Recent reviews by James

I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy. I hate jimmy.

This game holds a deep, personal significance for me. It entered my life at a pivotal moment roughly a year ago, and, though I didn’t realize it at the time, it would later help me cope and move forward in the present. Naturally, I had high expectations for this remake. While I knew it could never surpass the original, I hoped it would provide a fresh take on the same story.

If you’ve played any of the previous titles — from the first game to the more recent, less-favored ones — you’ll find numerous references scattered throughout, often hidden in texts and objects. The changes to the first area, for instance, brought to mind the residential zone of Silent Hill 1, while James’ new commentary when interacting with the environment echoed Heather's personality from Silent Hill 3. Of course, a 29-year-old doesn’t have the sass of a teenager, but his added personality is a welcome change for sure.

The free camera movement allows for deeper exploration, but it also alters enemy placement, forcing you into combat more often. While the fixed camera angles are gone, there are plenty of jump scares for anyone not attentive enough, as well as unexpected changes to cutscenes that catch you off-guard. This is no mere remaster but a true remake, building on the original to create something new. It has a distinct tone, sometimes darker than the original; had it simply repeated old patterns, it would have relied solely on nostalgia without delivering real shock for returning players.

I'm also happy that Masahiro Ito's vision for Pyramid Head was respected, ensuring he's portrayed as the violent justiciar he intended, rather than as a rapist. Additionally, all the monster designs are based on Ito's original concept art, thus being more in line with what he had originally envisioned. It is entirely possible to play with your radio turned off and still react timely to enemies, as your lantern flickers and each monster emits gruesome sounds, making their presence felt through both visual and auditory cues. Combat has been refined significantly, with a forgiving dodge mechanic that provides iframes and a rhythm to melee combat. Enemies now have distinct move sets, and their Otherworld variations are even more challenging than their normal forms, often luring you into old habits only to punish you with a swift blow — courtesy of a metal pipe from one of those sexy nurses.

Speaking of which, the sexual undertones in the game positively surprised me. If you were turned off by Maria's new appearance, assuming there was censored content in any shape or form, you couldn't be further from the truth.

It’s not just the regular enemies that have seen an overhaul; bosses have also gained more depth, both in terms of mechanics and story. Extra scenes have been added that flow seamlessly into the narrative.

One standout I must mention by name is, undoubtedly, Abstract Daddy. Remember the uncomfortable, sexually charged atmosphere of the original? Picture the small, cramped room with its disturbing holes — now countless rooms and halls, where you are actually able to hear what his voice is like. You’re not just fighting; you’re experiencing Angela’s trauma. You feel her fear, her revulsion, and you share in her pain, as well as her rare moments of respite in her own safe haven.

I had never felt such anger, disgust, and sadness all at once. Through its own mechanics, it’s as if the game acknowledges your emotions and validates them — "your anger is justified." For me, this was one of the most memorable boss fights in any game, ever. There was a clear attention to detail in Angela’s character, and her voice actress delivered an outstanding performance, giving the story the weight it deserved. While I don’t want to diminish the performances of the other characters — on the contrary, I cannot praise their performances enough — her arc stood out as a personal highlight for me.

That said, there are a few nitpicks I’d like to address...

While Toluca Prison became my favorite stage of the game, the final dungeon holds the most significance for me, and it's the one I examined most critically. Room 312 is pivotal, not just for James, but for the player as well. It's where he confronts his true identity and sin — something he'd locked away deep in his mind, never meant to see the light of day again — only to be brought to the surface by the very town that summoned him. No matter how far you run, your guilt will eventually catch up with you.

As you approach the truth, the once-beautiful hotel begins to decay, mirroring James’ deteriorating mind. This unraveling isn't just about the hotel's appearance, but also how we perceive James, the protagonist we’ve controlled this entire time. All it takes is a single moment, a small detail, or one piece of footage to completely change how you see a situation, the people you thought you knew, and even yourself.

No matter what lies you try to tell yourself, the hotel will never return to its previous splendor. It will remain dirty, rotten. Your precious memory tainted, forever.

It was such a critical turning point in James' life, as well as my own — the moment when you stop focusing on the details and start seeing the bigger picture for what it truly is. I cannot even begin to describe Akira Yamaoka's genius with his melody 'Blank Fairy'; the perfect encapsulation of hopelessness, and my favorite score from the whole game.

Although the video footage is infinitely superior to its predecessor — showing not only Mary's murder, but also placing us in her perspective as it happens — the way the remake presents the aftermath feels... too artificial. The problem doesn't lie in the line delivery, rather, the camera perspective, as it feels more intimate, focusing on close-ups of the characters’ faces, whereas the original kept us — the audience — distant at all times; a bird's-eye view meant to represent us judging James directly from above. It might seem minor, but it shifted the emotional weight significantly.

In the remake, James no longer denies his suicidal tendencies during Angela's cutscene. However, in the original, he remained in denial about his emotions, only truly accepting them when facing himself — Pyramid Head — one final time, admitting that he was a weak person. The removal of both of these lines feels ironic, given that the remake generally added more depth to each scene. Sure, the message is still more or less conveyed, but the original felt direct.

Not all is lost, however, as the final cutscene with Maria, before her boss battle, has been improved, being far more emotional and now my preferred version. Her character is portrayed with such realism and depth in this scene that I was genuinely impressed.

As for the letter...

Unsurprisingly, the original remains unmatched. It was delivered in a single take, capturing the voice actress' raw, first-time reaction, which allowed players to experience the same emotions simultaneously. While the remake does a commendable job making it as moving as possible, I still recommend listening to the original afterwards, if you can.

In the end, the remake succeeded in delivering a nostalgic journey while standing as a worthy experience in its own right, bringing new passion and craftsmanship to a 20-year-old classic. That’s no easy feat. The only real criticisms are likely to come from people like me, who have strong emotional connections to the original game. But that shouldn't stop you from experiencing it for yourself. In fact, it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce friends and family to the series and immerse yourself once more in the melancholic world of Silent Hill.

Bloober Team, you made me happy.

A must for horror fanatics out there, especially of the Lovecraftian genre.
It isn't your typical horror game, of course — sparing you from cheap jumpscares and engulfing you instead in its incredible atmosphere and sound design, the likes you might recognize from games such as Amnesia: The Dark Descent, cartoonified and less extreme. What begins as a seemingly peaceful fishing expedition — and at times, it can be — soon spirals into mind-bending horrors beyond your comprehension; death trailing behind your back like a slithering serpent, ever closer.

Indeed, your game ends if your ship gets attacked to the point of destruction — as it should.
It teaches you to fear the dark, the night. In spite of that, human curiosity eventually gets the best of you, as you start wondering what treasures lie hidden in the murky waters.

"What if it's enough to reinforce my ship, to outwit death itself?"
Well, no other way to find out than braving a night sail, right?

But —
can you withstand the creeping insanity,
or will you succumb like so many before you?

Slowly, but surely, you too shall learn the ways of sailing the waters of Dredge with confidence, discovering your — and your ship's — limits in due time. By interacting with the locals and reading lost letters, the world will slowly unfold itself in front of you, its secrets ever elusive, yet decipherable. With its DLC additions, the game is finally complete; the most enjoyable and refined it has ever been, allowing you to upgrade your ship to perfection.

As someone who enjoys diving deep into a world's lore through item descriptions, Dredge offers some of the most impeccable, heart-gripping examples I have ever laid my eyes upon. At times in visceral detail, others, a subtle nod in a horrifying direction, sparing you the gruesome image itself, yet sending shivers down your spine nonetheless. It is written with the utmost care, that much I can tell.

What awaits you by the end of this unforgiving journey?
Don't waste any more time than you already have by reading this — dive in, headfirst.

I really thought this game couldn't get any better, until they updated it on my birthday and
SKREEEONGK!!!!!!!!

Nice argument, unfortunately ↑→↓↓↓

Countless new level gimmicks, fun interactions and challenges compared to the first game. It's a neat lil' sequel that hits all the right spots. I guess its only fault is, as usual, being way too short.

Oddly enough (though supported), there is no co-op play via Remote Play on Steam.
Do yourself a favor and download Parsec to go through this experience with a friend. It changes some of the levels and, to be honest: where's the fun if there isn't some unknown force (your friend) dragging your katamari in the wrong direction, killing both of you instantly?

I had the pleasure to play the entire thing in a single sitting. That's how good this game is. 999m/10m

pure analog horror

numbers go brrrrrrr

I first heard about Dark Souls many years ago, though it never really piqued my interest until a dear friend of mine played through the whole trilogy and made sure I knew all about it (spoiling as little as possible). As I do with any game, I checked its OST, first and foremost — and I was absolutely blown away.

I had heard Gwyn's theme before, sure - but listening to this masterpiece in-game is a peerless experience. Afterwards, I decided to play the trilogy chronologically and not only did it deepen my love for the original game, but it also made me want to replay it, going into NG+ reading every item description available and paying more attention to the environment overall. The map of this game is incomparable to any of its successors: practically the entire world is connected and there are countless shortcuts everywhere. As in any Dark Souls game, you end up discovering stuff you had no idea existed, even after 100h.

I believe the first game holds a special place in my heart because it is quite literally the origin of the powerful gods whose names are repeatedly heard about in the sequels, even after they had long perished by your own hands. You fight against the very things that created pyromancy, miracles and so many more weapons and items. The NPCs are one of the most memorable parts of the game as well, ranging from a friendly, humble knight who gave up everything in pursue of his dreams to an onion knight, who literally makes you cry by the end of his quest.

The game may be difficult, but there are times when the developers could've made it worse — yet they didn't. I believe it has a nearly perfectly balanced gameplay, teaching you where to go based on the difficulty of your enemies and exploration, although it is not perfect due to the existence of imbalanced back-stabbing in PvP, Blighttown, the Catacombs and the Bed of Chaos, specifically... The DLCs also tell you more about the world and its past, giving you insight on the noble knights of Gwyn and their purposes.

In your playthrough you'll discover all kinds of things - from hollow undeads to mighty dragons (which you can become, too, even if only anthropomorphic), many, many skeletons — and, maybe, a new passion for all things medieval and a slightly different kind of storytelling. Even if the game doesn't fancy your tastes, make sure to check its lore (I recommend VaatiVidya's YT series).