This is truly the peak of platforming.

Real note though, I adore Celeste. This game got me into the platforming genre. Before this game, the only 2d platforming games I played were the Mario Bros. games and Kirby (which aren't even remotely close to Celeste in terms of difficulty).

I could say a lot of things other people have said about this game 10 million times but the story is also great! Even though the main story is probably the most relatable in general, the story from Chapter 9 managed to make me tear up since I played it during a similar situation (except not in space).

Anyways, this game taught me to be better at platforming and kinda made me confident in platformers in general since I got all the achievements, regular berries, and I'm still working on golden berries though tbh I don't really care as much for them since speedrunning the game is waaaay cooler to me. But yeah play this game, its peak and it'll probably make you feel something!

ITS PEAK!!!!!!!!

I don't want to be one of those people that compare this game to paper mario. Obviously this game was inspired by paper mario in terms of style and basic gameplay idea but it isn't paper mario. And that's great!

Bug Fables is an RPG game that takes inspiration from the Paper mario series but expands on the core gameplay mechanic: Battling. The battle system in this game is GREAT, like actually super fun and engaging. When you're first playing the game you'll spend a lot of time thinking about what the right decision in battle is and what move would be best when. I love when games make you actually think instead of just autopiloting (I still do that anyways though since I'm stupid), granted I've only ever played this game in hardmode (which isn't all that different from normal mode, though I won't act like it only changes enemy hp and whatnot when it also changes AI/moves enemies can do).

Anyways, the battling in this game rules. And the only reason it feels at great as it does is cause you have three party members with you throughout the whole game, which I must say are THE characters of all time. The main trio are just found family and you can see that throughout the game's story, it's sweet. I'll admit, some of the writing is weak at parts and makes me wish there were more to it (mostly Kabbu's backstory, vi's as well but Kabbu felt like he should've had more to his story). Aside from that, the writing in this game is good and the worldbuilding is so cool. Especially when you get to a part of the game that lets you view the whole world that your protagonists are in (I'm trying to be vague but if you know you know).

I also really loved the final chapter of the game, it's SO cool and it raises a few questions. Though all of the chapters in the game are really cool, some better than others but overall a really great experience. Please play if you want funny little bugs in your brain.

Peak.

This is probably the first indie game that I've 100%. I think the first time I played this game was around 2019, and I just got a PC that wasn't a stupid apple laptop (awful!). Anyways, I played Hollow Knight and god I sucked ass. It was humiliating! But little did I know at the time that this would become my favorite game.

The platforming in Hollow Knight is fine, really there's only one area in the game that asks a lot out of you and it can feel weird only because you don't really do that much platforming compared to this one area. Aside from that though it's not really that difficult, just a bit odd if you aren't used to the platforming by this point (which is fair).

The bosses in this game are great, they get progressively harder (though I'd argue some bosses later on can be easier than others but that could just be because by that point you're waaay better at the game). I think the great thing about the bosses is that they have obvious tells on what attack they'll do. So even the more difficult bosses become easier with practice which is obvious but it's more of just memorizing, as long as you're paying attention during fights you'll be fine.

The art in this game is beautiful, I love how the little knight looks. It's animations are well-made and I also just enjoy how it looks in general. The OST for this game is also beautiful, I adore it and just how fitting each of the area's music truly is (as well as the boss music).

This was probably my first metroidvania I really played and I didn't know at the time that I'd like it but I love it A LOT!! I replay this game too much and even though I'll never be able to re-experience this game for the first time again, it'll always be my favorite.

ITS PEAK!!!!!!!!!!

Ok so this is gonna be hard to review since theres multiple games in one here but I'll start off by saying I haven't played the fighting game yet, it's the only thing stopping me from 100%ing this masterpiece (I feel like a loser having to play the fighting game by myself but I'll do it to 100% it).

Anyways!!!! Treasure Trove rules since it has 4 full games in one for an awesome price (and sometimes the game goes on sale for 20 bucks which is a steal!). The only unfortunate thing is that you HAVE to get Treasure Trove if you want to experience Plague of Shadows at all, otherwise have fun buying this $40 game for one campaign that doesn't have it's own release (or dlc for shovel of hope) for some odd reason!
Anyways, all the campaigns are great.

Shovel of Hope is the first campaign and it has Mr. Shovel Knight himself (He's cool) and the level design is great AND fun!!! Just keep in mind, spikes insta-kill you and pits do as well. If you're the kinda person to get pissed over that kinda stuff then idk what to tell you, probably don't play this game if that stuff isn't fun for you. I never found myself having trouble though but I'll admit, if this is your first time playing a platformer game or you aren't good at platformers in general then uh. good luck! You'll need it!

Anyways back to Shovel Knight. YEAH!!! He's cool really, the interactions he has with the characters are fun and Shovel of Hope is the only campaign to have bodyswap mode which tbh is super cool. Monarch Knight is the best thing to come out of this and the Fem. Black Knight design goes so hard actually, she's just cooler than regular Black Knight. But yeah Shovel of Hope is cool.

Plague of Shadows is similar to Shovel of Hope but instead you play as Plague Knight [AUDIENCE CHEERING] Plague Knight is actually SUPER fun but also super hard to master I'd say, but once you master how stupid fast he can fly through rooms he's insanely good. The only bad thing is that it is just shovel of hope but you get to play as plague knight, though it makes sense since this is the first DLC of game. Despite this, Plague Knight is fun to play as and it's fun to see his interactions with the other Knights (And Mona). He also deals a lot of damage to bosses and he has bomb customization which are fun to mess with, though not necessary to beat the game. Just gives you options to play with whatever you're most comfortable with! But anyways, Plague of Shadows ruined my life I'm glad it exists.

Specter of Torment is the third campaign and the writing in it is (Chef Kiss). Specter Knight is such a cool character and his gameplay is fun, you can ever ride his scythe which is sick as hell!!!

Then there's King of Cards which is also (Chef Kiss). The writing rules and the characters rules and King knight is such an asshole! He's great!! There's also a card game called Joustus but it's optional, though it's fun. King Knight is great for people who love Warioland.

Anyways yeah, I only played this game last year. Hell, I think it was the first game I played in 2022. I'd reccommend it, the characters are fun and the gameplay is fun and the music is really realy good. There is a fighting game too which is cool since it does give you an idea on how the other knights would play if they got their own campaigns, but yeah.

Thanks for looking at my insane ramble!

The Messenger is pretty fun, it's not my favorite game of all time or anything but it's really enjoyable and the music kicks ass!

I loved the 8-bit and 16-bit sprites and tracks, it all looks and sounds great.

Now for the twist in the middle of the game, I don't hate it but I do think they could've handled it better. It felt a bit sluggish to go back through areas you've been to already though it felt great finding completely new areas. Unfortunately, there's so little of them. But they're still great and probably contain my favorite tracks! (Especially the last area, which the last area track is wonderful). I do wish there was a better way to get to previous areas and whatnot since it is slow and it does feel a bit unnecessary that it makes you travel back to the extent it does.

I do think this game is fun! The movement feels great and the boss fights are easy but fun. Though the pacing in the second half of the game is ehhh and the Jordan Peterson mention in the game is very unusual (I didn't even know that was in the game until I was getting every achievement).

But yeah, play if you want a somewhat challenging game (although it isn't that difficult) or want to hear some real bangers.

This is a game that truly shows the devs loved games like Mario Sunshine and Galaxy. I love this game too don't get me wrong, it's really fun! Although some of the time pieces felt rather boring at times (which is fine cause there's still really fun time pieces) it's still an enjoyable experience.

The base game was fun, the time pieces were fun to collect and playing as hat kid is, well, fun!! The boss fights are pretty cool and easy but enjoyable (except when the final boss gets stuck in the floor... cool).

My biggest gripe with this game is that it's very buggy and the platforming feels very awkward at times because of this! I could not count on one hand how many bugs I encountered while playing this game. I'm not expecting this game to be as polished as a triple A game or something but it gets frustrating when the game bugs out while you're platforming and then you're blamed for this. Although this isn't noticeable until you do Death Wish.

Death Wish is a really cool DLC Idea, I LOVE the idea of levels becoming challenging and having certain objectives to them. It's really cool! But some of the Death Wish challenges just aren't enjoyable at all. I'm not saying this as someone who is bad at the game or bad at platformers (If I was bad then it's a miracle that I 100% this game then) but it just feels frustrating. I'm usually a patient person but the game reloading for so long after you die or having to wait to reload because snatcher decides to be an asshole (don't get me wrong its funny but it can get annoying). Anyways point is, death wish is frustrating and just doesn't feel fulfilling even after you achieve the objective. I know for me, the time rift challenges (with the time limits) were fine except for the cruise ship one. That one required perfect execution but it just sucked being sent to the start everytime you fell. Which yeah skill issue but I dunno, it just wasn't fun for me and it didn't help that hat kid jumps weird with the fast hat on. Also Windmill was annoying when Hat kid kept getting stuck in the platform :( I don't know WHY it happened but it just did...

Anyways Death Wish IS fun for a good portion, especially the ex version of the bosses. I just really hated the ones that forced precise platforming from you and if the level it was on was somewhat buggy. Still think it's hilarious that the Hell Ship Death wish level (with the 40 tasks or whatever) took me only 3 tries while the no-hit windmill challenge took me about an hour.

OK, anyways anyways the nyakuya metro is cool and I wish the ship had more to it. Overall Hat in Time is a really fun experience casually but you'll notice most of its flaws when doing Death Wish.

I don't normally play card games (cause I'm not a NERD!!!) but this game kinda rules.

I like the characters they're awesome, and even though people dislike the middle part of the game it's still really cool I'd say (just the weakest part is all). I can't really say much else cause it'd be spoilers but, I'll say that after you beat the game you unlock the roguelike mode.

This mode is pretty fun! It gets progressively more difficult the more you win but it's very enjoyable, though for the max challenge mode you really have to strategize right and have good luck too! I 100% this game and got all the achievements and that was kinda my experience with the roguelike mode.

Anyways, good game. Don't spoil yourself and don't look up any characters probably (or do, I'm not gonna stop you).

I don't normally play games like this but Wandersong is a sweet game that touches some heavy topics.

The way they go about these topics is considerate and I think is relatable in different ways. The ending to the game also felt satisfying.

Really the only bad thing I experienced when playing was a LOT of bugs, it was honestly annoying I'll admit. Regardless, I liked going around talking to npcs and singing my silly songs as the Bard. Their relationship with Miriam was also very sweet.This was a great game to end 2022 with.