Jordan624
1993
One of my favorite 2D platformers. I've beaten this game 4 or 5 times now and everytime I come back to it I experience something new. The meticulous design of every stage in this game leads to such a well crafted experience that no other Megaman game has since created for me. There's a very distinct sense of you gaining more power and strength with each boss you take down. There's not much else I can say that hasn't already been said about this game. Play it!
2019
I could go on forever about how much I love this game. It subverts your expectations in many ways, and breaks away from many RPG tropes. OG P5 was already great, but Royal raises it up even higher with new additions and changes to combat. The new content is also even better than what I could've imagined. It's clear Atlus understood what they were doing here. Although they're really milking P5 dry at this point... there's no denying just how well designed and fun P5 is as a whole. Nothing much else to say. Play this game.
This game brings the Blaster Master Zero storyline to a satisfying conclusion. I love the changes they made to combat with the gun leveling system being reworked, the dash adds a new sense of speed and tense feel to the action, and the new abilities are all super cool and interesting (despite the fact that per the usual none of them are made use of after the area they're introduced in). This is by far the best BMZ of the three just on gameplay alone. Despite some weirdness with traversing the maps and how things are connected, and the annoying guard pickups that respawn but still show up on the map like any other item... this game is designed very well like the other two. No surprise there. But the story is a whole other situation. The first game started out with a boring premise that gradually became more interesting the farther you got. The second game improved and expanded so much on it by adding new characters to the mix and giving you a goal that you'd feel invested in after everything you went through in the previous game. I won't spoil anything about this narrative, but it's so interesting and well done. It's one of those stories that has you questioning what's really going on, and even with all the wild explanations you come up with it still surprises you in the end. I love the way they bring this saga to a melancholic yet beautiful end. I'm definitely gonna continue to replay these games in the years to come. If you haven't experienced this trilogy yet it is more than worth your time and money. Can't wait to play this again with the Japanese VA when I get my physical from Limited Run.
2002
This game is weird for me because although I do like it it doesn't exactly stand up to Super or even Zero Mission in my opinion. On the positive side the game is what you've come to expect in Metroid. The X virus is an interesting concept, and it was cool seeing how defeating an enemy released the parasite and gave you a chance to absorb it to gain back health. It was also interesting seeing how if you didn't grab the X it had the opportunity to morph with another enemy and cause it to become stronger. The level design is great along with the ambient music, etc., etc. My main issues are with the linearity and bosses. When it comes to the game's structure I'm kind of torn. On the one hand you still get to explore these areas and find plenty of secrets. You'll be coming back to each one many times throughout the game too, so you still have that feeling of progression and going to areas you maybe couldn't reach before. But the fact that the game pushes you along a direct path and doesn't even allow you to just wander to areas when you want is a bit frustrating. It loses that grand sense of wonder and mystery about the exploration. The only real thing to say about the bosses is that they suck and are way too unfair. They deal so much damage and a lot of the attack patterns are insanely precise or annoying to dodge. Bit overall I still enjoyed this game. It's different that's for sure, and it doesn't miss on every front. Just be prepared for a bit of a more direct and difficult adventure.
I went into Skyward Sword with an open mind, but always ready for something to turn me off and make me want to drop it. A little over 40 hours later I can safely say this is a great game with many minor flaws. Many of those have been addressed in this port (UI annoyances, forced motion controls). The best things about this zelda in particular are the creativity of the items and areas you encounter. The bosses, spirit realm trials, etc. It's all interesting and although there are three main areas that are reused throughout the adventure... there's always something new you encounter or some difference in the landscape to change things up. Overall I was very impressed and satisfied with this game. Yes it's a lazy port that doesn't add or do much... but this is still a great game worth your time.
2001
no... just no.
2021
This is the culmination of everything 2D Metroid has to offer. This game has amazing level design that guides you through each area without telling you exactly where to go, or forcing you down a linear path. It has many clever ways of putting you in front of obstacles you once couldn't eliminate but now can. The E.M.M.I. are also an amazing addition. The SA-X didn't feel like much of a threat due to the few scripted moments you would run into it. But the E.M.M.I. are a very real threat. You traverse their domains often, and these sections feel like much more of a stealth/strategy game. You're always playing hide and seek with these machines, and with each new one comes some new mechanic that makes them more challenging. The process of reaching the central units and then using the Omega Cannon to take down the E.M.M.I.s is incredibly satisfying. This everything Fusion could've been... but sadly wasn’t. After years of waiting for what might have never been... was Dread worth it? Absolutely. This is my new favorite Metroid.
2002
An ok start to the Zero saga. It's clear Inti was experimenting and trying to figure out what a Zero game should play like. The mission system left me confused as you didn't really know if there'd be a boss as the end of a mission and what it would be. Boss weaknesses work different in this series, so sure it's not like you have to know who you'll be fighting so you can plan accordingly based on what abilities you have. But it was a very strange change and it's nice they went back to the classic stage select after this.
The difficulty is also quite extreme. This wouldn't be nearly as bad if you didn't lose out on completing missions once you lost all your lives. There's also the issue that they don't get replenished, and that means once you fail one mission... you have one chance on any other one after that unless you can find more lives (which isn't easy to do as there are very few instances they give them to you).
Overall this is still a fine game if a bit rough around the edges. If you're gonna play it I'd say do so on the Zero/ZX collection with save points on. It's a much more manageable game to complete that way.
The difficulty is also quite extreme. This wouldn't be nearly as bad if you didn't lose out on completing missions once you lost all your lives. There's also the issue that they don't get replenished, and that means once you fail one mission... you have one chance on any other one after that unless you can find more lives (which isn't easy to do as there are very few instances they give them to you).
Overall this is still a fine game if a bit rough around the edges. If you're gonna play it I'd say do so on the Zero/ZX collection with save points on. It's a much more manageable game to complete that way.
Legendary
1995
This game is rough to play because it really isn't designed well. To get 100% you have to go back and forth between stages constantly after unlocking a new ride armor or some other BS I can't remember. It feels like they wanted to put so much into the game, but couldn't actually design mechanics involving such things. The difficulty is brutal in the beginning too. Two hits and you're dead from a lot of enemies. X really be lackin that beefy defense here.
A great start to a remake of an iconic game that greatly influenced the gaming landscape. It expands upon Midgar extensively... a place that really didn't amount to too much after you left it in the original. I loved all the additions to the characters and world. The battle system is also expertly crafted to offer a more focused and action oriented setup, while still having the tactical aspect of the original. My only main gripe is the fact that the game does feel slightly padded at points. Certain sections really weren't necessary and just felt like a way to lengthen the game time. The ending also has me worried for the future of the remake. In the end though I'm extremely satisfied and optimistic for where this is all going. There's a lot we dont know about, and that's crazy to be saying for such an iconic game that most people know every major detail of.
This review contains spoilers
Xenoblade 2 is a game with a lot of meaning to me. It was the first JRPG I truly jumped into, and it was what got me interested in the Xeno series. People have always seemed to be very divided on this game, and I can absolutely see why. It's very different from its predecessor. The mechanics are very in depth and not explained very well either. But if you can get the hang of them this is a deeply satisfying game worth your time.
First thing I'd like to start off with is the story. When I first played through this game I didn't fully understand the narrative and all of its characters. There's just so much that happens over the course of 10 chapters, and it didn't help that my playthrough took many months to complete. But as I watched others play through the story and watched cutscenes again... I came to fully understand Alrest, the many companions you make and the many villains you come across too. This is deep world rich with lore and many things to discover. There's so much attention to detail that when you finally put everything together it becomes one of the best narratives to experience.
Next is the soundtrack. There's not much for me to say except that it's legendary and beautifully composed. One of my favorites to this very day.
There are an insane amount of parts to the gameplay of Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Blades, elements, combo and chains, affinity charts, core chips, gear, artificial blade tinkering, etc. There's a lot for you to do and it can be overwhelming. I don't know exactly what to say about it all. But I believe the combat is extremely well done. Obviously not every part of this game is well balanced and works properly. But considering how it all comes together I'm impressed by how much has been stuffed into the world itself and all the little mechanics and details that come with it (especially if you know about how fast this game was developed with a smaller team).
I could go on forever about how much I love this game. But I think the best way I can put it is this got me to wanna play more story driven games and other JRPGs. If you haven't played this masterpiece yet I highly recommend you do. It's worth giving it a chance. It might just become a new favorite of yours like it did mine.
First thing I'd like to start off with is the story. When I first played through this game I didn't fully understand the narrative and all of its characters. There's just so much that happens over the course of 10 chapters, and it didn't help that my playthrough took many months to complete. But as I watched others play through the story and watched cutscenes again... I came to fully understand Alrest, the many companions you make and the many villains you come across too. This is deep world rich with lore and many things to discover. There's so much attention to detail that when you finally put everything together it becomes one of the best narratives to experience.
Next is the soundtrack. There's not much for me to say except that it's legendary and beautifully composed. One of my favorites to this very day.
There are an insane amount of parts to the gameplay of Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Blades, elements, combo and chains, affinity charts, core chips, gear, artificial blade tinkering, etc. There's a lot for you to do and it can be overwhelming. I don't know exactly what to say about it all. But I believe the combat is extremely well done. Obviously not every part of this game is well balanced and works properly. But considering how it all comes together I'm impressed by how much has been stuffed into the world itself and all the little mechanics and details that come with it (especially if you know about how fast this game was developed with a smaller team).
I could go on forever about how much I love this game. But I think the best way I can put it is this got me to wanna play more story driven games and other JRPGs. If you haven't played this masterpiece yet I highly recommend you do. It's worth giving it a chance. It might just become a new favorite of yours like it did mine.
2003
A great and more focused follow up to game that didn't quite know what it wanted to be. Zero 2 fixes almost all of the issues with the first.
The weapon leveling isn't nearly as bad, the classic stage select is brought back and the level design is much more akin to what you'd expect. The narrative gets even better too. I love the role Elpizo plays in showing the power the dark elf holds, and how it can twist and warp any who come into contact with it.
The music is also generally more memorable. Departure is a great first stage song, and the whole opening is extremely well done with an interesting stage theme taking after where the first game ended off.
Megaman Zero 2 takes everything the first game did and either rids itself of what didn't work... or expands upon and improves what did. This is how a sequel should be.
The weapon leveling isn't nearly as bad, the classic stage select is brought back and the level design is much more akin to what you'd expect. The narrative gets even better too. I love the role Elpizo plays in showing the power the dark elf holds, and how it can twist and warp any who come into contact with it.
The music is also generally more memorable. Departure is a great first stage song, and the whole opening is extremely well done with an interesting stage theme taking after where the first game ended off.
Megaman Zero 2 takes everything the first game did and either rids itself of what didn't work... or expands upon and improves what did. This is how a sequel should be.
2004
Masterpiece. Excellent. Perfect in every way. The Golden standard of gaming. Everything I wanted and more.
2007
I never got far in this game as a kid, but I loved every moment of it. I was so used to the classic Mario games that all felt very cookie cutter in design. This was my introduction to a more story driven and different Mario. I was fascinated by the world, characters and gameplay. Everything was so different and I feel like that's what this title was meant to be. The gameplay is interesting as there's still leveling up and items to use. But the main mechanics are still very traditional 2D Mario. I loved being able to play as Bowser and Peach as they each had their own playstyles. Overall this game is unique... and that's the best way to put it.