Posts

Shadow of the Erdtree: An Expansion or Development?

Image
New content, new bosses, new lore to chew on, but above all – that same Elden Ring magic that has you contemplating whether to throw your controller or give it another shot. Taking a Step Back Into the Lands Between, Does It Still Feel Special? Let’s get the uncomfortable part out of the way first. Shadow of the Erdtree is not drastically different from the base game. If you have already explored the strange lands of Elden Ring and fought through The Troll and other brutal bosses, you may think that you have seen this before. And it’s not wrong. But what’s odd, almost nostalgic, is how much Shadow of the Erdtree feels just right in terms of the weight of discovery. The same landscapes somehow feel so familiar. The same excitement when you encounter a new boss who is powerful enough to crush their enemies. Everyone knows the world of Elden Rings is vast, especially with the new upcoming Shadows of the Erdtree DLC. Opening this game always feels like opening a new chapter of a belove...

Cheeki Breeki and the Heart of Chornobyl: The Story of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

Image
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl unfolds in a world where developing a game is not an itinerary rather a fight for survival. It feels as though it’s at this point, in the game development cycle that, the team is forcibly sucked into and enchanted by the lore and aesthetic the game offers this resembles the stalker zone quite closely. Despite the meet odds - odds that would make the toughest stalker cower in fright – the GSC Game World team was able to seamlessly integrate a sequel that gives off vibes of nostalgia of the original through its game trilogy whilst also leaving unhindered room for strategizing the sequel game. The Burden of the Past Let’s cut to the chase, the truth is that the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R game emerging out of Eastern Europe holds the record of being a Eurojank classic. Naturally, the functionality and user experience of the game was sheer horror, the bugs alone are enough to make anybody deeply frustrated. The AI was the cherry on top, on some days it co...

Black Ops 6: Primary, Secondary, and Melee Weapons

Image
Call of Duty is an impressive franchise that once again comes out with a great shooter. After I reviewed the Black Ops 6 Campaign in an extensive, in-depth article, I focused my attention and would like to shine a light on an important aspect of the gameplay: the weapons. One of the central elements of any player's experience when entering Black Ops 6 is their arsenal. From primary weapons that set engagement tone and melee options that add brutal intensity in close-quarter combat, your arsenal has an enormous effect on strategy and playstyle. Let's examine this variety of primary, secondary, and melee weapons in Black Ops 6, taking note of each's impact and versatility through gameplay examples to demonstrate them all; hopefully, this in-depth look not only informs but encourages experimentation and optimized loadouts! Primary Weapons Primary Weapons in Black Ops 6 form the cornerstone of any loadout. You rely on primary weapons for both mid and long-range engagements...

Black Ops 6 Campaign: A Deep Dive into the Heart of the Chaos

Image
Black Ops 6 launches with an unexpected explosion, shattering every expectation you may have carried from past campaigns. Instead of following rules of engagement in its narrative, this tale rips them up, burns what remains, and plunges headfirst into chaos - as already hinted by leaked footage in its opening mission which seems somewhere between grim realism and unbridled chaos. From the moment your feet hit the ground, Black Ops III offers an exhilarating pace. A sensory explosion of neon-lit urban warfare, rapid decision-making, and moments of quiet dread when the battle ends linger in your mind long afterward. Black Ops' campaign excels where cinematic excellence meets raw gameplay-a testament to how Black Ops always danced on the edge of madness-and this installment certainly doesn't disappoint in that respect! Black Ops 6 Offers an Exhilarating Narrative In Black Ops 6, its narrative won't hold your hand--rather, it carries you along on an immersive and unpredictab...

Star Wars Outlaws: A Smuggler's Journey Through the Stars

Image
A Galaxy of Shadows and Secrets  There's an era within Star Wars Outlaws where you're floating through the sky with only the ship and you and a lone companion for the expanse of space. The universe sprawls out in front of you like a map of infinite possibilities However, don't let it fool you into thinking that this isn't an easy journey. The places you'll explore can be as treacherous as they are gorgeous as well. And if you're in the shoes of Kay Vess, you're not an eminent Jedi or noble heroic figure. It's a crime, and the galaxy follows its own laws. Right from the beginning, Star Wars Outlaws makes it clear it's not The Star Wars of legends and lightsabers. This is the dark underbelly, those dark corners, where trades are negotiated in whispers, and having a blaster on your side is just as important as the air that you breathe. Kay's novel isn't about defending the galaxy, but rather the process of surviving. Let m...

EA Sports FC 25: Rediscovering the Beautiful Game in Detail

Image
As a gym professor, I have spent years watching and studying the beautiful game from its sidelines for my students (and myself). I am bringing the same passion and expertise to online gaming, and playing EA Sports FC 25 with a critical eye is important, as it lets others learn about it before spending the hard gained cash. These yearly releases are quite concerning - they feel like a yearly subscription rather than a new game (as we are charged). Recently though, thanks to EA Sports FC 25's release, I've become immersed in another kind of pitch: virtual. With it coming alive before my very eyes allowing me to experience it from every imaginable angle! Ultimate Team: Ever-Expanding, Ever Familiar Ah,  Ultimate Team —the notorious leviathan of  EA Sports FC , a mode that inspires equal parts devotion and disdain. With each release, Ultimate Team becomes a larger spectacle, and  EA Sports FC 25  is no exception. In a world where microtran...

Alone in the Dark: Psychological Concepts at Play

Image
Alone in the Dark brings this age-old horror trope of human control being lost over supernatural forces they attempt to manipulate into a modern context. Instead of just scaring away players with demons swarming through an old mansion's hallways and rooms, these demons represent humanity's hubris in attempting to play god and controlling forces they don't understand fully enough; acting as warning about seeking knowledge beyond one's grasp - an idea reinforced by haunted mansion filled with cursed artifacts and ancient books which is testament to this message of caution: as humans' dark desires come back and haunt them both literally and metaphorically! Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood? Player avatar Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood finds themselves immersed in an environment in which reality seems tenuous; strange occurrences, haunting visions, and an oppressive sense of doom fill every room of Derceto Mansion; similar disorientations mirror how its characters expe...