Recent reviews by Absolute Zero

Larian took everything that they've learned from making DOS2 and improved it tenfold here.
They didn't just make a Game of the Year,
they made a Game of the Decade.

Also any developer that embraces modding support and hands out tools for the community is a plus in my book.
Fantastic work Larian, can't wait for what you do next.

this game is ♥♥♥♥♥♥ LOOOOONG
but it's loaded with content, perhaps a bit too much imo.
At least it has Shinada.

I know the story in Y4 gets flak because "reasons", but overall gameplay wise it's a step up from Y3.
Great soundtrack too.
also ♥♥♥♥ you Tanimura, your final boss fight sucks ♥♥♥♥

This game will be the deciding factor whether you continue on with the Yakuza/LAD franchise, or drop it entirely.
it is a VERY slow burn in the first few chapters, and all the enemy AI seem to block almost every attack you throw at them (hence the nickname Blockuza 3).

Story and soundtrack make up for some of its faults, but just finish the main story and move on to Y4 if you can.
Don't bother 100% it cause you WILL have a hard time.

2nd game in the series to use RGG's new Dragon Engine (first one being Y6).
Combat feels alot different if you're used to Y0 and YK1, but you will most likely get the hang of it over time and as you progress your skills.
Story's the same as the original, with more enhanced visuals thanks to the Dragon Engine.
The soundtrack is just as good, if not better than the original with notable tracks like the final boss theme.

If you enjoyed Y0 and finished K1, picking this up is a no-brainer.

peak judgment
#kuwanadidnothingwrong

A sequel to the first Darksiders, and you play War's brother, Death.

Some key takeaways:
+ Combat is more refined and you can select through a vast array of weapon types for your secondary
+ You get access to Death's horse, Despair, at the very start of the game
+ The art direction is just as good, if not better than the first game
+ Death is a good character, might be even better than War
+ Jesper Kyd absolutely nails the soundtrack

+/- Good story, but ends on a cliffhanger
+/- The pseudo-open world areas are nice, but imo hamper the game's pacing
+/- The ARPG loot system might not be for everyone, and your inventory can get cluttered real quickly around mid-lategame

- You're only limited to selecting a total of 4 skills or tools from the quick select menu, instead of choosing 8 items, skills and tools from the first game
- You can only mantle onto specific platforms, instead of any ledge like the first game
- There is no sort, mark as junk or mark as favorite options in your inventory, and you are given a somewhat small inventory size for your weapons and no external stash to store them all
- A couple of performance issues and bugs, like the white pause screen bug (the public beta branch fixes most of these issues)
- Need to have Vsync on at all times if you're playing w/ a controller, otherwise it'll stop registering input if you exit out of menus

Still recommend it if you can overcome some of the issues.

And old hack-and-slash game that hold up really well and has a great artstyle.
The only downside imo is that the Stygian boss fight sucks.

I'm afraid it's been... 9 years.

The cultured patrician's Visual Novel.

Also Kenji is best girl.