AmpleSamuel
Penny's Big Breakaway might have a great move set, and good level design - but there's seemingly no connection between the two. You can pretty much skip every meaningful obstacle by just launching yourself over it, as I'm not sure there is literally a single jump, at least in the main story, that requires you to even use all 3 moves before hitting the ground.
The presentation is somewhat charming, although the characters aren't exactly memorable, and the story feels like the Galaxy and beyond era of Mario - just some light goofy shenanigans to get to some new locations.
Penny's Big Breakaway is kind of fun, but not anything I plan on coming back to.
6/10
Game #26 of 2024, April 30th
The presentation is somewhat charming, although the characters aren't exactly memorable, and the story feels like the Galaxy and beyond era of Mario - just some light goofy shenanigans to get to some new locations.
Penny's Big Breakaway is kind of fun, but not anything I plan on coming back to.
6/10
Game #26 of 2024, April 30th
2014
Beeswing is a semi-broken gameplay-void experience - an experience that wrecked me, over and over and over again.
In between crashes, or moments where the dialogue boxes seemed to disagree with the rest of the game, Beeswing delivers a litany of beautiful moments, both visually, through the gorgeous water-colored art style, (an art-style that occasionally drastically changes,) and musically, through this wonderfully relaxing acoustic soundtrack. The writing too is brutally excellent, switching effortlessly from literal toilet humor to a calm discussion of death, and the plethora of grief that comes with it, eliciting nearly every emotion as you explore rural Scotland. The ending moments especially comprise of the kind of stuff that simply sticks with you, as the credits fittingly come when you're not quite ready for them.
It's hard to fully recommend this game, especially given the fact that it crashed on me ~6 times, and the only way to save is by fully quitting out, but, if you can fight some jankiness, there's some truly life-changing stuff in here. After all, just like a good tree, a good game has victims.
9/10
Game #25 of 2024, April 20th
In between crashes, or moments where the dialogue boxes seemed to disagree with the rest of the game, Beeswing delivers a litany of beautiful moments, both visually, through the gorgeous water-colored art style, (an art-style that occasionally drastically changes,) and musically, through this wonderfully relaxing acoustic soundtrack. The writing too is brutally excellent, switching effortlessly from literal toilet humor to a calm discussion of death, and the plethora of grief that comes with it, eliciting nearly every emotion as you explore rural Scotland. The ending moments especially comprise of the kind of stuff that simply sticks with you, as the credits fittingly come when you're not quite ready for them.
It's hard to fully recommend this game, especially given the fact that it crashed on me ~6 times, and the only way to save is by fully quitting out, but, if you can fight some jankiness, there's some truly life-changing stuff in here. After all, just like a good tree, a good game has victims.
9/10
Game #25 of 2024, April 20th
(This review is for Blaze Black 2 Redux)
Again, this is the fourth Pokémon game I've reviewed in the last ~45 days, and the third difficulty hack - this is basically just Pokémon with my two least favorite aspects, low difficulty and team restriction, removed.
10/10
Game #24 of 2024, April 17th
Again, this is the fourth Pokémon game I've reviewed in the last ~45 days, and the third difficulty hack - this is basically just Pokémon with my two least favorite aspects, low difficulty and team restriction, removed.
10/10
Game #24 of 2024, April 17th
2012
(This review is for Sacred Gold)
This hack takes what is arguably the best game in the franchise, adds actual teambuilding options + really fun difficulty. No better way to say how good this is.
10/10
Game #23 of 2024, April 12th
This hack takes what is arguably the best game in the franchise, adds actual teambuilding options + really fun difficulty. No better way to say how good this is.
10/10
Game #23 of 2024, April 12th
1990
The NES at its absolute best.
StarTropics is a game that, while still suffering from a bit of its console's tropes, such as the pretty ridiculous difficulty, feels so ahead of its time. It's focus on story, including some really charming dialogue, it's focus on sprite work / music, including some of the best of both for the era - everything about this game is just kind of mind-blowing for something that isn't talked nearly as much some of its peers
Obviously, even if it's a really good one, it's still an NES game - but I had a blast with Startropics.
8/10
Game #22 of 2024, April 7th
StarTropics is a game that, while still suffering from a bit of its console's tropes, such as the pretty ridiculous difficulty, feels so ahead of its time. It's focus on story, including some really charming dialogue, it's focus on sprite work / music, including some of the best of both for the era - everything about this game is just kind of mind-blowing for something that isn't talked nearly as much some of its peers
Obviously, even if it's a really good one, it's still an NES game - but I had a blast with Startropics.
8/10
Game #22 of 2024, April 7th
It's hard to overstate the amount of things about Gravity Rush that I absolutely love.
The art style is phenomenal, the music is terrific, the characters, (especially Kat), are immensely charming, the world/levels are wonderfully designed, and the gravity-based gameplay, while occasionally disorientating, ultimately works really well, both in exploration and combat.
While there are a few problems with this game, most of which deriving from the fact that it used to be a Vita exclusive, and thus sometimes feels like it doesn't quite utilize the PS4's power / file sizes, this game is just a cozy little romp through Hekseville, interspersed with some truly 'woah' moments.
10/10
Game #21 of 2024, April 6th
The art style is phenomenal, the music is terrific, the characters, (especially Kat), are immensely charming, the world/levels are wonderfully designed, and the gravity-based gameplay, while occasionally disorientating, ultimately works really well, both in exploration and combat.
While there are a few problems with this game, most of which deriving from the fact that it used to be a Vita exclusive, and thus sometimes feels like it doesn't quite utilize the PS4's power / file sizes, this game is just a cozy little romp through Hekseville, interspersed with some truly 'woah' moments.
10/10
Game #21 of 2024, April 6th
2024
Boomeroad feels like a tech demo. A lot of neat mechanics that simply don't go anywhere, and a story that feels largely non-existent. The gameplay at its core is a pretty neat idea though, and while I don't think they'll ever go back to it, this could potentially fuel a much longer, and ultimately better, game.
6/10
Game #20 of 2024, March 27th
6/10
Game #20 of 2024, March 27th
2017
I'm not sure any game's reputation has suffered as much as a result of circumstances as much as Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon.
Yes, it is dumb that this was a full priced expansion of Sun and Moon, and yes, it is dumb that this game wasn't on the Switch, but playing it now, without either of those things really being issues, and it's just simply one of the greatest Pokémon games that Game Freak has ever put out, with well paced gameplay, the most Pokémon that will probably ever be in a game, such a cozy atmosphere, a fun (yet still just Pokémon) story, and perhaps the most fun postgame that any game in the franchise has ever had, as episode RR is just such a great final challenge.
Maybe the most repayable games in the series for me, although that might be a result these just being the last games to come out while I was still 'Pokémon aged'.
9/10
Game #19 of 2024, March 26th
Yes, it is dumb that this was a full priced expansion of Sun and Moon, and yes, it is dumb that this game wasn't on the Switch, but playing it now, without either of those things really being issues, and it's just simply one of the greatest Pokémon games that Game Freak has ever put out, with well paced gameplay, the most Pokémon that will probably ever be in a game, such a cozy atmosphere, a fun (yet still just Pokémon) story, and perhaps the most fun postgame that any game in the franchise has ever had, as episode RR is just such a great final challenge.
Maybe the most repayable games in the series for me, although that might be a result these just being the last games to come out while I was still 'Pokémon aged'.
9/10
Game #19 of 2024, March 26th
2004
By far the most disappointing 6/10 I've ever played.
Without judging it against the other games in the series, Pikmin 2 is a pretty fun game with some frustrating moments and weird decisions. The story is still charming, the game is still beautiful, the music is still a vibe, and, during the overworld sections, it's fun to explore the world and see what you can do with 2 captains.
But as a sequel to Pikmin, it's mind-blowing why they would turn such a chill and well designed experience into a randomly generated and precise RTS experience for the majority of the gameplay.
6/10
Game #18 of 2024, March 20th
Without judging it against the other games in the series, Pikmin 2 is a pretty fun game with some frustrating moments and weird decisions. The story is still charming, the game is still beautiful, the music is still a vibe, and, during the overworld sections, it's fun to explore the world and see what you can do with 2 captains.
But as a sequel to Pikmin, it's mind-blowing why they would turn such a chill and well designed experience into a randomly generated and precise RTS experience for the majority of the gameplay.
6/10
Game #18 of 2024, March 20th
This game really makes you feel like Batman like you're back to playing the Xbox 360.
It's just nice to enter this DC world filled with incredibly horny adaptions of a bunch of different characters, as the game's best aged aspect is easily its immense charm. From the Joker and Harley, to the nice tone changes with Scarecrow, there's just a bunch of variation to enjoy in this really well paced game. The atmosphere of this one is really great too, as the visuals have actually aged surprisingly well.
However, this game's biggest flaw is actually something that's pretty hard to hold against the game, being just how influential it is. It's style of Stealth n' Combat has been adapted various times since its release, and by people who have been able to make improvements, so it does feel a bit archaic.
Still, pretty fun to blast through this one in a couple of days, enjoying the moments where the combat works really well, enjoying the moments of immensely great atmosphere, and, most of all, enjoying the show.
8/10
Game #17 of 2024, March 19th
It's just nice to enter this DC world filled with incredibly horny adaptions of a bunch of different characters, as the game's best aged aspect is easily its immense charm. From the Joker and Harley, to the nice tone changes with Scarecrow, there's just a bunch of variation to enjoy in this really well paced game. The atmosphere of this one is really great too, as the visuals have actually aged surprisingly well.
However, this game's biggest flaw is actually something that's pretty hard to hold against the game, being just how influential it is. It's style of Stealth n' Combat has been adapted various times since its release, and by people who have been able to make improvements, so it does feel a bit archaic.
Still, pretty fun to blast through this one in a couple of days, enjoying the moments where the combat works really well, enjoying the moments of immensely great atmosphere, and, most of all, enjoying the show.
8/10
Game #17 of 2024, March 19th
Return of the Obra Dinn is a really cool experience, with a bunch of hiccups along the way.
Some of these are somewhat inherent, as the non-hand-holding nature of this game will lead to some parts just not being intuitive to some users, but there are definitely some features that could have been helpful that just aren't present. I think a good solution to this issue would be that, perhaps once you've solved 75% percent of the fates, the game would allow you to just access each memory from the journal, with maybe a few more hints available, so you aren't trying to figure out what the game wants you to classify a death as.
Anyway, enough complaining, this game's artstyle and vibe are just simply too good for this to not be a great game. The lack of color works really well, the music adds to the nautical vibe, and the concept, especially when you get on a streak of not being stuck, truly does make you 'feel likebatman a detective.' Some people will definitely love the story too, although without any characters to really care about, it was hard for me to really get invested in all of the shenanigans unfolding, even if the non-linear storytelling was sick.
I get those who really love this game, and even if it's not perfect for me, I still think it's pretty great.
7/10
Game #16 of 2024, March 12th
Some of these are somewhat inherent, as the non-hand-holding nature of this game will lead to some parts just not being intuitive to some users, but there are definitely some features that could have been helpful that just aren't present. I think a good solution to this issue would be that, perhaps once you've solved 75% percent of the fates, the game would allow you to just access each memory from the journal, with maybe a few more hints available, so you aren't trying to figure out what the game wants you to classify a death as.
Anyway, enough complaining, this game's artstyle and vibe are just simply too good for this to not be a great game. The lack of color works really well, the music adds to the nautical vibe, and the concept, especially when you get on a streak of not being stuck, truly does make you 'feel like
I get those who really love this game, and even if it's not perfect for me, I still think it's pretty great.
7/10
Game #16 of 2024, March 12th
Silent Hill 2 is a beautiful mix of being wonderfully dated, and immensely ahead of its time.
The controls of this game feel a bit janky, but it completely works to emphasize the horror, as it allows the sound design to stand alone as you struggle to see the incoming - something that's fueled by the genius of the radio. The gameplay loop is simple, but deeply addicting, as perhaps the best game of its type. The voice acting is occasionally, (okay, maybe more than occasionally), hilariously goofy, but it can't stop the story from being one of the most impactful ever put in a game. (The ending VA performance though!)
SH2 is just a series of incredibly cool moments, such as the first time your flashlight turns off, and a series of examples of genius game design, such as how it uses camera angles to make sure that you pretty much never miss a key object, while also never feeling like it holds your hand.
I don't really even love horror, but I do really love Silent Hill 2.
10/10
Game #15 of 2024, March 6th
The controls of this game feel a bit janky, but it completely works to emphasize the horror, as it allows the sound design to stand alone as you struggle to see the incoming - something that's fueled by the genius of the radio. The gameplay loop is simple, but deeply addicting, as perhaps the best game of its type. The voice acting is occasionally, (okay, maybe more than occasionally), hilariously goofy, but it can't stop the story from being one of the most impactful ever put in a game. (The ending VA performance though!)
SH2 is just a series of incredibly cool moments, such as the first time your flashlight turns off, and a series of examples of genius game design, such as how it uses camera angles to make sure that you pretty much never miss a key object, while also never feeling like it holds your hand.
I don't really even love horror, but I do really love Silent Hill 2.
10/10
Game #15 of 2024, March 6th
2016
(This review is for the rom hack, Pokémon Eternal X)
Even if, as somebody who as now played other games, it's pretty easy to see all of the ways that Pokémon definitely could be better, I'll always have love in my heart for franchise, all the way back to the first game in the series that I played, Pokémon X. And while kid me enjoyed that game plenty with low level opponents and a slow 3DS, playing through Eternal X, a game that makes XY into an actual challenge and adds in every missing Pokémon, and playing it through an Emulator, which allows it to be played at a speed that isn't absolutely ridiculously slow compared to every other modern RPG, and I can finally have a good turn-based experience, along side the nostalgia filled coziness of Kalos. Not sure that this rating would hold if I didn't have such nostalgia for this game, but there was no way to give an experience I loved this much any other score.
10/10
Game #14 of 2024, March 1st
Even if, as somebody who as now played other games, it's pretty easy to see all of the ways that Pokémon definitely could be better, I'll always have love in my heart for franchise, all the way back to the first game in the series that I played, Pokémon X. And while kid me enjoyed that game plenty with low level opponents and a slow 3DS, playing through Eternal X, a game that makes XY into an actual challenge and adds in every missing Pokémon, and playing it through an Emulator, which allows it to be played at a speed that isn't absolutely ridiculously slow compared to every other modern RPG, and I can finally have a good turn-based experience, along side the nostalgia filled coziness of Kalos. Not sure that this rating would hold if I didn't have such nostalgia for this game, but there was no way to give an experience I loved this much any other score.
10/10
Game #14 of 2024, March 1st
2021
As far as 3D platforming mechanics go, it's hard to get much better than Super Sami Roll.
While the presentation and music aren't anything super special / avant-garde, although the game is adorable and allows for customization to be even more so, it's the level design and controls that make this one so fun to play. While I spent the first hour or two yelling at the game, by the end, I was zooming through maps and going for every shortcut I could possibly think of.
If you like 3D platformers, and don't mind a bit of challenge, Super Sami Roll is a great way to spend a few hours.
8/10
Game #13 of 2024, February 19th
While the presentation and music aren't anything super special / avant-garde, although the game is adorable and allows for customization to be even more so, it's the level design and controls that make this one so fun to play. While I spent the first hour or two yelling at the game, by the end, I was zooming through maps and going for every shortcut I could possibly think of.
If you like 3D platformers, and don't mind a bit of challenge, Super Sami Roll is a great way to spend a few hours.
8/10
Game #13 of 2024, February 19th
2020
Despite having a few bugs, and a few parts being a bit broken - I loved Umurangi Generation.
It's pretty much everything that I would personally want in a game. Beautiful Jet Set Radio-esque graphics, a kickass soundtrack, a variety of beautiful settings, and a general fun gameplay loop that's somewhat addicting. The progression in this game is great too, as you get more and more options, until you eventually can pretty much create any photo that you could ever dream of.
But it's the themes of this game that truly blew me away. So much fantastic visual storytelling, as we see a progression of a war from the perspective of a journalist, whose only voice in the world is the photos that they take. There are some seriously jaw-dropping moments throughout this game, and especially in the unreasonably good DLC, which has 4 of the largest levels in the game. The dedication at the end of the game is what really tied it all together for me, and made this into one of my favorite examples of 'games being art.'
Umurangi Generation is a game I will jump back into multiple times, but nothing can ever compare to the feeling of first exploring it's beautiful, yet tragic world - jank n' all.
10/10
Game #12 of 2024, February 18th
It's pretty much everything that I would personally want in a game. Beautiful Jet Set Radio-esque graphics, a kickass soundtrack, a variety of beautiful settings, and a general fun gameplay loop that's somewhat addicting. The progression in this game is great too, as you get more and more options, until you eventually can pretty much create any photo that you could ever dream of.
But it's the themes of this game that truly blew me away. So much fantastic visual storytelling, as we see a progression of a war from the perspective of a journalist, whose only voice in the world is the photos that they take. There are some seriously jaw-dropping moments throughout this game, and especially in the unreasonably good DLC, which has 4 of the largest levels in the game. The dedication at the end of the game is what really tied it all together for me, and made this into one of my favorite examples of 'games being art.'
Umurangi Generation is a game I will jump back into multiple times, but nothing can ever compare to the feeling of first exploring it's beautiful, yet tragic world - jank n' all.
10/10
Game #12 of 2024, February 18th