Space Marine II 8.5/10 WITH HOLY BOLTER AND BLESSED CHAINSWORD, I HAVE DELIVERED THE FURY OF THE EMPEROR TO THE HERETIC, TRAITOR AND XENO ALIKE NO MATTER THE FORM OF THE ENEMY THE ADEPTUS ASTARTES REMAIN EVER VIGILANT. A solid game, made even better by the fact it's 40K focussed. So happy to finally play it, especially as nobody was expecting a sequel. I even had a little bit of a go online, and will definitely get round to doing the PvE missions. Only reason I'm not scoring it more is that it was a bit too short, but that's probably because of the insane detailing.
Just completed expidtion 33... its a very impresive game. But it also made me realise i need a new pc
Cyberpunk 2077 (and Phantom Liberty DLC): 10/10 I had been holding off playing this game until I had the appropriate hardware to run it with all the graphics options maxxed out: now being the proud owner of a 5090, it was time to delve into one of the most anticipated games ever released. And boy, is it a looker. In fact, the graphics are realistic enough that my brain stopped registering them as impressive, because they looked realistic - odd to describe, but I can't really explain it. I didn't follow this game at launch, but am vaguely aware that it had a troubled start, with several major bugs present at launch. Fortunately for me, the game has been heavily updated since, and I had no issues (barring two or three CTDs over a 160 hour total playtime). In fact, the 2.3 update hit halfway through my playthrough. Character wise, I started off usually hunkered down in cover, occasionally taking pot shots with my SMG, or at an opportune moment, switching to my double barrelled tech shotgun and rushing in for that point blank kill shot. However, as I acquired more perks and cyberware, I morphed into an edgerunning, bullet deflecting cyberninja, briefly slowing time with my Miltech Berzerk implant and hacking apart enemies, before time returned to normal speed and the dismembered parts hitting the floor. This game is full of so, so many interesting and thoughtful storylines that I'm not even going to bother trying to give a meaningful summary. The Phantom Liberty DLC turns it up to 11.Some extraordinary scenes and gaming moments, as well as even further muddying of the waters when it comes to the decisions you can make. If I were to pick two things that I'll remember for a long time after playing this game: Spoiler Crucifying a repentant criminal...on live television. Spoiler Rescuing children from a psychopath's farm, in a very "Silence of the Lambs" influenced plot. Why am I awarding this game full marks? I think it's easier to do this in bullet points: Amazing technological milestone in gaming. Extraordinarily mature themes. Fantastic acting. Utterly fantastic music Wonderful "grey" areas in decision making. Endless amounts of references to other fiction, which will make you smile. I've managed to complete most of the game - I can't be bothered to track down the hidden things that would bring me to a "true 100%" completion. I also played all the endings I could, and I have to say, there's no good ending (as befits the genre), merely less bad options. My time in Night City is done. Play this game. It is extraordinary.
Not really completed but with it being the 18th aviversary of my dads passing i decided to jump into wow. We played it to keep in touch. Just completed the War within story and now i can fly freely going to mop up side quest and look at the daily stuff. And explore the new zone. Oh soo happy that marksman hunters can have a pet again even thou it takes a skill point to equip it
Stellar Blade - boobies/10 want a hack and slash that's not another soulslike? this'll do. decent game, ok'ish plot, only minor gripe from me is inconsistent visual design but that seems to be a common theme with games both from the east and reliant on PBR techniques.
Battlefield 6 open beta - battlefield/10 There's a few bugs and balancing is definitely needed, but it runs and plays quite well. Had lots of mindless fun just rootin and tootin.
It's not your appraisal of the plot that I find disturbing - any game rated "boobies/10" should immediately have top marks for plot (or minimal marks which should be subsequently ignored anyway), but rather the above. Does this mean it's more "one tat bigger 'n' the uvver/10"?
joking aside nah, it irks me when designers employ an over reliance on greebles rather than just "good design".
I played through this, i agree with inconcisent visuals, if you go off they "story" the enemys alot of make lese sense and then the people of xion do too i wasnt sure what they where trying to go with some of them, Without going into spoilers. I also had a few quest bug out on me so i couldnt complete them. Got an ending.. i wont go back to see the others. Got the new dad of war games to go play.
Anthem - Iron Man Simulator/10 Back in 2020 I bought this game half price during Covid, with the intention of playing it with a friend who had also become a bit unbusy during that time. While we never got around to it (mainly because we couldn't get enough of Gears of War 5 co-op), the recent news that this game is having its servers shut down come the start of 2026 knocked it to the front of my gaming to-do list. The background to the game is a bit weird. Humanity lives on a world (apparently called Coda, but I don't remember seeing this in any in-game lore) filled with old ruins from a technologically superior race known as the Shapers, which run on the energy from the Anthem of Creation. The Anthem, while I still don't know exactly what it is, seems to be an underlying energy running throughout the universe. Somehow this means that humanity is living in a kind of feudal state system (complete with medieval style clothes) but also has access to very advanced technologies i.e. the different types of Javelins, incredibly advanced power armour suits that can fly and have access to a myriad of external and built-in weaponry. And yet, weapons of mass destruction or spaceflight (or even aeroplanes) don't exist. I suppose it's a bit like the Gears of War Universe: don't ask questions about how we got to the present, just accept things as is. Those who pilot Javelins can be thought of as the equivalent of knights, who protect the strongholds humans live in from the dangerous creatures the Shaper ruins randomly spawn into existence, as well as outlaws and other more ruthless strongholds. Unfortunately, when it comes to the storyline and supporting characters, it is very apparent that Mass Effect Andromeda and Anthem shared the same team. Every single character is quirkily annoying and upbeat, which I put down to making the game accessible to younger players. There are lots of interesting ideas and sub plots, but nothing is really explained. And, oh boy, the facial and character animations may have well been directly imported from Mass Effect Andromeda. Grit your teeth and bear it, it's somewhat worth it, I promise you. There were two reasons I was originally interested in this game: firstly, that it was on the Frostbite 3 engine, so was going to look gorgeous; secondly, that it was basically the gameplay of Andromeda (i.e. the best part of that game) but with the ability TO FLY! And in those respects, it nails it. The environment is beautiful (mostly jungle, with some very Remnant styled ruins) and combat is fast and fluid without needing the nanosecond reactions and weapon swapping in games such as Doom Eternal. As I've alluded to in the title, if this was re-skinned, it would make an excellent Iron Man game. I played mostly with the general purpose Ranger class Javelin but ended up favouring the Interceptor class, which is the most manoeuvrable and focusses on melee with two energy blades. I felt very in control as I would come barrelling out of the sky to deliver a devastating melee smash attack to some unsuspecting soul, before dancing around all over the place, using my Legendary shotgun that gave me back some shields with each critical hit, and occasionally unleashing my Ultimate ability that transformed me into a whirling tornado of melee death for a few seconds. I briefly gave the tank-like Colossus class a go, and while it certainly lived up to its name (damage that would've outright killed an Interceptor or Ranger barely made a scratch), its combat was not as exciting. As for the Storm class, I didn't get enough experience points to unlock all Javelins, so that one will have to remain a mystery to me. Towards the end of my playthrough, I also had a nice experience that showed what Bioware were trying to achieve. I was trying to play the weekly featured stronghold mission, which I wasn't making any progress on as it is meant to be played with other players and a solo player will get utterly murdered (as was happening to me). Fortunately, I decided to try one more time, and was joined by another player. That was enough to tip the scales in our favour and although we had to revive each other a few times, even having to respawn to an earlier checkpoint once, we got through it and even ended up on a very cool boss fight! All-in-all, I did enjoy my time with Anthem, and it's sad that the game will be permanently unplayable soon. Bioware tried to do something a bit different but the execution and mild reception ultimately killed it, not to mention that EA likely pressured the game into being released before more refinement could be done. If you have it in your library, or can get it for a fiver, I'd recommend giving it a go.
Atomfall- Cumbrian fallout 8/10 Went into this with no prior knowledge and had a blast of a time. It's fairly difficult from the get-go and you soon get used to the fact that you don't need to engage everything in combat or you're going to run out of ammo/escape options pretty darn quick. Set in alternate 1957 after the Windscale (Sellafield) disaster it has a pretty interesting lore but ultimately leaves you wanting more from the story, even if you do try for all multiple endings. Hopefully DLC will fill that in future! Plenty of humour, good writing and film references do keep you reading every tidbit you pick up. Cornish pasties, tea and cake affect your health and various other perks too! All in all very impressed from the folks over at Rebellion, this is living proof they can do more than just Sniper Elite games until the end of time! As usual whenever I play an RPG I fell into the usual trap below:
Mechwarrior 5 Clans: 8.5/10 (Battletech nerds) 7/10 (everyone else) This is a gems I've been wanting to play for a while now, having loved Mechwarrior 2 and Mercenaries back in the day, skipping over Mechwarrior 3 for no good reason, loving Mechwarrior 4 and Mercenaries, then spending a deeply worrying 700+ hours in Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries (and thinking about ANOTHER playthrough). If you are a Mechwarrior fan, you'll enjoy playing this full stop. If you're not a fan and just looking for something to play, you'll still enjoy it, but probably be left a little confused by the story. For me, this is like playing the intro to Mechwarrior 2 in real time. It only took near 3 decades for that to happen, but hey ho. The story is delivered by pre-rendered in-engine cutscenes, wish I enjoyed as it reminded me of my childhood, where getting an FMV after completing a mission was a delicious reward. The campaign see you being a Smoke Jaguar sibko about to go through the Trial of Position before commencing the invasion of the Inner Sphere. Along the way, you'll lose sibkin, gain new allies, unlock bigger and better mechs, and research upgrades for your weapons and equipment. The good The gameplay itself is very pretty, and nails the feeling of stomping around in a giant robot. If you play it on recently added Trueborn difficulty (which I did as I'm not freeborn scum looking for an easy way to do things), getting mech loadouts and research/resource options balanced is the difference between failing or passing a mission - as it should be. In fact, I restarted the campaign thrice after doing a few missions as I got off too a bad start. Eventually I ended up plodding around in my Dire Wolf (Daishi), swapping loadouts ranging from LBX orientated to Medium Pulse laser monoboat. The not so good For true mech nerds, the mech lab is over simplified, especially, if you've come from using the YAML mod for Mechwarrior 5 Mercs. However, there's still enough to reward subtle differences in loadout. I also feel that melee combat was nerfed a bit compared to Mercs, but there again, that's probably befitting the lore as I think the Inner Sphere made melee a thing (this is sort of implied in one of the missions). The game also has a little bit of jankiness to it: FMVs are well animated but can be a little off facial animation wise, and the gameplay can have the odd weird moment (I remember launching an enemy mech into orbit once when alpha striking it). However, I'm willing to overlook this as Piranha Games aren't the biggest devs on the block, and they've managed to do so well with the little they have. I'm also a tinsy bit disappointed there was no raytracing support now that I have a GPU of doing so. Mech 5 Mercs has it, though to be honest, I don't think I could tell you if it has any noticeable effect or not. ---------------------------------------- Onto the Ghost Bear: Flash Storm DLC (and there's more on the way!). While I go and do that, enjoy watching the Mechwarrior 2 intro that I mentioned earlier: Also, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, please will someone make a Heavy Gear 3 single player game?!
Call of the Sea. The twist in the tale is great. Loved all the puzzles, although I needed some help with the constellations at the end - when they started to add complexity, my mind was being bent.
Mechwarrior 5 Clans Ghost Bear Flash Storm DLC: 9/10 (Battletech nerds) 7.5/10 (everyone else) I'm actually off this week - just fancied time to chill out, maybe do a bit of gardening and house cleaning, and smash through a game or two or three. Also, after splurging at the start of the year on a new rig, I don't really fancy spending more on anything expensive (i.e. a holiday abroad - that'll be next year). So, I managed to plough through this in just over a day. The good This is a tighter experience compared to the base game. The FMVs have some really cool moments in, your squad is full of interesting characters, and the way mechs are acquired is better. Also, there are some top notch boss battles and some of the background scenery is incredible. EDIT: Forgot to mention the addition of Elementals! I love the little dudes! Charging up to enemy mechs and tearing the pilot out of their cockpits. Occasionally an enemy one will try to do the same to you unless you get it off. The not so good The same flaws exist, but everything's been refined. FMV animation is better, and I didn't actually run into any jankiness this time round. The only thing left for me to complain about is that the mechlab is still too simple (though this time, I found out about swapping individual omni points). I hope that in future mech games, the lab can be given the love it deserves, perhaps with a "simplified" mode for newer players so they don't get bogged down in the sheer customisability available in other mech games. ---------------------------------------- Also, proof that I'm very special (or so my mother tells me):
Back in the glory days of MechWarrior 2 with the 3dfx patch, I used to mess around with a save editor - it let me bypass weight and space limits, put whatever parts I wanted wherever I wanted them. I took the smallest mech and placed 50 jumpjets... in each leg. Loaded up the game, hit the training level, and tapped - tapped - the J key. Ten minutes later I was still climbing, the level having long since shrunk to a single pixel beneath me before disappearing. 10/10 no notes.
I enjoyed Flash Storm, but I had two problems with it. The first was keeping a straight face everytime they went, For the Silver Root!... FOR THE SILVER ROOT!I Spoiler: The second was the ending. I would have liked the choice to stay and try to survive. Especially because by that point my Star was 3 Kodiaks and 2 pulse boat Executioners. I reckoned I had a good chance against a force of planetary militia mechs, no matter how many there were. But no, the plot has decided that it's time to die to a bunch of second line Kuritans, so time to die it is... ...FOR THE SILVER ROOT! The base game has this problem too, with things happening in cutscenes that should really have been gameplay (like the Timberwolf in the Trial of Position).
Yeah, would've been nice to just face endless waves. Devs could've made an achievement out of it! Don't know if you went back to the barracks afterwards - nice bit of an after game touch: Spoiler Jonathan sat by himself, looking devastated, In addition to the three Kodiaks I had two Dire Wolfs, both rocking twin LBX5s and Small Pulse Lazors. Sure, might not have the sheer DPS of a Medium Pulse Laser monoboat, but I can fire ALL ZE VEAPONS all day long without a heat break. Well, until the 6 tonnes of ammo runs out, anyway...
I just completed Midnight Club La, for the second time. So my save file shows 100% for the platinum trophy all I'm missing are two online trophies (servers are down so unobtainable, got the others back in the day) and the 5k miles trophy. If I still had my original save the miles from both saves would have taken me over 5k. But wow what a game it really takes me back to '08. Rockstar really need to get a move on and make a sequel!
