Schlagwort: editors choice

  • Das waren die PlayStation-Empfehlungen der Redaktion 2021

    Das waren die PlayStation-Empfehlungen der Redaktion 2021

    Reading Time: 9 minutes

    Und ehe man sich versieht, ist 2021 schon wieder vorbei. Was uns bleibt, ist eine bunte Mischung fantastischer Spiele. Wir haben uns durch fiese Zeitschleifen gekämpft, haben Werwölfe besiegt, sind durch farbenfrohe Plattformwelten gesprungen und vieles mehr.

    Die PlayStation-Teammitglieder haben aus dem Angebot des gesamten Jahres ihre Lieblingstitel für die mit Spannung erwarteten Empfehlungen der Redaktion zusammengestellt. Jetzt, da das Jahr auch für Spieleveröffentlichungen endet, denken wir zurück an einige Titel, die es in die Ruhmeshalle der Empfehlungen der Redaktion geschafft haben.

    Legen wir los!

    Hitman 3

    20. Januar 2021

    Agent 47 kehrt zurück in IO Interactives hervorragenden neuesten Teil der Stealth-Attentäter-Reihe. Der anpassungsfähige Agent treibt sich an einer Vielzahl interessanter Orte herum, von pulsierenden Underground-Clubs bis zu noblen Weingütern (inklusive unwiderstehlich tödlicher Weinpressen). Das Dartmoor-Level sticht besonders hervor: Ein Krimi in einem weitläufigen Anwesen, in dem Agent 47 die Rolle des Detektivs übernehmen kann. Egal, ob ihr Freestyle-Chaos bevorzugt oder lieber den subtilen Hinweisen durch die Mission folgt, in Hitman 3 bleibt das Schleicherlebnis von Anfang bis Ende frisch und unterhaltsam.

    It Takes Two 

    26. März 2021

    Dieser asymmetrische Koop-Plattformer vereint das Beste des Genres: Abwechslungsreichtum, flottes Tempo, und das Wichtigste: Zusammenarbeit. Im einen Augenblick bekämpfen die Spieler feindliche Eichhörnchen mit einem Spielzeugflieger, und im nächsten werfen sie Nägel wie Speere, damit ihr Partner freie Bahn hat. Man erwartet zwar keine Lacher und unbeschwerten Spaß von einer Geschichte über zwei Elternteile und ihr Kind, die mit einer bevorstehenden Scheidung fertig werden müssen, aber genau das bietet der Entwickler Hazelight. Dafür wurde das beeindruckende Werk von Hazelight bei den Game Awards 2021 als Spiel des Jahres ausgezeichnet.

    Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

    30. März 2021

    Detektiv Harry Du Bois ist am Tiefpunkt angelangt, und die Spieler müssen ihn auf seiner holprigen Reise durch die schonungslose Sci-Fi-Welt von Revachol leiten. Entwickler ZA/UM hat beeindruckende Charaktere und immersive Szenarien erschaffen, in denen man sich schnell verlieren kann. Die Handlungsstränge sind abwechslungsreich und interessant, ob man Harry nun dabei hilft, den zentralen Mordfall zu lösen, oder man mit leidenschaftlichen Kryptozoologen anderen Hinweisen nachgeht. Die PlayStation-Version des Spiels bietet zudem eine erstklassige Sprachausgabe, die die Welt zusätzlich zum Leben erweckt. Wenn ihr unvergessliche Geschichten liebt, solltet ihr euch dieses düstere, introspektive Adventure nicht entgehen lassen.

    Returnal

    30. April 2021

    Housemarque begeisterte PS5-Besitzer mit diesem ausgefeilten Sci-Fi-Roguelike, das enormen Wiederspielwert bietet. Präzise Steuerung, düstere Atmosphäre und herausfordernde Gefechte machen jeden neuen Zyklus noch unwiderstehlicher als den letzten. Das Arsenal von Protagonistin Selene, von der unscheinbaren und doch mächtigen Pistole bis zum Höhlensucher mit automatischer Zielerfassung, nutzen die immersive Haptik und die Trigger des DualSense Wireless-Controllers optimal. Returnal ist ein prägendes PS5-Erlebnis, das sich kein mutiger Abenteurer entgehen lassen sollte.

    Resident Evil Village

    6. Mai 2021

    Capcoms nächste Episode der unaufhaltsamen Survival-Horror-Serie ist eine inspirierte Evolution des First-Person-Gameplays von RE7 und des legendären Weltdesigns von RE4. Protagonist Ethan Winters riskiert Kopf und Kragen, um seine Tochter zu retten; dabei nutzt und verbessert er eine breite Palette mächtiger Waffen, von Schrotflinten mit brutalem Rückstoß bis zu Handkanonen, die mit gewaltigen Wolfsbestien kurzen Prozess machen. Eine wahre Armada von Schurken versucht Ethan aufzuhalten, von der betörend tödlichen Lady Dimitrescu bis zum Meisterschrauber Heisenberg. Neulinge in der Welt von RE ebenso wie erfahrene Veteranen, die schon in der Spencer-Villa unterwegs waren, erleben mit diesem Titel eine der bisher aufregendsten Episoden der Serie.

    Chicory: A Colorful Tale

    10. Juni 2021

    Entwickler Greg Lobanov und sein Team kombinieren die einfache Freude von Malbüchern mit klassischer Top-Down-Action und -Erkundung. Bringt mit einem magischen Pinsel Farbe zurück in die Welt, löst Umgebungsrätsel und stellt euch ein paar unvergesslich herausfordernden Bosskämpfen. Trotzt seiner sehr unbeschwerten Optik schneidet Chicory auch das ernstere Thema des Hochstapler-Syndroms an, jedoch stets mit Takt und Gefühl.

    Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

    11. Juni 2021

    Insomniac demonstriert eindrucksvoll, welche Leistung unter der Haube der PS5-Konsole steckt. Die ultraschnelle SSD transportiert die heroischen Lombaxe und ihre Robotergefährten im Handumdrehen durch die Dimensionen. Der DualSense-Controller erweckt die unverkennbaren Insomniac-Waffen zum Leben: Ihr spürt am Unterschied in den Triggern und der Haptik, ob ihr gerade Gegner mit dem Kälteeinbruch einfriert oder mit dem Leererückstoß wild um euch ballert. Dazu noch beeindruckende Charakteranimationen, lebendige Welten und eine berührende Geschichte über Gemeinschaft, und schon hat man eines der unvergesslichsten Spiele des Jahres 2021.

    Doki Doki Literature Club

    30. Juni 2021

    Und jetzt zur Empfehlung der Redaktion „Doki Doki Literature Club“ ein Gedicht von PlayStation-Mitarbeiterin Kristen Zitani:

    Im Schulgebäude, wo Gedichte zu Papier sie bringen,
    In diesem Literaturklub begegnet ihr
    Vier Mädchen, die Herzen nicht zum Singen bringen,
    Sondern zum Bersten, zum Kreischen wie ein Tier.
    Eine ungewöhnliche Visual Novel werdet ihr seh’n,
    Freundschaften werden geknüpft, Gedichte geschrieben.
    Ihr wollt euch entscheiden, könnt aber nicht widersteh’n,
    Vom subversiven, unschönen Drang getrieben.
    Bezaubernde Mädchen, die mit Reimen brillieren,
    Doch dann beginnt’s, ins Finst’re zu münden.
    Spielt das Spiel mehrmals, um euch wirklich zu verlieren,
    In dieses Indie-Kleinods düst’ren Gründen.
    Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
    Ein echtes Psycho-Horror-Muss!

    Hades

    13. August 2021

    Griechische Mythologie trifft auf Roguelike-Design – und das Ergebnis ist verblüffend. Supergiants neuester Titel bietet butterweiches Gameplay, ob mit Zags treuer Klinge, seinem mächtigen Bogen oder einer seiner anderen legendären Waffen. Das Spielerlebnis wird bestimmt durch Entscheidungen des Spielers, von der Auswahl der Göttergaben (nichts geht über Athenes göttlichen Spurt!) bis zum Kauf permanenter Verbesserungen wie Schaden oder der Möglichkeit, dem Tod zu trotzen. Eine Besetzung unvergesslicher, vielschichtiger Charaktere mit beeindruckenden Mengen an Dialog verleiht jeder neuen Partie Tiefe und Charisma. Möchtet ihr ein wenig mit dem ersten Boss Megaera plaudern? Nur zu! Ihr solltet eine Menge Zeit mitbringen, wenn ihr den Controller zum Spielen in die Hand nehmt, denn es ist enorm schwierig, sich von dieser Empfehlung der Redaktion wieder loszureißen.

    Kena: Bridge of Spirits

    21. September 2021

    Dieser Erstling des Indie-Entwicklers Ember Labs beeindruckt sofort mit auffällig gestalteten Charakteren und ihren detailverliebten Animationen. Die ausdrucksstarken Fäulniskreaturen lassen einem das Herz aufgehen und laden zum Sammeln ein. Aber ein charmantes Äußeren kann täuschen; Gefechte und Bosskämpfe gegen verderbte Kreaturen zwingen Spieler dazu, präzise zu parieren, zu kontern und auszuweichen. Das wunderschöne und doch herausfordernde Gameplay belohnt Spieler mit einer rührenden Geschichte und entspannenden Erkundungs- und Rätselmomenten, die einen Gegenpol zur Action bieten.

    Psychonauts 2

    25. August 2021

    Double Fines zerebrale Fortsetzung ist einer der bisher besten Titel des Studios. Raz taucht in die farbenfrohen Gedanken seiner Gefährten und Gegner ein, von Zahnarzt-Albträumen voller Zähne bis zu einer Bowling-inspirierten Stadt, in der es vor Bazillen nur so wimmelt. Es ist eine wahre Plattform-Freude, diese kreativen Welten zu erkunden. Die Fähigkeiten von Protagonist Raz, ob er nun schwebt oder auf einem hüpfenden Ball rollt, lassen sich stets reibungslos und exakt einsetzen. Double Fine spinnt außerdem eine spannende Geschichte, die den altbekannten Humor mit berührenden Momenten kombiniert. Obwohl Fans des ursprünglichen Psychonauts und des PS VR-Spiels Rhombus of Ruin am meisten auf ihre Kosten kommen, ist der Nachfolger auch für Neulinge der Reihe sehr zugänglich und definitiv die Reise wert – also worauf wartet ihr noch?!

    Little Nightmares II

    25. August 2021

    Die Welt dieses Sidescroller-Horrorspiels mag zwar düster und beunruhigend sein, aber ihr werdet es bis zu den Credits nicht schaffen, euch davon loszureißen. Tarsier Studios hat eine Vielzahl spannender Umgebungsrätsel geschaffen, die den Puls in die Höhe treiben – vom Erklettern von Büchertürmen auf der Flucht vor einer grauenhaften Lehrerin bis zum Öffnen versteckter Durchgänge mit dem perfekten Schachzug. Die Protagonistin des ersten Spiels kehrt als KI-Gefährtin zurück, die sogar die Hand des Spielers halten kann, um ein wenig Trost zu spenden. Und den könnt ihr auch gut gebrauchen, denn diese Empfehlung der Redaktion ist echt gruselig.

    Life is Strange: True Colors

    9. September 2021

    Alex‘ Geschichte in Life is Strange: True Colors ist zutiefst emotional. Sie versucht nicht nur, die Wahrheit zum Tod ihres Bruders ans Licht zu bringen, auch Emotionen spielen im eigentlichen Gameplay eine zentrale Rolle. Farbige Auren bieten den Spielern Informationen darüber, ob ein Charakter beispielsweise wütend (rot), traurig (blau), oder gut gelaunt (golden) ist. Zusammen mit den unerwarteten Wendungen der Geschichte sorgt diese anschauliche neue Mechanik für ein unvergessliches Erlebnis. Deck Nines storybasiertes Adventure ist ein Muss für alle Fans differenzierter Charaktere und überlegter Dialogoptionen.

    Deathloop

    14. September 2021

    Colt möchte unbedingt die Zeitschleife zerstören, in der er gefangen ist, aber die Spieler sehen das möglicherweise anders. Jeden Tag neu in Blackreef aufzuwachen ist eine spannende Gelegenheit, neue Waffen, Fähigkeiten und Informationen über die Drahtzieher auf Colts Todesliste zu sammeln. Arkane Studios hat eine stilvolle, von den 60er Jahren inspirierte Welt erschaffen – voller Persönlichkeit und Möglichkeiten, Colts Tricks zu zeigen. Die Spieler können sich über Abgründe teleportieren, unsichtbar werden, die Trefferpunkte von Feinden miteinander verbinden, um Gruppenschaden zu verursachen, und die Gegner mit allerlei Kniffen in die Flucht schlagen. Der Schmerz des Todes wird dadurch gemildert, dass man bestimmte Gegenstände und Fähigkeiten in den nächsten Versuch mitnehmen kann, und außerdem neues Wissen gesammelt hat, das einem beim nächsten Mal gegen seine Gegner weiterhilft. Hütet euch nur vor Julianna, die gern als von einem Spieler oder von der KI gesteuerte Jägerin in euer Spiel eindringt.

    Marvel‘s Guardians of the Galaxy

    26. Oktober 2021

    Star-Lord, Drax, Groot, Rocket und Gamora brechen gemeinsam in ein neues Abenteuer von Eidos-Montreal auf. Die Spieler steuern Star-Lord, den Anführer der Guardians, der mit seinen Element-Blastern Schaden austeilt, während er seinen (hin und wieder) treuen Gefährten Befehle gibt. Groot soll eine Brücke über einen Abgrund erschaffen? Gamora soll die Tentakel eines monströsen Gegners abschlagen? Ihre Superkräfte stehen euch zur Verfügung. Zusätzlich zur spektakulären Action, den beeindruckenden Umgebungen und der packenden Story sind Peter Quills Mixtapes randvoll mit Hits aus den 80er Jahren, die genau den richtigen Ton treffen.

    Death‘s Door

    11. November 2021

    Wer hätte gedacht, dass Seelen ernten ein so lauschiges Geschäft sein könnte? Acid Nerve, das Entwicklerteam hinter Titan Souls, glänzt mit einem einladenden Abenteuer, das die perfekte Kombination aus entspannter Erkundung und fordernden Bosskämpfen bietet. Wenn ihr einen furchterregenden Hexenboss nicht schaffen solltet, könnt ihr die Lande nach versteckten Upgrades für Gesundheit, Geschosse und Fähigkeiten wie den praktischen Greifhaken durchkämmen. Der Kampf in Death‘s Door fühlt sich stets fair an und bleibt jederzeit flott und befriedigend. Wenn erst einmal der Abspann läuft, werdet ihr nach Ausreden suchen, um noch eine Weile in der fesselnden Welt bleiben zu dürfen.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout takes the crown

    Editors’ Choice: Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout takes the crown

    Reading Time: 8 minutes

    60 players. 24 levels. 5 rounds. 1 crown.

    Without a doubt, our entire global team has been enraptured by the zany and frenetic energy of battle royale platformer Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Whether we’re bouncing through the colorfully inventive levels or facing the absurdity of being defeated by someone in a hot dog costume, we’ve all been jumping in round after round to grasp at glory, no matter how many tails we have to steal to get it. Even more impressive is how despite our varying tastes, different members of our team have their own reasons for gifting Fall Guys the Editors’ Choice crown. Here’s a taste of why we can’t stop playing:

    Shuhei Yoshida

    Favorite Level: Slime Climb

    Slime Climb has been known as “The most difficult level in Fall Guys,” I, for one, fell to the goo pit repeatedly when the game came out. However, once you get the hang of each leg of the climb, this becomes a joy to play. The chances are many players will drop off, leading you to the final round glory faster. Just be aware you may eventually meet a devious Guy that may stand on the yellow pipe to block your path or try to push you down at the end of the level. It’s awful, but it is a legit play.

    Hardest Level: Hex-A-Gone

    I cannot jump one hex at a time. I cannot jump one hex at a time. I cannot jump one hex at a time! However many times I tried, I just cannot. I’m too old for the concentration needed to execute rhythmic, beautiful jumps that many good players show me off. So my strategy is to RUN, RUN, RUN the hexes near the “one hex at a time jumpers” so they will lose hexes to jump on! Amazingly, this seemingly desperate strategy has worked many times, even making some observers say “the jumpers are timid players of this level.” As a result I’ve got the name “The Hope of Runners.” Very proud of it.

    Kristen Zitani

    Favorite Level: Door Dash

    There’s something immensely satisfying about waddling your way to the front of the pack, choosing a door at random, and feeling it miraculously break down to let you pass. Weirdly even more amusing is when I am decidedly not at the front of the pack and jam myself through one of the discovered openings like a fish frantically swimming upstream. Some of this level is just left up to timing and chance but it never fails to make me laugh.

    Hardest Level: Tail Tag

    If one more person steals my tail, I’m going to scream! One day I will master the art of bobbing and weaving through the masses and keeping my furry appendage intact. Until then, I will continue to ride on my teammates’ coattails to victory in the Team version of this level.

    Tim Turi

    Favorite Level: Hex-A-Gone

    Turns out king of the hill-style gameplay is way more tense when the hill is constantly disappearing. I’m no pro at Hex-A-Gone, but I love the tension of carefully navigating precarious platforms while keeping my head on a swivel for rivals. Similar to Shu, my early approach was sprinting around and hoping for the best. I definitely haven’t won as many matches as him, but I’ve enjoyed developing an intentional, almost meditative hop approach to Hex-A-Gone. The extra time to plan your next move (or controlled fall) is worth it. Find the zen among chaos.

    Hardest Level: Egg Scramble

    The team games of Fall Guys are the most frantic, and I struggle to find my role. The nonstop feeding frenzy of Egg Scramble epitomizes this, with throngs of players stumbling over each other to collect those precious orbs. I derive much joy ripping eggs from the grasp of other players like a ruthless parent at a Black Friday retail dash, but the match results are usually a crapshoot. Egg Scramble is pretty hard boiled for me.

    Andy Yen

    Favorite Level: Hex-A-Gone

    I love Hex-A-Gone because it encapsulates the Fall Guys experience into one sweaty-palms inducing level, balancing skillful play with randomness. Like Shu, I refuse to jump one hex at a time, but my reasoning is because jumping on one hex at a time is just. Too. Boring. I love running quick, aggressive routes that cut my fellow Fall Guys off from paths, especially those gingerly hopping onto each block (Sorry, Tim!). Nothing gives me more of a rush than taking the inside hex lane in a foot race, making some daring sharp turn jump dives to reach safety while my opponents sadly tumble into the goo.

    Hardest Level: Royal Fumble

    Even though two of my crowns (not to brag) have come from some major POG highlights in the last seconds of Royal Fumble, I still find this level infuriatingly difficult. For the life of me, I still haven’t figured out how to consistently grab a tail in any game mode, while every one of my opponents is invariably a skilled tail thief. Add that to the uncommonly small number of contestants in this final showdown where I can’t coast on teammates’ coattails, and you’ve got my personal nemesis of a Fall Guys level.

    Masayuki Sanada

    Favorite Level:Hex-A-Gone

    Hex-a-gone is a straightforward stage where the floor gradually disappears beneath you, so it’s really important for players to get their play tactics as well as movement technique on point.

    Your adrenaline is sure to be pumping as it is the final round of the show. I noticed my hands gripped the controller tightly as tiles disappeared beneath my steps at an overwhelming pace. In the end, it’s all worth it — there’s no better feeling than becoming the sole survivor of this round!

    Hardest Level:Tip Toe

    On this level, space comes at a premium as the finish line gets closer and closer. You see, players must find a safe path through trial and error, keeping an eye out for tiles that fall away when stepped on. It’s no easy task to lead the pack and avoid getting pushed off by opponents at the same time. There is no greater heartbreak than getting in sight of the finish line, only to be pushed off at the last second.

    When I played the level, I summoned my courage and broke ahead of the group, forging my own path ahead – something I’m very proud of. This of course, often resulted in me falling and returning to the start line. I always had company though, rejoining all the other jellybeans standing in shock of how to navigate this tricky round.

    Aoi Ogasawara

    Favorite Level: Hex-A-Gone

    Hex-A-Gone is a perfect mix of skill-based strategic gameplay and chaotic fun. You can drop to the lower layers first and erase many tiles to set up “traps” for other players. Or, you can try to stay at the higher layers as long as possible with some well-timed skillful hopping. You can run towards other players to pressure them, or, you can try avoiding contacts as much as possible. There are so many great strategies you can choose from and whatever playstyle you chose, you will have so much fun!

    Hardest Level: Hoarders

    I was never good at football when I was a kid so naturally all the minigames that require you push around huge soccer balls are going to be difficult for me… So why is Hoarders the most difficult one out of the three ball-based minigames (Hoarders, Rock n’ Roll, and Fall Ball)? Well, it is simple math. The more balls there are in the stage, the harder the minigame. Rock n’ Roll has three, Fall Ball has two, and Hoarders has a whopping SEVEN balls in the stage!

    Chaz Conopo

    Favorite Level: Dizzy Heights
    It is simple and effective. Run across the platforms that are spinning, dodge the oncoming spheres and simply not forget there is a gap to jump across near the end. A proper race to the finish challenge that every time it comes around something dramatic always happens. Newest tactic I’ve found is when you are climbing the hill near the end, grabbing the opponent in front to the point they will fling away from you, if the timing is just right they will collide with a ball and get knocked all the way down again. Sorry….. not sorry, the victory is all mine and it feels good.

    Hardest Level: Fall Ball
    Get the ball into the goal. Ok it sounds easy, BUT it definitely ranks up the frustration meter when you are up against what seems to be the best football players on the pitch literally jumping up for the ball and knocking it into the direction of your team’s area as soon as the game starts. What is this magic?! I’m a tiny bean compared to the ball I’m trying to direct in a particular way towards the opponent’s goal, dodging, diving and shouting unplesantries at the TV screen. Before long my team is down by 5 points and all I can do now as a last resort is entertain the crowd by using the chicken emote in the middle of the field. Do I get bonus points for that? Sad face.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: Ghost of Tsushima’s stunning open world is unmissable

    Editors’ Choice: Ghost of Tsushima’s stunning open world is unmissable

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    My fellow samurai have fallen. My adoptive uncle, Lord Shimura, could be executed at any moment. Everything on the island of Tsushima is on fire or overrun with invading Mongols. As lone samurai Jin Sakai, it’s my unwavering mission to reclaim the island and drive these enemies from my home. Nothing could be more urgent.

    I climb aboard my trusted steed with a heavy sigh, wince in agony at the flames spewing from the horizon, and gallop towards my destiny. Within seconds I’m staring down Mongols harassing a citizen on a dusty road, my piercing gaze fixed on their bloody blades. Our swords clash. They fall. One life is saved, and now I break for a stronghold swarming with… hold up. Is that a fox prancing around a golden tree? Well I gotta see where this takes me.

    Ghost of Tsushima - Photo ModeGhost of Tsushima - Photo Mode

    I spend the next several hours petting foxes, gathering flowers, and gazing in slack-jawed amazement at the overwhelming beauty that saturates Ghost of Tsushima. Just totally losing all sense of immediacy so I can fully absorb the world around me.

    It’s a testament to the game’s natural wonder that I’m able to put Jin’s life-altering quest for justice aside. Despite the stirring opening moments mentioned above and some genuinely horrific deaths that further fuel my raging desire for vengeance, the wide-open expanse of the island always called to me — but never in a checkbox-y, distraction-based way. 

    The alluring layout of sea-sprayed cliffs, contemplative hot springs, show-stopping inari shrines, and other worldly wonders kept me amazed and curious well after the credits rolled… and on to a Platinum Trophy.

    Plenty has been said regarding the island, the game’s astonishing Photo Mode, and the searingly radiant leaves flowing through the air. But it bears repeating just how captivating this open world really is, and how positively delightful it feels to just explore. If you scale a towering rock formation, your only reward may be a stunning view. Time and time again, that view (and a quick photo for the ol’ album) was more than enough compensation for the journey.

    For every thoughtful moment I spent regarding a waterfall or composing a haiku, there was also a nail-biting encounter with bandits, ronin, and Mongols. Jin is an accomplished swordsman, so from the outset you’re able to handle multiple enemies at once. As he learns new stances and integrates stealth and tools into his arsenal, Jin is able to lay waste to five, six… even ten enemies with just a few moves. By the end of the journey I was supremely confident in my ability to stroll right up to an encampment, declare everyone in sight as a coward unworthy of my attention, and absolutely annihilate ‘em.

    This front-facing tactic is honorable and in keeping with Jin’s samurai background, but as Jin’s repertoire expands with stealthy Ghost abilities, you can slink back into the shadows and use these cunning techniques to pick enemies off one by one. Whether you choose to engage foes eye to eye or leap across temple rooftops as the enigmatic Ghost, combat feels fluid and intense.

    Ghost of Tsushima - Photo ModeGhost of Tsushima - Photo Mode

    Jin’s personal journey ties neatly into this samurai/Ghost duality. Following his clan’s defeat, his initial revenge tactics veer towards the traditional, and would likely lead to further ruin. But Yuna, a thief who rescues Jin early on, steers him away from frontal assaults. They bond over a desire to see justice done and the losses they both suffer as a result of their hybrid battle plan. 

    Over time, Jin also reconnects with notable figures of his past, and meets new allies, all of whom further shape him into an all-new man. The supporting cast — and their personal questlines — are a true treat, profoundly adding to the texture and emotion of the world. What began as “wow that’s a lot of side quests” quickly became “damn, I guess their tale is wrapped up now…”

    Combine the memorable cast, vicious combat, and contemplative world map with a sweeping musical score and you have a remarkable adventure that’s without a doubt one of my favorite games of the year.

    Website: LINK

  • Empfehlung der Redaktion: Ghost of Tsushima

    Empfehlung der Redaktion: Ghost of Tsushima

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Meine Samurai-Brüder sind gefallen. Mein Adoptivonkel, Fürst Shimura, kann jeden Moment hingerichtet werden. Alles auf der Insel Tsushima steht entweder in Flammen oder wird von angreifenden Mongolen überrannt. Als einsamer Samurai Jin Sakai ist es meine unbeirrbare Mission, die Insel zurückzuerobern und diese Feinde aus meiner Heimat zu verjagen. Nichts hat größeren Vorrang.

    Mit schwerem Seufzen steige ich auf mein treues Ross, zucke beim qualvollen Anblick der Flammen am Horizont zusammen und galoppiere meinem Schicksal entgegen. Nur Sekunden später starre ich auf Mongolen herab, die auf einer staubigen Straße einen braven Bürger drangsalieren, mein unerbittlicher Blick fest auf ihre blutigen Klingen geheftet. Wir kreuzen die Schwerter. Die Mongolen fallen. Ein Leben ist gerettet, und ich breche zu einer Festung auf, in der es nur so wimmelt vor … Moment. Hüpft da etwa ein Fuchs um einen goldenen Baum herum? Ich muss einfach sehen, was es damit auf sich hat.

    Die nächsten Stunden verbringe ich damit, Füchse zu streicheln, Blumen zu pflücken und mit offenem Mund die überwältigende Schönheit zu bestaunen, die Ghost of Tsushima aus allen Poren dringt. Ich vergesse jeglichen Sinn für die Dringlichkeit meiner Mission und nehme die Welt um mich herum ganz und gar in mich auf.

    Es zeugt von den Naturwundern des Spiels, dass ich Jins lebensverändernden Feldzug der Gerechtigkeit einfach so beiseitezuschieben vermag. Trotz der eingangs erwähnten aufwühlenden ersten Momente und ein paar wirklich entsetzlichen Toden, die meinen unerbittlichen Rachedurst bloß noch weiter anheizten, hat mich die weitläufige Landschaft der Insel stets in ihren Bann gezogen – aber nie nach Art einer typischen Null-acht-fünfzehn-Ablenkung mit abzuhakenden Aufgaben. Das verführerische Arrangement aus gischtgepeitschten Klippen, besinnlichen heißen Quellen, faszinierenden Inari-Schreinen und anderen Weltwundern weckte meine fortwährende Faszination und Neugier bis weit über den Nachspann hinaus … und bis hin zur Platin-Trophäe.

    Es wurde schon viel gesagt über die Insel, den beeindruckenden Foto-Modus des Spiels und die farbenfroh schillernden Blätter, die durch die Luft fliegen. Doch man kann gar nicht oft genug betonen, wie sehr einen diese offene Welt in ihren Bann schlägt und wie unglaublich reizvoll es ist, sie einfach nur zu erkunden. Wenn man eine gewaltige Felsformation erklimmt, wird man vielleicht nur mit einer überwältigenden Aussicht belohnt. Doch wieder und wieder hat diese Aussicht (und ein schnelles Foto fürs Erinnerungsalbum) die Reise mehr als wettgemacht.

    Für jeden besinnlichen Augenblick, den ich mit der Betrachtung eines Wasserfalls oder der Komposition eines Haikus verbracht habe, gab es auch eine nervenzerreißende Begegnung mit Banditen, Ronins und Mongolen. Jin ist ein fähiger Schwertkämpfer, und so ist man von Anfang an in der Lage, es mit mehreren Gegnern gleichzeitig aufzunehmen. Im Verlauf seiner Reise erlernt Jin neue Kampfhaltungen und erweitert sein Arsenal um heimliches Schleichen und Werkzeuge und kann so mit nur wenigen Attacken fünf, sechs … sogar zehn Gegner ausschalten. Am Ende der Reise war ich ausgesprochen überzeugt von meiner Fähigkeit, geradewegs in ein Lager hineinzumarschieren, jeden in Sichtweite als meiner Aufmerksamkeit unwürdigen Feigling zu betiteln und sie allesamt gnadenlos niederzumähen.

    Diese Art der Frontalkonfrontation ist eine ehrenvolle Taktik, die mit Jins Samurai-Hintergrund einhergeht, doch man kann sich auch jederzeit wieder in den Schatten zurückziehen und mithilfe von listigen Geist-Techniken einen Gegner nach dem anderen ausschalten. Ob man nun seinen Widersachern Auge in Auge gegenübertritt oder als der mysteriöse Geist über die Dächer springt – der Kampf fühlt sich in jedem Fall flüssig und intensiv an.

    Jins persönliche Reise ist perfekt mit dieser Dualität aus Samurai und Geist verwoben. Nach der Vernichtung seines Klans liegen seiner anfänglichen Rachestrategie eher traditionelle Motive zugrunde, die höchstwahrscheinlich noch mehr Verderben nach sich ziehen würden. Aber Yuna, eine Diebin, die Jin im frühen Spielverlauf rettet, lotst ihn von diesen Frontalangriffen weg. Sie schließen Freundschaft, weil beide für Gerechtigkeit sorgen wollen und aufgrund ihres hybriden Schlachtplans große Verluste hinnehmen müssen. Im Laufe der Zeit trifft Jin auf bedeutende Personen aus seiner Vergangenheit und begegnet neuen Verbündeten, die allesamt daran mitwirken, ihn zu einem neuen Menschen heranreifen zu lassen. Die Nebenrollen – und ihre jeweils eigenen Questreihen – sind eine wahre Freude und eine enorme Bereicherung für das Gefüge und die Emotionen dieser Welt. Was als „Wow, ganz schön viele Nebenquests“ begann, wird schnell zu „Schade, damit ist diese Geschichte wohl zu Ende …“.

    Die Kombination aus unvergesslichen Charakteren, erbitterten Kämpfen und einer beschaulichen Weltkarte mit dramatischer Musikuntermalung ergibt ein außergewöhnliches Abenteuer, das zweifellos zu meinen Lieblingsspielen des Jahres zählt.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: The Last of Us Part II

    Editors’ Choice: The Last of Us Part II

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    It’s now well over a month since Naughty Dog’s sequel launched worldwide. Enough time for the game to be completed, its heart-pounding events absorbed and mulled over. If you’ve yet to watch the credits roll though, an obvious disclaimer: heavy spoilers from here on in.

    If the 2013 original focused on the bonds that connect us, this sequel is a study on the cycles of violence that can drive us. Director Neil Druckmann in the foreword of The Art of The Last of Us Part II book asks: “how far would you go to bring justice to the ones you love? How would the experience change you? What kind of repercussions would follow?”

    Naughty Dog’s answers to those are as disturbing as they are fascinating. They’re also uncomfortably, instantly, familiar. The story may unfold in an alternate, ravaged modern day America; the circumstances that drive these characters extreme. Yet their motivations and responses are soaked in realism and easy to empathise with. No less realistic yet infinitely harder to achieve is understanding another’s perspective: which makes the surprise dual narrative such a masterstroke.

    It’s tough, that slow realisation that the whiplash switch to Abby isn’t a brief mid-story intermission but in fact the start of the other half of the game. Yet, for me, by its conclusion the studio had achieved its goal: I was as fully invested in her story as I was Ellie’s. And I was now terrified — riveted — as to what would result when these two finally collided.

    The Last of Us Part IIThe Last of Us Part II

    The soundtrack is stellar throughout, be it helping propel the on-screen action, harmonising with character body language in a particular scene or surprisingly pivoting into a touching rendition of an 80’s pop classic.

    Maybe you were as conflicted as I during that tense theatre fight or the final, desperate shoreline clash. Perhaps you remained ever a staunch defender of one perspective, or found yourself switching loyalties. Ultimately it provoked deep, genuine discussion — at least amongst those I’ve talked to — on themes I would never have expected to have faced in, for all intents and purposes, a summer blockbuster. Unsettling? Definitely. Important? Absolutely.

    That investment was made all the more easy by one of the most impressive, realistic renderings of video game characters I’ve seen to date.

    I’d continually fire up Photo Mode and pan in to examine facial reactions. A quiet moment of reflection during Abby’s hunt for Owen. Ellie’s emotional exhaustion evident on her sun-burnt face as she fought for survival once more. It’s the first game I’ve felt like I could see each character internally processing the events around them just by looking into their eyes. If you want to see for yourself, load up the Model Viewer and unlock Ellie and Abby’s first and last character models. Zoom in on their faces: it’s not just the physical scars. The emotional fallout of their respective, twined journeys are wrought there.

    The Last of Us Part IIThe Last of Us Part II

    Sandbox environments pack upgrade secrets and offer multiple approaches to threats. They’re also a visual treat. Most times I explored just to savour the quiet beauty of the ruined cityscapes. 

    Realism permeates the combat system as well. Refined from the first game, the system can sublimely switch from tense stealth to all-out action in a heartbeat. Perfecting either approach takes time though.

    You’re no better equipped than those you face and the odds are seldom in your favour. As with any title, clumsiness precedes mastery as you settle into its gameplay rhythms. That period of adjustment nicely plays into the sense of panic I’d have in these situations: shots missed as I flinch from fire returned, punches failing to hit their mark as I flailed wildly, struggling to combat my own fear.

    Crucially the game never glorifies the violence inherent to surviving a post-apocalyptic world. Showstoppers featuring the original’s headline horrors there are (from the simple terror of a wire fence collapsing under the weight of a horde to the gut-clenching dread of the Rat King faceoff) but in Part II, Naughty Dog favours human conflict. With it comes names and faces and tense situations and difficult decisions.

    Fitting for the game’s narrative, it also allowed the studio to effortlessly play (prey?) on my emotions, sweeping me through the powerful waves of blind revenge and depositing me onto a shore of questionable accountability as anger receded. Joy replaced with revulsion and eventually resignation at the needs for survival. At humanity’s natural schism, tribalism.

    There is a power fantasy here. You can’t knock out a Clicker with a single punch or stealth past a patrol unnoticed without feeling a thrill. But there isn’t the expected catharsis, as XP unlocks and perfecting combat are carefully juxtaposed against a growing dread of powerlessness. Being — if not fully complicit — at least involved in two destructive paths of vengeance and the unrelenting cycle of violence they unleash. But messaging the tragedy inherent in that is an important one, the hope of self-realisation apparent. For Ellie, Abby and us.

    This is storytelling at its best and action adventure at its finest.

    Website: LINK

  • Empfehlung der Redaktion: Streets of Rage 4 lässt euch einfach drauflos spielen

    Empfehlung der Redaktion: Streets of Rage 4 lässt euch einfach drauflos spielen

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    Streets of Rage 4 macht vieles genau richtig. Da wäre zum Beispiel das grandiose Kampfsystem, in dem sich Gelegenheitsspieler wie Kampfsportmeister fühlen und sich Kampfspielfans dank jeder Menge anspruchsvoller Techniken so richtig austoben können. Oder der Soundtrack mit seinen mitreißenden Tracks und eingängigen Beats, die nicht nur die Action auf dem Bildschirm unterstreichen, sondern auch für sich genommen ein wahrer Ohrenschmaus sind. Die neuen Charaktere mit Kultfaktor. Die von Hand gezeichnete Grafik, die euch förmlich vom Bildschirm aus entgegenspringt.

    Streets of Rage 4 hätte auch vieles falsch machen können. Den Zauber der originalen, nach wie vor umjubelten Sidescroller-Beat-‘em-up-Trilogie nachstellen zu wollen, schien ein Ding der Unmöglichkeit zu sein. Zum Glück haben die drei Studios, die sich dieses höchst unerwartete Revival vornahmen – Dotemu, Lizardcube und Guard Crush Games –, ihre Hausaufgaben gemacht.

    Sie studierten die originalen Designdokumente bis ins Detail. Pflückten die Formel auseinander. Redeten mit den Schöpfern und den Fans. Wägten ab, was modernisiert werden und was unbedingt so bleiben musste, wie es war. Das Ergebnis dieser dreijährigen, akribischen Vereinigung von Alt und Neu erweckt den Geist dieser Klassiker bildschön zu neuem Leben. Ganz entscheidend dabei: Es fühlt sich nicht wie ein Relikt aus einer längst vergangenen Ära an.

    Streets of Rage 4Streets of Rage 4

    Ein großartiges Beispiel: die Neukonfiguration der Spezialangriffe der Charaktere. Zuvor konnten diese starken Moves zwar ganze Brocken aus der Energieleiste des Gegners reißen, doch dafür musstet ihr kostbare eigene Gesundheit einbüßen. In Streets of Rage 4 wird verlorene Gesundheit gespeichert und kann zurückgewonnen werden … wenn ihr in der Offensive bleibt und keinen Treffer kassiert. Nur eine kleine Änderung, aber mit sehr positiven Auswirkungen auf den Spielfluss. So sind diese Moves jetzt zwar immer noch riskant, können sich aber auf ganzer Linie auszahlen.

    Selbst dann, wenn ihr nur die Basis-Kampfoptionen verwendet, macht das Spiel unheimlich viel Spaß. Jeder Schlag und jeder Tritt fühlt sich dank der beeindruckenden Soundeffekte und des begleitenden Rucks des DualShock 4 Wireless-Controllers wahnsinnig befriedigend an. Ihr könnt auf Gegner einprügeln, sie zwischendurch auch mal werfen oder mit Sprungtritten überraschen und fühlt euch am Ende der Session trotzdem wie der krasseste Kämpfer oder die krasseste Kämpferin überhaupt.

    Doch das Spiel verlockt euch auch geschickt dazu, komplexere Angriffe auszuprobieren. Denn schon ein elementares Verständnis der Funktionsweise von Kombos reicht, um ein paar wirklich abgefahrene Abfolgen hinzulegen. Und jedes eindrucksvolle Ergebnis stachelt eure Neugier weiter an und reizt euch, noch mehr zu lernen und zu experimentieren.

    Streets of Rage 4Streets of Rage 4

    Ich bin normalerweise bei meinen Spielsessions ganz ruhig und total konzentriert. Aber sogar ich habe einen Begeisterungsschrei von mir gegeben, als ich mit Adam Hunter eine Kombo hinlegte, bei der eine Handvoll Schurken quer über den Bildschirm flog und von einer Wand abprallte. Ich habe einen beeindruckten Pfiff losgelassen, als ich entdeckt habe, wie man mit Cherry Hunter mit einer schnellen Folge von Luftangriffen über eine Reihe von Gegnern hüpfen kann. Und ich musste über meine eigene Dreistigkeit lachen, als ich mit Muskelpaket Floyd Iraia erfolgreich durch eine ganze Gegnerschar gepflügt bin.

    Die breit gefächerte Kämpferauswahl bietet euch eine Vielzahl von Spielstilen, mit denen ihr euch vertraut machen könnt.  Eine Verbesserung zum Original, mit der man nicht unbedingt gerechnet hat: In der Kampagne könnt ihr zwischen den Levels die Kämpfer wechseln. Ich hatte schon meine Favoriten aus den vorherigen Titeln und bin ihnen treu geblieben. Doch bei dieser genialen Aufstellung habe ich mich immer wieder dabei ertappt, wie ich das Charakterauswahl-Menü durchgegangen bin.

    In den Originalen habt ihr euch vor wunderschönen Hintergründen und in fesselnden Szenarien durch die Stadt gekämpft. Dem kann die Fortsetzung mühelos das Wasser reichen und setzt noch ganz einzigartige Varianten obendrauf. Schilder müssen übersprungen werden, während ihr euch auf dem Dach eines fahrenden Zugs prügelt. Ein Kampf in einem schwer bewachten Luxusflugzeug wird immer wieder unterbrochen, weil ihr in den freien Fall übergeht. Ein Gefecht in Chinatown zeigt stolz, das es von Actionfilmen inspiriert ist, und lässt euch ständig größer werdende Gegnerscharen in einem Dojo bekämpfen. In jedem der 12 Levels gibt es einen so denkwürdigen Augenblick, dass man immer wieder dorthin zurückkehren möchte.

    Am Ende ist es vielleicht die Skalierbarkeit, die mir an Streets of Rage 4 am besten gefällt. Die Levels sind in perfekte Häppchen aufgeteilt und die Vielzahl an Modi – darunter Online- und Offline-Koop sowie Wettkampfoptionen – bietet euch so viele Möglichkeiten, dass ihr die Spielsessions so lang oder kurz gestalten könnt, wie ihr möchtet. Ich habe in der Kaffeepause schon mal einen kompletten Level durchgespielt, aber auch schon einen ganzen Abend lang versucht, im Arcade-Modus mit nur einem Credit so weit zu kommen wie möglich.

    Streets of Rage 4Streets of Rage 4

    Wie ich eingangs schon sagte, ist dieses Spiel sowohl für Fans des Genres als auch für Neugierige geeignet, durch den vertrauten Aufbau für die meisten leicht zugänglich und das Gameplay stellt euch ungeachtet eures spielerischen Niveaus stets zufrieden. Somit ist es für mich das perfekte Spiel, um gemeinsam mit Freunden Spaß zu haben. Zwar kann ich mich aufgrund der derzeitigen Lage nicht in den Chaos versprechenden lokalen Vier-Spieler-Koopmodus stürzen, doch wenn der Tag kommt, an dem meine Tür der Welt wieder offensteht, dann werde ich mit diesem Spiel darauf warten, wieder mit meinen Freunden die Controller heiß laufen zu lassen und mein Soundsystem dabei auf volle Lautstärke aufzudrehen.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: Streets of Rage 4 is a sublime example of pick up and play brilliance

    Editors’ Choice: Streets of Rage 4 is a sublime example of pick up and play brilliance

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Streets of Rage 4 does a lot right. Take its sublime combat system, making casuals feel like martial art masters and giving fighting fans high-level techniques to sink their teeth into. Or its soundtrack, all head-bopping tracks and catchy beats that drive the on-screen action and prove as pleasurable a listen when sampled in isolation. Instantly iconic new characters. Hand-drawn visuals that pop off the screen.

    Streets of Rage 4 could have got a lot wrong. Attempting to rebuild the magic of the original, forever-celebrated side-scrolling beat ‘em up trilogy felt like a fool’s errand. Thank then the trio of studios who decided to tackle this unlikeliest of revivals – Dotemu, Lizardcube, Guard Crush Games – for doing their homework.

    They researched design documents. Examined the formula. Talked to creators, fans. Weighed up what needed modernising, what needed to be left untouched. The result of this three year long, meticulous splice of old and new beautifully recaptures the spirit of those classics. But crucially it does not feel like a relic of a bygone era. 

    Streets of Rage 4Streets of Rage 4

    A great example: the reconfiguring of characters’ special attacks. Previously these powerful moves could tear chunks out of enemy energy bars, but at a price: the loss of some of your own health. In Streets of Rage 4, lost health is banked, potentially recoverable… if you keep on the offensive and don’t get hit. A small tweak, but it changes the gameplay rhythm for the better, making those moves high-risk but high-reward.

    And even if you want to keep your combat options basic, the game is a blast to play. Every punch and kick thrown has a satisfying weight, thanks to impressive audio and a corresponding timed jolt from the Dualshock 4 controller. You can bash away at enemies, toss in the occasional throw, the odd jumping kick and still come out of a session feeling like a badass.

    Yet the game subtly entices you to try out more complex attacks. Because even a rudimentary idea of how combos work leads to some flashy sequences. Each showy display perks your curiosity, teases you learn more. To experiment. 

    Streets of Rage 4Streets of Rage 4

    I’m usually quietly intense during my gaming sessions. Yet I actually whooped in glee at one combo string I pulled off with Adam Hunter that caused a handful of baddies to fly across the screen and rebound off a wall. Whistled in appreciation as I discovered how you could hop across a line of enemies with a flurry of aerial attacks while playing Cherry Hunter. Laughed at my own audacity in successfully ploughing through a crowd of foes as the tank-like Floyd Iraia.

    The diversity of the fighting roster offers a pleasing range of styles to learn your way round.  An unasked-for improvement over the originals: in campaign, you can switch fighters between stages. I had my favourites in previous entries and stuck to them. Yet with a cast this good, I found myself continually rotating through the character select screen. 

    The originals presented you with compelling backdrops and scenarios as you battled your way across the city. This sequel easily matches those and adds its own unique spins. Sign boards need leapt over as you clash atop a moving train. A fight through a luxurious and heavily-guarded plane keeps being interrupted as you go into freefall. A Chinatown battle wears its action movie inspirations proudly as you take on ever-increasing hordes in a dojo.  Each of the 12 stages has a memorable moment that makes it worth revisiting. 

    But it’s maybe the scalability of Streets of Rage 4 that I like best. Thanks to the bite-sized nature of those stages and multitude of modes – which include online and offline co-op and competitive options –sessions can be as short or as long as you want them to be. I’ve blasted through a single stage during a coffee break, yet also lost an evening attempting to get as far through the game as I can on a single credit in Arcade.

    Streets of Rage 4Streets of Rage 4

    As I said at the beginning, it’s a game that caters for genre enthusiasts and the curious, a familiarity of design that makes it accessible to most with gameplay that continually rewards you, irrespective of your skill level. Which makes it, for me, the perfect game to enjoy with friends. While current circumstances prevent me from enjoying the chaos of four-player local co-op, come the day I can welcome the world back through my front door, it will be for this game that controllers will be passed around and my sound system’s volume cranked up for.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: Persona 5 Royal Steals Hearts With Style

    Editors’ Choice: Persona 5 Royal Steals Hearts With Style

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    I can remember the exact moment Persona 5 hooked me back in 2017. Leaping over a shocked casino crowd and fighting off eclectically designed enemies, the devilishly styled Joker attempts a daring escape only to be captured by police forces. It’s a teaser, a taste of the flair for the battle to come, but even then I knew my heart was stolen. Sure enough, I banked well over 100 hours in Persona 5 getting to know Joker and his rabble of rebellious friends, hellbent on protecting the world from corrupt evil forces (i.e. adults, ugh!). 

    With its heart-stealing narrative and unforgettable characters, it found a perfect balance of teenage Tokyo social sim mixed with otherworldly turn-based combat as you threw on the mask and entered the Metaverse. Sure, I diligently fought my way through elaborate and dangerous Palaces, stealing treasure and fusing powerful new Personas (magical sprites representing your true heart), but I was spending an equal amount of time agonizing over who to spend my days with after class, or working to make sure I maxed out my social skills. It made for a thrilling experience and as the in-game school year flew by, I found myself hopelessly endeared to the Phantom Thieves and their journey. 

    Which is how they stole my heart all over again with Persona 5 Royal. 

    From Joker’s electric intro to the new cinematic and showstopping ending, every moment spent in Royal is impactful. Small tweaks make the action within the Metaverse smoother, like the immediate ability to use Baton Pass, or how guns now reload after each encounter. Fellow Phantom Thieves can team up for Showtime attacks: powerful cinematic combos that I unleashed with glee during my playthrough. Palaces feature slightly new layouts to account for Joker’s new grappling hook ability and offer side quests to find hidden Will Seeds, providing much needed SP to elongate each trip into the Metaverse. Boss fights pack a new punch, with additional battle phases that strike deeper narrative chords. Even Mementos, a section of the game that previously felt like a grinding hub, has been improved with new objectives, and a delightful merchant Jose who can provide some incredibly useful items. 

    Royal’s new improvements also reflect in the real world, where building relationships with fellow Phantom Thieves and other rebellious Tokyo citizens is equal parts addicting and rewarding. Royal expands these moments with newly voiced phone conversations, and the ability to buff characters through fun activities (darts, billiards, and jazz clubs, oh my!). Connecting with confidants helps improve Joker’s abilities in the Metaverse, but often I enjoyed just peeling back their layers and learning their story. From facing best friend Ryuji’s track team regrets to coaxing clinical shut-in Futaba out of her shell, these shared moments expand an already colorful world and make it feel alive, even with the quirkier companions. I was constantly thinking about how to best carve out time to nurture each of these bonds, and felt a significant change of pace thanks to Royal’s new tweaks. No longer will Morgana force you to go to bed at the end of each day; Joker can now take the time to tinker on new tools, play games, make coffee, and even read books at twice the speed. These small everyday moments helped me steal back treasured time, and improved my social skills in record speed. 

    That especially came in handy when I turned to focus on Royal’s new confidants, aspiring elite gymnast Kasumi and charmingly awkward school counselor Dr. Maruki. In a game already bursting with personality, it’s a testament to Atlus’ narrative chops that I immediately endeared myself to both characters and their struggles. Royal also vastly expands the role of original character Akechi, allowing me to create social links with him outside of scripted plot sequences and ultimately fleshing out one of the game’s most compelling relationship arcs. These characters are woven seamlessly into Joker’s story, and maxing out their social links is necessary to unlock the new third semester end game content. It’s a sequence that you won’t want to miss, with a new boss and Palace that challenge the Phantom Thieves’ perception of reality and make for a nuanced, grounded, and more personal conversation about free will without sacrificing grandeur or style. 

    Persona 5 Royal adds a heart-stealing expanded story, intriguing new characters, and an endless amount of style onto an already unforgettable JRPG experience. If you’re just joining the Phantom Thieves, or donning the mask for a second time around, one thing is clear: Persona 5 Royal rules. 

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: Paper Beast Delivers A Thought-Provoking, Immersive World

    Editors’ Choice: Paper Beast Delivers A Thought-Provoking, Immersive World

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    My first glimpse of Paper Beast came during last December’s jam-packed State of Play presentation. Nestled between the mind-bending puzzles of Superliminal and the Kingdom Hearts III expansion was a captivating trailer showcasing a first-person journey through dreamlike terrain. The video featured interesting topography and trippy visuals, but what did it all mean? What do you actually do? Despite not really “getting” what was going on, I was nonetheless captivated and made a mental note to play Paper Beast (whatever it was!) when it came to PS VR. 

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ8zQrxNVog?feature=oembed&w=720&h=405]

    Now that I’m on the other side of this unforgettable trek through digital space made real, I can’t recommend it enough. What begins as a curious jaunt through a virtual desert transforms into an eyebrow-raising adventure filled with origami creatures, surreal objects floating through the air, and hallucinatory events that defy description. Sure, I can describe a hovering piece of obsidian slicing a hole in the sky that causes alphabet letters to fall out while turtles spew mud from their bellies, but did that arrangement of words help at all?

    Thankfully, these bizarre moments exist to challenge your perceptions, not just confuse you for the sake of “whoa isn’t this WEIRD?” The concept is that information-based life has formed within a digital space, and you’re a visitor caught up in a turbulent period of creation. However, this virtual genesis needs a helping hand, and this is where actual gameplay takes shape. Using a DualShock 4 or dual-wielding PS Move Controllers, you manipulate these papercraft beings — as well as plants, fabrics, and other materials — to ensure life, uh, finds a way.

    Solving these environmental puzzles means pausing to soak up the scenery. What are the animals doing? Do they look stressed? Dehydrated? These moments are where Paper Beast really shines, as you’re forced to just stare and deliberately consider what is happening in the world. I frequently found myself gazing at the alien horizon and admiring not just the set piece in front of me, but how this whole data-driven ecosystem was put together. It’s easy to get lost in the world and simply… exist. I spent many moments watching paper predators stalk their prey and diamond-shaped bugs go about their business. It’s all thoughtfully, artfully structured and a treat to experience.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR_9PUqgLWM?feature=oembed&w=720&h=405]

    Navigation follows a bit of the same dream logic that shapes the world itself. You don’t directly control your movement, but rather use a pointer to warp from spot to spot. Some may prefer more traditional 1-to-1 movement, but to me, this slightly detached experience helped cement the outsider-looking-in perspective. In dreams, it’s often hard to move precisely how and where you’d like… but then at the same time, you can magically “be” somewhere else without really processing the transition. So you’re both stuck and free at the same time, as you are in Paper Beast – dreamlike through and through.

    As you play, various creatures cross your path and seemingly try to help you. One ominous, crystalline being turns out to be a life saver, and another shaggy dog (made out of shredded documents?) tries its best to dig out helpful paths. By the time the final scene played out, new friends in tow, I felt a genuine swell of emotion. We did it! But uh, what was “it?” And where are we now while the credits roll? I have my theories, but that’s the beauty of the narrative here — there isn’t one concrete answer.

    The sense of alien wonder and ambiguous expression echo Another World / Out of this World, a notable adventure game from Paper Beast designer Eric Chahi. Both games have minimal to no HUD, dialog, or overt storytelling, and place the player in a strange realm. Finding your way through with so little to go on is exhilarating, and with PS VR that experience is all the more engrossing.

    Paper Beast is unlike anything I’ve played in years, and well worth a look if you’re eager for a strange and unique trip through a burgeoning digital world.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: Final Fantasy VII Remake is Worthy of its Name

    Editors’ Choice: Final Fantasy VII Remake is Worthy of its Name

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Final Fantasy VII is an important game. Not only to the millions of gamers whose lives it has touched over the past two decades, but to Square Enix as well — FF7 is far and away the most recognizable game developed by the JRPG powerhouse.

    So the idea of going back to square one and retelling this timeless story with a completely new game built for modern hardware seems like an impossible task. The tech of the 1997 original may be dated at this point, but the feelings we all have for our first visit to Midgar have only strengthened as we’ve grown older. How do you rekindle that love? How do you recreate Final Fantasy VII without disappointing — or enraging — one of the most passionate fanbases in gaming?

    Many of the cinematic shots in Remake will pluck at the heartstrings of those who played the original game, while still evoking a sense of magic and wonder for new players.

    Final Fantasy VII Remake, against all odds, achieves this and more. 

    The act of playing Final Fantasy VII Remake is a fascinating experience. This is not a slavish, blow-by-blow recreation of the original game with a new coat of paint. Instead, it feels like Square Enix used the original as a framework and asked “What kind of game would Final Fantasy VII be if it were made today?”

    That isn’t to say this grand, ambitious revisit doesn’t tug at my ever-nostalgic heartstrings — it manages to find just the right balance between old and new, impressively evoking its legendary pedigree while simultaneously surprising die-hard fans by sprinkling in clever twists and entirely new sequences. A special shout out to the vocal performances on display, too: Characters are cast perfectly, somehow sounding just like I imagined they would during my very first playthrough of the 1997 classic.

    Fan-favorite side characters like Shinra’s Turks are impeccably realized, supported by pitch-perfect performances that highlight their distinct personalities.

    The music in Remake is a high point (I, uh… may or may not have already pre-ordered the 7-disc soundtrack). These are not just orchestrated versions of the songs we know, but ground-up rebuilds from their very foundations, honoring what made the original compositions legendary but taking confident — and wholly earned — liberties with them. This one’s gonna be in my daily rotation for a while.

    And the cutscenes! In the JRPGs of the 32-bit era — Final Fantasy VII included — cutscenes always felt like a reward for conquering a section of the game. I was constantly waiting to see what graphical marvels the next pre-rendered scene had in store. Technology has improved to the point that the lines between gameplay and cutscene are dramatically less clear, but Remake still has plenty of bombastic action sequences up its sleeve. More importantly, the cutscenes in Remake evoke the same direction and quirky energy of the original, often drawing a clear line in my mind between the two and reinforcing that this is, indeed, still Final Fantasy VII.

    Final Fantasy VII Remake embraces the quirkiness of the original game, especially when it comes to some of the more… outlandish Summons you can invoke during battle.

    In battle, characters have unique, wholly distinct abilities and fighting styles, all of which are built around the character’s personality and how that character would, you know, actually fight. Tifa’s setup is most intriguing to me: her kinetic, lightning-fast flurries of punches and kicks weave effectively with her more powerful command attacks, making for a playstyle that should be interesting to see at higher levels of play, once players start to truly wrap their heads around the potential of Remake’s combat system. An honorable mention goes to Aerith, though: as you hold Square, she twirls her staff with a carefree grace, deftly lobbing long-range magical attacks from a safe distance.

    Trying to sum up this grand, ambitious, almost impossible project is exceptionally difficult. The word that keeps coming to mind when I try to describe Final Fantasy VII Remake to people is “spectacular.” But I don’t just mean spectacular as in “really good” — I mean it in the literal sense. This game is a spectacle on multiple levels.

    Aerith’s magical prowess earned her a permanent spot in my party by the end of the game. Combining her devastating spells with Cloud’s unrelenting physical attacks can make short work of most enemies if you know how to exploit their weaknesses.

    Final Fantasy VII is a rare entry in the pantheon of all-time gaming greats that truly deserved to be remade so a new generation of players could experience this timeless tale, and so those of us who grew up bathed in the light of the lifestream could experience that magic once more. Final Fantasy VII Remake stands proudly alongside its forebear, ready to inherit its legacy and keep its flame burning bright.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: A Plague Tale: Innocence Weaves A Beautiful and Macabre Story

    Editors’ Choice: A Plague Tale: Innocence Weaves A Beautiful and Macabre Story

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Early on in A Plague Tale: Innocence, the De Rune siblings pause in the middle of a silent church yard. After their ancestral home was attacked, they’ve been on the run through the fields and villages of war-torn, plague-infested medieval France, with angry villagers and the Inquisition hot on their trail. Older sister and protagonist Amicia is determined to keep her sickly brother Hugo safe, urging him to keep moving forward, but Hugo runs off to marvel at a flower growing in the weeds. He picks it up, placing it in Amicia’s hair, and whispers, “It will protect you. And it’s pretty.”

    Cue: my heart breaking.

    A Plague Tale is a moving experience from start to finish, its characters the spark of light in the darkness, a reminder of humanity in the midst of horror. Amicia is a formidable and smart young girl, taking on responsibility that most would sooner throw themselves to the rats over rather than face. Moving through the world and protecting Hugo is no easy task, but she’s level-headed through the mayhem. Protection often comes in the form of her slingshot, which becomes increasingly more threatening as she discovers new alchemical concoctions to toss at soldiers and rat swarms alike. It’s a simple but satisfying mechanic, like in an early battle where Amicia must target the boss’ armor hinges until she can brain the brute directly. While I took glee in finding new ways to unleash my slingshot prowess, Amicia herself will question her own morality, commenting in horror when she realizes she’s killed someone. Her moments of reflection were a refreshing reminder of what makes us human.

    Her brother Hugo stands as the biggest reminder. A sickly child with little knowledge of the world outside his bedroom walls, Hugo takes in every environment with fresh eyes. Like his flower picking moments, he also chases after animals, giggling with delight despite their grisly surroundings. There are natural moments of sibling rebellion, but their relationship is believable and Hugo never feels like a burden. Hugo is often the key to solving environmental puzzles, pulling levers and crawling through tiny openings to keep them moving forward. It also helps that his voice actor is absolutely adorable. As the origins of his illness come to a head, Hugo becomes center of some of the game’s most enthralling sequences, adding a supernatural twist on an otherwise grounded tale of woe.

    Beyond the De Rune siblings, A Plague Tale’s biggest stars are those dang rats. Y’all, these are some very good video game rats. They erupt from the shadows in bloodthirsty swarms, moving together like waves crashing against the walls and one another. Seeing the carnage they unleash if Amicia and Hugo step out of the light and into their tiny, frenzied clutches is a sight to behold. Their presence makes environmental puzzles come to life, whether it’s lighting bonfires to clear a path or perfectly timing Amicia’s steps during lightning strikes. I’m endlessly torn between whether their introduction scene or the end-game sequence where they are controlled by the vile Grand Inquisitor is one of my favorite moments in gaming this year.

    Asobo Studio’s macabre stealth adventure is filled with these harrowing enemy encounters, intriguing environmental puzzles, and a lot of rats. But it’s the quiet moments in the middle of the madness where humanity and hope rise above the horror that makes A Plague Tale a favorite.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: Intense Duels Reign Supreme in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

    Editors’ Choice: Intense Duels Reign Supreme in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    As someone familiar with FromSoftware’s prior works, I approached Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice with (what I believed to be) earned confidence. After all, surely those who’ve conquered the Souls series and acquired Bloodborne’s Platinum Trophy would be adequately prepared for a stealthy shinobi adventure through 15th Century Japan.

    For the first several enemy encounters, this feeling held true. Whether I was sneaking across rooftops or engaging foes head-on, Sekiro’s agility and unique Prosthetic Tools made quick work of simpler foes. Their basic spears and melee weapons just couldn’t compete with deadly shuriken, a massive retractable axe, or Sekiro’s own legendary blade. But then some heavy-duty baddies mopped the floor with me, followed by a boss riding a horse so large it appeared like someone described an animal they’d only read about in ancient texts. And somewhere in there I stumbled across Lady Butterfly’s lair. Humbling encounters, one after the other.

    Rattled but resolute, I kept playing. And soon, the combat clicked. Each slice, footstep, and movement had to be a deliberate action. Am I whittling away at their health or dealing progressive Posture damage to stagger them? Maybe it’s a combo as I weave in Prosthetic Tools and various Shinobi Arts into a fluid, overwhelming assault. The right use of tools, weapons, and abilities led to victory, while missteps or bad parries could deplete my own Posture and, well, down I go yet again.

    This constant fear of a mistimed counterattack or an unexpected enemy maneuver made every weapon in the game feel lethal. We’ve all played games with swords, guns, gun swords, laser swords — just about every modifier “gun” or “sword” could ever have attached to them — yet in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice anything with a pointed edge felt suitably dangerous. And every duel, whether in a dusty wooden temple or a forest bursting with fall colors, demanded full attention.

    These intense feelings coalesce in the game’s formidable boss battles. Anyone who triumphed over Genichiro or stood their ground after “defeating” the Guardian Ape should recall the nail-biting mania of each showdown, where the momentum could shift at any second and victory quickly becomes a cocktail of futility and despair. And hoo boy that final boss. I leapt up from my couch upon dealing the final Deathblow.

    If that all sounds difficult — it is! FromSoftware’s reputation is alive and well in Sekiro. But it’s the feeling of victory, seemingly against all odds and against enemies expertly designed to ruin your day, that makes the uphill struggle worth it. I was frustrated. I nearly gave in. But unforgettable moments of victory, imaginative enemies, and the omnipresent “one more try-ness” of the game kept pulling me back in.

    Without a doubt, Sekiro leapt out to me as one of the most memorable games of the year, constantly knocking me down but always providing the means to pull myself up again.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: Death Stranding Delivers an Addictive Open World Journey

    Editors’ Choice: Death Stranding Delivers an Addictive Open World Journey

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    Where do I start?

    Death Stranding, as is true of just about anything Hideo Kojima works on, has been the subject of intense speculation since it was first revealed on stage at PlayStation’s E3 2016 press conference. With Kojima-san striking out on his own, starting a new studio (upon which he has staked his very name), and entering a partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment to publish his studio’s first project, expectations were high. Is it even possible to live up to that level of hype?

    I think it is.

    In particular, there are two kinds of players who I think will get a particular thrill from this bizarre, ambitious experience:

    1. Players who enjoy the organic, deliberate, and meditative qualities of open-world games.
    2. Players who love to optimize, min-maxing their way to victory regardless of the task at hand.

    The world of Death Stranding is one that begs to be explored and discovered, home to sweeping vistas and hidden nooks alike, and dotted with Preppers: people who live their lives in isolated bunkers following a cataclysmic event known as the — you guessed it — “Death Stranding.” As rugged everyman Sam Bridges, your task is to find and reconnect these people and, with any luck, instill hope for the future of America along the way.

    Preppers are generally few and far between, which means Sam needs to be well-prepared before setting out on a delivery. Planning your route is a surprisingly tactile and thoughtful process, achieved with the help of map you can tilt in 3D space by holding your finger on your DualShock 4’s touch pad. Of course, there’s always Plan B: set a marker for your destination and wing it. This becomes more of a practical option later in the game once you’ve unlocked plans to build more tools and vehicles, many of which are situation-specific, but all of which will ease your travels considerably. Delivering medicine to someone posted up in the mountains? Bring a few ladders and climbing anchors. Expecting to run into resistance from hostiles? Pack a Bola gun for quick, non-lethal takedowns. Think you’ll need to trek through an area plagued by supernatural, nearly invisible creatures trapped between the planes of life and death? There are ways to make that less daunting, too.

    Making sure Sam gets rest between big deliveries or after a narrow escape is imperative to your mission’s success. Your stamina meter behaves mostly as you’d expect, but your maximum endurance will decrease over time as you perform more strenuous tasks, necessitating a nap in a private room located at any of the game’s major destinations. Stamina can also be recovered by simply letting Sam sit down anywhere in the world. If you spot a cairn in the wild, that means another player is resting there and you’ll recover more quickly there — a hint of Death Stranding’s asynchronous play at work. One nice touch: if you don’t interact with the game for a bit, Sam will take it upon himself to take a break wherever he’s at, making for a pleasant sort of quasi-screensaver while he rests up.

    The way Death Stranding approaches character progression feels like a more organic and nuanced evolution of the traditional XP-based leveling system we’re all oh-so-familiar with. When a delivery is completed, Sam is graded in various areas like delivery time, cargo weight, and cargo condition. Excelling in these (and other) areas will make Sam more proficient at them, eventually granting him bonuses to things like stamina, maximum cargo capacity, and balance. Making multiple highly rated deliveries to Preppers will strengthen Sam’s bond with them, too, often leading to new tools and cosmetic bonuses gifted to him as he earns their trust.

    This is an open world you can explore at your own pace — I spent over a hundred hours making deliveries all over America, strengthening bonds and hoarding materials to build roads and upgrade structures, before I decided to wrap up the main story. The gameplay loop here is an addictive one, especially if discovering new tools and upgrades to further tighten that loop sounds like your kinda jam.

    But the real magic of Death Stranding becomes apparent once you realize you aren’t just building these structures and paving these roads for yourself. Everything you do has the potential to help other players during their own travels, and as you make your way further into Sam’s odyssey you’ll start thinking less about how to make your own trek easier, and more about how you can help those who follow in your footsteps.

    The confidence with which Kojima Productions has executed on the vision of its namesake is admirable. Nobody has made a game like this before, but Death Stranding feels so absolutely sure of what it is, sending players on a journey that, in some ways, seems to mirror the one Kojima-san himself embarked upon a few short years ago: a quest to bring people together through sheer force of will, striving to deliver things nobody thought possible.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: Resident Evil 2 is Survival Horror Mastered

    Editors’ Choice: Resident Evil 2 is Survival Horror Mastered

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Dreams of a Resident Evil 2 remake have been swirling in my head since 2005. My imagination ignited the moment I unlocked Leon’s Raccoon Police Department outfit in Resident Evil 4. Seeing the outbreak survivor in his updated, detailed RPD uniform battling parasitic threats with RE4’s revolutionary over-the-shoulder gunplay set my mind wild imagining what a remake of RE2 could look and play like. Fast forward to 2019, and Capcom has delivered on fervent fan expectations that have been marinating for over two decades.

    Capcom’s stunning 2002 remake of the original Resident Evil is perhaps the finest horror game ever made, so quality expectations were high heading into the RE2 remake. The modern third-person gunplay merges seamlessly with the traditional, atmospheric survival horror trappings. Don’t let the empowering aiming system fool you into thinking this is a guns-blazing action game – zombies can shrug off more bullets than ever. Enemies’ toughness and agility places the priority on subduing and evading rather than destroying everything, which ratchets up the tension of every encounter. Ammo and health are still your precious, limited lifeblood.

    Beyond the intuitive gunplay changes, this remake adds meaningful new gameplay options. Knives can be used both offensively and as get-out-of-jail-free-card defensive weapons, introducing new strategic options. A crafting system similar to RE7’s lets players make the ammo they prefer. Multiple stylish ’90s fanny packs can be found to expand your inventory. Capcom nails the details and expertly embellishes existing survival horror systems.

    The fearsome Tyrant (aka Mr. X) crashes the party in the main RE2 campaign, unlike the 1998 original where he patiently waited to terrorize you until the second playthrough. Tyrant is a hulking, unstoppable, trenchcoated menace — and I adore him. The bio-weapon is an unrelenting slasher movie tribute injected into an already intense zombie apocalypse. His heavy, oppressive footsteps thud throughout the police department and constantly remind players they’re in danger. His ability to endlessly stalk you throughout most of the building makes ducking into a safe room more relieving than ever. Tyrant is an encapsulation of what Capcom gets right about this remake, capitalizing on his full gameplay potential from the original game while staying true to the somewhat grounded universe of RE.

    Resident Evil 2 was an ambitious sequel back in 1998, packing two PlayStation discs — one for Leon S. Kennedy and another for Claire Redfield. After players finished the game with one character, they could play through the horrific events from the other’s perspective. The remake preserves this ingenious formula, offering brave players four distinct playthroughs. Replaying RE2 is where the game (and series) truly sings, enabling players who once felt like they were barely scraping by to become zombie-dodging masters. Memorizing the RPD layout, expertly navigating the labyrinthine sewers, and unlocking bonus weapons (unlimited ammo!) for subsequent playthroughs is part of the full RE2 experience.

    Over 20 years after the celebrated original, the Resident Evil 2 remake earns’ PlayStation’s Editors’ Choice as a defining horror experience. This remake shows that the Capcom team — who invented the genre in 1996 — still deserves the mantle of masters of survival horror. RE2 is manages to be consistently nerve-wracking, smooth, and entertaining. The fun’s not over, either — the recent announcement of the Resident Evil 3 remake has me thrilled to survive Raccoon City once again.

    Website: LINK

  • Editors’ Choice: The Outer Worlds’ Sci-Fi Humor is Out of This Galaxy

    Editors’ Choice: The Outer Worlds’ Sci-Fi Humor is Out of This Galaxy

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Stepping foot into The Outer Worlds, I was ready to tread some familiar RPG ground. A newcomer ventures forth into an unexplored world, only to meet companions, treasure, and danger at every turn. After Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity, I thought I had Obsidian all figured out. That is, until I traipsed into the canning town of Edgewater and experienced the deranged locals and their capitalist nightmare society firsthand. The Outer Worlds scratches a delightfully familiar itch for RPG adventure lovers, but truly knocks it out of this galaxy with its morbidly hilarious sci-fi world-building.

    Unfrozen from 70 years of cryosleep on a lost ship, I dropped headfirst into a colony system founded on good ol’ fashioned capitalism. From the moment I stepped foot on Terra 2, townsfolk couldn’t wait to pitch me on how wonderful life is, how they can’t get enough of Spacer’s Choice saltuna, and how working is what gives their lives great meaning. That’s all well and good, if it weren’t coming out of the mouths of sickly malnourished factory workers who will gladly inform you suicide is a crime (for stealing from the workforce, of course!). Every planet and community I encountered was passionate about a different facet of this philosophy, sometimes rationally but often to the point of idiocy. But their conviction completely sells it, making every character incredibly authentic despite the absurdity of their beliefs.

    And boy are some of them absurd. A distress signal might lead to a scientific community where extreme lengths are being taken to retrieve all-important research for…toothpaste. I held an entire conversation with a Spacer’s Choice salesmen wearing their moon-faced logo as a mask who will only respond with corporate approved slogans with increasing distress (TASTE THE FREEDOM!). More than one settlement involves run-ins with folks secretly hoarding freakishly large vermin-like sprats. Even NPCs are worth eavesdropping on for the laughs, as player actions shift the balance across the colony. I delighted in the option to match the absurdity by docking my character’s Intelligence points, unlocking the endlessly entertaining Dumb dialogue options and opening up a whole new can of chuckles.

    The Outer Worlds’ companions provide sharp commentary about this world on the brink. Each unlocked a new perspective on the madness unfolding around our adventures, to the point that I’d agonize over which two to recruit. Do I mix Parvati’s earnest and thoughtful consideration with Felix’s daydreaming idealism? Let Vicar Max and Ellie go toe-to-toe on philosophy? Companions’ attitudes towards Halcyon’s decaying society bring added insight to every quest, often reacting to my choices throughout the campaign. Nothing had me in stitches more than the interactions between in-ship A.I. ADA and janitor robot companion S.A.M. Ultimately, the companions’ humor in the face of Halcyon’s bleak reality elevates the entire Outer Worlds experience, and justifies multiple playthroughs.

    The irony of being cogs in a soul-crushing machine is that at its center is a lush, flourishing landscape. Halcyon’s planets are beautiful, filled with plants and terrain that are a feast for the eyes. The dangerous creatures stalking around each environment are exceptionally realized, down to down to specific and detailed anatomical drawings shown during load screens. I reveled in the chance to root out a Primal nest or confront vicious Mantiqueens on Monarch. Every location has personality, from the ramshackled Iconoclast settlement to the glittering upper class city of Byzantium. Halcyon’s open world is varied but not so expansive that it feels exhausting, allowing me to explore every corner of the colony to my heart’s content.

    The Outer Worlds blasts into the stratosphere of topnotch RPG adventures and solidified itself as a favorite with its inventive and quirky worldbuilding, intergalactic capitalism hijinks, and hilarious dialogue. Obsidian has built a bonkers world that’s just begging to be played in again and again.

    Website: LINK