2018
For the first beaten game and review of the year, one of the best indie games of all time. I had already beat this back in 2018 but wanted a second run, now I'm doing new stuff like B and C-Sides and Farewell DLC. That second run just helped me consolidate my first impressions, Celeste does everything, the visuals are outstanding to the point that I stopped my run sometimes just to appreciate the background, the OST is beautiful and makes you forget a bit how hard this game is and even frustrating in some sections, making a great counterpoint. The gameplay is on point, all mechanics work well, and is so satisfying to move around and do all that hardcore parkour, although you can just run, jump and dash, all three combined offer complex gameplay for the hardest levels. The game is pretty hard in general, but the base game has medium difficulty for me, if you are more skilled at platforming games, there are tons of optional content for you to try. And the lore... yeah, it's pretty well written as well, it goes with a more artistic approach and deals with delicate stuff not too explored enough in games like mental health, and it gives you an extremely good lesson about it. Definitely a great piece of art to start 2024.
1986
Retro Yearly List #12 [1986: Wonder Boy]
Man, that was... awful.
The first entry of Wonder Boy is pretty bad, seriously, I struggled to beat this even with save states, the game looks nice at first and the first levels are really fun, the graphics are great, the movement is a bit frustrating, but there are fun sections when you use your running and jumping properly, WHEN the game design allows you to.
After a few levels it gets old pretty fast, the next ones are just recreations using the same assets placed differently and creating new challenges, but using the same stuff, the same mechanics, it's like they have worked hard on the first levels and then used a randomizer to generate the sufficient amount to have freaking 32 levels... yeah that's right, game has 8 worlds each one containing 4 "sub-levels" with repetition until the end, that's the definition of unnecessary. Also the bosses are all the same only with increased difficulty, so that's reciclated as well.
The axe mechanic is a mistake, you will start with it but if you die, you have to beat some sections just avoiding enemies positioned chaotically, without having a chance to knock them out, until you find another axe, the skate power up is just ok, is another hit to take and you will most likely press back to walk slowly with it anyway, there is no room to rush here, although they may have intended to create that feeling, it simply doesn't work since there are enemies everywhere doing hell-pattern movements.
Game design is also atrocious to the point that you have cloud platforms placed in crucial sections, that when you hit them, they fall off and you die, forcing you to do everything again, I did not expect to play I Wanna be the Guy or Cat Mario, but that's it.
The ONLY music that plays on the entire game is nice until you hear it again for the 5th time, it just gets to the point where you don't even bother anymore and just want to finish it.
Let's see how they will improve it for the next entries.
Man, that was... awful.
The first entry of Wonder Boy is pretty bad, seriously, I struggled to beat this even with save states, the game looks nice at first and the first levels are really fun, the graphics are great, the movement is a bit frustrating, but there are fun sections when you use your running and jumping properly, WHEN the game design allows you to.
After a few levels it gets old pretty fast, the next ones are just recreations using the same assets placed differently and creating new challenges, but using the same stuff, the same mechanics, it's like they have worked hard on the first levels and then used a randomizer to generate the sufficient amount to have freaking 32 levels... yeah that's right, game has 8 worlds each one containing 4 "sub-levels" with repetition until the end, that's the definition of unnecessary. Also the bosses are all the same only with increased difficulty, so that's reciclated as well.
The axe mechanic is a mistake, you will start with it but if you die, you have to beat some sections just avoiding enemies positioned chaotically, without having a chance to knock them out, until you find another axe, the skate power up is just ok, is another hit to take and you will most likely press back to walk slowly with it anyway, there is no room to rush here, although they may have intended to create that feeling, it simply doesn't work since there are enemies everywhere doing hell-pattern movements.
Game design is also atrocious to the point that you have cloud platforms placed in crucial sections, that when you hit them, they fall off and you die, forcing you to do everything again, I did not expect to play I Wanna be the Guy or Cat Mario, but that's it.
The ONLY music that plays on the entire game is nice until you hear it again for the 5th time, it just gets to the point where you don't even bother anymore and just want to finish it.
Let's see how they will improve it for the next entries.
1985
Retro Yearly List #11 [1985: Bomberman]
The first ever Bomberman, the classic, the original. ...Except it's not, since I just learned this was based on "Eric and the Floaters" (what?) for MSX and ZX Spectrum.
So this is one of those rare cases where I will play not the first ever, but the most well-recognized/popular version.
Bomberman gameplay is already known, with not too much to say about this version, except that it is EXTREMELY repetitive and tiring, you will see almost all game content by level 10, but it has 50, which will randomize the walls and enemies' positions with an increasing difficult, as expected.
There are a lot of power-ups for Bomberman spread along the stages, and if you manage to gather them without dying, you have an overpowered hero destroying everything in your path, and in that case, the game will be funnier, right?
No. It's just boring.
On ending we will learn that Hudson was ahead of its time and already thinking in multiverse and crossovers.
The first ever Bomberman, the classic, the original. ...Except it's not, since I just learned this was based on "Eric and the Floaters" (what?) for MSX and ZX Spectrum.
So this is one of those rare cases where I will play not the first ever, but the most well-recognized/popular version.
Bomberman gameplay is already known, with not too much to say about this version, except that it is EXTREMELY repetitive and tiring, you will see almost all game content by level 10, but it has 50, which will randomize the walls and enemies' positions with an increasing difficult, as expected.
There are a lot of power-ups for Bomberman spread along the stages, and if you manage to gather them without dying, you have an overpowered hero destroying everything in your path, and in that case, the game will be funnier, right?
No. It's just boring.
On ending we will learn that Hudson was ahead of its time and already thinking in multiverse and crossovers.
1984
Retro Yearly List #10 [1984: Duck Hunt]
Well, you know, you shoot ducks, and an annoying dog will laugh at you if you fail, the game is endless and point-based. You can choose either standard mode with 1 duck at a time or 2 of them, or clay shooting mode which is a bit easier. That's it. Besides all simplicity, it's a classic, that's a game that normally would become an obscure random game due to the unusual NES Zapper technology being the focal point, so is impressive that it survived the time test and is so well remembered to the point of making it into Smash. Well done.
Well, you know, you shoot ducks, and an annoying dog will laugh at you if you fail, the game is endless and point-based. You can choose either standard mode with 1 duck at a time or 2 of them, or clay shooting mode which is a bit easier. That's it. Besides all simplicity, it's a classic, that's a game that normally would become an obscure random game due to the unusual NES Zapper technology being the focal point, so is impressive that it survived the time test and is so well remembered to the point of making it into Smash. Well done.
1983
NES port it's alright, but inferior to Arcade's. Graphics are worse, there are no cutscenes explaining enemies' patterns, and they added another possible jump trajectory if you press it in a specific time during Mario physics, so if you are used to Arcade version, you will have some trouble with this.
1983
Retro Yearly List #9 [1983: Mario Bros.]
After jumping over barrels and rescuing Pauline, here Mario started his violent path of beating animals, so he's been doing this for a long time, he also debuted his punching and running abilities, and used to kick as well, but did not learn how to jump on enemies yet.
It's just a simple, point-based, arcade game, but is well-designed, there are different enemies with unique characteristics and it becomes pretty difficult at a pixel-perfect level, forcing you to use your time wisely and train some moves. Controls are a bit stiff, but you'll get used to it after some practice. This took more time than I imagined, really instigating my challenging spirit, and more important: it's fun.
Also there is a 2-player mode which works like a co-op experience, featuring Luigi, which debuted in this game.
After jumping over barrels and rescuing Pauline, here Mario started his violent path of beating animals, so he's been doing this for a long time, he also debuted his punching and running abilities, and used to kick as well, but did not learn how to jump on enemies yet.
It's just a simple, point-based, arcade game, but is well-designed, there are different enemies with unique characteristics and it becomes pretty difficult at a pixel-perfect level, forcing you to use your time wisely and train some moves. Controls are a bit stiff, but you'll get used to it after some practice. This took more time than I imagined, really instigating my challenging spirit, and more important: it's fun.
Also there is a 2-player mode which works like a co-op experience, featuring Luigi, which debuted in this game.
1982
Retro Yearly List #8 [1982: Pitfall!]
I was not aware of Pitfall franchise being born in Atari, the first time I saw it was on SNES, later I discovered that this is a pretty iconic title for Atari players back in the day and one of the "must try" of the console.
For me, playing it for the first time, it's an ok game, the controls are nice, it's just a little bit repetitive. It has similar mechanics to the original DK but with a different approach, you have to collect all treasures spread along several screens before the time runs out, you can go to the right or to the left, or by the underground to travel faster through the screens.
The objective is not clarified by the game so imagine discovering that by yourself without any tip, at least this was the case here in Brazil, it seems that this game's ending was an urban legend, people used to just try to survive for 20 minutes while randomly walking through the several screens.
The actual challenge is tough, to beat it you have to almost have a perfect run, you can see TAS videos beating it in about 17/18 minutes, and an average player is supposed to beat it in 20, that's insane.
Didn't accept the challenge tho, as I used save states.
I was not aware of Pitfall franchise being born in Atari, the first time I saw it was on SNES, later I discovered that this is a pretty iconic title for Atari players back in the day and one of the "must try" of the console.
For me, playing it for the first time, it's an ok game, the controls are nice, it's just a little bit repetitive. It has similar mechanics to the original DK but with a different approach, you have to collect all treasures spread along several screens before the time runs out, you can go to the right or to the left, or by the underground to travel faster through the screens.
The objective is not clarified by the game so imagine discovering that by yourself without any tip, at least this was the case here in Brazil, it seems that this game's ending was an urban legend, people used to just try to survive for 20 minutes while randomly walking through the several screens.
The actual challenge is tough, to beat it you have to almost have a perfect run, you can see TAS videos beating it in about 17/18 minutes, and an average player is supposed to beat it in 20, that's insane.
Didn't accept the challenge tho, as I used save states.
1983
I liked the NES version a bit more than the Arcade one, the difficulty is on point, the graphics are nice and overall that port is great, but unfortunately, level 2 was cut out. Also this version introduced the timeless iconic DK theme song on the menu, so that's a plus.
1981
Retro Yearly List #7 [1981: Donkey Kong]
Classic DK. The debut of 2 icons, a jumping ability showing up for the first time in gaming, and one of the first to have different stages, truly game-changing.
In this version you have all 4 original stages which once completed, the game will loop with increased difficulty, it's ok, sort of easy to beat the first 4, but if you wanna play for score-based gameplay, will have to train a bit from there.
And that was for the Japanese set, because if you try the American one, good luck, it's way harder, and the stage order is messed up at the beginning and is back to normal after 5 screens are beaten. To see all 4 stages at least once in this version you have to beat 7 levels, the 8th is the first time level 2 appears to you, and it's already a hardest version of it, unlike JP set that starts with the easiest versions, so, because this version is hard af, people back in the day had to suffer to see level 2. Thank you, emulators.
Rating this based on the JP set.
Classic DK. The debut of 2 icons, a jumping ability showing up for the first time in gaming, and one of the first to have different stages, truly game-changing.
In this version you have all 4 original stages which once completed, the game will loop with increased difficulty, it's ok, sort of easy to beat the first 4, but if you wanna play for score-based gameplay, will have to train a bit from there.
And that was for the Japanese set, because if you try the American one, good luck, it's way harder, and the stage order is messed up at the beginning and is back to normal after 5 screens are beaten. To see all 4 stages at least once in this version you have to beat 7 levels, the 8th is the first time level 2 appears to you, and it's already a hardest version of it, unlike JP set that starts with the easiest versions, so, because this version is hard af, people back in the day had to suffer to see level 2. Thank you, emulators.
Rating this based on the JP set.
1992
Mega Man 5. I used to confuse this game stuff with 4 because I could barely recall unique things from those two, unlike the other NES entries which have a stronger identity. Now I can remember 4 well, but most of it is because of Minus Infinity I think, and 5 still have some lacking for me, I believe it's the lack of innovation or new mechanics, besides a much better charged buster shot than the previous one. Played it again and still was the least memorable run for me so far, the same goes for its OST, which is just alright. But is not bad, it's just too average, a truly Megaman game for sure.
1980
Retro Yearly List #6 [1980: Missile Command]
Ok, I was not expecting too much of that one, but after some time it really caught my attention. The concept looks very simplistic at first, but after trying it I could see a bunch of different mechanics which work very well. Like for example, the side silos shoot slower than the middle one, the smart bombs that require more precise shots, etc. If you wanna chase a great score you have to understand the game on a deep level and use strategies to survive. Btw, have you noticed that, in that game, you are just trying to delay the inevitable decimation of your cities? You're all doomed anyway, sad story.
Ok, I was not expecting too much of that one, but after some time it really caught my attention. The concept looks very simplistic at first, but after trying it I could see a bunch of different mechanics which work very well. Like for example, the side silos shoot slower than the middle one, the smart bombs that require more precise shots, etc. If you wanna chase a great score you have to understand the game on a deep level and use strategies to survive. Btw, have you noticed that, in that game, you are just trying to delay the inevitable decimation of your cities? You're all doomed anyway, sad story.
1979
Retro Yearly List #5 [1979: Asteroids]
You shoot asteroids, they split into smaller parts, you shoot them again and they split again, sometimes an annoying spaceship appears shooting to all sides randomly, and you are fighting to survive dodging everything and even teleporting randomly hoping to not appear right near something and get killed immediately. That's it, the idea works and is pretty challenging, you just rely too much on luck here, Still fun tho. And 7800 version looks better for me.
You shoot asteroids, they split into smaller parts, you shoot them again and they split again, sometimes an annoying spaceship appears shooting to all sides randomly, and you are fighting to survive dodging everything and even teleporting randomly hoping to not appear right near something and get killed immediately. That's it, the idea works and is pretty challenging, you just rely too much on luck here, Still fun tho. And 7800 version looks better for me.
1978
Retro Yearly List #4 [1978: Space Invaders]
Playing this for the first time was a surprising experience. It's a classic and I can see why, almost everything here has been executed right on the general idea. It's a pretty challenging game but is not unfair, the atmosphere is great, as it's one of the first games to introduce background music, which increases its speed while the entire screen is being destroyed, and the controls and mechanics are on point, got pretty invested in this one.
Playing this for the first time was a surprising experience. It's a classic and I can see why, almost everything here has been executed right on the general idea. It's a pretty challenging game but is not unfair, the atmosphere is great, as it's one of the first games to introduce background music, which increases its speed while the entire screen is being destroyed, and the controls and mechanics are on point, got pretty invested in this one.
1977
Retro Yearly List #3 [1977: Combat]
For a game released in 1977, this is pretty well made, I can imagine the good reception by the players since at the time they were having fun with simple games like Pong and Breakout, it truly brings the real experience of the 1x1 using cool stuff like tanks and planes, must have been pretty fun playing it with your friends.
For a game released in 1977, this is pretty well made, I can imagine the good reception by the players since at the time they were having fun with simple games like Pong and Breakout, it truly brings the real experience of the 1x1 using cool stuff like tanks and planes, must have been pretty fun playing it with your friends.
1976
Retro Yearly List #2 [1976: Breakout]
Breakout, right? Pretty ahead of its time, inspired a lot of newer games, nice game to spend some time on, they really improved from Pong's idea, and I personally found it far better (and more challenging). Game has a lot of different modes to ty out like turn the bricks into invisible, catch the ball mode and Breaktrhu mode, pretty fun I'd say
Breakout, right? Pretty ahead of its time, inspired a lot of newer games, nice game to spend some time on, they really improved from Pong's idea, and I personally found it far better (and more challenging). Game has a lot of different modes to ty out like turn the bricks into invisible, catch the ball mode and Breaktrhu mode, pretty fun I'd say