Recent reviews by ✪ L1F ツ

This game helped me move away from the min-maxxing mindset. Normally, I would obsess over optimizing every little detail — the best crops, the perfect schedule, and the highest profits. But Stardew Valley taught me to slow down and enjoy the process. The game lets you progress at your own pace, and while efficiency matters, there’s no rush. It’s about the little moments: tending to your farm, chatting with villagers, and experiencing the seasons change. The freedom to play without stress was a refreshing change, and it reminded me that gaming can be about fun, not just perfection.

Simple. To the point. You simulate a steam engine and sometimes annoy the creator.
10/10

From the get-go, the game drops you into a world simmering with tension. The rift between augmented and non-augmented humans is palpable, and you can feel the distrust, the resentment, in every alley of Prague. The narrative does an exceptional job weaving socio-political dilemmas with personal challenges. Adam Jensen, with his brooding demeanor and upgraded augmentations, feels like a character who's evolved, yet is still searching for his place in this divided world.

Gameplay-wise, the freedom of "Mankind Divided" is nothing short of impressive. Missions can be tackled in multiple ways, whether you’re a fan of the silent takedown or more direct confrontation. The verticality of levels, the hidden routes, the depth of character customization — it all feels like a playground for strategic minds.

Graphics and sound are top-tier, immersing you completely. Prague is rendered with such detail that you can almost feel the chill in the air, hear the distant chatter of NPCs, and sense the undercurrents of a society on the brink.

But it wasn't just the technicalities that won me over. It's the moral quandaries, the shades of grey, the challenging decisions that make "Mankind Divided" resonate. It’s not just a game; it’s a reflection on humanity, prejudice, and the lengths we go to secure power.

In essence, "Deus Ex: Mankind Divided" stands tall, not just as a worthy successor to "Human Revolution," but as a standout title in its own right. It’s a dive into a dystopian future that feels eerily plausible and is a testament to what the medium of gaming can achieve in storytelling. An absolute must-play.

I gave this one a go with some level of anticipation, given my appreciation for the Deus Ex universe. But straight off the bat, it felt...dated. The controls felt clunky, graphics were noticeably lacking compared to its counterparts, and the overall gameplay experience seemed like a watered-down version of what I'd come to expect from the Deus Ex franchise.

The narrative tried to weave itself into the broader Deus Ex tapestry, and while the attempt was commendable, it often felt overshadowed by the game's technical limitations. To be fair, "The Fall" was ambitious for its time, especially considering its mobile origins. But in the grand scope of gaming, and especially stacked against its siblings in the Deus Ex lineup, it just didn't hold up for me.

If you're a die-hard Deus Ex fan, you might dip your toes out of sheer curiosity, but set those expectations right. For me, it was a brief sojourn into a chapter of the Deus Ex world that, quite honestly, could've stayed on the shelf. Sometimes, not all chapters in a beloved saga resonate, and this one, well, it fell a bit short.

In an era where many modern games seem to be veering towards style over substance, this title pulls me back into what I love about gaming: intricate worlds, layered storytelling, and that intoxicating blend of stealth, strategy, and direct action.

Right from the get-go, the cyberpunk aesthetic of the game grabs you. The golden-hued environments, Adam Jensen’s broody demeanor, and the underlying themes of augmentation and humanity's evolution — it all feels so meticulously crafted. And then there's the freedom of approach. Few games offer such a tantalizing array of choices. Want to go in guns blazing? You can. Prefer the silent, shadowy route? That's an option too. Every mission feels like a puzzle waiting to be unraveled in myriad ways.

The "Director's Cut," in particular, elevates the experience. Tweaked boss fights (which, let's be honest, were a weak point in the original) and integrated DLC content make it feel like a more cohesive and rounded experience.

As I sink more hours into it, it's evident that "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" taps into something that many contemporary titles miss — a sense of depth. Not just in terms of gameplay mechanics, but in world-building, character development, and moral dilemmas.

If you're someone who's grown weary of the glossy but hollow offerings that sometimes populate the gaming landscape these days, give this one a shot. It reminds you of the golden days, where games were rich tapestries waiting to be explored, not just skimmed. So far, for me, it's been a rewarding dive into a world where the lines between man and machine blur intriguingly. A rare gem in the modern gaming scene.

I gave this one a whirl, primarily because of its Valve pedigree. But, to be frank, it didn't click for me. Now, don't get me wrong, I can see its merits — the World War II setting, the team-based gameplay, and the attention to detail are all commendable. But somehow, it just didn't gel with my gaming DNA.

The more I played, the clearer it became that I might just be a "Counter-Strike" person at heart. There's something about CS that feels so raw, so pure in its tactical gunplay, that other shooters often pale in comparison. With "Day of Defeat: Source," I often found myself drawing comparisons, and unfortunately, it came up short for my taste.

It's possible that the World War II setting didn't resonate as much, or perhaps the game mechanics just veered slightly off from what I typically enjoy. Whatever it was, while I acknowledge the game's qualities and its community of dedicated fans, it simply wasn't my cup of tea.

End of the day, gaming is deeply personal. What's one person's masterpiece might be another's meh. And while Day of Defeat: Source might be a gem for many, I guess I'm just more attuned to the rhythm of Counter-Strike. So, if you're a CS loyalist like me, tread lightly — this might not scratch that itch.

I have to be honest, my heart has always leaned more towards "Crysis 2." Maybe it's the nostalgia of that urban battleground or the more polished feel. But that doesn't mean the original "Crysis" doesn't pack a punch.

Set in a lush, tropical paradise, the game is a beautiful mix of stealth and chaos. The suit's capabilities, switching between armor, speed, and stealth, are a game-changer (quite literally). Each encounter feels like a sandbox where strategies can be mixed and matched. And then there's that iconic tagline: "But can it run Crysis?" This game was, and still is, the benchmark for graphical prowess.

The remastered version? It does justice to the original, amplifying what was already a graphical marvel. The sun filtering through the dense foliage, the ripples in the water, the detailed textures — it's all enhanced and feels more alive.

For all its worth, while "Crysis 2" might have stolen my heart, the original "Crysis" laid the foundation. It set the stage for what was to come, introducing us to the Nanosuit, the alien threat, and a world where strategy and raw firepower go hand in hand.

So, if you're curious about the Crysis universe and wondering where to start, "Crysis Remastered" is the gateway. It's the genesis of the series, and it provides context to the sequels. While it might not be my top pick of the franchise, it's undeniably essential. Strap on that Nanosuit and dive in; the jungle awaits.

Oh man, where do I begin? It’s like Crytek took a look back, cherry-picked the best from "Crysis" and "Crysis 2", then whipped up this beauty. The game feels like a love letter to fans of both predecessors, a synthesis of jungle and urban warfare, brilliantly fusing the rawness of the original with the refined mechanics of the sequel.

Whatever ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ or issues the original "Crysis 3" had – and let's face it, no game's perfect – seem to have been ironed out. It’s smoother, the graphics pop more, and it feels like a tighter, more immersive experience overall. The combat feels more fluid, the environments are lush and detailed, and it's a sheer joy sneaking through tall grasses, going invisible, and taking out enemies or drawing the bow and letting arrows fly. The storyline, while divisive for some, gripped me from the start. Playing "Crysis 3 Remastered" gave me that familiar adrenaline rush, mixed with bouts of nostalgia. There's a sense of culmination, a feeling of coming full circle from where the franchise started.

In a nutshell? I'm in love all over again. If "Crysis 3" was a dish, then the remastered version is that same dish, but with a master chef's finishing touches – refined, enhanced, and absolutely delectable. Kudos to Crytek for this one. It's a testament to how remasters should be done. A solid recommendation from me.

Crysis 2 Remastered takes me back. I vividly recall flipping through the pages of SKOAR! Magazine (by Digit) around 2011 or 2012. There it was, a review of "Crysis 2" in all its graphical glory. It wasn’t just another game; it was a beacon, a call to arms for every PC gamer. That siren song was enough to propel me into building a dedicated gaming rig, every part meticulously chosen, just to experience this visual extravaganza. Though, in a twist of irony, after sinking all my cash into that PC, I didn’t have enough left to actually buy the game. So, I pirated it. Not proud, but hey, desperate times.

Fast forward, and we have the remastered edition. It wasn’t a question of 'if' but 'when' I'd get it. An ode to that time, a nod to the game that motivated a full-blown PC build.

Now, here’s where I might diverge from the crowd: I genuinely prefer "Crysis 2" over the original. Maybe it’s because I played it first. When I eventually circled back to the original "Crysis," it felt rough around the edges. Like seeing a prototype after experiencing the final product. "Crysis 2" had an urban combat flair, a narrative push, and a polished sheen that its predecessor lacked for me.

The remastered version? A treat. For anyone sitting on the fence: jump in. Especially if, like me, "Crysis 2" holds that special place in your gaming heart. It’s nostalgia, wrapped in cutting-edge tech. A paradox I'm here for.

I remember diving into this one with some expectations — after all, it had quite the reputation. From the get-go, something just felt... off. I struggled to connect with the gameplay mechanics, found the pace either too frantic or too sluggish.

Yet, here’s the kicker: I kept playing. Not for the love of the game, but for the allure of Steam trading cards. Shallow? Sure. But hey, a gamer's got priorities, and sometimes they aren't always about gameplay.

Company of Heroes 2 has its fans, and I can see the appeal for those into deep, tactical warfare. But for me, it served as a reminder that not every renowned title resonates with everyone. We all have our preferences. This one just wasn't mine. If you’re new to the RTS genre, tread carefully. It might just not be your battlefield.