Lords Of Gaming
HomepageLords Of Gaming 's Reviews
At 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.
Octopath Traveler 2 is a JRPG unlike anything I have played in recent years. Its combat system feels so fresh compared to the original considering the latest powers and EX abilities. The focus on character interactions, as well as their respective voice cast, allowed me to fall in love with every character from the main cast. As well as leaving me stunned by the calculated risks taken in the finale of the game that deliver emotionally impactful moments. The sites of Solistia and the freedom I had to explore with the soundtrack accompanying me left a lasting impact on me. Octopath Traveler 2 is an absolutely fantastic time from start to finish even when reaching the 70-hour mark. You do not want to miss it. As I believe it is the best in the class of Square Enix’s 2D-HD games so far.
Link’s latest adventure hasn’t even been out for a month, yet I’m well over 100 hours in (75 in the first ten days). I kept playing because the game earned and invested in my attention. When I wanted to freely explore Hyrule, I got handsomely rewarded. Shrines and Temples challenged my brain in new and unusual ways. Zonai Devices let me build what I wanted for whatever I needed. Say what you want about the framerate slowdowns, but they are far from ruining the game. I’ve never wanted to recommend a game as much as Tears of the Kingdom because this has redefined what I previously thought the limits of a video game were.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes does a great job of bridging JRPG fans of the past to the present day. It provides an engaging story that immerses the player and evokes different emotions. Every single character is detailed and designed with the utmost care. There is so much to do in this game that you can put hundreds of hours into it and the replayability is endless. As a huge Suikoden fan, this spiritual successor gets my stamp of approval. This was Yoshitake Murayama’s last project before he sadly passed away and he can be proud he created a gaming masterpiece and an all-time masterclass in JRPGs.
The Plucky Squire is an extraordinary game and the amount of style, love, and craftsmanship that is on display here is enough to make even Nintendo themselves jealous. The game constantly kept me on my toes and I commend All Possible Futures for expertly weaving genres and mini-games together while also telling a cohesive and charming tale. All the elements on display in The Plucky Squire merge together to produce an exemplary package.
Persona 3 Reload more than exceeded my expectations. Its original emotionally charged story, themes, and setting were followed to a T with new moments throughout that fleshed out its villains and various members of SEES was a welcomed surprise. Its renewed combat system was refreshing and Tartarus felt more alive and enjoyable to explore. There is a ton of replay value with its new game plus and an emotional ending I can never forget. There is not a single thing I would change about this game in the slightest and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a towering achievement in game design and storytelling. It's a once-in-a-generation RPG that sets a new standard for the genre. Larian Studios has delivered a game that is ambitious, heartfelt, complex, and rewarding at every level. Whether you’re a diehard D&D fan like me or a newcomer to CRPGs, Baldur’s Gate 3 offers an unforgettable journey. Trust me, it's one that you’ll carry with you long after the credits roll. In a gaming landscape often filled with live-service monotony, cash grabs, and rushed releases, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a beacon of what’s possible when artistry, time, and love for the medium take center stage. It’s a testament to what happens when passionate developers are given the time, resources, and creative freedom to bring their vision to life. In a word? Masterpiece.
The experience provided in Triangle Strategy is one you should not miss. Its grand story with excellent writing that changes the spelling of words like “jail” to “gaol” and domain to “demesne” left me wanting to replay it immediately after experiencing the ending I got. The brutal yet satisfying combat with so many unique characters fundamentally changes how an encounter plays out. As well as the gorgeous sights and sounds of the game with wonderful voice acting that suck me in and keep me in the realm of Norzelia. This game is worth every penny and the thirty hours and more of its wonderful experience.
Momodora: Moonlit Farewell is a very satisfying experience. It does not drag on too long, nor does it wrap up too quickly. The combat feels uniquely presented and flows well. With tons of enemy and boss variety, alongside the beautiful locales and fleshed-out characters that accompany Momo throughout. Momodora: Moonlit Farewell is very worth your time and money. I am already excited about playing through it again to see how much faster I can get through it. I very rarely feel attracted to replaying anything, but this game's journey is worth seeing through multiple times, and I can guarantee you will feel the same.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, as a new IP from a brand new studio, feels like a miracle. The game’s storytelling, character performances, visual fidelity, and art direction either match or exceed most AAA games in the space. While the combat, exploration, and customization are all deep and layered that harken to the JRPG genre titans in their heyday of yesteryear. Sandfall Interactive created a rare and stunning achievement that is worth every single penny of its price tag. It will be a legendary classic that you owe it to yourself to play, even if you are not a fan of turn-based games, its combat system and story will grab you and not let you go until you finish it.
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.
Forizon Horizon 5 is a closet embodiment of perfection for an open-world racing genre. Undoubtedly, the game is a graphical showcase with a performance to match. There is a ton of content and subtle changes made under the hood are meaningful and improve the quality of life immensely. From the map design to the revamped progression system, there was a lot of love spent on Forza Horizon 5. It is the quintessential open-world racing game and nothing comes remotely close. It is a clear game of year contender that should have the competition sweating.
Chorus is an absolutely excellent experience. Its story never felt dull. I loved watching Nara and Forsa mend their broken relationship and breathe in the excellently built zones and its deep lore. Despite not playing many games like it, the gameplay was accessible and enjoyable. The game is visually stunning with a soundtrack that meshes excellently with the setting of the game. If it were not for the one imbalanced boss, and the minor bugs I experienced, this would have been a perfect experience. Still, these are minor quibbles. Chorus is a game that should be on everyone’s radar heading into Game of the Year discussions. As only in Chorus will you be surprised and amazed by what the developers crafted.
When I look back on my time with Elden Ring, it will be remembered extremely fondly. The genius minds over at FromSoftware have actually outdone themselves here. A project so bold in scope and ambition does not really have the right to deliver on its promises. Yet, despite a couple of minor inconveniences, that is exactly what Elden Ring does. A new bar has been set for the open-world genre, and everyone else has been forced to sit up and take notice. If you haven’t been a fan of FromSoftware’s previous titles, you are unlikely to have your mind changed here. But for everyone else, either veterans of the Souls series or newcomers who have never tried these games, you absolutely owe it to yourselves to experience this game.
It has been a long time coming, but to finally have Age Of Empires on console is exciting as a long-time fan. The amount of hard work that went into nailing down every detail from the art style to adaption to the controller is exactly what this title deserved. Age Of Empires 2 Definitive Edition is the best RTS game on Xbox consoles currently and whether you are a massive fan, or just getting into the series for the first time it is a great place to start.
Is Resident Evil 4 Remake a corny B-movie horror title filled to the brim with monsters and action? Absolutely and that is what makes the game so special in the first place. You will laugh, you will jump, and you will get frustrated with Ashley getting carried off again. But all of this combines to make undeniably one of the best 3rd person action games ever made. Whether you are a fan of the original or have never played a Resident Evil game before, Resident Evil 4 Remake is a wonderful place to be introduced into this terrifying and ridiculous franchise.
Planet of Lana is a game I had no idea what to expect from it. Just when I thought it would be a simple side-scroller, it subverted my expectations and turned into a highly engaging puzzler with emotional story moments. The sheer scale of the game and what it achieves is nothing short of incredible. Despite never knowing much of Lana, Elo, or Mui. The journey was one that I could never have expected and is an easy recommendation.
Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes Definitive Edition is pretty much everything you want in a Definitive Edition and more. The team reworked multiple things in the game and provided refreshes of characters. They took the time to rebalance multiplayer by banning certain artifacts. The visuals, animations, and graphics seem leagues better than the previous game. I wish I could have gotten into some online multiplayer, but even without that, you can see how much work they put into improving different aspects. Battles are always great with multiple depths of strategy that always provides unique experience. I would of like to see 1 or 2 more modes, especially having the campaign "Battle Puzzles" in a separate mode.
Konami has absolutely delivered with Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars. These games are a dream come true for fans and an essential experience for RPG enthusiasts. The improvements make it the best way to experience these classics, ensuring that their timeless storytelling, deep strategy, and unforgettable characters reach a new generation of players. The deep storytelling, strategic combat, and unforgettable characters make this collection a must-play. This is more than just a nostalgia trip. It’s a gold-standard remaster that proves why these games are still held in such high regard. If you’re an RPG fan, this is an essential addition to your collection. These remasters are a shining example of how remasters should be done!