RED DEAD REDEMPTION II REVIEW

Red Dead Revolution.

PS4 version reviewed.

Red Dead Redemption II is an action adventure game published and developed by Rockstar Games for the Xbox One and Playstation 4.

GAMEPLAY
Probably one of the very best open worlds ever created that is both fun and stunning to traverse. There are some incredible details added in such as things actually changing over time such as dead animals decaying where they were slain to building being built. Some NPCs can come back from being shot in the leg, with a wooden replacement and even animals such as deer can end up getting their horns stuck on each other. These are just a few of hundreds of tiny, incredible attentions to detail that make the in game world feel so alive.

STORY
A really strong narrative that doesn't fall for the problems plenty of prequels do. Sure we know that John, Dutch and a few other gang members make it through the game but seeing the whole gang in action and watching it all begin to fall apart and witness how those who survived started to change into the characters we knew from Red Dead Redemption was very interesting and some of the development seemed well done too, Dutch being a big one of the highlights.

GRAPHICS

Some of the best around, the world looks stunning and as per usual Rockstar deliver some of the very best lighting around. One small problem I did have though was how quickly day and night could change, you'd even see the sunlight rapidly shoot in sometimes. It's not really a major problem, and all the different forms of weather do look fantastic but when you consider just how amazing Rockstar usually are with this stuff, just look at GTA V, it was a little jarring to see such sudden transitions.

SOUND
Another really fantastic soundtrack to follow up that of the original. Maybe there isn't quite a moment as hard hitting as when you arrive in Mexico from the original but there are still plenty of nice moments for songs and of course the main soundtrack, which has a few nice callbacks to the original at really appropiate times, just paying homage at just the right time, rather than going overboard with connecting itself to the original.

The general sound effects were very impressive too, from hearing the echos of gun fire resounding round the mountains to being able to track some animals from simply hearing them roar in the distance.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Around 60 hours to beat the story line, not even including all the side missions and exploration of the map. With all of it being such a high quality experience there's no question you will get your money's worth.

OVERALL
Just like it's predecessor Red Dead Redemption II is another masterfully crafted game that will go down as one of the best ever made. It's one of those games that is just a joy to play and is one of my favourite games of all time. I would highly recommend playing it.

DARK SOULS REMASTERED

Rekindled.

PC version reviewed.

Dark Souls Remastered is a RPG published by Bandai Namco, developed by FromSoftware and remastered by QLOC for the Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Original reviewed here: https://theunorthodoxnetwork.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/dark-souls.html

DIFFERENCES FROM ORIGINAL

60fps and runs much more smoothly than originally, especially the PC version. Better lighting and some textures.

A few quality of life features such as easier access to one of the blacksmiths, ability to change covenant at a bonfire and a few more minor things such as both bells of awakening ringing when activated by other players.

Improved online with dedicated servers and password matchmaking that removes the barrier for higher and lower level friends to cooperate by nerfing the higher level players like in Dark Souls 3 and of course just makes it easier to find a friend rather than going through the trial and error of the original.

OVERALL

While I would say it is the definitive version of the game I still feel there could have had a few more improvements, such as better anti-cheat measures and a few other minor things including the price, I mean the Skyrim Special Edition had similar upgrades to this but was free for PC users. I'm not saying they had to give it away for free too but maybe an even bigger discount would have been nice. Overall though it is still worth picking up if you enjoyed the Dark Souls series or have yet to give it a go.

GOD OF WAR (2018)

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PS4 exclusive.

God of War is an action adventure game published by Sony and developed by Santa Monica Studio for the Playstation 4.

GAMEPLAY


STORY


GRAPHICS

SOUND


VALUE FOR MONEY

OVERALL

FE REVIEW

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PC version reviewed.

Fe is an action adventure game published by EA Games and developed by Zoink for the Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

GAMEPLAY
A few bugs such as AI not quite working as intended, came across another bug that seemed to be a never ending game over screen even though I hadn't even failed that forced be to go back to the menu, luckily there was a nearby checkpoint.

STORY


GRAPHICS

Strange filter that blurs the game can be annoying, it's like if you have glasses and they get blurry but you can't scrub it away. Some kind of option to turn this off would have been nice.

SOUND


VALUE FOR MONEY

OVERALL
Fe felt like a game that seemed to think it was more special than it was. Just because you have stylised graphics doesn't make you special at all and the ending that seemed to believe the player would be so absorbed by the whole thing come the end made it fall flat all the harder instead.

SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS (2018) REVIEW

A colossal recreation.

PS4 exclusive.

Shadow of the Colossus is an action adventure game published by Sony, developed by Team Ico and remastered by Bluepoint Games for the Playstation 4.

Original reviewed here: https://theunorthodoxnetwork.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/shadow-of-colossus-2005-review.html

DIFFERENCES FROM ORIGINAL

Overhauled graphics look fantastic. Usually with remastered games it would be a case of thinking that it's pretty cool that it looks better but little more than that however for a game that relies on portraying so much to you through the world and atmosphere this is a massive difference and major improvement.

No more FPS problems that the original had.

A couple of small new things, such as new collectable coins, New Game+, a stats page, photo mode and Easter eggs.

OVERALL

This is probably the definitive version of one of the best games of all time. If you've ever had a PS2, PS3 or PS4 and somehow haven't played this game before then now is probably the best time ever with a remaster that must be one of the best around, just as the original game was when it first came out. For veteran players the minimalist world looks more beautiful and alluring than ever before and at a lower priced release than most games these days there's little excuse not to experience this wonderful game again.

MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD

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PC version.

Monster Hunter: World is a RPG published and developed by Capcom for the Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC.

GAMEPLAY


STORY


GRAPHICS

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VALUE FOR MONEY

OVERALL

AWARDS SEASON: BEST GAME OF THE YEAR 2017

Overall winner

Horizon Zero Dawn

I went into this game knowing little more than the fact it had robot dinosaurs in, something that would surely sell most people on a game. Surprise surprise, with such as premise it was fun to play but it wasn't just a fun game to play as it had an excellent world built upon many technical feats as well as a compelling, engaging story with nice world building and a great soundtrack. It may not have been the most original game in many aspects but everything it did it did so very well.

Full review: https://theunorthodoxnetwork.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/horizon-zero-dawn-review.html

Honourable mentions

Ōkami HD

In my opinion Ōkami is the greatest game of all time. It just does everything so brilliantly well from the really fun gameplay to the beautiful art style and the masterfully done soundtrack. Playing the game in HD at higher resolutions was amazing, it's incredible how fantastically the game still holds up and might just be one of those games that is timeless. However I still wouldn't call it the definitive version because the credits song "Reset" was missing. Regardless seeing this game on the Playstation 4, Xbox One and especially the PC was a dream come true.

This game would be my game of the year for 2017 but I don't give remasters the award. I did however give the original top marks and my game of the year for 2006, as well as it being my favourite game ever made. Now we just need to hope that PlatinumGames can make a sequel one day with Hideki Kamiya directing again.

Full review: https://theunorthodoxnetwork.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/okami-hd-review.html

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Full review: https://theunorthodoxnetwork.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-wild.html

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Whilst the gameplay was pretty basic and even at times too repetitive I admire the effort to shed light on psychosis, a topic rarely covered at all by TV or movies, let alone games. The story was good and Senua was a really great character because whilst she was determined she clearly wasn't unstoppable and reacted to things when they went wrong, rather than just shrugging it off. The way the game made you suffer with her was pretty distressing and challenging as well which is exactly what it was aiming for. She actually felt human, something many games fail to capture.

Full review: https://theunorthodoxnetwork.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/hellblade-senuas-sacrifice-review.html