RemyRaccoon
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
2021
I dunno! I like how it controls, the weapons are all sick, but it’s a very exhausting game. The music never lulls meaning there’s lots of times it’s playing the hardest riff you’ve ever heard while simply scavenging for ammo and secrets, and enemies almost all rush you at a rapid pace, with few enemies that do not, leaving me with want for a little space. The story’s also pretty bad and the production value in some areas is really lacking but I can excuse that kinda thing for an indie retro shooter - I just wasn’t feeling it, I guess.
2021
Slav Quake.
A boomer shooter with an unsettling atmosphere. Though I wouldn’t say the weapons are anything to write home about, the enemy variety’s on point, and it’s a really digestible length (my second playthrough, I beat it in two 2 1/2-hour sittings). Not too far off some of my favourites of the genre, like DUSK and Blood.
A boomer shooter with an unsettling atmosphere. Though I wouldn’t say the weapons are anything to write home about, the enemy variety’s on point, and it’s a really digestible length (my second playthrough, I beat it in two 2 1/2-hour sittings). Not too far off some of my favourites of the genre, like DUSK and Blood.
2006
Considering this is the game that launched a thousand open world racing ships, it’s… quite dated. The physics are ho-hum and there are some very silly decisions regarding progression and economy (why would I ever want to do Top Model and Hitchhiker missions if they’re only worth clothing coupons????) but there’s a vibe to TDU that’s unmatched, even today. Racing around a whole Hawaiian island, buying houses to display your cars in - gah. It is just. SUCH a vibe.
Half a star has been awarded for proper custom soundtrac implementation because games that do that are cool
Half a star has been awarded for proper custom soundtrac implementation because games that do that are cool
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.
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.
The pinnacle of turn based RPGs. I refuse to elaborate.
2015
I play this almost every weekend and I have my gripes with it (the weak setlist, the crummier customisation, the uninvolved career mode) but honestly I just think it’s cool that this game is still going. RB4’s DLC run has lasted longer than RB1-RB3 by two whole years and I don’t know how or why this is the case but it’s admirable nonetheless.
I can’t really recommend it in current year due to instrument prices being insane - get yourself a guitar or drum set and jump into Clone Hero or YARG instead - but for those who still have their instruments lying around, and don’t have the ultimately superior Rock Band 3, I think it’s still worth a go every now and then.
I can’t really recommend it in current year due to instrument prices being insane - get yourself a guitar or drum set and jump into Clone Hero or YARG instead - but for those who still have their instruments lying around, and don’t have the ultimately superior Rock Band 3, I think it’s still worth a go every now and then.
2023
Excellent music choices, hype boss encounters, cool character designs (808!!!!!) and an excellent set of levels right at the end, where normally a game like this would trip up and deliver some of its most middling content. I’m not surprised this was a surprise drop; Hi-Fi Rush is a very confident game, and one that’s sure to win over a lot of people. Parry system aside, this is one of the best hack & slashes of recent memory.
2001
I’m giving this five stars despite the awful post game and Cloister of Trials segments because sometimes love triumphs all. And Final Fantasy X is, coincidentally, one of the best love stories ever told in gaming.
Also while FFXVI is peak and all, I hope that doesn’t spell the end for turn based combat in the main series because something with that game’s production value and FFX’s turn based combat would make me explode
Also while FFXVI is peak and all, I hope that doesn’t spell the end for turn based combat in the main series because something with that game’s production value and FFX’s turn based combat would make me explode
2017
Mario controls well, the game looks and sounds great, but that’s about it. Levels are wholly unengaging, with many of them being frustratingly tiny, and rewarding every little thing with a moon - from platforming challenges to ground pounding a spot to sitting next to a man - makes the reward feel like not much of a reward at all. It’s all busywork.
Buy 3D World instead lol
Buy 3D World instead lol
2013
3D Land walked so 3D World could run. This is a masterclass in level design, and being one of the earlier Mario games to use full orchestration instead of synthesised instruments gives it such a memorable identity even amongst other 3D Mario games. Really, my only complaint is that the first eight worlds are too easy at times, and maybe multiplayer is a bit too chaotic to be playing seriously, but whatever. This is hands down my favourite Mario game.
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.
Flick my beloved
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.