• Alien: Isolation (2014)

    Alien: Isolation is a survival horror game released all the way back in 2014 that has stood the test of time and stands as the greatest release of its video game franchise and one of the very best genre games ever in general. It's available on multiple different platforms and still deserves to be played and appreciated to its fullest in this day and age. The story revolves around astronaut Amanda Ripley who travels to space station Sevastopol to recover the flight recorder of her mother's ship in order to discover what has happened to her. As she arrives at the space station, Amanda Ripley gets separated from her group and must find her way through different sections of the gigantic complex. In addition to recovering the flight recorder and finding the rest of her group again, she must also be prepared to fight against a mysterious invader who has taken control of the space station.

    Several elements distinguish this video game from so many others of its genre. First of all, one has to mention the video game's spooky atmosphere from start to finish. Being trapped on a gigantic abandoned spaceship with a deadly enemy who could lure behind every corner develops an almost claustrophobic vibe that entertains from start to finish.

    The set design are also praiseworthy. Even though the game takes place in the twenty-second century, the designs are surprisingly authentic, grounded and realistic which makes it easier to put yourself in the protagonist's place. This is an element where this game excels if compared to franchises like Mass Effect.

    We obviously need to talk about the titular monster. Just by reading the title, you know that the Alien will eventually show up and present itself as a relentless menace. However, as a player, you never quite know where, when and how this is going to be happening. The artificial intelligence of this opponent is dangerous, impressive and unpredictable. You can play a specific section of the game several times and the outcomes might always slightly differ from one another. This element of surprise also adds a lot of replay value to the game. However, the titular monster certainly isn't easy to defeat as this task asks for much courage, focus and resilience.

    At the end of the day, any fan of the Alien franchise, anyone who is interested in science-fiction and anyone who is intrigued by horror video games should certainly check this wonderful game out. It has stood the test of time and entertains for many hours thanks to its spooky atmosphere, flawless designs and challenging antagonist. Give this game a fair try alone and enjoy it on a rainy autumn afternoon or on a cold winter night.

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  • The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me (2022)

    The Devil in Me is the fourth and final instalment in the first season of video game series The Dark Pictures Anthology and is best enjoyed on a rainy autumn afternoon or on a dark winter night. The story revolves around a group of investigative filmmakers who want to shoot a documentary at a replica of Chicago's infamous World's Fair Hotel where serial killer H. H. Holmes once installed numerous deadly traps to murder unsuspecting tourists. The group heads to an isolated island on Lake Michigan as personal and professional tensions are growing between the characters. Once arrived upon the island, the five characters are left to their own devices and soon realize that the creepy mansion is much more than just a replica since an anonymous killer is menacing to take their lives one by one.

    This video game convinces on numerous different levels. For instance, its atmosphere is creepy from start to finish without ever drifting off into exaggerated jump scares. This starts with a particularly strong opening scene that brings to life Chicago in the late nineteenth century and continues coherently in present-day America.

    The challenges in this game are decent but not too tough. They blend in wonderfully with the story without becoming frustrating for less experienced players. The video game's final quarter however will make it a challenge for even more experienced gamers to save all five characters from the madness on the isolated island.

    The game should take about six hours to complete, meaning that it offers one long evening of perfect entertainment. Playing this game feels like organizing a horror movie night with some friends and is just as much fun for genre fans. Playing this game with friends or completely isolated and alone are both highly recommended options. The game is so addictive that you will feel compelled to complete it in one single setting. The game's replay value is relatively high as there are numerous different ways to live or to die on that gloomy island.

    On the downside, this entry in the franchise offers few to no new ideas, so occasional gamers might as well stick to one of the preceding entries. The story of this game is of average quality and at times quite predictable. The characters are decent but previous entries have had more fascinating development in this regard.

    At the end of the day, The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me is highly recommended to seasoned fans of the franchise or gamers who appreciate the genres horror and mystery. This video game is not as creative as immediate predecessor House of Ashes but overall stronger than both Little Hope and Man of Medan. The most notable improvement of this game is the more fluid use of quick time events. Its biggest downside is the predictable story. If you are interested in immersing yourself into a mysterious horror movie atmosphere for about six hours, then this game is the best choice among more recent games on the market, so don't hesitate to buy this product for a reduced price for next Halloween.

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  • Yakuza 3 (2009)

    Yakuza 3 is the third main entry in the Japanese action-adventure video game franchise and was released in early 2009. The game has however aged surprisingly well thanks to fluid controls, fascinating locations and addicting story. The main story takes roughly twenty hours to complete but finishing the entire game with its numerous intriguing side stories could take more than one hundred hours. This game certainly offers value for money.

    One interesting element here is that the game takes place in two completely different locations. Players will explore a more detailed map of Kamurocho in downtown Tokyo than ever before. As a contrast, the second and brand-new location is a fictional area named Ryukyu in Okinawa that impresses with sandy beaches, charming tourism locations and beautiful weather.

    There are also more characters than ever before. Aside of charismatic protagonist Kiryu Kazuma and his closest allies such as adopted daughter Sawamura Haruka and adventurous young criminal Shimabukuro Rikiya, this game features up to three hundred sixty unique characters that offer much diversity and entertainment.

    This game offers more three distinct modes. The adventure mode refers to more than one hundred unique side stories such as bounty hunter missions. Players also get to experience twenty dynamic mini-games varying from batting cage over karaoke to surf fishing. The event mode refers to cinematic sequences that are progressing the main story and add up to almost five hours of entertainment. The battle mode allows to access the Underground Coliseum where illicit mixed martial arts events are taking place. Another separate element worth mentioning are the numerous coin lockers available at both main locations where players can access creative, ridiculous and useful items.

    The main story offers many twists and turns in the franchise's most ambitious approach yet. There are conspiracies and rivalries involving criminal families, foreign arms dealers, corrupted members of the police force, shady politicians and even mysterious members of secret agencies. The story of this game could easily make for three seasons of a captivating action-thriller television series and deserves to be discovered in depth.

    The soundtrack to this game is also more diversified than ever before. This includes songs that can be heard and sung in the game but also tunes performed during the credits in the Japanese version.

    As you can read, Yakuza 3 has aged particularly well and purchasing the boxed set of remastered versions including the third, fourth and fifth main games is highly recommended. This game is on the same high-quality level as the other instalments as only minor elements should decide which game you actually appreciate most. In my personal case, I have particularly liked the colourful locations in Okinawa and the tense story in this memorable game. Thirteen years after its release, it certainly wouldn't be exaggerated to call this game here a genre classic that is worth being discovered and rediscovered.

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  • Yakuza 4 (2010)

    Yakuza 4 is the fourth main game in the Japanese action-adventure video game franchise. Even though it was released almost exactly twelve years ago by now, it has stood the test of time very well with dynamic gameplay, intriguing locations and gripping story. The story revolves around a series of conspiracies and rivalries complexly connecting elements from the past with events in the present.

    This game has four playable characters that add much diversity to the game. Players can obviously incarnate charismatic protagonist Kiryu Kazuma who is an intelligent gangster fighting for justice. Tanimura Masayoshi is an ambitious young policeman who is infamous for his corruption and gambling but actually has a heart of gold and supports struggling minorities in town. Akiyama Shun was once homeless but has become a successful businessman who loans money to people who are struggling with serious issues in order to make this world a better place. Finally, we have imposing former gangster Saejima Taiga who breaks out of prison just a few days before his scheduled execution for a crime he never committed. Each main character has a unique side goal that can to be completed throughout the game. The most interesting one is Akiyama Shun's goal to scout ladies for the cabaret he owns and develop their careers.

    Most of the game takes places in fictional district Kamurocho that players have gotten used to throughout the predecessors which adds to the game's immersive atmosphere and tight pace. Memorable settings from the past have been kept while several fresh elements such as extended rooftop locations, several backstreets and a particularly gloomy sewer system with a society of its own have been added to the game. The main characters can also play different mini-games such as fishing, pachinko and table tennis.

    As usual, this game convinces with easy controls, excellent graphics and wonderful soundtrack that add to the immersive factor. Even though this is already the fourth main game in the franchise, the team behind this release keeps adding creative new ideas that should equally please fans of old date and the next generation.

    The main story might have many surprises but can be completed in just above twenty hours which makes for one of the shorter games in the franchise. In order to complete all side missions however, this game could easily entertain for more than one hundred hours of addictive entertainment. It's rewarding to explore the game's impressive map as there are surprises around every corner. Completionists and perfectionists will therefore enjoy this game even more than casual and occasional players.

    At the end of the day, Yakuza 4 might not be the most memorable game in the franchise but solidly extends the elevated average quality of the franchise. This game should therefore please fans of old date as well as potential new fans who won't have any trouble appreciating protagonist Kiryu Kazuma while discovering the other brand-new main characters at the same time as everyone else which makes this game here a better choice for them than the chronological predecessor and successor that featured more characters, settings and stories connecting to past games.

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  • Yakuza 5 (2012)

    It's incredible that this game was released ten years ago already as it has aged particularly well and remains the best instalment in the Japanese action-adventure game franchise. This game offers more than one hundred hours of entertainment with five playable characters and five gigantic locations.

    The main character remains Kiryu Kazuma, a taxi driver who gets involved in organized crime but convinces with intellect and a heart of gold. Akiyama Shun has been introduced in the previous instalment and is a former homeless person who has become a clever businessman. Saejima Taiga was also present in the immediate predecessor and is a former gangster serving a prison sentence for the murders of eighteen people that he didn't commit. A new playable character is Sawamura Haruka, who has appeared as non-playable character in previous instalments, and has become a teenage girl who dreams of becoming a pop idol. Lastly, we have a completely new character called Shinada Tatsuo, a former baseball player who had to abandon his career when he got wrongfully accused of game-rigging and match-fixing. 

    The settings are in good old Kamurocho in downtown Tokyo, in Osaka's fictional district of Sotenbori that was used once before and in three completely new locations in Nagasugai, Fukuoka, as well as Tsukimino, Sapporo and Kin'eicho, Nagoya. These different locations offer numerous different atmospheres, cultural elements and unique stylistics.

    The plot is also the most complex to date and comes around with numerous conspiracies, turns and twists as the stories of the five different characters slowly intertwine and lead to a spectacular showdown in Millenium Tower in Kamurocho. The game's ending has a profoundly emotional touch and will leave a lasting impression that is continued appropriately in its chronological successor that concludes the story of Kiryu Kazuma.

    While the game includes numerous highlights, I have to point out two particular elements. First of all, the story of Saejima Taiga is absolutely incredible. It starts in a secluded prison where he makes multiple intriguing friends and foes and ultimately attempts to escape with a purpose in a most dramatic manner. His story then continues in an isolated mountain village where Saejima Taiga goes into hiding and has to set traps and go hunting to provide some food and material to the villagers and himself. This part of the story oozes with atmosphere and hunting animals such as hares, foxes and bears in the snow is even intriguing for people who love animals like myself. It's certainly much better to do it here in this game than in real life. The story then continues in Sapporo that prepares for a magnificent snow festival recalling a marvellous winter wonderland.

    The second story that impresses me very much revolves around Sawamura Haruka. She has recently been moving to the busy city of Osaka where she is working extremely hard to become an idol. She has to perform dance choreographies, meet and greet with all sorts of strange fans, face some ferocious opponents who try to bully her, participate in numerous competitions and deal with some personal issues as her scout with whom she has bonded has apparently committed suicide. Her story points out the challenges and downsides but also the dedication and excitement of the unique Japanese idol industry and should therefore also appeal to younger players in particular.

    This game genuinely is as perfect as it can get in the action-adventure genre and easily outclasses not only some other great instalments in its own franchise but also similar international concurrents such as the Grand Theft Auto franchise. In addition to the numerous aforementioned elements, let's point out the different and diversified challenges in numerous intriguing side stories, the easy and fluid controls that make you want to play for hours and hours, the excellent game flow that never gets boring, the outstandingly detailed graphics that have aged particularly well, the excellent sound engineering that adds to the game's different atmospheres and the wonderful soundtrack, including multiple songs that can be performed by Sawamura Haruka or by other characters in different karaoke bars.

    Yakuza 5 is a must-have for fans of old date, occasional fans and new fans to the franchise. Even if you didn't know the franchise at all, I would wholeheartedly recommend this game that is more entertaining than six seasons of any action-thriller television series combined. This might be the first video game that truly outclasses the creativity, depth and details of the greatest movies, television series and theater plays as it shows the unlimited potential of video games that combine so many different forms of arts in one. I would recommend to purchase the remastered boxed set that combines this game with its two chronological predecessors that come very close to the quality of this franchise highlight.

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