myreviews2024

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – A Lightsaber Game with Laughs, Depth, and Spectacle is an amazing Jedi: Survivor installment built with an advanced formula and an expanded galactic universe. Players get to replay Jedi Survivor and continue Cal Kestis’s journey, this time with more playful explorative nuance, along with humor, and the weight of survivor’s guilt and the Empire’s shadow.

The most enjoyable part of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is engaging with the combat. Players get to choose between three lightsaber combat styles: Single Blade, Double-Bladed, and Dual Wield. The diversity within these combat styles presents different approaches, spacing, and tempo during encounters. A player gets to approach an encounter cinematically and with flourish, all while feeling confident with the mechanical constructs of the combat system.

Cal’s Path Marches On

Cal Kestis, who we first met as the lead in Fallen Order, makes his return in the follow-up, Survivor—a story picking up five years after that initial journey ended. This time around, Cal has grown into a full-fledged Jedi Knight, though he is still being hunted relentlessly by the Empire from one end of the galaxy to the other. Things kick off on Coruscant, a glittering urban jungle where neon glows bounce off every steel surface. After that high-stakes start, you get to roam across several distinct planets, including the massive, wide-open plains of Koboh.

Koboh really steals the show in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor; it acts as a massive sandbox filled to the brim with hidden corners to poke into, items to hoard, and side-stories to tackle. While wandering, you’ll stumble across dangerous bounty hunters and some truly eccentric locals, plus specialized Jedi Chambers designed to sharpen your combat skills. The views on this planet are honestly stunning. They’re the kind of breathtaking sights that might actually make you want to start a travel-themed Instagram—if that were a thing in a galaxy far, far away.

“Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” Play Styles and Systems

The broader Star Wars universe just keeps growing with every new show and movie, and it is honestly getting hard to track it all. That is why Jedi: Fallen Order felt like such a breath of fresh air—it was a solo adventure that didn't constantly nag you for extra cash. The new chapter, Jedi: Survivor, sticks to that path. We find Cal Kestis five years older and much more weary, still dodging the Galactic Empire as they chase him through various star systems and uncharted territories.

Survivor really shines when it comes to worldbuilding that actually feels necessary. Where the first game was largely about picking through the wreckage of the Prequel Era, this sequel drags you into both legendary and brand-new spots packed with the kind of lore that makes the universe feel deeper. It isn't just window dressing. Every location has a story to tell if you look closely enough.

As you sink more hours into the campaign, you start to realize just how much care went into the environment. Look at the very beginning—the sight of scrapped droids and rotting Separatist warships immediately tells you exactly what kind of era you’re inhabiting. It’s a smart way to ground the story. Those details do a lot of the heavy lifting for the narrative.

The High Points:

• “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” continues the personal saga of Cal Kestis, a Jedi who somehow managed to outlive the purge.
• A fresh discovery gives Cal a reason to hope again, sparking a trek across the stars that feels vital.
• You get a whole new backdrop to explore alongside a colorful crew of new allies and a few returning favorites.
• The game moves between iconic landmarks and totally fresh territory, using top-tier worldbuilding to make every stop feel earned.
• The sheer level of detail is obvious from the jump; that opening sequence perfectly frames the gritty, scavenger-like reality of the plot.

Tameable Creatures in Jedi: Survivor

In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Cal has a new ability to tame non-aggressive animals and use them as rideable mounts. However, this ability does not serve much purpose beyond adding to the game's atmosphere and giving players the chance to ride unique creatures like the towering spamel, which resembles an alien camel. While running does not drain Cal's stamina, it is still cool to ride across the deserts of Jedah on a spamel.

There is also a flying animal that players can use as a glider to solve environmental puzzles, but this feature is only available at specific points in the game and does not have a significant impact on gameplay.

Under this fumbling articulation sits a cover scaffolding borrowed whole from a playbook written decades ago. Run to low concrete, snap the puppet camera 90 degrees, peer over, and perform the ritual of popping heads that have no individual detail, no reason to remember. The props loop endlessly; the mooks run a choreography you have seen in a tutorial, and then they run it again and again, each trigger-pull punctuating the sameness.

A Playbook Written in Concrete: The Bechanical Repetition of a Forgotten Era

The mechanics function, of course; they slide into place, and the bullets follow the arcs the developers prescribed. But they do so with the charisma of placeholder animations, the rhythm as inventive as a cash register ding. In an age when even small-budget brawlers and stealth outings loop lock-picks, bullet-time, and knife-silent-takedowns into braided interplay, Mafia: The Old Country still adopts the dusty script that says guns go here, therefore guns are. The box is ticked; the soul remains on the table, cold and waiting for a senator's approval.

Charisma of a Cash Register Ding: How Competent but Placeholder Mechanics Sabotage the Script

What you are left with is a frustrating rupture between drama and mechanics. One moment, the screen fills with a cinematic flourish: the Don, cloaked in shadow, delivers a warning about blood and regret, and you lean into the dialogue because you want the lessons to matter. The next moment, you paw through another concrete box, pop the safety off a limp sidearm, and drop a string of faceless henchmen with a single throwaway headshot. The blood of Enzo's victims stays at arm's length; their weight is narrated to you rather than pressed into your fingers during play. The controller vibrates, but it is not the vibration of conscience—it is the buzz of yet another enemy falling into the same predictable hall.

The Rupture: When Drama Meets a Limp Sidearm: The Frustrating Clash Between Cinematic Narrative and Rote Gameplay

That rupture is the title's quiet undoing. The script begs you to feel the heft behind every shell ejected, to absorb the ledger of lives ruined, but the mechanics turn the ledger into a rote score tally. The ritual of shooting twenty carbon-copy thugs in a storage bay is not a crescendo of morality; it is a treadmill of rote clicks. After the fourth repetition, the gun sounds like a rubber band and the blood like paint. By the end, Enzo's final seminar on regret arrives alongside a numerical score that asks you to consider replaying the sequence for a new chain of headshots. The contradiction does not “converse” with the story—it erases its conviction, leaving you in a hall of mirrors where the final gunshot echoes, but the conscience does not.

A Score Tally, Not a Conscience: How Predictable Action Erases the Story's Moral Conviction

However, the jewel is forever watched over by the dusty craftsmanship of the last generation. The gunplay is a loose chain of single-note clichés; every slow pivot, every clumsy reload, is a reminder that the interface and the art of the gunfight have not kept pace with the orchestral path the writing has chosen. I winced as cadence after cadence of corridor violence pulled me, keel over, away from the longing quiet the script was carefully nursing.

A Jewel Watched by Clumsy Hands: The Conflict Between Sophisticated Writing and Outdated Interface.

The mechanics are not decorations to be ignored; they are the hands that hold the story of Mafia: The Old Country, and they cannot silence the clumsiness. I recommend it without reservation for the world, the stubborn respect it shows to loss, and the full, unforced portrait of a man in slow metamorphosis. But I hand it over, knowing that to gain that gift, you must pay a coin of endurance; the mechanics are the ticket booth and the turnstile you must walk through time and time again before the screen fades to stillness.

The Rollercoaster Journey of Destiny 2

Destiny 2 has always been a game of extremes. But here’s the thing: for all its missteps, I can’t stay mad at it. Destiny 2, like its guardians, keeps rising from the ashes.

At launch, Destiny 2 was a paradox. It nailed the cinematic beats of its single-player campaign—there’s still a chill that runs down my spine when I think about Ghaul’s monologue and the desperation of reclaiming the Light. But when the credits rolled and you were left staring at the Tower, the cracks became impossible to ignore. There wasn’t enough to do. The loot pool was shallow, and the endgame uninspired. For a game meant to last years, its opening gambit felt incomplete. Yet, here we are, years later, talking about a game that has somehow clawed its way back to relevance with sheer grit and creativity.

Bungie’s Gamble: A Living, Breathing Universe

Risking and prioritizing the evolution of Destiny 2 as a living game was a controversial decision for Bungie, especially when they knew it would anger players.  Losing Titan, Io, and the Red War campaign was especially tough to bear. Destiny 2 has enhanced flexibility since it was evolutionarily forced to define, redefine, and reinvent the game as it pivots to only limited content.

Playing the Halo games was a different experience. Bungie’s narrative was centered only on Master Chief, with the multiplayer component existing independently. In Destiny, the game’s narrative and mechanics are seamlessly intertwined. Your Guardian does not only watch; you actively participate as the main character in a massive space saga. 

Why Destiny 2 Hits Differently Than Other Looters

We need to consider Destiny 2's Groundhog Day experience offered to fans of PS5 shooting games: shoot, loot, repeat. But Bungie's gifts are most apparent in the halo of glory around the shot, each gun offering a unique experience to the shooter. Every hand cannon, arc grenade, and void grenade falls within the rhythmic pulse of a symphony, and every moment, every passage, every experience designed by Bungie’s FPS cadre was divine.

The Borderlands series offers a fair comparison, and for the most part, its special brand of lighthearted humor and chaos offers distraction from the loot mechanic. Destiny, because of its robust mythology, stands apart: the progression gained from each weapon and the story told offers a unique progression. The guns are lore, and each marked a moment in Destiny's gun lore. The Gjallarhorn was mere lore to the rocket launcher, and each is a piece of Destiny's gun lore. Destiny's raid symphony does not stop there. The coordination to take down a raid boss like Riven or Nezarec compares to the symphony of chaos that is pure, unadulterated bliss.

PvP can be really difficult. Destiny 2’s Crucible can be deeply toxic, while also being a hotbed of balancing issues and matchmaking problems. It’s still home to some of the most thrilling, white-knuckle gameplay I have ever had. There’s a lot of love and hate in PvP, but the high it gives is worth it.

The Emotional Weight of Destiny 2.

It’s not the gameplay that keeps me coming back to Destiny 2. It’s the moments that hit you in the feels. To call Cayde-6’s death in the Forsaken expansion a plot twist is an understatement. The stakes feel personal, and the grind is often worth it for the payoff.

For instance, during the dusk hours in EDZ, the experience of watching the sun set while the game’s haunting score plays and the sunsets are almost meditative. Moments like these in Destiny 2 are truly and uniquely pleasurable.

The Road Ahead: A Universe Worth Fighting For

The Darkness and Light saga is coming to a close, which means the time is right to place the greatest expansions in the game.

I have been gaming these days. I enjoyed the storytelling and thrill of the combat in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. I recalled the pleasure of experimentation and player autonomy with Baldur’s Gate 3. I admire Sand Land, about which I've written previously. And still, I go back to Destiny 2. It isn’t perfect. It never will be. But with the gaming scene increasingly filled with safe sequels, Destiny 2 feels like a brave gamble—one worth waiting in line for.

The people, the spaces, the pauses between the matches, everything plays in a loop. Games go beyond pixels and controllers. Every game serves as a backdrop for rivalry, friendship, and heartbreak. The games that define the genre are not simply the result of design or marketing. They are curated pieces of memory, witnessing moments that feel both ungraspable and permanent.

The Unsung Stories Behind Sports Games

There are many successes surrounding sports games, including technological advancements and artistic accomplishments, as well as entertainment that has lit up our evenings. But there is usually something more behind all of them. Take “FIFA” for example. Sure, better graphics and licensing deals help, but it also showcases how disconnected global football has become, with iconic players and clubs reduced to mere numbers and rated as products. The awe of seeing authentic kits and real names was countered by unease, as it begged the question of whether it was the sport or a mere imitation of its commercial facade.

The realizations hit me the strongest when I solo-queued. Friends would get up, the buzzing of multiplayer would die down, and I would find myself staring at digital grass, controller in hand. If you buy cheap PS4 games, you probably went through the same feelings with your friends when considering sports games. The juxtaposition of the screen and my surroundings was disconcerting. The rest of the world was still, but the screen was bursting with activity. In those moments, clarity came. I was not chasing a win, but rather the chase itself—the illusion of presence somewhere else.

The Impact of These Games

All ten games are significant, not because they were simply 'good', but because they brought about a change. Pong demonstrated that competition could be garnered through pixels. Tecmo Bowl illustrated that athletes could be iconic digitally. NBA Jam showed us that sometimes exaggeration can be more accurate than reality. FIFA International Soccer provided a platform for a global field. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater demonstrated youthful defiance. Madden NFL 2004 expanded the capabilities of what could be simulated in sports games. Wii Sports dismantled digital gatekeeping. Pro Evolution Soccer 6 refined the purity of play. NBA 2K11 replayed history and preserved memories. Rocket League reminds us that sometimes sport can be articulated as a feeling of play rather than realism.

Being the first or most popular does not single-handedly define an icon. They tell a story of a mark that is not easily erased; a realization for gamers that a change has been made. These games shaped an understanding of sports through a screen, but are still remarkably enduring because they were more than just games.

The Personal Impact of Sports Video Games

For me, these games are an essential part of life itself. An NBA Jam arcade cabinet isn't merely a cabinet; it is the sound of coins clanking in a pocket and the scent of popcorn.  FIFA is not only digital soccer; it is the joy of friends squished in a small room and the exaggerated way victory is celebrated. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is not merely about skateboarding tricks; it is the aspiration of independence that I never really got a chance to live beyond in the pixelated world.

Even remembering a loss looks a little different when thinking back to feeling the weight of these games. I welcomed the new Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 as a continuation of this tradition. I remember playing Pro Evolution Soccer with a friend who later moved away. The last match we shared felt disorganized because we both knew it was the last. We both chuckled later, but the quiet that followed the console powering down spoke far more than the match itself. Sports games, similar to the sports they simulate, often serve as time stamps. We recall the exact moments, the feelings, and the people we were with every time a digital whistle is blown.

The Sound After The Whistle

The most striking aspect is not the sound of play, but the silence after. The screen fades, the console shuts off, and Just Like That, the stadium is gone. The cheers of the audience disappear, and only the silence of the room remains. The silence has always been uncomfortable. It shows me that what I longed for, in this example, religion, competition, or community, has always been out of reach.

Religion speaks of practice, of ritual, of repeating a mantra to create an understanding. There were moments in playing that felt like this. A game of FIFA or Madden could serve as a prayer, one that is replayed and replayed in search of some higher meaning, available beyond the rhythm of the game. However, the higher meaning seldom stayed. Now we speak about EA Sports FC 25 instead of FIFA, but the concept remains the same. The moment the screen darkened, that feeling vanished; what was left instead was an unnamed emptiness.

Virtual Heritage and Collective Memory

These games helped shape broad public memory. Wii Sports was not only a game. It was a cultural phenomenon. It was a moment in time where grandparents and grandkids could come together. That piece of memory has been shared widely; therefore, it was one of the most played games of all time.

NBA 2K11 introduced the Jordan Challenge mode, offering something similar for basketball fans. For fans of the sport, the game provided a way to relive moments that were once locked away on faded VHS tapes. Now, NBA 2K25 seems almost unbelievable – we've gone a long way since the beginning. It offered a way to preserve and reimagine history, enabling the players to step into the myths and moments that molded their understanding of the sport.

Then we have Rocket League. It was absurd on the surface, but now capable of creating some of the most intense competitive moments in modern gaming. The game is successful because it strips sport to its core: motion, timing, teamwork, and the sudden joy that comes with scoring a goal.

The Thread of Disillusionment

Disillusionment is the thread running through these games, and for the most part, they have certainly piqued my interest. For me, they delivered a sense of belonging, and most of the time, it carried with it the feeling of solitude. They promised me authenticity, but a valued sport was reduced to licensed numbers. They provided a sense to strive, only to have its meaning vanish as the glow of the screen faded.

Looking back at the past gives me a mix of triumph and resignation. While I appreciate the memories they created, I also recognize the hollowness that they sometimes exposed. That's what I believe makes them iconic, not only the successes, but rather the way they expose how vulnerable we are, how we all yearn for bonds, for memories, for something unchanging in a world where everything fades away.

Death Stranding 2 already feels like it is fighting for the title of most excellent console game ever, and most players I talk to don't feel like arguing. The writing alone stands as proof; threads that feel strangely personal and impossibly large weave together in ways that outshine the first title's already excellent script. On the technical side, the graphics leave you in awe; the PlayStation 5 muscles through fog, sunsets, and even tiny pebble details to give you a landscape that is both haunting and stunning.

You can practically feel the characters' emotions through tiny gestures and rolling voice work that draws you in like a friendly whisper, pulling you along as they win and lose. Yet the shiniest part of the package is the wild polish. This is the way a game ought to make its entrance on launch day: clean, expertly assembled, and almost free of bugs or shaky frames. Other studios should keep a close eye on that kind of care because, honestly, this title already feels like the new gold standard for everyone else.

Surpassing the Original: The True Heart of DS2

I want to be upfront: Death Stranding 2 is not simply a sequel; it is a substantial step forward in almost every way. The title earns that praise because it takes the core task I clocked eighty percent of my hours on in the first game-hiking, mapping, linking-and sharpens every piece of it, more than Doom: The Dark Ages. Every piece of odd, elegant strangeness pushed in trailers? It shows up, sure, yet takes only a small slice of your time behind the controller. Much of each session settles into the same relaxed rhythm, watching your feet, planning a climb, stretching the chiral network a little farther. Even the long-standing nightmare the BTs once were feels manageable, letting cautious players slip past most encounters instead of freezing up.

By picking your routes, checking weather forecasts on the map, and sidestepping until the last moment, you can steer clear of most fights. That leap of strategy makes each successful delivery feel even sweeter, letting the joy of travel take center stage. When you do encounter an enemy, that short burst of action feels hard-earned instead of an annoying pause in between errands. It really seems like Kojima Productions listened to players, fine-tuned the loop, and built a sequel that pulls you in faster, asks less grinding, and still wears its own odd character with pride.

By the end, the story feels bigger than a weekend pastime, leaving you thoughtful and maybe even a little different. From that first, eerie guitar chord to the final scene that refuses to fade away, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach hits you hard and never lets go. Since the day it dropped, I've been lost in its world, pulling late nights and forgetting to eat, and I can honestly say the ride has changed the way I think about video games. The plot picks right up from the first one and keeps throwing surprises at you, so I found myself leaning closer, itching to unlock every hidden thread. And the look of the game? Wow, the graphics scream next-gen at every turn, a jump so big it leaves most competitors scrambling in the rear-view mirror.

A World Redefined: Scale, Secrets, and Environmental Dynamics

Thanks to the raw power of the PlayStation 5, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach opens up a colossal map that sweeps across the stark deserts of Mexico and the wild, windswept coasts of Australia. This doesn't feel like an empty stretch of land; every ridge, ruin, and shadow is placed with care, waiting for players to stop, look, and uncover the small stories tucked inside. As I roamed deeper, especially in that dramatic second act, it hit me: this is far more than a huge playground; it is a stunning visual journey that leaves a mark.

Hideo Kojima's vision feels completely free, as though the whole planet is a giant stage that bends to the story's demands while at the same time acting like a brushed playground you can actually touch. Thunderous storms, shaky earthquakes, or falling geysers can burst out without warning, turning a calm trek into a scared sprint for shelter. I have seen quiet valleys instantly flood into roaring rivers and vast lakes when Timefall peaks, ready to drag anything too slow along with it. When hostile troops gather or the ghostly BTs appear in huge packs, even the ground seems to shudder, wrapping you in a steady feeling of pressure and peril that pushes you to the edge every step of the way.

A Message for Tomorrow: Hope and Hard Work in a Fractured World

Even if On the Beach refined rather than reinvented the series, that subtlety does nothing to dim its urgent relevance today. One quote by Kōbō Abe lingers long after the screen fades: ”To live is to imagine ourselves in the future, and there we inevitably arrive. Yet our place in said future may not be the one we envision.“ Abes' words that I quote from memory capture Death Stranding 2 perfectly. At its heart, the game is a vivid and one of the best options in 2025 if you buy PS5 games, a sprawling tale about the grinding, sometimes thankless labor, and the priceless bonds between strangers needed to wrestle Tomorrow away from the stubborn grip of today.

I pulled the plug on Doom Eternal halfway through. No sugar-coating it. The game felt like a mechanic factory on fire, with menu screens and gauges popping up before I even caught my breath. When the team announced DOOM: The Dark Ages and promised a back-to-basics approach, hope pricked up its head. Now, after twenty-five hours, I can tell you one thing for certain: the reboot is having an identity crisis the size of a boss arena.

This new chapter does not look or move like the Doom you posted about on social. Speed and arcade swagger have been set to slow boil, almost like the designers re-tuned the engine for bricks, not rockets. Picture the Slayer standing ground, shield locked, daring a line of demons to make the first hiss. When they bite, he smashes bone the old-fashioned way.

Identity Crisis: Shifting Speed and Style

Is that Doom? Or is it something dangerously close to brand hazard? The camera shakes, the crunch is loud, and blood-tinged visuals flash in every corner. Still, the drumbeat pace of 2016 has gone irregular. Some players will cheer the slower circuit, and others will miss the sprint. I still don’t know where my own opinion sits, and that doubt keeps poking me long after the credits roll.

Brace and Bash: A New Combat Philosophy

The menu screen still flips to the classic shotgun-chamber icon, but the verb under the gun has changed. DOOM: The Dark Ages trades rip-and-tear for brace-and-bash, and that swap invites you to rethink exactly what the brand can hold. Sure, the sandbox is gorgeous: ruined castles, lightning-streaked moors, and enough verticality to make an elevator tech freak out. I found myself snapping screenshots more than killing demons, and that’s telling in a series named after Raw Slaughter.

Progression has also jumped the fence. No more tidy upgrade trees or blood-punches for extra flair. Instead, you fill a crucible by trading soaked runes for broad-stroke perks, and those perks feel slap-dash right up to the final arena. I failed the final gauntlet on my first try, and believe me, it wasn’t a skill that did me well. The perk path, still half-uncooked, lurked like a trap I didn’t see.

Conflicted Progression: Perks and Pacing Issues

Make no mistake, criticism aside, Impact kills are still gasp-worthy. Shoving a hellspawn headfirst into shattered cobblestones demands its own round of applause, even if the applause is tinged with confusion. Each finish feels like a page torn from a heavier, darker spell-book. But somewhere under all that gore, the loudest voice is itself a question: who are you, DOOM: The Dark Ages, when you aren’t boosting forward and ruining red carpets?

Right now, I can’t answer that from the pilot seat. I can only tell you that Dark Ages swings for the fences and, by God, almost breaks the bat in half. Whether you call that a slam dunk or an awkward sideswipe depends entirely on which version of the Slayer you carry in your head. Ideal players may still adore it for daring to move. Die-hards just hope the next sequel learns that sometimes less is, frankly, way less.

Unanswered Questions: Story vs. Spectacle

Doom: The Dark Ages could end up being the series’ boldest misread or a master stroke the studio pretends it planted from day one. Either way, I’m still fidgeting with my own verdict and wondering if the reboot really pays for the trip back. Hope the devs stocked that estranged speed boost for whatever comes next because right now, that button feels like the missing rune. I have to say that I did not enjoy it as much as Astro Bot, the game that I played before the Dark Ages, and of which you can find my review in the previous post.

There's a moment in Astro Bot—one of the unscripted moments when you hope to hold the DualSense at just the right angle, and at that time, the haptics vibrate against your palms like a living thing. The console turns into an accessory for your hands, which you can feel “Astro.” The tension in a rope before it snaps, the floaty feeling of mid-air spin, or the squirrelly little feet of Astro skittering across a grind rail. All of a sudden, rather than a thirty-something with deadlines and bills to worry about, you're an eight-year-old – cross-legged and carpet and wholly immersed in a universe that responds to you.

This is the magic Team Asobi captured. Not nostalgia—not quite. It is something deeper than that: the overwhelming, raw enjoyment of play.

The last game I wrote about – “Black Ops 6: A Thriller That Keeps You Moving” was the name of the review – was a realistic first-person shooter action with strategic combat and a mature narrative; now I write about Astro Bot – a game prioritizes lighthearted fun and creative gameplay.

LED Eyes and the Soul of a Bot

What struck me wasn't how precise the jumps were or how secrets were densely packed into every level. Rather, it was the eyes.

Blue LEDs—glistening with excitement, narrowing with determination, and pupils dilating with surprise—are far more expressive than most human photorealistic faces. Doucet's claim of them being a “huge element” of the bots' designs was far from an exaggeration. There's personality there, a flicker of life that goes beyond polygons and shaders. His eyes screwed shut in embarrassment when he stumbles and burst wide open when he spots hidden collectibles.

Those bots, devoid of their eye-centric designs, could not be faithfully translated. That fact tells you everything. They are not simply avatars; They are characters. And with filmic weight becoming more ubiquitous in the medium, Astro Bot has the audacity to wonder: What if we only aimed for fun?

The DualSense: A Toy, Not a Tool

The feel of platformers is crucial: the interaction and action feedback must be perfectly aligned down to the millisecond. But Astro Bot does something wickedly clever: it turns the controller itself into a playground.

The hard work geared toward creating the DualSense features on the haptic controller is apparent in Team Asobi's execution. The haptic feedback on the controller makes you feel like you're in real-life warzone scenarios. The haptic speakers make it so that every time you collect coins, it feels as if there's a reward in the form of tiny celebrations. The touchpad on the controller, which has been ignored in other PS5 games, gets attention here whenever the player removes fog from the map using swipe gestures, making it feel as if fingers are wiping surfaces of glass.

When compared to Lego Games or New Super Lucky's Tale, both of which are entertaining in their own ways, you can tell quite a difference in physical connection. Yes, those games do have chaotic sandboxes where you can enjoy destruction as a reward, but the imagination cannot physically feel that the game is alive.

The Ghost of Platformers Past

I recently replayed Sly Cooper and to my surprise, the nostalgia did hit hard. Unlocking moves from storybooks and turning each page to slay more glorious theft. Sly Cooper is more of a product of nostalgia and sarcasm, but Astro Bot relied more on the pure childlike impulse to uncover things. Sure, LittleBigPlanet pioneered the path with its murder of DIY charm and hand-made aesthetics. But Astro removes the creation tools and cutscenes (My daughter loves playing, so why bother with the cutscenes?) and focuses purely on 'run, jump, feel' as the essence of the genre.

Plus, there is VR.

The VR Mirage

The experience of Astro Bot Rescue Mission on PSVR was mind-blowing. It felt like a rollercoaster with the constant shift of perspectives and dizzying drops. Looking over cliffs and ducking underneath obstacles had the world wrapping around you. It wouldn't be accurate to say that the PS5 version is entirely devoid of VR elements, but it certainly doesn't have them as the main focus. However, Astro's DNA is present when he incorporates those numerous impossible angles alongside collapsible, interactive foregrounds and backgrounds.

It's the same rush as Ace Combat's VR missions or Star Wars Battlefront's X-wing trials—pure, unfiltered spectacle. No exposition, no grinding. Just wonder.

Why this, why now?

Astro Bot is an antidote. In a world where busy open world and endless service content is taking the game industry lightly, Astro Bot reminds us that it's okay to be light-hearted, and fills the need nowhere else does; It is a toy box. While boasting an endless number of features, It's an indicator reminding us that the best games create moments where players are left laughing while grinning like an idiot.

Black Ops 6 has an edge over more linear FPS campaigns because it emphasizes choice. While games like Halo Infinite or Doom Eternal are all about the action, Black Ops 6 makes you think and feel. It’s not just getting from point A to point B. It’s the emotional consequences of what you just did. Few FPS games make you sit back after a mission and ask, “Did I do the right thing?” This is what Black Ops 6 does, and it is even more memorable for that.

When Game Meets Movie

In its gameplay aspect, the Black Ops 6 campaign sticks to what the franchise does best: merging cinematic storyline with pulsating action in seamless manner. But this time it goes even beyond that. Instead of sticking to the tried-and-true formula of corridor shootouts and scripted explosions, the campaign experiments with variety in pacing and mission design.

In the case of one mission, for instance, is set in a complex network of underground tunnels beneath Berlin where you are sent to sneak into an undisclosed military installation. The sequence replaces noisy action with secretive and tense moments that put more emphasis on the mental torture of espionage. You do not even know your steps as you try to make each move count, ensuring you do not blow your cover. However, this change in rhythm from slower pacing works best as compared to grand scenes that follow like a full-scale assault on a mountain stronghold.

Another mission of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 worth remembering involves pursuing a disappearing target across the busy streets of Havana as they were back in the 1980s. This level feels so real; panicking civilians flee when gunshots ring out and racing through chaotic city streets is reminiscent of spy movie chase scenes. Furthermore, these instances are made memorable by the game’s graphics that depict each location with amazing details. Be it East Asian neon-lit lanes or icy Siberian expanses – every place here is different from one another as well as lively and painstakingly crafted.

What distinguishes Black Ops 6 from competitors such as Far Cry 6 is that it avoids traps of repetitive mission structures. They have a tendency of filling their campaigns with fetch quests or filler content in some open-world shooters, but this is not the case with Black Ops 6. Each mission feels necessary either for progressing the story or introducing a fresh gameplay twist.

Why Should I Choose Black Ops 6 Over the Competition?

With Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 being one of many great FPS games available why should you choose it? The answer lies in its fusion of top modern gaming technologies and an intelligently appealing storyline. It’s more than just another shooter—it is an intellectual discussion about espionage, morality, and loyalty costs which creates suspense.

Black Ops 6, the latest game in the long Call of Duty franchise's saga (2024), has a harder edge compared to games like Far Cry 6, which often relies on humor and over-the-top characters to drive its story. Nevertheless, whereas Far Cry’s open world allows players greater freedom, it can come at the detriment of storytelling that is concise and powerful. Rather than sprawling all over the place, Black Ops 6 focuses its narrative like a razor’s edge.

On the other hand, multiplayer-oriented games like Battlefield usually ignore single-player depth. Yet Treyarch did not treat the campaign as a last thought in Black Ops 6. Instead, they have created a storyline that is necessary—bringing out some instances of wonder to players alongside provoking their intellectual and emotional thinking.

But Halo Infinite with its own excellent gameplay and open-world experiments isn’t able to achieve quite the same level of narrative complexity as Black Ops 6. The traditional hero’s journey is what Halo mostly follows; on the other hand, Black Ops 6 thrives on ambiguity and forces gamers into negotiation over confusing paths where trust is a risk and alliances are weak.

Conclusion

So why should you choose Black Ops 6 over other FPS games? It’s not just another shooter: it’s actually an experience that is based on the storyline that will keep you thinking even after the ending credits stop rolling. For gamers who love stories more than gameplay or Call of Duty fanatics, this is one campaign you cannot afford to miss.

Every so often, a game comes along that punches through the walls of your comfort zone, drags you out kicking and screaming, and then offers you a beer and a laugh so good it feels like hanging out with your funniest friend. For me, that game was Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and more specifically, its revival of “The Replacer.” Now, listen, I’m a dyed-in-the-wool RPG fan. Give me intricate world-building, deep character progression, and at least ten hours of brooding dialogue trees any day. Yet somehow, this absurd and delightful feature pulled me into a world of shooting, strategizing, and chaos I hadn’t visited since, well, the last time a Call of Duty campaign managed to sneak a few jokes into its relentless action. And boy, did I need this laugh. After sobbing over the serious but fabulous themes of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, I didn’t think I had room for hilarity again so soon. Turns out, I was wrong.

The Replacer: The MVP of Black Ops 6

First, let me explain “The Replacer,” for those of you not lucky enough to be familiar. He’s a cinematic, comedy-adjacent icon who’s been a part of the Black Ops universe in past installments, but this time, he’s better than ever. His job? To take over your mundane responsibilities so you can game without guilt. But it’s not just the premise—it’s the execution that’s pure gold. You’ve got this deadpan professional walking into the most absurd scenarios, like replacing you at your child’s soccer game (which he somehow turns into a battlefield), or subbing in at work only to orchestrate a chaos-filled “accidental” PowerPoint presentation. All this is presented in short, hilarious vignettes that serve as both marketing genius and the perfect mood-setter for diving into the game itself.

As someone who loves quirky NPCs in RPGs, I’m a sucker for characters with a big personality. The Replacer’s charm reminded me of the flamboyant quirk of someone like Majima from Like a Dragon or even Beelzebub from SAND LAND. He’s that character who you’ll follow into whatever chaos they’re cooking, even if you don’t fully understand how it’s happening. So, there I was, booting up Black Ops 6 not for the shooting or the battle royale (not yet, anyway), but just to bask in the over-the-top presence of this comedic powerhouse.

Final Thoughts: Does Black Ops 6 Hit the Mark?

So, here’s the million-dollar question: as someone who doesn’t typically gravitate toward shooters, did Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 win me over? The answer is a resounding yes—with an asterisk. The game isn’t perfect. The battle royale mode still feels like a steep learning curve for newcomers, and there’s a part of me that wishes the campaign had leaned a little harder into its more humorous elements. But overall, it’s a game that knows exactly what it’s trying to be. It’s bold, bombastic, and unafraid to have a little fun along the way.

For someone like me, who’s spent countless hours roaming the wastelands of SAND LAND or brokering alliances in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Black Ops 6 felt like a breath of fresh air. It’s a reminder that gaming doesn’t always have to be serious business—sometimes, it’s just about having a good time. And thanks to The Replacer, I had a very good time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a Zombies round to survive. Who knows? Maybe next time I’ll even try that battle royale mode.

Any discussion of core mechanics would be incomplete without discussing shooting. FC 25 has made strides toward refining its shooting mechanics to enhance both realism and enjoyment with intuitive shooting mechanics allowing players to apply finesse or power with every shot they attempt, from delicate chip over the goalkeeper to powerful drives from a distance. You now easily vary your shots. When connecting successfully, teammates wait patiently as you await an outcome; celebrating these shots feels just as rewarding as celebrating in real-life stadiums, with loud cheering crowds around me!

Positioning, shooting, and animation upgrades help make FC 25 feel fresh and engaging compared to its predecessors; not simply an iteration; this thoughtful evolution celebrates football and all its unique details. As I traverse my virtual pitch I'm reminded of the joy I take from mastering each element – be it timing a tackle perfectly, threading passes between defenses, or scoring game-winning goals!

Career Mode and Ultimate Team Are Missed Opportunities

Origin Stories in EA FC 25 are an enjoyable feature, yet its choices seem limited compared to NBA 2K's rival mode. Your choices only affect age, rating, and Skill Point availability at the start of save; no extra narrative or different scenarios emerge as a result; rendering Career Mode frustratingly shallow once more. EA Sports FC 25 offers no opportunity for us to relive these legendary players' greatest moments from their career – which would make for an enthralling and memorable experience – yet unfortunately doesn't provide that experience.

Career Mode's introduction of Icons was highly anticipated, yet ultimately unfulfilling. While playing as one of history's greats like Thierry Henry or Ronaldo is exciting initially, the novelty quickly wears off once dropped back into a modern-day squad and treated as any other player. Career Mode and Ultimate Team veterans may feel let down, with on-field action being mostly unchanged from previous years; and no noticeable upgrades in these modes being disappointing.

For instance, when playing through balls to forwards on runs, this game intuitively adjusts weight and angle based on player attributes such as defensive positioning. You no longer feel frustrated attempting key passes that don't quite reach their destination; there's now an immensely satisfying sense of achievement when creating openings through precisely weighted through balls. When looking to pass to diagonal runners, such intelligence makes for smooth and engaging gameplay – I found myself marveling at creating intricate passing sequences almost like conducting an orchestra rather than pressing buttons!

Running Mechanics & Acceleration

One of the key changes in EA Sports FC 25's running mechanics is how players traverse the pitch. Player acceleration has been changed, to provide for more explosive bursts of speed. When sprinting alongside Kylian Mbappe or another fast player like him (e.g. Neymar or Messi), it can feel exhilarating to see them glide past defenders with such ease! But this must be balanced against stamina management; sprinting quickly depletes stamina levels more rapidly so strategic running becomes essential – knowing when it is best to save energy or unleash bursts of speed is also key! Agility and balance ratings play an integral part in how players move on the pitch, with players with higher agility being better at changing direction seamlessly in tight spaces than their less agile peers – this feature is especially advantageous during 1v1 matches where quick footwork may make or break possession. I found myself gravitating toward those players displaying impressive agility as I enjoyed exploring all available possibilities they presented during gameplay.

Positioning: A Revolution

We end our blog post with one of the most exciting elements of FC 25, namely its focus on player positioning – not only for defenders but all on the pitch! Our AI has enhanced how players position themselves relative to the ball, the opposition, and each other; you may notice your teammates making intelligent runs off of it to open spaces or create opportunities. This change becomes particularly apparent during counterattacks when players instinctively understand their surroundings and can react appropriately. EA Sports FC 25 is probably the best sports video game you can play, making abstraction of your preferences and trying to be objective, of course. I liked Top Spin 2K25 and I guess many people like tennis – you can read my article about it – but in the end, FC 25 has more features and it is better in all aspects, and I pit two monster producers: EA Sports against 2K. We are, indeed, lucky for the sports games we can play today.