Spooky_Jim
Very smooth FPS gameplay with engaging narrative cutscenes between chaotic run-and-gun levels. The story is pure camp in the best way, and although I've never played the classic Wolf games, I imagine stays true to their spirit.
100% Completion Notes: Having to play through the entire game twice just to make one different choice sucks, but the game is fun enough that it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Thankful that there's nothing absurd in the list unlike its' sequel.
100% Completion Notes: Having to play through the entire game twice just to make one different choice sucks, but the game is fun enough that it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Thankful that there's nothing absurd in the list unlike its' sequel.
2015
A unique adventure game in a similar vein to Telltale's decision-based stories. Add on top a divisive coming-of-age story with preternatural themes sprinkled in, and you have a successful story-based game recipe. The protagonist's power makes for a fascinating gimmick that fits the narrative like a glove. If you can get past the intentionally teen-styled dialogue, the vibes and soundtrack of this one more than makes up for any cringing you might do.
100% Completion Notes: The achievement list centers around 'Optional Photos' -- small moments during each chapter of the game that has Max take a photo of something and comment on it. An unobtrusive way to add collectibles which I enjoyed.
100% Completion Notes: The achievement list centers around 'Optional Photos' -- small moments during each chapter of the game that has Max take a photo of something and comment on it. An unobtrusive way to add collectibles which I enjoyed.
2016
Extremely boring aquarium simulator.
On a less cynical note, this game has some beautiful environments, but the gameplay was too thin and repetitive for me to enjoy the game as a whole.
100% Completion Notes: Extremely straightforward list with hardly any missables or challenges. The only thing that got me to the end.
On a less cynical note, this game has some beautiful environments, but the gameplay was too thin and repetitive for me to enjoy the game as a whole.
100% Completion Notes: Extremely straightforward list with hardly any missables or challenges. The only thing that got me to the end.
More of The New Order, which is far from a bad thing. New enemies and environments with the same, tight FPS gameplay.
100% Completion Notes: A focus on challenge rooms/medals and retro bonus levels made this one a bit of a slog. That being said, unlocking perks through unique in game accomplishments was a pretty neat idea.
100% Completion Notes: A focus on challenge rooms/medals and retro bonus levels made this one a bit of a slog. That being said, unlocking perks through unique in game accomplishments was a pretty neat idea.
2012
The peak of the Borderlands franchise, this game capitalized and expanded on the strengths of its predecessor, and put co-op looter shooters on the main stage. The humor (which might not hold up today) landed consistently, and the gameplay/rpg elements were fun and engaging. A gem of the 360/PS3 era.
100% Completion Notes: Hoooowee, this was one of the first games I was convinced I'd have to give up the achievement grind on. There are just so many RNG achievements. But luck ended up on my side, and another 100% was added to my collection. Aside from the RNGs, a very fun list that has you exploring the ridiculous world of Pandora from top to bottom. No regrets.
100% Completion Notes: Hoooowee, this was one of the first games I was convinced I'd have to give up the achievement grind on. There are just so many RNG achievements. But luck ended up on my side, and another 100% was added to my collection. Aside from the RNGs, a very fun list that has you exploring the ridiculous world of Pandora from top to bottom. No regrets.
2016
This review contains spoilers
An excellent, unique indie horror game whose engaging dialogue system is its main draw. Exploring the intertwining relationships and backstories of all the characters was an adventure in itself. The narrative conclusion is satisfying, and definitely leaves the door open for the eventual Oxenfree II: Lost Signals. I enjoyed how the "spirits" were presented and the terrifying sounds they make via radio.
100% Completion Notes: A game where multiple playthroughs actually enriched the story and experience. Alex's passing comments about the time loop and the little hints that get dropped throughout were so much fun to pick up on. The "no speaking'" run was absolutely hilarious, and a great example of an achievement challenge run done right.
100% Completion Notes: A game where multiple playthroughs actually enriched the story and experience. Alex's passing comments about the time loop and the little hints that get dropped throughout were so much fun to pick up on. The "no speaking'" run was absolutely hilarious, and a great example of an achievement challenge run done right.
2008
One of the OG collect-a-thon platformers, whose gameplay mostly holds up today. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but something prevented me from fully enjoying this one. Maybe it's because I never played this as a kid and as a result lack the nostalgia many others have. Still enjoyable, and I'd still highly recommend for fans of the genre.
100% Completion Notes: Fun and easy, collect everything and perform a few specific actions for the completion.
100% Completion Notes: Fun and easy, collect everything and perform a few specific actions for the completion.
2014
One of my favorite modern horror games, even without having seen any Alien movies at the time of playing. The AI of the Xenomorph is really impressive, and the higher you crank the difficulty, the scarier it gets. As good as the titular Alien is, some of the tensest moments were sneaking around rooms of creepy, uncanny valley androids. This game drips with atmosphere, and now having seen the original movie, I can say it emulates the setting and vibe incredibly well. The only thing keeping this game from a perfect 5 stars for me was the length. The environments and gameplay didn't differ enough to justify its 20 hour runtime.
100% Completion Notes: A very fun experience, however the aforementioned length issues were really exacerbated with having to play through again. The walkthrough I had looked through recommended doing the no death and hardest difficulty runs separately. When I eventually play through this again on PC, I'll definitely be trying both runs at once.
100% Completion Notes: A very fun experience, however the aforementioned length issues were really exacerbated with having to play through again. The walkthrough I had looked through recommended doing the no death and hardest difficulty runs separately. When I eventually play through this again on PC, I'll definitely be trying both runs at once.
2014
Ahh, the beginnings of my favorite horror franchise. The first hours spent inside the puzzling Spencer Mansion are some of the best survival horror content in existence. Even though I have plenty of this franchise left to experience, it's reputation precedes it, and every entry I have played has completely hooked me. Even in this remaster, the graphics and gameplay show their age, but not so much to affect the overall experience. The cheesy dialogue and campy plot are counterbalanced by intriguing puzzles and genuinely tense moments to make an incredibly charming package.
100% Completion Notes: I've quickly realized that the Resident Evil achievement lists are some of my absolute favorites. Yes, it requires many, many playthroughs. But the challenge runs are so fun and varied, and the game itself so short, that this was a blast to complete.
100% Completion Notes: I've quickly realized that the Resident Evil achievement lists are some of my absolute favorites. Yes, it requires many, many playthroughs. But the challenge runs are so fun and varied, and the game itself so short, that this was a blast to complete.
I'm not sure why everybody calls this game a souls-like. In some loose ways (respawning enemies and dodge/parry third person combat), it is, but in many other ways it is more akin to an Uncharted-like 3rd person action. Either way, it's a very fun package that undoubtedly gets a boost from the Star Wars brand. The story was engaging and I loved almost all of the characters, excited for the second game to expand on this base!
100% Completion Notes: Having to run through entire levels again just to find a couple obscure collectibles or enemy types was brutal. This game would've seriously benefited from a more robust fast travel and map system (which I hear the second game thankfully has).
100% Completion Notes: Having to run through entire levels again just to find a couple obscure collectibles or enemy types was brutal. This game would've seriously benefited from a more robust fast travel and map system (which I hear the second game thankfully has).
A very welcome shake-up of the Assassin's Creed Formula. I personally think the shift to a more "Witcher-like" combat and RPG system breathed fresh life into a series that was seriously stagnating. Still couldn't give a damn about the modern day storylines, but as an Ancient Egyptian RPG, it works very well.
100% Completion Notes: Yeesh, this one sucks to do. So many little locations and objectives across a massive map. If I hadn't had an achievement race going with a friend at the time, I'm not sure if I would've powered through to get this one done. I hear Odyssey is even worse in this regard. Yippee!
100% Completion Notes: Yeesh, this one sucks to do. So many little locations and objectives across a massive map. If I hadn't had an achievement race going with a friend at the time, I'm not sure if I would've powered through to get this one done. I hear Odyssey is even worse in this regard. Yippee!
2019
A top five game of all time for me, and a first experience you can never get back once its over. This game is NOT for everybody, there is a lot of exploring, reading, and quiet contemplation. If you're someone who needs action and fast-paced plots to hold your attention, I wouldn't recommend this. But if you're interesting in solving a fascinating cosmic mystery piece by piece, eventually reaching one of the coolest final sequences in video games, PLEASE give this game a try.
100% Completion Notes: An excellent list filled with actual challenges outside of the story that push you to the farthest reaches of the universe. It encourages you to deeply explore the game's systems and lore, absolutely enhancing the already stellar experience. And you'll also be crashing into the sun. A lot.
100% Completion Notes: An excellent list filled with actual challenges outside of the story that push you to the farthest reaches of the universe. It encourages you to deeply explore the game's systems and lore, absolutely enhancing the already stellar experience. And you'll also be crashing into the sun. A lot.
2018
This review contains spoilers
Ugh, I am so conflicted on this game. It's janky, the actual gameplay sucks, and I experienced many graphical glitches that were downright hilarious. BUT. This game nails the Lovecraftian atmosphere many others try to emulate. The sense of dread and mystery that hangs over you while you investigate Darkwater Island is palpable and engrossing. Even when it puts the horror directly in front of you, which in my opinion is not the best way to do Lovecraftian, it manages to be terrifying and unsettling. And of course, the "bad" ending where Cthulu is summoned is one of the coolest ending cutscenes I've ever seen in a horror game.
100% Completion Notes: I don't remember too much about this completion, which usually means it wasn't very notable. I remember having to replay the ending for all of the different choices, and enjoyed most of the endings delivered.
100% Completion Notes: I don't remember too much about this completion, which usually means it wasn't very notable. I remember having to replay the ending for all of the different choices, and enjoyed most of the endings delivered.
2016
If you haven't played Bioshock 1 yet, you've at least heard of the underwater metropolis of Rapture, or the famous "would you kindly?" line. There's a reason you have. This is one of the greats, and while the gameplay is a little simplistic compared to later entries, the atmosphere and setting are unparalleled to this day.
100% Completion Notes: You really have to stay on top of the many playthrough-long achievements in this list. Maxing out research tracks, upgrading weapons, and of course, the incredible audiologs that tell the true story of Rapture. I would highly recommend using a guide for this one!
100% Completion Notes: You really have to stay on top of the many playthrough-long achievements in this list. Maxing out research tracks, upgrading weapons, and of course, the incredible audiologs that tell the true story of Rapture. I would highly recommend using a guide for this one!
2010
An abstract horror game that feels like you're playing through a literary fiction novel at times (in the best way). Touting a similar atmosphere as Twin Peaks, Alan Wake is a fun, linear journey through a small Pacific Northwest town. The scares could be scary, but the game in general is certainly showing its age. That being said, being out in the pitch black woods with nothing but the beam of your flashlight to stop enemies charging at you from the darkness is exhilarating. My only wish was that there was more to the game than that. It does get repetitive, but the ridiculous story is enough to carry it through to the end.
100% Completion Notes: One of the few instances I was happy to do the DLC for the completion. Both The Writer and The Signal were fun experiences that felt like they fleshed out and improved the ending of the base game.
100% Completion Notes: One of the few instances I was happy to do the DLC for the completion. Both The Writer and The Signal were fun experiences that felt like they fleshed out and improved the ending of the base game.