Loved this, the best since the first for me and possibly even surpassing that as it brought an emotional response in me similar to the first game (which had it easier back then as I was a teenager not a cynical adult!).
Great gameplay, great story and great actors and graphics - one of my top 10 of all time I think.
Spoiler-filled comments:
Some story points were predictable if you’ve seen any Mafia films or know the first game, but the emotional hit was really strong for me as they drove home the vendettas, the friendship with Cesare (who you start to see is insecure and clings to you as his future right hand), the mentorship / fatherly relationship with Luca and the domineering but paternal figure of the Don (until his anger shows he still considers you too low born despite taking out all his enemies for him) - only the romance felt a little forced but it had to be that way to be a classic mafia game / film…
Glad you really enjoyed it I’m looking forward to this one a lot but got stuck on something else first.
So far I’ve only played the first Mafia game, am I good to play this before I do 2 or 3? I know obviously it’s a different era, characters and setting but wasn’t sure if I should play in release order anyway.
There’s a few easter eggs / references to the first Mafia game, but otherwise it’s completely standalone and is set a few decades before the first game.
Definitely recommend it over 2 and 3, and it’s alongside 1 if not above it for me - so I’d prioritise it over them
+1 Final Fantasy (pixel remaster). First FF I’ve ever completed, though I got pretty close on one of them that I had on my Windows Phone back in the day. Not bad, though I’m glad I could look up the monsters I was missing to figure out where they were and I’m sure there are a lot of improvements over the original.
Bought it last year on PC but didn’t finish it due to the timed end level I was too slow for.
Found out there’s an accessibility option to disable the timer for people who struggle with it, so was finally able to roll credits.
A lovely little puzzle game that is a decent length but doesn’t overstay it’s welcome (and has little collectibles to find if you’re interested) with a clever premise of a photo becoming a frame you can step in to, which has clever mechanics added to it as the game goes on.
Touching story too with text notes and audio recordings to find plus a voice in your ear and friendly “AI” cat that helps you along - it’s sweet and poignant all at once.
Bought this same time as Viewfinder last year, but got stuck on the first level as I was taking something too literally and gave up.
Went back to it in the last week or two, and I’m glad I did - it’s a great little game that doesn’t take too long (there’s about 5 or 6 rooms I think) and the puzzles are enough to make you feel smart but not so hard you get frustrated (as with many puzzle / escape games, you may need a hint or online guide once or twice if you really can’t see something, but most of the time looking around again / reviewing things you’ve already found is enough).
Hoping it comes to consoles at some point as it’s already a controller-based game and not particularly demanding graphically - I’d say it’s a mix of Escape Academy and Botany Manor, with a little Myst or similar thrown in.
Played Hollow Knight for about 5 hours when it was first released and ended up dropping it for something else. Started playing again last week and couldn’t put it down. Once the controls click it becomes such a joy to play. Love the exploration and the music is outstanding! I might go back and clean up some of the achievements another time.
+1 - Doom 64 (XSX) - I remember this game getting a ton of hate from the PC purists back in the day, but I was in the rare fortune of having access to a decent-for-the-time PC and the N64, so I absolutely loved this entry. I would argue it’s still just as great of a classic Doom, and the enhancements and all the additional content make this an easy recommendation. I loved it so much, I beat every level, including the new ones and completed the entire game to 100% (including its Achievements). 9/10
+1 - Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection - X:Men: Children of the Atom - Honestly, despite loving this game for its nostalgic value (one of the many fighters I used to play down at the Boardwalk in the 90s), I don’t know how much there is to say given how basic the early Capcom-made Marvel fighters. Overall, a welcome addition to the collection though. 6/10
+1 - Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection - Marvel Super Heroes - This was a nice evolution of the previous title in the Marvel fighter series, with the addition of the Infinity Gem mechanics. Aside from that though, much of the same applies as CotA. 6/10
Went and looked up the dlc I finished in Minecraft Dungeons.
+. 5 Jungle Awakens
+. 5 Creeping Winter
I really enjoy this game but still haven’t completed the main story on Apocalypse. It’s really cool how they added all the different biomes, and then how the levels have alternate paths and secret areas. Also love the variety of equipment and enchantments, it makes it feel very different from one run to the next.
+.5 - Just Cause 3: Sky Fortress DLC (XOne) - I had apparently started this years ago, thought the third mission was glitched and locked forever… then realized I was an idiot. Beat the DLC and 5 starred every challenge (still waiting on the campaign bleep bloop to unlock). Overall, the DLC is worth it for the jet pack wingsuit alone and if you can snag it years later on any of the numerous sales it’s on, do it. 9/10
+1 - Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Marvel vs. Capcom (XSX) - The mega classic that started one of the greatest fighter series to come from Capcom imho, and it’s still just as great as it was when it came out. There’s something about the smaller roster and how well-balanced and unique the selection is. Amazing game in an already amazing collection. 8.5/10
+1 - Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (XSX) - What can I say about one of my favorite fighters of all time…. I’ve played this in arcades and own it on Dreamcast, OG Xbox, Xbox 360 (via XBLA), and now again on XSX. The roster was insane, the systems nearly perfect for an out and out brawler, and the tag/party system made for a near infinite combo of teams to build. I suppose if there’s any complaints to be levied, it’s that the stages still look as jarring as they did over 20 years ago and for all the Arcade love Capcom has given us, I sometimes wish we’d get some of the extras that the console releases often came with. Still, a solid 10/10 for me.
Really enjoyed Just Cause 3. Perfect game to just f*ck around the map blowing things up when you are in the mood for that. I still have 4 in the backlog, which I’ll get to some day
