Sea of Thieves Sets Sail in 2024

Navigating Uncharted Water

At Sea of Thieves, you will witness something truly majestic that only a beloved game that has developers truly involved can offer. No ordinary pirate escapade exists here: put away those dusty treasure maps and forget linear quests as this game offers unparalleled freedom with untold adventures to be had across its vast expanses of the high seas in the latest Sea of Thieves, now for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S as well. Some may say that among its shimmering treasures of Sea of Thieves if you are patient and play with attention, may lie some pesky barnacles that might thwart your efforts because the game mixes reality and fantasy.

Stay on Your Toes, Mateys

In my mind, I can hear "Fear Not, Landlubbers!" It is truly an epic world, beautifully designed, with some improvement - incremental improvements - intended to delight treasure seekers and fans of pirate/adventure games. Probably a good reason to buy Sea of Thieves, even if you don't need to fret over what the young scallywags may encounter (and you will find many!) Sea of Thieves itself offers endless adventure. Indeed. And some fantasy. Also, plenty of humor. Set sail as soon as the wind whips through your (virtual) hair in pursuit of the perfect current, with the sun glittering off endless blue, offering beautiful sights and great adventure. Plus there are tons of buried booty waiting to be unwound because every island holds hidden stories about past expeditions, including shipwrecks that hold tantalizing secrets (that might yet be unwound), so don't hesitate - join!

Engaging in Swashbuckling Combat

Do you think this game may be for you? Ahoy there, fellow buccaneers (and I am not talking about Tampa Bay as I am a die-hard fan of the Packers). Allow me to regale you with tales of Sea of Thieves exciting combat that awaits on its decks and the shore - everywhere. Sea of Thieves makes in its 12 season (now) another small step forward, from mortal combat with skeletal scourges or competing crews for supremacy against each other when playing multiplayer (be it cannon blasts thundering away and blades clashing to create the cacophony of battle) every victory is hard-won and every conquest is celebrated triumphantly.

Sea of Thieves Revel in Rare's Humor

Sea of Thieves offers more than mere plunder and pillage (and it should because it has to keep players hooked for long). Admire its delightful doses of Rare's signature humor (developers) strewn throughout. From pirate punching consequences (to launch oneself from cannons with hilarious results!), Rare delights us with his playful sense of wit in every facet of its game world and in a way they remind us all that laughter truly can be one of life's finest rewards even on perilous seas!

The Verdict: A Rollicking Good Time, But Find Your Crew

Being a pirate isn't all sunshine and smooth sailing - here lies where things become increasingly arduous: when Grog (pirate lingo for Rum, you scurvy Bilge rats!) flows freely online as any good pub brawl does and things quickly escalate from there. The only issue I can think of is the price, especially if you buy cheap PS5 games. Although most interactions among buccaneers will probably involve pleasant cooperation (think shared loot and high-fives after defeating Krakens), there's always the risk of meeting an unpleasant character or two (that you should kick in the ass). As an inexperienced buccaneer setting sail for the first time, it may be wise to assemble a reliable crew - either your landlubber friends or those online who share in your love of fair winds and following pirate traditions (at least somewhat!).

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Dynamic Brawling

Like an amorous tourist savoring Mai Tais at a luau, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was like drinking from an exotic fruity cocktail: its initial allure mesmerized me. Stepping outside Japan for the first time felt liberating; its vibrant sights and activities promised endless adventure and entertainment; Yakuza side quests offered delicious morsels of fun as usual. Admittedly, when I heard Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was moving its action from Kamurocho to Hawaii my doubts intensified. Could the same series, famed for its gritty gangster stories, translate its magic to sunnier shores? Ichiban (our beloved former yakuza turned taxi driver) seemed somewhat disconnected from family connections as well as major crime syndicates; these observations only compounded my reservations further.

The narrative complexity may be a little concerning for new players...

But beneath its cheerful exterior lay Infinite Wealth's darker underbelly: Paradise harbored mysteries; Ichiban was joined by both the new cast and Kiryu of a series veteran to uncover them all together. If the cheerful cloth enveloping the game is what brings you here as a person who buys PS5 adventure games, you continue playing it for much more than that. Its narrative complexity did come at the cost of forgetfulness for some: story beats or character introductions could easily get lost among its many characters and threads, often reappearing later with no context attached; leaving me often perplexed and puzzled at what was going on around them.

The Hawaiian adventure is so fun that you cannot stop playing it...

Although my narrative stalled slightly, the job system from the previous game remains outstanding. Allowing for dynamic party compositions with each class perfectly fitting their team strategy; coupled with such diverse jobs as sushi chef or breakdancer; my Hawaiian adventure never felt monotonous or tedious! Ichiban Kasuga, our beloved human labrador, makes his return in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth with unshakeable optimism, weathering life's hurdles with unfaltering hopefulness. The entertaining gameplay is maybe one of the strong reasons to buy Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Together with Kazuma Kiryu who's more introverted due to recently receiving cancer diagnosis; together they embark upon new adventures under the Hawaiian sun with unique personalities providing both humor and emotional depth!

Combat is unexpected, immersive, and entertaining...

So while Infinite Wealth may occasionally falter with its narrative juggling act, its vibrant setting, diverse side activities, and ever-evolving combat system provide an experience both perplexing and exhilarating. Just make sure that when venturing to this tropical paradise you bring sunscreen, your fighting spirit, and lots of patience with you - as all three will come in handy as you navigate its sun-kissed beauty and shadowy secrets - so say aloha to prepare to be amazed!

Minigames are welcomed in the world of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth...

Minigames add depth and texture to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's world by showing glimpses into Ichiban's personality as well as interactions between him and others in his local community. I have to admit that I am not a fan of minigames but it seems to me here, they are at the right place. It's like having cheap PS5 games inside the game. You might laugh, challenge yourself, or bond with Ichiban through shared experiences - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's minigames offer something fun for all audiences so don't be shy; explore, experiment, and embrace all its joy!

The combat gets a refreshing upgrade...

But the main change lies within its combat system. While still keeping to its turn-based foundation, Infinite Wealth injects an unprecedented level of tactical fluidity that revolutionizes this classic game genre. Gone are rigid grid battles; now characters move freely across an arena while their attacks depend on proximity for an unpredictable and visceral experience of classic Yakuza brawls. Dodging, weaving, and unleashing devastating combos within battle feels like a thrilling dance; far removed from the static exchanges found in earlier titles. This new twist adds excitement and thrills to every encounter, moving it from being strategic to becoming a kinetic spectacle and leaving you breathless after every fight. While characters might seem familiar, their fighting styles provide a refreshing twist on classic Yakuza gameplay!

Remnant: From the Ashes: Another Ordinary Soulslike Game?

Remnant: From the Ashes is a different breath of Soulslike video game, a curious fusion of various elements, difficult to categorize, hard to play, however, very rewarding and beautiful. Humanity teeters on the brink. A monstrous evil known as The Root has spread chaos across Earth's landscape, changing landscapes irrevocably while unleashing terrifying creatures - only you remain standing as hope for humanity's salvation in an otherwise dying world. Remnant: From the Ashes thrusts you into this fight for survival against an increasingly dark universe: will darkness defeat or rise from its shadow to save this crumbled reality? Prepare to enter Remnant if you dare! Grab your gear, sharpen blades... and prepare to explore its remnants...if only you dare!

Story

Remnant: From the Ashes takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth that has been devastated and overrun by an interdimensional evil called the Root. Did I catch your attention? Then read further... The player is a wandering survivor of the apocalypse driven to put an end to the Root by traveling to a tower on an island that appears to be the epicenter of the invasion. Early in their journey, they are brought to Ward 13, an underground bunker where human survivors live. The player is tasked with finding Ward 13's founder, Ford, and explores the devastated Earth city before finding a portal to an interdimensional rift known as the Labyrinth, allowing them to travel between worlds in search of Ford.

Bosses, Visuals, and Sound

Remnant: From the Ashes is visually engaging, but its auditory experience often fails to deliver (at least according to my expectations). I do not mean by quality but by quantity. Due to limited musical compositions being available, despite being of superior quality, Remnant seems to miss something here. Enhancing an immersive journey would have included specific pieces for bosses on each planet - even just for environmental ambiance purposes - in addition to unique bosses for each boss battle. Through our travels, moments arise where we pause to soak in the sounds of birds and growls of adversaries; yet full immersion remains elusive. Perhaps more attention could have been paid here, however, on an optimistic note, both dialogues and cinematics flourish well with help from an impressive Spanish dubbing effort that consistently fulfills its role.

A Soulslike with its Individual Voice

Remnant: From the Ashes stands out in today's saturated gaming landscape by being a Soulslike game that does not follow in Dark Souls' footsteps without thought - it has its own interpretation and takes some liberties that make it unique. Buy Remnant: From the Ashes and you will quickly realize that it has its own individual voice! Imitations abound of its stage design, life-and-death mechanics, multiplayer dynamics, and enigmatic narrative, and still brings a lot to the concept from third-person shooter elements to a first-class role-playing system. Remnant: From the Ashes may initially seem similar - with its bonfires, Estus flasks, foreboding walls of fog, and morally dubious NPCs present; yet spending some time delving deeper reveals it is much more than you thought at the beginning of your journey...and it is what you think at the end that counts, isn't it? 

Conclusion

Remnant ranks high among my 2019's most pleasant surprises, having at that time dispelled any initial concerns over Souls-esque games and become my ideal game of choice, but even more importantly, Remnant: From the Ashes is still one of my favorite games that I wholeheartedly recommend, and this is astonishing considering that we have Remnant II as well. Consider that Remnant II came out in 2023, well after PlayStation 5 was here (2020), and Remnant: From the Ashes is a game published in 2019, one year before the PS5, a late PlayStation 4 video game. As a result, if you want to buy cheap PS5 games today, and you like Soulslike games or even have played Remnant II, consider getting Remnant: From the Ashes as well - it will be a great complement to Remnant II or an excellent adventure that will introduce you to the world of Remnant if you have no clue about either of them.