Tag: Review

Discover GameBuster: Antwerp’s Retro Gaming Treasure

If you’re a retro game collector passing through Antwerp, there’s one spot you absolutely shouldn’t miss: GameBuster. Nestled in the Theaterbuurt district at Bervoetstraat 40, this unassuming shop is a hidden gem for anyone with a passion for classic titles and gaming nostalgia. As it wasn’t my first visit there, I wanted to do a small review for the shop.

First Impressions

GameBuster doesn’t rely on flashy marketing or a sleek online presence — in fact, it has no official website or webshop, at least I couldn’t find it. You’ll find it listed on local directories like apen.be and cylex-belgie.be, but the real experience begins when you walk through the door. I leave the google maps adress here: Google Maps

The store has a distinctly retro atmosphere: shelves packed with games, consoles, and accessories from decades past and not only that, it has also a lot of DVDs and music CDs / LPs, with just enough clutter to make browsing feel like a treasure hunt. It’s the kind of place where every corner might hide a rare find. The owner is friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the hobby — and the pricing is refreshingly fair, especially considering the rarities on offer.

What’s in the Collection?

GameBuster’s selection spans multiple generations, from SNES to PS4. During my visit, I picked up five standout games that any collector would be proud to own and they were still missing in my collection:

  • EverQuest – Online Adventures (PS2)
    A pioneering MMORPG for consoles, this title is a fascinating snapshot of early online gaming on the PlayStation 2.
  • Tomb Raider – The Angel of Darkness (PS2)
    A darker, more narrative-driven entry in the Tomb Raider series. Though divisive at launch, it’s a unique chapter in Lara Croft’s legacy.
  • Tales of Eternia (PSP)
    Known as Tales of Destiny II in some regions, this JRPG combines charming anime visuals with a classic action battle system — a must-have for fans of the Tales franchise.
  • Grandia (PSX)
    A beloved PlayStation-era RPG, celebrated for its innovative combat, heartfelt story, and enduring charm.
  • The Legend of Heroes – Trails in the Sky (PSP)
    The beginning of a legendary saga. Deep storytelling, rich world-building, and memorable characters make this a cornerstone of narrative-driven RPGs.

Final Verdict

GameBuster is more than just a retro game store — it’s a nostalgic experience. Whether you’re hunting for a specific title or simply enjoy browsing shelves filled with gaming, movie or music history, this shop delivers. The combination of fair pricing, a welcoming atmosphere, and a well-curated selection makes it a must-visit for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Rating: ★★★★☆
Pros: Great selection, fair prices, friendly owner, authentic retro vibe
Cons: No online shop, limited visibility

If you’re in Antwerp and your heart beats for classic games, movies or music, make sure to stop by GameBuster. You might just walk out with a piece of history under your arm.

GOG.com – The Unsung Hero of Game Preservation

Let’s face it: in gaming, everything moves fast. New consoles, photorealistic graphics, massive online worlds—it’s easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest. But what about the games we grew up with? The ones that shaped us, challenged us, and made us fall in love with gaming in the first place?

Well, while most of the industry charges ahead, there’s one platform quietly doing something incredibly important: GOG.com is saving old games from being forgotten.

🎮 What Is GOG.com?

GOG stands for “Good Old Games,” and that’s exactly what it started out offering—classics from the golden age of PC gaming, all fixed up to run smoothly on modern computers. But over time, GOG became more than just a nostalgia machine. Today, it’s one of the few platforms truly committed to game preservation.

And here’s the kicker: all their games are DRM-free. That means no annoying launchers, no always-online nonsense. You buy it? It’s yours. Forever.

🛠️ Bringing the Dead Back to Life (Digitally Speaking)

A lot of games from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s just… stopped working. Newer operating systems broke them. Publishers vanished. CDs got scratched. But instead of letting those titles disappear into the void, GOG steps in and revives them.

We’re talking about:

  • Restoring compatibility for modern Windows, macOS, and even Linux
  • Using tools like DOSBox and ScummVM to emulate old systems
  • Fixing bugs and adding support for higher resolutions
  • Including cool extras like manuals, soundtracks, and wallpapers

Games like Blade Runner (1997), Diablo, Theme Hospital, Planescape: Torment—they’re all alive again thanks to GOG. It’s like digital archaeology… but way more fun.

🧩 Why Game Preservation Actually Matters

Imagine trying to watch a movie from the ‘80s, but you need a TV from that decade, a VHS player, and a remote that doesn’t exist anymore. That’s gaming without platforms like GOG.

Games are art, they’re culture, and they’re history. But unlike books or films, games are deeply tied to specific hardware, software, and protections. If no one preserves them, they’re gone. Forever.

GOG is one of the few places that takes that responsibility seriously. They make sure future generations can experience the same magic we did—with less hassle and more heart.

🔓 You Own It. Really.

We live in a world where you “buy” a game, but still need an internet connection, a launcher, or someone else’s permission to play it. GOG said: nah.

Everything on GOG is DRM-free. You download it, you back it up, and you play it wherever and whenever you want. Even offline. Even in 10 years. It’s gaming on your terms.

🌟 Not Just Old Games

Yes, GOG is best known for retro gems—but they also have modern indie hits, a carefully curated selection of newer titles, and even some AAA games. What makes GOG different is that it doesn’t try to be a giant digital warehouse. It feels more like a handpicked collection, where every game has earned its spot.

🌍 A Passionate Community

The GOG community is part of what makes it special. People share fixes, patches, mods, and recommendations. They help each other get old games running or find hidden gems. It feels less like a store and more like a digital club of game lovers who care about preserving something special.

🚀 Why GOG Matters More Than Ever

Today, physical game copies are vanishing, online requirements are everywhere, and platforms are shutting down left and right. If no one takes care of older games, they disappear. And once they’re gone, they’re really gone.

GOG is one of the few holding the line—restoring what’s been lost, preserving what’s at risk, and reminding us that some games never go out of style.

So the next time you’re feeling nostalgic, or just want to support something meaningful in the gaming world, check out GOG. You might just find an old favorite—or discover something new with a soul.

Review: Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition

Das Spiel wurde am 7. April auf Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One & Steam vom Publisher Square Enix veröffentlicht. Derzeit ist es nur digital verfügbar, allerdings auf Seiten wie play-asia.com kann man es als Retailversion für die Switch ergattern.
Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition ist ein Remaster des 1999 erschienenen Chrono Cross für die PlayStation. Allerdings beinhaltet diese Version noch das zusätzliche Spiel Radical Dreamers, welches auch eine Neuauflage der textbasierten Version aus dem Jahre 1996 für das SNES-System. In diesem Artikel gehe ich aber näher auf das Hauptspiel ein, da ich dieses jetzt schon sehr viele Stunden gespielt habe und einiges zu berichten habe.

Grafik & Musik:

Eins Vorab weg, man hat die Möglichkeit zwischen der PS-Version und der Remasterversion zu wechseln was die Grafik und Musik angeht. Musikalisch gesehen, ist es wieder ein Ohrenschmaus was Square Enix uns da abgeliefert hat. Alle Stücke wurden extra neu aufgenommen. Grafisch gesehen, hätte es aber eine Schippe mehr sein können. Die bessere Modelle und Effekte sind eine Sache, allerdings sind die gerenderten Filmsequenzen doch sehr im 99er Stile hängen geblieben und auch die Kämpfe sind teilweise sehr laggy da die Framerate nicht stabil bleibt. Hier hätte es trotzdem ein wenig mehr sein dürfen. Die Remaster der Final Fantasy-Teile haben das durchaus besser hinbekommen.

Story:

Die Story handelt von unserem Protagonisten Serge der in einer Karibischen Region names El Nido lebt. Durch merkwürdige Umstände wird dieser durch einen Zeitstrudel in eine Parallelwelt seiner Welt gebracht. Auf der Reise zur Aufklärung dieser Zeitereignisse und was das Schicksal für ihn bereit behält, reist man durch den Archipel und quer durch die Zeit in der man auch eine Menge an spielbaren Charakteren freischalten kann. Ohne zu viel zu spoilern, wie der Name des Titels schon verrät, man schlägt auch Story technisch eine Brücke zum SNES-Vorgänger Chrono Trigger und das nicht nur durch unzählige Easter Eggs.

Gameplay:

Das Gameplay zeichnet sich hauptsächlich aus den rundenbasierten Kämpfen. Die Gegner laufen selbst herum und wenn man sie berührt, beginnt der Kampf, sprich man hat keine Zufallskämpfe und diese können auch vermieden werden. Mittels den Elementen die man findet oder kaufen kann werden hier Items und Zauber zu einem Elementen-System verbunden. Diese kann man den Charakteren anlegen um später im Kampf zu nutzen. Das Levelsystem ist allerdings ein wenig sonderbar. Es ist so gestaltet dass man eigentlich nie underleveled oder overleveled ist. Ausserdem gibt es noch ein paar Features dass man das Spieltempo höher/niedriger stellen kann, Autokämpfe oder gar Kampfboosts einschalten kann.

Fazit:

Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition ist ein tolles Remaster. Da ich leider nicht das Glück hatte, es damals schon zu spielen, kann ich hier auch keinen Vergleich ziehen, allerdings sei gesagt, den Charme der damaligen RPGs ist trotzdem erhalten geblieben. Fans der Final Fantasy-Reihe werden sich hier sofort zu Recht finden. Im großen Ganzen ist es ein sehr umfangreiches Spiel mit einer interessanten Geschichte und es gibt eine Menge in der Welt zu entdecken. Auch ist das Spiel darauf ausgelegt mehrfach durchgespielt zu werden da es mehrere Enden gibt. Ich kann das Spiel jedem Rollenspielfan nur ans Herz legen auch wenn es das Spielprinzip einer älteren Spielegeneration vertritt. Was ich mir allerdings persönlich gewünscht hätte, wären flüssigere Kämpfe und auch bessere skalierte Filmsequenzen.

Review: Ghost of Tsushima (PS4)

The game Ghost of Tsushima got released on the 17th July 2020 for the PS4 by Sucker Punch Productions.

At first, I didn’t know much about the game but I have read many good things about it. After watching a few videos about the game play I thought: ” Wow, an Assassins Creed in a Samurai Dress”. As I like Japan and also its culture I gave the game a chance. I bought it eventually on the release day.

Now, more or less two weeks later and a Platin trophy more in my collection, I want to give a small review about the game.

The story itself takes place on the Japanese island Tsushima which is located in the sea between the main land Japan and Corea. At the time of the samurai, Mongols tries to conquer Japan and here is where the tragic story of our protagonist and hero Jin Sakai begins.

One of the game major features is the Kurosawa Mode, a Cinema mode which should remind on old samurai movies from the movie producer Akira Kurosawa. This mode gives the game a black & white color filter, which I actually haven’t used once and I don’t really know why, lol!
Another feature is the photo mode, in which you can actually take astonishing pictures, which I actually only used once for a trophy.

Speaking of taking pictures, the Island is really beautiful and well designed. Many times, when I climbed on top of a mountain, I really enjoyed the panorama view. I think the graphics are not 100% on that level which we got promised but nevertheless they are still awesome!

Game play wise, I keep it short. As I said before, the game is quite Assassins Creed oriented. Dodging, parrying and counter attacking against a horde of Mongols is the main part of the fights. Or if you like to sneak, you can also do it ninja style, killing the enemy silently. The duels are actually nice, in which you have to study your enemy to take the right actions against him.
The leveling system in its core idea is nice but in the end you get your experiences as usual through battles and quests.

Conclusion

In the end I can say that Sucker Punch did a great job with this game, I had a lot of fun. But there were a few things which could have been improved. For example, the story. The story hasn’t really a depth and is quite straight forward and also the development of Jin’s allies is quite questioning.
Exploring the whole island was a pleasure. There are many spots to discover but not to many to get overwhelmed and the size of the island is also acceptable. It doesn’t feel like an endless world map.
Some battles can be sometimes painful, specially when the camera angle is on the wrong spot. The general difficulty for this game on normal mode is ok and shouldn’t be too frustrating for casual players.
Beside the few weak spots the games has, I still really enjoyed it. The beauty of the nature and the great OST are harmonious. And as a Japanese producer said: If you don’t know from where the game come from you will think it comes from an Japanese developer.
I can only agree with that!

How did you like the game? Have you already tried it out? Let me know!

Trailer:

Review – Razer Blade Stealth 13

Two weeks ago, I have bought a new ultrabook. At the time of the national lockdown I was considering to get a new mobile station but I wasn’t sure what to chose. I wanted actually a small high performance device, which should be capable of running games fluently and also handy transportation wise. So I did find the Blade Stealth 13 from Razer and after reading many tests and watching reviews on Youtube, I decided to get that little beauty. And so, here is my own small review!

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Look & Feeling

The ultrabook’s aluminium case is very well designed and manufactured. It resembles kinda a bit Apple’s Macbook Air. The back side has the company’s logo but different from other models, it is unfortunately not illuminated. That was actually a small disappointment for me because everyone wants something colorful and shiny, don’t you agree?

The mouse pad response also very well. The only thing I don’t like is the size of it. Its too big in my own opinion. Somehow I have the habit that my right hand touches it always when I have it near the keyboard. Speaking of the keyboard, it comes with a RGB lightning and with the software Razer Synapse you can manage your lights as you wish on the keyboard and also of course your other Razer hardware 😉 The only small negative thing I have to say about it, is the very small Shift key on the right side next to the arrow keys. I hit always the Up key instead of the Shift.

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Technical specifications

The specifications I have, are the following:

  • Intel Core i7 10th Gen Processor with 4 cores
  • 16GB RAM
  • NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 with 4GB GDDR5 VRAM
  • 512GB SSD Disk Drive

The device contains a dull full HD screen in small frame which guarantees a colorful display. Two fans on the bottom side regulate the heat. They are usually quite silent but here and there when the device thinks it has to do even such small works as doing downloading or installing, they can be a bit noisy. But it’s still in a green zone.
It comes also with a Thunderbolt 3, USB-C and USB-A connectors. Additional to that it includes a Windows Hello-Camera and of course Wifi.
Both speakers are on the left and right side of the keyboard and give a really good audio quality for their size.
The battery life varies. In idle mode, the Razer Blade Stealth lasted around 8 hours which is pretty average. If you are playing or doing intense works on it, the periode running on battery went down actually to the half, around 4 hours.

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Conclusion

Actually, overall I am pretty happy with the Razer Blade Stealth 13. It’s not the perfect ultrabook even if you can play pretty much everything on it. For longer journeys you still have to watch out for a power socket. The price is also pretty high and for that value, you can get easily other models, even when they have a 15″ size which are better. In the end, the quality of the product is outstanding but keep in mind, you can get better for less.

What experiences do you have with ultrabooks? When you also use a Razer Blade Stealth 13, tell me your experiences!

Kleine Review zu Ni no Kuni 2: Schicksal eines König

Rollenspiele für Konsolen begleiten mich schon seit jüngster Kindheit. Seit dem bin ich ein begeisterter Rollenspieler was Videospiele angeht, egal ob diese aus dem Westen oder aus dem asiatischen Teil der Erde kommen.

Deswegen kam ich auch hier nicht an Ni no Kuni 2: Schicksal eines König vorbei, welches für PS4 & PC erhältlich ist. Dieses Spiel stammt aus dem Hause Level-5 und wie der Name es schon sagt, ist es der Nachfolger des ersten Teils, welches im Jahre 2011 für PS3 erschien und sich storytechnisch Jahrhunderte später abspielt. Continue reading “Kleine Review zu Ni no Kuni 2: Schicksal eines König” →