Recent reviews by Jerome Castle

As someone drawn to cooperative, squad-based multiplayer experiences, I find Space Marine 2 embodies the essence of Gears of War with its weighty combat/gore and map design that are masterpieces of artistic vision. Some of the scenes throughout the game look utterly spectacular, and the team should be proud of themselves for what they've created.

The progression system is equally impressive, striking a perfect balance between depth and accessibility. Every advancement so far has felt earned, and what's truly refreshing is that the game avoids exhausting grinds or paywalls, and their absence means I can focus on enjoying the experience rather than feeling pressured to invest more time/money!

What truly sets Space Marine 2 apart for me, however, is the camaraderie it fosters. It's one of the rare games I've played that evokes a genuine sense of unity—there's something unforgettable about that hard-earned victory, or watching the absurd amount of chaos unfolding on screen with random brothers-in-arms. This is why I'm glad there's no competitive mode (at least not yet), as it often brings out the worst in players, and I'd prefer not have my experiences going forward to be tainted. That said, I can't help but imagine how modes like Capture the Flag, Horde, or Bomb Plant could bring even more fun to the game?

Lastly, a big thank you to my friend Moon for introducing me to the 40k universe—here's to many more sessions ahead! :)

Starting Final Fantasy XVI as my first entry into the series felt like plunging into a deep ocean without knowing how to swim. I'd heard about the series' legendary status but had never experienced it firsthand. Now, having completed it, I'm genuinely glad that this was the one I chose to begin with.

The story is a deeply personal one, following Clive and his complex relationships with family, friends, and enemies, set amongst an expansive world, rich with political backdrop and a deeply ingrained lore that, at times, was quite overwhelming. However, what struck me most was how quickly I found myself absorbing these details—each new piece of lore adding depth to both the setting and its characters.

As for the combat system, I'd say it was a blend between God of War and The Witcher; fluid, fast-paced, and highly satisfying, especially the boss battles, in particular, which were nothing short of spectacular—some of the most intense and memorable encounters I've had in any game. The intensity of those moments, paired with the excellent OST, elevated every fight, turning them into cinematic experiences that I won't soon forget.

And while the game's length initially concerned me, it never seemed to overstay its welcome. The pacing was impeccable and by the end of the journey, I had grown deeply attached to many of the characters; it was bittersweet to say goodbye.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard was a bit of a letdown in terms of puzzles, though there was one standout sequence towards the end. However, the level design, lore, and overall gameplay experience was solid and engaging. While it did get a little too grotesque for my tastes, I realize that's more of a personal preference than a genuine critique, considering the nature of these games.

I also explored the DLCs: "End of Zoe" and "Not a Hero", both taking an hour to complete. The former offered satisfying, punchy combat as Joe Baker with a touch of humor, while the latter took a much darker approach, delivering a more intense, story-driven extension to the main narrative.

The game was worth the time, but unfortunately I must say it's my least favorite Resident Evil title as of this moment.

Everything—the main story, characters, and missions, all of it felt bland and juvenile, paling in comparison to Skyrim, a game more than a decade old.

The dialogue was incredibly jarring—every NPC stared into my soul with lifeless, zombie-like animations that completely failed to reflect the talent of the voice actors delivering the lines. On top of that, the camera cut between my companions with zero transition, snapping back to the main speaker in an awkward, disjointed way. Sometimes, it even showed my companion from absurd angles, like the back of their head, which just added to the unintentional comedy haha.

One of the most frustrating aspects of the game was how heavily it relied on fast travel—forcing me to navigate through at least five layers of submenus every few minutes which was tedious and made the whole experience feel like a chore.

Exploration was essentially non-existent, much to my dismay. Unlike Skyrim, where I'd previously roamed freely and stumbled upon spontaneous adventures, the planets in this game were lifeless and uninspired—just endless stretches of generic landscapes, barren emptiness, and procedurally generated clutter that added nothing of value.

I'm not excited for The Elder Scrolls VI at all.

I'm rarely a fan of Marvel's movies, shows, or video games, but Spider-Man Remastered is a rare exception—entirely on the strength of its gameplay. The experience was undeniably exhilarating, with mechanics reminiscent of the Batman Arkham series but refined and expanded to an even greater degree, making it compelling enough to see through to the end. Unfortunately, the narrative fell short, its mediocrity exacerbated by an excess of teenage dialogue that I found particularly irritating. That said, the stunning visuals elevated the experience, making my time swinging through the city and wreaking havoc immensely satisfying. Beyond its gameplay, however, it failed to leave a lasting impression, offering little else of note.

Silent Hill 2 was a strange yet fascinating experience, one I approached for the first time without having played the original. While I don't regret diving into its unsettling world, I wish I had grasped the narrative better; the story felt profoundly layered and symbolic, but much of its depth eluded me on my first playthrough. Despite this, the puzzles and gameplay kept me engrossed, evoking the tension and clever design I've come to associate with titles like Resident Evil.

Overall, my confusion over the story aside, Silent Hill 2 exceeded my expectations in many ways. Its eerie atmosphere, engaging gameplay, and surprising moments of levity made it a memorable playthrough and a worthy addition to my collection.

Expected to be up in the clouds by now, but I've been grounded in an endless 97% server loop for the past hour—guess I'm on the No-Fly List?

Edit 1: I've now been placed in a login queue because "too many users are trying to connect at the same time." Well, at least I'm off the No-Fly List, but a holding pattern isn't exactly progress!

Edit 2: As an international flyer, I'm well accustomed to airport queues, but none have ever dragged on like this—three hours and counting. No queue number, no progress bar—just an endless void of waiting.

Edit 3: Finally accessed the menu but had to skip character creation as models wouldn’t load. Training mode froze on a loading screen. Restarted and tried career mode—textures were missing, and it crashed mid-render. Ten hours in, and still no flight time. This has been a complete failure in execution; nothing works as intended.

Detroit: Become Human was a captivating blend of ethics, philosophy, and rebellion that had me grappling with the uncertainty inherent in each choice; all set against a hauntingly authentic depiction of humanity's response to the rise of androids—marked by fear, hostility, and age-old anthropocentrism.

It was a game that effectively exposed the themes of dehumanization and selfishness that are replete throughout this marred generation; showcasing how the human instinct for self-preservation completely undermines the value of other sentient beings. It's this ability to evoke emotive thought that sparks a pertinent internal conversation, which earns my recommendation and assures me I'll be coming back for another playthrough in the future.

Started playing upon release at midnight and kept playing until dawn—10/10 highly engrossing!

"Not enough available memory" crash with a 24GB GPU and 64GB of RAM… guess Kratos needs even more godly hardware!