ChrisVsBacklog
2017
An impactful story that unfolds over a series of twists I never saw coming. Pain, wonder, anguish, rage, confusion - a wide range of emotions are incredibly performed by the voice cast, and reflected directly in the player. Just don't get too caught up in empathy for the various characters of this flawed world. EMOTIONS ARE PROHIBITED.
A Metroidvania title controlled as a sprawling pinball table, this game is a fun experiment that only loses steam because there are only so many ways you can kick off of a flipper. Cute and colorful art, some clever exploration tricks, and a handful of fun personalities keep it from feeling like it has overstayed its welcome.
2018
Challenging but fair arcade gameplay. Clever dialogue that still delivers after 50 hours. A host of thirst-trap characters that are, somehow, all the best one. If any one of these sounds like a thing you'd be interested in, and I wager you picked more than one, Hades is well worth your time. Another instant classic from hit machine Supergiant Games, Hades is the kind of game you come back to again and again - its gameplay and narrative equal delights. With concessions for casual players, and extreme challenges for those that crave mastery, Hades has a little something for everyone.
Just, please, remember to pet Cerberus, will ya?
Full essay here: https://www.guilded.gg/backlog/blog/Chris-Vs-Blog/Hades-is-Rogue-lite-Reimagined
Just, please, remember to pet Cerberus, will ya?
Full essay here: https://www.guilded.gg/backlog/blog/Chris-Vs-Blog/Hades-is-Rogue-lite-Reimagined
2019
A puzzle system that will leave you feeling like the most clever person in the room combined with a story that will have you continually shouting "WTF!?" at your screen. While the runtime is maybe just a biiiiit too long, if you're into it none of that will matter. Grab your pillow, do your best not to be a trash person, and climb to escape.
A fun idea that just doesn't quite come together clean enough to be that fun. The characters are flat, and much of the information that would make you care about them is locked up in collectable notes that are missed if you are focused on solving the mystery.
Due to it being so far outside the box as compared to its RPG peers, this game still feels fresh today despite how heavily dated both the visuals and game play feel by modern standards. Some of the dialogue is an obvious product of its time and can feel quite gross, but largely it holds up well. If ever there was a game that the fanbase is rabid for a remake or remaster, this is surely near the top of the list.
Rage memes aside, there is some wickedly clever environmental design at work here to force you to adapt new skills and execute under pressure. Can't make it to the top? Sometimes, even trying is a victory.
2016
A hyper addictive game play loop combined with interesting character vignettes and a handful of adorable hats. An already exceptional game with a prolific mod community consistently making the game even better.
One of my favorite games! I have almost as much time in Skyrim as I do in Mod Organizer 2!
2019
When I say that Song of Horror is worth playing, know that it comes from a place fully aware of what I am asking of you. To some, horror stories are just fun diversions, and they will be well served by spending a few nights battling The Presence. To those that are, like me, averse to terror, I think even you will enjoy your time with this one. Play with a friend, use a walkthrough, or even play while live streaming (it worked for me!), but take a trip through the shadowed halls and haunted rooms with Daniel and the others. Song of Horror is classic horror gaming, with charming and rewarding puzzles, and ambiance so thicc it could start an Onlyfans. If Protocol Games ever makes a sequel, I would pick it up without question and squirm my way through. Coming from me, among the yellowest bellies that ever screamed into the darkness, that is very high praise, indeed.
Full essay here: https://www.guilded.gg/backlog/blog/Chris-Vs-Blog/Song-of-Horror-Playlist-Recommendation
Full essay here: https://www.guilded.gg/backlog/blog/Chris-Vs-Blog/Song-of-Horror-Playlist-Recommendation
2017
Cute concept, but frustratingly executed. Too often left confused, lost, or just apathetic. I wanted to make some cat friends, but instead just wanted to hunt in peace without angering raiding parties.
Loud music and bright colors as a medium for repetition and time wasting.
2017
It's cute, and got some legitimate laughs out of me. If this had been an adventure game, or even a visual novel, I'd be on board. The issue is that the RPG combat is bland, repetitive, and easily gamed. Forced game play getting in the way of the undoubtedly better parts of the experience is too irritating for me to finish up.
2021
As is the expectation from Arkane, the world is interesting, the visuals are great, and the game play is tight. The lose and loop formula just makes the stakes too low. I've still not taken a run through the newly expanded edition delivered alongside the XBox release, so maybe some of my issues are cleaned up in the most recent version. If not, this is a great example of a game that left me with a sour taste as the credits rolled.
2019
I think that Devotion is a brilliant game. A horror title that is scary without feeling like a cheap carnival ride, thought provoking without sounding like a lecture, and upsetting without being regrettable. While I feel that games like this don't land as well if you aren't behind the controls, the basic effect would still be pretty powerful if you simply watch a playthrough. It is frustrating that an experience of this quality is so unknown among horror fans, and my hope is that my playthrough and this blog entry will convince at least one other person to seek it out.
Full essay here: https://www.guilded.gg/backlog/blog/Chris-Vs-Blog/Fatherly-Phantasmagoria
Full essay here: https://www.guilded.gg/backlog/blog/Chris-Vs-Blog/Fatherly-Phantasmagoria