Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways DLC Review - Go Your Own Way

Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PC
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom

Capcom released Resident Evil 4 remake earlier this year, and despite missing some of the original’s most memorable moments, it was a deserved critical hit. It’s a fantastic, updated reimaging of Leon’s original horrific adventure through an approximation of rural Spain. Separate Ways is represents a different remake, putting players in control of Ada Wong and reexamining the expansion initially added to the PlayStation 2 version of Resident Evil 4 in 2005. The DLC lets players see the story from a new perspective, fill in some narrative gaps, learn more about Ada and Wesker, and offers new mechanics. But it mostly functions as a reminder that the Resident Evil 4 remake is a very, very good video game.

For the most part, Separate Ways plays identically to the base game. Ada uses similar weapons to Leon, carries a comparable attaché case, and is, presumably, the merchant’s only other customer. She does, however, carry a grappling hook. Alongside looking cool in cutscenes, it also lets Ada reach certain vantage points and positions Leon can’t. It doubles as both a new, fun way to move around and explains why she’s able to move through the adventure in only about six hours when, theoretically, she has the same starting and finishing line as Leon.

The best part of the grappling hook, however, is its combat functionality. Ada is able to execute melee attacks on downed enemies from a distance and can even pull shields away with an optional upgrade. The grappling hook doesn’t change Resident Evil 4’s excellent combat dramatically, but flying through the air to kick an enemy as opposed to simply walking up to them is undeniably cooler.

 

The other exciting advantage of Separate Ways is it adds a few sequences from the original game that didn’t make it into the remake. The giant Salazar statue chase is sadly still missing, but without spoilers, seeing the few parts that didn’t make the cut the first time finally make an appearance is thrilling. If you’re a fan of the original game and were disappointed that not every moment was recreated, Separate Ways will make you especially happy.

The best thing about Separate Ways is having the opportunity to revisit the Resident Evil 4 remake again in shortened summary form. Some additions exist, like getting to see more of Ada dealing and working with Albert Wesker, which is only teased in the main game. Learning more about their relationship is fun for longtime Resident Evil fans, and I also enjoyed spending more time with Luis, who continues to be improved over his original characterization. Separate Ways isn’t wholly unique, however. Ada has many of the same combat scenarios as Leon, and while getting to see memorable moments from a new perspective is fun, it doesn’t reexamine the story or action in an impactful way. The DLC functions as a fun extension of the main game but isn’t one to play in lieu of the primary adventure. But any excuse to play more Resident Evil 4 remake is one I am eager to attach my grappling hook to and fly toward.

Watch us play the opening hour of Resident Evil 4 remake's Separate Ways DLC.

Score: 8.75

About Game Informer's review system

Purchase

Read More

Payday 3 Review - A Turbulent Yet Successful Heist

Reviewed on: PC
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Publisher: Deep Silver
Developer: Starbreeze Studios
Rating: Mature

The Payday series has always entertained using a mixture of competing gameplay mechanics. Going from an engaging yet sometimes confusing heist-based simulation to a chaotic Left 4 Dead-inspired shooter, each title presented a wildly shifting mission structure that encouraged cooperative play. Payday 3 doesn't reinvent the wheel, as it offers many of the same core concepts found in the previous games. That said, some smart design choices and its fresh coat of paint help elevate it above this popular series' previous iterations. 

At first glance, Payday 3 might seem identical to its predecessors, especially regarding the multi-phased heists. Most start with you gathering information while posing as a "civilian," noting where the guards and cameras are. If the alarms trip or you're caught doing something illegal, a new phase begins, and your objectives change; you'll need to corral hostages while taking an alternative route to securing the loot as the police make their way to your location. Essentially, this is when all the shooting starts.

This gameplay loop will certainly be familiar to fans. What makes Payday 3 stand out, however, is how it circumvents the series' long-held difficulty issues. The previous Payday games struggled with balancing their vague objectives with touchy sim-like mechanics, often causing frustration and confusion for new and seasoned players alike. In older titles, it was bad enough when you didn't know what to do or where to go at a given moment, but having to deal with overzealous NPCs, who are alerted to your presence even when you aren't breaking the law, makes things worse. Thankfully, Payday 3 addresses this problem in several ways, most notably removing the more convoluted aspects of its heists.   

 

Gone are the pre-planning elements, the needlessly intricate objectives, and cumbersome hostage management systems. In their place are streamlined features that make it easier for players to understand what they need to do and have a clear means of handling a given situation. Instead of needing to yell at bystanders to get them to cooperate, the NPCs now recognize you pointing a gun at them and automatically submit. A few button presses later, and they'll either be tied up, following you, or used as a human shield – a new mechanic that comes in handy during firefights. 

Thanks to your handler, there's no need for planning (beyond learning a location's layout via repetition). She often gives suggestions to help you navigate Payday 3's labyrinthine maps. If that isn't enough, on normal difficulty, you can pull up clues pointing you toward that pesky wall safe or bank manager's computer.

When it comes to Payday 3's mission objectives, there are still plenty of things to do for players looking to take a stealthy approach. While casing a joint, you're given optional tasks ranging from stealing key cards to gain access to a room housing a building's security systems to using UV lights to identify the real version of a priceless painting. All but one of the heists have multi-layered steps that must be completed to get away clean. The difference here is that the objectives are simplified; instead of building a piece of equipment using parts scattered about a map, you pick up the bag carrying the item and drop it in the required location.

Pulling off a tough job under a hail of gunfire is exhilarating. Even more so when the crime goes unnoticed, and a crew absconds with the loot without firing a shot – a feat that can be accomplished more readily in Payday 3 thanks to these essential gameplay tweaks. Not only that, but almost everything else about Payday has also been improved. From the leveling and vendor systems – used to obtain new weapons, mods, gear, skills, and cosmetics – to the voiceovers and visuals. Even the bots have improved; they won't complete objectives but will drop supplies and enemies in a quick fashion. 

There are some rough edges to contend with. The various Cop/SWAT variants aren't always the smartest, the game has its share of bugs, and there aren't as many options for weapons early on. You get a decent long-ranged rifle early on (that you can eventually upgrade with a scope), but for a real bolt-action sniper rifle, you must wait until you hit level 43. Considering that after more than 10 hours of play and several successful heists, I could only reach level 24, reaching that prized rifle could take some time to accomplish. Still, none of these issues should prevent fans and newcomers from checking out Payday 3 once the early server issues are fully addressed; several updates have landed since launch, allowing folks to rejoin the action regularly. 

Payday 3's eight heists are as challenging as they are entertaining; the inevitable shootouts with the cops are frantic and fun, and the redefined objectives will make onboarding newer players easier than ever. At long last, Payday has become the Ocean's Eleven/Point Break hybrid its fans have always wanted it to be.

Score: 8

About Game Informer's review system

Purchase

Read More

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review – So Long Night City

<p><img src="https://ift.tt/1I6XaZ3" width="800" height="450" alt="Game Informer Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Review" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p>

Reviewed on: Xbox Series X/S
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Publisher: CD Projekt
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Rating: Mature

<p>Since its disastrous launch in 2020, developer CD Projekt Red has delivered critical updates to Cyberpunk 2077 to align it more closely to the original vision, but Phantom Liberty, coupled with the free Update 2.0, is its biggest yet. This new expansion trades in the high-octane mercenary vibes of Cyberpunk 2077 for a more subdued spy thriller, and offers a well-made trove of new ways to experience Night City. The expansion features a great cast of personalities, all well-performed, even if some are underused. Interacting with those characters across new gigs and jobs in the added Dogtown district is good fun throughout. A few twists and turns, narratively and mechanically, make Phantom Liberty feel unique within the broader swath of stories to experience in Cyberpunk 2077.</p> <p>Despite all that, the new ending to V's journey added by Phantom Liberty steals the show, distilling the essence of the cyberpunk sci-fi genre into an emotionally charged message of what it means to exist in this dystopia. </p> <p>After Rosalind Myers, president of the New United States of America, crash lands in Night City's Dogtown, V is contacted by netrunner Songbird to save her. Doing so won't be easy as Dogtown is controlled by Kurt Hansen, a former NUSA colonel with ties to Myers and her operation, and his private army. And that's why Myers asks you to get the help of Solomon Reed, a former NUSA spy played by Idris Elba. Given their history, the connection between Reed and Myers, their knowledge of Hansen, and a few other characters introduced in Phantom Liberty, it doesn't take long for the expansion's spy web to be spun. </p> <section class='type:slideshow'><figure><img src='https://ift.tt/Yma6P2U src='https://ift.tt/aerZDJo src='https://ift.tt/RZs1Vuc src='https://ift.tt/iyjZNB3 src='https://ift.tt/iZgrC95 src='https://ift.tt/zAETMS0 src='https://ift.tt/w8rC0Gt src='https://ift.tt/Kz9eRUh src='https://ift.tt/cjdg2fP src='https://ift.tt/tkngzep src='https://ift.tt/hamdpfU>   <p>This web brings the twists, turns, and surprises I expected out of a spy thriller, and while I was rarely caught completely off guard, I still enjoyed following its various paths. But the enjoyment I got out of Phantom Liberty's narrative was less about the actual beats and more about how they turned Cyberpunk 2077's gameplay on its head. Phantom Liberty doesn't force any gameplay approach on you, but it heavily nudges you into stealth and reinforces that with various new weapons and mechanics. </p> <p>I loved relying primarily on a silenced pistol to weave in and out of cover and enemy sightlines. And I loved secretly interrogating subjects so I could then become them using special masking technology even more. Phantom Liberty succeeds most when it fully embraces the "spy" part of its pitch. </p> <p>The spy aspect lends itself well to the roleplay of Phantom Liberty, too. While the few setpiece shootouts are memorable, I'll remember most fondly the time I spent analyzing a target's personality while playing roulette, guiding Reed through an enemy-infested hideout through the lens of a sniper, and sneaking into an airport. </p> <img src="https://ift.tt/nAVIh7e" typeof="foaf:Image" alt="" class="image-style-body-default" /> <p>Outside my spy escapades, I enjoyed Phantom Liberty's new gigs and jobs, whether securing airdropped packages filled with valuable loot, delivering a car across town, or engaging with Night City's eccentric residents throughout various side missions. That all of this, and most of the main story, is housed within the new Dogtown district, which mixes Vegas-esque cheap luxury with vertical slums, is another plus. </p> <section class='type:slideshow'><figure><img src='https://ift.tt/Hq0aCzt src='https://ift.tt/C5xu9RH src='https://ift.tt/UZ2Xtma src='https://ift.tt/vec4jD7 src='https://ift.tt/8xVMfqW src='https://ift.tt/d7XZK4D src='https://ift.tt/nqypCAh src='https://ift.tt/IiHSpqR src='https://ift.tt/GOl2Ufn src='https://ift.tt/KdJSZoI src='https://ift.tt/ckVUq0H src='https://ift.tt/HeMb4vo src='https://ift.tt/8XcGH43 src='https://ift.tt/IYB1joE>   <p>A few instances of artificial padding, like waiting a day for Reed to call V, sometimes threatened the otherwise exciting and tense pace of Phantom Liberty, but it admittedly pushed me to explore more of the expansion's side offerings (and that was probably the point). By the time I rolled credits, it felt like I had just experienced a new <em>007</em> or <em>Mission: Impossible</em> movie starring V. </p> <p>The highlight of my time with Phantom Liberty, however, arrived as a new extended ending to V's narrative in Cyberpunk 2077. Getting to this ending forced me to take Phantom Liberty's story in a direction I didn't like, but what awaited me was worth it and then some, packing an excellent narrative punch to the story of this expansion and the base game. The new ending is reflective, heartfelt and heartbreaking, and an excellent distillation of why the cyberpunk genre exists in the first place.</p> <section class='type:slideshow'><figure><img src='https://ift.tt/Fj91XzK src='https://ift.tt/WCiTJlV src='https://ift.tt/WNk8EGA src='https://ift.tt/FnLkNs4 src='https://ift.tt/qtTEjNl>   <p>Phantom Liberty succeeds as another 20 hours of great adventure in Night City and, coupled with Cyberpunk 2077’s new Update 2.0, a culmination of three years of hard work. It makes a strong case for a return to Night City for experienced mercs and rolls out the red carpet for CDPR to showcase to newcomers all it's done to improve Cyberpunk 2077. From a disastrous launch in 2020 to now, CDPR has finally made good on the promise of this futuristic, dystopian RPG. While Phantom Liberty doesn't stand head and shoulders above the rest of the Cyberpunk package, it slots in nicely, like a preem piece of cyberware you’ve been waiting to be in stock.</p> Update 2.0 is a free update for current-gen consoles and PC that includes revamped cyberware, redesigned skill trees and perks, combat and vehicle improvements, new radio stations, and more. It's separate from the paid Phantom Liberty expansion, which features the new spy thriller story, Dogtown, more than 100 new weapons, cars, cyberware, and fashion pieces, and an increased level cap, amongst other things. Because both are on current-gen and PC consoles only, I found performance to be mostly great, with a few frame rate hiccups here and there. Overall, Update 2.0 is an impressive rework of a three-year-old game and couples perfectly with Phantom Liberty.

Score: 8.5

About Game Informer's review system

Purchase

Read More