This is possibly the most ambitious game I have ever played. It drips with excellent writing at every turn, contemplates the philosophy of self, of suffering, and one's effect on the world. It is a shame that the medium of this game often devolves into dreary combat, but that's even more of a sign that this game was ahead of its time. Any points it loses in gameplay it makes up with ambition, care, and introspection. The macabre setting roots and unites all the shades of what the game has to offer, and The Nameless One is one of the most interesting video game protagonists ever created. I am going to be thinking about this one for a long time.

A really great experiment on something I've wondered about for a long time - can you squeeze a JRPG experience into just a couple of hours? Felvidek offers incredible art, music, and atmosphere on top of answering that question with an emphatic "yes". The medieval historical setting, humor, and weirdness blend to create a really special game that straddles the line between formulaic and experimental. Only the trappings of its engine truly hold it back, but if RPG Maker is the canvas the creators chose, I have nothing but respect for the awesome work that they made with it.

Quake 2's base mechanics served as a scaffolding for this - a set of fun, smart, modern levels with themes, escalating tension, incredible level design, and great environment art. Something of this scope can only be achieved in the modern era by looking backwards to what made games like Half-Life 2 and the modern Dooms great. The only thing holding it back is Quake 2's gunplay and spongy enemies, but Call of the Machine easily earns a place at the top of the great modern boomer shooter campaigns. Easy to recommend over the base Quake 2 campaign.

A masterful fighting game, oozing style, full of substance, and gives you the drive to get better. I haven't been this in love with a fighting game since Soulcalibur 2 or Smash Ultimate, and this one hits all the right notes. The incredible thing about good fighting games is that they're an exercise in self-mastery. When you're playing ranked, you're playing YOURSELF, working on developing your own skills and surpass your previous limits. Street Fighter 6 is the closest I will ever get to being a shonen protagonist. I can't stop thinking about this game, all I want to do is play and improve. On top of all of this, thanks to my lovely friends, it also happens to be an incredible party game. Street Fighter is fighting.

I have a really hard time comparing this entry to Tricky, but after trying every mountain event at least once, I have a better idea. Progression, customization, trick mechanics, and a sense of speed are all incredible. SSX 3 unfortunately falls short when it comes to tracks. They're all mechanically sound, but all blur together and don't have any standout or memorable entries like Garibaldi, Tokyo Megaplex, or Aloha Ice Jam from the previous games. Still, aside from that and some control weirdness, the game absolutely holds up and I wish they still made games like this.