Far Cry 4 Impressions

  Christmas day has come and gone, and naturally that means millions of gamers have new titles to add to their collections. Christmas brought me Far Cry 4 and Dragon Age: Inquisition. However, I wanted to take some time to discuss the former. Far Cry 3 was one of my favorite games of 2012, and few experiences have come close to it's amount of pure fun since. Far Cry 4 uses the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality and pushes it to a whole new level. If you've played Far Cry 3, you'll feel right at home in 4. The core gameplay is very similar to that of Far Cry 3, but fine tuned and enhanced to a scientific level. I haven't played many games that are as addictive as Far Cry 4. As soon as you get into the open world, the game surrounds you with quests, collectibles, loot chests, and tons of other activities to engage in. Content is something this game definitely provides and once I pick up the controller, I struggle to put it down for at least 3 hours at a time. The game leads you from activity to activity flawlessly, always putting something irresistible in front of you.

  

  I'm playing Far Cry 4 on my PS4 and this, hands down, is one of the best looking console games I've ever seen. I'd be surprised to see the PC version look any better. With the exception of better antialiasing and framerate. The game plays at a smooth 30 frames per second and 1080p on PS4, and it never hiccups. It's one of the most polished and immersive first persons shooters I've played in a long time, and my hats off to the guys at Ubisoft for this one. The Dunia Engine has been powering the franchise since Far Cry 2, but it's never looked better than in Far Cry 4.

  My 12 hours spent in Kyrat up until now has mostly been awesome, however, I do have some gripes that I feel I should share. As I mentioned earlier, the game gives you tons of things to do, and the amount of activities could quickly overwhelm gamers who aren't used to open world games of this magnitude. So if you're a gamer who's used to linear adventures, it might be a little tough to get used to the sheer amount of things to do, and the way it's presented to you. The wildlife of Kyrat is also a lot more active than that of Far Cry 3's environment. Simply put, almost every species found in the game wants to kill you. You'll constantly be attacked by dogs, wolves, hawks, leopards, tigers, and the list goes on. Even though this does help contribute to the hostile atmosphere of Kyrat, it becomes annoying when you're just trying to get to your next objective, but can't due to the frequency of animal attacks resulting in your demise. There's also new events named "Karma" events. These events are random things that happen in the world while you play. You have the option to intervene or not, and most of them are fun, but they're way too frequent. They quickly become somewhat of a chore and an unwanted distraction when you already have your sights set on something. One last issue I have with the game is the AI. Usually after a victory, your comrades in the Golden Path see it appropriate to fire their weapons skyward in celebration. Normally, I would have no problem with this, but in a world as dangerous as Kyrat, I automatically associated the yelling and gunfire with violence and erratically looked around for the conflict. Only to realize it was my rebel friends wasting precious ammunition in the name of victory.

 

These are all minor complaints, and your opinions might not reflect mine. Overall, I'm having an absolute blast playing Far Cry 4, and even though it is very similar to the last installment in the franchise, I totally believe this game is worth the 60 dollar asking price. I haven't had the chance to try the multiplayer or the co-op due to PSN issues, but I've heard good things! So far, I'm loving this new world of Kyrat and I can't wait to lose more hours to it's chaotic and unpredictable world.

What Halo Means to Me

  With Halo: The Master Chief Collection launching early next week, this overwhelming sense of nostalgia and hype has completely taken over. I've been wanting to write an article like this for over a week, but I just wasn't sure how to approach it. The thought of trying to truly convey what Halo means to me, in words that carry the same weight, is going to be next to impossible. Simply put, Halo is the reason I'm a gamer. If it wasn't for Halo, I wouldn't have realized how amazing and unique gaming can be. Maybe I take gaming a little too seriously, and I give it too much credit, but if it wasn't for Halo, I honestly don't think I'd be the person I am today. 

  It all started when I was eight years old. The year was 2001. My dad told me he had a new game to show me. Something I heard often back then, since most of my nights were spent watching him play whatever new game was out at the time. I remember him telling me, "This is one of the best games I've ever played, and I think you're really going to like it." Immediately, I was super excited. The level of excited that you could only reach as a young child. My dad didn't tell me what the game was called. Instead, he just took it out of the case, put it in the Xbox, and the game booted up. Suddenly, I was greeted with the most iconic main title theme I've ever heard in a game. Eight year old me was in awe. I'd never heard a melody as mysterious and infectious, and I was captivated. My dad chose the campaign option and I was on the edge of my seat. The games opening cinematic had me at a loss for words. I'd never seen a game that looked so real, and of course I think back on it now and laugh. However, back then, Halo: Combat Evolved looked absolutely incredible, and I still think it looks solid to this day. The first time I saw Master Chief, I was immediately attached to him. The first time I heard him speak, he was my idol. I wanted to be this guy, and I only knew him for a few short minutes. The Master Chief is a character, that right from the outset, you know he has everything under control, and nothing is too difficult for him to handle. As the mission went on, we're quickly into our first firefight with the Covenant. Once I saw my dad take out the first couple of Grunts, I knew. I knew this was a game I had to play. I immediately asked him if I could play. I remembered he looked at me and laughed, and with a smile across his face he said "Well that didn't take long at all!" He knew I'd want to play, and he was ready to teach me how. 

  Remember, that back in 2001, having a first person shooter on a console was an entirely new thing. Tons of people back then thought it wouldn't be possible, but Halo pulled it off, and set the standard for almost every shooter to follow. The dual thumbstick control was completely foreign, but something irresistible once you got the hang of it. Halo was the game that taught me how to control a first person shooter. It taught me how to use the dual thumbstick layout that became the staple of the genre. Once I finally got the controls down, I was ready to play. I started The Pillar of Autumn again and was completely sucked in by this universe. Once I got into combat, it brought about a satisfaction that I had never felt before. The feeling of power I had as the Master Chief was an addictive drug, and I couldn't stop playing. No gaming experience I've had in the past 13 years has come close to the first time I set foot on Halo. The sense of discovery, exploration, and unknown was incredible. I didn't expect this at all, and at the time, this type of wide open mission structure was not seen in first person shooters. I had a blast playing that level and I still get overly happy every time I play it. 

  Halo went on to be a game that I worshiped and played every chance I got. That following Christmas I got my own Xbox and my own copy of Halo. I played it religiously, and was completely taken by the story, characters, setting, and gameplay every time. I could sit here and type for hours, but I think I've made my point. I've loved every Halo installment since Halo: CE and I'm glad that new people get to experience it with Halo: The Master Chief Collection. In short, Halo made me love video games, and if it wasn't for video games, I don't know who I'd be right now. It may sound ridiculous, but I can assure you, it's not. If you're on the fence about Halo, and you're trying to think of reasons to give it a shot, I'm going to give you some right now. 

-Timeless gameplay that never ceases to be satisfying

-Amazing settings, characters, and narrative

-Some of the best music I've ever heard in a game

-A great suite of multiplayer modes and maps throughout all of the installments 

-Great Sandbox that allows for amazing vehicle encounters and unique moments

-4 player co-op through all 4 games thanks to the Master Chief Collection

-Devastating list of weapons at your disposal 

-Vast replayability thanks to skulls, achievements, scoring. 

  Those are just a few reasons why you should check out Halo: The Master Chief Collection, especially if you're new to Halo. Don't go in expecting something you've played before, because there is nothing quite like Halo. 

Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition Review (PC)

  This game was such a surprise for so many people, including myself, back in 2012 when it was launched from developer United Front Games and publisher Square Enix. This open world action game puts you in the shoes of Wei Shen, an undercover police officer tasked with infiltrating the Chinese triad in hopes of bringing their whole operation down. We've seen this concept before in movies and even other games, but no game even comes close to pulling it off the way Sleeping Dogs has. With the definitive edition having just released, I decided to delve back into the open world of Honk Kong and see if the game still holds up in a post Grand Theft Auto 5 world. My answer in short is yes, it totally does.

  There has been a lot of controversy lately surrounding games getting the definitive edition treatment. Games like Tomb Raider, The Last of Us, Grand Theft Auto 5, and of course Sleeping Dogs. A lot of gamers are unhappy that developers are treading old territory when they should be developing new and interesting games that make the purchase of a PS4 or Xbox One worth it. All of the games that are getting the remastered treatment are still great games on last gen and not to mention pretty cheap by now. The only reason I support all of these next gen versions, is simply because of the exposure. Let's face it, a lot of people traded in or sold their old consoles last year when they picked up either the Xbox One or PS4. I know I did. Having a PC let's me go back and play mostly any last gen game, but unfortunately a lot of people don't have that option, and they're looking for a reason to play their new consoles. I think these new versions are a great way for these games to get more exposure especially if they didn't receive enough when they initially released. If you're not on board with these games, then don't play them. It's as simple as that. With the fall roster of games being so huge this year, you'll have plenty of new titles to pick from.

  Sleeping Dogs is a game that looked great back in 2012, and it's held up pretty well visually. It's not astonishing in any way, but sometimes it does look downright gorgeous. Racing through the streets of Honk Kong during a storm still looks great, and the handful of graphical improvements the definitive edition brings are very welcome. The character models are detailed and crisp and the "in engine" cutscenes are animated well and excellently acted by the cast. The definitive edition adds denser traffic and pedestrians that really bring the city to life. The virtual Honk Kong you explore is even more engrossing this time around and feels oddly unique to any other open world you'll explore in games. The presentation is handled well throughout the game and I was able to run the game maxed out with AA turned down to high, and I got a smooth experience nearly all the time. I have not played the PS4 or Xbox One versions, but from what I saw, they look just as good as the PC experience I had. Sleeping Dogs is a great looking game through and through.

  The gameplay is where Sleeping Dogs shines. There are tons of things to do around Honk Kong and the definitive edition brings even more activities to keep you occupied. The combat is focused around hand to hand encounters and it's one of the best parts of the experience. The combat is fast and brutal and easy to become accustomed to. Similar to the Batman Arkham games, the fighting focuses on pulling off awesome combos while countering enemies who attack you. I think it's executed just as well as the Arkham games while bringing depth in the form of unlockable moves and even the inclusion of melee weapons such as meat cleavers and tire irons. I found myself walking around the city just so I could come face to face with a rival gang. Once they see you, they immediately attack and the carnage ensues. The developers wanted to focus on martial arts so much that I didn't even fire a gun until about 7 hours into my playthrough. The fighting works so well though, that I didn't mind the wait. When the time came for me to finally pull the trigger, I wasn't disappointed. The shooting mechanics are solid enough to hold up to other third person cover based shooters, but they're nothing spectacular. In fact, I prefer the deep hand to hand combat system over the gunplay. The exciting thing about this edition of the game is that it comes with all the DLC previously released for Sleeping Dogs including Nightmare in North Point and The Year of the Snake. Along with those two expansions, you get all the guns, cars, outfits and bonuses you could want. For someone new to Sleeping Dogs, the 60 dollar asking price is a good deal for all the content you get in return. If you've played the game before, well then it depends on how much you enjoyed it the first time around, and if you're ready to give the game another shot. 

  The aspect that surprised me the most about Sleeping Dogs was how absolutely engaging the narrative is. Going into the game for the first time I didn't think that I would be so into the characters and the events that unfold around them. The story kept me hooked from beginning to end and I loved it. Recently, I've really been reminded of how important a good story is, and that it really does make everything feel more worthwhile. Sleeping Dogs is proof of that. No, the game isn't the masterpiece Grand Theft Auto 5 is, not even by a long shot, but what it does, it does extremely well. Having said that there are some minor problems that hold the game back. Most notably the wonky camera that almost always works against you while driving or even while fighting. It works well most of the time, but gets in the way enough to create some frustrating moments. I also encountered some minor clipping and audio glitches. A good example would be when I was driving my car through a crowd, using my horn to scare away pedestrians from my path and all of a sudden I stopped using my horn but the sound effect kept blaring. Even when I got out of the car it just kept going and it was so loud that  had to run 3 blocks away to escape the terrible sound. Other than those very minor issues, Sleeping Dogs is a great video game achievement that's a must play for anyone who's a fan of open world action games. Don't go into this game expecting a Chinese GTA 5 because that's not what's delivered here. The beautiful thing about this game is that it's not GTA 5. It's another open world game that's fully capable of standing on its own and making a name for itself. This game is worth your time and your money. You're bound to find something you like within the definitive edition of Sleeping Dogs.


+Great Open World
+Solid Gameplay All Around
+Engaging Narrative

-Disobedient Camera
-Some Minor Glitches


9 out of 10

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor Review (PS4)

  What's up guys? Just a quick thank you to everyone who took the time out of their day to read this review. I have a lot of opinions on all sorts of entertainment and it means a lot that you're interested in what I think, and that you view my opinion as credible. That being said, let's talk about Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor.

  I'll start off by saying that this is the Lord of the Rings video game I've always wanted. Although the game doesn't share any title with the books or the films, the game takes place in between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and is set in the very same Middle Earth. So, for me, this is a Lord of the Rings video game. Albeit, a very different one from what we're all used to playing. This game doesn't follow the events of the films or books at all, but is an entirely new story brought to us by developer Monolith Productions. The same people who made one of my favorite shooters of all time: FEAR. They were also responsible for both Condemned games that came out in 05' and 08'. Needless to say, they've made some great games and Shadow of Mordor is no exception.

  The game looks absolutely incredible and the aesthetic does a great job of creating a gritty, believable Mordor. The character models of Talion, the main character, and the Uruks you fight throughout the game all look spectacular. All rendered in a crisp 1080p on PS4. The games framerate is also surprisingly stable, whether you're fighting three enemies or thirty enemies at once, you'll get a smooth experience all of the time. Whenever you're roaming Mordor the weather system does a good job of making you feel the harsh reality of the place you're in. Rain and sometimes even hail will fall down on you in spectacular fashion soaking your clothes and dropping visibility significantly, especially during the night. All of these things, coupled with the dynamic lighting, awesome animations and high quality voice work make Mordor really come to life in a way I thought it wouldn't.

  My motto when it comes to video games is simply this "Gameplay is King." You can have all the flashy visuals and best writing money can buy, but if you're game isn't fun to play, it's failed. Luckily, Shadow of Mordor does not fail in this category. This is a game that doesn't reinvent the wheel by any means. It uses mechanics that have been used in other games, almost to controversial effect, and it won't blow you away with it's narrative, but this title contains some of the best fun I've had in a game in a long time. It's simply fun to play. You can pick it up, learn it's simple control scheme in no time, and start your own onslaught through Mordor with devastating effect. The combat is brutal and visceral and truly makes you feel empowered as you level up abilities and upgrade your weapons. It's so fun to simply run around Mordor engaging in skirmishes with Uruks, while freeing human slaves kept captive, and taking out high targets within the Uruk society. I lost hours to exploration of the surprisingly big (but not too big) game world, finding artifacts and other collectibles. The world seemed to be just the right size. Not too small to where it seemed limited in possibilities, and not too big to where it appeared to be lifeless and underpopulated. Next to the vibrant world, another gameplay system caught my attention. The Nemesis System. This system makes every encounter have a sense of weight to it, and a sort of unpredictability. Every enemy you face in the world has the potential to kill you and move up within the Uruk hierarchy, getting promoted and remembering your encounters. They're all given a random set of personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, which allows you to really created your own memorable villains and showdowns. Since every foe you face has the potential to become a War Chief, the highest rank in the Uruk society, every kill you earn is satisfying and rewarding. The game has a very addictive nature to it, and you have to get your hands on it to truly experience it. All the videos and articles about it simply don't do it justice, including this one. This game is completely successful in creating a fun gameplay experience that is rewarding and keeps you coming back for hours on end.

  I really enjoyed Shadow of Mordor, and this stands as one of the best licensed titles in a long time next to Arkham City. If I have any gripes with the game it's that the story wasn't all that interesting. I would often ignore the story and opt to run around and cause more chaos within the well crafted world. I had many more memorable experiences doing that than I did with the story, even though it's well acted and has it's high points. If you enjoy a solid single player experience that is consistently fun and rewarding check this game out immediately.


+ Great Visuals and Performance
+ Brutal and Rewarding Combat
+ The Nemesis System

-Story Couldn't Keep Me Engaged


9 out of 10

Wolfenstein: The New Order Review

   What's up everyone? Just to give whoever may be reading this a quick rundown of how I'm going to be doing reviews from now on; I've decided to make them a lot shorter and to the point. That way you can take a couple minutes out of your day to read the review and decide whether or not this piece of entertainment is for you. Thanks for reading, and I hope you find this and all future reviews informative and helpful!

So, Wolfenstein: The New Order. This is a game I've been skeptical of for quite some time now. Believe it or not, I'm a big fan of the 2009 release of Wolfenstein by developer Raven Software. I thought it introduced a lot of cool things that made the game consistently fresh and the combat fun. It wasn't a perfect game by any means, but I did have a really good time with it, and I still do to this day. That being said, I wasn't expecting a revolutionary shooter from this new installment, but a game that I could have some good fun with; and that's exactly what I got. Wolfenstein: The New Order is a blast to play. The Combat is brutal and fun, and all the weapons have a great sense of power and kick to them. However, it wasn't only the combat that impressed me with this game. The story and characters are actually very well written and the game has exceptional production values in the form of awesome visuals, audio, and variety in level design. Wolfenstein has all the traits of a fun AAA shooter, but there are some problems that hold it back from greatness. Some of the first person cutscenes feel rushed and poorly integrated, while others are fluid and masterfully handled. There can be some rough texture pop-in at times, and the enemy AI is hit or miss. Not to mention the lack of any type of multiplayer modes. Don't get me wrong, I'm the type of gamer that will take a wonderfully crafted single player campaign over sub par, tacked on multiplayer any day, but the sixty dollar asking price is a bit much for a campaign that only lasts around ten to twelve hours. I know they appear in almost every shooter nowadays, but a co-op horde mode that you could play with friends would have been a blast. All the negativity aside, The New Order is a great shooter that offers a lot of fun and satisfying ways to play it's single player campaign. The option to be stealthy or go in guns blazing often presents itself, and unlockable perks make the combat consistently satisfying. There are also alternate game modes that can be unlocked by finding and solving collectibles hidden throughout the levels, however they all still remain single player. This shooter has a lot of heart and shows first hand that the genre can still do a lot of fun and interesting things. If you're a fan of shooters, this game is for you. 

+ Consistently Satisfying Combat

+ Well Written Characters and Story

+ Great Visuals and Sound

- Could use a little more polish in some parts

- The Enemy AI is hit or miss

- Lack of any type of co-op or competitive multiplayer 

8.5/10