Dyna
2021
Went into this one not really knowing what to expect as both a JRPG and SMT novice, but I ended up having a great time with the game. This is actually the first non-Pokémon JRPG I have ever completed so hey, there's that too!
I'm not particularly fond of turn-based battles in games but I found the Press Turn system interesting, it added a light tactical touch to the fights which I liked. The open areas were a decent take on the usual "dungeons" too - and the few actual in-game dungeons were clearly the worst parts of the game. Exploring the map could be clumsy at times, sure, but the lack of random encounters and the almost 3D-platformer-like treasure hunt was exactly what I wanted, it kept the game interesting.
I loved the whole demon recruiting system; some of the dialogue really got a laugh out of me and it was fun trying to match their attitude. Sadly I felt like that part of the game kind of dwindled away near the halfway mark. The game started off hard as nails in my opinion but later on it evened out to just the occasional difficulty spike. I wasn't confident enough to pick Hard from the get-go though but in hindsight, it could have been the better choice. Some really thrilling and challenging fights in there nonetheless!
I can't not mention the music of Shin Megami Tensei V - the soundtrack is impeccable. A big part of why the on-screen action never felt like it came to a halt during a battle was the music. Slaying archangels to the tune of a guitar shredding like no tomorrow just feels satisfying as hell. I wish I could praise both the audio and the visuals but graphically this was quite dire. Setting aside the technical hiccups due to the Switch, the areas are still very dull and samey which was quite jarring. The character designs are probably the saving grace, they look really nice for the most part even if they aren't that sharp either.
Not much to say about the story really, interesting themes and threads that lead to wild battles with mostly one-dimensional characters. Fine, but not the reason I stuck with the game till the end. It's hard to pinpoint what it actually was that got me to complete SMT V but not the countless other JRPGs I've tried throughout the years. I guess the open-world-lite structure, engaging battle system and a fantastic soundtrack just made for an enticing enough combination? In any case, I really, really liked this and I'll definitely keep an open mind towards the series going forward.
I'm not particularly fond of turn-based battles in games but I found the Press Turn system interesting, it added a light tactical touch to the fights which I liked. The open areas were a decent take on the usual "dungeons" too - and the few actual in-game dungeons were clearly the worst parts of the game. Exploring the map could be clumsy at times, sure, but the lack of random encounters and the almost 3D-platformer-like treasure hunt was exactly what I wanted, it kept the game interesting.
I loved the whole demon recruiting system; some of the dialogue really got a laugh out of me and it was fun trying to match their attitude. Sadly I felt like that part of the game kind of dwindled away near the halfway mark. The game started off hard as nails in my opinion but later on it evened out to just the occasional difficulty spike. I wasn't confident enough to pick Hard from the get-go though but in hindsight, it could have been the better choice. Some really thrilling and challenging fights in there nonetheless!
I can't not mention the music of Shin Megami Tensei V - the soundtrack is impeccable. A big part of why the on-screen action never felt like it came to a halt during a battle was the music. Slaying archangels to the tune of a guitar shredding like no tomorrow just feels satisfying as hell. I wish I could praise both the audio and the visuals but graphically this was quite dire. Setting aside the technical hiccups due to the Switch, the areas are still very dull and samey which was quite jarring. The character designs are probably the saving grace, they look really nice for the most part even if they aren't that sharp either.
Not much to say about the story really, interesting themes and threads that lead to wild battles with mostly one-dimensional characters. Fine, but not the reason I stuck with the game till the end. It's hard to pinpoint what it actually was that got me to complete SMT V but not the countless other JRPGs I've tried throughout the years. I guess the open-world-lite structure, engaging battle system and a fantastic soundtrack just made for an enticing enough combination? In any case, I really, really liked this and I'll definitely keep an open mind towards the series going forward.
2022
An exceptional puzzle-adventure game about a little fox out and about in mysterious lands. Tunic truly encourages and rewards player exploration, the world is wonderfully designed and filled to the brim with charm. The way the game guides the player through the in-game manual pages is ingenious, genuinely one of the better features in games in recent years. It's best to go into this as blind as possible but know this: a) despite the cute style the difficulty ramps up fast and b) the "Zelda-like with Souls-esque elements" description is apt but most definitely not all there is to the game. There definitely were a few shortcomings too; the combat is fairly cumbersome and traversal between areas can be a chore but these were minor flaws in the grand scheme of things for me.
This wasn't exactly the easy-breezy palate cleanser after Elden Ring I was half-expecting but it turned out to be a fantastic experience nevertheless! Huge recommendation, no excuses to not try Tunic if you already have a Game Pass subscription.
This wasn't exactly the easy-breezy palate cleanser after Elden Ring I was half-expecting but it turned out to be a fantastic experience nevertheless! Huge recommendation, no excuses to not try Tunic if you already have a Game Pass subscription.
A short and sweet 2.5D platformer that mostly draws inspiration from Rayman Origins and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Fantastic use of colour in the level environments and very smooth character animations, was pleasantly surprised by how polished the game's presentation was. Fun summery music tracks too.
Gameplay felt snappy enough - as it should in a side-scrolling platformer - and the levels provide an okay challenge if you choose to go for the time trial medals as well. Could have used at least one more type of collectible to sprinkle around the levels instead of the coin-equivalent fruits but it is what it is. A brief but fun platformer, with a bigger budget this developer could make something great!
Gameplay felt snappy enough - as it should in a side-scrolling platformer - and the levels provide an okay challenge if you choose to go for the time trial medals as well. Could have used at least one more type of collectible to sprinkle around the levels instead of the coin-equivalent fruits but it is what it is. A brief but fun platformer, with a bigger budget this developer could make something great!
2022
After a solid six weeks of traversing and scouring the Lands Between I can finally say that I've seen most of what Elden Ring has to offer and I absolutely loved it. The only open world game that has succeeded in keeping me engaged and excited for the entire duration; no lulls or hackneyed side tasks in sight. I also hadn't felt such pure joy and awe in exploring a video game map since entering the members-only regions of RuneScape for the first time a long, long time ago!
Much of the core gameplay feels very familiar by now if you've played FromSoftware's other games but they do shake things up quite a bit with the relentlessly aggressive boss fights and the spirit summoning system. To me, this definitely feels like FromSoftware's magnum opus and I immensely enjoyed every second of my first playthrough. One of the all-time greats, an astounding video game through and through.
Much of the core gameplay feels very familiar by now if you've played FromSoftware's other games but they do shake things up quite a bit with the relentlessly aggressive boss fights and the spirit summoning system. To me, this definitely feels like FromSoftware's magnum opus and I immensely enjoyed every second of my first playthrough. One of the all-time greats, an astounding video game through and through.
An excellent sequel to Sin and Punishment that improves on the core mechanics of the original by expanding the levels and adding more variety to the mix. It definitely shows that Treasure released Ikaruga between the two games, Star Successor doesn't mess around with the difficulty. Boss fights in particular are a highlight of the game; they're very tough but just as exhilarating and fun, it feels truly rewarding once you overcome them. The Wii Remote worked well with the game, clearing projectile barrages and aiming charge shots at enemies felt precise and responsive.
The story I was not as keen on, the first game felt more focused in a way and even a little emotional by the end, but with this type of the game it is secondary to me. What's more important is that the hefty eight-stage campaign takes the player to interesting locations and keeps the gameplay varied throughout. The levels are not as vibrant and colourful as something from e.g. Child of Eden but they are fun and big in scope. Music was nice but often drowned out by the on-screen action.
All in all I really enjoyed my time with this, a tremendous rail shooter that I'm sure would be even better with another player. Not many games like this one out there - especially these days.
The story I was not as keen on, the first game felt more focused in a way and even a little emotional by the end, but with this type of the game it is secondary to me. What's more important is that the hefty eight-stage campaign takes the player to interesting locations and keeps the gameplay varied throughout. The levels are not as vibrant and colourful as something from e.g. Child of Eden but they are fun and big in scope. Music was nice but often drowned out by the on-screen action.
All in all I really enjoyed my time with this, a tremendous rail shooter that I'm sure would be even better with another player. Not many games like this one out there - especially these days.
Kind of like BIT.TRIP RUNNER meets Sayonara Wild Hearts but sadly not up to par with either of those two games. Not really much more than an endless runner with some audiovisual flair tacked on and a plot that probably only makes sense to Aerial_Knight himself. I don't want to be so down on the game, it's clear that it has some heart to it, but the funky vibe only gets you so far when the core gameplay is so trite - and to make matters worse: not as responsive and tight as something this simple should be. Not the worst way to spend a lazy workday evening but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it either.