Video Games

Detroit Become Human

Now this is a game I have some thoughts about that I feel are worth trying to write down. The game starts off super strong but falls apart about two thirds of the way through. Play the game before reading anymore of this if you care about spoilers.

The game sets up the world in a way where humanoid AI powered robots are advanced enough to carry out everyday tasks and are treated as servants for those that can afford them. You play as 3 different "androids" making choices that greatly impact the story (This choice based impact is done super well).

So the whole premise of the game is that the "androids" are so advanced that they are indistinguishable from humans and should be given the same rights as humans. The game is basically created to ask the player the question: "If Humanoid Androids were sufficiently advanced do they have the same worth as a human?"

The game asks this question, while constantly breaking the rules of its own worldbuilding in terms of its "androids". Which at least for me absolutely fails to show the "androids" as human at all. There are so many examples of how this game shoots itself in the foot.

The main one revolves around Markus, one of the "android" you play as. Markus is able to "awaken" other android to make them "sentient real humans"... At least thats what the game tells you is happening, in reality the androids Markus "awakens" just blindly server Markus and follow whatever he said... He has just changed thier owner from thier purchaser to himself... they are not free thinking beings... they literally just act as robot servants to a different owner.

My other big issue with the game is that it portrays almost all people treating their android abusively. While it is also shown they are a premium and expensive product. Outside of the rare exception people tend to treat the items they spend large amounts of money on quite carefully. This bugged me the whole game since it just does not make sense.

There is so so much more that this game just... they tried to make a point and really pushed it... and it just did not work. Kinda soured how great the game started out.

★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Tales of Arise

Basically the exact same gameplay loop as Tales of Berseria. Good story and characters. I do slightly prefer the story of Berseria.

★★★★☆ (4/5)

LIS: Double Exposure

IDK what to even say.... It started well, had potential then just lost the plot a bit. Relying too much on Max as an existing character and failing to build out a new location or character in any meaningful way. Super jarring transitions between scenes to constantly break immersion. Not worth buying, well certantly not at full price. I think the LIS series would have been better off had this game not been released.

★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Steins;Gate VN

The story of Steins;Gate is one of my favorite stories ever. The Anime is my favorite anime. However I stopped playing the VN quite early on as the pacing is very very slow like reading a book. Which I know is the point of a VN, but yeah. just not the format for me I guess.

No Rating

Inscription

This game gets a lot of praise and hype. It started out very strong but quickly lost its appeal. I ended up dropping the game before finishing it, however still recommend the game as it is very unique and does a lot of things well.

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Life Is Strange

The first "Life is Strange" game.... lifechanging experience. A perfect game. I think I got this game as a random game in a humble bundle one time. Had no idea anything about the game when I first launched it. I never expected the game to capture my whole world the way it did. Absolutely a game to go into blind if you have never played it before.

★★★★★ (5/5)

Life is Strange Before The Storm

I was worried since its a diff studio. but by god Deck9 managed to capture the magic of the OG life is strange. No spoilers but this is a prequel to the original game, however I think the original game should always be played first. The music in this game is perfect!

★★★★★ (5/5)

Life is Strange 2

After the OG Life is Strange... LIS2 was the most disappointed I have ever been in a game release. I did not even finish it the first time I tried to play it. In fact I did not finish it until like 10ish years later.

★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Life is Strange: True Colors

LIS is my fav game series. True Colors tries to capture the magic of Arcadia Bay. It gets part of the way there, but its just not quite it. Still an excellent game with some great moments.

★★★★☆ (4/5)