Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2I played the first Lords of Shadow game during the holidays in 2013, so it was fitting that I started LoS2 at about the same time in 2014. Also, it was finally cheap enough during the Thanksgiving Steam sale.
I found the first game to be a bit bloated, but ultimately coming together as an epic journey that was - at least - nicely produced from start to end. The main issue I had with it was the pace of progression, as the combat system didn't hit its stride until almost halfway into the game (~10 hours in of the around 25 hours I played it).
LoS 2 at least does fix that - you're taught the combat system in the prologue, and while you (of course) lose your powers, the Void/Chaos magic abilities are the first things you get back. Additionally, the game
lets you turn off quicktime events. LoS is less strict about them than some (lookin' at you, Heavenly Sword), but they were still annoying. LoS 2, it's just a checkbox in the options and you simply succeed with no prompts.
Unfortunately, things go downhill from there. The already-weak plot is further hindered by partly relying on the player being familiar with the Mirror of Fate game. Some of it is glossed over in the intro, but other parts are just present (like, say, the Mirror of Fate itself). Fans of the series might appreciate the fanservice, but it doesn't make the story
good.
Your tasks are split between two primary zones - the real, modern(ish) city shown in the ending for LoS, with a stupid, generic plot going on...and Dracula's castle, in his mind, with story that lines up more with the previous games.
Things come together a little at the very end of the game, but it's still not that strong, and certainly not a great introduction to the LoS world.
Where LoS had an overworld map with locations, similar to Order of Ecclesia I guess, MercurySteam tried to unify the LoS 2 areas, like the castle in Symphony of the Night. Nicer in that, if you're backtracking, you're more likely to try to get to new areas with new powers. Using some of them, like the mist form, is definitely reminiscent of Metroidvania games too.
Overall though, a downgrade, because there are frequent "loading" areas, the map is subpar for the task, and the city areas (at least) simply aren't distinctive enough.
Some elements from the first game are all but gone as well. No Shadow of the Colossus boss battle copies, almost no puzzles to figure out...instead there are "stealth" sections that utilize the same few enemies and tricks that only work there (like turning into rats, or possessing enemies).
There are a few creative sections or battles, but they're mostly confined to the sections in Dracula's mind - the city is largely crap, with same-y, boring environments, low quality models for some things (like cars, and some enemies), and again, a mediocre side of the story.
It's not terrible, but, if Lords of Shadow were a blockbuster film, this is the direct-to-video cash-in sequel.
TransistorThe overall production is great, if a bit repetitive. The plot is intentionally vague, and occasionally seems a bit pretentious...but it works.
The real highlight is the combat system, which I was juuust bad enough at that it forced me to experiment, which only made it better.
It's cleverly designed to encourage the player to try a lot of variations on skills/traits in way that I've not seen before. The challenge rooms helped too, since I frequently found that skills I'd been overlooking, or relegating to mod/trait status, were really quite useful.
Fun little game that has the good sense to end before it gets particularly tedious.
Marlow Briggs and the Mask of DeathIt's a God of War clone, I guess. I haven't really played those games, because everything I've seen of Kratos makes me loathe to play a game as him. Marlow Briggs, on the other hand, seems like a pretty cool dude.
As a game, it's competent enough. Nothing particularly special, but not much that's troublesome either.
Where it wins out is humor and attitude. Mr. Briggs is killed in the opening cutscene, only to be brought back to life as the "Sacred Warrior" by the spirit of a dead Mayan king. The disembodied voice dispenses advice, though more often pokes fun at Marlow, and the banter between the two is great. The game is self-aware of its paper-thin plot, and use of tropes, and barrels ahead anyway. It's just trying to be action-packed fun.
Probably will be on a hidden gems list someday, if not already. It's short, and cheap, albeit only available digitally. I did have a minor issue playing on PC, in that the resolution would scale off the screen for some reason (might have been an issue with my receiver or TV though). I wound up playing a 1680x1050 with a black border around it. Regardless, probably one to check out if you like the genre.
