Finally after putting this game off for so long after launch, I jump in after hearing all the good things about the updates... only to start up the game and find out it crashes every 10 to 20 mins. Why have I not seen this more brought up?! There a ton of forum posts about the systemic crashes since the Phantom Liberty update, and each forum recommends a bunch of fixes that do absolutely nothing, eventually concluding that Cyberpunk is still broken post-launch. Do not buy yet, the updates have made the game even more unstable now.
I've literally put this game off for years since its release, waiting for it to be perfectly stable enough for a playthrough. Even bought the DLC on a whim after hearing so many good things about the improvements made since launch... and yet the game crashes at least every 15 to 20 mins randomly. Have tried everything, driver updates, looked up at several posts and forums, and NOTHING works. I've got an RTX card and good CPU so it shouldn't be a hardware issue. I'm done waiting. I wish I could get a full refund at this point but its been too long since I picked this up on sale. Guess I can try again if ever care some years down the line. This game will forever be a joke in my eyes.
I really wanted to love Undying but finishing it honestly became a chore. The set up is pretty interesting, mixing themes of Poe and Lovecraft with a pretty spooky Mansion setting. The gunplay starts off pretty limited but does start to open up a bit at least - using weapons and casting spells gave me BioShock vibes. However, the magic spells aren't too crazy and nothing besides the shotgun felt that great to me. The gunplay just never gelled, Patrick isn't your average mad-hopping FPS maniac and moves pretty slowly. So many flying type enemies are thrown in too, they're definitely overkill. The cool story also just goes off the rails though and hours in I didn't even know what the hell was going on anymore. The progression is also hindered by some awkward puzzle designs here and there. Undying is still worth giving a shot since it's goes for dirt cheap now, but beware it just might not be that fun as expected. 10x better than Jericho at least.
I can certainly see why this game was controversial for it's time, and I just love to revel in the cheesiness of it all. Carmageddon 1 is a great early vehicular combat game, feeling like a proto-Twisted Metal, although TW actually came out first. Carmageddon is more visceral though and a lot more mature, although lacking the weapons of TW. The combat itself has an arcade-y feel, plowing into cars and pedestrians while trying to keep your credits score up and the time counter constantly filled. Although I like how completing the race isn't necessary, the other option of hunting down every single pedestrian seems fun - buuut in practice becomes super tedious. The only realistic way to win a race is to destroy all your opponents. And honestly it controls a bit janky compared to later car combat titles but manages to keep you reeled in with brutal, campy violence and an awesome soundtrack. At it's heart Carmageddon is more focused on being a hectic destruction derby, and thats fine! The gameplay works, but it does kinda feel a bit lacking as a whole package by the end, with the only reason for replayability being unlocking new cars (though most of the other opponents' cars are kinda lame IMO). Still, its definitely an interesting title and practically a piece of gaming history, so def try it out.
Tried to play the original Steam DOS port of this back in the day and couldn't stand it. When Fresh Supply dropped I decided to give it another go and I'm so glad I came back. This game beats even Doom for me, it's truly a landmark title for FPS games and doesn't get the credit it deserves. The unique weaponry in Blood is its biggest and greatest strength, propped up by a fluid and dynamic player movement macthed with some of what is hands down the best level design of the era. Most modern FPS games can't even come close to how frenetic and fun Blood's shooting is. Carefully lobbing sticks of dynamite into a horde of cultists - who you know are right around the corner - is just so satisfying. Especially since the AI is absolutely RUTHLESS. Once you clear a room of monsters though, it makes all the nailbiting and desk-banging worth it. Shout to Night Dive Studios, this was the first remaster I tried from them and was so impressed. They do amazing work, from their Turok remaster to the System Shock 1 remaster. Truly one of if not the most important developers working right now.
I'm a big FPS fan but usually stay away from any games with tactical stratregy involved. However, I heard so many great things about SWAT 4 over the years so I decided to give it a try, and damn was I impressed! Even years after release, SWAT 4 feels like a breath of fresh air from the standard shooters of today. I played a bit through mouse and keyboard but eventually managed to remap the controls to a PS5 controller and works great! Irrational Games seriously did an amazing job creating a realistic and gritty cityscape, mostly sticking with familiar locations that immediately connects with and immerses the player. The tactical gameplay at first seems pretty cut and dry - but the sporadic and twitchy AI of opponents always manages to surprise in some fashion, especially on harder diffuiculties. The replayability is the game's biggest draw however. In your first plays you'll usually end up with a couple of dead bodies on the opposing side and even sometimes helpless civilians if they're unlucky enough. It makes you wanna try again and see if you can incapacitate a trigger-happy NPC before they start blasting, and get to the poor hostages before they get shot down. I definitely recommend playing with the Elite Forced mod, and the Graphical Enrichment mod as well.
