Danielle J Barth​
Danielle J Barth​
Video Game Reviews
Video Game Reviews
I know when I am on the fence about wanting to buy a game, I often Google what others think of the game. As such, I want to post my opinion on games as I play them, albeit new video games as they come out or older ones that I have just now gotten around to playing for the first time. All of these reviews are honest, and I play these games of my own desire and with no sponsorship involved.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (2019/2020, PC, XboxOne, PS4)
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (2019/2020, PC, XboxOne, PS4)
Iceborne is an extremely large DLC for Monster Hunger World. The DLC was released for consoles in 2019 with PC delayed until January 2020. As the name alludes, you hunt monsters ranging from the size of a deer to massive dragons the size of mountains using weapons that appear to come straight out of anime. The DLC adds an entire new map to the game, along with dozens of new creatures to hunt, some original and some variations on previous monsters. It also brings with it many quality of life improvements, armors, and weapons. One draw back is they still have not smooth-lined multiplayer.
Prior to the DLC, I had just shy of 200 hours in the PC version of the game (which is nothing compared to many players.) This DLC dragged me back in so hard that I added another 90 hours or so. The new creatures and map had me so enthralled that I could not stop playing for days. Even when I was at work, I thought often about my next mission or material I needed to collect for new weapons and armor. I look forward to diving back into it as they add new monsters for free over the next few months. Overall, I would give this DLC an 8/10.
Posted April 9, 2020
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020, Nintendo Switch)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020, Nintendo Switch)
This is the latest addition in the Animal Crossing universe, and the first on the Nintendo Switch. Unlike previous games where you move to a new town, in this one, you move to a deserted island with a few other people wanting to get away from it all. You focus on expanding the island and designing it to be an island getaway, inviting new villagers to live on your island. Friends from all around the world can visit your island, and there is little limit on the creativity you can put into this.
While this game is more fun having friends to connect with, it is still immensely fun to play by yourself. Thus far, this is my favorite Animal Crossing yet just because of the amount of variety you can put into the customizations, and no two islands are alike. Overall, I would give this game a 6/10 if playing solo, 8/10 if playing with friends.
Posted April 1, 2020
Rimworld (2020, PC)
Rimworld (2020, PC)
I can get lost in this game for hours. Every aspect of every playthrough is randomly generated, always keeping you on your toes and forcing to you adapt and improvise. There are numbers levels of difficulty to select from when playing, anywhere from a casual gamer who simply wants to build a colony with a few dangers to expert strategists who want to play in an unforgiving world. The developers of the game are constantly working to update the game and fix bugs/add quality of life changes.
Another amazing thing about this game is that it is fully integrated with Steam Workshop for people to create and download mods. There are numerous mods from quality of life changes to entirely new scenarios to play from. Overall, I would rate this game an 9/10.
Posted April 1, 2020
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020, Nintendo Switch)
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020, Nintendo Switch)
Age of Calamity is a mixture of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and a Dynasty Warrior-like game. In fact, it takes place in the same timeline as Breath of the Wild, only 100 years prior. Unlike the first Hyrule Warriors game, this one was developed alongside the Zelda team at Nintendo to ensure its contents are canon with the series' lore and plot.
At the time of this original posting, I have not yet completed the game. However, I have greatly enjoyed what I have played so far. In terms of side quests, I would give it a 5/10, although to be fair, there is only so much one can do for side quests in a Dynasty Warrior game. For someone like me who likes to 100% games, they have already become monotonous.
The plot so far has me enraptured. There have been twists I did not expect, which I love, and there is foreshadowing that has me apprehensive. As such, I would give it a 9/10 for plot.
For gameplay, I would actually give it 7/10. I love almost any Dynasty Warrior game, however, characters' attacks often become redundant. The team has done an excellent job with Age of Calamity by giving each character their own unique styles. The only reason I do not give this higher is that even though each character is unique, I always end up gravitating back towards Link, many people agreeing that he is "overpowered." Overall, I would give this game a 8/10 and would highly recommend it.
Posted December 16, 2020