NineSwords's Reviews

I went in knowing FromSoftware makes tough games, but this one? It’s on another level. You play as Wolf, this shinobi bodyguard on a revenge quest in a twisted Sengoku-era Japan full of monsters, gods, and betrayal. The story’s tight, the characters have real weight, and that “one-armed wolf” vibe hits hard. It’s not just hack-and-slash — it’s a rhythm, a dance you have to master or you die... a lot.

What gets me every time is how cinematic it feels. Every boss fight is like a legendary samurai movie showdown. The camera work during those intense parry exchanges, the sweeping landscapes, the way cherry blossoms fall while you’re mid-air grappling — it’s pure film magic. Fog rolling through ancient temples, moonlight on blood-soaked rooftops, snow-covered battlefields... FromSoft didn’t just make a game, they crafted scenes that stick in your head like you watched a Kurosawa flick.

The devs went crazy on the little details too. Posture system, prosthetic tools that actually change how you approach fights, the way enemies react differently based on your position and timing — it’s all so finely tuned. Leaves rustle when you sneak, crows scatter realistically, the sound of clashing blades feels weighty as hell. Even the idle animations and environmental storytelling (notes, lore items, hidden paths) show how much love they poured in. Nothing feels random; everything serves that perfect tension.

Sure, it’ll humble you quick if you’re not ready to git gud, but once the combat clicks? Man, there’s nothing like it. The satisfaction of finally breaking a tough boss is unmatched.

Man, Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of those games that just hits different.

I fired it up expecting a solid open-world cowboy sim, but it straight-up felt like stepping into the best Western movie never made. The story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang pulled me in deep—it's tragic, funny, and raw all at once. Rockstar didn't rush anything, and honestly, that slow burn is what makes it special. You live with these characters through the highs and lows, and by the end, it sticks with you.

What really blows me away is how cinematic the whole thing is. Every cutscene, every ride through the mountains at sunset, every quiet moment around the campfire looks like it was directed by some Oscar-winning filmmaker. The lighting, the weather rolling in, the way the camera pulls back during big moments—it's all so damn beautiful it almost feels wrong to call it a "game." I caught myself just stopping my horse on a hill to watch the sky change colors. It's not flashy like some modern blockbusters; it's grounded and real, like you're watching a lost classic from the 70s but in 4K.

The devs poured insane love into the little details, too. That's what keeps sucking you back in. Horses get muddy and tired if you ride 'em hard, and you've gotta brush and feed them. Your character’s beard grows, clothes get worn, and NPCs remember stuff—like if you robbed a store in one town, word spreads and folks treat you different elsewhere. Random conversations, animal tracks in the snow, the way camp life changes depending on how you're doing... it's all there. No other game makes the world feel this alive and reactive.

Even the shootouts and robberies feel weighty because of all that buildup. You’re not just blasting through levels; you're planning, scouting, living the outlaw life. Sure, it can be slow if you're the type who wants nonstop action, but that's the point. It respects your time by giving you something worth sinking into.

If you're cool with taking it easy and soaking in the atmosphere, RDR2 is a masterpiece. Easily one of the best games ever made. I still boot it up years later just to ride around and exist in that world for a bit. 10/10, no question.