Outrun2019
2015
Replaying this for yet another time and this game is just so good. Remember to use your baseball bat well.
2022
Sonic has a good game again! I really enjoyed the open world aspect of this. Running around and exploring all the islands while finding new things was peak for me. Sonic has a bunch of new moves for combat which felt great to use all the time. I found myself doing combos naturally after a bit. It's nothing hard to learn, but it is satisfying.
Few negatives to list here:
-Boss fights can be a little dragged out which does make them a tad frustrating with certain bosses.
-Mini-games, outside of fishing, are bland and one specific one requires way too much time to complete with random chance. And it is required to beat for the main story.
-The cyber levels themselves. Some are good. Some are just kinda okay. Nothing bad though. There are story reasons for this but I wish there was at least a couple more themes for these levels, just for visual variety.
Speaking of story, it's good. It's been a long while since we've had a decent semi-serious story. It's not mind blowing or anything, but Sonic acts like Sonic should and his quips are kept to when they make sense, not used all the time. His interactions with the other characters are also well written and come off as genuine. Everybody feels like themselves again and I have missed that in Sonic games for years. Even Eggman is given some depth this time, and it fits him so well.
Sonic Team made something fun again. Yes there are still flaws, but they have an incredible base to build from here and I hope they don't abandon it to chase trends or other unwanted fluff that Sonic doesn't need in the future.
I'm just happy to fully enjoy playing a modern Sonic game again all these years later after Generations.
Few negatives to list here:
-Boss fights can be a little dragged out which does make them a tad frustrating with certain bosses.
-Mini-games, outside of fishing, are bland and one specific one requires way too much time to complete with random chance. And it is required to beat for the main story.
-The cyber levels themselves. Some are good. Some are just kinda okay. Nothing bad though. There are story reasons for this but I wish there was at least a couple more themes for these levels, just for visual variety.
Speaking of story, it's good. It's been a long while since we've had a decent semi-serious story. It's not mind blowing or anything, but Sonic acts like Sonic should and his quips are kept to when they make sense, not used all the time. His interactions with the other characters are also well written and come off as genuine. Everybody feels like themselves again and I have missed that in Sonic games for years. Even Eggman is given some depth this time, and it fits him so well.
Sonic Team made something fun again. Yes there are still flaws, but they have an incredible base to build from here and I hope they don't abandon it to chase trends or other unwanted fluff that Sonic doesn't need in the future.
I'm just happy to fully enjoy playing a modern Sonic game again all these years later after Generations.
This review contains spoilers
I love this game. I felt so attached to the story as I played more. Every character feels so memorable and you just want to see them accomplish everything.
I kept finding side content that was also very well done. Trying not to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't played the game, but some of the side content is deep lore. You learn so much about people and places. Compared to the first two Xenoblade games, the side content here feels like it's just more main story. And that's a good thing.
The ending left me wanting more even though I feel like it was the most satisfying conclusion to a Xeno game yet.
I hope we get some sort of expanded epilogue as part of the expansion pass. All my questions are answered in terms of mysteries the games presents but they leave just enough to make me curious.
Couple of negatives to list:
- Some side missions are just very basic fetch quests. And they weren't hard to complete. But there is one that requires one of the rarest items in the game and thank lord I figured out a replicator could produce said rare item. Still took standing at one for 40 minutes just hoping I would get the large amount required. Not fun.
- The game had weird audio cuts at certain times. It was only a few times but I'm not sure what was causing it. I had it happen both in dock and handheld.
Absolutely play this game if you love the Xeno series or love JRPGs in general. It's loaded with quality content and you can't ask for more than that.
I kept finding side content that was also very well done. Trying not to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't played the game, but some of the side content is deep lore. You learn so much about people and places. Compared to the first two Xenoblade games, the side content here feels like it's just more main story. And that's a good thing.
The ending left me wanting more even though I feel like it was the most satisfying conclusion to a Xeno game yet.
I hope we get some sort of expanded epilogue as part of the expansion pass. All my questions are answered in terms of mysteries the games presents but they leave just enough to make me curious.
Couple of negatives to list:
- Some side missions are just very basic fetch quests. And they weren't hard to complete. But there is one that requires one of the rarest items in the game and thank lord I figured out a replicator could produce said rare item. Still took standing at one for 40 minutes just hoping I would get the large amount required. Not fun.
- The game had weird audio cuts at certain times. It was only a few times but I'm not sure what was causing it. I had it happen both in dock and handheld.
Absolutely play this game if you love the Xeno series or love JRPGs in general. It's loaded with quality content and you can't ask for more than that.
Terrible game. Awful controls. Bad voice acting. Made me laugh so it gets a whole half star.
I call this JRPG junk food. It's a middle of the road jrpg but I still like it a lot. I hope one day we get another Shining game.
2022
Cool art style, boring looter shooter.
2001
Clearly heavily inspired by Ghost in the Shell but surprised to find a really good game. It's a bit clunky and takes a minute to get used to but once you do, it just clicks and I had a ton of fun.
2020
Sometimes you just want a big hunk to come after you in HD.
KOF XIII is great.
The steam port is not. Crashes whenever it loads a video file on windows 10. Any fix that exists doesn't work, and when I can get the game to load, it will crash randomly while playing.
Pretty disappointed with this version.
The steam port is not. Crashes whenever it loads a video file on windows 10. Any fix that exists doesn't work, and when I can get the game to load, it will crash randomly while playing.
Pretty disappointed with this version.
The camera loves certain assets.
Recently picked this up during the Steam summer sale. This is by far my favorite way to play KoF 2002 now. Plus there are so many characters and that leads to so many team combos, it's pretty amazing. The fighting isn't all that bad either.
The backgrounds for stages and music in this version, also top notch.
The backgrounds for stages and music in this version, also top notch.
Recently grabbed this for Switch since it's on sale for cheap. Probably my favorite KoF game outside of 2002. Still feels really good to play all these years later.
Something about how KoF did the sound effects just sticks with you. They are punchy and loud and I'm here for it.
Something about how KoF did the sound effects just sticks with you. They are punchy and loud and I'm here for it.
1993
This is probably my 200th or more time playing this game.
I love this game. I love it it so much, it's my username. I love it so much, I go back to it all the time when I feel like garbage and I need a pick me up.
I know the ins and outs of how this game ticks. You can glitch out the other drivers if you hit your turbo right as you pass them, making them go as fast as you permanently.
There are many secret routes on tracks I never see anyone bring up. For example, on stage 2, a route will take you to the pyramids. If you pay attention, right at the start, the red lines on the left disappear briefly and if you turn into it, it will take you on a secret route that's faster and it's a tunnel through a pyramid.
Something that blew my mind back then was they had your car reflect the lighting of the tunnels. An example is when you enter a tunnel and the lights are purple, your car now is tinted purple and darkened a bit as well as all the other cars inside said tunnel. I had never seen a Genesis game do that before.
The music has been stuck in my head for years and I find myself listening to it while I do work or chores. It's one of the better Genesis soundtracks and I wish more people loved it.
The game takes place in the future far off year of 2019 and things aren't bleak, but hints of things being messed up are apparent in some of the stages. Forests completely burned down, a city covered in rising ocean water and destroyed, water that is oddly colored, and newly built cities look like something you would expect from cyberpunk. Not every stage has the futuristic details but I have always thought it was an artistic choice.
This is the best OutRun spin off in my humble opinion, and it didn't even start development as one.
Is it the nostalgia talking? Absolutely yes that's part of it. I've owned this game on a cartridge since I was 5 years old. It has been part of my life for over 25 years. Yes, my bias is heavily showing.
But I honestly think this is one of the best racing games on the Genesis and I will never forget it.
Play Outrun 2019.
I love this game. I love it it so much, it's my username. I love it so much, I go back to it all the time when I feel like garbage and I need a pick me up.
I know the ins and outs of how this game ticks. You can glitch out the other drivers if you hit your turbo right as you pass them, making them go as fast as you permanently.
There are many secret routes on tracks I never see anyone bring up. For example, on stage 2, a route will take you to the pyramids. If you pay attention, right at the start, the red lines on the left disappear briefly and if you turn into it, it will take you on a secret route that's faster and it's a tunnel through a pyramid.
Something that blew my mind back then was they had your car reflect the lighting of the tunnels. An example is when you enter a tunnel and the lights are purple, your car now is tinted purple and darkened a bit as well as all the other cars inside said tunnel. I had never seen a Genesis game do that before.
The music has been stuck in my head for years and I find myself listening to it while I do work or chores. It's one of the better Genesis soundtracks and I wish more people loved it.
The game takes place in the future far off year of 2019 and things aren't bleak, but hints of things being messed up are apparent in some of the stages. Forests completely burned down, a city covered in rising ocean water and destroyed, water that is oddly colored, and newly built cities look like something you would expect from cyberpunk. Not every stage has the futuristic details but I have always thought it was an artistic choice.
This is the best OutRun spin off in my humble opinion, and it didn't even start development as one.
Is it the nostalgia talking? Absolutely yes that's part of it. I've owned this game on a cartridge since I was 5 years old. It has been part of my life for over 25 years. Yes, my bias is heavily showing.
But I honestly think this is one of the best racing games on the Genesis and I will never forget it.
Play Outrun 2019.
The best sequel to Mr. Mosquito anyone could ever asked for.
You get two mosquitos now, American and Japanese. You have two families to torture into itchy insanity because you want blood to survive. And they improved the game to let you suck blood from anywhere, not just specified targets.
Also half the game, the American Mosquito, is voiced in English. And yes, the voice actors gave it thier all.
Fun fact: this was the first ever game I imported from Japan when I was but a young teenager. It was worth every penny.
You get two mosquitos now, American and Japanese. You have two families to torture into itchy insanity because you want blood to survive. And they improved the game to let you suck blood from anywhere, not just specified targets.
Also half the game, the American Mosquito, is voiced in English. And yes, the voice actors gave it thier all.
Fun fact: this was the first ever game I imported from Japan when I was but a young teenager. It was worth every penny.
2001
I constantly go back to this game. It's one of those perfect low budget PS2 games I fondly remember.
It's weird, you play as a mosquito, you suck blood, and have boss fights with the humans who get progressively more insane because you keep sucking thier blood.
I really don't know how else to sell you on this game.
It's weird, you play as a mosquito, you suck blood, and have boss fights with the humans who get progressively more insane because you keep sucking thier blood.
I really don't know how else to sell you on this game.