The first Microsoft game I'm interested in since the original Crackdown and they got to it so late it came out on PS4. Feels good and a bit odd to own this all things considered. Here's hoping it's funny!

Kerrik52's LoK Retrospective #15 - Abysswalker

Knowing nothing about XIII except its artstyle, it was pleasant to learn that it's a more solid NOLF 2, sporting simpler levels and mechanics, though with a much less fun plot. The whole 24/Bourne thing isn't for me, especially when the ending sucks.

In the grand canon of FPS roguelikes I have played (this and Ziggurat), I prefer Immortal Redneck. The weapons are more unique, the rooms are more interesting and the RNG shit isn't as evil. The meta progression is a bit grindy though.

I've never replayed a Trails game, so speeding through Zero in 37 hours focusing on my favourite scenes and breaking bosses over my knee has been a treat. I'm pretty sure on the Crossbell games being my favourite now, they are so dense and delightful.

MY NEIGHBOUR STARTED DRILLING JUST AS I BOOTED UP MY PS5. I THOUGHT THE DISC DRIVE WAS EATING ITS WAY OUT OF THE CONSOLE, IT WAS SO LOUD!

Kerrik52's LoK Retrospective #14 - Eternal Agony

The final barrier, a localized physical release, has been overcome. AND IT'S IN MY HANDS! A few more months for Azure to come out and I'll be able to shill this series with newfound fervor.

God of War 4 defeated! The game was so good I'm ready to forgive it for not being named that due to marketing cowardice. I have minor misgivings with the loot, but damn if this thing wasn't fully featured and more. Kinda tempted by Ragnarok now.

I AM THE KING OF SHIT MOUNTAIN. I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE UP HERE RIGHT AFTER THE CHISEL, BUT I STAND SUPERIOR. THAT WAS AN AWESOME FIGHT, BUT PLEASE FIX THE INPUT BUFFER FOR COMBOS IN THE NEXT GAME.

Enough is enough, rats of the skies!

I've been enjoying Dad of Boy more than I thought I would, despite knowing the major plot beats. I was not ready for combat to require as much care as it does, but I'm learning. Seems to be a pretty good game though, no wonder everyone raved about it!

Going by the demo, Star Ocean 6 is a Star Ocean game all right. The models are wrong, the lipflaps don't even try, the pop-in is insane and the framerate is shit. But the combat is the best they've done yet, the new air dash helps it so much.

Kerrik52's LoK Retrospective #13 - Shifting Perspectives

The latest chapters of the Elden Ring manga revealed that Patches is a motherfucking scalper.

Anyone familiar with Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner? I've played it for a little bit but don't feel like continuing. The 90s anime art and full voice acting is nice, but the story utterly failed to grab me and the monster catching feels lame.

I am so down for a King's Field-esque horror game that's actually spooky. Almost takes the sting away from the death of the fantranslation for Hungry Ghosts. I might just play that damn thing in Japanese one of these days.

I've begun my research into Soul Reaver and its troubled development, which got me to stumble upon this amazing recreation of the original final third/ending. The video has some series-wide spoilers, but the implications of this ending are so radical.

Spurred by the threat of 3 more Yakuza games, I played through Black Panther 2. They iterated on it as expected, but still didn't fix the crap random encounters. Still a good time, mind you. Didn't expect an assassin gimp with a crotch thrust attack tho'.

I wonder if there is a circle of hell designed like the Drowned Abbey in Soul Reaver. I ran in circles thrice doing bad platforming before looking up the path, which led me to even more precision-point platforming in a game with no precision!

I am officially one fifth through my Legacy of Kain retrospective! I had a lot to say about Blood Omen, so now I'm up to 27k words (including the game script). I am giving this my all, is what I'm saying. But I will type and post until it is done.

Kerrik52's LoK Retrospective #12 - The Essence of Blood Omen

I get it. I finally get it. My mind has expanded enough to comprehend EDF.

I was wrong about Stranger of Paradise being Nioh 3, Wu Long is clearly that. This demo felt a lot better balanced than the one for Nioh 2 and I love what they did with the parry. But holy shit does the input queue for healing suck shit.

The demo for Valkyrie Elysium left me with a good impression. The combat and progression is simplistic, but it has some depth and isn't afraid to punish the player. A shame about the story and presentation, especially the awful pop-in on the white flowers