Change Your Image
griffsam
Reviews
Zeruda no densetsu: Tiâzu obu za kingudamu (2023)
Really Good
(I'll update my review as I play through the game). I love the sandbox elements of the game and the new abilities that Link has access to. They are much better than what we had in Botw because they interact and are integrated with world in a much more engaging and interesting way. I also love the new enemy variety and bosses. It is much more similar to what we would expect from a Zelda game. However, the dungeons are still not what I want from a Zelda game. And the game in general doesn't really feel like what I've grown to associate with Zelda. I know many people dislike linear games but I think a linear experience doesn't run the risk of ruining the experience for players who do things the "wrong" way. Additionally, the story and progression can be more potent and fun. I firmly believe that a linear experience is a more consistently powerful than an open world experience. I love the freedom but eventually since the story only ends when you want it to, by the time you finish the game it will have lost its appeal whereas a linear experience gets to end the game with a bang. My biggest issue though is still the dungeons. In older Zelda games you would slowly unlock parts of the dungeon making the whole process satisfying as you would go through the dungeon one door at a time. Then halfway through you would get a key item as a reward for a mini boss and would be forced to use the item as a sort of tutorial. As you went through the second half of the dungeon you would become more and more comfortable with the item and finally, as one last challenge you would be tested on your knowledge of the new item and the dungeon as a whole. It was a satisfying experience that left me hungry for more and excited for the next dungeon. That just isn't the case here. There's never the wonder of "what item am I getting here?" or "what cool puzzles will be featured?" It's just a slog to do dungeons. I love the game but I honestly wish that the dungeons were more linear. However, they are significantly better than Botw dungeons and are actually fun so that is a big step up. Additionally, and I don't know if I'm the only one who's noticed this, but the game looks noticeably better than Botw which was a high standard. The enemy variety is very refreshing after the repetitive enemies of Botw. The new bosses are also very appreciated. I remember heading into the depths and then getting jump scared by a giant Obsidian Frox that freaked me out. In general the exploration has gone up from a 9.5/10 in Botw to a very easy 11. Now every corner of the world is not just filled with things to find but meaningful and exciting things. I recently found the torse to the Twilight Princess set and let out an audible squeal of joy and excitement. Overall, I won't give the game a ten until I've finished it but it's getting there.
Zeruda no densetsu Towairaito purinsesu (2006)
Not the best Zelda game or Nintendo game. The BEST video game
Zelda Twilight Princess was my first experience with a classic Zelda game (so not BOTW) and I came into this game with low expectations. I had played it as a kid but it was always far too difficult for my 6 year old brain. Coming back to it now though I was instantly engrossed.
People say that Nintendo can't create good stories and for the most part it is usually true but this game creates a great story but more importantly has beautiful storytelling. Link's silence speaks volumes and helps to form a major part of why this incarnation of Link is my favorite. You don't need to hear Link speak to feel his regret about not being strong enough at the beginning of the game and you feel his rage when the Bulblin shows up at Kakariko and takes Colin. I felt personal rage and wanted personal revenge on the Bulblin. Midna is hands down the most well written nintendo character in my eyes. You see her slowly develop and change to be a more compassionate and less selfish character. Overall this game's story succeeds in every way.
One complaint that many people have about the game is its graphics that have aged poorly and while it is true that the game does not look at all good compared to Wind Waker there are still plenty of visual details to appreciate. Most importantly, the dungeons. The dungeons create unique, atmospheric, different, but always beautiful and thoughtful environments. I remember entering the Temple of Time and marveling that I was seeing what it had looked like before it was destroyed and overrun by forest and shrubbery. It was truly a magical moment which brings me to the arguably best part of this game. The puzzles and dungeons.
This game uses a genius strategy to make me feel like I accomplished something. It does what I call concept development. It introduces a concept, slowly develops it a pace you can keep up with, and tests you on your knowledge with a final puzzle or a boss. For example, the Forest Temple. It initially introduces you to bombs in an easy to understand way. Next, it develops the concept by making you use the bomb in more complicated situations. Then, it spices things up with the Gale Boomerang and forces you to use both to solve a series of puzzles. After it has introduced and developed the concepts to make sure you understand how to use the bomb and the boomerang it presents you with a final obstacle. The boss which forces you to use all of the concepts you learned previously in order to beat it. I could go on but I believe I have made it clear that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess succeeds in nearly every aspect and in my eyes is the greatest video game ever created.
Chainsaw Man (2022)
Promising Start but ultimately shallow
I loved the first episode! It set up Denji to be a relatable character and generally succeeded in hooking me on the show. The dog was adorable and I felt sorry for the things that happened to Denji and the unfair situation he was in. And then they took away all relatability, at least for me, by making him a boob craving, simple minded, silly character. It seems to me that he was written by a 13 year old who plays far too much Call of Duty and watches excessive porn. I'm sorry but if you relate with the objectification of women then you belong with Denji's degenerate character. In the trash. Now the reason I gave it 7 stars is because of the amazing action. The action is legitimately well executed and the CGI honestly didn't bother me at all. Fights were always interesting and kept me watching the whole time. Another highlight was Aki who actually did fulfill the role of a more relatable character, or at least tolerable character. He didn't feel like a selfish, shallow, scarcely motivated loser. However, many of the girls didn't succeed as Aki did and gave the impression they had no personality. They were pretty much just there so that Denji could fondle their boobs, kiss them, etc. They highlight my biggest problem with the show. The shallow characters. When I watch television I want to relate with the characters on screen, feel their pains, agree with their morals, or at least think they're a good person but I just can't get behind perversion. Now I hope that they take Denji's arc and the story in general in a direction that develops to not have as many of these perverted, shallow elements of the story present but until then I am left feeling that the story was ultimately unsuccessful despite the propitious start.