MANGOM1LK
Never play this.
The only reason it's getting one star instead of just a half is because I actually like the music, even if the instrumentation is awful. Besides that, everything this game is and stands for is atrocious. Stay FAR, FAR away.
The only reason it's getting one star instead of just a half is because I actually like the music, even if the instrumentation is awful. Besides that, everything this game is and stands for is atrocious. Stay FAR, FAR away.
Decent enough. It's a far cry from Episode I, at any rate. Unfortunately, being associated with that game sort of brought it down at points. I'd say this is worth trying if you're curious but don't expect it to blow you away or anything.
2015
This review contains spoilers
Ultimately I think my biggest issue here is the way this game feels like it wants to be bigger than a video game. Undertale tries really, really hard to make you feel like treating its characters as anything less than real people is a huge mistake, and saving/loading/resetting is framed as a negative (specifically the idea is that you're wiping their memories), and it also locks exclusive content behind a genocide route, something it chastises you for doing. Seriously, you're dangling a key in front of the player's face when you do shit like that, and it's really disrespectful honestly.
Besides that I think Undertale is mostly "good" for me. The characters themselves are a lot of fun to be around, and the experience of just the pacifist route tells a pretty heartwarming story. The music is probably the best thing about this game. Toby Fox is a very talented composer and that shows both in his prior work on things like the Earthbound Halloween Hack and Homestuck as well as this game. Besides what I mentioned above, I also have some other quibbles with this title, however. Namely, its inconsistent pixel-art style. Everything looks really basic, and a lot of the sprite art is kind of ugly. Its use of color is kind of confusing, and it's not obvious whether it's going for an 8-bit or 16-bit style in terms of color depth. Some of the later environments do look alright - Hotland and the True Lab come to mind - but those are the exception, not the rule.
Also what the fuck why is this in THIRTY FPS
Besides that I think Undertale is mostly "good" for me. The characters themselves are a lot of fun to be around, and the experience of just the pacifist route tells a pretty heartwarming story. The music is probably the best thing about this game. Toby Fox is a very talented composer and that shows both in his prior work on things like the Earthbound Halloween Hack and Homestuck as well as this game. Besides what I mentioned above, I also have some other quibbles with this title, however. Namely, its inconsistent pixel-art style. Everything looks really basic, and a lot of the sprite art is kind of ugly. Its use of color is kind of confusing, and it's not obvious whether it's going for an 8-bit or 16-bit style in terms of color depth. Some of the later environments do look alright - Hotland and the True Lab come to mind - but those are the exception, not the rule.
Also what the fuck why is this in THIRTY FPS
2010
Sonic Colors and its consequences have been a disaster for the Sonic community
2011
Very solid for what it is, and it's sort of wrapped around modders' fingers these days, making it worth the 20 dollars' price of admission just on its own. I have quibbles with the controls, but I barely see anyone mention this so I'm sure it's moreso just me.
1987
(via Virtual Console, not Legacy Collection) This was my first time playing the NES version (I'd previously played the Wily Wars remake). This is a weird one because it has a lot of jank not present in later entries, but it also holds up a lot better than many other NES titles. It's quite visually appealing, with a well-defined art style. It's pretty simple, owing to the limitations of the platform, but I find that works well. Really the biggest problem here is the control. There's a bit of a delay when you start moving as well as a deceleration when you stop. This fucked me over kind of a lot and I never felt confident in the controls unlike later entries. Other than that, though, the difficulty design is mostly quite solid; you get unlimited continues (though no password feature like in 2 onward)
Overall a good time, a very good first step and a good game to own if you have a NES. Unfortunately this game has been outshined by pretty much every one of its sequels, however.
Overall a good time, a very good first step and a good game to own if you have a NES. Unfortunately this game has been outshined by pretty much every one of its sequels, however.
2005
Sonic Rush is like coming back to an old friend. This is definitely one of the better games in the series. The levels are really fun, and the trick mechanic ties the whole experience together super well. Major props for also being one of the only titles to have good special stages. And no review of this title can go without mentioning the soundtrack. I haven't played Jet Set Radio but I imagine I'd love the funky spirit of those games as much as I do this one. Hideki Naganuma is a beast at this stuff.
Unfortunately, the stuff that drags really drags. Namely, the bosses are awful. It's not like classic Sonic bosses where they're always open for attack; instead you have to wait for a weak point. Combine that with them keeping the 8 hit health bar and the occasional instant-kill attacks and it's not a fun time.
Thankfully they don't take up a lot of time. Definitely recommend to existing fans, though not as an introduction to the series (skill ceiling is quite high).
Unfortunately, the stuff that drags really drags. Namely, the bosses are awful. It's not like classic Sonic bosses where they're always open for attack; instead you have to wait for a weak point. Combine that with them keeping the 8 hit health bar and the occasional instant-kill attacks and it's not a fun time.
Thankfully they don't take up a lot of time. Definitely recommend to existing fans, though not as an introduction to the series (skill ceiling is quite high).
2020
This review contains spoilers
[Most of this is copy-pasted from my old Steam review of this title, from Aug. 6, 2021. I have no interest in delving back into my memories of this and traumatizing myself again LOL]
i really don't know how to describe my experience with OMORI other than to say... this game makes you feel deeply, and you need to be ready for it. the good? ending (as far as i'm concerned there had better not be any other endings) had me ugly crying and it is the only game ever to make me cry. i am honestly still recovering. i strongly recommend the game but it's something you need to be ready for, and i... wasn't, i guess. do so at your own risk. ??/10
i really don't know how to describe my experience with OMORI other than to say... this game makes you feel deeply, and you need to be ready for it. the good? ending (as far as i'm concerned there had better not be any other endings) had me ugly crying and it is the only game ever to make me cry. i am honestly still recovering. i strongly recommend the game but it's something you need to be ready for, and i... wasn't, i guess. do so at your own risk. ??/10
2013
Sonic 2 holds up remarkably well for what it is, and the Android enhancements (real-time 3D special stages and widescreen support) update the experience for modern audiences to the point where I'd recommend this version in an instant. Hopefully they patch Origins to get rid of the bugs because I consider that the most accessible version.
2000
I keep picking this one up and putting it down, having played the first few chapters many times in the past. The furthest I ever got was Forever Forest, though, and then the save on my cart was gone the next time I went to play the game. Hopefully the battery isn't dying
1998
Beaten before, though with rewinds. I have yet to beat the final boss on real hardware but everything else is done, like MM7
I think Mega Man 7 is slowly surpassing this game for me, but MM&B still has a lot going for it on Super Famicom. An interesting new map system for selecting levels, enjoyable level design, and this is also the only other game with the MM7 shop system (it's a lot easier to find here!!) (no MM9 and 10 don't count i haven't played them yet). If you're hungry for more Mega Man after finishing the other mainline games you should give this one a shot.
I think Mega Man 7 is slowly surpassing this game for me, but MM&B still has a lot going for it on Super Famicom. An interesting new map system for selecting levels, enjoyable level design, and this is also the only other game with the MM7 shop system (it's a lot easier to find here!!) (no MM9 and 10 don't count i haven't played them yet). If you're hungry for more Mega Man after finishing the other mainline games you should give this one a shot.
1996
A feast for the eyes and ears, this game unfortunately has a lot of gimmicky level design, and there's not too much substance between the gimmicks. Still, the collectible bolts system gives the game a great replay value (even if they're linked to the shop system, something I consider a bad idea), and the special weapons are very fun to use. Worth your time, even if you're missing out on the Saturn-exclusive content. (Just, uh, skip the cutscenes unless you know Japanese and can get your hands on a Rockman copy.)
Did an all-bolts run. Played on a PS2 via backwards compatibility. I have beaten this game before, but this was my first time without rewinds.
Did an all-bolts run. Played on a PS2 via backwards compatibility. I have beaten this game before, but this was my first time without rewinds.