My journey into the Monster Hunter series began with World, a game that has held a special place in my gaming experience. The anticipation for Wilds was palpable, with promises of a realistic graphical overhaul and a better open-world experience in the RE engine. However, the reality of its release, optimization, and gameplay has left me deeply disappointed. It's a letdown that Capcom didn't take the extra time to release this game at its peak.

Even with a supercomputer I built (I won't bore you with the specs, but trust me, $3200 is proof), the fact that my game struggles to maintain a steady 60-70 fps, even at high settings, and crashes sporadically is simply baffling. During a weekend gaming marathon (Feb 28-March 2nd), my game crashed a staggering 10 times in the middle of hunts, even after I had lowered my settings. It's a miracle I managed to finish the story mode.

The game's optimization is inconsistent on the RE engine. Cutscenes can look good, but a few textures look soft or render slowly. Gameplay, especially combat, can run smoothly, depending on the monster and region you're fighting in. For instance, when it's storming, and you're fighting a powerful monster like a Rey Dau in the Windward Plains, the game can stutter a few times, disrupting the otherwise smooth gameplay. This inconsistency is a letdown, especially considering the potential of the RE engine.

One positive thing about Wilds is that the combat is better than ever. I love the new wound system that allows hunters to open wounds on monsters, allowing them to do additional damage and incapacitate the monster. This system works by targeting specific weak points on the monster's body, which, when hit, cause the monster to become wounded, making it more vulnerable. This adds a strategic layer to the combat, making it more engaging. I also appreciate that you can carry two weapons, further enhancing the combat experience.

Also, traveling through the Wilds is easier than ever riding on Seikrets, which are customizable mounts that hunters can ride. These Seikrets are not just a means of transportation, but can also assist you in escaping peril, adding another layer of strategy to the game. They can be personalized to your liking, and I appreciate that Capcom provided a lore-friendly reason for how Seikrets can change colors. They are a fun addition to the game, enhancing the exploration experience.

Despite combat, the main narrative was too short, shorter than World without the expansion or events. Not that story mode was never big with the series, but Monster Hunter World's story was more impacting. Hopefully, Wild's expansion can redeem its core story.

I prefer newcomers to the series to play previous monster hunters until Wilds is better optimized. It's disheartening because Wilds is a good game with fluid combat, intriguing regions, and the most astonishing monster designs in the series thus far. Still, it's hard to play when it crashes or stutters every blue moon, taking players out of the experience. Again, it would've been a complete masterpiece if Capcom had waited another few months or a year for Wild's release. I give Monster Hunter Wilds, as of now, a 7/10.

Clock Tower, the grandfather of survival horror, finally makes its way to modern consoles and I couldn't be more ecstatic to cross this game off my bucket list. So, was Clock Tower: Rewind worth the time, or is it another childhood revival dud? Once I booted up the game, I was immediately hooked by the stunning animated intro with a memorable score called 'Sharp Laughter,' a hauntingly beautiful piece performed by Elizabeth McGlynn and composed by Dale North. This score, with its eerie melody and chilling undertones, perfectly sets the tone for the game. So the answer is YES, this game was worth the wait, from its simple point-and-click controls navigating Jennifer through the mysterious desolate Clocktower mansion trying to escape from the dreaded scissorman. Hifumi Kohmo, the director of Clock Tower, was on to something in 1995 that made a survival horror game work in a 2D-3D plane without using the fully rendered 3D we're used to today.

Controlling Jennifer was straightforward; the cursor would change into a box-like icon showing what Jennifer could interact with. Getting chased by Scissorman was a thrill ride, but I wish there were more options to stop him in his tracks besides hiding and knocking him over with a few bookcases. This was a 95' game, so options were limited. "Have to start somewhere." The mansion can be tedious to navigate, especially considering all the doors and hallways can look the same, but luckily, the rooms/halls are color-coded. The rewind feature, a unique addition to the game, allows players to rewind about 10 seconds of a previous move, potentially avoiding a fatal encounter or making a different decision. However, I found that the game was designed in a way that didn't necessitate its use, making the feature unfortunately useless. The biggest payoff with Rewind is the multiple endings. I won't detail much, but the endings are pretty crazy. I still have 4 more to earn.

Overall, I found Clock Tower: Rewind to be a comforting experience, thanks to its simple gameplay, immersive atmosphere, and high replayability. While this game may not be everyone's cup of tea, I encourage gamers to give it a try. Sometimes, the older games can surprise you. I'm looking forward to diving into Jennifer's next nightmare. I give Clocktower: Rewind an 8/10.