A C

Against my better judgement I rolled the dice and picked this up. Now I am not someone who regrets a purchase. I know what I like and I go in knowing how much of what I am buying fits that schema. Having played 8hrs, I think I've seen enough. The review outlets giving this 8/10+ need investigating for market fixing. Influencing consumers to spend £70 on this based on clear lies is criminal. This was clearly a mobile game BioWare have replatformed for consoles and PC. The graphics, for a modern game and the resources BioWare have, are comical. It sucks any sense of impact from any scene when it looks like it has been designed like a straight to VOD Disney sequel. Combat.. exists. That's all I can say. Square, Square, Square, Block, L2+Square. Repeat. Characters are all.. lame. There's no personality. There's no baggage. There's no pain of experience. No prejudice. Everyone just.. exists. Writing.. I am convinced someone has just used ChatGPT. World building.. there's a world.. but it doesn't feel lived in. In short, buy Inquisition with the DLCs. You'll have a much better time, for a much better price.

Review Ratings... 0 = Didn't enjoy it 3 = It's ok... 5 = Had a blast! It is so refreshing to play a game these days that knows what it is. In a market saturated with empty open-world, live-service, souls-like, 500hr grindfest collect-a-thons, with a slow plodding story trying to hard to be emotional; it's good to know that some studios just want to make an entertaining product that doesn't outstay its welcome. Gameplay is my most important criteria, and for me - this is where this game shines. The combat while not complex is enjoyable with slow-mo executions pushing you on to smack just one more zombie. There is the card based perks system that provides some level of customisation for your selected character, although some cards lean heavily towards certain playstyles, which only certain characters are good at; plus, there are clearly superior cards that you will always have equipped. But it is just so satisfying to go through the block > parry > hit R2, hit R2 > slow-mo zombie decapitation steps time and time again. The story while not award winning moves you along through different medium scale zoned environments at a good pace. There are side-quests as well which are entertaining. The graphics are to my taste. The right balance of realism and cartoon. Environments are well detailed, as are the zombies. The real pride and joy is the gore system and how different weapon and element types all damage zombies in different ways. Heavy weapons are my jam and seeing a Z's eyes pop out of it's head after a blow to the head doesn't get old. All-in-all I had a great experience. Dead Island 2 is a laid-back, zombie beat 'em up with an entertaining enough story that will carry you to the end and have you smiling when the credits roll. 5*

Baseline Comparison: God of War Ragnarok Graphics: 3 Gameplay: 3 Sound: 4 Story: 3 Replayability: 0 Verdict The Last of Us 2 is an experience. It is brutal, depressing, and haunting. If you're after a punishing journey through a one-time post-apocalyptic wasteland, this is your game, but don't expect to be coming back to this much after completion. Graphics (3/5) The environments look great, but some of the face detailing on characters looks a little plastic, and there were at time distracting shadow effects where they would pop-in and out during cut-scenes. A definite improvement on the first game, but not close to Ragnarok standards. Gameplay (3/5) An improvement on the wooden movement and gunplay of the first game. There is now also a much needed dodge mechanic which is great to see. There isn't much else to report - there are the set piece sections, the quick time events, and the choice of head-on combat vs. stealth, although those looking to shoot their way through the game will find it a frustrating experience as stealth more often than not is the way to go. Sound (4/5) Those with a good surround sound will want to turn it up. This adds an extra layer to the immersion that was missing from the first game. The sounds are incredibly lifelike making the shrieks of the runners startling, the crack of twigs nervy, and gunshots weighty. Story (3/5) The poloarising element. The story isn't bad, it is just a completely different tone to the first game which I think caught everybody off guard. Where in the first game it was an uplifting tale of fighting for what little good is left in a broken world and the developing relationship between two characters morphing into a parent-child relationship.. the second game completely flips and stares deep into abyss of how brutal living in a post-apocalyptic world is, and to set this tone a major event happens at the start of the game.. which is immediately where some people were turned off. I understand why people were turned off, but there is still a story, but for me it just fails to engage. It isn't bad, but I felt that it was unnecessarily complicated. The game jumps between different peoples perspectives, and I understand why, but I think it detracts from investing in the characters. Especially when perspectives shift at pivotal story moments. It reminds me almost of those really annoying Animus moments in Assassins Creed when you are pulled out of the game and lose that immersion. Replayability (0/5) This is where I think the game suffers most. After finishing it, I don't think I will ever boot it up again. Not for any particular negative reason, but I feel like I have explored enough of the world and story that I don't want to. Unlike games like God of War where I actually miss the world building and the characters.. there is none of that feeling here.