Trying to think how you explain Pizza Tower to someone. The 90s Cartoon aesthetics is what will grab player's attention on its surface level.

I would best describe this as: you climb the titular Pizza Tower, defeat multiple levels on each floor to continue ascending. Every level has a confined Metroidvania level design. Different power-ups/gimmicks and the moveset is what really derives from the Wario Land games. You escape each level like a Metroid escape sequence. The movement is also faster than any 2D Sonic game I've played. The bosses were very fun and challenging. Like a lengthy boss fight from a Mega Man game. Completing this game 100% will be the struggle, as it is very stressful and tight on time when collecting everything, but Pizza Tower is a truly one-of-a-kind game

Another major surprise for me. Easily my GOTY. I enjoyed, but sometimes was annoyed during my time with Divinity II, where that game felt redundant. While it took some getting used to the new combat of BG3, I realized how addicting and oddly replayable this game became. I had went through the first Act in 4 different playthroughs. My 4th official playthrough ends up being the one where I complete the game. My Druid, Quan-Chi (yes, named after the Mortal Kombat character), had the perfect set up to dominate the game, but can realistically end the story on either scenario. This game not only succeeds in being a true DnD video game, not only does it make appreciate DnD even more, but it reminded me why I can enjoy playing a turn-based RPG that isn't just Pokemon. I even played some of this in bed, on my Steam Deck, even though I knew mouse-keyboard was the best way to play. Best part, I am not even done with this game, as I am currently under my multiplayer session, potentially more, and maybe start a new file to end the game as lawfully-good as possible (basically Anti-Absolute). A bigger surprise for GOTY over Elden Ring, but for those that enjoy DnD or RPGs can enjoy this on your own or with friends

Very surprised how much more I enjoyed this. Definitely better than the original as I thought that threw too many enemies at once for it. Also, maybe either I got used to Ada's voice direction in the DLC, but I thought she was better here than the main game. More screen time with sexy man Luis Sera. Some unanswered questions brought to our attention since the game came out, like where was the 2nd Verdugo monster from Leon's campaign. Content that was originally scrapped in the remake was brought back here which I was happy about, along with new content not even seen in the original RE4. Probably my favorite DLC in an RE game, although not as visually striking as Shadows of Rose or a love-letter to survival horror like Lost in Nightmares. However, I was reminded why Resident Evil 4 Remake was my GOTY, the game just feels soo fun to play. Unfortunately, even with the DLC, it will be dethroned as my GOTY because of a certain RPG last month.

This was so conflicting of a game for me that's released this year. I have already marked the Resident Evil 4 Remake as my GOTY as of this review, it may remain that way (Baldur's Gat3 is a bigger contender). TOTK is a sequel that fixed the main issues I had with BOTW: much better dungeon design, shrines that are a little more diverse in challenge, and there are actually caves to explore in the overworld (something not many people pointed out). The new abilities are also better implemented, especially the Fuse ability. Combining materials to make new weapons reduces the lack of weapon durability, at least in a small margin. The Sages that you save, while useful, really distracted if you have them available on the field.
However, 50 hours in (which was how long it took me to beat BOTW), I was exhausted. Open-worlded out after playing this, and Elden Ring, now Starfield is coming soon, I wanted it to end, which is not a good lasting impression I want to have for any game, especially a Zelda game. Hyrule Castle helped push forward a bit, it was an amazing dungeon once again. However, the last 'gloomy' trek towards the final boss, on top of dealing with an enemy gauntlet, and no way of saving my progress after that gauntlet, caused me to grind more for another hour, when I thought I was ending it.
I can't blame the game for tiring me out, yet it felt too familiar to BOTW in some instances. It felt like I didn't put down its predecessor to begin with. At the end, I would still say it's better than BOTW, mostly because I find little reason to go back. TOTK has a larger world that I preferred exploring in regards to the Sky and Underground. Next time I would play this, it would just be to explore more. But now, I kinda want the Zelda franchise to take a break from this Open-World style, and go back to traditional Zelda progression for their next NEW game, but better.