celentinia
2018
I remember picking up this game after seeing it in a GMTK video. Great visual style and kept me hooked for long enough to see the game through. Honestly most of these points are for the visual style alone because I don't remember much else. It was fun to explore, though.
2012
I remember playing this shit on miniclip lmfao
Got bored of it pretty quick but I was also a shitty 12 year old at the time so
Got bored of it pretty quick but I was also a shitty 12 year old at the time so
2021
environmental storytelling goes crazy
fun little game with really satisfying sound design. A common criticism is that it's too expensive for what it is. I disagree because this game is very lovingly crafted and there's so much detail crammed into every inch of this game. Perhaps it isn't a very wide puddle, or even a particularly deep one, but it's a sight nonetheless. It gives you pause; it has you tilting your head this way and that way as you observe your reflection.
Something something I'm willing to pay more for games that are shorter and made in sustainable timeframes something someting
fun little game with really satisfying sound design. A common criticism is that it's too expensive for what it is. I disagree because this game is very lovingly crafted and there's so much detail crammed into every inch of this game. Perhaps it isn't a very wide puddle, or even a particularly deep one, but it's a sight nonetheless. It gives you pause; it has you tilting your head this way and that way as you observe your reflection.
Something something I'm willing to pay more for games that are shorter and made in sustainable timeframes something someting
2018
Honestly, I don't think I remember too much about this game. I remember fleeting emotions, especially one of sadness at the end, but not much else.
Surprisingly, I don't find that to be a detriment to this game. Gris definitely feels like "art as video games", and if art is meant to make you feel something, then this game did that in spades. Although the details beyond fuzzy memories of beautiful art and weird shape based silhouettes, the way it made me feel remains.
I do remember that the game's vairous stages is representative of the stages of grief, and with the last stage being acceptance, I think the way this game has left my memory is perfectly symbolic of that.
Or maybe this game was just forgettable.
Who knows!
Surprisingly, I don't find that to be a detriment to this game. Gris definitely feels like "art as video games", and if art is meant to make you feel something, then this game did that in spades. Although the details beyond fuzzy memories of beautiful art and weird shape based silhouettes, the way it made me feel remains.
I do remember that the game's vairous stages is representative of the stages of grief, and with the last stage being acceptance, I think the way this game has left my memory is perfectly symbolic of that.
Or maybe this game was just forgettable.
Who knows!
2009
modding scene in this game is crazy
what other game has you screaming about kana from kobayashi dragonmaid and feeling dread in your bones when you hear 24-hour cinderella start playing
what other game has you screaming about kana from kobayashi dragonmaid and feeling dread in your bones when you hear 24-hour cinderella start playing
I spent an absurd number of hours in this game. The world is stunning and truly feels lived in by wildlife. Exploring the map and getting lost in it was a point of frustration at times, but once you properly wrap your head around it, it is really rewarding. Kinda makes you feel like a proper monster hunter. Y'know. Heh. Maybe even a. Monster Hunter... World.
Anyways.
Bows in games can be in an awkward spot sometimes. In some games, they'll feel clunky and awkward to control, while in others they'll feel to floaty and lacking in impact. In World, the bow definitely leans a bit towards the weighty/clunky, but there's just enough mobility to feel satisfying instead of restrictive. The whole bobbing and weaving of attacking/dodging during bow dancing is suuuuuuuuuuuper satisfying. It's like ultra instinct when you really get in the groove of it.
Also, I picked up the horn mostly as a meme but got really invested in playing with it. Tickles the part of my brain that likes to go clug but also likes to assist my party. Playing those stamina/health boost songs and mixing in occasional heals to keep my party up and attacking is very rewarding indeed.
Fuck the pickle though. I have trauma from fighting that damn thing.
Anyways.
Bows in games can be in an awkward spot sometimes. In some games, they'll feel clunky and awkward to control, while in others they'll feel to floaty and lacking in impact. In World, the bow definitely leans a bit towards the weighty/clunky, but there's just enough mobility to feel satisfying instead of restrictive. The whole bobbing and weaving of attacking/dodging during bow dancing is suuuuuuuuuuuper satisfying. It's like ultra instinct when you really get in the groove of it.
Also, I picked up the horn mostly as a meme but got really invested in playing with it. Tickles the part of my brain that likes to go clug but also likes to assist my party. Playing those stamina/health boost songs and mixing in occasional heals to keep my party up and attacking is very rewarding indeed.
Fuck the pickle though. I have trauma from fighting that damn thing.
2021
I'LL NEVER FORGIVE CAPCOM FOR THE WAY THEY KNEECAPPED THE HORN AND FOR CHANGING THE FLOW OF THE BOW'S COMBOS
in all seriousness, while part of me enjoys the fluidity and increased mobility of the combat in this game, a part of my misses the grounded feeling of world... you could argue that world was clunky, and for hunting horn I'd agree. But to me, the inherent challenge was juggling DPS on that weapon and paying attention to buffs -- each swing was heavy and carried with it so much impact that everything felt very deliberate. Landing a successful combo and stunning the monster was incredibly satisfying!
Here though, it feels completely different. Not a bad different, but still different. Maybe I don't want to breakdance with a hunting horn. I don't know. I had a lot of fun with the silkbug and the bow though. That aerial move is pretty fun.
(The game doesn't have Legiana though and therefore it is a 0/10.)
in all seriousness, while part of me enjoys the fluidity and increased mobility of the combat in this game, a part of my misses the grounded feeling of world... you could argue that world was clunky, and for hunting horn I'd agree. But to me, the inherent challenge was juggling DPS on that weapon and paying attention to buffs -- each swing was heavy and carried with it so much impact that everything felt very deliberate. Landing a successful combo and stunning the monster was incredibly satisfying!
Here though, it feels completely different. Not a bad different, but still different. Maybe I don't want to breakdance with a hunting horn. I don't know. I had a lot of fun with the silkbug and the bow though. That aerial move is pretty fun.
(The game doesn't have Legiana though and therefore it is a 0/10.)
2012
What a fucking game. It was definitely a lot darker and grittier than the other pieces of media I was consuming at the time, but man if it wasn't utterly captivating.
I think I can attribute my understanding of my own struggles with mental health to Susan, actually. She begins the game in a horrid state: cynical and depressed. Life has dealt her shitty hand after shitty hand and she is all the more bitter for it. As she encounters the absolute worst that humanity has to offer, it'd be easy for her to spiral even deeper into her cynicism.
But this doesn't happen. Quite the opposite, in fact. And it's in that juxtaposition between grimdark and the very human interactions between Mitzi and Susan, as well as all the minor NPCs that Susan helps along the way that Susan's character really shines. Why is it that so many of us continue living on even when life seemingly does everything it can to ruin us?
For Susan (and for me, as I eventually grew to understand) it's the few relationships we cherish that gave her hope. She wants to help people. She wants to be a positive force in people's lives so that they don't have to suffer as she did. And that is a sentiment that deeply resonated with me.
Great game with a distinct, and stunning visual style that hasn't left me nearly a decade later.
I think I can attribute my understanding of my own struggles with mental health to Susan, actually. She begins the game in a horrid state: cynical and depressed. Life has dealt her shitty hand after shitty hand and she is all the more bitter for it. As she encounters the absolute worst that humanity has to offer, it'd be easy for her to spiral even deeper into her cynicism.
But this doesn't happen. Quite the opposite, in fact. And it's in that juxtaposition between grimdark and the very human interactions between Mitzi and Susan, as well as all the minor NPCs that Susan helps along the way that Susan's character really shines. Why is it that so many of us continue living on even when life seemingly does everything it can to ruin us?
For Susan (and for me, as I eventually grew to understand) it's the few relationships we cherish that gave her hope. She wants to help people. She wants to be a positive force in people's lives so that they don't have to suffer as she did. And that is a sentiment that deeply resonated with me.
Great game with a distinct, and stunning visual style that hasn't left me nearly a decade later.
0/10 can't smash Chrom as m!Robin
Had to settle for his daughter instead, smh
Had to settle for his daughter instead, smh
2007
As one of the first video games I've ever played, this game will always hold a special place in my heart. Watching let's plays is one thing (and is what I did for most of my younger years before getting a device able to Run Games properly) but being able to experience the wonder of solving a puzzle and the intrigue of navigating this cold, futuristic environment is incredibly memorable.
I was obsessed with the environmental storytelling at play (which then went on to inspire my absolute love for the Psychonauts series) and the way GLaDOS carries the narrative with her phenomenal writing has cemented her as one of my favourite characters of all time.
I was obsessed with the environmental storytelling at play (which then went on to inspire my absolute love for the Psychonauts series) and the way GLaDOS carries the narrative with her phenomenal writing has cemented her as one of my favourite characters of all time.
2016
Honestly after seeing this game with the overwhelmingly positive status on steam, I kind of expected more from it.
The fact that I don't really remember too much from it is telling. I think the game felt tonally confused to me? I don't know. Like sometimes the smaller, contained narratives between the characters would feel like they're being distracted by the larger plot and vice versa???
When I think about it, this game feels like A Night In the Woods with none of the charm.
The fact that I don't really remember too much from it is telling. I think the game felt tonally confused to me? I don't know. Like sometimes the smaller, contained narratives between the characters would feel like they're being distracted by the larger plot and vice versa???
When I think about it, this game feels like A Night In the Woods with none of the charm.
2013
Complicated feelings about this game, so I won't give it a star rating.
I more than enjoyed the narrative at the time and have yet to experience Part 2, but the inspiration behind the sequel's narrative has retroactively soured my perception about this game.
Regardless, I'm a sucker for the "gruff/stoic dude adopts a child and becomes better for it" trope (Yakuza is one of my favourite game series, after all) so Joel and Ellie's arc was fantastic. The scenes where he saves her still make me emotional to this day...
I more than enjoyed the narrative at the time and have yet to experience Part 2, but the inspiration behind the sequel's narrative has retroactively soured my perception about this game.
Regardless, I'm a sucker for the "gruff/stoic dude adopts a child and becomes better for it" trope (Yakuza is one of my favourite game series, after all) so Joel and Ellie's arc was fantastic. The scenes where he saves her still make me emotional to this day...
2013
I would've given this game a 3 - 3.5 stars prior to playing the first two games, but after playing 1&2 I have to bump this game wayyyyyyy down. The politics of these games have always been confused at best, but at least 1&2 had environment and atmosphere going for it.
This game though? Oh man.
I was young at the time I played this game and couldn't approach the theming of this game with the appropriate level of nuance (especially with regards to its political messaging) it required, but being older and reflecting on it, man did this game fall flat LOL.
This game is enlightened centrism and "both sides" at its finest! By trying to play both sides, it completely eats shit and fails to stand for anything which feels like a pretty big failure for a game that's supposed to be a political satire/critique lol. It doesn't even matter whether or not I agree with the game's politics or not because it doesn't say anything of substance -- there's nothing to agree or disagree with!
Go play Disco Elysium if you're interested in the intersection of political criticism and video games.
This game though? Oh man.
I was young at the time I played this game and couldn't approach the theming of this game with the appropriate level of nuance (especially with regards to its political messaging) it required, but being older and reflecting on it, man did this game fall flat LOL.
This game is enlightened centrism and "both sides" at its finest! By trying to play both sides, it completely eats shit and fails to stand for anything which feels like a pretty big failure for a game that's supposed to be a political satire/critique lol. It doesn't even matter whether or not I agree with the game's politics or not because it doesn't say anything of substance -- there's nothing to agree or disagree with!
Go play Disco Elysium if you're interested in the intersection of political criticism and video games.
2016
this game didn't click for me until I gave it a go in multiplayer and then hoo boy was it satisfying as hell to micromanage the shit out of your farm and rake in that sweet, sweet cash.
This game is great at tickling the (concerned) ape part of my brain that likes when number go up.
Maru best girl, fuck Pierre and Clint.
This game is great at tickling the (concerned) ape part of my brain that likes when number go up.
Maru best girl, fuck Pierre and Clint.
1990
Honestly, this game is hard as balls LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Also I'm pretty sure I've only played dubious flash recreations of this game... not my fault I literally didn't exist when this game came out.
Not gonna give it a star rating though because the legacy of this game is absolutely bonkers and I feel like it's more of an idea than it is a game at this point lol. Also, how do you even judge a game that's so rudimentary???? Idk, 3 stars I guess.
Also I'm pretty sure I've only played dubious flash recreations of this game... not my fault I literally didn't exist when this game came out.
Not gonna give it a star rating though because the legacy of this game is absolutely bonkers and I feel like it's more of an idea than it is a game at this point lol. Also, how do you even judge a game that's so rudimentary???? Idk, 3 stars I guess.