tendog
BACKER
2023
This is SUCH a unique fusion of genres, so I have massive respect for the devs for going all out... but I think the gameplay wasn't too fun for the first half. Although, I'm also nearly certain more horror fans will enjoy this than golf fans will, and I fall in the latter category.
That being said, the golf mechanics were surprisingly decent! The horror elements just became frustrating to me as the motivation of the player felt a bit too vague. When you come across [spoiler thing], why would you keep playing a round of golf? I think there are hints that the player-character is a bit psychotic, but it's not totally clear what the meaning of it all is, which is probably okay! It just makes it hard for the golf fan in me to enjoy.
I will say the second half this game kinda kicks ass, and frankly I wish more golf games would attempt something as bold as what this game does. Easily puts Super Rush to shame in terms of breaking the golfing mold, but I think the possibilities of the horror-golf genre, as well as the golf genre in general, are still out there.
(btw, I totally found out this game because of Jacob Geller, but I didn't actually watch the video yet)
That being said, the golf mechanics were surprisingly decent! The horror elements just became frustrating to me as the motivation of the player felt a bit too vague. When you come across [spoiler thing], why would you keep playing a round of golf? I think there are hints that the player-character is a bit psychotic, but it's not totally clear what the meaning of it all is, which is probably okay! It just makes it hard for the golf fan in me to enjoy.
I will say the second half this game kinda kicks ass, and frankly I wish more golf games would attempt something as bold as what this game does. Easily puts Super Rush to shame in terms of breaking the golfing mold, but I think the possibilities of the horror-golf genre, as well as the golf genre in general, are still out there.
(btw, I totally found out this game because of Jacob Geller, but I didn't actually watch the video yet)
The golden wrench drops were the most insane online gaming experience I've ever been a part of
2021
I knew this was meant to be a mobile game the entire time I played it, but it was sort of entrancing so I beat the whole thing in one go. It feels like something chronologically out of time, like it would have been a hit WiiWare title, or DSi shop download, or iOS game in the early 2010s, but 2021 is surprising. Really stark hyper-minimalism and crisp sound design, but unfortunately a bit too easy at most points and kinda slow at times.
A step forwards in technology, a step backwards in game design... Especially hilarious considering the original Portopia already fixed its text entry problem in 1985 with the Famicom release. The 1985 version might actually be easier to play than this game!
Adding on top of that the badly AI smoothed character animations... It's a showcase of some of the worst uses of AI, and a showcase that is years too late to impress anyone.
Behind all these flaws is Portopia, a (still, surprisingly) decent visual novel/detective game that made waves in the Japanese games industry of the 80s (and beyond). But it's a crappy excuse for a remake that never should have happened. I played it to observe its use of AI, but I discourage playing it otherwise.
Adding on top of that the badly AI smoothed character animations... It's a showcase of some of the worst uses of AI, and a showcase that is years too late to impress anyone.
Behind all these flaws is Portopia, a (still, surprisingly) decent visual novel/detective game that made waves in the Japanese games industry of the 80s (and beyond). But it's a crappy excuse for a remake that never should have happened. I played it to observe its use of AI, but I discourage playing it otherwise.
2024
Perhaps the most joyous experience of 2024 so far
2004
Handcrafted, refined, technical platforming. Wow. Must have been an absolute time suck in some high school's computer lab back in the day
2015
It's that part of the game where you enter a maze-like desert where directions become confusing, except that's this whole game. And it nails it.
Minimalistic masterpiece! The game design here is absolutely stunning. Rarely do I want to replay games after beating them but the naturalness of feeling like you are getting a grip on this desert is powerful.
Minimalistic masterpiece! The game design here is absolutely stunning. Rarely do I want to replay games after beating them but the naturalness of feeling like you are getting a grip on this desert is powerful.
2024
I'm not typically a fan of RPG maker games by their gameplay, but definitely the vibes can win me over, and Felvidek has some unique vibes. I was happy to be running around the little late-medieval kingdom fighting off heretical demons with my priest buddy for a few hours...
I kind of got lost in all of the names and factions, but the game was the right length that it wasn't really a big issue.
I kind of got lost in all of the names and factions, but the game was the right length that it wasn't really a big issue.
Such a cool setting, good puzzles, fantastic art design + history, and music too! I forgot how much I loved this one.
Some of the best and worst puzzles in any Nancy Drew game!
Great cowboy vibes, cool bits of Arizona/Western American history, and iconic characters ("Nope.")
2008
2018
Odd, anachronistic point-n-click game from 2018, set in a broken hotel for broke people. Instead of seeing your own thoughts, you experience the world via everyone else's. The character that gets the least development is.. you. It's interesting!
2021
It's insane that I didn't write a review for this game (though probably because I got it on PS5, so where to put it?) after I finished playing it in 2021. It's even MORE insane that I still didn't write one in 2023 after watching the monumentally insightful PSYCHODYSSEY.
Which you can also do, anytime you want. For free (maybe with ads? it's on youtube)), but you can also 100% legally download it or watch it from archive.org too.
It's a play-by-play account of the entire development process of Psychonauts 2, and I mean the ENTIRE development process. From Tim getting a niggling feeling it's time for a sequel, all the way to launch in 2021, moments of all these people's lives captured in 4k amber.
I've never designed a game, sometimes I think I might try to get involved in a game jam. That literally happens to the camera guy in this doc. He pitches an idea that takes off so much that it becomes part of THE GAME HE IS MAKING A DOCUMENTARY ON.
This is honestly just me telling you to watch Psychodyssey. Maybe if/when I play this game again I'll write a proper review.
Which you can also do, anytime you want. For free (maybe with ads? it's on youtube)), but you can also 100% legally download it or watch it from archive.org too.
It's a play-by-play account of the entire development process of Psychonauts 2, and I mean the ENTIRE development process. From Tim getting a niggling feeling it's time for a sequel, all the way to launch in 2021, moments of all these people's lives captured in 4k amber.
I've never designed a game, sometimes I think I might try to get involved in a game jam. That literally happens to the camera guy in this doc. He pitches an idea that takes off so much that it becomes part of THE GAME HE IS MAKING A DOCUMENTARY ON.
This is honestly just me telling you to watch Psychodyssey. Maybe if/when I play this game again I'll write a proper review.
1994
The controls are extra chunky at times, and finding where you're supposed to go can sometimes be a bit obtuse... but such a cool atmosphere, and god it feels good to get a new upgrade to your gun.