Recent reviews by Armen

It's decent enough, Should probably be more like $15-20 instead of $30, but I do think people are being hyperbolic when it comes to its flaws. Not groundbreaking by any means, but it's fine. It's more Starfield, so if you like the game you'll like this, otherwise it isn't going to change your opinion.

Metal Gear Solid V if you were a frontline soldier in Vietnam

Starfield, so far, is my favorite Bethesda title, however it's very clear that it is also flawed and most certainly not for everyone.

First thing I'd like to point out is that the game's narrative is likely its weakest aspect. I personally don't really care for the story, characters, or companions. But this is generally the case for most modern Bethesda games in my opinion. Though I did find that there was even less of a narrative hook in this game vs. the other ones. So if you're looking for a tightly-woven narrative with interesting characters a la Baldur's Gate or New Vegas, this game may not resonate with you.

That being said, I thoroughly enjoy the gameplay mechanics and the sandbox nature of the game. The ship-building, the base-building, and exploration are all what keep me engaged in the game. I like setting up logistic networks between my outposts to acquire and stockpile resources. I love being able to customize my ship and seeing it fully animated and operational during gameplay and the in-game cutscenes (though I wish there was more interior customization). I love being able to land on any planet I'd like to look at beautiful scenery and vistas. I am into geological formations, plants, and wildlife in my own personal life, and so being able to take in alien worlds, whether lush or barren, fills me with a sense of awe that may not necessarily be exciting to others. I also feel that the gunplay is very fun and the best that Bethesda has ever offered.

My biggest complaint would be that points of interest are limited on planets. I enjoy the bounty hunting missions and investigating places on planets, but it does get frustrating visiting a location that has the same layout, terminal notes, and dead body placement as the one I visited on a separate planet. I had assumed that the procedural generation in this game would extend to these POIs as well, especially given the modular nature of base and ship-building, but it does not, and putting any significant amount of time into exploring these POIs will show anyone that they're not just visually similar, but literally copied and pasted, and that's a shame.

I don't believe any other space game allows for as much immersion and sandbox-style gameplay as this one does, however, and is currently the best in the genre as a complete experience. All sandbox space games fall short in some aspect or another, with NMS not having great combat, E:D having sub-par first-person shooter mechanics, and Star Citizen being unfinished (and honestly, leans too much into realism at times), and of course Starfield falling short in its location diversity and seamless travel.

But if you take the game for what it is, I find it to be a very rewarding experience, and I really love experiencing the cosmos in a semi-realistic space setting as an alter ego. Go into the game with an open mind, explore its mechanics, and don't take it too seriously. There's a very fun game in there so long as you're able to accept its limitations. It isn't the greatest game ever made but it's also extraordinarily far from the worst, as rage-baiting YouTubers and content creators may make it seem. For most people, this game may be just okay, but it's really clicked with me and I am continuing to enjoy my time in it.

The granddaddy of colony sims with procedural and exciting story-telling. Every world is unique, every dwarf unique, and within every fortress lies a different fate. One of the best games ever made, with love and passion embedded all throughout. Highly recommend.

One of the most creative rhythm games in the genre and extraordinarily fun to play.

Very unique and mesmerizing game with fun art direction, characters, and story. One of the most unique and fun experiences I've had in a while.

By far the best co-op game I've ever played.

It's hard for me to go into detail but despite the biomes and mission types being fairly limited, the game manages to deliver a unique experience every single mission you play. The randomly generated caves keep things fresh, and will test your abilities to traverse all kinds of obstacles. The classes also synergize well together, and you get a great sense of satisfaction for getting through a difficult mission with your teammates. I have never played a game with such charm and quality, especially one that I can play with friends.

The devs, by the way, are nothing short of great and communicative. They put out constant updates and listen to community feedback. This is an early access game that continues to deliver well beyond what you could expect from it.

I cannot recommend this game enough.