MetalYears

A satisfying remake slightly hampered by pacing issues, unnecessary combat and some wonky hit detection/item pickup. I enjoyed the atmosphere and tasteful reimagining of spaces and personalities, but found myself bored in stretches expanded from the original but with little to do.

On the one hand, this is probably one of my favorite open-world games of recent memory. The diversity and authenticity of the environments make each planet a joy to simply exist in, and the game nails the criminal underworld aspects. This is one of the most immersive Star Wars experiences available, surpassing even the newest Star Wars Jedi games in that department, and writing and characterization are also top notch. On the other hand, it's death-by-a-thousand-cuts with number of small annoyan…

This is a strange, wonderful action adventure game featuring gorgeous graphics and satisfying combat alongside a nonsensical, cliched story and character designs and voice acting that seem to have been shipped in from wildly different genres. It's got it where it counts though - the compelling moment-to-moment gameplay, boss fights and exploration are all handled with aplomb. The real star of this game is its soundtrack, featuring the composer of the Nier franchise.

Hail good knight upon your golden steed, could you kindly provide me directions to Castle Stormveil? The pale fellow yonder seems to think my travels point thither. What's this? Take up arms against me, will you villain? Well have at you then sir! You shall meet your untimely end at the sharp point of my blade! You died. This is Elden Ring.

My personal 2023 Game of the Year, Alan Wake II combines a gorgeous, cinematic survival horror experience with a meta narrative that has to be experienced to be believed. Like Hideo Kojima, Remedy understands the unique power of the medium to present stories in ways that only video games can. In this way, it succeeds where other games trying to replicate a cinematic experience fall short. It also contains a moment of such surprising absurdity and joy that I still think of to this day. A must pl…

In your vainglorious attempt to save the universe, you have damned it. Now behold and weep for the ruinous calamity you have unleashed upon untold, unsuspecting worlds.I chose to play evil Shepard. Results may vary. One of the best sequels in living memory.