs and investigating leads related to your main objective. There were times when I had no idea where to go next, so I occasionally relied on online guides for help. In the end, you create the story of a tribal who leaves their village and eventually has the chance to save both their people and the world. Because of the game's sandbox nature, everyone's experience with Fallout's story will be different, but I personally enjoyed it a lot. Even so, I still prefer the story of the first game. The graphics have definitely aged, but thanks to the isometric perspective they're still fairly easy to tolerate today. Many classic games have received remakes and remasters over the years, and I hope this game, along with the first Fallout, gets the same treatment someday. It would be great to experience both games with modern visuals. Overall, I had a great time with the game. At the end, you're shown a roughly ten-minute epilogue that reveals how your decisions affected the various settlements throughout the wasteland. There are a few story-related bugs in these ending slides, but despite that, they still provide a satisfying conclusion. Mechanics: 2/3 Story: 2/3 Graphics: 0.5/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 6.5/10

I started experiencing the God of War universe, something I had heard about for years, by jumping into the middle of the series and playing as the old grumpy Kratos. I truly enjoyed playing this game, which has an incredibly rich lore. The combat mechanics and effects are excellent, and although the puzzle mechanics are easy, they’re still fun. When I think about gaming history, I believe this game is one of those unforgettable cornerstones. The combat system is highly varied and enjoyable, offering plenty of options for both offense and defense tailored to your playstyle. The puzzles were also fun, though a bit too easy, I would have preferred them to be more challenging. The developers seem to have noticed that some boss fights might feel easy, so they added more difficult challenges and side quests, which broaden the game’s appeal. Also, I think this game handles dynamic loading better than even many modern games, you won’t see a single loading screen unless you die. The main story is engaging and exciting. It deepens step by step, like a growing snowball, constantly expanding as you learn through external sources that you are more than you initially thought. The story of a vast world, a grumpy father with a dark past, and a child who knows nothing is beautifully told. Just like in classic God of War games, fighting massive creatures is both thrilling and visually spectacular. While I liked the main story and major side stories, the smaller side quests were mostly about going somewhere and retrieving something. Still, they’re not bad enough to harm the overall experience. The graphics never felt like they belonged to a 2018 game. Even if I played this game today without knowing anything about it, I would still say, “These graphics are incredibly impressive.” Everywhere you look is stunning. The lore-based elements are highly creative and interesting, and the visuals don’t feel outdated in the slightest. In fact, some scenes are so beautiful that you forget your objective and just admire the surroundings. Looking back after finishing the game, what comes to mind are the mesmerizing graphics, the satisfaction of intense combat, a father constantly scolding his son, enjoyable boss fights, and massive creatures. Aside from the difficulty of the final Valkyrie, I can’t think of a single negative aspect. It was a flawless game in every respect, and it greatly increased my curiosity about the rest of the series. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 3/3 Graphics: 3/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 10/10

Although I prefer the more intense scientific tone of Half-Life 1, I definitely enjoyed playing this game much more than the first one. The character controls are very smooth (which the first game definitely didn’t manage to achieve), and the graphics are at an acceptable level. The story is also told very well, step by step, and unlike the first game, it’s not just about solving puzzles in order and occasionally fighting. Valve’s physics system runs so well that we barely see anything comparable even in 2026. Using it in puzzles was really enjoyable, even if most of them were quite easy to solve. I’ve heard that the vehicle sections are considered frustrating by many players, but I didn’t feel that they dragged on. When the physics system is integrated into combat, especially when you’re under time pressure, like in the final mission, it creates some truly fun moments. The graphics are still perfectly playable today. They are starting to show their age, but they are far from bad. The lighting system, in particular, is quite impressive. The environmental textures do feel a bit outdated, but that’s not a major issue. I don’t think anyone plays this game for its graphics anyway. Story-wise, it explores one of my favorite themes: you know very little about the outside world at first, and over time you learn about its structure and rules by interacting with people and observing everything around you. The game maintains a consistently high-paced linear narrative that constantly makes you curious about what comes next. NPCs also provide much more information compared to the first game, which makes the story feel deeper. The combat music is enjoyable, but it doesn’t have any truly unforgettable or standout tracks. Overall, this game delivered an unforgettable experience both in terms of gameplay and story. The only thing I would have preferred is learning more about the story naturally within the game rather than having to rely on external sources like wikis. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 3/3 Graphics: 1.5/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 9.5/10

This game delivers a pure, unfiltered RPG experience. Despite being released in 1997, it is still fully playable today without too much difficulty. In fact, most modern games don’t have systems this deep. When you step into the wasteland, you know nothing about the outside world, yet by the end of the game, the person who leaves the vault is no longer the same person who entered it, this creates a bittersweet feeling. The game barely holds the player’s hand when it comes to quests and progression, which gives it a strong sandbox feel. How you navigate the wasteland and influence the fate of settlements - positively or negatively - is a major part of the experience. It’s also impressive that the game is only around 500 MB in size. I’ve finished it twice now, and I still managed to play for 40 hours without getting bored. However, I don’t really recommend the vanilla version, especially because of bugs in areas like Boneyard. I strongly suggest playing with the Fixt mod. The inventory and menu management system can be very tiring. Trading, finding the right items, and using them takes a lot of time due to how often you have to go through menus. On the other hand, the RPG elements are genuinely enjoyable. Depending on your character’s stats, you can unlock deeper dialogue options and experience different quest outcomes. The turn-based combat system also holds up well even by today’s standards, it doesn’t feel outdated. One downside is that the game doesn’t clearly show quest details; you only get the quest title, which is not ideal. The dark tone of the story really pulled me in. Unlike modern games, the narrative doesn’t follow a straightforward structure. Instead, you progress by visiting different settlements and solving local problems. I did feel lost at times and had to look things up online. While the story itself isn’t particularly strong, the sandbox nature and the world itself make the experience enjoyable, making you feel like you’re truly part of that universe. The graphics are very old. However, because of the isometric perspective, they don’t feel too harsh on the eyes and become easier to get used to over time. This is a game that definitely deserves a remake, I would love to experience it that way. I spoke to almost every NPC just to learn more about the world. The ability to create your own story is also very appealing. If it weren’t for the bugs and mechanical issues, much more people would be talking about this game today. As it stands, I think only true RPG lovers can fully enjoy it. Mechanics: 2/3 Story: 2.5/3 Graphics: 0.5/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 7/10

The game almost completely fixes the clunkiness and outdated feel of the original, improving the mechanics and graphics while enriching the storytelling. These kinds of passion projects often end up like this, beautiful experiences that are incredibly satisfying to play. Overall, I liked it much more than the original Half-Life. Many people prefer the first game due to nostalgia, but since I didn’t play it in my childhood, I think I can view it more objectively. This game is definitely better than the original. The physics system is at a level even better than many modern games, and the game isn’t shy about showcasing it through puzzles. Most puzzles are easy, but there are also a few unnecessarily difficult ones designed just to highlight the physics mechanics. There are some bugs, especially with AI occasionally breaking. I also think the final boss was made too shallow and simplified, I would actually prefer the original game’s boss in this regard. The graphics are above average. The first time you reach Xen, just looking around feels like a completely different experience. Of course, some areas clearly received extra attention in terms of visuals. There are also textures that still look outdated or rough. But overall, the only thing I really remember visually is how beautiful Xen was. While the overall Half-Life story is good, very little of it is actually delivered directly to the player, which is why I don’t think it’s particularly strong narratively. Compared to the original game, NPCs explain more about the story, but most of the gameplay still consists of walking, solving puzzles, and combat. The music is really well done overall. It has very strong tracks, but sometimes the soundtrack can unintentionally spoil upcoming moments. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable remake. It manages to create tension where needed and delivers epic combat moments. The improved movement system compared to the original also definitely enhances the gameplay experience. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 1.5/3 Graphics: 2.5/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 9/10

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

I had never played the Mafia games before, so I wasn’t sure whether this type of game would suit me. After finishing this one, I realized that I actually needed a game like this. Unlike modern games, with all the “go here, fetch this”, side quests, and massive open worlds. Mafia 1 doesn’t have those elements. After completing it, I realized how tiring modern games can be. Sometimes you just want to play a linear, story-driven game without dealing with side content or open worlds, and that’s exactly what Mafia 1 delivers. Since this is the Definitive Edition, the graphics are quite satisfying. Driving around a city set in the 1900s (even if it takes a lot of your time) is an enjoyable experience. As for the story, it’s told step by step and follows one of the themes we, as Turkish players, tend to enjoy the most: a rise through the criminal underworld. Since I haven’t played the original Mafia 1, I can only comment on this version, and in terms of story, it’s good but not perfect, it is above average. Brotherhood and especially the concept of family are strongly emphasized. And at a certain point, it concludes with the idea that everyone is ultimately responsible for their own fate. Even though I liked the graphics and the story, the game definitely has some major flaws. While these may have been kept to stay faithful to the original Mafia 1 mechanics, it’s now 2026, and not being able to save whenever I want was really frustrating. You fight against 30 enemies with very limited ammo, and if the 29th enemy kills you, you have to start all over again, because there’s no manual save system. Another issue that annoyed me, and that many players agree on, is the driving mechanics. In the name of realism, it becomes more of a chore than a feature. Yes, cars back then weren’t great, but the player experience should still be considered, especially when you spend a significant amount of time driving in the game. Aside from these two issues, there are a few minor problems, but nothing too serious. Overall, the game’s focus on a single story and its avoidance of the modern “let’s offer at least 40 hours of gameplay” approach is refreshing. There’s definitely a strong need for shorter experiences like this. Mechanics: 1/3 Story: 2/3 Graphics: 3/3 Music: 0/1 Initiative: 0/1 6/10

The story, which evolved in the second game, reaches its peak here. There’s not much else to say, this is a true masterpiece. The narrative flaws present in The Witcher 2 have been corrected here, and the gameplay has been further deepened. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 3/3 Graphics: 3/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 10/10

It’s a short game, but you don’t realize how time passes while playing. The story is good, and I like the game development style of Hazelight Studios as well as their work in art design. The gameplay is very solid and enjoyable. However, the story should have been longer, especially the prison section, which I think should have been extended by at least two or three times. Mechanics: 2/3 Story: 1.5/3 Graphics: 2/3 Music: 0/1 Initiative: 1/1 6.5/10

While the overall story of the game is good, it starts to get quite boring in some parts, to the point where you don’t even feel like launching the game. At other times, though, it becomes incredibly engaging. Watching Geralt swing his sword is extremely enjoyable. Mechanics: 2.5/3 Story: 1.5/3 Graphics: 2/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 8/10

I never thought that killing monsters while metal music blasts in the background could be this enjoyable and relaxing. Even though the game came out around 10 years ago, the graphics are still satisfying and have no trouble creating a tense atmosphere. You can kill each monster with many different glory kills, which greatly increases the fun during combat. The ammo balance in the game is also very well designed, often forcing you to come up with different strategies when necessary. In short, the fights are excellent. Most people only look at Doom games in terms of gameplay, but I think Doom 2016 also offers a story that is far from bad. You can follow Doom Slayer’s backstory in a linear way through the words of his enemies, while at the same time the mission to save Mars continues. The story may not be very deep, but it is definitely not bad. I didn’t really like the fact that I couldn’t save the game whenever I wanted. Other than that, it’s a very solid game. It’s an FPS experience that everyone should try at least once. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 1.5/3 Graphics: 2/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 8.5/10

The game is simply magnificent, everything you could expect from a game is in it. Even each companion you recruit has a story deep enough to deserve a game of their own. At the beginning, the story may not seem very deep, but as you progress, it grows richer and more complex. At some point, the problem stops being just yours and becomes the world’s problem. The step-by-step progression of the story is beautifully handled. Bravery, love, betrayal, adventure... whatever you’re looking for, it’s all there. While playing, you truly feel like you’re in a living world, as if it would continue to exist even without you, and you’re just another person living in it. Instead of following a linear storyline, you create your own story in this living world. Just like in a D&D setting, being able to do almost anything you can think of is something you rarely see outside of passion projects like this. For example, at one point in the game, you’re supposed to solve a chess puzzle, but you can simply cast lightning spells on the enemy king, kill it, and continue your quest. The sheer freedom of what you can do is incredibly impressive. You find yourself wondering “Can I do this?”, and when you realize you actually can, the feeling is indescribable. The fact that even the most unexpected possibilities are accounted for by the developers shows the level of this game. In a way, the enjoyment you get from it is shaped by your own creativity. The graphics are very satisfying, and the environments look beautiful. In Act 2, you start to miss the sun, and when you finally see it again, the feeling is amazing. The music that plays when you arrive at Baldur’s Gate creates a completely different emotional experience. At first, the turn-based gameplay might seem intimidating, but over time you realize that this strategic style is what truly gives you freedom, and your perspective begins to change. The game also has high replayability, as your decisions significantly impact the outcome. There are so many different character types you can try, whether as a wise elf or a barbarian who only thinks about combat and kills everything in sight. Considering all these features, it’s a game you can replay at least four times without getting bored. This is the best game ever made. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 3/3 Graphics: 3/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 1/1 10/10

If I had come across this game in my childhood, I would have been mesmerized. However, nowadays the game clearly shows its age, which is natural. The story is good and flows well. I could never get used to the character’s speed; he runs extremely fast. I can’t remember how many times I jumped out of my seat because of those freaky creatures (headcrabs) that leap at you. And they’ve placed them in the most remote corners all the time. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 1/3 Graphics: 1/3 Music: 0/1 Initiative: 1/1 6/10

I've finished the game within 34 hours on Epic Games. Firstly, I want to start with the graphics and art design. In this regard, the game does a very good job. The survival mechanics are well-designed and quite realistic. At times, the visuals are very charming and uplifting, while at other times, when you’re caught in the middle of a storm, they become tense and unsettling. As for the story, the main narrative is good and unfolds step by step. There are two points I’d like to criticize about the game: side quests and the “walking simulator” aspect. The side quests are very simple and almost always involve going somewhere and opening a chest. This became quite boring by the time I reached Chapter 4, and I ended up focusing only on the main missions in that chapter. The other issue is how the game constantly sends you back and forth across the map. In the first three chapters, this doesn’t feel like a problem because the atmosphere pulls you in. However, starting from the end of Chapter 3, it becomes tiring, and you get bored of constantly walking. To sum it up, it’s an above-average game. Mechanics: 3/3 Story: 1/3 Graphics: 1.5/3 Music: 1/1 Initiative: 0/1 6.5/10