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Ryan Meitzler

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Favorite Games:
  • Super Smash Bros. Melee
  • Half-Life 2
  • Fallout 3

131 games reviewed
78.1 average score
80 median score
61.8% of games recommended

Ryan Meitzler's Reviews

Video editor, writer, chocolate milk connoisseur.
3 / 10.0 - Umbrella Corps
Jun 27, 2016

By and large Umbrella Corps is a title that, initially, showed promise — I could definitely have gotten behind the idea of a multiplayer Resident Evil title, as the series has shown can work in the right hands, and the right context (like the excellent “The Mercenaries” mode from previous games). However, in execution Umbrella Corps feels less like a unique spin-off from Resident Evil and more like one of its many undead zombies: lifeless, indistinguishable from those around it, and just waiting to be put down for good.

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Jun 22, 2017

Even though Bloody Days tries to walk the walk and talk the talk, ultimately it feels less like a creative homage to a cult film classic and more like a shallow imitation with a hint of Tarantino flair.

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Mar 31, 2016

Hyrule Warriors Legends offers players with tons to do and brings together many of the franchise’s most iconic characters in a way that is unexpected yet fun — however, the subpar technical performance and changes made to accommodate the handheld may make it an experience that’s far from legendary.

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5 / 10.0 - Catan
Jul 8, 2019

While Catan is a faithful adaptation of the beloved board game, it doesn't quite deliver on the Switch's potential for tabletop gaming.

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Given their penchant for classic rock tunes, we'll have to see with the remaining episodes if Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series can evolve from an acceptable (but not stellar) cover song to something truly great of its own.

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Dec 8, 2014

Transitioning from blazing speed with Sonic to awkwardly fumbling with searching for crystals with Knuckles, Tails, or any of the side characters never gels in a way that feels satisfying or rewarding, leaving Shattered Crystal a hodgepodge mess of gameplay ideas that never work as a whole. Sonic Boom attempts to bring the franchise to a new generation with some fresh ideas, but more often falls victim to the past: another body to add to the pile of poor Sonic reboots, and more in a more horrifying sense, probably not the last.

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Mar 14, 2015

However, poor design decisions that impact the game's main combat mechanics may make for a much longer trip than anyone could anticipate. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. has the visuals and concept to go the distance, but unfortunately through some of the game's more ill-advised ideas and concepts, it runs out of steam pretty quickly.

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Sep 11, 2020

Earth's Mightiest Heroes gather for a well-crafted single-player adventure but a middling multiplayer experience in Marvel's Avengers.

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Nov 8, 2019

Though it packs plenty of charm and heart, New Super Lucky's Tale isn't quite ready to be in the leagues of the platforming greats just yet.

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Oct 5, 2017

Ultimately, we'll have to see how Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite develops as far as expanding its character roster with its (forthcoming) DLC, and how the hardcore community takes to the game after spending more time with it and learning its deeper mechanics. While it may not quite match the blend of style and substance that Marvel vs. Capcom 3 provided in the last generation, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite still provides an enjoyable romp with Earth's (and video gaming's) mightiest heroes, warts and all.

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Given it has no ties (at least that we've seen yet) to the previous seasons or to what may come, for now the title has the potential to be something intriguing and different from the usual The Walking Dead experience, though whether it's solely a diversion until the proper Season 3 remains to be seen.

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Even with some of the strongest elements from Minecraft: Story Mode's debut missing, "Assembly Required" is a decent follow-up to the series premiere, though it mostly serves to keep the story chugging along at a leisurely pace, rather than going full-speed ahead.

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6 / 10.0 - ReCore
Sep 12, 2016

ReCore is a title that, ultimately, rises and falls in crafting an experience that we don't normally see too often on Xbox (and frankly, in this generation of gaming). Harkening back to platformers like Jak and Daxter with a little bit of the flavor from Metroid titles, ReCore's strong aesthetic and style give way to some technical flaws and repetitive design. Much like the design of Joule's band of Corebots, the exterior of ReCore and its gameplay show signs of age and may not be the most appealing from a first glance, but inside there's still a core of unique qualities to make it stand out as one of Microsoft's most interesting (though flawed) exclusives.

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Even as a slightly lesser and brief episode, "In Sheep's Clothing" does provide us with the door now open to the end of Bigby's adventures: the only way we can find out what's next is by going through.

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Nov 10, 2014

[W]hile it sets its sails to head into uncharted waters for the series narratively, the game's journey back into the established trail more often makes the title feel like a familiar journey than an exciting new venture. By flipping things around into the eyes of the enemy, Rogue presents us with a new perspective on a centuries-long conflict — the problem is that everything else we've seen before.

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6 / 10.0 - Dying Light
Jan 27, 2015

Despite its flaws, it's an enjoyable and still fresh experience, more than anything seen across the beautiful Middle East-inspired Harran that promises plenty to do, sights to see, and missions to complete.

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6.5 / 10.0 - Omensight
May 17, 2018

Much like Stories: Path of Destinies before it, Omensight is a title worth admiring for its bold storytelling approach and unique take on the action RPG genre. Spearhead Games had a lot of ambition in bringing together a tale of mystery and suspense and combining it with investigation elements, though much like The Harbinger's time travel abilities, there might have been some aspects of the gameplay and structure in Omensight worth rewriting.

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6.5 / 10.0 - The Bunker
Sep 21, 2016

Through the majority of its running time, The Bunker provides a tense ride that those looking for brisk horror experience may genuinely enjoy, though repeated trips back into its post-apocalyptic world may not be quite as fresh or horrific as the first time.

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The fourth episode leaves players with the satisfaction of one part of the adventure over (for now), though the the fifth chapter we'll have to see what's left in the blueprints for the series to be building towards.

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"Polarized" will most likely be the most…well, polarizing episode of Life is Strange, and though the episode falters a bit compared to the times it succeeds, it still concludes the tale of Max, Chloe, and the numerous citizens of Arcadia Bay with style, emotion, and nearly every loose thread wrapped up neatly. While "Polarized" maybe suffers the most from some of the more "gamey" elements of Life is Strange, it still brings with it so many of the qualities that made Life is Strange a unique, if not quite perfect episodic experience. From a dreamlike sequence ripped straight out of Twin Peaks, to a gripping murder mystery, to a touching story of friendship and support, Life is Strange has been daring and unafraid to try something different, and "Polarized" caps off the season with a poignant and touching picture to remember the series by, even if the end result is a little overexposed.

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