Replays Can Make or Break
I'm the type of gal that prefers stuff that grows on me with revisits. Why else would I be such a huge fan of Sonic and Mega Man? Revisits can be a mixed bag, though. They can either enhance the experience even more, or they can open your eyes to new struggles. Here are some prime candidates for games that have gotten better/worse for me when replaying them.
30 Games
Original rating: 4/10
Current rating: 7/10
Maybe I've just grown used to Inti Creates' design philosophy by this point, but I honestly had a lot more fun with 9 the last time I played it. I have a feeling it'll grow on me even more with revisits.
Current rating: 7/10
Maybe I've just grown used to Inti Creates' design philosophy by this point, but I honestly had a lot more fun with 9 the last time I played it. I have a feeling it'll grow on me even more with revisits.
Original rating: 6/10
Current rating: 9/10
Dear miku, I can't believe I didn't enjoy this game before! I honestly love this even more than X1. The fast paced action and replay value are ramped up even higher here. If it wasn't for X4 as Zero, this would be my favorite X instalment bar none.
Current rating: 9/10
Dear miku, I can't believe I didn't enjoy this game before! I honestly love this even more than X1. The fast paced action and replay value are ramped up even higher here. If it wasn't for X4 as Zero, this would be my favorite X instalment bar none.
Original rating: 7/10
Current rating: 9/10
I'm a sucker for the MMZ formula, so I already appreciated this game going into it. That being said, my first playthrough wasn't the most pleasant. The high skill level and useless map made it really difficult to finish. I will admit, as a metroidvania, it's a pretty shoddy attempt. But as a Mega Man game? Easily a favourite of mine. The challenge in this game is for reals and I can't get enough.
Current rating: 9/10
I'm a sucker for the MMZ formula, so I already appreciated this game going into it. That being said, my first playthrough wasn't the most pleasant. The high skill level and useless map made it really difficult to finish. I will admit, as a metroidvania, it's a pretty shoddy attempt. But as a Mega Man game? Easily a favourite of mine. The challenge in this game is for reals and I can't get enough.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 6/10
Believe it or not, this was my favorite X game when I started the series. ...I'm not exactly sure WHY. Even on my first playthrough, I struggled with it way more than X1 or X2, and the level design, bosses, and weapons are way less interesting. Why would I even give it a 6/10 now? I DON'T KNOW!
Current rating: 6/10
Believe it or not, this was my favorite X game when I started the series. ...I'm not exactly sure WHY. Even on my first playthrough, I struggled with it way more than X1 or X2, and the level design, bosses, and weapons are way less interesting. Why would I even give it a 6/10 now? I DON'T KNOW!
Original rating: 7/10
Current rating: 10/10
This is a purely biased pick and I won't deny that. If I were being more critical, I definitely wouldn't rate this game so high. I have my issues with it, trust me. My rose tinted glasses blind my judgement, however. My attachment to this game is very special. Besides already being one of my partner's favourite games, getting to play it with them on our one year anniversary was such a special memory I will cherish forever.
Current rating: 10/10
This is a purely biased pick and I won't deny that. If I were being more critical, I definitely wouldn't rate this game so high. I have my issues with it, trust me. My rose tinted glasses blind my judgement, however. My attachment to this game is very special. Besides already being one of my partner's favourite games, getting to play it with them on our one year anniversary was such a special memory I will cherish forever.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 5/10
I used to really appreciate this game for its creativity and distinct vibe. Now, to be fair, I still appreciate those aspects. But the game's appeal is much more muddled for me now. It's not really the stage gimmicks that bother me (besides Astro Man's level), either. It honestly feels like the game is designed to distract the player as much as possible with enemies spammed everywhere and foreground elements that often block the playing field. Not to mention, a lot of the ideas while unique tend to feel undercooked or unpolished. I love the vibe of Mega Man 8, but I can't say I enjoy playing it much these days.
Current rating: 5/10
I used to really appreciate this game for its creativity and distinct vibe. Now, to be fair, I still appreciate those aspects. But the game's appeal is much more muddled for me now. It's not really the stage gimmicks that bother me (besides Astro Man's level), either. It honestly feels like the game is designed to distract the player as much as possible with enemies spammed everywhere and foreground elements that often block the playing field. Not to mention, a lot of the ideas while unique tend to feel undercooked or unpolished. I love the vibe of Mega Man 8, but I can't say I enjoy playing it much these days.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 5/10
I used to think this was great because it was a remake of the three most beloved Mega Man games. Then I played the rest of the series and realised I didn't enjoy the first three games anymore. So completely faithful remakes that run worse than the NES games doesn't appeal to me, really.
Current rating: 5/10
I used to think this was great because it was a remake of the three most beloved Mega Man games. Then I played the rest of the series and realised I didn't enjoy the first three games anymore. So completely faithful remakes that run worse than the NES games doesn't appeal to me, really.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 5/10
It's stylish as hell, the soundtrack goes harder than it has any right to, and Blaze is the best Snoc character. Otherwise... I don't like the boost in a purely 2D game it makes all the speed segments completely mindless and the levels have really bad flow and are constantly stopping you for uninspired platforming segments or useless enemy gauntlets where you spam the boost left and right oh and the boss fights are terrible why are there long ass waiting games in a sonic game I'm sorry I just don't like this game much
Current rating: 5/10
It's stylish as hell, the soundtrack goes harder than it has any right to, and Blaze is the best Snoc character. Otherwise... I don't like the boost in a purely 2D game it makes all the speed segments completely mindless and the levels have really bad flow and are constantly stopping you for uninspired platforming segments or useless enemy gauntlets where you spam the boost left and right oh and the boss fights are terrible why are there long ass waiting games in a sonic game I'm sorry I just don't like this game much
Original rating: 3/10
Current rating: 9/10
What inspired me to make this list to begin with; I despised Unleashed when I started playing it. The slippery controls, poor performance, and inconsistent pacing made it a chore to play. I still share those issues, don't get me wrong. But I honestly adore everything about this game otherwise. I love the reactionary and memorization based spectacle of the daytime stages, and I honestly really enjoy the slower paced, methodical platforming and combat of the werehog (even if it doesn't really belong in sonic). Oh, and Unleashed's aesthetic? Peak.
Current rating: 9/10
What inspired me to make this list to begin with; I despised Unleashed when I started playing it. The slippery controls, poor performance, and inconsistent pacing made it a chore to play. I still share those issues, don't get me wrong. But I honestly adore everything about this game otherwise. I love the reactionary and memorization based spectacle of the daytime stages, and I honestly really enjoy the slower paced, methodical platforming and combat of the werehog (even if it doesn't really belong in sonic). Oh, and Unleashed's aesthetic? Peak.
Original rating: 6/10
Current rating: 9/10
My first plow through Colors, I could definitely tolerate it although the wisps kind of ruined it for me. I didn't enjoy being forced to use so many clunky power-ups. I think I just went into this game with the wrong expectations. It really shouldn't be approached like the typical boost games. It's way more about exploring the levels to your heart's contempt and experimenting with all the different power-ups offered to you. It's one of the most replayable games in the series, if you ask me.
Current rating: 9/10
My first plow through Colors, I could definitely tolerate it although the wisps kind of ruined it for me. I didn't enjoy being forced to use so many clunky power-ups. I think I just went into this game with the wrong expectations. It really shouldn't be approached like the typical boost games. It's way more about exploring the levels to your heart's contempt and experimenting with all the different power-ups offered to you. It's one of the most replayable games in the series, if you ask me.
Original rating: 3/10
Current rating: 6/10
Honestly, a lot of my complaints about this game are still true; I can't stand the level design or bosses. That all being said, this game has a genuinely great flow to it. Better than most DiMPS produced Sonic games, if I'm being honest.
Current rating: 6/10
Honestly, a lot of my complaints about this game are still true; I can't stand the level design or bosses. That all being said, this game has a genuinely great flow to it. Better than most DiMPS produced Sonic games, if I'm being honest.
Original rating: 5/10
Current rating: 9/10
Wowee zowee, I did not share the same sentiments as most people when I first played Sonic 3. I think that was mostly due to Marble Garden zone, which is certainly still pretty tedious in its own right. I just wasn't able to see the pure beauty of 3 at the time. The perfect blend of platforming, speed, and exploration, the sheer scope, the colorful aesthetic, and ESPECIALLY that banging ass soundtrack. Sonic 3 is indeed a masterpiece.
Current rating: 9/10
Wowee zowee, I did not share the same sentiments as most people when I first played Sonic 3. I think that was mostly due to Marble Garden zone, which is certainly still pretty tedious in its own right. I just wasn't able to see the pure beauty of 3 at the time. The perfect blend of platforming, speed, and exploration, the sheer scope, the colorful aesthetic, and ESPECIALLY that banging ass soundtrack. Sonic 3 is indeed a masterpiece.
Original rating: 10/10
Current rating: 7/10
What was once my favorite Sonic game is now... a plateau tier game for the series in my eyes. I don't even mind the massive and over the top level design that much, I just think this game lacks depth. I mean, why have levels this open ended if there's hardly anything to explore in them? If you don't choose to explore, then you're left with very simple level paths that lack much challenge at all. CD probably should be lower, but I'm simply a sucker for the classic sonic formula.
Current rating: 7/10
What was once my favorite Sonic game is now... a plateau tier game for the series in my eyes. I don't even mind the massive and over the top level design that much, I just think this game lacks depth. I mean, why have levels this open ended if there's hardly anything to explore in them? If you don't choose to explore, then you're left with very simple level paths that lack much challenge at all. CD probably should be lower, but I'm simply a sucker for the classic sonic formula.
Original rating: 7/10
Current rating: 9/10
Playing this straight after EBA did not do me any favors. Aside from all the extra features such as replays or bonus stages obviously missing, the beatmaps aren't as tightly designed. Now, I can't get enough of the Ouendan/EBA trilogy, so I can really appreciate this game and its humble yet still exaggerated beginnings.
Current rating: 9/10
Playing this straight after EBA did not do me any favors. Aside from all the extra features such as replays or bonus stages obviously missing, the beatmaps aren't as tightly designed. Now, I can't get enough of the Ouendan/EBA trilogy, so I can really appreciate this game and its humble yet still exaggerated beginnings.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 5/10
My first time playing Pokemon in a long time and it did me no favours. I find it a lot harder to appreciate what they were doing back in Red and Blue when they were so faithful to a fault and made everything way more restrictive.
Current rating: 5/10
My first time playing Pokemon in a long time and it did me no favours. I find it a lot harder to appreciate what they were doing back in Red and Blue when they were so faithful to a fault and made everything way more restrictive.
Original rating: 7/10
Current rating: 4/10
The very first Mario Party game I ever played! You know, the one with boards devoid of life, poorly implemented mechanics, an extremely iffy selection of minigames (1/8th of them literally involving mashing one button), and a heavier emphasis on luck than just about any other Mario Party! ...My three year old soul yearns.
Current rating: 4/10
The very first Mario Party game I ever played! You know, the one with boards devoid of life, poorly implemented mechanics, an extremely iffy selection of minigames (1/8th of them literally involving mashing one button), and a heavier emphasis on luck than just about any other Mario Party! ...My three year old soul yearns.
Original rating: 5/10
Current rating: 9/10
I already didn't see the appeal of this game since City Folk was essentially a much better version, so combine that with the choppy as hell frame rate and the ugly terrain and you had my least favorite AC for the longest time. It's still technically nothing special, but I've really learned to appreciate the simplicity and charm of Wild World. It gives me the most warm snuggling with a blanket next to a fireplace while drinking hot cocoa vibes. I prefer it over City Folk or New Horizons, if I'm being honest.
Current rating: 9/10
I already didn't see the appeal of this game since City Folk was essentially a much better version, so combine that with the choppy as hell frame rate and the ugly terrain and you had my least favorite AC for the longest time. It's still technically nothing special, but I've really learned to appreciate the simplicity and charm of Wild World. It gives me the most warm snuggling with a blanket next to a fireplace while drinking hot cocoa vibes. I prefer it over City Folk or New Horizons, if I'm being honest.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 6/10
The Crash Bandicoot trilogy on PS1 was my childhood. All three were some of my favorite platformers ever. I can't say that's the case anymore, sadly. Beyond how little about this game impresses me from a mechanical or design standpoint, the controls and depth perception are what ruin the first game especially for me. Essential for sure; it's just not for me. Although I do appreciate how balls to the walls hard the levels can be.
Current rating: 6/10
The Crash Bandicoot trilogy on PS1 was my childhood. All three were some of my favorite platformers ever. I can't say that's the case anymore, sadly. Beyond how little about this game impresses me from a mechanical or design standpoint, the controls and depth perception are what ruin the first game especially for me. Essential for sure; it's just not for me. Although I do appreciate how balls to the walls hard the levels can be.
Original rating: 9/10
Current rating: 7/10
Why did one of the coolest looking games ever have to be so tedious? It’s less so the controls that bother me; although I do think movement feels a bit too heavy for my liking. It’s the time limits and constant barrage of enemies that leave me frustrated. I can still enjoy this game, but JSRF fixes everything I don’t like about this game and then some.
Current rating: 7/10
Why did one of the coolest looking games ever have to be so tedious? It’s less so the controls that bother me; although I do think movement feels a bit too heavy for my liking. It’s the time limits and constant barrage of enemies that leave me frustrated. I can still enjoy this game, but JSRF fixes everything I don’t like about this game and then some.
Original rating: 9/10
Current rating: 7/10
This game is so charming and fun and whimsical! ...For about a week!
Current rating: 7/10
This game is so charming and fun and whimsical! ...For about a week!
Original rating: 7/10
Current rating: 2/10
Maybe I'm wayyyyyy too jaded, but I can't really think of anything positive to say about FNAF 3 besides Springtrap being a cool character. Aesthetically, FNAF 3 is incredibly drab, and the gameplay loop is so dull and luck based it's possible to finish the game without doing anything. At all. For the entire run. I am not joking.
Current rating: 2/10
Maybe I'm wayyyyyy too jaded, but I can't really think of anything positive to say about FNAF 3 besides Springtrap being a cool character. Aesthetically, FNAF 3 is incredibly drab, and the gameplay loop is so dull and luck based it's possible to finish the game without doing anything. At all. For the entire run. I am not joking.
Original rating: 7/10
Current rating: 4/10
You... press the same attack button. And you move. And all the levels feel the exact same. That's all she wrote.
Current rating: 4/10
You... press the same attack button. And you move. And all the levels feel the exact same. That's all she wrote.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 4/10
I'll be honest, I am not a fan of the mystery dungeon gameplay. The way they try to mix dungeon crawling with turn based gameplay feels so clunky to me. Combining that with really annoying mechanics like recruiting pokemon doesn't help my onion of this game, either.
Current rating: 4/10
I'll be honest, I am not a fan of the mystery dungeon gameplay. The way they try to mix dungeon crawling with turn based gameplay feels so clunky to me. Combining that with really annoying mechanics like recruiting pokemon doesn't help my onion of this game, either.
Original rating: 7/10
Current rating: 5/10
This one is a bit of a guilty pleasure. PSASBR felt like it was trying so hard to set itself apart from smash bros while still playing similarly and it fails in almost every regard. Because don't you love mindlessly attacking opponents for energy and then spending said energy on a special attack in hopes it'll kill your opponent? Oh, or how about how this game didn't even try to blend all the different series together so you have really jarring style clashes like LittleBigPlanet and Bioshock? Oh, or how about the absolute DISGRACE that is PaRappa's ugly ass design? This game is a complete mess and somehow I enjoyed it as a child.
Current rating: 5/10
This one is a bit of a guilty pleasure. PSASBR felt like it was trying so hard to set itself apart from smash bros while still playing similarly and it fails in almost every regard. Because don't you love mindlessly attacking opponents for energy and then spending said energy on a special attack in hopes it'll kill your opponent? Oh, or how about how this game didn't even try to blend all the different series together so you have really jarring style clashes like LittleBigPlanet and Bioshock? Oh, or how about the absolute DISGRACE that is PaRappa's ugly ass design? This game is a complete mess and somehow I enjoyed it as a child.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 5/10
It's like Donkey Kong 94 but instead of being a bite sized and fast paced puzzle platformer, it's a sluggish and dull puzzle platformer. Even without comparing the two, it's still pretty uninteresting, though.
Current rating: 5/10
It's like Donkey Kong 94 but instead of being a bite sized and fast paced puzzle platformer, it's a sluggish and dull puzzle platformer. Even without comparing the two, it's still pretty uninteresting, though.
Original rating: 9/10
Current rating: 5/10
I really want to love this game. But dear miku, the level design dips so fucking hard by world 4. It's so hard for me to squeeze much enjoyment out of any of the rest of the game by that point.
Current rating: 5/10
I really want to love this game. But dear miku, the level design dips so fucking hard by world 4. It's so hard for me to squeeze much enjoyment out of any of the rest of the game by that point.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 6/10
This game feels so claustrophobic to play. A kirby metroidvania is cool in concept but using the same power-up/HP system as Kirby's Adventure was not cool in concept. Or in execution.
Current rating: 6/10
This game feels so claustrophobic to play. A kirby metroidvania is cool in concept but using the same power-up/HP system as Kirby's Adventure was not cool in concept. Or in execution.
Original rating: 10/10
Current rating: 5/10
I’m sorry, but if you ask me, Crash 2 is literally the 3D platformer I’ve ever played. Nothing about it intrigued me in the slightest. It’s still a well made game of course, and way more polished than the first game. Yet it lacks the sheer difficulty of the first game. Most of the levels were painfully easy to get through without any interesting set pieces or gimmicks to distinguish them. The only way I could squeeze any enjoyment was by going for 100%, but even that’s tedious as hell because of all the in level backtracking. You know, in Crash. Where the camera is always fixed. I find Crash 2 boring at best and frustrating at worst.
Current rating: 5/10
I’m sorry, but if you ask me, Crash 2 is literally the 3D platformer I’ve ever played. Nothing about it intrigued me in the slightest. It’s still a well made game of course, and way more polished than the first game. Yet it lacks the sheer difficulty of the first game. Most of the levels were painfully easy to get through without any interesting set pieces or gimmicks to distinguish them. The only way I could squeeze any enjoyment was by going for 100%, but even that’s tedious as hell because of all the in level backtracking. You know, in Crash. Where the camera is always fixed. I find Crash 2 boring at best and frustrating at worst.
Original rating: 8/10
Current rating: 6/10
I learned from replaying Blue, Crystal, and Emerald that I really love those games still. So, why did Platinum fail to resonate with me in the same way? It's a combination of doubling down on aspects of the formula that desperately needed changing, a messily designed overworld, and a flashy yet shallow story that tries to waste as much of my time as possible. I appreciate how challenging it is, though.
Current rating: 6/10
I learned from replaying Blue, Crystal, and Emerald that I really love those games still. So, why did Platinum fail to resonate with me in the same way? It's a combination of doubling down on aspects of the formula that desperately needed changing, a messily designed overworld, and a flashy yet shallow story that tries to waste as much of my time as possible. I appreciate how challenging it is, though.
Original rating: 9/10
Current rating: 4/10
Only including this because I love Brawl otherwise. I used to adore Subspace Emissary and thought it was an ingenious way of blending Smash with platforming. Combined with the story and the sticker system, I thought it was probably the best single player mode a Smash game had to offer.
…And now, I struggle to squeeze enjoyment out of it. I still appreciate the story and sticker system, but actually playing it is so boring now. What good is Smash with platforming when platforming feels bad and the level design is bland as hell?
Current rating: 4/10
Only including this because I love Brawl otherwise. I used to adore Subspace Emissary and thought it was an ingenious way of blending Smash with platforming. Combined with the story and the sticker system, I thought it was probably the best single player mode a Smash game had to offer.
…And now, I struggle to squeeze enjoyment out of it. I still appreciate the story and sticker system, but actually playing it is so boring now. What good is Smash with platforming when platforming feels bad and the level design is bland as hell?
3 Comments
Majora's Mask gets more and more satisfying and interesting every time you replay it and learn the schedules and the world.
Sonic Adventure 2 is the very definition of this list fo soooooo many people. lol
Amazing list, btw!
Amazing list, btw!
Vee
1 year ago
It's a shame how Wily Wars has gotten worse for me too, it was my first experience with Mega Man ever back then. Still love the Genesis/MD versions of the music though.