Favorite Game [Scene] of All Time: Doom II

Not the game itself, but the mod scene it provided the basis for. I used to make Doom maps, and still want to (supposing I can get more than one or two random bystanders to play them). There's just so much boundless creativity in not just Doom mapping, but graphics packs, weapon mods, total conversions, so on and so forth. I could easily subsist on nothing but Doom fan works for the rest of my life and be sated.

Too bad I like to play other kinds of games. Can't ignore my East Asian PC software cravings!

Favorite [Single] Game of All Time: Xanadu Next

It may not hit the highest highs of some Japanese xRPGs I've played, and I expect others in my backlog to rise the bar. But there's so much consistently great design, presentation, and addictive sections in this game to ignore. It really feels like the current peak tribute to, and evolution of, all that Falcom, T&E Soft, and other J-PC era developers started in the mid-'80s. Tokyo Xanadu just can't compete, and the modern Souls-style takes on the genre are moving well beyond the critical frame Xananext operates in. I still hope some intrepid developer can outdo this one at its own game.

Favorite Soundtrack: Sorcerian (Sharp X1)

It's a very close call between this, Brandish 3, and other Falcom soundtracks of prodigious quality. But I'm going with Sorcerian for its blend of varied genres, well-developed songs (which still loop well), and amazing use of FM synth then & now. It's got some of Yuzo Koshiro & Mieko Ishikawa's all-time best songs, and never fails to capture my imagination. An aural record of the JRPG in early blossom.

Favorite Protagonist: You (?) in The House in Fata Morgana

Can't say the character's name because it's a mild spoiler, but let's just say I can't think of a more heartbreaking, trenchant, and surprisingly relatable story in the games I've played than that of a certain grumpy, lovable white-haired fella. The whole cast throughout the Fatamoru games is amazing, but I can't in good conscience give this spot to Jacopo, engaging as he is. I expect this slot will change the next time I make this list because hooy boy are there a lot of VNs I need to read which have strong characters.

Favorite Villain: The Elder Scrolls III - Morrowind

I have to admit I've yet to play anything where the villain's as (close to) interesting as my favorite protagonist(s). But Dagoth Ur's (almost) got it all: an understandable backstory, a tangible threat to you and the world, and one hell of a confrontation at the end. I wish he was more present for most of the game, not just in flashbacks or the final dungeon, but you can feel the impact he's had on this world. Most of all, he feels like a classic high-fantasy villain in the mold of Sauron, but with much more complexity & conceptual bizarreness to enjoy.

Favorite Story: Morrowind (+ expansions)

Fatamoru easily beats this in plot, but I get so easily lost and enchanted in the pre-Oblivion version of the Elder Scrolls world to leave it out. So many memorable, meaningful characters & revelations abound throughout Vvardenfell, its outlying regions, and the works of fan creators (ex. Tamriel Rebuilt). It's one of the all-time great fantasy settings, a story built upon the smallest of details and the biggest of personalities.

Have Not Played But Want to: Disco Elysium

I ought to work my way up through the history of CRPGs, interactive fiction, and graphic adventures before tackling a game this emblematic of where the genres have gone & have converged. But it sounds like one of the best experiences I could ever have, so the journey will be worth it.

You Love, Everyone Hates: Thunder Force (1983)

This mostly comes down to almost everyone playing really bad ports of the X1 original, but even then I see takes like "it's Xevious without anything of worth" which baffle me. This early home-PC take on Xevious, Bosconian, and other arcade shooters obviously has its issues, but is still fun and very interesting once you get into score play. The history behind it makes this hard for me to not love.

You Hate, Everyone Loves: Possessioner (PC-98)

The ultimate example of "aesthicccccccccccccsebfjfdsgd" posting on PC-98 art blogs & bots, and the Plato's cave mentality it spreads in the process. A reminder to me how folks' desperate pursuit of lost futures, whether cyberpunk or fantastic, blinds them to the observable low quality of some media. To me, this game in its current state just leads people interested in J-PC games away from really playing them. It's just so much easier to gawk at that one girl-staring-out-the-window GIF than to try it for themselves. Those who have generally don't have good things to say about the game. I should know.

Best Art Style: Jet Set Radio (Future too)

Nothing oozes the Y2K era, post-modern stagnation, and punk rebellion against the status quo quite as strongly as this series. It's forever endearing and important to me, and I think it's held up stupidly well over the years. This is still a difficult question to answer because there's so many others which fit the slot just as well.

Favorite Ending: Earthbound

It's not much different from many "tearful but fulfilling goodbyes" endings in my Falcom favorites, but the sheer expanse of Mother 2's ending, and all its loving details, set it apart.

Favorite Boss: Malus from Shadow of the Colossus

Just an absurdly immersive, nicely challenging, and downright apocalyptic fight. In a game all about amazing bosses one after the other, they saved the best and most gargantuan for last.

Childhood Game: RollerCoaster Tycoon series

No end of things, challenges, and wacky hijinks to be had. OpenRCT2 keeps me feeling like a kid, if anything. Maybe I'd feel differently if I grew up on Minecraft or something, but this really was my Digital LEGOs & K'nex.

Relaxing Game: Chibi-Robo!

Nothing better than running around, keeping things tidy, and vibing with the guys you wish were in Toy Story.

Stressful Game: Dynasty Warriors 4 XL

You know nothing about the era of hard musou games until you try this. Duels alone can wreck a half-hour of progress if you die in them. Lu Bu was never harder, nor most of the other officers. It can be a grueling slog to defeat even peons in this entry. While this isn't my favorite mainline musou game, it's earned my respect for the rigor it demands.

Game You Always Come Back to: Katamari Damacy [Reroll]

Love truly is forever. I could wad the world up into my life all day. Between the strong mechanics, replayability of its stages, and the incredible aesthetic, this really feels the stuff dreams are made of.

Guilty Pleasure: Kirby Air Ride [Hack Pack]

I'm basically here for City Trial, though I've played enough races in the other modes to know the game's solid overall. They simply nailed the several minute game loop for that mode we all love in this one.

Hours Played: Civilization IV Complete

Impossibly addictive once you play mods like Caveman 2 Cosmos. This thing has made problems in my real life on occasion. One of the best modern wargames in history, but at what cost?