jtb1995
2022
∓ "Best Aspects/Selling Points”
The art style instantly hooked me in the trailer and the game delivers on it and more. Beautiful & clean environments, adorable characters, and smooth (and informative) animations.
Collecting the instruction manual pages provides for some interesting game mechanics & story reveals. Never really seen anything like that. And solving the logic and puzzles in the overworld & instruction manual make you feel like a genius.
Lofi soundtrack is delightful and is bound to become my background music as I do work.
• "I could take it or leave it"
Difficulty spikes - I don't hate the difficulty of this game but I can absolutely see why it's a common complaint, especially with boss encounters. Standard enemies/combat can be challenging but nothing shocking. But multiple boss encounters took me roughly an hour apiece.
- "Could Use Improvements"
A few too many “Souls” ideas borrowed. I would have like to be able to pause to manage my inventory (to change weapons upon encountering a boss for the first time for instance) but trying to do so with enemies around basically guarantees death.
The art style instantly hooked me in the trailer and the game delivers on it and more. Beautiful & clean environments, adorable characters, and smooth (and informative) animations.
Collecting the instruction manual pages provides for some interesting game mechanics & story reveals. Never really seen anything like that. And solving the logic and puzzles in the overworld & instruction manual make you feel like a genius.
Lofi soundtrack is delightful and is bound to become my background music as I do work.
• "I could take it or leave it"
Difficulty spikes - I don't hate the difficulty of this game but I can absolutely see why it's a common complaint, especially with boss encounters. Standard enemies/combat can be challenging but nothing shocking. But multiple boss encounters took me roughly an hour apiece.
- "Could Use Improvements"
A few too many “Souls” ideas borrowed. I would have like to be able to pause to manage my inventory (to change weapons upon encountering a boss for the first time for instance) but trying to do so with enemies around basically guarantees death.
I can see why it's hit/miss from person to person but for me, it's a jam. Love the story and environmental storytelling. Machines are awesome and varied with different weakness and type effects. The combat and mechanics are good but take some getting used to and upgrades before they get real interesting. It's just long enough to get a bit repetitive, could've been a smidge shorter in my opinion. Travel is a slog that's helped slightly by the interesting environments, but not remedied entirely.
Overall, home run for a AAA game that's brand new IP in my opinion.
Overall, home run for a AAA game that's brand new IP in my opinion.
2022
Absolutely have to go into this knowing that it's a Steam Deck hardware demo otherwise you'll be disappointed.
That said, delightful little step back into the world of Portal. Very short, but I audibly laughed multiple times which I can't say often for many TV shows of roughly the same length.
That said, delightful little step back into the world of Portal. Very short, but I audibly laughed multiple times which I can't say often for many TV shows of roughly the same length.
1992
First time ever beating a "Classic" Sonic game. I get the appeal, when you get into a flow and gain that speed and momentum flying through the stage it feels great. Some really great level design too (Casino & Hill Top Zones stood out to me). And the final transition from Wing Fortress Zone to that last boss was awesome.
A few too many relics of retro games though. Insta death pits, can't see where I'm going when I'm moving fast, cheap enemy placement. I could see myself hating this game if I had not had the Rewind feature in SEGA classics on Steam. But because I did, those things didn't impact my enjoyment too much!
A few too many relics of retro games though. Insta death pits, can't see where I'm going when I'm moving fast, cheap enemy placement. I could see myself hating this game if I had not had the Rewind feature in SEGA classics on Steam. But because I did, those things didn't impact my enjoyment too much!
First 5 minutes are pure delight and bliss. Visuals are great, music is definitely above average with some tunes even being catching. Gameplay is just alright, starts out good enough but doesn't really vary enough for me. Bosses are easy and the few puzzles are super straightforward. Humor and tone are really good though and what got me through the game.
2018
First hour was stunning and set the stage of the world so well. Loved every second. I'm now roughly 5 or 6 hours in though and, although I'm still interesting in the narrative, I'm finding the combat repetitious. Can't get myself to jump back in right now.
TL;DR - A monumental leap in quality for the Pokémon franchise, but still held back a few traditions of the series.
The Good:
- The revamping of the combat is so refreshing it will be hard to go back to the traditional turned base style. The addition of using Strong and Agile versions of all your moves and action order introduces a ton of new strategy to the game. Probably my biggest unexpected highlight.
- Exploring is the open areas is glorious (once you're allowed to roam). See the Pokemon in the wild and how the behave is awesome. Being able to sneak up on them if you want or lure them with Berry's to catch them is so innovated and works really well in these existing formula.
- The core gameplay loop of catching, reporting to update the pokedex and ranking up is so satisfying. I repeatedly found myself saying, "Well let me just try to complete 1 more pokedex entry and then I'll be done". And I appreciate how the tasks for each Pokémon vary (i.e. feed this Pokémon, defeat that Pokémon with a fight type move etc)
The Bad:
- The handholding from traditional Pokémon is still very present. It took a solid 90 minutes before I actually started enjoying this game at all because the forced me to walk through particular steps to make I figured certain things out instead of letting me experiment at all. And to set up the story...
- The story. I'll admit both that I'm not a big Pokemon lore person and that this was better than most Pokemon stories but this game's story was a slog that I just couldn't get myself to care about. The most I enjoyed this game was when I went off exploring and totally ignored the story and main objective. And certain times after I'd complete something and I'd want to continue in the area I was in, the game just didn't give me the option and took me back to the town to report what I had just done.
- The visuals. I've seen it defended by those who say, "It looks great for a Pokemon game". And yes if you measure it with lower standards it looks fine but this game does not look good for a 2022 game. The textures and pop-in mainly are unacceptable. I love the visual design and get what they were going for but just wish it was technically executed better.
The Good:
- The revamping of the combat is so refreshing it will be hard to go back to the traditional turned base style. The addition of using Strong and Agile versions of all your moves and action order introduces a ton of new strategy to the game. Probably my biggest unexpected highlight.
- Exploring is the open areas is glorious (once you're allowed to roam). See the Pokemon in the wild and how the behave is awesome. Being able to sneak up on them if you want or lure them with Berry's to catch them is so innovated and works really well in these existing formula.
- The core gameplay loop of catching, reporting to update the pokedex and ranking up is so satisfying. I repeatedly found myself saying, "Well let me just try to complete 1 more pokedex entry and then I'll be done". And I appreciate how the tasks for each Pokémon vary (i.e. feed this Pokémon, defeat that Pokémon with a fight type move etc)
The Bad:
- The handholding from traditional Pokémon is still very present. It took a solid 90 minutes before I actually started enjoying this game at all because the forced me to walk through particular steps to make I figured certain things out instead of letting me experiment at all. And to set up the story...
- The story. I'll admit both that I'm not a big Pokemon lore person and that this was better than most Pokemon stories but this game's story was a slog that I just couldn't get myself to care about. The most I enjoyed this game was when I went off exploring and totally ignored the story and main objective. And certain times after I'd complete something and I'd want to continue in the area I was in, the game just didn't give me the option and took me back to the town to report what I had just done.
- The visuals. I've seen it defended by those who say, "It looks great for a Pokemon game". And yes if you measure it with lower standards it looks fine but this game does not look good for a 2022 game. The textures and pop-in mainly are unacceptable. I love the visual design and get what they were going for but just wish it was technically executed better.
2021
So much to say about Unsighted. It's such a good blend of Zelda (dungeons with items specific solutions), souls-like (parrying, difficulty, leaving treasure where you die) and action RPG (upgrading multiple weapons, stat boosters). By a worse developer it would be a mess but it comes together so well and feels so good.
The time countdown mechanic really works well here. I wasn't sure I'd like it but it works great both narratively and mechanically and makes the entire experience feel unique. And the story and specifically the characters are great. I struggled more than expected figuring out who I should give the Meteor Dust because I ended up liking mostly everyone!
My only complaint is although the visuals were stellar for the most part, there were a few times legibility was an issue, especially early on. Like with vines on the side of a wall that I just didn't see so I couldn't figure out how to progress. Or depth of a jump being tricky. But I definitely got adjusted to it as I got further.
Really missed out playing this in 2021 because it definitely would be a GOTY contender.
The time countdown mechanic really works well here. I wasn't sure I'd like it but it works great both narratively and mechanically and makes the entire experience feel unique. And the story and specifically the characters are great. I struggled more than expected figuring out who I should give the Meteor Dust because I ended up liking mostly everyone!
My only complaint is although the visuals were stellar for the most part, there were a few times legibility was an issue, especially early on. Like with vines on the side of a wall that I just didn't see so I couldn't figure out how to progress. Or depth of a jump being tricky. But I definitely got adjusted to it as I got further.
Really missed out playing this in 2021 because it definitely would be a GOTY contender.
2020
Definitive puzzle platformer for me. I was immediately interested when I saw the artstyle and was not disappointed. There's not really any difficult platforming, but the puzzles are so clever and diverse that they kept me engaged. Almost feels like a 2D interpretation of Portal where you walk into a room and can see everything and have to ask "Okay how to I get from A to B?". And the ending is both mindblowing and satisfying.
2018
This review contains spoilers
Level design is stellar. The chase sequence were there's a wall of fire chasing you for you to outrun was exhilarating. Each new weapon obtained is mechanically unique and forces you to swap depending on the situation. I really like the double gear mechanics and how it forces you to strategize using either power or time and punishes you if you use it too much. Honestly, there's a lot to like here!
However, there is no difficulty option to make this game enjoyable for me. I started on Normal and tried Bounce Man. Jaw literally dropped when I died to the first sub-boss (froggy) and it placed me at the start of the level. Tried a few more times, got to the same boss repeatedly but always died and quickly Game Over'd. I'm no hero, I drop that difficulty down to Casual and tried Fuse Man and Block Man. Immediately better - more lives, I think enemies hit less hard, more checkpoints. But... The stagger when I get hit in platforming section that cause me to fall into bottomless pits, bosses are still pretty tough. I die at a final boss and have to start an entire level over... twice. Ended up never beating a level. Feels so punishing and disrespectful of my time. I'm on Newcomer now, but it's way too much of a breeze. Infinite lives, the robo bird catches me when I fall, enemies are easy to kill, health and ammo drops are abundant. My wish I could switch "Infinite Lives" on for Casual, I think that would be my ideal difficulty. Or even if Game Over only put you to the last sub boss?
Overall, lot of potential but just couldn't quite get into it.
However, there is no difficulty option to make this game enjoyable for me. I started on Normal and tried Bounce Man. Jaw literally dropped when I died to the first sub-boss (froggy) and it placed me at the start of the level. Tried a few more times, got to the same boss repeatedly but always died and quickly Game Over'd. I'm no hero, I drop that difficulty down to Casual and tried Fuse Man and Block Man. Immediately better - more lives, I think enemies hit less hard, more checkpoints. But... The stagger when I get hit in platforming section that cause me to fall into bottomless pits, bosses are still pretty tough. I die at a final boss and have to start an entire level over... twice. Ended up never beating a level. Feels so punishing and disrespectful of my time. I'm on Newcomer now, but it's way too much of a breeze. Infinite lives, the robo bird catches me when I fall, enemies are easy to kill, health and ammo drops are abundant. My wish I could switch "Infinite Lives" on for Casual, I think that would be my ideal difficulty. Or even if Game Over only put you to the last sub boss?
Overall, lot of potential but just couldn't quite get into it.
2020
Shelving 1/11. Played on Quest 2 via AirLink. Might come back to elaborate if I finish the game.
Very impressive VR experience. The environments, the sound design, VR specific mechanics (gravity gun, 3D puzzles, grenades, magizine loading) are all fantastic.
The gameplay itself is not nearly as impressive in my opionin and is elevated by the VR experience. Granted this is my first Half Life game, but I found myself wondering if it would have been received anywhere near as positively if it released for PC and consoles as a standard FPS. Again, amazing experience but I've had better VR specific experiences in Beat Saber and Superhot.
Very impressive VR experience. The environments, the sound design, VR specific mechanics (gravity gun, 3D puzzles, grenades, magizine loading) are all fantastic.
The gameplay itself is not nearly as impressive in my opionin and is elevated by the VR experience. Granted this is my first Half Life game, but I found myself wondering if it would have been received anywhere near as positively if it released for PC and consoles as a standard FPS. Again, amazing experience but I've had better VR specific experiences in Beat Saber and Superhot.
Nothing extraordinary, but nothing wrong with it. Personally I enjoy the art style. I do wish it included the Platinum content as well, but it's a very faithful remake of a DS. Probably too faithful, could've used some tweaks but I enjoyed it nonetheless and found it relaxing as a return to form. Overall, just a so-so remake of a very good pokemon game.
Not a particularly special game, but what can I say? I'm a suck for wandering though the worlds and environments of Star Wars. And the sounds & visuals are better here than pretty much any other game.
2016
Played Superhot on PC a few years back, thought it was pretty good! But this game was destined for VR. Just a perfect concept for VR. Short, but didn't want to put it down!
2021
Pretty relaxing gameplay paired with a surprisingly engaging story. I really enjoyed the subtle details from house to house. Felt really wholesome to grow up with the main character of the story without ever actually seeing them.
My one con is I might have preferred fewer rooms in later houses to allow for additional levels for more story to be told. The last house is massive, takes awhile and gets slightly repetitious.
My one con is I might have preferred fewer rooms in later houses to allow for additional levels for more story to be told. The last house is massive, takes awhile and gets slightly repetitious.