torbern
2020
The gameplay isn't quite as as refined as in Doom (2016), and the story is far, far worse, but what they've added (a flamethrower that gives you armor, a grappling hook, ice bombs, unlimited chainsawing for ammo, etc.) keeps things interesting. The fucking axe demon is one of the poorest design choices I can remember in a game that's otherwise good.
The ending is.... very bad. The story in general unravels into a confusing mess. However, nostalgia and outstanding production values carry it for the most part. The combat, as it was in FFXV, is incredibly satisfying.
One of the finest narrative video games ever made. The story is impeccable, save for one terrible line at a crucial moment ("well... I guess you can't escape your past"). The combat is super-satisfying. The "puzzle" sections, which are both terribly easy and slow to complete, are the only thing that keep this from full-on masterpiece status.
This game takes legitimate patience and practice to master—everyone should know that going in, or you're gonna have a bad time. Once you get good, it contains some of the most fluid and complex combat you'll ever experience in a video-game. Also, it continues From Software's track record of being the best world-builders in the business. (PS—could not beat the final boss. Too hard. Maybe one day I'll come back to it.)
Naughty Dog and writer/director Neil Druckmann have created the best narrative experience in a video game to date. I could stay in this world, with these characters, for thirty more hours, as they try to find solace and meaning in a burnt-out shell of a world. The gameplay is perfect; linear, unavoidably, but with a huge variety of compelling playstyles. This time, puzzles are satisfying and quick to complete. Couldn’t say it about the first, but I’ll say it about this one: masterpiece.
2019
My initial review was: If I gave literal INFINITE MARIO anything less than a perfect score, what kind of a video gamer would I be? Haven't messed around with the level editor, but the story level offerings makes me really want to.
Now, a few months later, I’m second-guessing my perfect assessment. It’s true—infinite Mario deserves 5 stars—however, Nintendo has made finding good levels extremely difficult (something I’ve become frustrated by more and more) so for that I’ve got to dock it. Still fantastic in almost every regard of its construction, but the online component is just too flimsy to ignore.
Now, a few months later, I’m second-guessing my perfect assessment. It’s true—infinite Mario deserves 5 stars—however, Nintendo has made finding good levels extremely difficult (something I’ve become frustrated by more and more) so for that I’ve got to dock it. Still fantastic in almost every regard of its construction, but the online component is just too flimsy to ignore.
2016
My wife and I played the shit out of this game—got 3 stars on every level, and never once fought! Marriage validated!
2020
I mean it's XCOM gameplay, so it's fun, but it's WAY too easy in my opinion. All of your heroes and their special abilities are OP (like -- they're all immune to poison? Am I missing something? I never once got poisoned).
It didn't give me that signature XCOM headrush of barely scraping my way to a completion after losing 3/4 of my squad, and its base-building is too shallow to be truly satisfying. Fun writing and character design, and fun gameplay, just didn't quite scratch the itch I wanted it to.
It didn't give me that signature XCOM headrush of barely scraping my way to a completion after losing 3/4 of my squad, and its base-building is too shallow to be truly satisfying. Fun writing and character design, and fun gameplay, just didn't quite scratch the itch I wanted it to.
2018
Can't justify a high rating for this, even though it IS fun, because it's truly just a skin of Mafia—a game as old as dirt that requires nothing but good company—with (somehow!) fewer interesting mechanics and roles.
Give the crewmembers better and more exciting things to do than complete mindless, menial baby tasks, and you've got a game.
Give the crewmembers better and more exciting things to do than complete mindless, menial baby tasks, and you've got a game.
1995
The dizzying and deeply satisfying verticality of this game has not been replicated in the 25 years since its release. Some talented development team should just rip off JF’s first person super-jump mechanic and bring it into this generation, with less clumsy controls and with more complex level design, and PRINT MONEY. (The level design in this holds up though, even today! It’s the boss battles that feel clunky and dated. Also, it is severely too short!)
1993
A brilliant, no-frills shooter, with an ingenious weapon combo system and hyper-satisfying boss rush design. Like the best shooters, it makes you feel like an absolute badass when you master and overcome a boss’ move set, and it invites you to experiment by being fairly generous with its checkpoints (uncommon for the era). Also, the aesthetic is cool!
Maybe the one nitpick would be a lack of variety in non-boss enemy designs? But that’s it.
Maybe the one nitpick would be a lack of variety in non-boss enemy designs? But that’s it.
1996
I dunno if it's because I played this back-to-back with the first one, and just got fatigued, but I didn't care for it. The level design is more expansive, and definitely makes for a greater challenge, but I found that it only amped up the frustration-level, and not the enjoyment-level. It turns out, Jumping Flash 1 is fun at least partially (in my opinion) because it's easy!
The theming isn't as sharp, the music isn't as good, and the story... is incredibly stupid. I know it's a kid's game, so whatever--it's still decently fun! There's just 0 improvement on the first's gameplay, and slight regressions in almost every other facet. (Also: the Doom wannabe levels in both games are funkillers).
The theming isn't as sharp, the music isn't as good, and the story... is incredibly stupid. I know it's a kid's game, so whatever--it's still decently fun! There's just 0 improvement on the first's gameplay, and slight regressions in almost every other facet. (Also: the Doom wannabe levels in both games are funkillers).
One of a heap of licensed cash-grab platformers released in the 90s, notable now only because it was developed by beloved team Treasure.
As licensed platformers go, it’s not terrible! There is the occasional fun design idea (the last boss fight is fairly inspired), and the presentation is pretty solid; it’s just that the controls are, overall, pretty clunky, and navigating the maze-like and enemy-ridden levels can feel like a chore.
As licensed platformers go, it’s not terrible! There is the occasional fun design idea (the last boss fight is fairly inspired), and the presentation is pretty solid; it’s just that the controls are, overall, pretty clunky, and navigating the maze-like and enemy-ridden levels can feel like a chore.
1994
(Beat this, but used saved states liberally— it’s really fucking hard.)
This is an insanely-paced platformer with wildly varied game mechanics from level to level. In fact, one of its downsides may be that it throws TOO MUCH at the player too quickly, and could’ve benefited from some conceptual editing.
However, as it stands, DH is tough-as-nails but mostly fair, super smooth in the control department, and highly impressive from a graphics/art direction perspective. It contains some absolutely brilliant boss fights, as all Treasure games do!
The bonus game sucks, the melon head sucks, and it’s arguably FAR too unforgiving with health, saves, continues, etc... but if you’re playing with a saved state at the beginning of every scene, and can learn via trial and error, it’s a joy to play.
This is an insanely-paced platformer with wildly varied game mechanics from level to level. In fact, one of its downsides may be that it throws TOO MUCH at the player too quickly, and could’ve benefited from some conceptual editing.
However, as it stands, DH is tough-as-nails but mostly fair, super smooth in the control department, and highly impressive from a graphics/art direction perspective. It contains some absolutely brilliant boss fights, as all Treasure games do!
The bonus game sucks, the melon head sucks, and it’s arguably FAR too unforgiving with health, saves, continues, etc... but if you’re playing with a saved state at the beginning of every scene, and can learn via trial and error, it’s a joy to play.
Played 10 minutes of this to confirm that even Treasure cannot salvage my distaste for fighting games.
Extra half a star because it looks pretty good.
Extra half a star because it looks pretty good.