MugiwaraJM
Outclasses Breath of the Wild by a country mile. With an engaging plot compared to BotW, vast improvements and added challenge to gameplay, with seemingly endless ways to play, this is the new gold standard for me.
2002
While not the best 3D Mario platformer out there, this was my first ever and I still have fond memories of it, and found it still enjoyable on the 3D All-Stars collection, despite some of the strange glitches and depth perception issues.
2023
Probably the best Persona spinoff I've played yet.
Not only did I really dig the blend of tactical strategy RPG with Persona 5's 1 More and All-Out Attack mechanics, but I actually found the new spinoff characters and their story very engaging and fun!
Not only did I really dig the blend of tactical strategy RPG with Persona 5's 1 More and All-Out Attack mechanics, but I actually found the new spinoff characters and their story very engaging and fun!
Damn great remaster of an already great game! Any issues I might have are nitpicks at best. An otherwise polished version of an experience I loved back then and still love today. Here's hoping 2 and 3 get remastered sooner than later!
The "end" of Kazuma Kiryu's saga is a bit of a mixed bag for me. The Dragon Engine feels like a dream come true gameplay-wise and aesthetically, but the overall story felt kinda rushed and weird, even though it did tug at the heart strings.
Now one of my favorite entries in the series. Great locale variety, genuine scares, it's almost a spiritual successor to RE4 in the best ways. My only real nitpick is the level design for the village kind of sucks and the map for it is almost unreliable.
It is astonishing that a completely free, April Fool's Day visual novel game is one of the best Sonic games in the last couple years.
Gameplay is okay, but the art and the writing are top notch and a lot of love went into it.
Gameplay is okay, but the art and the writing are top notch and a lot of love went into it.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is not only my new favorite entry in the Yakuza franchise, it is also one of the JRPGs I've ever played, and one of the best games I've ever played PERIOD.
The story and gameplay are as hilarious as it is emotional, the characters are loveable and Ichiban is more than a worthy successor to Kazuma Kiryu as the franchise's new protagonist. I cannot recommend it enough, and what an amazing way to cap off the Yakuza marathon I started with my friend/LP cohost way back when the pandemic started after 8 games.
I EAGERLY await the arrival of Like A Dragon 8 next year. What a ride!
The story and gameplay are as hilarious as it is emotional, the characters are loveable and Ichiban is more than a worthy successor to Kazuma Kiryu as the franchise's new protagonist. I cannot recommend it enough, and what an amazing way to cap off the Yakuza marathon I started with my friend/LP cohost way back when the pandemic started after 8 games.
I EAGERLY await the arrival of Like A Dragon 8 next year. What a ride!
2023
Between Resident Evil 4 and now this, 2023 is the year of the immaculate remake of seemingly perfect games that I didn't originally think needed them.
The QOL changes while maintaining the original's overall identity make this game SHINE!
The QOL changes while maintaining the original's overall identity make this game SHINE!
2022
The pinnacle of the classic era of Final Fantasy. Not my personal favorite and there are some gripes I have, but the positives WELL outweigh them and it deserves to be experienced at least once.
Kefka is the best FF villain.
Kefka is the best FF villain.
This was my first ever Legend of Zelda game, and what a one to start on. Despite some of the temples having not so great pacing, the dark and somber tone of the story and atmosphere are arresting on each playthrough. I'd love to see Nintendo take this somber approach again one day.
What you see is what you get: Yakuza but set in the in Edo Japan, & that's not a bad thing! A brief but fun return to the action genre with an emotionally rewarding story & seeing familiar faces from the series' past in another context.
2001
Even after what's probably my 12th playthrough, I still find joy in this short but sweet Gamecube launch title. There is so much personality, charm and fun to this game particularly, I still see myself replaying it again every so often.
1991
I legitimately don't know what people see in this. It's difficult but not in a fun or challenging way, and it feels like it's taunting you the whole time. Playing with a second player makes it an even WORSE experience. People say that that's part of the charm, but if that's all it has, there's literally nothing here for me.
Improves on Remake's faults while pushing its strengths to be even better, and the scope and scale are never overwhelming or boring. Plus, it has one of the strongest finales I've experienced in a game.
GOTY 2024 locked...for now.
GOTY 2024 locked...for now.