Blake Grundman
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Writing For
Playstation Lifestyle
PC InvasionLatest Reviews
Growing up, I came from a family that was deeply rooted in the agriculture industry. My grandfather was a farmer for his entire adult life, and as such, brought all of his daughters (and later, grandkids) into the fold in one way or another. If you’d told me back when I was a game-fixated teen that I’d be obsessed with farming games twenty years later, I’d call you a liar. Yet here I am, stepping behind the wheel for another installment in the Giants Software popular plowing franchise. Can Farming Simulator 22 justify making the next-gen jump, or will it prove the adage true that it’s impossible to teach an old farm mutt, new tricks?
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You only get one shot at a first impression.” If that’s truly the case, then our first dose of FIFA on the PlayStation 5 generation last year left a little something to be desired. Though there was nothing offensively wrong with FIFA 21, it felt like a split-generation hybrid, swiftly ported to the new platform to meet consumer demand. It never really offered up a next-gen “WOW” moment. It was just… there. Can EA manage to impress now that the PlayStation 5 is their lead development focus, or will FIFA 22 once again feel like a franchise in stasis?
Somehow the team over at Deck Nine has taken the franchise to the next level. Life is Strange: True Colors is an experience that can resonate at an emotional level that's rarely seen nowadays, delivered with both maturity and grace. You'd have to be crazy to miss out on this epic adventure in small town, America.
Featuring stellar depth and compelling storytelling, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is the next logical step for the franchise. It improves upon its predecessor in every feasible way, despite it's intimidating exterior. This is an adventure that you won't want to miss.
The tremendously excellent Death's Door is a well-polished action/adventure hybrid that is worth your attention.
Though it has all of the hallmarks of a solid remake, Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX likely sticks a bit too close to the subject matter to resonate with a modern audience. Don't let the lush visuals fool you. It's unapologetically brutal design, combined with control issues and unexplained mechanics galore, all make for an uneven and unrecommendable experience.
If you have the patience, Roguebook is an interesting adventure, worth exploring. Players will be treated to a multifaceted strategy title, that keeps you guessing constantly. Why not have them deal you a hand?
As long as you don't plan on making a repeat playthrough, Erica is a great experience. Only upon replay do issues like limited narrative variation, non-essential quicktime events, and the illusion of choice make an appearance. Despite that, this is a fantastic use of the FMV genre that more people deserve to experience.
This delightful sprint is both beautiful to watch and engrossing to play. Aerial_Knight's Never Yield is a fantastic hour and a half long sprint, that features an outstanding score and plenty of narrative surprises interwoven throughout. Now, if only we had a flow-chart to follow the actual storyline...
Though admittedly basic, Skate City has brought a bit of the "pick-up-and-play" mechanics of mobile to PC, with mixed results. The basic visuals are countered by fairly complex controls, that are a fairly substantial time-suck to perfect. Some may not find this to be their cup of tea, but if your willing to invest the time and effort to 'git gud,' there's plenty of fun, just waiting to be uncovered.