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[ParkestNight]

Platinum #83 - Until Dawn

 

A group of teenagers and barely-twenties in an isolated lodge on a remote mountain; what can go wrong?

 

Story:

A group of friends are partying at the Washingtons' cabin on Blackwood Mountain. Tragedy ensues as the Washington twins, Hannah and Beth, go missing after a prank gone wrong, and are eventually presumed to be dead. A year later, the surviving Washington sibling, Josh, invites the same group of friends to the cabin. Although a cloud hangs over their heads after the twins' supposed deaths, all of the invitees eventually arrive. After everyone settles into different buildings, horror descends upon them; Jessica is taken by a supernatural entity into the night with Mike in pursuit, while the others are chased and assault by a masked man. Matt and Emily are able to contact a rescue team, but they cannot leave until the storm passes. Can everyone survive... Until Dawn?

 

While I didn't personally like some of the characters, they were well-written. They felt like real people, and the teen drama was believable.

 

The psychiatrist character will address the player in sections between chapters, which offers a short reprieve from the main narrative (and helps my poor heart recover from my horror-induced fear). Honestly, I'm just awful with horror and scare easily - a lose-lose combination. That said, there is still some gore and disturbing scenes, so avoid if you're squeamish (then again, I was able to complete it, so maybe I'm making it out to be worse than it actually is).

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

I'd say the gameplay of Until Dawn closely resembles that of Quantic Dream games (Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls, Detroit: Become Human, etc.). There's a heavy emphasis on the butterfly effect (how one split-second decision can influence consequent events) as well as there not being a failed or "game over" state; the story marches ever on until an ending is reached.

 

Each character has their own attributes, such as being caring, friendly, etc. While it does humanize the characters a bit more, these attributes don't have any effect on the gameplay itself.

 

One idea I felt was cool in concept (but not in execution) was the motion controls. Specifically, there will be some sections in the game where characters will need to hide, and success will hinge on you not moving your DualShock 4. I ended up just playing with the controller in my lap or on my desk to circumvent these sections. You are able to use motion controls to make character choices, example shown below: 

 

 

I discovered that if you furiously shake the controller from side to side, the character's eyes go crazy and it looks pretty goofy. I did this to cut the tension pretty often.

 

That aside, Until Dawn's graphics are of high quality and appear realistic. The characters (who are modelled after their voice actors) look just like their real-life counterparts, the developers did a great job.

 

Music / VA:

The game features some well-known actors' and actresses' voices, such as Hayden Panettiere, Rami Malek, and Peter Stormare. The score did a wonderful job of bringing tension and urgency, as well as setting the general mood and atmosphere of a scene.

 

Tricky Trophies:

Most of the trophy list is for letting certain characters live or die, but watching every character's gruesome end in the "kill everyone" playthrough was easily the most horrific part for me personally.

 

Conclusion:

Since it's nearly Hallowe'en ?, I'd definitely recommend this game! You may have it via PS+, otherwise it is available on PS Now as well. For maximum effect, start the game at night and play... Until Dawn!

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #84 - God of War III

 

This marks the finale of our very own Angry Loincloth Man (in terms of the Greek chronology, anyways).

 

Story:

The Ghost of Sparta is ascending Mount Olympus with the Gaia and the other Titans. They are met with resistance from some of the other Gods, most notably Poseidon. To no one's surprise, Kratos viciously dispatches his uncle (though it's another mere drop in the ocean when compared to his lifetime kill count). They climb high enough that Zeus himself must intervene to halt their advance. As Kratos loses his grip, Gaia betrays him and allows him to fall all the way down to the underworld.

 

In the River Styx, Kratos loses his powers yet again, and is greeted by the spirit of Athena, who gave her life to save Zeus at the end of the previous game. Well, I guess death really changes a person, because she's now all about killing Zeus - talk about indecisive! Kratos must now get back to Olympus, all the while providing equality of opportunity and outcome to all Gods and Titans regarding death. 

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

While Kratos has a few new toys to play with, the gameplay is more or less the same as you've come to expect in the Greek saga of God of War. This game really outdoes itself with its great enemy variety, boss battles, and set pieces. It's awesome to rip apart a mob of grunts while there's a God and a Titan duking it out in the background, then the Titan throws something into the foreground which allows Kratos to progress further into the level. This level of interactivity really drives home that you are a small part of a greater war.

 

As always, there is the Challenge of Olympus, separate from the main narrative. Personally, I think this one is harder than in II, but still a bit easier than that of the first game.

 

I earned the Platinum in 2018, but I started the game in 2010 - and for that time, the graphics were detailed and amazing (e.g. Helios' dangling neck muscles, Hades' gross split head, etc.).

 

And as for why it took me eight years to finish the game: I was hit was an uncommon bug/glitch where my PS3 would freeze while loading (or attempting to load) my save game or starting a new game. I was able to get past the freezing when I first tried PS Now; I loaded the game on a whim, and I was able load my save file and earn the Platinum that way. Now, I can't say for sure whether or not that's a surefire method to fix the bug/glitch, but I'm glad it worked for me!

 

Music / VA:

In breaking news, Kratos is still angry and I hope his actor didn't blow out his voice. The supporting cast and music were fantastic, too!

 

Tricky Trophies:

Aside from the usual miscellaneous/missable and collectible-based trophies, the two most tricky ones for me were for completing Titan mode and the Challenge of Olympus. Both require quite a bit of patience, but it's not too bad.

 

Conclusion:

For the best experience, I'd recommend the PS4 God of War III Remastered version, as it runs better and was/is available via PS+ and PS Now.

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #85 - Invizimals: The Lost Kingdom

 

I can't remember the story at all, but you play as a young kid who is able to transform into different Invizimals and use each one's unique abilities to progress. It doesn't look or play the greatest, but it's a short experience that was available to PS+ subscribers. Otherwise, it is also on PS Now.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #86 - Severed

 

My first Vita Platinum (aside: I haven't played my Vita enough to justify its purchase, RIP)! From the makers of Guacamelee!, the tone is more serious in Severed. You play as Sasha, a young girl who is well-armed despite only having one. She is on a quest to save her family? To release their souls so they can find peace? Something along those lines. The gameplay is like a mini-dungeon crawler where you attack enemies by swiping the Vita screen. Eventually, combat becomes more complex as enemies begin incorporating things like attack patterns and timing, compounded by the presence of multiple enemies. You can strategically cut off limbs or parry, etc. If you are one of the baker's dozen of people who own a Vita, I'd definitely encourage you to play this game! You may have it from your PS+ subscription!

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #87 - Amnesia: Memories

 

Another PS+ Vita title (I think I played only Vita games for a week or so, then rarely picked it up thereafter)! This game is a visual novel; I'd say more, but I might have amnesia when it comes to this game.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #88 - Code: Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~

 

Yes, I was right! Yet another PS+ Vita visual novel - I should have realized sooner. This game features a mishmash of various (non-)fictional characters like Victor Frankenstein, Saint-Germain, Arsene Lupin, Van Helsing, etc. You play as a girl who, naturally, is able to romance any of these hunks depending on what floats your boat.

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #89 - Forma.8

 

Forma.8 is a 2D side scroller where you control a floating orb with eyes. You fly and defeat enemies, eventually gaining abilities to phase through obstacles, etc. I can't say the plot, etc. of this game was particularly memorable, but I enjoyed my time with this short PS+ offering nonetheless.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #90 - Titanfall 2

 

The ashes of the game from which Apex Legends was born, Titanfall 2 is a great game in its own right (or it was, before hackers took the game hostage).

 

Story:

Jack Cooper a member of the Militia, and is training to become a Titan Pilot under the mentorship of Captain Lastimosa. After a skirmish with the opposing IMC forces goes sideways, a dying Lastimosa makes Cooper the official pilot of B.T., his Titan. With Lastimosa K.I.A., Cooper - and B.T. - must continue his mission against the IMC, and stop their assault on Militia planets.

 

As Cooper and B.T. suffer and conquer hardships together, the two form an unlikely bond - one that transcends the divide between man and machine, resulting in a beautiful bromance.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

Aside from what you'd expect from most first-person shooters, one of Titanfall 2's unique features, of course, are the Titans. The multiplayer mode gives players a choice between the frame of the Titan as well as its weapons and loadout. It's satisfying to call your Titan into battle (even more so if you are able to crush an opposing player with its arrival). The chaotic battles are immensely thrilling - pilots flying at mach speed via grappling hooks, Titan vs. Titan fights, destroying enemy Titan and their pilots within, etc. Trophy-wise, I appreciate that the only multiplayer mode only requires you to dip your toes.

 

Music / VA:

Cooper is voiced by Matthew Mercer, but honestly, the most interesting thing about Cooper is B.T. The music worked well enough for gunfights and other action sequences.

 

Tricky Trophies:

Aside from miscellaneous trophies, I had a real rough time completing the single player campaign on Master difficulty (which I personally found more difficult than most Call of Duty Veteran campaigns, if the comparison proves helpful). Truthfully, it was probably because I had trouble adjusting to Titanfall 2's game mechanics (remembering what I could and could not do while piloting B.T., and I didn't take advantage of pilot traversal options like wall-running, grappling, etc.).

 

Other than that, cracking the top three of the Gauntlet was tough. It took me hours of (re)tries; it was especially frustrating when I had reached third place, only to have missed 1+ targets (whereupon the ensuing time penalty knocked me out of the running). It's absolutely doable, just expect to put in some time (unless you're a gaming god, I suppose).

 

Conclusion:

To date, Titanfall 2 is one of my favourite PS+ offerings ever given out on the service, and I'd recommend it if not for the game's current abysmal state. Forget the pilot - protect Titanfall 2!

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #91 - Alice: Madness Returns

 

Distinct from Disney's well-known adaptation, Alice: Madness Returns is a twisted take on her journey. Anyway, here's Wonder-

 

Story:

Alice Liddell is back to her crazy, wacky ways in London when she hallucinates herself back into Wonderland. She witnesses the Infernal Train corrupt the peaceful land into a blackened ruin, which leaves behind enemies to obstruct Alice's progress. The events in Alice: Madness Returns will take place in Wonderland and in the real world, and the fates of both are intertwined.

 

Despite my rather frivolous description of the story above, the content of Alice: Madness Returns is very, very dark. That being said, I feel the narrative was a bit longer than it needed to be.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

Alice's weapons are conceptually interesting since they are mundane items fashioned into weapons. For example, the Pepper Grinder is, well, a pepper grinder - but it shoots projectiles like a gatling gun. All her various weapons are needed to solve some simple puzzles and progress through levels.

 

The levels are also quite varied, ranging from a fantastical forest, an underwater town, a steampunk-inspired city, and a few others. Each has their own unique enemies, quirks, and Radula Rooms - challenges that reward one jar of paint upon successful completion. Four jars of paints will permanently increase Alice's health by one rose. Alice also collects several dresses along the way.

 

Music / VA:

Despite not featuring any of the usual suspects (at least not any I know), the VA for this game was all right. The music didn't leave any lasting impressions, though.

 

DLC:

American McGee's Alice (2000) - the prequel to Madness Returns - is included as a free downloadable! It has its own DLC trophy list, but you don't have to worry about these for the Platinum. I haven't played it myself, so I'm afraid I can't comment beyond that. There are also some DLC outfits.

 

Tricky Trophies:

Aside from the many hidden and off-the-beaten-path bottles, memories, and Pig Snouts you have to sniff out, the most annoying trophies for me personally were for the ones that require defeating bosses without getting hit.

 

Conclusion:

If you don't mind a story where messed up events occur (or you discover to have occurred), then I think Alice: Madness Returns could be a good fit for you! Since the PS3 PSN Store no longer hold sales, you'll have to purchase the game digitally full price (or physically, but good luck finding a copy for a decent price).

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #92 - Adventures of Mana

 

My first (and, so far, only) of Mana title... well, it's something. This Vita game is short but still somehow manages to be disappointingly repetitive. The trophies are super grindy, too - so much so that I waited until I had to attend a wedding and completed the grinding on the flights(!) to and from the location. I'd recommend to avoid this one, unfortunately.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #93 - Murdered: Soul Suspect

 

This was a rare blind purchase made on the premise of the game alone: you are a detective that has been killed in action, and now, you must solve your own murder as a ghost! Cool premise, but its execution was poor.

 

The sparse "combat" (if it can even be called such) consists of: running, hiding, and exorcising. I was hoping for some ghost cop rootin' tootin' shootin', but I suppose I should have watched a review first. I did like the investigation portions of the game, though. The best additions, obviously, are the gajillion collectibles - even better, some are missable! Yay /s. Again though, my own fault for not thinking through my purchases (though it was like 90% off at the time).

 

I'd pass on this one, too; however, it is a short experience, so it may be all right with tempered expectations.

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #94 - Earthlock

 

Earthlock is the re-release of the original Earthlock: Festival of Magic with a few notable changes. I've already covered Earthlock here, if you are curious about that game. FYI: Owners of Earthlock: Festival of Magic are entitled to a free download of Earthlock. Just to be clear - this is not a "definitive edition" - this game is treated separately and has its own trophy list.

 

Story:

The story, in the grand scheme of things, is more or less the same - the greatest difference is that characters' motivations, dialogue, etc. are vastly improved. Some scenes were reworked/rewritten completely to make sense and have good pacing.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

The combat is mostly unchanged, but the bugs/glitches have been ironed out. Some features were polished to have better quality-of-life. As a result, Earthlock is a much better experience than Festival of Magic.

 

Tricky Trophies:

This version adds more collectibles and gardening for 10,000 total ammo, but the hardest trophy remains the one for defeating the Hollow Knight.

 

Conclusion:

TL;DR: This is the superior version of Earthlock, and this one I'd recommend wholeheartedly!

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #95 and 96 - Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus & Sly 2: Band of Thieves

 

My introduction to Sly and the gang! Since I never had a PS2, I played the Sly Trilogy PS3 remasters via PS Now.

 

Story:

The first game introduces Sly Cooper, a young trash panda born into a clan of legendary thieves. His eighth birthday is rained on by the Fiendish Five stealing the Thievius Raccoonus, Clan Cooper's book of master techniques. His parents are also murdered - bummer. While at the orphanage, Sly meets best friends Bentley and Murray, and they become a heisting trio. Their next goal: to recover the lost pages of the Thievius Raccoonus from the hands of the Fiendish Five and their leader, Clockwerk.

 

At the start of the second game, Sly and the gang find themselves at a museum in Cairo to steal Clockwerk's remains and destroy them to end its threat once and for all; however, the parts are already missing when they arrive, and the authorities are there instead. Sly overhears Inspector Carmelita and her new partner Neyla suggest that an organization called the Klaww Gang stole the parts, and so the trio must track down each of their bosses to find the Clockwerk parts.

 

I like the personalities of each character, and I particularly enjoyed the trio's camaraderie and banter.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

Sly is a masked bandit that find his way across almost all kinds of terrain. He can traverse along ledges, on poles, etc. where there are blue sparkles. The game is broken up into levels which reflect the area's Fiendish Five boss, and collecting all clue bottles in each level will also open the level's safe. Opening the safes reward Sly with new skills for combat and traversal.

 

The second game introduces a few new features. Each level becomes a hub in which Sly and the gang operate and start missions. The player can also play as Bentley and Murphy, who have differing playstyles and their own gadgets. Sly can pickpocket trinkets from his enemies, which he can sell for money, which in turn is used to purchase skill upgrades for all three characters. Some of the missions can be frustrating, but none are too difficult given enough time.

 

I love the art style of the games, almost look cell-shaded, but not quite.

 

Music / VA:

The voices are pretty hammed-up (e.g. Bentley's "nerd" voice, Murray's dumb boisterousness, etc.) but it's understandable given that the games were a result of the early 2000s. I enjoyed the sound effects, like Sly's sneaking.

 

Tricky Trophies:

The worst thing about both of the games are the collectibles, such as finding all clue bottles, opening all safes, etc. Otherwise, some missions are annoying, but not too challenging.

 

Conclusion:

I rather enjoyed my time with both games, but I personally liked the first one more. Both are available via the Sly Collection which is available on PS Now. They're all short games, and are PlayStation classics, so I'd definitely recommend them!

Edited November 10, 2021 by ParkestNight
Fixed titles - I apparently can't count

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #97 - Yakuza Kiwami

 

Yakuza Kiwami (my introduction to the series) is a remake of the 2005 PS2 classic, Yakuza. Since I don't learn from my mistakes, I blind-purchased the steelbook edition at a Best Buy since it looked cool and was cheap (~$20). Thankfully, the game was good, and I absolutely loved it.

 

Story:

In 1995, Kazuma Kiryu (AKA The Dragon of Dojima) is a yakuza lieutenant of the Kazama Family (a subsidiary of the Dojima Family, the most powerful of the Tojo Clan) in Kamurocho, Tokyo. When Kiryu learns his friend Yumi has been abducted by Sohei Dojima (patriarch of the Dojima Family), he rushes over to their office. Once there, he discovers his sworn brother and friend, Akira Nishikiyama with gun in hand, standing over Dojima's corpse. Yumi is alive, but in extreme shock. Telling Nishikiyama to take Yumi and leave, Kiryu takes the fall for Dojima's murder when the authorities arrive on scene. Kiryu is sentenced to prison and subsequently expelled from the Tojo Clan.

 

In 2005, Kiryu is released from prison. He returns to a vastly different Kamurocho than the one he remembers; Yumi is missing, the once kind and loyal Nishikiyama has become cruel and arrogant, and the Tojo Clan's reserve of 10 billion yen has been stolen. Kiryu decides to look for Yumi himself, but finds himself embroiled in Tojo Clan infighting, as well as other factions in Kamurocho openly warring in the streets. To add to his troubles, Kiryu must escort and protect a mysterious young girl named Haruka, who claims Yumi is her aunt.

 

I loved the story, but I wish I had played Yakuza 0 first since its events precede those of Kiwami - oh, well. In Yakuza fashion, the main narrative is a serious drama, but the sidequests and extraneous events/activities are chock full of absurd comedy - truly a bizarre juxtaposition that surprisingly melds better than it has any right to.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

Yakuza Kiwami is a third-person action-adventure game. Since Kiryu can gather materials/items and gain experience to invest in combat and utility skills, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to consider it a JRPG (or a JRPG-lite at the very least).

 

Kiryu has four distinct fighting styles: Brawler (average), Beast (slow but strong), Rush (fast but weak), and Dragon (legendary). Again, skills in each can be unlocked, and each style will have their (dis)advantages; however, you can switch between them on the fly, and as a result, the combat can be pretty fun. Kiryu can also use weapons, though the Tiger Drop (super OP combat move) is the only one he needs.

 

There is one frenemy in particular you need to watch out for: Goro Majima. Remember the Adoring Fan from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion that followed the player character around everywhere? Imagine that, except this dude wants to beat the hell out of Kiryu so that the Dragon of Dojima can regain (and exceed) his former strength. In this Majima Everywhere system, the Mad Dog of Shimano will hound you when out and about Kamurocho. Otherwise, he will lie in wait to ambush Kiryu (rather obviously, most of the time).

 

Kamurocho is a small bustling city that feels lived-in; there are hawkers on the street, pedestrians of all walks of life, rich and poor areas, and even a seedy underground gambling den and arena. Even the Completion List, grindy as it is, helps contribute to Kamurocho feeling like a real place; you can eat at restaurants, sing at karaoke rooms, take taxis, play arcade games, go to the batting cages, drink at bars, play pool, fail at Mahjong - everyday activities people actually engage in. In this way, I would compare Yakuza Kiwami (and the franchise at large) to the Grand Theft Auto series. You can even take Haruka to paint the town red and fulfill her demands requests.

 

Music / VA:

The voice acting and music are phenomenal. The raw emotions in the characters' voices are apparent despite my lack of knowledge of the Japanese language. The music is rock-solid in setting the mood of a scene, and combat music gets the blood pumping.

 

Tricky Trophies:

Simply put, the entire trophy list (excepting the story/unmissable trophies) is extremely grindy, if not overtly difficult.

 

The Completion List (basically every single substory and minigame in the game) is required for the Platinum, and it is so prevalent that many other trophies will be unlocked during your progress to 100%.

 

Completion List aside, the most difficult accomplishments will be the Climax Battles (a collection of fights with specific win conditions) and completing the story on Legend difficulty. What will most likely make or break your journey to the Platinum will be the car chase section on Chapter 9. The worst part isn't even the chase, it's that you have to (re)defeat a boss each time you fail.

 

Conclusion:

I'd 100% recommend this game! You may already have access to Yakuza Kiwami via PS+ subscription, or the semi-regular sales where the games go for $5 or less. Just start with Yakuza 0 first!

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #98 - Sly Cooper 3: Honor Among Thieves

 

The last game of the original trilogy!

 

Story:

After a failed attempt to open the Cooper Vault on Kaine Island, Bentley and Murray successfully escapes; however, Sly is captured by Dr. M, who owns the island. Then the player is subjected to a flashback, presenting the story in a "you're probably wondering how I got into the situation"-esque manner.

 

Personally, the third game is my least favourite of the trilogy (partly owing to the fact that I essentially played all three games back-to-back), and I was a little checked out when it came to the narrative.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

The general gameplay is more or less the same, but now you can play as a few more characters in addition to the original trio. This game removed clues bottles and vaults, and instead Sly can use disguises and crack safes. Finally, the third game features ship battles, aerial combat, and Master Thief challenges (none of which I enjoyed, unfortunately).

 

Tricky Trophies:

Honor Among Thieves is the most time-consuming game of the trilogy, since you need collect 2,500 coins (at one time), and purchase all available upgrades for the characters. You also need to complete all Master Thief challenges, some of which are annoying, but definitely doable.

 

Conclusion:

I didn't enjoy this game as much as the other two, but I played it to round out the trilogy. Honestly, I should have taken a longer break in between the Sly games. With this caveat in mind, I'd definitely recommend the Sly Collection, available on PS Now!

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #99 - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

 

This is the original PS3 version of the game! I've already covered the PS4 remaster here, so I won't linger on the subject. The only difference is the multiplayer and co-op trophy requirements on this version, which are no longer obtainable.

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #100 - The Last of Us Remastered

 

My efforts weren't for nothing, I endured and survived for my hundredth Platinum (though I'm not sure it was worth the emotional pain of having to experience the Factions mode)!

 

Story:

In 2013, brothers Joel and Tommy Miller and Joel's daughter Sarah must flee from their home in Austin, Texas when some strange fungus infects and makes its hosts lose reason and become aggressive and hostile, spreading through bites. Sarah is killed during the escape.

 

The story picks up twenty years later after the event known thereafter as Outbreak Day. The infection has ravaged America, perhaps even the world. Civilization has been reduced to a few authoritarian quarantine zones, some rebel groups, and stragglers that have resorted to murder and worse.

 

Joel and a woman named Tess are now smugglers operating in the Boston quarantine zone. Marlene (the leader of the Fireflies, an organization of freedom fighters), entrusts them with escorting a girl named Ellie to a safe house just outside of the zone. Along the way, it is discovered that Ellie has been bitten weeks ago by an infected - but she shows no sign of being infected herself (outside of a bite mark). Ellie claims to to be immune, and that the Fireflies can study her to find a cure and save humanity; however, when the three arrive at the Firefly safe house, they discover all the Fireflies have been killed by government soldiers. Tess, revealing a recent bite mark, urges Joel to take Ellie to the Fireflies; she sacrifices herself to buy time for Joel and Ellie to escape.

 

The two make it out - Joel's plan is to take Ellie to Tommy, a former Firefly, hoping that Tommy can shed light on the location of the Fireflies.

 

I'd compare the narrative to that of Disney's Up - a grumpy man escorts a teenager on an adventure - except obviously The Last of Us Remastered is much more serious in tone. While I don't think the general story and narrative structure are original, the character arcs, growth, and interactions certainly carry the show - there's a reason why this game is so loved. I especially loved Ellie's jokes and other little details to humanize and flesh out the characters.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

Personally, I'd say the weakest part of The Last of Us Remastered is its gameplay loop. While the atmosphere and intensity of settings and situation are amazingly well done (the hotel basement for me was the most stress-inducing), the gameplay is incredibly basic and repetitive; gather weapons, crafting materials, ammunition, etc., while evading and/or defeating enemies both human and infected. You can run-and-gun, but the stealthy approach is the intended one, as ammunition is limited. Sure, you can craft bombs, smoke grenades, etc., or you can pick up bottles and bricks to distract enemies, but the depth of the gameplay is still rather shallow.

 

The Factions multiplayer mode of the game didn't do much to improve my opinion of the game at that time. To be clear, the mode itself is fine; it's just that you have to complete both the Hunter and Firefly paths (which are more or less the same, but with different player skins). Since I played the game years after its release, I was also discouraged by the number of very high-level players who would always be placed on the opposing team (or so it seemed) and demolish me, ending my run.

 

It took me quite some time to adjust to the gameplay of The Last of Us Remastered. I only did a partial playthrough of the game the first time around. Then the next year, since I wanted to find out for myself the reason for the game's popularity, I started and completed a new, full playthrough of the game; however, I still wasn't drawn in. The subsequent year, after yet another playthrough on a harder difficulty, I finally got into the game and earned the Platinum.

 

The original PS3 release looked amazing on the PS3 (especially given the age of the hardware), but the PS4 remastered seems less impressive, relative to the age of the PS4's hardware. Regardless, I do love the simple, clean UI, and I did enjoy the use of the controller's speaker and DualAxis for the flashlight.

 

DLC:

Since Naughty Dog hates its players (/s, kinda-sorta), they added the Grounded and Grounded+ difficulties, tougher even than Survival and Survival+, to the main campaign. To demoralize players even further, Naughty Dog also added more maps, game types, and trophies to its Factions mode.

 

Thankfully, the bright light of its DLCs is Left Behind, a standalone narrative that covers Ellie's backstory before meeting Joel via flashbacks, taking place during when Joel is unconscious due to an injury. This DLC is a lovely supplement to the main game.

 

Tricky Trophies:

Outside of the DLC trophies, the trickiest base game trophies are the ones for surviving the maximum amount of weeks in both Firefly and Hunter paths in the Factions mode. The sheer time commitment required and the heartbreak of restarting if you fail are enough to make these the two worst offenders on the list.

 

The Survival and Survival+ difficulties aren't too bad with enough good timing and patience. The collectibles are both numerous and somewhat glitchy, but are still preferable to the multiplayer requirements.

 

Conclusion:

While it took me some time, I eventually came to love The Last of Us Remastered. I'm not sure if Sony still includes them, but the way I received the game was via a voucher code (included with purchase of a new PS4 console) for a free download of the game. Otherwise, the game was given as part of PS+, either on a regular month or via the PS+ Collection for PS5 owners. Trophies aside, this game is a must-play for PlayStation owners, in my opinion.

[YaManSmevz]

Great review! That's a dope plat#100, too?

 

I've been thinkin about taking the plunge, so I appreciate how honest yet positive this review was. Also been talkin about tackling the multiplayer with a buddy, so this is another nudge in that direction. Thanks!

[ParkestNight]

8 hours ago, YaManSmevz said:

Great review! That's a dope plat#100, too

 

I've been thinkin about taking the plunge, so I appreciate how honest yet positive this review was. Also been talkin about tackling the multiplayer with a buddy, so this is another nudge in that direction. Thanks!

 

Thank you for your kind words! It's a wonderful game, it just took me a while to realize is all!

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #101 - XBlaze Code: Embryo

 

A visual novel, but I honestly have no recollection of this game other than that it was on PS Now.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #102 - Enslaved: Odyssey to the West

 

Taking inspiration from the novel Journey to the West, Ninja Theory takes some creative liberties to add their own twist to it.

 

Story:

Set over a century after a global war and apocalypse, most humans are gone and mechs have overrun Earth (very similar to another game I've covered, Horizon Zero Dawn). Monkey wakes aboard a slave ship and his escape sets the ship on a crash course. He tries to enter an escape pod, but is prevented from doing so by a young woman named Trip. Monkey survives the crash, but finds a slave headband put on him when he regains consciousness. Trip explains that it forces Monkey's cooperation, and it will kill him if her heartbeat stops. Together, they make the long journey to Trip's home village.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

Enslaved is an action-adventure game, and Monkey can use his staff for combat and to traverse the environment. Interestingly, Monkey's staff is both a close-range and long-range weapon. Monkey can stun enemies and perform finishing moves when their health is low enough. In addition, he has a rechargeable shield and a hoverboard to make his way across water.

 

Again, Monkey needs to keep Trip alive, or he will share her fate. You can command Trip to perform certain tasks, like hacking computers, moving to locations, etc.

 

Music / VA:

Andy Serkis voices Monkey, though I thought the voice cast was decent across the board. The music was forgettable, though.

 

DLC:

There is one DLC, Pigsy's Perfect 10, but I can't comment further as I haven't played it myself.

 

Tricky Trophies:

Collecting all the Tech Orbs is tedious, especially considering some of them are found during boss battles that take place on water.

 

Conclusion:

This wasn't exactly my favourite game, but I thought Enslaved was decent overall. I'd recommend it if you have PS Now, but I wouldn't pay for it separately.

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #103 - Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments

 

I rather enjoyed this one! This adventure game has you searching for clues and evidence as Sherlock while Watson assists you. The graphics and performance of the game was okay, but I quite liked playing as the good detective. I played this on PS Now, but I believe it is no longer available on the service - apparently the developer and the publisher had a falling out, so the devs re-released the game (separate SKU and trophy list). I'd highly recommend either version on a deep sale!

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #104 - God of War: Ascension

 

The last game released set in Greece (though the story apparently takes place earliest chronologically) and on the PS3!

 

Story:

Kratos is imprisoned in the (still living and breathing, yikes) Hecatonchires by the Furies, who are rather... furious at him for breaking his oath to Ares - namely, refusing to fight for the gods after Ares tricks Kratos into killing his wife and daughter. Orkos, the oath-keeper and son of the Fury Queen Alecto and Ares, sides with Kratos as he believes the terms of his oath was unjust. Orkos tells Kratos to seek the Oracle in Delphi, setting Kratos on yet another journey.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

The gameplay is what you'd expect from a God of War title (barring the most recent one), but this game does add a multiplayer mode, which features several game types. I played the game about five years after release, so the lobbies were empty; I only did what was required for the Platinum and went my merry way.

 

The game's performance was surprisingly smooth (especially more so since I streamed it via PS Now) and the graphics are great considering the 2013 release date.

 

Music / VA:

I thought VA and music was pretty good.

 

Tricky Trophies:

The only truly tricky trophy of the game is for completing the game on Hard mode. The only other one that may break your journey to the Platinum is the one multiplayer trophy for completing the tutorial; I don't know if the servers are still up, so check its status before you attempt this one!

 

Conclusion:

I'd highly recommend this game if you like the older style of God of War games. If you don't, avoid it - it's more of the same. In any case, this game is available via PS Now!

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #105 - Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi

 

A semi-historical (only semi since the game features fantastical elements such as vampires) visual novel set in 1800s Japan, you play as a young woman looking for her father; screw your father, though, the most important part of this game is that you can fall in love with a samurai hunk of your choice! Available on - you guessed it - PS Now!

Edited November 28, 2021 by ParkestNight
Fixed grammatical errors

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #106 - Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure

 

You play as Bjorn and Jerome in this 80's-inspired dodgeball game. The gameplay is wacky fun and there are definite moments of absurd hilarity. The campaign offers a challenge on All-Star mode, especially the last few levels - I was stuck on the final one for hours. While the game encourages co-op play, you can absolutely play solo, though I can't say whether having a human partner would make the campaign easier or not. Stikbold! is available on PS Now, and I would recommend it if you have a subscription!

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #107 - Shadow of the Colossus

 

This isn't Team Ico's original 2005 game released for the PS2, but Bluepoint Games' PS4 remake - and they did a damn fine job.

 

Story:

The player character Wander reaches the shrine on his horse, Agro, and the lifeless body of a young girl - presumably someone Wander cares for. The voice of Dormin reaches out to Wander, and after a brief conversation, the two come to an agreement; in exchange for destroying the sixteen idols lining the hallway, Dormin will restore the girl's soul to her body. The wrinkle is that in order to destroy each idol, its corresponding entity must be killed - the Colossi.

 

The Colossi (especially the earlier ones) are peaceful giants that only attack in self-defence, which made me feel like a monster when killing them - a detail wonderfully added by having Wander's character model change: skin becoming more grey and clammy, eyes and veins blackening, and even growing horns. As the story progresses, each subsequent Colossus is more aggressive, perhaps angered by the loss of their brethren.

 

Much of the narrative is shown, not told, relying on environmental storytelling - and Shadow of the Colossus does so with splendid results.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

Shadow of the Colossus is a third-person action-adventure game, and can be considered a boss rush as your only enemies will be the Colossi. Wander's arsenal includes only his sword, bow + arrows, and Agro (some Colossi are so large or fast that Agro will be needed to move around each one). Wander can raise his sword, and the sunlight will bounce off and point Wander in the direction of either the next Colossus, or if in battle, the weak point of that Colossus.

 

Defeating most of the Colossi will require you to interact with the environment in some manner, but otherwise each Colossus can be climbed and/or clung onto in order to reach one (or several) weak point(s) indicated by a glowing rune. Clinging onto a Colossus will slowly whittle down your limited stamina (the maximum capacity of which will be increased by killing Colossi), and the Colossus will attempt to shake you off. It will require a combination of stamina management and timing in order to successfully take down a Colossus, which is both sad and satisfying. Hard mode earns its title by adding more weak points to each Colossus, as well as making them more aggressive (e.g. trying to shake off Wander more often).

 

The game also features a Time Attack mode, which reward the player with various weapons/items each time after successfully defeating two Colossi within the time limit.

 

I've never played the original game, so I can't make any comparisons, but some of the controls (mostly with holding, climbing, clinging, grabbing, etc.) are slightly janky; however, I had zero issues with performance and the graphics are beautiful.

 

Music / VA:

The little bit of voicework is done in a nonexistent dialect made for the game, but the music is phenomenal, capturing and reflecting different emotions and situations.

 

Tricky Trophies:

I had a bit of trouble adjusting to the gameplay loop, so Hard mode was actually hard for me, especially under 5:41:28 seconds. Familiarity of the game and its mechanics will help immensely, so don't attempt this on your first playthrough. Otherwise, the only other tricky trophies are the ones associated to the Time Attack mode imo.

 

Conclusion:

As far as I am concerned, Bluepoint Games knocked it out of the park; the Shadow of the Colossus remake is a must-play title for PlayStation owners imo. PS+ subscribers were lucky enough to have this game as an offering, so check your library!

[Speling_Expirt]

Dude, great idea and awesome write ups! Will sit down and read every one when I have more time later today, keep it up!

[ParkestNight]

19 hours ago, LOWERCASESUCKS said:

Dude, great idea and awesome write ups! Will sit down and read every one when I have more time later today, keep it up!

 

I'm glad you're enjoying my write ups, and thank you for your kind words!

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #108 - UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st]

 

This game is just an updated version of UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late (the PS3 game I've already covered here), but it is available on the PS4 and features more characters, game modes, and slightly improved gameplay mechanics. I enjoyed this game more than Exe:Late.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #109 - Burly Men at Sea

 

I heard good things about this game (I think it won an award(s) or some such), but I regret purchasing it (and not just because it was given as a PS+ incentive at a later time). Burly Men at Sea is a sort of "choose your own adventure" type of game, but is too minimalistic and repetitive to be enjoyable beyond two or three playthroughs. I wouldn't purchase separately.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #110 - Final Fantasy XV

 

I'm pretty unfamiliar with the Final Fantasy series, I've only ever played FF13 (and only partway at that - wasn't really enjoying it) and this game. I know FF10 is highly regarded (and I do own it), but my only experience with it is that one dude's weird laughing scene that YouTube recommends to me every now and then.

 

Story:

Prince Noctis is on his way to Altissia to marry Princess Lunafreya, accompanied by his entourage/groomsmen Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis. In a tragic turn of events, the party hears news of the attack on Insomnia, resulting in the murder of King Regis (Noctis' father) and the theft of the Crystal by the armies of Niflheim; Noctis and Lunafreya are also falsely declared dead.

 

The party meets up with Cor, a royal guardsman who survived the attack, who urges Noctis to retrieve the Royal Arms (the weapons of the past kings of Lucis). Noctis, with the help of his friends (and Lunafreya), must retrieve the Crystal and reclaim the throne of Lucis.

 

The narrative pacing is all over the place but the story was okay, in my opinion (the penultimate chapter is by far the worst - just one linear hallway after the next). I did rather like the mixture of serious overtones with moments of camaraderie and levity.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

Final Fantasy XV features real-time combat in favour of the turn-based style of yore. Noctis has a variety of Royal Arms in his arsenal, with which he can attack, defend, and warp to points on the battlefield. Noctis also has access to magical attacks, Astral summons, and finishing blows with his companions.  In RPG fashion, you can choose between several outfits for yourself and your crew.

 

Final Fantasy XV is an open world game, so the game gives you the Regalia, (fancy car) and eventually chocobos, to traverse the land. Both are customizable, and I found myself doing so somewhat often.

 

Graphically, the game looks gorgeous. Aside some loading times, I experienced very few performance issues; however, the camera can be awful at times, obstructing your view at at inopportune times.

 

Music / VA:

The voice acting for most characters are fine, but the music is excellent.

 

DLCs:

Holy moly, this game has so many (none of which I own). Each Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis have their own story DLCs, and eventually the multiplayer mode Comrades was added, though Square eventually shut down the servers (apparently it is still playable with NPCs). All of the aforementioned DLCs are included with the Royal Edition of the game (with also adds the Royal Pack), which you would think would wrap up the DLCs - but then Episode Ardyn was released.

 

The sheer amount of DLC is such that my total trophy completion for the game is at 52%.

 

Tricky Trophies:

Thankfully, none of the trophies are that tricky, but they are grindy - especially the ones for completing each trophy for fishing, cooking, photography, and survival. Fighting the Adamantoise takes a long time, too; it feels longer when the camera is fighting you the entire time, too.

 

Conclusion:

I think the game is worth a playthrough, though I suspect hardcore Final Fantasy fans may be disappointed. Temper your expectations regarding the story, and I think you'll have a fine time.

[realm722]

On 12/8/2021 at 5:54 PM, ParkestNight said:

DLCs:

Holy moly, this game has so many (none of which I own). Each Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis have their own story DLCs, and eventually the multiplayer mode Comrades was added, though Square eventually shut down the servers (apparently it is still playable with NPCs). All of the aforementioned DLCs are included with the Royal Edition of the game (with also adds the Royal Pack), which you would think would wrap up the DLCs - but then Episode Ardyn was released.

 

The sheer amount of DLC is such that my total trophy completion for the game is at 52%.

 

Solid review! All of the DLC for Final Fantasy 15 is honestly what's held me back from playing it... I really would like to experience another one since I adored the FF7 Remake but it's such an absurd amount with 8 different packs. I got the Royal Edition via the PS5 PS+ Collection but I'm afraid some of the DLCs may now be defunct (although maybe not?) I'm not ever going to have a 100% completion on my profile so I shouldn't let it completely hold me back but I don't think I'm ready to jump in quite yet.

 

As a side note - I've gotta ask, after looking at your trophy profile I can tell you're doing reviews for games that you platinumed all the way back in 2018. How on earth do you remember how you felt about it? Hah, I say it with respect since I'll sometimes find myself struggling to juggle all my thoughts from a game I completed a few days ago and need to type out everything I feel before forgetting about it. It's very admirable and I'm looking forward to your future reviews thru all of 2022! 

[ParkestNight]

9 minutes ago, realm722 said:

As a side note - I've gotta ask, after looking at your trophy profile I can tell you're doing reviews for games that you platinumed all the way back in 2018. How on earth do you remember how you felt about it? Hah, I say it with respect since I'll sometimes find myself struggling to juggle all my thoughts from a game I completed a few days ago and need to type out everything I feel before forgetting about it. It's very admirable and I'm looking forward to your future reviews thru all of 2022! 

 

Oh, I definitely don't remember everything about every game (you'll notice some write-ups go into a lot of detail while some are only given a paragraph or so) - some just stick out in my brain more than others. I usually Google a synopsis about a game, which helps jog my memory a little bit. I also look through the through the trophy list and sometimes that will remind me, especially if it was a bad grind, if it was difficult for me to achieve, or if I just loved the game. In the case of Final Fantasy XV, it stuck out to me precisely because I don't think I have any other games on my list with such a blatant amount of DLC.

 

I originally set out to do one write-up a day, but you'll notice that there is a longer break in between write-ups now in part because it takes me a while to get my thoughts in order (a larger part due mostly to other commitments in my life, if I'm being honest). All in all, I definitely struggle with my thoughts, too.

 

Thank you for reading my write-ups thus far, my hope is to catch up to my current progress and then write one as I achieve the Platinum thereafter!

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #111 - Burnout Paradise Remastered

 

I have plenty of games on my list with a racing component, but Burnout Paradise Remastered is probably the only racing game on it. Well, I suppose it's more an action game, since there's an emphasis on destruction and crashing the ever-living heck out of everyone. I had so much fun just driving around the map with no real goal. The game comes with all previously released DLCs, so there's no shortage of activities to do, if you so choose.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #112 - Valkyria Chronicles Remastered

 

While I loved the original Valkyria Chronicles on the PS3, I was always bummed it never received any post-release trophy support (like with Uncharted: Drake's Fortune). Then, through one of the rare PlayStation-Humble Bundle collaborations, I finally got my hands on this game!

 

Story:

In 1935, the continent of Europa is in turmoil and unrest: the western Atlantic Federation and the Empire from the east both covet a scarce resource called Ragnite, sparking the Second Europan War. The Empire's superior forces has the Federation retreating, so the Empire decides to violate a long-standing treaty and invade Gallia (a neutral nation sandwiched between the superpowers) to keep their momentum.

 

Welkin Gunther (son of famed Gallian general Belgen Gunther) is in the town of Bruhl when Imperial forces arrive. He, with his adopted sister Isara, and town watch captain Alicia Melchiott, fight their way to Welkin's prototype tank, the Edelweiss (a keepsake from the First Europan War). With the Edelweiss in tow, they are able to escape to the capital of Randgriz. There, the three join the Gallian militia, whereupon Welkin is promoted to Lieutenant and given Squad 7 to lead, despite his lack of military and combat experience.

 

When I bought the game, I didn't have any expectations regarding the story - I thought I'd be shooting dudes and turning away to not look at explosions; however, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a story about necessity, camaraderie, betrayal, hope, prejudice, and loss.

 

Gameplay / Graphics:

Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is a turn-based tactical military game. You choose your squad, train and/or promote them, and send them off to battle. Your units come in various roles: shocktroopers (your run-and-gunners), scouts (reconnaissance experts), lancers (anti-tank absolute units), engineers (builders and fixers), and Welkin + the Edelweiss, your unique tank unit. Over the course of the story, units will join Squad 7, though some will require you to meet certain criteria before appearing.

 

You control each unit, which has its own movement range and set of capabilities. You can perform basic attacks, throw grenades, prep for a counterattack, or move the unit to a more favourable position depending on what you believe is the best move. Finding good vantage points and cover can be the difference between life and death. Depending on your chosen difficulty, you can save in between turns, choose to play with "classic" settings (permadeath for units).

 

I don't know where the Remaster would fall, but the original game looked beautiful for its time.

 

Music / VA:

Both the VA and music are great; even though I played with Japanese dubs, you can immediately identify with their conveyed emotions.

 

DLCs:

The original game released several DLCs over time, and the Remastered edition comes with all of them out-of-the-box. Some are extra campaign missions with Selvaria or Edy, others are challenges. There are quite a few, but none of them have their own trophy requirements, so I'll end here.

 

Conclusion:

I would 100% recommend this game if you like some light tactical military action and a good story. It is available on PS Now, or occasionally on sale on the PSN Store.

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #113 - Hitman GO: Definitive Edition

 

If you've played Lara Croft GO, this game is pretty similar. The main difference is that in Hitman GO, your job is to assassinate targets. It's a fun game, not to mention an easy Platinum. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something short to play.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #114 - Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

 

The sequel to the amazing Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, with a fair bit of changes!

 

Story:

Roland is a president of an unspecified country in a world analogous to ours. He witnesses a nuclear missile launch over a city and explode; however, instead of perishing, Roland is whisked away to the kingdom of Ding Dong Dell, in a fantastical world full of magic and wonder. Additionally, Roland has reverted back to a young man. Roland has no time to ponder his newfound circumstances, as he finds himself in the middle of a coup d'état.

 

Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum is the rightful heir to the throne of Ding Dong Dell, but is usurped by Mausinger, former advisor and murderer of the late king (Evan's father). Mausinger and his rat guard try to kill Evan to wrest control of Ding Dong Dell, but Evan and Roland join forces and manage to escape. Evan swears to create a new, better kingdom where all nations of the world are united under a single banner.

 

I thought the story was a little darker overall compared to the first game, but the narrative pacing is inconsistent and the characters aren't as well-developed.

 

Gameplay / Graphics

The combat of is much improved, replacing the slightly janky, somewhat turn-based combat of the first game with real-time action. As a result, it is much more fluid and satisfying to experience. Ally AI is much better, as there's more options to customize their behaviours. Towns and cities look amazing and vivid, while enemies' colours and animations are vibrant and full of life. The game has Higgledies instead of Familiars, but they provide similar enough functions.

 

On the other hand, the game has fetch quests galore. In addition, the overworld adopts a chibi-like aesthetic that looks bland (I'd compare it to a mobile game) - a jarring juxtaposition when compared to the high-quality detail and care given to the towns. The game introduces Skirmishes, a mode where your army and units must defeat the enemy forces under a number of different conditions. Skirmishes reuses the chibi style to really drive home that mobile game feel, and here's the fun part: the Skirmishes randomly (dis)appear from the overworld seemingly at random, which makes it hard to track the ones you haven't already completed. There's only a small variety of enemy types and the Kingdom Management aspect of the game has little to offer in terms of customization.

 

Music / VA:

I played the game with English VA, and I thought the performances were decent enough. The music was fantastic, thankfully.

 

DLCs:

There are three DLCs, one free, two paid; however, I don't own the paid ones, so I'll conclude this section here.

 

Tricky Trophies:

The trophies are mainly just grindy, like the ones for finding all Hiddledy stones, completing all 50 Skirmish scenarios, opening 200 chests, completing 150 side quests, defeating 2000 enemies, recruiting 100 subjects, etc.

 

Conclusion:

I'd recommend this JRPG, but keep in mind that Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is a pretty different experience than its predecessors. I'd pick it up on a sale if you want all DLCs, but if you only care about the base game, a physical copy would be your best bet.

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #115 - Code: Realize ~Bouquet of Rainbows~

 

The same as other Code: Realize titles; pick the hunk that floats your boat.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #116 - Gravity Rush Remastered

 

I must have really gravitated towards Gravity Rush 2 (covered here), since I was pulled in to Gravity Rush Remastered!

 

Story:

An amnesiac girl named Kat wakes up in the floating city of Hekseville, followed by her space cat Dusty. Dusty's presence allows Kat to manipulate gravity's affect on herself and on other people and objects - the people of Hekseville calls those with gravity powers Shifters. She encounters another Shifter named Raven, and at first both believe the other to be the enemy; however, they discover a common foe in the Nevi, a race of alien monsters. Kat must recover her memory and gain strength for the fights to come.

 

Gameplay / Graphics

Kat can fight both hand-to-hand and with her powers (throwing objects, exposing weak spots, etc). She can also fly around to traverse the space around her. Basically, it's similar to Gravity Rush 2, but less developed.

 

Graphically, the game is a remastered Vita title, so don't expect anything amazing. That being said, they aren't horrible. The performance (stuttering, lagging, load times) can get pretty bad, so be warned.

 

Music / VA:

The music is nice, and I can't really judge the VA since it's spoken in a made-up language for the game.

 

DLCs:

The game comes with all DLCs previously released on the original Vita title. They're all same-y, so I won't list each individual one here. The coolest part about the trophies are that the trophy images, when put together, show Kat in an alternate outfit introduced via the associated DLC.

 

Conclusion:

I'd absolutely recommend this game, it is available via PS Now or on sale occasionally on the PSN Store. Like me, if you've played Gravity Rush 2 first, know that this experience will be slightly worse in terms of gameplay.

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #117 - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition

 

Like many, this is my entry into the series, and is it incredible!

 

Story:

Witchers Geralt of Rivia and his mentor Vesemir are en route to White Orchard in pursuit of a sorceress, Yennefer of Vengerberg. To the Witchers' surprise, Yennefer finds them with a Nilfgaardian military unit in tow. Vesemir stays behind while the rest set course for the city of Vizima. The party is beset by the Wild Hunt, killing the Nilfgaardians, but Yennefer and Geralt arrive in Vizima safely. There, Geralt is summoned to an audience with the Emperor of Nilfgaard, Emhyr. Emhyr wants Geralt to find Ciri (who is Emhyr's daughter and sole heir, and Geralt's child surprise) because the Wild Hunt relentlessly attempts to capture Ciri for being of the Elder Blood (the last of an Elven bloodlinewhich gives her access to great power). Geralt agrees and sets off to find Ciri, wherever on the Continent she may be.

 

Both main and side quests are well-written and multi-faceted. They offer agency to the player, depending on their respective interpretation of good vs. evil, and what it means to be a monster.

 

Gameplay / Graphics

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a third-person RPG.

 

Geralt is a witcher, and carries two swords: a steel one for humans, and a silver one for monsters. In addition to the myriad of swords you can find, buy, or craft, you can also augment them with oils to damage bonus damage to a specific type of enemy. You can also use your crossbow, explosives, or elixirs (to enhance Geralt's abilities and/or resistances). Geralt can also use a variety of rudimentary spells called Signs (e.g. shielding himself, throwing flames, mind controlling others, etc.). The skill trees are diverse enough that you can experiment with different builds (sword dancing, alchemy-focused, optimizing bleeding, poison, or critical hit damage, etc.).

 

Geralt can also dodge, block, parry, and roll out of the way of attacks. There are further mechanics, like weapon/armour degradation, hunger, perks from the Places of Power, mutagens, skill upgrades, day-night cycles, etc. The enemy variety is satisfying, though there are some instances of skin swapping.

 

Taking on monster contracts can be incredibly engaging: based on the information Geralt gathers (or is given), he can prepare for the best approach of attack, whether that is preparing effective concoctions, oils, using bombs, etc.

 

The game keeps track of Geralt's choices; some are more related than others, but you never know how or when one outcome or choice made in one quest can affect those of another quest. I found myself surprised at how far-reaching some of these choices were. Geralt can even engage in a romance(s) - I liked Triss, myself.

 

The game is HUGE; unfortunately, so are the associated loading times. There is also lag, especially in the more populated areas. While not super common, I also experienced some crashes / blue screen errors, so I'd highly recommend saving often regardless of difficulty.

 

Music / VA:

The main VA cast are phenomenal, though the supporting cast does a good job, too; however, you definitely do notice some NPCs sharing the same voices even early on. The music is amazing, though I did grow a little tired of the choir that yells into the abyss each time you complete a quest. In a similar vein, some of Geralt's lines are way too common (e.g. "wind's howling," "how do you like that silver?", "damn, you're ugly," etc.).

 

DLCs:

The Complete Edition comes with all previously-released DLCs right out of the box, both of which are baked seamlessly into the map of the base game. Since this edition is my first experience, I'm not 100% sure where exactly the line is between base game content and DLC content (when it comes to items, weapons, outfits, etc.).

 

Hearts of Stone adds story content (quests, etc.) as well as outfits, weapons, etc. to the base game. The story features a conflict between Olgierd von Everec, a man cursed (or gifted, depending on who you ask) to never die, and Gaunter O'Dimm (a mysterious figure to whom Olgierd owes a debt).

 

Blood and Wine not only adds story and other extraneous content, but a whole new, separate map in the region of Toussaint. Geralt is contracted by Duchess Anna Henrietta of Toussaint in order to solve the murders of members of its knighthood, presumably committed by a monster of some sort.

 

Tricky Trophies:

Completing a playthrough on the Death March difficulty can take some adjustment; so long as you take a cautious and patient approach, it shouldn't be too long until you're of high enough level to almost nullify the difficulty of Death March. My advice?

• Start out of the gate on Death March (to ultimately save you time)
• Save often
• Don't be greedy with attacks
• Dodge/block/parry/use the shielding sign
• Don't fight enemies with a red skull on their health bar (you're underleveled)
• Leave the unmissable trophies (e.g. winning all fistfight tournaments) until after you complete the Death March playthrough, so you can breeze through it later on a lower difficulty

Also, be wary of the missable trophies like recruiting all possible allies, collecting all Gwent cards, etc. to avoid another playthrough. Finally, get started on the headshot kills with Geralt's crossbow as soon as possible - it's incredibly buggy, since I'm pretty sure I killed way more than the required fifty with it.

 

Conclusion:

This game is a must-play for RPG fans, but if you have a PS5, I'd wait for CD Project Red to release the slated 2022 patch for the best experience.

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #118 - Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey

 

The second title of the Mysterious trilogy, Atelier Firis addresses the issues I brought up about the previous game (Atelier Sophie):

• Better narrative

• Characters are more memorable

• Better travel system

• Slightly less grinding required (in terms of combat and material gathering)

Most everything else is the same as in the previous game, though I'm disappointed Gust hasn't improved the graphics or animations. In any case, I'd recommend this one, though I believe the original release was delisted on the PSN Store, and replaced with its DX version.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #119 - Zero Time Dilemma

 

A visual novel and puzzle game, but I can't remember other than that the Vita version was given as a PS+ offering.

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #120 - Metro 2033 Redux

 

Mainstream sheeple won't understand this game from the underground ? /s. Make sure to take frequent breaks lest you develop carpal tunnel ?

 

Story:

In the world of Metro, nuclear war has caused the collapse of civilization. The ensuing radiation transformed mutated some animals in horrific, aggressive beasts and has rendered the outside world uninhabitable. In Moscow, survivors were forced underground to the metro stations, where they they've managed to eke out a living. People have formed factions like the Stalinists or the Nazis, while some have simply turned to banditry. One highly respected group is The Rangers, a military peacekeeping organization.

 

In 2033, Dark Ones (relatively unknown, shadowy beings) assault the Exhibition area of the metro, and Hunter (a member of The Rangers) asks Arytom, a survivor, to inform the Rangers in Polis about the attack. This begins Arytom's long trek through the metro tunnels, meeting friends and foes along the way.

 

Gameplay / Graphics

I really enjoy how some elements of the gameplay reflect the way of the metro; you can customize guns, but the designs are a bit ramshackle or crude, like the weaponsmith had to cobble together a working product out of disparate bits of junk. The currency of the metro are military-grade bullets - however, you can use them for combat in a pinch. Since the outside world is irradiated, anytime Arytom needs to go to the surface (or a particularly unsafe area of the metro), he must wear his gas mask. His gas mask can get dirty, break, or run out of filters, so scavenging for items and supplies is vital in this survival-horror FPS.

 

You can choose to fight (or avoid) enemies stealthily or to rush in guns blazing. Furthermore, you can choose to kill enemies or just knock them out.

 

Games in the Metro series also feature a basic morality system - do good things, you earn a point. Do bad things, you lose a point. Some of these actions are obvious (do or don't kill, be or don't be a jerk in general), but some actions which can net (or cost) you a morality point are obscure. I'm not a fan of this morality system since it only affects the ending you get (and even then, the developers decided on a "canon" ending to kick off Metro: Last Light anyways).

 

There are only a couple of cinematic cutscenes in the game, but by God, the quality is absolutely atrocious.

 

Music / VA:

I can't say much for the music, but the voice acting was decent (other than Artyom, who is a silent protagonist).

 

Tricky Trophies:

The only tricky trophies in the game are the miscellaneous ones, especially the ones requiring stealth. Even the highest difficulty mode isn't a challenge so long as you play stealthily and scavenge.

 

Conclusion:

I'd absolutely recommend this game, it is available on PS Now and goes on sale somewhat frequently on the PSN Store bundled with Metro: Last Light Redux.

[ParkestNight]

Happy New Year, all!

 

Platinum #121 - inFamous 2

 

After playing through inFamous: Second Son, I decided to purchase this game during a sale (in the far-gone days when the PS3 PSN Store had them).

 

Story:

Cole McGrath attempts to fight off a new enemy, a gargantuan called The Beast, but he fails. All Cole, Zeke, and others can do is flee Empire City as it is destroyed by The Beast. Cole and Zeke arrive at New Marais, and free Dr. Wolfe (the creator of the original Ray Sphere that created conduits) from the clutches of Betrand, who controls New Marais. Dr. Wolfe tells Cole about the existence of the Ray Field Inhibitor, which can unmake conduits - and it becomes Cole's goal to secure the power supply for the RFI while thwarting Bertrand and the even greater threat looming in the distance: The Beast.

 

Gameplay / Graphics

I'd say the gameplay is much-improved from the original game. The jumping is still a little janky (which is pretty much a Sucker Punch game signature, at this point), but otherwise every aspect of gameplay is better: combat, traversal, collectibles (you can see Blast Shards on the map, which is a godsend).

 

In lieu of Delsin's smoke powers, Cole has lightning powers that he must recharge by absorbing electricity from objects and devices such as power lines, cars, televisions, etc. With his powers, Cole can ride on rails, glide, shoot bolts of electricity, and unleash a karmic storm. Depending on Cole's Karma, you will also be able to access fire or ice powers.

 

Graphically, this game looks much better than the first game. Overall, I'd say I enjoyed this game more than the first.

 

Music / VA:

Both the music and VA are great!

 

Conclusion:

If you have PS Now or if you can find a cheap physical copy, I'd completely recommend this game!

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #122 - The Book of Unwritten Tales 2

 

PS+ subscribers got the PS3 version of the game! I've already written about the PS4 version here - the PS3 version is the same game but with worse performance. I loved the story, so I didn't hesitate to complete it again!

 

                                                                                     

Platinum #123 - Metro: Last Light Redux

 

This game is more or less the same as Metro 2033 Redux from my previous post, except better (imo). If you liked 2033, you'll like Last Light as well!

[ParkestNight]

Platinum #124 - Kingdom Hearts HD

 

I'd never played Kingdom Hearts as a kid, so I was pretty excited to start my journey on the HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX (that title makes complete sense) version on the PS4.

 

Story:

King Mickey has left the kingdom to address the increasing number of Heartless (shadowy creatures who have lost their hearts). Donald and Goofy are left instructions to find the key that can protect the worlds.

 

Sora is a boy whose entire entity is comprised of oversized clown shoes and more than the usual accepted amount of zippers. Somehow he has found friends in Riku and Kairi, and the trio plans to leave the Destiny Islands on a raft the next day; however, at night the islands are overrun by the Heartless, and Riku and Kairi go missing. Sora obtains the Keyblade and is able to defeat the Heartless, but is unable to prevent the destruction of the Destiny Islands.

 

An unlikely trio in Donald, Goofy, and Sora is formed when the three meet in Traverse Town, kicking off a long and convoluted journey that apparently requires several doctorate degrees to decipher.

 

To be honest, I rather enjoyed the Disney bits of the game (since I was pretty familiar with them), but not so much the Final Fantasy parts.

 

Gameplay / Graphics

While I didn't enjoy the Final Fantasy elements, I can't deny the creativity of mashing the two companies' IPs into one weird universe, which is heavily reflected in the gameplay.

 

Sora, Donald, and Goofy are the primary three party members, but you'll visit other worlds where you'll occasionally have a temporary party number, such as Jack Skellington. The trio's appearances will also differ depending on the world they visit; in Atlantica, each will be a cursed mix of human (or animal) and some marine creature, and each will wear costumes in Hallowe'en Town. In Neverland, the members will be able to fly.

 

Other characters will be featured as Summons in combat, such as Simba or Dumbo, each with their own particular uses. Otherwise, Sora will be able to use a variety of magical attacks and spells. The party members will also be customizable via weapons, accessories, and abilities.

 

The party will use gummi ships to traverse space to find other worlds. While the ships are customizable, I didn't enjoy the gummi ship missions (I found them tedious and unnecessary fluff).

 

Music / VA:

The Disney-affiliated VA is accurate, but the rest are decent at best. The music is great!

 

Tricky Trophies:

This is a JRPG, so expect quite a bit of grind. Watch out for the missable gummi ship trophy, and the Proud difficulty, no equipment change, and no continues playthrough(s) can be difficult depending on how you choose to tackle them. 

 

Conclusion:

There's no doubt Kingdom Hearts is a great game, but do keep in mind that it's a remaster of a ~15 years-old game at this point. Some parts of the game will definitely feel a bit dated, but it is still fun!