Recent reviews by Guarano

I couldn't get enough of this game when it first came out. It scratched that tactical itch and provided an experience that essentially required communication and cooperation in order to best the other team. The game felt mostly balanced overall and had a good sense of progression.

So, what has changed? Now, multiple seasons have passed with new content being added. On the face, this is all great. On the flip side, the more weapons and operators added means that's more skins and baubles to unlock with the in-game currency that is (of course) slowly drip-fed to you after each game. In order to speed things up you obviously need to spend real money which I have never been a fan of, especially for a game I had to pay for. I don't like having resources stretched so thin that the majority of characters have little to no customization unless you play all the time or pay.

Monetization is not the only thing bothering me about this game, though. As more operators have released and the game has gained a wider audience, development has very clearly shifted in the direction of a fast-paced hero shooter akin to Overwatch, as opposed to the slower, more tactical emphasis that first existed for this game. Players sprint through the level and play in a spastic way that is completely antithetical to what you would expect from a tactics-based game.

This issue of authenticity is reflected visually also. Newer operators have funky colored hair, garishly-colored outfits, and other frankly ridiculous design choices. Unlockable outfits are often cartoonish or otherwise inappropriate for a realistic depiction of counter-terrorism operations. This will not bother everyone but I have always enjoyed how the Tom Clancy series tended to stay grounded and more based in reality and now it feels like a costume party. To be clear, more skins are good. But they can be done in a way that respects the game's original artistic direction and stays true to the source material.

Finally, there are constant issues with netcode, cheaters, and poor sportsmanship. Pretty par for the course but worth mentioning regardless.

In conclusion, if you are considering this game to scratch that itch for a smart, tactical shooter - look elsewhere. This game can be enjoyable if you know what you are getting into, but if you are expecting anything like a "traditional" Tom Clancy experience you are going to be disappointed.

This game used to be a lot of fun. But I can't speak for how it is now. Ever since they sold out to Epic I am unable to play the game - I refuse to install their launcher or support their service in any way. Now I am locked out of a game I paid for with the expectation I would not require a third party launcher. If I had known I never would have purchased this game.

I originally could not recommend this game due to the intrusive Denuvo Anti-Cheat software that was installed on players' computers with kernel-level privileges intrusively and without notification. Thankfully, this decision was reversed in response to public outcry so I can now review the game on its own merits, although the entire situation has left a bad taste in my mouth and does color my impression of the game overall.

I doubt I need to go into too much detail regarding the overall gameplay, seeing how similar it is compared to its predecessor. So I will focus on some of the main changes this iteration in the series has made and my impression of them. Chief among these is the addition of a light "resource management" mechanic that restricts the amount of consumables you can find lying around the world in exchange for a series of new combat moves. When used successfully these will produce a drop of the corresponding resource, and upgrade points can be used to upgrade them as you progress. I have mixed feelings about this personally. On one hand, it encourages the player to diversify their moveset and add a new level of challenge, while on the other it can be a lot to remember on top of everything else in an already-hectic game. Plus getting stuck between encounters with no ammo or low health can be punishing if you can't find any pickups, especially on higher difficulties.

Efforts to add variety to the gameplay have also been made, as you might expect. Overall I appreciated the way they did this. Platforming elements have been added with a simple yet challenging at times multi-jump and mid-air dash mechanic. They can be satisfying once you get the timing down and the sections seem to be just long enough that they break up the gameplay but don't overstay their welcome. The moves you obtain here really shine during crowded gunfights, where you can swing between poles raining down death on demons below.

One of the most controversial additions to this entry in the franchise is the new enemy, the Marauder. This demon has an impenetrable shield he can bring up at any time so a frontal assault is always a fruitless endeavor. As if that weren't enough, if you manage to accidentally hit his shield he promptly summons a ghost dog to attack you. This leaves the only way to effectively beat him being to bait him until he lowers his shield and hit him with a series of blasts from the game's most powerful weapons before he recovers. You can also hit him with splash damage from behind with explosives from behind, but this can be a tough strategy as he is charging you nearly constantly. Add to this that he has exceedingly high health so you have to repeat this process multiple times. People's opinions on this enemy are mixed, but I personally find it to feel very cheap, as well as completely bringing the series' signature smooth frantic gameplay to a grinding halt as you give it your complete and undivided attention. It just isn't fun and made me put off completing the game due to frustration.

All things being said, if you enjoyed DOOM 2016 you'll probably like this. As long as you're aware of the differences between the games the phenomenal gunplay is still a standout that gets your blood pumping like nothing else. However, this is all clouded by the multiple controversies surrounding the game (mainly the previously mentioned security risk), making this a very tentative recommendation from me. I still prefer the first game personally, but it's hard to complain about a continuation of a winning formula.

I can't recommend this game after what Take Two has done to try to kill the single player modding community, not to mention how everything is designed to force you to buy Shark Cards. Stay away