MelBuck45
I really wanted to like this game, but that did not happen. The Temple of the Ocean King is the first major problem I have with this title, but no one likes it so it's not worth complaining about right now. Everything just takes longer to do in this game (similar issue I had with Skyward Sword). I didn't like sailing, I didn't like the Jolene fights, I didn't like how finding treasure in the ocean worked, and I didn't like the stylus controls for combat. Despite me thinking that the dungeon puzzles were cool and enjoying the new cast of characters, this is easily one of my least favorite Zelda titles.
2017
Gravity Rush 2 is a game I was looking forward to playing, but I didn't realize how much I would enjoy it until I popped the disc in. The updated gravity manipulation makes way for exciting gameplay/exploration and I love how they added new styles from the first game which allow for creativity in combat, but some missions and side quests can feel repetitive and draining, especially toward the end of the game. Nevertheless, the game's solid story and great looks/sound should make it a worthwhile experience for anyone looking for a unique action-adventure game.
1991
This review contains spoilers
After my first experience with this game 5+ years ago, and having played many Sonic games since then, I wanted to give a second look at the first entry in my favorite franchise. Unfortunately, it is exactly how I remember it.
The game starts off so strong with Green Hill Zone, which exemplifies everything I enjoy about these games. I've never been the explorative type in video games, but the idea of multiple pathways to reach the same goal is something that this zone executes to perfection without the levels feeling like a maze to navigate. The acts are also not too long, which encourages me to practice my skills so I can get through them faster and faster.
This is when the game starts to fall off. I know this is unoriginal to say, but Marble Zone and Labyrinth Zone are not fun and the slow movement kills my enjoyment of this game as a whole. Spring Yard, Star Light, and even Scrap Brain have more elements of level design that I enjoy in Sonic games, but considering there are only 6 zones and I dislike 2 of them, I can't say I enjoy this game front to back.
I know the mobile phone/Sonic Origins port fix most of my issues to the point where I can say I enjoy this game almost as much as the other classic entries, but the original Genesis game doesn't hold up as well as I'd like it to. At least I still have Sonic 2, 3 & Knuckles, and Mania to always go back to when I want to see what 2D Sonic is capable of at its best.
The game starts off so strong with Green Hill Zone, which exemplifies everything I enjoy about these games. I've never been the explorative type in video games, but the idea of multiple pathways to reach the same goal is something that this zone executes to perfection without the levels feeling like a maze to navigate. The acts are also not too long, which encourages me to practice my skills so I can get through them faster and faster.
This is when the game starts to fall off. I know this is unoriginal to say, but Marble Zone and Labyrinth Zone are not fun and the slow movement kills my enjoyment of this game as a whole. Spring Yard, Star Light, and even Scrap Brain have more elements of level design that I enjoy in Sonic games, but considering there are only 6 zones and I dislike 2 of them, I can't say I enjoy this game front to back.
I know the mobile phone/Sonic Origins port fix most of my issues to the point where I can say I enjoy this game almost as much as the other classic entries, but the original Genesis game doesn't hold up as well as I'd like it to. At least I still have Sonic 2, 3 & Knuckles, and Mania to always go back to when I want to see what 2D Sonic is capable of at its best.
Incredible love letter to fans of the series. The art, music, and writing were top notch. and the game never felt like it was over staying its welcome. I didn't especially care for the ring minigame but I look forward to seeing more of this kind of content in the future.
I have to admit that A Link to the Past has finally met its match as my favorite 2D entry in the Zelda series. The merging mechanic is a neat twist on classic Zelda dungeon and overworld traversal too. Every corner of the map is just filled to the brim with content to sink my teeth into. I love the visuals, the music, and the story is something that kept me engaged unlike most Zelda titles. I can't help but mention Ravio's shop too; it was so nice to get every item so early on and it opened up almost every heart piece and Maiamai in the Light World a few hours into the game. The game was a bit on the easy side and the ice physics are super annoying as expected, but this game still gets an easy 5/5 from me.
It's absolutely insane how much they improved from the first game. I though the first game was an average experience and didn't have much else to say. Everything is better in Uncharted 2; the music is better, the visuals are better, the controls are better, the characters are better, the voice acting is better, the shooting is better, and the story is the real standout here. The way the game seamlessly transitions between gameplay sections and story segments is so far ahead of its time, just wow.
1987
Looking back on this one, maybe it deserves 2 stars instead of 1.5 considering the time it came out. However, I still don't like this one all that much. The controls aren't great, it's frustratingly tough, and the boss fights aren't all that amazing. It has a solid soundtrack and is an undeniable classic, but it will get a 2/5 from me.
I liked this game but it has to be my least favorite of the 2D entries in the series. The game felt slow despite it being pretty short and that has to do with the overworld not being particularly fun to travel through, the constant item switching, and the long, annoying text boxes. None of the dungeons really stood out to me either unlike Minish Cap or ALTTP. The boss fights were cool and the story and soundtrack were enjoyable, but I can't say too much else. I think the remake fixes most of my problems so I can look forward to playing that version.
I've never played a game that has an open-world as vast as Xenoblade Chronicles X. Exploring the game is an incredible experience that never got old (even though you can get dusted by high-level enemies). The side-quests and enemy designs are also highlights. Unfortunately, the story kind of drags on and ends on an annoying cliffhanger. On top of that, there can be plenty of mindless money grinding for skells and whatnot, but my playthrough was still generally enjoyable.
2018
The story is excellently woven in every part of the gameplay. The fighting is smooth and satisfying but isn't afraid to switch it up on you before you get too comfortable. Every character is well voiced and has their own interesting story that makes me want to keep playing too. This is already a very easy game to recommend to anyone without even mentioning the excellent soundtrack.
Simply incredible. Samus controls like a dream and I actually enjoyed backtracking through certain sections every time I got a new ability for the suit. The stealth sections toward the end were a lovely change of pace and it only made getting the power suit back that much more special. This game makes the original Metroid obsolete and any fan of video games that wants to get into Metroid should start with this one.
This is a breath of fresh air for the Pokémon franchise. Despite it being a series that I've never been that into, this game manages its pace quite well and I couldn't stop myself from wanting to catch every creature I came across. The story was disappointing, though I will admit that its connections to Gen 4 were pleasant to longtime fans. The graphics and presentation were also subpar for a Nintendo Switch game. Nevertheless, the gameplay was too engaging to care for me. A quality title in the series, but some noticeable flaws that I hope they improve on in future sequels.
2018
Fantastic platformer that is sure to challenge veterans of the genre but avoids overly punishing the player. The story is excellently woven into the gameplay and engages the player throughout every chapter.