Video Games a way of life.

Welshman in Glasgow. I am a son, husband and proud father. I enjoy cycling, ornithology, games, films, music and good beer. This is a blog about the things I like, feel free to join in.

[owester82]

Resident Evil 7 Biohazard With games like Outlast, Alien:Isolation, Layers of Fear and the short lived PT rasing the standards of the horror games. Its down to old favourite resident evil to claim back it's thrown. With some borrowed inspiration from the previously mentioned titles, old res evil has evolved ten fold from its original title. Set in swampland Louisiana you play as Ethan Winters, a man searching for his long missing wife Mia. He receives an email drawing him to the hillbilly house of the Bakers. A family of cannibal maniacs set on tearing you apart. The original games relied on awkward camera angles, the more recent favouring over the shoulder 3rd person action approach. This is the first resident evil set completely in a first person perspective. It adds to building the fear. This game is very claustrophobic. You are faced with tight corridors and small environments. You tend to face single enemies, who over power Ethan and catch up quickly. Until you find a weapon 🔫 (which in true resident evil fashion limited ammo) when you encounter an enemy you're better off running. Unfortunately the fresh gritty texas chainsaw massacre approach doesn't last long. The very tired umbrella storyline stumbles in and so comes the wiggly tentacles, razor sharp teeth with big glowing eyeballs. It's still an enjoyable game. Just losses the edge that worked so hard to earn.

[owester82]

Shadow of the Colossus.

[owester82]

RiME

[owester82]

RiME One of the key features of Rime is its beautiful and confident style. It is a blend of the cell shaded style of journey, the adult cartoon style of recent zelda titles and a very influential does of ICO's overall look. It achieves this effortlessly. Rime stands out from other titles floating around this year. It doesn't try to win you overview ultra realistic visuals, it's not swimming in browns and greys. It's vibrant and fresh. Puzzles consist of: Multiple trigger door mechanisms, activate each one before time runs out. To visual alignment of golden frames to unlock doorways. They are not the most complicated puzzles, but there is a nice sense of achievement on completion. Each stage builds on the variation of the puzzles adding extra exploration elements to completing them. As the game progresses the once simple weight sensitive panel puzzle, is alot more elaborate. The control system is very simple. Tequila works understands that there is no need to complicate basic control mechanisms, which so many games do these days. The user friendly button layout adds to the pure nature of the game. The lack of hud is refreshing. It allows you the privilege of enjoying a clutter free experience throughout your play through. The game features no dialogue, the directions and objectives are relevantly obvious. There is a fenick fox that appears to help guide the way and a cloaked mysterious figure that seems disappear the closer you get. It gives you a sense of being alone, a true feeling of memory loss. As the character (nameless throughout) uncovers something of relevance both you and he question it's reason and how it effects you. This is a perfect example that you don't have to chase triple A first person shooter titles all the time. This is what an indie 3rd person action adventure should look and feel like. 9/10 Cheers Owen

[owester82]

Uncharted: The lost legacy This game, though a shorter sister game (roughly 10hrs, longer than most triple A first person shooters), is at the same high standard as all Naughty dog titles. It is dubbed as an expansion but I can ensure you that it is more than an extra level with a glossy title screen. Set after the events of Uncharted 4, lost legacy takes you through the story of treasure hunter Chloe Frazer and mercenary Nadine Ross, as they search for the fabled tusk of Ganesh. As the other uncharted titles, there is a race to reach the bounty before an ego driven maniac with a small army at his disposal. The game is rich with Hindu mythology as it based in India, this opens up the dialogue to explain Chloe's back story. This is particularly nice as she appears in uncharted 2 and 3 as a kind of mysterious background pop up character. From the very first time I heard of the making of a Tomb Raider film, my opinion was that Claudia Black should play the first lady of video games Lara Croft. She can act and is believable at being a tough girl. Physically and visually she would suit the role. Sadly it never happened. This is the nearest as we're going to get. As third person action adventure games go, lost legacy is very entertaining. In-between the blaze of gun fire and peril of death there are a few simple puzzles thrown in. To create a sense of achievement as you advance through the environments. These puzzles are an opertunity to learn about the Hindu gods and culture. It's a nice medium of education, I dare you to play any uncharted or Assassins Creed game with out learning something. A new sandbox element has been added to the game. To unlock a giant gate there are three points on a map to visit. In your own time and your choice of order. There is also a forth point of interest that isn’t crucial to the story but a fun treasure hunt with a very helpful reward. To help navigate around the map, the use of a jeep, it was underused in the main uncharted game. As soon as the the gate is open its an action packed adventure, forward through ancient Hindu forts, tombs, caves and jungle. Following the footsteps of previous uncharted titles there are a few set pieces of adrenaline pumping chases. Including scaling a mountain whilst being fired apone. Also a vehicle hopping race to the finish line on-board a burning train and exploding jeeps. I played through the game on hard just to get more of a challenge. On completion Crushing mode is unlocked. This adds to the replay value as well collecting all the hidden treasures. There is also access to the uncharted4 online multiplayer mode. It was definitely worth £30 9/10

[owester82]

[owester82]

Uncharted: The lost legacy Just started playing this beautiful game. Here are some shots so far. Enjoy Owen 🤘

[owester82]

[owester82]

Uncharted: The lost legacy Just started playing this beautiful game. Here are some shots so far. Enjoy Owen 🤘

[owester82]

Rule of thumb 👍 states. Never play a film 🎥 to video game 🕹 tie in unless you are prepared to waste money and are open to disappointment. Then there are the occasional exceptions like "Xmen Wolverine Origins" and "Terminator Salvation" which are perfectly ok 👌 titles. This game is not directly linked to films story line. Kinda in-between the first two. It could easily be placed between the 2nd n third. It almost feels like a TV episode. Which is fine, it gives you a sense of how the bond between Spoke and Kirk grew. For this outing a new enemy emerges, the Gorn (a very beefed up version). It plays as a decent 3rd person game. The control system is adequate offering climbing, cover shooting and a primitive upgrade system. Set pieces are fun, but not all of them gel. Drops and space jumps feel clumsy as do the swimming but offer a sense of false variety. It does offer none stop action and continues pace. There isn’t much time for cut scenes. Story is delivered on the fly. Unfortunately the graphics are tiered and dated but it is a ps3 title. So there is a level of forgiveness required. But it does feature the original casts voices, which helps keep you linked to the films 🎥. If you are a Star Trek fan and about to watch the film give this game a shot. 7/10

[owester82]

MURDERED SOUL SUSPECT

Rugged cop  Ronan O'Connor, the type with a dodgy past, gets murdered. He is trapped in limbo until he can solve his on murder. Killed by mass serial killer know as the bell killer. As Ronan’s tormented ghost you investigate the haunted streets of Salem

The core aspect of this game is an “La noir” style clue and interrogatetion. Gathering as much info at the crime scene to deduct the next location and any clue to your demise. Unfortunately this becomes repetitive quickly and feels like a total chore. The first few areas that you examine are very draining. There is a moment where the game picks up a decent pace and starts to offer some verity but comes to a dull halt.

In an attempt to lengthen the game there are hundreds of collectables. Each one being a peice of a story that may or may not be related to the main objective of the game. Unfortunately the total collectathon aspect of the game is poor excited.

There are some stealth elements scattered throughout. It is a means of combating demon creatures that stalk you. Whilst hiding in ghostly mist, you gain an attacking advantage on these evil demons. Followed by a one of quick time event. It’s very under used.

The overall shame of the game is that it poses some interesting ideas, but doesn’t execute them well enough. The ability progression is very poor, each unlock has pretty much the same purpose of seeing the scene of a crime. There is one neat unlock of teleportation,but not across great distance and is rather clumsy to use.

I’ve tried really hard to enjoy Murdered Soul Suspect. At moments I thought brilliant it’s starting to pay off, I’m about to be rewarded for my dedication. But no such reward is issued.

5/10

Cheers

Owen

👻

[owester82]

Submerged This is a neat little indie game from "Uppercut", an Australian company. Saying it's little is a bit of an understatement, the environment and play area feels big. It's quite clever. The game is set in an post apocalyptic "submerged" world (hence the title). You explore a city thats been taken over by nature, it isn't as polished as "last of us" or as Sci fi as "enslaved" but it's a nice overall look for an independent game. There is an obvious influence from "Ico" and "Shadow of the Colossus" (I have no issues with these titles being the influence of any game). From the fictional language to the damsel in distress (this time it's an injured younger brother), from the collecting of items to heal (medical rations) to the swooping search for the next destination (with a periscope not sword). Game play is very much a physical puzzle. After locating your desired area. You have to scale the outsides of ruined buildings to retrieve the required packages. It's a familiar dejavu and it's not overly taxing. It's very comforting. To access each of these buildings you use a simple motor boat to navigate the flooded streets, uncomplicated controls make this aspect rather enjoyable. There are non essential collectibles to stretch the story and and games length, it completely up to yourselves to do so but I was more interested in playing through the game. As Indie games go this is a strong example of what non-major developers are capable of. It is well worth the play. I do wish it recived a bigger budget so they could expand the idea and tweak the overall look. Give "Submerged" a shot, do so with an open mind, don't shoot it down expecting a fancy triple A. Just enjoy it. 6/10 Cheers Owen 🤘

[owester82]

Dear Esther:Landmark Edition As I find myself gravitating towards unique indie titles, Dear Esther has been on my list for a while. It particularly peeked my interest as it is set on a Hebrdieian island. Living in Scotland for the last 12 years I do feel the need to explore the familiar. And as I have played "Everybody's gone to the rapture" also developed by "the Chinese room", this was a must. Graphically it captures the rugged Scottish landscape perfectly, I have no complaints with the look or atmosphere. The format of exploration story telling is right up my street. I do begrudge the undeniably short lifespan of the game. I had started and finished it within 2 hours. It was a shame as it felt like it was going somewhere just to wrap up early. If only it had been twice the length. So if you are looking for a brief distraction in-between games, give "Dear Esther" a run through. As long as you understand its short experience you'll enjoy it. 6/10 Cheers Owen 🤘

[owester82]

Rob Zombie 9/6/17 O2 Academy This is was my third watch the Rob Zombie band. Each time as entertaining as the last. This was a pre download warm up gig. This time we took a balcony booth, first time watching a gig from a booth. I would recommend it, naturally pick a band that's gonna have a strong visual performance. As rob has been playing since 1985 he has a brilliant back catalogue of worthy songs. This gig felt like a soundtrack to any metalheads life. And that's the beauty of watching bands like Zombie, everyone knows what to expect, yet its not predictable. Track after track the audience reacts with maximum energy. As gigs go this is very much a religious outing and a must for any metalhead. 9/10 Cheers Owen 🤘

[owester82]

Shadow of the Colossus HD. Not usually a fan of remakes, I'd rather the developers concentrate on new ideas or worthy sequels. But oh my word. This looks epic. Can't wait to play this beauty of a game. Cheers Owen 🤘

[owester82]

Resident Evil Revelations 2

It is very clear from the outset, that “Revolutions 2” is a hand held friendly port. Be it that it was originally intended for multiple platforms or that it was simply ported from a hand held format. There is a certain simplification of detail in several areas. The graphics are good but under textured, the controls are uncomplicated and the gameplay is very bite sized. Not that any of this is a bad reflection of the game, in fact it gives it a very retro feel. Very much like an old PS2 capcom title. It’s almost as if we are spectating at a Japanese arcade in the 00’s.

Like the first Revolutions game, this instalment to the resident evil franchise is set out in an episodic fashion. Playing as multiple characters, that have different skill sets and dynamics, the story is revealed in to time frames. First as Claire and Moira both finding themselves stranded on a twisted island. And secondly as Barry and Natalia tracing the footsteps of the previous, six month later. As with all Res'Evil titles there is a zombie altering virus ever so slightly different to the previous game.

This is not gonna have you screaming with terror like others have. There are a few jumps at the beginning which you quickly learn and antisepate for the rest of the game. There is an overwhelming predictable feel to every section of the game. Saying that, sometimes this isn’t that bad of thing. We have all the likable clichés. The blue key-card blue door lock system, green herbs, red explosive barrels and rewarding discovery of a shiny silver magnum. What’s not to like. Sometimes games don’t have to be boundary breakers (I am aware the latest resident evil biohazard a is a complete game changer, but I’ve yet to play it ad it is still on the pricy side of my budget)

This is very much a game for fans of the series. But don’t let that put you off, it is still accessible to non fans or those of us tgat kinda like it but are not mental about it.

7/10

Cheers

Owen

🤘

[owester82]

Spiderman This looks like insomniac are planning to rival the Batman Arkham series. I say good luck to them. They have already proven they are more than capable with likes of ratchet, spyro and resistance. Cheers Owen 🤘