Recent reviews by ✦Etherion✦

Gotham Knights while ambitious in trying to portray the story of life without Batman where the mantle of protecting Gotham falls on the protégés of the dark knight, ultimately accomplishes this in the most underwhelming way. The game while somewhat unique, will always be overshadowed by the Arkham trilogy which are simply superior in terms of game-mechanics & storytelling.

Pros:
+Good Story: As Batman's successors struggle to protect Gotham from descending into chaos by gangs & villains vying for power & control following his demise, mysteries surrounding entities such as "The court of owls" & "League of shadows" at work behind the scenes are hastily revealed. The story however falls short when elaborating & utilizing these entities in a meaningful or memorable way.
+Good Graphics: This rendition of Gotham city simply looks beautiful at times from its Gothic architecture to its rainy neon lit streets.
+Good Combat: The combat while clunky & less free flowing when compared to the Arkham games simply gets the job done. The skill tree is well implemented with each of the four playable characters having unique abilities complementing their play-style. Gear can also upgraded further aiding in combat against the game's various enemy classes & villains.
+Good Controls: The game's controls are simple & responsive overall however at times due to the clunky nature of the combat & traversal mechanics in-game this may not seem like the case.
+Good Soundtrack: The mix of songs from well known artists and instrumentals definitely complement the overall aesthetic of neon-noir Gotham and its characters.

Cons:
-Empty World: After completing the main story-line, you quickly realize that Gotham while beautiful is so sparse & empty with nothing to do in certain areas.
-Performance Issues: The game while utilizing Unreal Engine 4, suffers from occasional stutters, frame-drops & low res-textures mainly due to poor optimization.
-Co-op Issues: Various bugs, glitches & disconnects tend to render the game's co-op experience more tedious than it should be.

Conclusion: I would definitely recommend purchasing only when on sale as it's the only time where the value for money spent is really worth it due to the overall length of the story and limited additional content available for the game.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is an enchanting tale of honor, family & sacrifice, following the exploits of Eivor as she leads her people to England to start a new life & settlement during the dark ages. Eivor is a memorable protagonist in the franchise with a compelling background which affects her motives & actions throughout the story.

Pros:
+Great Story: As Eivor progresses in her quest to settle a new home for her people, elements of the power struggle brewing in England between warring factions & how these events are being influenced by both the order of ancients and assassins are masterfully revealed along with Eivor's relation to the Norse Gods (Isu). The overall ending good or bad can be influenced by the decisions made by Eivor throughout the story.
+Excellent Graphics: From sprawling castles to megalithic stonehenge, the various settlements of England are all beautifully rendered making for some of the most memorable vistas in gaming.
+Great Combat: The brutal hack & slash combat makes great use of light, heavy & ranged weapons. The skill tree is also well implemented and further complements play style.
+Great Controls: The game's controls are simple and responsive when taking on enemies or traversing the medieval settlements of England.
+Great Soundtrack: The beautifully crafted music definitely adds depth & nuance helping to enrich the game's story telling as well as the impact of pivotal scenes and events. The ambient music also perfectly fits the medieval/ viking aesthetic of the game.

Cons:
-The game's story may come across as convoluted to new players jumping in at this point in the series without playing any of the previous games, especially AC: Origins & AC: Odyssey.
-Random Glitches & Bugs: The occasional crashes, low res textures along with random npcs getting stuck in objects or spazzing out during combat can be annoying or funny at times.

Steelrising is a alluring yet macabre tale set in Paris during the French revolutionary period. The game follows the exploits of Aegis as she battles a plethora of mechanized enemies while untangling the web of events surrounding the automaton uprising and their relation to King Louis XVI.

Pros:
+Good Story: As Aegis progresses in her journey, elements concerning her origins, the mystery behind the automaton uprising & rising political powers in France are all unveiled. The story's overall ending, good or bad can also be influenced based on the individuals Aegis aligns with & helps throughout her journey.
+Great Graphics: Lights & clockwork, Aegis and other automatons all look unique while 1789 Paris and surrounding locations are all beautifully rendered in its grim steampunk aesthetic.
+Good Combat: The combat while clunky & imprecise at times makes good use of melee & ranged weapons. Some modules & upgrades acquired throughout the story also aid in combat by boosting the effectiveness of certain weapons & their elemental effects.
+Good Controls: The game's controls are simple and responsive when taking on enemies or traversing the grim streets of Paris.
+Great Soundtrack: The ambient music played throughout the story definitely suits the period, tone & steampunk aesthetic of the game.

Cons:
-Random glitches & bugs: While not really surprising especially if you have played other games from this developer, having to restart from a save because you get stuck in a menu or dialogue options not showing up can get annoying.
-Combat Fatigue: With the exception of main bosses, enemy encounters are basically rinse & repeat which can become boring after a while.
-Poor Dialogue: Long winded dialogue options while sometimes shed light on the motives of secondary characters, often lend little to the main plot at hand, you may find yourself skipping lines of dialogue just to get on with it.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is the modern retelling of a classic story in the franchise. The game follows the tale of Tommy Angelo as he navigates the perils of life as a gangster in the 1930's city of Lost Haven. Tommy's struggle between the life he has chosen & life he wishes to have throughout the story, helps to make him a memorable protagonist in the franchise.

Pros:
+Great Story: The story while detailing Tommy Angelo's rise from struggling cab driver to mafia capo also does a great job portraying the realities of life in a 1930's prohibition era Lost Haven where the Salieri and Morello crime families are feuding for control of the city. The story also does a great job detailing the origins of these crime families as well as their downfall.
+Great Graphics: The city of Lost Haven simply looks beautiful from its bustling streets to its towering buildings. This makes for a brilliant 1930's themed backdrop as you visit various locations throughout the story.
+Good Combat: The game while being somewhat bare-bones in this aspect does offer some one-handed, two-handed & melee weapons for use in combat. The cover system can feel a bit clunky & imprecise when taking on groups of enemies & there is no skill tree to complement combat.
+Good Controls: The game's controls are simple and responsive when in combat or racing through the rainy streets of Lost Haven to outrun the law.
+Great Soundtrack: The songs played through the available radio stations in game definitely complement the 1930's look & feel of the game.

Cons:
-The game's story is very short and condensed within 20 chapters which can be cleared in 5-7 hours if not less. Outside this there is nothing to do, leading to minimum replay value except if achievement hunting.

Devil May Cry 5 is a beautiful symphony of destruction. The game's masterful blend of an enthralling story building on the history of the Devil May Cry franchise, fluid hack 'n slash gameplay, a kick-ass soundtrack & memorable characters, makes for one of the best games in the series so far.

+Excellent Story: The story follows the exploits of Dante, Nero & V, as they battle a new villain named Urizen along with his minions while trying to save Red Grave City from the clutches of evil. The origin of the mysterious new character V, along with his relation to Urizen & the events taking place are all masterfully revealed as the story progresses.
+Excellent Graphics: The ruins of Red Grave City look simply beautiful from the neon lit streets to its Gothic buildings. This makes for an excellent backdrop as you battle your way through an imposing hellscape filled with enemies.
+Excellent Gameplay: The game truly shines in this aspect, offering a unique blend of abilities, weapons, upgrades & play styles, spread across the three main payable characters. This offers you a plethora of unique combos to destroy enemies on your path of destruction, ensuring that gameplay remains fresh & rewarding throughout the story. The main characters & their unique abilities are also utilized in a seamless way throughout the story so that no one overshadows the other.
+Excellent Controls: The game's controls are quick & intuitive when chaining together combos during combat or traversing the in-game world therefore complementing gameplay.
+Excellent Soundtrack: The electro-metal inspired soundtrack definitely fits the hell on earth aesthetic of the game while complementing the chaotic nature of its gameplay. Having "Devil Trigger" playing in the background as you slaughter droves of enemies makes for an enjoyable experience.

Cons:
-The lack of both Trish & Lady being playable in DMC5 as opposed to DMC4: SE, feels like a step backwards. While the game's ending sets up a possible playable story for both characters, this was never developed on or added as DLC content which seems like a missed opportunity.

Agents of Mayhem is a hodgepodge of ideas & characters coupled with a lack-luster story which never really materializes into a meaningful or memorable game. The most interesting part of the game comes about during the first 1-2 hours of gameplay as you unlock the 12 main playable characters along with their unique stories & abilities. After this the story becomes a trudge to the finish as the banal / rinse & repeat nature of the gameplay becomes abundantly clear.

Pros:
+Great Graphics: The vibrant aesthetic of a futuristic Seoul where the events of the game take place along with the main playable characters looks great.
+Good Controls: The game's controls are simple & responsive when in combat or drifting through the streets of Seoul in your sentient talking car.
+Good Soundtrack: The up-beat soundtrack definitely fits the vibrant & futuristic look of the game along with its main characters.

Cons:
-Average Story: The game's story follows the basic premise of heroes (M.A.Y.H.E.M) vs villains (L.E.G.I.O.N). A group of unique heroes are brought together to foil the villains cliche ambitions of world domination.
-Underwhelming Gameplay: The gameplay quickly becomes overly repetitive as you progress through the main story & side missions while taking on the same drove of enemies among other tasks such as hacking & capturing data points. The only time this changes is when facing off against the various unique (L.E.G.I.O.N) bosses. The in-game world therefore begins to feel bland & boxed-in as you realize that you are going from point A to B doing the same repetitive tasks with little to no variation.

Conclusion: The only way I would recommend this game is if you can pick it up during steam sales or included as part of a bundle from a 3rd party website such as Fanatical. The game has some entertainment value but keep the expectations low.

Sunset Overdrive is a true gem. It's video-game escapism at its finest, A journey into a whimsical world filled with larger than life characters, a ludicrous series of events & where every situation is an opportunity for a joke. Coupled with brilliant movement mechanics, a teddy bear grenade launcher & killer punk rock soundtrack, Sunset Overdrive is a reminder that games don't have to be serious to be truly great.

Pros:
+Fun Story: The protagonist & other characters from various factions are brought together by an "awesomepocalypse" as they fend off humans mutated by the energy drink "overcharge" while trying to take down the evil mega-corporation "Fizzco" which is responsible for the disaster.
+Great Graphics: The unique color palette & visual art style results in a beautiful spectacle that is Sunset City & its characters. It all looks like the pages of a comic book vibrantly rendered.
+Excellent Gameplay: The game truly shines in this aspect. The blend of fast paced fluid movement & gun-play makes for a truly enjoyable experience as you jump, grind & dash your way through Sunset City while slaughtering droves of mutants with an impressive arsenal of whimsical weapons & upgrades.
+Excellent Controls: The game's controls are intuitive which complements combat especially when chaining together moves and the fluid, fast paced movement dynamics of the game.
+Excellent Soundtrack: The punk rock soundtrack definitely complements the vibrant yet grungy aesthetic of Sunset Overdrive.

Cons:
-If your are accustomed to fast paced, movement based shooters, then you will be able to jump right in. For those unfamiliar there may a slight learning curve when getting accustomed to the game's movement mechanics.

"Sons of Anarchy meets The Walking Dead" makes for an excellent thrill ride that is Days Gone. The story centers around the actions of Deacon St. John as he confronts the horrors of a post-apocalyptic, freaker infested world while searching for the whereabouts of his wife Sarah. Deacon's determination, lethal skills & somewhat cynical nature makes him both an endearing & memorable protagonist.

Pros:
+Great Story: The story does an excellent job portraying both the mental & physical struggles of Deacon as he fights for survival in a post-apocalyptic Oregon while searching for his wife Sarah. The details of the deadly post-apocalyptic virus outbreak, various factions & their relation to Deacon & Sarah are revealed as progress is made through the main story-line & its side quests.
+Excellent Graphics: Post-apocalyptic Oregon looks simply beautiful from its snow-capped mountain peaks to crystal clear lakes. This makes for some breathtaking scenery when not taking on menacing freaker hordes or patrolling the grim remainder of human settlements scattered throughout the map.
+Great Combat: The combat makes great use of Deacon's melee weapons, guns, throwables & traps when clearing out enemy encampments or taking on freaker hordes. This helps to complement your play-style whether its stealth or going in guns blazing. The skill tree is well implemented which enhances melee & ranged combat along with survival.
+Good Controls: The game's controls are simple and responsive when in combat or burning rubber through the back roads of Oregon on your motorcycle.
+Great Soundtrack: The somber yet at times menacing soundtrack definitely complements the look & feel of the game.

Cons:
-Some quests tend to follow a generic rinse & repeat formula, especially when clearing out hordes or ambush camps.
-Lack of cosmetics. While you can customize Deacon's drifter bike to some extent. There is no way of making the character uniquely yours by way of altering Deacon's appearance, at least without the use of mods.

GreedFall is a principled tale which follows the exploits of De Sardet as he/she attempts to restore order to the mythical island of Teer Fradee while searching for a cure to a mysterious plague known as the Malichor which is devastating the old continent of Gacane.

Pros:
+Great Story: As De Sardet progresses through his/her journey, various elements of the story relating to the protagonist's origin, Malichor plague & past events are all masterfully revealed. The overall ending is also influenced by the choices made throughout the story. The main protagonist can therefore choose to be the ruthless conqueror or the savior of a dying island & its people.
+Great Graphics: The island of Teer Fradee is beautifully rendered in all its new world glory. From the lush forests to the faction controlled cities, each settlement looks unique.
+Good Combat: The combat makes good use of De Sardet's melee weapons, guns, magic & traps when taking on single or multiple enemies. The combat system also make good use of the tactical pause feature so attacks can be chained together in quick succession. The skill tree is also well implemented & complements combat.
+Good Controls: The game's controls are simple and responsive when in combat or traversing the island of Teer Fradee.
+Good Soundtrack: The somber soundtrack definitely complements the look and feel of the game.

Cons:
-While the game paints a beautiful open world, it can feel boxed in at times especially when you realize that there is really nothing to do or see when venturing off the beaten path.
-Quests tend to follow a generic rinse & repeat formula going from location A to B. This can get boring especially during the side quests.
-There is not much replay value because of the reasons previously stated except if achievement hunting.

Horizon Zero Dawn is a captivating post-apocalyptic story centered around the adventures of Aloy as she searches for answers concerning her origins & past events while preventing a rogue AI known as "Hades" from using a malicious ancient horde of robots to destroy all life on the planet. Aloy's fierce beauty, lethal skills & witty charm definitely makes her one of the greatest female video-game heroines of all time.

Pros:
+Excellent Story: The story does an excellent job portraying humanity's struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world overrun with machines. The emotional events of the past, their relation to Aloy's origin & her importance in saving the world are masterfully revealed as Aloy progresses in her journey.
+Excellent Graphics: The many unique landscapes, settlements, wildlife & machines which make up this post-apocalyptic world are all beautifully rendered & feels alive, creating some of the most gorgeous scenery in gaming.
+Great Combat: The combat makes great use of Aloy's range of skills & weapons. Combat feels fluid when taking on large menacing machines or human enemies. Aloy's range of projectile weapons, traps & armor can be used to take advantage of enemy weaknesses to lethal effect.
+Great Controls: The controls are precise & responsive when traversing the in-game environment or in combat further complementing gameplay.
+Great Soundtrack: The somber soundtrack definitely complements the post-apocalyptic look & feel of the game, adding to its depth & emotion while exploring the open world on your mount or fighting angry machines.

Cons:
-Some of the side missions follow the same routine pattern which may get repetitive after some time.
-Certain areas of the map are too densely populated with machines which may lead to many unnecessarily hostile interactions which can become annoying especially when just exploring.