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#321: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
It's the same Borderlands fun but in Space.

Why do fighters move so often? Because they like boxing...
Unpacking (PS4) Platted 

i would normally give these mini reviews on either the most recent platinum thread or the kaleidoscope challenge thread but for some reason I am unable to get a text box to appear on those pages now, it just doesn’t allow me to reply to those threads an6more. Irritating to say the least.
 
Clash: Artifacts Of Chaos (PS5)
 
Anticipation - 2/5
Wasnt expecting too much, a budget game with aspects of a soulslike....well I’ve been there before and ended up with some right stinkers like dolmen et al. Looks interesting but I was weary.
 
Enjoyment - 4/5
Its so good. So much better than I had ever hoped it would be. Perhaps two of the most curious looking protagonists I’ve seen in a while,  but they quickly found a way to win me over. You use your fists to fight all manner of odd looking creatures and as you progress you level up skills, learn new moves and select from different fighting stances which offers you a variety of approaches to engage in battle. The combat feels good too when it connects, nice and weighty...albeit the camera does suffer from some jank every now and then. However, there is another layer added to the fisticuffs and there are opportunities to turn the fight in your favour before a single punch is thrown. The titular artifacts allow you  to challenge or be challenged to a game of chance and strategy before engaging with some enemies. Lose this and you’ll have a debuff applied during the impending fight. I really enjoyed the change of pace this dice game bought to the encounters.
 
The art direction is excellent, the game looks like a living comic book blended with a colour version of that A-Ha music video from way back when. It’s extremely engrossing. There are also fantastic looping, multiple pathways throughout the game world, each of which beg8n to link and open up with previously explored areas - it’s extremely satisfying in a dark souls kind of way. Take into account the campfires that you use to save at and the loss of life that throws you into a night world where your tasked to get back to your body to regain all your stuff and the From Soft influence can definitely be felt. But in the small, right ways.
 
Retrospect - 5/5
i can forgive the whiff of jank that was experienced in some fights - cameras not locking on to enemies, getting stuck in a bush, special move-ing myself over a cliff edge etc because it was such a fun time and I really really needed a game like this. I was being worn down by the bland, boring and bloated triple a games I’ve been playing recently. The last one I played actually bought me to stop gaming for nearly three months as was so disillusioned with the dullness. But this pure fun. It’s a beautiful world, with characters that are both interesting and engaging and the gameplay was both strategic and full throttle in different moments. Thoroughly recommend this title. More people have to play this game.
 
 

#3,000 SINce Memories: Hoshi no Sora no Shite De