Jake_Fillery

I've been having an absolute blast in Black Ops 7 Zombies, that it's hard to put down. The return of the OG crew provides so much life to the DNA of Zombies that makes every match as hillarious as it is filled with excitement for what comes next. Ashes of the Damned is an exceptional launch map, and paired with the grind for Augments and Camos, mixed with the epic formula and gameplay loop, makes this one impossible to stop playing, even deep into the high rounds!

I've also been enjoying the games of Multiplayer I've tried, with fast-paced action and absurdly rapid TTK that makes every life short lived, but filled with action. The maps are fun, the weapons are smooth, and the Perks harness incredible power for every loadout to be unique.

Black Ops 7 is a step in the right direction for Treyarch in terms of Multiplayer and Zombies, but it's marked down somewhat by a Campaign that's completely uninteresting and seems completely out of place in comparison to the stellar and rich narrative of Black Ops 2.

Marvel Rivals is a carefully constructed Hero Shooter that takes all the right lessons from previous versions of the genre. Combining the Hero Shooter genre with some iconic heroes and villains from the Marvel Universe is a recipe for greatness, and each game is addictive and unique for its multitude of characters, evolving meta, and extremely fun play styles.

Black Ops is back and better than ever, with highly engaging multiplayer that spoils players thanks to its range of loadout options and omnimovement, which truly changes how players head into each fast-paced combat scenario. The Zombies mode is also Treyarch back at its heights, providing fast and challenging rounds with plenty to do to pass the time, like easter eggs and camo grinds. Where Black Ops 6 falls a tad is in the Multiplayer maps, lack of a decent anti-cheat, and the punishment of SBMM.

Silent Hill 2 (2024) was my introduction to the series, so I can't judge it as a remake, just as a game that I jumped into blind and terrified, and it certainly did not disappoint. Silent Hill 2 is disturbing, thought-provoking, intense, and a whole lot of fun. Investigating the town, solving puzzles, fighting monsters, and understanding the rich depth of characters, was something I still think about, and eagerly has me wanting more Silent Hill.

I've never been one for turn-based combat, but Baldur's Gate 3 eased me into an enjoyable experience that has me coming back for more. Experimenting with the different parties and ways to fight, and discovering new adventures within the expansive world and the characters within, Baldur's Gate 3 is infinitely replayable and immersive for fantasy fans.

Glitches aside, Batman: Arkham Shadow builds from the established Batman Arkham lore, celebrates Batman: Arkham Origins and forges its own identity where players can become the Batman for themselves in VR. The immersion in VR is like no other, and Batman: Arkham Shadow proves just that by transcending the possibilities of Arkham combat into the hands of players to craft sheer brilliance with each virtual punch and counter.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feels like the perfect blend of MachineGames' Wolfenstein mixed with Steven Spielberg's flair. From a narrative perspective, The Great Circle works as a treat to aid the original trilogy of Indy's adventures, and Troy Baker's performance is exceptionally well-spirited for Indiana Jones. The complex and rewarding puzzles, mixed with the crazed combat and stealth, compliments the series with an identity of its own.

Batman: Arkham Asylum might have been to many, an introduction to the Batman mythos at DC. The way Batman: Arkham Asylum perfectly captures the atmosphere and the characters involved in the Batman lore makes it a treat for all who play it to witness. It's the perfect example of a comic book done right in video game format, as the Metroidvanian style solidifies an exceptional experience for 2009, as does the fluid combat.

Destiny 2's relationship with its player base is a hard one, as at the end of the day, the passionate fans want a product that delivers, and one that they know Destiny 2 and Bungie are capable of. Much of Destiny 2 can be considered a hit, like the community rallied Raids and Dungeons, and even most of the story content, but lackluster seasonal structures and sunset content that only veterans will remember hurts Destiny 2 as a whole.

Rocksteady Studios have crafted the perfect recipe for combat with Batman: Arkham Knight, a title that solidifies itself as an epic finale to the Arkham Trilogy with heart-pulsing and fluid combat, and a Gotham City that never sleeps. The reason Batman: Arkham Knight misses out on the perfect 10 is due to its overreliance on the incredibly well-controlled Batmobile, which prevents the game from having memorable boss fights.

The Witcher 3 being a decade old is a testament to the brilliance of CD Projekt RED. The game withstands 10 years with almost no faults, and that's when one considers the incredible story, entwining side missions that involve moral conundrums and investigation, challenging combat, and of course, the beloved and unforgettable card game of Gwent.

FromSoftware know how to engage audiences with exciting worlds, in-depth lore, and combat that will always have players coming back for more, no matter how many punishing deaths they face. Bloodborne is creatively different to Dark Souls in many ways, and the aggressive combat that punishes players for playing it too safe is certainly part of the charm that begs for a port to PC and PS5.

While The Last of Us Part 1 can be deducted a point or two due to how it's a remake with a fresh coat of textures and stunning visuals, it's impossible to deny that despite being released over a decade ago, the game still holds up in terms of gameplay and story. The Last of Us is deserving of praise for how it tugs at the heartstrings by telling an incredible story of a grieving father in a world overrun by savagery.

No matter the time it takes, Rockstar always deliver. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the definitive Wild West experience, where it's instant immersion across its states will provide players with countless hours of fun, beauty, and escapism. Outside of the gameplay and the setting, RDR2 delivers an experience like no other with its tale of outlaws in a dying West, and Arthur Morgan's story will be unforgettable to all who experience it.

Cyberpunk 2077 has earned its flowers after Update 2.0 and Phantom Liberty, providing players on the PS5/PC/Xbox Series X era with one of the greatest gaming experiences of all time. The missions, characters, and narrative create an epic unison of an incredibly rich world that's hard to leave, and heartbreaking to be within.

Easily the defining game of Metal Gear Solid, where fans can drop in as newcomers or die-hards to understand what made Big Boss the way he is. Snake Eater is filled with electrifying camp, action espionage, and a riveting story that tugs at the heart strings and remains a true contender with the all-time greats.

Batman: Arkham City's incredible depiction of the DC lore is exciting for hardcore fans and newcomers to get into the madhouse that is Batman's Rogues Gallery. The expansive and immersive nature of Arkham City is like no other, as is the chemistry between Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamil as the Joker. Where Arkham City really earns it's place as one of the greatest games of all time is in its story and combat.

Fortnite's constant push for innovation and creativity makes it the definitive Battle Royale experience. To see so many companies rally behind Fortnite with collabs that some might have never thought possible just adds to the addicting joy of another round of Fortnite's Battle Royale, where every season is fresh, and every week has something new. Here's to another 7 years!