SP1RAL
Compared to the original Metroid II, the changes it makes are both good and bad. As for the good changes, the addition of teleport stations helps a lot with backtracking, the scan pulse is really useful, the Omega Metroid fights are a lot better, and the parry is fun. As for the bad changes, the 2 new main bosses pad out the game a bit and feel unnecessary, the Gamma Metroid fights are annoying and have unnecessary extra phases, and there is a bit too much backtracking for optional items. Samus Returns fixed some big issues of the original for me, but also introduced a couple of new ones.
Final score: 6/10
Final score: 6/10
An amazing remake that fixes the flaws of the original, making a really solid entry in the series and genre in general. Simpler than the other ones, but that does not make it any less fun. The added "post-game" segment was also fun and expanded on Samus' character a lot.
Final score: 9/10
Final score: 9/10
2002
While Fusion is a very fun Metroid, it is super hand-holdy. It constantly tells you where to go and that takes away a lot of the joy of a Metroidvania. The map design is also super linear. The story makes up for some of its flaws and I love the conflict it introduced.
Final score: 7/10
Final score: 7/10
1994
Has aged beautifully for its time, a near-perfect experience. The sprite work is amazing, the soundtrack nails the aesthetic, the gameplay is fun, and the map is a blast to explore. However, I do feel like the 3rd quarter of the game isn't as good as the rest, but it picks back up in the last act. Catch me on a different day and I would give it a perfect score.
Final score: 9/10
Final score: 9/10
Honestly had a lot more fun with this one than I was expecting. Basically having the entire game be a hunt even with a tracker at the bottom was a neat idea. However, the game has a lot of jank and those old metroidvania flaws. Some of the later forms of Metroids are just annoying and the final boss is a joke once you figure out a secret to it. Really excited for when I get to the remake and see how they (hopefully) fixed my issues with the original.
Final score: 5/10
Final score: 5/10
1986
The original Metroid has not aged too well. The world design is not well thought out and has some serious flaws. The lack of a map sucks. Enemies are nothing special. 1 of three bosses is a challenge while the others can be either cheesed or are just easy. Metroid played a huge part in the Metroidvania genre, but has poor design that hasn't aged well just like most NES games.
Final score: 3/10
Final score: 3/10
Just like its twin game, this one sure does accomplish what it set out to do, as simple as it was. I was expecting this one to be bad as everyone says this one is awful, but it really wasn't that bad. People say a ton of the remixes are terrible but there are like 2 bad ones and the rest are fine or good. I do kinda wish this released much later, having some Royal and Strikers songs in this would've been cool.
Final score: 7/10
Final score: 7/10
Fun little rhythm spin-off that does its job, with some remixes that are 50/50. My only other comment is that I got whiplash going from the new voice actors from Reload to the classic ones in this.
Final score: 7/10
Final score: 7/10
2019
Starts pretty simple, but quickly expands into a great exploration. I don't even have much to say other than it is a beautiful experience at times. I do have one complaint about it, but it is so minor and didn't come up until the end.
Final score: 9/10
Final score: 9/10
2017
Crash's first game is interesting to me. On one hand, you have some really fun stages that are well thought out and satisfying to finish. On the other hand, you have some bad stages that have annoying gimmicks or go on for a bit too long. Overall, the 3D sections and bosses are fun, but any sidescrolling parts are either going to be fine or bad. I loved Crash as a kid, and still do, but even remade the first game is still just kinda ok. If I played the original instead, then I would've given this a much lower score.
Final score: 6/10
Final score: 6/10
2024
I went in expecting something amazing and I got that with this. Unsurprisingly, this remake was a great time, from start to finish. This is the definitive way to experience Persona 3. The combat got its much-needed upgrades. While Tartarus still gets boring and repetitive near the end and some of the social link availabilities suck, like how none of the school-related social links are available in the summer, the sheer quality of the story and characters here make up for it. There are some slight things I wished the remake did, like keeping technicals from 5, but overall this is one of the best remakes I have played and Persona 3 is an amazing experience. I can't recommend this enough.
Final score: 10/10
Final score: 10/10
2001
What an amazing view into the human psyche, trauma, and our processing of our emotions. The stories of James, Eddie, and Angela all greatly explore different heavy topics. The representation of their emotions in the locations and the enemy design are amazing. Masahiro Ito is a brilliant artist for his monster designs. I can't recommend this game enough.
Final score: 10/10
Final score: 10/10
1999
Finally got around to playing this iconic horror game, and I'm glad I finally did. While the limited PS1 graphics can make some things hard to see out and the game does suffer from tank controls, I still really enjoyed a playthrough. The blood-stained, rusty industrial environments of Otherworld create a perfect setting for a horror game. The story and characters are pretty good too.
Final score: 8/10
Final score: 8/10
Honestly was surprised with this one. The story was pretty good, but the combat was just ok. 2 of the 4 styles are not worth it at all, which is a shame. At least the other 2 are still fun to use. If the bonus content and combat were a bit better then I'd rate this higher.
Final score: 7/10
Final score: 7/10
2017
So stylish with so much love and effort put into it. The last two zones fall off hard, but it is still overall pretty good. Funny how one of the few great Sonic games is practically an official fan game.
Final score: 9/10
Final score: 9/10