Spring is finally here! It seems like the weather is warming up and we’re seeing a change in seasons. More people are getting vaccinated, but many locations are still struggling with the pandemic. That means people still have ample time to play games at home. I’ve been playing all kinds of games, both new and old. Here are my thoughts about a half dozen games I recently played. Enjoy! Let's begin with the Devil May Cry HD Collection. It's a remaster of the first three Devil May Cry games. A half-demon protagonist must stop demons from destroying the world in each game. Overall, the entire series is very entertaining with excellent combat, quick pacing, a variety of weapons and fighting styles, plus a huge array of monsters. Actually, these games play really well in the modern era for a franchise that was originally released on the PlayStation 2. But the collection also has some flaws. All of the Devil May Cry games have many positive elements along with something annoying. For example, the first DMC title requires a lot of backtracking and enemies respawn every time you pass through an area. The second game has frustratingly difficult boss fights, whereas it's really easy to get lost or turned around in the third release. None of the games have very good storytelling or voice acting and the graphics didn't seem to have a noticeably big upgrade. I would say the Devil May Cry HD Collection is worth the effort if you enjoy frantic hack and slash games. It definitely has long reach for target audiences. The series might seem a little bit antiquated for today's standards, but it plays well. Just don't expect a lot of substance and certain issues might be a deal breaker for some gamers. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a cyberpunk role-playing game with an emphasis on action and post-apocalyptic elements. I wasn't a fan of this game, but it has vivid animation, a reasonably big environment, and many options for character upgrades. Players can pick and choose different physical modifications, which opens numerous ways to accomplish missions. Also, the combat is pretty fun, even if it's convoluted. Unfortunately, the gameplay is really confusing. The RPG system is very complex, Square Enix encourages players to spend real money to buy upgrades faster, and I find it difficult to memorize the controls. I can't say the story elevates the game either. It's a typical dystopian tale about a small group of rebels who want to take down an evil corporate empire to save the world. None of the characters are interesting, unique, or memorable. To make the situation worse, the story ends on a cliffhanger. I assume Square Enix thought Mankind Divided would become a huge hit and push forward a sequel to complete the main story, but it never happened. So, Deus Ex will remain with an unfinished plot. Maybe this game will appeal to hardcore fans of RPGs, but it's kind of weird and complicated. Many RPGs are more entertaining with better stories and gameplay. Also, the look box system is out of control. Despite having gorgeous visual effects, I recommend passing on this game. Bloodborne is a PS4 exclusive that takes place in a dark fantasy environment during the Victorian era. A frightening blood disease is mutating people into Lovecraftian monsters and the protagonist must find the infection’s source. Bloodborne is a very good game, but it's only accessible to fans of the Dark Souls franchise. It gives players various options for combat, magic, armor, and RPG elements. This nightmarish setting gives players endless opportunities for exploration, side missions, and optional boss fights. It's also one of the most unique post-apocalyptic games. With that said, Bloodborne is way too intense and frustrating for me. This game was intended for people who prefer the hardest difficulty settings and ultra challenging gameplay. Enemies respawn each time you pass through a location and the inventory is difficult to manage. The protagonist is incredibly weak compared to most enemies and checkpoints are sparse. I simple don't understand the appeal of Souls-like games. Should you spend money this intense RPG? It depends on your gameplay choices. Bloodborne is a poor choice for casual gamers, newcomers to RPGs, and people who get frustrated easily. But it's a terrific choice for gamers who enjoy really intense experiences with ultra difficult combat. Bloodborne should give experienced and professional gamers a real challenge. The original Life is Strange game focuses on two teenage girls who experience weird, supernatural phenomenons that could threaten the entire town. It’s an episodic graphic adventure and the player’s choices directly influence the plot. I find this game quite interesting and topical. Life is Strange is somewhat different other graphic adventures because it’s more like a coming of age story instead of survival horror or action-adventure. This game forces players to make their decisions very carefully because huge chain reactions may happen. It’s not the best choose-your-own-adventure, but I’ll give the game credit for originality and an interesting story. This game definitely has some issues and odd elements. The controls are a bit awkward and the main character has the ability to rewind time or change events. That’s an interesting concept, but the execution is weird, awkward, and a little bit frustrating. The pacing can be really slow and some of the big revelations are completely predictable. It also feels like this game has too many episodes. I felt like the game used a lot of padding to make the story longer. Also, the ending is effective, but it will upset quite a few people. It’s hard to give a direct recommendation for this game unless you’re a huge fan of graphic adventures. Life is Strange doesn’t have any combat, it’s pretty slow, and the story has a number of plot holes. In fact, I would say teenagers in high school or middle school are probably the target audience. I’m not sure if many adults will appreciate the main subject. Check it out if you’re curious, but I would probably pick other graphic adventures over this one. Cat Quest and Cat Quest II: The Pawesome Pack includes a duo of 2D games that take place during a Medieval fantasy with cats and dogs as the main characters. You might not believe me, but the Cat Quest games are awesome. They’re fun action-adventure games with an emphasis on sword fighting, magic, ranged weapons, and more. Both games have a nice mixture of primary missions, side quests, and light RPG elements. They also have a decent variety of enemies. The Cat Quest games are very witty and they’re completely accessible to various age groups. They even have decent replay value with a New Game+ mode. Also, the second game introduces a fun co-op style. The Pawsome Pack has a number of strengths and very few weaknesses. Some gamers might find the series a bit repetitive and it’s certainly not targeting hardcore audiences who prefer the intense difficulty from Dark Souls. The Cat Quest series is also a bit derivative from Lord of the Rings, The Witcher, Game of Thrones, and other Medieval fantasies. I genuinely believe most gamers will enjoy this collection. The Pawsome Pack is funny, adorable, and challenging enough for mainstream gaming. It’s a nice break from the norm and hopefully, the developers will expand this series into a trilogy. Here’s everyone’s chance to experience two of the original Resident Evil games. It’s the franchise that started the entire zombie craze in gaming and practically created the concept of survival horror. I struggle with this style of retro gaming, but the Origins Collection is surprisingly scary, even for today’s standards. I can understand why gamers found the original Resident Evil so terrifying. The environment is both spooky and beautiful with frightening monsters around every corner. Some of the weapons pack a punch, although the early Resident Evil games quickly train players to be careful with their resources. Every bullet counts. Also, listening to some of the awful dialogue is hilariously entertaining. The Origins Collection even ditches the frustrating tank controls in favor of modern analogue stick motion. It’s a huge improvement.
I felt annoyed with the fixed camera situation. It’s really easy to wander into the next frame while enemies are attacking, which messes up the combat. Save points are incredibly rare and I wish they added a few more in this remaster collection. Many of the monsters are bullet sponges, but your health drains quickly. Inventory has limited space and it’s hard to find enough ammunition. Enemies also respawn in some areas. I commend the collection’s efforts to bring authentic survival horror to gamers, but the experience is awfully frustrating. Ultimately, I recommend the Resident Evil: Origins Collection to audiences who grew up playing the original series. I’m not sure if modern gamers will appreciate retro survival horror, but that might be an individual situation. It’s not a super expensive collection, so give it a shot if you’re curious. That’s all for now! What games are keeping you busy during the pandemic? Have you played any of the games on this post yet? Leave a comment. I know the pandemic is getting better in some areas and worse in others. Be patient, find ways to entertain yourself, and get vaccinated when possible. Thanks a lot for visiting and I’ll see you again next week.
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May 2019
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