Itchy_Sideburns
Boo! (as in it sucks, certainly not that it's scary)
2002
Despite it being a good bit more linear and having more of a story than previous entries, I would argue that that makes Fusion one of the more accessible entries in Metroid (especially compared to the first two). Not to mention that Samus feels a lot less clunky in combat and exploration. And, it still has those great boss fights and tense atmosphere that are a big part of what makes a Metroid game a Metroid game.
Outside of a little bit of an overreliance on HMs, it really shows how strong the DS era of Pokemon really was.
My team for this playthrough: Torterra, Staraptor, Luxray, Floatzel, Bronzong, and Garchomp
My team for this playthrough: Torterra, Staraptor, Luxray, Floatzel, Bronzong, and Garchomp
I had never actually gotten around to beating this game back when it first came out, as I kind of drifted off from Pokemon around that time. But, the wait was certainly worth it, as I think this is one of my favorites. Great Pokemon, a surprisingly good story (for a Pokemon game at least), and a much faster battle system are some of the highlights for me.
My team for this playthrough: Serperior, Seismitoad, Archeops, Eelektross, Chandelure, and Haxorus
My team for this playthrough: Serperior, Seismitoad, Archeops, Eelektross, Chandelure, and Haxorus
2021
Decided to finally play the campaign since split-screen co-op is no longer a possibility. Gameplay's as smooth as ever, especially with the addition of the grappling hook. Open world's pretty samey, though.
It's classic Pokemon, but Pokemon diversity among trainers could be better. (Despite touting 151 Pokemon, it seems like you fight Pidgeys, Rattatas, Koffings, and Zubats all game.)
My team for this playthrough: Charizard, Raichu, Graveler, Haunter, Vaporeon, and Lapras
*Thought I could trade evolve those, but I could only play on DS as my GBA didn't work
My team for this playthrough: Charizard, Raichu, Graveler, Haunter, Vaporeon, and Lapras
*Thought I could trade evolve those, but I could only play on DS as my GBA didn't work
Before this marathon, the only main Pokemon game I had never played at all. I was worried that I might get tired of wandering around Unova after two straight games, but this game shows how interesting of a setting it is. There's less going on in the narrative as the first game, but it visits its repercussions often. The increased diversity in Pokemon gives a wealth of options to use in a playthrough, and the amount of post-game content rivals even that of HeartGold. I think this might be my favorite Pokemon yet.
My team for this playthrough: Samurott, Magnezone, Flygon, Heracross, Zoroark, and Volcarona
My team for this playthrough: Samurott, Magnezone, Flygon, Heracross, Zoroark, and Volcarona
2002
Still my favorite game ever! I get into a nostalgic zen state whenever I'm traipsing through Magmoor Caverns and Phendrana Drifts, whenever I'm listening to the excellent music, or whenever some effect happens with Samus's visor like mist or water or Samus's reflection. It's just the best.
2013
sigh I mean, honestly, it's a pretty good introduction/re-introduction for newcomers or people who haven't played in a while. It's just that, it's a very back to basics Pokemon, especially compared to the more interesting Black and White games. It feels like in the rush to go to 3D, implement a new type, and start focusing more and more on gimmicks, that other things faltered here (still the least amount of Pokemon added in a new game outside of Legends: Arceus and a bad and lazy plot even by Pokemon standards.)
My team: Greninja, Venusaur, Pangoro, Aegislash, Heliolisk, and Sylveon
My team: Greninja, Venusaur, Pangoro, Aegislash, Heliolisk, and Sylveon
A pretty big jump in quality from the first Metroid, certainly less confusing and frustrating. In comparison to the previous 2D entry in Metroid Fusion, I appreciate that it's less linear than Fusion, but I do feel that game had a better grip when it came to atmosphere and bosses.
2017
Can't speak to the quality of the original Pokemon Sun, but I personally quite like Ultra Sun. I think it's due to a variety of factors, like better characters than most Pokemon games, the fun setting of Alola, great Pokemon designs, and finally getting rid of HMs. Admittedly, it might have the worst pacing of any Pokemon game, but I'd rather take this game's slowness instead of how barebones Pokemon Y was any day.
My team: Decidueye, Vikavolt, Mudsdale, Golisopod, Bewear, and Alolan Muk
My team: Decidueye, Vikavolt, Mudsdale, Golisopod, Bewear, and Alolan Muk
When I first played this, I liked it a lot, but was rather frustrated with going back-and-forth through the light and dark worlds and the ammo system. After this playthrough, I'm pleased to say that those are not as much of an issue as I remembered. It really is an amazing game; it just lives in the shadow of Metroid Prime. While Prime is still my favorite game to this day, Echoes does a lot right, especially with its puzzle and boss design.
Despite the heavier emphasis on Halo-esque action and setpieces over puzzles, especially in the odd first two levels, it is really well-done once it actually gets into the main Metroid "meat" of the game.
One of the best 2d platformers in recent memory. Always impressed at how kinetic all of the levels are
2019
Honestly, I think this game gets a bit of a bad wrap. Admittedly, it might be a bit of the high of the Crown Tundra DLC, which I think sets up open world Pokemon better than the main game (and sets up pretty well for Legends: Arceus and, hopefully when I get to it, Scarlet/Violet). Even the main game's pretty decent, though, even if the routes are very linear, and the story's rough, even by Pokemon standards. The gym challenge itself is handled pretty well, with fun characters and a real sense of atmosphere during gym battles.
My team: Cinderace, Corviknight, Toxtricity, Barraskewda, Grimmsnarl, and Dragapult
My team: Cinderace, Corviknight, Toxtricity, Barraskewda, Grimmsnarl, and Dragapult