Archive for Video games

Game Review by Alex A.

Phasmophobia (202)
No rated listed

Phasmophobia is a multiplayer co-op horror game that was released on September 18, 2020. Phasmophobia revolves around tracking down clues and marks left by unknown entities, in which the player has to put together these clues to determine the species of the unknown creature. This game has a 10/10 rating with a 96% enjoyment rate from users. Phasmophobia was created and developed by Kinetic Games, and can be played on PC and Xbox. Many users download this game on Steam, a computer gaming engine. Players can use items such as UV lights, salt, cameras, and other advanced in-game technology to figure out which type of ghost is haunting the designated area. As for the community of the game, Phasmophobia has a strong player base most likely because of the heavy involvement of communication between players within the game. Phasmophobia is a much better experience with friends, and it is strongly recommended to play with others, although it isn’t needed to play the game.

Game Review by Suvan S.

Dead Cells (2018)
Rated T

Dead Cells is a roguelike-Metroidvania made by Motion Twin and Evil Empire. It is a
roguelike-Metroidvania, meaning it’s a game with a massive map that you can explore and if you
die then everything you have is lost. Dead Cells is a challenging game where you go through
different randomly generated levels and fight many different types of enemies. The game is
from a 2d perspective and is made in pixel art which is super high quality. You play as the
beheaded, a character that is immortal and can respawn after death. The beheaded is a
prisoner and your goal in this game is to escape this prison. The thing that makes this game so
fun is the infinite replayability. As mentioned before the levels are randomly generated and the
weapons are too. There are 3 types of weapons, red which is damage, purple which is ranged,
and green which is support. There are also scrolls which will buff any weapon color that
matches the scrolls color. You start the game in a room with 3 random level 1 weapons, each
one is a different color. Throughout the game you can find new types of weapons that are
usually made in collaborations with other big games. The game is super replayable since when
you die you just respawn and go back to killing enemies. Compared to games like Fortnite,
there is no long time spent waiting for the game to load and it’s super easy and addictive to
replay.


In Dead Cells you have 2 weapons slots and 3 ability slots. The fun part of this game is
creating new strategies by combining weapons and abilities. In this game you have to make
choices about what weapon to pick up and which direction you should go. There are a lot of
paths, but only one leads to an exit. There are many different types of enemies which force you
to make these decisions quickly and lead to a fun balance between being defensive and being
offensive. The game purposely makes you weak so you have to be careful but you have to
choose if you are going to kill the bosses and stronger enemies for better loot or stay safe but
be weak. It is super easy to replay as after you die you get straight back into the game and this
makes an almost addictive game loop keeping the player engaged even after dying and losing
everything. After dying you learn from your past mistakes and this motivates them to try again.
Also the factor of randomness in the levels and weapons can make or break your game. Being
forced to have to use weapons that you’ve never used before makes the player learn about
other weapons and therefore discover new strategies. The game has a story though it really isn’t
the focus of the game. The game’s focus is the combat and loop of trying over and over again to
beat that one boss that you’re stuck on.


Some problems this game has are the fact that it has a lot of content that you can’t get
unless you pay. The base game costs $25 dollars but to get the full experience you must buy
DLCs or downloadable content which costs an additional $5 dollars. There are 4 of these
expansions and though they add a lot of cool and interesting content, to buy everything this
game has, it costs $45 dollars. You can just play the base game without the DLCs but a lot of
unique and cool weapons are blocked from the playbase by a paywall and this is one major
issue. Besides these DLCs the game had no in-game purchases that give you an advantage
over others. Another problem is the fact that it’s only single-player. The game would be very fun
to play with friends but you can only play by yourself. This is a massive loss but games don’t
need to be multiplayer to be good. In conclusion Dead Cells is an amazing game that is worth
your time because of the endless possibilities, the infinite replayability and the addictive game
loop.

Game Review by Chloe C.

Valorant (2020)

Valorant is a free-to-play first-person tactical shooter game developed by Riot Games. Who have also developed other popular games such as League of Legends, Teamfight tactics, etc. The game was published on June 2, 2020. The game has excellent graphics along with creative-looking characters. The maps are beautiful and I love to look at the details while playing, there are so many small details that are added that most people usually wouldn’t even notice while playing. The maps are also designed after real places in the world, for example, Venice. But then the characters also all have unique designs with a lot of detail. So far all the characters have been given different ethnic backgrounds which is very nice of Riot to add diversity. So far they have 21 playable agents/characters who all have different ethnicities. But along with their characters and maps, there is also an interesting plot to the game. Not all players want to learn about the story and they just like to enjoy the game for what it is, but I personally enjoy learning about it since there are so many mysteries. So the story starts with this thing called “radianite” which is initially known as a substance that “provided a clean, safe source of energy” according to Valorant wiki. But being exposed to radianite can result in unusual amounts of strength and supernatural abilities which is what happened to some of the Valorant agents/characters. These people are called radianites. In the story there are two Earths, ours is Alpha Earth, and the one we are up against is our mirror Earth Omega Earth. Omega Earth is invading our Earth in an attempt to obtain our supply of radianite which leads to the game where you go against other players who are supposed to represent the mirror Earth. The characters are in something called the Valorant protocol, though not all of them are radianite, some just have tools that are infused with it. There is so much to the lore of Valorant and I think it all seems to be well thought out and very interesting.

In my opinion, it is a fun and enjoyable game, one of my favorites, but there are some things that aren’t as enjoyable as others. First I have got to warn you about the players. Since there is a voice chat, which is almost necessary for doing good in the game, you will meet many toxic people while playing. At first, I didn’t meet that many but as I played more I encountered a lot. But of course not everyone is like that, there are some really nice or funny people who can make the game that much more fun. But just in case, don’t say I didn’t warn you. The game does get frustrating at times, but you just have to tough through it sometimes. 

Riot also hosts competitions. Such as VCT and Champions where different E-sports teams get to compete on stages in front of real audiences. Which I think is great, it’s something players enjoy participating in and others like to watch their favorite teams play live in person or on a stream. 

While the game is free-to-play Riot definitely knows how to get their players to start spending. There are things from agent contracts to buying gun skins, to battle passes. None of it is necessary to play the game, you don’t need it which is what makes the game free-to-play, but just cause you don’t need it doesn’t mean that you don’t want it.

So all in all Valorant is a free-to-play tactical shooter game with amazing graphics and characters, with an enticing story, and I would definitely recommend it.

Game Review by Jacob E.

Doom was made by id software in 2016 and is an amazing fast-paced first-person shooter game. Doom also has very high-quality graphics and is VERY gory. This game is rated Mature. This game takes place in a research facility on Mars in the year 2149 where they try to drain energy from hell. Everything goes wrong and the place is taken over by demons from hell, and you, Doom Slayer have to fix everything. You play through various different levels on Mars or in hell, unlocking different weapons and upgrades, and tracking down Dr. Olivia Pierce who is the main antagonist in the game. This game is one of my favorite games and I highly recommend it. Doom is playable on PC, X-box, PlayStation, and Nintendo switch.

Game Review by Griffin H.

It Takes Two (2021)

Developed by Hazelight under the EA Originals label, It Takes Two has captured lightning in a bottle for co-op video games.

Unhappy couple Cody and May are planning to get a divorce, in spite of their daughter Rose’s pleas that they don’t separate. In a last-ditch effort, Rose tries to repair their relationship by playing with handmade doll versions of them in their backyard shed, telling the dolls to reconcile. Afterward, unbeknownst to Rose, Cody and May find themselves magically trapped inside of the dolls, and their relationship therapy book transforms into the anthropomorphic “Dr. Hakim”. Cody and May embark on a fantastical adventure guided by the mischievous Dr. Hakim to save not only themselves but their entire family, on a journey of heartfelt self-discovery.

It Takes Two is nothing short of a masterwork. It knows exactly what makes a game fun: it’s filled with expertly-made puzzles for two that are consistently challenging yet never frustrating. It Takes Two’s fluid platforming takes center stage, but the gameplay is constantly spiced up with hilarious offshoots to fighting game, dungeon crawler, and even Dark Souls references. Further, while the writing itself is amusing, virtually everything about the game is designed to create comedy. Frivolous minigames are abundant, bound to bring out the hyper-competitive side in both players as you both, for example, race to chuck the most snowballs at one another. Yet despite its outwardly lighthearted nature, It Takes Two is impressively mature, tacitly dealing with the darker themes of relationship dissatisfaction, partner incompetence, sacrifice, and letting go of things you love. The visuals, too, are no lightweight: for what seems in most respects to be a children/family game, It Takes Two boasts some of the most gorgeous video game stages in recent memory, clearly crafted with meticulous detail. This split-screen experience is singularly designed for two (probably significant others) players presumably sitting on the same couch; I myself enjoyed it with my brother. I wasn’t surprised to see dozens of glowing reviews online explaining how It Takes Two strengthened their relationship, some of which even claiming the game was responsible for saving it. As the magic of earlier local co-op games gradually falls to the dominant modern dichotomy of either single-player or online multiplayer, It Takes Two stands as a commendable beacon of old-school couch play. It’s excellent, through and through.

Game Review by Veda S.

Magic Tiles 3

Magic Tiles 3 is a fun, musical, and often frustrating game when you don’t click the right tile on
time. It is definitely a game where your hand-to-eye coordination will come in handy. You are
able to pick whatever song you want from what you have unlocked and try your best to click the
tiles as fast as you can as the speeds change a total of 4 times. It can be quite difficult at times
since to get 3 stars, you must complete all the speeds of the songs. One thing to not look
forward to in this game is the variety of songs in the catalogs. Though there are many genres of
songs to choose from such as Pop, Jazz, RnB, Classical, Hip Hop, and EDM, the amount of
songs that most people would know is very few and even though you are able to search for
songs you want to listen to using the search bar provided, I was not able to find the songs I
wanted to play. But all in all, this is a great game to kill off some time in and for music lovers.

Movie Review by Griffin H.

Lightyear (2022)

Directed by Angus MacLane, and starring Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear with Keke Palmer, Lightyear is a triumphant Toy Story spin-off.

Buzz Lightyear is a seasoned space ranger tasked with exploring outer space with his best friend and partner Alisha Hawthorne. Self-reliant to a fault, Buzz consistently prefers his iconic, “I-can-do-it!” monologuing to the advice of his own team and autopilot system I.V.A.N. However, when this very bravado causes Buzz to make a disastrous miscalculation while trying to escape a hostile planet, he’s burdened with the unbearable shame of failing the mission. To make matters worse, the entire crew is stranded light years away from home. Buzz begins working on a risky escape attempt into hyperspace, but it produces galactic consequences even he couldn’t anticipate.

Lightyear is a showcase of every technique Pixar has picked up since Toy Story – this time in a shiny, sci-fi varnish. Everything’s here: tear-jerking time-lapses à la Up, exhilarating action sequences, gasp-inducing moments of suspense, a charming score by the maestro Michael Giacchino, and a genuinely shocking plot twist. The animation is also jaw-dropping from beginning to end; Lightyear’s sleek animation bears a satisfying resemblance to the over-the-top futuristic visuals of the 90s, and it cleverly incorporates corny special effects that were typical of the genre’s pioneers. All of this, combined with the whimsical characters and familiar tropes, lends credence to the premise that Lightyear was Andy’s favorite sci-fi flick that made him get the Buzz toy in the first place, decades ago. Voice talent in Lightyear is incredible as well: Chris Evans gives Buzz the charisma of a natural leader. He emulates the confidence that Tim Allen brought to the character, but drops the silly gravitas that defined Buzz in Toy Story as a toy that comically thinks he’s an intergalactic hero; with Evans’ rendition, Buzz truly is one. The supporting cast provides emotion and well-timed comedic relief when necessary, but Evans remains the standout. My only criticism of Lightyear is that at times it leans too heavily into the tried-and-tested Pixar tropes, leading to predictability where it could have been more creative. I really wanted to fit a “to infinity and beyond” pun somewhere in this review, but sometimes, as Buzz learns over the course of the film, it’s okay to admit we can’t do it. 

Game Review by Veda S.

Tetris (1984)

Tetris is a great game for those who love puzzles, shapes, and brain teasers. The object of the game is to be able to fill the open rectangle space with different shapes and not leave any spaces left. Though this might sound easy at first, it’s actually quite the opposite because every time you get a new shape, it falls down at a not-so-slow speed, so you don’t have too much time to decide where to put your shape. So that results in you having these gaps which ruins your chances at completing one line so that you can move on to the next. all in all, Tetris is a fun game to play when you’re bored and are craving something fun to do.

Game Review by Veda S.

Subway Surfers
2012

Subway Surfers is an intense game in which you are running from an angry police officer because you spray-painted on a train. You have to jump over trains and barriers and dodge moving trains to catch some coins and maybe even something better. With the coins, you can get new characters and as well as keys, if you complete missions. Keys help you get a free second chance if you happened to mess up. It’s a game that gets faster the more you go and is under the genre of endless runner games. So there’s no limit to how far you can run as well as the points you can get. I had a great time playing the games as it is a childhood classic of mine.

Game Review by Griffin H.

Watch Dogs: Legion
Developed by Ubisoft, Watch Dogs: Legion is the latest installment of the Watch Dogs series.

Watch Dogs: Legion follows the hacker organization DedSec in its fight against Albion, an oppressive security company that took control over London after DedSec was framed for a citywide bombing. The gameplay primarily revolves around traveling across a detailed rendition of a near-future, hi-tech London, and completing seemingly endless, repetitive missions. Being a metropolis-based open-world game, expect the genre’s typical trappings: lots of driving, causing vehicular mayhem, running from innumerable enemy grunts – in this facet, Legion is as run-of-the-mill as can be.

Legion’s defining aspect, however, is the ability to recruit – and assume control of – any of London’s 9 million citizens, as a new DedSec hacktivist. While this concept sounds fresh and intriguing, it is, unfortunately (and understandably) poorly executed. After the first dozen recruits, it becomes obvious that creating identities for millions of potential recruits walking around London would require a fair bit of random generation. The randomly generated dialogue lines and character features are often unintentionally comical and awkward, with the PS2-era face animations on PS4-era character models causing a severe immersion break in an otherwise decently fleshed-out world. While Legion boasts impressive concepts, tone, and graphics, its consistently mediocre and uncreative execution of said strengths makes it decidedly boring, oftentimes more tedious than fun.