ULF
I occassionally revisit this one since its not a very lengthy game to play for the story and play around in the areas for some of the weird ass minigames. It's a very charming action adventure game with a very B plot styled storyline, a cozy little open world setting to play around with earning medals for clearing dozens of odd achievements, awesome music and a fun combat system, despite being a bit clunky at times.
A few plot thread were even left hanging for a potential sequel, though its too bad the game flopped so hard after all its anticipation during its delayed development that it never happened, with more polish this gameplay formula could've turned into something amazing.
A few plot thread were even left hanging for a potential sequel, though its too bad the game flopped so hard after all its anticipation during its delayed development that it never happened, with more polish this gameplay formula could've turned into something amazing.
Origami King is grand, fun to explore through an open-worldesque structure with events, minigames and collectables. When it comes down to the world design; towns, dungeons and overworld areas it is the cream of the crop accompanied by a sharp narration mostly hilarious and some other times even surprisingly dark, as a true staple to the series Origami King holds no slack in breaking conventions.
Similar to every Paper Mario game released past the series two earliest installments, Origami King again strays from the roots of the original battle system and completely revamps its own, there is no exp or level up.
The incentive for battles is however to get more confetti by defeating enemies for sprinkling out hollowed areas to either advance in dungeons, fill out the completion list or to earn coins for a few expensive collectable trophies again mainly for completion as well as for the small handful of weapon upgrades and accessories to give you some extra time and hp boosts in battle.
The default battles now involves spending 1 turn lining up formations of enemies through a circle grid and using the second round to clear them out with basic attacks being jump, hammer or items with the biggest emphasis being the puzzle aspects while the set of attack options are very limited without any other abilities outside the neutral attacks. The system is simple but also occasionally tricky to solve without using any of the very easily usable assist tools you get throughout, it exists but on the long stretch it doesn't really evolve past what you see from the first battles.
The boss battles each plays out with their own rules and individual designs that sets them apart, they have several phases with increasingly intensifying stakes and are great climactic highlights for the respective story portions.
Trophies,Toads and Invisible Blocks are hidden all over in addition to some rare heart containers or maybe a fire flower or mushroom item. And mostly the completionist tour while not particularily beneficial in much else outside of the completion rate can be pretty enjoyable, except for a few very annoying minigame challenges to fully clear for the extra trophies.
All in all, Origami King is for the most part a good time, it's not the faithful return old veterans would want, the battle system in particular will forever be a divisive factor, though the rest of the game carries the same creativity and wits that has run through most of the franchise.
Similar to every Paper Mario game released past the series two earliest installments, Origami King again strays from the roots of the original battle system and completely revamps its own, there is no exp or level up.
The incentive for battles is however to get more confetti by defeating enemies for sprinkling out hollowed areas to either advance in dungeons, fill out the completion list or to earn coins for a few expensive collectable trophies again mainly for completion as well as for the small handful of weapon upgrades and accessories to give you some extra time and hp boosts in battle.
The default battles now involves spending 1 turn lining up formations of enemies through a circle grid and using the second round to clear them out with basic attacks being jump, hammer or items with the biggest emphasis being the puzzle aspects while the set of attack options are very limited without any other abilities outside the neutral attacks. The system is simple but also occasionally tricky to solve without using any of the very easily usable assist tools you get throughout, it exists but on the long stretch it doesn't really evolve past what you see from the first battles.
The boss battles each plays out with their own rules and individual designs that sets them apart, they have several phases with increasingly intensifying stakes and are great climactic highlights for the respective story portions.
Trophies,Toads and Invisible Blocks are hidden all over in addition to some rare heart containers or maybe a fire flower or mushroom item. And mostly the completionist tour while not particularily beneficial in much else outside of the completion rate can be pretty enjoyable, except for a few very annoying minigame challenges to fully clear for the extra trophies.
All in all, Origami King is for the most part a good time, it's not the faithful return old veterans would want, the battle system in particular will forever be a divisive factor, though the rest of the game carries the same creativity and wits that has run through most of the franchise.
Such a blast of an entry <3 many cherished moments online too with the great community!
There is no other words to shorten it down with Rebirth but calling it grand. Much more combat diversity, vast variation of challenges, free exploration and minigames. So many crazy minigames. The sheer content is staggering, even so if you just want to play for the story, the journey is massive even outside of the sidequests.
Rebirth feels like a proper midgame past Remake expanding everything already introduced, still at the same time being constructed entirely as its own installment, there's as much a prologue, midgame, late game and proper climax here to encompass more than just being a part 2 of 3 games.
The narrative has at its best fun with the moments and at its worst shares similar issues as remake with a few bad beats. What sells the better moments is the tongue in cheek directive supported by the cast of characters so masterfully portrayed through their small character quirks and fun banter interactions, which makes the worse moments really stick out almost like some parts were written by someone completely different and tacked into an otherwise wonderful adaption.
That being said, I found the irks here so minuscule compared to the sublime time I had with Rebirth. 150 hours through and I didn't get wearied out for a second!
Rebirth feels like a proper midgame past Remake expanding everything already introduced, still at the same time being constructed entirely as its own installment, there's as much a prologue, midgame, late game and proper climax here to encompass more than just being a part 2 of 3 games.
The narrative has at its best fun with the moments and at its worst shares similar issues as remake with a few bad beats. What sells the better moments is the tongue in cheek directive supported by the cast of characters so masterfully portrayed through their small character quirks and fun banter interactions, which makes the worse moments really stick out almost like some parts were written by someone completely different and tacked into an otherwise wonderful adaption.
That being said, I found the irks here so minuscule compared to the sublime time I had with Rebirth. 150 hours through and I didn't get wearied out for a second!
Penny's Big Breakaway excels in constant speedy and momentum driven platforming through Penny's flexible yoyo abilities and awesome aerial mobility, seriously the midair controls is so perfect, even the most precise landings never felt unreasonable to pull off.
Each stage also has 3 scattered collectable coins and several challenges with differently timed objectives. The auto camera and overall flow of the game however didn't really add encouragment to stop on a dime to do scavenging, as well as the challenges were just not... fair at times with some extremely strict timers and trial and error wazo designs that even by the first levels felt almost immediately discouraging to deal with.
Personally by the time I decided to ignore the side objectives the more fun I had building up trick points and speeding through the courses.
PBB is a vibrant game with a lot of charm to it with each world carrying their own level gimmicks that never intrudes the game central mechanical flow, however while the game doesnt strive to go beyond its simplistic tube design the level aestetics blends together a bit much, and it honestly added some sense of monotony by the course of the game.
The soundtrack however is a bop that added some extra individual flair per world.
I overall enjoyed PBB and it is an easy revisit for its snappy main course, charm and awesome technical gameplay.
Each stage also has 3 scattered collectable coins and several challenges with differently timed objectives. The auto camera and overall flow of the game however didn't really add encouragment to stop on a dime to do scavenging, as well as the challenges were just not... fair at times with some extremely strict timers and trial and error wazo designs that even by the first levels felt almost immediately discouraging to deal with.
Personally by the time I decided to ignore the side objectives the more fun I had building up trick points and speeding through the courses.
PBB is a vibrant game with a lot of charm to it with each world carrying their own level gimmicks that never intrudes the game central mechanical flow, however while the game doesnt strive to go beyond its simplistic tube design the level aestetics blends together a bit much, and it honestly added some sense of monotony by the course of the game.
The soundtrack however is a bop that added some extra individual flair per world.
I overall enjoyed PBB and it is an easy revisit for its snappy main course, charm and awesome technical gameplay.
This dlc has like the coolest dungeon in the game and a very simple, but decent enough substory. Neat pack of bosses and some banger tunes. A small package but very cool. worthy of the extra admission price.
Yuffie and Sonon are both entertaining leads in this super short and sweet interlude.
2006
Cool core ideas wrecking havoc with nature altering powers and environmental manipulation doesn't save this one from its yawnworthy predictable dullery and weak enemy variety.
2004
Viewtiful Joe 3 is never happening and it's forever sad
2008
This old reboot initial pull lies in its cosmetic pop, strong celshading and appealing designs of our two main characters that makes for a promising premise with their sparkingly sarcastic personalities.
And really while the ingredients are all present here, the saturation often pales in dull monotony and predictability through the progressional structure and repeated use of similar assets, hurting the otherwise stronger merits that precides to engage.
The gameplay overall is fairly challenging but not unforgiving.
The platforming is fun, the puzzles do their job and doesnt overstay their welcome, while the combat is entirely like/dislike depending on whether you like half seconds reactionbased battles with spontanous qte prompt or not.
As long as you can be at peace with a predictable narrative pattern, some drawn out collectaton grinding and recycled everything you might find some good spots worth your precious time.
And really while the ingredients are all present here, the saturation often pales in dull monotony and predictability through the progressional structure and repeated use of similar assets, hurting the otherwise stronger merits that precides to engage.
The gameplay overall is fairly challenging but not unforgiving.
The platforming is fun, the puzzles do their job and doesnt overstay their welcome, while the combat is entirely like/dislike depending on whether you like half seconds reactionbased battles with spontanous qte prompt or not.
As long as you can be at peace with a predictable narrative pattern, some drawn out collectaton grinding and recycled everything you might find some good spots worth your precious time.
2003
An inventive and viewtiful brawler/platformer that is great in replayability with a challenge curve that rewards competence with fun unlockable extra modes to ascend even higher difficulties and some other cool stuff.
Great environments and strong ambience, tons of cool easters, collectibles and moments. You really feel like Batman playing this, swooping around with newfound gadgets, beating goons in brawl out combats or stealth segments all well implemented, while it does get a bit repetitious near the end the later sections gradually builds with some extra hazards and restrictions to further up its difficulty. Only really weak areas are really some missed out opportunities for better bossfights, with only a couple exceptions, and a bit too much backtracking towards the end.
On the whole the experience of travelling around Arkham Asylum finding throwbacks and lore, listening to villains ramble and tease Batman over microphones, solving riddles and being Batman is peak gaming, and even if you're not a Batfan you might find yourself becoming one.
On the whole the experience of travelling around Arkham Asylum finding throwbacks and lore, listening to villains ramble and tease Batman over microphones, solving riddles and being Batman is peak gaming, and even if you're not a Batfan you might find yourself becoming one.
Final Fantasy 8 is a beautiful mess of daring ideas and narrative concepts blended together through an inconsistent execution that stays fascinating for its oddity identity that gradually evokes the game's development constraints the further you get to play it.
The obvious cut of narrative content, occasionally stiff localization/writing and inventive, yet broken battlesystem adds quality imperfection in contrast to Final Fantasy 8's very finest.
Since at its best, Final Fantasy 8 is both compelling and memorable with many cool set pieces, an odd and charmy world to explore, great character moments, fantastic fmvs and finally one OST that will capture your soul.
The obvious cut of narrative content, occasionally stiff localization/writing and inventive, yet broken battlesystem adds quality imperfection in contrast to Final Fantasy 8's very finest.
Since at its best, Final Fantasy 8 is both compelling and memorable with many cool set pieces, an odd and charmy world to explore, great character moments, fantastic fmvs and finally one OST that will capture your soul.
I wouldnt adore this trilogy so much if it weren't for this game.
Two Thrones paves the way to conclude the trilogy, while respecting both of its predecessors by assimilating what is best of both into its own final journey of retrospect and resolve.
Both Sands of Time and Warrior's Within's two opposing tones are mutually captured throughout this game, both gritty and lighthearted in ambience, strong writing and characterisations with banter dialogues and monologues harkening back to Sand of Time, while retaining that dark edge which reflects through the more isolated moments of the game.
Two Thrones progression is in similar fashion as The Sands of Time always directing itself forward to new areas with diverse environments through fantastic level design combining parkour platforming, combat and puzzlesolving into a balanced rythm that flows exceedingly well.
Apart from a few missable life upgrades and some minour jank, this game is one of a kind doing an excellent job in concluding the trilogy.
Two Thrones paves the way to conclude the trilogy, while respecting both of its predecessors by assimilating what is best of both into its own final journey of retrospect and resolve.
Both Sands of Time and Warrior's Within's two opposing tones are mutually captured throughout this game, both gritty and lighthearted in ambience, strong writing and characterisations with banter dialogues and monologues harkening back to Sand of Time, while retaining that dark edge which reflects through the more isolated moments of the game.
Two Thrones progression is in similar fashion as The Sands of Time always directing itself forward to new areas with diverse environments through fantastic level design combining parkour platforming, combat and puzzlesolving into a balanced rythm that flows exceedingly well.
Apart from a few missable life upgrades and some minour jank, this game is one of a kind doing an excellent job in concluding the trilogy.
2019
Shenmue III spans two slow chapters past Ryu's journey through Guilin, with sights and characters to behold constricted by a more modest budget and story direction.
The Bailu chapter hits it fine and plays it slow on the mysteries from the series while adding on a couple more, the chemistry between Ryu and Shenhua is fun and there is a lot of different dialogues to dig up even through several playthroughs, meanwhile Niawou is a majour pitstop doing very little to progress the story, even leaving shenhua almost completely for dust.
Sadly towards the end of the game, the budget final strings starts to show, as there's so much padding through forced backtracking and longwinded requisites right before the finale that almost sinks the ship and when at last the cutscenes while wonderfully displayed appears, go by so fast before the sudden - the story goes on- shamelessly dances on the screen cue credits.
There was intended to be one more area in the game for the climax which apparently was cut, and sadly it does leave a stain on the game,
hopefully if the 4th game ever comes out Shenmue III might get more recognised for being the middle bridge that it is, into whatever Yu Suzuki has in store for his next chapters..
For what it is now, Shenmue III is for its better half a faithful adaption of the prior entries formulaic gameplay despite being more narrow with its line of progression.
Both Bailu and Niawou are beautifully crafted locales with lots to see and a few decent minigames.
The places you visit are filled to the brim with details, throwbacks and fun nudges to all the backers which is definitely the strongest aspect of Shenmue III.
Throughout Shenmue III there are namedrops, models, quotes and pictures to be found of backers that gives the game a very unique touch of care for its community.
It is in benefit for its slow nature a very relaxing game to play with excellent ambience and a great soundtrack mostly remixing or recomposed tracks of songs from prior entries while the few new ones are absolutely earmelting. Helping out locales with sidequests, going fishing, picking up herbs all over the place, searching for hidden choobus or other side activities are all comfort addictions good for weary old bones.
Shenmue III does retain the same spirit as its predecessors, following the core formula faithfully to a tee (outside of the combat), and while budget constraints definitely rears its ugly head, there's still good moments of care and detail within the game with fun and heartwarming discoveries to be made. Just don't expect much more than a stretched out resort trip.
The Bailu chapter hits it fine and plays it slow on the mysteries from the series while adding on a couple more, the chemistry between Ryu and Shenhua is fun and there is a lot of different dialogues to dig up even through several playthroughs, meanwhile Niawou is a majour pitstop doing very little to progress the story, even leaving shenhua almost completely for dust.
Sadly towards the end of the game, the budget final strings starts to show, as there's so much padding through forced backtracking and longwinded requisites right before the finale that almost sinks the ship and when at last the cutscenes while wonderfully displayed appears, go by so fast before the sudden - the story goes on- shamelessly dances on the screen cue credits.
There was intended to be one more area in the game for the climax which apparently was cut, and sadly it does leave a stain on the game,
hopefully if the 4th game ever comes out Shenmue III might get more recognised for being the middle bridge that it is, into whatever Yu Suzuki has in store for his next chapters..
For what it is now, Shenmue III is for its better half a faithful adaption of the prior entries formulaic gameplay despite being more narrow with its line of progression.
Both Bailu and Niawou are beautifully crafted locales with lots to see and a few decent minigames.
The places you visit are filled to the brim with details, throwbacks and fun nudges to all the backers which is definitely the strongest aspect of Shenmue III.
Throughout Shenmue III there are namedrops, models, quotes and pictures to be found of backers that gives the game a very unique touch of care for its community.
It is in benefit for its slow nature a very relaxing game to play with excellent ambience and a great soundtrack mostly remixing or recomposed tracks of songs from prior entries while the few new ones are absolutely earmelting. Helping out locales with sidequests, going fishing, picking up herbs all over the place, searching for hidden choobus or other side activities are all comfort addictions good for weary old bones.
Shenmue III does retain the same spirit as its predecessors, following the core formula faithfully to a tee (outside of the combat), and while budget constraints definitely rears its ugly head, there's still good moments of care and detail within the game with fun and heartwarming discoveries to be made. Just don't expect much more than a stretched out resort trip.