Games Finished in 2023 Ranked
As in, games I hit credits on for the first time this year, while also including endless stuff like Suika
26 Games
11th Oct to 3rd Nov - [Deck (Proton)]
I love note-taking as gameplay - so satisfying to have a physical artifact that develops and fills up as you play. But what made it wonderful in my time with Void Stranger was sharing it with others, and getting complimented on my sketches and theories. That made playing so much fun. That's a really personal fun a game designer can't make for you, only provide an opportunity for. In that sense, this was the most fun I've had with a video game. Beyond grateful for such a unique and fascinating play experience, outside of the incredible artistic craft on display.
[5/5] - #2
I love note-taking as gameplay - so satisfying to have a physical artifact that develops and fills up as you play. But what made it wonderful in my time with Void Stranger was sharing it with others, and getting complimented on my sketches and theories. That made playing so much fun. That's a really personal fun a game designer can't make for you, only provide an opportunity for. In that sense, this was the most fun I've had with a video game. Beyond grateful for such a unique and fascinating play experience, outside of the incredible artistic craft on display.
[5/5] - #2
10th June to 15th July - [Switch]
my mind once more drifts to Martha. I yowl in pain like a wounded dog. I love literature
[5/5] - #3
my mind once more drifts to Martha. I yowl in pain like a wounded dog. I love literature
[5/5] - #3
30th Sept to 11th Oct - [Deck (Proton)]
ZeroRanger is a phenomenal STG, but what really stands out for me is how accessible it is. Through it's design, it teaches you the mindset for approaching any STG, which is incredibly valuable as someone new to the genre
[5/5] - #5
ZeroRanger is a phenomenal STG, but what really stands out for me is how accessible it is. Through it's design, it teaches you the mindset for approaching any STG, which is incredibly valuable as someone new to the genre
[5/5] - #5
5th to 7th Dec - [Switch]
Incredible tension. It's beyond thrilling to watch the two days unravel without leaving any time to breathe
[5/5] - #6 (as Umineko no Naku Koro ni / WTC3)
Incredible tension. It's beyond thrilling to watch the two days unravel without leaving any time to breathe
[5/5] - #6 (as Umineko no Naku Koro ni / WTC3)
18th to 23rd Dec - [Switch]
"The food they were given had small bombs in it, which exploded from inside their stomachs. In other words, the crime is possible through trap X! The details of a bomb that they could swallow without noticing and that could blow open their stomachs is a Devil's Proof! I refuse to explain!!"
[5/5] - #6 (as Umineko no Naku Koro ni / WTC3)
"The food they were given had small bombs in it, which exploded from inside their stomachs. In other words, the crime is possible through trap X! The details of a bomb that they could swallow without noticing and that could blow open their stomachs is a Devil's Proof! I refuse to explain!!"
[5/5] - #6 (as Umineko no Naku Koro ni / WTC3)
31st Aug to 15th Sept - [Deck (Proton)]
Watching Utawarerumono go from VN with janky tactics toppings, which I already loved, to maybe the best tactics RPG I've ever played, was like having one of my beloved children show me they got an A+ on their report card
[5/5] - #17
Watching Utawarerumono go from VN with janky tactics toppings, which I already loved, to maybe the best tactics RPG I've ever played, was like having one of my beloved children show me they got an A+ on their report card
[5/5] - #17
19th to 25th Sept - [DSi]
Very cute, very cool, relaxed game. Surprisingly well-oiled systems if you hit it more than once - having no online resources and intuiting how it clicks yourself is really satisfying
[5/5] - #21
Very cute, very cool, relaxed game. Surprisingly well-oiled systems if you hit it more than once - having no online resources and intuiting how it clicks yourself is really satisfying
[5/5] - #21
18th July to 31st Aug - [3DS]
[5/5] - #25
[5/5] - #25
13th to 18th Dec - [Switch]
WHY DON'T YOU JUST GO AHEAD AND [small bombs] FOR EVERRRRR
[4/5] - #6 (as Umineko no Naku Koro ni / WTC3)
WHY DON'T YOU JUST GO AHEAD AND [small bombs] FOR EVERRRRR
[4/5] - #6 (as Umineko no Naku Koro ni / WTC3)
10th to 25th Aug - [Deck (Proton)]
Im buying milk at the Iceland. my mind once more drifts to Haku. I yowl in pain like a wounded dog. Not much war in this one
[4/5] - #37
Im buying milk at the Iceland. my mind once more drifts to Haku. I yowl in pain like a wounded dog. Not much war in this one
[4/5] - #37
9th to 12th Dec - [Switch]
It's incredible that, despite everything, Rosa is the coolest character
[4/5] - #6 (as Umineko no Naku Koro ni / WTC3)
It's incredible that, despite everything, Rosa is the coolest character
[4/5] - #6 (as Umineko no Naku Koro ni / WTC3)
15th to 17th Sept - [DSi]
Very hot video game. Had to look up a guide for some of the puzzles but mostly intuitive
[4/5] - #42
Very hot video game. Had to look up a guide for some of the puzzles but mostly intuitive
[4/5] - #42
25th to 28th Sept - [DSi]
Sick as hell. Best "adaptive music" game I've ever played. I don't have understand how it works but it rocks
[4/5] - #44
Sick as hell. Best "adaptive music" game I've ever played. I don't have understand how it works but it rocks
[4/5] - #44
10th Apr to 2nd Aug - [Deck (Proton)]
Tension here is very high. The stretched twig of peace is... at melting point. People here are literally bursting with War. This is very much a country that's gonna blow up, in it's face.
[4/5] - #46
Tension here is very high. The stretched twig of peace is... at melting point. People here are literally bursting with War. This is very much a country that's gonna blow up, in it's face.
[4/5] - #46
21
Started 28th Sept - [Switch]
my mind once again drifts to the fruit being shot towards the ceiling. I die instantly
[4/5] - #50
my mind once again drifts to the fruit being shot towards the ceiling. I die instantly
[4/5] - #50
12th May to 8th June - [Switch]
Goes without saying this game is absolutely phenomenal. I did feel like the superpositioning of incredible vehicle tinkering on top of what was a game really focused about discovery and exploration does create friction, though. It lacks the design clarity / cohesiveness that BOTW held
[4/5] - #60
Goes without saying this game is absolutely phenomenal. I did feel like the superpositioning of incredible vehicle tinkering on top of what was a game really focused about discovery and exploration does create friction, though. It lacks the design clarity / cohesiveness that BOTW held
[4/5] - #60
31st Jan to 20th Feb - [Switch]
So funny that the Fire Emblem sentai transformation keyword is "ENGAGE !!". Every time I turn into rainbow Marth I point at the telly like I'm Picard. Anyway this game rocks
[4/5] - #66
So funny that the Fire Emblem sentai transformation keyword is "ENGAGE !!". Every time I turn into rainbow Marth I point at the telly like I'm Picard. Anyway this game rocks
[4/5] - #66
24
11th to 13th Apr - [Switch]
[4/5]
[4/5]
27th Jan to 9th Apr - [Switch]
Pokemon works better as an open-world game than it did as a series of routes, which always felt like slices through nature - moving a patch of forest into a zoo and calling it "the wild". Here, you often feel like you're intruding in a place you shouldn't be, and that doesn't belong to you. This is as true for Scarlet as it was for it's weird twin, Legends: Arceus, though I'd say the latter does it better.
[4/5]
Pokemon works better as an open-world game than it did as a series of routes, which always felt like slices through nature - moving a patch of forest into a zoo and calling it "the wild". Here, you often feel like you're intruding in a place you shouldn't be, and that doesn't belong to you. This is as true for Scarlet as it was for it's weird twin, Legends: Arceus, though I'd say the latter does it better.
[4/5]
23rd June to 15th Jul - [PS5]
I cut this game some slack because I enjoy the kaiju battles as much as I do, but I've realised as time has passed it really does not deserve any slack at all
[2/5]
I cut this game some slack because I enjoy the kaiju battles as much as I do, but I've realised as time has passed it really does not deserve any slack at all
[2/5]