Genuinely the most creative set of fps levels I've got to experience <3

The full characteristics of cyriak videos + old-doom level design philosophy congealed into a rocking-rollercoaster of an Office Experience. Smile on my face from start to finish, from just, incredible use of space and wonderful level gimmicks. Big shoutout to the one messing with past/future, titanfall 2 could never /s /s

If anything, my only 'real' issue is that there's a lot of jumps in terms of difficulty (although a lot of the later breathing room makes sense,, some of these maps hold nothing back), as it does always make me giggle when the Hardest challenge was Well Before the halfway point for me. Then again I do feel like just experiencing this pack front-to-back helped me buff out a lot of my amateur-ness with running these maps. I feel more equipped than ever to tackle stuff like Sunlust again.

If you have even the remote interest in trying out a Doom WAD, I think this is the best place to start, just so you can experience the true 9-5 workerman perspective.

Elise, you have GOT to get your gay witch girlfriend a job or she's gonna start doing alchemy in front of the normies. We can't have that kind of rowdyness around here.

I think it's cool to mix and match so many artstyles. Grimm fairytales, madoka witches, Rozen Maiden, analog horror and arcade cabinets all executed very well. Sometimes it becomes a bit much though. I think the same goes for the RPGMaker-esque gameplay. It's very cool and interesting but occasionally it just feels a bit like they either threw the game in a blender or they wanted me throw the game in a blender if I have to reload one more time on this stupid fucking retarded darkness puzzle what the fuck am I supposed to do here I can't see anything for fuck sake ass bullsh--

... ENOUGH! CHICKEN FRENZY !!!! 🐔🐔🐔🥚🐔🐔🐔🐔🥚🥚🐔🐔🥚🥚🐔🐔🐔🥚🥚🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🥚🥚🥚🐔🐔🐔🥚🐔🐔🐔🥚🥚🐔🐔🐔🥚🥚🥚🥚🐔🐔🥚🐔🐔🐔🐔🥚🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🥚🐔🐔🐔🐔🥚🥚🐔🐔🐔🐔🥚🥚🥚🐔🐔🥚

I'm in love with this game. Absolutely enchanting.

Elephant in the room, this game is gorgeous. I can easily say it's the prettiest game I've ever played. I was taking screenshots constantly of anything and everything. Gorgeous 90s anime aesthetic, and I love how it communicates that this is a prequel to Pocket Mirror which has a more modern style. Also gotta throw in some love for its soundtrack!

Even beyond its aesthetic, Little Goody Two Shoes has a lot going for it. The characters were all easy to get attached to. Elise is such a fun protagonist; she's rude and selfish, but her kindness and ambition make it easy to love her despite her flaws. The three romance options are all interesting and I do expect to replay this sometime, but I gunned for Rozenmarine in this playthrough and didn't learn much about Lebkuchen and Freya. I loved Elise's bond with Rozenmarine, and the explicit queerness was so refreshing.

I can see the gameplay not working for some, but for me it hooked me in. Love the time management aspect and gamifying chores by making them minigames was a nice change of pace. The puzzle segments are what you'd expect from the "RPGMaker haunted house" genre. As a fan of that genre, I love that! It's janky, so expect to die a lot. For me, that was a huge source of the game's charm. Other than a specific segment in the snake dungeon, I had a lot of fun with the puzzles and didn't find it too frustrating.

Everything here worked really well for me! Gorgeous aesthetics that make it stand out and plenty of charm to keep me engaged throughout. Little Goody Two Shoes is one of those games that nothing will be able to match.

Indie GOTY 2024 Nominee

"Insanely addictive." -GameSpot
"Finally, my two favorite pastimes, roguelites and poker, reunited in one revolutionary hybrid." -IGN
"Thank god this doesn't cost me any real money, my wife said she'd leave me over what happened in Vegas. Oh shoot, it's 3AM..." -GiantBomb
"As a Zynga Poker fan, this is what I wished they would've done 10 years ago; excellent timewaster." -RockPaperShotgun
"Update: My wife left me, but I just got this sick tarot card." -GiantBomb

Music highlight: Tarot, Spell of Iron, "Things That Crawl At Night", 1986. (unrelated)

Look, I don’t know what it is about T8 but it’s like crack. And this is my first fighting game ever so I’d never thought I’d say that. I’ve always wanted to get into fighting games but I struggled immensely with committing to them because the learning curve is pretty bad if you’ve never played one your entire life lol. ESPECIALLY a 3D one. I tried Street Fighter 6, couldn’t get into it at all despite how “beginner friendly” it is but it just... clicked with T8.

I love watching Tekken streams and just said fuck it, no better time to jump in than now after seeing some 8 clips. This game looked so insanely fun. And I was right. I’m getting my ass handed to me by legacy players but I’m having fun! Learning and wondering why my pee pee brain can’t react fast enough to Jin’s low mixups.

After trying so hard to get into Tekken with 6 and 7, I’m just glad 8 was a bit more welcoming. You have so many wacky characters to pick from too and more to come. You want to play as a bear? We got two. You want to play as a samurai that has SoulCaliber movesets? はい. Or perhaps a sexy, masked wrestler that’s throwing your ass to death and you can’t figure out how to get out of it? Yes (unfortunately).

i dunno, let's keep this quick. to say it's a bit clumsy is an understatement - and there are certainly aspects of the overall narrative i struggle with - but the depths of its sincerity won me over. i have no particular attachment to yakuza 7 either, and in fact i find much of that game to be very awkward, stilted, and grating so ultimately no one's more stunned than myself here.

when it's not luxuriating in this chilled-out ocean's twelve vibe which i loved, infinite wealth is written with far more intentionality and consideration than most entries in the series; while one might accuse of it of verging on threadbare or cloying for its strict emphasis on theme, i think the game trusts its audience to take some of the emotional leaps necessary to make the storytelling work. character writing for the leads and the party members has seen a dramatic improvement across the board. ichiban as usual brings a lot of levity to the table - thankfully none of it quite as irritating in the zany sense as 7 liked to employ - but kiryu's portions of the game are comparatively sobering. collecting memoirs has a weird psychological effect at times but the series has earned the right to do this by this point given how much of the kiryu saga can feel siloed or compartmentalized - in the same vein as gaiden, the game almost damns him for this, for never taking a chance to stop and reflect, for the consequences of his interminable martyr complex

that tendency to bury the past is only contrasted further by infinite wealth being maybe the most direct sequel the series has seen yet - the events of that game are still fresh in everyone's mind and sets the stage for the overarching conflict and everyone's investment in said conflict. it's a surprisingly natural extension of a lot of 7's themes, and i found it worked better for me this time. 7 often felt more gestural than anything else - to me it balanced far too much as this metaphorical (and literal) tearing down of the old ways, handling the introduction of a new protagonist, paying lipservice to series veterans and setting up parallels to the original ryu ga gotoku. infinite wealth to me feels more fully-formed, more confident; i think the team was able to use this title's unique hook and premise to really bring the most out of 7s promise of something new, and it could only have achieved it by taking the time to reflect on the past.

to this end: they made the game a JRPG this time, that counts for something. and not just a JRPG but one that feels as close to traditional RGG action as possible. some excellent systems this time with a lot of fascinating interplay and the level curve is fantastic. not necessary to sum up all the changes, you've seen them, but they really promote a lot of dynamic decision-making with respect to positioning and once you figure out how status effects can correlate with them you feel like your third eye's opening. very fond memories here of navigating around a crowd of enemies - some of whom have been put to sleep - and figuring out how best to maximize damage without waking anyone drowsy up. lots more strategy and enjoyment to be had here than pretty much anywhere in 7.

that said, i know RGG prides themselves on the statistics relating to players completing their titles, but they could really afford to take a few more risks with enemy waves in the main campaign. i felt like my most interesting encounters were usually street bosses or main story bosses, but the main campaign's filled with trash mobs. and i'm not saying every fight has to be some tactician's exercise - in fact i think that's the opposite of what people actually would enjoy - but i really wish the game took the time to play around even more with positioning. there are some exciting scenarios in the game that are too few and far in-between. stages that split up the party, encounters with unique mechanics...would really liked to have seen more in that vein.

some extra notes - would like to dig a bit deeper into the strengths of the narrative as well as some additional hangups but i can't be assed to write more
- honolulu's great, it gets probably a little too big for its own good but it's a real breath of fresh air for most of the game
- yamai is the best new character they've introduced in years
- dondoko island feels like a classic yakuza minigame in the best possible way, might even represent the apex of this kind of design. not obscenely grindy but just something casual and comfortable with enough layers to dig into without being overwheming and enough versatility to express yourself. shame you can't really say the same for sujimon!
- kiryu's party is disarmingly charming and they have some insanely good banter
- despite what some have said, i think this is a good follow-up to gaiden. it's not explicit about it but this is still very much a reckoning with kiryu's character and his mentality; it is every bit as concerned and preoccupied with the series mythos, the core ideas and conflicts driving a lot of installments
- honestly found the pacing to be on-par for the average RGG title if not better. i can concede that the dondoko island introduction was a bit too long but that is the most ground i can afford. if we can accept y5 into our hearts we can accept infinite wealth; IW makes y5 look deranged for its intrusiveness despite both titles occupying a similar length. if any of it registers as an actual problem, i think people would benefit from revisiting yakuza 7 to find it is almost exactly the same structurally if not worse
- IW is home to maybe the best needle drop in the medium
- played in japanese, like i usually do, so no real interest in commenting on the english dub since it's not real to me but i will say that what i listened to seemed like a bit of a step back from the dub quality in previous RGG games. yongyea isn't a convincing kiryu either and while i could be a bit more of a hater here all i will say is there is a STAGGERING whiplash involved in casting a guy like that as the lead in a game with themes like this. in a grouchier mood, i think it would genuinely be a bit difficult to look past this and it does leave me feeling sour, but ultimately the dub doesn't reflect my chosen means of engaging with the title and it never will
- what is difficult to look past is the game's DLC rollout, which arbitrarily gates higher difficulties, new game +, and a postgame dungeon. i acquired these through dubious means (which i highly recommend you also do) so i feel confident in saying they're really not at all worth the money unless you had a desire to spend more time in this world, but what a colossal and egregious failure to price it in this fashion. new game + specifically has tons of bizarre issues that make me believe a revision of some kind was necessary.
- you will not regret downloading this mod that removes the doors in dungeons


long story short, ryu ga gotoku's journey began in 2005 with a simple motif: to live is to not run away. so much of infinite wealth is about taking that notion to its furthest extent. it couldn't have possibly hit at a better time for me. at times it might be a classic case of this series biting off a bit more than it can chew for a sequel, but i don't think there's anything you can reliably point to that would make me think this is one step forwards, two steps back.

also awesome to have a game that posits that hawaii is filled with the fire monks from elden ring and then you have to travel to the resident evil 4 island to beat them up

FeelsGoodMan

Solid action-platformer about a guy that does nothing but punch and sometimes gets robot assistance. Controls well, plays well, levels are mostly great, and bosses are mostly solid (if a bit too much waiting to get a hit in).

Enjoyed my time, and honestly on the easier side of games like this, which I sorta prefer.

I'm gonna play this game so much my 9 month old baby is gonna think Bryan Fury is his uncle.

Review Chapter 1:
Baldy's Basics

Yes, I play as Bryan (and I am NOT good at taunt cancelling yet) but you play as Reina so stfu. I do have some legacy skill since I've played Bryan before; he really became my guy when his beautiful bald head graced the voice-synthesized schoolyards of Tekken Tag Tournament. But I'm only here writing because I just went on a truly legendary losing-streak, dwarfed only by that time I lost one trillion SF6 player matches in a row against (fellow-backloggder) Maradona.

I beat both campaigns of Tekken 8 (The Dark Awakens and Arcade Quest) two days ago, and I meant to review it then but I've been so busy getting demolished in ranked matches to remember. Okay and taking care of a baby. Conbaby plays Eddie Gordo so 1. Scrub 2. Has to wait for the DLC.

Review Chapter 2:
Devil Inside, the Devil Inside, Every Single One of Us, The Devil Inside

The Dark Awakens is one of the best fighting game campaigns ever. Mostly focusing on formerly-likable character Jin Kazama trying to forget about the story of Tekken 6. He's just like me fr. Tekken 8 goes the balls-to-the-wall anime approach, and as someone who has been playing these games casually since I was a wee babe, it's hype.

The dialogue is certainly expressive, with characters yelling or gruffly whispering platitudes non-stop, but it manages to ride that line between corny and cool quite well. No spoilers, but there's also more gameplay variety than I expected. The overall Jin focus keeps everything from going off the rails (in terms of story cohesion) and there are plenty of major moments with the rest of the cast. Most of them. The one big Netherrealm style plot convenience was Azucena's; they came up with a fun coffee heiress character but had no idea how to get her into the story.

Review Chapter 3:
Pokkén Tournament

Arcade Quest is a way stripped-down version of SF6 world tour, serving as a tutorial for the basics of Tekken. The plot is straightforward and the dialogue is skippable. It's an inoffensive little mode if not for the fact that you play as those ugly Xbox Live Mii knockoffs, but there’s an online lobby where you chat and run around. It’s kinda fun.

Review Chapter 4:
The AI Version of Myself is Better than Me at Tekken

The practice stuff in this game is crazy; I thought Street Fighter 6's training was bananas, but this is next-level. Aside from the normal suite of training-mode options, you can train an AI of yourself (or any other player) to fight against, and you can pause any of your replays and drop into it (as either fighter) to see what you (or your opponent) could have done better. The amount of options new and old are almost overwhelming, but you're gonna need to utilize at least some of them to get anywhere online.

Review Chapter 5:
Reina and Kazuya

As for the multiplayer, it's great. The netcode is way better than Tekken 7's- still not to SF6 levels but much appreciated. I haven't had any issues, but I do use a wired connection so your mileage may vary.

Playing Tekken online is like getting beaten-up in real life. "I almost had her." Reina and Kazuya seem like the Kens or Scorpions of this game right now, at least in the lower ranks. More Victors as I’ve gone higher. I've played a couple hundred matches and have not fought a single Raven, Lars, Lee, Jun, or Bryan in Ranked (I don't know if it tries to filter out mirror matches.) I don't think Reina and Kaz are overpowered or anything, but they're obviously popular. It doesn't have a huge impact on the enjoyment, as it's good practice. I say practice but it's just me losing ranked matches.

One week post-launch edit: Reina, Victor, King, Dragunov. Kazuya has faded into obscurity.

Review Chapter 6:
I'm Dragging this out to 8 Chapters

I know we're not very far past release, and some of that excitement is sure to wear off, but the amount of fun I'm having is undeniable.

Review Chapter 7:
Sight & Sound

This game looks stunning. Tekken 7 probably looked good too but I wouldn't know because the Xbox version looked like beer goggles.

The music for Tekken 8 is fine, but you can put any Tekken song from any Tekken game on any stage, as well as the different menus. One major omission is "Black Winter Night Sky", the Tekken 2 console opening cutscene song. Where is it Harada? Why is it never included in anything? It's not on iTunes with the rest of the soundtracks, best they've got are stinky cover versions.

Review Chapter 8:
Tekken Ball

TEKKEN BALL BABY! WE'RE SO BACK! GON DLC WHEN?? TEKKEN BALLLLLLLLL!!!! PS TEKKEN BALLIN!!!! Tekken Ball Tekken Ball gonna go play some Tekken Ball to the beach music from Tekken 4

"Review Epilogue" DLC coming soon

Ambulating baked goods guy was right. Puzzle Bobble with rhythm game elements and Touhou remixes. Genius idea. The single player is really fun. ZUNTATA went crazy on their Necrofantasia mix. Playing it with your friends is the best part, especially if you beat them Parsec'ing Ryujinx with 10 frames of input lag and stick drift. They should make one with Armored Core tracks next. I do wish there was some way to sort by original tracks, like based off the original song titles or even the original games.

Touhou Danmaku Kagura is a good mobile game, back then. But for Touhou Danmaku Kagura: Phantasia Lost, I feel like this game has like half of everything the original got, for better or for worse.

- The voice acting (that the original got) is gone here.
- There are no online leaderboards.
- The Danamku mechanic is more complicated than it was originally. Not only that you have to move left and right, dodging the opponent's danmaku, and shoot your opponent. But you also have to do some Kagura, WHILE you're doing all of that.
- Unlike the original version, there isn't an option to customize and decorate the locations... Customizing and Decorating the locations in Gensokyo was one of my favorite things to do in Danmaku Kagura, and it's a shame that it didn't return here.
- That low chance of making the characters have a party somewhere and got drunk, and you'll be able to get free stuff from them at that point from the original game? I believe that will never happen here...

If they manage to add the missing features that the original have, I would enjoy it more.

If you played the original version on mobile and enjoyed it, you'll probably won't have that same amount of enjoyment from here. But if you haven't played the original version, give this game a go and see what you think of it.