Forgotten but Unbroken – The Revenge of Martin

World War II is always a great setting for turn-based tactical games. There have been a couple over the years, like the always excellent Silent Storm series. One thing this game got over Silent Storm, beyond just being a turn-based tactical game in a similar vein, is that Forgotten but Unbroken incorporates X-com-like base management and survival mechanics in the form of collecting resources. Sounds like a potentially intriguing game, in a backdrop that certainly fits that kind of gameplay. So, does it succeed?

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Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror – CIA Hit Squad

If there is one game with squandered potential, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror would be it. At least, it is for me. I can see others enjoying it for what it is. But man, if it didn’t shatter my hope and dreams for something Splinter Cell-like that I haven’t played before. Now, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is not a one-off game. It’s part of a larger franchise with several games under the belt for the PlayStation One. I never played any of these games, so this was my first taste of Syphon Filter. What I was wishing, and believing the game was about, was totally wrong. I expected clandestine backstabbing stealth, but what I got instead was a CIA state sanctioned murder spree.

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Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker – Dreaming of Heaven

I have been getting into my old Xbox 360 as of late, so I thought: why not start with Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker that I have never finished before. Peace Walker was originally a PlayStation Portable (PSP) exclusive, but later remastered for the Xbox 360 in the excellent and well-worth package Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. Now, since it is a PSP game, there are some issues, especially if you treat it as a mainland Metal Gear game on a home console. It’s extremely segmented so you can easily play it on the move, with the missions being very short. The only thing that has any stay is the bosses, which can drag on compared to the usual sneaking and choking out guards. Regardless, it’s an enjoyable stealth game that greatly expands the lore about Big Boss.

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Terminator: Resistance – Terminating the Terminators

The one big thing Terminator: Resistance got over Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance is that it’s set in the original Terminator movie timeline. That means it has the cool aesthetics from the Cameron films. John Connor is still kicking around and is leading the resistance in the future war against the silver Terminators, who look as menacing as ever. Sadly, beyond the cool visuals, this game is somewhat of a pain to play and in general a disappointment. I would also consider it highly overrated, seeing as it sits at a ninety-one approval rating on Steam. I can understand the appeal, and I too was into it at the beginning, but the whole experience is filled with awkward design decisions that in the end completely sink the title.

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Star Wars Outlaws – The Friendly Bandit Life

Warm up your speeder, and make sure your blaster is powered up. It’s time to wreak havoc in the criminal underworld of Star Wars to establish yourself as the boss! Well, actually, you won’t be doing that… at all. For a game being set in the underbelly of society, the people here are for most of the time well-spoken, friendly, and forgiving. Sure, there will be the occasional betrayal, and people getting blasted for seemingly petty things. But the situation is not that dire to be honest, and besides, that’s not your objective anyway. Star Wars Outlaws plays it incredibly safe for walking into the territory of murders, corruption, and robberies; boringly so, even.

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