Fillip J Phry
Well-Known Member
I feel like it's been a while since I rambled on about the games I've been playing. Here's a long overdue update:
I finished Sable a couple of weeks ago. Short review: the most relaxing game I've played this year. Pure exploration bliss. I actually completed this one 100% - all quests, eggs, outfits, bike parts, etc. The game has a ton of jank, but due to the chill nature of the game, at worst, these bugs cost you a small bit of time. The buggiest bit was the bike, but I actually loved this. I would run into random stuff regularly, often sending my bike flipping and flying through the air. It was wildly entertaining. Final thought: I could feel the love that a small team put into this, and the atmosphere and storytelling far overshadowed any negatives I may have had around this one.
I also played through A Plague Tale: Innocence. It's been a while since I played a purely linear, story driven title, and I'm glad I picked this one up. It has simple stealth and combat focused on using a sling, and that sling is used as much/possibly more for puzzles and traversal. Much of the "combat" sections feel like puzzles themselves. No health system means encountering most enemies results in an instant death cutscene. The rat plague is used heavily and very well, and you use light to traverse through a shocking amount of the little buggers. The story ramps way up and gets truly crazy by the end. Looking forward to the sequel now!
I completed Narita Boy the other night. I feel like this one is slipping under a lot of people's radar. An 80's inspired platformer with beat em up mechanics. I've seen some reviews calling it a Metroidvania, but it felt fairly linear to me. Most places are locked by keys you have to find, and the areas that require a certain move to get past don't really show up until around the time you get said move. There was little to no backtracking to previous areas, just some small exploration in whatever area you are currently in. Combat was very deliberate and satisfying. It starts easy enough, and you can usually mash at the beginning to get through. However, by the end, the challenges get challenging, but doable. Nothing worth throwing a controller over here, just practice a few times and learn the move sets, and time your moments carefully, and even the final boss isn't too much trouble. The art style is really cool and the soundtrack is enjoyable. I love the VHS style filter on everything, really helps immerse you in the time period. Story is touching, and while it's completed, sets up the possibility of a sequel. Here's hoping they get that chance. If you have Game Pass, there's no reason not to give it a shot.
Almost done, couple quick bits.
Back 4 Blood is fun, especially with friends, and scratches that Left 4 Dead itch. Worst AI I think I've ever seen in a game, so even playing with randos is an improvementk. Biggest complaint - all chat comes through in the game, so if you are in a party with others not in the game, the people you are playing with can hear you.
Still playing Binding of Isaac regularly. Got burned out with Jacob and Esau, so I switched over to the Tainted characters. I'm having fun with the game again (and getting wins). Working on Tainted Maggie right now.
Also still playing Fallout 76, still enjoying the new content and doing all the daily stuff. Stealth is broken as hell, and I love it.
Next up is going to be Final Fantasy X/X2. More on that at a later time
I finished Sable a couple of weeks ago. Short review: the most relaxing game I've played this year. Pure exploration bliss. I actually completed this one 100% - all quests, eggs, outfits, bike parts, etc. The game has a ton of jank, but due to the chill nature of the game, at worst, these bugs cost you a small bit of time. The buggiest bit was the bike, but I actually loved this. I would run into random stuff regularly, often sending my bike flipping and flying through the air. It was wildly entertaining. Final thought: I could feel the love that a small team put into this, and the atmosphere and storytelling far overshadowed any negatives I may have had around this one.
I also played through A Plague Tale: Innocence. It's been a while since I played a purely linear, story driven title, and I'm glad I picked this one up. It has simple stealth and combat focused on using a sling, and that sling is used as much/possibly more for puzzles and traversal. Much of the "combat" sections feel like puzzles themselves. No health system means encountering most enemies results in an instant death cutscene. The rat plague is used heavily and very well, and you use light to traverse through a shocking amount of the little buggers. The story ramps way up and gets truly crazy by the end. Looking forward to the sequel now!
I completed Narita Boy the other night. I feel like this one is slipping under a lot of people's radar. An 80's inspired platformer with beat em up mechanics. I've seen some reviews calling it a Metroidvania, but it felt fairly linear to me. Most places are locked by keys you have to find, and the areas that require a certain move to get past don't really show up until around the time you get said move. There was little to no backtracking to previous areas, just some small exploration in whatever area you are currently in. Combat was very deliberate and satisfying. It starts easy enough, and you can usually mash at the beginning to get through. However, by the end, the challenges get challenging, but doable. Nothing worth throwing a controller over here, just practice a few times and learn the move sets, and time your moments carefully, and even the final boss isn't too much trouble. The art style is really cool and the soundtrack is enjoyable. I love the VHS style filter on everything, really helps immerse you in the time period. Story is touching, and while it's completed, sets up the possibility of a sequel. Here's hoping they get that chance. If you have Game Pass, there's no reason not to give it a shot.
Almost done, couple quick bits.
Back 4 Blood is fun, especially with friends, and scratches that Left 4 Dead itch. Worst AI I think I've ever seen in a game, so even playing with randos is an improvementk. Biggest complaint - all chat comes through in the game, so if you are in a party with others not in the game, the people you are playing with can hear you.
Still playing Binding of Isaac regularly. Got burned out with Jacob and Esau, so I switched over to the Tainted characters. I'm having fun with the game again (and getting wins). Working on Tainted Maggie right now.
Also still playing Fallout 76, still enjoying the new content and doing all the daily stuff. Stealth is broken as hell, and I love it.
Next up is going to be Final Fantasy X/X2. More on that at a later time
