Tarpstone
BACKER
Kowloon was a great map.
2015
Driveclub review, but on two wheels. More excellent content for a quality, great-looking racer that found its footing after a rough launch.
2014
After some abysmal launch woes that wrecked all of the innovative multiplayer elements for quite a while, Driveclub made a great recovery and really hit its full potential. Neat track design and creative challenges made it so satisfying to go for those perfect laps, and to me it's still one of the best looking racing games out there.
2014
In a few years this grew from a promising tech demo in early access to a fully-fledged quality arcade racer. Right up there next to DiRT 2/3 for me in terms of exceptional handling and physics that just feel right, with great track design and an energetic soundtrack.
2013
This review contains spoilers
Respectfully disagree with most others on how the ending plays out, even though I appreciate the core complaint of repetition...I don't really mind it because it's a storytelling choice, for us to be part of the last few cycles in a grand scheme. We get some nice dialogue in the final few chapters that gives insight into what's going on in everyone's minds as they make the decision to press on through the worlds. (By contrast, Type-0 only makes you part of the very last cycle in another millions-of-years scheme, which is also a valid storytelling choice.)
I think Bravely Second is a step above in all aspects, but this is still one of my favorite JRPGs with top-tier combat, music, and writing.
I think Bravely Second is a step above in all aspects, but this is still one of my favorite JRPGs with top-tier combat, music, and writing.
2013
Long live StreetPass. One of the more unexpected concepts in this wave of StreetPass games. Still collecting new flower colors a decade later...shoutout Mr. Mendel.
2013
Rock paper scissors.
2013
Long live StreetPass. Surprising amount of depth to the weapon customization, with a Tetris-flavored, build-your-own-map exploration mechanic.
2013
Long live StreetPass. One of the better games in this wave of Mii Plaza additions because color loadout didn't get in the way too much. Would be a decent shmup in its own right!
2013
Until X/Y came out I never thought I'd play a Pokemon game again with that perfectly polished feeling that Silver had. The difficulty curve could have been more challenging, but in the end, the multiplayer additions and excellent soundtrack more than make up for it. Regrettably, this was the last generation of Pokemon games that I really enjoyed.
This review contains spoilers
A combat-refined version of XIII with a killer soundtrack and the more open progression/exploration that people were craving...it even introduced a Pokemon system!
But despite these successful components, I would trade it all away to undo the plot. In my mind, XIII-2 and XIII-3 never happened. "If you change the future, you change the past."
But despite these successful components, I would trade it all away to undo the plot. In my mind, XIII-2 and XIII-3 never happened. "If you change the future, you change the past."
2009
This review contains spoilers
I love this game. I understand that it could have done a lot more for open-world lovers, but if that's a type A gamer then I'm type B: linear plot with the occasional side track or two suits me well. The combat centered around timing and optimization, which catered even more to my preferences. It had some of the most memorable characters and voice lines in the series, and Masashi Hamauzu's music is absolutely worthy of the series.
I feel like FF13 was made for me, and it ended up being my gateway/motivation to playing the entire rest of the mainline games. In doing so, 9 and 8 ended up surpassing 13 on my personal tier list, but 13 will always have a special place in my heart.
P.S. Treasure Hunter was merciless.
P.P.S. Moms are tough.
I feel like FF13 was made for me, and it ended up being my gateway/motivation to playing the entire rest of the mainline games. In doing so, 9 and 8 ended up surpassing 13 on my personal tier list, but 13 will always have a special place in my heart.
P.S. Treasure Hunter was merciless.
P.P.S. Moms are tough.
2011
Long live StreetPass.
2011
Long live StreetPass. Was always so exciting to finally get an elusive puzzle piece.
2011
Long live StreetPass. Loved collecting all of the helmets.