Uncharted 4: A Thief's End PS4 Review

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is a action-adventure TPS game exclusivity for PS4, which developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is a sequel to 2011's game called Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and last game in the series. 

So far, I really enjoyed playing all of the previous Uncharted games because of the amazing action sequences, stylish combat gameplay, realistic looking graphics, fantastic storylines and memorable characters that made the series one of the best video game franchises on Sony's console platform, so I decided to give a shot with the Uncharted 4 for the PS4 as definitely one of my most wanted exclusives games that I wanted to play on my PS4. After I've beating the game, I'm very surprised with the game's overall showing all of the amazing stuff that the game has to offer. It has beautiful cinematic scenes, fluid animation, incredible storyplot, epic action sequences, larger level environment and of course the stunning gameplay mechanics makes the Uncharted 4 a full game of the year 2016 in my opinion.

The fan of the series was happy to see Naughty Dog's triumph that made the last game of the series so great for the PS4 system. 

So without further do, let's start reviewing the game. 

Presentation

The game takes place after the event of Uncharted 3, a retired explorer named Nathan Drake lived happily with his wife Elena Fisher, though he misses his excitement in old days. He is visited by his older brother Samuel Drake suggested him to return the adventuring business. After Nathan have learned the Samuel's 15 years backstory, he finally agrees to help Sam to start the adventuring to find Avery's treasure whereabouts. 

The story in the game is absolutely sounds terrific in the game. It's feels narrative, it has awesome backstory of the character's past and the plot is much easier to follow that made the story sounds pretty good in the game. 

The cinematic cutscenes feels more realistic with impressive animation design which feels like watching awesome motion capture movies and the action sequences are pretty well done because of the up close view, the explosions effects, the stunt work and it has lots of stylish action packed going on in the game with mind blowing holyshit moments that makes the presentation looked fantastic in the whole game. 

The characters in the game are still memorable as we all know Nathan Drake is one of the best video game protagonist in gaming and it has really cool sidekicks characters from the previous game like Victor and Elena are also in the game as well, while it has the new character called Sam is pretty decent character, which is great for teamwork and combat sequences. 

There's one decent villain like Rafe are also okay, but not as quite entertaining as the other villains from the previous game, but it does have some intense moment in the game. Nadine is somewhat pretty look badass, but it is really hard to classify her as the enemy, but she is really tough hand to hand fighter.

Overall, this game has excellent story, awesome characters, incredible cutscenes, and fantastic sequences.

Gameplay

This game has single player campaign, online multiplayer, chapter select, and encounter select.

You take the role of Nathan Drake, who has ability to jump on different platforms, climbing on objects like wall and ledges, and swimming under the water. Controlling the character is pretty straightforward for the basic movement like running, jumping, climbing and swimming are feels very responsive to control with no issues at all and the camera system moves perfectly right with steady sensitivity controls which doesn't cause camera to mess around makes it more playable to look around the whole levels. You can use rope to swing around, but also you can climb the ropes to adjust the height of the rope by climbing up or down. The combat gameplay played absolutely brilliant in the game. It has fluid aiming controls makes it easier to aim at the enemy even with the lock-on system. The weapons has a nice range of shooting distance such as assaults rifles and sniper rifles are just perfect for long range distance, while shotguns, grenade launcher, RPG, and power pistols are great for heavy damage to the enemies. The hit detection and collisions are working really well for all the types of weapons. While aiming at the enemy, you can also change weapons by using quick weapon change gives you a quickest and easiest way to change 2 different weapons. The cover mechanics are very useful to protect yourself from getting damaged by enemy's hit projectiles. The stealth combat are also pretty amazing for stealth missions. You can sneak behind and put them to sleep as long as the enemy didn't caught you in the stealth mode, but you can hide behind the objects or hide underneath the grass or water will help keep the enemy's icon status down.

I really enjoyed driving the vehicles around in the level which is good for the exploration. The driving gameplay handles really good with turning control and the acceleration levels just played really great.

While the game has larger levels, I loved to explore around the levels to find the cool stuff like collecting treasures, reading notes to hear interesting details of Avery's history, and examine the objects, which sounds pretty awesome to discover the new things in the game.

The game does have really good puzzle solving and searching a new clues which gives a player higher experience to enjoy the bigger challenge. However, the level design of the game can be bit too complex when finding the right places in the level, but the hints icon will help you find the right place to discover.

The online multiplayer is also enjoyable with great competitive modes, but i'm pretty sure the game developers team will soon bring the brand new modes in later future. 

Overall, it has outstanding combat gameplay, impressive larger levels, fantastic puzzle solving, and enjoyable online battles.  

Graphics

Uncharted 4 has the one of the best looking graphics for the PS4 system. It has smooth visuals and posh looking lighting effects on the skies and sunlight which making the scenery look magnificent in level design. The level environment is much larger than the previous games because it has really nice physics on the grass and trees animation making it look gorgeously realistic and impressive building areas with great draw distance. The explosion effects and particles are looking stunning on action sequences with fantastic use of special effects and colours. The character's models are looking friggin amazing with nice facial features and right shaped body to make the character look like a real people in the game. This really shows the PS4's powerhouse to proof that with the use of new and improved graphics is definitely pushes the PS4's hardware limits. 

Overall, it has smooth visuals, larger level environment, stunning special effects, great use of colours, and realistic character's models makes it the best graphics of gaming history.

Music and Sounds

The soundtrack is quite sounds stunning for game presentation and in-game sequences. It was composed by Henry Jackman, who is very known for composing great film scores, did a fabulous job with the soundtrack to make it sounds more darker than the previous game. The sound effects are pretty well done with background sounds, atmospheric sound effects and the use of sound work are professionally sounds amazing in the game. 

The voice actors did a excellent job on the characters, especially with Nolan North and Troy Baker has the fantastic voice performance that made the characters sounds really badass in the game's presentation. 

Overall, it has superb soundtrack, fabulous sound effects and fantastic voice cast for characters. 

Special Features

The game has unlockable visual filters and gameplay modes where you can change graphics filters and using cheat modes in the game. You can checkout all your journals and treasures that you have collected them from certain chapters and you can also unlock character's costumes and gallery in bonus options. 

Advantages

Incredible story presentation

Outstanding combat gameplay

Impressive larger levels

Enjoyable online battles

Stunning graphics

Fantastic music and sounds

Awesome special features

Disadvantages

Complex level design

Less dialogue tree

Final Verdict

Presentation 9.8/10 -  Excellent story, awesome characters, incredible cutscenes, and fantastic sequences.

Gameplay 9.5/10 - Outstanding combat gameplay, impressive larger levels, fantastic puzzle solving, and enjoyable online battles.

Graphics 10/10 - Smooth visuals, larger level environment, stunning special effects, great use of colours, and realistic character's models.

Music and Sounds 10/10 -  Superb soundtrack, fabulous sound effects and fantastic voice cast for characters.

Special Features 9.5/10 - Unlockable stuff and collection stuff. 

Overall 9.7/10 - Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is one of the best PS4 game of 2016. Having a excellent presentation will make the players enjoying the narrative story, memorable characters, epic action sequences, and quality cutscenes. The combat gameplay will able to satisfy the players to complete the amazing single player campaign and taking challenge against the players through online battle is fun too, and the graphics is definitely looking the best of PS4's powerhouse. There's nothing to beat the PS3 classic Uncharted 2: Among thieves because it is one of the series's masterpiece, but Uncharted 4 deserves much credit for the PS4 exclusivity. I highly recommended to all of the PS4 owners out there should able to try out this game is definitely worth for buying it.  

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Infamous: Second Son PS4 Review

Infamous: Second Son is a Open World Action-Adventure game for PS4, developed by Sucker Punch and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is a sequel to Infamous 2 for PS3.

Last year, I've reviewed Infamous: First Light for PS4, which is quite decent game to pick up, so if you haven't seen my last year review then here is my link down below to check it out before you start reading this review.

Infamous: First Light PS4 Review: https://zeeshanmirzasblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/infamous-first-light-ps4-review.html 

My thoughts about this game is the game overall seems to be slightly much better than the Infamous: First Light. It offers wider open-world to explore, it has impressive side-missions to achieve the player's experience, more dynamic combat gameplay with excellent upgrades, great graphics design and it has longer single player campaign with bigger challenge than ever, but I find the story presentation isn't sound great as the ones on the First Light and previous Infamous games. It does have nicely made cutscenes, but I think the story dialogue needs to be done something more better than this. I say the game is definitely worth for PS4 owners who got into with Open-World Action-Adventure game like this, so it is a another great game in the series. 

Presentation

This game takes place 7 years after the event of Infamous 2. It started with Delsin Rowe, a graffiti artist and the local delinquent of the Akomish reservation, having fun vandalising billboard just right before he got told off by his brother Reggie, a local sheriff, starts arguing him for vandalism then they sees truck run over and crashed. Delsin started to get escaped prisoner named hank, who is a conduit, out of the wreckage just before Delsin accidentally being affected by hank's special powers which allowing him to use his smoke power. After he's been interrogated by D.U.P Director named Brook Augustine, he starts his quest to save the suspected conduits from D.U.P.

The story of the game sounds rather mediocre compared with the First Light and the previous game in the series. The half of the plot of the game does have some interesting backstory on the characters like Fetch, Hank and Eugene are quite sounds cool, while the other half of the plot seems to be bit backwards especially with the morality system is quite dated, but I like the looks of the cinematic cutscenes with nicely made motion capture quality. I'm finding the main protagonist acted quite too cocky because he has shitty personality and quite immature in the game, but I really liked his use of the special powers. I finding Fetch, Hank and Eugene are more interesting characters, but it wasn't cool as the Cole Macgrath from the previous game, which is much badass video game character in the series.

Overall, the story presentation is far mixed bag with dated morality system and mediocre plot, but it does have some interesting character's backstory and nice motion captured quality cutscenes. The main protagonist is quite acted too cocky, but rest of the 3 supportive characters are actually decent in the game.   

Gameplay

This game has main missions, side missions and wider open-world levels.

Your character has ability to use 4 different special powers such as smoke, neon, video and concretes. Smoke power are quite useful for balanced combat gameplay with simple and heavy attacks such as smoke projectiles, smoke missiles and melee attack to damage enemies, and using smoke stun to stun the enemies and you can also perform forward dash moves towards objects such as fan to make you jump up and the vents to go towards the buildings. Neon power can work with shooting powerful laser attack which can give heavier damage to the enemies and you can also run on the walls and buildings by using neon sprint. Video power are used with rapid fire attacks which are quite great for longer range distance and your character can able to fly around the area which is more easier than using the neon sprint and you can also turn invisibly to prevent enemies from seeing you nearby. Concrete power are used for even more powerful attacks such as ground punch and you can also sprint faster and fly higher with your concrete power which is working well in the game. You can perform karma bomb which allowing player to use powerful finishing moves and you can also finish off your enemy by subdue them or just kill them with simple melee attack. You can upgrade your character's abilities by collecting shards which can be shown on the map, but you also need to complete main missions to level up your karma in order to use upgrades which makes your character becoming even stronger such as extending your attacks, abilities and learning new moves.

I'm finding the gameplay is played excellent with responsive controls and impressive combat style which makes the game more playable and fun to execute. The open-world levels are much larger than the First Light which has very good main missions to play, really fun side missions to enjoy, it's great to explore the whole levels which giving a player's a higher challenge to complete their tasks such as rescuing hostages, stop the D.U.P attacks, destroying hidden cams, taking down agents, and starts graffiti on the wall. 

Overall, it has well balanced combat gameplay, excellent controls and great missions.

Graphics  

The graphics are still looking spectacular with visual effects, character's design, realistic animation, and level design is to keep the game look fresh and polished for PS4 hardware systems. The frame rate runs perfectly with 30fps for the game's performances without any slow-downs. The developer teams did really show off with PS4 hardware performances to see how amazing the game looks on eighth generation era running on 1080p HD.

Overall, it has fantastic visual effects, detailed character's design, realistic animation, and awesome level design.

Music and Sounds

The soundtrack in the whole game are actually sounds amazing that fits the game's presentation and I also loved the ending song by Hard Rock band "Dead Sara" did a great job by covering one of the original classic "Nirvana" songs called "Heart Shaped Box." 

The sound effects has atmospheric effects, great background sounds and the whole soundwork are professionally well done in the game. The voice actors did a good job on the characters because it fits right for the cast of the characters. 

Overall, amazing soundtrack, superb sound effects and decent voice cast.

Special Features

The game has side-missions, DLC content and trophy achievements.

Advantages

Excellent combat gameplay

Main protagonist's superpower

Larger open-world levels

Great single-player missions

Awesome soundtrack

Decent voice cast

Fantastic graphics

Disadvantages

Mediocre story

Cocky main protagonist's personality  

Final Verdict

Presentation 5/10 - It needs to improve on main protagonist's personality and story development.

Gameplay 8/10 - Well balanced combat gameplay, excellent controls and great missions.

Graphics 8.5/10 -  Fantastic visual effects, detailed character's design, realistic animation, and awesome level design.

Music and Sound 8.5/10 - Amazing soundtrack, superb sound effects and decent voice cast.

Special Features 7/10 - Side-missions, DLC content and trophy achievements.

Overall 7.9/10 - I say I liked this game over the First Light is because it has longer single-player campaign missions, the combat gameplay is worth playable with more challenging tasks, it has wider open-world level to explore and the graphics is looking magnificent on PS4 system. I think they need to improve on the whole presentation to make the story and characters look more interesting. Bottom line, Infamous: Second Son is definitely a great PS4 exclusives, so if you're the fan of the series or the PS4 owners out there then go pick this game up.   

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5 Reasons why Nintendo 64 is Awesome

Nintendo 64 is one of the first 64-bit game console in fifth generation era. It was released on June 23th 1996 in Japan, while it was later released on September 29th 1996 in US and March 1st 1997. It is a main rivalry to their console competitors such as Sony Playstation and SEGA Saturn which was released a year before the N64 release. Nintendo 64 was well known for having the most innovative video game controller, advanced graphics technology, excellent local multiplayer games and most acclaimed games titles like Super Mario 64, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time and Goldeneye 007 that defines the N64 system. It is one of the second best-selling consoles in fifth generation era behind Sony Playstation is still on the top selling consoles.

Okay then, I've decided to make a 5 things that why I've liked the console so much, so here is my 5 reasons why Nintendo 64 is awesome.



1 - Games library

Nintendo 64 has the best video game titles out there, so we all know that the developers team could able to make really great N64 games that are well known for having variety of gameplay, 3D graphics and some multiplayer modes that made N64 a memorable game consoles in 90's gaming era. The games such as Super Smash Bros, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, Banjo Kazooie, Mario Kart 64, Perfect Dark, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Paper Mario, Blast Corps, F-Zero X, WCW vs NWO Revenge, and three of the most acclaimed N64 titles like Super Mario 64 as one of the best 3D platform game of all time, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time as one of the most acclaimed 3D adventure games ever made and Goldeneye 007 as one of the most influential FPS games that defines the video game genres.


2 - Local 4-Player mode

  

We all know that Nintendo 64 is one of the first game system that has 4 controller ports on front of the console. It has the best local multiplayer games that we all enjoy playing the games with friends and family in the same room. back in the mid 90's, we have no online console gaming, but instead you have to get your friends to visit your home and play some of the amazing local 4-players games like Super Smash Bros is one of the Nintendo's fighting game debut that has wacky 4-player battles with amazing matches and playable roster. Goldeneye 007 and Perfect Dark has a addicting 4-player split-screen mode, Mario Party has impressive mini-games and Mario Kart 64 has awesome race mode and battle mode.  

The later game consoles like SEGA Dreamcast and Microsoft Original Xbox are also featured with 4 controller ports which they took the ideas from Nintendo, but Nintendo also did the same with their N64's successor Nintendo Gamecube with 4 controller ports is just about getting your friends and family playing together in the same room which makes the local multiplayer more enjoyable and fun.


3 - N64 Controller

N64 controller is one of the first and most innovative video game controller that featured analog stick are designed for most of the 3D platform games like Super Mario 64, Banjo Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day which give's a players more freedom to explore 3D landscape and using the A and B buttons are also used for jumping and attacking. While N64 controller still retains the L and R shoulder buttons and D-Pad for some of the 2D platform games and fighting games genres, Z trigger are also introduced which also used for most of the FPS games like Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark, and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter which feels like you're shooting with real gun's trigger. The C-Buttons are quite useful for games like Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time that features camera orient and secondary items.

It works really well using with N64 controller are much easier to control the character's movements and camera controls. It has cool looking design of the controller because it looks like the M shaped which I believe the initials of the letter M does also represents one of the most beloved Nintendo's mascots Mario. This controller has really nice grips because it's feels comfortable to hold while playing various of N64 games.  

The concepts of the analog stick can also influence Sony's Dualshock controller for Playstation system, as well as SEGA's 3D control pad for the Saturn system.



4 - N64 Accessories

Nintendo 64 has very handful game accessories for most of the N64 games. The expansion pak is quite common for some of the N64 games. It runs 8 MB RAM which allowing to take advantage of N64 system to run on higher resolution and having better visual graphics for some of the N64 games like Excitebike 64, Duke Nukem: Zero Hour, Resident Evil 2, Turok 2 and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. It is also required to run a two N64 games software like Donkey Kong 64 and Legend of Zelda: Majora Mask, while Perfect Dark are also required for single player campaign.
The controller pak are used for saving game data for some of the N64 games and the rumble pak provides vibration feedback which can be used for games like Starfox 64.  



5 - N64 Kid

Yep, awesome 90's kids are always the best for 90's gaming. Classic gaming FTW (For The Win).

"NINTENDO SIXTY-FOURRRRR!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!" - N64 Kid

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Rocket League PS4 Review

Rocket League is a vehicular soccer games for PC, PS4 and XBONE, which both developed and published by Psyonix. It is a sequel to Psyonix's 2008 game called Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars for PS3 (via PS Store).

I've never played the original 2008 game because I never heard of the original game just right before Rocket League was first released for PS4 and PC in 2015, which just got caught everyone's attention. It gained 18 millions players and sold 6 million sales after the releases is due to offering titles as free downloadable game for PS Plus members on release date, to market the game. It receives critically praised reviews and won several awards from video game critics considering it's one of the best sports game and most competitive multiplayer games in 2015. Despite the game's popularity, the game was later released for XBONE in February 2016, and the retail version was released in June 2016, which distributed by 505 Games for the retail release, so I've just brought this game as the retail copy for PS4.

My thoughts on this game is just how amazing the game is because i'm into with playing arcade style sports titles like NBA Jam, NHL Hitz, Mario Strikers Charged, Virtua Tennis and more of awesome arcade sports games that i'm only liked as the sports genre, so same thing with Rocket League has outstanding gameplay controls, insane trickstyle to learn, gains more boost speed, customisable vehicles, selectable stadiums with addictive game modes to play, awesome season mode and it has competitive multiplayer modes with 4-player splitscreen and online play which makes the game worth to play. The graphics are looking amazed with nicely designed environment, smooth animation, gorgeous visuals and it has really cool looking vehicular design choices with fitting colorful textures. What really sounds cool about the collector's edition is it has 3 DLC codes and limited art print that the game came with bundled as the retail copy, which is worth for £20 price cost.


Presentation

This game comes with selectable main menu such as showroom where you can examine each available vehicles on the list, which is sounds pretty cool to see the design choices of playable vehicles in the showroom. The garage is where you can customise your cars with selectable items such as car's design, paint jobs, decals, wheels, rocket trails, toppers and antennas which is really fun to customise your own vehicles. The season mode has up to 36 or 38 weeks matches with well presenting scoreboards which shows win, loss and draws or shots and assists for each match which is quite handy to show how many you scored the goals and how many win, loss and draws you have received in each match. You can also checkout the online rankings to see your player's experience levels and top rankings that gives a players a motivation for this game.  

Watching the replays will show the best of player's moments, which can be stored into replay mode, so you can able to watch and see player scoring the goals, but you can also use the camera settings that gives you an options by setting in different angles and zooms while playing the replay videos is sounds pretty neat to use.

Overall, the whole presentation brings great showroom, cool customisable vehicles, online rankings and neat replays videos.


Gameplay

This game has season mode, exhibition mode including offline matches and 3 game modes, and online play.

During the gameplay matches, your main rule is to beat your opponent by scoring many goals till the time is over, so the teams who has scored the most points than the opponents are the winner in the game. The good thing about the game it has no foul and offside restrictions, it's just a straightforward vehicle sports game with no useless restrictions rules, which makes the game even more fast paced and fun to play. The gameplay is handled well with driving controls is much easier to control the players. You got basic acceleration and brakes/reverse to use in the game, but you can use boost speed to make your car go faster, so it can be also increases with boost power-ups in the pitch and you can also drift your car by holding the drifting button which also worked fine in the game. Using the jump button makes your car hop up, but pressing double jump will allow car to hop twice or holding the drifting button will make your car go rolling while in midair, which can be used for performing the awesome trickshots like pool shots, aerials shots, bicycle shots and other crazy stylish moves to perform, but it can be little bit difficult to master, but the more you get used too with trickshots the more you played better. You can also drive around the walls in Spiderman style is sounds kinda crazy to see how amazing the cars can able to drive on the walls. You can change the ball cam options by turning on which is helping the players to focus on the ball more which is easier to hit the ball directly while turning the ball cam off is giving the players freedom to drive around which benefits for using double jumping in different directions. There are some problems with the game is the vehicle can be too floatly in midair when trying to aim at the ball, which you could end up missing hit the ball and the ball can be bounced up too high which is bit difficult for players to hit the ball directly to goal net, but I say the gameplay is still pretty fun and playable which is great for most of the casual players. It does have some great game modes such as soccer modes is more like a standard football arena which is pretty basic to play and you also have basketball mode where you have to bounce your ball into the hoops which is quite hard, but it's pretty fun to play and you have hockey mode which makes the hockey puck more heavier and slippy is still pretty good as well. You can configure your game modes which give you options to select any stadiums, team size, bot difficulty and mutators settings with insane gameplay configurations such as ball type, gravity, boost speed and plenty more of them. You can also enjoy the game by playing through season modes, online modes and 4-player splitscreen modes are all featured in the game.

Overall, it has brilliant arcade style gameplay, great game modes, and addictive multiplayer modes.


Graphics

The developer team uses the Unreal engine 3 to keep the game more fresh and polished by running on full 60fps and 1080p resolution allowing the game able to run playable and making the whole environment much easier to handle the hardware system. It has well made environment design for futuristic sport stadium are looking so spectacular to see a wonderful made stages. The animations runs so smooth that game can able to perform better fps speed with no gameplay lags and no any of slowdowns, so they wanted to make the game feel more precised without adding any of the additional heavy graphics details. The visuals are looking outstanding with nice lightings, cool looking neon colours, and impressive shiny looking special effects that made the game look so good for today's consoles and PC's. I also loved the design of the vehicles that brings up a good concepts that really fits to this game because it's looks friggin gorgeous to see how the developers team can able to achieve such amazing graphics overall.

Overall, it has polished animation, well made environment, outstanding visuals, and impressive special effects.


Music and Sounds

This game does have really terrible modern dance soundtrack compared with original 2008 game has really amazing hard rock theme song which can be played by using cool easter eggs on the title screen if you're using the Konami codes in order to play a original theme song from Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars which is sounds cool, but if the whole modern dance soundtrack is gets too annoying in Rocket League then there's are solution to play with custom MP3 instead, so you just need to turn down the music volume on the options menu and then connect your USB devices into your console which can be played on media player apps, so you can able to enjoy listening your own custom MP3 soundtrack while playing this game.

The sound effects has really nice vroom sounds from car's engine and the crowd cheering are sounds pretty amazing in the stadium that really fits the atmospheric background noise.

Overall, they could have been brought the better soundtrack than this, so i'm pretty sure they will bring the better soundtrack like the original 2008 game with right music genres (like Rock and Metal) in later future updates, but the sound effects are still pretty sounds decent.


Special Features

The collector's edition has 3 DLC codes which adds more unlockable vehicles and items, and it has awesome limited art print with great looking art style.  




Advantages

Brilliant arcade style gameplay

Great game modes

Awesome customisable vehicles

Addictive multiplayer modes

Outstanding graphics

Using custom MP3 is convenient

Decent sound effects



Disadvantages

Floaty midair

Ball bounced up too high

Terrible modern dance music



Final Verdict


Presentation 8/10 - Great showroom, cool customisable vehicles, online rankings and neat replays videos.

Gameplay 8.5/10 - Brilliant arcade style gameplay, great game modes, and addictive multiplayer modes.

Graphics 9/10 - Polished animation, well made environment, outstanding visuals, and impressive special effects.

Music and Sounds 6/10 - Bad dance soundtrack, but decent sound effects.

Special Features 8/10 - 3 DLC codes and limited art print.


Overall 8.5/10 - Rocket League is a fantastic arcade style sports game that offers such an impressive gameplay style, amazing game modes, superb multiplayer modes and cool customisation for playable vehicles that made this game look spectacular for modern game consoles and PCs. If you're into with arcade sports genres then this game is definitely for you to buy it from downloadable stores or if you want the collector's edition then get the retail version from the online or physical gaming stores.


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Doom PS4 Review

History of Doom Series

In the year 1993, after the success of Wolfenstein 3D that created the FPS genre, the developer team Id Software decided to make another successful FPS game called Doom was first released for MS-DOS. It is a simple straightforward FPS game where you have to play as unnamed Space Marine (A.K.A Doomguy) to shoot down the demons, collect items, weapons and keys, and head to the exit as primary objectives. The game has received widely praised reception and becoming one of the most influential and important titles in gaming history, but it does shares with controversies due to high impact violence and demonic imagery that the game was included, but it is well pioneered for 3D graphics, network multiplayer and support for customised WADs with simple mods and additions that popularising the FPS genres. The game was later released for various of game consoles such as SEGA 32X, Atari Jaguar, SNES, PS1, and more available console ports. They later made the sequel in 1994 called Doom 2: Hell on Earth was first released for MS-DOS and later for console versions in 2000's such as GBA, XBLA and PSN which also received positive reviews from critics and they also released Final Doom in 1996 which includes 32 levels in two standalone games like TNT: Evilution and the Plutonia Experiment.

In 2004, Id Software made a reboot called Doom 3 was released for PC and year later for Original Xbox, which is quite different from the previous games, but also received generally praised for graphics and presentation, but wasn't the epic as the classic Doom 1 and 2 which is more action FPS game. In 2016, there's another game reboot to the series simply called Doom was released for PC, PS4 and XBONE, which is more focused on returns of the fast-paced gameplay with open-ended levels and more action shooter than slower horror approach taken by Doom 3. The game was well received by critics and fans which praised for single player campaign, customised snapmap mode, stunning graphics and amazing gameplay, whereas the multiplayer has mixed response, but the game considered to be a successful comeback for the series that hypes the fans and hardcore gamers.



Doom PS4 Review 

Doom is a Action FPS game for PC, PS4 and XBONE, which developed by Id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is a another reboot to the Doom franchise since the release of Doom 3 in 2004.

My thoughts on whole Doom series are one of the best video game franchise that made the FPS genre so revolutionary. It has memorable demons, awesome levels, insane weapons like BFG 9000 and badass heavy metal soundtrack by Robert Prince that made classic Doom so amazing in 90's gaming. I get to try out a recent Doom game for PS4 because I'm a huge fan of the series, so I've just put the disc in the console, starting the game up, played the campaign for several hours and WOW this game is definitely mindblowing as hell. I loved the single player campaign where you get to play as Doomguy to start beating the shit out of demons with full of blood and gore carnage. It has excellent combat gameplay, darker presentation, extreme graphics, awesome soundtrack by Mick Gordon, and it is the fast-paced shooter madness with lots of action that the developers team did a outstanding job with this kick ass game.

I have to say that this is definitely one of the best FPS game of 2016 in my opinions, so lets start the review right now.


Presentation

This game is set in research facility on planet mars. It starts out with Doomguy managed to escape from the facility and gets his armour suits ready just before he got called by the android robot named Samuel Hayden to help him complete his mission to save planet mars from invaded by demons.

The cutscenes in the game doesn't have the proper backstory before the invasions starts happening at the beginning of the first level, but I say the whole plot are actually sounds more interesting than the previous game Doom 3 has the offer. You can also collect data logs to find out more information of the environments, characters, and others are very interesting to read their backgrounds info. The main protagonist Doomguy is still one of the badass video game characters who always kicks all the demons asses, but I say his armour suits in this game is looked different from the original classics because I finding his new look is too similar with Master Chef from Halo which is sounds okay for Doomguy, but I always prefer his classic look from the classic Doom is way more manly and serious looking character. I like the new look of demons making a returns from the classic such as imps, pinky demons, lost souls, revenant, and two of the badass boss characters such as Spider Mastermind and Cyberdemon are the best villains in series.

I also liked the darker presentation of levels and atmospheres which taking place in between facilities and hell. The looks of the facilities are more like the futuristic sci-fi feel to the levels, while the hell stages are more evil and sinister looking which they presenting the level design really fits well for the game.

Overall, the whole presentation are just looking spectacular in whole game.


Gameplay

In single player campaign, you take control of Doomguy has the mission to wipe out the demons until you reach at the exit area to move on to next level. It does have a same objectives as the classics, but it's more open-world where you can explore the secrets to find the collectables, upgrades and items which can be seen on the map options screen. The combat mechanics are working well with choice of weapons which can be all carried on your weapon selection. Some of the weapons like combat shotgun and super shotgun are perfect for close range combat, while heavy assault rifle and plasma rifle are good for far distance range. Most of the powerful weapons like chaingun, rocket launcher and gauss cannon are actually worked very well with hit collisions and detection, but if you want go for even more powerful weapon, the BFG 9000 (A.K.A Big F-ing Gun 9000) is definitely blows the whole demon away with one shot kill. The melee systems is pretty awesome because you can perform instant glory kills which shows really gruesome deaths animation of demons especially with using chainsaws are very entertaining to watch them die by getting sliced into pieces. You can also use throwing weapons like frag grenades and siphon grenades are quite useful in campaign. You can find any mods and upgrades in the whole each levels, which can improve your weapons and armour performance, so weapons mods are used for secondary fire like scope, remote detonation, burst fire, and more cool stuff, while the upgrades helps improving your weapons overall which gives an extra high damage to your enemies. The armour upgrades helps your limited skills, equipment and your character abilities to make your player even stronger to fight the enemies. Using the power-ups such as berserk which makes the player goes rips and tears on enemies, the quad-damage makes weapons even powerful and the haste makes player goes faster, which is really sounds kick ass.

I say the combat mechanics and character's abilities are actually done perfect job in the whole game with no issues at all. The whole levels in the game are really giving the players the new experience with tons of demon hordes, finding the key to unlock the doors, jumping on different areas, entering the rune trials to complete the task, finding cool easter eggs like classic maps from classic Doom 1 and 2, and the boss battles are the best part of the game what really makes Doom so awesome.

I say the online multiplayer isn't that bad even the critics finding it mixed bag, but I think the multiplayer played decent because I didn't have the issues with the gameplay and it has couple of fun multiplayer modes such as freeze tags, domination, clan arena and team deathmatch are fun to play. It's a shame that they didn't include the offline split screen and bot matches which it would have been sounds nice to have it in the game and it would have been sounds better if the online multiplayer goes free to play instead of having to pay and using PS Plus subscription to play online which is sounds pain in the ass, but still it's better then most of the today's multiplayer games in my opinion. C'mon guys, it's not that bad.

I also loved the snapmap features which gives a player freedom to create their own levels design, missions, and loads more to offer are actually sounds cool. You can also download someone level maps to try out their maps which sounds awesome. Using tutorials guide mode which helps you how to create and edit your level design are useful for beginner players.

Overall, it has fantastic combat mechanics, incredible campaign levels, great Snapmap mode, and decent multiplayer.


Graphics

The graphics in the game is looking absolutely spectacular with using Id Tech 6. The character models are looking amazing in the game. The environments has great setups of facilities with futuristic sci-fi style and the hell stages is looks terrifying and scarier which gives more demonic feel to the level. It has gritty visuals, superb animation and darker backgrounds which proves the modern game consoles can able to push the hardware limits to show how magnificent the game is and it feels so closer to the next-gen gaming era.

Overall, it is the best overall graphics ever made by developers team can handle the game system very well.


Music and Sounds

Most of the classic Doom soundtrack by composer Robert Prince was inspired by classic metal bands like Metallica, Slayer and Pantera which really sounds badass in classic Doom games, but on this game, it's still sounds fricken epic in whole game. It is the mixed between progressive metal and industrial music style which has a similar vibe to Nine Inch Nails and Meshuggah, so the music was composed by Mick Gordon, who was known for composing soundtrack from Killer Instinct (2013) and Wolfenstein (2014 - 2015), did a incredible job for composing soundtrack which gives a player pumped up for single player action. The sound effects has insane demon roar chant, background noises, and the whole sound environments are absolutely sounds stunning.

Overall, it has badass soundtrack and stunning sound effects.


Special Features

The game has classic maps easter eggs, collectables items, season DLC packs, and trophies achievements.    



Advantages

Fantastic combat gameplay

Incredible campaign

Gruesome graphics

Insane glory kills

Spectacular villains

Badass main protagonist

Wicked soundtrack          

Decent Multiplayer

Cool Snapmap mode
                                 


Disadvantages

Lack of offline split screen and bot matches

No free to play online multiplayer


Final Verdict


Presentation 8.5/10 - Interesting storyplot, darker themes, great atmospheres and amazing characters.

Gameplay 9.1/10 - Fantastic combat mechanics, incredible campaign levels, great Snapmap mode, and decent multiplayer.

Graphics 10/10 - Amazing character's design, great environment, gritty visuals, superb animation and darker backgrounds.

Music and Sounds 9/10 - Badass soundtrack and stunning sound effects.

Special Features 8.5/10 - Classic maps easter eggs, collectables items, season DLC packs, and trophies achievements.  


Overall 9/10 - This is definitely one of the FPS masterpiece that all the Doom's fans have been looking forward to see a massive comeback of one of the most classy franchise of all times. This game offers more variety of combat gameplay and most surprising levels that keeps the game so polished to play on single player campaign. The graphics are gorgeously brutal with lots of graphical violence and intense kills animation that made the game look f-ing hardcore as hell. The presentation is looking well done for well presenting levels and character's concepts. It has one of the best soundtrack that increases the player's motivation and excitement. The online multiplayer is not that bad, but i'm pretty sure the developers will make the improvements quite soon. The snapmap mode is sounds pretty cool to create your own kinds of levels and missions.

Bottom line, Doom is one of the best FPS game in 2016, so if you're the fan of the series then go buy this game and get ready for rip and tear, and fight like hell.



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Strider PS4 Digital Download Review

History of Strider Series

In the year 1989, when the first original game called Strider was released on arcade hardware by Capcom. It is one of the finest 2D hack and slash action on the arcade system which was later released on various console versions. The game was praised for impressive arcade gameplay, well made graphics, atmospheric soundtrack, unique level design and of course the main protagonist Strider Hiryu had becoming the badass ninjas in gaming which makes the franchise received numerous of fans and retrospectives. 

It was later released a sequel in 1990 called Strider 2 for various console versions which is a first game that didn't released on the arcade hardware and it was published by U.S Gold (under license from Capcom USA). It is not meant to be confused with Capcom's 1999 sequel which is also called Strider 2 for the Arcade hardware and PS1. The 1990 version is considered to be the most disappointing game in the series which criticised with choppy animation, lacked atmospheric gameplay and slower paced action, while the 1999 version is definitely a real sequel to the first game which has received much better overall with fast paced arcade gameplay, amazing graphics, and it has more action than the previous games. Strider Hiryu was also featured on the other games like Marvel vs Capcom series, Namco x Capcom, Project X Zone 2, and Capcom Fighting All-Stars.

In year 2014, Capcom decided to released a 1989 reboot called Strider which was released for PS3, PS4, X360, XBONE and PC, with the help of the developer teams Double Helix Games. It received most positives review from the critic praised for Metroidvania style gameplay, game visuals, and addictive game campaign that will satisfy the old school classic fans.  

Strider PS4 Digital Download Review

Strider is a 2D hack and slash adventure game for PS3, PS4, X360, XBONE and PC, which developed by Double Helix Games and published by Capcom.  

I'm actually quite impressed with this game's overall which brings me a lot of satisfaction to see how amazing the Strider is for the modern days consoles. 

This game is kinda look different from the classic original 1989's game with larger 2D open-world maps, newer gameplay mechanics with upgrades and weapons, and more exploration in whole levels which gives a Metroidvania style feel to the game and I love the idea of the game's concepts which I believe the developers team did actually a great job on this game. The graphics has nicely designed environment, impressive visuals effects, and fantastic animations runs on smooth 60 FPS (except PS3 and X360 versions). I loved the game's atmosphere which makes the game stays true to the original 1989 game. There are some issues is the campaign length is quite too short that takes 4 or 5 hours to complete which it should have been better with longer hours campaign and I finding the game's presentation doesn't have much storyplot and fewer cutscenes which they should have been done better to put more effort into the story presentation, but I say that I really enjoyed the game because this will definitely pleases the classic retro gaming fans who grew up with playing similar type of game such as Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.  

Presentation

This game takes place in the metropolis of Kazakh City, Strider Hiryu was sent on the mission to assassinate the villain called Grandmaster Meio. 

It is the retelling of original game story, but the game has no proper story telling what so ever. You only get to see the few of the cutscenes which shows between the main protagonist and the villain talking before they start the fight and it also shows the part where the main protagonist getting advice from other characters in the game with some extra details of the mission.

I got to say the main protagonist Strider Hiryu is still an awesome character especially he wore the same outfit as the 1999's sequel which makes him more appealing and memorable video game character. The villain Grandmaster Meio is definitely like from the original game, while the others are quite not that bad because it does have some good concepts to make them look decent in the boss battles. The levels are looked redesigned to make it look less linear and having larger exploration stages is quite well done for level design choices and concepts. 

Overall, they should have been done better by extending more story details and cutscenes, but they done a fine job with the characters and levels concepts. 

Gameplay

The gameplay is on 2D perspective where you take control of Strider in the mission. You have the main weapon called cypher that is used for slashing the enemies in different directions and using the kunai as throwing projectiles weapons is also useful for combat gameplay, but you can also find newer weapons upgrades, newer character abilities and items by exploring the whole levels which you can able to check out on the map screen which tells you where the weapons and items have been located in. The upgrades can improve your kunai range, increases health and energy bar, learns double jump and using plasma catapult as quick dash, gaining new cypher and kunai such as reflect, explosive, ultra-cold and magnetic which helps your combat gameplay mechanics and character's abilities. You can also gained new power-ups which are called options where you can use three of the options attacks such as robot eagle, robo-panther and saucer which gives a extra damage attacks to the enemies is pretty sounds amazing. I say the controlling Strider is played fairly decent with physical techniques like slide kick, double jump, acrobatic jump, and using plasma catapult is very responsive and the combat weapons are actually worked very well with the collisions and hit detection. The level design is much easier to explore with tons of enemies, some hazards objects and the boss levels that made the game up with the higher challenge. Unfortunately the game is quite short because it takes 4 or 5 hours to complete which makes the game quicker to beat in 2 or 3 days and it doesn't have new game plus which lacks one of the replay values, but the game is still fun to play on single player campaign with excellent non-linear levels, combat gameplay, and boss battles.

I also enjoyed the two of the challenge mode such as survival mode where you have to fight waves of the enemies and beacon run where you have to reach to checkpoint across enemy areas as fast as possible which is quite fun too. 

Overall, I have no problem with controls, levels, exploration and boss battles are just steps up in the right directions by the game developers.

Graphics

The graphics has really nicely designed environment to see how big the level design is and it does have some great visuals effects with decent lighting and shades. The animations in whole game runs on 60 FPS (except PS3 and X360) to make it more fast paced action and the less slower it moves made the game look spectacular with 1080p HD. I love the glossy looking special effects and detailed backgrounds that made the game more futuristic tone and the character's design is looking quite cool in the game.

Overall, it has nice environment, great visuals, impressive animations, and cool looking character's design.

Music and Sounds

It does have really awesome remixed soundtrack which features multiple homages to classic Strider themes which they did a superb job in the game that increases the overall atmospheres. The sound effects are pretty good in the game with background sound environment and ambient noises which fits really perfect for Strider game. The voice acting is okay, but not just sounds brilliant for character's voices at least they tried. 

Overall, it has awesome music and good sound effects. 

Special Features         

                           

This game has collectable Strider's costumes to select which outfits to wear and concepts art can be unlocked in the game's menu. It does have trophies achievements and online leaderboards are also featured in the game.

Overall, it's doesn't have enough features in the game, but it does have some good collectable concepts art and outfits. 

Advantages

Non-linear levels

Impressive combat gameplay 

Great choices of upgrades and power-ups

Badass main protagonist  

Nice graphics 

Awesome music and sounds

Disadvantages

Not enough storytelling

Short-length campaign

Lack of new game plus

Final Verdict

Presentation 6/10 - Needs more story details and cutscenes, but has great characters and levels concepts.

Gameplay 8/10 - Impressive controls, bigger levels, fun exploration and decent boss battles.

Graphics 8/10 - Nice environment, great visuals, impressive animations, and cool looking character's design.

Music and Sounds 8/10 - Awesome music and good sound effects.

Special Features 5/10 - Not enough features, but does have some good collectable concepts art and outfits. 

Overall 7.9/10 - Looks like the recent Strider game is actually played damn pretty amazing for modern day consoles. It is a awesome reboot to the original 1989 game with 2D Metroidvania style gameplay, marvellous open world levels, and epic boss battles that made the game so cool these days. Strider made a great comeback in the year 2014 that hypes the fans of the series hoping to look forward the 2014 reboot. This game is definitely for the classic retro fans should able to get this game from PSN, XBLA and Steam as downloadable game. 

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