Recent reviews by shaveris

Arkham Asylum is a masterclass in atmosphere. It immediately immersed me in its gothic and claustrophobic world. Every corridor, cell, and shadow-drenched corner of Arkham Island felt alive, thick with the palpable presence of madness and despair. From my first step inside, I could feel the weight of the Dark Knight's world pressing in—a tense, chilling playground that never let me go.


• Arkham Asylum is an unmatched example of world-building. Every nook and shadowed corner is meticulously designed, making the island feel like a living, breathing entity. The sense of dread, suspense, and gothic beauty is the game's single greatest achievement.

• The 'Freeflow Combat' system debuted here and changed the landscape of action games forever. The rhythmic flow of strikes, counters, and special moves turns every encounter into a satisfying, empowering experience. Its elegant simplicity and mastery potential immediately mark it as a classic.

• The game perfectly captures Batman's duality: brawler and hunter. The 'Predator' sections let players stalk from the shadows, strategically neutralizing enemies, giving a genuine sense of being the Dark Knight and fully utilizing his intelligence and fearsome presence.

• The story of Joker’s takeover is tight, tense, and unforgettable. Mark Hamill’s iconic performance adds depth and gravitas, and the Scarecrow sequences elevate the tension with ingenious, reality-bending scares. Every beat of the narrative is meticulously crafted.

• Arkham Asylum’s Metroidvania-style design rewards exploration and clever use of gadgets. New tools unlock previously inaccessible areas, and the Riddler’s trophies provide thoughtful, satisfying challenges that enrich the world and encourage replayability.


• The game’s boss fights are its weakest points. Many rely on repetitive patterns or uninspired mechanics, and the final boss fight in particular does not live up to the story’s incredible buildup.

• While strong for its time, some textures and animations show their age. The core art direction remains excellent, but certain environmental details feel dated by modern standards.

• Compared to its open-world sequels, Arkham Asylum is small. Once the main story concludes, there’s less to do on the island, which slightly limits long-term replayability.



Arkham Asylum isn't just a great Batman game; it's a genre-defining landmark that set a new standard for superhero titles. Its revolutionary combat, unmatched atmosphere, and deep respect for the mythos created an experience I feel is timeless. Its minor flaws, such as weak boss fights and a smaller world, do little to tarnish its legacy in my eyes. Arkham Asylum is the beginning of a legend, a game I consider a must-play classic that paved the way for everything that followed.

TWD was a deeply emotional and unforgettable journey. This collection brought the entire saga together in a seamless package that made me feel the full weight of the story from start to finish.


• Lee and Clementine’s journey forms the emotional core of the series. Themes of sacrifice, morality, and found family are explored with depth and nuance, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who plays.

• The game forces players to make tough decisions under intense pressure. Every choice carries immediate weight, shaping not only the story but your sense of morality, making each playthrough feel personal.

• The cel-shaded visuals, enhanced by the “Graphic Black” filter, perfectly capture the comic book aesthetic. Exceptional voice acting brings the characters and their desperate world to life, creating a cohesive and emotionally resonant experience.

• Every season and episode is included in one well-organized package, with developer commentary and extra features. It’s perfect for newcomers and longtime fans alike, providing a complete and polished experience.


• The reliance on basic exploration and quick-time events can feel dated and sometimes leaves players feeling more like observers than active participants in the story.

• While choices feel impactful, the story often funnels players toward the same key plot points. This can lessen the weight of subsequent playthroughs.

• The first season remains the series’ peak, while later chapters, though strong, don’t always capture the same narrative magic.

• Some performance stutters and animation quirks occasionally interrupt immersion, though they are rare and minor in this Definitive Series release.



It's more than a game collection—it is an essential archive of interactive storytelling at its finest. While I found the gameplay simple, the narrative was a poignant, harrowing, and unforgettable experience for me. I believe this collection perfectly captures the heart and humanity of its characters, making it a must-play for anyone who values story-driven games.

Arkham Knight is the thrilling finale to the Arkham trilogy. I didn’t just play as Batman— felt like I *became* him, gliding across a rain-soaked, neon-lit Gotham that felt alive with tension, danger, and hidden secrets. To me, the city itself was a character, from the oppressive streets to the towering skyscrapers, and I found that every corner invited exploration and strategic thinking. The game masterfully balanced intense combat, rich storytelling, and exploration, making every moment I spent in Gotham feel purposeful and exhilarating.


• Gotham City is visually stunning, a perfect mix of neon glow and rain-slicked streets that immerses you in its dark, brooding atmosphere. The attention to detail in architecture, lighting, and ambient sounds makes the city feel alive at all times.

• The celebrated Freeflow Combat system reaches new heights, turning every encounter into a rhythmic, strategic ballet of strikes and counters. Dual Play adds seamless tag-team takedowns that feel both tactically satisfying and visually spectacular.

• Gliding, grappling, and high-speed movement give you unparalleled freedom. Moving across Gotham’s skyline feels like true empowerment, capturing the fantasy of being the Dark Knight in full force.

• The story delivers a deeply personal and emotional conclusion to the trilogy. The confrontation with Scarecrow is tense and gripping, while the Joker’s lingering presence adds haunting emotional depth.

• Beyond the main narrative, Gotham is full of meaningful activities. Most Wanted missions, Riddler challenges, and rogue encounters provide dozens of additional hours of engaging, character-driven content.


• While the Batmobile is thrilling, its frequent mandatory use in combat sections can sometimes feel jarring and detract from the core Batman experience.

• The initial PC release was a technical disaster, and although patches fixed most problems, the poor launch left a lasting mark on player trust.

• For fans familiar with the comics, certain story reveals, especially regarding the Arkham Knight, can feel foreseeable, reducing some narrative tension.

• Some major boss encounters rely too heavily on Batmobile combat, missing opportunities for tense, memorable showdowns that could have fully showcased Batman’s arsenal.



Arkham Knight is a masterful, breathtaking conclusion to a landmark trilogy. Its combination of fluid combat, empowered traversal, and a rich, detailed Gotham makes it a game I would call a must-play for any superhero or action fan. While I feel the over-reliance on the Batmobile and the rocky PC launch slightly tarnish its polish, the game remains a definitive Batman experience and a modern classic to me. Every rooftop, dark alley, and mission reinforced my belief that this is one of the finest superhero games ever created.

To me, Grand Theft Auto IV is more than just another GTA game. Human story of Niko Bellic. Every mission, encounter, and conversation pulled me into a city that felt alive, full of character, danger, and unforgettable moments. Complete Edition’s inclusion of The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony gave multiple perspectives that deepened the city’s dark and vibrant narrative.


• GTA IV offers a deeply mature story that explores the American Dream through Niko Bellic, one of gaming’s most complex and human protagonists. His weary cynicism and reluctant descent into crime create a compelling and emotionally resonant journey.

• The rain-slicked streets, urban decay, and bustling chaos make the city feel like a living, breathing character. Its atmosphere mirrors the story’s melancholic tone, immersing players in every corner of its metropolis.

• The Complete Edition adds The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, offering unique perspectives on brotherhood, betrayal, and nightlife in Liberty City. These intertwined stories enrich the main narrative and keep the experience fresh.

• From realistic vehicle handling to dynamic ragdoll animations, the game’s physics engine provides a tangible sense of weight and realism that enhances every interaction with the world.

• Characters like Roman Bellic and Brucie Kibbutz inject personality, humor, and life into Niko’s journey, making the city feel fully inhabited and constantly engaging.


• Historically, the PC version suffered from poor optimization, bugs, and reliance on the now-defunct Games for Windows Live platform, requiring extensive fan fixes like FusionFix and DXVK to run smoothly.

• While community mods solve technical issues, the fact that Rockstar’s official release still needs these interventions highlights a lack of proper support.

• Friendship activities and some systems can sometimes interrupt the narrative flow, creating moments that feel slightly disconnected from the story’s urgency.

• The deliberately muted and gritty visuals, while fitting the tone, may feel less striking to players used to the vibrant look of newer GTA titles.



Grand Theft Auto IV is a bold, mature, and unforgettable entry in the franchise. Its richly layered narrative, complex characters, and fully realized Liberty City make it a game that I found demands patience and rewards deep engagement. Despite the lingering technical issues on PC and minor gameplay friction, I feel its underlying quality is undeniable. I consider this edition a poignant, essential, and masterfully crafted exploration of the darker side of the American Dream.

It was an expansive and immersive open-world adventure set in the stunningly detailed wilderness of Montana. Every mission, hidden location, and encounter contributed to a world that I found to be alive and full of surprises, making me feel that no two playthroughs would ever be the same.


• Montana’s landscapes are breathtaking, with a rich contrast between serene natural beauty and the eerie, cult-controlled areas that instill constant tension. The world feels dynamic and reactive, making exploration endlessly rewarding.

• Joseph Seed and his family are complex, charismatic, and terrifying. The cult’s haunting music, combined with their unpredictable behavior, adds layers of psychological tension that elevate the narrative beyond standard villain tropes.

• The game offers immense freedom, allowing you to decide where to go, whom to help, and which missions to tackle. This open-ended approach ensures that exploration never feels forced and keeps gameplay fresh and engaging throughout hundreds of hours.

• The “Guns for Hire” and “Fangs for Hire” systems let you recruit characters like Boomer the dog or Cheeseburger the bear, adding personality, strategy, and extra fun to combat situations.

• Playing the entire story with a friend doubles the chaos, fun, and unpredictability. Co-op brings an extra layer of strategy and shared hilarity as you work together to overthrow the cult and explore the vast world.


• The game’s resistance system can sometimes force you into main missions, interrupting free exploration and limiting the sense of player-driven choice.

• Your character, “The Deputy,” lacks a voice or name, which can reduce emotional connection to both the story and other characters.

• While Joseph Seed is fascinating, he appears sparingly, leaving much of the combat and conflict focused on his family rather than the main villain.

• Activities like liberating outposts and destroying cult property can feel repetitive compared to the depth and creativity of main story missions.

• Many players found the ending unsatisfying, which can diminish the impact of your in-game choices and effort.



In my experience, Far Cry 5 delivered an expansive, immersive, and highly engaging open-world adventure where freedom, strategy, and exploration reign supreme. I found that its memorable villains, dynamic gameplay systems, and co-op fun combined to create a world that felt alive and rewarding to explore. For me, the minor frustrations with the resistance meter and the divisive ending were easily outweighed by the sheer scale, variety, and enjoyment of the experience, making it a must-play for fans of open-world action games.

Cyberpunk 2077 was an unforgettable experience that went far beyond simply playing as V. In Night City, I felt every street, neon sign, and rain-slicked alley was alive, bustling with characters, stories, and secrets that made the city feel like a living, breathing entity. Every decision I made genuinely shaped my journey, affecting both my personal relationships and larger narrative arcs.


• Night City is a sprawling, meticulously designed metropolis that truly feels like a character in its own right. Each district has its own personality, from crowded marketplaces to quiet alleyways, and you constantly discover hidden interactions, random events, and NPC stories that make the city feel alive, even after hundreds of hours of gameplay.

• The journey of V, intertwined with the legendary Johnny Silverhand, is deeply emotional and filled with meaningful choices. Every character feels unique, and their personal arcs provide depth and nuance, making the story resonate far beyond the main missions. Your decisions carry weight, affecting relationships, alliances, and multiple endings.

• Combat, stealth, and hacking are seamlessly integrated, especially after the 2.0 update. Every approach feels satisfying, from high-octane gunfights to carefully planned stealth missions, allowing players to truly inhabit their preferred playstyle and experiment with cybernetic enhancements.

• This expansion isn’t just additional content—it’s a full-fledged spy thriller that integrates perfectly with the base game. The high-stakes narrative, complex new characters, and thrilling missions elevate the entire experience, providing both veterans and newcomers with fresh, engaging gameplay.

• From ray-traced lighting to a synth-heavy soundtrack and the ambient noises of a bustling city, every sensory element contributes to an immersive experience. The art direction, character animations, and environmental effects combine to create a world that feels rich, alive, and believable.

• Despite substantial improvements, occasional physics quirks or visual bugs can briefly pull you out of the otherwise seamless immersion.

• Experiencing Night City at its absolute graphical peak requires a powerful PC, which may limit access to the game’s full artistic presentation for some players.

• While the main story and key side missions are exceptional, some smaller gigs and open-world activities can feel repetitive over time and lack the narrative depth of the primary quests.



In my eyes, Cyberpunk 2077 is a remarkable comeback story and a testament to the developers’ dedication. With its living, breathing city, complex characters, and highly customizable gameplay, I found it offers an immersive RPG experience that rewards exploration, experimentation, and investment. For me, its minor flaws were completely overshadowed by the scope, narrative depth, and technical achievements, making this a must-play for fans of expansive sci-fi adventures.

Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t just an open world—it’s a living, breathing universe that makes you forget you’re playing a game. Every corner of its meticulously crafted landscape, from the rugged trappers in the mountains to the bustling streets of Saint Denis, feels alive. The attention to detail is insane, and even after you log off, the world lingers in your mind. At the center is Arthur Morgan, whose story hits like nothing else. This isn’t a simple good-versus-evil tale—it’s a deeply human, melancholic journey of loyalty, betrayal, and the fading glory of the outlaw era. The writing and performances? Absolutely breathtaking. For me, Red Dead Redemption 2 is way more than a game. I’ve poured over 200 hours into it and have completed it twice from start to finish. Each time, it felt like stepping into a world that was alive, where every choice mattered, every small encounter resonated, and even the quietest moments in the wilderness had their own story. This game holds an incredibly special place in my heart. Immersion here isn’t just a feature—it’s the entire heartbeat of the game. The deliberate pace, the long journeys, the meticulous animations—they might feel “slow” to some, but that’s exactly what makes the connection with Arthur and this world so unbreakable. Technically and artistically, it’s jaw-dropping. The landscapes, lighting, weather, particle effects—they all scream craftsmanship. The sound design? From the haunting score to the subtle ambient sounds, it’s a full-on sensory experience. And even after hundreds of hours, the world keeps surprising you: new discoveries in the wild, new encounters in towns, endless horizons calling for exploration. That said, it’s not perfect. The controls lean into realism and can feel heavy, and sometimes the main story missions steer you along a tighter path, which can clash with the freedom the world promises. The Wanted system can be a bit harsh, punishing tiny mistakes, which can briefly pull you out of the immersion. But honestly, these minor frustrations are tiny compared to everything else the game nails.


Calling Red Dead Redemption 2 just a “game” doesn’t do it justice. It’s a landmark in interactive storytelling—a sprawling, emotional, profoundly human epic that sets a new standard. Having lived in this world for hundreds of hours, twice from start to finish, I can say it’s more than a story—it’s a place, a feeling, a memory that sticks with you long after the PC is off. If you’re patient enough to embrace its pace, Red Dead Redemption 2 is nothing short of unforgettable.

Arkham City was an unforgettable dive into Gotham’s darkest corners. Every jump, glide, and wall-run reminded me why Batman is one of the most fluid and dynamic superheroes I've ever had the chance to play.


• Arkham City is a masterfully designed urban environment where every street, rooftop, and building contributes to a dense, atmospheric experience. Its verticality and meticulous design make the city itself feel like a character, full of discovery and hidden moments waiting to be uncovered.

• FreeFlow Combat and Predator mechanics are at the top of the action game genre. Every encounter, whether a chaotic brawl or a stealthy takedown, is a rhythmic, strategic experience that makes you feel like the Dark Knight. Precision, timing, and creativity are constantly rewarded.

• The narrative expertly intertwines Batman’s rogues’ gallery into a cohesive, high-stakes story. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill’s performances bring depth, emotion, and authenticity, delivering a dark, engaging tale that captures the essence of the comics.

• Side missions aren’t filler—they’re well-crafted, character-driven stories. From solving grim murders to tracking down mysterious assassins, and the massive array of Riddler challenges, the world constantly encourages exploration and rewards curiosity.


• The abundance of villains and subplots occasionally makes the story feel crowded, slightly undermining the focused tension that made the first game so tight and compelling.

• While clever at first, hunting hundreds of Riddler trophies can feel tedious for completionists, turning a fun diversion into a lengthy grind.

• Some major boss encounters fall short of the creative heights of standard combat, relying on repetitive patterns that don’t fully showcase Batman’s arsenal, slightly undercutting the otherwise dynamic gameplay experience.



In my opinion, It’s a city I had to master, a story I loved to experience, and an action-packed adventure that I believe set a new gold standard for superhero games.

After sinking over 170 hours into this game, I can confidently say that abandoning my virtual corporate life for a pixelated farm was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I’ve reached 100% perfection, wooed the entire town, and built a thriving agricultural empire. Stardew Valley isn't just a game you play; it's a cozy, comforting place you live in, and it's a place I find myself returning to time and time again.


• Stardew Valley offers a world brimming with heartfelt charm and an almost staggering amount of content. It masterfully blends farming, fishing, mining, and monster-slaying into a seamless and satisfying loop. The true genius is how it never forces your hand; you are free to pursue whichever path you find most rewarding, creating a deeply personal journey with every new save file.

• The game's aesthetic is pure digital therapy. The beautifully crafted pixel art, combined with a soothing soundtrack that changes with the seasons, creates an atmosphere of unparalleled tranquility. It’s a peaceful escape that can calm the most stressful of days, proving that a game doesn't need cutting-edge graphics to be profoundly beautiful and immersive.

• At its core, Stardew Valley has a soul that most AAA titles can only dream of. The residents of Pelican Town are not simple NPCs; they are well-written characters with their own stories, struggles, and dreams. This feeling of community is a testament to its solo creator, who continues to provide massive, game-changing updates for free, years after its release, making it one of the best-value purchases in all of gaming.


• It's greatest strength is also its most dangerous feature: the game is dangerously addictive. (it's not a con for me lol) The "just one more hour" cycle is incredibly powerful, and it is far too easy to look up at the clock and realize you've lost an entire evening tending to your virtual crops and friendships.



Stardew Valley is more than a farming simulator; it's a modern masterpiece of the cozy game genre. It’s a testament to the power of passionate, independent development. The minor initial hurdles are quickly forgotten as you are pulled into its charming world, a world filled with endless possibilities and rewarding pursuits. It's a game that respects your time, nurtures your creativity, and offers a peaceful sanctuary from the real world. For anyone seeking a game to truly fall in love with, your search is over.

The Witcher 3 is more than just a game; it's an entire world that feels like it's breathing and bleeding and living a life of its own. It pulls the player into its war-torn landscape not as a "chosen one" hero, but as a professional monster slayer on a deeply personal quest. For me, the wind howling across the desolate, war-scarred fields of Velen, the bustling, grimy streets of the massive city of Novigrad, and the storm-lashed, starkly beautiful isles of Skellige created a world that felt incredibly real—a grim, beautiful, and unforgiving place that is hard to leave behind.


• The world of the Northern Realms is often considered the gold standard for open-world design. It isn't just vast; it's dense with meaning. Every notice board, abandoned shack, and monster-filled cave holds a story. Where other games fill their maps with repetitive icons, The Witcher 3 ensures that nearly every 'point of interest' leads to a small, unique narrative or a meaningful encounter. Its side quests—especially sprawling, tragic contracts like the 'Bloody Baron'—are frequently more compelling and emotionally resonant than the main quests of other entire games.

• The narrative is a masterwork of mature storytelling. It brilliantly weaves a sweeping, continental tale of war and a world-ending prophecy with the intimate, personal story of a father searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri. The characters are real, flawed, and complex people, from kings and sorceresses to common villagers. Choices carry significant, tangible weight, not in simple 'good vs. evil' meters, but in shaping the fate of entire communities and characters, leading to real, often brutal, and morally ambiguous consequences chapters later.

• Geralt of Rivia stands as one of gaming's greatest protagonists. He isn't just a blank slate for the player; he’s a fully-formed character: world-weary, pragmatic, and cynical, yet bound by his own surprisingly tender moral code. Voiced to gravelly perfection by Doug Cockle, his dry wit and pained grunts make his journey deeply impactful and believable.

• The combat system beautifully marries action with preparation. It isn’t just about frantic swordplay; it’s about embodying a professional monster slayer. This means studying a foe in the Bestiary, brewing the right potions for toxicity management, applying the correct spectral or vampiric oils to a silver blade, and using Witcher Signs (like the Igni fire-blast or the Quen protective shield) intelligently. Every difficult fight feels like a true monster hunt that is immensely satisfying to figure out and win.

• The sheer amount of high-quality content is staggering. The base game alone offers over a hundred hours of meaningful gameplay, and the two expansions are masterpieces in their own right. 'Hearts of Stone' is a tight, dark, and personal narrative focusing on a pact with the chillingly sinister Gaunter O'Dimm, offering some of the best storytelling in the series. 'Blood and Wine', by contrast, is a massive addition, providing the entirely new, stunningly beautiful region of Toussaint. This vibrant, fairytale land, untouched by the war, hides a dark mystery and serves as a perfect, poignant farewell to Geralt's story, adding dozens more hours and even new mechanics.


• Geralt's movement can feel stiff and unresponsive at times. Navigating tight interior spaces on foot can be a chore, and his horse, Roach, has a legendary, almost comical, knack for getting stuck on the smallest of obstacles or appearing on rooftops.

• For new players, the sheer number of systems—deep alchemy recipes, complex crafting, character builds with mutagens, and the surprisingly addictive in-game card game, Gwent—can be overwhelming. While the game does a decent job of introducing them, the learning curve can be steep for those unfamiliar with deep RPGs.

• While the game is visually stunning, occasional bugs and graphical hiccups can occur, even years after its release. They are typically minor annoyances (like a character getting stuck in a T-pose) but can sometimes pull the player out of the otherwise impeccable immersion.



The Witcher 3 is a towering achievement in gaming, a landmark title that has rightfully earned its place among the greatest RPGs ever made. It redefined what I expect from an open-world RPG, delivering a world of unparalleled depth and a story told with nuance, maturity, and genuine heart. Its minor flaws in movement and a steep initial learning curve are just small smudges on what is otherwise a sprawling, breathtaking, and essential masterpiece.