TheBluejay
2020
Review #3 - 2020
https://globalgamejam.org/2020/games/wet-robot-dreams-1
If it weren't for Vinesauce, I never would have experienced this strange little gem of a thing. My stream audience was not prepared for this, and I sprung it on them without any warning. I opened the stream with a black screen, that faded into a scene featuring only the chat on the left, and the game on the right. The background remained dark. The attention was on them.
The game opens asking for your name. Unbeknownst to chat, they start suggesting names, some suggesting their own names as tribute. I, the silent player of this spectacle, randomly chose a name, and entered it into the prompt. Once the name was entered, the chat member I chose immediately began to regret showing up that day, as the text-to-speech eyes and mouth began speaking to them, asking them bizarre questions that would ultimately lead to a scene so risqué and bizarre, that I dare not spoil that here. You should experience this for yourself. Be sure to use your real name, traveler.
https://globalgamejam.org/2020/games/wet-robot-dreams-1
If it weren't for Vinesauce, I never would have experienced this strange little gem of a thing. My stream audience was not prepared for this, and I sprung it on them without any warning. I opened the stream with a black screen, that faded into a scene featuring only the chat on the left, and the game on the right. The background remained dark. The attention was on them.
The game opens asking for your name. Unbeknownst to chat, they start suggesting names, some suggesting their own names as tribute. I, the silent player of this spectacle, randomly chose a name, and entered it into the prompt. Once the name was entered, the chat member I chose immediately began to regret showing up that day, as the text-to-speech eyes and mouth began speaking to them, asking them bizarre questions that would ultimately lead to a scene so risqué and bizarre, that I dare not spoil that here. You should experience this for yourself. Be sure to use your real name, traveler.
Review #4 - 2020
First, a preface. Me and my wife were first introduced to the "Animal Crossing" series with "New Leaf" back in 2017. We IMMEDIATLY fell in love, playing the game nearly every day. It had so much to look forward to each day, and when a new season would arrive, so many surprises awaited you. It was perfect. My favorite thing to do were the Public Works Projects, where villagers would suggest something for you to put in your village, like a new statue or something silly like a giant shoe sculpture. If someone asked for it, I'd commission it right away, setting it up with their specially assigned fruit tree as a sign they commissioned it (I would plant fruits next to each home based on their personalities). We eventually fell off from playing the game daily due to life things, but we still did our best to visit our villages at least once a week.
Jump to 2020, the year of the global pandemic. Nintendo drops their new "Animal Crossing" game titled, "New Horizons", and we bought it immediately, as did many other lucky Switch users who were able to snag a copy. This game came at a perfect time, when the world was shrouded in death and uncertainty, and for many, including for me and my wife, this game was a light in our world, bringing people together in a beautiful way.
Yet, players hit a wall. For some, it hadn't been 6 months yet, and already players were getting bored and starting to move on. The lack of replayability of this game was beginning to rear its ugly head, and people began to see the flaws. It came at a perfect moment in time, but time indeed flies, and with a game like this having no real end game, it needs to thrive on its ability to keep you hooked even beyond the credits screen, and unfortunately, that just wasn't happening.
I bring up "New Leaf", because I feel that game had everything ready to go for you. It had all the content you'd unlock as time went by, and it was paced well enough in order to keep you coming back for more. Sure, you could play for hours, but eventually, you'd have to put it down and wait for another day to see what surprises were to arrive next. "New Horizons" had an illusion of fullness, but we soon found it was lacking many features that previous titles had, and though Nintendo eventually tried to remedy this with future DLC, it still wasn't enough to get people to stick around, including myself. People were completing things easily in a day, and with nothing more to come other than the usual seasonal things, players were already burnt out.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my time with this game, and I do pick it up from time to time, but that spark that got me hyped to boot it up each day, went by a lot faster compared to the well paced experience of "New Leaf". That, and the crafting system is an absolute chore to deal with.
To end on a more positive note, this game has brought joy to a lot of people, myself included, and it has introduced people to not only the series, but video games in general. They play this game for the first time, and fall in love with it the way me and my wife fell in love with "New Leaf". I may not find the same spark I felt with "New Leaf" when I play this title, but I can always go back to the one that started it all for us. Even though this may have been a disappointment to me, I really am glad that for many, this game is a light in their world, and even with its flaws, that's something worth counting.
First, a preface. Me and my wife were first introduced to the "Animal Crossing" series with "New Leaf" back in 2017. We IMMEDIATLY fell in love, playing the game nearly every day. It had so much to look forward to each day, and when a new season would arrive, so many surprises awaited you. It was perfect. My favorite thing to do were the Public Works Projects, where villagers would suggest something for you to put in your village, like a new statue or something silly like a giant shoe sculpture. If someone asked for it, I'd commission it right away, setting it up with their specially assigned fruit tree as a sign they commissioned it (I would plant fruits next to each home based on their personalities). We eventually fell off from playing the game daily due to life things, but we still did our best to visit our villages at least once a week.
Jump to 2020, the year of the global pandemic. Nintendo drops their new "Animal Crossing" game titled, "New Horizons", and we bought it immediately, as did many other lucky Switch users who were able to snag a copy. This game came at a perfect time, when the world was shrouded in death and uncertainty, and for many, including for me and my wife, this game was a light in our world, bringing people together in a beautiful way.
Yet, players hit a wall. For some, it hadn't been 6 months yet, and already players were getting bored and starting to move on. The lack of replayability of this game was beginning to rear its ugly head, and people began to see the flaws. It came at a perfect moment in time, but time indeed flies, and with a game like this having no real end game, it needs to thrive on its ability to keep you hooked even beyond the credits screen, and unfortunately, that just wasn't happening.
I bring up "New Leaf", because I feel that game had everything ready to go for you. It had all the content you'd unlock as time went by, and it was paced well enough in order to keep you coming back for more. Sure, you could play for hours, but eventually, you'd have to put it down and wait for another day to see what surprises were to arrive next. "New Horizons" had an illusion of fullness, but we soon found it was lacking many features that previous titles had, and though Nintendo eventually tried to remedy this with future DLC, it still wasn't enough to get people to stick around, including myself. People were completing things easily in a day, and with nothing more to come other than the usual seasonal things, players were already burnt out.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my time with this game, and I do pick it up from time to time, but that spark that got me hyped to boot it up each day, went by a lot faster compared to the well paced experience of "New Leaf". That, and the crafting system is an absolute chore to deal with.
To end on a more positive note, this game has brought joy to a lot of people, myself included, and it has introduced people to not only the series, but video games in general. They play this game for the first time, and fall in love with it the way me and my wife fell in love with "New Leaf". I may not find the same spark I felt with "New Leaf" when I play this title, but I can always go back to the one that started it all for us. Even though this may have been a disappointment to me, I really am glad that for many, this game is a light in their world, and even with its flaws, that's something worth counting.
2002
Bluejay's Choice Review #3 - 2020
This is a game I remember seeing print ads for in gaming magazines back in the day. It always intrigued me as a child, but it wouldn't be until 2020 in the middle of a quarantine, that I'd finally take a dive into this blood filled mess of a PS2 classic.
The controls and graphics are clunky, which is to be expected, but can still be frustrating. Despite that, there are still some really cool moments that left me breathless. Combat is over the top as you cut, slice, and shoot your way through hoards of enemies. It's easy to get power hungry and want to take out multiple enemies in one go, but if you're not careful, your health will deplete quickly as you get pelted by an onslaught of bullets, which is a win in my book. It makes you want to dive into combat, which when done right, can be extremely satisfying when you clear a room.
I had a good time with this game, up until near the end when I got absolutely stuck fighting a boss because I didn't have enough ammo to take it out. It was a blunder on my part, using up ammo in a previous room against soldiers when I could have just ignored them before the big fight. I only had the one save, so I shelved it out of disappointment. I'll give this game a proper revisit someday soon.
This is a game I remember seeing print ads for in gaming magazines back in the day. It always intrigued me as a child, but it wouldn't be until 2020 in the middle of a quarantine, that I'd finally take a dive into this blood filled mess of a PS2 classic.
The controls and graphics are clunky, which is to be expected, but can still be frustrating. Despite that, there are still some really cool moments that left me breathless. Combat is over the top as you cut, slice, and shoot your way through hoards of enemies. It's easy to get power hungry and want to take out multiple enemies in one go, but if you're not careful, your health will deplete quickly as you get pelted by an onslaught of bullets, which is a win in my book. It makes you want to dive into combat, which when done right, can be extremely satisfying when you clear a room.
I had a good time with this game, up until near the end when I got absolutely stuck fighting a boss because I didn't have enough ammo to take it out. It was a blunder on my part, using up ammo in a previous room against soldiers when I could have just ignored them before the big fight. I only had the one save, so I shelved it out of disappointment. I'll give this game a proper revisit someday soon.
2013
Bluejay's Choice Review #4 - 2020
http://www.sakevisual.com/yousei/
The 3rd installment of the "Jisei" murder mystery series, and it's got a lot going on. I have vague memories of this one being really intense, with more of a focus on the conflict behind your character and his powers as opposed to the actual murder mystery itself, which isn't really a detriment, but I do remember having to go through a guide to unlock all the endings in order to find an important detail that would lead me to the "true" ending, even though I managed to solve who the murderer was, which I found to be a bit frustrating.
It has been long enough now that if I do another playthrough of this trilogy, I'll have forgotten the solutions, so I can play again with a fresh start. My memory could be fooling me, so I'd love to revisit this series, and give a proper up to date review to see if I simply did it wrong my first playthrough. They are working on the 4th title, "Shinsei", which is slated to release sometime this year in 2022, so I may revisit these soon.
http://www.sakevisual.com/yousei/
The 3rd installment of the "Jisei" murder mystery series, and it's got a lot going on. I have vague memories of this one being really intense, with more of a focus on the conflict behind your character and his powers as opposed to the actual murder mystery itself, which isn't really a detriment, but I do remember having to go through a guide to unlock all the endings in order to find an important detail that would lead me to the "true" ending, even though I managed to solve who the murderer was, which I found to be a bit frustrating.
It has been long enough now that if I do another playthrough of this trilogy, I'll have forgotten the solutions, so I can play again with a fresh start. My memory could be fooling me, so I'd love to revisit this series, and give a proper up to date review to see if I simply did it wrong my first playthrough. They are working on the 4th title, "Shinsei", which is slated to release sometime this year in 2022, so I may revisit these soon.
2016
Review #5 - 2020
I'm a bit of a masochist when it comes to throwing my self into games without playing easier difficulties. I've always been that way. Never liked playing games without being able to drop into a harder difficulty. I love the trial by fire. I love having to figure it out for myself with as little as help as possible. It gives me a sense of adventure, a sense of achievement, a sense that I can overcome any challenge with sheer willpower. "Dark Souls" is a game that has been made for people like me, and I can't believe it has taken me this long to discover it.
It not only provides the challenge I crave, but also the lore as well. I love deep diving into a game's backstories and mythologies on down time between battles, and "Dark Souls" absolutely checks that box. Notice I'm describing this title as "Dark Souls" only. That's because this 3rd entry is my first experience with this series. I can't say too much more considering I'm still playing through this on my own time outside of the streams, but all in all, I'm loving it thus far, and now, I'm intrigued to experience more FromSoftware titles, and soulslikes in general. I hope to return to this review with even more in depth thoughts in the future.
I'm a bit of a masochist when it comes to throwing my self into games without playing easier difficulties. I've always been that way. Never liked playing games without being able to drop into a harder difficulty. I love the trial by fire. I love having to figure it out for myself with as little as help as possible. It gives me a sense of adventure, a sense of achievement, a sense that I can overcome any challenge with sheer willpower. "Dark Souls" is a game that has been made for people like me, and I can't believe it has taken me this long to discover it.
It not only provides the challenge I crave, but also the lore as well. I love deep diving into a game's backstories and mythologies on down time between battles, and "Dark Souls" absolutely checks that box. Notice I'm describing this title as "Dark Souls" only. That's because this 3rd entry is my first experience with this series. I can't say too much more considering I'm still playing through this on my own time outside of the streams, but all in all, I'm loving it thus far, and now, I'm intrigued to experience more FromSoftware titles, and soulslikes in general. I hope to return to this review with even more in depth thoughts in the future.
1995
Review #6 - 2020
https://www.activeworlds.com/
Can you imagine what VR Chat would be like abandoned? It's hard to think about given how massively popular it is, and I'm sure the individuals who thrived in this game back in its heyday couldn't imagine that either. "Active Worlds" was the first of its kind, originally named "WebWorld" when it started in 1994, and later changed to the current title a year later. The internet officially hit the mainstream in 1995, but even with it being a commercial hit, many websites and communities remained niche, with "Active Worlds" being one of those treasure troves where you could meet others, and explore a world curated by the developers and players alike.
It's still up and running to this day.
Albeit abandoned, there's still a few players roaming around. A friend of mine who once experienced this game back when it was thriving, gave me a tour and had many stories to tell regarding a lot of the different areas. It was incredibly surreal.
"Active Worlds" is a internet history landmark for being one of the first online communities in the form of a game such as this, and yet, not many know of it. If you're curious, download it now, and explore it for yourself. Witness a piece of internet history, still there waiting to be rediscovered and appreciated.
https://www.activeworlds.com/
Can you imagine what VR Chat would be like abandoned? It's hard to think about given how massively popular it is, and I'm sure the individuals who thrived in this game back in its heyday couldn't imagine that either. "Active Worlds" was the first of its kind, originally named "WebWorld" when it started in 1994, and later changed to the current title a year later. The internet officially hit the mainstream in 1995, but even with it being a commercial hit, many websites and communities remained niche, with "Active Worlds" being one of those treasure troves where you could meet others, and explore a world curated by the developers and players alike.
It's still up and running to this day.
Albeit abandoned, there's still a few players roaming around. A friend of mine who once experienced this game back when it was thriving, gave me a tour and had many stories to tell regarding a lot of the different areas. It was incredibly surreal.
"Active Worlds" is a internet history landmark for being one of the first online communities in the form of a game such as this, and yet, not many know of it. If you're curious, download it now, and explore it for yourself. Witness a piece of internet history, still there waiting to be rediscovered and appreciated.
Review #7 - 2020
One of the many games that came with your PC back in the 1990s that has stood the test of time. Many remember it, and many, really don't know how to play it, but hey, this updated version has a brilliant tutorial, so there's really no excuse now! Once you learn how to play this classic PC puzzler, you'll feel like a real boss taking on harder difficulties. It even includes a cute little adventure mode, adding a creative twist to the simple gameplay. It's free to download, so why don't you relive it? Maybe even learn it this time around. I did, and I'm now addicted and not randomly clicking squares hoping for the best.
One of the many games that came with your PC back in the 1990s that has stood the test of time. Many remember it, and many, really don't know how to play it, but hey, this updated version has a brilliant tutorial, so there's really no excuse now! Once you learn how to play this classic PC puzzler, you'll feel like a real boss taking on harder difficulties. It even includes a cute little adventure mode, adding a creative twist to the simple gameplay. It's free to download, so why don't you relive it? Maybe even learn it this time around. I did, and I'm now addicted and not randomly clicking squares hoping for the best.
2016
Review #8 - 2020
My thoughts on this game are similar to how I feel about "Rainbow Six Siege". Great with friends, horrible by yourself. Players get salty if they're losing and dropout, and sometimes players will throw a game out of sheer boredom. Very obnoxious. The game itself is fun for a little while, but eventually the gameplay loop of turning on generators in order to get the door open gets old, and even with a terrifying killer coming after you, the adrenaline starts to wear off, and you start to get well, bored. It stinks because I love the idea of a game that brings all the most iconic killers from various film and game franchises all in one place. The "Silent Hill" collaboration was a great surprise, and got me interested in the game again for a bit, but at this point, it's something I play with friends whenever a rare invite comes my way, and that's about it.
My thoughts on this game are similar to how I feel about "Rainbow Six Siege". Great with friends, horrible by yourself. Players get salty if they're losing and dropout, and sometimes players will throw a game out of sheer boredom. Very obnoxious. The game itself is fun for a little while, but eventually the gameplay loop of turning on generators in order to get the door open gets old, and even with a terrifying killer coming after you, the adrenaline starts to wear off, and you start to get well, bored. It stinks because I love the idea of a game that brings all the most iconic killers from various film and game franchises all in one place. The "Silent Hill" collaboration was a great surprise, and got me interested in the game again for a bit, but at this point, it's something I play with friends whenever a rare invite comes my way, and that's about it.
Review #9 - 2020
Didn't really get super far due to emulation of this game not really being the best, but from what I can tell, it's a pretty good movie tie-in game, with a full story mode filled with side quests and mini games starring your favorite claymation duo, with Peter Sallis taking on his titular role (which is nice since some movie tie-ins end up hiring sound alikes).
Didn't really get super far due to emulation of this game not really being the best, but from what I can tell, it's a pretty good movie tie-in game, with a full story mode filled with side quests and mini games starring your favorite claymation duo, with Peter Sallis taking on his titular role (which is nice since some movie tie-ins end up hiring sound alikes).
1996
Review #10 - 2020
https://www.snoodworld.com/snood-game/snood/
The classic puzzler you found on many a PC back in the day, "Snood" is one of those experiences that once you start, it'll be hard to put it down. Its simple gameplay and design makes it accessible to players looking for a quick coffee break puzzler, and is great for players looking for a real challenge. It's always good to have a game you can pick up and play on a whim, and "Snood" is one of those that should be in your library of time passing titles, right there with "Minesweeper" and "Pocket Tanks".
https://www.snoodworld.com/snood-game/snood/
The classic puzzler you found on many a PC back in the day, "Snood" is one of those experiences that once you start, it'll be hard to put it down. Its simple gameplay and design makes it accessible to players looking for a quick coffee break puzzler, and is great for players looking for a real challenge. It's always good to have a game you can pick up and play on a whim, and "Snood" is one of those that should be in your library of time passing titles, right there with "Minesweeper" and "Pocket Tanks".
2017
Review #11 - 2020
I enjoy the heck out of "Minecraft", but I often wished I had some sort of goal. Maybe a set of quests I could embark on. Something to do. My imagination isn't as big as it used to be, so playing "Minecraft" on my own time can be tough. "Portal Knights" remedies that for me. The replayability isn't very strong as "Minecraft", but it's a fun playthrough, especially with friends. It's a game that riffs off of the "Minecraft" formula, and gives it an action adventure twist. You start in a World 1 area, and progress to the other worlds by doing quests and finding resources in that world to unlock more portals to other worlds. There are bosses to fight, and secrets to find as you fight, mine, and travel your way across these realms. It's a wholesome little game, that's even greater with a 4 stack of friends. Also there are pets. Gloriously cute pets (I adventure with a duck).
I enjoy the heck out of "Minecraft", but I often wished I had some sort of goal. Maybe a set of quests I could embark on. Something to do. My imagination isn't as big as it used to be, so playing "Minecraft" on my own time can be tough. "Portal Knights" remedies that for me. The replayability isn't very strong as "Minecraft", but it's a fun playthrough, especially with friends. It's a game that riffs off of the "Minecraft" formula, and gives it an action adventure twist. You start in a World 1 area, and progress to the other worlds by doing quests and finding resources in that world to unlock more portals to other worlds. There are bosses to fight, and secrets to find as you fight, mine, and travel your way across these realms. It's a wholesome little game, that's even greater with a 4 stack of friends. Also there are pets. Gloriously cute pets (I adventure with a duck).
Review #12 - 2020
A battle royale for old men like me (I'm 28 lol). Simple and to the point. Land, get gun, shoot, easy. I'm not all that big on games like "Call of Duty", but having something I can pick up and play with my friends that's fast paced and intense (and free), is right up my alley. Such a great time, and even more enthralling when you pull off a win.
A battle royale for old men like me (I'm 28 lol). Simple and to the point. Land, get gun, shoot, easy. I'm not all that big on games like "Call of Duty", but having something I can pick up and play with my friends that's fast paced and intense (and free), is right up my alley. Such a great time, and even more enthralling when you pull off a win.
2015
Review #13 - 2020
Totally surreal. "Hylics" is a turn based RPG that takes place in a world that seems to be made of clay or some other organic material. The characters and creatures are a cacophony of shapes and ideas. The music is strange and spacious, often dissonant, and sometimes quite groovy. I like to describe it as a more psychedelic "Earthbound", with Klasky Csupo looking designs that lean more on the side of deranged. I absolutely adore this game.
Totally surreal. "Hylics" is a turn based RPG that takes place in a world that seems to be made of clay or some other organic material. The characters and creatures are a cacophony of shapes and ideas. The music is strange and spacious, often dissonant, and sometimes quite groovy. I like to describe it as a more psychedelic "Earthbound", with Klasky Csupo looking designs that lean more on the side of deranged. I absolutely adore this game.
1998
Bluejay's Choice Review #5 - 2020
One of the first video games I ever played as a child, and it still stands the test of time as one of the best 3D platformers out there. It has a total of 9 diverse and exciting lands to explore, each filled to the brim with collectibles to gather and progress with. It's colorful, playful, and full of character. Toss in Grant Kirkhope's knack for writing ear worms, and you'll find that "Banjo-Kazooie" is a fun, unforgettable game that's just as wonderful as it was when it dropped in 1998.
One of the first video games I ever played as a child, and it still stands the test of time as one of the best 3D platformers out there. It has a total of 9 diverse and exciting lands to explore, each filled to the brim with collectibles to gather and progress with. It's colorful, playful, and full of character. Toss in Grant Kirkhope's knack for writing ear worms, and you'll find that "Banjo-Kazooie" is a fun, unforgettable game that's just as wonderful as it was when it dropped in 1998.
2014
Review #14 - 2020
The collision of two major puzzle titles creatively meshed together not only in gameplay, but widly, in a story as well. It's one of those combinations that seems like a no brainer, and seeing it brought to life in a way that's wonderfully polished and delightfully fun makes this game a must have for your collection. Great as a solo game to scratch your Tetris or Puyo itch, as well as great if you want to add a story line to your puzzle playthrough. And as always, enthralling when played with friends! This is a quintessential Puyo and Tetris experience.
The collision of two major puzzle titles creatively meshed together not only in gameplay, but widly, in a story as well. It's one of those combinations that seems like a no brainer, and seeing it brought to life in a way that's wonderfully polished and delightfully fun makes this game a must have for your collection. Great as a solo game to scratch your Tetris or Puyo itch, as well as great if you want to add a story line to your puzzle playthrough. And as always, enthralling when played with friends! This is a quintessential Puyo and Tetris experience.