Dragon Age II

I never played the first one. They said that the first Dragon Age rocked hard because of its innovative gameplay and most importantly, it was created by Bioware. So, I took the liberty to try Dragon Age II. It was fun at first, yes. But as the game progresses, no matter how the story goes, it's like doing the same thing over and over again. Same maps. Same people. Same quest pattern. Same shit, different day. Additionally, it's an ordinary hack-n-slash game even if I played as a magician. Oh, and the items were so generic. I can't stand it, honestly.

But then again, if you love role-playing games, you might try this one. For over 30 long hours of gaming time, Dragon Age II deliveres the fun and excitement that Japanese RPGs cannot. After all, you can slay dragons in this game. Yep, a fire-breathing one.

Bioshock 2

Bioshock 2 is just wow! After finishing the game last night, I'm still mesmerized by that tear-jerker ending in which I almost clapped my hands for about ten minutes, inclusive of the credits. Set for nearly a decade after the events of the first Bioshock game, players now experience the role of Rapture's all-powering behemoth -- Big Daddy. With Andrew Ryan and Frank Fontaine dead, the underwater utopian city is now under the leadership of a clinical psychiatrist named Sofia Lamb whose primary objective is to use Ryan's idea to establish a being that is selfless and has no free will. A medium that will contain all Rapture's ideas and memories. This being (which is in fact Lamb's only daughter and the first little sister) helps Subject Delta (the game's protagonist) by way of mental contact to find the former's body and be reunited with the bond that's between them: a parent and a child.

The game is highly controversial and philosophically tackles the nature of a human's heart. I personally love the sequel's atmosphere even though the fright that was present in the first game diminished by a little. The characters are also unforgettable additional  to its gripping story. New weapons are also present especially the drill that would help you a lot in difficult situations. Full upgrade of the drill with four or five tonics and you'll have this monster strength that can kill splicers instantly. Yes, instantly. Speaking of the common enemies called splicers, 2K Games introduced three new monsters namely Alpha Series (first version of Big Daddies), Brute Splicers, and Big Sisters. These enemies will try to immobilize Delta as he traverse Rapture and fight not only for his survival but also for the first utopian.

Portal 2

Deny the laws of science with Portal 2! With immense amount of puzzles that could let you think for a moment, the game is pretty ingenious and innovative that no other puzzle games in the industry can compete. (That's a tiger-out-of-the-cage remark!) Using one's wits and analysis, Portal 2 takes players into a wild ride that makes them realized that nothing is impossible with science. Needless for me to say but science is my favorite subject back in basic education. LOL!

Portal 2 begins after years of what have had happened back in the first game. The facility of Aperture Science where they conduct tests for all detainees has changed. By pairing up with a personality core (or should I say robot) named Wheatley, Chell (the game's protagonist) followed Wheatley as they try to escape the Aperture Science. As they go on their way to freedom, they accidentally passed the "somewhat-somehow" remains Aperture's cruel AI, GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Direct Operating System) which her primary motive is to exact revenge for Chell who murdered her from the previous game. With the help of Wheatley and a Portal Gun, Chell must complete countless of test chambers given by GLaDOS in order to get close to GLaDOS's main chamber and instilling Wheatley to be the lead AI of Aperture.

Unfortunately for me, I did not manage to play the first one because it's only for the PC. How much a PC costs is one of the many reasons why. Second is that I'm still studying back then (it was 2007 and I was like second year in college). But, of course, I do know the game itself. You know, series of puzzles that I should take and all? Yep sir, that's the one. The thing that interested me since then is the Portal Gun itself. It's like you're leaping through the impossible with that kind of thing. The good news is, Portal 2 was ported to game consoles and I realized that dream of "leaping". Portal 2 is absolutely superb in everything -- story, gameplay, innovation, and even BGMs (especiall the end-credit song). With various twists and plots, Valve's got my two thumbs up for their addicting game that lets you not only thinking with portals but ultimately, being with portals.

I gave it a perfect score! No doubt about that! I hope Valve would make another one. :)