Recent reviews by GrindoDrome

Psychonauts is a cuckoo-bananas brain-bender that’ll make your neurons do the cha-cha! You’re Raz, a psychic kid diving into mental madhouses at Whispering Rock Summer Camp. Each mind’s a wacko wonderland—disco conspiracies, kaiju lungfish cities, milkman nightmares! The story’s like a cartoon snorting pixie dust, with brains stolen and psychic spies aplenty. Platforming’s a hoot, with psi-blasts and telekinesis flinging you through surreal 3D dreamscapes. Double Fine’s 2005 gem oozes charm, with dialogue sharper than a psychic shiv. It’s not perfect—camera’s wonky, some jumps are maddening—but who cares? This game’s a glitter-bombed love letter to lunacy!

Kazuma Kiryu here, reflecting on Yakuza 5, a sprawling tale of loyalty and redemption across Japan’s underbelly. This game weaves five protagonists’ stories, including mine, through five vibrant cities, each pulsing with its own rhythm. From Kamurocho’s neon-lit streets to Sapporo’s snowy alleys, arigatou to RGG Studio for crafting a narrative that’s as much about family as it is about fists. Think Shenmue but with more heart-pounding brawls and heartfelt side stories.



Taiga Saejima speaking, fresh from the mountains and back in the fray. Yakuza 5’s gameplay centers on navigating open-world cities like Kamurocho and Sotenbori, where you control five characters, each with distinct fighting styles—mine’s all about raw power and grapples. Combat flows through real-time brawling, chaining combos and heat actions, with each character’s moveset reflecting their personality, like my heavy-hitting strikes versus Akiyama’s swift kicks. Exploration offers a mix of main story missions, side quests called substories, and minigames ranging from taxi driving to arcade claw machines, sugoi in their variety. Cities teem with activities—think batting cages, fishing, or even managing a ramen stand—creating a dense world to wander. Switching between protagonists keeps pacing deliberate, with each arc unfolding in unique locales before converging, demanding patience to master every system, yosh!



Haruka Sawamura here, super excited to share why Yakuza 5 shines like a pop idol’s spotlight! Five gorgeous cities burst with life, from Fukuoka’s food stalls to Osaka’s bustling nightlife, making every stroll visually spectacular, kawaii! Each protagonist’s story weaves a gripping tale, blending crime drama with heartfelt moments that had me tearing up. Minigames are a total blast—taxi racing and dance battles kept me hooked for hours, genki vibes all around! Combat feels punchy and varied, with each character’s style, like Saejima’s wrestling moves, adding fresh flair. Side quests overflow with quirky charm, from helping a comedian to snowball fights, offering endless fun. Visuals, especially in the remastered version, pop at 1080p and 60fps, making Japan’s streets sparkle, sugoi! My idol sections, with rhythm-based performances, bring a unique twist, unlike anything in Judgment. Voice acting and re-translated dialogue deliver emotional depth, making every cutscene a treat, arigatou to the team!



Tatsuo Shinada, stepping up to bat with some gripes about Yakuza 5. Story pacing drags at times, with early chapters unfolding too slowly, especially when juggling five protagonists’ arcs, mendokusai. Combat, while fun, can feel repetitive, as enemy encounters lean heavily on similar patterns, lacking the depth of something like Yakuza 0. Technical hiccups, like occasional frame drops or clunky camera controls, disrupt exploration in crowded city streets. Some minigames, like certain fetch quests, feel like filler, padding out an already long 60-hour journey, tch. Graphics, despite the remaster, show their PS3 roots, with dated textures standing out next to modern titles like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Switching between characters, while ambitious, sometimes fractures the narrative’s flow, making it hard to stay invested, shoganai.



Shun Akiyama here, wrapping up thoughts on Yakuza 5. This game delivers a massive, character-driven crime saga that balances gritty brawls with quirky side content across five dynamic cities. Each protagonist’s journey, from Kiryu’s taxi-driving to Haruka’s idol dreams, crafts a rich, emotional tapestry. Minigames and substories can keep you hooked, though pacing and dated visuals occasionally stumble, yatta!



8.3/10 - Score reflects a robust, varied experience that’s slightly held back by pacing issues and aging tech, but still a knockout for fans of crime dramas, kampai!

In the shadowed corridors of global espionage, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory emerges as a masterwork of stealth and suspense, casting players as Sam Fisher, a ghost operative navigating a world teetering on the brink of technological warfare. Released in 2005, the game weaves a taut narrative where Fisher's covert missions unravel a conspiracy threatening global stability, blending geopolitical intrigue with pulse-pounding action. Its gameplay is a delicate dance of light and shadow, demanding precision as players infiltrate enemy strongholds, interrogate foes, and vanish without a trace. The game's AI, cunning and unpredictable, forces every decision to carry the weight of consequence, mirroring the high-stakes calculus of a spy novel. Visually, its gritty aesthetics and dynamic lighting craft a palpable sense of immersion, while the iconic night-vision goggles paint the world in eerie green. Chaos Theory's sound design—whispers of guards, the creak of floors—amplifies tension, making silence as lethal as any weapon. Multiplayer modes, pitting spies against mercenaries, add a cat-and-mouse thrill, though the single-player campaign remains its beating heart. Widely hailed as the series' pinnacle, it’s a gripping tale of one man’s war against chaos, where every move could be his last.

System Shock 2 (1999) achieves peak operational efficiency in immersive sim architecture, fusing first-person navigation, RPG protocols, and survival horror subroutines with SHODAN’s rogue AI narrative core executing a high-impact cyberpunk storyline. Skill augmentation and resource allocation systems optimize user interaction, though obsolete interface modules persist, while the Von Braun’s spatial configuration generates maximal atmospheric oppression. Audio-visual outputs, constrained by 1999 hardware, sustain thematic integrity with nominal system stability despite minor compatibility errors on contemporary platforms. Hostile AI units deploy adaptive combat algorithms, demanding strategic recalibration in this foundational construct of gaming’s evolutionary matrix.

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a grand tapestry of pixelated adventure, weaving retro aesthetics with modern finesse. Wielding a trusty shovel, thou embarkest on a quest as the titular knight to vanquish foes and amass riches. This anthology bundles the core game with expansions, each adding new knights and tales. Verily, it’s a homage to 8-bit classics like Mega Man, yet it carves its own legend.



Shovel Knight’s journey unfolds across platforming stages, where thou navigatest perilous ledges and cunning traps. Combat demands mastery of thy shovel, pogo-jumping upon enemies or swinging it to unearth treasures. Each level harbors checkpoints, relics to augment thy prowess, and secrets tucked in breakable walls. Expansions introduce knights like Plague Knight, whose bomb-based antics shift the rhythm of traversal and battle. Progression ties to collecting gold, which funds upgrades for health, magic, or armor. Minigames, such as card battles in King of Cards, diversify the quest, blending strategy with the core platforming.



Navigating this realm feels as smooth as a bard’s lute, with controls precise enough to dance betwixt spikes. Visuals, clad in vibrant 8-bit splendor, evoke nostalgia while remaining crisp on modern displays. Soundscapes, brimming with chiptune melodies, stir the soul like a minstrel’s ballad, enhancing each leap and clash. Expansions, such as Specter of Torment, weave distinct campaigns, each knight offering fresh mechanics that renew the adventure. Level design, intricate as a castle’s labyrinth, balances challenge with clever secrets that reward the curious. Replayability abounds, with New Game Plus and challenge modes testing even the hardiest knights. Humor and heart shine in dialogue, crafting a world as charming as a jester’s tale. Comparisons to DuckTales’ pogo mechanics or Castlevania’s gothic platforming only elevate its standing, yet it forges a unique path.



Difficulty spikes, akin to a dragon’s sudden wrath, can frustrate in certain stages, demanding near-flawless execution. Some expansion campaigns, while inventive, feel shorter than the core quest, leaving knights yearning for more. Repetitive enemy patterns in later levels may dull the blade of excitement for seasoned adventurers.



Treasure Trove is a gleaming gem, blending retro platforming with inventive expansions. Its knights, from Shovel to Specter, offer varied quests that delight with precision and charm. Chiptune anthems and pixel artistry craft a world both nostalgic and fresh. Challenges may test thy patience, but the journey rewards valor with riches aplenty. Priced modestly, with expansions included, it’s a worthy investment for any knight’s coffers.



9/10 - This score shines for its masterful blend of nostalgia, innovation, and replayability, though tempered slightly by occasional spikes in difficulty.

Crafted by FromSoftware, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice unfolds in Sengoku-era Japan, a land scarred by war and betrayal. You embody Wolf, a shinobi bound by loyalty, seeking to reclaim honor and exact vengeance. This action-adventure title weaves stealth, exploration, and unforgiving combat into a tale of redemption. Ancient forests, mist-shrouded mountains, and crumbling castles frame this journey through a fractured realm.



Combat revolves around a posture system, where precise sword strikes and deft parries erode an enemy’s balance, culminating in a lethal deathblow that echoes the duels of samurai lore. Stealth mechanics let Wolf glide through shadows, silently felling foes or bypassing danger in sprawling, vertical landscapes like the cliffs of Ashina’s outskirts. Grappling hooks grant fluid traversal across rooftops, ravines, and hidden paths, opening routes for ambushes or secret discoveries. Skill trees unlock a range of abilities, from sweeping blade arcs to venom-tipped shurikens, allowing adaptation to varied combat scenarios. Exploration rewards the vigilant, with interconnected regions like the Hirata Estate unveiling lore, resources, and perilous encounters. Every foe, from lowly ashigaru to demonic beasts, tests reflexes and cunning, where hesitation invites swift demise.



Combat system masterfully blends rhythm and tension, evoking the disciplined precision of Miyamoto Musashi’s legendary duels, where each clash feels like a dance upon a razor’s edge. World design, steeped in the haunting elegance of Kyoto’s ancient temples, crafts a seamless tapestry of verticality and discovery that beckons exploration. Soundtrack, with resonant taiko drums and mournful shamisen, channels the spirit of feudal Japan, lending weight to every step through its war-scarred lands. Narrative weaves loyalty and loss, drawing from the samurai’s Bushido code, delivering depth without heavy-handed moralizing. Enemy variety, from spectral apparitions to towering warlords, keeps encounters dynamic, rivaling the diverse threats of Nioh. Art direction paints a vivid Sengoku canvas, where cherry blossoms drift amid blood-soaked battlefields, capturing both beauty and brutality. Replayability flourishes through multiple endings and skill combinations, inviting new paths like a ronin roaming uncharted lands. Environmental storytelling, through abandoned shrines and weathered scrolls, enriches the world with echoes of Japan’s storied past.



Steep difficulty curve, akin to scaling the frostbitten crags of Mount Fuji during a relentless winter storm, demands an almost inhuman level of precision and patience from those who dare to tread its path. Many find themselves broken against its unyielding trials, as the game offers scant reprieve from its punishing rhythm, leaving even seasoned warriors humbled by the sheer intensity of its challenges. Build variety, when compared to the vast, customizable arsenal of Nioh 2, feels tightly constrained within the rigid framework of a shinobi’s skillset. Camera struggles in confined spaces, such as the claustrophobic, incense-heavy halls of Senpou Temple, frequently disrupt the delicate flow of duels against Ashina’s fiercest foes. These technical missteps, where angles obscure or walls impede, fracture the otherwise meticulous precision of swordplay.



Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice carves a brutal yet captivating path through a Sengoku Japan torn by war, blending stealth and swordplay with unmatched precision. Its world, alive with the somber beauty of Kyoto’s ancient shrines, invites exploration and rewards unyielding resolve. Combat demands mastery, reflecting the disciplined spirit of a samurai facing impossible odds. While its steep challenges and rigid systems may deter some, its depth and artistry endure like a katana’s tempered edge.



9.2/10 - this score reflects a masterful blend of challenge and artistry, tempered slightly by an unyielding difficulty that may not bow to all wanderers of this shadowed path

Siberia’s frozen expanse stretches endlessly before me, a brutal canvas of ice and mystery where the Divine Source whispers promises of eternity. Crystal Dynamics crafts an adventure that thrusts me into perilous tombs and sprawling hubs, blending exploration with survival’s sharp edge. My journey weaves through a narrative heavy with my father’s shadow, pushing me to unravel secrets guarded by both nature and fanatics. Every step feels like a dance with danger, grounded yet fantastical, as I chase truths that could reshape my world.



Scaling cliffs with my climbing axe demands precision, as each grip on jagged rock or icy ledge tests my reflexes and resolve. Combat shifts between stealth and chaos, allowing me to stalk enemies from dense foliage or unleash a barrage with my bow, pistols, or crafted explosives. Exploration unfolds across semi-open hubs, where hidden tombs, collectibles, and resources beckon me to stray from the main path. Puzzles within ancient crypts challenge my intellect, requiring manipulation of levers, water flows, and counterweights to unlock their secrets. Crafting systems let me scavenge materials to upgrade weapons or create tools, integrating survival mechanics into the journey. Expedition mode offers replayable challenges, where customizable cards alter conditions, letting me test my skills in unique scenarios.



Vast, breathtaking environments paint Siberia’s wilderness with stunning detail, from snow-dusted ruins to shimmering caves, inviting exploration at every turn. Combat feels dynamic, blending fluid stealth takedowns with visceral firefights that let me adapt to any threat with cunning or force. Tombs stand as highlights, their intricate puzzles and atmospheric designs rewarding my curiosity with a sense of discovery akin to Uncharted’s finest moments. Lara’s character deepens through Camilla Luddington’s nuanced performance, her obsession and trauma adding layers to my connection with her journey. Hub areas brim with side content, from crypts to missions, extending the adventure without feeling forced. Crafting and upgrading systems integrate seamlessly, making every scavenged resource a meaningful step toward survival. Narrative strikes a balance between grounded emotion and Indiana Jones-esque spectacle, keeping me hooked through its twists. Visual fidelity, especially in lighting and textures, crafts a world so vivid it rivals the lush jungles of Shadow of the Tomb Raider.



Scripted moments often wrest control from me, turning thrilling sequences into linear spectacles that dull my sense of agency. Platforming can frustrate, with unclear jump targets or timed sections that punish imprecise inputs, breaking the flow of exploration. Supporting characters lack depth, fading into the background compared to the richly drawn villains, leaving the story feeling lopsided. Combat, while versatile, leans heavily on repetitive enemy encounters, missing the variety needed to match Horizon Zero Dawn’s diverse foes. Excessive hand-holding through checkpoints and hints risks undermining the challenge, making some victories feel less earned. Linear set-pieces, while visually grand, sometimes feel like a leash, pulling me away from the open-ended discovery that defines my journey.



Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers a gripping adventure, balancing exploration, combat, and puzzles in a visually spectacular world. Lara’s evolution into a formidable yet flawed hero anchors the narrative, though scripted moments and shallow side characters temper its impact. Tombs and hubs shine as the heart of the experience, offering freedom and challenge in equal measure. DLC, like the Croft Manor and Endurance mode, adds meaningful depth, while the price feels justified for the hours of content. My journey through Siberia proves both harrowing and exhilarating, a testament to why I keep chasing the unknown.



8.7/10 - This score reflects a thrilling, polished adventure that stumbles with occasional linearity and repetitive combat but excels in exploration and atmosphere.

As a big fan of The Last of Us, its sequel, The Last of Us Part II, promised to carry forward the emotional weight and gritty survival of Ellie and Joel’s world. Naughty Dog delivers a post-apocalyptic epic set in a ravaged United States, where Ellie pursues justice after a devastating betrayal in Jackson, Wyoming. Visually breathtaking and mechanically refined, the game builds on its predecessor’s foundation with a broader scope. Yet, the narrative choices, steeped in unrelenting bleakness, feel like a betrayal of the heart that made the original a masterpiece.



Combat blends stealth, melee, and gunplay, letting players tackle infected and human foes with calculated precision across ruined cities and overgrown wilds. Crafting systems demand scavenging for scraps to create weapons and health kits, emphasizing resource scarcity in tense encounters. Exploration rewards thoroughness, with hidden notes and artifacts fleshing out the world’s lore in abandoned homes and eerie landscapes. Enemy AI reacts dynamically, forcing players to adapt tactics, whether crawling through underbrush or swinging a pipe in frantic brawls. The roguelike No Return mode, added in the 2025 remaster, offers randomized challenges and unlockable characters, injecting fresh variety. Movement and environmental interaction, smooth as in Uncharted 4, make navigating the world feel instinctive and fluid.



Visuals stun with meticulous detail, from crumbling Seattle skyscrapers to rain-soaked forests, rivaling the atmospheric beauty of Horizon Zero Dawn. Sound design, with its haunting guitar strums and guttural infected roars, crafts a visceral tension that grounds every moment. Gameplay refines the original’s formula, offering tighter stealth mechanics and combat fluidity that reward creative strategies. Accessibility options, like descriptive audio and haptic feedback, ensure the experience welcomes a wide audience. The No Return mode and Lost Levels add replayable depth, giving fans new ways to engage with the world. Technical polish in the remastered version elevates the experience, with enhanced textures and performance that make every vista a visual feast.



Narrative choices prioritize shock over coherence, unraveling the emotional bond fans cherished in the original with decisions that feel cruel and unearned. Pacing drags through bloated sections, with repetitive encounters that dilute the urgency of Ellie’s quest, unlike the taut storytelling of the first game. Character arcs, particularly around key figures, twist in ways that clash with their established motivations, leaving a hollow aftertaste. Forced perspective shifts disrupt emotional investment, making it hard to connect with the story’s moral ambiguity. The unrelenting bleakness overshadows moments of hope, straying far from the delicate balance of light and dark that defined The Last of Us. Technical hiccups, especially in the PC version, like frame drops and texture glitches, occasionally mar the otherwise stellar presentation.



The Last of Us Part II dazzles with its visuals, sound, and refined gameplay, building a world that feels alive and perilous. Yet, as a fan of the original, the story’s brutal choices and lack of emotional payoff feel like a betrayal of the characters I loved. Mechanics and presentation soar, but the narrative’s grim trajectory and pacing missteps leave a bitter taste. Additional modes like No Return add value, yet can’t salvage the story’s misfires.


7.3/10 - This score reflects the game’s technical brilliance and gameplay excellence, dragged down by a story that alienates fans of The Last of Us with its jarring choices and lack of emotional resonance

In the shadowed, decrepit halls of the Spencer Mansion, Resident Evil plunges you into a suffocating nightmare where every creak and groan drips with dread. The game’s atmosphere is a relentless predator, stalking you through fog-choked corridors and blood-smeared rooms, each one a canvas of visceral horror. Zombies lurch from the darkness, their rotting flesh and guttural moans painting a grotesque tableau that churns the stomach. Combat is a desperate, gritty struggle—bullets are scarce, and every shot feels like a gamble against the encroaching horde. The puzzles, though occasionally clunky, weave seamlessly into the oppressive environment, forcing you to linger in the decay. Gore-soaked set pieces, from mutilated corpses to pulsating bio-organic horrors, amplify the game’s unrelenting tension. Resident Evil doesn’t just scare—it claws at your nerves, leaving a lingering stench of fear and adrenaline. This is survival horror at its raw, blood-drenched core.

Portal 2, a cerebral triumph from Valve, catapults players into a labyrinthine masterpiece of quantum-spatial conundrums, orchestrated by the sardonic AI, GLaDOS, whose wit slices like a precision laser. The game's narrative architecture, interwoven with dark humor, constructs an immersive simulation that tickles the neocortex while tickling the funny bone. Its physics-defying portal mechanics, executed via the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, deliver a euphoric rush akin to hacking the fabric of spacetime. Co-op mode, featuring ATLAS and P-Body, synergizes cooperative puzzle-solving with comedic banter, amplifying the game's replayability quotient. Graphically, the Source engine renders Aperture’s sterile dystopia with photorealistic finesse, though occasional texture pop-ins remind us of its 2011 genesis. The auditory landscape, with Jonathan Coulton’s lyrical genius, embeds earworms that resonate long after the credits roll. In summary, Portal 2 is a paradigm-shifting, chuckle-inducing odyssey that recalibrates the benchmarks of interactive entertainment.