InvictusRex
2000
This fucking game...
2018
This review contains spoilers
My favorite game of 2018. I had never played all of the original God of War games, but was familiar enough with them and the lore. This is a refreshing take on the character of Kratos, and a beautiful exploration of rage, grief, and the wisdom of age. It's also a blast to play! The valkyrie fights are some of my favorite bosses in recent games, and the fact that I bested them all (and the game) over the course of a weekend is a personal accomplishment I'm proud of!
Awesome game! I love Westerns and really liked the first Red Dead Redemption. This was an excellent follow-up, and sometimes I enjoyed just exploring the world without worrying about the story. It maybe got a little overwhelming with such a large map and so many things to do, but the story was compelling enough to keep me interested.
2018
Easily one of the best platformers in recent memory. It's challenging enough to feel like you have to work for it, but not discouraging in the slightest. In fact, with a story all about surmounting both physical and mental challenges, I was inspired by Madeline's journey! It's also worth mentioning Lena Raine's wonderful OST, which really makes the whole adventure.
My favorite Zelda game. It takes everything that Ocarina of Time did and improves on it, adding an incredibly moving story underneath it all. At a glance, only 4 dungeons and a 3-day cycle might seem lacking, but they pack a whole lot into the game and connect all the elements so well. And with the story solely focused on Link (no Zelda and no Ganon), it becomes a much more personal journey for him and the various figures he meets along the way. Plus, I just can't resist the classic Legend of Zelda field theme!
2016
The ultimate cozy game! This is such an easygoing gaming experience that you can get lost in for a few hours at a time. Even when you think you've achieved all you can, the game has greater challenges ahead if you're eager for the grind.
2023
I came into this game ready to love it. Final Fantasy is, without question, my favorite video game franchise. I found this game... fine. The setting was great, and I really like the world they built here... I just wish it felt like I could explore more of it. You basically have four regions to explore, and despite being packed with side quests, they felt a little empty to me. That's another thing; the side quests were occasionally really interesting, and then they were occasionally a huge drag and momentum killer. I liked the combat sometimes. The best fights were against humanoid enemies, but things got questionable with really large creatures that posed challenges for the camera movement. Also, I know a lot of folks loved the spectacle of the really big fights, but I found them kind of empty and just decorated with a bunch of flashy effects. Overall, I didn't hate the experience, but it's a very middle-of-the-road game for me. Definitely not Square's best work.
2019
This was my first ever Persona experience, and I loved it! The combat system was a lot of fun, I really dig creating new personas, and I'm a true sucker for a good dating sim/romance system. I logged over 100 hours with Royal edition, and it barely felt that long. Plus, the soundtrack slaaaaps.
2017
The first thing that should draw you in is the art style. It's beautifully rendered and animated, and adds a lot of character to the game. Then there's the game itself, which is a great balance of old-school platformer with contemporary soulslike. The setting is a fascinating and imaginative world with so many interesting locations and creatures, and it invites exploration as you seek to uncover the mysteries within! Also, killer OST by Christopher Larkin, with some of my absolute favorite video game tracks.
Fun Mario game, and the first new one I've played in years. I like some of the new powerups, and the multi-player system is interesting! I do feel like they kind of threw everything at this game and that there are A LOT of ideas in each level and world, so it doesn't have the same cohesiveness some of the older games do, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
2011
As I say in my Portal review, the only reason I don't rate that game higher is because this one is so good. Portal 2 realizes the true vision of what I think Valve wanted with Portal. It has creative puzzles, clever humor, and an absolutely brilliant cooperative campaign. This is one of the most inventive games I've ever played. Special mention should go to the phenomenal voice cast as well. Cave Johnson is an all-timer.
2010
I can't speak highly enough of this game. Up until 2020, it has been my favorite post-2000 release. It combines the best elements of the first two Fallout games with those of Bethesda's advancements in Fallout 3. The writing is phenomenal, and shines brightest in the DLCs. The diversity in how to play the game is brilliant, especially given that you can finish the whole thing without killing anyone. And, as all good Fallout games do, it combines the dreadful seriousness of nuclear apocalypse with clever, dark humor that gives the series its unique quality. Is it buggy? Sure. But I'll reload this game a thousand times if I have to.
I didn't really grow up with the Elder Scrolls. Never played the first three games, and I was only able to play a little bit of Oblivion during its heyday. I liked Oblivion quite a bit, and I really loved my experience with Skyrim. I know it's a bit of a joke these days because of its constant re-releases, and it does maybe fall short compared to more recent Western RPGs... but I really like this game! I love the setting, I love the different playstyles, I love the music, and I just really enjoy starting new characters in this world. Sure, the combat is shallow, and it's got the infamous Bethesda bugginess, but sometimes I just want to stroll through a chilly landscape, kill some bandits, and loot Dwemer ruins for some dope stuff.
2019
This may be the best game that's come out in the 2000s. It is such a well-crafted experience and short of being a little frustrated with a late-game puzzle, there's nothing bad I want to say about it. For most other games I might knock its lack of replay value, but Outer Wilds is such a singular experience that I honestly only want to have my one first playthrough of it in my heart and soul. The DLC only improves upon the experience. Play this game blind and have the time of your life!
1996
Mario's first foray into the realm of 3D platforming, and a solid effort! Revisiting levels for different stars was a cool concept, and there's a nice diversity of themes and environments across the different stages. Nintendo 64 games are a little bit hamstrung by the console's absolutely dreadful controller design, but the game works in spite of that limitation.