Commodore
2009
I am infamously terrible at first-person shooters. I do not know why, but it might have something to do with the fact that I can't quite aim when it comes down to things. My inability to simply point, aim and click a button on a controller however has not stopped me from enjoying the Halo series, and ODST is no different. I will not be discussing gameplay much in this review, because the gameplay and my lack of skill at the genre isn't the reason I love this game whole-heartedly. It is not the reason this is one of my favorite games of all time.
The Halo series has always drawn me in with it's rich atmosphere, worldbuilding and it's music; ODST has all three in spades. The dreary, rainy, nighttime cityscape of New Mombasa is an incredible backdrop for this game, one which feels more reminiscent of a film noir movie than a first-person shooter, or even a Halo game. The music, marked by it's lonely saxophone, driving strings and the ever-present piano only amplifies this more. When I played ODST for the first time, which seems like a long, long time ago, I was enraptured and fell in love with this game's atmosphere. It was unlike anything I had ever played before, and I haven't found a game since that meets it.
I said I wouldn't talk about gameplay, but that was a lie. The sections where you play as the Rookie are devastatingly lonely, which the games music, backdrop and the lone patrols of Brutes, Grunts and Jackals add too. I always found myself waiting in nervous anticipation, looking at my mini-map or peeking around corners to see what would be waiting for me.
The Audio Logs also make this game special for me. The Audio Logs serve as the game's B-Plot and act in a manner similar to Breath of the Wild's memories, in that it tells a different, yet connected story to the one you are currently playing through. I found myself endeared to Sadie the more I learned of her story, and it all culminated in a satisfying ending when I had collected all of the Audio Logs and got to the end of the game, where the A and B-Plots met and connected with each other in such a satisfying way.
There is no game out there quite like ODST, and if there is, I have yet to play it. But I certainly look forward to it all the same.
The Halo series has always drawn me in with it's rich atmosphere, worldbuilding and it's music; ODST has all three in spades. The dreary, rainy, nighttime cityscape of New Mombasa is an incredible backdrop for this game, one which feels more reminiscent of a film noir movie than a first-person shooter, or even a Halo game. The music, marked by it's lonely saxophone, driving strings and the ever-present piano only amplifies this more. When I played ODST for the first time, which seems like a long, long time ago, I was enraptured and fell in love with this game's atmosphere. It was unlike anything I had ever played before, and I haven't found a game since that meets it.
I said I wouldn't talk about gameplay, but that was a lie. The sections where you play as the Rookie are devastatingly lonely, which the games music, backdrop and the lone patrols of Brutes, Grunts and Jackals add too. I always found myself waiting in nervous anticipation, looking at my mini-map or peeking around corners to see what would be waiting for me.
The Audio Logs also make this game special for me. The Audio Logs serve as the game's B-Plot and act in a manner similar to Breath of the Wild's memories, in that it tells a different, yet connected story to the one you are currently playing through. I found myself endeared to Sadie the more I learned of her story, and it all culminated in a satisfying ending when I had collected all of the Audio Logs and got to the end of the game, where the A and B-Plots met and connected with each other in such a satisfying way.
There is no game out there quite like ODST, and if there is, I have yet to play it. But I certainly look forward to it all the same.
A phenomenal addition to the Legend of Zelda series. While it is a bit lacking in the story department, the story still was fantastic for what it had to be in a very open game. A fantastic open-world game with lots to do and explore in a new rendition of a previous iteration of Hyrule.
My favorite game of all time, as well as my intro to the Zelda series. While being a very linear game, it very much makes up for it terms of things to do. Whether it's dungeon-crawling, doing side-quests, or interacting with the wide array of characters and NPC's in the game, Twilight Princess has so much going for it. The story is phenomenal, and the best the Zelda series has ever told in my opinion. A worthy successor to Ocarina of Time's lofty mantle.
My first Pokemon game, and one of the best I've played. And that isn't nostalgia talking. The story, characters, Pokemon, environment, it's all stellar. The linearity of the game compared to other Pokemon titles drags it down a bit in my opinion, but it makes up for it in a relatively simple, yet compelling story.
2012
The best Pokemon spinoff. Engaging gameplay, a very cool art style and direction, along with some great music and a fantastic story. The side-stories that are unlocked at the end of the main story are all great in their own right, and the Two Heroes final story is honestly so worth completing all the others. Fantastic game, here's hoping for a sequel or remake in the future!
A much needed refresher for the series. Catching and collecting Pokemon was always my favorite part of the series, so it was great to be able to actually catch them all using one singular copy. Here's hoping more games like this are released from Gamefreak in the future.
2019
The only Gacha I can stand. Gameplay is relatively simple and easy once you have a critical mass of Sync Pairs, but the music is top notch.
Some of the movement mechanics can be a bit janky (Specifically Deku Link's spin and Zora Link's dashing/spin attacks) but it doesn't detract much from this game. Absolutely solid Zelda, and definitely one of the best iterations in the franchise. A great re-release, I wish I had gotten the chance to play the original.
2010
Absolutely phenomenal game. The story, the atmosphere and the music is divine. Amazing game, and I love the side-quest with Buck from ODST, awesome little easter egg.
2022
In comparison to other games of it's franchise, Pokemon Scarlet (as well as it's sister game, Violet) have a lot going for it in terms of characters, story, music, and the Pokemon themselves. However issues with game performance hold it back.
A breath of fresh air for the series, and while I do miss some of the hallmarks from the classic Zelda formula, the pros of this games outshine anything my nostalgic heart may be missing.
EDIT, June 2 2024: I've finally finished this game with 100% completion. Still holds up, though I do miss the expanded movement options from Tears of the Kingdom. The Master Cycle still rocks though.
Finished with 300 logged hours.
EDIT, June 2 2024: I've finally finished this game with 100% completion. Still holds up, though I do miss the expanded movement options from Tears of the Kingdom. The Master Cycle still rocks though.
Finished with 300 logged hours.
2007
A fun multiplayer shooter that's more or less stood the test of time.
2018
It's a fun idle game. And the more or less weekly events add some variety
2017
It's Mario Kart. I like the course variety, and the vehicle customization makes things interesting, even if some combos are vastly superior to others. Overall just a fun game to sit down and play.
2016
It's alright. Not really my style, but it was relaxing in the few times I played. Might pick up later.