tendog
BACKER
1990
Really impressed by the scope and execution of this game. It was well-paced, had Earthbound-esque dialogue despite being older than EB, was challenging but not totally evil, fairly forgiving, unique locations and storyline, just altogether really a special game.
I can't imagine a much more fleshed-out and polished game than this on NES, but I suppose I now want to see how the sequel holds up!
I can't imagine a much more fleshed-out and polished game than this on NES, but I suppose I now want to see how the sequel holds up!
2012
Meh. The personification of the shapes was fun, but the gameplay is slow, annoying, and too easy. There were a few good ideas and the game didn't overuse them, but most levels were just basically walking linearly to the goal.
This review contains spoilers
This was a great historical game, the story does not feel over-the-top or too ridiculous, its grounded enough to be believable and yet it shows so many aspects of WWI. And the photography was wonderful. Because of the painterly style and the detail in every area, there was so much to take photos of, and I usually took more photos than was required. I do find it a little strange that the photos didn't reappear in the credits or something like that, as it would have been a nice way to wrap up the journey.
My biggest disappointment with this game was in the ending. I was happy with all the choices I made to get the ending I did (Peace), but it was one of the worst outcomes and left me feeling like I chose "wrong". Unsurprisingly, it is the most commonly obtained ending according to Steam achievement stats, with double the players choosing to go to Kurt instead of going home. I tried all of the different endings to see if there was a better outcome, but honestly, all of the endings involving going to Kurt are pretty bad, despite it being the most climactic ending. Any way you go with it, someone dies, unless you get the "Peace" ending, in which case everyone lives but Harry's life is destroyed and Kurt is left bitter and unresolved.
Bizarrely, by far the best outcome is to abandon your friends, and then have Kurt put down his gun in front of Barrett. Even the closing scenes in the "Forgiven" outcome imply that everyone's journeys were resolved and they left with some peace of mind and a life beyond the war.
Well, again according to Steam stats, that is the least seen ending. A third of people who made it to the end saw it. I can understand the intention of showing how the war is meaningless and we should strive to avoid it, but abandoning Kurt felt wrong, and there was no ending I was really happy with, despite there being 7 in total (most of them being devastatingly, clearly, bad outcomes).
Ignoring the ending of the game, I had a great time with 11-11.
My biggest disappointment with this game was in the ending. I was happy with all the choices I made to get the ending I did (Peace), but it was one of the worst outcomes and left me feeling like I chose "wrong". Unsurprisingly, it is the most commonly obtained ending according to Steam achievement stats, with double the players choosing to go to Kurt instead of going home. I tried all of the different endings to see if there was a better outcome, but honestly, all of the endings involving going to Kurt are pretty bad, despite it being the most climactic ending. Any way you go with it, someone dies, unless you get the "Peace" ending, in which case everyone lives but Harry's life is destroyed and Kurt is left bitter and unresolved.
Bizarrely, by far the best outcome is to abandon your friends, and then have Kurt put down his gun in front of Barrett. Even the closing scenes in the "Forgiven" outcome imply that everyone's journeys were resolved and they left with some peace of mind and a life beyond the war.
Well, again according to Steam stats, that is the least seen ending. A third of people who made it to the end saw it. I can understand the intention of showing how the war is meaningless and we should strive to avoid it, but abandoning Kurt felt wrong, and there was no ending I was really happy with, despite there being 7 in total (most of them being devastatingly, clearly, bad outcomes).
Ignoring the ending of the game, I had a great time with 11-11.
2013
There's not much that encourages you to stick around. I think in a time where this was the best a machine could manage, you could appreciate it for what it is and fill in the blanks. But the puzzles are just not interesting and the movement just feels bad, so it just feels like a slow walk through a boring museum. Sorry.
Scattered thoughts warning
Awesome time mechanic, I didn't actually expect it to develop into what it became by the end of the game. The map was 3 times bigger than I thought, the dungeons had some fun puzzles. Most of the bosses were a bit easy with the right gear, but it was still fun to figure them out. Water temple was awful like always. Swimming controls after getting mermaids tail is abysmal, who thought mashing the dpad was a good idea? I don't really get why they swapped it once the flippers were obtained. Also, the amount of dialogue was great, the characters in these early 2D Zeldas are so strange and genuine. Didn't care for Maku tree love interest or Ralph who basically had no presence but was supposed to be a major character by the end. Items were interesting, the switcher was unexpected but probably ended up being my favorite. Kept expecting it to be useful on enemies though, and it was more of an escape method than anything.
Awesome time mechanic, I didn't actually expect it to develop into what it became by the end of the game. The map was 3 times bigger than I thought, the dungeons had some fun puzzles. Most of the bosses were a bit easy with the right gear, but it was still fun to figure them out. Water temple was awful like always. Swimming controls after getting mermaids tail is abysmal, who thought mashing the dpad was a good idea? I don't really get why they swapped it once the flippers were obtained. Also, the amount of dialogue was great, the characters in these early 2D Zeldas are so strange and genuine. Didn't care for Maku tree love interest or Ralph who basically had no presence but was supposed to be a major character by the end. Items were interesting, the switcher was unexpected but probably ended up being my favorite. Kept expecting it to be useful on enemies though, and it was more of an escape method than anything.
What is Echoes of the Eye?
A DLC add-on to 2019's Outer Wilds, encompassing a new object found in the solar system, known only as "The Stranger".
Who made Echoes of the Eye? When did Echoes of the Eye release?
Mobius Digital, an independent game studio based in Los Angeles, notably founded by Masi Oka of Heroes fame. It was released in September 2021 for PC, Xbox, and Playstation 4.
Why should you play Echoes of the Eye?
The thrills of discovery of something tucked away in time, the horror of breaking into something not meant to be found, the satisfaction of piecing it altogether and understanding why things fell apart and how to heal what remains.
Where does Echoes of the Eye fail?
I eventually realized that everything I disliked about this game were things that were not leading me closer to solving the mystery; the things I did were me banging my head against a wall, and when I realized the solution, it always worked, or if it didn't, it helped me understand something I didn't before.
How would you rate it?
On a scale of Pass/Meh/Fine/Cool/Play It!...
Play it!
A DLC add-on to 2019's Outer Wilds, encompassing a new object found in the solar system, known only as "The Stranger".
Who made Echoes of the Eye? When did Echoes of the Eye release?
Mobius Digital, an independent game studio based in Los Angeles, notably founded by Masi Oka of Heroes fame. It was released in September 2021 for PC, Xbox, and Playstation 4.
Why should you play Echoes of the Eye?
The thrills of discovery of something tucked away in time, the horror of breaking into something not meant to be found, the satisfaction of piecing it altogether and understanding why things fell apart and how to heal what remains.
Where does Echoes of the Eye fail?
I eventually realized that everything I disliked about this game were things that were not leading me closer to solving the mystery; the things I did were me banging my head against a wall, and when I realized the solution, it always worked, or if it didn't, it helped me understand something I didn't before.
How would you rate it?
On a scale of Pass/Meh/Fine/Cool/Play It!...
Play it!
2021
What is TOEM?
Chill photo-taking missions in a goofy Paper Mario-esque world.
Who made TOEM? When did TOEM release?
An independent Swedish studio called Something We Made, this is their first full game. Released September 2021 for PC/Switch/PS5.
Why should you play TOEM?
Cozy locations, lots of wonderful, soothing background music, and little encapsulated moments of joy with unique characters.
Where does TOEM fail?
Not much creativity or challenge with the photo missions despite the possibilities, for the most part it is simply a game of point and shoot.
How would you rate it?
On a scale of Pass/Meh/Fine/Cool/Play It!...
TOEM is Fine.
Chill photo-taking missions in a goofy Paper Mario-esque world.
Who made TOEM? When did TOEM release?
An independent Swedish studio called Something We Made, this is their first full game. Released September 2021 for PC/Switch/PS5.
Why should you play TOEM?
Cozy locations, lots of wonderful, soothing background music, and little encapsulated moments of joy with unique characters.
Where does TOEM fail?
Not much creativity or challenge with the photo missions despite the possibilities, for the most part it is simply a game of point and shoot.
How would you rate it?
On a scale of Pass/Meh/Fine/Cool/Play It!...
TOEM is Fine.