Battlefield returns to form with BF6. Having a AAA title that runs great with few bugs right out the gate is refreshing. I am having a blast on the engineer, the most fun I've had since BF3. Bad Company 2 has been a longstanding favorite of mine, followed closely by BF3 and so far this looks to be a challenger for that top spot. The game is a little grindy for weapon unlocks and I'm not the biggest fan of some of the challenges. Notably the required "painting" by recon to get challenge credit as an engi as well as just the sheer number of air assists and kills you need for one of the specialist challenges (50) are a bit much. While terrorizing air is always fun, I feel like I'm not being very productive nor helpful to my team while chasing this challenge (would probably be fine if it were halved to 25). But, despite the critiques, I am having the most fun I've had in a BF game in a long time. Definitely recommend.

It's rare a game can pull me in the way this game has and it takes quite a bit for me to be compelled to even write a review. Having tried PoE in the past, I just couldn't get into it, but this has been totally different. I've mainly played the Diablo series for ARPG's, especially of this style, and they seemed to get more disappointing with each iteration, I just couldn't get into D4 at all.

The graphics in PoE2 are fantastic, music, top notch and the gameplay is fun and unique throughout. Boss fights offer a genuine challenge, which can take a few attempts to master, but aren't so tough they're infuriating. I never thought I would like the WASD option for control, as I've always point-clicked, but I figured I'd give it a go and was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to pick up and welcomed the ability to strafe while fighting. I thought since PoE was notorious for complexity, this may be a bit of a tall ask as far as classes and skills are concerned, but so far, going in blind, I have been able to make competent "builds" for the couple classes I have tried and I am not struggling to progress. I will say that there could be better explanations for all things item and skill related (that being said, I do appreciate the video preview of skills), but this is still early access, so that can always be added at a later time. Overall barrier to entry, seems relatively easy. I'm sure there are already guides and if not there certainly will be for those that prefer a cookie cutter from the get.

As far as the story, setting and environments go, they too are fantastic. While I'm not one that hangs on every word of storytelling in games, PoE2 is interesting enough to follow along and to me struck the right balance of being able to get the gist of the story without having to listen to hours of dialogue. The setting is great and very Diablo-esque, which has always been one I've loved as much as high fantasy. The environments pull you in, they are interesting to explore and very diversified. All this is assisted by the high resolution textures and crisp lines with very respectable lighting and shadow effects. I'm not usually one that cares about graphics, especially in an isometric style game, but in this, they're notable.

While I cannot comment on the end game of PoE2, because I haven't seen it yet, the biggest hurdle for this style of ARPG is probably overcoming a repetitive end-game; or even having one at all. While I personally did not mind the grindy nature of Diablo 2 and 3, I realize a lot of people don't want to grind endlessly for gear to just do all the same things again, but a bit harder. I am pretty confident however, that since they seemed to nail most everything else, GGG will figure it out!

All this for a measly ask of $30! Looking at you Blizzard with your $70-100 games with $50 expansions along with season passes...