John
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I never really explored, I just found the combo blueprints marked on my minimap and then headed off on my merry way. I love that the game is structured in a way that keeps you finding new stuff, but it kind of feels like being told I have a surprise party. I still enjoy the end result, I just knew what was coming; this can be narrowed down to preference however and it’s probably a change for the better. While you’re scouring the open world for combo blueprints you’re going to come across some blueprints for the new addition, combo vehicles. These vehicles are creative, the Rollerhawg a combination of a steam roller and motorcycle was my favourite. Though the Streetsweeper that took zombie chunks and shot balls of them was also notable choice. In the end, they are vehicles. Combo vehicles is just a fun way to make it from point A to B rather then get bogged down quickly in a standard vehicle.
The ultimate goal in these missions are to, well give them so many presents that they eventually well, want to get Intimate with you. Doing so will give you certain weapons for your mechanical arm, and other various items. Sure, these items don’t seem necessary, but they will make your play through much, much easier. So whether you like fan service, or are just outright against it, it would be beneficial to do these missions at least once, Especially if you want weapons such as the Charge Cannon and etc. Maybe I would feel these were more acceptable in the game if it was just a faster way to get currency for upgrades, but it’s the fact that you need to play these to get certain weapons that bugs me so much.
Lightning Returns follows the trend of it’s predecessors and doesn’t have your typical leveling system; matter of fact, there is no leveling at all. Stat improvements come in the form of quest rewards. Of course, you also improve with better gear, with the aforementioned Schemas, but for the most part though, they are only available via vendors or story progression. Grinding is pretty optional in Lightning Returns. The only annoying thing I really discovered while roaming around the world of Lightning Returns, is that sometimes the game asked for some precise platforming, which it isn’t really built for, luckily these moments are few and far between.
As per usual, the sound in MGS is top notch. Guns have a kick, ambient noise makes you stay aware of your surroundings, and when things go awry the soundtrack does a damn good job making your situation feel all the more dire. Now for one of the many Elephants in the room, how’s the voice acting? I’ll say this now, by no means is Kiefer Sutherland doing a bad job as Big Boss. There was no point where I thought it was totally egregious. That being said, Snake doesn’t really talk much. Certainly not enough to decide if I’d prefer Kiefer Sutherland over David Hayter, let alone adjust to the change. Not to diminish all of the other talent, Robin Atkin Downes, Tara Strong, and Antony Del Rio return, reprise their roles and do a damn good job alongside everybody else.
The end result is a game that I enjoyed, but that I also recognize as flawed. Corpse Party: Blood Drive has technical issues, and some questionable character designs, but it does so much right that these faults are easy to overlook. It is a clear love letter to J-Horror games of decades past, incorporating common horror tropes while also presenting its own fresh ideas, even if some of those ideas fall flat. It has its rough edges, but any Vita owning horror fan should give it a shot.