Another classic of the arcade era, albeit one having aged much worse then it's predecessor in Donkey Kong. It's important for a number of reasons - mainly it's introduction of Luigi and much of the aesthetic that would go on to define platformers for literal decades - but playing it now is something of a chore and only goes to highlight how far games have changed and come in the years since it's release. Controls and jumping are a bit too slow for their own good, and the further the game goes you begin to see it less as an addictive loop and more of a tedious grind.

That is, unless you play it in small bursts, and then it that case it's actually pretty fun all things considered. There is a reason why this game was bundled with basically every single GBA Mario remake - as a small timewaster for around 15-20 minutes, it's really fun and gives you serotonin in spades. Just don't play it for longer.

The kind of all-timer that comes once in a decade; as primitive as it is, it's proof that graphics don't mean everything and that in the end it always comes back down to level design, mechanics, and just general vibes. And the original Super Mario Bros, regardless of it's age, is still a masterpiece in level design and mechanics. The way Mario feels is timeless - heavier then other games in the series but still somehow distinctly Mario, and the levels progress in difficulty in a way that feels right.

And once you reach the end, with some of the hardest levels in the game and it throwing pretty much everything it can at you, it feels genuinely satisfying. Your princess is in another castle, but when the journey is this good and well aged, it's hard to not wanna see it through.

Have to give credit where credit is due, it's a classic for a reason; tight controls, precise jumping, and has a really strong "gotta try again" quarter hogging feeling that makes you remember why this was such a huge deal back in the day. It's mostly seen as the introduction of Mario, Pauline, Donkey Kong, etc for various reasons but as a standalone game, it's got a lot going for it and it's short length for the main "narrative" keeps it from outstaying it's welcome.

It's also aged. Not badly, mind you, just aged a lot, and you need to get past that in order to enjoy this. And while I can do that with a lot of old school arcade games - still love me some Pac-Man - this one has a level of jankiness and repetitiveness that makes it difficult to really get invested for a high score playthrough. Still though, it's worth a play regardless. Classic!

Really don't know how to rate this. On the one hand, this is a wickedly smart twist on Metroidvanias on paper; instead of upgrades, you have investigation. Instead of doors, you have puzzles. It's a really cool twist and all of the puzzles are well thought out and genuinely make you feel like you've accomplished something. The art style is gorgeous at points, relishing the Lovecraftian vibes with purples and blacks that make the game pop.

Shame actually playing this thing is a puzzle in itself. I can forgive vagueness if in it's service of a greater story (i.e. Elden Ring) but there is really nothing here to latch onto. Who is Benedict Fox? We never actually find out, instead we are left watching the backstory of two people we don't know and lack a strong connection to. And then when you actually play it, you are constantly fighting with stiff controls, wonky physics, and combat that feels almost perfunctory rather then unique and engaging. I wish this was a lot better then it was cause I love the vibes but this is a misfire, sadly.

Even as somebody who isn't the biggest on racing games found it impossible to ignore Forza Horizon 5's charms. Stunningly gorgeous to look at; a visual and audio feast for the senses that eases into it's laid back vibes effortlessly and without much effort. More games, particularly ones focused on immersion or simulation, should take note here on this as a benchmark.

But it's real core gameplay loop - the racing, the exploration, the stunts - is just really addictive, if a bit samey. It's dense progression and the sheer amount of accolades to do always means you have something to do. People smarter then I have brought up it's somewhat wack geo-politics (yay colonialism and whitewashing!) but once I'm going 200 mph on the road and do a sick 180 without losing my speed, I tend to put that aside. Fun!

Definitely has shown it's age in some areas, more so then other Yakuza games. The decision to essentially just port this with an updated graphics engine and some new cast members makes Ishin a decidedly, and weirdly, retro experience, but it's a return to the classic Yakuza formula that should work for long time fans even if it's grindier then I think people would like.

It's liberties with Japanese history are plentiful for sure, but it's version of Ryoma Sakamoto feels true to life while also fascinating in it's exploration of identity and legacy; it feels like a game grappling with it's own portrayals of these figures on a meta level which makes the story thematically compelling. Another RGG banger, if ultimately nothing more then a fun side story.

A perfect Guardians of the Galaxy game; feels like a "best of both worlds" scenario as it combines the dark wit, rock soundtracks, and emotional sincerity of the Gunn films while embracing more comic accurate roots in regards to characterization, art design, and general story. This is a treasure trove of references and deep cuts but also never forgets to tell it's own story, and said story explores death, grief, and alienation in a way that's refreshing and poignant.

It helps it's rock solid from a gameplay perspective too. Fluid as hell, and the other Guardians don't feel like added weight but instead have their own unique contributions (NONE of them are useless). Runs out of steam a little bit towards the end once you've unlocked everything (which is exceptionally easy) and combat becomes mostly perfunctory - the only real failing of the game - but otherwise this is a nigh-perfect superhero game. Adored this!

Not all of this works - once the initial appeal wears off it loses some luster and the story is woefully thin, even by Pokemon standards - but man, as an exercise in atmosphere and experimentation it's pretty great. The open world is filled to the brim with stuff and that stuff are little creatures that all have their own cycles, personalities, and disposition. The more you understand them, the less they attack. It feels alive and brewing, even if the graphics are struggling to keep up.

It helps the actual gameplay loop is so engaging. Even by the end, I couldn't help but find new things to love and appreciate, and there is always something new to do. The boss fights are unique for the series and tons of fun (if challenging), the cast is engaging and carries the weak story, and the lack of focus on battling means that when you do have battles they are more frantic and kinetic. Great game, even if it's flawed at points.

Regardless of the shady business practices on display within the game's systems - and make no mistake, they are there, Blizzard gonna Blizzard - I know a solid shooter when I see one. The original Overwatch was already great and Overwatch 2 is pretty much a refinement of what worked. Diverse hero collection, rock solid shooting and aiming, quick gameplay, actual team building - it's all here.

Does it justify itself being a completely new game? Eh, I don't know about that, but honestly I've been really enjoying my time with it enough to mostly just come to terms with it. Still probably the best hero shooter on the market for a reason, and fully worth your time if you are able to ignore the predatory business practices.

Goddamnit, turns out Fortnite is actually good. It's hard to argue that it's a bit overplayed, for sure, and the general mechanics aren't new, but it's addicting in ways that most battle royales just aren't and it's infectiously optimistic, bright attitude and bonkers cross promotional material make it hard to truly hate. It's just fun; that's sometimes all you really need!

Curious to see just how far this game goes in the future, and I can't see myself ever truly getting into the wider scene outside of no build mode, it's still a great time with friends and deserves it's popularity. Guess I'm a fan now.

Takes a little bit to get going but it's second half is so deliriously entertaining and so compelling from a thematic level that it's hard to ignore. Deals with the first game's ideas around the failures of the Japanese justice system and expands it to a more personal level; how far does somebody have to go before the underprivilege get noticed? It's story is wide and spanning that it also bursts at the seams but it works out in the end once everything comes together in a bittersweet, purposefully messy glory.

Helps that it plays so wonderfully. Easily the best playing game on the Dragon Engine, gone are the days of the janky physics. Say hello to fluid, addictive combat and responsive, tight controls, and the expanded amount of side content insures you will be suitably distracted - the School Stories in particular are a joy. Unsure if this is entirely better then the first one but it's certainly on par, which is a high bar to begin with.

Starts as a crime focused murder mystery and ends in a full blown condemnation of the Japanese justice system. Covers similar territory as it's sister series (particularly Yakuza 4) but it's new perspective allows for a different "judgment" if you will on the material that makes it a unique experience. A compelling arc for Yagami is what tips this over the edge as one of the best stories of the series as well, as his vulnerability and morally questionable actions make him shockingly human when compared to the stoic Kiryu or the hyperactive Ichiban.

It also plays like a dream. The Dragon Engine has never been better, and while there is some clunkiness for sure once you get into a groove it's a blast. Unsure if the styles are as effective as Yakuza 0 but I like how they are more based around group fights/individual fights more then anything else. Combine that with great minigames and one of the best supporting casts of the series and you have a winner. Loved this!

Less of a remake like ORAS, HGSS, or even FRLG, and more of a glorified remaster with some updates. While I would have loved a proper, full on from the ground up remake, this does admittedly still improve on the original Gen 4 games in significant ways - mainly it's controls and post-game - and does have ways of expanding your roster early on that makes it a new experience. The Grand Underground is easily the strongest addition.

Still, for my money, Platinum is still the definitive experience for Gen 4 and that's probably not changing. This is a solid time for fans though, and if you have never touched Gen 4 Pokemon before this is a great addition to your collection. Good stuff!

Some writing decisions regarding pacing are a little off, but this is a shockingly good return to form across the board. This was divisive on release like a lot of legacy franchise stuff but I feel this will age like wine - the gorgeous background art just pops, the dialogue and character writing is continuously great, and it ends with a massive bang that literally sends you to the pits of hell and back again.

It also helps that it feels important and necessary for the saga as a whole; a missing chapter that was lost in time suddenly found years later. The transition from the first game to the second was always a bit jarring but this makes the leap more palatable and understandable. The balls hard difficulty is appreciated as well. Great stuff, pretty much as good as something like this will get.

Honestly as close to perfect as these LEGO games can get. Stellar level design mixed in with addictive, easy to understand gameplay - the perfect "just pick up and play" game while also having enough depth to be enjoyable for nostalgic older folks. Very rarely are games like this accessible to literally everybody but if you are looking for a game to play with your kid/younger sibling and still enjoy it the same amount, this is it.

Plus it's as Star Wars as Star Wars can get, representing the first six movies with a great mix of humor and reverence. There is a love for the entire saga here so no matter which one is your favourite film you are gonna have a fun time here. A classic collectathon.