Writing this review is challenging because Sea of Stars genuinely appeals to me with its retro RPG style. The execution, however, feels incomplete. I really enjoyed the characters and the setting in the first half of Sea of Stars. The level design and puzzles were entertaining, and the battles against monsters were also well-executed. However, in the second half, the battle system failed to evolve, resulting in long and often tedious encounters. Additionally, the story lost its initial appeal, which only added to the frustration. In conclusion, the first 15 hours of Sea of Stars offer a great RPG experience, but the second half becomes a slog.
The features of the DualSense controller are impressive, and Astro's Playroom showcases them perfectly. From the rainy weather in-game to just walking on clouds, you can feel it, and that's really cool. The level design is creative, incorporating many different mechanics that utilize the DualSense. The gameplay is smooth, complemented by the charming art direction. The only weaknesses are the length of the game and the boss fights, which are not very spectacular and too few in number. However, in general, Team Asobi has crafted not only a great tech demo but also an amazing 3D platformer with many cool things to discover.
I heard a lot about Final Fantasy 7 and decided to play the remake, which offers a fresh take on the original game. It was my first Final Fantasy experience, and I can say it made me a fan of the series. The story is fantastic, and the presentation truly made it special. The battle system, which combines tactical and action-based gameplay, was exhilarating, especially when facing numerous enemies. I want to highlight the bosses too, as each fight was brilliantly designed. The outstanding soundtrack also added to the experience. However, there are some frustrating downsides. This new and more comprehensive take on FF7 includes some uninspiring filler content that can be very boring at times. Additionally, the more open areas featured uninspiring side quests and were generally not as engaging as the linear sections of the game. Despite these issues, the end result is a great RPG that is well worth your time.
The Last of Us Part 1 was always a game I wanted to play but never had the opportunity to until now. With my recent purchase of a PS5, I was finally able to experience one of the best story-driven games in existence. The narrative, driven by excellently crafted characters, is the absolute pinnacle of storytelling in gaming. Complementing this are the extraordinary atmosphere, soundtrack, and world-building. The features of the DualSense controller are also implemented very effectively, enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, the included Left Behind DLC offers more background information about the main character, Ellie Williams, enriching the story further. While the gunplay isn’t always smooth, this minor issue is easily overlooked given all the positives. If you’re still unsure, this game is a masterpiece and stands as the pinnacle of story-driven games.
Initially, I wasn't a big fan of Horizon Zero Dawn due to its mediocre prologue. However, once the open world opened up, I was immediately struck by the sheer beauty of the landscapes. The world is a key strength of the game, offering numerous interesting locations and activities. Moreover, the design of the machines and the battles against them are exceptional and often require some strategy. The story is also entertaining, with enough depth and twists to keep you hooked throughout.Despite some boring side quests and occasional AI issues with certain enemies like the bandits, Guerrilla Games have crafted a great open-world game that will entertain you for hours.
I struggled with Doom because I'm not a fan of fast-paced shooters. Despite this, I wanted to give it a try, and now I partially see why many people love the new interpretation of this series. The combat is really smooth, and the enemies are diverse. Doom also has a unique atmosphere and an amazing soundtrack that enhances the fast-paced action. However, my main issue is the heavy focus on arena battles, which I find too repetitive to be a key part of the game. Additionally, I found the level design a bit confusing. In conclusion, while Doom is objectively a good shooter, I believe it relies too heavily on arena battles, which is why I found it just okay.