RedWizard404
Finally found a place to rank my favourite video games that isn't Google Sheets.
My journal entries are for games I've actually "completed" (or whatever the closest equivalent to it is), not necessarily for EVERY game I've played in a given year.
Badges
GOTY '23
Participated in the 2023 Game of the Year Event
Busy Day
Journaled 5+ games in a single day
Full-Time
Journaled games once a day for a month straight
Best Friends
Become mutual friends with at least 3 others
GOTY '22
Participated in the 2022 Game of the Year Event
Liked
Gained 10+ total review likes
Listed
Created 10+ public lists
Noticed
Gained 3+ followers
Donor
Liked 50+ reviews / lists
3 Years of Service
Being part of the Backloggd community for 3 years
Organized
Created a list folder with 5+ lists
Shreked
Found the secret ogre page
Roadtrip
Voted for at least 3 features on the roadmap
GOTY '21
Participated in the 2021 Game of the Year Event
On Schedule
Journaled games once a day for a week straight
Epic Gamer
Played 1000+ games
Elite Gamer
Played 500+ games
Gamer
Played 250+ games
N00b
Played 100+ games
Favorite Games
3240
Total Games Played
002
Played in 2024
513
Games Backloggd
Recently Played See More
Recently Reviewed See More
Considering how influential Half-Life (1998) is, it was fun seeing it as a crossroad between modern day FPS and the Doom/Quake-style shooters that came before it. Despite a few shaky design choices here and there (crouch-jumping, some of the late game Xen levels), the ambition here absolutely is bursting at the seams, and it's a joy to play.
The environmental storytelling is great, the set-pieces are top notch and the weapons are really satisfying to use. It also varies things up as much as it can, and doesn't stick to one mood for too long (which definitely helped keep my attention); it can go from survival horror, to guns-blazing action, to an otherworldly sci-fi vibe. It keeps things fresh! And it makes for a fun, adventurous experience.
(Also, Half-Life easily clears Half-Life 2 in pretty much every relevant way, but regardless...!!!)