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Topic: User Impressions/Reviews Thread

Posts 1 to 20 of 3,212

Ralizah

Just what it sounds like.

This is an experiment. I don't want engagement to go down. I like how many people have been writing big, beautiful, critical impressions about various games. I like other people reading them and then having a discussion with you about them. And, in that respect, I see the value of having these discussions centralized in an established thread that people are constantly posting in.

But if this thread can thrive on its own user engagement-wise, then it might be better for this and Recently Beaten Games to function as their own independent threads.

I'll be posting my own impressions here for a while to see what happens. It's not like we can't go back to the old thread if things don't work out.

@Kidfried @KratosMD @Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy @Th3solution @RR529 @mookysam @RogerRoger

EDIT: Just to be clear. This isn't JUST for posting reviews. Like in the old thread, we can and should discuss our feelings on games other people have reviewed.

Also, to be clear, a "review" can be whatever you want it to be, so long as there's a bit of substance to it. If you can summarize your feelings in a paragraph or less, it's probably better left to the Recently Beaten Games thread.

DOUBLE EDIT:

Reviews currently hosted in this thread as of 02/14/23:


007: Legends
Platform: PS3
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1575
Read Review

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007: Quantum of Solance
Platform: Multi-platform (see review)
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1515
Read Review

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007 Racing
Platform: PS1
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 176
Read Review


ABZÛ
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 97
Read Review

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ADR1FT
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger / andreoni79
Post #: 528 / 614
Read RogerRoger's Review
Read andreoni79's Review

-

Agent Intercept
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2558
Read Review

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Afterparty
Platform: Xbox One
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 87
Read Review

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The Amazing Spider-Man
Platform: PS Vita
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2338
Read Review

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The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2378
Read Review

-

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: RR529 / Ralizah
Post #: 583 / 624
Read RR529's Review
Read Ralizah's Review

-

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: andreoni79
Post #: 609
Read Review

-

A Plague Tale: Innocence
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Th3solution
Post #: 2071
Read Review

-

Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Platform: PS4/PS5
Reviewer: mookysam
Post #: 1501
Read Review

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Astro's Playroom
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: Jackpaza0508
Post #: 1899
Read Review

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Attack of the Toy Tanks
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: themcnoisy
Post #: 276
Read Review

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Azure Striker Gunvolt
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 681
Read Review


Banjo-Kazooie
Platform: N64 (via NSO app on Nintendo Switch)
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 2549
Read Review

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Batman Begins
Platform: GBA
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2625
Read Review

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Batman: Return to Arkham City
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 284
Read Review

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Batman: The Telltale Series
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Thrillho
Post #: 193
Read Review

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Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1675
Read Review

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Bloodborne
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 682
Read Review

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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 473
Read Review

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Bound
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Th3solution
Post #: 1851
Read Review

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Bravely Second: End Layer
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #: 1242
Read Review

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Bugsnax
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: Jackpaza0508
Post #: 1924
Read Review

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Burnout Paradise Remastered
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Gremio108
Post #: 149
Read Review


Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare: Jackal Assault VR Experience
Platform: PS4 PSVR
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 462
Read Review

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Carrion
Platform: Xbox One
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 1013
Read Review

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Clock Tower 3
Platform: PS2
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 481
Read Review

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Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Jackpaza0508
Post #: 1697
Read Review

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Concrete Genie
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Th3solution/Ralizah
Post #: 49/1768
Read Th3solution's Review
Read Ralizah's Review

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Control
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Octane
Post #: 452
Read Review

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Crash Bandicoot (Crash N.Sane Trilogy)
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
Post #: 13
Read Review

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Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Thrillho / DominusPlatypus
Post #: 1524 / 2742
Read Thrillho's Review
Read DominusPlatypus's Review

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Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 1446
Read Review


Daemon X Machina
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 498
Read Review

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Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
Post #: 978
Read Review

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Days Gone
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
Post #: 653
Read Review

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Dead Cells
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Th3solution
Post #: 561
Read Review

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Dead or Alive 5: Last Round
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 1425
Read Review

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Death Stranding
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: DonJorginho / Th3solution
Post #: 387 / 754
Read DonJorginho's Review
Read Th3solution's Review

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Demon's Souls
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: Th3solution
Post #: 2402
Read Review

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Déraciné
Platform: PS4 PSVR
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 634
Read Review

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Detroit: Become Human
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 18
Read Review

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Devil May Cry HD
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
Post #: 1668
Read Review

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Devil May Cry 2 HD
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 1289
Read Review

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Dirt 5
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: Th3solution
Post #: 2415
Read Review

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Disco Elysium
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 1085
Read Review

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Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock
Platform: PSVita
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 491
Read Review

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Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: johncalmc
Post #: 1247
Read Review

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DOOM
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 399
Read Review

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DOOM II: Hell on Earth
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 500
Read Review

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DOOM 3: BFG Edition
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 917
Read Review

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DOOM 3 - Resurrection of Evil expansion pack
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 922
Read Review

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DOOM 64 HD remaster
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 548
Read Review

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DOOM 2016
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 1408
Read Review

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Dragon Quest Heroes
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 1613
Read Review


Elden Ring
Platform: PC / PS5
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 2440
Read Review

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Erica
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 909
Read Review

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The Evil Within
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #: 2141
Read Review


Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Octane
Post #: 942
Read Review

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FIFA 2002
Platform: PS2
Reviewer: nessisonett
Post #: 2753
Read Review

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FIFA 2003
Platform: PS2
Reviewer: nessisonett
Post #: 2769
Read Review

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FIFA 2004
Platform: PS2
Reviewer: nessisonett
Post #: 2777
Read Review

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FIFA 2005
Platform: PS2
Reviewer: nessisonett
Post #: 2845
Read Review

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FIFA 2002 World Cup
Platform: PS2
Reviewer: nessisonett
Post #: 2759
Read Review

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Final Fantasy VII Remake
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 902
Read Review

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Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 2887
Read Review

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Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Platform: GBA
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #: 2191
Read Review

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Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 242 - 244
Read Review

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Focus on You
Platform: PSVR
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 1189
Read Review


Gato Roboto
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 1026
Read Review

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Genshin Impact
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
Post #: 1309
Read Review

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Ghost Giant
Platform: PS4 PSVR
Platform: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 612
Read Review

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Ghost of Tsushima
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 940
Read Review

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Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
Platform: PS5 (also on: PS4)
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2165
Read Review

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Gnosia
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 1710
Read Review

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God of War: Ragnarok
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #: 2872
Read Review

-

Gotham Knights
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2792
Read Review

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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Platform: Xbox Series
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #: 2747
Read Review

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The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 2034
Read Review

-

Guacamelee! 2
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Thrillho
Post #: 156
Read Review

-

Gun Gun Pixies
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 2400
Read Review

-

Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 947
Read Review


Halo Infinite
Platform: Xbox Series
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #: 2258
Read Review

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A Hat in Time
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 1163
Read Review

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Hitman: Codename 47
Platform: PC
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #: 2468
Read Review

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Hitman 3
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1783
Read Review

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Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego / DominusPlatypus
Post #: 1475 / 2453
Read Rudy_Manchego's Review
Read DominusPlatypus's Review

-

Horizon Forbidden West
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: RogerRoger / KilloWertz
Post #: 2421 / 2569
Read RogerRoger's Review
Read KilloWertz's Review

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Hyper Light Drifter - Special Edition
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 805
Read Review


IA/VT Colorful
Platform: PS Vita
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #: 1808
Read Review

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Iconoclasts
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
Post #: 742
Read Review

-

INSIDE
Platform: PS4 / Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Trisque / Ralizah
Post #: 1008 / 2879
Read Trisque's Review
Read Ralizah's Review

-

I.Q.: Intelligent Qube
Platform: PS1
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 2373
Read Review


James Bond 007: Blood Stone
Platform: Multi-platform (see review)
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1536
Read Review

-

James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
Platform: GBA
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1633
Read Review

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James Bond 007: NightFire
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 896
Read Review

-

Judgment
Platform: PS4/PS5
Reviewer: Kidfried/Thrillho
Post #: 1249/2390
Read Kidfried's Review
Read Thrillho's Review

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Just Cause 3
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: colonelkilgore
Post #: 2048
Read Review


Kentucky Route Zero
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Kidfried
Post #: 1184
Read Review

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Kid A Mnesia: Exhibition
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Kidfried
Post #: 2208
Read Review

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Killzone Mercenary
Platform: PS Vita
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2319
Read Review

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Kingdom Hearts VR Experience
Platform: PS4 PSVR
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 480
Read Review

-

Kingdom Hearts III
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 378
Read Review

-

Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 2600
Read Review


Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Prophecy
Platform: GBA
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2617
Read Review

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The Last Guardian
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Th3solution / RR529
Post #: 379 / 471
Read Th3solution's Review
Read RR529's Review

-

The Last of Us
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: DominusPlatypus
Post #: 2781
Read Review

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The Last Of Us Part II
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego / WillHar270 / Th3solution
Post #: 848 / 861 / 2510
Read Rudy_Manchego's Review
Read WillHar270's Review
Read Th3solution's Review

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LEGO Jurassic World
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 442
Read Review

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Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver
Platform: PS3 (as a PS1 Classic)
Reviewer: Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
Post #: 98
Read Review

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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Jackpaza0508
Post #: 1856
Read Review

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The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 2332
Read Review

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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Reviewer: mookysam
Post #: 1719
Read Review

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Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
Platform: PS3
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1833
Read Review

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LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2483
Read Review

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The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 127
Read Review

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Life is Strange 2
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger / Tjuz
Post #: 351 / 541
Read RogerRoger's Review
Read Tjuz's Review

-

Little Orpheus
Platform: iOS (via Apple Arcade)
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 737
Read Review

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The Lost Bear
Platform: PSVR
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 1277
Read Review

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Luigi's Mansion 3
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 288
Read Review


Mario Golf: Super Rush
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #: 2628
Read Review

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Marvel's Iron Man VR
Platform: PSVR
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #: 1336
Read Review

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Marvel's Spider-Man
Platform: PS4/PS5
Reviewer: RogerRoger/Jackpaza0508
Post #: 589/1886
Read RogerRoger's Review
Read Jackpaza0508's Review

-

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Platform: PS5 / PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger / DominusPlatypus
Post #: 1775 / 2874
Read RogerRoger's Review
Read DominusPlatypus' Review

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Mass Effect Andromeda
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #: 2344
Read Review

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Mass Effect Remaster (via Mass Effect: Legendary Collection)
Platform: PS4 (via PS5 BC)
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1838
Read Review

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Mass Effect 2 Remaster (via Mass Effect: Legendary Collection)
Platform: PS4 (via PS5 BC)
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1865
Read Review

-

Mass Effect 3 Remaster (via Mass Effect: Legendary Collection)
Platform: PS4 (via PS5 BC)
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1884
Read Review

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MEDAL OF HONOR: ALLIED ASSAULT (incl. SPEARHEAD Expansion)
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 1480
Read Review

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Mega Man 8
Platform: Nintendo Switch (original game was released on the PS1)
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 886
Read Review

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Mega Man 9
Platform: Nintendo Switch (original game was released on the PS3/360/Wii)
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 909
Read Review

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Mega Man Legacy Collection
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 185
Read Review

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Mega Man Powered Up
Platform: PSP
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #: 2359
Read Review

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Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Platform: PS3
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2889
Read Review

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Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD
Platform: PS3
Reviewer: mookysam
Post #: 827
Read Review

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Metal Gear Survive
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #: 2902
Read Review

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Metroid Fusion
Platform: GBA
Reviewer: mookysam
Post #: 2239
Read Review

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Mirror's Edge: Catalyst
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego / RogerRoger
Post #: 1205 / 2590
Read Rudy_Manchego's Review
Read RogerRoger's Review

Edited on by Ralizah

Currently Playing: Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re- Boot Camp (NS)

PSN: Ralizah

RogerRoger

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,023
Read Review

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Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution
Platform: PS3
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,067
Read Review

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Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #1,984
Read Review

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NASCAR Heat 3
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: themcnoisy
Post #626
Read Review

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Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Platform: PS Vita
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,351
Read Review

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Nelson Tethers: Puzzle Agent and Nelson Tethers: Puzzle Agent 2
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,643
Read Review

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Neo: The World Ends With You (Demo)
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: HallowMoonshadow
Post #1,927
Read Impressions

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New Super Lucky's Tale
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529 / Buizel
Post #426 / #1,802
Read RR529's Review
Read Buizel's Review

-

NieR:Automata
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: HallowMoonshadow
Post #466 and #771
Read Impressions and Read Review

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Ninja Five-O (a.k.a. Ninja Cop)
Platform: GBA
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #2,127
Read Review

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No More Heroes
Platform: Wii
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #2,431
Read Review


Observation
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Thrillho
Post #143
Read Review

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One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #174
Read Review

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One Piece: Unlimited World Red
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #1,780
Read Review

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The Order: 1886
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #488
Read Review


Pac-Man 99
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,874
Read Review

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Paper Mario: The Origami King
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah / RR529
Post #876 and #933 / #992
Read Ralizah's Impressions and Ralizah's Review
Read RR529's Review

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Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Platform: GameCube
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #638
Read Review

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Pathfinder: Kingmaker - Definitive Edition
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: HallowMoonshadow
Post #1,989
Read Impressions

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Peppa Pig: The Game
Platform: Wii
Reviewer: Jackpaza0508
Post #1,864
Read Review

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Persona 3: Portable
Platform: PS Vita
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #2,763
Read Review

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Persona 5 Royal
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: mookysam
Post #1,841
Read Review

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Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers (a.k.a. Persona 5 Strikers)
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #421
Read Impressions

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The PlayStation 5 Itself
Platform: PS5 (obvs!)
Reviewer: Buizel
Post #1,936
Read Review

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Pokémon Shield
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #290
Read Review

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Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water (a.k.a. Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water)
Platform: Wii U
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #1,744
Read Review

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PSVR Demo Disc (incl. Battle Zone, EVE: Valkyrie, The Persistence, Rez Infinite, Star Child, Thumper and Tiny Trax)
Platform: PSVR
Reviewer: RR529
Post #538
Read Review


Ratchet & Clank
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #1,765
Read Review

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Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: Buizel / Jackpaza0508
Post #1,936 / #2,086
Read Buizel's Review
Read Jackpaza0508's Review

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Red Dead Redemption 2
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #930
Read Review

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Redfall
Platform: Xbox Series X
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #3,081
Read Review

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Red Steel 2
Platform: Wii
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #2,124
Read Review

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Resident Evil 4
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #2,643
Read Review

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Resident Evil: Revelations 2
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: HallowMoonshadow
Post #771
Read Review

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Rez Infinite
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,160
Read Review

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Rhythm Paradise (a.k.a. Rhythm Heaven)
Platform: DS
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #519
Read Review

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RiME
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Th3solution
Post #2,274
Read Review

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Rise of the Tomb Raider
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Buizel / RogerRoger
Post #1,628 / #2,217
Read Buizel's Review
Read RogerRoger's Review


Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: Jackpaza0508
Post #1,660
Read Review

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Saints Row IV: Re-Elected
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: HallowMoonshadow
Post #771
Read Review

-

Samurai Maiden
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RR529
Post #2,864
Read Review

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Scorn
Platform: Xbox Series X
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #2,774
Read Review

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Sea of Solitude
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #672
Read Review

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Shadow of the Colossus
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #2,289
Read Review

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Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Buizel / RogerRoger
Post #1,682 / #2,217
Read Buizel's Review
Read RogerRoger's Review

-

Shadow the Hedgehog
Platform: PS2
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #1,226
Read Review

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Shantae and the Seven Sirens
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah / RR529
Post #783 / #915
Read Ralizah's Review
Read RR529's Review

-

Shenmue
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #330
Read Review

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Shenmue II
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #1,942
Read Review

-

Shenmue III
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,652
Read Review

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Shining Resonance Refrain
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: HallowMoonshadow
Post #771
Read Review

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Shin Megami Tensei
Platform: GBA
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #2,054
Read Review

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Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #2,153
Read Review

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Shin Megami Tensei V
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #2,203 and #2,236
Read Impressions and Read Review

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Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga and Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2
Platform: PS2
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,114 and #1,346
Read Impressions and Read Review

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The Simpsons Game
Platform: PS3
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #5
Read Review

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Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Platform: PS Vita
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #841
Read Review

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Sonic 3D Blast (a.k.a. Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island)
Platform: Genesis (a.k.a. MegaDrive)
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #1,043
Read Review

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Sonic Adventure DX
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Buizel
Post #1,743
Read Review

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Sonic Adventure 2
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger / Buizel
Post #1,185 / #1,760
Read RogerRoger's Review
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Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
Platform: DS
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #1,120
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Sonic Colours Ultimate
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,137
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Sonic Forces
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: KALofKRYPTON
Post #444
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Sonic Frontiers
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,841
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Sonic Generations
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger
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Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
Platform: PS3
Reviewer: RogerRoger
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Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #1,328
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Sonic Lost World
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Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #991
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Sonic Origins
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Sonic Rivals and Sonic Rivals 2
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Post #1,281
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South of the Circle
Platform: Apple Arcade
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego
Post #1,689
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Spirit of the North: Enhanced Edition
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,266
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The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,575
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Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: HallowMoonshadow
Post #2,856
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Star Trek: Invasion
Platform: PSone
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #1,757
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Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force
Platform: PC and PS2
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,089
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Star Wars: Battlefront II
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #296
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Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
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Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,399
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Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #1,832
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Star Wars: Episode I Racer
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger / ralphdibny
Post #811 / #1,007
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Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger / Th3solution / Octane
Post #121 / #561 / #1,467
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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Platform: PS5
Reviewer: RR529
Post #3,076
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Star Wars: Racer Revenge
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #811
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Star Wars: Republic Commando
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #1,795
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Star Wars: Squadrons
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #1,434
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Stray
Platform: PC / PS5
Reviewer: RR529 / DominusPlatypus
Post #2,721 / #2,943
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Super Mario 3D Land
Platform: 3DS
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #2,704
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Super Mario 3D World
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529 / Jackpaza0508 / Ralizah
Post #1, 673 / #1,733 / #1,813
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Super Mario 3D World: Bowser's Fury
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah / RR529
Post #1,570 / #1,741
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Super Mario 64
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: mookysam / RR529 / Ralizah
Post #1,142 / #1,158 / #1,213 - 1,214
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Super Mario Bros. 35
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,874
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Super Mario Galaxy
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529 / Ralizah / Jackpaza0508
Post #1,287 / #1,555 / #1,952
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Super Mario Odyssey
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Jackpaza0508
Post #1,974
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Super Mario Sunshine
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529 / Ralizah / mookysam
Post #1,231 / #1,322 / #1,596
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Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #531
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Syphon Filter
Platform: PSone
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #2,696
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Tacoma
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Th3solution
Post #3,061
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Taisen Hot Gimmick
Platform: Arcade
Reviewer: RR529
Post #1,314
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Tales of Berseria
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #873
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Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: LtSarge
Post #2,116
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Terminator: Resistance / Terminator: Resistance Enhanced (incl. Annihilation Line)
Platform: PS4 / PS5
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego / RogerRoger
Post #618 / #2,247
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Tetris 99
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,874
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Tetris Effect
Platform: PSVR
Reviewer: RR529
Post #423
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ToeJam & Earl
Platform: Genesis (a.k.a. MegaDrive)
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,932
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Tokyo Dark
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,508
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Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
Platform: PS3
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #62
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Tomb Raider (2013)
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Buizel / RogerRoger
Post #1,628 / #2,217
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Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #211
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Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #932
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Tomb Raider: Legend
Platform: PC
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Post #932
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Tomb Raider: Underworld
Platform: PC
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #932
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Tomorrow Never Dies
Platform: PSone
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #176
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Trials of Mana
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: RR529
Post #1,182
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Triangle Strategy
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #2,798
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Tropico 6
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Thrillho
Post #700
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Two Point Hospital
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Thrillho
Post #1,169
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Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Th3solution / DominusPlatypus
Post #1,584 / #2,293
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Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: DominusPlatypus
Post #2,316
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Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: DominusPlatypus
Post #2,462
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Untitled Goose Game
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #2,867
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Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series
Platform: PSVR
Reviewer: RR529
Post #1,245
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Valkyria Chronicles 4
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Th3solution
Post #76
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Virtua Fighter 2
Platform: Saturn
Reviewer: themcnoisy
Post #1,852
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The Witcher III: Blood and Wine
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,683
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The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (incl. Hearts of Stone)
Platform: Switch / PC and Switch
Reviewer: Rudy_Manchego / Ralizah
Post #266 and #1,707 / #708
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Wizorb
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,442
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Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot
Platform: PSVR
Reviewer: RR529
Post #592
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The World Ends With You
Platform: DS
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #2,476
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The World is Not Enough
Platform: PSone
Reviewer: RogerRoger
Post #176
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The Xbox Series X Itself
Platform: Xbox Series X (obvs!)
Reviewer: themcnoisy
Post #2,304
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Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (incl. Future Connected)
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #1,538 and #1,548
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Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: RR529
Post #374
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Yakuza 3
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Thrillho
Post #432
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Yakuza Kiwami
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #800
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Yakuza Kiwami 2
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: Thrillho
Post #135
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Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
Platform: Switch
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #443
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Ys I & II Chronicles+
Platform: PC
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,296
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Ys: The Oath in Felghana
Platform: PSP
Reviewer: Ralizah
Post #1,822
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Yuppie Psycho: Executive Edition
Platform: PC
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #1,464
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Zanki Zero: Last Beginning
Platform: PS4
Reviewer: HallowMoonshadow
Post #31
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ZombiU
Platform: Wii U
Reviewer: crimsontadpoles
Post #73
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Edited on by RogerRoger

"We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."

PSN: GDS_2421
Making It So Since 1987

mookysam

Replying here @Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy.

Great Jade Cocoon 2 Review. The Pokémon-esque Divine Beasts sound like an interesting feature.

Shame that the music is so poor. It made me think how important music actually is to me in an RPG, especially older ones where it helps to convey moods and emotions that the visuals are unable to.

Black Lives Matter
Trans rights are human rights

DerMeister

Nice. If I can come up with a good long form review, I don't mind using this thread, and I'm down with discussion if I'm familiar enough with the game someone else talks about.

"We don't get to choose how we start in this life. Real 'greatness' is what you do with the hand you're dealt." -Victor Sullivan
"Building the future and keeping the past alive are one and the same thing." -Solid Snake

PSN: HeartBreakJake95

RogerRoger

Apologies for breaking in this new topic with such a mediocre game, but...

***

The Simpsons Game
PlayStation3 / November 2007

Can a parody of shameless, lazy cash-in games still be a shameless, lazy cash-in game in and of itself, without undermining its own point? Or does it just reinforce the joke?

That's essentially the question at the heart of The Simpsons Game, a straightforward platformer that won't keep you busy beyond six hours and leans heavily on its send-up of games and gaming culture in order to cut corners. There are plenty of neat moments and laugh-out-loud gags peppered throughout but, when you stop to think about it, you're essentially playing a poor imitation of its betters, a hollow shell doing trade on your adoration of a global mega-franchise.

Giving you control of each Simpson family member (minus Grandpa, of course) presents an opportunity for varied approaches to gameplay, but it's less smart and more S-M-R-T when you get beyond the initial novelty of it all. Bart can glide, grapple and shoot his slingshot as Bartman. Homer can transform into various blob-shaped states (gummi, helium, etc.) to roll around like a wrecking ball. Marge uses a megaphone to nag NPCs into action, a'la Pikmin, and can send Maggie into various vents, whilst Lisa can summon the giant "Hand of Buddha" to move objects around. It all sounds quite diverse but in reality, it just leads to somewhat repetitive busywork as you switch around, trying to hold back waves of respawning enemies as you figure out simplistic puzzle objectives.

Invariably, you'll be interrupted by a Comic Book Guy pop-up stating that what you're doing is "real original" as he ticks the gaming cliché you're currently undertaking off a long list. It's here where questioning the classic Simpsons parody tone kicks in; it's funny that the game recognises crates, lava pits, re-used enemy models and springboards as hackneyed tropes, but you're then given eighteen shallow levels of them to play through. Oh sure, blasting through to the credits won't take you very long at all, but it's still a heck of a lot longer than your average twenty-minute episode, where the gags don't have the time to wear thin.

To try and combat this potential fatigue, The Simpsons Game uses every trick in its repertoire, with recycled jokes and characters from the television show papering over the gaps between its new gaming content. This is, just as it sounds, a mixed bag. A surprise appearance from Kelsey Grammer's Sideshow Bob falls as flat as the rake he predictably steps on, but then a cameo from Will Wright (creator of SimCity and The Sims) hits a solid note, feeling like one of the franchise's better celebrity guest spots. As everything rushes towards a muddled conclusion, the parody levels reach breaking point and there's an odd disconnect from the final cutscene, but there's plenty in here for gamers to chuckle at. If you took all the new animated content created for the game and merged it together into an extended "let's make fun of videogames this week" episode of the show, it'd probably work better.

But as it stands, you're forced to wrestle with an obtusely unresponsive camera (which the game jokes about, and it isn't funny) to see it all through and, despite the short run-time, I'm not sure it's really worthwhile. Some levels work better than others; there's a three-part Medal of Homer mission which is pretty neat, especially considering it uses the actual Medal of Honor soundtrack, and a trip to Japan packs in a lot of the better references, but longer play sessions unfortunately began to test my patience. I thought I'd have it all finished within a couple days, but it took me over a week, playing in far shorter bursts than I expected to... and this is coming from somebody who has a high tolerance for the Simpson family. That tolerance varies a lot from person to person nowadays, and the franchise knows it, as betrayed by the option to decrease the amount of one-liners spouted during gameplay.

So perhaps the self-deprecating humour softens the blow, but the general lack of effort is still a direct hit to any potential long-term enjoyment. The Simpsons Game is exactly what it tries to shine a light on, crossing the limit of what is permissible in parody around halfway through its runtime.

And in the YouTube age, I can't recommend tracking down a copy over merely watching a Let's Play.

Release the hounds.

Edited on by RogerRoger

"We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."

PSN: GDS_2421
Making It So Since 1987

ralphdibny

@RogerRoger Nice review, I read all the way to the end. I still want to play the game one day though! I think I only had the Wii when it came out and it wasn't top of my list when I eventually got a ps3.

See ya!

RogerRoger

@ralphdibny Thank you! Should you ever track down a copy, it'd be interesting to see whether you agree. I think hardcore Simpsons fans would definitely have see a better picture than I've painted above, but I was trying to separate out my nostalgic fanboyism from a more critical analysis.

"We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."

PSN: GDS_2421
Making It So Since 1987

RogerRoger

@crimsontadpoles Thanks, and yes, The Simpsons: Hit & Run is a genuinely great game, so it's a shame to see this as somewhat of a backwards step. I played the PS2 version back in the day as well, and it's telling how much of it I'd completely forgotten about, whereas I can still hum the music from all of the Hit & Run hubs. If we could still rent games from Blockbuster Video, I could recommend it a whole lot easier.

The recent rumours of a Hit & Run remaster have me drooling like Homer over a doughnut box. If they could do that, and do it well, I'd be there day one.

"We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."

PSN: GDS_2421
Making It So Since 1987

HallowMoonshadow

I think what this topic needed was a nice short and sweet review to get it started @RogerRoger!

I bought my son this for PS2... And... uhh... Least it's not The Simpson's Skateboarding?


Thanks @mookysam! The battle system in two is pretty unique in the switching sides and having to protect the protagonist from harm

The first has a more traditional fight system like pokemon except in that Levant can actually attack as well if you switch to him. Though it's kinda pointless...

Edited on by HallowMoonshadow

Previously known as Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
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.
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"You don't have to save the world to find meaning in life. Sometimes all you need is something simple, like someone to take care of"

themcnoisy

@RogerRoger great review Rog. The Simpsons have been out staying their welcome for years, Homer the drunk dad, Marge the stay at home clever wife, the stupid and naughty boy, the matilda like daughter, the belligerent grandad. It's all very 1990s.

Edited on by themcnoisy

Forum Best Game of All Time Awards

PS3 Megathread 2019: The Last of Us
Multiplat 2018: Horizon Zero Dawn
Nintendo 2017: Super Mario Bros 3
Playstation 2016: Uncharted 2
Multiplat 2015: Final Fantasy 7

PSN: mc_noisy

RogerRoger

@Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy Thank you and yes, there are far worse Simpsons games out there!

@themcnoisy Cheers, buddy. I think you're right; it was around the time of this game, around 2007 and 2008, that I fell off the Simpsons bandwagon. There was this and the movie, which was better than I'd expected, but I don't think I've watched a single new episode since. I tried once and it was so bad, I switched it off after five minutes.

Ah well... at least I still have my DVDs of its golden age!

"We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."

PSN: GDS_2421
Making It So Since 1987

HallowMoonshadow

Crash Bandicoot Via the Crash N.Sane Trilogy for PS4

I played this title over the course of 4 days. I achieved 80% completion with ten gems (Obtaining the Red coloured one among nine clear gems) and beat the final boss obtaining one of two endings (Though I've collected all the gems in my original play through two years ago)

I didn't replay any levels and finished the game with a cool 91 lives.

Untitled
Whoa! You poor lucky sods are gonna see two more of these in the future!


A Little Background

The initial concept for Crash came about in August 1994 as Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin of Naughty Dog began their move from Boston to Los Angeles to meet with Mark Cerny of Universal Interactive Studios.

Naughty Dog had signed up to do three more games for Universal Interactive and were on their way to pitch Way of The Warrior.

During the road trip Rubin and Gavin visited a number of arcades and noticed that racing, fighting and shooting games had all started to transition to full 3D ... the pair turned to their favourite genre, the character based platformer.

The Sonic's a*s game was born (A joke between them as you'd be staring at Crash's butt the entire time).

Of course it ended up being called Crash Bandicoot instead (Though Willie The Wombat was a placeholder name... And other names included Dash, Bash and Smash)

The wikipedia entry for this title was actually quite interesting to read and I'm sure there's been an article or two about it before... this bit in particular raised some eyebrows

In a continuing attempt by Universal Interactive to take credit for Crash Bandicoot , Naughty Dog was told that it was not "allowed" to go to the first Electronic Entertainment Expo. In addition, there were leaked copies of the temporary box cover and press materials for the Electronic Entertainment Expo, upon which the Naughty Dog logo was not found on the box art, in violation of the contract between Naughty Dog and Universal Interactive, was omitted. In response, Jason Rubin drafted and printed 1,000 copies of a document entitled "Naughty Dog, creator and developer of Crash Bandicoot" to hand out in front of the Crash Bandicoot display at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Beforehand, Rubin passed out the flyers "for review" to Universal Interactive, angering its president.

》Here's a link if you're interested《

As for the 2017 Remake that's essentially more of a remaster (or a "Remaster-Make" as I dub it ) Vicarious Visions (whom had worked on a few GBA Crash titles previously) was set to work on recreating the original trilogy.

Vicarious having almost none of the original source codes for the series and only some polygonal meshes from Naughty Dog and Sony they essentially had to go by eye, using the original releases to recreate the level design in what I'd say was a labour of love as it's faithfully recreated. (Jump physics aside if you have a problem with them)

Untitled
Easiest. Level. Ever.


Story & Characters

The story of Crash Bandicoot is ridiculously simple.

Dr. Neo Cortex, an evil big headed scientist with a secret island base in the Australian archipelago, is attempting to create an army of super soldiers using animals and an Evolvo-Ray with assistance from Dr. Nitrus Brio.

The latest subject, Crash, a bandicoot inexplicably already wearing fingerless gloves, shorts and trainers, is placed into the Evolvo-Ray and submitted to the "Cortex Vortex" to enhance his intelligence.

Deemed a failure Cortex plans to dispose of Crash, only for our hero to cause havoc and escape... by falling out a window of Cortex's lab and washes up on N.Sanity Beach the next day.

Thus begins his adventure to run, jump and spin his way through three islands and 26 levels to defeat Cortex and his minions and save his girlfriend Tawna before she is also subjected to the Evolvo ray.

Hey what were you expecting?

Other characters (Aka. the bosses) include;

  • Papu Papu, a tribesman. There REALLY isn't anything else to say about him besides him being the first boss of the game and is particularly easy to beat.
  • Ripper Roo, a blue furred kangaroo in a straitjacket as the Cortex Vortex has made him mentally deranged. The second boss overall.
  • Koala Kong, a buff as hell Koala whom loves his fabulous muscles a bit too much being a huge showboat. The third boss of the game.
  • Pinstripe Potoroo (Pinstripelli Potorotti actaully). Presumably the only success story of Cortex's initial batch of experiments as he's the C.E.O of Cortex Power. He loves firing that tommy gun of his in the fourth boss battle.

Oh and Crash is helped on the way by Aku-Aku. A witch doctor like mask that'll protect him from the various wildlife and obstacles over the course of the game.

Because this is part of the trilogy you can also play as Crash's sister Coco once you've beaten Papu using the time travel shenanigans of the third game.

It makes sense I guess?

Untitled
Ahh who cares about continuity she's adorable!


Gameplay & Design

The fact that Crash is based on the Sonic and Mario games of yesteryear (just with 3D modling) is quite clear with the focus on relatively tight hallways in the level design.

Hell it almost feels like an experimental 2.5D before the term was truly coined and refined as Crash Bandicoot doesn't really use the full 360° movement to it's advantage. Especially so this title where you travel one plane/direction only to switch another.

Not that I find it much of a problem. The enemies, obstacles and crate crashing all add to a satisfying platformer that's got a decent amount of challenge to it in my opinion.

I'll admit I never actually completed the original version of this back in the day. The archaic saving system of having to get a gem (Which you could only get if you didn't die) or complete a bonus round to be allowed to save (Or get a password if you never had a memory card) were annoying to say the least and I'm sure the original wasn't so generous as this doling out extra lives.

Thankfully there's a much more welcoming autosave function alongside being able to manually save at the level hub. Plus extra lives are plentiful, I in fact reached 99 by the start of the third island.

Also despite being 16 or so when I played the original I wasn't entirely used to gaming back then compared to now even if my reflexes have dulled a bit.

The levels are only 5-10 minutes or so in length so they aren't too long at all if you want a quick gaming session (Though if you're having trouble it'll obviously take longer) and I bet the title would be particularly good to have on Switch on a commute.

The only bad thing I can say about the gameplay is the bosses are fairly easy and nearly all employ the "dodge attacks til weakspot is shown" tactic (Ripper Roo's revolves around timing TNT explosions) and aside from the two hog levels and indianna Jones'ing away from a boulder it's pure platforming.

I also didn't have a problem with the jump physics at all. And the run towards the screen boulder levels have never bothered me either but I'm just weird.

The backdrops and scenery for the game are gorgeous. It was hailed back in the day for it's graphics with some neat trickery regarding how they did it and I think you'd be hard pressed to say that the "Remaster-Make" looks bad either!

As mentioned earlier the level hub is unique in this title and that compared to the so-so hub rooms of Crash 2 and 3 you can see the three islands in question (You can use circle and square to rotate the camera) with each level having some graphic to indicate what you'll encounter that's just a nice little detail to me.

Untitled
The warp rooms never were as neat as this map

Though I do feel two levels are seemingly are out of order.

The first level of the third island "Heavy Machinery" has you start inside the Cortex Power building... only for the second level of the third Island "Cortex Power" to start with you entering the Cortex Power building and even has a slight visual cue at the start of the level highlighting you're outside. It's a really small quibble but I noticed it.

Plus whilst the addition of time trials are nice... The levels are much longer in this compared to the levels in the second and third games and don't quite fit the mould and encourage you to try one more time. I never bothered with them as a result.


Sound

James Mancell did the soundtrack to the original 1996 release (The remaster is a bit unclear on who actually did the remake's... I'm assuming Mancell?) is quite unique with the heavy xylophone usuage in the jungle and river tracks in particular but there's a very unique sound throughout the whole score like the use of animal noises in the jungle tracks and the chanting in the "wall fortress" levels.

Unfortunately you can't choose to switch between the original soundtrack or the updated one like in the Spyro trilogy or Crash Team Racing.

Some tracks are much better in the original.

Like 》Generator room for example《 (The link is to the original gameplay as the atompshere of the level as a whole really works for it)

》The updated track isn't bad at all《 I quite like it. It's just not as effective. (Plus the visuals in the level are nowhere near as spooky either)

However there are some tracks that shine a whole bunch more in the remaster-make

》Toxic Waste for example《 is pretty good in the original... but

》The Remake version《 turns it into a great heavy rock track

Of course this is definitely more a personal preference thing, so the milliage may vary to you.

The sound effects are pretty decent too. Like I said in my last review I find it hard to see on how you'd mess those up really and everything sounds like it should.

Special mention to Lex Lang whom has been hamming up the goofy side of Cortex ever since he got the part in Twinsanity.

Whilst he doesn't reach the heights of Clancy Brown in my opinion (Whom didn't voice Cortex til the second game when they originally released) Lex puts in a rather good performance!

Untitled
Nothing to do with the sound really. I just wanted to put this screenshot in!


Round up & Final Score

All in all Crash's first outing is good. It's not perfect but the title is very well made and whilst the gameplay is simplistic, I'd say it still holds up quite nicely... espcecially as part of a trio for £30 or less.

Untitled
Crash Bandicoot 1 get's a high 7


Pro's

  • Crash has never looked better
  • Varied and unique soundtrack

Meh's?

  • Aside from the two hog riding levels there is next to no gameplay variety that the later titles have. Whether you consider that good or bad is up to you. I personally quite enjoyed it.
  • Potential problems may arise with the jump physics

Con's

  • Whilst the bosses are all visually nicely designed, the battles themselves are quite simple. Plus Papu-Papu feels a bit out of place compared to the others.
  • Time Trials just don't fit at all.

Edited on by HallowMoonshadow

Previously known as Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
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"You don't have to save the world to find meaning in life. Sometimes all you need is something simple, like someone to take care of"

Ralizah

@Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy Wow! You really dug into this.

I'll replay it when I get around to the Trilogy on PC, but I distinctly remember hating those levels where you run toward the screen.

Interesting connection to 2.5D platfomers, even if I don't think the style works here.

So you can play as Coco after the first boss? That might make me like to play it sooner.

Currently Playing: Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re- Boot Camp (NS)

PSN: Ralizah

HallowMoonshadow

Ralizah wrote:

I distinctly remember hating those levels where you run toward the screen.

I have no problem with them at all @Ralizah. In fact I love those levels... I don't understand what people find hard/have trouble with them 😂

Ralizah wrote:

Interesting connection to 2.5D platfomers, even if I don't think the style works here.

I feel Crash 2 and Crash 3 make better use of the 3D axis. Being able to walk two steps to the left or right or perhaps jumping diagonally for a single crate isn't exactly great usage. Even the hog levels barely use it to it's advantage.

Ralizah wrote:

So you can play as Coco after the first boss?

Yup. You can do the same in Crash 2. You just switch back to Crash for bosses and the "Great Hall" level in this one as that leads to the alternate ending when you have all the gems

Edited on by HallowMoonshadow

Previously known as Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
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"You don't have to save the world to find meaning in life. Sometimes all you need is something simple, like someone to take care of"

Ralizah

Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy wrote:

I have no problem with them at all Ralizah. In fact I love those levels... I don't understand what people find hard/have trouble with them 😂

Because you can't see where you're going or what to avoid until you're right at it. The camera is pointed the wrong way. It'd be like a kart racer where you're staring at the front of the kart the entire time.

Edited on by Ralizah

Currently Playing: Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re- Boot Camp (NS)

PSN: Ralizah

HallowMoonshadow

I must be weird then @Ralizah as I've always thought there's plenty of time to course correct if you need to

Previously known as Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
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"You don't have to save the world to find meaning in life. Sometimes all you need is something simple, like someone to take care of"

Ralizah

Detroit: Become Human

WHAT IS IT?: Developer QuanticDream's latest cinematic adventure game (and the only one I've actually played). Set in the relatively near future (2038), the game follows the intertwining stories of three androids in the city of Detroit (Connor, a police android designed to investigate 'deviant' androids who are rebelling against their programming and attaining a sense of selfhood; Kara, a housekeeping android who, through a series of events, finds herself protecting an abused little girl named Alice; and Markus, a domestic care android who eventually finds himself the de facto leader of a revolutionary android rights movement).

Platform: PS4

Level of completion: I attempted to go for the platinum, which requires completing the game, and many individual chapters, numerous times. As it stands, I've gained all but three or so of the trophies and have completed the game's story two or three times, at least. I'll probably go back to it eventually and clean up the remaining trophies with another playthrough or two, but I'm kind of burned out right now.

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GAMEPLAY
I mentioned that this was a cinematic adventure game, which naturally means that the level of interactivity here is somewhat limited. Like many other story-heavy games on PS4, you're almost always being directed through a scripted sequence that combines user input with narrative in such a way that the entire game feels like a playable cutscene of sorts. There are locations with some level of exploration and player agency to them (and there are actually collectibles to find in the form of magazines, some of which change depending on choices you make that impact the direction of the story), but, ultimately, you're always being funneled down a narrative route of sorts. Your character can often walk around and examine some objects in their environment. They also frequently engage in Quick Time Event-heavy action sequences or, more rarely, conflicts where the player must quickly choose how to respond to a situation from a list of prompts.

More than any game I've played in recent memory, Detroit: Become Human seems to satisfy that classic TellTale games mantra about your choices mattering. Each chapter features a complex internal flowchart of cause-and-effect that tracks how the player's actions cause events to turn out by the end. More importantly, though, is the way in which events ripple across the narrative of the entire game and inform events that come later on. There seem to be two kinds of consequential choices in this game: decisive ones which immediately impact the narrative (such as choices that lead, fairly quickly, to a character living or dying, for example, which directly impacts how events later in the game will turn out), and ones that effect how other people perceive certain characters or factions. These latter types of choices have little impact on their own but, cumulatively, they lead to narrative-shaking changes. It's similar to, if more complex than, the 'law vs chaos' scale that is employed by several SMT games.

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STORY/CHARACTERS
Another strength of the game is the wide variety of characters you'll meet across the various chapters, from mentally unstable vagrant androids to people living in isolation who have quietly either become heroes or complete monsters. The core relationships in this game are between Connor and his cynical police lieutenant partner Hank Anderson, a complex character who struggles with discriminatory feelings toward androids while also finding himself becoming increasingly empathetic toward the "deviant" androids he comes across; Kara and Alice, who quickly find themselves developing an interesting mother/daughter dynamic; and Markus and a variety of other people in the rebel group he stumbles across: the core players in this group swing from hopeful pacifists who want to learn to co-exist with humans to hardened militants who think the only way forward is to respond with violence, and the ending of Markus' story, along with multiple big story events, will change drastically depending on which of these approaches he tends to adopt throughout the game.

So, to reiterate, while I won't go into more depth in the story, expect to investigate mysteries when playing as Connor, struggling to survive and protect Alice when playing as Kara, and deciding how to incite a revolutionary political movement as Markus.

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ART/CHARACTER DESIGNS/MUSIC
Not a lot to say in these areas. Detroit: Become Human does a good job of cultivating a hyper-realistic art-style that (mostly) avoids the uncanny valley (except where it intends to: this IS a game about androids, after all) using a combination of high-poly models, effective lighting (some of the rainy environments in this game are especially gorgeous), and clearly motion captured faces. It's obviously not quite 1:1 with real life, but, for the aging PS4, it's a really impressive effort.

The music is... pretty good. It doesn't stand out for the most part. It's not something I'd listen to on its own, but it does a good job of heightening the emotions of whatever is happening in a given scene. I particularly like the panicked sound of this track:

Other observations:

  • Some games get off to a slow start. This one doesn't, and essentially puts all its cards on the table at the beginning with a high-stakes hostage negotiation that does a really good job of introducing the player to the core gameplay systems. Very cool.
  • Scenes in this game, while incredibly streamlined and directed, are dense with a ton of detail, including interactive objects that reveal lore and worldbuilding in the background, be it through readable news tablets that flesh out current (circa 2038) political events, polling data that reveals interesting things about the public's feelings on androids more broadly, the ways in which androids are changing different entertainment fields and areas of scholarly expertise, etc., signs on the wall or in stores, news interviews on the TV, etc. It does a fantastic job of building the illusion that you're taking a peek at what a future America might look like, as opposed to just playing through a science-fiction story about androids.
  • I feel like Kara's storyline was worked into the game because the developers started with the character and felt like they needed to integrate her. Her storyline doesn't really mesh well with the Markus/Connor storylines, however, so every time one of her chapters pops up you know the game is going to start spinning its wheels narratively for a little while. This would have been more understandable if the storyline had interesting themes/ideas that enriched the broader social focus of the other storylines, but I never really felt like they added much to the game on their own terms. You had the REAL game with the other two characters, and then you had this little side story about Kara and a little girl that just kept popping back up.
  • For all of the complex issues that feed into the setting and would make for fascinating subject matter to explore across the scope of the narrative, I feel like the writers really drop the ball here. The game is entirely uninterested in the possible cognitive, moral, and experiential differences between human life and android life or the extended implications of sentient A.I. becoming a thing, and instead uses human control over androids as a somewhat tepid metaphor for racism and bigotry more universally. I mean... IT WORKS, but it feels like the game's writers took the safer, but less interesting route when it came to constructing this narrative. In-game scenarios are also frequently VERY morally black and white (Markus' storyline is a bit of an exception to this, thankfully, and there are a few points where you'll be asked to make life-or-death decisions in his route). If Detroit succeeds as an interconnected, choice-driven adventure story, then it mostly fails as thought-provoking literature.
  • Similarly, its depiction of political oppression and activism is fundamentally very lazy. Why do all 'awakened' androids seem to automatically join your side (people advocating against their own rights isn't exactly a recent historical phenomenon)? How is this massive civil rights movement kickstarted so rapidly? All it takes is a couple of non-violent demonstrations for the government to go full Third Reich on androids, and, similarly, a kiss or a song are enough to largely defuse government violence. The game's heart is in the right place, but it streamlines actual social conflict to the point where story beats feel vaguely cartoonish.
  • This game desperately needs a function to fast-forward though many of the looooooong talky sections that you have to sit through over and over if you're going for all the trophies. This game certainly doesn't respect the player's time and, in many respects, feels like it was designed with only one complete playthrough in mind, despite the wealth of choices available to the player. Japanese visual novels deal with this by allowing the player to quickly skip through previously read dialogue, and this game would benefit dramatically from something similar.
  • At several points in the game, it will ask the player to shake their controller around to simulate an in-game action. Can't say I'm a fan of this. Waggle controls weren't particularly engaging in various Nintendo Wii games a decade ago, and they make even less sense here.

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CONCLUSION
Despite some narrative missteps, inconsistent pacing, surface-level treatment of complex social and technological issues, and missing QoL features for trophy hunters/completionists, the game stands tall as one of the best adventure games I've played in recent memory. The complex web of decision-making that happens across the various chapters can lead to radically different outcomes by the end, making this one of the few adventure games I've played where the player's decisions ACTUALLY do matter to the outcome of the story. The dire narrative stakes, thematic presentation, and gorgeous, ultra-realistic visual style make this feel like an interactive movie in the best way possible. I was fully invested in the fates of these characters from beginning to end, and frankly never expected I'd end up enjoying it so much.

8/10

Edited on by Ralizah

Currently Playing: Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re- Boot Camp (NS)

PSN: Ralizah

ralphdibny

@Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy My favourite and most frustrating level of crash is the bridge one where the panels fall out from underneath you. I also find the sound effects to be weirdly repetitive to the extent that they become trippy. The rhythm of that level and the trippiness of the spin, crate and dying sound effects resulted in one of my favourite game experiences for years!

See ya!

HallowMoonshadow

Nice review as always @Ralizah 👍

When I saw it initially earlier I thought you'd already reviewed this already but I think that was just an extensive discussion with RogerRoger and Th3Solution in the Become Human thread!

It's nice that even if you found a number of faults with the title, you still ended up thoroughly enjoying it!

Edited on by HallowMoonshadow

Previously known as Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy
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"You don't have to save the world to find meaning in life. Sometimes all you need is something simple, like someone to take care of"

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