Recent reviews by Liviu

Strange Brigade is co-op shooter that offers an expedition set in 1930s with a specific charm and quirky characters that inject a comedic tone into the supernatural adventure. The humorous remarks adds an entertaining layer for the game atmosphere.

The level design blends puzzle-solving and combat in a variety of levels,i really like how you can use traps for your advantage. Each character is unique with a special ability and different traits,this adds a lot to replay value and is fun especially in multiplayer where you can combo with a friend different explosions and special abilities. Players can choose from a variety of weapons from traditional to mystical artifacts allowing for diverse combat styles. There's some puzzles that requires cooperation and if we talk strictly about multiplayer it's a decent co-op experience.

Playing with friends is enjoyable but doesn't feel polished enough. I have also tried to play it solo and i lost my interest fast because the narrative didn't hook me from the start ,after some time it becomes boring and repetitive.

While Strange Brigade has its moments of brilliance it fails to be memorable,i wished for more content and depth for cutscenes and story scenarios. I know this is focused on the multiplayer experience but it had potential to be more.

In a nutshell Strange Brigade successfully delivers a world filled with supernatural wonders,laughter and cooperative action. Despite minor issues and a less interesting solo experience the game is still a solid choice if you bring your friends to play with you.

Pros:
- Solid Co-op
- well crafted levels with a blend of puzzles and combat scenarios
-distinctive setting and characters,humor and unique charm
-decent visuals

Cons:
-solo experience is neglected ,no character backgrounds and narrative lacks depth
-repetitive enemy types
-inconsistent AI
-visual monotony

My review score:
Story - 6
Gameplay- 8
Graphics- 8
Sound - 8

Overall - 7.5

What Remains of Edith Finch is an adventure game, a walking simulator at core with excellent script and beautiful narrative from the perspective of Edith Finch, a young woman revisiting her old family home. The inheritance of property also comes with the stories of her deceased family members. It's in our human nature to try and find answers even if we can't explain them.

“If we lived forever, maybe we’d have time to understand things. But as it is, I think the best we can do is try to open our eyes, and appreciate how strange and brief all of this is.''

As we explore the house ,the game builds succesfully a tense and mysterious scenario. It's not clear what causes Finch's family extinction through the years. There is no physical manifestation of a monster or proof of supernatural, but we can't eliminate that assumption. Family curse or just misfortune there is plenty of drama and sad stories discovered through journals or clues left behind.

Why did they build the graveyard before finishing the house? My assumption is they already knew their fate is sealed so they prepared for it.

The game ending left a bad taste for me,because you can't do anything to change the past or make a choice for a different ending. However a dramatic story can provide a excellent foundation for an emotional response from the player ,something to remember and learn lessons about life and fate.

Being pregnant and being aware of what could happen to her,Edith's courage and determination to find inner peace is what i appreciate the most. She got her answers in the end but i don't know if we obtained ours.

Pros:
-attention to detail
-excellent story
-graphics
-music

Cons:
-short

My review score
Story -10
Gameplay-9
Graphics- 9
Sound - 9

Overall - 9.25

Neon Abyss is a roguelite type of game, a bullet-hell action shooter with weird and questionable controls and solid boss battles. With an impressive arsenal of weapons and upgrades expect many hours of ,,dungeoneering''( Get keys,unlock doors and explore rooms filled with monsters and a boss to defeat at the end to progress) .

In terms of graphics the world looks decent with a retro style vibe,the 2d dungeons look amazing and if you like pixel art there is enough to satisfy.

There is a huge gap between easy and higher difficulties ,it becomes annoying when you die so many times but that's how this kind of games work.
If you played Dead Cells on android or pc expect a similar experience. Unfortunately the game doesn't create his own identity , but there is enough positives and originality to keep this a relevant title in his genre.

The fast action comes with good soundtrack, decent amount of enemies and well designed boss battles,however the repetitive room exploring can become a nuissance in time.

The idea to add minigames like piano and meditation challenges or dancing was great. I really liked the pet system and the retro looks but with a modern touch in aesthetics.

In a nutshell, Neon Abyss is a nice alternative to play in a market flooded with roguelites . In my opinion it's not the best in the genre but it's a nice option to consider.

Pros:
- Boss battles ( really fun and well designed)
- Nice soundtrack
- minigames (it's fun to take a break sometimes from killing monsters and do something else)
- pets

Cons:
-Repetitive

My review score:
Story - 4
Gameplay- 8
Graphics- 8
Sound - 9

Overall - 7.25

Need for Speed Payback was the EA attempt to reinvent the game mechanics with a different approach for the plot and game systems. The map is large enough( maybe the biggest of the series) to host different landmarks or landscapes,from
deserts to mountains and large valleys.

The graphics are muddy but still looks good at maximum settings,the cars look good and especially at night everything looks better.

Payback features a day and night cycle ,beautiful roads and a decent car amount to drive . The story is told through separate chapters from the perspective of three characters each with his own perks and discipline.
The plot is focused on a revenge motif to take down the House ( the organization that controls casinos,cops and the underground racing in Fortune Valley) .

In terms of story,i don't expect a lot from a racing game but i was surprised they actually tried to deliver a decent story. And for the most part they did. But unfortunately also felt linear and annoying.
I don't want to talk about the game ending or Lina Navarro,i'll let you discover.

At first glance the cops are annoying but in a good way( they do their job as intended). This provides a tense racing experience but i wish you could escape like in previous games.. now if you reach a checkpoint towards the end of the race they stop following you and the chase ends.. That alone is a major downside for the fun factor and gameplay experience.

On a closer look the game doesn't feel polish and original enough. Some elements and activities like drift zones or derelict cars are borrowed from other games . The car stealing and some cutscenes made me feel i was playing as Dominic Toretto at times.

I really liked how drifting experience felt in this game,with proper tweaks and car setup it's a pleasure to maintain the drifting line through difficult corners.

Pros:
-simple driving mechanics
-very good drifting
-the revving sounds amazing
-the story is bad but when you search what racing genre has to offer ,you come back and give this another chance

Cons:
-Police chase ends when you reach a checkpoint
-missions/activities felt repetitive

My review score:
Story - 7
Gameplay-8
Graphics- 7
Sound - 9

Overall - 7.75

Deus Ex: Human Revolution is an action role-playing game set in future where humankind is threatened by mega-corporations,the ever present motif to control the world and the hunger for power.

With a cyberpunk style,futuristic atmosphere and conspiracy theories ( Illuminati rings a bell) Human Revolution is the perfect stage for a well written scenario : conflicts between normal people (denial of technology or they can't afford it) and the humans who have accepted augumentation( cyber implants ).

I can't continue my review without talking about transhumanism which is a philosophical and intellectual movement which advocates the enhancement of the human condition by developing and making technologies that can greatly enhance longevity, cognition, and well-being.

Following this idea advances in biotechnology and cybernetics have led to the development of "augmentations", advanced artificial organs capable of significantly improving and enhancing the human body's performance, basically turns ordinary into superhumans!

Should we use technology in medicine ? Of course! But what happens when cybernetic implants can be hacked?
What happens when the same technology is used for a military purpose,or when a secret organization controls everything?

Do you know the myth of Icarus? He was flying with artificial wings..but flew too close to the sun. On a parallel note the humankind can do the same mistake.. or maybe they already did.

As it turns out choices are important, there's multiple paths and quest endings. The stealth element can help you achieve your objectives with or without lethality.

In my opinion evolution is a natural and normal step for humanity but not with auguments because that will always create two sides in conflict. A half looking human with robotic arms and eyes will always raise eyebrows. But maybe i'm wrong,what do you think?

Pros:
-Story,voice acting
-Choices and consequences,
-futuristic atmosphere
-multiple ways to approach and complete the game
-Replay value

Cons:
-i expected more from Boss fights
-inventory management simulator, untill you upgrade the space

My review score:
Story - 10
Gameplay- 8
Graphics- 7
Sound - 10

Overall - 8.75

Grand Theft Auto V is that sandbox open world experience that keeps you busy for 200+ hours in single player or 500 hours or more in multiplayer.

In single player mode you'll find a long and beautiful campaign with over 70 main missions and 3 endings,that alone is going to take over 30 hours if you rush it but i advise to enjoy and explore everything because it's worth.

We used GTA 5 as a benchmark for a reason for so many years,being in the top games used in video cards testing for its almost perfect optimization. Visually the game still looks good even today and the Voice and Sound quality is on another level! We often hear the GTA Clone comparisson when a similar title is released and unfortunately no other game in this genre got closet to the production value and overall quality of this game.

The strangers and freaks,the side missions and side activities represent a huge chunk of the game ,it's amazing how much details and work they put into these.

There is also the multiplayer,which received along the years many content updates. I dare say the multiplayer missions are at the same level of quality as the campaign missions.If you're afraid of cheaters you can create a session only for you and play it alone without some features but enough to finish everything by yourself. Of course bringing some friends makes everything better..

In a nutshell GTA 5 îs a complete game,i dare say one of the best experience you can have in a virtual world. Let hope GTA 6 will bring to the table the same level of quality!

Pros:

-Amazing story with great voice acting,huge amount of content
-Multiplayer receive content updates even after 9 years

Cons:

-sometimes in multiplayer it's best to create a only friend invite session to avoid cheaters

My review score:

Story - 10
Gameplay- 9
Graphics- 8
Music - 9

Overall - 9

Forza 5 is an open world racing game with freedom of exploration and a massive foundation to build from previous titles. They made a step forward in content and quality, a worthy successor for the series. In the following review, I'll try to share my experience from my playthrough, and I'll start with the freedom to explore and the map.

With a significantly larger map Forza 5 introduces new biomes, each with its own characteristic. To name a few, I'll begin with the volcano providing winding roads with volcanic rocks and ash that provides a great terrain for dirt racing or dirt drifting. This gets better with tropical coasts, jungles, and oceanic views. The list goes on with a canyon and a desert. What I'm trying to say is that the terrain variety and contrast between the zones showcases the geological beauty of Mexico, and it gives the player a complete racing experience.

Talking about Mexico, this fictional and miniature representation incorporates numerous elements of culture, from murals to traditional architecture. From hidden ancient ruins to colonial-era buildings, you'll find beautiful landmarks and places. If you look for more local flavor, just open the radio; the soundtrack is just amazing. And it's not just about music; the overall sound quality is great. The voice acting is combined, using both English and Spanish; this is something you either love or hate.

The dynamic weather and seasonal change again sold this game to me; it's just great to experience the same map in different conditions like snow or summer rain. Also i noticed something different from previous titles: the localized weather. Parts of the game can experience different weather conditions simultaneously; this provides immersion and realism depending on where you are on the map.

It's worth mentioning the new extreme weather events; for example, driving through a sandstorm is not just spectacular but also a challenge with reduced visibility. In terms of progression and structure, I feel Forza 5 is the best of the series by far, creating different festivals each focusing on a different type of racing. This makes it easier for the player to focus on a specific discipline. If you're new to the game, the tutorial is great, and there is less confusion on what to do next. The story is once again told through mini chapters, each with its own unique theme, such as historical racing events or local culture.

There is a lot of content to do, from showcases to seasonal content that changes every week, and the Event Lab is a feature that allows players to create their own race events and share them with the community. The expansions for Forza 5 are Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure. I personally enjoyed the first a lot because of the high-speed tracks and stunt-oriented racing.

There is something I don't like, and I'll never understand, the car packs that you need to purchase even if you own the ultimate edition of the game. I understand new content and future support require work, but for a premium and finished product, this should come as free updates for everyone.

In conclusion, Forza 5 is a great game—the best racing experience I had in this genre!

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Pros:
-graphics,gameplay,sound
-seasons and weathers
-Event Lab, seasonal content

Cons:
-car packs

My scores
Story-10
Graphics-10
Gameplay-10
Sound-10
Overall-10

To the Moon’s top-down perspective, pixelated visuals and limited controls will immediately make you think about the classic JRPGs from the 16-bits era. However, it features no combat at all. Instead, throughout its four-hour-long campaign, you’ll find yourself walking, exploring and talking exclusively with the many different characters.
If you were to define To the Moon’s genre based on its elements, the closest answer would be a visual novel.

Game's development began in 2010 after Gao's grandfather became seriously ill, an event that made Gao question mortality and death. His thoughts on regret before one's death eventually inspired the concept for the story of the game.

It's fantastic how pixels can become art ,how lines of dialogues blend with music ..how that builds emotions for you..

Best quote:
,,The ending isn't any more important than any of the moments leading to it. The important thing is that over here, they are happy.'' Dr. Eva Rosalene

Pros:

-Story
-Music
-Pixel art

Cons:
-same puzzle every level,it gets annoying

My review score:

Story - 10
Gameplay-7
Graphics- 8
Music - 10

Overall - 8.75

I don't like teen drama stories and cringe dialogues.. because of this my experience wasn't the best . I had to lower my expectations and play another NFS Heat with a different map ..

The animated driving effects were not as bad as i thought and i give credit to the graphics and style, in terms of gameplay excessive rubber banding was a nightmare ..i don't understand how a SUV can catch my Lamborghini in a matter of seconds.

On a positive note game is fun so long story short i recommend if you like arcade racing and past NFS titles !

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The Crew™ 2 offers a huge map to explore with a lot of activities,stories or events to do. It's a great alternative to Forza Horizon titles.

On its own terms the game shines ,with original ideas like Fast Nav,switching from plane to car to boat smoothly. This is a one of kind experience .

The crew 2 is impressive in terms of quantity, but i'm afraid they left out what matters the most : attention to detail and quality. However some areas and aspects of the game are build well like impressive track designs and original ideas.

In terms of gameplay ,it feels arcade and less realistic..but once you understand how it works it's a decent experience. Feels different than other racing games on the market and that's a positive.

I really liked the followers and loot systems. After each activity you earn followers that can increase your popularity level. At higher popularity levels you'll unlock more disciplines and activities.Also you earn parts to upgrade your car which provides a unique leveling system and a sense of progression.

I'm still waiting for Crew Motorfest on steam, it's strange how Ubisoft decides to shoot his own foot!

Pros:
-map size
-huge amount of content with original ideas

Cons:

-The huge amount of content have a downside in terms of quality

My review score:

Story - 9
Gameplay- 8
Graphics- 7
Sound - 8

Overall - 8