Guigas
A philosophical journey and the most powerful statement that games can also be another form of art. Tacked many topics that were way ahead of their time and that actually become more relevant every passing year.
Also, best ending in gaming history. My mind was not prepared for THAT.
Also, best ending in gaming history. My mind was not prepared for THAT.
I lost count of how many times I've completed this wondrous masterpiece. A powerful narrative elevated by such peerless sound and visual capability that pushed the PS2 hardware to its utmost limits.
Every boss battle is brilliantly conducted in terms of significance, emotion and challenge. All in all, I believe this is the best a game can offer in terms of complete experience. What a thrill indeed.
Every boss battle is brilliantly conducted in terms of significance, emotion and challenge. All in all, I believe this is the best a game can offer in terms of complete experience. What a thrill indeed.
2013
Neo-noir detective-hacker-spy 2D puzzle at its peak.
Creative and fun, yet sadly short on content. Feels more like an aperitive rather than a main dish, but a damn good one. You better play this hidden gem.
Creative and fun, yet sadly short on content. Feels more like an aperitive rather than a main dish, but a damn good one. You better play this hidden gem.
2009
Such a short and sweet adventure! Click-and-point games can't get much better than this. An enchanting sroty with clever puzzles, great atmospheric OST and superbly stylized art.
For a robot world with no human beings in it, this game managed to emanate so much humanity without a single line of dialogue spoken and written. Hands down, one of the best of its kind.
For a robot world with no human beings in it, this game managed to emanate so much humanity without a single line of dialogue spoken and written. Hands down, one of the best of its kind.
A game about war and not a war game. Soulcrushing and informative at the same time. It speaks to the heart and packs a great message.
Set during WW I, the game blends personal struggles of its characters with larger historical details and political realities of the devastating conflict. It takes a few small missteps on immersion and gameplay hiccups, but the game successfully tackles grim truths in a story with relatable characters, fabulous art, and balanced moments of happiness and despair, making its tale about how war destroys lives accessible and appealing to players of all ages while acknowledging war's human cost.
Set during WW I, the game blends personal struggles of its characters with larger historical details and political realities of the devastating conflict. It takes a few small missteps on immersion and gameplay hiccups, but the game successfully tackles grim truths in a story with relatable characters, fabulous art, and balanced moments of happiness and despair, making its tale about how war destroys lives accessible and appealing to players of all ages while acknowledging war's human cost.
2011
A beautifully immersive action-RPG that doesn't tax the player with long cutscenes, instead offers flexible gamestyle and phenomenal worldbuilding.
Standard RPG games take too long to get things moving and usually are gigantic games that require a lot of time to skirmish through hundreds of cutscenes, side-quests and infinite dialogues (I love those tbh).
But not Bastion. It goes for the kill right off the bat and all the explanations are done while you're fighting. And what a great adventure it was, the hand-drawn environment is simply gorgeous, the music is terrific, enemies are challenging and the 3D platform is neat!
Standard RPG games take too long to get things moving and usually are gigantic games that require a lot of time to skirmish through hundreds of cutscenes, side-quests and infinite dialogues (I love those tbh).
But not Bastion. It goes for the kill right off the bat and all the explanations are done while you're fighting. And what a great adventure it was, the hand-drawn environment is simply gorgeous, the music is terrific, enemies are challenging and the 3D platform is neat!
2012
A game that uplifts the soul and a fine piece of art that makes brilliant use of the japanese mythology setting and pushed the PS2 hardware to the limit at that time and was improved upon in the HD version, providing orgasmic visual direction (cel shading effects fits perfectly the colorful tones of the world and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful), masterful sound composition and an interesting narrative to boot.
Even after completing +550 games, this one stands as one of the most artistic game I've played thus far. The screen-aquarelle system used to interact with the environment is unlike anything out there, a stroke of geniality indeed.
On the downside: this game isn't really challenging regarding combats and it is a bit too easy to beat.
Certified classic.
Even after completing +550 games, this one stands as one of the most artistic game I've played thus far. The screen-aquarelle system used to interact with the environment is unlike anything out there, a stroke of geniality indeed.
On the downside: this game isn't really challenging regarding combats and it is a bit too easy to beat.
Certified classic.
2006
A game that uplifts the soul and a fine piece of art that makes brilliant use of the japanese mythology setting and pushed the PS2 hardware to the limit, providing orgasmic visual direction (cel shading effects fits perfectly the colorful tones of the world and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful), masterful sound composition and an interesting narrative to boot.
Even after completing +550 games, this one stands as one of the most artistic game I've played thus far. The screen-aquarelle system used to interact with the environment is unlike anything out there, a stroke of geniality indeed.
On the downside: this game isn't really challenging regarding combats and it is a bit too easy to beat.
Certified classic of the PS2.
Even after completing +550 games, this one stands as one of the most artistic game I've played thus far. The screen-aquarelle system used to interact with the environment is unlike anything out there, a stroke of geniality indeed.
On the downside: this game isn't really challenging regarding combats and it is a bit too easy to beat.
Certified classic of the PS2.
2016
How to rule a kingdom via Tinder-like decisions.
Good concept but falls short in the execution, too reliant on luck since its randomized nature prevents one to execute a consistent strategy. A tad charming though.
Good concept but falls short in the execution, too reliant on luck since its randomized nature prevents one to execute a consistent strategy. A tad charming though.