Siriocaz
2004
Pretty easy game, maybe its most significant flaw. The lack of a timer certainly removes the strategic component that the original Pikmin barely had (since it's not too difficult, either). The introduction of stuff like the purple Pikmin and the spicy spray exacerbate this problem even further, and the former trivializes most enemy encounters and makes the other Pikmin types more situational, a problem that was more or less fixed with the rebranding of the type as the rock Pikmin. Still, purple Pikmin are not mandatory besides for carrying certain treasures and escaping the first cave, so there's that. Don't use them if you don't like them.
Beyond that, Pikmin 2 is a really solid sequel, and the aforementioned issues can make up for cozier playthroughs. The cave systems allow the enemy roster to be even larger, and that is, in my opinion, the game's biggest achievement, it gives you a greater and more convincing impression that you're on an alien planet for the protagonist instead of more 'videogamey' situations the original and 3 put you upfront.
I believe this game also has the most interesting characterization that has appeared in any Nintendo game. It's simple and it's all text provided by the daily logs and Piklopedia, but it's also all about Olimar and his mundane preoccupations and interests. It's a sort of protagonist that is not common at all in Nintendo games.
The music is another department where the game shines, and it especially the caves a more atmospheric feeling.
Pikmin 1 and 2 are also best played on the Wii, I might add, the controls are perfect for them.
Beyond that, Pikmin 2 is a really solid sequel, and the aforementioned issues can make up for cozier playthroughs. The cave systems allow the enemy roster to be even larger, and that is, in my opinion, the game's biggest achievement, it gives you a greater and more convincing impression that you're on an alien planet for the protagonist instead of more 'videogamey' situations the original and 3 put you upfront.
I believe this game also has the most interesting characterization that has appeared in any Nintendo game. It's simple and it's all text provided by the daily logs and Piklopedia, but it's also all about Olimar and his mundane preoccupations and interests. It's a sort of protagonist that is not common at all in Nintendo games.
The music is another department where the game shines, and it especially the caves a more atmospheric feeling.
Pikmin 1 and 2 are also best played on the Wii, I might add, the controls are perfect for them.
2021
With sublime visuals, tight and exquisite controls (yeah), this is, honestly, the most exciting Metroid game to play. Level design is just as expected and actually doesn't do much more than Fusion did so long ago, but... just controlling Samus is quite an experience that captivates you to the very end.
Additionally, while there are plenty of Metroidvania sidescrollers with robust visuals just as Dread (Ori, Hollow Knight), very few dare to push the production values so high, as the zoomings and over the top action scenes exemplify; the game isn't afraid from showing everything it has to offer up close, a sign that tells you that the devs could probably pass this as a rudimentary modern 3D action game if they wanted.
Additionally, while there are plenty of Metroidvania sidescrollers with robust visuals just as Dread (Ori, Hollow Knight), very few dare to push the production values so high, as the zoomings and over the top action scenes exemplify; the game isn't afraid from showing everything it has to offer up close, a sign that tells you that the devs could probably pass this as a rudimentary modern 3D action game if they wanted.
This isn't a very thought-out game, but I love it for that reason.
The combat's intricacies (most important part of X) aren't too deep but, since this game doesn't like to explain little details too much, if you didn't catch something, you're bound to lag behind, but thankfully, it isn't too difficult. Healing is scarce and ineffective, anyway, since tough enemies can knock you out in a few hits (or one), so your options are stacking up the damage or tanking everything, or ideally, a combination or the two. I could say getting one of the mechas (called Skells) that appears on the cover, but as it turns out, they require too much investment and, in actuality, it's easier and more fun upgrading the MC for ground combat. If you know what you're doing, surpassing the greatest challenges is relatively easy (back in the game's heyday, there were people who managed to defeat the strongest enemy with barebones equipment), but if you don't or want something more specific, rest assured you'll have to grind.
And that's pretty much what comes down to. If you want this game's meat, you have to farm. A lot. But if you do, oh... This game offers the craziest shenanigans I've ever seen in an RPG.
Anything else, though, well... it's a mixed bag, hit or miss. Story is boring, characters are often expressionless, the audio is badly mixed, there are awkward dialogues everywhere... But there are plenty of good side quests, a lot of them, in fact; X doesn't disappoint in that regard.
World exploration is where this game really excels. Even though interactivity is very lacking (enemies don't have collision detection, for instance), the vistas and the vastness of the world are phenomenal. Encountering enemies that knock you over only to defeat them later is part of the fun, so expect plenty of game overs.
I recommend a guide if you want to really dive in. The game is very flawed but it's got a lot to admire, too.
The combat's intricacies (most important part of X) aren't too deep but, since this game doesn't like to explain little details too much, if you didn't catch something, you're bound to lag behind, but thankfully, it isn't too difficult. Healing is scarce and ineffective, anyway, since tough enemies can knock you out in a few hits (or one), so your options are stacking up the damage or tanking everything, or ideally, a combination or the two. I could say getting one of the mechas (called Skells) that appears on the cover, but as it turns out, they require too much investment and, in actuality, it's easier and more fun upgrading the MC for ground combat. If you know what you're doing, surpassing the greatest challenges is relatively easy (back in the game's heyday, there were people who managed to defeat the strongest enemy with barebones equipment), but if you don't or want something more specific, rest assured you'll have to grind.
And that's pretty much what comes down to. If you want this game's meat, you have to farm. A lot. But if you do, oh... This game offers the craziest shenanigans I've ever seen in an RPG.
Anything else, though, well... it's a mixed bag, hit or miss. Story is boring, characters are often expressionless, the audio is badly mixed, there are awkward dialogues everywhere... But there are plenty of good side quests, a lot of them, in fact; X doesn't disappoint in that regard.
World exploration is where this game really excels. Even though interactivity is very lacking (enemies don't have collision detection, for instance), the vistas and the vastness of the world are phenomenal. Encountering enemies that knock you over only to defeat them later is part of the fun, so expect plenty of game overs.
I recommend a guide if you want to really dive in. The game is very flawed but it's got a lot to admire, too.
2021
Pretty fun RPG, that's the best description I can give. Fun and sometimes challenging combat, incredibly beautiful animations and solid character progression. Whether you want to become a god or struggle with hard battles, this game's got you covered (although there's level scaling, so you can't really do low level runs that easily, for example). A pretty big annoyance I have is that, once you unlock the perk that grants you the ability to stack up demons' EXP, negotiating with demons on the overworld becomes an afterthought. You can still talk to them for the lulz and such, but there's no real reason why you should recruit them if you have the option to make a stronger version in the World of Shadows (place where you can create demons on your own).
Story feels tiny and a mere afterthought. The supposed dramatic and climatic moments don't really hit because the game never really builds up to them. There are also a few exposition showers here and there, so yeah, it's all over the place. If you're a SMT fan, though, well, it's got stuff that can probably wow you.
Story feels tiny and a mere afterthought. The supposed dramatic and climatic moments don't really hit because the game never really builds up to them. There are also a few exposition showers here and there, so yeah, it's all over the place. If you're a SMT fan, though, well, it's got stuff that can probably wow you.
Only game where just walking around feels glorious, that sums it up. It sometimes gets boring, particularly when you're wandering in Hebra, Gerudo (and its mountains) and Eldin, but otherwise, the amount of striking visuals and Link's super responsive movements make this Zelda a game to remember.
2013
Best Super Mario game, hands down. It's far from being the most ambitious, but that plays in its favor because the levels are gorgeous, straightforward and feature great variety. You also have catchy music (Bowser's themes, tho) and a chaotic multiplayer mode. It's true that the camera is all over the place, but the fun I had in Christmas 2013 with my cousins was completely unparalleled, no other game has really brought me that much excitement and hilarity when playing with others.
2019
Forgettable setting and visuals, characters, story, gameplay and cumbersome controls. One of Platinum's most forgettable games up to its release, if anything, haven't thought much of it since I finished it back in the day, and clearly I didn't bother S+ ranking all stages (why not Platinum medals?). It's not a bad game at all, however, I sat down and somewhat mastered what I could and was entertaining.
I completed all four routes, ~450 hours if I'm not mistaken, so, in that sense, you can bet it's got a lot of repetitiveness and very mundane tasks that you can complete quickly to keep progressing. It's very easy (hard in the beginning of Maddening, but manageable later on), too. Furthermore, allowing everything to reach level 99 is silly because you're never going to reach such heights, and, as a result, it's not very balanced.
With those things in mind, though, it's an excellent time sink and especially so if you don't mind god modes or self-imposed challenges. I would also argue that the cast suffers compared to previous ones in the series because everyone allied to you (Byleth and his/her little ghost) is very sympathetic to you, but it's still very likeable and there are a few standouts. I liked farming a lot to make everyone OP. When you're finished, it's so satisfying seeing everyone blasting everything in no time.
With those things in mind, though, it's an excellent time sink and especially so if you don't mind god modes or self-imposed challenges. I would also argue that the cast suffers compared to previous ones in the series because everyone allied to you (Byleth and his/her little ghost) is very sympathetic to you, but it's still very likeable and there are a few standouts. I liked farming a lot to make everyone OP. When you're finished, it's so satisfying seeing everyone blasting everything in no time.
Any game with OPified dinosaurs must be automatically good in my book, and in this one you can fight them with melee combat! I would've melted had I played Ys VIII as a child.
But really, this game is amazing. It shows its age and intended hardware, but it was also
definitely built with the intention of making a fairly humble yet massively epic RPG of old. The combat follows rather simple mechanics but it just works, as Todd Howard would say. You dodge, parry and mash the attack button in the correspondent window. Not much to it, but this is maintained fresh until the very end.
There are no super big areas to explore, they're rather big corridors with some big circles to run around in-between, but they nonetheless feel dense and well-packed.
There are plenty of activities that keep you engaged, and the story has multiple sections with variations in the gameplay to let you breath a little and give you variety. In other games, these extra thingies often fall flat and you'd rather just return to the main game, but I'd say they work well enough here.
Only thing I can say against Ys VIII is that the narrative doesn't do it for me. Still, some characters are very likeable and I liked the voice acting.
But really, this game is amazing. It shows its age and intended hardware, but it was also
definitely built with the intention of making a fairly humble yet massively epic RPG of old. The combat follows rather simple mechanics but it just works, as Todd Howard would say. You dodge, parry and mash the attack button in the correspondent window. Not much to it, but this is maintained fresh until the very end.
There are no super big areas to explore, they're rather big corridors with some big circles to run around in-between, but they nonetheless feel dense and well-packed.
There are plenty of activities that keep you engaged, and the story has multiple sections with variations in the gameplay to let you breath a little and give you variety. In other games, these extra thingies often fall flat and you'd rather just return to the main game, but I'd say they work well enough here.
Only thing I can say against Ys VIII is that the narrative doesn't do it for me. Still, some characters are very likeable and I liked the voice acting.
2013
This remains my most anticipated game ever and it was... alright. It's a fairly serviceable entry but I don't think it lives up to the GameCube games. One way I can put it is that, while the original put you in an alien planet, 3 puts you in a garden, if that makes sense: it's less epic, less mysterious, less wondrous, but it still works, just not the progression one would've expected after a 9-year hiatus.
Biggest change that I find questionable is the music. Music consists of MIDI files in the GameCube games, whereas 3 uses orchestrated pieces. To me, the former compositions always sound foreign and mischievous, mysterious, whereas the music in 3 sounds cutesy in my ears. It's a drastic change in tonality.
On the gameplay side, as usual, everything is solid, I especially like the inclusion of micromanaging with the interactivity of the minimap; it's good for speedrunning and particularly makes mission mode a lot of fun. Pikmin mechanics work as usual, with the exception that the guiding whistle is gone, and I missed it. As a substitute, you can now lock on things and charge all your squad against them, but sometimes you just want to move a few Pikmin around or put to work just a few. Now it's a little more cumbersome to do this. Further, the equivalent of the C-Stick on Wii U and Nintendo Switch, predictably, now controls the camera, but you can't control neither the camera speed (and it's rather slow) nor the vertical orientation. So, yeah, controls could've been perfect on this one. Speaking of which, I liked the implementation they used for the Wii U, which allows you to launch Pikmin with the Gamepad screen. This feature didn't make it in Deluxe, though. Otherwise, Wiimote + Nunchuck is still the best combo.
There are other missing things as well, namely enemy variety and overall numbers, an area where 2 excelled at. The latter managed to give you the feeling that you were exploring a wild area in the perspective of the protgonists, but 3 gives you very few mobs, which indicates you that they're videogamey obstacles more than anything. I was specifically disappointed when I realized there was only one spotty bulbear in the whole campaign, for example.
The Piklopedia was missing in the Wii U release, and the Deluxe implementation is just barebones compared to 2's, which was a great source for humor, character development and worldbulding. There really isn't a replacement for these in 3.
More than anything, what disappointed me the most is that 3 tried way too much to be like the first game, instead of continue expanding the legacy of the first two games. This time the ship doesn't break apart but you still have to collect the main component in order to escape the planet. Four areas again with the same themes and of similar size, with a final one where the final boss is, who also holds the most important item. A welcome change, to be fair, is that bosses distance from the typical behavior they tend to have in the first two games, they're big, faster, can get out of screen, they have set pieces and you can't escape from them (with one exception), which makes them more similar to classic Nintendo bosses than Pikmin ones. Not enough to break the whole typicality, though.
In the end, you know which games are alsl third entries in their series, too? Super Mario Bros. 3, A Link to the Past, Super Metroid... And sadly, Pikmin 3 isn't the definitive Pikmin experience, still waiting for that... Have been waiting almost 9 years again, in fact.
Biggest change that I find questionable is the music. Music consists of MIDI files in the GameCube games, whereas 3 uses orchestrated pieces. To me, the former compositions always sound foreign and mischievous, mysterious, whereas the music in 3 sounds cutesy in my ears. It's a drastic change in tonality.
On the gameplay side, as usual, everything is solid, I especially like the inclusion of micromanaging with the interactivity of the minimap; it's good for speedrunning and particularly makes mission mode a lot of fun. Pikmin mechanics work as usual, with the exception that the guiding whistle is gone, and I missed it. As a substitute, you can now lock on things and charge all your squad against them, but sometimes you just want to move a few Pikmin around or put to work just a few. Now it's a little more cumbersome to do this. Further, the equivalent of the C-Stick on Wii U and Nintendo Switch, predictably, now controls the camera, but you can't control neither the camera speed (and it's rather slow) nor the vertical orientation. So, yeah, controls could've been perfect on this one. Speaking of which, I liked the implementation they used for the Wii U, which allows you to launch Pikmin with the Gamepad screen. This feature didn't make it in Deluxe, though. Otherwise, Wiimote + Nunchuck is still the best combo.
There are other missing things as well, namely enemy variety and overall numbers, an area where 2 excelled at. The latter managed to give you the feeling that you were exploring a wild area in the perspective of the protgonists, but 3 gives you very few mobs, which indicates you that they're videogamey obstacles more than anything. I was specifically disappointed when I realized there was only one spotty bulbear in the whole campaign, for example.
The Piklopedia was missing in the Wii U release, and the Deluxe implementation is just barebones compared to 2's, which was a great source for humor, character development and worldbulding. There really isn't a replacement for these in 3.
More than anything, what disappointed me the most is that 3 tried way too much to be like the first game, instead of continue expanding the legacy of the first two games. This time the ship doesn't break apart but you still have to collect the main component in order to escape the planet. Four areas again with the same themes and of similar size, with a final one where the final boss is, who also holds the most important item. A welcome change, to be fair, is that bosses distance from the typical behavior they tend to have in the first two games, they're big, faster, can get out of screen, they have set pieces and you can't escape from them (with one exception), which makes them more similar to classic Nintendo bosses than Pikmin ones. Not enough to break the whole typicality, though.
In the end, you know which games are alsl third entries in their series, too? Super Mario Bros. 3, A Link to the Past, Super Metroid... And sadly, Pikmin 3 isn't the definitive Pikmin experience, still waiting for that... Have been waiting almost 9 years again, in fact.
2009
Bayatetas. This game is way over the top but it's pure old Platinum gloriousness. It's simple but very hard depending on the difficulty. Gracious and Glorious still give me nightmares to this day, but other than that, the shenanigans you can make in this thing once you master the combat is unparalleled.
2014
Nowhere near as challenging as the first game, but because the animations and movements are so smooth, this a whole joy to play nonetheless. Compared to the first Bayo, it also has beautiful vistas and set pieces.
This game has it everything to keep you immersed for hundreds of hours, it has convincing dialogues and deliveries, interesting storylines, nice pacing in both main and secondary missions, and huge areas to explore. It also comes with a free RPG component, which isn't exactly its forte but it's good enough. Combat can get clunky occasionally, meaning that enemies sometimes get stuck somewhere or you suffer that same problem.
One thing I noticed is that respawns either are rare, are conditional or they don't exist, so if you plan to fight enemies (thr things that mostly disappear), that's not an option.
One thing I noticed is that respawns either are rare, are conditional or they don't exist, so if you plan to fight enemies (thr things that mostly disappear), that's not an option.
Motion controls are great, you can't tell me otherwise, dudes. What isn't great is the constant hand-holding and platforming game-like stages, this game's got a rather poor adventurous spirit because of that. I usually dislike desert levels but I like this one's, though, the mechanic of going back in time in Lanayru is cool.
2019
As a practical Lacrimosa of Dana successor, well, it's great, not as great but I was expecting worse, tbh. For starters, the setting, Balduq, just looks barren, flat and totally uninspired. Not like Ys VIII can brag about breathtaking scenaries but, you know, the greenery always looks nice no matter what.
So that was an underwhelming start but something I realized quickly is that this game liked to overstate the village raids' feature welcome way too much. Back in LoD, they were fine as a quick change of pace and something almost entirely optional, but here they repeatedly happen, and I wouldn't necessarily say it's a good thing even though the combat is great as usual. Fighting works great in conjunction with exploration, but when you exclusively fight for a solid 2-3 minutes or more, not so much. It's a drag.
This game also has more proper dungeons than LoD, and their design is not so appealing, I'll be honest.
Besides the aforementioned things, it's got the same qualities of VIII, so it's yet another great time. And to top it off, the great plot twist doesn't come from the game's main storyline, it comes from something more or less related, and for that reason I'm excited for what the devs do next.
But yeah, raids have to go.
So that was an underwhelming start but something I realized quickly is that this game liked to overstate the village raids' feature welcome way too much. Back in LoD, they were fine as a quick change of pace and something almost entirely optional, but here they repeatedly happen, and I wouldn't necessarily say it's a good thing even though the combat is great as usual. Fighting works great in conjunction with exploration, but when you exclusively fight for a solid 2-3 minutes or more, not so much. It's a drag.
This game also has more proper dungeons than LoD, and their design is not so appealing, I'll be honest.
Besides the aforementioned things, it's got the same qualities of VIII, so it's yet another great time. And to top it off, the great plot twist doesn't come from the game's main storyline, it comes from something more or less related, and for that reason I'm excited for what the devs do next.
But yeah, raids have to go.