Recent reviews by DRACER

Everything about it was perfect to me.

I started out the game with no knowledge of how it would play, what the story was, anything really (other than it having cute foxes lol, and being very highly praised)

The game play was fun, enticing side quests and interesting exploration of a gorgeous world that sucked you in and made you want to find more. All the little details within the world made it feel real and like you were really a part of it, each time you did something really feeling like you'd made a difference. It was never boring as you worked your way through each area in an effort to help the people around you and level up. Every time I upgraded an item or found a new headband or hat, I felt accomplished. Each item more beautiful than the last making it difficult for me to decide what to wear 😆 I found myself spending hours clearing the fog on the map as I explored, finding new puzzles and interesting items along the way, liberating camps and of course, petting those cute foxes.

The combat was exceptional. Never becoming a bore with repetitive actions like some games, there was always something new to try with different battle stances, new weapons, new ways to be stealthy and even right up to the end I was surprised with new and more brutal ways to fight. Loved the duels!

The world is stunning! Graphics are beautiful and I enjoyed the photo mode immensely. Mesmerized by the gorgeous scenery as I climbed mountains, traveled across beaches, got lost in beautiful forests, when I found another haiku to complete, or just took a moment to relax and reflect in the hot springs. It's a truly stunning game.

The characters were interesting and I became very attached to them and their stories. And the main story was great! I was utterly hooked throughout the entirety of it, I found myself nervous many times to progress for fear of what was to come, but also anxious and excited to complete the next challenge. By the end of the main story, I felt like a total badass. But I was wrecked with emotion and guilt, filled with happiness and pride. I felt so many emotions that I had not expected from this game when I set out playing for the first time.

But what really sealed it for me was all the little things. Finding a note from a family dealing with torment, a dead pet, a trashed family home, the way the petals fell, the weather changes, your flute, the way people greeted you and how their perceptions changed as you progressed through the story, when you finished a quest how you'd find Jin doing something different each time, helping a peasant fill a cart, stroking his horse, fast asleep against his horse 🥺 all these little things helped it feel so much more real to me. And hooked me more each time.

Overall I would say this game is a must play for anyone who enjoys gaming. I could go on for hours about how much I loved it, but to sum it up in these few words will have to do.

10/10

Dragons dogma 2 is an excellent, often thrilling ARPG, with something to do or discover around every corner, it has some of the best combat mechanics in a video game bar none, and has one of, if not, the best, implementation of a day night cycle I have experienced, night time genuinely feels dangerous, and the risk versus reward goes through the roof. Enemies are varied and always fun to fight, providing a decent amount of challenge but not frustratingly so. Story is there and is suitably engaging but not overly memorable. The gameplay is really the star of the show here.

So all is perfect right? Well not exactly, some voice acting is a bit questionable, lip syncing is laughably bad at times, and the strange omission of not being able to start a new game from scratch feels like a massive oversight at best or an ominous attempt at some form of monetisation at worst. Having said that Capcom have pledged to fix these issues for PC players at least.

I feel I have to also address the other boogie men of performance and micro transactions. Micro transactions are in the game in the form of “DLC” that can be purchased to make life in the game easier. However purchasing these items is totally optional and EVERYTHING is available in game at no extra cost, the micro transactions are not intrusive or necessary to progress they are simply there if you can’t be bothered to find or grind for the item, the choice is yours. The hysteria surrounding these micro transactions is a little silly as they are completely optional. Not all micro transactions are created equally, these are simply here as a convenience not a necessity. The other issue I am seeing a lot of is performance, and this seems to be a bit of an odd one, there are people reporting that their 4090 is getting 12 fps while others on much older cards are reporting much better performance, so what’s going on here? The fact is the game is CPU bound, so the best graphics cards in the world aren’t going to make a difference if they are being run by an ancient CPU, personally I am running an R7 5800X with an RTX 4080 and performance has been in the 60-90 fps range, perfectly acceptable, Capcom have admitted there is a performance issue and again have pledged to fix it.

The game is great, if you like the look of it and enjoyed the first game, go get it.

An absolute masterpiece! Horizon Forbidden West is everything I hoped it would be.
The first game had a wonderful introduction to Aloy and her rise to save the world from derranged machines - Now in Forbidden West, her journey continues - Searching for a backup of GAIA to restore the biosphere and fulfill Dr. Sobek's dream.

Machines: Some of the classic machines have made a glorious return, seeing them in action again brought a smile to my face. With also an even bigger list of brand new machines, definitely got me by surprise.

Skill Tree: The upgraded skill tree in FW is fantastic, so many new options to enhance Aloy's skills - increasing her strength for upcoming battles.

Weapons: The new weapons you find in different settlements are astounding - I keep finding better weapons as I progress through the game, allowing me to tackle the more difficult enemies, giving me a powerful edge.

Armor: The choices of outfits is vast - Now each selection of clothing has its own stats. No more are they just asthetic, but now they actually provide protection and adding their own extra skill - Each outfit has different stats - Which can be improved by upgrading at a workbench -- AND! You can now change the color of your outfit at a Dye merchant.

Upgrades: In FW - Upgrading is essential - You're now given the ability to upgrade your gear as well as your outfits - Strengthening and inhancing your abilities, making you OP as heck. Enemies will be running after they see the heavy gear you're packing💪🏻

Story: The game being bigger than ZD - The story is absolutely amazing and just keeps on getting better. The character developement is beautiful - You can't help but feel proud after seeing Aloy and her friends grow - Working together to save the world.

Exploration: The world of Forbidden West is huge and it's definitely worth it to slow down and explore. Mount up and take charge, Cauldrons, Side Quests, Machine sites and Rebel bases are everywhere. As well as new settlements occupied by interesting people to say the least. The exploration alone will take you some time to fulfill, but once you take it to the skies, the view is something to be simply amazed by.

Overall: This game is beautifully designed - You can tell how much effort was poured into this software - I'm still running through, but I am enjoying every second of it - There are some tear shedding moments, but there are also times of victory and celebrations. I definitely recommend this game; literally to anyone who has inner rage they need to let out -- Or if you just want to escape from reality for 30+ hours.

I've played LoTF for about 40 hours so far (across 3 characters; I like to test different builds at the same time) and I love it. I've played over 100 hours in Elden Ring, so LoTF really scratches that souls like itch. Between the world, art direction, darker gothic style, builds/classes, and lore, I'm having a great time. I know a lot of people playing on PC are having tons of technical/performance problems, but so far on the PS5 I encountered just a few minor things - the game crashed only once, some texture pops here and there - other than that, the game has run smoothly for me (mind you, I did set the graphic to performance, yet the game still looks great - side note: I don't think graphics make or break a game; art direction and style are much more important in the long haul).

It did take me a while to get a hang of the combat and controls - at first I was having a lot of trouble (died ~ 20 times to the first few bosses like Pieta and Hushed Saint), maybe because I was trying to brute-force-Elden Ring it - but once it clicked the combat proved satisfying. The magic system is great as well, being locked to the D-pad rather than a weapon item. Weapons have increased move-sets as you upgrade them, which is pretty cool to see, and there's a lot of different builds to experiment with (probably my favorite part of souls likes). A couple of gripes I do have: the lock-on system is schizo and can mess you up when fighting multiple enemies, there's no move canceling so if you hit a button the move is going to follow through no matter what (a huge reason I kept dying at first), and enemy placement needs to be absolutely overhauled (nobody likes fighting melee enemies alongside ranged ones, that's just **** awful).

Hexworks and CI are doing a great job communicating with players and pumping out patches to fix problems and fine tune the game - it'll only get better as time goes on. There's little excuse for the performance issues that people had at launch, but I see they're listening and trying to fix it - plus, is it any different than the buggy games that bigger studios with 10x the budget put out (Diablo 4 for one, plus Cyberpunk came out 3 years ago and that has gotten a full redemption arc).

If you don't want to buy right now, I'd understand, but definitely come back and try it out after some time - if you enjoy dark fantasy souls likes, LoTF is a solid entry. Its a shame the performance issues on PC have crashed the user scores.

105k gamer score, dark souls 1 and every game after that, and 14 hours into the game are my credentials.

TLDR:
Veterans of Dark Souls will find that this particular iteration stays true to the core formula.
Bonfires, Flask, soul drop on death, and the all important, rolling through breakables. It’s all here. With a refreshing twist on weapons, and a more spoon-feed storyline. 8.5/10

Gameplay 9/10
Music 8/10
Sound effects 9.5/10
Voice acting 7/10



The fresh:
Weapon system is interesting, you can swap the handles and “blade” part of most weapons I have found so far. The crank system is a little unforgiving early, but to be honest, you probably won’t need to modify your weapons scalability until mid game.
You get a cool arm that can be upgraded, and swapped out. The select I’ve seen so far has a few interesting options. You have the grappling hook that yanks smaller mobs towards you. (Later you can also be pulled to them.) A flame thrower, explosive mines, and a shield that retaliates when you block with it.
No parry, kinda. The window is tight, and it’s not your conventional parry. You will need to use it to avoid some powerful attacks that will send many would be boys, back to the bonfires.
Skill Tree. Yeah, a skill tree. Five clusters of Four nodes. Each node can house two additional upgrade options. Once you’ve filled two nodes with two “quartz” you unlock the next cluster. This is where you tailer the game to your play style. A multitude of different options are here, and the selection continues to grow as you unlock more clusters.


The lost:
No multiplayer. It’s a souls like, but not one that you will be playing with your friends.
Difficulty levels overall feel pretty mid. Most of the first two acts you can run up to sitting enemies and get a free backstab as they try to get up. Additionally, your last flask charge regenerates as you land strikes on enemies.

The mid:
What’s the grinder for? I’ve never had a weapon break, besides from environmental issues, and even then I was able to catch it. Feels like a feature that was placed to add some extra layers of complexity, for complexities sake.
Most of the items are just going to rot in your pack. With the one exception that throwable elemental weapons are way over tuned. You can take half of a bosses health with some of these.
Some side quests are here, most that I’ve seen are fetch quests. There was one that required returning to earlier acts to finish.


Overall I would recommend trying this game out, if you’re a member of gamepass there is nothing holding you back from experiencing this fresh take on a classic fable.

A fresh and revitalising new entry in the series. This game caters to fans from all points in mk history by both revamping fan favourites and giving new life to characters born in the 3d era, every character is given a new layered backstory which gives each character a new set of motivations and end goals, rivalries and loyalties.

Not only does the game appeal to veteran fans of the series with fun references and call backs, it is still a new experience, which means newcomers to the series won't feel the intimidated understanding previous games lore as they can just jump into this game with no prior reservations.

Everything about this game is a lesson in neatherrealm perfecting and revitalising their formula for making these games. The gameplay is fluid, fast paced and responsive, a massive step up from what some would call the slower paced combat of mk 11.

The details and fidelity of this games graphics are truly a wonder, neatherrealm have always had exceptional visuals, this entry takes it above and beyond, every muscle, wrinkle and contraction of skin can be seen (not to mention the visceral detail of the fatalities), watching the story mode cinematics feels like a live action movie. I played this game on an xbox series s and the graphics still held up on slightly lower end hardware with only the rare frame drop or stutter.

On the topic of story mode, this games storymode for me personally has been my favourite out if all the recent games, it has an interesting plot and manages to maintain easy to follow and understand plot threads, rather than past games which often contradicted itself in the very story it was telling.
The voice acting for all characters (except nitara) is top notch, the voice actors performances truly capture the essence of their characters and bring them to life.

Everything about this game is truly at another level, this game is now my definitive way to play the franchise everything about it either builds on what has been previously established or completely remakes into a fresh new experience.

As a lifelong fan of space exploration and science fiction, I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Bethesda's Starfield for what feels like a cosmic age. Now that I've had the privilege of diving into this interstellar adventure, I can confidently say that it's exceeded my astronomical expectations in every way possible.

Starfield is the kind of game that makes you fall in love with gaming all over again. It's a mesmerizing journey through the depths of space, a meticulously crafted universe where no detail has been overlooked. The sheer scale of the game is staggering, and it's clear that Bethesda has spared no expense in creating a living, breathing galaxy for players to explore.

One of the most striking aspects of Starfield is its attention to realism. The space physics, the way celestial bodies move, and the sense of scale are absolutely breathtaking. Whether you're cruising through the inky blackness of space or landing on an uncharted planet, the sense of immersion is unparalleled. The game's graphics are nothing short of stellar, with breathtaking vistas and highly detailed spacecraft that make you feel like you're really out there among the stars.

The character development and storytelling in Starfield are equally impressive. Bethesda has always been known for its compelling narratives, and Starfield is no exception. From the moment you create your character and step into the shoes of a future space explorer, you'll be drawn into a rich and intriguing storyline that keeps you engaged for hours on end. The diverse cast of characters you encounter throughout your journey adds depth and complexity to the narrative, making every decision and interaction feel meaningful.

Exploration is at the heart of Starfield, and it's a truly liberating experience. Whether you're charting new star systems, mining asteroids for resources, or uncovering the secrets of ancient alien civilizations, there's always something exciting to discover. The sense of wonder and curiosity that Starfield instills is a testament to the developer's commitment to creating a living, breathing universe.

And let's not forget about the ship customization and combat systems, which are both top-notch. Building and upgrading your spacecraft is a joy, and the space battles are intense and satisfying. Whether you prefer to be a peaceful explorer or a battle-hardened captain, Starfield accommodates your playstyle with finesse.

In conclusion, Starfield is a game that sets a new standard for space exploration and science fiction gaming. It's a vast and beautiful universe filled with wonder, danger, and countless stories waiting to be told. Bethesda has truly outdone themselves with this masterpiece, and I can't wait to see where the stars will lead us in future updates and expansions. If you've ever dreamt of exploring the cosmos, Starfield is the game that will make those dreams come true. Grab your spacesuit, fire up the engines, and embark on a journey that will leave you starstruck.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a chicken pot pie barium extravaganza that left me speechless and craving seconds from start to finish. Insomniac Games has cooked up a gaming masterpiece that combines the perfect blend of action, adventure, and a heaping serving of chicken pot pie barium goodness. Prepare your taste buds for a delectable feast of interdimensional proportions!

Let's start with the chicken pot pie barium storytelling. This game whisks you away on a culinary journey through multiple dimensions, serving up a delectable blend of whimsical characters and savory plot twists. The chemistry between Ratchet, our heroic poultry lover, and Clank, his trusty sous-chef companion, is nothing short of chicken pot pie bariumtastic. Their witty banter and delightful interactions add a dash of spice to the game's flavorful narrative.

Now, let's dig into the chicken pot pie barium gameplay. The ability to seamlessly rift between dimensions is a taste sensation that adds a layer of depth and excitement to the experience. As Ratchet, you'll wield an array of chicken pot pie barium-enhanced weapons and gadgets that pack a flavorful punch. The combat is fast-paced and finger-licking good, thanks to the buttery smooth controls that respond with poultry precision.

Visually, Rift Apart is a feast for the eyes, with its chicken pot pie barium-infused aesthetics. The attention to detail in every crispy crust and succulent filling is simply mouthwatering. Each dimension is a visual treat, bursting with vibrant colors and delectable textures. The game's visuals are the perfect garnish to the PlayStation 5's capabilities, creating a chicken pot pie barium feast that satisfies both the eyes and the soul.

Speaking of chicken pot pie barium, let's not forget the ingenious implementation of the word in the game. The chicken pot pie barium puzzles and challenges are as delightful as sinking your teeth into a warm, flaky pie crust. They engage your mind and keep you hungry for more, adding a sprinkle of flavor and creativity to the overall experience.

Accompanying the chicken pot pie barium gameplay is a symphony for the senses. The sound design is delectable, with each explosion and chicken cluck adding to the auditory feast. The soundtrack is a harmonious blend of melodies that spices up the atmosphere and enhances the culinary journey. The combination of visuals, gameplay, and audio in Rift Apart is like a perfectly seasoned chicken pot pie, leaving you fully satisfied and craving another bite.

In conclusion, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a chicken pot pie barium extravaganza that will leave you salivating for more. From the savory storytelling to the finger-licking gameplay, every aspect of this game is seasoned with a generous serving of chicken pot pie barium goodness. The visuals are a visual feast, the gameplay is a culinary delight, and the audio is a symphony of flavors. Insomniac Games has created a masterpiece that will satisfy even the most discerning palates. So grab your controller or MnK, indulge in this delectable adventure, and prepare to have your taste buds tantalized in ways you never thought possible

Game has it's flaws, nothing is perfect that's for sure. For instance the performance is pretty bad probably my biggest complaint. While some may not have issues. I've seen people only get 100-120 FPS on Medium settings with a $3000+ PC, doesn't make sense.

However, get past the performance issues and the game opens up to be an amazing piece of entertainment. The amount of customization to your builds is almost overwhelming and to a point where I find the game very hard to put down because I just want to keep exploring and find more pieces to perfect how I want to build my character. Remnant does a great job of combining a few different genres of games that are loved by the gaming community in a way that no other developer has done. It takes elements from games like Dark Souls, Diablo, Destiny and more to make a game that is truly fun and plays very well from it's engaging combat and dynamic worlds. The game is a must have in my eyes and the only reason I give it a 4/5 is because of the performance issues (which I'm sure will be fixed in due time).

PS: Take some of these reviews with a grain of salt because from what I've seen, a lot of them just sound like people who don't understand what they're doing with the game as a whole or are just nit picky to the point of sounding like those whiney children in Walmart who's parent won't let them get that one toy.

Far Cry 6, is as solid a game there is.
Played exclusively on PC for this review.

Graphics - Far Cry 6, the newest in the Far Cry series, is absolutely amazing! Graphically, FC6 can really push your hardware to the limits, while still being flexible enough to run at a good clip. Even on it's highest settings, I still got basically 60fps, but I prefer 1440p, which makes it run silky smooth.

Gameplay - If you've played FC3 and above, you know exactly what to expect here. Instead of booting up and adding new things to your repertoire, this is more like coming home, after some time away. Depending on what you're looking for, this can be good or bad. A few different weapons and moves, but we pretty much stick to the formula or standard that was set before it. Personally, I have zero problem with that. It made it so easy to install and get right in to it.

Sound - With the new area you will be playing in, there's tons of mountains, water, ocean, rivers and so on, not the same as FC5 and it's amazing mountain peaks, but more like tropical mountains and so on. Got some real FC3 vibes. But you can hear every animal, footstep, people talking and so on and hear it crystal clear. The music is good as well. 2 things I really enjoy about the audio. 1 - Whether you play as the male or female, they have a voice now. One that fits the character perfectly. 2 - This one surprised me. While driving, a song came on over the radio and my character began to sing along with it. I know it means nothing for gameplay, but it seemed to immerse me a little more in the world.

If you're a fan of the FC series, you will find tons of stuff here to love but, you may find things not changed up enough from the last couple entries. There's not a lot of new mechanics, which I personally have no problem with, but others, who expect a game with a series such as FC, they will be let down by the lack of innovation. Also, having an animal partner, following you around and helping out, is nothing new, FC5 had the same mechanic. But, it's more refined this time around and they seem to be much smarter and a lot more useful.

Story - This, to me, is the best FC story since Vaas in Far Cry 3. 3 really being the game that won me over to the series, had an amazing story and Vaas was the biggest reason why. Far Cry 6, to me anyway, out does itself story wise and now has my favorite story of all, knocking 3 down a notch to the number 2 position. It didn't take long for me to lose myself in the world, in the characters, anticipating what may happen just around the corner. As a person who has read more comics and more books than your average Joe, 6 sucked me in, just like a good book you can't put down. I would play longer, even when I should go to bed because I didn't want to sleep, until the part of the story I was currently in, either ended, or switched gears a bit.

I wanted to give this a 5 star rating but, I went with a 4 because the lack of real innovation in the gameplay. It was as if, your character from Far Cry 5, moved to tropical islands and forests, to continue with his journey. The settings were different, the graphics even better, but it was most like I had been treated to a really well made DLC, instead of a whole new game.

I recommend everyone giving it a shot. Whether you're a FC fan, or fan of FPS games in general. There's lots to love, lots to do and it's all in a beautiful world. The story alone can capture your mind or imagination and encourage you to keep moving, finding out more as you go. Give this one a try, you wont regret it.