moogy
2009
A weird kusoge that serves as a prototype to the Dark Souls series. Lots of neat ideas, but pretty much all of them were executed better in subsequent titles; interesting as a curiosity after playing the Dark Souls series, but I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it much on its own.
The lack of bonfires is probably the one thing DeS has over future games. Bonfire placement always felt a bit arbitrary to me, and the stage format in DeS resulted in level chunks that felt tighter, less broken up. Of course, this comes at the expense of a sense of exploration, since you just select maps to warp to from a central hub, so I don't think it's necessarily "better" than how DaS did things overall. Especially since the final portion of each area is... underwhelming, to say the least.
The lack of bonfires is probably the one thing DeS has over future games. Bonfire placement always felt a bit arbitrary to me, and the stage format in DeS resulted in level chunks that felt tighter, less broken up. Of course, this comes at the expense of a sense of exploration, since you just select maps to warp to from a central hub, so I don't think it's necessarily "better" than how DaS did things overall. Especially since the final portion of each area is... underwhelming, to say the least.
2020
Based on Early Access version, will update when I play the full game.
Level design is lacking atm, but the combat system is very solid (I love how it rewards aggressive play) and all of the bosses are very well designed. If the full game is just an entire game's worth of Fume Knight encounters I'll be satisfied tbh.
Level design is lacking atm, but the combat system is very solid (I love how it rewards aggressive play) and all of the bosses are very well designed. If the full game is just an entire game's worth of Fume Knight encounters I'll be satisfied tbh.
It's okay. They probably did the best they could given the source material, which is a pretty barebones game from 1990 with lacking level design.
The most interesting part of the game is simply the premise, with the player assuming the role of a paternal deity and guiding their people. I always find it interesting to view Christian/monotheistic concepts viewed through a Japanese lens, and there are some frank (if shallow) discussions of faith in explicit terms, something you don't usually see in games.
The graphics actually look pretty good imo. I wouldn't mind seeing the Soul Blazer series remade in this style.
The most interesting part of the game is simply the premise, with the player assuming the role of a paternal deity and guiding their people. I always find it interesting to view Christian/monotheistic concepts viewed through a Japanese lens, and there are some frank (if shallow) discussions of faith in explicit terms, something you don't usually see in games.
The graphics actually look pretty good imo. I wouldn't mind seeing the Soul Blazer series remade in this style.
2021
Does a decent job of being Metroid 5 and has some fun combat scenarios to boot. Unfortunately, it's also an expensive Switch exclusive that does little to stand out in a market saturated with Metroidvanias. If you want a Metroid game, specifically, this will probably scratch that itch. If you just want a Metroidvania, there are any number of better ones available on PC for cheaper.
2001
Based on JP version.
Does a lot with relatively simple mechanics and a very limited range of level elements. Has a nice sense of humor and ends before it overstays its welcome. Easy to pick up and play since it doesn't have lives and is divided into short individual stages.
You definitely want to use a savestate for the final boss.
Does a lot with relatively simple mechanics and a very limited range of level elements. Has a nice sense of humor and ends before it overstays its welcome. Easy to pick up and play since it doesn't have lives and is divided into short individual stages.
You definitely want to use a savestate for the final boss.
2016
Some pretty fun bosses, but feels less expansive than DS2 and less interconnected than DS1.
Perhaps surprisingly, I actually enjoyed this more than the original game. What the world loses in interconnectedness it makes up for in sheer content; I had much more fun exploring DS2 simply because there was more of it to explore. The general aesthetic also appealed to me a lot more; in particular, Majula does a much better job of selling that the world is still inhabited than DS1's hub did, which is a complaint I had with that game while playing it. And while it's true that most of DS2's bosses are... lacking, it's not like every boss in DS1 was a winner either, and the DLCs go a long way in making up for this. Fume Knight, for example, I found way more challenging and fun than any DS1 boss. Overall I feel like this game actually improves on the original in many ways and is unfairly maligned.
2000
Shockingly prescient writing that respects the player's intelligence. Action elements are dated, but the degree of freedom with which to approach objectives is still admirable. If it were more fun to shoot things I would give this a 4/5.
2021
Varied design that recalls the way platformers used to be designed, but in a modern framework that eschews tedious elements like lives. Some parts can be frustrating, but the difficulty is reasonable overall.
The worst part is the Street Fighter minigame tbh...
The worst part is the Street Fighter minigame tbh...
Deus & Leina 2
I am such a Soft and Round Kitten.
How the fuck is this game from 1994
2021
A competent Celeste clone with a reasonable level of difficulty. Not especially memorable but I enjoyed my time with it. (All content beaten, didn't go for the ironman achievements though.)