Lazorcat
2023
Alan Wake II has so much incredible flavor and flair, there's so much I love about it. The use of multimedia is unlike anything I've ever played. It might be the best looking rendering I've ever seen in a game, and I'm a sucker for the PNW aesthetic. Unfortunately, the gameplay tried my patience through most of the back half, and left me incredibly frustrated at times. Still would recommend, I think it's a great work of art with many unique and spectacular bits.
Among the best narrative mystery games of all time. Every scene is a treat, filled with character and light-hearted humor, while building up to a hard hitting conclusion. I loved every single character, their writing, their designs, their animations, Ghost Trick does the character-focused narrative genre right in every way.
Over the last few years I played through every Zero Escape game as well as the AI: The Somnium Files games (ending up as some of my favorite games of all time), and while I wasn't expecting to return to a DS game's remaster to get a similar hit, Ghost Trick fits right up with the best of them.
Don't be like me and accidentally buy a game called "Ghost or Trick" thinking it was the game people were talking about, then immediately realize the game has a 0/10 English translation and be unable to refund it because you bought it a month ago.
Over the last few years I played through every Zero Escape game as well as the AI: The Somnium Files games (ending up as some of my favorite games of all time), and while I wasn't expecting to return to a DS game's remaster to get a similar hit, Ghost Trick fits right up with the best of them.
Don't be like me and accidentally buy a game called "Ghost or Trick" thinking it was the game people were talking about, then immediately realize the game has a 0/10 English translation and be unable to refund it because you bought it a month ago.
Intense disappointment. When comparing to Danganronpa, there's still interesting murder mysteries to solve, but the characters are less interesting, there's significantly more "play minigame to solve case", and a lack of a strong beginning hook.
Also, to say it's a technical dumpster fire is an understatement. Sub native render resolutions for some parts of the scene, frame rate is constantly around 20, the usage of Unreal's graphical effects look terrible for the obvious toll it's taking on the frame rate, awkward loads, awful rumbles.
I don't understand how this title was only released on switch in 2023, and I don't understand how it's this terrible technically when AI: The Somnium Files was developed under the same roof(?) and is an incredible experience.
Also, to say it's a technical dumpster fire is an understatement. Sub native render resolutions for some parts of the scene, frame rate is constantly around 20, the usage of Unreal's graphical effects look terrible for the obvious toll it's taking on the frame rate, awkward loads, awful rumbles.
I don't understand how this title was only released on switch in 2023, and I don't understand how it's this terrible technically when AI: The Somnium Files was developed under the same roof(?) and is an incredible experience.
2015
Yakuza 0 offers everything, delivers on it all, and fills the game to the brim with it. Comedy, tragedy, wonderful characters, interesting plots, GAMBLING, BUSINESS TYCOONS, MONEY. You can't throw a stone without hitting a novel little bit of content that can distract you from the main quest for 15 minutes to hours. Yakuza 0 feels like everything games should be, and despite there being 8 mainline games in the franchise, it feels like a lifetime long labor of love.
2022
Incredible iteration on the souls-like gameplay, only two minor issues I have are with a bit too much reuse of assets like catacombs geometry and the game is a bit too long. Probably around 80% of the way to the end with almost 100 hours in the pocket I had to take a year long break. Previous souls games are just the right length for me where I finish a playthrough, get like 5 hours into a second playthrough, then need to take a couple months to a year off. As for the positives I don't need to go into that, it's a great game just like the others.
All my gaming life I've had a competitive game I am always working to improve at, and no other experience comes close to the experience of improving at Starcraft II. Your performance gets very accurate feedback with no teammates, almost no randomness, and an excellent ladder system. Game feels fantastic to play and there's so many ways to play it.
After hitting arrows a couple times a week for a year and a half, it's one of the greatest gaming experiences I've ever had, however playing a Konami live service game is self-harm.
2023
Incredible art and sound design, gameplay is satisfying and deep, hit or miss character design, writing is absolutely painful and in abundance.