Vanquish

[Dreddz]

Did the game tell you that you played for 5 hours? Because it could be lying.

Yep. Why and how would it lie exactly?

Also, Shinji Mikami works for Zenimax now, the parent company of Bethesda (Elder Scrolls etc.). So might want to keep a look out in that direction too.

Yeah, I heard about that. I have faith in Platinum Games to be able to continue the series with Mikami. I will also follow Mikami wherever he goes, cause I'm just that obsessed with the guy.

Looking back on Vanquish there are a few other things that stick out to me. For one its one of the few action games that hasn't been diluted with puzzles and side-plots. It is strictly focused on the action all the time. They didn't spread themselves too thin and just made sure that the core gameplay was solid. Its this type of direction that generally gets looked down upon by reviewers as every game has to have variety. Its nice that Platinum Games didn't give into this pressure (except for one moment where your silently taking down search lights, which by the way was easily the weakest part of the entire game) and simply got to make the game that they wanted to make. Theres also an upgrade system but its so streamlined that you never have to go into a menu once. Nice.

Also want to show some love for Sam Gideon who is one of the best protagonists I've played in an action game. They don't try too hard to turn him into a badass (Macus Fenix) or a smart ass (Nathan Drake). He has values but doesn't come across as preachy as Solid Snake. He was a nice mixture of character traits and never once annoyed me.