Matrix_Gaming Reviews

God of War (2018 Video Game)

An absolute powerhouse in storytelling and production value.

[10/10 · 23 May 2021]

God of War deviates from the traditional linear style of the previous games and gives you a semi open world (hub world if you will). Each hub is astonishingly beautiful, or haunting depending on which one you're in. Especially the "home" hub, the Lake of Nine, is a pleasure to explore. The way more of the map gets revealed as you progress is a joy to behold.

Kratos and Atreus are awesome protagonists, and how they change through the game is very interesting and heart warming. Support characters are some of the strongest you will see in gaming.

The gameplay itself is awesome. The combat is super tight once you unlock some of the abilities and powers. But the thing that grabbed me the most was the exploration and traversal. Figuring out how to get to and open a treasure chest that is out of reach is both satisfying and rewarding. And gaining the materials you need for the best armour is done in a way that is fun.

The thing that really resonates with me is the production value. Every cutscene is like something out of a blockbuster movie. Effects, visuals and sound are all on point.

An epic journey of discovery and atonement.

Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020 Video Game)

Fantastic. But I sense it would've meant more if I had played the original.

[8/10 · 8 April 2021]

My first ever Final Fantasy game.

Story was crazy, unpredictable and truly awesome. Characters were unique, each one had something interesting about them that kept me invested throughout the game. The game does a great job of making you genuinely care for them. However, I always got the feeling that if I had played the original, these feelings would've been heightened and the story would've meant a whole lot more.

I was sceptical of the battle system at first but, as I played and got used to it, it became the best part of the game. Especially when you have 3 in a party. The stop start nature is perfect for scoping out each fight and getting the best tactical advantage.

My one gripe would be that the majority of the side quests felt a little stale and had no other purpose but to lengthen the game.

Overall its a must play. Even for people who have never played a Final Fantasy game, as I hadn't.

Abzû (2016 Video Game)

Beautiful, relaxing and enigmatic.

[7/10 · 29 March 2021]

Abzu requires no effort to play. There are no core mechanics other than to swim through the levels, enjoy the scenery and make your own interpretation of the story. There are no puzzles as such, just push buttons to open doors etc.

Despite this, it is still a joy to play. I played it all in one sitting. And through the 2 hour journey I found myself mesmerized by the incredible beauty of the scenery and wildlife on show. You'll swim through ancient underwater ruins with hieroglyphics and come into contact with giant blue whales but the story is deliberately vague. It's left to the player to fantasise and interpret their own thoughts about what happened.

One thing that really stood out though is the games incredible soundtrack. It perfectly matched what was on screen.

All in all, this hasn't a patch on Journey. Which the art director previously worked on. But considering it's short length, is well worth your time.

Death Stranding (2019 Video Game)

What a journey!

[9/10 · 23 March 2021]

For the purpose of this review I am going to leave out any comparisons with Hideo Kojima's past titles as I have only ever played Metal Gear Solid 5. I will be judging it on it's own merit.

Death Stranding is the first game in a while that after the credits rolled, I was left wanting more and my thoughts around the story and characters lingered for a few days.

First of all, the gameplay won't be for everyone. This is a slow burner. Designed so you can take in the beautifully crafted and breath-taking world around you. Majestic waterfalls and sprawling grassy mountains pepper your view as you piece the world back together bit by bit by connecting people together through the "Chiral Network". A kind of post apocalyptic internet connection. All while completing deliveries, recovering lost cargo and warding off potential threats from human enemies as well as afterlife entities who have invaded the living world known as "BTs". I personally enjoyed the preparation aspect of maximising the journeys and using the correct equipment to be as efficient as possible. The combat, while not revolutionary, had enough variety in it to feel well-done.

The game does a outstanding job of upscaling journeys. A 30 minute in-game journey can feel like a pilgrimage, and seeing your final destination, like a shining beacon on the horizon, gives you a genuine sense of relief. As that happened, a song from the amazing OST would start playing automatically to mark the occasion.

The story is one only a sci-fi mastermind like Hideo Kojima could come up with. It needs piecing together and your best chance of understanding it is by listening to all interviews and reading all mail. But when you do understand it, it's mind-blowing.

Each of the main characters have something about them and the performances from the actors involved are incredible. Norman Reedus as Sam was excellent, Mads Mikkelson fantastic and particularly Tommie Earl Jenkins' late game performance as "Die-Hardman" was something to behold. Really hit me hard.

My one small gripe with the game is that the "BTs" could have been more terrifying. After the first few encounters you quickly learn how to deal with them either by running away, or shooting them. The consequences of coming into contact with one were very small, so as a result seem less of a nuisance.

Like I said at the start, judge this as a single game and leave comparisons out, and you will see that it is phenomenal.

Maquette (2021 Video Game)

Maquette never blew me away, but it was a warming and emotional 4 hours

[6/10 · 12 March 2021]

There were a few decent puzzles but nothing you'd ever say was groundbreaking.

The love story behind the gameplay did genuinely spark my emotions and the soundtrack to go with it was good. Four or five memorable songs play as you complete the puzzles and progress.

A couple of bugs in some areas did stunt my progression and break the immersion a little, but didn't ruin the game.

I played this through PS+ so for me it was free but I'd still recommend it if it was £2-£3. It's a nice change of pace. A good game to grab a beer, relax and enjoy the experience.

Control (2019 Video Game)

Great mixture of gunplay and superpowers!

[8/10 · 11 March 2021]

Control is a great game to pick up and play in terms of giving you an hour or two of high octane enjoyment.

Combat is great, with a mixture of impactful gunplay and several "superpowers". The "Service Weapon", that can mould into several different types of gun, feels forceful. But the superpowers are the highlight. With effortless controls, Jesse can levitate, launch objects through the air, mind control enemies and create a shield of rock pulled from the floor. The graphics and sound design on all these powers are incredible.

The story is interesting, but is not told in the right way. Unless you collect all the collectibles, (files, tapes, etc.), of which there are over 200, you probably won't understand the story. Through normal gameplay and cutscenes it can become nonsensical.

The Foundation DLC was just okay but the AWE DLC was disappointing, with hardly any connection and tie in with Alan Wake whatsoever. It would've been nice to see a few different environments.

I'd definitely recommend Control from a gameplay perspective. The story and narrative could've been so much better.

Dark Souls III (2016 Video Game)

Frustrating, infuriating but so, so rewarding.

[9/10 · 8 March 2021]

This was my second Soulsborne game. After playing the Demon's Souls Remake on Playstation 5, I decided to give this a try. I've got to say, I enjoyed Dark Souls 3 even more.

I said the same about Demon's Souls but, as a newcomer to the genre, these games are unforgiving, frustrating and sometimes infuriating. But so, so rewarding.

The bosses are interesting and really well done. After beating one I felt an incredible sense of achievement. But even minor progression such as finding a bonfire, opening a gate or making a lift operational to create a shortcut feels so satisfying.

Character progression is great, with many customisation and build options.

The level design is genius. The way the levels interlink is remarkable. As you progress, you'll walk out of buildings to open vistas of where you've previously been or where you are about to go. And these rare, comforting moments are a nice touch.

Hidetaka Miyazaki has created something infatuating with these Souls games. I literally didn't play anything else during my 50 hours with the game. And I cannot wait to play the others.

Maybe Bloodborne next.

The Last of Us (2013 Video Game)

My third playthrough and definitely the best yet.

[10/10 · 15 February 2021]

I feel like it's a cliché to call The Last of Us one of the best games ever. But it's certainly one of my favourites.

First of all, the gameplay is amazing. The quiet parts are enjoyable as you explore and scavenge for items, which the game does a good job of making that feel vital for survival. That feeling of fighting for survival is heightened by always being down to your last few bullets or your melee item being close to breaking, which sounds annoying, but it really accentuates the sense of tension. It forces you to make important decisions regarding crafting and weapon use. The upbeat parts are exhilarating, with either stealth or gunplay to choose from. The gunplay is really impactful, with great sound design on the gunshots.

The score is perfect at creating tension, and defining moments in the game. You'll hear irregular pounding drum beats when you're in the darkness, anxiously finding your way out of a sticky situation. And heartwarming violin chords as you witness a rare moment of happiness.

But where The Last of Us really shines is it's narrative, storyline and character development. Even secondary characters are developed incredibly well. No other game has made me so much empathy for characters that are on screen for just one or two hours. The Henry and Sam side story is genuinely devastating. That empathy is only driven further for the main protagonists. Joel and Ellie are perfect, and how the game develops them throughout is faultless. The game creates an overwhelming sense of the characters desperation and closeness to death at all times. The story drags you through its 15 hours effortlessly, gripping you until the very end.

No game has ever made me feel things that this game does. And that's why it's one of the very best.

Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (2020 Video Game)

A decent start and a good ending aren't enough to save this monstrous games bloated mid section.

[5/10 · 13 February 2021]

AC Valhalla starts well. Norway is a gorgeous frozen wonderland and the story is given a strong start. Travelling to England it gets even more beautiful. And that's the games best feature, it's beauty. But you soon learn that it's going to be a long slog, and here's why:

The story arcs (or counties) all have the same structure. A few quests and then an assault on a castle or monastery at the end. It gets a little monotonous especially since there are over 15 arcs.

Due to the nature of the game, it struggles to character build. I never felt invested in any of the characters.

For a game that relies so heavily on swinging axe and hammer, the combat is outdated, lacks impact and never feels intuitive. It got a little better as Eivor progressed, but never felt good.

The skill tree is confusing and convoluted. Getting skill points never felt exciting because the upgrades are meaningless.

The game is stretched thin by forcing the player to search for materials for upgrades. Materials which are in a locked chest, behind a locked door, which you need a key for, which is behind another barred door 30 meters down the road. Frustrating.

I did enjoy the ending to the main storyline. It's last few hours were were fun, even if they didn't give a satisfying conclusion.

Verdict:

A decent start and a good ending aren't enough to save this monstrous games bloated mid section.

There are parts I enjoyed, but a lot I didn't. It's nice to look at and if you enjoy spending vast amounts of time exploring sprawling vistas then go for it. But I just feel neither the story or the gameplay are good enough to sustain the enormous length of time it takes to beat.

Concrete Genie (2019 Video Game)

A charming, weird and wonderful little game.

[8/10 · 11 February 2021]

The genies are awesome. So well animated and unique. Against the grungy, depressed town of Denska, they are a colourful neon blessing.

The gameplay is satisfying. The puzzles aren't groundbreaking but you progress with a smile on your face nonetheless. The game stays fresh by introducing new mechanics during its short 5 hour campaign.

If you're feeling anxious, stressed or down, play Concrete Genie. It's calming, relaxing and a genuine pleasure to play.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure (2020 Video Game)

A must play for any platforming fan.

[8/10 · 1 February 2021]

Sackboy

I had a real blast playing this one. Sackboy features some excellent design and variety in the levels. New mechanics are introduced throughout the game to keep it fresh. And it offers a tough challenge in places, especially with the Knitted Knight Trials.

It has a beautiful art style, brilliant colours and loads of detail in the surfaces and stitching of all the different crafts. Quirky characters and humour keep the players interest.

One gripe would be that the boss battles are a little easy and uninspired.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020 Video Game)

Visually and Mechanically Stunning

[8/10 · 24 January 2021]

While being fairly short and boss fights not matching up to it's predecessor, Miles Morales more than makes up for it with improved combat mechanics, seamless web swinging and awesome visuals. Especially with the PS5s RT Performance.

Little Nightmares (2017 Video Game)

Creepy, Unsettling Fun

[8/10 · 24 January 2021]

Some good platforming and enjoyable puzzles. But where Little Nightmares really shines is its genuinely disturbing atmosphere and heart-racing moments. I was only left wanting more after 3.5 hours.

Demon's Souls (2020 Video Game)

Being new to Soulsborne games I wasn't sure if I was going to love this one. But I was captivated from start to finish.

[9/10 · 20 January 2021]

I'm also going to be honest and say that about 5 hours in, I thought about giving up and snapping my disc in half. But I persevered, and about 10-15 hours in something just clicked.

I became more patient, learned how to effectively beat the enemies, and started having fun.

The atmosphere it created and the Incredible detail in the worlds, buildings, terrain and enemies (especially the bosses) really astounded me.

For me, it was hard and unforgiving. It's not a game I could say I can relax to. But it is a game that, when things are going well, is the most rewarding that I've ever played.