My Reviews (35)
Heavy Rain
Focusing on the acts of the Origami Killer, Heavy Rain tells the intertwined story of its three playable characters. The branching narrative and the suspense-filled story is very fascinating, making this interactive movie-game from Quantic Dream an engrossing experience.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
GTA Vice City is a game where it may be fair to say the setting is the main character. From the neon-lit beachside to the iconic songs on radio, it captures the vibe of '80s Miami so accurately, you never not notice it. That isn't to say, the true main character, Tommy Vercetti, is anything short of a memorable protagonist. The 2002 gem from Rockstar North chronicles the rise of the hired gun into becoming the new kingpin of Vice City, and it does so very well.
inFAMOUS Second Son
Superhero games centred on an original character doesn't seem like something that shoud be easy. But, for Sucker Punch, it looks like business as usual judging by the positive reception of its Infamous franchise. Second Son follows that same path of success, powered by the highly entertaining abilities of the protagonist, Delsin Rowe, and the rewarding nature of the choices made enabled by the game's Karma system. The actions you take in the game ultimately impact the outcomes you see unfold, allowing players to be their own kind of superhero or supervillain.
Ratchet & Clank
If fast-paced platforming and mind-bending puzzle-solving is what excites you, then look no further than 2016's Ratchet & Clank. It covers both those areas sufficiently while also unfurling the comical tale of a cat-like alien and its robot companion.
The Sims 3
The Sims 3 is as addictive as games get. Thanks to its various customisation options and gameplay features, I've probably spent hundreds of hours creating the perfect life for my sim (playable character). It is one of those games where once you get started, it's hard to stop coming back.
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
As much as innovative level design, gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals are The Forgotten Sands's strong points, its short duration is its considerable drawback. The Prince of Persia sequel is everything you would expect from the series, when it comes to platforming, sword-fighting, and puzzle-solving aspects. However, it does all that good in a sprint at the end of which you are likely to be left feeling half-fed and wanting more.
Until Dawn
The amalgamation of horror and interactive movie genres in gaming may not get much better than what Until Dawn offers. The PS4 classic is a truly captivating experience, from start to 'until dawn', where the player's choices decide which of the characters live and which of them perish in a fierce struggle against the relentless enemy (enemies?). Supermassive's near-perfect game finds its greatest strength in its cast of interesting characters and its big plot twists.
The Saboteur
The Saboteur has so many creative parts bubbling inside of it, it's incredible to think of how Pandemic Studios—which has since been shuttered—came up with them. From the shooting to the stealth to the driving, there's several different ways in which the game lets the player restore freedom in a World War II-era France. And, the clever way that it uses to differentiate between occupied areas and liberated areas deserves a special mention of its own. Although it doesn't execute each of its great idea in the best manner possible, it gets enough of them right, meriting at least one complete playthrough.
Total Overdose: A Gunslinger's Tale in Mexico
If GTA went over-the-top with no holding back and incorporated Max Payne's Bullet Time mechanic, it would be Total Overdose. There's a certain flavourful style, a unique vibe to this game where you can take "spicy" headshots while wallrunning in slow motion. On top of that, the story is an entertainer and the characters are as likeably hilarious as they could be. If you're looking for mindless fun and physics-defying action, Total Overdose is probably your best bet.
The Wolf Among Us
I wasn't really sure I was into the interactive movie-game genre until I played The Wolf Among Us. Building upon the Fables lore, it follows detective Bigby Wolf as he leaves no stone unturned to solve a fascinating murder mystery. While the branching story is engrossing, the QTE-based gameplay is equally immersive. This is, hands down, the best work from Telltale.
Batman: Arkham Origins
Focusing on a young version of Batman, Arkham Origins does well in reflecting the raw nature of the masked vigilante who isn't the best he could be yet. Despite kind of falling behind previous entries in the series, Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, in terms of both story and gameplay, the prequel game does have a few major highlights that make it a worthwhile indulgence. Among them, I think the fight with Deathstroke is certainly at the top of the list.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow is one of those games where the villain is a centrepiece. After hours of neutralising pawns in various missions, taking out the main bad guy, the charismatic antagonist named Suhadi Sadono, felt more satisfying than I initially imagined. All in all, this is one of the best stealth games I've ever played and a strong top-three contender in the Splinter Cell franchise.
Grand Theft Auto 4
After throwing in everything they possibly could in 2004's GTA San Andreas, Rockstar North chose to take a step back from the larger-than-life approach and pursued a grounded style for GTA IV. Gone are the various miscellaneous features (read barber shops, tattoo parlors, and car-modding garages) in favor of delivering a gritty tale of the immigrant protagonist, Niko Bellic, who is dragged into something bloodier than the past he has come so far to escape from. Featuring some of the most well-written characters in the series's history, GTA IV stands out in its own distinguished spot compared to other GTA titles.
Zoo Tycoon 2
I never knew building your own zoo could be so much fun and addictive until I stumbled upon the numerous features Zoo Tycoon 2 provides to build your dream zoo. Constructing recreational areas, taking care of zoo animals, ensuring the visitors' needs and wants are met—there's a lot of dynamic elements to pay attention to before you can lay claim to the title of the best zoo in town.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
The Uncharted series has some really praiseworthy games and to be the best one among them surely means a lot. That is exactly what Uncharted 4 is, as per my opinion. From the action set-pieces to the picturesque exotic locations to the quirky Nathan Drake-branded humour, the game takes the best from its predecessors, refines it, and presents it in a manner that totally blows you away.
Sleeping Dogs
In a sub-genre dominated by Grand Theft Auto, there's been little room for others for a long time. With Sleeping Dogs, the now-defunct United Front Games gave solid reasons for why its game more than deserved some room in that category. Set in Hong Kong, Sleeping Dogs follows the story of an undercover cop trying to take down the bad guys from within—a classic plot for any crime-drama media. From its impressively layered combat system to the plethora of fun missions and side activities, there's a lot on offer here. In certain areas, such as combat and the novelty of setting, Sleeping Dogs even goes steps ahead of other major open-world crime games from that time, namely GTA and Saints Row.
Sid Meier's Civilization 5
Civilization V is a very addictive game, where you may feel impatient to make big changes in the course of history and see how that turns out in the long term. Boasting a roster of several important historical leaders from around the world, the turn-based strategy game gives enough incentive for history buffs to dive right in and take control of their preferred civilisation as they please.
Batman: Arkham City
A Batman adventure through-and-through, Arkham City is jam-packed with fan-favourite characters from the Rogues Gallery as well as some lesser-known ones. From the gadgets to the dialogues, Rocksteady has built everything in a way that makes you feel like Batman himself in his prime. With its highly enjoyable boss battles and its gripping story, Arkham City is definitely a must-play, especially for fans of the Dark Knight.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
In Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Ubisoft Montreal seemingly recreated Rome from the Renaissance Era in all its unmissable glory. This is the game where Ezio's saga reaches its peak, bolstered by solid gameplay, intriguing story, and an array of colourful characters inspired by some major real-world historical figures from that time. Whether it is taking a leap of faith off of the Colosseum or exploring the underground lairs hidden beneath the ancient city, there's never a dull moment playing Brotherhood.
James Bond 007: Blood Stone
Personally, I prefer third-person perspective games over first-person perspective games. So, when I first played a different James Bond game called Nightfire, I knew something like that but with the third-person camera view would be the perfect 007 game for me. While not one of the better third-person titles out there, Blood Stone still delivers on its key promises. This Bond-ian adventure allows you to partake in the thrilling stealth and action bits as seen in 007 films, including those adrenaline-pumping car chase sequences. For anyone who loves third-person action games, this is a good one to give a try and, for those gamers who are big James Bond fans, this is a must-play.