Free from PS store

Potential masterpiece buried in technical and design issues. This is the first time I've played a game and before finishing hoped that it would get a next-gen remaster to fix many of these technical issues. I appreciated the conceptual disobedience of the Trico AI, but in practice it was more frustrating than necessary. Ex: Trico returning the way you just came because of a slight misdirection, and waiting for 3-5 jumps before you can attempt to move forward again. Has incredibly imprecise platforming and collision detection, with hair-pulling sequences of edge-reaching and inconsistent combat. Pseudo-puzzles that are mostly figuring out how to platform through the environment, with plenty of obvious switches. Some puzzles were really just trouble with mechanics, and a guide was helpful to understand the design flaws. The boy is pretty powerless, feeling like you are controlling an average video game escort while the AI gets Trico as the real protagonist. I'd like to imagine what we might have if instead the player controlled Trico, being challenged to breach communication boundaries with our human companion to proceed. In any case, absolutely stunning environmental art and unbroken world-building. I took so many screenshots! Unfortunately on a PS4 slim system the framerates are all over the place, constantly slowing down to a stammer. The credits sequence was upsetting for this reason - through pre-recorded clips of the areas I played through it showed me what the game could have looked like with a stable framerate. Nearly didn't finish due to late-game frustration with a platforming section, but glad I did. The final tower ascent and boss battle were satisfying, even if significantly less of a challenge than Shadow of the Colossus.

Thoroughly mediocre, but perhaps groundbreaking upon release. Boring level design and aspirational environmental art limited by the original ps3's tech. Difficulty is completely based on how much damage you take and deal with poorly executed third-person gunplay and limited vehicular mechanics. Absent of challenge in the puzzles, and platforming is straightforward if imprecise. Replay value for some bonus reward unlockables that affect gameplay and aesthetics, but I doubt I'll ever replay. Concept art galleries are always a nice touch.

First WWII fps I've played since Medal of Honor Frontline, and would have never tried it if not for the PS Plus monthly freebie. Gameplay feels identical to memory - start on D-Day, work through villages/towns/cities. This one adds a few more recent design trends like quick-time events and scripted big guns/vehicular elements. Incredibly linear with old A>B level design, but the story doesn't justify it. All the Spielberg and war game tropes are here. I stopped playing after completing the second chapter. Difficult only in that you take a lot of damage against large waves of enemy, but the AI behavior isn't particularly interesting it's more of a bullet hell. The collectibles are a waste of time and add minimal fun facts to your menu screen. This is probably a well researched game in terms of recounting some real soldier experiences, but unfortunately that narrative is tired out and there's no new dimension here. Morality seems pretty one-note as well: Nazis bad! Duh! I do like the choice to penalize the player for shooting Nazis after they surrender. That "will not be tolerated" and you are pushed back to the previous checkpoint.