This sounds like an awesome game, but I’ll wait for a sale before I pick it up. There are too many games right now that have my interest. Also, I’m torn on whether or not I want to suffer through puzzles—-I’m awful at them in video games. Everything else sounds right up my alley.
Last week I talked about how I’m playing Baldur’s Gate 3 - taking my time, playing in spurts, and eventually completing it after reaching the end of Act 2. It would be at this point where fatigue settles in and I would ultimately shelve the game for months, only to come back, forget the mechanics, and create a new character. This process would be repeated over and over.
Meanwhile, my initial goal was to play BG3 between other games: Metal Gear Solid Delta, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, and Hollow Knight Silksong. Let me state for the record - those goals have gone to hell in a hand basket. I am in DEEEEEEP waters on my trek to reach the pinnacle of Act 3. I genuinely can’t get enough of it, and I’m about to wrap up the second act with a newfound sense of energy.
What blows my mind is how different this playthrough is compared to my previous ones. I have this awful habit in RPGs where I tend to choose the “good guy” route whenever there is dialogue choices. Moreover, I play the same type of character if I can - a high-elf, rogue assassin. And when I get a bad roll of the dice I reload my save until I get the outcome I wanted. This time, however, I’m a Dwarf monk and it has been awesome. I’m letting the rolls dictate the story, good or bad - a true RPG experience. What I wasn’t expecting is how unsatisfying rolls can actually create better moments throughout side quests and main campaign.
Simply put, there is a lot of game here. You never feel as if you missed out on something special regardless of your good or bad choices because the writing is so top notch that every thread is meticulously fleshed out so you can get the ultimate experience. My actions are generally good, but also morally grey. I tend to find the root of the problem and rip it out, but if I can use it to my advantage then I will. I’m living my best life in BG3 and wouldn’t have it any other way.
I want to conclude my rant by making a bold proclamation: from a video game perspective, BG3 might be the greatest of all time. That’s not to say it’s my favorite, but in totality I think it measures up to that threshold. To me, it’s the epitome of what I have always envisioned games to be ever since I could comprehend the basics in 1994.
A rich, lush world beckoning to be explored, filled with many secrets to uncover? Check. Freedom and allows for player expression? Double check. An incredible cast of characters with unique personalities, deep history to learn about, fully fleshed out, and having an experience tailor made to each individual and play-style? Triple check. Writing that is on another level, to the point where each interaction with any character or NPC feels meaningful? Quadruple check. Every facet of this game is seamlessly woven together, and I don’t understand it. I don’t want to, either. I’m just happy it exists.
This game never appealed to me for some reason. I’ve thought it looked generic from day one despite the kinetic gameplay. It’s a shame the story and characters aren’t up to snuff — that may have swayed me to checking out the game, if they were good, that is. Oh, well; maybe when the game goes on a deep sale I will check it out.
I can’t wait for this game. The first game is my favorite Obsidian RPG and I often replay it. The sequel looks to reach those same heights for me personally.
@dgfdytry I preordered the deluxe edition and it was available to download Monday and be played yesterday. If you are just going to buy it without preordering it should be available tomorrow night at 11:00pm.
I’ll be picking this up on a sale, but it’s crazy to actually see the game on a PlayStation console. I remember getting all of the achievements for it on the Xbox 360 - yes, even all multiplayer ones, including the 10k kills - and still wanting more. I doubt I’ll go for the multiplayer trophies now, but I do love the campaign.
This is a bummer - Demonschool has been one of my most anticipated games for a long time. With that said, it’s a smart move. It’s also going to free up my wallet and give me time to play the numerous amount of games releasing in just days and weeks ahead.
@Northern_munkey It is not. You can check my comments if you’d like - I address his statements on trophies. For me, I like trophies and will go for the platinum if I can. If not, no big deal, I just wanna play good games.
@Balaam_ You make it sound like gaming is a chore rather than a hobby. These kind of trophy lists should be what you want to have - a challenge that could be worth undertaking, giving you a real sense of accomplishment. It honestly seems like you’re fishing for trophies for a weird sense of self pride that nobody else cares about other than yourself.
This weekend I’m not playing anything. My wife and I surprised our daughter with her first ever tickets to a concert in Chicago, so that’s where we will be for the next couple of days. It will be our first time there, so we are going to do all of the touristy things. To say I’m excited to finally try Chicago deep dish pizza for the first time is an understatement.
However, throughout the week I decided to start a fresh playthrough in Baldur’s Gate 3. I’ve done this twice - both times reaching the end of Act 2, but getting fatigued and putting the game down for a long while. It’s truly a special game, but I have a tendency to implement the same style of play each time - a high elf, rogue assassin that focuses on stealth and archery. I do this with The Elder Scrolls, too.
This time I’m making a devoted effort to play in different ways. For starters, I’m a Dwarf with the subclass of Paladin. Secondly, I have a terrible habit of save scumming and being a good guy. While I will still be good, I’m going to choose dialogue options that are appropriate rather than solely choosing the “right” response, and whatever the dice rolls I am going to allow myself to accept the decision, good or bad. And lastly, I’m going to try new character abilities during combat. I generally play it safe and focus on raw strength and advantages rather than coming up with unique methods to approach combat, or not at all.
So far, my experimentation has turned out quite well. Who knew using magic was so fun? I’m throughly enjoying how I approach every situation and living with the results. Moreover, by doing so, I’m discovering unexpected side quests that I never found in my first two endeavors, and branching narratives that I can tell will have an impact later on. I’m really curious to see how things evolve.
The one thing that will never change: romancing Shadowheart. That will remain a constant until Gale decides to end us all with an explosion of jealousy and addiction. And on an unrelated side note - I’m praying for a Nintendo Switch 2 port because I’ll be doing a lot of traveling this upcoming year and it would be the perfect companion piece.
I’m glad to see this remake live up to the lofty expectations it had. The original is one of my favorite games of all time. I’ll definitely be picking this up on release day, but man, we are about to be drowning in games in the next couple of weeks. This, Cronos, Hell Is Us, Silksong, Trails in the Sky, Demon School, Gears of War. All of these games are either releasing on the same day or a week apart. And that’s not even all of the games - they are just the ones I could think of from the top of my head.
I’m glad I can finally play this on PS5, and being the most up to date version. I played it when it came out on Xbox and loved it deeply despite it missing some features. Hopefully, this will feel like a fresh new playthrough.
I can’t wait for this game. Between the Trails Of and Ys games, they are the perfect comfort food for me during difficult times in my life. They hold a special place in my heart.
It’s still not available on the PS Store, which is a bummer. I was hoping I would be able to get to play it before I head to work this morning. Oh, well. I can’t wait to get my hands on it tomorrow!
Solid list! The Mass Effect Collection is an absolute banger. I should replay those games again. I have the platinum for the first game, but I’d like to get the platinum for 2 & 3. I’ve also been meaning to play South Park: The Stick of Truth. It’s been on my cross media bar for ages but I just never get to it. I hear great things about it.
I finished up the platinum trophy for Mafia: The Old Country this week. I found it to be the epitome of a 7/10 game which is a compliment. I honestly would rate it higher if not for a couple of nagging issues that prevent it from excelling.
The story and characters are very well written and acted. I managed to get invested in their arc(s) and care about the main protagonist and his fate. It may have been a predictable tale, but that didn’t stop it from being effective. My complaint, however, lies with its ending. It wasn’t bad—it was rushed. There should have been a few more chapters sprinkled in to flesh out the narrative. There are character perspectives that go from adoring someone in the Mafioso family to complete defilement in the span of one chapter. It didn’t make sense. Thematically, I understand, but how we got to that destination felt diluted.
On the other side of things, I found the gameplay solid and enjoyable. The driving felt more intuitive than Mafia 1, and the combat and stealth mechanics were great, albeit uninspired. It felt like an Uncharted game from the early PS3-era, with its cover based shooting, stealth elements, and set pieces.
The only real annoyance I have with the game - and this dates back to Mafia 1 - is the collectibles. My goodness, talk about atrocious. The developers really needs to come up with a better system for how you acquire these items, particularly when it’s an limited open world that encourages you to stay on the main course by having a countdown of 15 seconds to return to the main objective if you stray off the beaten path. Guess where at least a partial amount of those collectibles are; yep, you guessed it.
Thankfully, once you beat the game there is an option for chapter replay and “explore” mode, meaning you have access to the entire world map. This sounds great in theory, but it still makes hunting for collectibles tiresome. They won’t appear on the map unless you are physically next to it. This wouldn’t be much of an issue if there was an incentive to get out of your vehicle or dismount from your horse, but there isn’t. Speaking of the map, you can’t set any markers, so you are constantly opening and closing your map to see how close you are to your destination.
What doesn’t appear on the map regardless if you are near is the infamous foxes that you can obtain. There are 50 of them total, and unlike other collectibles such as Newspapers, Saint cards, and Photographs, they don’t have a specific name registered to them. Moreover, some of these collectibles are exclusively tied to main missions, and since there is no tracker for what you have or haven’t collected in the story, good luck with the hunt.
Overall, I think the game is good to borderline great. If you’re a fan of a tight narrative with compelling characters and serviceable gameplay you should definitely try this game out. There are a few stumbles along the way with its pacing, but if you’re looking for something to beat over a weekend then you can’t go wrong with this game.
I can’t wait to see how Remedy remakes Max Payne. They are a masters of craft, and the first game holds a special place in my heart. I can only imagine how incredible the game will look and feel with modern hardware which is surprising to say since the game holds up very well 20 years later.
Does it include a chapter replay? I missed one collectible in the game and I know exactly where it is at. I would love to go back and grab it to get the platinum trophy instead of playing all the way up to chapter 9.
All of these types of games are melding together. If you put a sizzle reel of all of these games and didn’t have the title in them I would assume they are all the same game.
Great review — well thought out and articulated. I enjoyed reading it. I’m personally loving the game despite its lack of evolution in the franchise, going back to a more linear direction, but bringing along PS2 limitations. I know this is a negative for many and I totally understand, but for me it’s refreshing. And while the gameplay isn’t going to really reinforce any positive feelings, I think it’s enjoyable enough. I guess I never expected Mafia The Old Country to do something new and exciting. My hope was that we would get a strong narrative similar to the first game, with great voice acting and character animations, and solid gunplay. That’s all I was looking for and I’m quite pleased with the experience.
@ErrantRob I also reached the final boss in THE First Berserker, intending to get the platinum, but he was too hard. I wasn’t expecting him to have three phases either. I didn’t lower the difficulty in order to beat him so my progress is haltered and will probably remain that way for the long foreseeable future.
This week I managed to obtain the platinum trophy for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. It was a sublime experience, and only gets better once you unlock hard mode. It’s here where the game truly begins as you endure the classic difficulty of the original NES trilogy.
The last trophy was the hardest, and I’m not sure how I managed to accomplish it. In order to get the platinum you need to complete the game in hard mode. This difficulty setting introduces more difficult enemies in the earlier stages as well as more traps sprinkled throughout the levels. It’s a brilliant way to make the second playthrough feel fresh. Subsequently, you are required to do a boss rush without dying. What makes this even more challenging is that there are no health items or power upgrades. I have no idea how I did this, but it’s one of my proudest platinum trophies.
I’ve said it last week - The Game Kitchen deserves to make a 2D Castlevania game. The Blasphemous games were fantastic, and now NG has surpassed all expectations. This developer simply understands how to make 2D action platformers along with Metroidvania games, from precise platforming, challenging combat and levels that steadily progress in difficulty, rewarding abilities that are paced out expertly, and atmosphere that sucks you into their world.
I have also started Mafia: The Old Country. I am a couple of hours in but I consider it pretty good. in fact, it’s exactly what I expected from a Mafia game; a gripping narrative with solid gunplay.
I understand some people’s hesitation on the game due to its archaic design (PS2 energy) with its gunplay and stealth mechanics. From time to time it’s a cover based shooter, an on-rails set piece, and stealth sections that are mandatory but simplistic in nature. However, my question to some is: Why is this a bad thing? I’m not sure why there were expectations that The Old Country was going to reinvent the wheel in its gameplay. The Mafia games have always emphasized narrative over gameplay. That isn’t to say it couldn’t be better — it absolutely could — but I knew what I signed up for and it’s exactly what I wanted.
With all of that said, I do have one minor complaint and that is its limited open world that generally keeps you on the straight and narrow. While I absolutely adore a linear experience, The Old Country does an exceptional job of recreating 1900s Sicily that it’s a shame you can’t fully explore it because it’s a beautiful landscape that is rich with history and deserves your undivided attention. Nonetheless, it still immerses you deeply and I’m excited to see how things ultimately unfold.
@PuppetMaster This seems like classic Ninja Gaiden to me too. I think it looks incredible, and I have no worries at all on whether or not it will deliver. I do wonder if Ryu will be able to use a variety of weapons like in 2, but it doesn’t matter either way. I can’t wait for this.
Comments 1,493
Re: Hell Is Us (PS5) - One of the Best Mystery Experiences on PS5
This sounds like an awesome game, but I’ll wait for a sale before I pick it up. There are too many games right now that have my interest. Also, I’m torn on whether or not I want to suffer through puzzles—-I’m awful at them in video games. Everything else sounds right up my alley.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 596
Last week I talked about how I’m playing Baldur’s Gate 3 - taking my time, playing in spurts, and eventually completing it after reaching the end of Act 2. It would be at this point where fatigue settles in and I would ultimately shelve the game for months, only to come back, forget the mechanics, and create a new character. This process would be repeated over and over.
Meanwhile, my initial goal was to play BG3 between other games: Metal Gear Solid Delta, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, and Hollow Knight Silksong. Let me state for the record - those goals have gone to hell in a hand basket. I am in DEEEEEEP waters on my trek to reach the pinnacle of Act 3. I genuinely can’t get enough of it, and I’m about to wrap up the second act with a newfound sense of energy.
What blows my mind is how different this playthrough is compared to my previous ones. I have this awful habit in RPGs where I tend to choose the “good guy” route whenever there is dialogue choices. Moreover, I play the same type of character if I can - a high-elf, rogue assassin. And when I get a bad roll of the dice I reload my save until I get the outcome I wanted. This time, however, I’m a Dwarf monk and it has been awesome. I’m letting the rolls dictate the story, good or bad - a true RPG experience. What I wasn’t expecting is how unsatisfying rolls can actually create better moments throughout side quests and main campaign.
Simply put, there is a lot of game here. You never feel as if you missed out on something special regardless of your good or bad choices because the writing is so top notch that every thread is meticulously fleshed out so you can get the ultimate experience. My actions are generally good, but also morally grey. I tend to find the root of the problem and rip it out, but if I can use it to my advantage then I will. I’m living my best life in BG3 and wouldn’t have it any other way.
I want to conclude my rant by making a bold proclamation: from a video game perspective, BG3 might be the greatest of all time. That’s not to say it’s my favorite, but in totality I think it measures up to that threshold. To me, it’s the epitome of what I have always envisioned games to be ever since I could comprehend the basics in 1994.
A rich, lush world beckoning to be explored, filled with many secrets to uncover? Check. Freedom and allows for player expression? Double check. An incredible cast of characters with unique personalities, deep history to learn about, fully fleshed out, and having an experience tailor made to each individual and play-style? Triple check. Writing that is on another level, to the point where each interaction with any character or NPC feels meaningful? Quadruple check. Every facet of this game is seamlessly woven together, and I don’t understand it. I don’t want to, either. I’m just happy it exists.
Re: Review in Progress: Lost Soul Aside (PS5) - Long Awaited Action Is Both Awesome and Awkward
This game never appealed to me for some reason. I’ve thought it looked generic from day one despite the kinetic gameplay. It’s a shame the story and characters aren’t up to snuff — that may have swayed me to checking out the game, if they were good, that is. Oh, well; maybe when the game goes on a deep sale I will check it out.
Re: Judas Resurfaces with Key Art, New Gameplay Details
I will be ready whenever the game releases - it looks incredible, and sounds superb.
Re: Preview: The Outer Worlds 2 Doubles Down on RPG Gameplay to Great Effect
I can’t wait for this game. The first game is my favorite Obsidian RPG and I often replay it. The sequel looks to reach those same heights for me personally.
Re: PS Plus Essential Games for September 2025 Announced
Good selection of games! Psychonauts 2 is a great addition. I’m looking forward to trying it out whenever I find the time.
Re: Metal Gear Solid Delta Guide: A 100% Walkthrough and All Collectibles
@dgfdytry I preordered the deluxe edition and it was available to download Monday and be played yesterday. If you are just going to buy it without preordering it should be available tomorrow night at 11:00pm.
Re: Gears of War: Reloaded (PS5) - Iconic Xbox Shooter Is the Perfect Intro for PlayStation Fans
I’ll be picking this up on a sale, but it’s crazy to actually see the game on a PlayStation console. I remember getting all of the achievements for it on the Xbox 360 - yes, even all multiplayer ones, including the 10k kills - and still wanting more. I doubt I’ll go for the multiplayer trophies now, but I do love the campaign.
Re: The Sheer Presence of Hollow Knight: Silksong Is Delaying PS5 Indie Games
This is a bummer - Demonschool has been one of my most anticipated games for a long time. With that said, it’s a smart move. It’s also going to free up my wallet and give me time to play the numerous amount of games releasing in just days and weeks ahead.
Re: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PS5) - A Gorgeous, Triumphant Return for SEGA's Ninja Series
@Northern_munkey If you pre order the deluxe edition you can play the game today. I caved and did that lol.
Re: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PS5) - A Gorgeous, Triumphant Return for SEGA's Ninja Series
@Northern_munkey I figured it was haha.
Re: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PS5) - A Gorgeous, Triumphant Return for SEGA's Ninja Series
@Northern_munkey It is not. You can check my comments if you’d like - I address his statements on trophies. For me, I like trophies and will go for the platinum if I can. If not, no big deal, I just wanna play good games.
Re: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PS5) - A Gorgeous, Triumphant Return for SEGA's Ninja Series
@Quintumply That sounds like a proper good time and challenge. Thanks for answering my question!
Re: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PS5) - A Gorgeous, Triumphant Return for SEGA's Ninja Series
I forgot to ask - how are the trophies? Is the platinum very difficult? I’m looking forward to the challenge if it is.
Re: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PS5) - A Gorgeous, Triumphant Return for SEGA's Ninja Series
Looks like another day one purchase for me. This year has been a banger for games and we still have plenty more to go.
Re: Lost Soul Aside's PS5 Platinum Won't Be a Walk in the Park
@Balaam_ You make it sound like gaming is a chore rather than a hobby. These kind of trophy lists should be what you want to have - a challenge that could be worth undertaking, giving you a real sense of accomplishment. It honestly seems like you’re fishing for trophies for a weird sense of self pride that nobody else cares about other than yourself.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 595
This weekend I’m not playing anything. My wife and I surprised our daughter with her first ever tickets to a concert in Chicago, so that’s where we will be for the next couple of days. It will be our first time there, so we are going to do all of the touristy things. To say I’m excited to finally try Chicago deep dish pizza for the first time is an understatement.
However, throughout the week I decided to start a fresh playthrough in Baldur’s Gate 3. I’ve done this twice - both times reaching the end of Act 2, but getting fatigued and putting the game down for a long while. It’s truly a special game, but I have a tendency to implement the same style of play each time - a high elf, rogue assassin that focuses on stealth and archery. I do this with The Elder Scrolls, too.
This time I’m making a devoted effort to play in different ways. For starters, I’m a Dwarf with the subclass of Paladin. Secondly, I have a terrible habit of save scumming and being a good guy. While I will still be good, I’m going to choose dialogue options that are appropriate rather than solely choosing the “right” response, and whatever the dice rolls I am going to allow myself to accept the decision, good or bad. And lastly, I’m going to try new character abilities during combat. I generally play it safe and focus on raw strength and advantages rather than coming up with unique methods to approach combat, or not at all.
So far, my experimentation has turned out quite well. Who knew using magic was so fun? I’m throughly enjoying how I approach every situation and living with the results. Moreover, by doing so, I’m discovering unexpected side quests that I never found in my first two endeavors, and branching narratives that I can tell will have an impact later on. I’m really curious to see how things evolve.
The one thing that will never change: romancing Shadowheart. That will remain a constant until Gale decides to end us all with an explosion of jealousy and addiction. And on an unrelated side note - I’m praying for a Nintendo Switch 2 port because I’ll be doing a lot of traveling this upcoming year and it would be the perfect companion piece.
Re: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (PS5) - The Best Version of an Undisputed Classic
I’m glad to see this remake live up to the lofty expectations it had. The original is one of my favorite games of all time. I’ll definitely be picking this up on release day, but man, we are about to be drowning in games in the next couple of weeks. This, Cronos, Hell Is Us, Silksong, Trails in the Sky, Demon School, Gears of War. All of these games are either releasing on the same day or a week apart. And that’s not even all of the games - they are just the ones I could think of from the top of my head.
Re: Hollow Knight: Silksong Is Finally Out on 4th September
@Haruki_NLI I would normally agree, but this trailer looks fantastic. I have a feeling they will pull it off.
Re: Action JRPG Lost Hellden Could Be One to Watch on PS5 as New Gameplay Is Revealed
Wow - this looks really cool! I hope it has a strong narrative.
Re: Xbox Open World STALKER 2 Goes Above and Beyond with PS5 Exclusive Features
I’m glad I can finally play this on PS5, and being the most up to date version. I played it when it came out on Xbox and loved it deeply despite it missing some features. Hopefully, this will feel like a fresh new playthrough.
Re: Hands On: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Feels Like a Huge Step Forward for Falcom's RPG Series
I can’t wait for this game. Between the Trails Of and Ys games, they are the perfect comfort food for me during difficult times in my life. They hold a special place in my heart.
Re: Surprise! The Rogue Prince of Persia Is Available Today on PS5
@4fold I know, right? I kept checking the PS Store, fully expecting to buy it, but it was included with PS+. It was an awesome surprise!
Re: Surprise! The Rogue Prince of Persia Is Available Today on PS5
@Dan12836666 TLC is great, and I got the platinum for it. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in 2D action platformers/metroidvania.
Re: Surprise! The Rogue Prince of Persia Is Available Today on PS5
It’s still not available on the PS Store, which is a bummer. I was hoping I would be able to get to play it before I head to work this morning. Oh, well. I can’t wait to get my hands on it tomorrow!
Re: Highly Rated Square Enix RPG Triangle Strategy Out Now on PS5
Awful name; great game.
Re: Surprise! The Rogue Prince of Persia Is Available Today on PS5
Dang - I am definitely picking this up! It looks incredible. I’m glad to see Prince of Persia go back its 2D roots, with this and The Lost Crown.
Re: Ghost of Yotei Legends Multiplayer Drops as Free DLC in 2026, New Story Trailer Is a Stunner
Maybe now people will be more excited for this game. I can’t wait.
Re: 'Special' Hollow Knight: Silksong Announcement Set for Thursday
I can only assume that it will be shadow dropped - that really is the only way to make this announcement “special”.
Re: PS5 Stunner Phantom Blade Zero Looks Out of This World in New Gameplay Trailer
My goodness, this game continues to impress me more every time I see a new trailer. Can we make please get a release date?
Re: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance DLC Adds Dr. Eggman and Other Classic SEGA Villains in 2026
This might shape up to be the best Shinobi game yet. It looks absolutely incredible.
Re: Sword of the Sea (PS5) - Stunning Journey-Like Is a PS Plus Extra Hall of Famer
I’m looking forward to trying this game out. It definitely sounds like a superb game. Great review!
Re: 15+ Essential PS5, PS4 Games You Must Add to Your Collection in PS Store's Weekend Offer
Solid list! The Mass Effect Collection is an absolute banger. I should replay those games again. I have the platinum for the first game, but I’d like to get the platinum for 2 & 3. I’ve also been meaning to play South Park: The Stick of Truth. It’s been on my cross media bar for ages but I just never get to it. I hear great things about it.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 594
I finished up the platinum trophy for Mafia: The Old Country this week. I found it to be the epitome of a 7/10 game which is a compliment. I honestly would rate it higher if not for a couple of nagging issues that prevent it from excelling.
The story and characters are very well written and acted. I managed to get invested in their arc(s) and care about the main protagonist and his fate. It may have been a predictable tale, but that didn’t stop it from being effective. My complaint, however, lies with its ending. It wasn’t bad—it was rushed. There should have been a few more chapters sprinkled in to flesh out the narrative. There are character perspectives that go from adoring someone in the Mafioso family to complete defilement in the span of one chapter. It didn’t make sense. Thematically, I understand, but how we got to that destination felt diluted.
On the other side of things, I found the gameplay solid and enjoyable. The driving felt more intuitive than Mafia 1, and the combat and stealth mechanics were great, albeit uninspired. It felt like an Uncharted game from the early PS3-era, with its cover based shooting, stealth elements, and set pieces.
The only real annoyance I have with the game - and this dates back to Mafia 1 - is the collectibles. My goodness, talk about atrocious. The developers really needs to come up with a better system for how you acquire these items, particularly when it’s an limited open world that encourages you to stay on the main course by having a countdown of 15 seconds to return to the main objective if you stray off the beaten path. Guess where at least a partial amount of those collectibles are; yep, you guessed it.
Thankfully, once you beat the game there is an option for chapter replay and “explore” mode, meaning you have access to the entire world map. This sounds great in theory, but it still makes hunting for collectibles tiresome. They won’t appear on the map unless you are physically next to it. This wouldn’t be much of an issue if there was an incentive to get out of your vehicle or dismount from your horse, but there isn’t. Speaking of the map, you can’t set any markers, so you are constantly opening and closing your map to see how close you are to your destination.
What doesn’t appear on the map regardless if you are near is the infamous foxes that you can obtain. There are 50 of them total, and unlike other collectibles such as Newspapers, Saint cards, and Photographs, they don’t have a specific name registered to them. Moreover, some of these collectibles are exclusively tied to main missions, and since there is no tracker for what you have or haven’t collected in the story, good luck with the hunt.
Overall, I think the game is good to borderline great. If you’re a fan of a tight narrative with compelling characters and serviceable gameplay you should definitely try this game out. There are a few stumbles along the way with its pacing, but if you’re looking for something to beat over a weekend then you can’t go wrong with this game.
Re: Astoundingly Ambitious PS5 RPG Crimson Desert Looks Like It'll Ease the Wait for The Witcher 4
It looks cool, and hopefully it will eventually release.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Mafia: The Old Country?
I rate it a 7/10, but it could easily be an 8/10 if it wasn’t for a few pacing issues.
Re: PS5 Players Show Up for Mafia: The Old Country, as Dev Teases Free New Content
I’m glad I bought this game. It was an enjoyable experience, and I got the platinum trophy for it this morning.
Re: PS5 Stunner Neo Berlin 2087 Walks the Uncanny Valley with New Gameplay Trailer
I think it looks pretty solid overall, but we shall wait and see.
Re: 12 PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for August 2025 Announced
That is a great list of games! There are several titles I’ll be dipping my toes into.
Re: Trails in the Sky PS5 Remake Reportedly Double the Length of Original Game
I can’t wait for this, and it sounds like there will be a lot more content. And by content I mean dialogue.
Re: Remedy Knuckling Down on Control 2, Max Payne Remakes
I can’t wait to see how Remedy remakes Max Payne. They are a masters of craft, and the first game holds a special place in my heart. I can only imagine how incredible the game will look and feel with modern hardware which is surprising to say since the game holds up very well 20 years later.
Re: Hellblade 1 Finally Enhanced for PS5, Out Now with Free Upgrade
Does it include a chapter replay? I missed one collectible in the game and I know exactly where it is at. I would love to go back and grab it to get the platinum trophy instead of playing all the way up to chapter 9.
Re: Jaw Dropping PS5 Action Game Woochi the Wayfarer Inspired by Classic Korean Novel
All of these types of games are melding together. If you put a sizzle reel of all of these games and didn’t have the title in them I would assume they are all the same game.
Re: Mafia: The Old Country (PS5) - Historical Crime Story Runs Out of Ammo
Great review — well thought out and articulated. I enjoyed reading it. I’m personally loving the game despite its lack of evolution in the franchise, going back to a more linear direction, but bringing along PS2 limitations. I know this is a negative for many and I totally understand, but for me it’s refreshing. And while the gameplay isn’t going to really reinforce any positive feelings, I think it’s enjoyable enough. I guess I never expected Mafia The Old Country to do something new and exciting. My hope was that we would get a strong narrative similar to the first game, with great voice acting and character animations, and solid gunplay. That’s all I was looking for and I’m quite pleased with the experience.
Re: These 11+ New PS5, PS4 Games Are Coming Out Next Week (11th-17th August)
Echoes of the End looks great, and I feel like it could be a sleeper hit. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on reviews.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 593
@ErrantRob I also reached the final boss in THE First Berserker, intending to get the platinum, but he was too hard. I wasn’t expecting him to have three phases either. I didn’t lower the difficulty in order to beat him so my progress is haltered and will probably remain that way for the long foreseeable future.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 593
This week I managed to obtain the platinum trophy for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. It was a sublime experience, and only gets better once you unlock hard mode. It’s here where the game truly begins as you endure the classic difficulty of the original NES trilogy.
The last trophy was the hardest, and I’m not sure how I managed to accomplish it. In order to get the platinum you need to complete the game in hard mode. This difficulty setting introduces more difficult enemies in the earlier stages as well as more traps sprinkled throughout the levels. It’s a brilliant way to make the second playthrough feel fresh. Subsequently, you are required to do a boss rush without dying. What makes this even more challenging is that there are no health items or power upgrades. I have no idea how I did this, but it’s one of my proudest platinum trophies.
I’ve said it last week - The Game Kitchen deserves to make a 2D Castlevania game. The Blasphemous games were fantastic, and now NG has surpassed all expectations. This developer simply understands how to make 2D action platformers along with Metroidvania games, from precise platforming, challenging combat and levels that steadily progress in difficulty, rewarding abilities that are paced out expertly, and atmosphere that sucks you into their world.
I have also started Mafia: The Old Country. I am a couple of hours in but I consider it pretty good. in fact, it’s exactly what I expected from a Mafia game; a gripping narrative with solid gunplay.
I understand some people’s hesitation on the game due to its archaic design (PS2 energy) with its gunplay and stealth mechanics. From time to time it’s a cover based shooter, an on-rails set piece, and stealth sections that are mandatory but simplistic in nature. However, my question to some is: Why is this a bad thing? I’m not sure why there were expectations that The Old Country was going to reinvent the wheel in its gameplay. The Mafia games have always emphasized narrative over gameplay. That isn’t to say it couldn’t be better — it absolutely could — but I knew what I signed up for and it’s exactly what I wanted.
With all of that said, I do have one minor complaint and that is its limited open world that generally keeps you on the straight and narrow. While I absolutely adore a linear experience, The Old Country does an exceptional job of recreating 1900s Sicily that it’s a shame you can’t fully explore it because it’s a beautiful landscape that is rich with history and deserves your undivided attention. Nonetheless, it still immerses you deeply and I’m excited to see how things ultimately unfold.
Re: Round Up: Ninja Gaiden 4 Sounds Like the Slick, Brutal Sequel Fans Are Hoping For
@PuppetMaster This seems like classic Ninja Gaiden to me too. I think it looks incredible, and I have no worries at all on whether or not it will deliver. I do wonder if Ryu will be able to use a variety of weapons like in 2, but it doesn’t matter either way. I can’t wait for this.
Re: Round Up: Ninja Gaiden 4 Sounds Like the Slick, Brutal Sequel Fans Are Hoping For
Welcome back, Ninja Gaiden.
Re: Game of the Month: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (July 2025)
It is a well deserved game of the month. I just got the platinum for it this morning, and I can’t wait for NG4.