caleb
1990
You haven’t lived until you and your siblings have beaten this thing three times over Thanksgiving break.
This is a rating for Llylgamyn Saga’s Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord specifically: a fantastic aesthetic update and QoL port of one of the most foundational RPGs ever put to screen.
Unfortunately, Wizardry 1 still shows its age in a lot of ways ranging from its early randomness and grind, the cruelty and brutality of its trap and enemy designs, and the general lack of ways to engage with its dungeon encounters beyond killing everything in sight or fleeing for dear life.
But when Wizardry shines, it shines bright and pure—the essence of AD&D dungeon-crawling given video game form.
Unfortunately, Wizardry 1 still shows its age in a lot of ways ranging from its early randomness and grind, the cruelty and brutality of its trap and enemy designs, and the general lack of ways to engage with its dungeon encounters beyond killing everything in sight or fleeing for dear life.
But when Wizardry shines, it shines bright and pure—the essence of AD&D dungeon-crawling given video game form.
1992
Just about as delightful a cute-em-up as I’ve played on the SNES. Co-op really seals the deal.
2017
Ti’zo too good for this world.
If someone who grew up with a DS doesn’t adore the shit out of this game, odds are good they were a lonely only child.
2011
More platformers should have stories. This game rules.
“Arthas, what are you doing, my son?”
“Succeeding you, Father.”
The best RTS campaign every put to computer, packed in with a map editor so good it launched who even knows how many new genres.
“Succeeding you, Father.”
The best RTS campaign every put to computer, packed in with a map editor so good it launched who even knows how many new genres.
2004
This game flip-kicked ass so Sekiro could run.
This review was written before the game released
lol this game is never coming out, who are we kidding
Not much of a story or sense of place or memorable characters to speak of, but A Link to the Past was a very solid trial run before the series really got going with Link’s Awakening.
Ocarina of Time felt like pure magic, once upon a time. If you squint your eyes real hard and play just the first three or four dungeons, it still kinda does.
(Definitely don’t play on an actual N64 though. The game runs like ass. Treat yourself with some good emulation hardware instead.)
(Definitely don’t play on an actual N64 though. The game runs like ass. Treat yourself with some good emulation hardware instead.)
This review was written before the game released
GIMME.
2017
This is the first and only time you will ever hear me say a game was too short.
A cute, charming, funny-in-a-smiling-not-laughing-out-loud-way little linear adventure game that will mostly be of interest to young kids and fans of Link’s Awakening curious to see where its engine developed.
Mechanically, there’s nothing particularly interesting or challenging about Kaeru no Tame. Most of it is an exercise in walking from one cutscene trigger to another, punctuated by trivial platforming sections and periodic automated combat. Occasionally an item exchange is involved, presaging to some extent the trading minigame that serves as a minor side attraction in Link’s Awakening. Talking to an NPC with the correct item is inventory is about the extent of problem-solving Kaeru no Tame demands of a player.
Still, the personality and presentation which would make Link’s Awakening an enduring classic are out on full display here, albeit with an even lighter and goofier tone. It’s hard not to find something to like in this frog-themed children’s story even if there’s not much of a game surrounding it.
Mechanically, there’s nothing particularly interesting or challenging about Kaeru no Tame. Most of it is an exercise in walking from one cutscene trigger to another, punctuated by trivial platforming sections and periodic automated combat. Occasionally an item exchange is involved, presaging to some extent the trading minigame that serves as a minor side attraction in Link’s Awakening. Talking to an NPC with the correct item is inventory is about the extent of problem-solving Kaeru no Tame demands of a player.
Still, the personality and presentation which would make Link’s Awakening an enduring classic are out on full display here, albeit with an even lighter and goofier tone. It’s hard not to find something to like in this frog-themed children’s story even if there’s not much of a game surrounding it.
BT-1 fucking rules.