About You: Video Games
A collection of games that are central to who I am as both a developer, and someone who plays games.
I stuck to one game per series, and one superlative per game.
I stuck to one game per series, and one superlative per game.
17 Games
Favorite Game of All Time
A peerless survival experience of equal parts suffering and wonder. Often opaque, but deeply rewarding.
A peerless survival experience of equal parts suffering and wonder. Often opaque, but deeply rewarding.
Favorite Series
To think Rare transformed a rinky-dink arcade game into something so vibrant and full of character. There are simply no misses in this series.
To think Rare transformed a rinky-dink arcade game into something so vibrant and full of character. There are simply no misses in this series.
Favorite Soundtrack
A collection of dark ambient soundscapes, rather than songs, Thief II's soundtrack creates an engrossing, nocturnal, atmosphere.
A collection of dark ambient soundscapes, rather than songs, Thief II's soundtrack creates an engrossing, nocturnal, atmosphere.
Favorite Protagonist
Manny Calavera is the driving force of Grim Fandango. He shines in both drama and comedy, and is an undeniable charmer throughout.
Manny Calavera is the driving force of Grim Fandango. He shines in both drama and comedy, and is an undeniable charmer throughout.
Favorite Villain
In today's media landscape of detached irony and winking to the camera, Shadow's unabashed campiness is a welcome relief.
In today's media landscape of detached irony and winking to the camera, Shadow's unabashed campiness is a welcome relief.
Favorite Story
The gulf between the writing of Disco Elysium and every other game is massive. The story has heft on a personal and political level, and meshes with the RPG systems in an ingenious way.
The gulf between the writing of Disco Elysium and every other game is massive. The story has heft on a personal and political level, and meshes with the RPG systems in an ingenious way.
Game You Love That Everyone Hates
A knot of obtuse mechanics that I had a great time untangling. Requires a good deal of patience, but will strike a chord with the right player.
A knot of obtuse mechanics that I had a great time untangling. Requires a good deal of patience, but will strike a chord with the right player.
Game You Hate That Everyone Loves
The only game in existence where the grappling hook feels like garbage.
The only game in existence where the grappling hook feels like garbage.
Best Art Style
The colorful, stylized, graphics of Gamecube games will always have a place in my heart. Double Dash, and its ilk, are a testament to the value of art direction over graphical fidelity.
The colorful, stylized, graphics of Gamecube games will always have a place in my heart. Double Dash, and its ilk, are a testament to the value of art direction over graphical fidelity.
Favorite Ending
An epic journey across time and space with a simple and sweet conclusion. The alternate endings are also worth exploring.
An epic journey across time and space with a simple and sweet conclusion. The alternate endings are also worth exploring.
Favorite Boss Fight
THE boss fight game. The guardian ape is my personal favorite, but a case could be made for any of them.
THE boss fight game. The guardian ape is my personal favorite, but a case could be made for any of them.
Childhood Game
The first game to make me a sicko. Like so many, I was once an utter freak for Pokémon, and a small part of me will always be.
The first game to make me a sicko. Like so many, I was once an utter freak for Pokémon, and a small part of me will always be.
Relaxing Game
A breezy experience; perfect for a single sitting. The core flight mechanic makes for a joyful exploration game that feels like a mini-vacation.
A breezy experience; perfect for a single sitting. The core flight mechanic makes for a joyful exploration game that feels like a mini-vacation.
Stressful Game
A relentless experience of suffering and triage. Its systems will pull emotions out of you in powerful and unexpected ways.
A relentless experience of suffering and triage. Its systems will pull emotions out of you in powerful and unexpected ways.
Game You Always Come Back To
Deserves every bit of praise given to Street Fighter II, and more. Third strike is stylish as hell, and plays like a dream. Parrying is the best mechanic of any fighting game, and maybe any game period.
Deserves every bit of praise given to Street Fighter II, and more. Third strike is stylish as hell, and plays like a dream. Parrying is the best mechanic of any fighting game, and maybe any game period.
Guilty Pleasure
It's a shame that someone who sucks as much as Jon Blow made something this good.
It's a shame that someone who sucks as much as Jon Blow made something this good.
Tons of Hours Played
I can't think of a single friend I haven't played Smash Bros with at least once.
I can't think of a single friend I haven't played Smash Bros with at least once.