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Shenmue's Gift

November 10, 2023

Shenmue

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A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a game that, by all accounts, shouldn't exist: "Captain Blood." This title, originally slated for release years ago, finally saw the light of day in May 2025 after a near 25-year development journey. I first heard about it on YouTube, where most people quickly dismissed it as a relic, a simple hack-and-slash game from the PS3 era. But the story behind its belated release captivated me. Intrigued, I decided to dive in, shelling out $20 to download it. I spent about a week (which for me translates to roughly 5-15 hours) exploring its world. And honestly? The game is great. While you could technically label it a "hack and slash," I think that description misses the mark. "Captain Blood" has a surprising amount of heart and feels more like an early entry adventure game, reminiscent of the genre that dominated console exclusives for a decade. It offers quick, fast-paced, and genuinely fun action within an unexpectedly beauti...

[REVIEW] RoboCop: Rogue City

There are millions of words written about video games every day, but one of the best things you can say about a game is simply, "I wanted to start it up again after finishing it." RoboCop: Rogue City is that kind of game for me. Here's my review, based on my personal 10-category, 10-point scoring system. I'll add up the points at the end for a final score. Let's dive in! STORY: 7/10 Crafting a compelling narrative from an established IP like RoboCop is no easy feat. As someone turning 50 this year, I'm probably predisposed to enjoy anything RoboCop-related, but even so, the story here feels solidly above average. You've got a good mix of street-level gangs, multiple villains, a looming Big Bad, and, of course, the ever-present evil corporation. It truly captures that quintessential 80s vibe, which is a fantastic foundation, but the game eventually develops its own identity, standing on its own narrative merits. OBJECTIVES: 9/10 The objectives are neat and ...

Brave Release: 2012 Reviewed Version: Original Xbox 360 disc used in Xbox Series X Environment: Large room. 5.1 Audio. 55" HDR/4k TV, sitting 5-6 feet away from the screen. Developer: Behaviour Interactive Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios --------------- My review method is simple. Ten categories guide my thoughts. Each category is on a 1 to 10 scale. Add them up for the final score. --------------- STORY: 1 A straightforward plot: reverse the curse, save your mother. While simplistic, it serves its purpose effectively. OBJECTIVE: 10 Clear and compelling. The game expertly maintains player engagement with its well-paced progression and rewarding loop of coin collection and character improvement. IN-GAME ART / DESIGN: 5 Visually, the game shows its age with an Xbox 360-era aesthetic. The character models, particularly the protagonist, could use refinement. However, the environments hold up reasonably well. MUSIC AND SOUND: 10 The game's audio is a standout. Despite i...

[REVIEW] Last of Us Remastered

Here is a review of the remastered game on the PS4 with notes on the original PS3 version. I played it late winter 2025 on a 55" HDR TV sitting 6-7 feet away using a 5.1 stereo in a large-ish room. Game Director: Bruce Straley Creative Director: Neil Druckmann Art Director: Erick Pangilinan Before this game was beaten to death, HERE are my "fresh" thoughts from shortly after its release in 2013. --------------- My review method is simple. Ten categories guide my thoughts. Each category is on a 1 to 10 scale. Add them up for the final score. --------------- STORY - 10 Still grabs me, even after all this time. A decade on, and I'm still coming back. That's rare. They aimed for the moon, and landed on it, all while keeping it grounded. OBJECTIVES - 10 No filler here. Every task feels purposeful. Even the mundane stuff, like finding a ladder or boosting Ellie, stays fresh. No wasted time, period. IN-GAME ART / DESIGN - 10 Checks all the damn boxes. Even the original...

[REVIEW] Max Payne 2

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Release: Fall 2003 Reviewed Version: Original Xbox disc used in Xbox Series X Environment: Large room. 5.1 Audio. 55" HDR/4k TV, sitting 5-6 feet away from the screen. Developer: Remedy Entertainment • Publisher: Rockstar Games • Director: Markus Mäki • Designer: Petri Järvilehto • Programmer: Kim Salo • Artist: Saku Lehtinen • Writer: Sam Lake • Composer: Kärtsy Hatakka, Kimmo Kajasto --------------- My review method is simple. Ten categories guide my thoughts. Each category is on a 1 to 10 scale. Add them up for the final score. --------------- STORY - 10 This is a game that surprises you once you start getting into it. It shouldn't, of course, because it is Remedy. But it does. It plays exactly the way it should, as "Noir York City." The sense of place in this game is strong. Backtracking to Max Payne 2 after nearly finishing up 3 last year was like expecting to find coins and junk metal detecting on the beach and find a gold in...

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