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« on: July 16, 2023, 07:17:31 pm »
It's been a while. Managed to get a few more games under my belt. Not sure how close I'll be by the end year of the year, but I'll keep trekking on.
#8 Resident Evil 4 Remake (Steam)
Prior to release I was skeptical in Capcom’s ability to remake RE4 in good faith, a game that was never in a state to justify a remake in the first place. Despite my pre-launch doubt, Capcom did not drop the ball and delivered an experience that complements OG RE4. The injection of more lore and detail about the game's story and world is a welcomed change. As is the darker approach the game embraces both thematically and aesthetically. RE Engine is a superb engine and runs silky smooth with very little hiccups, if any. My main gripe is in the gameplay with the lack of staggering with consecutive shots. Compared to the original its seems completely random, one Grenado will stagger with a single pistol shot while another ignores my shots entirely. I also felt the Remake’s pacing wasn’t as fine tuned. It goes by way too fast, primarily from the Castle onwards. Neither of these nitpicks are game-breakers though. After completing five playthroughs I feel RE4R can stand on its own as a competently made game. OG RE4 will still be my go to whenever I have the RE4 itch, but RE4R is a great substitute if you’ve played the original to death.
#9 Amid Evil (Steam)
A great Quake-like FPS that’s been in my Steam library for a while, played it sporadically but never completed it. Buckled down and went for a 100% secrets run recently and man, what a ride. The graphics are eye-melting with the appropriate chunkiness you’d expect. Weapons cover the whole gambit of Area FPS. You got your staples like the rocket launcher and lighting gun, but designed in a mystically medieval way. In this case, the rocket launcher is a magical staff that hurls planets as projectiles while the lighting gun is a literal trident. All the weapons can be enhanced through the Soul Power mechanic. Popping this off then clearing an enemy-filled room is an adrenaline rush that never gets old. Additional levels are coming with The Black Labyrinth DLC, which will be a day one purchase for me. Its just a well designed, looking, and paced game that should be in any old school FPS player’s library.
#10 Graze Counter GM (Steam)
The enhanced version of the original Graze Counter. Its the same game, just improved in every way. GM is $5 more in comparison at $15 but completely worth it. Everything I said about the original Graze Counter can be applied here; a great beginner STG with added challenge if you’re up for it. Got the 1CC on Normal and will likely return to it at some point to tackle the next highest difficulty. Cannot recommend it enough.
#11 Warhammer 40,000:Boltgun (Steam)
For a few weeks the online discourse of this game was constant. Anyone aware of the current retro/boomer shooter renaissance we’re living in now would not stop talking about it. I gave into the hype and threw down the dough. Mind you, my only interaction with the 40K series is through its video games and not the seemingly bottomless pit of lore and merchandise behind it. I’m going in expecting a core retro FPS experience with lore sprinkled on top, which is exactly what I got. I’m also a sucker for good pixel art, which is present both in-game and in-cutscenes. On the flipside, the game feels way too easy outside of bosses, even at the highest difficulty. Hardcore 40K fans might pass on it, but retro shooter fans should give it a try. It plays safe and doesn’t tread too far off course, compared to other retro shooters you could play much worse.
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