SilasP
2001
I wasn't sure what to expect out of Pikmin, and my first few 'days' in game worried me, once I got the hang of it, this game was so much fun!
Crash landing on an alien planet, Captain Olimar makes an unlikely bond with a race of creatures known as Pikmin, who help the player complete puzzles and fight enemies in order to retrieve all the lost parts of his ship to get back home.
While I'm not a massive fan of time limit games, I felt like the time given for each level was fair and was always a good challenge to restrategise if a day was failed.
The world building in this game is incredible, full of character and the gameplay extremely rewarding.
Very excited to play the sequels in the future
Crash landing on an alien planet, Captain Olimar makes an unlikely bond with a race of creatures known as Pikmin, who help the player complete puzzles and fight enemies in order to retrieve all the lost parts of his ship to get back home.
While I'm not a massive fan of time limit games, I felt like the time given for each level was fair and was always a good challenge to restrategise if a day was failed.
The world building in this game is incredible, full of character and the gameplay extremely rewarding.
Very excited to play the sequels in the future
Considering this is a 3D platformer from '99, I really wasn't expecting much and if anything was ready to give it a good go before giving up
Instead I got one of the most unexpected joyful games I've played in a while! While the original Rayman clearly had a world in mind, it was plagued with old 2D platformer tropes that felt uninspired. This world was clearly created for the 3D and has fared far better to time.
While the game isn't perfect, with camera issues and not-so-stellar combat, the levels and variety of gameplay more than makes up for it. I never felt like the game was repeating itself, the minimum collectible requirements for each level weren't high at all, all topped with the perfect length of the game (7ish hours) made for a fun retro experience.
I've got to mention though, without spoilers, if I failed the boss fight once or twice more I might have dropped this rating - introducing a new, disorienting mechanic to be the main part of the final fight is a very odd choice
Instead I got one of the most unexpected joyful games I've played in a while! While the original Rayman clearly had a world in mind, it was plagued with old 2D platformer tropes that felt uninspired. This world was clearly created for the 3D and has fared far better to time.
While the game isn't perfect, with camera issues and not-so-stellar combat, the levels and variety of gameplay more than makes up for it. I never felt like the game was repeating itself, the minimum collectible requirements for each level weren't high at all, all topped with the perfect length of the game (7ish hours) made for a fun retro experience.
I've got to mention though, without spoilers, if I failed the boss fight once or twice more I might have dropped this rating - introducing a new, disorienting mechanic to be the main part of the final fight is a very odd choice
1985
Played on Switch
This game is really hard to rare, but I'm going to try and avoid my bias as someone that loves the mario series
While this is a platformer from the mid 80s, this game holds up pretty well today. However, where the game struggles (like hitboxes / rng movement), makes losing EXTREMELY frustrating - especially with the life system where, if you lose, you have to go back to the beginning.
Saying this, if you are already proficient at platforming, the majority of the game is pretty easy. I'd say the main challenges come from world 7 and ESPECIALLY world 8. I reckon 75% of my time spent playing this game was in the last few levels. But the difficulty made winning the game that much more gratifying.
The game is colourful, music is decent but repetitive, sound effects are OK.
Just glad to be done with it
This game is really hard to rare, but I'm going to try and avoid my bias as someone that loves the mario series
While this is a platformer from the mid 80s, this game holds up pretty well today. However, where the game struggles (like hitboxes / rng movement), makes losing EXTREMELY frustrating - especially with the life system where, if you lose, you have to go back to the beginning.
Saying this, if you are already proficient at platforming, the majority of the game is pretty easy. I'd say the main challenges come from world 7 and ESPECIALLY world 8. I reckon 75% of my time spent playing this game was in the last few levels. But the difficulty made winning the game that much more gratifying.
The game is colourful, music is decent but repetitive, sound effects are OK.
Just glad to be done with it
Played on Switch
Played "coop" with a friend. I denote coop with speechmarks because I would no longer consider this coop. This form of playing is the equivalent of only having one controller and taking turns when your friend dies, except for some reason you need 2 controlllers.
A great followup to DKC with a bunch of unique levels that seem to focus on unique mechanics / mechanics used uniquely per level.
I feel I struggle to say much different about this compared to the original as it feels basically like DLC rather than something totally new. But then again, they didn't get DKC wrong so why would they change too much?
The music, art, sfx are all Rare at their peak. The gameplay is Rare at their most evil as this is one of, if not the hardest Nintendo platformers I've ever played while still being a ton of fun.
Played "coop" with a friend. I denote coop with speechmarks because I would no longer consider this coop. This form of playing is the equivalent of only having one controller and taking turns when your friend dies, except for some reason you need 2 controlllers.
A great followup to DKC with a bunch of unique levels that seem to focus on unique mechanics / mechanics used uniquely per level.
I feel I struggle to say much different about this compared to the original as it feels basically like DLC rather than something totally new. But then again, they didn't get DKC wrong so why would they change too much?
The music, art, sfx are all Rare at their peak. The gameplay is Rare at their most evil as this is one of, if not the hardest Nintendo platformers I've ever played while still being a ton of fun.
As someone who'd never touched a fire Emblem game, or really even knew what they were about - I was blown away!
The art style, the addictive combat + strategies, the characters, story, music... damn.
My main qualms with the game lie with how if you're new to the series and lose people early game (post tutorial), it really screws you in the late game with no chance of recovering.
I'm really looking forward to playing whatever next one I decide on though, especially now I have an understanding of the mechanics!
The art style, the addictive combat + strategies, the characters, story, music... damn.
My main qualms with the game lie with how if you're new to the series and lose people early game (post tutorial), it really screws you in the late game with no chance of recovering.
I'm really looking forward to playing whatever next one I decide on though, especially now I have an understanding of the mechanics!
What a lovely little game!
While I haven't played the original, I can't help but feel that they've perfectly captured the whimsy and charm from the original in this cute little puzzle adventure game that has it's usual Zelda mechanics along with some more unique (to the series) mechanics, such as 2D platforming.
The animated intro + outro are the icing on the cake for this delightful game.
I recommend this to anyone that looking to put 10-20 hours into a game that will test your mind and skills without it being too stressful or taking itself too seriously
While I haven't played the original, I can't help but feel that they've perfectly captured the whimsy and charm from the original in this cute little puzzle adventure game that has it's usual Zelda mechanics along with some more unique (to the series) mechanics, such as 2D platforming.
The animated intro + outro are the icing on the cake for this delightful game.
I recommend this to anyone that looking to put 10-20 hours into a game that will test your mind and skills without it being too stressful or taking itself too seriously
2017
A vibrant, fun remake of a Playstation classic.
The gameplay, while simple, is a good challenge in some parts, but randomly extremely easy in others. I could tear through 3-4 levels and then be stuck on 1 part of 1 for ages.
My main gripe with this game is the lack of a need for full 3d for many levels, partial 3d would have worked much better and having it be full didn't add anything but confusion for some. Also the hit/hurtboxes were very odd.
Other than that, the colours, music, sound design, voice acting, animations and art style made this game a pleasure to play, as a must play for platformer fans.
The gameplay, while simple, is a good challenge in some parts, but randomly extremely easy in others. I could tear through 3-4 levels and then be stuck on 1 part of 1 for ages.
My main gripe with this game is the lack of a need for full 3d for many levels, partial 3d would have worked much better and having it be full didn't add anything but confusion for some. Also the hit/hurtboxes were very odd.
Other than that, the colours, music, sound design, voice acting, animations and art style made this game a pleasure to play, as a must play for platformer fans.
2018
Fun remaster, looking forward to playing the next. Would write more but forgot to review for 7 months!
1992
Played on Switch
It's obvious after playing this game why Mario Kart became such a hit. It's also pretty amazing how similar this game has stayed in it's 31 years of iterations, a testament to how solid the idea+execution was in the first place.
The music, art, gameplay are all very fun and especially unique in the SNES era. This is one of the best uses of the Mode 7 graphics system to simulate a pseudo-3D experience.
After all these years though, there are some parts of the game that are truly frustrating. The CPUs are essentially their own beast in this game who often have TAS level responses when it comes to dodging obstacles, paired with an unlimited supply of items that makes racing them truly a nightmare on some maps. The sound of the kart engines racing near/past you are grinding on the ears (luckily not included in 2P). And the game is just generally pretty difficult to control, especially with the lack of a brake/reverse button. Also while the Mode 7 graphics are great for it's time, most obstacles are essentially 2D and only really visible within a couple seconds of running into them, which can be pretty annoying.
Overall I was pleased with the first entry into this incredible series, but I'm certainly glad I can move onto something a bit more modern.
It's obvious after playing this game why Mario Kart became such a hit. It's also pretty amazing how similar this game has stayed in it's 31 years of iterations, a testament to how solid the idea+execution was in the first place.
The music, art, gameplay are all very fun and especially unique in the SNES era. This is one of the best uses of the Mode 7 graphics system to simulate a pseudo-3D experience.
After all these years though, there are some parts of the game that are truly frustrating. The CPUs are essentially their own beast in this game who often have TAS level responses when it comes to dodging obstacles, paired with an unlimited supply of items that makes racing them truly a nightmare on some maps. The sound of the kart engines racing near/past you are grinding on the ears (luckily not included in 2P). And the game is just generally pretty difficult to control, especially with the lack of a brake/reverse button. Also while the Mode 7 graphics are great for it's time, most obstacles are essentially 2D and only really visible within a couple seconds of running into them, which can be pretty annoying.
Overall I was pleased with the first entry into this incredible series, but I'm certainly glad I can move onto something a bit more modern.
The freshest mainline pokemon game to come out in years (and by years, I mean since the originals). As a lifetime avid Pokémon fan I'm so glad they FINALLY did something new, and GOOD. The gameplay is something Pokémon fans have dreamed about for over 20 years. However, the graphics are horribly lacking and the story is preeeetty meh. I really hope that the Pokémon company does the GOOD thing for the franchise for once and not just for the money: Take a few years at least and make the best Pokémon game of all time.
1994
Played on Switch (not an option)
What a game! An incredible platformer that may not add anything new to the genre (even in '94) but makes up for that and more with it's super smooth movement, incredible art and BANGING music.
Playing this game with a friend is a guaranteed fun time, especially when emulated on a console like the Switch.
My only gripe is the control scheme on the pro controller, I wish they'd add an option to remap the buttons for the SNES games on Switch.
What a game! An incredible platformer that may not add anything new to the genre (even in '94) but makes up for that and more with it's super smooth movement, incredible art and BANGING music.
Playing this game with a friend is a guaranteed fun time, especially when emulated on a console like the Switch.
My only gripe is the control scheme on the pro controller, I wish they'd add an option to remap the buttons for the SNES games on Switch.
2020
For a demo, this is one of the best games I've played in a while. Despite being kind of short, it is VERY long for a demo with lots of depth. As a collector of retro games / consoles, this game was a joy to me as I got to go through and collect artifacts from PlayStation's history. The game itself displays beautifully what the system (and controller) are capable of.
2010
Adding Limbo to my list of incredible games that need minimal to no dialogue. Just lets the environment, music, and gameplay speak for itself. Wonderful quick game and definitely will be back to play INSIDE
For the game series renowned for being the 'hardest' good game there is, they made sure it was true by having an insanely high learning curve with little to no direction.
This game is basically unplayable without reading up on guides / mechanics. But maybe I'm just a scrub.
However, a scrub that I may be, I still completed the game. The combat is super satisfying and the enemies are dope as fuck, from the common undead to the big dog with a sword.
Whilst at times I felt like giving up, I can see myself playing through the rest of the series in the future.
This game is basically unplayable without reading up on guides / mechanics. But maybe I'm just a scrub.
However, a scrub that I may be, I still completed the game. The combat is super satisfying and the enemies are dope as fuck, from the common undead to the big dog with a sword.
Whilst at times I felt like giving up, I can see myself playing through the rest of the series in the future.
After reading up on the hitman series and where to start, the general consensus I came to was this game.
I really wish I didn't come to that decision.
This game is buggy af (PC port), terrible controls, generally uninteresting and overall unsatisfying.
Despite being in my list of 101 games/series to complete before I die, I set myself a little rule:
If I'm a solid 10+ hours or a good chunk of the way through a game, I can just skip it. This is sadly the first game that I'll be skipping.
I hope that the next game in the series I play will leave me wanting more.
I really wish I didn't come to that decision.
This game is buggy af (PC port), terrible controls, generally uninteresting and overall unsatisfying.
Despite being in my list of 101 games/series to complete before I die, I set myself a little rule:
If I'm a solid 10+ hours or a good chunk of the way through a game, I can just skip it. This is sadly the first game that I'll be skipping.
I hope that the next game in the series I play will leave me wanting more.