mjs822
Wish I liked this more, as I was a big fan of Super Mario Land 2 when I was a kid, but I never got around to playing the sequel. Wario Land is another 2D sidescroller where you collect coins, but the differences here, especially with controls, are stark. Where Mario is speedy and agile, Wario is a slow bruiser more focused on combat than platforming. Levels here just kind of end after a while, with little interesting build to the design. I personally don't find it nearly as fun, but I'm hoping this laid the foundation for better games to come in the Wario Land series.
2001
Feels like a rough draft at the much better game that would come after
A reimagining of the relatively bare-bones Metroid 2, all that this game seems to keep from that one is the game-length hunt for 40 Metroids to genocide, and the ability to journey deeper into levels via drained lava after eliminating all the available Metroids. Otherwise we’ve got a standard Metroid game with a few new twists- a melee counter-attack, a magic bar, and a greater emphasis on puzzles and combat versus the exploration the series is known for. It was enjoyable, but I wouldn’t stray much further from the formula than this- that’s when you enter Other M territory. Eager to see what we’ve got next in Dread, which appears to be much more stealth-focused.
2008
I probably would have liked this more if I was into the whole "build your own game!" idea. No! That's your job!
The motion controls really didn't work that well and unfortunately they were the main draw here. If a remake with more traditional controls ever comes out I will give this one another shot.
Due for a replay, as the first time I played this I rushed through it as quickly as possible. Wind Waker is meant for chill exploration, I realize that now!
2009
A very strong MetroidVania game. Where's the sequel?
Due for a replay, as the first time I played this I rushed through it as quickly as possible. Wind Waker is meant for chill exploration, I realize that now!
Seamlessly transitions the series to first person, and it's still as scary as ever.
What a curveball! It's clear Kojima had a lot of important (and in restrospect, correct) things to say with this game, I just wish the game itself were more fun.
2010
Not particularly scary and the story comes off as bargain-bin Stephen King. Honestly the part I liked the most about this game was using both light and conventional weapons in tandem against enemies.
2009
An incredible idea in theory, where you could pop in almost any word into your DS and use it in the game. Unfortunately it turns out there just wasn't enough here to spark much creativity. Call on a T-Rex every time you need to kill something, add a bridge when you need to cross a gap, put on wings if you need to fly... it's all pretty basic!
2007
While I typically enjoy most Mario games, they don't seem to "grab" me like they will with a lot of my friends. This seemed like another great game that a lot of my friends consider one of the best of all time. Maybe I could replay soon.
An interesting move to follow up an instant classic with a curveball like this, a Zelda game with a 3-day countdown and a major focus on time-travelling and sidequests. It mostly worked though, and this 3D remake feels like its probably the best way to play Majora's Mask right now.
2010
There's really something to be said about the minimalism in this game. I think there was just a jump and action button, and a color palette almost entirely black and white, but PlayDead wrings a really strong puzzle adventure out of it.