Lords Of Gaming
HomepageAt first, I was worried Cody and May’s journey to reconnect intimately would feel rushed or, at worst, pointless. However, the story’s climax not only had a satisfying end, but one that felt earned by both the characters and the players after all they went through. It Takes Two attains Fares’ focus to have narrative and gameplay in unison rather than separate entities. Full of laughter, surprises, and addicting gameplay, It Takes Two is one of the best games of 2021 so far. Everything about It Takes Two is completely wrapped in creativity and passion that cement it as a timeless masterpiece.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales as a sequel is a half-step from Marvel’s Spider-Man. The game is not trying to bring a fresh take on superhero open-worlds. Rather, it is refining the mechanics and shaping it around the true star of the game: Miles. Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a completely character-driven game that knocks it out of the park and some. Miles, his family, and friends, his neighborhood – all are standout parts of this personal coming-of-age story that triumphs the original game. Take into account the rich Hispanic and Harlem culture is seen throughout, and you have something truly unique.
Psychonauts 2 is a tremendous journey from start to finish. It takes what was successful from the first game, and improves what wasn’t, and cranks everything up to 11. Psychonauts 2 is the culmination of everything Double Fine has learned from its decorated history and is easily their best title to date. If you’re new to the series, you don’t have to worry. The game does a good job of filling you in on the characters and events from the first Psychonauts.
Iron Harvest is one of the best RTS games to release in recent memory. Filled with an incredible single-player campaign, as well as intense multiplayer action. The game is an absolute must-play for fans of the genre.
While there have already been many incredible games on PlayStation 5 so far, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is the crown jewel of PlayStation’s software offering so far. Insomniac Games delivered a remarkably fun, and beautiful game that is full of heart and nostalgia. Whether you are a long-time fan, or a newcomer to the franchise, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is the first game you should play on PlayStation 5.
Overall, the game is a complete modern-day experience of both original Tony Hawk games. Aided by remarkable visual improvements, multiplayer, and a park creator. Plus nearly all of the music you know and love is back. All with the feel of one of the greatest games ever made. The discounted price undersells what Vicarious Visions have accomplished here. If you are new to the series this is a great place to experience what the big deal is while not having your eyes hurt from the aged visuals. If Tony Hawk was a part of your youth, this is a must-own game.
I could not help but feel that The Medium took inspiration from many beloved franchises before it. The camera angle style, notes and puzzles to keep the player focused, and music that makes your skin crawl all combine to make The Medium feel like a worthy newcomer in a genre with a long legacy. In an era where first-person perspective and jump scares with mediocre psychological horror reign, it is nice to see The Medium take a different approach while utilizing many of the psychological horror tactics of old and new age audio tricks. I cannot help but love the new psychologically induced horror game Bloober Team made The Medium.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a fantastic weekend game that can be completed in four to five hours. Lost Words provides an emotional experience that not only goes beyond the page, but beyond the game. This one is definitely worth your time, whether solo or playing along with your kid. This rousing coming-of-age adventure is wonderful for any kind of player looking for the next imaginative story to embark on.
Resident Evil Village sticks to the series roots and hooks while providing a refined and fun spin to survival horror. It is also an incredibly polished title, visually and gameplay-wise. With that said, I advise turning off camera acceleration and adjusting camera speed to get a more smoother experience. I do wish Capcom would let us adjust the FOV as well for little more spatial awareness. The game’s initial hours took a bit to get settled in. It also did not make me substantially like Ethan any more than I did in RE7. However, my complaints do not outweigh the full, unforgettable experience Village gave me. I am more excited than I have ever been for the story direction. Where characters are left off and how that will carry over into a not yet announced Resident Evil 9 has me invested. Resident Evil Village is sitting pretty as one of the best games in the series and of 2021. It is absolutely a different experience than the intimacy of RE7. But it is all for the better since that DNA is not lost, but added to.
Streets of Rage 4’s Mr. X Nightmare DLC continues the love letter to side-scrolling beat ‘em ups. For a modest price, you are getting a lot of cool content that will satiate your co-op beat ’em up fix. The different upgrade paths, unlock rewards, and weekly challenges will keep survival mode fresh for some time to come. The three new characters are unique and complement the current crop of heroes well. They undoubtedly open new avenues for players to experiment with that will add replayability.