samallen42
2005
Resident Evil 4 is so cool. I think "cool" fits the description more than any other word for this game. I played it for the first time this summer, and vividly remember doing certain things and laughing and jumping in my seat because of how cool they were. There's no feeling quite like kneecapping a zombie, then roundhouse kicking it in the face so hard that its head explodes. Same goes for suplexing them, but even moreso. Leon is a great protagonist, with tons of cheesy but lovable one-liners and a definite upgrade in ability since RE2. The villains and plot are ridiculous--straight out of a B-list action movie from the 90's that Steven Seagal would star in--but it's never really a bad thing. This game is fun the whole way through, and really is one of the most iconic action games ever.
2019
This review contains spoilers
Hands-down, the greatest video game I have ever played in my life. Also my favorite. A simple backloggd review cannot do it justice, but I'll try to express how I feel about this game. (Btw this is mainly my review for Persona 5 but with Royal content as a footnote)
For starters, let me say that I despise RPG's. I've always thought they were boring, repetitive, and take away so much of what makes video games what they are. So I really wasn't expecting much from this, but it was on sale and I liked Joker in Smash.
Persona 5, more than anything I've ever seen, has STYLE in SPADES. Everybody knows how cool this game is, but it cannot be stated enough. From the UI, to character designs, to animations, it's all so sick and fluid. Everything moves with an air of coolness about it, and it has such a unique visual identity that every frame is its own work of art. The soundtrack (11/10 in its own right) adds a whole new layer of pizzazz; dungeon crawling to low bass jams or fighting demons to the beautiful symphony that is Last Surprise is just on its own level in the gaming landscape.
The gameplay is honestly super compelling, too. I don't like RPGs because they feel like "choose your strongest spell until they die," but P5R and the entire Persona series shakes that up. Choosing elemental counters, in addition to ridiculously cool melee and gun attacks, makes each battle feel like outsmarting your enemies with an air of artistry. Being able to change Joker's Personas, All-Out Attacks, Baton Passes, and the brand-new Showtimes also give a lot of flavor to fights and keep the low-level grinding from getting repetitive. God bless your combat system, Persona 5.
The bestiary is super cool, giving Pokemon a run for its money throughout the entire game. Seeing all these reinterpretations of fictional characters, gods, and legends available to use in combat is such a crazy feature that it's hard to believe it's like the sixth coolest aspect of the game. The boss fights are huge and always a treat to get through, and it's awesome to see how they spin off from the humans that they spawn from.
Next is the real meat of the game, and I can't gush about this enough. Persona 5 Royal tells one of the greatest stories I've ever experienced in any form of media. I can't explain it; everyone has to try it. But starting as an outcast high schooler with no friends, one who has to develop himself and form relationships to gain new strength...then ending as humanity's silent savior with a team of your closest allies wielding godly power...it's an incredible transformation.
I want to say it like this: I cried when I finished this game. My parents saw me and asked why I was crying over a video game. I told them that they've cried over movies, where they follow a character's journey for about two hours. I followed the journey of these characters for ONE HUNDRED HOURS. I grew with the cast and followed their progress throughout a semester of high school. It really makes you feel like the silent member of a group that's been through it all together. The story is beautiful, and shocking. The very first boss of the game being a sexually and physically abusive gym coach who has a clear impact on the students around you (Ryuji, Ann, Shiho, Mishima) is a horrifying and bold move. It's the craziest first chapter of a game I can think of. I can't get enough of this story and I desperately crave more content.
My last point is the characters. Persona 5 Royal could have all other aspects fall apart, and its characters would still hold up. The music could be garbage, the story could be wack, the gameplay could be terrible, but it would still hold up simply thanks to its cast of characters. It's almost impossible to pick a favorite, and I could write out my love for each one of them in a separate essay. It also dodges the usual RPG trope where the characters only really have relationships with you; they all interact with each other and have clear roles within the friend group. You can see how Ryuji likes Ann, but won't admit it because he thinks she's too good for him. At the same time, Ann struggles with self-doubt and confides in you about her own weaknesses. Yusuke and Haru have a mutual respect for the finer things in culture, even though Yusuke doesn't have two pennies to rub together and Haru is the sole inheritor of a global empire. It always feels fresh and there's no amount of character interaction that would satisfy me because this is probably my favorite team of characters in fiction. I have bought every spinoff and consumed all the media just to see them again.
Persona 5 Royal itself is a welcome addition to the original story of Persona 5, and was easily worth another 80-hour playthrough for its content. Maruki and Sumi were amazing additions to the cast of characters, the new songs and animations were fantastic, the gameplay got even better, QOL tweaks were great to have, and the existing 10/10 content was brought to an 11.
I cannot stress enough how great this game is. My life would not be the same without it, and I can firmly say it is my favorite game of all time.
For starters, let me say that I despise RPG's. I've always thought they were boring, repetitive, and take away so much of what makes video games what they are. So I really wasn't expecting much from this, but it was on sale and I liked Joker in Smash.
Persona 5, more than anything I've ever seen, has STYLE in SPADES. Everybody knows how cool this game is, but it cannot be stated enough. From the UI, to character designs, to animations, it's all so sick and fluid. Everything moves with an air of coolness about it, and it has such a unique visual identity that every frame is its own work of art. The soundtrack (11/10 in its own right) adds a whole new layer of pizzazz; dungeon crawling to low bass jams or fighting demons to the beautiful symphony that is Last Surprise is just on its own level in the gaming landscape.
The gameplay is honestly super compelling, too. I don't like RPGs because they feel like "choose your strongest spell until they die," but P5R and the entire Persona series shakes that up. Choosing elemental counters, in addition to ridiculously cool melee and gun attacks, makes each battle feel like outsmarting your enemies with an air of artistry. Being able to change Joker's Personas, All-Out Attacks, Baton Passes, and the brand-new Showtimes also give a lot of flavor to fights and keep the low-level grinding from getting repetitive. God bless your combat system, Persona 5.
The bestiary is super cool, giving Pokemon a run for its money throughout the entire game. Seeing all these reinterpretations of fictional characters, gods, and legends available to use in combat is such a crazy feature that it's hard to believe it's like the sixth coolest aspect of the game. The boss fights are huge and always a treat to get through, and it's awesome to see how they spin off from the humans that they spawn from.
Next is the real meat of the game, and I can't gush about this enough. Persona 5 Royal tells one of the greatest stories I've ever experienced in any form of media. I can't explain it; everyone has to try it. But starting as an outcast high schooler with no friends, one who has to develop himself and form relationships to gain new strength...then ending as humanity's silent savior with a team of your closest allies wielding godly power...it's an incredible transformation.
I want to say it like this: I cried when I finished this game. My parents saw me and asked why I was crying over a video game. I told them that they've cried over movies, where they follow a character's journey for about two hours. I followed the journey of these characters for ONE HUNDRED HOURS. I grew with the cast and followed their progress throughout a semester of high school. It really makes you feel like the silent member of a group that's been through it all together. The story is beautiful, and shocking. The very first boss of the game being a sexually and physically abusive gym coach who has a clear impact on the students around you (Ryuji, Ann, Shiho, Mishima) is a horrifying and bold move. It's the craziest first chapter of a game I can think of. I can't get enough of this story and I desperately crave more content.
My last point is the characters. Persona 5 Royal could have all other aspects fall apart, and its characters would still hold up. The music could be garbage, the story could be wack, the gameplay could be terrible, but it would still hold up simply thanks to its cast of characters. It's almost impossible to pick a favorite, and I could write out my love for each one of them in a separate essay. It also dodges the usual RPG trope where the characters only really have relationships with you; they all interact with each other and have clear roles within the friend group. You can see how Ryuji likes Ann, but won't admit it because he thinks she's too good for him. At the same time, Ann struggles with self-doubt and confides in you about her own weaknesses. Yusuke and Haru have a mutual respect for the finer things in culture, even though Yusuke doesn't have two pennies to rub together and Haru is the sole inheritor of a global empire. It always feels fresh and there's no amount of character interaction that would satisfy me because this is probably my favorite team of characters in fiction. I have bought every spinoff and consumed all the media just to see them again.
Persona 5 Royal itself is a welcome addition to the original story of Persona 5, and was easily worth another 80-hour playthrough for its content. Maruki and Sumi were amazing additions to the cast of characters, the new songs and animations were fantastic, the gameplay got even better, QOL tweaks were great to have, and the existing 10/10 content was brought to an 11.
I cannot stress enough how great this game is. My life would not be the same without it, and I can firmly say it is my favorite game of all time.
I totally get it, this is a WEIRD choice to give 5 stars to. But I’m practically obligated to given my childhood. I was raised on the Beatles, and they are still to this day my favorite band of all time. I also have a deep love and attachment to the Rockband series. So naturally, the merging of the two is right up my alley. This game is a huge celebration of The Beatles’ story and legacy, with an art style and UI design that really pays attention to the world the band left behind. The various character models are stylized enough to still hold up in an age of poorly-aged graphics, and the video backgrounds that play during songs feel spot-on to actual footage of their shows. Beatlemania segments are fun. The campaign, while excluding any real dialogue and leaving non-concert events out, is a treat to get through and I find it infinitely replayable. The soundtrack is an excellent summary of one of the biggest song catalogs in the world; there are a few notable songs missing but it is mostly a celebration of the various styles taken by the band through the years.
I totally get it if you don’t think The Beatles Rockband is anywhere near 5 stars. But it is for me!!!
I totally get it if you don’t think The Beatles Rockband is anywhere near 5 stars. But it is for me!!!
Fun sometimes less fun other times
Definitely a step up from its predecessor. The racing feels a little better, but still doesn't have the goofy fluidity of a good Mario Kart game. The transformation mechanic is actually pretty interesting, and provides a lot of variety for level design. Planes are super fun and really open up the racetracks. Boats are cars but weirder. A better game than the original, but still not as good as any modern Mario Kart.
2007
In my opinion, the single greatest platformer of all time. Maybe it just happens to also be my favorite, but Super Mario Galaxy cannot be denied of its objective quality.
I have such a deep nostalgia factor for this game; it's one of my most influential childhood games and I've put countless hours into it. I'll never get tired of its worlds, movement, or characters. The music brings me back so much; it's crazy. Like just hearing the opening menu stinger makes me feel like I'm in third grade again.
This game is infinitely replayable. It features such smooth movement that it's ridiculous for a game that came out in 2007. Other than a few minor instances, the gravity mechanics work surprisingly well and going around the planets is super fun. The new Spin also feels like a very natural addition to Mario's toolkit and opens up a lot of ways to get around and fight.
The level design is, for the most part, innovative and enjoyable. Making use of the infinitude of space allows for nearly no limits on what can and cannot "fit," which opens up tons of room to play around. More classic Mario-esque worlds like Good Egg Galaxy and Gusty Garden Galaxy fit in just as well as newer, crazier settings like Battlerock Galaxy or Freezeflame Galaxy. While it is pretty obvious which galaxies got more time to cook, both linear and sandbox galaxies are fun to play around in. Entering the same galaxy but having different approaches and planets available per level keeps things fresh, and expands on the Mario 64 formula.
The visual design is gorgeous, remaining as a hallmark of Wii-era graphics and further proving the point that graphics fade but art styles stand forever. The soundtrack is also some of gaming's best; the full orchestra performing swelling scores truly enhance the feeling of being a lone explorer in the vastness of space.
Which brings me to the game's story and motifs...Super Mario Galaxy is a bright, bubbly game. It's got a silly plumber and is marketed towards children. I'm not going to try to act like the purpose was anything but that. However, it is POSSIBLE to dig deeper and find meaning from what is presented before you, and I think I've found some.
Super Mario Galaxy can be interpreted as an allegory for finding a community, and defeating loneliness. Mario starts in a happy world, full of life and color. He is content with where he is and is literally skipping to Peach's castle. But as the first act progresses, he is uprooted from his community. He wakes up in an unknown location, alone in the vast universe. He is confused, the sky is dark and endless, and the music is somber. Other than some rabbits and a Luma, Mario is alone. As the game progresses, however, Mario progresses into new worlds. He tries new things. He meets new faces. The worlds get cheerier, the music gets more grandiose, and your hub world literally brightens. Straight up, the more you explore, the more it glows and rooms lighten up. The more he branches out, the more his home expands. He brings friends home, and his world is improving. Mario starts as a loner in a vast new setting, and ends as a beloved hero who has become familiar and comfortable with the universe. He's a world-traveler who has acquaintances from all kinds of backgrounds, all because he reached out to people.
Once again--not trying to say the developer's intent was making some grand metaphor to make friends with people. But it's very cool how the game's presentation can let you connect the dots and find hidden meaning.
This game has influenced me more than almost any other, and I don't know where I would be without it. Thank you, Super Mario Galaxy.
I have such a deep nostalgia factor for this game; it's one of my most influential childhood games and I've put countless hours into it. I'll never get tired of its worlds, movement, or characters. The music brings me back so much; it's crazy. Like just hearing the opening menu stinger makes me feel like I'm in third grade again.
This game is infinitely replayable. It features such smooth movement that it's ridiculous for a game that came out in 2007. Other than a few minor instances, the gravity mechanics work surprisingly well and going around the planets is super fun. The new Spin also feels like a very natural addition to Mario's toolkit and opens up a lot of ways to get around and fight.
The level design is, for the most part, innovative and enjoyable. Making use of the infinitude of space allows for nearly no limits on what can and cannot "fit," which opens up tons of room to play around. More classic Mario-esque worlds like Good Egg Galaxy and Gusty Garden Galaxy fit in just as well as newer, crazier settings like Battlerock Galaxy or Freezeflame Galaxy. While it is pretty obvious which galaxies got more time to cook, both linear and sandbox galaxies are fun to play around in. Entering the same galaxy but having different approaches and planets available per level keeps things fresh, and expands on the Mario 64 formula.
The visual design is gorgeous, remaining as a hallmark of Wii-era graphics and further proving the point that graphics fade but art styles stand forever. The soundtrack is also some of gaming's best; the full orchestra performing swelling scores truly enhance the feeling of being a lone explorer in the vastness of space.
Which brings me to the game's story and motifs...Super Mario Galaxy is a bright, bubbly game. It's got a silly plumber and is marketed towards children. I'm not going to try to act like the purpose was anything but that. However, it is POSSIBLE to dig deeper and find meaning from what is presented before you, and I think I've found some.
Super Mario Galaxy can be interpreted as an allegory for finding a community, and defeating loneliness. Mario starts in a happy world, full of life and color. He is content with where he is and is literally skipping to Peach's castle. But as the first act progresses, he is uprooted from his community. He wakes up in an unknown location, alone in the vast universe. He is confused, the sky is dark and endless, and the music is somber. Other than some rabbits and a Luma, Mario is alone. As the game progresses, however, Mario progresses into new worlds. He tries new things. He meets new faces. The worlds get cheerier, the music gets more grandiose, and your hub world literally brightens. Straight up, the more you explore, the more it glows and rooms lighten up. The more he branches out, the more his home expands. He brings friends home, and his world is improving. Mario starts as a loner in a vast new setting, and ends as a beloved hero who has become familiar and comfortable with the universe. He's a world-traveler who has acquaintances from all kinds of backgrounds, all because he reached out to people.
Once again--not trying to say the developer's intent was making some grand metaphor to make friends with people. But it's very cool how the game's presentation can let you connect the dots and find hidden meaning.
This game has influenced me more than almost any other, and I don't know where I would be without it. Thank you, Super Mario Galaxy.
I’ve got heavy nostalgia for this game, but it just feels a little too basic. The new power ups were unique and fun, and the return of the Koopalings was nice, but I can’t say I love running through levels on this game.
This is one of the games ever
2008
In terms of core gameplay, I think it’s about the same as Rock Band 1. It just doesn’t have AS good of a soundtrack as it’s predecessor. Everlong is one of the greatest songs ever made, though, and that’s in this game. So yeah.
2002
There’s a big nostalgia factor involved for a lot of people playing this game, and I just don’t have that. It felt less lovable and goofy than Mario 64, but not nearly as smooth as Galaxy or any newer Mario platformers. It’s kind of the awkward middle child that isn’t necessarily bad—FLUDD is pretty fun in some circumstances and it does get very creative for an entirely beach-themed game—but it doesn’t stand out amongst the rest of the Mario 3D adventures. Glad I played it, but don’t want to play it again.
Another Mario Kart ripoff. It feels faster, but doesn't control nearly as well. The items are also unoriginal, and clearly the selling point was having SEGA IP's rather than a decent game. Not really worth the play.
2007
I owe so much to Rock Band 1. Not only did this game shape a lot of my future music taste, but it literally taught me how to play the drums. I’ve played the drums for 14 years of my life, and it all started from playing this game as a kid. I can’t speak on the finer details of the hit window or rake strumming (ask Acai), but I can say this game is super freaking fun for the whole crew and has a stellar soundtrack. Arguably the best in the whole series, and gives Guitar Hero 3 a run for its money.
2016
See my Persona 5: Royal review. The same things apply minus the Royal bonus content. This is a 5/5, Royal just happens to be a 6/5.
2015
After Rockband 3 (an entry I skipped) and the mainstream death of the plastic instrument rhythm games, I was kinda done with these games. But my parents got me Rockband 4 for a birthday and I’ve gotten some insane mileage out of it. While it admittedly has the most garbage OST of any mainline Rock Band or Guitar Hero, its seemingly infinite DLC makes up for it. The game is fun to look at and I’ve honestly spent more money in DLC over the years than the actual game’s cost, so I shilled out for a decent library. It’s great for parties and I play it with my family a lot whenever im home. It brings me back to the first Rock Band and how much fun for everyone that was.
2019
Amazing. Definitely a remake worth making, it enhanced one of the greatest horror games of all time with modern graphics and storytelling. It’s so unnerving to be sneaking around the police department with zombies or Mr. X in your face at a moment’s notice. The combat is intuitive, and makes every shot count. You have to think about how to approach every room because you WILL run out of supplies without a plan. Leon doesn’t get much in terms of huge personality traits that Capcom characters typically bring, but it fits how horrified he is for his first apocalypse. Resident Evil 2 is great.