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Reviews
Thief (2014)
Thief: A refreshing game to break in your next gen console
(Mild Spoilers)
You have to give credit to any game where developers utilize Shroud (software designed for the sole purpose of making fabrics look, move and sound real).
Many hardcore fans of the series have balked at the fact that the original voice over artist for the games main character was not used, but in reality that isn't such a big deal. Garrett isn't very chatty anyhow. This game offers so much more by way of story, graphics, dialog, fluid gameplay and near less endless free roaming in search of loot.
The City is a unique blend of old world European and dark Gothic stylings. Every new area is a joy to explore and steal from. The AI is fairly intelligent and slipping away can be just as difficult as a fight if you're caught where you shouldn't be, or simply spotted by patrols. This game demands players plan out their every move. Those who "wing it" will end up loading their last save way too often. Patience is the key and that's part of what makes this a great game. Rushing gets you nowhere but dead. Carefully casing your sorry undying sand obstacles is key. The developers also added numerous ways in/out of locations during missions so exactly how safe you want to play it is up to you. It's a refreshing change from other games that may give you two entry/exit points if you're lucky.
This game is certainly not for young children as nudity and sexual innuendo is abound, yet appropriate for the story. The story also contains an eerie paranormal twist that definitely takes this from being a mere stealth game. The variety of game difficulties is nice and the option to customize your own personal game mode can really be fulfilling; allowing you to play to your strong suits or merely bone up on your weaker skills. The Challenge maps/modes are few but certainly satisfying as you constantly wish to play them over to outdo yourself and your friends.
I gave this 8/10 because there are some obvious audio glitches with conversations heard on the streets and the Side Jobs were far from plentiful and at times feel "beneath" you in comparison to story line missions that demand much more for the biggest rewards.
In all I feel fans of stealth games who consider themselves true pro's will not be disappointed and those new to stealth games will find it to be an excellent introduction to the genre.
The Last of Us (2013)
Proof that video games are truly an art form
Naughty Dog have outdone themselves, and everyone else for that matter. At least when it comes to the "survival" genre of games. In a time when developers are steadily concentrating on next generation console releases, the team at Naughty Dog has bestowed an instant classic.
As expected the graphics are vivid, highly detailed and at times just plain gorgeous. The physics engine does not disappoint either. Many games can boast these attributes, but when combined with nothing less then a epic and compelling tale it transforms into much more then eye candy. This describes The Last of Us. No spoilers, I swear. The story easily pulls you in and toys with your own morals and instincts with an expertise and tactic that only a psychiatrist could employ. It doesn't take long before you honestly CARE about the characters, their plight and their goals. Had this been a book it would have gripped the nation with the same fascination that The Hunger Games has. I highly doubt an hour and a half movie could even begin to do it justice. The medium of video games is simply the only way to be moved by this epic story.
The characters are well rounded, and understood thru brief yet highly informative back stories. As with most games/movies/books there is the textbook anti-hero, but even he stands out amongst the crowd of gaming anti-heroes. As for the other characters you will be hard pressed to find any stereotypical survival characters. Each character brings their own personality to a moral stew that serves up a sumptuous meal for the heart and mind. Simply put, it is one of those games in which you find yourself at a loss when the credits role. You simply do not want it to end.
In the last days of current generation consoles this game perfectly summarizes all that has been achieved in the medium to date. Elegant, flowing, memorable. Easy to pick up, impossible to put down.