Pros:
+ puzzle design in the veign of Heart of Darkness
+ moody color palette
+ multiple playable characters too keep gameplay fresh
+ large variety of context-sensitive animations
+ fitting sound design and music
+ multi-perspectival approach to the narrative

Cons
- glitches may hinder progress
- merciless platforming
- no hint system
- busy visual space with no indicators for interactions
- intransparent morality choices
- interface taken over from mobile release
- invisible collectibles with little incentive
- short runtime (which might be a plus)

Weird Moment(s): When you push a cat down accidentally and plunge her into an identity crisis, only to find out that you saved her from death.

Verdict: You can tell that the creators were in this with their heart and have a story to tell, but the difficulty and intransparent interactions made me abandon this. Also, you are never quite sure whether progress is hindered by glitches or an obscure puzzle that you can't figure out. The lack of a hint system then drives you to watch a YT Let's Play - which you might be better off watching anyway.

Pros:
+ a respectful homage to the glory 8-bit days
+ fitting art style with nasty gore effect
+ awesome full-screen splash pages
+ a wide variety of spells and upgrades
+ combat system is tough but fair
+ context-specific death animations ...

Cons
- ... that take entirely too long to skip
- too tough in the beginning, too easy in the end
- unskippable day/night sequence
- enemies spawn in architecture
- keys are not tied to dungeons and can become an issue
- quest log is basically useless; no quest markers on NPCs
- major quests and final boss locked behind morality system
- morality system is too obscure and without indicators
- enemies' and items' hitboxes are wonky
- camera is not movable downwards or upwards
- platforming challenges are often unfair
- weak dungeon design with superfluous objects, platforms etc.
- missing checkpoint system makes leaving dungeons to save necessary
- bosses are boring and can be tanked easily
- INNs are copy pasted and mostly useless
- weak writing with inconsistent voice and tenor
- dialogue in general is not context-specific
- role-playing elements clash with the Metroidvania design

Bullshit Moments: Redoing an entire dungeon for the first time because a platform challenge was cut short by the camera or architecture. Finding out that the final challenges are locked behind a different ending than the one you got.

Verdict: This is clearly a labor of love by fans of old-school action platformers of yore. However, even though the presentation and combat system are commendable, the quest and platforming design are simply weak and the final challenges being locked away behind certain morality paths are unforgivable. Playing this with a guide would probably eliminate most of the frustration but would also eliminate the fun of exploring the world. A missed opportunity with more style than substance that you should probably pass on.

Pros:
+ a huge Metroidvania that rewards curiosity and effort
+ sequence breaking is encouraged and rewarded with a variety of possible pathways
+ sign system offers helpful, wordless hints for traversal
+ soul trade-off system is a genuine innovation and perfectly executed
+ large variety of items and collectibles
+ combat system is perfectly executed and satisfactory
+ large variety of memorable, kick-ass boss fights that are tough but fair
+ a beautifully melancholic atmosphere with a distinct, hand-crafted art style
+ amazing soundtrack that changes depending on the context of the action (low health)
+ most NPCs have a life of their own and a story to tell

Cons:
- screen shake effect when taking damage is overdone
- Crystal Dash cannot be canceled
- foremost front layer tends to get in the way of the action
- world map unlock system is an acquired taste
- map marker is tied to a charme
- dreamnail waypoint system is tied to progress
- resource retrieval system after death is antithetical to the exploratory approach
- checkpoints are too rare and not placed well
- main character is a hollow vessel and completely uninteresting
- obscurantist writing in the DS style is played out and tiresome
- missing contours and outlines of the map are needlessly confusing
- notch system for charms feels limiting and some are simply useless
- spells are too weak in the beginning and too strong in the end
- in-game economy is not balanced well and superfluous by the half-way point
- story and the endings feel like fluff and not worth the hassle
- lackluster DLC that add little to the game as a whole (except for masochists)
- final boss is a disappointment
- Path of Pain is bullshit (although I completed it!)


Magic Moment(s): Entering Greenpath for the first time and falling in love with the music. Climbing up the path to the Colosseum.
Best Boss: Mantis Lords. A perfectly designed boss with clear tells, attacks and weaknesses.
Worst Boss: Nigtmare King Grimm. It just isn't worth it, and the amazing music is wasted on a boss that kills you in seconds.

Verdict: Hollow Knight is a great addition to its genre and a polished, exciting experience. It offers a huge, beautiful world full of secrets and rewards you for exploring it, thus helping you to improve and overcome the manifold tough challenges as you explore. The combat just works and the playstyle options are genuinely innovative and well-implemented. However, while being exceedingly difficult in parts, most of the frustration is not caused by the tough enemies and unique bosses, but by the lackluster implementation of the checkpoint system. Having to reclaim you resources after a death might work in Souslikes, but here, it becomes an unnecessary obstacle in traversing and exploring the world on your own accord. Despite these shortcomings, however, Hollow Knight is a great effort by Team Cherry and a must-play for every fan of the genre.

Pros:
+ cute art style in the spirit of the series
+ adds a new twist to the Minecraft formula
+ building system is mostly smooth
+ permanence to the world makes it feel alive
+ items and dungeons can be seen from a distance
+ some unique side-quests
+ transparent construction trees
+ constantly growing home base
+ diverse NPCs with cute personalities
+ tutorials are quick and easy

Cons:
- starting each episode over again at zero is deeply frustrating
- the entire game is basically a fetch quest
- traversal is slow and teleportation is limited
- awful, simply unfun combat with few to no offensive or defensive options
- tough boss fights feel out of place
- item retrieval after death is aggravating
- item storage system is cumbersome
- enemies can destroy your home for no reason
- created rooms are sometimes ignored for unknown reasons
- blueprint building is finicky and not context-sensitive
- midi-tracks are low-quality that get grating really fast
- in-game achievements are hidden from you until the end of an episode
- speed-run ingame achievement is antithetical to the core gameplay loop

Worst Moment: Having to say goodby to the home and friends you made and starting over in a dark, poison swamp to do it all over gain.

Verdict: Word is the sequel is the much better game and fixes most the issues apparent here, so I abandoned this game at the half-way point. As an adult, I was not the intended audience for this, and I can can accept that. However, even to children who are fans of Minecraft and Dragon Quest, the combat is simply too shallow and the quests too samey to make the time spent worthwhile. The episodic structure punishes you for taking your time to build your home by forcing you to reset with each new episode, and the hidden achievements incentivize players to rush instead of stopping to take in the scenery and experiment. You should probably pass on this in favor of the sequel, which I am very interested to play.

Pros:
+ more Dark Souls
+ great soundtrack and voice acting
+ crystal-clear hitboxes make fights feel fair
+ weapon durability is tied to bonfires
+ re-designed Estus system adds some new tactical choices
+ Firelink Shrine feels like a home that changes over time
+ tomes add new choices for personalized builds
+ some cool new boss ideas (High Lord Wjolnir, Yhorm The Giant)
+ DLC adds visually interesting areas with some new gameplay ideas (Lapp quest)
+ full of homages and callbacks for fans to enjoy ...

Cons:
- ... that ultimately feel tired and played out
- a general lack of new ideas or innovation
- Bonfire Ascetic system from DS2 has been effaced without replacement
- an abundance of bonfires makes exploration less exciting
- small, linear world map that is not as deeply connected as before
- just when you think it starts, the game is over
- by far the easiest DS if you are experienced (Life Ring + Knight Class are OP)
- bosses can be easily killed on the first try if you are agressive enough
- combat system has been noticeably speed up and lacks the classic DS feel
- entire game feels more like a successor to Bloodborne than to DS2
- greatly reduced number of bosses (while adding mini-bosses that don't feel as rewarding)
- one-shot boss attacks are cheap (Aldrich)
- little build variety compared to the previous one
- very few interesting areas and some recyled ones
- a general lack of memorable dungeons akin to Sen's Fortress
- cryptic narrative style has become stale and consequences of dialogue options are unexplained
- most quests are practically impossible without a guide
- bosses bore you with teabag monologues after you failed
- NPCs die off-screen without much of an explanation
- weapon stances and techniques have no actual bearing on gameplay
- item management is more cumbersome than before
- covenant system has been revamped without explanation and for no apparent reason
- glitches like enemies getting stuck in walls take you out of the experience
- offline invasions and summons have mostly become a tool for trolling players
- secret areas are more obscure than ever before (Dragon Shrine)
- invisible floors are janky and look goofy
- NPC summons for the final fight make it even more of an disappointment
- endings are anticlimactic and feel like an afterthought not worth the hassle
- trophies are locked behind the grind of NG+, which lacks changes to the game world (unlike DS2)
- abysmal technical performance on PS4 Pro (low frame rate, frame pacing issues, frequent pop-inn etc)


Best Boss Fight: Sister Friede, particularly with the help of Gael. Deacons of the Deep, because they display a rare fresh idea.
Worst Boss Fight: Nameless King, because the two phases are cumbersome and the boss area is confusing.
Playtime: 55 hours with all bosses and the entire DLC

Blahgic Moment: Entering Anor Londo and feeling like the series had truly run its course.

Verdict: Look what they have done to my boy! Dark Souls 3 is a tired, stale send-off to a great series of games that belies the uniqueness and originality that made the original a modern classic. Having played Dark Souls 2 and 3 back to back in a matter of weeks, it is clear that the development team were not interested in advancing the series, with most of the finished product feeling more like a cynical "gift to the fans" than a truely unique experience of its own. Instead, the influence of Bloodborne is felt at every turn, from the enemy design to the speed of combat, which feels like a intrusive digression instead of an innovation to the formula. The game world, which has always been the heart of the series, amounts to a loose collection of discarded areas and forgettable bosses without many secrets and alternate pathways to discover, while the increase in bonfires further diminishes the excitement and danger of exploring said world. To make matters even worse, the technical performance on PS4 Pro in particular is an insult to the players and a shocking regression compared the smooth, 60FPS presentation of DS2. All these aspects combined render Dark Souls 3 by far the worst game in the series and a huge disappointment to anyone expecting a worthy adieu to this beloved franchise.

Pros:
+ it's more Dark Souls
+ a huge world with much to explore
+ combat system is as great as ever
+ large variety of optional bosses and quests
+ sharp presentation in 1080p, 60FPS and great audio
+ incredible vistas and architecture to enjoy
+ Bonfire Ascetics and the torch advance the Dark Souls gameplay formula
+ cheap level ups allow for great build variety
+ interface and item management have been streamlined
+ Majula feels like an actual home that develops over time
+ the story is much more comprehensible and focused compared to the first
+ adventurous narrative design (Memories)
+ memorable NPCs with often tragic stories (Lucatiel)
+ NPC summons and invasions act more natural and intelligent
+ DLC areas are great additions and add hours of fun
+ progress is possible with soul level alone
+ NG+ changes elements of the world

Cons:
- inconsistent hit boxes
- most of the equipment and items are recycled
- world map is not as deeply connected as before and feels cobbled together
- really tough beginning and a bit too easy towards the end
- enemy spawn limits are an acquired taste and feel at odds with the lore
- dead end bonfires are useless for single players
- some of the worst boss runs in the series (Iron Keep, Iron Passage)
- Pharros lockstones are a rare drop
- secret walls cannot be attacked anymore
- some secrets and connections between gameplay elements are awfully obscure (Windmill)
- enemy placement is inconsistent; enemies tend to band together unfairly (Lost Bastille clown car)
- many bosses are simply copies from the first and often come in pairs
- changes to the I-frame mechanic are never really explained ingame
- platinum trophy is locked behind NG++
- all the endings are anticlimactic and feel like an afterthought
- horsefuck valley is bullshit

Magic Moment(s): The first meeting with Aldia, first experience of a memory and the entrance and boss area of the Burnt Ivory King.
Bosses killed on first try: Last Giant, Dragon Rider, Chariot, Looking Glass Knight, Skeleton Lords, Last Sinner, Rat Vanguard, Mytha, Covetous Demon, Guardian Dragon, Demon of Song, Velstadt, Giant Lord, Nashandra, Aldia, Sinh, Alonne, Gank Squad.


Verdict: Contrary to popular belief, Dark Souls 2 is very much a worthy successor to one of the most influential games of this century. It adds elements to the formula that enrich the gameplay without diverting too much from the core ideals of the series. Even though some of the flaws of the first one are retained and the homages tend to be too on the nose, the huge world and manifold secrets are as fun to explore as ever, making it tough to drop the controller until the ending credits roll. In this version in particular, the technical performance and generally high quality in all departments also serves as a benchmark for a great remaster. (I played this exclusively offline and cannot speak for the online gameplay).

Ultimately, Dark Souls 2 therefore really feels like a fresh experience that wants to build on the structures that came before it, and the end result is a marvelous game that, even in moments of frustration, is challenging and rewarding in equal measure and a great experience for any fan of the series.

Pros:
+ smart variations on the MetroidBrania game design of the original
+ inversion of the monomyth and tired video game clichés
+ deep integration of gameplay, setting, and story
+ great attention to detail in all departments
+ unique and awe-inspiring new setting with plenty of surprises
+ incredible visual design of the new setting
+ rich atmosphere and implementation of the light/dark design
+ clever introduction of surprising new game mechanics
+ often ingenious, four-dimensional puzzle design
+ creative implementation of visual puzzles to this universe
+ fitting new soundtrack and sound design
+ deeply emotional ending that is beautifully tied to the original

Cons:
- controls are still iffy and take a lot of time getting used to
- traversal of the game world leaves little margin of error
- horror elements are often too intense and at odds with the exploratory design of the base game
- some incomprehensible puzzles makes progress cumbersome
- very short time frames for some late game tasks
- hidden parts of the world flesh out the story but are mostly impossible to find without guides
- ship log could offer more hints after a certain time without progress
- a customizable note or marker system would eliminate issues with orientation
- character design is an acquired taste

Magic Moment(s): Entering the Stranger for the first time, understanding the relation between light and dark and the final sequence.

Verdict: Echoes of the Eye is a smartly designed and tremendously presented extension of the original game that rewards intelligence and curiosity in fresh, exciting ways. The attempt to invert the puzzle designs of the base game displays confidence, but the results are sadly mixed and the change in genre and atmosphere compared to the original is questionable and contentious. Some opaque puzzles even made me look up solutions so as to not lose interest in finishing it, but the final sequence is a true highlight and, ultimately, makes the DLC worth finishing.

Pros:
+ perhaps the first true MetroidBrania ever created
+ smart inversion of the monomyth and tired video game clichés
+ unique open universe setting and visual style
+ fresh interpretation of the time loop concept
+ deep integration of gameplay, setting, and story
+ often ingenious, four-dimensional puzzle design
+ if something looks possible, it usually is (Sun Station!)
+ idiosyncratic translation mechanic and good writing
+ optional areas of the universe enrich the narrative
+ secret endings are surprising and often meta-textual
+ easter eggs at every corner, even on the startup screen
+ fitting soundtrack and sound design
+ incredible central track that is deeply interwoven with the gameplay

Cons:
- controls are iffy and take a lot of time getting used to
- hidden "meditation" mechanic should be available from the start
- not all gameplay elements are properly explained (e.g. the ship's emergency button)
- ship log could offer more hints after a certain time without progress
- a customizable note or marker system would eliminate issues with orientation
- CO2 meter is often just a bit too limiting
- character design is an acquired taste
- final loop is exciting but exceedingly difficult to pull of
- the final image and its implications are a bit cynical

Magic Moment(s): Too many to count. The first landing and gravity mechanics on Giant's Deep, the complex mechanics and secrets of the Quantum Moon, the tense moments during the final loop, the final musical sequence.

Verdict: Outer Wilds takes place in its own unique universe, far beyond the tired heroic clichés of the medium, and rewards intelligence and curiosity in fresh, exciting ways. The incredible team at Mobius Digital here not only (co-)invents the new genre of the MetroidBrania, but almost perfectly presents its vision of the possibilities of video games. To think that this is their first outing is almost unbelievable, as is the pure quality in all departments on display here. A true milestone in the history of gaming and a must play.

Pros:
- deep integration of gameplay, setting, music and story
- artistic elements such as the art and voiceovers are of exceptionally high quality
- great character designs and diverse dating options
- outstanding soundtrack and vocal tracks by Ashley Barrett
- fast paced, responsive moment to moment action gameplay
- practically endless replayability and accompanying dialogue

Cons:
- starting weapon is the weakest and least versatile
- small amount of weapons and upgrades
- very limited number of biomes and enemies
- opaque boon progression and combination system
- very limited number of bosses for a roquelike
- steep difficulty progression in the beginning...
- ...until you have finished your first run
- limited number of surprises after the True Ending (which can be accomplished pretty quickly)
- the reason for the restart of the loop is a bit too convenient before the True Ending (and a bit silly afterwards)
- maxing out large amount of collectables gets overwhelming
- Nectar is too rare for its importance and its trade sequence is too expensive
- Hades voice is a bit overdone

Magic Moment: The first encounter with Eurydice and her accompanying song. Such a lovely moment of peace in a very hectic game.

Verdict:
Millions of players and dozens of awards have crowned Hades one of the best games of the past few years, and I simply have to agree with the general consensus. Not all gears might be working in sync after the first few amazing hours, but this daftly designed and beautifully presented action game is an instant classic and another milestone for Supergiant Games. Bravo.

Pros:
- a classic game with possible the biggest influence on the series as a whole
- lovingly recreated in this remastered version with great soundtrack and visual quality
- a detailed map and autosave function
- introduction and perfect implementation of the Active Time Battle system
- rich, huge overworld with a distinctly modern feel
- satisfactory, smooth difficulty curve
- short dungeons and a manageable encounter rate
- some of the best characters story arcs in the series to far...

Cons:
-... and some truly annoying and useless ones (looking at you, magic twins)
- the plot is not developed to its actual conclusion and leaves some threads dangling
- surprise attacks are common and drag down the pacing
- some action commands are practically useless (Steal, Pray...)
- the infamous hunt for summoning items with ridiculously low encounter chances
- limited, repetitive soundtrack with the weakest battle theme of the series thus far
- a short and underwhelming final fight

Magic Moment: Rydias character development and surprise appearance at a dramatic moment of the story.

Verdict: This is a true classic. A Final Fantasy game that influenced the series for years to come and showed the world what the future of JRPG would feel like. This particular version makes it easily accessible and is presented wonderfully.

Highly recommended.

Pro:
- lots of content
- nice art style and charismatic character designs
- funny dialogue and cute interactions
- unique combination of close and ranged combat
- inventive curse and blessing system

Contra:
- lack of an in-depth ingame tutorial
- close combat is sometimes tough to navigate
- jump mechanics are sluggish and sometimes unresponsive
- no information about the map creation algorythms and secrets ingame
- central gaming loop never really evolves
- too hard in the beginning, too easy towards the end
- badly designed final boss (that punishes you for playing the game in a particular way)

Magic Moment: Finding out that just getting to end of the dungeon is not the actual end of the game - which can be a negative and a positive, depending on your style of play.

Verdict: In the era of frequent, high quality Roguelikes, Undermine is a good but not great addition to the genre. The central gameplay loop is not particularly satisfactory and the difficulty scale is sadly off, put the curse system is inventive and there is lots of content to be discovered. You should perhaps take a look at it, but one playthrough is certainly enough.

Pros:
- Cute, unique art style and character design

Cons:
- No narrative elements
- No functional tutorial
- No quick restart from menu
- Sound effects cannot be turned completely off
- Barely functional double jump mechanics
- Inconsistent level design
- Checkpoints don't save collectibles
- High difficulty with very little playoff

Manic Moment: Level 9 starts with a challenge that is impossible to overcome if you don't understand an important mechanic that the game never teaches.

Verdict: A hyper-difficult platformer with nice visuals but very little polish and quality. Don't play, especially when there are so many better competitors.

Pro:
- A cohesive, believable world created by only one person
- The distinct and recognizable art style
- Functional shooting mechanics and fun boss fights
- Well-implemented save points and save system
- Fresh ideas for map traversal and power ups (compared to other Metroidvanias)
- A surprisingly complex plot with tasteful cutscenes ...

Contra:
- ... that is mostly implemented with endless, boring dialogue
- Most weapons are useless and weak compared to the starting gun
- No autofire!
- Clumsily implemented dodge and drone mechanics
- Frustrating difficulty spike towards the final third
- A barely useful map with only 2 markers and no guidance system
- No warp system means endless backtracking
- Content locked behind random pickups and opaque password system
- Grading musical themes without character
- 10 hours playtime feels like twice as much

Magic Moment: When the tedious final fight just kind of ends without fanfareand gives way to a deep feeling of never having to play this again.

Verdict:
Somehow, Axiom Verge has become something of a classic Metroidvania over the last few years. I played though this again to prepare for its sequel and found it to be boring, difficult and simply unfun.

Don't play it, there are loads and loads of better Metroidvanias these days ... I will certainly never replay this.

Pros:
- A classic game with great influence on the series as a whole
- Lovingly recreated in the Pixel Remaster versions with great soundtrack and visuals (except for the font and weird screen tearing)
- A map and autosave function that will eliminate most of the frustration
- Shorter, more interesting dungeons and a managable encounter rate
- A new job system that is unique and implemented best here out of all the versions of FFIII
- Secret summons and side quests that make the world feel alive and reward players' curiosity
- An actual open world with many distinct ways of traversal

Cons:
- A convoluted, forgettable story with bland characters and easy solutions (which is a step back compared to the dramatic quality of FFII)
- Opague damage rolls and an apparently random turn order render strategic battles impossible
- An unbalanced job system that is rarely relevant to the game at large
- An incredibly high difficulty throughout the game, in particular towards the final dungeons. Be prepared to grind!

Magic Moment: When you realize how large the world map actually is. Oh, and the Fat Chocobo theme.

Verdict: The job system and manifold secrets make this one worth playing, even though this is probably the toughest and longest FF from the 8-Bit generation. Fans should take a look at this one, but one playthrough is enough.

Pros:
- Another milestone with lots of historic value, especially in terms of its connection to the SaGa series
- Lovingly recreated in the Pixel Remaster versions with great soundtrack and visuals (except for the font and weird screen tearing)
- A map and autosave function that will eliminate most of the frustration
- An actual quest with actual characters and a distinct dramatic quality
- A leveling system that was daring for its time and still has many interesting ideas
- Secrets and side quests that make the world feel alive and reward players' curiosity
- An actual open world that introduces Chocobos to the series

Cons:
- Mostly opaque leveling system that never becomes any clearer throughout the game, with apparently random damage rolls that render strategic battles impossible
- Awful dungeon designs that bait players with empty rooms and punish their curiosity with random encounters
- Beginner's loot and items even in the final dungeon
- Higher encounter rate than in FFI that will either bore the hell out of you or make you scream in anger
- The incredibly disappointing quest for finding Ultima
- A final boss fight that is so badly designed that it becomes practically impossible if your party is developed with physical attacks in mind. Seriously, without one particular MISSABLE weapon, it becomes a huge chore and epitomizes all grievances directed at the game throughout the decades

Magic Moment: The first meeting with series mascot Cid and the Chocobo.

Verdict: Not recommended for newcomers, even veterans should probably skip this one. Longer and tougher than FFI, but not as rewarding. Certainly don't replay.