Ultimately, Disney Illusion Island is a pleasant time. It's the perfect first Metroidvania game for folks who never played a game within that genre and it's a more than relaxing time for long term fans of the genre, making it still feel refreshing. Where Disney Illusion Island loses a few points though is its simplicity. The lack of combat initially wasn't that big of a deal to me, but as you spend more time with the game you realize that this game definitely could've had it. Towards the end of the game is where you specifically begin to feel that frustration. I understand that these are Disney characters, but they could've at the very least had some sort of magical ranged weapons or up close weapons given to us at the end of the game to allow us to kill some of the enemies you encounter in the later portions of this game. It's super annoying to constantly die or have a long term run brought to an end because of multiple annoying ranged enemies stopping your momentum. Like, they could've given us anything to make it a little less annoying to get through certain parts of the game and it wouldn't have taken away from the overall experience or intention of being a platformer Metroidvania family friendly game.

Really though, this is the perfect first stepping stone for a potential mini franchise from these developers. There's definitely things they could've added or changed, like gatekeeping Fast Traveling until the literal very end of the game which was.. a choice to say the least but even despite its flaws, you can see just how much love was poured into this game by these developers. Unfortunately though, despite the passion put into this game, Disney Illusion Island still left me with one final thought: I wish this was a bigger budget experience. I wish this was a new Epic Mickey game or at least something that allowed this game to have more depth because really, this game's over simplicity stops it from being a legitimately fantastic game. Hopefully these developers get a second run at a Disney game because this first game was good enough, however, a second game from them could actually be great.

It's hard to talk about Pokemon Scarlet (or Violet) without immediately mentioning their technical flaws or terrible visuals. So, to get it out of the way: Yes, the game has terrible visuals. Game Freak should've gone for an upgraded version of the Pokemon Let's Go! visuals rather than the art style they went for in these games. A more cartoony saturated look would've worked wonders for Scarlet and Violet. Yes, the bugs are ridiculous but for the most part, I've only experienced screen tearing or weird camera angles thus far.

However, those massive issues or flaws aside, Pokemon S/V is still the most fun I've had with a Pokemon game in a very long time. I've spent so much time simply capturing any and every Pokemon I've seen. I've spent so much time doing all three side storylines introduced to you in this game. I've spent so much time simply exploring this glitchy visually messy world that I somehow still happen to love. And all of it, despite its justified flaws or issues that people have with S/V, is still an absolute blast. I love the archaeological angle this game goes for with its story. I love the supporting cast of characters, who are arguably the best supporting cast Pokemon fans have been introduced to in YEARS. And more importantly, I think Game Freak has found what the future of Pokemon can look like an open-world game that continues to introduce sub-storylines that focus on expanding a grander story. And while yes, the bugs sometimes get in the way, all of these things work so well with one another that you can't help but have an absolute blast if you're thoroughly enjoying what the game is presenting to you early on.

My main issue with this game though are the Gym Tests. Gym Test is a mechanic that forces the player to fulfill a very simple quest to get the Gym Leaders back in their gym when they arrive in a city in Pokemon Scarlet/Violet. However, if I'm really being honest, they're just five to ten-minute-long minigames that are triggered after going to the gym and talking to the receptionist or whatever in the building. You go there, talk to the person inside the Gym and they tell you "the gym leader isn't here but go outside to figure out what you gotta do to bring them back" and then it's usually a super simple request from the Gym Leader, who will then be willing to fight you after you complete their request. And although I respect the idea of trying to switch things up so the games aren't entirely mindless, these Gym Tests have easily be improved by doing one thing. That being ensuring that not every single Gym in future Pokemon games has a gym test. Why? It because the Gym Tests are so simple that they feel like a semi-pointless task that gets in the way of your own self-made pace. After capturing Pokemon and leveling up Pokemon as I focused on other sub storylines, the last thing I ever wanted to do was go to a new city because I knew I'd be forced to go through some cutscenes and do a boring mini-game to unlock the Gym Battle. If they can make these Gym Tests fit better in the overarching story and give some Gym Leaders a small role in future Pokemon stories, that would be so much better than every single Gym having a Gym test. If they don't do that, then they should simply not move forward with that idea in future Pokemon games.

Also another minor criticism: Pokemon better bring back character customization and make it much better. The lack of fashion options and character hair options in comparison to literally every other character, like Nemona for instance, is ridiculous. Everyone looks so much cooler than us! Let us have their hairstyles or fashion choices like Nemona's arm sleeve. Just because we're "young" in the story doesn't mean we can't look dope as hell.

Overall, though, I've had an absolute blast playing Pokemon Scarlet. Yes, the negative response to all of its technical issues are justified however, I think that's a byproduct of Game Freak shipping out Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Scarlet, and Pokemon Violet in the same year. If Game Freak can focus on just Gen 10 after whatever releases next year, I think Gen 10 can be the massive leap we all want out of Pokemon. Less bugs, refined ideas that are improved upon, and of course, or at least hopefully, better visuals.

Count me in for the Pokemon Scarlet/Violet DLC.