RemyRaccoon
2018
People told me to skip this one and I see what they mean but I also think they’re cowards. The stuff with the orphanage can really drag the game out (sucks cause this is one of the shorter ones) and way too many enemies sit there and block and force you to grab and only grab, but the story is emotionally charged (Rikiya my beloved) and I do prefer the combat compared to 6 and Kiwami 2. Okinawa’s also kind of a vibe. It’s neat!
2019
A bit too long for its own good, but out of the three remastered games, this is the one I enjoy the most. Combat’s even further improved, each character gets their own city to explore, and though it ends up being a bit convoluted, I much prefer how each character’s story intersects towards the end compared to Yakuza 4 (though damnit, we should have been able to play Haruka’s concert ourselves…)
The pinnacle of turn based RPGs. I refuse to elaborate.
2020
Very cool of Microsoft/Xbox to fund a game with a transmasc lead imo. It’s also not as, uh, cringe? as other Dontnod games and has some very pretty backdrops but largely this one’s pretty forgettable. Glacial pacing, so-so characters and a weak mystery with a not particularly fulfilling conclusion. Great LGBTQ+ and mental health rep, but otherwise just an ok story.
There’s almost a solid game here I think? It’s actually really fun for the first couple hours, but then the game never really changes anything up and when it does, it’s for the worst. Its nonsensical storytelling and nonexistent exploration also really hold it back which is a shame because the combat can be fun! Unfortunately being limited only to the movie source material really hinders it.
2007
How is the PS2 demake of TDU the superior version? What the heck happened there??
I dunno, but the physics are way more approachable, and because the PS2 is only /barely/ an online console, there was more effort put into the single player offering, so this version feels less gutted now that the servers are shut down.
It’s missing some stuff - no manual transmission, avatar customisation, a few cars etc - but this is the version I recommend to people.
I dunno, but the physics are way more approachable, and because the PS2 is only /barely/ an online console, there was more effort put into the single player offering, so this version feels less gutted now that the servers are shut down.
It’s missing some stuff - no manual transmission, avatar customisation, a few cars etc - but this is the version I recommend to people.
2006
While I’m not absolutely head over heels for it as I am with FFX, FFXII is still amazing, and probably the best looking game on the system, competing even with some early PS3 games. It’s massive, combat is incredibly deep, and the characters (mostly) are very charming.
One step forward, two steps back.
Ibiza is a cool addition but it’s quickly ditched in favour of returning to Oahu, resulting in a game that’s riding on the coattails of its predecessor but ultimately doing it worse. Physics are borked, cars are locked behind un accessible multiplayer modes, and the less said about the “”””story””””, the better.
It’s still… okay? I guess? But man. I hope Solar Crown picks the series back up off its ass.
Ibiza is a cool addition but it’s quickly ditched in favour of returning to Oahu, resulting in a game that’s riding on the coattails of its predecessor but ultimately doing it worse. Physics are borked, cars are locked behind un accessible multiplayer modes, and the less said about the “”””story””””, the better.
It’s still… okay? I guess? But man. I hope Solar Crown picks the series back up off its ass.
A nice lil game to smash out over the weekend. Looks really good and the car physics are different but a lot of fun, and even if the gunplay’s a bit ho-hum there are still some memorable and tense firefights and scripted sequences to keep things exciting.
Story’s good too, though there are more instances of characters smoking than there are Pokémon in the Pokedex lmao but uh yeah very neat and good and fun
Story’s good too, though there are more instances of characters smoking than there are Pokémon in the Pokedex lmao but uh yeah very neat and good and fun
There’s almost no point playing this now that TOTK is out and it’s basically the same but 800% better, but this is still a genre-defining game regardless. If any game has to influence other games for the next ten or so years, I’m glad it’s this one.
2010
One of the best games ever made.
Combat’s vastly improved. Squadmates have more character. Locations are more varied. Inventory management has been simplified. There is so much care put into every facet of this game (that isn’t the random missions you find while scanning planets, or DLC missions like the Normandy Crash Site or the poorly aged Project Overlord) that you have to wonder how they did it, and this is all without mentioning the suicide mission, one of the greatest moments in gaming period. An easy top 10 game for me.
Combat’s vastly improved. Squadmates have more character. Locations are more varied. Inventory management has been simplified. There is so much care put into every facet of this game (that isn’t the random missions you find while scanning planets, or DLC missions like the Normandy Crash Site or the poorly aged Project Overlord) that you have to wonder how they did it, and this is all without mentioning the suicide mission, one of the greatest moments in gaming period. An easy top 10 game for me.
1999
Like many racing games on the PS1, Chocobo Racing does not have a lot of content - the story mode consists of 9 tracks and the only way to unlock all the bonus stuff is to repeat said story mode ten times. BUT it’s a very charming little kart racer regardless, with a neat system where you stack powerups for greater effect, as well as some great music and cute presentation. Shame it never got a sequel haha
1996
For all its strange design choices, oversights and outright broken gameplay, Red and Blue are still charming in their own way to a point where I think they’re still worth playing.
Also, Raichu.
Also, Raichu.
Super underrated NFS game. The short campaign means they could go all out with the setpieces, from an avalanche to escaping Ohio - it’s super exciting. It’s also not really /that/ short - yeah you can beat the story in 3-4 hours, but the challenge series doubles that at least and puts it on par with stuff like the original Underground, so yeah, never really understood that complaint.
Really, it’s mostly held back by tech limitations - loading times are way too long and resetting to a checkpoint sometimes takes 15 seconds, so I really like The Run, but I probably won’t play it again.
Really, it’s mostly held back by tech limitations - loading times are way too long and resetting to a checkpoint sometimes takes 15 seconds, so I really like The Run, but I probably won’t play it again.
2022
The most adorable, charming, heartwarming and comfy little game I think I’ve played in some time.
It’s basically Breath of the Wild on a smaller scale and seen through the low-poly eyes of a child, with an absence of combat (unless you count smacking cardboard slimes) and a focus on character interaction and exploration. Though it took me less than six hours to reach 100%, every single minute spent getting there was one of joy, and Lil Critter (as I named them) is the cutest gosh dang video game reptile this side of Spyro. Cute enough to buy a plushie of them, which is basically my version of a stamp of approval.
Don’t miss this one, I am BEGGING you
It’s basically Breath of the Wild on a smaller scale and seen through the low-poly eyes of a child, with an absence of combat (unless you count smacking cardboard slimes) and a focus on character interaction and exploration. Though it took me less than six hours to reach 100%, every single minute spent getting there was one of joy, and Lil Critter (as I named them) is the cutest gosh dang video game reptile this side of Spyro. Cute enough to buy a plushie of them, which is basically my version of a stamp of approval.
Don’t miss this one, I am BEGGING you