Month: October 2023

Destiny 2’s Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack, Gjallarhorn Is Back and It Still Rules

DLC · Purchased October 3, 2023 · $12.79 via PSN

Destiny 2: Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack
Photo: Bungie / Steam

The Setup

Released to celebrate Bungie’s 30th anniversary, this add-on brought back the fan-favorite Gjallarhorn exotic rocket launcher, the Grasp of Avarice dungeon (set in Destiny 1’s "Loot Cave" location), reprised Destiny 1 weapons, and a surprise Halo weapon crossover.

The Review

Gjallarhorn’s return is a huge nostalgia payoff even coming to it two years late, and Grasp of Avarice is a tight, well-designed dungeon that’s become one of my regular farming spots. The Halo crossover weapons are a fun novelty. Content is comparatively light for the price next to a full seasonal pass, and some of the reprised weapons feel like filler.

What I Liked

  • Gjallarhorn’s return is a huge nostalgia payoff
  • Grasp of Avarice is a tight, well-designed dungeon
  • Fun Halo weapon crossover

What I Didn’t

  • Light on content for the price versus a full season
  • Some reprised weapons feel like filler

The Verdict

Rating: 4/5

Where to Buy

The Callisto Protocol: Day One Edition, a Dead Space Spiritual Sequel That Stumbles on Combat

Games · Purchased September 15, 2023 · $39.99 via Amazon

The Callisto Protocol
Photo: Striking Distance Studios / Steam

The Setup

A third-person survival-horror game from the creative director behind Dead Space, set on a prison moon of Jupiter where protagonist Jacob Lee must survive a biological outbreak turning inmates into monstrous creatures, blending melee dodge-and-strike combat with a limited arsenal of firearms.

The Review

Visually outstanding with genuinely grotesque, high-quality creature design and oppressive sound design that had me tense the whole way through. The dodge-timing melee system is satisfying once you learn its rhythm. It felt clunky and frustrating against enemy swarms specifically, and the level design leans heavily on repetitive corridors with limited enemy variety.

What I Liked

  • Outstanding visual fidelity and creature design
  • Atmospheric, oppressive sound design
  • Satisfying dodge-timing melee once mastered
  • Strong body-horror storytelling

What I Didn’t

  • Melee-heavy combat gets clunky against swarms
  • Repetitive corridor-based level design
  • Limited enemy variety

The Verdict

Rating: 3/5

Where to Buy