MikeVollminator
BACKER
2004
Ya know I relate to Louie on a personal level. I too am a near worthless cog in the corporate machine, who would sacrifice a companies profits and place it into bankruptcy. Only truly finding peace when left behind in a world free from the capitalist agenda with my colorful homies....
Pikmin 2 is a fun game.
Pikmin 2 is a fun game.
2012
I liked it a lot but yeah that ending is....not great. I was kind of hoping that y'all were over hyping it but it was a bummer and left me pretty hollow when the credits rolled. I think it would be easy for me to rate this lower just on that alone, but when I think of ME3 I will think of the journey not the destination.
2001
Pour one out for the 1,047 Pikmin that lost their lives in combat so that Olimar could get a tanning bed back to his ship.
2018
It has a solid premise and some good ideas, but the package as a whole does not work. It is bogged down by a needless crafting system, clunky/overly repetitive combat and writing that thinks it's smarter than it actually is.
If this game had focused up its narrative, limited its cast and changed how it tackled combat it would have been a really great title. Others seem to like this game just fine but for me it's a certified skip it.
If this game had focused up its narrative, limited its cast and changed how it tackled combat it would have been a really great title. Others seem to like this game just fine but for me it's a certified skip it.
It's pretty easy to enjoy this title but I would argue the experience is mixed overall. The style is nice but they don't ever go all the way with it, making it feel very undercooked. The story can range from generally alright to incredibly cringey at times. Lakeshore as a location feels very ripe with great track potential and variety, but they rarely ever capitalize on that. And yeah as other have noted the soundtrack is absolute garbage at times.
But even with it's negatives my time with Unbound was filled with 3am play sessions where I was down for just "1 more race" before bed. Once I swapped in my own playlist and unlocked some faster cars I was all in on the fun.
In the end if you are looking for a solid open world, arcade racer, with excellent crashing physics and great race design....Go play Burnout Paradise. But this one is pretty good too.
But even with it's negatives my time with Unbound was filled with 3am play sessions where I was down for just "1 more race" before bed. Once I swapped in my own playlist and unlocked some faster cars I was all in on the fun.
In the end if you are looking for a solid open world, arcade racer, with excellent crashing physics and great race design....Go play Burnout Paradise. But this one is pretty good too.
2023
This artistically impressive title is rich with unique lore and eldritch inspired nightmares. It regularly surprised me and made the simple act of catching new types of undersea life rewarding.
I do feel as though it loses its fear factor in the final stretch. Seems like this would easily be solved by a reorder of the unique biomes you visit or possibly cutting the final one out entirely. But even so this game is far from shallow and I very much recommend it.
I do feel as though it loses its fear factor in the final stretch. Seems like this would easily be solved by a reorder of the unique biomes you visit or possibly cutting the final one out entirely. But even so this game is far from shallow and I very much recommend it.
Building off of the already impressive open world design philosophy of Breath of the Wild this title could have easily coasted by just being more of the same. Instead we were treated to a wide range of incredible set pieces, unique puzzles and powerful enemies. All which we had the freedom to tackle how we see fit.
Formulating my thoughts on Tears of the Kingdom is tough. I feel like it is hard to capture into words just how immersive and freeing this title is. Nintendo created unique and interesting locations but rather than gate us down a specific path that gave us the true freedom leading to so much variety when completing objectives.
One could argue that BOTW already accomplished this goal, but even that title had specific limitations that are broken down by the new masterhand abilities. Each one fundamentally challenges your imagination and makes the world your own personal adventure.
All of this on top of the significantly richer narrative and lore that this version of Hyrule has lovingly crafted. Finding the Master Sword is a moment I will not soon forget given its plot significance, and this Ganondorf stands out as the most menacing and determined version of the character. This is just as much his story and he steals most scenes with his confidence and power.
I will admit completely that if BOTW wasn't your jam, I don't think this title will win you over. Much of what is here is building off that foundation set by those survival elements. Weapon durability, resource management and shrines galore. If those were deal breakers for you before they will be here as well.
But even when considering that I find myself in the same place I was when I was playing/reviewing the recent Resident Evil 4 Remake. I believe objectively, this is not only one of the greatest open worlds but one of the most intelligently designed games. Is it my favorite Legend of Zelda title? No, but I will 100% say with full confidence that I believe this is one of the greatest games ever made.
Formulating my thoughts on Tears of the Kingdom is tough. I feel like it is hard to capture into words just how immersive and freeing this title is. Nintendo created unique and interesting locations but rather than gate us down a specific path that gave us the true freedom leading to so much variety when completing objectives.
One could argue that BOTW already accomplished this goal, but even that title had specific limitations that are broken down by the new masterhand abilities. Each one fundamentally challenges your imagination and makes the world your own personal adventure.
All of this on top of the significantly richer narrative and lore that this version of Hyrule has lovingly crafted. Finding the Master Sword is a moment I will not soon forget given its plot significance, and this Ganondorf stands out as the most menacing and determined version of the character. This is just as much his story and he steals most scenes with his confidence and power.
I will admit completely that if BOTW wasn't your jam, I don't think this title will win you over. Much of what is here is building off that foundation set by those survival elements. Weapon durability, resource management and shrines galore. If those were deal breakers for you before they will be here as well.
But even when considering that I find myself in the same place I was when I was playing/reviewing the recent Resident Evil 4 Remake. I believe objectively, this is not only one of the greatest open worlds but one of the most intelligently designed games. Is it my favorite Legend of Zelda title? No, but I will 100% say with full confidence that I believe this is one of the greatest games ever made.
2019
This potassium filled adventure is ripe with fun arcade action that begs you to peel back it's layers to improve your scores and times.
I think this title has the strongest set piece moments, at the time it was the best gunplay in the series and the puzzles are solid. My love for Sully makes this almost my favorite Uncharted, but there some weird pacing choices that knock it down a bit. Still an Incredible experience that I highly recommend.
2023
I don't think this game is better than the original RE4, but I also don't think it's a weaker title. This game feels like the true 4th degree for releases in games. We have Remakes, Reboots, Remasters and now just like RE2:R a true example of Reimagining a title.
This game oddly enough feels like the perfect companion piece to an already perfectly made game. Its improvements don't feel like they replace the original title but rather recontextualizes this campy and action packed adventure into a strong horror masterclass.
It's still goofy, it's still sexy, it's still RE4. But it is important to remember it's thanks to the original RE4 that we have cinematic, character/story driven games. For them to take those initial building blocks that inspired so many other games and create a title that feels like it captures that initial inspiration in a new light is impressive.
Resident Evil 4 is not my favorite RE game. It's not in my top 10 games of all time. But without it most of my favorite titles wouldn't exist in their current state. I believe the original RE4 is one of the greatest games ever made, and I think this games sits right beside it.
TLDR: I geeked so hard when I blocked a chainsaw with my knife.
This game oddly enough feels like the perfect companion piece to an already perfectly made game. Its improvements don't feel like they replace the original title but rather recontextualizes this campy and action packed adventure into a strong horror masterclass.
It's still goofy, it's still sexy, it's still RE4. But it is important to remember it's thanks to the original RE4 that we have cinematic, character/story driven games. For them to take those initial building blocks that inspired so many other games and create a title that feels like it captures that initial inspiration in a new light is impressive.
Resident Evil 4 is not my favorite RE game. It's not in my top 10 games of all time. But without it most of my favorite titles wouldn't exist in their current state. I believe the original RE4 is one of the greatest games ever made, and I think this games sits right beside it.
TLDR: I geeked so hard when I blocked a chainsaw with my knife.
2020
Unfortunate to say but this game perfectly captures that more game doesn't always equal better. It's first 3 hours are incredibly strong!....but then it keeps going for another 4 more without adding anything new to the experience.
If you are a fan of horror and gore I do recommend you check the title out. Just know that if you have watched the trailer, there isn't much more in this beautifully grotesque package that will surprise you.
If you are a fan of horror and gore I do recommend you check the title out. Just know that if you have watched the trailer, there isn't much more in this beautifully grotesque package that will surprise you.
2016
There are many reasons that this is not only considered one of the greatest farming sims but for a ton of people it's also one of the greatest games ever made. The valley gives back whatever you put into it. This can be as simple or as complicated of a life you want. Masterfully made with such care and attention to detail.
Saying I have completed this game feels foolish because I know I will return to this wonderful little valley and its great townsfolk in no time.
Saying I have completed this game feels foolish because I know I will return to this wonderful little valley and its great townsfolk in no time.
"The Impossible Lair" level left me as humbled as much as the game itself left me impressed. It's platforming isn't as polished as I would like for a game this challenging, but the positives more than make up for it.
A stellar soundtrack, engaging level design and a unique overworld make this an easy game to recommend to 2D platformer fans.
A stellar soundtrack, engaging level design and a unique overworld make this an easy game to recommend to 2D platformer fans.
2001
Having not grown up playing this title I can say that while the game didn't have me laughing, it had me chuckling throughout. I feel as though most of its charm is helped by it's N64 graphics and styling. It's not the best platformer, and defiantly not a good shooter, but it's a very solid parody title that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Overall I had a fun time and would recommend.
Overall I had a fun time and would recommend.
2007
The free movie ticket my copy came with expired and the my local theater wouldn't honor it.