Downplayed for no real reason, yes the static camera is a bit finicky but it also allows for some really interesting levels. The powerups here are all really fun to use, especially the cat and tanooki which can be utilised for faster and more unique movement options. I find this game shines towards the end though, particularly the final level which might be my favourite out of all the Mario games - the atmosphere and tension it creates with the looming thunderstorm is epic, and Bowser using the cat powerup was a surprise, but a welcome one. The extra levels are all really good but damn are they difficult, obviously the hardest being Champions Road which I'm still yet to beat. I also love how this game puts a larger focus on multiplayer, the greatest moments come from playing with friends or family and it also adds an extra layer of difficulty, something I find the other games lack and it's a shame. Overall, this game is just a fun time from the start to the end, nothing too special but its also not necessarily got many negative points, which for me is the definition of a “good” game.
8/10

Epitome of mediocrity and summarises a lot of what I don’t like about the modern RE’s and modern games in general. The action is fun at times but the horror is sacrificed for this, however it’s really funny as to how this game has a lot less horror yet it arguably has the scariest area in the entire franchise, which is pretty much ripped off of P.T.

I think the strongest part of this game is the individual areas and their atmosphere, all of them are quite memorable with some stand-out moments and the graphics are stunning. While the story and side characters are sort of intriguing with some performances that are outstanding, Ethan Winters wasn’t that interesting to me, and again it feels like the horror has been lowered in favour of a more narrative driven game that may work for some people but it didn’t for me.

After all, at its core RE is known for being a franchise that revolves around horror with some action parts that are balanced well, and this game takes that and completely flips it, which leaves a sour taste.

While I prefer Mother 3, I still find Earthbound to be a masterpiece. Even though the gameplay is less refined and some parts have questionable additions that make the game more frustrating, at its core Earthbound is a game full of passion. It was a surprise to me when I heard that, at its launch it wasn’t really received well but after looking at the marketing it makes more sense - the entire way the game was presented was appalling, it didn’t even come close to showing how meaningful and special this game truly is.

Looking at the individual aspects, Earthbound’s comedy comes almost effortlessly, the timing is almost always on point and the game never really misses, creating a huge cast of lovable and endearing characters that make their mark, even random npcs that only have one-liners will make you laugh, and the ending only serves to reinforce this, something I really wish more games would implement. As I said the gameplay is pretty hit-or-miss, Mother 3 practically takes all the negatives and throws them away - such as the large amount of unnecessary debuffs that are a pain in the ass, but I also find that PSI is utilised a lot better here and your main 4 get a lot more opportunities. Something I also really appreciate is its completely unique art-style that works so well, every area has something to note about it and I respect the courage to do something like this in a period where many games wouldn’t have the balls to change up (clearly this choice didn’t work too well at its launch but the opinion of it has changed heavily over time).

The main focus here though is again the story, I can’t talk much about it without spoiling but I’ll highlight my favourite moment. Of course I have to comment on Magicant, one of the most iconic areas of the game but it isn’t praised for no reason, this area is absolutely stunning not only in the ideas it presents but how well it executes them. It is an otherworldly experience walking around Ness’ mind and talking to all of the people you have passed by, simultaneously being fun and unnerving, and I adore how this game focuses so much on it, it really hammers home the main themes of Mother and the transition from child to adult.

All in all, another must play, so many games have taken inspiration from this stellar achievement and some have even tried to surpass it, but for me not much will ever come close to the transcendent experience I had while playing this, except of course, the sequel.
10/10

My favourite RE game, generic pick but it deserves it. RE4 is more action oriented than its predecessors but still manages to retain the horror RE is known for at its best moments. It does have a bit of a goofy story but manages to keep an unnerving tension till the end with some fun characters to witness. One of the strongest parts of RE4 is its pacing, it never really drags on in individual areas and is constantly exposing you to different places with unique atmospheres that are suffocating. Another strong point is its gameplay, by limiting Leon's actions while aiming there's a lot of pressure while shooting but it makes the gameplay far better, and by utilizing an upgrade system and a solid melee foundation, it does impact the seriousness of some moments but it also reinforces its goofy ideas and I love when games aren't afraid to go through with something different. RE4 also introduced the industry to QTE sequences so you can take that as a positive or negative, but it’s implementation of a third-person camera was also genius and its unique way of sorting the inventory may put some people off, but it’s somehow fun. Ashley’s part does bring some pretty steep lows, but navigating an AI will never be fun gameplay. Overall, it's just a great time through and through and nails the hybrid between action and horror.
9.5/10

Classic. An absolute joy to play through for its entire runtime, Super Mario Galaxy only falters on a few worlds with clunky mechanics and frustrating controls, but the rest is a masterclass in pure exhilarating level design and gameplay.

The blissful soundtrack permeates through each level, bringing a unique atmosphere to each stage and above all an unparalleled thrill at its greatest moments. Not only does it boast an insurmountable amount of perfectly crafted worlds, fun and unique powerups and intricate mission design, it even excels in its other areas - notably the devastating side story of Rosalina that should be experienced by anyone.

Overall, Super Mario Galaxy is an undeniable must play game, if you haven’t completed this yet, what could you possibly even be thinking about?
10/10

A must-play game. In-depth healing system that is far ahead of its time, a vast array of melee and movement options - a flaw at first due to its time period, understanding an enemy's line of sight is difficult to pin down at first, your silencer breaks after a while, your radar is far less accurate making stealth tricky, but over time you get used to it, something I find the entire series does extremely well - a massive setting that’s constantly changing environments with differing atmospheres, masterfully made boss fights that will test your thinking and make you reflect on your actions, glorious soundtrack that permeates throughout important scenes and of course an exceptional story with some of the most intriguing characters in video games. Much like MGS2, Snake Eater’s story heavily relies on recontextualisation although even from the beginning you are hooked by the betrayal of Naked Snake’s “boss” and her defection to the Soviet Union. By the end of the final fight you will be crushed by the weight of your actions throughout the game, unbeknownst to the actual ending sequence which could be very well argued to be the best in the medium, a complete subversion that will leave you simultaneously heart-broken and shocked. A masterpiece that lives up to its massive hype, play it for yourself if you get the chance.
10/10

An outstanding story bogged down by aged monotonous gameplay and detestable level design that consists of; shooting waves of enemies with auto-aim while being completely fucked over by a shitty cover system, riding around on a horse for more than half the game that usually leads to absolutely nowhere important, herding missions and meticulously driving a cart over bumpy terrain being careful not to make the slightest mistake otherwise you have to repeat everything all over again. There were maybe 3 missions that I genuinely thought were interesting and actually fun to play and these came few and far between, most of them dumping the idea of just mindlessly shooting anyone you see (Fort Mercer’s exhilarating minecart segment and some random stealth mission near a train).

Excluding the missions RDR1 also suffers from its setting, where GTA thrives with its freedom and liberty, RDR1 is unfortunately the exact opposite, there’s no real risks to take as you’ll usually end up dead in the span of a few minutes, spawning in an absolutely god forsaken place where you have to walk all the way back to a town.

That’s not to say RDR1 isn’t worth playing, it truly has an incredible story that's supported by a strong cast of characters, a wonderful message about changing times, a gorgeous world to explore (except for the snow areas) and a near-perfect conclusion, but in my eyes, the gameplay sets it back a lot.
7/10