Sunday, November 29, 2020

Visage | PS4 Review

SadSquare Studio's psychological horror, Visage, starts off with a bang. A literal bang. Through a first-person perspective we witness what appears to be a murder-suicide. Details on the situation are not immediately given, but it can be assumed that the gunman is the protagonist of this sordid affair. Upon putting the final bullet into his own head the protagonist's world fades to black. Abruptly transitioning into what can best be described as a hellish nightmare scenario. Trapped within his ever-morphing home he tries to make sense of the madness that now surrounds him. From ghastly specters to paranormal activity brought on by prolonged exposure to darkness the protagonist slowly comes to terms with the reasoning for his state of being. Popping pills, lighting lights, and finding keys to open up the house further for exploration as he tries to come to grips with his reality, or lack thereof. 

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

In Celebration Of Violence | PS4 Review

Julian Edison's inspired indie "In Celebration of Violence" is a fantasy rougelike with a heavy focus on violence, and the effects of said violence. The game opens up with a segue into a story detailing a peasant's encounter with violence, and the townsfolk's reaction to his personal tale of woe. Some stood idly by as people tend to do, and did nothing while others sought to be the man's hero. Ultimately all failed, and it is in this story of failure that we find out none of these individuals are actually the protagonist. That violence itself is the main behind-the-scenes string puller. The personified influence of violence which is forever capitalizing on acts of malicious murder, and inflicted terror through those gripped by it's dark intent. Through individuals of different classes that the personification of violence controls, violence itself is perpetuated. In an endless cycle that rinses, and repeats with each life and death. It is as one of a handful of class based individuals that you yourself will become a part of the enigmatically personified violence's game. Spilling blood to level up, and improving base stats while dying, and reliving your blood soaked fantasy adventure until it is finally complete. 

Friday, November 20, 2020

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War | Multiplayer Review

Those who have followed the Call of Duty franchise over the years won't be completely surprised by the features included in the Cold War multiplayer. I say that because it carries with it very familiar content. Content that includes a weapon setup system that is a conjoined feature which harbors more of the same. You get a mixture of past, and recent weapon loadout options including the return of a primary, secondary, tactical, lethal, field upgrade, wild cards, and even perks. On top of all that you get access to the accessories, and stickers. It's definitely a Frankensteinian effort on Treyarch's behalf that is less innovative. 

When it comes to weapon types the offerings are more limited than previous games' stocks, and once again carries with it fan favorites in the form of assault rifles, SMGs, tactical rifles, snipers, and LMGs. Secondaries also return to a familiar formula by including pistols, melee, rocket launchers, shotguns, and a grenade launcher. While the assortment is somewhat lacking within each sub-section of weapon there is plenty to level up, and tinker with though. The guns in particular bring back MW's five attachment add-on system that increases gun performance, and handling. Adding bonus stats to things like horizontal and vertical recoil, sprint to aim quickness, and the other perks that come with MW's take on things. You can even change aiming dots, and add skins that are unlocked from all modes. All of which is also lacking in quantity, and quality.

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War | Final Campaign Thoughts

The campaign in Cold War seems to be it's shining achievement. While it does harbor a standard or somewhat cliche espionage plot with a Call of Duty twist it is done in such a way as to never be dull. The missions each have varied action packed takes on objectives, and gives the player an opportunity to escape the routine run & gun or camping habits brought on by the game's multiplayer scene. It comes with several different difficulties. Each difficulty ramping up the AI's performance. Making them increasingly more hostile, and sensitive to your approach. Along the way you will also be collecting evidence which in turn will open up three different ending possibilities. This involves two particular side missions with accompanying puzzles dependent upon certain pieces of evidence. Also certain choices within the playthrough will hold weight on the ending you get as they too play into getting the evidence required for the bonus missions. The endings themselves vary from good to bad, and finally to really bad. No spoilers here though. I strongly suggest you playing through it yourself, so that you can get the most out of what you paid for.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends: The Baron Is Back | PS4 Review

Bubble Bobble is a game that is very dear to me. It reminds of a special time in my life when my brothers, and sisters would join in to play the game cooperatively at home, and have a good time trying to complete a full playthrough. We dedicated our time to mastering each stage, finding the secrets, and even learning of the thunder bubble glitch. We were all in on Bubble Bobble, and it is one of the few couch co-op NES games we managed to master over the years. It's classic arcade appeal with bright and bubbly dino protagonists that looted colorful environments, and fought equally colorful enemies for that hi-score made the game all the more enticing to our young little minds. It was an innocent game with no politics, and a fun gameplay loop that offered both challenge, and immense replay value past it's definitive ending. 

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Call of Duty | Corporate Capitualtion Circa 2020 ... Somewhat Redacted

I am a man of honesty. As brutal as that might seem at times. Sometimes I do get things wrong, and I will go back to correct what I've said. Before you jump to conclusions, and assume I'm redacting what I said about in-game politics and my stance thereof just know that that is not the case. That that is a personal gripe with the direction the company is taking the franchise. What I am taking back though is my thoughts on Black Ops Cold War's visuals. They don't look as dated as I recalled, and the character models aren't complete sh*t if you don't account for the horrible rubber banding rag doll death animations. 

Call of Duty | Corporate Capitualtion Circa 2020

Over the years I've taken a liking to the Call of Duty franchise. I've enjoyed the arcade military shooter, and it's interesting assortment of mechanics and modes. That, and the story plot twists. It's brought worthwhile entertainment to me even though some of that entertainment was at the expense of helpless run & gunners who fell victim to my many camping traps. Not saying some didn't deserve it, because some of those cheating f**kers definitely did. That aside the routine release has been what I've come to expect from the series. The decline of online quality and all. That is until this travesty of a year reared it's ugly head. 

Like all entertainment producing studios Activision, and their elite team of developers have bent the knee on numerous occasions to political ideology through in-game design and offerings. Sometimes in the guise of supporting the right side of history, and other times not so much. There have been some additions to the gameplay elements that have definitely caught my attention. The inclusion of BLM supporting ads at the loading screen, and the latest DLC Revolutionary bundle in Modern Warfare which featured a double hammer emblem that was very similar to Russia's hammer and sickle. Needless to say this and the inclusion of certain burka wearing middle eastern characters has raised plenty of red flags. It tells me that Activision is supportive of communism, marxism, and islam. That they aren't for the American way of life. The freedoms, and human rights that so many wish they had.  

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War | Campaign Review In Progress ...

So, currently I'm a few missions into Black Ops Cold War's campaign. It's actually good so far. Your standard espionage story with a Call of Duty twist. The old US vs Russia theme this time around with familiar and fresh faces joining in. Missions do vary significantly, and offer multiple choice paths as well as in-mission side missions. Visually it's structure is a mixture of CG cut scenes, montages of stock video clips, and playable objective based missions carried by voice-over narrations. The characters involved are okay for the most part. Likable, but not fully fleshed out. They're not the big focus. The main point of it all is centered around chasing down leads on Perseus, the game's Russian spy, and finding out why he's resurfaced. There are plot twists, betrayals, and the usual espionage thoroughfare. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Faeria | PS4 Review

There are a couple of things that Faeria had going for it that drew my immediate attention. It was a CCG (collectible card game), and it had impressive fantasy artwork. Two things I find crucial to attracting a new crowd of genre dedicated gamers. After having sat down, and played through the initial tutorial missions, and the missions beyond it became clear that not only was this a CCG in the vein of Magic the Gathering, or HEX, but that it harbored it's own unique battlefield mechanics similar to that of Hearthstone. Something that requires the strategic placing of cards that have base attributes tied to life, and attack points. Factor in the MTG card functions and features, and you've got Faeria.

Faeria, the game, is named after it's own unique energy or mana source. Something you will be farming in order to play lands, and cards. It features four different land types as per elements/terrain, and gives the player multiple choices as how they wish to spend their turn. That turn being dependent on the capturing, and farming of the wells of Faeria. 

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Definitive Edition (REVIEW)

It's the 31st century AD, and humanity has just recovered from the aftermath of a great war against an invading alien species. In the midst of trying to rebuild, and deal with the destruction on planet Earth they find themselves facing a new threat. That of the D'AARG. Looking to capitalize on the catastrophe, and reap from the opportunity at hand the D'AARG begin their invasion of Earth. Earth's only defense is a new line of Soldner-X spacecraft that utilize formerly obtained alien technology. Combining said tech with advanced human engineering they create a new hybrid of spacecraft. The Soldner-X2 final prototype. Something the D'AARG eventually steals to build their own army of sentient creations. As part of the EDF you must pilot your Soldner-X prototype as you face the new enemy, and the looming threat of extermination. Using a trio of shot types, a shockwave blast, and a new limit attack you pack enough heat to bring down an entire alien armada. Whether or not you are successful in your endeavor is up to how well you can pilot your new Soldner-X spacecraft though ...