SqueakBoot
2021
This review contains spoilers
Great refined gameplay that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Good amount of collectibles that doesn’t become overwhelming, but does make going back and exploring with the later spells fun enough.
Accessing the tried ending with obscure goals in a night setting didn’t add much, but wasn’t too much of a chore as I caught most collectibles on my way through the first time.
True ending/100% clear time: 10:15:25
Accessing the tried ending with obscure goals in a night setting didn’t add much, but wasn’t too much of a chore as I caught most collectibles on my way through the first time.
True ending/100% clear time: 10:15:25
2021
Story missions are grating and The campaign gameplay couldnt get hooks into me.
The multiplayer has quickly become my go-to game when I have 30 minutes or so to kill. One of the best feeling FPS in recent memory for me.
The multiplayer has quickly become my go-to game when I have 30 minutes or so to kill. One of the best feeling FPS in recent memory for me.
This review contains spoilers
Great groundwork for a new direction for a relatively stagnant series. Finished up the main story and I’m going to explore some of the post game content. Probably won’t complete all the research tasks, but can see myself filling out the Pokédex since running little 30 minute expeditions to relax after work is nice.
I really loved the exploration. The ease of getting around after collecting all the traversal Pokémon is great.
The most disappointing aspects to me of the game is the lack of a solid art direction and the lack of a ear worm score. Both things I associate pretty strongly with my favorite games in the series.
I really loved the exploration. The ease of getting around after collecting all the traversal Pokémon is great.
The most disappointing aspects to me of the game is the lack of a solid art direction and the lack of a ear worm score. Both things I associate pretty strongly with my favorite games in the series.
The gameplay ended up getting stale to me right before my last dungeon (and coincidentally right after unlocking the final form). That’s not a complaint, but in my mind an understanding from Drinkboc of what they had going.
Likely not going to do everything since not everything here is fun to do. Was a big fan of the story, but a lot of the side content felt bolted on.
Dueling mechanics were a lot of fun everytime, even if perfect parries and some of the later techniques turned them into a breeze.
Dueling mechanics were a lot of fun everytime, even if perfect parries and some of the later techniques turned them into a breeze.
Progression in this felt lackluster. In a genre that’s really blown up in the past few years this already feels dated.
I will say the skull swapping essentially being a another ability can lead to some neat combos. Really the only thing that makes the combat that interesting in my opinion though.
I will say the skull swapping essentially being a another ability can lead to some neat combos. Really the only thing that makes the combat that interesting in my opinion though.
2022
80 hour/first clear check-in: damn! What a game. It kept the fun factor up the whole game. This is the closest game I think I’ve ever played to an OSR TTRPG experience. I love that loot pickups are meaningful the whole game. I love that the skills available to you in the beginning of the game are just as viable at the end. I love the NPCs. I love the story choices. I love the Lands Between.
35 hour check-in: damn! What a game. Took everything I loved about the Fromsoft formula and improved it. I was really skeptical of the open world design, but I find it is perfect for avoiding any frustration with challenging enemies/dungeons/whatever. It’s nice to decide I can come back to something and get lost elsewhere in the world.
35 hour check-in: damn! What a game. Took everything I loved about the Fromsoft formula and improved it. I was really skeptical of the open world design, but I find it is perfect for avoiding any frustration with challenging enemies/dungeons/whatever. It’s nice to decide I can come back to something and get lost elsewhere in the world.
2017
Playing this again with the booster pass now. Damn near flawless kart racing experience. Accessibility options are great so I can play with my niece and nephew.
Only complaint after playing some other cart racers (mainly Crash Team Racing) is that your skill cannot win a race alone due to AI rubberbanding. Not really a flaw in the design though as a party racer.
Only complaint after playing some other cart racers (mainly Crash Team Racing) is that your skill cannot win a race alone due to AI rubberbanding. Not really a flaw in the design though as a party racer.
Dunno why this got such critical backlash when it released. Kind of short overall, but a trimmed down experience of what makes Kirby excellent. Interesting use of the robot mechanic, n at powers, and bite sized puzzles. Good game.
2021
Their is a great platformer as the bones here. Unfortunately it’s bogged down by terrible combat and bizarre design choices.
I’m honestly shocked that a developer that has such a solid understanding of feel good platforming mechanics has such a misunderstanding of fun combat. Even going so far to put a combat arena in the game?
Some of the design choices are also burned into my brain making me think I would never replay this game. The looping subway where you have to stand around and wait for the gap to open back up is a prime example of a weird but passable choice of for me. However, the fact I have to go back through levels with minimal changes to get an ending is the other major lame choice. This is something I could accept if it was just platforming (because the movement is that good) unfortunately it means dealing with combat again, that’s a no go for me.
If the combat sections were ripped out this would be a significantly better game but alas it’s enough to make me drop this into the abandoned pile.
I’m honestly shocked that a developer that has such a solid understanding of feel good platforming mechanics has such a misunderstanding of fun combat. Even going so far to put a combat arena in the game?
Some of the design choices are also burned into my brain making me think I would never replay this game. The looping subway where you have to stand around and wait for the gap to open back up is a prime example of a weird but passable choice of for me. However, the fact I have to go back through levels with minimal changes to get an ending is the other major lame choice. This is something I could accept if it was just platforming (because the movement is that good) unfortunately it means dealing with combat again, that’s a no go for me.
If the combat sections were ripped out this would be a significantly better game but alas it’s enough to make me drop this into the abandoned pile.
This review contains spoilers
Kirby games are never long so this was a nice 10 hour treat after spending 60+ hours in Elden Ring. Great gameplay converted into the 3D realm. I’m happy the decision was made to make this mission oriented rather than true open world.
Also happy to see some “challenging” post game content aside from the normal boss rush and cleaning up any missed collectibles.
Also happy to see some “challenging” post game content aside from the normal boss rush and cleaning up any missed collectibles.
2015
Even better than I remember. Went for the “secret” ending this time and cleared out all the bosses (not including chalice dungeon bosses) and DLC content off a fresh save. Everything about this game feels good except for making your way down the tower in a clumsy attempt at platforming.
The push and pull of combat with the rally mechanic and the firearm party system is a perfect combat system for the fromsoft formula.
The push and pull of combat with the rally mechanic and the firearm party system is a perfect combat system for the fromsoft formula.
2022
This review contains spoilers
Entered topside.
Gold gain in this was a little slow paced, but enjoyed it enough to see the main story through. Going to be my fallback game for awhile.
Biggest complaint is some classes (like the bard) change the game so much they’re almost no fun to play.
Gold gain in this was a little slow paced, but enjoyed it enough to see the main story through. Going to be my fallback game for awhile.
Biggest complaint is some classes (like the bard) change the game so much they’re almost no fun to play.
2022
This review contains spoilers
Had a really good time with this one. I was initially put off by how little information is shared, but after the first hour or so when the pages started rolling in I was happy they took that route.
That final boss fight is also a huge difficulty spike even with (I think) all my stats maxed.
That final boss fight is also a huge difficulty spike even with (I think) all my stats maxed.
A great weekend romp. Hits all the TMNT nostalgia notes for me. Control scheme leans into making it feel modern, but doesn’t quite go as far as I would like. Leveling system also feels weirdly off since it’s mainly just HP/lives in the story mode.