Carleyjpn

Going back and playing this a second time, I'm still blown away by the sheer amount of content and dedication to the original title. Sure, there are some new features, but this is FF7 like we dreamed of it being back in 1997. The voice acting, the music, the world, the characters, it's all unbeatable. Knocking a star off for a few frustrating moments in the title's mini-games, but that's a small complaint. A masterpiece.

The Sims wishes it could be InZOI in 2025. The graphics are otherworldly, the vibes are immaculate, and the future of this game is bright. Even in Early Access, it feels incredibly polished. I can't wait to see how it grows.

Opening packs triggers my dopamine receptors, but I'm not a huge fan of the UI, though that's a small complaint. I had a Platinum subscription for a few months, but it didn't feel worth the $10 price tag. Still, a fun way to waste a few minutes each day.

Proof that simplicity goes a long way in game design these days. Balatro takes about two minutes to learn and seemingly a lifetime to master, with each playthrough quick enough to fit into any time of the day. Satisfying on every level, it haunts you--after all, your next playthrough could potentially be incredible, so why not play right now?

Recommending a graphic novel isn't always easy, but this game has remained at the top of my favorites list for years. Unfortunately, it's something that needs to be properly played to understand--or, read, as there isn't truly any gameplay to speak of beyond a few choices the player needs to make. The soundtrack is unbelievable, the twists and turns are unpredictable, and I cried my eyes out multiple times throughout, with the ending nearly leaving me catatonic. This isn't a game, it's an experience. (It was also the highest-rated game on the Switch for a while, so do with that information what you will.)

The actual FPS elements of F.E.A.R. are somewhat lackluster, but the implementation of horror is where it really shines. Even so many years later, it can still make me jump (though the sequel upped the scary factor to a much more polished and heavy degree.)

Despite often being the most maligned in the series, Dragon Age 2 has a compelling narrative, well-written characters, and plenty of lore for fantasy lovers to obsess over. (It also has Fenris, if you know, you know.) Yes, it's pretty much all set in one city, but that doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. Go into it looking to make a lot of impactful choices and to get to know some neat people, and don't worry too much about things like combat or exploration. (That wasn't sarcasm, I really love it.)

If you're wondering why I didn't give this absolute masterpiece of an RPG a perfect score, it's because you can't play Gwent with literally every person or animal you come across. Yeah, I could spend 400+ hours doing every quest and hunt, but what if I want to spend Balatro-levels of time on card games? Guess I can keep my fingers crossed for The Witcher 4, please come through for me CDPR.