Mayor_N
2019
I never realized how important the story in a Pokémon game could be until I played this game.
Pokémon DPP or BW both had stories that reeled like they mattered, they had a purpose and felt urgent and important. While I appreciate the return to basics with the character's goal being to simply beat all the gyms, that's not the whole equation.
The sudden addition of Eternatus felt forced and nonsensical. If he was the main legendary Pokémon of the game rather than the uninteresting Shield and Sword wolf we got, and/or was the main focus from the start, this wouldn't have been an issue. You fight this world-ending Pokémon a mere ten minutes after you hear about him, making his inclusion not only feel unimportant, but forced and poorly paced.
The characters in this game are also incredibly uninteresting, most of them being either exact copies of earlier characters, or in the case of your rival, his only purpose is to be knocked down over and over.
The gyms all being themed like some sort of sports-stadium, while a nice way to show the importance of gyms, makes all of them feel the same, and not as interesting or solely themed around one type like the Pokémon games before.
The design of more than half of the new Pokémon look either okay, uninteresting, or noticeably terrible, and the fact that only 1/4 of all Pokémon could even be added to this game really didn't help it. Throughout my entire play through of this game I was constantly telling myself, "this just doesn't look like a real Pokémon." Not to mention the new Gigantimax inclusion, which just feels like Mega-Evolutions, except worse designed.
The graphics looked noticeably terrible, especially when compared to other Switch games, and the soundtrack is forgettable.
The only things I can think of that this game did right is the models for characters and Pokémon, and being able to see Pokémon in the wild, rather than running into a random encounter from a bush.
Pokémon DPP or BW both had stories that reeled like they mattered, they had a purpose and felt urgent and important. While I appreciate the return to basics with the character's goal being to simply beat all the gyms, that's not the whole equation.
The sudden addition of Eternatus felt forced and nonsensical. If he was the main legendary Pokémon of the game rather than the uninteresting Shield and Sword wolf we got, and/or was the main focus from the start, this wouldn't have been an issue. You fight this world-ending Pokémon a mere ten minutes after you hear about him, making his inclusion not only feel unimportant, but forced and poorly paced.
The characters in this game are also incredibly uninteresting, most of them being either exact copies of earlier characters, or in the case of your rival, his only purpose is to be knocked down over and over.
The gyms all being themed like some sort of sports-stadium, while a nice way to show the importance of gyms, makes all of them feel the same, and not as interesting or solely themed around one type like the Pokémon games before.
The design of more than half of the new Pokémon look either okay, uninteresting, or noticeably terrible, and the fact that only 1/4 of all Pokémon could even be added to this game really didn't help it. Throughout my entire play through of this game I was constantly telling myself, "this just doesn't look like a real Pokémon." Not to mention the new Gigantimax inclusion, which just feels like Mega-Evolutions, except worse designed.
The graphics looked noticeably terrible, especially when compared to other Switch games, and the soundtrack is forgettable.
The only things I can think of that this game did right is the models for characters and Pokémon, and being able to see Pokémon in the wild, rather than running into a random encounter from a bush.
2002
My favorite Mario game to this day.
The overwhelming use of color and the tropical setting, along with the unforgettable soundtrack that represents both of these things makes for an incredible experience.
Unfortunately, the game feels like it's full of a lot of padding, the FLUDD is a bit of a strange addition (especially with its talking, though it can be forgiven due to the plot being dirt/paint themed,) and the HORRIBLE inverted axis for the FLUUD.
But the game still has such a warm, and nice atmosphere to it all, as well as still looking really good to this day.
The overwhelming use of color and the tropical setting, along with the unforgettable soundtrack that represents both of these things makes for an incredible experience.
Unfortunately, the game feels like it's full of a lot of padding, the FLUDD is a bit of a strange addition (especially with its talking, though it can be forgiven due to the plot being dirt/paint themed,) and the HORRIBLE inverted axis for the FLUUD.
But the game still has such a warm, and nice atmosphere to it all, as well as still looking really good to this day.
A lot of the missions in this game are repetitive, there isn't much variation in the gameplay, the honor makes barely any difference in the overall gameplay (except for the ending,) a lot of missions are straight forward and don't allow a lot of room for different strategies...
But this game is one of the best examples of great storytelling in a video game. All the characters in this game feel so real, and every different segment flows into one another perfectly. The story is so emotional and easy to get sucked into, and the atmosphere of the old West is pulled off perfectly. There were so many moments in the story where I had a dopey smile on my face, or a frown with some tears. Definitely a must-play.
But this game is one of the best examples of great storytelling in a video game. All the characters in this game feel so real, and every different segment flows into one another perfectly. The story is so emotional and easy to get sucked into, and the atmosphere of the old West is pulled off perfectly. There were so many moments in the story where I had a dopey smile on my face, or a frown with some tears. Definitely a must-play.
1996
It's easy to see why this is a game that resonates with so many people, as it's not only extremely accessible and starring one of the most recognizable mascots of all time, but it's revolutionary in the 3D platforming genre, seeming like it couldn't possibly get better than this.
The music in this game is iconic and holds up incredibly to this day, and the platforming is the same. The graphics are dated, but the sheer amount of color and shape to everything gives it a certain type of charm like no other.
There are a few things wrong with this game, such as the atrocious camera and the platforming itself to seeming to "flow together" like Mario Galaxy for example, but these are miniscule in comparison to the rest of this incredible game.
The music in this game is iconic and holds up incredibly to this day, and the platforming is the same. The graphics are dated, but the sheer amount of color and shape to everything gives it a certain type of charm like no other.
There are a few things wrong with this game, such as the atrocious camera and the platforming itself to seeming to "flow together" like Mario Galaxy for example, but these are miniscule in comparison to the rest of this incredible game.
2011
An addicting sandbox that truly lets anyone with an imagination carry out all of their wildest fantasies and designs with ease.
The graphics of this game are so simple but so pleasant to look at, the pixelated and blocky artstyle making everything a lot easier and simpler to do, in terms of building.
The creatures are interesting and pose a legitimate threat to the player, and the music in this game is unmatched, making this a game that's easy to get lost in.
The graphics of this game are so simple but so pleasant to look at, the pixelated and blocky artstyle making everything a lot easier and simpler to do, in terms of building.
The creatures are interesting and pose a legitimate threat to the player, and the music in this game is unmatched, making this a game that's easy to get lost in.
An addicting new take on the Zelda series with a pleasing new artstyle, voice acting that actually works quite well, and a non-linear approach to all dungeons. Though the game breathes new life into Zelda, and makes it far more welcoming to newcomers of the series, there are a plethora of things that it falls flat on (especially if you're an avid fan of Zelda.)
Some of the most recognizable aspects of any Zelda game, the unique bosses, different themed dungeons, iconic music, Ganondorf himself, are all mostly absent from the title.
When music is used, it's no doubt beautiful, but it's nothing that you'll remember and hum in your head for the rest of the week.
The bosses feel uninspired, and while the first few are fun, by the fourth, you realize they're all basically the same thing, their designs looking exactly alike.
All four of the main dungeons in this game look identical, and almost play the same. They're atrocious compared to the unique dungeon design of the Zelda games before it.
Ganondorf has always been the main antagonist of the Zelda series, and most of the games do a good job at setting him up as a dark villain to be reckoned with. Though, this game does do a pretty good job at establishing him as a villain, what with him being responsible for the collapsed landscape and the death of the champions, you never really get a sense of his true character, as in the final encounter with him, he's nothing but a giant blob creature that has little resemblance to the Ganondorf we've come to know.
Although there are several design and story elements that make this game seem forgettable, at the end of the day, it does what every game should aim to do: be fun, and addicting.
Some of the most recognizable aspects of any Zelda game, the unique bosses, different themed dungeons, iconic music, Ganondorf himself, are all mostly absent from the title.
When music is used, it's no doubt beautiful, but it's nothing that you'll remember and hum in your head for the rest of the week.
The bosses feel uninspired, and while the first few are fun, by the fourth, you realize they're all basically the same thing, their designs looking exactly alike.
All four of the main dungeons in this game look identical, and almost play the same. They're atrocious compared to the unique dungeon design of the Zelda games before it.
Ganondorf has always been the main antagonist of the Zelda series, and most of the games do a good job at setting him up as a dark villain to be reckoned with. Though, this game does do a pretty good job at establishing him as a villain, what with him being responsible for the collapsed landscape and the death of the champions, you never really get a sense of his true character, as in the final encounter with him, he's nothing but a giant blob creature that has little resemblance to the Ganondorf we've come to know.
Although there are several design and story elements that make this game seem forgettable, at the end of the day, it does what every game should aim to do: be fun, and addicting.
2016
The first year or so of this game made it seem like it was an addictive force to be reckoned with, but as years went on, the game became nothing but a shell of what it used to be because of constant updates that gave buffs and nerfs to characters that didn't need them, and an overall lack of any real reason to play the game besides the competitive scene. The characters are nothing more than characatures, and although the artstyle is pleasing, the emptiness of the gameplay cannot be overshadowed.
Not to mention it having one of, if not the most toxic community to ever grace the face of this green Earth.
Not to mention it having one of, if not the most toxic community to ever grace the face of this green Earth.
1990
This is the Mario game that truly set the standard for what future side-scrolling Mario games would be. The artstyle in this game is recognizable to say the least, and the controls are tight, satisfying and responsive. The settings and sprite work are so colorful and alluring, along with its phenomenal soundtrack.
With a wide variety of power-ups and a more than active mod community, this game is a must-play.
With a wide variety of power-ups and a more than active mod community, this game is a must-play.
2016
What I thought was going to be a fun adventure with three robot companions turned out to be a boring experience with uninteresting characters, under-voice acting, predictable and cliche story beats, grindy, clunky gameplay, and the ability to only use two robots at a time.
This game feels like such a waste of potential, considering its plot of humanity's last survivors being on an alien planet to make their own. This could turn into some kind of interesting message that would encourage plot, but it turns out to be nothing but a soulless, mind numbing experience with generic music, and absolutely awful graphics.
This game feels like such a waste of potential, considering its plot of humanity's last survivors being on an alien planet to make their own. This could turn into some kind of interesting message that would encourage plot, but it turns out to be nothing but a soulless, mind numbing experience with generic music, and absolutely awful graphics.
2009
The Noir-type tone of the game is very calming and peaceful, and the use of color, just like Halo 3, makes for a gorgeous looking game, and a satisfactory depiction of New Mombasa. The series of events in the storyline are interesting in the way they're told, as well as the characters, while not too in depth, are likeable.
Though, the same looking buildings constantly surrounding you, and no real variation of gameplay makes it uninteresting to play, or it simply just feels like another Halo game with "vulnerable" ODSTs plastered on top of it.
Though, the soundtrack is absolutely beautiful, and conveys the Noir tone of the game perfectly.
Though, the same looking buildings constantly surrounding you, and no real variation of gameplay makes it uninteresting to play, or it simply just feels like another Halo game with "vulnerable" ODSTs plastered on top of it.
Though, the soundtrack is absolutely beautiful, and conveys the Noir tone of the game perfectly.
2017
Beautiful experience with an amazing soundtrack, use of color, and surprising gameplay mechanics that are switched up every once in a while.
The combat is somewhat generic, but the setting is breathtaking.
A few story beats don't quite hit home, but small detractors for an amazing experience.
The combat is somewhat generic, but the setting is breathtaking.
A few story beats don't quite hit home, but small detractors for an amazing experience.
Truly the start of what Pokémon would be for years to come.
The gameplay is as any other Pokémon game would be, and the pixel art isn't anything incredible, but the music is unforgettable, and the tropical setting feels so refreshing and soothing. The design of Gen 3 is easily the best of all games in the series, as there are rarely any noticeably horrible looking designs.
The gameplay is as any other Pokémon game would be, and the pixel art isn't anything incredible, but the music is unforgettable, and the tropical setting feels so refreshing and soothing. The design of Gen 3 is easily the best of all games in the series, as there are rarely any noticeably horrible looking designs.
2001
The only horror game I can call "beautiful"
It's so much more than jumpscares and violence, because the horror and violence is all symbolic of something greater, with a tale of guilt and regret, with an incredible soundtrack that breathes life into a gripping story.
The use of color gives so much personality to this game, and the wide variety of horrific sound and creature design is a guarantee to put the player at unease easily.
The gameplay is a bit clunky, but somehow works in the game's favor as it helps the tension the game creates, and the voice acting is awful, but also somehow helps the game, as it gives it a strange, dream-like experience that feel surreal, and unlike any other.
It's so much more than jumpscares and violence, because the horror and violence is all symbolic of something greater, with a tale of guilt and regret, with an incredible soundtrack that breathes life into a gripping story.
The use of color gives so much personality to this game, and the wide variety of horrific sound and creature design is a guarantee to put the player at unease easily.
The gameplay is a bit clunky, but somehow works in the game's favor as it helps the tension the game creates, and the voice acting is awful, but also somehow helps the game, as it gives it a strange, dream-like experience that feel surreal, and unlike any other.
Interesting story and fun customization with clunky, stiff gameplay
As someone who didn't play the original, I fell in love with this game not only because of the interesting scenario and setting it takes place in, but the trove of fun characters and challenging gameplay. The soundtrack is interesting, and still sounds good compared to its original (which I have heard.)
Some of the biggest flaws in this game come with its story, such as pacing, like delivery (Aerith and Barrett having the same tone with everything they say,) or the overall "anime aesthetic" of certain story beats, but these are small compared to the grand scale of the story itself.
Some of the biggest flaws in this game come with its story, such as pacing, like delivery (Aerith and Barrett having the same tone with everything they say,) or the overall "anime aesthetic" of certain story beats, but these are small compared to the grand scale of the story itself.