Firstly my apologies. I just got a few subscribers and I barely write anything on here for months. The truth is whilst the sun is out and the nights are long I don’t find time to game. I’ve been tied up with a couple of side projects as well, my football blog and relaunching a fanzine. However I’m beginning to prepare for winter already and that means looking at E3 and deciding which games to pre order. You bet your last pound that I’ll be all over Dishonoured 2, FIFA 17 and the Skyrim reboot, but while I persued the magazines last week Thiefs End caught my eye.
I’ve only once played a Nathan Drake game before and frankly it didn’t hook me. I had limited time and whichever one it was I failed to connect with the character or the gaming. The Tomb Raider genre never really caught my imagination, but I ntocied that Naughty Dog were involved and after The Last of Us I thought they maybe deserved a go. Besides it’s raining and the PS4 is getting dusty.
I’m not going to do a full review yet because I haven’t played it through, and I know half the beauty of these games is found in their storyline. However I am happy to say that this game has caught me, square in the jaw and knocked me for six.
It is without a doubt the very pinnacle of it’s genre with some beautiful grahpics, but also a game that is easy to control. I usually get frustrated at finding a ‘bit’ that I can’t beat, a jump that I can’t make or something of that ilk. I’ve found those jumps here, but I’ve got around them very quickly. Nathan Drake moves with a fluidity that at times joyous to be in control of. He looks stunning as he parkours up buildings, but also feels as though he is 100% yours to control. The reaching out for a ledge he can’t quite reach is a nice touch too, it indicates a ledge you can reach. For aman who once threw a PS1 out of his bedroom window in frustration at not being able to make Lara jump a chasm or two I feel safe and secure. The PS4 is in no danger, even if the odd controller might feel the brunt of my aggression.
I’m looking forward to seeing how the story goes as I find myself becoming more fond of the lead character and indeed those around him. I’ll almost certainly be adding the deluxe edition of the first three games to my collection to, just to push the adaptation of the Witcher 3 card game ‘Gwent’ even further down my ‘to play’ list. That’s how much this game has got my attention.
So this little blog is to let you know I’m still here, still gaming and still prepared to write about it. I’m just also a busy man who has to prioritise gaming over real life. I’m looking forward immensely to dark nights and short chores lists, it’s going to be a big winter.