Blog, Blog, Bloq

 I recently finished the Silent Hill 2 Remake from Bloober Team. And quite frankly, it's good. I'm not in love with it, yet I think they did a great job regardless. While the combat and general movement are vastly different, the DNA of the series is embedded within. It works well enough and there are some really intriguing elements that get added in the Remake that set this game apart from its contemporaries. So, I am going to give my thoughts on the Remake and how it stacks up to the original.  To start off, I think Luke Roberts killed it as James and his acting gave the story the weight it needed. I say this as one of my criticisms for the original is that Guy Cihi can be a little too goofy and awkward. That's not to say James is supposed to be perfect, but the James in the script matches the energy that Luke Roberts gives off moreseo than Guy Cihi. I also feel the same way in regards to Angela's performance in the Remake.  I think that Gianna Kiehl was able to more a...

 At this point, it's well documented that I love Horror games. And recently I have been playing through some Resident Evil titles. So far on my journey, I have gone through RE1 Remake, RE2 Remake, and RE3 Remake. Those are the completions thus far, with RE: Code Veronica being my current playthrough at the moment. I think that all of these games bring something unique and fun to the table, but what I really want RE to come back around on is the Fixed Camera.  I don't mind if they bring back Tank Controls because I can do with or without them. However, I think that having a classic styled RE game like how Prince of Persia recently came out with a 2D sidescroller or how Mario and Sonic still utilize 2D gameplay alongside their modern 3D stuff can still be fulfilling. So, I think that RE1R makes a powerful case for going back to the Fixed Camera.  There are a number of elements that play into this train of thought for me. The first being that second word, perspective. Perspe...

 This is actually a tough thing to write. Not because I have nothing else to say, but because I already wrote something on Crow Country. I had a really great time when I was playing it, and out of the new releases that I got a hold of, it was simply the best. A well-made game that was paced properly. There is never a time in Crow Country where I felt like it dragged, or I was wasting my time. I especially appreciate games, like Crow Country, that know how long the player will be engaged with the game, and when it starts to overstay it's welcome.  Not to mention, the old-school PS1 style was nailed extremely well. From the atmosphere to the overall sound design. This is more noticeable when you go back and play older titles from this era. Like the Resident Evils, Silent Hill, Parasite Eves, and so on. And then you factor in games that try to emulate that experience. Realistically, there aren't many other games that can do this. I mean, the only one that comes to mind is Alisa. ...

 Last week was a blessed week for Indie Game developers as a slew of titles dropped right into the laps of anticipating gamers. Even the horrible layoffs at the Triple A level could not deter the momentum of games like Hades II, Animal Well, and our star today, Crow Country. A Survival Horror title with inspiration from the likes of Resident Evil 2, Silent Hill, and Final Fantasy VII. There are definitely other inspirations sprinkled in, but these are the big ones that were referenced by the duo at SFB Games. While I am not an expert on Final Fantasy, I can definitely see where the influence seeps in when it comes to Resident Evil and Silent Hill.  And the beauty of those inspirations shine so well in Crow Country. The world and puzzle design have that perfect blend of the horror giants. There are puzzles that are simple and easy to operate, while many of the other secrets require note-taking and extensive thought. With the answers being available through multiple avenues. And...

 Recently, I have been dabbling in a myriad of games. Some titles are fun like Onechanbara, while others like Steelrising are more frustrating to get through. So, after getting through Steelrising, I decided to pick up Claire: Extended Cut. A 2D pixel horror title from Hailstorm Games that dropped in 2016. My interest in Claire was due to the game's cover art. I thought it looked neat. And so I finally grabbed it when the price fell to $3. In short, I loved playing it. Claire is a perfectly serviceable survival horror title for what it is. The puzzles are not too difficult, but sometimes they throw some real curveballs at you. And the story does a fine job of showcasing the titular character as someone who is just trying to deal with all of the trauma and guilt swirling around her. While the game does feature a numerous amount of bugs, I think that many of them are more negligible than they are detrimental. Yet, I do think the game stumbles a bit when it comes to navigation. Which ...

 Horror games are such a mixed bag. That is apparent in franchises more than anything. The whole thing is reminiscent of Horror movies. You could be experiencing some shlocky bullshit or you could be witnessing one of the all time greats. It doesn't matter what the legacy behind the project is, it will eventually come down to the execution. Today, I want to discuss the rusty blade that is Silent Hill: Homecoming. A game that evokes Silent Hill really well in the monster design, but ultimately fails in areas that are natural to the series. This comes down to many factors. The puzzles are laughably easy and can be brute forced more times than not. The character writing is pretty weak for the most part. While the combat is also not much to scoff at, it does have its days. Yet fundamentally, it is easy to see why this game is disliked. I do not hate it like many others, however I wish that the game was something else.  Aside from the glaring issues, there are numerous nitpicks to ...

 Back in the saddle with more Horror, and this time I am talking about Alisa. Specifically, Alisa Developer's Cut from Casper Croes. To put it plainly, this game rules. I am a big fan of Alice in Wonderland adaptations and this one hits on those notes of deception and bizarre worldbuilding. The game is very much a modern PS1 Horror game through and through. It wears that title proudly on its sleeve and makes sure to do the genre justice. I had a lot of fun with my first playthrough and am looking forward to jumping back into it with the new game plus mode.  The game starts with the Elite Royal Agents,  Alisa and Jean-Francois, being given the task to hunt down Albertus Alvarez. When Jean-Francois swallows his toothpick, Alisa is tasked to give haste and chase down Albertus. But she is met by three porcelain dolls made up of various parts in an horrifying amalgamation. You can fight them if you want, but it's much easier to just succumb to them. After being taken in by the...