wikirafa
2023
I was expecting a game more along the lines of Myst or The Witness than a "walking simulator", which Return to Grace is.
The art deco setting is impressive and I can't deny that the story captivated me. However, I found the ending somewhat disappointing. I was hoping for a deeper conclusion, with more background on the history of this world.
The art deco setting is impressive and I can't deny that the story captivated me. However, I found the ending somewhat disappointing. I was hoping for a deeper conclusion, with more background on the history of this world.
2015
Rare Replay is impressive.
While most publishers release compilations with half a dozen ROMs in a rather lazy menu, Rare has gone much further here.
There are THIRTY games, ranging from the ZX Spectrum to the Xbox 360 (which was still in production when the game was made). Some of them even have graphical enhancements (Banjo Kazooie, Banjo Tooie and Perfect Dark) or gameplay improvements (Jet Force Gemini).
The presentation is incredible. Extremely polished. I still consider it to be the best ever made for a compilation to date, beating even the recent Atari 50.
While most publishers release compilations with half a dozen ROMs in a rather lazy menu, Rare has gone much further here.
There are THIRTY games, ranging from the ZX Spectrum to the Xbox 360 (which was still in production when the game was made). Some of them even have graphical enhancements (Banjo Kazooie, Banjo Tooie and Perfect Dark) or gameplay improvements (Jet Force Gemini).
The presentation is incredible. Extremely polished. I still consider it to be the best ever made for a compilation to date, beating even the recent Atari 50.
2013
It's no exaggeration to say that Rayman Legends is one of the best 2D platform games ever made. I'd go so far as to say it beats even the classic Mario games!
The game has a lot of charisma, extremely fluid gameplay and art that still impresses today. The musical levels are incredible and even have distorted versions at the end of the game.
Rayman Legends was so ahead of its time that Nintendo surely took a lot of inspiration from it to make the recent Super Mario Wonder (which I also recommend).
The game has a lot of charisma, extremely fluid gameplay and art that still impresses today. The musical levels are incredible and even have distorted versions at the end of the game.
Rayman Legends was so ahead of its time that Nintendo surely took a lot of inspiration from it to make the recent Super Mario Wonder (which I also recommend).
Symphony of the Night is one of those games so iconic that it has created a genre of its own. Including exploration and RPG elements in the Castlevania franchise was a very sound idea (and done in the right way, unlike Simon's Quest).
The impact this game had on me at the time is incomparable. I'll never forget when I walked into the Long Library for the first time and heard Wood Carving Partita. Or when I gained the ability to turn into mist. Or discovering that the "end" of the game was only half of it: and that the real challenge was yet to come.
It's a shame that the versions currently available, however, don't have the original translation. As cheesy as it was, it's much more memorable than the current one: "Die monster, you don't belong to this world!"
The impact this game had on me at the time is incomparable. I'll never forget when I walked into the Long Library for the first time and heard Wood Carving Partita. Or when I gained the ability to turn into mist. Or discovering that the "end" of the game was only half of it: and that the real challenge was yet to come.
It's a shame that the versions currently available, however, don't have the original translation. As cheesy as it was, it's much more memorable than the current one: "Die monster, you don't belong to this world!"
2022
I don't know what to say about Ape Escape.
I've only played the original version now, 25 years after its release. And it's clear that, by today's standards, both the controls and the camera are terrible.
But man, this game has personality. Even though I struggled with its strange gameplay (I'll never be able to row that boat properly!), I got to the end. If you're willing to overlook all these limitations, it's worth it.
I've only played the original version now, 25 years after its release. And it's clear that, by today's standards, both the controls and the camera are terrible.
But man, this game has personality. Even though I struggled with its strange gameplay (I'll never be able to row that boat properly!), I got to the end. If you're willing to overlook all these limitations, it's worth it.
I'm a bit suspicious about Katamari Damacy, since I like weird Japanese games. However, this one is a treat.
The absurd premise of creating a giant "ball" containing every possible type of object with a soundtrack that, for me, is still very memorable, makes this game a delight.
It will never cease to be on my list of favorites.
The absurd premise of creating a giant "ball" containing every possible type of object with a soundtrack that, for me, is still very memorable, makes this game a delight.
It will never cease to be on my list of favorites.
I've always been a big fan of the old Maxis SimCitys.
SimCity 3000 is like an expansion, with improved graphics, of the already incredible 2000.
Age does weigh it down, though. Don't expect to find here all the hundreds of road layout options that exist in SimCity 4: Rush Hour or Cities Skylines.
However, the game delivers a good level of fun and challenge within its limitations. In 1999, there was nothing like it.
SimCity 3000 is like an expansion, with improved graphics, of the already incredible 2000.
Age does weigh it down, though. Don't expect to find here all the hundreds of road layout options that exist in SimCity 4: Rush Hour or Cities Skylines.
However, the game delivers a good level of fun and challenge within its limitations. In 1999, there was nothing like it.
2022
It's a mix of Unpacked with a puzzle dynamic that reminds me a bit of Uncharted and the old Resident Evil series.
You can easily spend a few hours with this game on XBOX Gamepass.
You can easily spend a few hours with this game on XBOX Gamepass.
It's a competent reimagining of the classic PS1 and GBA Castlevanias. If, like me, you like Metroidvanias, you'll enjoy Bloodstained. I don't know, however, if it's worth picking up at full price.
Panzer Dragoon is a classic on the Saturn. You can't underestimate the impact the game had back in 1995.
This remake, however, brings nothing new apart from redone graphics and new gameplay options. The game itself is very short. You can finish it in an hour, depending on your skill or the difficulty level you select.
This remake, however, brings nothing new apart from redone graphics and new gameplay options. The game itself is very short. You can finish it in an hour, depending on your skill or the difficulty level you select.
1996
Wave Race 64 is still unmatched when it comes to capturing the exhilarating sensation of riding a jet-ski across the waves. The energetic narrator and the fantastic soundtrack just made it even better. I really miss playing that game.
Back in the day, there wasn't any other game where you could lead the Cook Islands to World Cup victory. FIFA98 had a bit of an arcade feel to its gameplay, which wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but overall, it was still a solid game.
ISSS64 was absolutely stunning in terms of graphics for its time. It easily outshined any other console football/soccer game. When it came to gameplay, it was only second to the PS1 Winning Eleven series, which was also developed by Konami.