One of the best translations of adventuring — and all the wonder, attrition, mundanity, and reward that comes with that — to a video game.

Playing this game feels like having a conversation with a clever GM. One who knows when to inform you of what to do, or when to let your imagination wander. One who knows when you need a break, when you need to be humbled, and sometimes when to simply say "fuck you." Lovely game.

A delight. It holds so many traits in careful balance. Intense and agonizing, without being too punishing. Breath-taking and joyous, with a hint of wistfulness and dread. A uniquely courageous and expressive tactics game.

In taking old, bygone 4X mechanics and recontextualizing their role in a game, it brings much needed life to the Grand Strategy genre. That and the inclusion of characters and events that keep me invested in every turn well into the end-game.

Why is it such a rarity to make a game where none of the characters you interact with are hateful little shits? The automatons are looking to do good by you, by each other. There are complications and conflict, sure, but the game understands that the selfishness so often depicted in apocalyptic stories is not genuine.

This is all even before getting to the game on a mechanical, systems level. Holy shit. The time limit system adds such an intensity to everything. Stuck on a puzzle? Keep missing a platform? Getting stomped by a boss? It's going to have consequences beyond you. Even if it's just a few minutes you will wish you had them back.

But that's okay, I have a lot on my plate, nobody is upset with me, but frankly that makes it all hurt more. It's a unique experience in a game, one I ended up really resonating with. But just as importantly, you can turn it off and it's still an interesting, powerful game.

Anyways, realizing I'm writing a lot here. Just this game asks me to express more. Definitely give it a shot.

The writing! It's fantastic. Adjectives, adverbs, and the listing of them has never been better. Masterfully pulls you into a scene, describes the indescribable, and leaves you with FEELINGS

What can I say? This is a masterful game. A melting pot of lessons learned and ideas enhanced on to make for a delightful adventure. Captures much of why I love to play games. I can't recommend it without several caveats, as it's not very accessible. But damn, what a thing.

Sometimes all you need is a concise game where you get to be cute animals with your friends.

Holy shit.

Lovely desert views and some incredible writing. Beautiful.

These empathetic shitheads break my heart and but bring me so much joy.

Heartwarming, thoughtful experience. Love to help friends and sabotage imperialist powers with Falcon.

I like that this game has you roleplaying very specifically — if unintentionally — a terrible ghost hunter. Also top notch socializing game. The pacing leaves room for boredom and banter with spikes of intensity that are thrilling.

This game is hubris. We don't need to simulate this much... yet we do... and it's fun?

Not perfect, but as a sports management game, it creates compelling stories and interesting decisions, with some fun messiness a game tied to an official sports league won't do.

Contender for the "hold up, this game's legit?" award this year. Learns from the mistakes of the previous Crysis games to make for a great stealth game.

There is a lot of appeal to a complete 4X experience in 90 minutes.

Fun exploration game with the structure of a visual novel.

Delightful farming game that removes the farm, and is all the better for it.

Gripping tale you can complete in 1 - 2 sittings. I have my uneasiness about games libraries moving towards a subscription model, but this is absolutely the sort of game that could be given life through the model if publishers and storefronts are thoughtful. But y'know, capitalism.

I love pushing myself in games. I think this game has pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of, thanks to it's welcoming, joyful aesthetics carrying me through. I don't think everyone will find that experience though, and that really sucks.

Not a clue what I'm looking at half the time, but it's a stunning diorama at least.