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All right! I promised to talk about games and streaming for the next several weeks, so here we go! I have plenty of time to play games now. Most recently, I played the remake of Resident Evil 2, Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition, and Pokémon Sword and Shield. I'll give you my thoughts and recommendations for each game. Check it out and have fun!  This game is a remake of Resident 2 from way back in 1998 on the original PlayStation. A zombie outbreak is causing mass chaos in Raccoon City and the story focuses on two characters, Claire Redfield and Leon Kennedy. They'll either fight and survive or become zombie food. The outcome depends on the player. Let's start with the positive elements. This game is a really good survival horror experience with legitimate scares, limited resources, frightening enemies, and multiple challenges. The player needs to look around every corner because a monster could make a surprise appearance. Resident Evil 2 has a really creepy atmosphere and it's definitely one of the scariest games in recent memory. Monster fans should be thrilled with this game. You'll encounter all kinds of terrifying monstrosities, including zombies, a mutant alligator, a grotesque plant, Resident Evil's signature tyrant, and a mad scientist named William Birkin in the form of a hideous eldritch abomination. The game has a huge number of enemies. Also, the graphics are excellent. The characters are very expressive, the monsters are frightening, and the environment is hauntingly realistic. I didn't have a lot of time to explore Raccoon City, but the post-apocalyptic environment is well crafted with great detail. A few elements really bothered me. This game has some major technical issues. The developers made the game too dark and claustrophobic. I'm pretty sure these elements were intentional to make the experience more tense, but it's actually a problem. It's really hard to see doorways, exits, corridors, useful items, new weapons, and more. That's a frustrating issue when you're running away from zombies and trying to find a way to escape. Even a flashlight doesn't help very much. Also, your line of vision will be more narrow than in real life. It's not actually a realistic point of view. I have to admit, this game is super frustrating. Ammunition and health is scarce, enemies are everywhere, the environment is claustrophobic, and some of the bosses are nearly impossible to defeat. You'll probably run out of ammo multiple times. Furthermore, inventory space is very limited. I had to make difficult choices, like getting rid of my health packs and certain weapons to generate more space. The game has more than one difficulty setting, but all of them are hard. It's beyond challenging. I would call the experience obnoxious. Additionally, the game has two campaigns; one for Claire and one for Leon. However, the gameplay doesn't change very much between the two campaigns. So, this game doesn't have much replay value. Basically, the gameplay and plot is the same with both characters, except a few boss fights are different. I just wish the player could have a significantly different experience with each character, kind of like Resident Evil 6. Ultimately, Resident Evil 2 is a great experience for fans of survival horror, but you'll need a lot of patience. This game is returning the franchise to form with both positive and negative results. In a way, this game is alienating casual players, but I'm sure it will appeal to hardcore enthusiasts.  Injustice: Gods Among Us is a fighting game that's currently available on the PlayStation 4. Our favorite DC superheroes are mysteriously transported to an alternate dimension where Superman is ruling the world under a totalitarian regime. Now Batman and the rest of the Justice League must stop him and rescue Earth across multiple dimensions. If you enjoy fighting games like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, Injustice would be a great choice. The gameplay is amazing with a wide variety of combinations, power moves, and grapples. I found the controls very easy to use and accurate. You can literally chew up scenery by throwing opponents through walls, smashing objects on their heads, and smacking them across the screen. Most fighting games can get stale after a while, but this one has enough variety to keep players engaged. The story is also surprisingly good for a fighting game. It's a compelling story with drama, thought provoking moments, and a lot of character development. This game gives us a worst case scenario with one of the most powerful comic book characters. If Superman wanted to conquer the world, he could do it. Honestly, Injustice would be an interesting film adaptation. Plus, this game is the Ultimate Edition with all characters and bonuses unlocked at the beginning. It's fantastic! You don't have to make online purchases or unlock anything through the main storyline. I know it might seem like cheating, but customers shouldn't have to rely on extra purchases to enjoy a game. Despite its strengths, Injustice has a couple of flaws. The animation isn't very good, although it was an earlier release. I remember Injustice 2 having superior graphics to this one. The scenery looks really fake and the characters are a bit strange. In fact, some of the animation is comically bad. For example, Wonder Woman looks like a Barbie doll with ultra skinny arms and legs, a small head, and gigantic breasts. It's kind of sad and hilarious at the same time. Keep in mind, these issues don't ruin the game. Like some fighting games, Injustice has a really short campaign. I literally completed the main story in one day. It's very entertaining and interesting, but modern audiences will probably expect more for today's standards. Today, gamers are used to playing campaigns that last for multiple weeks. Overall, this game is perfect for individuals who enjoy the fighting genre. It has a brisk pace, terrific gameplay, a good story, and extras like interchangeable costumes. I also highly recommend the Legendary Edition of Injustice 2. It has every unlockable component as well.
I finally played Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch, which had mixed reactions from gamers. You're the protagonist who trains and battles pokemon in the Galar region. An annual tournament is taking place and you want to become champion. However, pokemon are running amok and transforming into gigantic sizes. Hopefully, you're brave enough to save the world from unstoppable forces.
Personally, I think Sword and Shield are very good, even though many Pokémon fans had a lukewarm response upon release. The world building is super cool. Galar has multiple locations, 400 types of pokemon, several gym trainers, and many opportunities for exploration. The map is highly immersive, but not overly complex. I don't have the best sense of direction, but it wasn't difficult to maneuver through the region. The Wild Area is a brand new area in the Pokémon series where you can catch pokemon, battle them, collect useful items, and go camping. Most of the rare pokemon will probably show up in this area. Okay, you probably want to hear about the pokemon. The game has a really big variety of them, including some new ones. I heard this game has a scaled down number of pokemon, but that's probably a good thing. 400 pokemon is plenty. Seriously, most people don't have time to catch a billion. Sword and Shield has a combination of pokemon who are cute, powerful, strange, and unique. You can obtain certain pokemon through trading and special events. I really enjoy the camping element. You can set up a camp with your team of pokemon, play with them, and feed them. That's the best way to help them become friendlier with you. Overall, it's a really fun experience. The gameplay is entertaining as well. It's essentially a classic Pokémon game except there's a bigger emphasis on items and power ups. For example, I found evolution stones all over the place. It's not difficult to level up your pokemon and fighting is a very fun experience. You'll encounter a variety of simple and challenging matches. Also, some pokemon are more difficult to catch than others. Pokémon fans shouldn't be disappointed with the overall gameplay. I like the story too. It's a nice little mystery with several subplots. Every time you think the story is going to end, another chapter begins. I learned a lot of details about the Galar region and its history. Sword and Shield also has a decent cast of characters, including allies, rivals, trainers, gym leaders, enemies, etc. Naturally, you'll have a chance to see a few legendary pokemon as well. These games have quite a bit of substance. Unfortunately, I have to address some issues. Dynamx is a new element in the Pokémon series. Basically, one of your pokemon can become giant for a few turns per battle. It can be helpful in certain battles, but I'm not fan. It doesn't make a huge difference. You can still get beaten by regular pokemon and Dynamax moves don't always cause a lot of damage. It's just a gimmick. You won't get a significantly different experience playing both Sword and Shield. The two games have some different pokemon and a couple different trainers, but that's it. The plot and overall experience is the same. I played both games and finished the main story, which was a very long experience. I would say most people could choose one game or the other. Only play both games if you really watch to catch everything. Okay, I like cute pokemon. Those types of pokemon are my favorites, even if many of them are less powerful. But these games make you earn the cute ones. I have a few examples. You get Charmander after finishing the main storyline. Eevee is very hard to find. You can only get Togepi through a trade. Some of the cuter pokemon like Squirtle and Bulbasaur aren't in these games at all. So, that part was a bummer for me. Sorry to break it to you, but most players won't catch every pokemon. You'll have to jump through really crazy hoops to catch specific ones. Many gamers have to get specific pokemon through breeding, special events, rare encounters in the wild, trading with real people, etc. For example, the games have three starters and they can't be found in the wild. You'll have to trade with a friend somehow to get all three of them. Good luck finding someone who wants to trade away their starters. Despite a few mishaps, Sword and Shield are really strong additions to the Pokémon franchise. It's an entertaining ride with endless possibilities. I definitely recommend these games for hardcore Pokémon fans and casual players. Both games are addictive and players could easily spend multiple weeks or months catching pokemon. That's the end of my triple feature review. Most of us are going to be stuck inside for quite a while, so let's make the best of it. I genuinely believe things like movies, games, books, and streaming shows are essential for this time period. You can always order these items online and have them delivered to your residence or downloaded digitally. I want to give a special thanks to everyone who needs to keep working right now, including people in healthcare, grocery stores, gas stations, laundromats, delivery services, law enforcement, and other life sustaining forces. Keep your chin up and stay healthy. I haven't figured out my next post yet, but it might include a list of recommended streaming exclusives. We'll see. Thanks for visiting and I'll see you guys next week. Have a good night!
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Glad to see you guys again! I've been very quiet on social media lately because I wanted to stay away from the drama about COVID-19, but it's futile at this point. The new coronavirus is impacting the global economy and our entire way of living. So, here are the following things you need to know about my upcoming blog posts.
Sporting events have been cancelled, I'm not attending any events or traveling in the near future, and movie releases have been postponed. That means my next several blog posts will be about streaming and games. I can always watch something on Netflix or play games at home. Also, I might create a couple posts about writing if anything comes to mind. You might even see a couple more topics about post-apocalyptic fiction. Yeah, some of you might think it's in poor taste while others might find it quite appropriate for our situation. We'll just have to see what comes to mind. I write about these topics frequently anyway, but my options are pretty limited at the moment. Obviously, I'm not a doctor or scientist, but here are my thoughts about COVID-19. If you're sick, please stay home. It seems like COVID-19 and the seasonal flu have similar symptoms, so just stay home if you're experiencing a fever, coughing, and sneezing. Do I believe the coronavirus is highly contagious? Definitely. From what I've seen and read on the news, it seems like COVID-19 is spreading very quickly across the globe. Do I believe this virus is deadlier than most diseases? Not at all. I believe many diseases are significantly deadlier than COVID-19 in most cases, including Ebola, Malaria, AIDS, MERS, H1N1, Avian flu, SARS, MRSA, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, flesh eating disease, and even the seasonal flu, but that's just my opinion. However, every single death from COVID-19 will be recorded on television and the internet, so it will seem like this disease has a really huge death rate compared to anything else. Whereas the news isn't going to record every death from the flu or other diseases on live television every day, so you just won't know about them. Do you guys think the Bubonic Plague or Black Death went extinct a long time ago? Nope! It's still infecting a small number of people to this day. I dare you to Google some of the diseases I just mentioned in this paragraph. You'll be horrified. It will definitely make you look at the coronavirus very differently. With that said, I believe we should all take COVID-19 seriously. Be vigilante, but sensible. It's getting hard to find basic necessities like toilet paper, soap, paper towels, food, and other items. Seriously, you don't need a two year supply of toilet paper. Please be courteous in stores to employees and other shoppers. You don't need to fight over supplies. Over here in Southern California, many places are closed, including schools and any location where large public gatherings occur. The state and federal government is erring on the side of caution and I believe it's a good idea. It's probably difficult for a virus to spread when you're not around people. Our global economy is really suffering right now, but it can't be helped. I'm sure we'll go into a big recession. Ultimately, we just need to get through the flu season. In my opinion, this is an awful time for traveling. I don't understand why anyone would want to travel at the moment. Personally, I'm staying far away from airports, cruises, trains, and other forms of public transportation. How do you think other countries are getting this virus? It happens via traveling. I feel confident about the contagion lessening during warm weather. Usually, viruses don't thrive well during the summer. I also believe we'll have a vaccine at some point. Hopefully, a vaccine will be available for the next flu season. I'm crossing my fingers. Despite everything that's happening, you can still find plenty of entertainment. Read a good book. Talk to your friends online, on the phone, or through Skype. Play some games. Binge movies and shows on various streaming services. There are plenty of ways to kill time. Give creative writing a shot. I'm sure some of you are thinking about writing your own books or stories. This is the perfect time to experiment. Believe it or not, we can all be optimistic. Well, that was a very different blog post for me, but we're experiencing an unusual situation. Leave a comment if you have any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, or concerns. Next week, I'll probably post some game reviews, but that's subject to change. I'm also planning to write some mini reviews for movies that are exclusive to streaming. We're going to have a lot of fun on my website. Just keep checking. Take care of yourselves, be safe, and come back again soon. Bye! |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2019
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