Mubarak
Bio
Only critical when I care, which isn’t often.
Only critical when I care, which isn’t often.
Badges
On Schedule
Journaled games once a day for a week straight
Gone Gold
Received 5+ likes on a review while featured on the front page
Pinged
Mentioned by another user
Gamer
Played 250+ games
GOTY '23
Participated in the 2023 Game of the Year Event
Best Friends
Become mutual friends with at least 3 others
Liked
Gained 10+ total review likes
Noticed
Gained 3+ followers
3 Years of Service
Being part of the Backloggd community for 3 years
N00b
Played 100+ games
Favorite Games
313
Total Games Played
016
Played in 2024
055
Games Backloggd
Recently Played See More
Recently Reviewed See More
There’s nothing I love more than playing an entry in a series where it feels like they finally found their footing. Much like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past felt like the instant standard for that series, Final Fantasy IV feels like the entry where the formula got fully realized. Granted, I skipped FFII and FFIII so I’m not fully aware which additions are brand new to FFIV and which are from the previous two installments but what I know for sure is that by this game, they have figured it out.
There’s a dramatic story with twists, betrayals, love triangles, self-sacrifices, and identity in FFIV that feels akin to what I expect from a Final Fantasy story nowadays. Alongside a ragtag group of unique characters with different roles in the party, I was just gripped from beginning to end. The cast of characters is pretty iconic too.
The gameplay also feels refined, with each party member being designed around their role in the party. The characters are pretty much on set path in terms of the abilities they unlock which makes things simpler and tighter from a gameplay standpoint. Also, I’d like to say hello to the ATB system, which would be a series staple for a long time. It’s to good to see that they got it right the first time. The introduction to the ATB system is the biggest thing that made me instantly say “okay this is Final Fantasy!” It’s what makes these game have a more unique gameplay loop compared to traditional turn-based RPGs.
Overall, I am very pleased and impressed with FFIV and how gracefully it aged. The systems are so streamlined and tight that I would honestly call it the best entry-point to 2D Final Fantasy.
There’s a dramatic story with twists, betrayals, love triangles, self-sacrifices, and identity in FFIV that feels akin to what I expect from a Final Fantasy story nowadays. Alongside a ragtag group of unique characters with different roles in the party, I was just gripped from beginning to end. The cast of characters is pretty iconic too.
The gameplay also feels refined, with each party member being designed around their role in the party. The characters are pretty much on set path in terms of the abilities they unlock which makes things simpler and tighter from a gameplay standpoint. Also, I’d like to say hello to the ATB system, which would be a series staple for a long time. It’s to good to see that they got it right the first time. The introduction to the ATB system is the biggest thing that made me instantly say “okay this is Final Fantasy!” It’s what makes these game have a more unique gameplay loop compared to traditional turn-based RPGs.
Overall, I am very pleased and impressed with FFIV and how gracefully it aged. The systems are so streamlined and tight that I would honestly call it the best entry-point to 2D Final Fantasy.
Played a good amount of it, it’s nice to see where the series started but it feels too archaic and loose, for lack of a better term, for me to feel any sense of gratification from it. There’s barely anything for me to cling onto with Final Fantasy I, the story is barebones, and the gameplay is just okay. I don’t see myself coming back to finish it honestly but I feel like I’ve played enough to cast judgement.
2D Mario games are all pretty solid, at least the ones I’ve tried. Though I can’t deny the fact that the New Super Mario Bros. series has made 2D Mario just not exciting anymore. Thankfully, Super Mario Bros. Wonder feels like a step in the right direction for 2D Mario. While not being nearly as revolutionary as something like Rayman Legends, Super Mario Bros. Wonder stands as one of the most adventurous and creative 2D Marios.
The big win with Super Mario Bros. Wonder is how whimsical it is from its art style, to its music, to its array of brand new silly creatures. The art style is just so expressive, playful and lively. The music and the various sound effects are whimsy and full of, dare I say it - wonder. For a series as long-running as Super Mario Bros, we’ve stomped on countless Goombas and Koopas at this point so there’s an new layer of freshness that’s added in Wonder just from seeing different enemies alongside the aesthetic changes.
Overall, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a pretty good sign for 2D Mario as it feels like it broke itself from the chains that weighed down the series. I had a fun time with it but I can’t help feeling like it would’ve been great if they had taken a few extra steps into making it more adventurous. I appreciate it for what it is but I do hope it serves as a stepping stone to a new innovative direction for the series rather than an iterative one.
The big win with Super Mario Bros. Wonder is how whimsical it is from its art style, to its music, to its array of brand new silly creatures. The art style is just so expressive, playful and lively. The music and the various sound effects are whimsy and full of, dare I say it - wonder. For a series as long-running as Super Mario Bros, we’ve stomped on countless Goombas and Koopas at this point so there’s an new layer of freshness that’s added in Wonder just from seeing different enemies alongside the aesthetic changes.
Overall, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a pretty good sign for 2D Mario as it feels like it broke itself from the chains that weighed down the series. I had a fun time with it but I can’t help feeling like it would’ve been great if they had taken a few extra steps into making it more adventurous. I appreciate it for what it is but I do hope it serves as a stepping stone to a new innovative direction for the series rather than an iterative one.