Sea of Thieves offers a thrilling and immersive pirate adventure that encourages players to carve out their own stories on the high seas. With a rich lore and a dynamic, player-driven experience, this game provides countless hours of entertainment and exploration. Despite some minor setbacks, it stands out as a unique and captivating title in the open-world genre.

Story and Lore: 10/10
One of Sea of Thieves' strongest aspects is its deep and engaging lore. The world is brimming with tales of legendary pirates, ancient curses, and hidden treasures, all waiting to be discovered by intrepid players. The game doesn't follow a traditional narrative structure; instead, it empowers players to create their own stories through their actions and interactions. This sandbox approach allows for a highly personalized and memorable experience, where every voyage can lead to new adventures and unexpected encounters.

Gameplay and Mechanics: 9/10
The gameplay in Sea of Thieves is both exhilarating and diverse. Players can embark on various quests, including treasure hunts, skeleton battles, and merchant missions, or simply explore the vast ocean in search of uncharted islands and sunken ships. The cooperative multiplayer aspect is where the game truly shines, as teamwork and communication are essential for success. Navigating a ship, managing resources, and engaging in naval combat require coordination and strategy, making each crew member's role vital.

However, the game's anti-cheat system is a notable drawback. The current implementation is less effective than it should be, occasionally allowing disruptive players to tarnish the experience. This issue, though frustrating, doesn't overshadow the overall enjoyment but does prevent the game from achieving a perfect score.

Graphics and Design: 9/10
Sea of Thieves is visually stunning, with a vibrant and colorful art style that brings the pirate world to life. The water physics and weather effects are particularly impressive, creating a realistic and immersive maritime environment. Each island is meticulously designed, offering unique landscapes and hidden secrets to uncover. The attention to detail in the game's aesthetic contributes significantly to the sense of adventure and discovery.

Sound and Music: 10/10
The sound design in Sea of Thieves is exceptional. The music, composed by Robin Beanland, perfectly captures the swashbuckling spirit of pirate life, enhancing the atmosphere during both calm voyages and intense battles. The ambient sounds of the ocean, creaking ships, and distant thunderstorms add layers of immersion, making players feel truly part of the world. Voice acting and character interactions are well-executed, further enriching the narrative experience.

Replayability and Content: 9/10
Sea of Thieves offers immense replayability, thanks to its open-ended nature and regular content updates. The game continuously evolves, with new quests, events, and features being added to keep the experience fresh and engaging. The community-driven content and emergent gameplay ensure that no two sessions are alike, providing endless opportunities for adventure and camaraderie.

Conclusion:
Sea of Thieves is a masterful blend of open-world exploration, cooperative gameplay, and rich lore. It excels in creating a living, breathing pirate world where players can forge their own destinies and share unforgettable experiences with their crew. While the anti-cheat system needs improvement, it doesn't significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. For those who dream of a life on the high seas, filled with adventure, mystery, and camaraderie, Sea of Thieves is an absolute treasure.

Sidenote: Seeing as this is the one and only game I have 1000 hours+ in on steam, it really speaks to the quality for the game.

Score: 95/100

Fallout: New Vegas is a standout RPG/FPS hybrid that has earned a reputation as one of the most beloved entries in the Fallout series. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, it combines deep role-playing mechanics with an engaging post-apocalyptic world. The addition of mods enhances the experience, making it a must-have for fans of the genre.

Gameplay and Mechanics: 9/10
Fallout: New Vegas excels in its blend of RPG elements and FPS mechanics. The game offers extensive character customization, allowing players to tailor their skills, perks, and attributes to suit their playstyle. The combat system, while not as polished as modern shooters, is satisfying and versatile, with a variety of weapons and tactics available. The VATS system adds a strategic layer to combat, allowing players to pause the action and target specific enemy body parts.

Story and Characters: 10/10
The narrative of New Vegas is one of its strongest aspects. Set in a post-apocalyptic Mojave Desert, the game follows the story of a courier who is ambushed, shot, and left for dead. The quest for revenge leads to a complex web of faction politics, moral dilemmas, and personal vendettas. The writing is top-notch, with memorable characters like Mr. House, Caesar, and the enigmatic Yes Man. The game’s branching storylines and multiple endings provide significant replay value.

Graphics and Visuals: 7/10
While the graphics of New Vegas were impressive at the time of its release, they have aged noticeably. The game's visual style effectively captures the desolate beauty of the Mojave Wasteland, but the textures, character models, and animations can feel dated. However, the modding community has created numerous graphical enhancement mods that significantly improve the visual fidelity and bring the game closer to modern standards.

Sound and Music: 9/10
The sound design in New Vegas is excellent, with atmospheric ambient sounds that enhance the sense of immersion. The voice acting is superb, featuring a talented cast that brings the characters to life. The soundtrack, composed by Inon Zur, is haunting and memorable, perfectly complementing the game's tone. The radio stations, with their mix of old-time music and in-game news, add a unique flavor to the experience.

Replayability and Content: 10/10
Fallout: New Vegas offers exceptional replayability, thanks to its branching storylines, diverse faction choices, and multitude of side quests. Each playthrough can be vastly different depending on the player's decisions, alliances, and character build. The game’s DLCs, such as "Dead Money," "Honest Hearts," "Old World Blues," and "Lonesome Road," add significant content and expand the lore, providing hours of additional gameplay.

Mods and Community: 10/10
The modding community for New Vegas is one of the most active and dedicated in gaming. Mods can enhance every aspect of the game, from graphics and gameplay mechanics to new quests and characters. Essential mods like "Project Nevada," "New Vegas Script Extender (NVSE)," and graphical overhauls transform the game, making it feel fresh and modern. The community's creativity and support have kept New Vegas relevant and enjoyable long after its initial release.

Performance and Stability: 8/10
New Vegas is known for its occasional bugs and performance issues, particularly on consoles. However, the PC version benefits from community-made patches and mods that address many of these problems. With the right setup, the game can run smoothly, though some technical hiccups may still occur.

Conclusion:
Fallout: New Vegas is a must-have RPG/FPS that combines deep role-playing mechanics with a richly detailed world and compelling story. Its strengths lie in its narrative depth, character development, and the freedom it offers players to shape their own journey. While the graphics have aged, the vibrant modding community provides countless ways to enhance and update the experience. For fans of the genre, New Vegas remains an essential and unforgettable adventure.

Score: 93/100