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Hello, my fellow gamers! I spent some time playing a few games on my Xbox One, so this would be a good opportunity to write three short reviews. We're getting action and monster mayhem with Doom. Then we're going to solve several mysteries in L.A. Noire. Finally, we're ending this journey with Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, a huge fantasy epic. Hopefully, this post will give you a solid idea if these games are worth playing. Have fun!  Doom is the first game on this list. The Doom Slayer from earlier games is rescued from Hell to aid the Union Aerospace Corporation on Mars. Earth is running out of resources quickly and the UAC is trying to harness power from Hell in a feeble effort to save mankind. This plan backfires with disastrous results. Luckily, our favorite Doom Guy is ready to destroy Hell's monstrous army. This game is a dream come true for Doom fans. It's just like the classic game, except the gameplay features modern graphics. You'll have the chance to run around the facility while using shotguns, grenades, machine guns, chainsaws, and the infamous BFG. It's very nostalgic and tons of fun. Doom has a great selection of enemies. The monsters come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Different types of weapons work more effectively on specific creatures. The player will encounter demons in every nook and cranny of the facility, which is a hugely entertaining experience. This game also includes awesome boss fights with super cool monsters. The weapons are stunning. You'll find weapons all over the map and ammunition is quite plentiful. Enemies respawn frequently and these weapons help out significantly. Periodically, you can upgrade many of these weapons to make the gameplay more impressive. It makes the experience even better because the weapons pack more power as the story progresses. You'll have the chance to splatter demons all over the walls. It's also a lot of fun to grab a chainsaw and hack away at everything. The gameplay is ridiculously entertaining. I find Doom less irritating than many modern games. There's quite a bit of health packs, ammunition, upgrade opportunities, and checkpoints. It's just not a very complex game, which is perfectly fine. Sometimes, it's good to have brainless fun without a slew of complications. Even though I enjoy this game, it has some flaws. Don't expect a significant story. The plot is very thin and simple. You'll grab weapons and destroy monsters in a space station. That's basically the entire story. I don't mind, but some players prefer more refined and fleshed out plots. Upgrading the suit can be a problem. I didn't have a knack for finding many chances for suit upgrades. Naturally, stronger armor makes the gameplay easier later on. But you have to find secret part and it's kind of difficult. As a result, I died all the time, but there are endless opportunities to respawn at checkpoints. Hopefully, you'll find a way to work around this issue. This game doesn't seem to focus on multiplayer systems. It's primarily a single player game. Actually, I don't really know if the multiplayer mode is bad. However, I heard several negative things. There were many complaints about the multiplayer mode being repetitive and not very much fun. Just keep that part in mind if you prefer multiplayer systems. Overall, I highly recommend the latest version of Doom. It's a terrific romp with monsters, violence, powerful weapons, and loads of adventure. It's perfect for hardcore Doom fans. I would also recommend it for people who thoroughly enjoy first person shooter games. Most likely, you can find really cheap used copies through Amazon or GameStop. Occasionally, I see new copies at Walmart and Best Buy. You can buy it new on Amazon as well. That's how I purchased my copy.  L.A. Noire is the next game on this post. The story takes place in 1947 through the eyes of a police detective and war hero named Cole Phelps. He receives promotions to the Homicide and Vice divisions throughout the game. Sadly, everything comes crashing down after he has an illicit affair with a singer named Elsa Lichtmann. His career and marriage winds up in shambles, but that doesn't mean Phelps is going to stop fighting crime. The wayward detective uncovers major corruption in the LAPD and tries to redeem his image. This isn't one of my favorite games, but it definitely has some positive elements. L.A. Noire is a nice break from role-playing games and first person shooters. It's a classic noir tale with detective work, interrogations, car chases, and an emphasis on storytelling. This game has a certain amount of novelty. I really appreciate the noir elements. It's dark and gritty with a troubled protagonist who's trying to uncover a mystery. This game is interesting, sexy, and full of gray moral areas. It also takes many themes, stock characters, and plot points from the noir genre. Despite having unimpressive graphics, L.A. Noire is an accurate representation of post-war Los Angeles. The creators did their homework. The landscape looks pretty accurate in terms of architecture, fashion, social norms, and more. It seems quite accurate for a video game. It's almost like watching a movie. L.A. Noire is very cinematic and unique. The voice work is excellent and the characters are quite expressive. There isn't a lot of action, so the mystery and storytelling takes control. I have an appreciation for cinematic games. Unfortunately, L.A. Noire has a few serious problems. It's dreadfully slow and long. I couldn't believe how many days it took to finish the game. It's highly repetitive and I grew tired with that element. Seriously, you'll spend an unbelievable amount of time driving from one crime scene to the next. The player also spends a lot of time searching for clues and interrogating suspects. It definitely has novelty at first, but that part wears down after a while. You'll need patience to finish this game. Hardly any of the characters are likeable. Granted, that's a typical problem in noir. The characters are believable, but it doesn't seem like anyone has a moral compass. For example, Phelps appears to be an outstanding citizen and a hardworking detective in some ways. But in reality, he lies, cheats, and neglects his family. Why is anyone going to root for this guy? Overall, you have to take the lesser of the evils in this game. The plot okay, but not exceptional. L.A. Noire simply focuses on a detective who's trying to repair his damaged reputation and that's not a compelling story for a video game. Add quite a bit of repetition and the plot becomes increasingly dull. Many players will get bored after a while. Ultimately, I'm only recommending this game for classic noir fans and people who are looking for something different. L.A. Noire has some very good elements, but it won't be exciting for mainstream gamers. I think you can find new copies, but just get a used game instead. You definitely don't need to pay full price for this type of game.  Let's move on to Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The story takes place in Ancient Greece and the player takes control of either Alexios or Kassandra, who happen to be siblings. Our protagonist is a mercenary who lost his/her family many years ago. Throughout the game, Alexios or Kassandra unravels details about their family while uncovering precursors to the Assassin Order and Knight Templars. This game includes plenty of missions, thievery, assassinations, battles, and other tasks.
Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is very good, but it's a mixed bag for me. It definitely has one of the most impressive open world environments in modern gaming. The environment is beautiful, immersive, well designed, and gives the player endless opportunities for exploration. I absolutely love this part of the game. The story is really interesting and pretty well developed. It's a mystery with a subtle connection to the Assassin's Creed franchise. The plot is substantial and it also features plenty of action. Keep an eye on small details. They can become very important later in the game. The protagonist picks up many useful items, including armor, weapons, money, and items for trading. Even the most mundane items can have value in the right places. Over time, your inventory will become huge with a lot of variety. It's one of the coolest elements in the game. Is the fighting system good? Absolutely! Your character can level up and develop different kinds of skills. The player can also upgrade his or her armor and weapons. Even though the gameplay is very different than the average Assassin's Creed installment, it's still amazing. It reminds me of The 300 with clashing weapons, grand battles, and lots of grit. Alternating weapons can be useful, so keep that part in mind. The world building has many cool elements. You'll encounter historical figures, such as Sokrates, Perikles, Hippokrates, Sophocles, Herodotus, etc. The protagonist also travels to both historical and mythical locations. I remember visiting Olympia, Athens, Ithaca, Naxos, Kephallonia, and more. The player even has a chance to fight mythical creatures, such as Medusa, the Minotaur, the Sphinx, and others. These battles are quite challenging, but also a lot of fun. If you love Greek history and mythology, this game would be an excellent choice. I have a few complaints. Several parts of the game seem like busy work and chores. I remember completing jobs for other characters that included spying on people, stealing items, and performing other mundane tasks. Sometimes, it's a drag. Odyssey is also very long. I still haven't finished the main storyline. It would probably take six months for me to complete the game. Overall, this game requires a lot of patience. Don't expect to be in a big hurry. Upgrading significant items can be an issue. Leveling up skills, costumes, and weapons is a long process that requires special items. It's essential to complete a slew of side missions and that can be fine sometimes, but constant sidetracking becomes frustrating. In fact, I had trouble finding enough side missions to move forward. Obtaining the right items for upgrades can be challenging as well. You almost need a game guide to find everything. One more thing. This doesn't seem like a true Assassin's Creed game. Odyssey is a terrific adventure in Ancient Greece, but I don't recognize many elements from the main series. Everything seems different, ranging from the story, gameplay, enemies, locations, etc. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag had a similar problem. Both of these games are fun with great action, but they're slightly out of place in the Assassin's Creed canon. Here's my verdict. This is a high quality game with a handful of issues. It's a great option for people who enjoy open world environments, role-playing elements, and brutal fight scenes. I have mixed feelings about Odyssey, but it's quite popular in the gaming community. Luckily, you can still find new copies almost everywhere. Give it a shot if you're curious. That's the end of my latest post. Have you played any of these games yet? If so, what did you think? Keep watching for more exciting and interesting topics. The summer is packed with cool movies, sporting events, and new video games. I'm also planning to conduct more steampunk interviews as well. Many of you are probably getting ready for summer break. Party hard, but don't get in too much trouble. Take care!
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Happy Mother's Day! Last week, you read my thoughts and predictions for the next phase of MCU. Today, I'm giving you a full review of Avengers: Endgame. I'm also throwing in a review for Pokémon Detective Pikachu as a bonus. Are either of these films a good idea for Mother's Day and the entire family? I'll tell you all about it.  Here we go! Avengers: Endgame is probably the most anticipated movie in 2019 and the epic conclusion of the Infinity Gauntlet saga. Our remaining heroes are adjusting to life after Thanos snapped his finger and disintegrated half of all life in the universe. They desperately want to turn back time and bring everyone back. It's a nearly impossible task that will push every hero to the limit. Expect tons of action and surprising elements in this grand finale. Naturally, I'm starting with the film's best components. I felt genuinely impressed with the actors and their strong performances. Endgame is a movie that's stuffed with material and most of the characters have a great opportunity to shine. There's plenty of character development and the actors bring a lot of nuances to our favorite heroes. I didn't feel underwhelmed with anyone. Robert Downey Jr. is always great as Iron Man. He's the heart and soul of this series and the character has changed significantly through the years. I've always been a huge fan of Chris Evans as Captain America. He's the ultimate patriotic good guy who wants truth, justice, and a happy ending for everyone. Captain America stands out in both the reflective moments and past paced action scenes. Scarlet Johansson finally had the opportunity to take a spotlight as Black Widow. We still haven't her in a solo film, but she had plenty of screen time in Endgame. Johansson gave a thoughtful and believable performance to a dark and troubled character. Keep you eyes on her. Black Widow is an important figure is several scenes. I'm not a fan of the Hulk, but Mark Ruffalo was pretty good as the green behemoth. This is a very different version of the Hulk and I appreciated it. Sometimes, franchises need to reinvent their characters. Even supporting characters like Ant-Man, Nebula, Rocket, and War Machine contributed to the story effectively. Do you like spectacle? If the answer is yes, you'll probably love this movie. The action scenes and visual effects are amazing. It's so exciting, grand, and impressive. This film actually has a lengthy story and it's not relying on action to keep the audience entertained. Regardless, I really enjoyed the action sequences because it wasn't just brainless violence. It's also the best use of fan service. Many critics say negative things about fan service, but it's an important part of the superhero genre. The spectacle brings out the comic book elements that will make both superhero fans and casual moviegoers happy. This film should have a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the Oscars like Infinity War. However, I doubt it will win. But that's okay because it should keep audiences entertained. It's almost like a superhero version of Lord of the Rings. Even if you've seen the others films in the MCU, this is a unique experience. I'll try to avoid spoilers here. Endgame provides a satisfying conclusion to the Infinity Gauntlet saga. Certain parts of the movie didn't work for me, but the third act was fabulous and the ending was perfect. It completed the main story for some of the original characters while opening doorways for newer favorites. The conclusion is appropriate and heartwarming. Like I said, it's a great use of fan service. It's very important to make the core fanbase happy. The last hour brought a lot of excitement to the final battle and it wrapped the overarching story with a tidy little bow. I couldn't have been more thrilled with the conclusion. Unfortunately, I have some notable criticism. This isn't my favorite Marvel film at all. It lands in the middle for me. I thought it was tremendously strong in certain areas and pretty weak in others. For example, I can't figure out why Endgame is three hours long. It has serious pacing issues, especially in the first half. I think the studio wanted a three hour finale to impress audiences and critics. It didn't seem like there was a specific reason in terms of plot, character development, or action to make the movie longer than two and half hours. The story is really convoluted as well. The second hour is dizzying and many elements aren't explained very well. That part surprised me. Usually, Marvel films aren't particularly confusing, but this one was hard to follow at times. I guess you can just hop on board and go along with the ride. But this is a thought provoking film in certain ways, which is problematic because some elements don't add up. On that note, you'll have to watch every movie in the MCU before sitting through Endgame. Otherwise, you'll be totally lost. I had a hard time remembering some things because it references elements from earlier films. That includes installments from Phase One and Two. That says a lot because I watched all of the Marvel movies. Think about what would happen to people who only watched half of the Marvel films. Endgame has mainstream appeal, but insiders are the ones who will understand what's going on. I'm not particularly thrilled about that element, but it might be inevitable this far into the franchise. Should you see this film in theaters? Sure! I think everyone should watch it at least once. It's an incredible experience on deluxe screens like IMAX, but I'm pretty sure John Wick: Chapter 3 is stealing the more impressive theaters next week. It appears to be the type of movie that gets repeat views. After all, it made well over a billion dollars. It might beat Avatar as the highest grossing film of all time. However, people who don't care about the Marvel movies won't like this one any better. Watch this film if you love the MCU or the action genre.  Let's move on to Pokémon Detective Pikachu. Tim Goodman is a young insurance agent who travels to a futuristic metropolis called Ryme City after the abrupt death of his father. He encounters a talking Pikachu with amnesia who belonged to his father. Pikachu genuinely believes Tim's father is still alive, so these unlikely partners embark on a journey to uncover the mystery. Unfortunately, they run into quite a bit of trouble along the way.
Detective Pikachu isn't a perfect movie, but I love it anyway. The world building is exceptional. Ryme City is beautiful and it takes the right types of influences from the video game series. Pokémon live among humans in harmony. They're so cute, funny, and entertaining. Pikachu definitely has the best animation. He literally looks like a talking stuffed animal. Pikachu looks so fluffy and adorable. You can also see quite easily when he gets dirty or wet. I was impressed with the VFX, even though it's obvious that we're looking at animated Pokémon. The world building should make Pokémon fans really happy. I would say the Pokémon and their powers are pretty accurate. It definitely feels like this film takes place in the original Pokémon universe. The world building is accessible to a variety of audiences. You don't have to be familiar with the Pokémon games or cartoons to enjoy the atmosphere. It would also be entertaining for different ages, including adults and children. Ryan Reynolds is hilarious as Detective Pikachu. He's the main reason why this movie works. Pikachu is captivating and witty. He brings a lot of humor to the film without making the experience too silly. Reynolds is pretty good during the more serious moments as well. I would say his range is great, considering the character is a talking Pokémon. He also has good chemistry with Justice Smith as Tim Goodman. They're a fun and endearing pair who are goofy, but still adept with sleuth work. The rest of the human characters are pretty insignificant, but that part didn't bother me very much. It's more important for the main characters to have enough depth and personality. Believe it or not, this is a great action film. I didn't expect the action scenes to be so big and exciting. It's not overloaded with action, but the more exciting parts could rival other blockbusters from this year. I think it was smart idea to incorporate a lot of action because it will engage teenagers and adults. Kids are clearly the target audience for Detective Pikachu, but it's always better if everyone can enjoy it. This movie doesn't have pacing issues either. I don't remember being bored and it's not slow at all. The film moves along and keeps the audience engaged. The plot is probably the weakest element. Like most kids films, the story is basic, easy to follow, and somewhat predictable. It has a nice little mystery and I could figure out the main villain's identity very early in the story. That part might be off putting to some adults. It takes away a large amount of substance from the overall product. These plot issues create a weak villain who isn't very compelling or intimidating. Truthfully, these problems didn't bother me a lot. I was simply aware of the situation. If you're looking for an incredible story with tons of substance, Detective Pikachu won't be a good choice. I have to address a bigger problem. This film might cause motion sickness during specific scenes. I actually felt ill after watching a few of the action scenes. It's rare for me to feel motion sickness while watching a movie, but Detective Pikachu felt like a ride on a boat or plane at times. It was a really weird experience. Here's my advice. Don't eat junk like popcorn or candy while watching this film. Try to avoid the seats that are closer to the screen. That was probably my primary mistake. Generally speaking, I would recommend this film for many people. It's really enjoyable, cool, adorable, and very unique. I can't say it reminds of other movies on the market. Hardcore Pokémon fans should definitely watch it. I think it would be a great family outing. Even action fans will probably like this movie. I doubt you'll find Detective Pikachu on deluxe screens, but that's okay. An IMAX viewing won't be necessary. Surprisingly, this is probably my favorite film of the year so far, even though it made me feel a little bit queasy. I hope you guys had a fun and relaxing Mother's Day. Did you have any special plans on the Mother's Day weekend? Feel free to share in the comment section. Thanks again for visiting. I really enjoy writing about topics that are interesting to me. Blogs are a great way for creators to express their views and interests. Perhaps, you'll create a blog someday. Anything can happen. Stay tuned for next week's post and we'll see each other again soon. Bye! |
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