Terra
2019
A game I have liked to watch more than I liked to play. Still, the creativity of level creators never fail to make me smile.
In many ways, The Foundation is more Control, which is great. It looks incredible, the notes and diaries are still an absolute treasure, and throwing random shit at people still remains fun.
Though after sitting on it for a week I think the Foundation is a bit caught in between. It's trying to be a big time story, asking several intriguing questions of the nature in this world, but being a 5 hour DLC, just as things start to get really interesting it needs to wrap up. Jesse herself i think also awkwardly gets a half character arc that also feels like it wraps up too soon.
Still, its Control right? I love this world, I loved the questions asked and answered, even if there weren't as many as I wanted. There is a side mission in this DLC that is an absolute treat that made me so happy the entire way through. This DLC isn't perfect, but i would be lying if I told you I wouldn't buy short expansions to this game in perpetuity. Because damn, I love Control
Though after sitting on it for a week I think the Foundation is a bit caught in between. It's trying to be a big time story, asking several intriguing questions of the nature in this world, but being a 5 hour DLC, just as things start to get really interesting it needs to wrap up. Jesse herself i think also awkwardly gets a half character arc that also feels like it wraps up too soon.
Still, its Control right? I love this world, I loved the questions asked and answered, even if there weren't as many as I wanted. There is a side mission in this DLC that is an absolute treat that made me so happy the entire way through. This DLC isn't perfect, but i would be lying if I told you I wouldn't buy short expansions to this game in perpetuity. Because damn, I love Control
If you like Celeste or 3D platformers you should take the hour to play this, short and cute little game.
2023
Every single year a game or two comes out of less than nowhere and blindsides you. I had literally never heard of this game 3 days ago, and now I have not only played it all, but consider it one of the best games i've played in 2023. A beautiful low poly platformer, with the smoothest movement i've played in years. It also is extremely short and sweet, just a perfect way to spend an evening or two
2023
In a better world this is just a 10 hour co-op shooter that goes onto be a cult classic. This isn’t that world. Not saying this game isn’t fun, I’ve had a blast! But as the case goes for every live service game that isn’t immediately the biggest game in the world, this is destined for a shutdown in a year and permanent spot on social media threads titled “What dead online game did you think was cool?” I like this game, but it really deserved so much better. Maybe in the next universe.
2020
A game that surprised me in how sharply it was written, which made it a little disappointed in how wobbly it gets at the end of the game. I did like how mature it was, in terms of character and subject matter though.
It was my first Picross game though, and I liked it! It occupied the same headspace as something like Sudoku or a good crossword.
It was my first Picross game though, and I liked it! It occupied the same headspace as something like Sudoku or a good crossword.
Pinball physics sometimes got fiddly, and that was frustrating, but the game is adorable and full of good vibes. It also is short and sweet in the best way, and it manages to pack a lot of trekking in a few hours. This is a good one.
1994
For a game rapidly coming up on its 3rd decade of existence, the amount of template setting for modern 2D games is simply marvelous. The controls are starting to show age, but the experience is a classic, as you wind through a tightly paced, claustrophobic enviroment, finding new tools and vanquishing harder foes. A pioneer.
2011
Awful One Star Game that i can honestly say i kinda had a blast with?? Not particularly engaging combat system, bad story, but yet, if you blast through it on co-op, laughing at the horrendous cinematography and terrible dialog, you can have a lot of fun. Was tempted to give it 3 stars but it's way too long for a bad game. But if you want to have a laugh with a friend, you can do worse honestly.
A brilliant end to a brilliant set of games. Punchy, shorter levels give this game a very distinct feeling compared to the rest, and Joustus really grew on me, but remains optional if it isn't your thing.
Through this game I realized how much I love the silly, heartfelt Shovel Knight world and characters. I never want to leave this world, its lighthearted melodrama, its chill vibes. A great capstone.
Through this game I realized how much I love the silly, heartfelt Shovel Knight world and characters. I never want to leave this world, its lighthearted melodrama, its chill vibes. A great capstone.
2019
Blasphemous doesn't ever really do anything poorly, but it doesn't really stand out in any meaningful way in its genre. Some good art and music, some solid flavor and lore, and gameplay that bounces between exciting and rote. If you like Metroidvanias, this is probably worth your 12 hours, but its not going to jump off the page for you.
2020
I don't think I've played a game more prescient and pointed in a long time. Umurangi has so much to say, about fascism, art, apocalypses, the overwhelming sense of doom and the tiny tiny joys within, and does it all wordlessly and powerfully. As a mediocre creative myself, the photography is a good reminder to take joy in the things you make with your friends, but also a firm hand to point out that it alone will not save anyone.
The Macro DLC especially hits hard, replicating a feeling that i've had all too much these days, Its melancholic doom worn away revealing a white hot rage beneath. Umurangi Generation is Angry about the world, and so am I.
The Macro DLC especially hits hard, replicating a feeling that i've had all too much these days, Its melancholic doom worn away revealing a white hot rage beneath. Umurangi Generation is Angry about the world, and so am I.
2012
Halo 4 as a game, was a game whose badness was dramatically oversold to me by people. Which doesn't mean this game is good! Its probably the worst Halo, a painfully mediocre shooter with a terrible story. But I don't find it completely out of line with the rest of the series, which is damming of my opinion of Halo as a whole. Halo 4 isn't the worst modern shooter, but unless you have a burning desire to play through the entire franchise like I have had, its not even remotely close to worth your time.
This game plays smooth and is technically gorgeous, but there is just something... missing that i can't put my finger on. Maybe it's the modern Nintendo House Style UI/Overworld, or maybe it's that the game is a little too committed to showing you bespoke technical marvels that it can't find it's mechanical complexity for very long? I had a good time genuinely, but I get the distinct feeling this could have been an all timer game, it just isn't for me, and I still don't understand why.
Hauntingly beautiful/sad/determined/angry/grieving/hopeful.