Jake Su's Reviews
Hooking me right from the start and eliciting pure joy all the way to the end, The Plucky Squire has gone the extra mile in rewriting what should be expected out of an action-adventure such as this. By drawing from classic inspirations and adding its own spin on things, this is a game that leverages its creativity in all the good ways, and ultimately writes a happy ending not just for Jot and his friends, but hopefully, also for the future of its creators.
As an entire package, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has it all. The game looks great and runs superbly save for the random bugs, but more importantly, all of the promise from the first game appears to have been realized with this sequel. It offers varying degrees of nuanced storytelling with levity provided by smart quest design, and an opportunity for players to truly live in another world, enjoying everything there is to offer and ultimately, to lose themselves as Henry, the unlikely hero.
It is clear that there have always been high hopes for the sequel, but the fear was that the heights of the reboot could not be reached again or even surpassed. Yet, just like how it did four years ago, the final product blew our expectations out of the water, a divine experience that marries storytelling, gameplay, and presentation as flawlessly as it could. Descending upon the PlayStation audience like nectar of the gods, God of War Ragnarok is a game that truly deserves its place as one of gaming’s greatest achievements, and a legendary addition to the pantheon of best games ever made.
With the breadth of new bells and whistles that enhance existing systems and create new ones, it is almost a disservice to term Shadow of the Erdtree as just a piece of DLC for Elden Ring. Everything that fans loved about the base game is squeezed into a shorter experience of about 30-40 hours, and the content is of the highest calibre, building on what was great and making it better. Just like how FromSoftware has always delivered excellent full-fledged adventures for the masses, this DLC expansion continues the studio’s hot streak, and all the Tarnished are blessed.
From its first reveal to finally putting down the controller and collecting the Platinum trophy for Astro Bot, it has been a delightful experience that infuses lovely nostalgia with a perfect package of gameplay, design, and a true celebration of the genre and the history of PlayStation. Even with our high expectations, Astro Bot has smashed them to pieces en route to becoming a powerhouse that rivals the all-time classics. This is one of the best games of the year, and everyone who can should find a way to play it.
With each milestone hit in Metaphor: ReFantazio, there is a growing feeling that Atlus has reached the zenith of its craft. Having already delivered excellent RPGs in the past, the systems and coherence of everything else in this latest adventure are just on another level, helped by a much more mature story that touches on relatable themes and beliefs and motivates players with actual purpose and the ability to change things. It is not often that a game can bring enjoyment as you play through it, while triggering questions aplenty about your ideals and how everything fits into the complex worlds both in and outside of it. That is the core of Metaphor: ReFantazio, and it shines brilliantly.
From the first kill to the last, Doom: The Dark Ages is an undeniably exhilarating ride that rarely comes down from its high. The narrative sets the stage for more, the weapons and the Shield Saw make for potent combinations, and the level and world design tie it all together in one devilishly brilliant package. It has been more than 30 years since the franchise first kicked off the killing spree, and this latest entry represents the continuation of a new golden age for the Doom Slayer.
No game has ever made me feel like I want to live in that world more than Red Dead Redemption 2, and every minute spent in this gorgeously realised world is a minute well spent.
A truly divine experience, God of War returns and places Kratos and Atreus among the pantheon of gaming’s greatest.
Setting a new bar, Devil May Cry 5 is the perfect blend of action and style delivered in inch-perfect portions.
The Last of Us Part II justifies its existence with a truly stunning delivery of a strong narrative, coupled with great gameplay, and excellent worldbuilding.
A truly remarkable rogue-lite with the signature Supergiant Games’ touch, Hades is a blessing of a game that everyone should be dying to play.
Polishing an already glittering diamond to shine even brighter, Guerrilla Games has done a spectacular job with Horizon Forbidden West, delivering an adventure that is bigger, better, and more entertaining on all levels, and a must-play title for all in the PlayStation ecosystem.
At the end of the day, the Resident Evil 4 remake sets out to reimagine one of the best survival horror games of all time, and succeeds in every area, big and small. The combat is the smoothest it has ever been, the monsters are disgustingly delightful, and this world has never been more inviting for those that love the dark side. The sheer breadth of the improvements made means that a new bar has been set yet again, and it is a no-brainer for anyone hoping to enjoy the best the genre has to offer.
A truly outstanding piece of art, Disco Elysium is an RPG that warrants playing over and over again.
An almost neverending treasure trove of amazing combat experiences interspersed with an inviting world full of surprises, Elden Ring is FromSoftware’s best game ever for its fans, and that is no mean feat.
All in all, our expectation of the Dead Space remake being just a marginally updated version of the cult classic was blown out of the water just a few minutes into the journey. Instead, what we found was an astonishing and impressive experience that will set yet another high bar for its contemporaries to follow, a true survival horror adventure chocked full of surprises both obvious and subtle, and a fabled return to pure ecstasy while trepidation coloured every step. Dead Space has never looked or felt better, and a homage has easily surpassed its inspiration and become a flag bearer for the genre. If this is what Motive Studio can do with a remake, then we look forward to losing our minds further for even more Dead Space in the near future.
Easily the best Assassin’s Creed game, and one that will be remembered as an instant classic in gaming’s pantheon.
Fear and terror at every turn, Resident Evil 2 is the best way to enjoy survival horror at its peak, made by developers who know how to make it work. If this is the direction the series is heading in, consider us faithful servants to the undead hordes.
A classic reborn, who knew Tetris could get any better?