Metro: Last Light Redux

Metro: Last Light is a direct sequel to Metro 2033 and, unlike its predecessor, it has a completely original story, though Dmitry Glukhovsky did work on it as well. Interestingly enough, the author also used many of Last Light's details in his Metro 2035 novel later: for instance, Miller's daughter Anna.

Metro 2033 Redux

Originally released in 2010 and 2013, the post-apocalyptic first person shooters Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light developed by 4A Games, were released a second time in 2014 as remastered Redux versions. Some of the gameplay and even visual changes apparently weren't to the liking of every fan -- for the first game in particular -- but if you're starting the series from these, you don't really need to worry about the differences between the remasters and the originals.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II

I have had the impression that Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II isn't regarded as high as its predecessor. Critics didn't seem to like this sequel -- not that the first one got high scores either. Initially I thought The Force Unleashed II to be a clear improvement: visual clarity had improved and gameplay felt quicker and more responsive. But I suspected the problems would become apparent later.

Permafrost (& Neuromancer revisited)

I came upon Permafrost, an Alastair Reynolds novella at one of the local libraries, and ended up reading it right then and there -- being a novella it's not a long read. Its theme didn't turn out to be the greatest -- has there ever been a good time travel story? Permafrost also uses first person perspective, which is atypical for Reynolds.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Some time last year, I decided to buy the seemingly well regarded STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed games, having never played them. Many recognized Sam Witwer in Days Gone and The Callisto Protocol (Captain Ferris) from knowing him previously as Starkiller in these two games. The first one is from 2008 (2009 on PC) so I wasn't expecting the smoothest experience -- older action games tend to have rough edges when it comes to gameplay.

The Prefect (Aurora Rising)

And back to the Revelation Space again...

The Prefect is not a continuation to the Inhibitor Sequence, however, instead taking its reader back in time -- assuming they've been going through the series in publication order -- to Yellowstone in its golden age, before the Melding Plague. The novel's name was later changed to Aurora Rising but that didn't make it to the translated print I read.

Othercide

I bought Othercide, developed by Lightbulb Crew, purely for its aesthetics -- a decision I came to regret. I think at the time I wishlisted the game, I still fancied the noir visuals: the grayscale with one or two colors. But now I no longer find it as attractive.

Blue Remembered Earth

For a change, I read an Alastair Reynolds novel not set in the Revelation Space universe: Blue Remembered Earth is the first of his Poseidon's Children books. The setting has humanity still confined to the Solar System but I don't see why it couldn't be in the same universe, just earlier in time. The title started to sound ominous to me as it seemed Earth was just fine in the book. I was expecting something apocalyptic to happen.

Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand

Atlas Fallen was released in August last year to a lukewarm reception. Exactly one year later, it got a big update that came with the subtitle Reign of Sand. And a month later from that, the game arrived on Game Pass, giving me a chance to play this cool-looking yet not that well received title from Deck13.

Stop Hiding in the Lockers of Alien: Isolation

I've been wanting to write another post about Alien: Isolation for a while. Considering the game just had its 10th anniversary and a sequel was announced by the original game director Alistair Hope at Creative Assembly, now is the perfect time. The year I first played the game, I didn't place Isolation even in the top tier on my annual round-up post but the game has since then become one of my all-time favorites over numerous playthroughs. The frustration a first run often comes with is gone on revisits: nothing will pull you away from the marvelous immersion of this scifi horror experience.