TurboHoodie
It’s the best Star Wars video game by a mile, and a huge contender for GOTY come year’s end. A fantastic blend of nostalgia wish-fulfillment, excellent gameplay, and the best writing Star Wars has seen in ages.
When we talk about game preservation, this is how we should do it.
A contemplative and easygoing experience for those who like to take in the sights with photo mode and grace. Occasionally awkward, but thoroughly littered with moments that will make players dwell on big questions without the ennui of needing specific answers.
2023
Not enough of a horror game to be scary, not casual enough to be relaxing. Totally at odds with the story they wanted to tell, and without any QOL touches to make it fun to play.
ASFTU has such a fantastic and well-realized ending that you’re going to wonder why the rest of the game doesn’t feel nearly that good to play. Still, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys well-told narratives and angsty feelings.
2022
I’m not one of those Sonic fans that can look at these remastered classics and tell where they went wrong or where they nailed the conversion, but what I CAN tell you is I really needed my 2D Sonic fix and this game came through in spades. Each Genesis game seems to be lovingly brought up to speed for modern consoles, and I actually enjoyed the added mission modes. Normally I don’t poke around Boss Rush game types but something about this one felt inviting. The lollipop presentation and stunning new animated intros to each game feels like the team making it felt proud of the legacy and their work.
In an era of remakes, remasters, and rebootquels, sometimes just making HD ports with a fresh coat of paint is a decent option. I’m any case, Sonic Origins acts as a decent appetizer before the inevitable Sonic Mania 2 (except consider skipping Sonic CD, it feels like molasses and will do nothing to fulfill your need for speed!)
In an era of remakes, remasters, and rebootquels, sometimes just making HD ports with a fresh coat of paint is a decent option. I’m any case, Sonic Origins acts as a decent appetizer before the inevitable Sonic Mania 2 (except consider skipping Sonic CD, it feels like molasses and will do nothing to fulfill your need for speed!)
2023
If you’re reading this and you’ve already played 2005’s RE4, you already know if you’re going to play this game. CAPCOM has been on a hot streak as of late, delivering not one, not two, but THREE superb remakes of their RE titles in the past. It was only a matter of time before the executives in charge saw the $$$ from the remakes and said “yeah, better redo the most successful game in the series.”
What feels familiar wraps you up like a warm blanket, and the new additions and wrinkles will leave you feeling like you’ve been left out in the cold - but in a fun way. It would be all too easy to put a new coat of paint on Leon Kennedy’s Eurotrip and call it a day, but directors Kazunori Kadoi and Yasuhiro Anpo add in just enough new mechanics to make it feel fresh.
My first play through whizzed by just shy of 16 hours, and I immediately jumped back in for another run. When combat feels this good and there’s a ton to unlock I just couldn’t resist.
Like I said at the start, if you’ve played RE4 in the past then you already know if you’re going to jump into the remake. It fixes some of what blemished the 2005 version, and doubles down on the stuff that works. I’ll definitely be putting in some “Overtime” on this one.
What feels familiar wraps you up like a warm blanket, and the new additions and wrinkles will leave you feeling like you’ve been left out in the cold - but in a fun way. It would be all too easy to put a new coat of paint on Leon Kennedy’s Eurotrip and call it a day, but directors Kazunori Kadoi and Yasuhiro Anpo add in just enough new mechanics to make it feel fresh.
My first play through whizzed by just shy of 16 hours, and I immediately jumped back in for another run. When combat feels this good and there’s a ton to unlock I just couldn’t resist.
Like I said at the start, if you’ve played RE4 in the past then you already know if you’re going to jump into the remake. It fixes some of what blemished the 2005 version, and doubles down on the stuff that works. I’ll definitely be putting in some “Overtime” on this one.
I hate scanning. The game is cool and I’ll never finish it but oh boy it’s a relief to never have to scan things again. I made it past the first boss and deleted the game as a “no thank you” portion.
2022
Sam Barlow must be getting tired of putting out impressively innovative games with intriguing stories, it seems to be all they can do.
With this one the less you know the better, and thankfully you’d need to know an awful lot before you get properly spoiled. Jump in.
With this one the less you know the better, and thankfully you’d need to know an awful lot before you get properly spoiled. Jump in.
2022
When starting an RPG, especially one that is inspired by some of the most renowned and memorable 16-bit games of all-time, it's important to know if the journey is worth the hours. With Chained Echoes, it is rare that you'll feel like you could be doing something better with your time.
The story of Chained Echoes gives the player many twists, turns, and unexpected events that don't feel like an homage to what came before. It feels fresh, like a new coat of paint on a classic car. The battle system has more than meets the eye, and the characters have such winning personalities that I felt connected to nearly every one of them.
The score doesn't contain any standouts, and there are some clumsy mechanics when it comes to the sky armors, but the way this game makes me feel is superb. It's a send-up of Chrono Trigger, but stands on its own at the same time. Without spoiling the ending I'll say this: I felt very fulfilled by this game in a way that many AAA titles just can't seem to do.
The story of Chained Echoes gives the player many twists, turns, and unexpected events that don't feel like an homage to what came before. It feels fresh, like a new coat of paint on a classic car. The battle system has more than meets the eye, and the characters have such winning personalities that I felt connected to nearly every one of them.
The score doesn't contain any standouts, and there are some clumsy mechanics when it comes to the sky armors, but the way this game makes me feel is superb. It's a send-up of Chrono Trigger, but stands on its own at the same time. Without spoiling the ending I'll say this: I felt very fulfilled by this game in a way that many AAA titles just can't seem to do.
2023
When folks talk about a game taking a concept and running with it, this should be the prime example. Everything in this game is attuned to the theme of music and it helps reinforce an enjoyable atmosphere in the gameplay, the menus, the characters, and story. The combat can get a little too busy at times, but you clip along at such a breakneck speed that any minor irritation is smoothed over by the inevitable NEXT charming thing on screen.
As someone who creates and adores music, video games, and accessibility, I'm in love with Hi-Fi Rush. Chai and the gang better return...
As someone who creates and adores music, video games, and accessibility, I'm in love with Hi-Fi Rush. Chai and the gang better return...
2023
I hesitated to give this game the full five-star treatment, but then I realized I played this game for about 12 hours straight and the smile never vanished from my face the entire time. The restraint of adding anything too new or game-changing is superb as the original game is pretty perfect as it is. The little QOL additions and enhancements to the story with light touches go a long way.
I'm still a bigger fan of Dead Space 2, but dang, remember when games could be like this without anyone online components? All killer no filler.
I'm still a bigger fan of Dead Space 2, but dang, remember when games could be like this without anyone online components? All killer no filler.
2022
You can be funny, or you can have fun gunplay. You can't do both (apparently!)
2019
Persona 5 is the equivalent of going to Epcot at Disney World in search of food. You know you're going to wear your Thanksgiving pants and eat until you're full. The only problem here is you end up eating a 72oz porterhouse steak and then are expected to swallow a huge wedding cake immediately after.
Having played Persona 5 and the "Royal" version, I can easily say I prefer the supersized and jam-packed P5R much more than its predecessor. The added characters, side quests, and flexibility favoring player choice are welcome additions and are produced with the same pristine level of care that made Persona 5 a GOTY-contender. The only misstep is placing an additional dungeon AFTER the very conclusive and satisfying ending to the main Persona 5 storyline. It doesn't all line up with the game's original ending, but the characters are so sincere and charming that it is difficult to be upset about it.
If you want a JRPG that you can lose weeks (and let's be honest, months) playing, Persona 5 Royal is likely the best bang for your buck you'll find on modern consoles. You'll get all the trappings of the usual Atlus fare (including some backwards and unsavory cultural norms) tied up in a presentation that still looks sensational even if nothing much has changed since the original 2016 release date.
I enjoyed about 99% of my time in this game, save for the moments where the narrative's superb "social justice against adults at all-costs" storyline rubs up against some jarring juxtaposition coming from the thinner story elements. Prepare for some "Return Of The King ending" level cutscenes and fall in love with the Phantom Thieves. With a voice cast and turn-based mechanics like these it's quite easy to do so.
(Also, DANG this was on Game Pass? Wild. The best deal in gaming five times over.)
Having played Persona 5 and the "Royal" version, I can easily say I prefer the supersized and jam-packed P5R much more than its predecessor. The added characters, side quests, and flexibility favoring player choice are welcome additions and are produced with the same pristine level of care that made Persona 5 a GOTY-contender. The only misstep is placing an additional dungeon AFTER the very conclusive and satisfying ending to the main Persona 5 storyline. It doesn't all line up with the game's original ending, but the characters are so sincere and charming that it is difficult to be upset about it.
If you want a JRPG that you can lose weeks (and let's be honest, months) playing, Persona 5 Royal is likely the best bang for your buck you'll find on modern consoles. You'll get all the trappings of the usual Atlus fare (including some backwards and unsavory cultural norms) tied up in a presentation that still looks sensational even if nothing much has changed since the original 2016 release date.
I enjoyed about 99% of my time in this game, save for the moments where the narrative's superb "social justice against adults at all-costs" storyline rubs up against some jarring juxtaposition coming from the thinner story elements. Prepare for some "Return Of The King ending" level cutscenes and fall in love with the Phantom Thieves. With a voice cast and turn-based mechanics like these it's quite easy to do so.
(Also, DANG this was on Game Pass? Wild. The best deal in gaming five times over.)
Fortnite, like Destiny, is a known quantity that is PROBABLY going to give you what you want if you’re playing it. It does what it does (Battle Royale with some very lighthearted dystopian theming as set dressing) very well!
Paradise was an odd season. It felt like it ran out of gas early and I never got an amazing sense of why anything was happening. It’s hard to fault it too much since the new Chrome abilities are so much fun and any plot holes were smoother over with neat third-party collaborations.
Fortnite doesn’t need to be the best Battle Royale on the market at all times. It’s already the most accessible, and that counts for more than anything else.
Paradise was an odd season. It felt like it ran out of gas early and I never got an amazing sense of why anything was happening. It’s hard to fault it too much since the new Chrome abilities are so much fun and any plot holes were smoother over with neat third-party collaborations.
Fortnite doesn’t need to be the best Battle Royale on the market at all times. It’s already the most accessible, and that counts for more than anything else.