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Reviews
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
A Special Action Movie
This is one of my favorite movies of all time for good reason. It started the trend of huge explosives, cheesy one-liners and the macho main protagonist that would plague many action movies in the future.
However, what makes this action movie so special is the character development, more particularly Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance as the terminator and Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor. The T-800 thanks to the help of protectee John Connor, is learning how to have human feelings such as having a sense of humor, questions human emotions, and even smile. Yet, under all that cybernetic exoskeleton the T-800 shows a lot of morality and compassion especially at the end of the movie which is a tearjerker. As for Sarah Connor, she began as a person who reluctantly relied on herself and scared of the T-800's capabilities, turned into a team player, and trustful towards the T-800.
This movie is the template of which many action movies should aspire to be. It needs to not only has big explosions and cheesy one liners, it also needs heart and that's what makes Terminator 2 a special action movie.
Tony Hawk's Underground (2003)
The Franchise's Peak
Out of all the gorgeous games that come out in video games, the game that I cherish as my all time favorite video game is Tony Hawk's Underground. It's an odd game for anyone to name as their all time favorite, but here is my reasoning for why that is.
The biggest thing that makes this game replayable is the amount of things you can create. Underground 2 is nothing compared to this game as you can not only create a character, and a park, but you can create your own tricks, and your own skateboard. Like GTA: San Andreas, it goes beyond customization and reached the pinnacle of creativity for any player to enjoy this game.
The game is known for having the first story mode in the franchise and the story is really good. As you go from a local skateboarder to a Pro skating hero. The only flaw I have with the game is the driving mechanic, it's still clunky especially when your turning. However, the mechanics adding is the ability to get off your board. This was a huge deal in the franchise as it adds more realism, and easier places to go without having to bump into places while riding.
The soundtrack is phenomenal and contains the biggest catalog in the Franchise's history. Normally, I don't like hip hop music, but the music here is so catchy and welcoming. It contains not just punk and hip hop, but also metal and rock which is always a plus. It's always enjoyable to play the game while listening to busdriver or rise against in the background.
Tony Hawks Underground is one of the best PS2 games of all time and no matter how dated the graphics are, and how clunky some of the driving can be this game will always be one of the greatest games I've ever played. This is the defining Tony Hawk game and represents everything the franchise stands for and improved on. Unfortunately, after this game it never reached that level of success again.
Red Dead Redemption II (2018)
Divine, Powerful Experience
For the past 7 years I have always say that Red Dead Redemption is the greatest video game of the 2010s. It had stunning graphics, great characters and controls, and overall one of the greatest storylines in video game history. So it was understandable that Red Dead Redemption 2 was among my highest anticipated games of 2018. The result? It managed to overshadow it's predecessor.
I mean wow! This game was amazing. A strong achievement in modern video games, proving further that Rockstar Games is a video game juggernaut from it's single player and online gaming experience. The graphics are some of the greatest and most stunning views of my life. The map is big and has deserts, snowy mountains, bayous, forests, and great plains. The gaming mechanics are incredible with a role playing feel, and some improved and added customizations. There's literally a lot to do in the game from side quests, collectables, activities, and endless amount of fun/creepy Easter eggs.
What really plays a huge impact on the game's experience is it's single player. It's not only better than the first, but it's a powerful, compelling, and tear-jerking experience that tells the downfall of the van der linde gang. It contains one of the greatest and tragic main character stories of all time along with a main antagonist you love to hate. Like the first Red Dead Redemption, it has moments in the game where it gives stunning experience with the Majesty of Song where it can leave a better experience for the player.
Like GTA online during it's mid-years, it also has a phenomenal online gaming experience. Great customizations, and activities/matchups that are endlessly run and competitive.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a triumphant experience. It's a game so good that it made me laugh, cry, and feel in awe with it's world and story. This is easily a contender as not just the best video game of 2018, but the greatest video game of the decade. It's a game that needs to be played throughout despite it's long story.
Silent Hill 2 (2001)
A Horror Game for the Ages
For a game released in 2001, Silent Hill 2 is one of the earliest video games to have a thought-provoking, complex, and emotional story. I've played this game more times than any other game to the point where I longer feel scared of it. When I first played it, it was definitely terrifying having monsters that have a tragic symbolism relating to the playable character and his late wife.
The game not only looks good to this day, but it's controls never aged badly. It's riddles are complex and it's difficulty can be challenging. The music is also the heart of the game with Akira Yamaoka composing the entirety of the game's soundtrack.
To this day, I can play this game without getting bored of playing. It's not just one of my favorite video games on the PS2, but one of the greatest games I ever played. Silent Hill 2 is also the most important game in video game history that brought the survival horror genre to the mainstream. Many other horror gaming franchises look to this game as an inspiration and it's no doubt that this game will become timeless for years to come.