The most mechanically dynamic combat in all of Xenosaga (rather ironic given that A.G.W.S. combat feels like an afterthought), designed to be quite exploitable on both ends. Excellent introduction to its complex universe, if a bit bloated with cutscenes, and intriguing set-up for what's to come in future episodes, especially Episode III.

They managed to simultaneously overcomplicate and oversimplify almost everything related to gameplay, and yet nothing comes close to as reprehensible as the warp to Shion's characterisation. Nevertheless, it might be a worthwile endeavour just for the chance to witness first-hand how the U.R.T.V.s' characters unfold. Can't say the same for unlocking the unexpectedly compelling post-game, although I did so all the same (I completed it save for the 3 secret bosses I didn't know about at the time).

If you're looking for the pay-off and pain Episode I promised, this game delivers in spades by piecing most of its prequels' unresolved narrative threads together, should you look past the rush. Shion thankfully returns to form as a character, reclaiming the spotlight. The database alleviates the availability issue of the spin-off games. As for the combat, it streamlines its precursors while retaining a sense of deliberateness. This saga got me into Nietzsche and Jung for what it's worth.

The story is just as poignant as its sequel's, if not better suited to this kind of premise, with a simple yet engaging gameplay loop (including basic resource management) and a fantastic OST to complement it. This was the first game I personally owned and it has appreciably informed my taste in video games. My save data was damaged out of the blue when I was on the second-to-last main story dungeon and I haven't touched it since.

The way this game basks in the Pokémon fever it set off makes it the most Pokémon Pokémon game, and consequently one of the most remarkable in my eyes. Pokémon as the game formula we know wasn't meant to be but what the first 2 gens brought to life.

Most adequately faithful adaptation of 2D Mario level design to 3D, built with multiplayer in mind to boot (which is how I played it in full). Moreover, it boasts a superb OST, my favourite among those of Mario games without a shadow of a doubt.

I signed Neymar before it was cool

I speedran this game

The effect of DI alone makes this game's decision making more rewarding than that of any other official Smash game (granted, not that impressive a feat). Balance works out this time around, almost half the cast is viable to some degree and playstyles tend to differ greatly between characters. L-cancelling sucks though, dash-dancing cavils aside, it and planking are my biggest gripes with this game competitively speaking, so I'm glad they removed the former and deterred the latter in Project +.

This game felt more Smash Ultimate than Smash Ultimate and it still does, even when back in the day I didn't know the extent to which that would turn out to influence me. On top of that, I was fascinated by the stage builder. "Haaaaiii!"

I got the Phione but gave up on getting the Mew halfway through the process so most of my Pearl Pokémon have been stuck inside this WiiWare game for the past 12 years

White noise. This Metroidvania was so waywardly gargantuan the backtracking loop was often stretched past its breaking point, which made exploration feel like a chore (to the point that I shelved it for a whole year), even with the smart map mechanic and some sporadic sharp sequences. I find the combat pleasantly clear-cut, whereas the traversal of its infectious nest pales in comparison to that of finer honed games. Whet your blade too thin and its edge won't surface a nail, but a needle.

I'll take Hornet's second fight over Nightmare King Grimm every day of the week

The first half or so of Hoenn is pretty great, the rest of the game just doesn't do it for me. Gen 3 is the best when it comes to Pokédex and we got new Megas, that's something. By far the Pokémon game I've put the least hours into.

In casual play, there's barely any situation in which you would rather be controlling anyone not named Dixie. Other than that, it's an absoltuely sensationally crafted 2D platformer on all fronts. Playing co-op all but calls for a radically different course of action, it's good fun but not in the snappy way singleplayer Donkey Kong Country is. I'd like to pick it back up and 100% it one day.