Recent reviews by Jo (Val)

During times full of games, that are bloating with micro-transactions, focused on often shallow, empty-feeling content, this game is an exact opposite and is a true gem. It wants you to go and simply do things. Take in the scenery, listen in to the story and make choices, that matter. Story-rich, with well-written characters that actually do grow, depending on your actions/decisions. So many little details, but it's the magic of those, that make the game special. Baldur's Gate 3 is a work of love and it shows. Larian wanted to make a game, that's fun to play. Add up the fact, that it's really beautiful to look at, they got most of the fantasy aesthetics spot on, making the game complete in my eyes.

If you enjoy fantasy RPG games, that are story-driven, you will enjoy the game. There are things, that might not be everyone's cup of coffee, ie. D&D based rolling system, the view/camera, but as far as I'm concerned, the game is still worth every minute, that I put in it.

To me, there are two kinds of RPGs, that I enjoy. First being the kind-of-sandbox'y, stuff like Skyrim, where the story is not the main selling point, and feels rather empty/shallow, as far as story and characters go, but rather, exploring and doing whatever you fancy, and then RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3, where narration, the cinematic feel and character development are the bulk of the game and its' best parts. Nothing wrong with either type, but let me underline and overstate, that Baldur's Gate 3 is akin reading a fantastic book, with the exception of that you are the protagonist and you shape up how the book will continue.

I don't review games often, but Baldur's Gate 3 is a first game in the last decade, that had me excited for the moment of full release and has me hyperfixated even now, in a good way. The game, that's made for the gamers, rather than for appeasing some fancy manager/executive with more sales and micro-transactions.

TL;DR - GOTY material, also well-worth the Labor of Love award. (Dec, 2024)

Warframe scratches my itch for more than one reason. Its' fast-paced combat system (melee, mainly), the fact it's somewhat sci-fi/futuristic and also the fact that I can play this game again, again and again. Having hidden hints of story scattered across the game is just a (great) bonus. As someone, who loves a good chunk of story, I honestly didn't expect much from this game, it being primarily shooter/horde-killing type of game, but it managed to surprise me in more than one way, and continues doing so over the course of almost two years I have been playing.

Add up the fact that the developers behind this game seem to genuinely care for making a fun game, their strong connection with the community; quite unrivalled in the gaming industry. For a first time, in last two decades of my gaming time, this is a game I enjoy not only as a product, but also because of the people, who work on it. The passion shows; and despite of stuff I've disagreed with, that they may have done (in my opinion) differently, or perhaps even better, it's just (sadly) rare to see such a commitment not only to the game, but also to their community.

Warframe is not for everyone - if you don't find certain amount of fun in 'grinding' gear, in rather fast-paced enviromnent, then no, game won't likely attract you much. But if you love to collect stuff and relax by slaughtering many, many, many.. (have I said many yet?) enemies; while finding bits and pieces of the story behind the Tenno & Warframes - well, it may be for you. The game is an oddball mixture, ever-changing, adding new features, in attempts to keep the game fresh; which in my opinion is also part of its' appeal. With the latest, and bold addition of an open-map - I expect the game will keep the trend, of always breaking the expectations and changing in ways, that will keep the game interesting and fun.