HammerkopCross
Ichiban truly is a force of nature and one of the most endearing characters in video game history. Feels like a love letter to the series in so many ways and it's impossible not to love it if you've been along the way this whole time.
The post-game is significantly lacking though if you've beaten all the substories prior to the conclusion, like I did. Anyways, snagged that Platinum.
The post-game is significantly lacking though if you've beaten all the substories prior to the conclusion, like I did. Anyways, snagged that Platinum.
I've bounced off this game so many times since it launched for a variety of reasons, but finally got through this and honestly, it's solid action once it gets going. Story is fine, mostly hampered by a lot of video gamey stuff that takes you out of the immersion.
2023
Puzzles sometimes left me scratching my head but mostly a straightforward Limbo/Inside-like with some Another World vibes. Great aesthetic and atmosphere.
Been sitting in the backlog for a long time despite heaps of praise, but was still pleasantly surprised by how well this came together in the end. Not every story is as compelling as some of the others, but they all have some memorable element to them and are pretty tightly written. Obviously held back when the player doesn't seem immersed in the atmosphere, but it rarely removes its hooks from you.
2024
Only got room for so many roguelikes. I enjoy the unique mechanics here, but found myself losing interest as a run would go on.
2022
Can be relaxing, can also be infuriating so I'm not sure if I'll go back to this but I'm not unwilling to dive back in.
Inherently more fun than REMAKE, solely due to where it takes place in Final Fantasy VII's story, but as a result of trying to feel epic near the end it has some tonal whiplash it can't avoid. A lot of minigames as well, and I wish these were more seamlessly woven into the world as opposed to always feeling like discrete distractions (it doesn't help that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth did this better earlier this year).
Otherwise, it's some of the best combat in the series, visually vibrant, and has a narrative that's just propulsive enough to keep things moving if you avoid going down the side content rabbit hole.
Otherwise, it's some of the best combat in the series, visually vibrant, and has a narrative that's just propulsive enough to keep things moving if you avoid going down the side content rabbit hole.
2021
A relaxing time, though it can get a little frustrating trying to understand what the game deems okay to put where. But love its subtle storytelling in such a simple, yet satisfying concept.
Some tecnhical hiccups (played on PS5 which it kept warning was not fully supported, so this could be why) but otherwise a truly astounding and immersive experience that utilizes surround sound in such a stunning way.
2023
Nice bite-sized adventure from DONTNOD that might be their best game thanks to not being overly ambitious. I don't need more than what was given, though I would love to see DONTNOD take the climbing mechanics in this and slowly iterate into a full-fledged adventure game.
One of the Telltale games that I actually wanted to play for a long time, unlike most of their other games. Expected the Telltale formula would hold me back from enjoying it and that is largely not the case here since the writing is particularly well done.
That being said, the Telltale technical issues were pretty apparent as characters just wouldn't appear in some scenes. Nothing like an emotional moment of someone conversing with thin air.
That being said, the Telltale technical issues were pretty apparent as characters just wouldn't appear in some scenes. Nothing like an emotional moment of someone conversing with thin air.
Wasn't expecting to cry so much at the end of this thing, but here we are. Even a sidestory that's intended to just connect the RGG-universe together still has the ability to obliterate your emotions.
So many quality-of-life improvements in this compared to previous entries. The story is fine, but didn't really hook me in any meaningful way, but as a Metroidvania this is one of the best variations of that concept. A very hard game to top in 2024.
2021
Has some jank to it, but definitely a fun Platinum to get as you maneuver each mechanic.
2021
Like someone found a 360 cover shooter at the back of Square Enix's warehouse collecting dust, popped it in and said "Well, let's add some loot and repeatable quests to give players something to do then ship this thing". Surprisingly, that actually works. Feels good to play and the idea of tying class abilities to healing works really well.