Spooky_Jim
2012
An (at the time) unique blend of First Person Shooter, RPG, and open world exploration mechanics. This game's formula was so successful, it is still spawning clones to this day. A wild ride and one of the most memorable villains in gaming.
100% Completion Notes: A very fun list that brings you from coast to coast on a gorgeous tropical island stuffed with content.
100% Completion Notes: A very fun list that brings you from coast to coast on a gorgeous tropical island stuffed with content.
A touching narrative that blends perfectly into the game's controls and gameplay. A shocking and touching ending makes me still remember this game ten years later.
100% Completion Notes: Nothing too special, and can be completed in one quick playthrough. Led me to a couple fun easter eggs/secrets.
100% Completion Notes: Nothing too special, and can be completed in one quick playthrough. Led me to a couple fun easter eggs/secrets.
2013
Riding the high of The Walking Dead's success, Telltale pivoted to the colorful, fantastical world of Fables. And boy did they nail it. The same branching narrative and split-second decision making that made TWD so engaging works perfectly with Bigby and the colorful cast of fairy tale characters. Excited to get the sequel a decade later!
100% Completion Notes: Play through the game, get all the achievements. I may have had to do chapter select for some different choices, but I don't remember.
100% Completion Notes: Play through the game, get all the achievements. I may have had to do chapter select for some different choices, but I don't remember.
A touching, coming-of-age walking sim with just enough of a creepy/supernatural vibe to keep me engaged to the end.
2016
A cartoonishly gorgeous walking simulator set in stunning Shoshone National Park. As someone who enjoys hiking and camping in real life, a walking sim set in a national park was right up my alley. The game presents an interesting narrative that blends interpersonal relationships and campy mystery themes, to general success. I was disappointed at some of the story reveals, but every radio interaction with Delilah made up for it. One of my favorite walking sims.
100% Completion Notes: An actually fun list that I haven't come to expect from walking sims. The list encourages you to explore the park and find plenty of fun easter eggs. The 100% definitely enriched the experience.
100% Completion Notes: An actually fun list that I haven't come to expect from walking sims. The list encourages you to explore the park and find plenty of fun easter eggs. The 100% definitely enriched the experience.
An excellent fantasy RPG which I played vanilla on Xbox One. Bethesda's trademark exploration and freedom of player choice are on full display here, encouraging the player to just go have fun. Not much to say which hasn't been said before. I'm currently replaying Skyrim on PC with 2,000+ mods, and can come back and appreciate my time with the base game on Xbox, which says something.
100% Completion Notes: A list that has the player become the leader of every faction in the province on top of being the mystical chosen one. Thankfully all the missions are worth playing. A fun list that focuses more on pushing the player towards the games many systems.
100% Completion Notes: A list that has the player become the leader of every faction in the province on top of being the mystical chosen one. Thankfully all the missions are worth playing. A fun list that focuses more on pushing the player towards the games many systems.
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.