u/Due_Cake8524

Days Gone's Pacific Northwest setting is easily one of its standout elements. Bend Studio could've easily gone the route of making the post-apocalyptic open world dark and grim. Instead, it's lush and vibrant. Of course, it's beautiful, but it's beauty also lies in its unpredictable nature. There's a few reasons why that's the case.

Diversity in its biomes- Just because the game takes place in the Pacific Northwest, doesn't mean that it's just miles of pine trees. There's diversity when it comes to its geography. There are various environments, ranging from the dense, mossy canopies of the Cascade Lakes and Belknap Crater, to the arid desert landscapes of Eastern Oregon (Farewell Wilderness).

Dynamic, yet unforgiving world- Heavy downpours affect your bike's handling. It becomes very treacherous when you're trying to navigate through a muddy hillside while escaping a group of Freakers. Rain can mask the sound of Deacon's footsteps. However, day time means that Freakers are stronger and more active during the day.

Snow actually accumulates on the ground and on trees as well. It also impacts the bike's traction. The significant drop in temperature also brings out the more dangerous variant of the Freakers who are accustomed to the extreme cold weather.

Days Gone's Northwest setting is the perfect playground for driving around in a motorcycle. The rough terrain is essentially an obstacle course. Mountain passes, broken-down logging roads, and steep cliffs effectively turn Deacon's bike into a survival tool instead of just being a means of travel. Of course, it's crucial that you upgrade its fuel tank, tires, etc.

The types of industries that you would find in the Pacific Northwest also exist in the game's world as well. There are logging camps. lumber mills, remote ranger stations, and hydro-electric dams. There's a great sense of authenticity in Days Gone's world. Lumber mills in particular are perfect for when you want to deal with a massive group of Freakers. They're designed to let you funnel, trap, and eliminate them while you use the environment to your advantage.

Days Gone's wilderness is beautiful, but it's also dangerous and brutal as well. There's a certain type of vibe that it perfectly captures. It's not just a world where humanity has been wiped out. It's a Pacific Northwest setting where nature has reclaimed its territory.

What are your thoughts and opinions?

After beating Max Payne 3 last year, I ended up doing another playthrough just recently and it was just as hard. The game's difficulty is brutal and punishing. I remember when I first played the game a long time ago and I tried approaching it like a traditional third person shooter. It was unlike any other shooter that I had played at the time. Let's just put this way. I got humbled very quickly and it served as a wake-up call. I was forced to step outside of my comfort zone.

Rockstar intentionally designed Max Payne 3 to be much more difficult than a standard third person shooter. For one thing, Max Payne has actual weight to his movement. In the first two games, Max Payne could bounce back right onto his feet after a shoot-dodge. However, in Max Payne 3, he has momentum. If you dive into an open area and you don't clear a room, you are basically laying on the ground for a few seconds until Max can slowly pick himself back up. You end up being a sitting duck because you're still taking damage until he's able to recover.

Second, enemy A.I. is super aggressive. It's not like Call of Duty where I could sit behind cover and peek my head out and shoot. Enemies don't just wait behind cover until I stick my head out. They will flank, rush to the player's position, and blindly fire with accuracy. Their aggressive behavior means that they can kill Max in two or three shots. They're very good at getting headshots as well.

Another thing that's worth mentioning is that there's a cutscene weapon reset. One of the most overlooked aspects that contributes to the game's difficulty is the fact that the game automatically equips Max with his single-handed pistol. Apparently, Rockstar didn't want him holding a rifle during cutscenes. When a cutscene finishes, Max is stuck using the aforementioned pistol while enemies are already shooting him.

Lastly, and this is easily the most frustrating thing about Max Payne 3. Enemies have a habit of popping out of nowhere. If you don't spot an enemy right on the dot, then Max's health will drop to zero in a blink of an eye. Sure, you get the last man standing mechanic where Max can kill the last enemy that delivered the fatal shot. However, if an enemy pops up behind a wall, a pillar, or at an awkward angle where you're reticle can't reach him in time, then you have to watch Max bleed while he wastes a painkiller. Because the camera is framed so close to Max's shoulder, your vision is severely limited. Just when you think you cleared an area, an enemy will show up out of nowhere. Before you know it, shots are fired and Max is already dead.

Max Payne 3 is a great game, but, at times, it ends up requiring a bit of trial and error. Chapters end up being like puzzles where you have to try your best to remember the ambush points. It's easier said than done though. I was able to do that here and there, but not all the time. It's also worth mentioning that certain cover can be destroyed. You can't always use it as a safety net. Like I said, it's a great game, but it's unforgiving. I appreciate the challenge, but it comes at the expense of being unfair at times. What are your thoughts and opinions?

You can say whatever you want about AEW, but it never disappoints when it comes to the pay-per-views. Tony Khan pulled out all the stops with Forbidden Door. It was a night of surprises and a major betrayal.

1- When the Death Riders captured Will Ospreay a while back, I wasn't sure what was going to happen. I wasn't sure where the story was headed. However, over time, Jon Moxley and the rest of Death Riders were trying to turn him into a dangerous version himself without the need for the constant high-flying maneuvers. After undergoing the surgery, he just couldn't pull off the crazy moves that he used to execute. That's why he lost to Swerve Strickland in the previous encounter and against Jon Moxley. He let his emotions get the best of him. The brutal, stripped-down training regime that the Death Riders utilized allowed him to re-evaluate and evolve his character. He was much more dangerous and focused against Swerve Strickland this time around.

2- I would've never expected to see Jay White to show up. He was out of action for over a year, and it was good to finally have him back. I was so excited when the Bang Bang Gang showed up, but I had no idea that Jay White would end up making an appearance by helping Adam Copeland and Christian Cage defeat The Dogs. I felt goosebumps when he showed up and took out David Finlay with the Bladerunner.

3- It was only a matter of time until Andrade got fed up with Don Callis and the Don Callis family. There are simply way too many members anyway, especially with the recently added Kevin Knight and MJF. Andrade should've gone solo as soon as he came back to AEW. Joining the Don Callis family only served to underutilize his abilities and talent. It felt so good when he low blowed MJF and Jake Doyle. The shirt that he wore was the cherry on top.

4- Admittedly, I wasn't too keen on Lio Rush's new gimmick, but I've slowly warmed up to it. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised when he showed up during the steel cage match. It's such a bizzarre gimmick that I wasn't quite sure about at first, but Leo Rush has made the best of it so far. It looks like he's having fun.

5- At his current age of 42, I'm really impressed by Kenny Omega's ability to move around the way that he does. He's still able to go out there and compete with a young talent like Zack Sabre Jr., despite having recently recovered from Diverticulitis. I've seen a few of Kenny Omega's matches when he was in his prime and during his NJPW days. He's definitely one of best to lace up a pair of boots. Unfortunately, the end of his wrestling career isn't too far away. It's been a pleasure to watch him go out there and compete.

Only Hideo Kojima could take a universe like the one that's present in Death Stranding 2 and turn it into a core gameplay mechanic instead of just a mere backdrop. There have been other titles that have had isolation as a part of their gameplay such as Alien Isolation and Dead Space as examples. However, with Death Stranding 2, the world that you explore is a major threat in itself. You're fighting against the elements as much as you do against the Bandits, Ghost Mechs, and B.T.s.

What makes the sense of isolation so effective is that it slowly builds as the game progresses. You can spend hours traversing the unforgiving landscape in silence with only the sound of your footsteps and the ambient track that kicks in from time to time. You spend so much time in isolation. When you finally come across a holographic structure that someone else left behind, or you finally hook up a new node to the Chiral Network, it feels like something that's substantial and impactful.

The sense of isolation isn't just there to make the player feel disconnected from the rest of the world. It isn't just there to make you feel lonely. It makes connecting to the Chiral Network significant and rewarding. What amplifies the sense of isolation is the fact that you're always dealing with some sort of hazard such as Gatequakes, Flash Floods and Rising Waters, Avalanches, Wildfires, Timefall Rain, Timefall Snow, Sandstorms and Strong Winds, Low Oxygen Zones, Tar Pools, Tar Seas, BT-Infested Areas, and Voidouts. The universe itself is basically against you. What are your thoughts about Death Stranding 2 and its sense of isolation?

Assassin's Creed Shadows 4LP vs. Hyper Light Drifter 4LP, which one should I get? I can only get one of the 4LP vinyl soundtracks.

Days Gone's narrative wouldn't have been nearly as compelling if not for the relationship between Deacon Saint John and Boozer. In Days Gone, it's not about saving the world, rebuilding society, or finding a cure. Instead, the story focuses on the relationship between Deacon Saint John and Boozer. There's a fierce commitment of loyalty between the two characters. It's that intense loyalty that helps to keep the story grounded. It makes Deacon Saint John and Boozer feel human. Their bond serves as the anchor. It takes the story and elevates it to another level.

1- Redefining survival

At the start of the game, Deacon Saint John is essentially detached from society. He's consumed by the supposed loss of his wife Sarah and he's driven by grief. If he was left to his own devices, then who knows what would've happened to him. Boozer is the only reason why Deacon Saint John keeps pushing forward and moving on. Deacon and Boozer end up relying on each other in order to survive. The stakes are deeply personal, as a result. They aren't trying to rebuild civilization, but rather piecing together what's left of the lives that they once lived.

2- Vulnerability in a harsh and brutal world

The world of Days Gone is harsh, brutal. and violent. It's dominated by cutthroat Drifters, militaristic camps, and crazed cultists. However, at the same time, the relationship between Deacon and Boozer is genuine, human, and emotionally vulnerable. They argue, tease each other, and they openly express the fear of losing each other. When Boozer suffers a major injury early in the game, Deacon's rough exterior fades away. Watching someone who is battle-hardened like Deacon that cares for his brother, scavenges for resources, and sacrifices his own health and well-being in order to keep him safe creates a very powerful narrative.

3- Progressing the game's plot

When you look at it structurally, Boozer's physical condition is the catalyst for the story's plot and pacing during the first half of the game. Deacon's interactions with Copeland, Tucker, and Iron Mike's camps, are mostly done in order to save Boozer. It's not simply a case of clearing a checklist of tasks for a given camp. Instead, every bounty that Deacon turns in and every Freaker infestation that he burns, is done in order to obtain medicine, safety, and a future for Boozer. Deacon's motivations make the gameplay loop feel narrative-driven and personal instead of being repetitive.

4- Redemption and healing

As the story moves forward, Boozer's journey is essentially a mirror reflection of Deacon's inner struggle. Once Boozer loses his arms and suffers from depression, Deacon has to step in and act as the glue that keeps everything together. He won't allow Boozer to give up and lose hope. By giving him a purpose in life (working at the Lost Lake farm, and taking care of a puppy), Deacon ends up healing himself in the process. By pulling Boozer out of his depression and dark place, Deacon is able to overcome his struggle. Their bond allows them to go from being jaded and skeptical outlaws to people who genuinely care about their community. They're able to shed their rough exteriors by showing their human side.

The fact that GTA VI is digital only is absolute B.S. You'd think that with such a massive game, it would get a physical release, but that's not the case. I was going to preorder the game until I found out that it'll be a digital only release. I've bought a couple of games in the past that required an Internet connection, but they were few and far between. To make matters worse, the game will cost $80, which is an additional $10 on top of the price of a standard PS5 game. If GTA VI gets a physical release later down the road, like what happened with Alan Wake II, then I'd buy it, but if not, then forget about it. I can't, in good faith, support a game that only comes with a download code. I won't spend $80 on a title that I don't physically own. Games like Hollow Knight Silksong and South of Midnight are rare exceptions where I'm willing to support a digital only release. What are your thoughts and opinions?

When Days Gone initially launched, a lot of people viewed Deacon Saint John as a cliched protagonist. He was gruff, heavily tattooed, wore a backwards baseball cap, and basically growled his way through conversations. He was essentially the gritty anti-hero. He obviously wasn't witty, charismatic, and charming like Ezio and Nathan Drake, but that wasn't the point. I wasn't too keen at the beginning. He didn't make a good first impression. However, over time, the surface-level stereotype started to fade away as I kept playing the game. He was a slow burn type of character that I had to slowly develop a relationship with. Eventually, I warmed up to him and I'm glad that I did.

1- He's unhinged and traumatized

A lot of people noticed something about Deacon Saint John and I did as well. He has the tendency to talk to himself. He does so quite a bit. He mutters under his breath, screams back at the radio broadcasts, and even panics during firefights as well. Instead of being cool and calm under pressure and being able to handle a situation without a sweat, he's essentially hanging on by a small thread. He was suffering from a major case of post-traumatic stress due to the way that society had collapsed and because he thought that his wife Sarah was dead. He felt more human when people finally realized that he was just a man who couldn't handle the feeling of isolation and grief. The fact that he seemed uninteresting at first was deliberate.

2- Sam Witwer's portrayal of Deacon Saint John was raw and unfiltered

Sam Witwer deserves a lot of credit for his excellent portrayal of Deacon Saint John. It wasn't simply a case of him just delivering his lines. He perfectly embodied the character of Deacon Saint John. He gave everything that he had, voice acting, motion capture, etc. He gave Deacon a frantic level of energy. When he was angry, his voice cracked. When he felt uncomfortable, he ended up stumbling over his own words. His calm moments of grief felt genuinely and authentically painful.

3- Deacon Saint John was loyal to those that he was close to

A big reason why Deacon Saint John felt like he was detached from society was because everyone was essentially looking out for themselves. It's apparent from the very beginning that he's very loyal to his brother-in-arms, Boozer. There's a powerful dynamic to their relationship. A good deal of the game's emotional story has to do with the fact that Deacon Saint John is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Boozer alive. He's willing to risk his own life, sacrifice crucial resources, and set aside his own personal goals in order to ensure Boozer's safety and well-being. His relationship with Boozer softened his rough exterior and people ended up rooting for him as a result. I felt the same way as well.

4- His character arc was subdued

Early on in the game, Deacon Saint John made it apparent that he's a drifter and a loner that doesn't care about anybody else. He wasn't interested in surviving camps or anything like that. He was cynical, bitter, and selfish, but it was all out of necessity. However, over the course of the single player campaign, he ends up letting his guard down. Surviving isn't living ends up being the core theme of Days Gone. Deacon goes from being a reluctant leader, to one that rebuilds relationships with those that he once despised. He was willing to find a reason to fight instead of dwelling on the past. That made his transformation as a likable and relatable protagonist well-earned. When the end credits rolled, he wasn't just a changed character, but one that needed a bit of healing.

What are your thoughts and opinions?

Days Gone is a prime example of a video game that didn't get the attention that it deserved. Once you spend enough time playing it, it's a really enjoyable experience. You just have to deal with some issues along the way. Unfortunately, it was held back due to technical bugs and reviews that dismissed it as being just another open world zombie video game. However, once you peel away its layers, you realize that there's more to it than just being an open world zombie video game. I just want to touch on a few things.

The Bike Mechanics- I may or may not be part of the minority when I say this, but I didn't like the bike mechanics when I first played the game. I felt like they crippled and hindered my experience. However, things changed once I upgraded the bike's fuel capacity. Deacon's bike wasn't just used as a means for travel, but it was also a lifeline when things got a bit dicey and I was getting chased after by a large horde of Freakers. Managing the bike's fuel and upgrading its various parts were an essential part of survival.

The Hordes- The inclusion of the Freakers increased the tension tenfold. It was quite the visual feat as well. You actually had to prepare yourself before dealing with every horde of Freakers. Fortunately, only a few of the hordes were tied to the main story. I didn't clear out all of them, to be honest. That brings me to the other issue. It was fun and tense the first half dozen horde encounters. However, after that, it just got repetitive and tedious. I was basically going in an endless loop of having to farm resources and run around in circles, which severely slowed down the game's pace.

The Oregon Setting- The game's Pacific Northwest setting was gorgeous, detailed, and brutal. The dynamic weather actually impacted the bike's handling. The fact that you could get ambushed by snipers or come across wires that are stretched across the road at any given time, it meant that the game's world was always a dangerous place. Enemy encounters were random when you were out exploring the open world. You always had to be on your toes because danger was lurking behind every corner.

Days Gone is a great example of a game that finally found its footing after a rough initial start. It's heartbreaking that a sequel will never happen. Sony rejected a second game due to budget issues and the original game's reception. It would've been nice if Bend Studio was given the chance to make a sequel. They knew what made the original game so special. They already had the foundation set. It was just a matter of getting a second wind, so to speak. What are your thoughts and opinions?

I'm thinking of getting a couple of soundtracks because of iam8bit's current sale. However, I'm worried about things like shipping times, delays, etc. Over the years, I've only bought two vinyl soundtracks from them (Stray and Transistor). They arrived, but it took a while. Is it even worth paying extra for faster shipping? People have always had issues with iam8bit. Like I said, I want to take advantage of the current sale, but I'm not sure if I should or not. What are your thoughts and opinions?

When it comes to Tarja, I'm mostly familiar with her work when she was the lead vocalist for Nightwish. However, I haven't heard too much when it comes to her solo albums aside from What Lies Beneath and Colours in the Dark. I've been thinking of buying her latest release Frissom Noir. What are your thoughts on the album? What online record store should I buy it from? What do you recommend?

The soundtrack shipped on the 3rd of the month, and it arrived today. However, there's a seam split in the gatefold packaging. I have replacement paper sleeves, which is the easy part. It's not Arcline Store's fault. There are always issues with Laced Records vinyl releases, but it's not the company's fault, but rather during the shipping process. Maybe Arcline can send me a replacement gatefold package. Otherwise, the records themselves are in great condition. I love the artwork. Austin Wintory always delivers when it comes to his music compositions.