TALK ABOUT GAME

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Rise Of The Tomb Raider

After finishing Tomb Raider (2013) of course I had to continue with the second game. I was already invested in Lara's story, so there was no way I was going to stop there.

Rise of the Tomb Raider was released in 2015 and developed by Crystal Dynamics. It continues Lara Croft's story after everything she went through in the first game, but this time, she feels much more experienced and confident. And honestly, you can feel the difference almost immediately.

After seeing Lara start out as someone who was basically trying to survive, it was really interesting to see how much she had changed. She's more prepared, she's more confident with weapons and she actually knows what she's doing now.

The game takes Lara to Siberia, where she's searching for the legendary city of Kitezh and the Divine Source, an ancient artifact connected to the legend of immortality.

The first thing I noticed when I started Rise of the Tomb Raider was how much better everything looked. The environments are much more detailed and I loved how different they felt from the first game. Instead of being stuck on a tropical island, we're now exploring snowy mountains, frozen caves, forests, ancient ruins, and abandoned Soviet facilities. The snowy environments are probably my favorite.

Everything feels cold and harsh and the weather adds so much to the atmosphere. You actually feel like Lara is trying to survive in an environment where one wrong move could turn into a serious problem. Lara herself looks much better too. Her facial expressions are more detailed, her animations feel smoother, and she feels more alive during the story.

Story-wise, this game feels like a natural continuation of the first one.After everything that happened on Yamatai, Lara is no longer satisfied with simply surviving. She's become obsessed with proving that the ancient legends and myths she's researching are real.

This time, she's searching for the Divine Source and the lost city of Kitezh. But she's not the only one looking for it. Trinity, a secret organization, is also searching for the artifact, which puts Lara in another dangerous situation. What I like about this story is seeing how much Lara has changed. In the first game, she was thrown into a horrible situation and had to figure out how to survive. Here, she's actively choosing to put herself in dangerous situations because she believes in what she's searching for.

Her relationship with her father also plays a big part in her motivation. She's trying to continue his research and prove that his work wasn't completely wrong. Jonah also becomes much more important in this game and I really liked their friendship. He feels like someone Lara genuinely trusts, rather than someone who's simply there because the story needs another character.

The gameplay feels familiar if you've already played Tomb Raider (2013) but Rise of the Tomb Raider gives you more freedom and more things to do. You still have combat, climbing, exploration, puzzles, hunting, crafting, and collecting resources. But everything feels more developed this time. The crafting and upgrade systems are better, and you have more ways to improve Lara's weapons and abilities. Combat also gives you more options. You can sneak around and silently take enemies out.You can use your bow from a distance. You can set up traps.

Or you can completely give up on being stealthy and start shooting everyone. I definitely appreciate having the choice. The exploration is also one of the biggest improvements for me. There are more optional tombs, collectibles, side missions, hidden areas, and challenge locations. And the tombs are much more enjoyable this time. They're still not insanely difficult, but they feel more like actual tombs and give you more interesting puzzles to solve. Honestly, I wish there were even more of them because these were some of my favorite sections.

There are still some things I think the game could have done better, especially with certain characters and parts of the story. But overall, I had a really good time playing it. And since I had already finished the first game, I'm honestly glad I continued with this one.

I’m giving Rise of the Tomb Raider a 9/10.

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Tomb Raider (2013)

Tomb Raider was released in 2013 and developed by Crystal Dynamics, with Square Enix as the publisher. This game is a reboot of the classic Tomb Raider series and it gives us a younger version of Lara Croft before she becomes the experienced adventurer we already know.

For a game from 2013, Tomb Raider still looks surprisingly good.The environments are probably one of the strongest parts of the game. The island has forests, beaches, caves, old ruins, abandoned buildings, underground areas and all kinds of hidden locations. It feels like there is always something interesting around the next corner.

The atmosphere is also really good. The game uses rain, fire, darkness, shadows and different weather conditions to make the island feel dangerous.

Lara's animations also hold up pretty well. Her movements during climbing, jumping, swimming, fighting and exploring feel smooth for a game from 2013. You can also see her clothes getting dirty and damaged as she goes through everything happening on the island, which adds a nice touch to the overall presentation.

The story follows Lara Croft and her crew as they travel to a mysterious island while searching for the lost kingdom of Yamatai. Things go wrong pretty quickly and Lara becomes separated from the rest of the group. She ends up trapped on the island, surrounded by dangerous people, wild environments and a mystery she needs to figure out if she wants to survive. What I like most about the story is Lara herself.

The supporting characters also play an important role. Sam, Roth, Jonah, Reyes, Alex and Whitman all have their own roles within the story, although I do think some of them could have received more development. Sam is especially important to Lara and her relationship with Lara gives the story a more personal reason for Lara to keep pushing forward.

Tomb Raider is fairly accessible, especially if you're coming from newer action-adventure games. The controls are easy to understand and the game introduces new mechanics gradually. You don't need to spend hours learning complicated controls before you actually start having fun. Combat is where most of the challenge comes from.

You'll fight different groups of enemies throughout the game, and you get access to several different weapons. The bow is probably my favorite because you have more freedom in how you approach enemies.

The upgrade system also adds some nice progression. You collect salvage and experience points, then use them to improve Lara's weapons and abilities.

The difficulty also depends on which setting you choose. On easier difficulties, combat is pretty forgiving. On harder settings, enemies hit harder, resources become more important and you have to pay more attention to your positioning. Overall, I think the difficulty is well balanced.

I do wish the game had more tomb puzzles and gave some of the supporting characters more development. I also think the game sometimes relies a little too heavily on action instead of letting you explore the island and enjoy the atmosphere.

But even with those issues, Tomb Raider (2013) is still a game I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys story-driven action-adventure games. 8/10.

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The Quarry

After spending so much time playing story-driven games lately, I decided to give The Quarry a shot and I'm glad I did. Released in 2022 by Supermassive Games, this game feels like a horror movie where you're the one making the decisions. Every choice matters and sometimes a small mistake can completely change the outcome.

The graphics are one of the strongest parts of the game. The characters look realistic and some scenes honestly feel like you're watching a movie. The facial expressions help a lot during emotional moments and scary scenes. Most of the game takes place around Hackett's Quarry summer camp and the forests, cabins and lake look great, especially at night. The dark setting creates tension because you never know what might be hiding nearby.

The story begins with a group of camp counselors on what should be their last day at summer camp. They are ready to leave but things don't go as planned. Instead, they end up staying one more night at the camp. What starts as a normal evening slowly turns into a nightmare.

As the night continues, the counselors realize they are being hunted. At first, nobody understands what's happening and that's what makes the story interesting. You learn new information little by little and the mystery keeps building. I won't spoil the main twist, but there were several moments where I genuinely wanted to know what was going on next.

The characters are a big part of the experience. Some of them made good decisions, some made terrible ones, and a few made me laugh. Since your choices affect who lives and who dies, you end up getting attached to certain characters. By the middle of the game, I was already hoping some of them would survive until the end.

The difficulty is mostly based on choices and quick reactions. There aren't many hard puzzles. Instead, the game tests how well you react under pressure. Sometimes you need to make a decision within seconds. Other times you need to hit the right buttons during action scenes. Messing up can have serious consequences, which makes every moment feel important.

I would give The Quarry an 8.5/10. The graphics are excellent, the story kept me interested, and the choice system makes every playthrough feel different. If you enjoy horror movies, mystery stories and games where your decisions change the outcome, you should definitely give this one a chance. Try playing without spoilers and see who survives in your version of the story. That's where a lot of the fun comes from.

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Bramble: The Mountain King

I finally finished Bramble: The Mountain King and I have to say this game surprised me. I thought it would be a simple adventure game but it turned out to be much darker than I expected. It was released in 2023 by Dimfrost Studio and if you like games based on old fairy tales and folklore, this one is worth looking at.

The first thing I noticed was the graphics. This game is beautiful but in a creepy way. The forests, rivers, mountains and small villages all look amazing. Some places feel peaceful and a few minutes later, they become scary.

The lighting does a great job of changing the mood. One moment you're walking through a quiet forest and the next you're trying to hide from something huge. The character designs are also interesting. Some creatures look friendly, while others are straight out of a nightmare.

The story was my favorite part. You play as a young boy named Olle, who is looking for his older sister, Lillemor. She is taken by a giant troll, and Olle goes on a dangerous journey to save her. Along the way, he enters a world filled with creatures from Scandinavian folklore. Some help him, but many want to hurt him.

I liked that the game doesn't make every fairy tale creature nice. Some of the monsters are honestly disturbing. The story gets darker as you play, and it shows that this world is beautiful but also cruel. There were moments that made me feel bad for the characters, and I wanted to keep playing to see if Olle and his sister would make it home safely.

The difficulty is pretty balanced. The game has puzzles, platforming, and chase scenes. Most puzzles are simple and don't take too long to figure out. The chase scenes were the hardest part for me because you have to react quickly, and some enemies are scary enough to make you panic. A few sections took me a couple of tries, but nothing felt impossible. The game is more about the experience and the story than making you struggle for hours.

I'd give Bramble: The Mountain King a 9/10. The graphics are beautiful, the story kept me interested from start to finish and the difficulty felt fair. If you think fairy tales are only happy stories, this game might change your mind. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. You might end up liking it as much as I did.

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A Plague Tale: Innocence

I just finished A Plague Tale: Innocence and yeah I spent around 24 hours to complete it. The game was released in 2019 and made by Asobo Studio.

The graphics are really good for its time. The world looks dark, dirty and full of detail. You can see how destroyed everything is, with broken buildings, dead bodies and rats everywhere. The lighting plays a big role, especially with fire, since it keeps the rats away. Some areas look calm but you still feel uneasy. The character models also look realistic and the animations feel smooth.

The story is where this game really stands out. You follow Amicia and her little brother Hugo during a time of plague and war in France. At the start, they are part of a noble family, so yes, they are connected to a higher class, almost like a small noble house under the kingdom. But everything changes fast. Their home gets attacked by soldiers from the Inquisition and they are forced to run away.

Hugo is not a normal child. He has a strange condition called the Macula and it is connected to the rats and the plague. At first, you don’t understand it but later it becomes clear that Hugo has a strong and dangerous power. The more the story goes on, the more this power grows and it becomes harder for him to control it. Some moments with Hugo are emotional because he is scared and confused and Amicia has to protect him while also trying to understand what is happening.

The city and other places you visit show how bad the situation is. People are dying from the plague, soldiers are everywhere and the Inquisition is hunting Hugo because of his power. The world feels cruel. You meet a few other kids along the way and they help you survive, but danger is always close.

The difficulty is fair but can feel stressful. The game is mostly stealth, so you need to move slowly, hide, and use tools like fire, rocks, and alchemy items. Some parts require good timing and if you mess up, you restart.

I would give A Plague Tale: Innocence an 8/10. If you like story games with tension and strong characters, you should try this game.

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Planet of Lana 2

Now we talk about Planet of Lana 2 because I finished the first game a while ago. This new one feels bigger and more detailed. The world has more areas to explore, and it looks even more colorful and alive. Compared to the first game, the environments are more dynamic, with moving creatures, wind in the trees, and light that changes with the day. It feels like the planet itself is alive, more than before.

The story is deeper in this one. While the first game was mostly about escaping and surviving, this one shows more of the problems in the world and how things are connected. There are new enemies, mysterious machines, and events that make you think about the planet’s history.

The puzzles and challenges are also improved. Compared to the first game, the platforming is trickier and some puzzles need more thought and timing. A few sections made me stop and think carefully before moving forward. The game encourages exploration, and trying different solutions feels satisfying. It’s not too hard, but it gives a nice sense of achievement when you solve a tricky part.

I would give Planet of Lana 2 a 9/10. I liked it more than the first one. If you enjoyed the first game, you will see how much the world has grown and changed.

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Planet of Lana

Planet of Lana is a game made by Wishfully Studios and came out in 2023. The graphics are very pretty. The world looks colorful and alive. The landscapes are wide and full of details. The characters and creatures look nice and have smooth movements. The animations are soft and make the game feel calm.

The colors and light make the planet feel magical. Even small things like wind moving leaves or water reflections add a lot to the game. The style is not realistic but it fits the story and makes the world feel unique.

The story is simple and easy to follow. You play as Lana, a girl who travels with her creature friend Mui to save her world from machines. The game shows the story with images and actions, not much talking. You feel the emotions through what happens around you. The story makes you care about Lana and Mui, and you want to keep going to see what happens next. It is short but it is interesting enough to make you want to finish it. Some parts are sad or tense but it is not scary.

The difficulty is not too hard. The game mostly has puzzles and platforming parts. You need to think a little and move carefully. Some puzzles are tricky but nothing is too unfair. The game lets you explore and try things without making you frustrated. The platforming challenges require timing and patience.

I would give Planet of Lana 8/10. The visuals are beautiful and relaxing, the story is touching and the difficulty is fair. If you like calm games that mix puzzles and adventure, this one is worth playing.

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Little Nightmares

Little Nightmares is a game made by Tarsier Studios and came out in 2017. I was not really into this type of game at first, but I wanted to try it, and I actually finished it.

The graphics are pretty good. The game looks dark and creepy but in a cool way. The rooms and places feel big even though your character is small.

The light and shadow make it scary and tense. The enemies are big and strange and this makes you feel small and careful. Even small things like doors moving or water dripping make the game feel real. The style is not bright or colorful but it fits the game very well.

The story is simple but interesting. You play as a small girl named Six and she is stuck in a strange place called the Maw. You need to escape while avoiding monsters. There is not much talking in the game. Most of the story comes from what you see around you. You see clues and learn what is happening by watching. I liked this because it makes you feel part of the story. Even though I was not expecting to enjoy it, I wanted to see what happens next and that kept me playing. Some parts are creepy, but that is the point of the game.

The game is not too hard but it makes you think. You need to solve some puzzles and move carefully to avoid enemies. Some parts need good timing or thinking about what to do next. It is not unfair. You feel smart when you pass a hard part. The game makes you focus and pay attention. It is not super long but it keeps you interested until the end.

I would give Little Nightmares 7/10. I did not think I would like it but finishing the game felt good. If you like short, scary games that make you think a little, you should try it.