don't get mad at me for this, but I'm not sure i understand all the hype.

this game undoubtedly has some amazing aspects: the absolutely monumental soundtrack, the lonely and desolate atmosphere, and the fluid level design to name a few. what I've always struggled to get behind with these Mario games though is the lack of an intense impassioned story and empathetic engaging characters. without those things, Super Mario Galaxy is just a bunch of half-interesting levels with a few poignant moments. reading the storybook with Rosalina, slowly watching the observatory light up and fill with so many Lumas, the first time visiting the garden at the top of the observatory are some very endearing moments in this game that could have meant so much more to me.

Nintendo has clearly found a very successful formula that consistently excites and satisfies fans, yet i can't help but wonder how much better these games would be with a more compelling story and interesting characters...

despite the story being poignant, concise, and cute, the gameplay is what truly stands out here. the movement is smooth and intuitive. if you do a casual playthrough, the difficulty of the chapters increases in such a way that your level nicely matches it. although collecting strawberries are optional, i find collecting at least the ones you come across critical to the enjoyment of the game. everything else, the focused and engaging soundtrack, the vibrant art style, and the limited story interaction keep the game moving in such a tight manner you can easily get yourself lost in the chapters for hours on end.

British Sea Power did an incredible job on the soundtrack for this game.

each area and place in Disco Elysium has an unforgettable track that helps to create an unsettling yet melancholically beautiful atmosphere.

i could not imagine stepping out of the Whirling-In-Rags without hearing those blaring horns. it just wouldn't be Disco Elysium without them.

more than enough has been said about how fantastically this game creates a naturally intriguing and immersive environment, but the soundtrack is usually not given the same praise

spoilers 'n shit

for a video game about space, the outer wilds soundtrack is anything but empty. it's dense, packed with emotion, and designed to spark curiosity. from the dwindling desperate theme found in "travelers" to the overwhelming and hopeful "into the wilds," each track is as unforgettable as the next. the first time stepping foot into the sun station, returning the warp core to the vessel, and finally getting to hear the travelers play their tune one last time. each of my most memorable experiences from this game was accompanied by an equally memorable musical experience.

this soundtrack will probably mean nothing to someone who has never played outer wilds, but to me, this soundtrack is everything. it's getting to experience jumping through a black hole and seeing what's on the other side. it's being engulfed by an ever-expanding dying star's final wish. it's uncovering the fatal mistakes of a lost civilization. it's discovering an alien's favorite instrument... it's curiosity in its most expressive form...