Demon's Souls critique -- Spaghetti Mage

 

Demon’s Souls (not Demon Souls) is the long lost bastard child of a long forgotten series of games in the late 90’s called Kings Field.  It’s also the birthplace of the Souls games, and would provide the basic structure of the Souls series.  It is truly a nexus between many games.

It’s also a strong reason why I bought the PS5 at an exorbitant amount off of ebay.

The game itself is beautiful and looks so much better than the PS3 version.  It plays so smoothly too; the animations for successfully parrying with riposte are awesome and they never get tired.

One of the biggest strengths of these games is that they don’t hold the hand of the player.  They are difficult and unforgiving, and it is up to you to figure out what to do next or how to beat a boss.

For example, nothing in the game tells you when or how to level up.  You have to beat the first boss and in doing so learn that the maiden can increase your level.  It is an extremely challenging game, but the player is reward well.

Demon’s Souls succeeds in the atmosphere created.  Tower of the Queen and the world of the shadowmen are amazing and truly alien atmospheres.  The Valley of Defilement is such a gross place, and it forces the player to explore in the darkness and the muck.

There are many ways to build your character.  I focused more on a strength build with limited magic.  I really like enchanting my weapon.

 There are so many secrets to the game as well.  It is a challenge to uncover everything and the game can change dependent on the world tendency of the region.  It’s hard to find many weaknesses in this game.  The storyline isn’t quite as dramatic and fleshed out as other games today, but I think that lends to the mystery of the game.  Bow and Arrows seem essential to this souls game more than any other in my opinion, as a few bosses can’t be beat without them (at least I am not aware of how to beat them without a bow, maybe magic?)

It’s a must play for those that love Souls games.  The replayability is extremely high too, as you can try different types of characters.   I’m really hoping one day we get to explore the 6^th archstone.  That would be an awesome DLC.  I would love to see more of Boletaria.

 

 

Cyberpunk 2077 critique -- Spaghetti Mage

 

I’ve never seen a game get raked over the coals after launch quite like Cyberpunk 2077.  I know it was quite a buggy game, but did it deserve this?  I have seen and played plenty of buggy games.  It only bothers me when the bugs are so severe that it prohibits you from playing the game.  I had that experience with a Lord of the Rings game several years ago.  The bug prevented you from entering a boss fight, so your game was over at that point.

I bought Cyberpunk and played it on the PS5.  It’s a beautiful game, and the realism of the city is amazing.  I chose a Corpo character background, and specialized myself with pistols and katanas.  I also poured some points into stealth.

I just finished the ending to Cyberpunk.  There are many endings, but the option I chose was giving Johnny command of your body so Rogue and him could storm Arasaka.  

The main story involving Johnny Silverhand is amazing, and it was so very cool having Keanu Reeves in your head for every quest.  Some of the commentary is quite comical.  I even got to rock out with Samurai!!!

Overall, I think the stuff Cyberpunk does good, it does incredibly good.  The interaction and storylines are very good.  Driving around town (I recommend it over fast traveling unless the distance is extreme) allows the player to really take in the depth of the city.

Unfortunately, besides the main quest and some side quests, there isn’t a lot of depth to the rest of the game.  The gig quests get very repetitive.  The size of the city is so massive and beautiful, yet you only really engage certain parts of it.  I ignored most of the ongoing assaults in the game.  I never really used much crafting either.

 

In addition, the game gives you really cool toys to play with, but you never really get to use them much.  In Panam’s story, you get a really cool tank, yet I think you have 1 mission to actually use it.  Why??  I didn’t get the Skippy pistol till late in the game.  There are just a lot of areas that game could improve on. 

It’s a great story surrounded with a lot of baggage.  Parts of the game like the main storyline get an A+.  Other parts are just lacking.  And then there is the massive bugginess…

I did really enjoy playing it though.  I will miss Johnny Silverhand rocking out in my brain.