Recent reviews by Theoran

UNCHARTED 4: A Thief’s End starts off at a slow pace, and as someone new to the series, I initially wondered what all the hype was about. The early chapters, both in terms of story and setting, felt somewhat underwhelming. However, once Nathan reached Madagascar, I was completely hooked. The breathtaking locations, compelling narrative, and outstanding performances truly brought the game to life. The dynamic between Nathan and Sam was fantastic, filled with witty and natural banter. One of my favorite moments was Nathan and Elena’s playful exchange while playing Crash Bandicoot. This was a perfectly written scene that, like many others in the game, captured the characters’ depth and charm. The story of Nathan Drake concluded in a way that felt truly fitting.

UNCHARTED: The Lost Legacy, on the other hand, wastes no time jumping into the action. From bustling market streets to the shadowy alleys of a war-torn city to the stunning mountains of India, every location is visually striking and expertly designed. The writing and performances are once again top tier and playing as the impulsive and quick witted Chloe Frazer was an absolute joy. Her interactions with Nadine are brilliantly written, and their banter only gets better when a third character joins the mix. The game’s climax is exhilarating, delivering a cinematic action sequence that rivals any Hollywood blockbuster.

Diving into the world of UNCHARTED has been an incredible experience, and I couldn’t be happier that I finally took the plunge.

AER: Memories of Old offers an interesting atmosphere, with a beautifully crafted art style and an immersive soundtrack that draws you into its world. However, its narrative fails to maintain that same magic, ultimately pulling you out of the experience. Given that flight and exploration are the core mechanics, it is surprising how unpolished the flying feels. This is something that should have been the game's strongest feature.

I genuinely wanted to love this game. I spoke to every character, read every piece of lore, and tried to immerse myself in the story, but by the time I reached the second temple, my interest had faded. I had hoped for something akin to Journey, with its emotional depth and profound ending, but AER never quite reached that level. Instead, its ending left me with a feeling, just not the one I had hoped for.

The Dungeon Defenders Valentine’s Citadel DLC offers a fun, Valentine's-themed twist on the Magus Citadel map along with two new weapons, pets, accessories, and hero skins. The Bouncing Heart Staff is the standout addition and is perfect for both builder and DPS Apprentices. While the pets aren’t particularly noteworthy, the accessories are stylish and add a cosmetic set bonus. The hero skins are excellent and I use them both on on my Hermit and Jester heroes. Overall, it’s a small but charming DLC with some solid additions.

The Dungeon Defenders Gunwitch Hero DLC introduces a DPS-only character with powerful group play abilities like Broom Nado, Blunder Broom Buster, Two for the Price of One, and Witch’s Curse. She shines when paired with a propeller cat and a Witch’s Broom weapon, while also spamming abilities. Because of this. gearing her requires a unique mix of hero and tower stats (hero health, dmg, ab1, ab2, and tower rate and tower health), which can be challenging. To me, she lacks utility outside of group play, but it’s still great to add a fresh hero to the roster.

Marvel's Spider-Man is an absolute triumph. From the captivating story and stellar acting to the fluid combat and thrilling web-swinging, the game nails every aspect. The city feels alive, and even collecting items is a joy thanks to the added lore. The ability to skip puzzles is a thoughtful touch. While the first Black Cat-focused DLC shines, the other two feel a bit drawn out. My only real nitpicks are the excessive district crime requirements and the occasionally frustrating Screwball/Taskmaster challenges. Overall, this is another Sony masterpiece that blew me away.

Beyond: Two Souls delivers an emotional and engaging story with standout performances, immersive set pieces, and a stunning cinematic soundtrack. The visuals are impressive, especially considering its original release on the PS3. I followed the narrative as intended and found it easy to stay immersed in the story.

Certain chapters like The Hunted, Mission, and Dragon's Hideout were particularly memorable, while The Dinner and Navajo fell flat for me. The romantic subplot with Jay and Ryan felt unnecessary, awkward, and unearned. I would have preferred more time exploring Jodie’s childhood or delving deeper into the lives of Cole, Nathan, and his family.

Unfortunately, the gameplay and controls were a major letdown. The QTEs were often frustrating, with actions that felt tedious and uninspired. Did I really need to click and drag my mouse just to open a door during a cutscene? And the inconsistent prompts were baffling. After getting used to a certain set of keys, the sudden appearance of “3” or “4” out of nowhere felt like an unnecessary curveball. There's literally only one section in the entire game that requires those keys.

Despite these frustrations, I thoroughly enjoyed the overall experience. The story’s emotional highs and powerful moments left a lasting impact. For me, the only true ending is choosing life with Stan, Walter, Jimmy, Tuesday, and Zoey. Nothing else feels as genuine or fulfilling.

The Dungeon Defenders Jester's Spooktacular DLC introduces a Halloween themed new map with excellent rewards. The Barbarian sword is a strong DPS weapon with move speed, while the Dragon Halberd offers a solid alternative to the Mischief Maker for monks. The secret boss pet looks fantastic and delivers decent DPS, though it won't replace top-tier DPS pet options. The new jester skin is a nice touch, but unfortunately, the jacket color can't be customized. All in all, it's a festive and enjoyable addition to the game.

This DLC offers just four skins and nothing more — no new maps, weapons, or accessories. The skins are purely parody and entirely optional. If they appeal to you, go ahead and grab them. If not, no worries at all. Stay safe out there, and happy farming!

A short, cozy game with a beautiful art style and soundtrack that make exploring the island an absolute joy.

I wish Steam had a “neutral” option for reviews because that’s exactly how I feel about GTA IV. I understand why so many people love it. The voice acting is fantastic, the cutscenes are cinematic, and Niko’s darker story is a bold departure from previous entries. Liberty City itself is a masterpiece, incredibly detailed and immersive. I can only imagine how mind-blowing it must have been in 2008.

But for every hour of enjoyment, I had two hours of frustration. The vehicle handling is atrocious. If you’ve ever dreamed of driving a car that feels like it’s sliding across a buttered floor or turning with the grace of a cargo ship, this is the game for you.

Then there’s the social system. Friends constantly call to hang out, interrupting whatever you were doing. And when you finally agree, they’re inevitably on the other side of the city, forcing you into yet another long, frustrating drive. Don’t forget the toll gates! Nothing says “fun” like stopping to pay $5, and heaven forbid you run through one. Apparently, a minor toll violation warrants an entire police force response.

And speaking of the police, how is it that I can cause chaos without so much as a single star, but shoot one of the 200 pigeons, and suddenly I’m public enemy number one?

After 30 hours of enjoyment, the charm wore off, buried under an avalanche of tedious tasks and frustrating mechanics.

The Lost and Damned DLC, though, was a bright spot. The story was gritty and engaging, Johnny was a great protagonist, and the city felt appropriately grimy. The missions were tighter and more focused, making for a genuinely enjoyable experience. It briefly restored my appreciation for GTA IV.

Then came The Ballad of Gay Tony DLC. Luis, Tony, and Yusuf are unforgettable characters, and the intertwining stories across Niko, Johnny, and Luis were masterfully done. The missions were fresh and dynamic, adding a much-needed dose of fun.

That is, until I hit missions like Sexy Time, Blog This!, and Ladies’ Night. Those missions reminded me why I was so frustrated with the base game. The clunky controls made them infuriating, and it dawned on me how much nostalgia can influence our perceptions. While I forgave similar frustrations in San Andreas and Vice City, GTA IV didn’t get that pass. With no nostalgic attachment, the flaws were glaring.

So, why spend over 200 hours in a game I often didn’t enjoy? Honestly, it’s the curse of the completionist. After a certain point, I was more invested in reaching the end than enjoying the ride.

TL;DR:
GTA IV has a fantastic story, a stunning city, and unforgettable characters. But it’s also plagued by terrible vehicle handling, tedious tasks, frustrating missions, and a bloated runtime. Play it for the narrative and atmosphere, but brace yourself for the grind.