The Last of Us Part II Review

I’m gonna find… And I’m gonna kill… Every last one of them…

Ellie

The Basics

If at this point you haven’t played “The Last of Us” you should start questioning your life choices, but I’ll explain briefly about it so you know what’s this game about.

The Last of Us Part II is the long awaited sequel of the game previously mentioned. To keep it simple, Ellie (Ashley Johnson) is a 19 year old woman living in a post apocalyptic world overrun by fungi (cordyceps) which controls the human host, and Ellie is the only immune human. Because of her immunity, 5 years ago a faction called “Fireflies” was looking for a way to make a cure, and so the intense journey accross the country started with Joel Miller (Troy Baker) as Ellie’s guardian/father figure. In the end, after going through hell together they arrive at their destination. But the price Ellie has to pay to save humanity is her own life. Joel decided to take action and killed the Fireflies to save Ellie’s life. Choosing Ellie over the rest of humanity.

The cycle of violence

The Last of Us is known for being brutal, in a post apocalyptic world there’s no place for mercy or forgiveness, you kill or get killed, eihter by other people or the roaming infected. It’s not difficult to imagine what a person is capable of when someone else hurts them, retaliation is the law in a world without law. The Last of Us Part II is focused on the unavoidable outcome of that cycle.

Ellie’s got the moves

This time Naughty Dog went over my expectations and delivered an improved movement and combat system, there’s no extreme parkour in this game but Ellie being capable of jumping, using ropes to climb or cross gaps and PRONING! Definitely is a step up for stealthy assassinations.

Ellie hiding in the bushes

When enemies become aware of Ellie’s presence trouble is inevitable, without using Joel’s unbelievable old man strenght from the previous game it’s difficult to imagine how Ellie can face enemies stronger and bigger than her, well she can DODGE attacks now, allowing a smoother and even deadlier combat experience.

Post-apocalyptic beauty

With improved graphics and realistic sound effects this game offers an immersive experience. I spent hours walking, exploring and playing around with the game’s photo mode. I didn’t matter the amount of time I spent playing, the atention to detail and beauty of The Last of Us makes it mandatory to slow down and take in that view.

Powerful and darker soundtrack

Returning to compose The Last of Us’ music, Gustavo Santaolalla made an outstanding work for this game. I am 100% sure it would never be the same without his music. What’s different about the soundtrack is the grimm, tragic tone adding to the intense moments of the story. After finishing the game, just listening to the guitar still makes me relive it.

The end of the path

After roughly 30+ hours of gameplay, The Last of Us Part II is one of the best games I’ve played, it’s impossible not to feel something for the characters. Although the way the story was told was a very bold move from Naughty Dog, it was worth every second I spent playing it. The Last of Us is my favourite game of all time since I played it 5 years ago, and The Last of Us Part II still has that devastating yet satisfying aftertaste I experienced last time, plus the enhanced combat and lethal enemies that made my adrenaline rush. Storytelling in this game does not surpass the first installment, but it’s at the same level. I strongly recommend to play both games for a complete experience.

Final Rating: 10/10 MASTERPIECE

Death Stranding Review

Once, there was an explosion… A bang which gave rise to life as we know it… And then came the next explosion.

Sam Porter Bridges

The Basics

Created by Hideo Kojima, Death Stranding has been a mistery since it was announced. Keeping it simple, after the first voidouts (masive explosions made by human bodies after dying) America was separated because of an invisible threat known as BT (Beached Things or entities whose souls are stranded in the world of the living), everyone has isolated themselves in personal bunkers, and their only contact with other humans is through couriers known as “Porters”.

This is the first game developed by Kojima Productions after Kojima’s break-up with Konami.

A Story About Connection

Sam Porter Bridges is the main character, a Porter that prefers solitude, avoids human contact and any sign of intimacy (Aphenphosmphobia). Sam joins Bridges, an institution in charge of reconnecting the entire country again through their Chiral Network (Cooler Futuristic Internet) and his Q-Pid (Chiral USB necklace), using a “delivery service” kind of interaction to convince people to join Bridges and use the Chiral Network.

Sam at Bridges Distribution Center West of Capital Knot City

With the help of BB (Bridge Baby) a baby in a pod that’s connected to the world of the dead making him able to detect BTs. Sam faces many threats, BT encounters, MULEs and terrorist factions trying to steal his cargo or kill him, making it more challenging to complete deliveries and reconnect a fractured America. This is a story about connection, and not just America’s connection, it’s a story about Sam making personal connections again, starting with the little fella BB, who’s the only company he has in the vast, hostile America while making deliveries.

Spleepy BB

All-Star Cast

Hideo Kojima spared no expense when casting these legends.

Norman Reedus as Sam Porter Bridges
Mads Mikkelsen as Cliff
Tommie Earl Jenkins as Die-hardman
Léa Seydoux as Fragile
Margaret Qualley as Mama
Guillermo del Toro as Deadman
Troy Baker as Higgs
Lindsay Wagner as Amelie
Nicolas Winding Refn as Heartman

Visual and Musical Trip

This is so far the best looking game I have played, beautiful sceneries everywhere I look and the characters are perfect copies of the cast, Kojima Productions used a 3D scanner to make the characters look like the cast, and as always, Kojima’s attention to details is unbelievable, for example walking on rough terrain can make Sam fall and damage cargo, also you can actually pee in the game and Sam turns around if you try to look at him while he’s doing it, rain damages everything it touches and damage is clearly visible, Sam’s boots break after walking a lot and you can notice his wounded feet when he’s back in his private room in Bridges, and the list goes on.

When arriving to a new place after a rough time facing off against BTs, I could tell it was over when music started playing. Mostly soothing music from Low Roar or Silent Poets, and many other artists available in Sam’s Private Room. The effect music has, combined with gameplay in Death Stranding is something I haven’t experience in any game before.

Greatest of Great Deliveries

I finished this game before the virus outbreak, and until now it hits the spot, now that we are all isolated to save ourselves and others, trying to avoid an invisible threat. Kojima might be some kind of wizard because every game he makes doesn’t make much sense comparing it to real life when the game is released, but after some time, it all makes sense. After 176 hours of gameplay I can assure this game is something else, it can’t be compared with any other game, it’s completely different from Kojima’s “Metal Gear Solid” tactical espionage action genre, he really delivered what he promised, a completely new experience/genre.

Death Stranding is a game worth playing if you are open to new ways of gaming and diving into deep stories. Games are not about shooting your way through every obstacle all the time, it’s okay to slow down and enjoy the experience.

Final Rating: 10/10 MASTERPIECE

Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey Review

 I’m the one they should be scared of. Boo! Not you! Not Mister J! Because I’m Harley freaking Quinn!

Harley Quinn (Birds of Prey, 2020)

The Basics

Previously named “Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn” for obvious reasons they had to change it. DC’s latest movie is a Suicide Squad spin-off based on the team of superheroes “Birds of Prey” focusing on Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) as the main character.

Set after Harley Quinn’s break-up with Joker (Jared Leto), the movie starts with Harley trying to get over her past in a club owned by Black Mask (Ewan McGregor). As the story starts unfolding, Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) a girl with great talent for pick-pocketing steals a diamond that belongs to the criminal master Black Mask, leading to Harley joning forces with Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Reneé Montoya (Rosie Pérez).

From left to right: Reneé Montoya, Huntress, Harley Quinn, Cassandra Cain and Black Canary

Visual Spectacle

DC is taking their movies to the next level, having Harley as the main character made it necessary to use a lot of color because… Madness. I had a blast watching this movie, visual effects were on point, the amount of color was a good change, although I like the classic gritty DC tone from previous movies, it was refreshing.

Nailed It With The OST

One of the most important parts of a movie is not just the visuals, music brings life to the picture and sets the mood which was done perfectly. It’s not exaclty my type of music, but I left the movie theater with the soundtrack in my head. Specially this song…

And this one too.

Mind Over Mayhem

I entered the movie theater with more curiosity than high expectations, and left surprised with a smile on my face. I loved Harley’s humour and fourth wall breaks, the fight scenes were satisfying and funny without trying too hard, some details about certain fight scenes were pointed out by the characters in the movie and it was perfect, also the chemistry between characters didn’t feel forced. It’s a great movie, go watch it, I’m definitely going watch it again. Hereby I declare Birds Of Prey is WORTHY.

Final Rating: 9/10

The Mandalorian Review

This is the way

The Mandalorian

Brief introduction

Some things you might need to know before watching the show, if you don’t really care and just want to know if it’s worth watching feel free to skip this part.

The Mandalorians were an ancient martial order consisting of members from multiple species all bound by a common culture, creed and code. They originated on the planet Mandalore in the galaxy’s Outer Rim and had a particularly unique role in galactic history as legendary warriors against the Jedi.

Space Western Action

This show awakened nostalgia for Clint Eastwood’s western movies, the deserted planet settings, even the way the main character speaks reminds me of those movies. Set 5 years after The Return Of The Jedi, the story is about a mandalorian known as Mando (Pedro Pascal), the best bounty hunter in the parsec, with a very interesting characteristic, he wears a suit of armor and a mandalorian helmet he must never take off in front of any living being. My reviews are spoiler free, should you decide to watch it you will understand more about the mandalorians and why “this is the way”.

An exciting spaceship ride

It’s difficult to review a show that’s so exciting and fun to watch without giving away too much information, but I’ll give it a try.

Every episode will take you to new places, new interesting characters, and thrilling adventures, so ready your blaster and pulse rifle, because space shootouts and formidable foes are everyday’s routine for Mando. Although Mando is the best in the parsec this show is constantly reminding everyone that he’s still just a man who struggles and has internal conflicts like everyone else but at the same time is a badass, besides not being able to see his face Pedro Pascal did an amazing job transmitting Mando’s emotions.

The Child

One of the most important reasons to watch this show is “The Child” known as “Baby Yoda” which is wrong because Yoda is already dead. But, just look at him, if anything happened to this wrinkled green 50 year old child the entire world would riot unleashing nerd rage across the internet for weeks. This should be a spoiler but thanks to the crazy amount of memes just enjoy Baby Yoda sipping bone broth.

This is the way

After watching the show twice I highly recommend it, this show is for everyone, so yeah even elders with western movies nostalgia like myself might love it too. So sit tight and enjoy this space odyssey with a bit of bone broth, maybe some chicky nuggies or choccy milk, just watch it. I declare The Mandalorian is WORTHY! I have spoken.

Final rating: 10/10

Assassin’s Creed Review

Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted

Asassin’s Creed

Story

This game is the start of one of my favourite game franchises, at this point almost everyone knows the story, but to summarize, main character Desmond Miles is held captive by an evil company called Umbrella *cough* Abstergo where Desmond’s role is to access his ancestor’s memories through his DNA with help of a machine called Animus (Netflix of the future) and reveal the location of certain ancient artifacts known as “Pieces of Eden” Abstergo desperately wants. Once you enter the Animus it’s easy to lose yourself as Desmond’s ancestor Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, this guy is an assassin with insane parkour skills and the Assassin’s Creed signature weapon, the hidden blade.

As you keep moving forward through the story set in the cruzades of the 12th century, misteries and details about who are the Assassins, why are they fighting against other faction known as Templars and what the hell those Pieces of Eden are shall be unveiled, for some reason I don’t want to spoil a game that was released 13 years ago, anyway moving on.

The things I like the most about this game are the historical elements and locations (Jerusalem, Damascus, Acre and Masyaf) I don’t see often in video games.

Desmond Miles

Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad

Altaïr killing a Templar

Gameplay

Played on PlayStation 3, I gotta say it, PARKOUR!! This is one of those games that can make you dive into an awesome experience, and literally dive in, after climbing the tallest viewpoints there’s only one way down, a leap of faith… And then landing on perfectly positioned bales of hay withouth breaking your spine…

When it comes to combat, stealth is the way, make use of crowds, bales of hay and monks with similar clothing to hide in plain sight, of course you can start a fight like a brute and get killed as you’re overwhelmed by templars, but the main objective of being an assassin is to remain undetected. For the stealthy parts of the game you count with the hidden blade and eventually some throwing knives.

And now for face to face combat, because at some point it’s inevitable to stay out of trouble, you have a sword and your badass assassin skills to slay templars and live to die another day. All of this happens inside Altaïr’s memories Desmond is bingeing in the animus, basically you’re playing a game inside the game, game-ception.

Conclusion

Assassin’s Creed was released on 2007, so yeah it’s old, but gold. It’s not a perfect game, maybe because of the limitations at that time, but it is and always will be one of those memorable games that make me want more, it’s worth the time and definitely worthy of a remaster, Ubisoft never gave us a feudal Japan AC game, they owe us that at least! *screams in japanese*

Final Rating: 8/10

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