True Reviews, Updates and Common Sense Opinions
I didn’t play the first Luigi’s Mansion or the second one, but I heard many good things about the most recent game, most specifically on Twitter, so I decided not to pass up the opportunity to try it out. This post is my first impression of Luigi’s Mansion 3. Keep in mind there are minor spoilers below.
Continue reading “Luigi’s Mansion 3: First Impressions (game review)”
In my opinion, Fighting Force was one of the best games to be released on PlayStation. It had four main characters that played very differently and the campaign was simple, yet explosive. At least it was to me who at the time of its release was 7 years old.
I know the market right now is saturated with remakes, remasters, and reboots. But, I have a strong suspicion that Fighting Force may have a place in the current gaming generation.
Fighting Force initially came out in 1997. The graphics weren’t the best, but we didn’t know any better. But even though it looked like a modern-day Mindcraft world build, it still had fun story progression.
The campaign was about an hour and 30 minutes. You could play the game solo or with friends and the main goal was to make it from the city streets to the main boss, fighting your way through enemy waves in preparation to rid the world of Dr. Zeng who was to destroy the world.
My favorite elements of the game included being able to use your fists, soda cans, rocket launchers, trash can lids, guns, and knives that you pick up off the street to fight the enemies. It’s so simple and yet when you threw a soda can at an enemy it was so satisfying.
My favorite level was the elevator. You take it all the way to the roof of this high rise building where Dr. Zeng is supposed to be, but he gets away. But just having the enemies overflow on to the elevator while you have limited supplies and being forced to decide to fight bare-knuckle style or run for a weapon.
And you had a group of diverse characters too. It kind of played like an action movie, to be honest. You had Hawk, your lead role (handsome type). Smasher was the brute (all of the big enemies looked like him). Mace was cool and had a sassy walk (her kicks were the best). Lastly, Alana who seemed like a boxer type (she was ready to brawl).
All of these character types would fair well in a co-op game today. Think of how Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a co-op experience, only Fighting Force would be in third-person instead of first-person. You can match-make to a full team or play solo if you want, and maybe it could even have a 1v1 environment to go against your friends.
These are just my thoughts. Perhaps Square Enix could consider this. A sequal was made for Nintendo 64 and a third game was canceled in development. Unfortunately, Core Design (the developers) is unavailable at the time of this writing. But hey, Fighting Force could still be a viable option.
I mentioned this game earlier this month in my blog about games that should pique your interest from E3. My Friend Pedro looked so fun during the Devolver Digital showcase. In my brief overview, I mentioned that the game reminded me of Super Hot because of the slow-motion mechanic. And since I really enjoyed Super Hot, I figured I’d enjoy My Friend Pedro as well.
It released on PC and Nintendo Switch on June 20, 2019. I finally had a chance to experience it this weekend and I was not disappointed.
Game Play
It’s a side scroll format and it has a few cool mechanics. We knew about the slow-motion mechanic, but you can also split your bullet directions while you’re full hardcore parkour! You end up hanging upside down from zip lines, balancing on barrels, and shooting while skateboarding. Plus, you run up your damage output the faster you put down enemies.
On normal difficulty, the game is forgiving to an extent. If you get sloppy, the game will call you out for it at the end of the level. At the end of the level you are shown your best moment, so that will make you feel good.
The most difficult level is called Bananas. I may not be able to survive on the hardest level, but I’m sure eventually someone will be able to. I can’t wait for speed runs of the highest level to pop-up on YouTube. I really hope they do.
The talking banana does throw me off sometimes. There’s one point where the banana is talking about how he used to go to parties and how wild it was. In my mind I’m thinking, this character has to be hallucinating. How else would a talking banana make sense?
But seriously, My Friend Pedro is a chill game to play through. It’s like you are in the world of the Matrix or John Wick, but you’re a random street runner. It’s fun to play, it has manageable controls and it has a great soundtrack.
Usually, I’ll mute the game soundtrack and play my own music. But, the soundtrack in My Friend Pedro has a great mood that adds to the enjoyment of the game too.
You could lose track of time while playing this game.
The only thing that would make it better is a competition mode. Maybe players could go head to head to see who can clear the level the fastest and get the best score.
Overall, I’m really glad this game is as entertaining as it seemed to be at E3 and I’m going to keep playing!
I miss Saints Row: The Third.
It was a great game and it still is. In my opinion, Saints Row the Third had a fun story line, immersive sound track, ease of game controls, the best customization, and a really well rounded player character.
Saints Row: The Third had and still has a magic to it. Volition, the developer, found that special spot of not taking itself to seriously, but still providing a compelling story for fans of the franchise. Plus, the side missions didn’t feel completely forced on you as a player. Genki Bowl was one of the best activities and sometimes the most frustrating things to do in the game.
Giving Saints Row an identity change up was the best thing they could have done. Especially since they were being compared directly to Grand Theft Auto. I personally thought Saints Row: The Third was nothing like it. Unless you want to harp on the gang turf fights, third person POV, and open-world shenanigans.
Every wheel doesn’t need to be reinvented, and Saints Row: The Third was altered enough that it felt like something new.
In my opinion, Saints Row the Third gave the player more control. I personally didn’t walk around looking like a banana, but I spent hours customizing my character. I still remember her. She had short silver hair, coco skin, and looked amazing in black! I believe I played the campaign at least 10 times just because it was so enjoyable to me.
My favorite mission involved the Third Street Saints parachuting down on to a penthouse and taking it over to make it the first main headquarters you get in Steelport! It was such a good time.
I would be happy to see a reprise of the franchise. Sure Grand Theft Auto V is still going strong, and the online allows for a lot of customization, teaming with friends, and doing missions. But, why not give Saints Row another chance?
Saints Row: The Third was my favorite game of the franchise and Nintendo is releasing it on the Nintendo Switch in May 2019. But, we’re six years removed from the last game, Saints Row: IV and I’d love to see what Johnny Gat and the crew are doing since going to space. Plus, I’m ready for a game I can just have fun with again.