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Review Rating System:
Platinum Seal of Transcendence
The highest accolade I can give a game. Not only is it truly a profound experience in the gaming landscape, but it transcends emotional connection beyond anything else the medium has to offer me.
Gold Seal of Excellence
A game that excels in what it does. While not a favorite, a title nonetheless worth checking out to see what it can do for you.
Silver Seal of Merit
A quality title of merit. While it doesn't cross the threshold of being truly impressive to me, there is most definitely value here. And who knows maybe it could be special for you!
Bronze Seal of Recognition
I recognize the attempt that was made. It isn't a piece that totally misses the mark, but it doesn't stick the landing.
Black Seal of Malcontent
A blemish of gaming media.
Purple Seal of Honor
The highest honor for a game that displays bravery in how it brings creativity to the medium like none other.
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GOTY '23
Participated in the 2023 Game of the Year Event
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Mentioned by another user
Epic Gamer
Played 1000+ games
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Created a list folder with 5+ lists
GOTY '22
Participated in the 2022 Game of the Year Event
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Being part of the Backloggd community for 2 years
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Liked 50+ reviews / lists
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Gained 10+ total review likes
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Voted for at least 3 features on the roadmap
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Created 10+ public lists
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Become mutual friends with at least 3 others
Busy Day
Journaled 5+ games in a single day
GOTY '21
Participated in the 2021 Game of the Year Event
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Gained 15+ followers
Full-Time
Journaled games once a day for a month straight
On Schedule
Journaled games once a day for a week straight
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Gained 3+ followers
Elite Gamer
Played 500+ games
Gamer
Played 250+ games
N00b
Played 100+ games
Favorite Games
1065
Total Games Played
007
Played in 2024
344
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After almost ten years, and two disappointing follow-ups, Xenoblade 3 manages to succeed as a proper sequel to the original Xenoblade Chronicles. It uses the more powerful console and many lessons learned from development to bring a deeply rich experience. The combat system is flexible, yet not overly cumbersome, taking queues from both mainline games before it. The cast is as thoroughly characterized as anything in the genre period. The incredible scope and music that has always been present, show up once again with absolute splendor. This game almost transcends and overtakes its predecessors in almost every single category from visual fidelity to side quest depth. The world of Aionisis is rich with lore, history, and struggle, and all of it sets a bleak yet riveting tone from the initial moments of the narrative's start.
Unfortunately, the only thing this game does not manage to stick to is the landing at the very end. After a tremendous build-up that capitalizes on every core component, the story then stumbles and never quite finds a solution to this. Mostly at fault are two things of note. The first is the exposition required to truly grasp all the missing details from key story characters you work so hard to reach. Their moments are brief, almost for cameo's sake rather than blissful fusion of everything into one incredible sweeping motion. The latter problem is the ending takes away what is the hope of the players. It may give back the future to its denizens but it takes away the time invested into this world, the people we came to so closely align ourselves with, and all of those cherished memories built through those relationships. I love this game in most regards and would say it manages to do almost everything correctly, and the ending while it doesn't betray the themes and ideas presented beforehand, just leaves a notion of regret onto me. If you've ever seen the series Crash Landing onto You, this reminds me heavily of that journey. An uncertain beginning that forms into a spectacular ride, that leaves me absolutely gobsmacked by conflicted feelings as the credits roll.
I can say with certainty this game is utterly engrossing with a dense massive world of interest and charming characters that feel so real you want to be friends with them yourself. I can't quite ignore my own struggle with the lasting effect the final choices made and how they left me at three in the morning feeling troubled. I shan't forget my time, and will look forward to what the future holds with this series, the DLC, and of course my own path that I will decide upon.
We hereby award: Platinum Seal of Transcendence
Simple, sweet, and irresistible fun in a package perfectly suited for a dozen of your favorite offerings. Freshly Frosted is that puzzle game hardly anyone will go out of their way to talk about, but those who take on the order, and help sort the infinite loop of doughnut factories within our head are bound to be pleased. An oh so pleasant narration kickstarts every level as you come across the toughest of conundrums. Do I still play this game or leave my house to get a nice pastry? It's the little things in life that bring the most joy, and this game takes all the time it can to relax you into a void of pure relaxation and comfort. Now excuse me as I curiously wonder to myself what venue will be my next target for an order of their finest delicious baked doughnuts.
We hereby award: The Silver Seal of Merit
Astro's Playroom is a new-age tech demo that memorializes the history of PlayStation. Just like the games that defined the first home video console, it is a collect-a-thon platformer with an infectiously adorable mascot and style. While it could have been a simple 20 minutes demo showcasing the ways the dual sense functions, it instead transcends that to make a full game experience. It is about as long in length as a classic PS1 title, yet basks the player in new inventive ideas like adaptive triggers and audio/visual haptic feedback. It's a charming take on a freebie bundled in-game that manages to be a marriage of everything you could ask for. It has something new, something old, and something borrowed. From the rich futuristic features in the gamepad, to hundreds of references to characters and electronics that defined the previous four generations, to the classic try and true genre that kickstarted it all. A well-rounded and realized experience is here for all players who get this new console, utterly delightful in all of its ideas and implementations. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
We hereby award: The Silver Seal of Merit