Afrojr
2004
Just more Warioware gameplay at the end of the day, but its really cool how they managed to turn the game cartridge into a gyro sensor and developed a whole game around the mechanic.
Think this might've been the 1st videogame I ever played as a kid. Later on, when the GBA remake came out, I remember being so hype for this to come out, but not being all that impressed or hooked once I finally had my hands on it. It was just too easy with no optional stuff to discover. Game was a 'one-and-done'.
2002
Cool premise for a Metroid game, having Samus genetically enhanced with DNA of the very enemies she's famous for fighting, having an infected version of her own suit hunting her down, and having Samus be put in a situation where she has to question her objective and superiors. It all comes at the cost of a lot of railroading, something Metroid as a series should be trying to stay away from. Thankfully, Samus' handling and movement is as good as it gets, and the game doesn't skimp on the difficulty.
The Fusion suit also grew on me, but only the default color scheme (Blue suit, yellow pockets, red helmet).
The Fusion suit also grew on me, but only the default color scheme (Blue suit, yellow pockets, red helmet).
Not as crazy about this game as others. No denying the world and characters of the Beanbean Kingdom were highlights, but combat was so simplistic all throughout. Finding out the hidden variants of your Bros. Attacks was cool, but once you do it, you just rinse and repeat for the whole game. I think my main hangup with this game is remembering Joke's End. God, what a slog of a dungeon.
Same problems as the first game: too wordy, awkward dialogue, and some things the characters do don't make all that much sense. Outside of that, this was such a huge step up from the 1st game. I really appreciate how open ended the game becomes, and at such an early point in the game. No hand-holding or railroading here. Some dungeons (Air's Rock) can be complete slogs, but idk I'm patient I guess. Huge props for all the optional dungeons and bosses they put into this. Dullahan took me weeks to take down as a kid. Lastly, soundtrack was chock full of catchy tunes. Camelot did such a good job with this one.
Basic and boring. I still remember how delayed the 'Kamehameha' sound effect was when you used it. The sequel was pretty good though.
Fun mix of minigames to run through in short bursts and the game's goofy cast of characters and the weird music only strengthen the product.
2001
Pretty good, I liked 3 more but this was still fine. That goofy soundtrack with the random Japanese adlibs still goes through my mind from time to time. Hitting the frog timer and having to rush out of the level you previously were exploring was a sick mechanic.
One of my favorite Zeldas, mostly because of the dungeons. Unlike the 3D games, these dungeons weren't braindead straightforward and had some complexity to them. The bosses also weren't pushovers. Entering the Dark World especially drove this point home.
Never had the chance to play Four Swords.
Never had the chance to play Four Swords.
Probably the best of the 2D Marios I've played. Cape and Yoshi are great powerups, game's plenty long, and it actually offers a challenge in the standard campaign and the hidden worlds.
2001
Doubt it holds up today, with all the other JRPGs I've played, but this was a decent game. Definitely nails that 'classic/traditional JRPG' aesthetic, as you end up traversing through some nice locales like a haunted forest, a desert, a ship voyage, and a gladiator tournament. Feels like a legit adventure. Combat's pretty basic but finding all the Djinn and mixing up their assignment to form classes was a nice touch. The story itself is interesting but its hampered by awkward dialogue and just being too wordy in general.
Another great Metroid title, especially when considering that they turned the original Metroid into something actually enjoyable to play, while still being mostly faithful to the source. The new bosses put in were all pleasant surprises and enjoyable to fight. Wasn't crazy about the post-Mother Brain content, as I'm not a fan of 'Zero Suit' Samus, but it make for a kickass moment when you get the suit back.
2006
Didn't find myself hating this game as much as I see on the internet, but its definitely middling. Command is ultimately too repetitive, as there's little depth to flying around the arenas and shooting stuff. Once you're figured out the missile segments, they don't evolve or switch things up beyond that. The only real positives to me were the branching paths and all the characters to unlock.
Goldeneye 007 but without multiplayer and on handheld with stylus controls. Yuck.
They topped 999 with VLR, and I really enjoyed 999. At first, it looks to be a downgrade with the switch to 3D models, the need to include that poor man's Monokuma with Zero III, and some of the characters looking so outlandish. Right off the bat though, they introduce a huge improvement in the ability to jump instantly to specific sections of the game, unlike in 999 where you had to see an ending all the way through, even if you knew you were heading towards a dead end.
But most importantly, the main twist of this game is not only well implemented in terms of the plot, it casts a whole different perspective on everything you've done up to that point. I couldn't believe what I was seeing when I encountered it, and its why I think so fondly of the Zero Escape series still.
But most importantly, the main twist of this game is not only well implemented in terms of the plot, it casts a whole different perspective on everything you've done up to that point. I couldn't believe what I was seeing when I encountered it, and its why I think so fondly of the Zero Escape series still.