I honestly thought I would like replaying this game more as I always thought everyone was overhating on it. Though I still did enjoy my time with it, I can see the criticisms. With New Super Luigi U, I could replay that entire game in one sitting without getting distracted. This game on the other hand is kinda different. I feel like maybe if I really became dedicated to finishing it or took a few breaks I could replay it. After Luigi U, I just feel like the level design, apart from very few memorable levels, is sort of bland and uninspired. That doesn't mean that this game is bad, in fact, I still think this is one of my favorite games in the series but I opened my eyes a little and kind of see where everyone is coming from. Solid, but they could have made it so much better.

I honestly came to a realization that Halo Combat Evolved is probably one of my favorite shooters ever. Sure, some people may say that the game is generic, but I honestly didn't find any part of the game I really disliked or got bored with. There wasn't a moment I really rolled my eyes at a part. Besides the gameplay, I honestly have grown to really appreciate the games graphics and environment. I am a sucker for old games, so seeing these old colorful environments and graphics also got me pumped playing. I can understand the criticisms, but personally, this game is one of my favorites. Can't wait to see what Halo 2 has in store.

Episode 1 was incredibly underwhelming, and while it wasn't bad, this game definitely makes it look bad. Huge step up from Episode 1 in almost everyway. I feel like I could revisit almost every chapter of this game and not get bored. The only chapter I kinda didn't like was Chapter 2 but it wasn't even that bad. I'm glad the game gave more challenges like near the final stretch of the game where you had to fight off all of the striders and hunters from getting to the base. Half-Life 2 will always be my favorite, but this is definitely an extremely close second.

Clearing my Backlog Part 1: Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS is definitely up there for the best in the series. Honestly, it may really be the best one, close to Wii. Mario Kart DS takes risks that were lowkey good. The missions seemed strange at first for a racing game but playing them actually were pretty fun and made sense. The boss fights were honestly pretty creative. The roster wasn't the greatest but I guess I can't nitpick that much considering this was a DS game. The tracks were pretty good too, maybe only like a few L's. Overall, pretty good.

Clearing my Backlog Part 3: Hyrule Warriors Legends

Honestly a pretty fun time waster. Got this back in 2021 and just now decided to play it. I'm a sucker for Warriors combat so I knew I was gonna have fun with this either way. I didn't really care for the story I was just focused on the gameplay which isn't bad at all. Surprised that the 3DS doesn't really chug that much when slashing through a bunch of enemies at once, at least it doesn't for me. Overall a pretty fun time, nothing crazy but a good time waster.

Half-Life Before is such a weird situation. The level itself is fine enough but that is kinda the only thing saving it. The enemies feel randomly scattered and don't seem like they were actually placed in good spots. The gimmick of having to push boxes to get to certain points isn't the worst thing ever but it feels so slow and seems like an excuse for a "puzzle." The boss fight is terrible and what makes it worse is that if you let go of your walk button for even a second, you are going to die and you'll have to rewatch the cutscene over and over until you stop dying and beat the boss. It isn't hard, but having to keep walking backwards while shooting, hoping to not bump into any walls is really tedious. Overall the game is a mess with like very few redeemable qualities. It can be beat in less than like 4 minutes so you might as well play it for yourself. Just don't expect anything good.