Awwbrie
1997
I'm glad I can fully appreciate why so many people love this game. Not only is there a fun cast of characters and some god-tier music, but there's also a beautiful story of life and death, and of identity and connections. I am now officially an FF7 fan.
Chicory is wonderful in almost every way. You can really tell this game was made by people who are so passionate about art. Everything feels so genuine and will really strike a chord with anyone, even people like me who aren't artists.
2019
Outer Wilds wonderfully executes on a simple gameplay concept through an amazingly melancholic, peaceful, and reflective tone. Even in impending doom, there's this sense that you can still achieve something meaningful, which I think is very beautiful.
An incredible remaster of an amazing story. Improved gameplay definitely enhanced the experience, and the added story segments are stellar. I never really cried during the original, but this had me weeping like a baby.
2020
OMORI is a game that completely took me by surprise. Every part of this game kept dragging me in deeper, and before I knew it, I had completely fallen in love. The heartbreaking story of trauma, grief, and escapism was so emotionally resonant in a way that is honestly difficult for me to fully articulate. But what makes the game work so well is its amazing main characters. Each one of them feels so real and human, and seeing their attempts to overcome grief and reconnect with one another is so incredibly effective. OMORI is beautiful, heartwarming, tragic, disturbing, and painful all at once, leading to a complete emotional roller-coaster of a game.
2017
An incredibly thought-provoking and profound experience. The excellent character writing paired with the existentialistic nightmare that is Automata's world makes for a deeply tragic, yet strangely beautiful, examination into what it means to be human. Everything blends together so well to create a gaming experience that feels so unlike anything I have ever played.
2006
Absolutely charming and will always hold a place in my heart. Strikes the perfect balance between the strange, quirky, and funny world that the Mother series is so well known for, and a very emotionally powerful story that always brings me to tears. It feels like a game I can always return to, no matter what.
2007
While flawed in both gameplay and story pacing, this game still remains my absolute favourite of all time despite that. Has some of the best character writing ever which makes characters feel very genuine and human. Seeing these characters coming together and understanding the significance of human connection is something that so deeply resonated with me that I honestly feel my outlook on life has changed thanks to this game. This all results in one of the most beautiful, poignant, and thought-provoking experiences I've ever had. I have never been able to not cry during the ending. Nothing will ever top this for me.