Fun little puzzle game that offers a ton of levels and replayability once you beat it. You can even create your own! Although the game starts to feel repetitive and can be frustrating after awhile.
2017
A hat in time is every 3D platforming fans dream. The game oozes charm and creativity that I haven’t seen in a long time from a non-Mario title. The movement it’s amazing and seamless, the areas are unique and diverse, and the abilities you get are fun to use.
The star of the show in my opinion is the level Alpine Skyline. Instead of the other levels chapter by chapter system, this level simply lets you free roam and the platforming is at its peak. You are just running, jumping, and flying around this massive map with your feet barely ever touching the ground.
I can’t wait to see what this developer does next!
The star of the show in my opinion is the level Alpine Skyline. Instead of the other levels chapter by chapter system, this level simply lets you free roam and the platforming is at its peak. You are just running, jumping, and flying around this massive map with your feet barely ever touching the ground.
I can’t wait to see what this developer does next!
2022
It wasn’t quite the Adventure 3 that I have wanted for so long, but it’s on the right track.
I have loved Sonic since I was very little. While most people grew up with the 2D games, I fell in love with sonic by watching Saturday morning cartoons and playing the Sonic Adventure games on gamecube. They are some of my earliest and fondest memories. So while we have gotten Sonic mania, and Generations was a really good game too, I just wanted a 3D Sonic that gave me the feeling I had when I was a kid, and it finally happened.
I’ll admit that there are problems here. Bugs, frustrating controls(sometimes), a controversial art style, and that damn Elder Koco just to name a few. But I really don’t care, because I had so much fun running around at the speed of sound and solving puzzles that I can overlook all of it. The guardian enemies are a lot of fun, and man those Titan battles get my blood pumping!!!
This score is a little biased, and this game isn’t for everybody, but man I love everything about this.
I have loved Sonic since I was very little. While most people grew up with the 2D games, I fell in love with sonic by watching Saturday morning cartoons and playing the Sonic Adventure games on gamecube. They are some of my earliest and fondest memories. So while we have gotten Sonic mania, and Generations was a really good game too, I just wanted a 3D Sonic that gave me the feeling I had when I was a kid, and it finally happened.
I’ll admit that there are problems here. Bugs, frustrating controls(sometimes), a controversial art style, and that damn Elder Koco just to name a few. But I really don’t care, because I had so much fun running around at the speed of sound and solving puzzles that I can overlook all of it. The guardian enemies are a lot of fun, and man those Titan battles get my blood pumping!!!
This score is a little biased, and this game isn’t for everybody, but man I love everything about this.
2021
This is a sequel I was waiting awhile for, and it did not disappoint! The strange thing is, I have no doubt in my mind that this is a better game than the original. Better art style, map and exploration, story, etc.. but it isn’t as fun. Don’t get me wrong, I had a blast playing, and of course I 100% the game, but it doesn’t capture the feeling of the OG. In that game, it really felt like a love letter to old school Metroidvanias, from the sound design and art, to the enemies and so on.
The best part of the original was the huge selection of weapons that you got to mess around with, all of them being so fun and unique, and that isn’t here in Axiom Verge 2. You get two base weapons and each one has a few variants, but they are all very similar.
And while I enjoyed some of the upgrades and improvements in this game, such as you as the MC being tied to your drone rather than teleporting to it like in the original, I miss the movement and traversal of Axiom verge 1. There were some tough puzzles in that game if you wanted to 100% it, and while there are some fun “Aha” type puzzles in this game, none are very difficult, and a lot of them are completely void and null after you gain the mist ability.
All in all this is a great sequel, and Thomas Happ once again proves he understands the Metroidvania formula better than most! I love the world he has built and I really hope that it continues to grow in a third installment!
The best part of the original was the huge selection of weapons that you got to mess around with, all of them being so fun and unique, and that isn’t here in Axiom Verge 2. You get two base weapons and each one has a few variants, but they are all very similar.
And while I enjoyed some of the upgrades and improvements in this game, such as you as the MC being tied to your drone rather than teleporting to it like in the original, I miss the movement and traversal of Axiom verge 1. There were some tough puzzles in that game if you wanted to 100% it, and while there are some fun “Aha” type puzzles in this game, none are very difficult, and a lot of them are completely void and null after you gain the mist ability.
All in all this is a great sequel, and Thomas Happ once again proves he understands the Metroidvania formula better than most! I love the world he has built and I really hope that it continues to grow in a third installment!
2020
I’ve had this for awhile and after playing Axiom Verge 2 I was feeling Metroidvania-y, so I finally booted it up. What I found was that the world has lied to me about this game because it is not a metroidvania!!
The game is extremely linear, no collectibles outside of the required upgrades to advance, and a pretty small map. Or at least it felt like it, because another thing that was missing that just about every metroidvania has is an in game map. Although, since it’s so linear you don’t really need one!
Sorry, I just love Metroidvanias and in my mind this is clearly not that. What you do get however is a very unique concept, decent puzzles, and some fun, man eating action! Is action puzzle a genre? Because that is what this feels like. While not a very long game, and not a challenging one, you will still have tons of fun watching yourself go from a tiny little ball of meat? Worms? Into this monstrous, grotesque, sin of humanity. I mean, you actually hear these people scream in terror when they see or hear you. It’s great.
While having all that fun you might be distracted every once in awhile by pacing issues, mundane controls and abilities, and the not so fun human sections.
I had fun with this game for the few hours it lasted, but I can’t say that I would recommend it to everyone.
The game is extremely linear, no collectibles outside of the required upgrades to advance, and a pretty small map. Or at least it felt like it, because another thing that was missing that just about every metroidvania has is an in game map. Although, since it’s so linear you don’t really need one!
Sorry, I just love Metroidvanias and in my mind this is clearly not that. What you do get however is a very unique concept, decent puzzles, and some fun, man eating action! Is action puzzle a genre? Because that is what this feels like. While not a very long game, and not a challenging one, you will still have tons of fun watching yourself go from a tiny little ball of meat? Worms? Into this monstrous, grotesque, sin of humanity. I mean, you actually hear these people scream in terror when they see or hear you. It’s great.
While having all that fun you might be distracted every once in awhile by pacing issues, mundane controls and abilities, and the not so fun human sections.
I had fun with this game for the few hours it lasted, but I can’t say that I would recommend it to everyone.
2011
While I really enjoy the world, art, and the overall vibe of the game, it wasn’t my favorite experience. However, it’s incredible that Pixel developed this entire game by himself in 2004, and it has gained the love and respect it deserves.
2016
This review contains spoilers
Usually, games either focus more on the gameplay aspect, or the story aspect. For example, Call of Duty games are mostly focused on gameplay, and many JRPGs are focused on story.
Metroidvanias usually focus on gameplay through adventure, progression of the character, and combat.
Owlboy does not follow this formula, and instead focuses on its story… but I’m not too convinced it does it that well. Or at least well enough to cover up the stale, boring gameplay and combat.
The story was.. ok. I didn’t really get too attached until the last third of the game. But even as the credits rolled I still didn’t fully understand what was going on, and I’m not sure that I cared. I looked up a few explanations for the ending and it seems like although there are some definite facts on what happened, a lot of the ending is left up to conjecture by the player.
The gameplay is sorely lacking in this game. Enemies are sparse, combat is painfully dull, and even the bosses are meh. You play as Otus who only has one attacking move, but it doesn’t actually damage most enemies. Your damage comes from the friends you make along your journey, and you carry them in your talons so that they can help you fight. One has a pistol, one has a shotgun, and one has webs. But they all basically do the same thing when it comes to fighting. They each have a secondary ability, but those are for getting past obstacles. All that to say that fighting in this game comes down to flying around and holding down the trigger. Also, I was so disappointed when they have been showing me this big, bad villain and how unstoppable he is the whole game, and then you don’t even get to fight him? Lame.
Random small point but Owlboy also doesn’t have a map, which I always hate when it comes to metroidvanias.
Now, I will sing a few praises for the game. It is absolutely stunning pixel art. I mean the depth to each screen, the diversity of areas on the map, and the beautiful colors used make this game shine. I could seriously look at this games art for hours.
Another thing I loved about this game was its wonderful cast of characters. And I’m not just talking about the main characters, but almost every npc you run across is delightful in some way. I found myself getting a good chuckle multiple times in an otherwise dark story.
Owlboy is… ok. But it isn’t a game that I will play again. If gameplay suffers a ton, then I really need the story to be A+, and to me it just isn’t.
Metroidvanias usually focus on gameplay through adventure, progression of the character, and combat.
Owlboy does not follow this formula, and instead focuses on its story… but I’m not too convinced it does it that well. Or at least well enough to cover up the stale, boring gameplay and combat.
The story was.. ok. I didn’t really get too attached until the last third of the game. But even as the credits rolled I still didn’t fully understand what was going on, and I’m not sure that I cared. I looked up a few explanations for the ending and it seems like although there are some definite facts on what happened, a lot of the ending is left up to conjecture by the player.
The gameplay is sorely lacking in this game. Enemies are sparse, combat is painfully dull, and even the bosses are meh. You play as Otus who only has one attacking move, but it doesn’t actually damage most enemies. Your damage comes from the friends you make along your journey, and you carry them in your talons so that they can help you fight. One has a pistol, one has a shotgun, and one has webs. But they all basically do the same thing when it comes to fighting. They each have a secondary ability, but those are for getting past obstacles. All that to say that fighting in this game comes down to flying around and holding down the trigger. Also, I was so disappointed when they have been showing me this big, bad villain and how unstoppable he is the whole game, and then you don’t even get to fight him? Lame.
Random small point but Owlboy also doesn’t have a map, which I always hate when it comes to metroidvanias.
Now, I will sing a few praises for the game. It is absolutely stunning pixel art. I mean the depth to each screen, the diversity of areas on the map, and the beautiful colors used make this game shine. I could seriously look at this games art for hours.
Another thing I loved about this game was its wonderful cast of characters. And I’m not just talking about the main characters, but almost every npc you run across is delightful in some way. I found myself getting a good chuckle multiple times in an otherwise dark story.
Owlboy is… ok. But it isn’t a game that I will play again. If gameplay suffers a ton, then I really need the story to be A+, and to me it just isn’t.
I was very excited when they announced that a sequel to a game I grew up playing was coming out 20 years later. Battle for Bikini Bottom is a gem of the early 2000s that was very overlooked, and it finally was getting a well deserved sequel.
Cosmic Shake feels like an extension of BFBB in so many ways. Plays just like it, very similar(although enhanced) graphics, great SpongeBob comedy, and more. Where this game excels over its predecessor is the level designs. Each one is so unique and vibrant in its theme and I had so much fun exploring them all. It also has PLENTY of collectibles, and while some of them are really fun to discover/ look for, others are kind of tedious.
I really enjoyed the removal of other playable characters, and how they basically just give SpongeBob all the abilities the others had in the first game as you progress. It felt seamless and streamlined whereas the first game had you stopping and looking for a bus stop for you to switch characters just for one little thing. I also seriously enjoyed the different costumes you unlock throughout the game, most paying homage to the episodes of the show we all know and love.
The story is meh, about what you would expect for a game like this. Not much to say there. I do wish that the combat was a little more evolved, but it mostly felt the same as BFBB. There were some unique enemies, but none that were impressive, and the combat is laughably easy. But I get it, this is a game that is targeted towards children.
Much like BFBB the boss fights are some of the best parts of the game. While some of them were ok at best there were a few that I truly had fun with. Unfortunately, the final boss was an extreme let down for me. It kind of just, happens all of a sudden, and it’s over as quickly as it began, leaving me unsatisfied and wanting more. Honestly I thought the penultimate boss was much better and a more fitting “Final Boss”.
All in all, I am very pleased with this sequel, and it managed to recapture what made BFBB so fun and memorable, hitting my nostalgia bone just right. I would love if this series continued in the future (and not 20 years from now) but for some reason I feel like this is the end of the line. If that’s true, I am happy that we were given two awesome, solid SpongeBob games in this style.
Cosmic Shake feels like an extension of BFBB in so many ways. Plays just like it, very similar(although enhanced) graphics, great SpongeBob comedy, and more. Where this game excels over its predecessor is the level designs. Each one is so unique and vibrant in its theme and I had so much fun exploring them all. It also has PLENTY of collectibles, and while some of them are really fun to discover/ look for, others are kind of tedious.
I really enjoyed the removal of other playable characters, and how they basically just give SpongeBob all the abilities the others had in the first game as you progress. It felt seamless and streamlined whereas the first game had you stopping and looking for a bus stop for you to switch characters just for one little thing. I also seriously enjoyed the different costumes you unlock throughout the game, most paying homage to the episodes of the show we all know and love.
The story is meh, about what you would expect for a game like this. Not much to say there. I do wish that the combat was a little more evolved, but it mostly felt the same as BFBB. There were some unique enemies, but none that were impressive, and the combat is laughably easy. But I get it, this is a game that is targeted towards children.
Much like BFBB the boss fights are some of the best parts of the game. While some of them were ok at best there were a few that I truly had fun with. Unfortunately, the final boss was an extreme let down for me. It kind of just, happens all of a sudden, and it’s over as quickly as it began, leaving me unsatisfied and wanting more. Honestly I thought the penultimate boss was much better and a more fitting “Final Boss”.
All in all, I am very pleased with this sequel, and it managed to recapture what made BFBB so fun and memorable, hitting my nostalgia bone just right. I would love if this series continued in the future (and not 20 years from now) but for some reason I feel like this is the end of the line. If that’s true, I am happy that we were given two awesome, solid SpongeBob games in this style.
2023
I’m not going to write a long review about this game, and know that the rating I give is purely based on the video game and my time with it.
I love this game. I grew up a massive Harry Potter fan and for a brand new story to be introduced into the franchise and to be a playable as a video game was an absolute treat. It is so much fun to experience this world from your own viewpoint, and I kept finding myself exploring just for the heck of it, ignoring any quests that I had. Avalanche nailed the fan service as well, not being in your face like they very well could have been.
This is a very good, fun video game, and I had such a fun time playing it with my wonderful wife.
I love this game. I grew up a massive Harry Potter fan and for a brand new story to be introduced into the franchise and to be a playable as a video game was an absolute treat. It is so much fun to experience this world from your own viewpoint, and I kept finding myself exploring just for the heck of it, ignoring any quests that I had. Avalanche nailed the fan service as well, not being in your face like they very well could have been.
This is a very good, fun video game, and I had such a fun time playing it with my wonderful wife.
This game didn’t even need a remake. If you look on any “Top *** games of all time” it will be there. But thank God they finally pulled the trigger in this. It’s unbelievable. Most of the nitpicks with the original, mainly the graphics and controls” and completely revamped for the better.
This is one of the best looking games on the entire platform, allowing you to rediscover this world we all fell in love with years ago. It’s breathtaking. I was constantly spamming the capture button on my pro controller, and looking at comparisons online.
But the star of the show in my opinion is the dual stick controls. My only complaint for the OG was the clunky control system, even if it was pretty impress for gamecube standards. The transition was flawless and the game feels so damn good to play.
It was already a masterpiece, but this remaster catapulted MP into the perfect game category. I really hope that Nintendo continues to show Metroid the love it has been getting lately, and hopefully we can look forward to Prime 2 and 3 getting the same treatment soon.
This is one of the best looking games on the entire platform, allowing you to rediscover this world we all fell in love with years ago. It’s breathtaking. I was constantly spamming the capture button on my pro controller, and looking at comparisons online.
But the star of the show in my opinion is the dual stick controls. My only complaint for the OG was the clunky control system, even if it was pretty impress for gamecube standards. The transition was flawless and the game feels so damn good to play.
It was already a masterpiece, but this remaster catapulted MP into the perfect game category. I really hope that Nintendo continues to show Metroid the love it has been getting lately, and hopefully we can look forward to Prime 2 and 3 getting the same treatment soon.
2018
I haven’t been on here in awhile, but my wife and I finally sat down and beat this game!
Pretty fun, we definitely had a better time in the second half of the game. Decent story telling, but a lot to be desired in gameplay. It’s very cool to see some concepts that got improved upon when they created It Takes Two!
Pretty fun, we definitely had a better time in the second half of the game. Decent story telling, but a lot to be desired in gameplay. It’s very cool to see some concepts that got improved upon when they created It Takes Two!
Well I still haven’t done everything there is to do, but all the shrines, light roots, main story, etc. are all done!
They really took Breath of the Wild and injected it with Zelda steroids. This game is so limitless, and so much fun to play. I will probably wander around for another 30 hours or so, but I can confidently say this is my second favorite Zelda game!
They really took Breath of the Wild and injected it with Zelda steroids. This game is so limitless, and so much fun to play. I will probably wander around for another 30 hours or so, but I can confidently say this is my second favorite Zelda game!
2018
This is a tough ranking for me. It’s between 3.5 and 4, but for now I’m going with a 3.5.
This game is awesome. The art, music, and gameplay are near perfect to me, and then out of nowhere it becomes my favorite genre about a 1/3 of a way through the game! I had such a fun time plying and I’m glad I decided to 100% it. Also, the game is funny as hell!
The two big gripes I have with The Messenger are 1) The warp points and 2) I feel like the game went on a little bit longer than it should have. It could be because I decided to get everything and some areas do not have warp points, so you have to go through multiple huge zones to get to them, but I digress.
Awesome game, music I will be humming in my head for the next few months, and an excitement to see what this team does next!
This game is awesome. The art, music, and gameplay are near perfect to me, and then out of nowhere it becomes my favorite genre about a 1/3 of a way through the game! I had such a fun time plying and I’m glad I decided to 100% it. Also, the game is funny as hell!
The two big gripes I have with The Messenger are 1) The warp points and 2) I feel like the game went on a little bit longer than it should have. It could be because I decided to get everything and some areas do not have warp points, so you have to go through multiple huge zones to get to them, but I digress.
Awesome game, music I will be humming in my head for the next few months, and an excitement to see what this team does next!
This is a very unique spin on metroidvanias and I’m here for it!
The aesthetic, music, characters, etc.. are all wonderful and it’s very cool to see a Hispanic inspired game. The most underrated part of this game is the humor, where I found myself laughing multiple times.
You can also tell how much the people that made this game love video games and their history, as there are so many Easter eggs hidden throughout the vast map.
The gameplay is pretty solid, and much like any good metroidvania you feel unstoppable by the end, flying around the map with no concerns. There were also some very challenging sections, but all were optional as to not deter anyone from playing.
The game also adds some replayability with one of my favorite sections of the game! I can’t wait to see what the sequel is all about.
The aesthetic, music, characters, etc.. are all wonderful and it’s very cool to see a Hispanic inspired game. The most underrated part of this game is the humor, where I found myself laughing multiple times.
You can also tell how much the people that made this game love video games and their history, as there are so many Easter eggs hidden throughout the vast map.
The gameplay is pretty solid, and much like any good metroidvania you feel unstoppable by the end, flying around the map with no concerns. There were also some very challenging sections, but all were optional as to not deter anyone from playing.
The game also adds some replayability with one of my favorite sections of the game! I can’t wait to see what the sequel is all about.
I’m so glad I got on Reddit at 1 in the morning and saw these games were on sale.
Guacamelee 2 takes everything from 1 and makes it bigger, better, and funnier! Everything down to the music, enemies, gameplay, humor, etc.. are amazing and had me itching to play again every time I put it down.
The only thing I think that the first game has on this game is the main antagonist, but that’s just from a design aspect. Other than that, the Devs really honed their craft with this game, and goes way up on my list of metroidvanias!
Now I have to go ice my thumbs from all the crazy challenges that this game offers!
Guacamelee 2 takes everything from 1 and makes it bigger, better, and funnier! Everything down to the music, enemies, gameplay, humor, etc.. are amazing and had me itching to play again every time I put it down.
The only thing I think that the first game has on this game is the main antagonist, but that’s just from a design aspect. Other than that, the Devs really honed their craft with this game, and goes way up on my list of metroidvanias!
Now I have to go ice my thumbs from all the crazy challenges that this game offers!