tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57711417045887210282024-03-13T20:58:54.161-07:00Dustin Thomas's Super Awesome Blog For Cool PeopleTheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-3725044950354092352020-12-26T10:44:00.003-08:002020-12-26T10:44:51.287-08:002020 End of the Year Video Game Crapshow<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FaivNK1xKI/X-d0hGRo4pI/AAAAAAAAEXg/Wubg-hzLIEIOos4kHasNpiQTOeblvItwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/ars-games-of-the-year-2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FaivNK1xKI/X-d0hGRo4pI/AAAAAAAAEXg/Wubg-hzLIEIOos4kHasNpiQTOeblvItwQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h226/ars-games-of-the-year-2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Shout out to Ars Technica for this sweet complication image I totally stole.)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think it's safe to say that 2020 wasn't a great year for a lot of us. At the very least, it was unlike any year any of us have ever experienced. I'm fortunate enough to work in a field that didn't require me to miss any work, and I'm thankful for that. However, 2020 was without question the worst year of my life. Between June and November, I lost many people that I loved. I lost two friends, one of which had been one of my best friends since high school, I lost an uncle, I lost my Pastor and mentor, and most devastatingly of all, I had to say goodbye to my mother.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I spent the great majority of 2020, especially the latter half, trying to escape what seemed like a never ending cycle of loss. I returned to old standbys like <i>Stardew Valley</i>, sinking probably another 50 hours into it between the co-op farm I started with my wife and restarting it over again on Switch. I replayed some of my favorite classics like <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night </i>and <i>Super Mario World</i>. But I also kept myself busy by burying myself in work, picking up many extra days just to take my mind off of stuff. Because of this, I missed out on a lot of big games this year. Big both in terms of their triple-A status and their immense runtime.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I started this article, I went through and looked up all the games released this year and was surprised to find that I played a little over 20 games, and among the ones I played, there weren't many stinkers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As always, these games of the year lists that I do every year are strictly personal preference. If you liked some of the games I was disappointed in, that's cool. I'm glad you liked them. If you hated some of the games that I loved this year, more power to you. Just don't get mad at me when I get on my soapbox about how people treated <i>The Last of Us Part II </i>at release.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">AGENTS ARE GOOOOOOOOO! (Also, spoilers ahead for some of the games I'm talking about.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Most Disappointing</u></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Paper Mario: The Origami King</span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NEtZZTHrn0/X-drzvlSa1I/AAAAAAAAEQ0/oOJl1pQ2M6MZPd-H0iwP7inEkjgXrAGOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/paper-mario-the-origami-king-switch-hero.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NEtZZTHrn0/X-drzvlSa1I/AAAAAAAAEQ0/oOJl1pQ2M6MZPd-H0iwP7inEkjgXrAGOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/paper-mario-the-origami-king-switch-hero.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>No franchise has burned me more than <i>Paper Mario</i>. I don't know why Nintendo insists on making new <i>Paper Mario</i> games that have such ridiculous combat gimmicks, but <i>Origami King</i> might be the worst they've ever come up with. I bought <i>Paper Mario: Sticker Star</i> on release day and couldn't understand how someone at Nintendo thought "Yeah, a limited number of attacks in a turn-based combat RPG, that sounds like a good idea." Just terrible.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there was <i>Paper Mario: Color Splash</i> on the Wii U. I was smart enough to avoid that one. Then there was <i>Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam</i> on 3DS, which was excellent because it's exactly what we wanted it to be. It was a standard turn-based RPG in the vein of <i>Thousand Year Door</i> and the rest of the <i>Mario & Luigi</i> series.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fftW0_tOk7I/X-dsSTyKA7I/AAAAAAAAESI/5MxaBy_d08AssWVExX7lRhcuglUn2jltACLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/paper%2Bmario.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fftW0_tOk7I/X-dsSTyKA7I/AAAAAAAAESI/5MxaBy_d08AssWVExX7lRhcuglUn2jltACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/paper%2Bmario.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Then we arrive at <i>Paper Mario: The Origami King</i>, and once again, I wasted my money by buying this game on launch day at full price. <i>Paper Mario: The Origami King </i>is a perfect example of a game where they got everything right except the most important thing. The graphics, the writing, the humor, it's all there. Then there's the combat. If it were a turn-based RPG like the games I mentioned, it would probably crack my top 5 of the year. Instead, we have a circular grid that surrounds Mario, and each battle consists of nothing more than a few enemies shuffling themselves around on the grid and you adjusting it to line them up for a more powerful attack. You don't gain experience points, you don't level up, you don't acquire new attacks or abilities (at least not at the point that I stopped playing), and every time I engaged in combat past the first few battles, I was more annoyed than excited.</div><div><br /></div><div>So much wasted potential with this series over the last few generations. Oh, and one of the bosses is a literal box of colored pencils.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable Mention: <i>Streets of Rage 4</i></b></div><div>It was fine. That's why it's disappointing. It was just...fine.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Biggest Surprise</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Journey to the Savage Planet</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dk2XZgRZdNg/X-dsgRGUm2I/AAAAAAAAESM/qogTGqFIGDM-WOPUbu1tnT7F-Igx3Z8iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dk2XZgRZdNg/X-dsgRGUm2I/AAAAAAAAESM/qogTGqFIGDM-WOPUbu1tnT7F-Igx3Z8iwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/journey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></i></div><div>In 2019, one of the biggest surprises for me was <i>The Outer Worlds</i>. This year, <i>Journey to the Savage Planet </i>came along and was like "Hey, what if you played <i>The Outer Worlds</i>, but your primary objective is to just explore a quirky and fun planet and not have to worry too much about the combat, inventory, and dialogue?"</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't know much about <i>Journey to the Savage Planet </i>going in. I had heard about it, but hadn't been following it and had no idea when it was supposed to be released. Then it dropped on Xbox Game Pass and I thought "Sure, why not?" I started it up and was immediately taken in by its bright, colorful palette and sense of humor.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNhBP3ow1OQ/X-dswOaoIvI/AAAAAAAAESg/IXFP6qjN_iwCewGkR8upWZCgHXsjDsR1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/journey%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="2000" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNhBP3ow1OQ/X-dswOaoIvI/AAAAAAAAESg/IXFP6qjN_iwCewGkR8upWZCgHXsjDsR1wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h216/journey%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div>If <i>The Outer Worlds</i> is "<i>Fallout</i> in space" then <i>Journey to the Savage Planet</i> is "bite-sized <i>The Outer Worlds</i>." It's not going to take you 40 hours to see everything<i> Journey </i>has to offer, you can probably crank everything out in a dozen hours or so. I find that to be refreshing, and that's the perfect length of a game for someone like me.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable Mention: <i>Gears Tactics</i></b></div><div>I gave <i>Gears Tactics</i> a try because of my fondness for <i>Gears of War</i> and found a surprisingly deep and enjoyable tactics game.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Best 2019 Game I Played in 2020</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Control</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ypa283Z5b78/X-ds4-crVhI/AAAAAAAAESk/_rQc1XbanNk0ArhR8sxfE8brs2wdbAUrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ypa283Z5b78/X-ds4-crVhI/AAAAAAAAESk/_rQc1XbanNk0ArhR8sxfE8brs2wdbAUrACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/control.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Last year, I named the remake of <i>Resident Evil 2</i> as my game of the year. If I had played <i>Control</i> in 2019, <i>Resident Evil 2</i> would have taken a backseat. <i>Control</i> easily would have been my top game of last year. However, I picked it up at the end of the year when it was on sale and didn't get around to playing it until early 2020, henceforth, here it is.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm a huge fan of Remedy, and with the exception of <i>Quantum Break</i>, which I haven't played, their games rank very highly for me in terms of my favorite games on their respective platforms. <i>Alan Wake</i> is one of my all-time favorite games and there's no game that I want a true sequel to more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9MJgmrobRY/X-ds-Bic5-I/AAAAAAAAESo/01xJ4P1XQAUNn0LSPwK6I1yVsuRtRd6mwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/control%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9MJgmrobRY/X-ds-Bic5-I/AAAAAAAAESo/01xJ4P1XQAUNn0LSPwK6I1yVsuRtRd6mwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/control%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>From the very get-go, I was enthralled in <i>Control</i>'s world. All of the supernatural cover-ups, the government conspiracies, the crazy setpieces, the characters that are just slightyly off, trippy sidequests, it's all so expertly crafted. I'm not usually the type of person to read data logs, journals, or whatever other written lore you find strewn about in video games. Typically in a game like <i>Fallout 4</i> or <i>The Outer Worlds</i>, I'll read the information in the first few computer terminals I come across, but after a while I just start skipping it all. Not so with <i>Control</i>. I read every single piece of lore and collectible I could find and loved every redacted word.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are few games that I can remember where I felt as empowered as I did in <i>Control</i>. There's just something special about leveling up to the point that you can telekinetically lift a forklift and hurl it at your enemies. Most of the time I relied on Jesse's powers rather than weapons, and it wasn't uncommon for me to walk into a room and just start grabbing stuff with my mind and throwing it at dudes. It was never unsatisfying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Txjp8o_os04/X-dtDIB-7HI/AAAAAAAAESw/o7Qx8j5NqtQmTnmHw2fKWIwlKefugjN9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1460/control%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1460" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Txjp8o_os04/X-dtDIB-7HI/AAAAAAAAESw/o7Qx8j5NqtQmTnmHw2fKWIwlKefugjN9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h219/control%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>And there were so many great areas and memorable moments that left an impression like the Black Rock Quarry, the recreation of Ordinary, the Ashtray Maze, and of course, Dr. Darling's music video. I was waiting for the Ultimate Edition to play the DLC, and now that it's been released, I intend to return to the Federal Bureau of Control once again.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable Mention: <i>Luigi's Mansion 3</i></b></div><div>I've been playing through this off and on throughout the year with my wife when we have time. It's an excellent co-op game and has the trademark Nintendo charm.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>24 Year Old Game I Was Right About All Along</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Super Mario 64</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9ckCIq4jYI/X-dtLSK3ZgI/AAAAAAAAES4/hyEQjLOUh3wbV4FCfe4-4vZDko4XKo9bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/smb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9ckCIq4jYI/X-dtLSK3ZgI/AAAAAAAAES4/hyEQjLOUh3wbV4FCfe4-4vZDko4XKo9bgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/smb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I understand why <i>Super Mario 64</i> is an important video game. I understand it's relevance to the industry. And for a lot of people my age and those of you a few years younger than me, you probably grew up with <i>Super Mario 64</i> and it holds a very special place in your heart. I understand and respect all of that.</div><div><br /></div><div>However...</div><div><br /></div><div>Since 1996, I have never shied away from my opinion that <i>Super Mario 64</i> is an overrated video game. Important? Yes, absolutely. Good? In no way, shape, or form. I think it's undoubtedly the worst 3D <i>Mario</i> game and probably the worst <i>Mario</i> platformer. That may sound strange when <i>Super Mario Sunshine</i> is on the same cartridge, but while<i> Sunshine</i> certainly has its flaws, if given the choice, I would pick <i>Sunshine</i> over <i>Super Mario 64</i> ten times out of ten.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gfJOvzMVE4/X-dtRCpcRRI/AAAAAAAAETA/ydvynlkDpfYHv9_9RBB-uqXSSR_aKr5LACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/smb%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="900" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gfJOvzMVE4/X-dtRCpcRRI/AAAAAAAAETA/ydvynlkDpfYHv9_9RBB-uqXSSR_aKr5LACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h241/smb%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>And listen, guys, I bought <i>Super Mario 3D All Stars</i> with the intention of giving it another fair shot. I didn't like it when I was a kid, and then I tried to play it again on the Wii Virtual Console and felt the same way. That was over 10 years ago. I thought to myself, <i>I've matured a lot as a gamer over the last decade. I've grown, my tastes and preferences have changed, I'm going to play </i>Super Mario 64<i> again and I'm sure I'll love it this time.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>But I didn't. I'm sorry, everyone. The controls and camera are just so bad. I quit out of many levels because of how much I had to wrestle with the camera, making it difficult to gauge certain jumps and leading to several deaths in a row. And don't get me started on the flying controls. I didn't even bother trying to get those stars after the first try when given the opportunity. <i>Super Mario 64</i> certainly isn't all bad. A lot of the music is great, and some of the levels are very smartly crafted and none of them feel too similar to the others, but it's just not enough to get me to look past how poorly the game plays.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_eO5w3qO1I/X-dtVXtEntI/AAAAAAAAETI/icbAzGU8BFwdjoBAWKYlL_nr_z-nU9x-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/smb%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_eO5w3qO1I/X-dtVXtEntI/AAAAAAAAETI/icbAzGU8BFwdjoBAWKYlL_nr_z-nU9x-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/smb%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>In conclusion, <i>Super Mario 3D All Stars</i> did nothing to convince me otherwise on my opinion on <i>Super Mario 64</i>. It was bad in 1996, and it's bad in 2020. If they did a full remake of <i>Super Mario 64</i> with modern tech, I have no doubt it would look and play outstanding, and I think that's what we were all hoping for when this was first announced. But until that day comes, my opinion stands.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, this collection comes with <i>Super Mario Galaxy</i>, which is probably my favorite game of the last 20 years.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Most Unnecessary Remake/Remaster</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Mafia Trilogy</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zq8TdZP2zrw/X-dtfhi5OiI/AAAAAAAAETQ/jIbnfP8dR1ISPG1ty0kFCi8O_WLSGb1dACLcBGAsYHQ/s460/mafia.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="460" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zq8TdZP2zrw/X-dtfhi5OiI/AAAAAAAAETQ/jIbnfP8dR1ISPG1ty0kFCi8O_WLSGb1dACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h188/mafia.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I've been playing video games my entire life. The PS2 and Xbox 360 are, respectively, two of my favorite consoles. Whenever I talk with friends and we reminisce on those consoles about our favorite games, I've never heard anyone say "Yeah, I really love the <i>Mafia</i> series." The general consensus about the <i>Mafia</i> games is that they're alright, but nothing special. So when I heard they were remastering the <i>Mafia </i>series for current consoles (last gen consoles now, I guess?), my eyebrows were certainly raised. Then they were released and had a whole host of technical issues, particularly <i>Mafia II</i>, from what I understand.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a similar reaction to the announcement of <i>The Mafia Trilogy</i> as I did a few years ago when they were remastering <i>L.A. Noire</i>, which was "But why?"</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable Mention : <i>The Wonderful 101</i></b></div><div>Remember that mediocre game nobody bought on the Wii U? Well now you can not buy it on the Switch!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Worst NPC</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tiny Tina</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGTbC-46ovw/X-dtnt-8kzI/AAAAAAAAETY/BWSAmqLpt5w5CSrk0uot-wcevvZo4iytwCLcBGAsYHQ/s610/tina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="610" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGTbC-46ovw/X-dtnt-8kzI/AAAAAAAAETY/BWSAmqLpt5w5CSrk0uot-wcevvZo4iytwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h228/tina.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>This is less a 2020 "award" and more of a lifetime achievement kind of thing. I don't think Tiny Tina appeared in any of the <i>Borderlands 3</i> DLC released in 2020, but I hate her so much that she will forever be the Worst NPC. Tiny Tina sucks. Kill her, Gearbox. Please. Murder that girl and don't let her come back.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Game I'm Most Sick of Hearing About</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Among Us</b></span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltUGNh0IJJo/X-dtvq6SExI/AAAAAAAAETg/czhKcdTBwOce0qrPYvGU1gIbLaca6XYMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s616/among%2Bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltUGNh0IJJo/X-dtvq6SExI/AAAAAAAAETg/czhKcdTBwOce0qrPYvGU1gIbLaca6XYMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h229/among%2Bus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div>I have nothing against <i>Among Us</i>. I'm happy to see a small game get the credit it deserves, especially in this case where the game hit its stride long after release. That's such a great story. But just because I'm happy for the game doesn't mean I can't still be sick of hearing about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>As someone who worked in video game retail for years, I saw many games come and go. I watched many games take children by storm because it became the hot new Twitch game, leading me to be inundated with questions from customers about merch and various other things. It was <i>Minecraft</i>, then it was <i>Five Nights at Freddy's</i>, then <i>Pokemon GO</i>, then <i>PUBG</i>, then <i>Hello Neighbor</i> (which is the most God awful game of the bunch), then <i>Fortnite</i>, and now <i>Among Us</i>. Luckily, I've exited game retail and don't have to answer questions about when we're going to get <i>Among Us</i> plushies back in stock.</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, I don't dislike <i>Among Us</i>. I've played it. It's cute, it's fun, I have nephews that are obsessed with it, and it's the most adorable thing ever. But I'm definitely sick of hearing people say "You're acting pretty sus."</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable Mention: <i>Doom Eternal</i></b></div><div>Seriously, Luke, shut up about <i>Doom Eternal.</i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Game Most Sent To Die</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Battletoads</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORWFxK99alE/X-dt6JqhUgI/AAAAAAAAETo/x0Vc4JHQep4rf64nH5fEJ0JBVn1h7gRygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/battletoads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORWFxK99alE/X-dt6JqhUgI/AAAAAAAAETo/x0Vc4JHQep4rf64nH5fEJ0JBVn1h7gRygCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/battletoads.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Remember a while back when Microsoft announced they were making a new <i>Battletoads</i> game and no one cared because <i>Battletoads</i> is a trash series and people only pretend to like it because it's somewhat of a cult NES game?</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember when Microsoft didn't say another word about it and then released it with exactly zero advertisement or fanfare because they realized that no one cares about <i>Battletoads</i> because it's a trash series and people only pretend to like it because it's somewhat of a cult NES game?</div><div><br /></div><div>That's what happened in 2020. I played it for about 30 minutes because it's on Game Pass, and it deserved exactly the amount of advertisement it got. If I had a "Worst Game of 2020" category, <i>Battletoads</i> would probably win (lose?).</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Worst Game of 2020</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Battletoads</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4wBeCTCTvM/X-duBm9bhOI/AAAAAAAAETw/tBIPoJ1uwiwti8yXdvSM21R1HF82AVOXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/battletoads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4wBeCTCTvM/X-duBm9bhOI/AAAAAAAAETw/tBIPoJ1uwiwti8yXdvSM21R1HF82AVOXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/battletoads.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Yup, I was right.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Worst Title</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pandemia: Virus Outbreak</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDDllsYJeCk/X-duK0DtoMI/AAAAAAAAET0/2EiZv2JXOXouY_4OalutGuAgThUG_aYNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1010/pandemia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="1010" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDDllsYJeCk/X-duK0DtoMI/AAAAAAAAET0/2EiZv2JXOXouY_4OalutGuAgThUG_aYNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h200/pandemia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></i></div><div>What a poorly titled game to be released in 2020.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable Mention:</b> Whatever the <i>Kingdom Hearts III</i> DLC was called. I'm not going to look it up because I don't care about <i>Kingdom Hearts</i>, but I'm sure it was really, really stupid because it was DLC for a <i>Kingdom Hearts</i> game. It probably had a hyphen, ampersand, colon, semicolon, or any combination of the four in the title.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Best Title</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pandemia: Virus Outbreak</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_PmFUbTIvk/X-duTFa1BeI/AAAAAAAAET8/l3s4pfBLcqgAARoGS9eQIQWJl9jR_GRNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1010/pandemia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="1010" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_PmFUbTIvk/X-duTFa1BeI/AAAAAAAAET8/l3s4pfBLcqgAARoGS9eQIQWJl9jR_GRNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h200/pandemia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>What a perfectly titled game to be released in 2020.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable Mention: <i>Beautiful Punching Dudes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Surely, someone has created this game by now.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Best Retro Game</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Castlevania: Rondo of Blood</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlNQRtcdczk/X-dugRwpYzI/AAAAAAAAEUE/2c8nzS6eTPko6izI9JDu-JIhek5lthmzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/rondo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1040" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlNQRtcdczk/X-dugRwpYzI/AAAAAAAAEUE/2c8nzS6eTPko6izI9JDu-JIhek5lthmzQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/rondo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>A rule of thumb for me in general is that I have to buy <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i> on every generation of console so I always have a way to play it on a system that I currently have hooked up to my television. I always get the hankering to play<i> SotN</i> around Halloween every year. Last year, <i>Castlevania Requiem</i> was on sale on PSN on one of their end of the year sales. Despite already being able to play the Xbox 360 version on the Xbox One, I decided to pick it up for the addition of trophies, having the original version of <i>Rondo of Blood</i>, and because I just preferred playing PS4 over Xbox One.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had played the remake of <i>Rondo</i> on <i>Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles</i> on PSP many years ago, but had never played the original version, so after playing <i>SotN</i> for the umpteenth time this year, I followed it up immediately with <i>Rondo of Blood</i>. <i>Castlevania</i> has long been one of my favorite series, so having not played <i>Rondo</i>--the direct prequel to one of my favorite games ever--needed to be rectified.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfPeHx34HpI/X-duk51hqXI/AAAAAAAAEUM/nHoBoXelqGwXOYXBGpwKzng7AVFCYGeKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s256/rondo%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="256" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfPeHx34HpI/X-duk51hqXI/AAAAAAAAEUM/nHoBoXelqGwXOYXBGpwKzng7AVFCYGeKwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h350/rondo%2B2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div>What proceeded was what I consider to be the best 2D<i> Castlevania</i>. I have a particular fondness for the original <i>Castlevania</i> and <i>Super Castlevania IV</i>, and it was hard for me to put another 2D <i>Castlevania</i> on a higher level than those, but here we are. Between the branching and secret paths, multiple playable characters with unique abilities and endings, excellent boss fights, stellar soundtrack, anime-inspired cutscenes, and a tough but fair difficulty curve, in addition to controlling well, it's hard for me to deny <i>Rondo</i>'s greatness.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Game the Internet Cried About the Most Because They're a Bunch of Babies</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Last of Us Part II</b></span></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4BFCn0qFTOU/X-duv6pNA0I/AAAAAAAAEUQ/bCTGJnmKR_gb8m3pMw8h-sV4ahMkzn8EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/LOU%2B2%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4BFCn0qFTOU/X-duv6pNA0I/AAAAAAAAEUQ/bCTGJnmKR_gb8m3pMw8h-sV4ahMkzn8EwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/LOU%2B2%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Whenever the Internet doesn't like something, their naturally reaction is to create a petition to have people redo the thing they didn't like. It happened with <i>Star Wars: The Last Jedi</i>, it happened with the finale of <i>Game of Thrones</i>, and it happened with <i>The Last of Us Part II</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In all of those instances, my response is "Deal with it, nerds." You don't have the right to demand anything from anyone. You don't own the rights to <i>Star Wars </i>or<i> Game of Thrones</i> or <i>The Last of Us</i>, and until you do, you can't cry and tell Disney, HBO, or Naughty Dog that the story that they created has to be redone just because you don't like it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not saying that you can't be upset by how things played out. My favorite film of all-time is <i>Terminator 2: Judgment Day</i>. But when <i>Terminator 3</i> was bad, and <i>Terminator Salvation</i> was average, and <i>Terminator Genysis</i> was a dumpster fire, and <i>Terminator Dark Fate</i> was the "true continuation of <i>T2</i> and retcons the other films" and then proceeds to kill John Connor and has nothing to do with the original two films that I love and adore outside of a couple of characters, I didn't get my panties in a twist and review bomb the later films and demand that they be re-filmed. (Also, spoilers for <i>Terminator: Dark Fate</i>, I guess)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Last of Us</i> is in my top ten games of all-time. I adore it. I played it multiple times on both PS3 and PS4. The story absolutely hooked me and had me actually caring about characters in a video game, which very few games have been able to do. The way they showed the progression of Ellie and Joel's relationship was told beautifully, and it was the crux of the game. <i>The Last of Us</i> is about a fungal outbreak causing the downfall of modern society, but the story of the father-daughter relationship between Joel and Ellie is what drove the game. By the time the credits roll, you love them, and you understand Joel's internal struggle and why he ultimately made the decision he did.</div><div><br /></div><div>But with the sequel, Naughty Dog wanted to tell a revenge story. Was I happy that they decided to kill Joel so early in the game in order to tell their revenge story? No. Joel was my favorite character in the series, as he was for a lot of people. Was I happy that Naughty Dog deceived us with pre-release trailers and made us believe that Joel played a much larger part in the game than he did? No, I wasn't happy about that, either. Was I happy that they turned a sweet, innocent girl like Ellie into the most awful and unlikable character in the game? No, I hated that.</div><div><br /></div><div>What I'm getting at is that you're allowed to feel however you want about <i>The Last of Us Part II</i>. No one is allowed to tell you how you are or aren't allowed to feel about a game, or movie, or TV show, or whatever. You're allowed to hate the game, and you're allowed to express your opinion, but at least do it with respect and don't act like a child. Any time Naughty Dog posts anything on their social media pages, it's bombarded with negative comments from people hating on the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to petition anything pertaining to <i>The Last of Us Part II</i> and Naughty Dog, petition the insane amount of crunch and poor treatment the developers had to deal with from their bosses over the course of the game. But you won't because BAD GAME IS BAD AND I WANT GOOD GAME!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that I've gotten that off my chest, it's almost time for my top 10 games of the year. But first, some notable games I did not play this year, just so you know why they didn't make my list:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ghost of Tsushima</i></div><div><i>Final Fantasy VII Remake</i></div><div><i>Assassin's Creed Valhalla</i></div><div><i>Cyberpunk 2077</i></div><div><i>Immortals Fenyx Rising</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>And now, the top 10 video games I played in 2020.</div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>10. <i>Astro's Playroom</i></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtnioDOQzRU/X-du7F7OLlI/AAAAAAAAEUY/Vf2zVtj2PKMabqpVBmFRR52BjcLTyHKwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/astro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1200" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtnioDOQzRU/X-du7F7OLlI/AAAAAAAAEUY/Vf2zVtj2PKMabqpVBmFRR52BjcLTyHKwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h205/astro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I had no intention on owning a PlayStation 5 until about this time next year. I'm lucky that I'm finally in a place in my life where paying $500 isn't going to break me, but I still try to be as thrifty as I can, and I figured by Christmas 2021 there would be a sale or at least a bundle. However, I had a friend gift me a PS5. He didn't have to, I didn't ask him to, but somehow he was able to acquire one and just showed up at my doorstep and surprised me with it. I tried to offer to pay for it but he refused. I doubt he would want me to reveal his identity, but if he's reading, thank you again, man. It was one of the few bright spots in a truly terrible year for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, a few days later when I finally had the opportunity to play something, the first thing I played, naturally, was <i>Bugsnax</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fuAVZCf2KX8/X-du_BJC-9I/AAAAAAAAEUc/m-03eJ4GYvIlwp8Az9-I8yyXBtNQl5wZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/astro%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fuAVZCf2KX8/X-du_BJC-9I/AAAAAAAAEUc/m-03eJ4GYvIlwp8Az9-I8yyXBtNQl5wZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/astro%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Then I played <i>Astro's Playroom</i> and became very sad that I never splurged on the PSVR in order to play <i>Astro Bot</i>.<i> Astro's Playroom</i> may be a pack-in game, it's short and easy, but it's a nice little romp through the history of PlayStation and shows off the capabilities of the DualSense controller very well.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as pack-in games go, it's not <i>Super Mario World</i> or <i>Wii Sports</i>, but it's quite fun and certainly worth the few hours you'll spend with it.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>9. <i>Carrion</i></u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAj36z00iSg/X-dvFWkwwQI/AAAAAAAAEUk/MT3vaRZtHawH4wcau4J2a5j1SCOKUWKLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s616/carrion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAj36z00iSg/X-dvFWkwwQI/AAAAAAAAEUk/MT3vaRZtHawH4wcau4J2a5j1SCOKUWKLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h229/carrion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></u></b></span></div><div>I remember first seeing a trailer for <i>Carrion</i> about a year before its release and being stoked. I've made my love for the metroidvania no mystery, and the idea of playing one where you control the monster sounded like a neat twist on the genre. And it was. However, I think I let myself get a little too psyched up for it prior to launch because I did find myself a little underwhelmed when the credits rolled.</div><div><br /></div><div>The controls were sometimes a little wonky, and combat was trivial for the most part. The greatest enemy in<i> Carrion</i> is the world itself. And no, that's not me trying to say that the game does some great job with the world-building aspect of the story, I mean that there's no map and that's the most infuriating aspect of <i>Carrion</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdVSNyg_wJ4/X-dvJvTrAMI/AAAAAAAAEUo/mXVodJ9Ov2QqrK6e415iaHAaSnsmFpYIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/carrion%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdVSNyg_wJ4/X-dvJvTrAMI/AAAAAAAAEUo/mXVodJ9Ov2QqrK6e415iaHAaSnsmFpYIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/carrion%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><i>Carrion </i>is technically a metroidvania, but is still pretty linear. The game is broken up into several areas, each acting as it's own metroidvania (if you've played <i>Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin</i>, it's similar to that). On their own, the lack of a map isn't an issue, but if you want to backtrack to find power-ups you may have missed, it's likely that you'll get lost because of its confusing set up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like any good metroidvania, if you take the time to explore and find secrets, you're so overpowered by the end of the game that the later sections become trivial. Despite my complaints, <i>Carrion</i> was still a lot of fun. Once you get a hold of the way the monster moves and understand its special abilities and how to use them to your advantage, you feel unstoppable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Periodically, the game changes the action up to have you control a human and play short puzzle sequences and to give the game some exposition. At first these sequences don't seem like they're going anywhere, but they do pay off in the end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUNyS1b5fD0/X-dvOAfrZyI/AAAAAAAAEUw/11nE1I9bnGcphbHY68NetzNWuA1MsmmCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/carrion%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUNyS1b5fD0/X-dvOAfrZyI/AAAAAAAAEUw/11nE1I9bnGcphbHY68NetzNWuA1MsmmCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/carrion%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Perhaps it would have been better for me to go into<i> Carrion</i> with tempered expectations, but even though I wasn't as into it as much as I thought I would be, it was still a fun romp that didn't overstay its welcome. I think it will secure a similar place in my gaming life as something like<i> Limbo</i>. It'll be a game I come back to every so often and replay between big releases like video game comfort food.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>8. <i>Journey to the Savage Planet</i></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgDQD8Y7rT8/X-dvURxWYnI/AAAAAAAAEU4/4VBhrt4v60kUjHWMZ1bnz0mMykDgg1HRACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgDQD8Y7rT8/X-dvURxWYnI/AAAAAAAAEU4/4VBhrt4v60kUjHWMZ1bnz0mMykDgg1HRACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/journey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I've already said a bit about <i>Journey to the Savage Planet</i>, so I won't be long-winded here. At this stage in my life, I prefer to play smaller games rather than huge, open-world RPGs. I still play a good amount of both, but if given the option, I'll choose a more focused 8-12 hour game as opposed to one that's going to take me weeks or months to complete.</div><div><br /></div><div>It had a few sections that left me scratching my head, but for the most part I always knew where to go and what to do and it didn't waste my time, which I appreciate.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>7. <i>Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2</i></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ef_pigJMJAA/X-dva5uFeFI/AAAAAAAAEVA/WhdNvIx44DwaI6ZZOY0Rc8cejZK85HzHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/tony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ef_pigJMJAA/X-dva5uFeFI/AAAAAAAAEVA/WhdNvIx44DwaI6ZZOY0Rc8cejZK85HzHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/tony.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Few games fill me with as much nostalgia as the early <i>Tony Hawk's Pro Skater</i> games, and I say that as someone who wasn't nearly as into them as my friends were at the time. Thinking about those games transports us all back to a simpler time when the biggest worries we had were whose house we were staying at that night and which pizza place we were ordering from.</div><div><br /></div><div>These remakes are every bit as good as the originals and do exactly what you want a remake to do: it added to the games we love while being true to the spirit of the originals. I know that alterations were made, but I was able to jump right into all of my favorite levels and pull off all the tricks I used to without even having to think about it. It was like getting on a bike again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwLFDjq7Ohk/X-dveyRctmI/AAAAAAAAEVI/7Ol3hdqp8iok09mFRc2JbzCF8QOhOW0PQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/tony%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwLFDjq7Ohk/X-dveyRctmI/AAAAAAAAEVI/7Ol3hdqp8iok09mFRc2JbzCF8QOhOW0PQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/tony%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>However, I've never been good at <i>Tony Hawk's Pro Skater</i>. I'm good enough to complete the challenges, collect the SKATE letters, find the secret collectibles, and so on, but I would be screwed in the competitions if it weren't for the manual. I'm just not good at finding those lines and pulling off those insane combos. Once I completed all of the objectives in each level, I was done with the game. I'm not the type to try and improve my best scores because, again, I suck at these games. Although, I have to say that the first time I heard "Superman" play on the Warehouse level, I was instantly 14 years old again. That memory will never leave me.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>6. <i>Resident Evil 3</i></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88RE_77aKAU/X-dvkzKGvnI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/jZcUXYKQx4oOvTWM5hivTrnnNKd98U2eQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/re3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88RE_77aKAU/X-dvkzKGvnI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/jZcUXYKQx4oOvTWM5hivTrnnNKd98U2eQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/re3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I'm of two minds on Capcom's latest remake in their beloved horror franchise. On one hand, I was always a huge fan of the original game, so just the fact that this exists is awesome. On the other hand, they cut a lot of things from the original game that I would have loved to have seen in this version.</div><div><br /></div><div>On one hand, it still looks and plays like the <i>RE2</i> remake from last year that blew me away. On the other, it's obvious that this one game didn't receive the same kind of attention as <i>RE2</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I always loved the original <i>Resident Evil 3 </i>because of how much you got to explore of Raccoon City. In this remake, you no longer get to see the Raccoon City newspaper office, the clock tower, the park, and they even cut the only other boss character, Gravedigger. Gravedigger terrified me as a kid, and I was most looking forward to seeing how they updated the monstrosity, only to find that it wasn't in the game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-wN31JCS6o/X-dvpMhQNFI/AAAAAAAAEVU/7-28JKOibCQm8trV9FjIvalgPnI-nomRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/re3%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-wN31JCS6o/X-dvpMhQNFI/AAAAAAAAEVU/7-28JKOibCQm8trV9FjIvalgPnI-nomRwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/re3%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><i>RE2</i> updated Mr. X and made him into the most memorable part of the game. I remember talking with friends at the time how great Nemesis would be if they also planned on remaking<i> RE3</i>. Nemesis was fine, but failed to induce the same kind of anxiety that Mr. X did. I think part of that reason is because Nemesis shows up so often in the early stages of the game that fighting him didn't feel like a real threat after the first few encounters.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>RE2</i> was very similar to <i>THPS1+2</i> in that it modernized one of my favorite games. It didn't take away anything unless it was necessary, it added things to subvert expectations, and by the time I finished the game, I couldn't wait to restart and play with the second character. <i>RE3</i> is still a competent remake of a beloved classic, but in some ways it feels like a budget game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSqz0hVBPO8/X-dvtKoeeUI/AAAAAAAAEVc/jTOOYFCQyoYj0X2kOJIIyT8SBFRKAYf9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/re3%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSqz0hVBPO8/X-dvtKoeeUI/AAAAAAAAEVc/jTOOYFCQyoYj0X2kOJIIyT8SBFRKAYf9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/re3%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I've spent most of this entry talking about the bad, but <i>Resident Evil 3</i> is still a very good game, especially if you're a fan of the series. It still controls great and gives you a lot of incentives to play through multiple times. I had a lot of fun unlocking the special weapons and replaying on harder difficulties, and being able to blast through the game in just a little over one hour with the infinite rocket launcher was actually quite a blast.</div><div><br /></div><div>Technically, <i>Resident Evil 3</i> doesn't have many flaws. But for longtime fans like me, it left a lot to be desired. What it took out far outweighs what it added, and that's a shame, because <i>RE3</i> should have been competing for my favorite game of 2020 instead of not even cracking the top 5.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>5. <i>Grindstone</i></u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OFhEh8z5VM/X-dvy3W_9UI/AAAAAAAAEVg/avzf7CPat2Qbt10HwOHbZr5awmXwc2KDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/grindstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OFhEh8z5VM/X-dvy3W_9UI/AAAAAAAAEVg/avzf7CPat2Qbt10HwOHbZr5awmXwc2KDQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/grindstone.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></u></b></span></div><div>Okay, I'm cheating here, because although it was released on Switch just this past December 15th, technically <i>Grindstone </i>was released in 2019 on Apple Arcade and MacOS. However, when you read that it was released on Apple Arcade and MacOS only last year, I'm sure most of you will allow me to give it a pass.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Grindstone</i> is a puzzle game made by Capy, who are responsible for creating one of my all-time favorite games in <i>Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes,</i> an outstanding strategy puzzle game released on Nintendo DS and then later on digital storefronts. Given that fact, I was more than happy to give <i>Grindstone</i> a purchase when a friend suggested it. I've only recently started playing, but I've been hooked. It's one of the most addicting games I've played in some time.</div><div><br /></div><div>When you look at <i>Grindstone</i>, you definitely get the mobile game vibe, which may turn off some players, but once you dig in and really begin to understand the mechanics and unlock new and interesting upgrades, I promise that the mobile game vibe will be a non-issue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjGhKN5mlN8/X-dv21bjZcI/AAAAAAAAEVo/AmmRFTHETukgypL-SUrdB43LPJ2U_dVWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/grindstone%2B2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjGhKN5mlN8/X-dv21bjZcI/AAAAAAAAEVo/AmmRFTHETukgypL-SUrdB43LPJ2U_dVWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/grindstone%2B2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div>The basic explanation is that <i>Grindstone </i>is a matching game where you can chain as many attacks together as possible as long as the enemies--referred to as "creeps"--are the same color. Making a chain of 10 or more releases a gem onto the board, which will allow you to change your attacks to a different color of enemy mid-chain. Each level has three objectives: defeat a minimum number of creeps to unlock the door to move on to the next stage, collect a treasure chest, and defeat a special enemy to receive their crown. Only the first objective is necessary, but treasure chests contain extra crafting material for special weapons and health regens, and the crowns allow you to unlock new areas and boss battles.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Grindstone</i> is one of the better short-time games you can pick up right now. You can certainly play it for long stretches like I have, but it's also one of those "I have five minutes, I can play a level" kind of games.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>4. <i>Ori and the Will of the Wisps</i></u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clEi62bCbgw/X-dv9lzV4HI/AAAAAAAAEVw/XMDAO3lxA3EwZ7mDKGkA2o-SOXOoIUl6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s616/ori.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clEi62bCbgw/X-dv9lzV4HI/AAAAAAAAEVw/XMDAO3lxA3EwZ7mDKGkA2o-SOXOoIUl6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h229/ori.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></u></b></span></div><div>The only complaint I have about<i> Ori and the Will of the Wisps</i> is how poorly it ran on my Xbox One S at launch. I do my best not to use the word "literally" incorrectly, so trust me when I say that, at launch, certain areas in <i>Ori and the Will of the Wisps</i> would freeze for 1-5 seconds <i>literally</i> every 10 seconds or so. The game crashed on me 5 times. Twice I got stuck inside walls and couldn't get out, necessitating another restart.</div><div><br /></div><div>When the game decides it wants to be a big boy and run correctly, it's everything I wanted in a sequel to one of my favorite games of the generation. It added boss fights, new abilities, new traversal options, side missions, and a checkpoint system. The new checkpoint system does mitigate a lot of the challenge and strategy that <i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i> had, but I don't consider it a downgrade. At worst, it's a lateral move. It also doesn't hurt that both of the <i>Ori </i>games are absolutely stunning to look at.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkrOksypN2c/X-dwB3-VeQI/AAAAAAAAEV0/1U6Ce9nPmZg7ArRtKEk1pMLNXcK9J8lEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/ori%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkrOksypN2c/X-dwB3-VeQI/AAAAAAAAEV0/1U6Ce9nPmZg7ArRtKEk1pMLNXcK9J8lEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/ori%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>One thing that the <i>Ori</i> games do almost better than anyone is player movement. When running properly, few games feel as smooth as <i>Ori</i>, and chaining all of your abilities together without losing momentum makes you feel like a digital parkour runner.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ori</i>'s story is told with minimal dialogue, instead relying on the environment to shine a light on the underlying sadness permeating the world. The way the characters interact with one another conveys a genuine friendship without having to say a word. Throughout the game, and definitely at the end, <i>Ori</i> <i>and the Will of the Wisps</i> can genuinely make you shed a single, manly tear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CM-mOfig_bQ/X-dwFmOGUqI/AAAAAAAAEV4/Ua7X72U6xRAt1b5IsFzERqHDUQUw3tPQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ori%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CM-mOfig_bQ/X-dwFmOGUqI/AAAAAAAAEV4/Ua7X72U6xRAt1b5IsFzERqHDUQUw3tPQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/ori%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I'm sure the major technical bugs have been patched, so playing it now is probably a much smoother experience for someone playing on anything less than an Xbox One X. If you haven't jumped into this one, you're definitely missing out on one of the better 2D metroidvania titles in recent years.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>3. <i>Marvel's Spider Man: Miles Morales</i></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1xJEWnGCN0/X-dweY8Wg6I/AAAAAAAAEWM/0YuCVikDecUFfM_W3FdX0i_pgdJay-GhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/MM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1xJEWnGCN0/X-dweY8Wg6I/AAAAAAAAEWM/0YuCVikDecUFfM_W3FdX0i_pgdJay-GhgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/MM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Over the summer, I went back and finally got around to playing the DLC for <i>Marvel's Spider Man</i>. It was great, of course, and considering that I hadn't played the game since it's 2018 release, I was overjoyed to find that it's a very easy game to jump back in to. I was able to get back into the swing of things (pun intended) within a few minutes. I even went back into the main game and finished the crime missions, which was the only trophy preventing me from obtaining the platinum. I actually set aside an entire afternoon and did a little over 60 of them. It was monotonous.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was honestly my only complaint. There was just too much to do. Which is why <i>Miles Morales</i> is much more up my alley. Sure, it didn't have as involved of a story, it didn't have as many villains, and as someone whose knowledge of <i>Spider Man</i> lore comes almost entirely from the Sam Raimi films, it didn't have many characters I recognized in general. But <i>Miles Morales</i> took the <i>Uncharted: Lost Legacy</i> route and told an concise, roughly 8-10 hour story. That's perfect for me. If you want that platinum, add on a few more hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atqOp1n-XRc/X-dwiWvCseI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/ty23vTStGZQVltn-BpLxPiGRzhzzdWCywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1460/mm%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1460" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atqOp1n-XRc/X-dwiWvCseI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/ty23vTStGZQVltn-BpLxPiGRzhzzdWCywCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/mm%2B2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div>I actually have no idea who Miles Morales is outside of this game (and his brief role in the 2018 game). However, this game made me want to get to know him. I know he's the main character of <i>Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse</i>, and I've heard great things about that film, so I'm planning to watch it in the near future.</div><div><br /></div><div>When it comes to the gameplay, if you enjoyed the 2018 game, there's no reason you won't like <i>Miles Morales</i>. Swinging is as natural as ever, and combat is mostly the same, but why change what works? The amount of tech that Miles can use in combat is much reduced from Peter, but Miles' special abilities more than make up for it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfLmQHyFD0A/X-dwnUyBFmI/AAAAAAAAEWU/GV3x41okwqUnTzmmRmq_LxsHdOd_-7cbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/MM%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="2000" height="254" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfLmQHyFD0A/X-dwnUyBFmI/AAAAAAAAEWU/GV3x41okwqUnTzmmRmq_LxsHdOd_-7cbgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h254/MM%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>There are still plenty of side missions and collectibles to distract you, and in general I found the side missions in <i>Miles Morales</i> to be much more enjoyable. I didn't care for the environmental challenge or pigeon collecting missions from the original. The latter of which does make one appearance in <i>Miles Morales</i>, though it leads into a bigger side mission. I was also very happy to find that stealth missions were abandoned for this sequel, which were perhaps my least favorite parts of <i>Spider Man</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I loved 2018's <i>Spider Man</i>, I think I like <i>Miles Morales</i> more because of its shorter run time. It doesn't try to do too much, and is still able to pull on your heartstrings the same way the original did.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>2. <i>The Last of Us Part II</i></u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMVdcTrzzDU/X-dwtHUNjSI/AAAAAAAAEWY/cPkr9to01lgS0-4OAO1PKW0yaQiRpYsOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/LOU%2B2.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMVdcTrzzDU/X-dwtHUNjSI/AAAAAAAAEWY/cPkr9to01lgS0-4OAO1PKW0yaQiRpYsOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/LOU%2B2.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div>Despite my complaints about <i>The Last of Us Part II</i> that I wrote about earlier, the reason it ranks so highly for me this year is because the gameplay is just perfect. It's the best stealth game since 2015's <i>Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain</i>. Well, it can be if that's how you decide to play it. You can certainly go into every encounter guns-blazing if you so choose, but I don't think that would be wise, especially on harder difficulties.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Last of Us Part II</i> is, without question, the most controversial game of 2020. When you take into account the immense amount of fan backlash the game suffered and continues to suffer to this day, how could it not be? When <i>TLoU2</i> was announced and that first trailer was shown, I was torn. On one hand, I would have liked Joel and Ellie's life together following the credits to have remained ambiguous. Would Joel ever Ellie the truth? If so, how would Ellie take the news? Would they be content in Tommy's compound? I loved that Naughty Dog didn't give us all the answers. There's a part of me that wanted a sequel, but wanted it be about an entirely different group of people and how they're dealing with things in their part of the world. But then again, I love these characters and want to spend more time with them and see how their relationship has grown over the last several years. And that's what we got.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fit0l7uuln4/X-dwx--_d8I/AAAAAAAAEWg/bV2xPQdJ-6g3mLgHGKWNOJJoK3zfCtgnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1400/lou%2B2%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1400" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fit0l7uuln4/X-dwx--_d8I/AAAAAAAAEWg/bV2xPQdJ-6g3mLgHGKWNOJJoK3zfCtgnwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h200/lou%2B2%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>The story is the primary reason <i>The Last of Us Part II </i>remains so polarizing. It holds absolutely nothing back. It's a very adult game. The original certainly had its moments, but not nearly to this degree. As mentioned earlier, this is a revenge story that shows how the desire for revenge leads to a never-ending vicious circle of violence. I hated watching Ellie's descent into uncontrollable rage, and if there's one thing I didn't expect, it's the fact that the character we were programmed to hate for the first half of the game became the more likeable of the two playable characters. Don't get me wrong, she's also a detestable character, and her desire for revenge is what sets the events of <i>The Last of Us Part II</i> in motion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite how much I love <i>The Last of Us Part II</i>, I'm honestly not sure if I can say that I enjoyed playing it, if that makes sense? The game is brutal from start to finish. It never lets up. You eventually get to a point where you expect everyone to be dead at the end, which isn't too far from what actually happens. The brief moments of tranquility only serve as bookends to hours and hours of torture-porn levels of violence. Beating a woman to death as she begs for her life, witnessing a disemboweling, the torture of a young girl, bludgeoning countless people in the most detailed way that gaming has ever seen, <i>The Last of Us Part II </i>is relentless. At times, it feels<i> </i>like nothing more than an Eli Roth movie where everyone is the antagonist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQsi9EjebKs/X-dw1WJIHGI/AAAAAAAAEWo/tPQeX0Zy4AMBFAag3c7RO3EeU_Kb99dMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1919/lou%2B2%2B4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1919" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQsi9EjebKs/X-dw1WJIHGI/AAAAAAAAEWo/tPQeX0Zy4AMBFAag3c7RO3EeU_Kb99dMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/lou%2B2%2B4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div>All that aside, much like the first game, I found myself enamored with the world, coveting every note I discovered to understand how things went down in Seattle during this fungal apocalypse. I wanted to know exactly what happened that led to the war between the WLF and the Seraphite cult. As hard as the story is to handle at times, Naughty Dog always does a masterful job of world-building.</div><div><br /></div><div>The world-building, combined with the top-notch stealth gameplay, is what keeps you going. Even though I feel that <i>The Last of Us Part II</i> is about ten hours longer than it needed to be, the areas that felt like filler were still incredibly fun to take on. I was fastidious with how I approached each encounter, doing my best to get through them without alarming enemies in hopes of getting through unscathed and made liberal use of the traps at my disposal when things did break down. My favorite combat sequences were those featuring both human and infected enemies, allowing you to strategically pit the two against each other to reduce the cleanup you'll have to do afterward.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnSDvQHsS9U/X-dw458HHcI/AAAAAAAAEWs/zTE0-rc0ZeQxoetb7OFhv0WvlZ3GQ_voACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/lou%2B2%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnSDvQHsS9U/X-dw458HHcI/AAAAAAAAEWs/zTE0-rc0ZeQxoetb7OFhv0WvlZ3GQ_voACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h200/lou%2B2%2B5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Not to beat a dead horse (R.I.P. Shimmer), but I understand all the complaints levied against <i>The Last of Us Part II</i>. Personally, the direction they went with the story didn't bother me. It wasn't the route I would have taken if I were the one writing it, but I appreciate the risk Naughty Dog took. It's not everyone's cup of tea, and I definitely don't hold it in the same regard as I do the original, but I think <i>The Last of Us Part II</i> is a wonderful but flawed game where the good still outweighs the bad.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1. <i>Hades</i></u></b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yz0lu8Y_M8/X-dw-NkwIkI/AAAAAAAAEW0/Q7rKh9xuQ_w5cKX6FjP8SxECaVGqjIgmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/hades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yz0lu8Y_M8/X-dw-NkwIkI/AAAAAAAAEW0/Q7rKh9xuQ_w5cKX6FjP8SxECaVGqjIgmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/hades.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I don't play a lot of rogue-likes. Most of the ones I have played don't hook me and I fall off quickly. Every now and then, though, a rogue-like gets its claws in me and I become obsessed with it. The first one to do so was <i>Rogue Legacy</i>. I adore that game. Then came <i>Dead Cells</i> in 2018, a game that I still play fairly regularly thanks to its developers continued support.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then, there's <i>Hades</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Hades</i> isn't just the best rogue-like I've ever played. It's one of the best video games I've ever played. Period. I intend to do a top ten of the generation list soon, and you can expect <i>Hades</i> to be very high on that list. It's on another level.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1mwQOUcvS7U/X-dxCnqzedI/AAAAAAAAEW4/KhjOdCSAiRMVmzVc8LJCrIGdnxqIJzIJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1201/hades%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1201" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1mwQOUcvS7U/X-dxCnqzedI/AAAAAAAAEW4/KhjOdCSAiRMVmzVc8LJCrIGdnxqIJzIJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/hades%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>The very nature of rogue-likes is a weird one. You play, you die, then you start again from the beginning with things slightly changed and a little stronger than before. The hardest thing for a rogue-like to do is to have a story that actually makes sense in the context of the world. But <i>Hades</i> pulls it off. In fact, that story is one of <i>Hades</i>' greatest strengths, which is not something you can say of many games in the genre. When you die, it makes sense why you start over with things slightly changed. When you succeed, it makes sense why you need to succeed again and again. When you see the so-called "end of the story," it makes sense why you would keep going.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Hades</i> is named after the titular god of the underworld from Greek mythology, a topic that I've had an interest in ever since I first saw <i>Clash of the Titans</i> as a kid. I love the personalities of each Greek god, and over 50 hours into the game, their dialogue has never once repeated. The amount of love and time that went into writing <i>Hades</i> is admirable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ysddD4e6Kg/X-dxGUsQoQI/AAAAAAAAEW8/mmianXVWRCElIDcn0-V_DFFjR1N0zZ_XQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/hades%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ysddD4e6Kg/X-dxGUsQoQI/AAAAAAAAEW8/mmianXVWRCElIDcn0-V_DFFjR1N0zZ_XQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/hades%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>As great as the story is in <i>Hades</i>, the story isn't what keeps you playing in a rogue-like. It's also not the combat itself, though it, too, is stellar. In rogue-likes, what keeps you going is the sense of progression. You start your first run, and then you die. Maybe you'll level up. You start your second run, and you get a little further. After that, maybe you'll level up again. Then maybe you'll make it to a boss and get absolutely smoked and think "I will never beat them." But you keep going, you keep grinding, and eventually, you do beat that boss. <i>Hades</i> does this better than any other game in the genre that I've played.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Hades</i> is played as a series of rooms with the goal to defeat every enemy. Once you do, you choose from three "boons" pertaining to the Greek god offering it. These boons act as perks that may alter your abilities, increase your strength, or any number of other possibilities. After choosing your boon, you move to the next room, with the icon on the door showing you what type of upgrade the room contains. Sometimes it's another boon from a god, sometimes it's currency (which can be used between runs to unlock permanent upgrades), sometimes it's the ferryman, Charon, who acts as the game's merchant, sometimes it's a health upgrade, and sometimes it's something else entirely. Oftentimes the room has more than one door, allowing you to choose which upgrade you want to strive for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JK7QHyViDFM/X-dxJomkhGI/AAAAAAAAEXE/LoDVO0mxV6cPVj8YwKqQMAzW_uT3aWBRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/hades%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JK7QHyViDFM/X-dxJomkhGI/AAAAAAAAEXE/LoDVO0mxV6cPVj8YwKqQMAzW_uT3aWBRQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/hades%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>In time, you begin to become familiar with which god's boons you're most proficient with. For instance, I always choose an Ares room in hopes of getting the "Blade Rift," which is a boon that transforms your projectile attack into a giant, whirling blade that can deal massive damage. I'm also likely to pick Dionysus or Hermes if they're an option. What keeps <i>Hades</i> fresh with each run is that there are so many different gods and upgrades to choose from that each run feels completely different, and it's fun to experiment with abilities you may not have chosen before.</div><div><br /></div><div>Additionally, <i>Hades</i> has several weapons to choose from, and each can react to the boons you choose differently, allowing for an almost infinite number of possible builds. Speaking of the weapons, they work hand-in-hand with Hades' progression system. You'll have certain weapons you gravitate toward more, and others that you avoid at all costs. But again, as you gain new abilities and learn how certain boons work, even your least favorite weapons (the bow and railgun, for me) can become a favorite, making you want to see all the possible builds you can create. Case in point, the last weapon I beat the game with was the bow. I used it once when I first unlocked it, and then never again until I had beaten <i>Hades</i> with every other weapon. The second time I played with the bow was the most dominant run I ever had, crushing each boss and barely taking a hit the entire time. Suddenly, the bow became one of my go-to weapons.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and you can also unlock permanent upgrades to each weapon, allowing for even more creativity with your builds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwA5CEl5YVs/X-dxaEv-NCI/AAAAAAAAEXU/faSymNp-3NUD-juBj-KHCsFldaZG9zMyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/hades%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwA5CEl5YVs/X-dxaEv-NCI/AAAAAAAAEXU/faSymNp-3NUD-juBj-KHCsFldaZG9zMyACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/hades%2B5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I've been going on for a while now, but I still feel like there's so much about <i>Hades</i> that I haven't covered. I encourage every PC or Switch owner to play it. It's one of the best overall packages in video games this generation. It has a beautiful, cel-shaded aesthetic, great voice acting, a story that will have you captivated, and incredibly satisfying combat. If I hadn't made the conscious decision to move on from <i>Hades</i>, I would still be playing it and still would have barely scratched the surface on the amount of content it's holding.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do yourself a favor and play <i>Hades</i>.</div>TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-40995258375371380992020-05-10T04:53:00.000-07:002020-05-10T04:54:21.586-07:00Top 10 Indie Games of the Generation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My love of the indie game began in the Xbox 360/Playstation 3 generation, where games like <i>Limbo, Braid</i>, and<i> Super Meat Boy</i> introduced us to a new way of enjoying games. Whereas in generations past games like these would have no hope of being published on consoles or be relegated to the bargain bin with no promotion or fanfare, some now receive top-billing on release day and large ads on online storefronts. I love that I can get dozens of hours of enjoyment from games that cost $15.<br />
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With this current generation, I find myself playing more indie games than big, Triple-A titles from major publishers. The indie game space is where developers take more risks. My favorite genres like the 2D metroidvania and the platformer have fallen out of vogue with major publishers, but the indie game devs have picked up the ball and run with it. Normally I limit my lists to five entries, but with so many of my favorite games of the generation being indie games, I couldn't possibly narrow it down. I began with 26 games, and this is after I already cut several games from the list.<br />
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There is some gray area here; some of the games listed are developed by indie studios but published by Triple-A, but I certainly don't think that negates their inclusion. There were also games that I originally had on my list until I realized that they were actually released on the previous generation and then ported. However, if the game was released in the mid-console transition and appeared on both on day one or within a reasonable time frame, it gets the nod.<br />
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As always, if you don't see a game that you really enjoy, chances are that it was under consideration but didn't make my personal cut, or it's a game that I've never played. Being a fan of indie games, I'm always open for suggestions. And since I love all of these games, all of them are getting the honorable mention before getting to the top 10. So here's my 16-way tie for the 11 spot.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Pyre</u></i></b></span></div>
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Brilliantly written characters with an even better soundtrack and a compelling narrative combined with gameplay that can only be described as "celestial <i>NBA Jam</i>."<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Inside</u></i></b></span></div>
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Play Dead followed up their hit <i>Limbo</i> with a similarly playing game that tells a great story of government conspiracy and shadow organizations. Mostly a puzzle-platformer that sometimes delves into horror.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Yoku's Island Express</u></i></b></span></div>
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One of the most unique concepts for a game you'll ever see, <i>Yoku</i> is a mishmash of <i>Metroid </i>and pinball that works better than you would think it would.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice</u></i></b></span></div>
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Do yourself a favor and play this one with headphones. This Norse mythology inspired tale from Ninja Theory has the ability to leave you both terrified and heartbroken while exploring the effects of mental illness.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Timespinner</u></i></b></span></div>
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A standard metroidvania at first glance, <i>Timespinner</i> has a variety of combat options and optional quests for those seeking 100% completion. This game benefits from its shorter length when compared to similar games.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Golf Story</u></i></b></span></div>
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<i>Golf Story</i>'s only detriments are a limited gameplay variety and a tendency to run a joke into the ground. A nice alternative for fans of golf games and traditional RPGs alike.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Overcooked/Overcooked 2</u></i></b></span></div>
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Sometimes games are better when played with friends on the couch, and that's <i>Overcooked</i>'s modus operandi. You and up to three friends are cooks trying to please customers in the most poorly constructed kitchens ever. My wife and I have never had more fun arguing with each other.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Little Nightmares</u></i></b></span></div>
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No one would blame you if you thought Tim Burton directed this game.<i> Little Nightmares</i> is a 3D platformer that gives you control of Six as she tries to escape The Maw, a ship filled with patrons trying to turn her into dinner.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u><i>Rogue Legacy</i></u></b></span></div>
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I never knew I liked roguelikes until <i>Rogue Legacy</i>. Cartoony and humorous with some decent risk/reward mechanics, this one will have you constantly saying "just one more run."<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Cuphead</u></i></b></span></div>
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Aesthetically one of my favorite looking games ever, <i>Cuphead</i> takes the unique look of 1930s cartoons and slaps it onto one heck of a challenging run-and-gunner.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Steamworld Dig 2</u></i></b></span></div>
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This metroidvania sequel is grander in scope than its predecessor, featuring more and better power-ups, puzzles, and characters while keeping true to its original, addictive formula: just keep digging.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>The Messenger</u></i></b></span></div>
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A semi-metroidvania chock full of fourth-wall breaking humor, <i>The Messenger</i> blends 8 and 16-bit graphics seamlessly. The "cloud step" mechanic provides ample challenge in certain sections but makes you feel like a platforming savant when performed properly.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>The Mummy Demastered</u></i></b></span></div>
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Usually developers make bad games based on good movies. This is the opposite. WayForward knocked this one out of the park and this metroidvania title is the best thing that came out of the failed reboot of the Universal monster series.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>Guacamelee! 2</u></i></b></span></div>
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<i>Guacamelee! 2</i> took one of my favorite indie games of the previous generation and gave us more of the same. That may be its only shortcoming; there just wasn't a lot there to distinguish itself from its predecessor. The bosses were a bit easier but the platforming presented a greater challenge, which is a welcome trade off for me.<br />
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<b><i><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">River City Girls</span></u></i></b></div>
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WayForward is back again, this time with a sequel to the long running <i>Kunio-Kun</i> beat 'em up series. Good combat, a great soundtrack, and a game that's fun whether by yourself or with a friend.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Celeste</i></span></u></b></div>
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Even I'm a little surprised this one didn't make it onto my list. As much as I love <i>Celeste</i>, what held it back for me was the feeling that I'll probably never play it again, and all the games that did make the cut I can definitely see myself playing in the future. The difficulty of the DLC didn't do it any favors, either.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>10. <i>Owlboy</i></u></b></span></div>
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The story of the ragtag group of misfits coming together to achieve something great is a trope that's been around for quite some time. <i>Bad News Bears, Little Giants, The Goonies</i>, these are movies that I grew up on and have a hefty amount of nostalgia for. <i>Owlboy</i> takes that group of misfits and combines it with the "save the world from imminent destruction" cliche. It's kind of like <i>Armageddon</i> but with less moon-drilling, more likable characters, and a more believable plot.<br />
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The "owlboy" in the game is our silent protagonist, Otus, who isn't silent for purposes of trying to get the player to identify with the character, it's explained early in the game that Otus is mute. This combined with Otus being a bit of a klutz leaves him the subject of much ridicule from his village and especially his mentor. Despite his lack of speech, Otus is one of the most likable characters of any game this generation. The aforementioned band of misfits is comprised of Geddy, a town guard, Alphonse, a former villainous pirate, and Twig, formerly an ally of the pirates. Otus uses his ability to fly to carry various items/allies, which all have unique abilities and attacks.<br />
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While Geddy is the Milhouse to Otus's Bart, Alphonse and Twig are both supremely written. Alphonse provides the comic relief while Twig's desire to be something he's not leads to some rather touching and heartbreaking dialogue between he and his family, you feel bad for the little guy.<br />
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<i>Owlboy</i> is the kind of game that I can't recommend enough. Everyone that I know who has played it has similar praise and a similar soft spot for it in their hearts, don't let this one pass you by.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>9. <i>Hyper Light Drifter</i></u></b></span></div>
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As much as I love the way <i>Owlboy</i> tells its story and writes its characters, I'll juxtapose that with <i>Hyper Light Drifter</i>, a game that tells you nothing but lays hints around for you and tasks you with figuring it out. There's no dialogue to speak of, and most NPCs "tell" their stories with three still images, prompting the player to deduce what those images mean in hopes of understanding the overall plot. Honestly, I love when games, movies, or television shows purposefully keep things vague or flat out don't tell you what's going on. It's why I enjoy something like <i>Twin Peaks</i>, I like that I don't completely understand what's going on. The unknown makes it interesting, and that's why <i>Hyper Light Drifter</i> and I meshed so well together.<br />
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Definitely not the hardest game in the world, or even the hardest on this list, but Hyper Light Drifter is far from a walk-in-the-park. Enemies increase in both number and difficulty as you progress, and the later boss fights sent me back to the previous checkpoint on more than one occasion. The titular Drifter's arsenal is basic but necessary. I applaud any game that requires me to become proficient in every weapon instead of just sticking to the ones I know and love. The different ranged attacks and their unique properties often came in handy for specific situations, making those late-game encounters even more pulse-pounding.<br />
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I'll be the first to admit that I'm a sucker for the retro-inspired pixel-art style that's become so prevalent in the indie game space, so in my opinion <i>Hyper Light Drifter</i> looks like a million bucks. It takes an almost minimalist approach to both its graphics and music, eschewing the bombast of an orchestral score in favor of a more ambient soundtrack. <i>HLD</i> is very obviously influenced by games on the Super Nintendo, particularly <i>The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past</i>, featuring a similar open-world structure and several dungeons to explore. Many games on this list are homages to other games, and in <i>Hyper Light Drifter</i>'s case, the decision to crib from one of the best games ever made worked out in their favor.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>8. <i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i></u></b></span></div>
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You've already seen me use the term "metroidvania" several time thus far, and believe me, it won't be the last. It's the genre that most dominated the indie game space this generation, and as someone whose favorite genre is the metroidvania, that couldn't make me more happy. Many metroidvanias have a reputation for being very easy, usually because of generous save points and the player character becoming overpowered by the end of the game. Not so with <i>Ori</i>. <i>Ori</i>'s minute to minute gameplay could see you die in several ways, and its lack of a traditional checkpoint system only exacerbates that. In <i>Ori</i>, save points are few and far between, but you may create "soul links" wherever you please, allowing you to restart from that spot should you die. However, these soul links require energy, which is a finite resource and limits the amount of checkpoints you can make. It's a unique spin and I'm a little surprised to see it removed from the sequel.<br />
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One of the primary reasons I connected so well with <i>Ori</i> is because of its emphasis on platforming. Many metroidvanias have platforming challenges (<i>Guacamelee!</i> for example), but <i>Ori</i> is on a completely different level, pun intended. Platforming in <i>Ori</i> is integral to the level design and overall experience. Prior to the release of the <i>Definitive Edition</i>, <i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i> didn't have a fast travel system, but I hardly minded because the control is so smooth and the world so smartly designed for speed running that getting from one spot on the map to another never felt like a chore. The fluidity of Ori's movement is unlike any other platformer of the generation, smooth as buttah!<br />
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However, I'm not without my gripes. I'm not a completionist when it comes to 99 out of every 100 games I play. I don't obsess over trophies or achievements, but I do like to try and grab the ones I can. In almost every metroidvania, I want to try and snag all the collectibles and health/power upgrades, and <i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i> committed an unforgivable sin in this area. They put upgrades in areas that become permanently blocked off, meaning that if you don't get them while you're in that area, you're screwed. So when I looked at my save file after beating the game, I saw a very irritating "11/12 Life Orbs collected" staring back at me, all because I missed one in one of these areas.<br />
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<i>Ori and the Blind Forest </i>also doesn't have boss fights, instead opting for intense and lengthy escape sequences. I enjoy the kind of twitch platforming skills these sections require, but I can imagine many people had their no-death runs ruined by a simple brain-fart in these areas.<br />
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<i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i> is excellent, and its sequel,<i> Ori and the Will of the Wisps</i>, is equally outstanding. In many regards, the sequel is superior, but the reason I didn't choose it for this list is because of the outrageous amount of technical issues I had playing it. The game crashed several times, I clipped through the world and was unable to re-enter on more than one occasion, and because I was playing on an Xbox One S instead of the <i>SUPER ULTRA MEGA POWERFUL XBOX ONE X</i>, the game would freeze anywhere from one to five seconds constantly. And I don't say constantly in a hyperbolic manner, it happened throughout the entire game. A lesser game with those kinds of issues would have been shut off immediately, but <i>Ori</i> was worth sticking it out.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>7. <i>Axiom Verge</i></u></b></span></div>
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<i>Axiom Verge</i> is a game that despite its great critical reception I still feel is underrated. Guess what? It's a metroidvania. Shocking, I know. <i>Axiom Verge</i> takes the sci-fi route and is heavily influenced by <i>The Legend of Zelda</i> and <i>Metroid</i>.<br />
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I played through <i>Axiom Verge</i> twice, once on the PS4 and again when the Vita version was released, and the story was still a bit lost on me until I began reading <a href="https://axiom-verge.fandom.com/wiki/Story" target="_blank">plot synopses</a>. I wouldn't be able to do it justice were I to try and give a brief rundown because there are so many moving parts, but the overall theme is to question what is real. The amount of fourth-wall breaking in <i>Axiom Verge</i> would make Hideo Kojima blush.<br />
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But for me, gameplay is what matters most, and <i>Axiom Verge</i>'s gameplay is top notch. In most metroidvanias (or most video games, for that matter) I find the one or two weapons I like the most and use those almost exclusively. <i>Axiom Verge</i> features 23 different weapons and 13 abilities to discover during your time on Sudra. Few of the weapons are necessary, but they all have unique properties, making them fun to track down and experiment with.<br />
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But the thing that makes <i>Axiom Verge</i> so memorable is the world and its inhabitants: the Rusalki. These gigantic war machines are the ones assigned to protect Sudra and look like something out of H.R. Giger's nightmares. These hulking metal beasts are never not intimidating. Even after you realize that they're on your side, any time you walk into one of the Rusalki's chambers, you can't help but feel uncomfortable. <i>Axiom Verge</i> creates an ominous feeling of foreboding throughout its runtime, and while I wouldn't say that it crosses over into being a horror game, you'll still occasionally find yourself with the same feelings of uneasiness.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>6. <i>Rocket League</i></u></b></span></div>
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The one and only competitive multiplayer game I've ever enjoyed. Part (most) of that enjoyment comes from the fact that I'm not half-bad at the game, consistently being the one to lead my team to victory or prevent us from being blown out. I'm not going to be competing in any tournaments, but I'm no slouch.<br />
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However, even if I weren't good at <i>Rocket League</i>, it would still be a blast to play. For the uninitiated, <i>Rocket League</i> is soccer (or basketball or hockey or whatever other modes they've added since I last played) where you play as an RC car. It's amazing how such a simple concept turned out to be one of the best games of the generation. Even better, a lot of us got the game as a PSN freebie when it launched, which undoubtedly contributed to it's popularity.<br />
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The arenas are varied and the electronica music fits the frenetic action perfectly. Psyonix has consistently updated the game, which is why it's still incredibly popular today, several years after launch. But perhaps what I appreciate most about <i>Rocket League</i> is the community. They're just pleasant. <i>Rocket League</i> allows you to use the D-pad to choose from a select number of phrases to send to your team, and it's commonplace to get a "Nice shot!" or "Good save!" after you make a good play.<br />
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While I'm not big on the alternate game modes, standard <i>Rocket League</i> epitomizes what video games are supposed to be: fun.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>5. <i>Hollow Knight</i></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2019/08/top-5-metroidvanias-that-arent-metroid.html" target="_blank">I've written about <i>Hollow Knight</i> recently</a>, so I won't be too long-winded here. I'll just say that <i>Hollow Knight</i> is a special game to me. The world of Hallownest is so engrossing and beautiful that I found myself continuing to think about it weeks after I had finished playing the game. Again, I'm not a completionist, there's a lot in the game that I still haven't done (I intend to go back at some point), but I would pore over the <i>Hollow Knight</i> wiki wringing every last bit of information I could.<br />
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The combat is tough but fair, and I never felt like I was the victim of cheap deaths, but I always felt like a true Nailmaster when I would finally best a boss that would consistently beat me. <i>Hollow Knight</i>'s music is exquisite. As much as I love video games and video game music, I'm not the type of person that listens to video game music on a regular basis in my normal life. But the <i>Hollow Knight</i> soundtrack is one that did get consistent play on my Spotify account when I needed background noise while writing.<br />
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Though <i>Hollow Knight </i>comes with my highest recommendation, I know many people have trouble getting into it, so take that recommendation with a grain of salt. The upcoming sequel, <i>Silksong</i>, is high on my list of most anticipated games.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>4. <i>Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night</i></u></b></span></div>
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It's impossible to review <i>Bloodstained</i> without mentioning its heritage. That heritage is so strong that when looking back over the years searching for games to make this list I had forgotten that <i>Bloodstained</i> was independently developed. Yeah, I forgot it was a Kickstarter game too.<br />
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You've played <i>Symphony of the Night</i>, right? Of course you have, everyone has. It's one of the best games ever made. Because of this, you'll be of one of two minds about <i>Bloodstained</i>. You're either going to love it because of how similar it is to <i>SotN</i>, or you'll hate it because it's so unabashedly a <i>SotN</i> ripoff. But then you'll remember that the same guy made both games and you'll be back on board. But then you'll do research and realize that Igarashi didn't become the head of the <i>Castlevania</i> series until after <i>SotN</i> and you'll hate it again.<br />
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All joking aside, I was on board with<i> Bloodstained </i>from the Kickstarter. I didn't pledge any money to it because I saw how <i>Mighty No. 9</i> turned out, but I was definitely excited. I'll put it this way: <i>Bloodstained</i> is not on the same level as <i>Symphony of the Night</i>, not even close. <i>Bloodstained </i>is not going to go down in history as one of the best video games of all-time. But <i>Bloodstained</i> <i>is</i> about as good as you could hope a spiritual successor to <i>Symphony of the Night</i> could be. It plays great, it's fun to mess around with the different shard abilities, there are secrets everywhere, and it has features that weren't in <i>SotN</i> like side quests, crafting, and cooking (which may not sound useful but each new dish you create gives you permanent stat increases, making it useful to learn new recipes).<br />
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If I had to choose between the two, of course I'm taking <i>Symphony of the Night</i>, it's not even a contest, but <i>Ritual of the Night</i> is an outstanding game that shouldn't be overshadowed by its ancestry.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>3. <i>Dead Cells</i></u></b></span></div>
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<i>Rogue Legacy</i> was a "my first roguelike" kind of game. It's a great way to introduce yourself to the genre. If <i>Rogue Legacy</i> is on that end of the spectrum, then Dead Cells is on the other end. Many people referred to <i>Dead Cells</i> as a 2D roguelike <i>Dark Souls</i>. I don't like that comparison, just because a game is hard doesn't mean it has to be the<i> Dark Souls</i> of something (also, <i>Dead Cells</i> is actually good), but I understand it to a degree. Like <i>Dark Souls</i>, <i>Dead Cells</i> requires you to be plodding and strategic when it comes to combat. While you will eventually get comfortable enough to blow right through the first couple of areas, the later levels can be relentless. Taking your time, recognizing enemy attacks, timing parries properly, and choosing your abilities wisely will be your keys to success.<br />
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As mentioned, <i>Dead Cells</i> falls into the roguelike category, meaning every time you fall in combat, you start over from the beginning with whatever new abilities, weapons, or perks you may have unlocked along the way. Over time you'll develop an affinity for certain gear. Personally, I know that if I can get any combination of the Sinew Slicer, Cleaver, and Double Crossb-o-matic, I have a higher chance of success. If I can get my hands on an Impaler or the Assassin's Dagger, my chances increase even more. Throughout the course of a given run, I focus on leveling up the Brutality and Tactics skill trees, increasing my attack power as well as increasing the effectiveness of my gear. That's the style that best suits me, and you'll find what works for you.<br />
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<i>Dead Cells</i> has a surprising amount of lore and secrets that have kept me scratching my head for two years. Even though the layout of the levels change on each run, certain rooms and secret areas show up each time, and every time I sit there and wonder how to crack the code and gain access to those rooms.<br />
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I haven't had the opportunity to play the <i>Bad Seed</i> DLC yet, but I know I'll be itching to get back to <i>Dead Cells</i> in the near future, it's the kind of game I keep coming back to, and that's when I'll give that a go. But even without the DLC, <i>Dead Cells</i> is the total package.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>2. <i>Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove</i></u></b></span></div>
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Oh, <i>Shovel Knight</i>, how I love thee, let me count the ways. <i>Shovel of Hope. Plague of Shadows. Specter of Torment. King of Cards</i>. Four distinct campaigns featuring four lovable characters, each with their own unique abilities and quirks. No game this generation has gotten more of my money than <i>Shovel Knight</i>. I bought it on 3DS on release day, then on the PS4 when it was released there, then the physical PS4 edition, and I have the physical PS4 <i>Treasure Trove</i> edition pre-ordered, not to mention the amount of money I've spent on <i>Shovel Knight</i> merch over the years. I don't regret any of it. Yacht Club Games made a quality product, and if it means I can help them with their vision for <i>Shovel Knight </i>or whatever they may have planned next, I'll keep giving them my money.<br />
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If <i>Shovel Knight</i> taught us anything about homages to classic video games, it's that you have to do more than just look like an old game. There are tons of indie games that would look right at home on the NES, and most of them are poorly made. <i>Shovel Knight</i> looks technically superior to anything you'd see on Nintendo's inaugural home console, but it invokes the feelings of nostalgia that people like me have for the NES by incorporating elements from <i>Super Mario Bros., Castlevania, Mega Man, The Legend of Zelda, DuckTales</i>, and many more into its design.<br />
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Boss Fight Books published an entire book based on the development of <i>Shovel Knight</i>, chronicling the hardships the small development team faced as well as going into great detail about the technical and design aspects of the game. I read it in a couple of days and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in <i>Shovel Knight</i> or video game design in general.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>1. <i>Stardew Valley</i></u></b></span></div>
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Community center restored. Every relationship maxed. Every fish caught. Every item crafted. Every recipe cooked. Every crop harvested. Every museum item delivered. Every stardrop obtained. Bottom of the mines reached. All secret notes found. Theater built. Litter removed. Multi-million dollar farm. Married. Two kids. A dog. One very proud grandpa looking down on me from Stardew Heaven.<br />
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In a game with a near limitless amount of content, I found myself close to 200 hours into <i>Stardew Valley</i> with nothing left to accomplish. Then cooperative play was added and I started over with my wife playing with me. All of this from a $20 game that I originally bought as a gift for her that I had no interest in playing myself. The moment I started <i>Stardew Valley</i>, I was hooked. I've played twice as much <i>Stardew Valley</i> as I did games like <i>The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Skyrim</i>, and <i>The Witcher 3</i>, and I played <i>a lot </i>of those games.<br />
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It used to be that I always found myself writing about <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night </i>and <i>Resident Evil 4</i>, but in the last couple of years, <i>Stardew Valley</i> has taken their place. Anything I say here would just be me beating a dead horse. If you consistently read my writing, you're probably tired of hearing me talk about it.<br />
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This is how I'll leave it. <i>Stardew Valley</i> is firmly in my top 10 games of all-time. When I didn't have money to afford new video games, <i>Stardew Valley</i> was what helped me pass the time. When I went back to college, <i>Stardew Valley</i> is what I played when I needed a break from writing essays. When I switched to a higher-stress job, <i>Stardew Valley</i> is what helped me unwind and blow off some steam. When I was cramming leading up to my RRT exams, <i>Stardew Valley</i> is what calmed my nerves. <i>Stardew Valley</i> helped me out a lot in the last few years, and I've grateful for that.<br />
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Hey, thanks for reading. You're the best.<br />
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-DustinTheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-69559296579609895812020-04-10T15:52:00.000-07:002020-04-10T15:52:29.448-07:005 Games That Need Remakes and 5 That Don't<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I, like many, have grown fatigued of the HD remasters that have become so prevalent this generation. While I'm guilty of purchasing a few of these games (I just wanted an excuse to play <i>The Last of Us</i> and <i>Skyrim</i> again on current hardware), I think we can all agree that some of these remastered ports have been completely pointless. Who in their right mind asked for ports of<i> Prototype</i>, <i>Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz</i>, and <i>Deadpool</i>?<br />
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However, this generation of games did bring us something worthwhile in the form of classic games being completely remade from the ground up. While they're not all winners (<i>Secret of Mana</i>), some of the best games in recent years have been these remakes, such as <i>Resident Evil 2</i>, <i>Crash N-Sane Trilogy</i>, <i>Shadow of the Colossus</i>, etc.<br />
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In fact, as of this writing, both <i>Resident Evil 3</i> and the much anticipated remake of <i>Final Fantasy VII</i> both dropped this week, so now seems like the apt time to discuss five games that I think need a remake and five that I hope never get one. The games I want remakes for are just a personal preference. For the games I hope never get remade, I scoured message boards looking for people suggesting games they want remade that I disagree with.<br />
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We're gonna go in alternating order starting with the number one game I want to see remade.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">REMAKE IT: <i>Resident Evil: Code Veronica</i></span></u></b></div>
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Capcom has always been a favorite developer of mine, though they had a few sketchy years a while back. However, they've come back with a bang and have produced excellent sequels for games like <i>Monster Hunter</i>, revitalized stagnant franchises with the superb <i>Resident Evil VII</i>, <i>Devil May Cry 5</i>, and <i>Mega Man 11</i>, and have crushed it with their remakes of <i>Resident Evil 2</i> and <i>3</i>.<br />
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I've been a huge fan of <i>Resident Evil</i> dating all the way back to the original game, but I can't say I've enjoyed every mainline entry in the series.<i> Resident Evil 6</i> was a garbage fire and<i> Resident Evil 0</i> felt unnecessary, but I did at least finish those games. The one game in the series that I've never been able to put up with for its entirety is <i>Resident Evil: Code Veronica</i>. It's the game I've started more times than any other and never finished, in fact, I hardly even make a dent before I give up.<br />
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It's nothing to do with the quality, it's as good or even better than previous entries that I loved. I think when the game came out I was over the "tank" controls and static camera angles (though they did make some improvements in that area). A few years later, <i>Resident Evil 4 </i>was released and changed third-person shooters forever. Trying to go back to the tank controls of pre-<i>RE4</i> games is difficult after you've become accustomed to the new scheme.<br />
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Give me a remake of <i>Code Veronica</i> in the RE Engine like the ones we've gotten with <i>RE2</i> and <i>RE3</i>, and I would definitely be on board. Perhaps I would finally finish the only game I've never beaten in one of my most beloved video game franchises.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>DON'T REMAKE IT: <i>Resident Evil 4</i></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTj-70Xmtzo/XpD24Tg_YBI/AAAAAAAAEEk/K1KSxfc9XyIhGFUiG84UsOoaT4whBz3cACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoActln0Ow3FryJb9tuF9fUxFUQbLm0t89z2GgQRvuFYiYlksYrAbupyz1wF7xCyermW5b4TQu72iTcZYSjB1PVs_vZ51K4HPBAJ8ucefSldCQ17sVCNat3fb6LoxTxW3puvcERhHvIqmoZltIyI_xhx-ZQ1_R8yWD1EQ-crxm10CCCnsmN_JRVuBzzh30J305CMRMYPOi4xwCcu8pViIjVgmNZwr4J_EdyAPY2MEMpgND9XYHaANmwn8aJBcMvQD4yETKqkt2B7wYBQD5fHvt9z14sg3yFXN_B9lZJtWuPj4mDM9N1xM02JlUR6QZDgE53vTX6DvOrbsMOtOH1mGFlmJ0uqaTIWXbRUzyWoWjas5kdzjfsqTmKk3d77UuHHk8iLXnnU4JzktTer8UTfSm5uHe2PBUnCudIydRpN74LvNsRXWKyBHxiXKOXRnVQphSZj0FIxcZExFja-ApAhTfU1vBxezf6-HiqyxZx-4OtvXlbpmh7FKP9lV51OmTUYUiQjiSprsbTwN539HsPsMAyLzf4Ndy_tPBm-VH-1gPE0OgoQWg66AzopxpPnxfQ0DSoxC7jNDVOkg8oKzb7Gn7wXg_349zNR0bIaMIrzw_QF/s1600/re4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="570" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTj-70Xmtzo/XpD24Tg_YBI/AAAAAAAAEEk/K1KSxfc9XyIhGFUiG84UsOoaT4whBz3cACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoActln0Ow3FryJb9tuF9fUxFUQbLm0t89z2GgQRvuFYiYlksYrAbupyz1wF7xCyermW5b4TQu72iTcZYSjB1PVs_vZ51K4HPBAJ8ucefSldCQ17sVCNat3fb6LoxTxW3puvcERhHvIqmoZltIyI_xhx-ZQ1_R8yWD1EQ-crxm10CCCnsmN_JRVuBzzh30J305CMRMYPOi4xwCcu8pViIjVgmNZwr4J_EdyAPY2MEMpgND9XYHaANmwn8aJBcMvQD4yETKqkt2B7wYBQD5fHvt9z14sg3yFXN_B9lZJtWuPj4mDM9N1xM02JlUR6QZDgE53vTX6DvOrbsMOtOH1mGFlmJ0uqaTIWXbRUzyWoWjas5kdzjfsqTmKk3d77UuHHk8iLXnnU4JzktTer8UTfSm5uHe2PBUnCudIydRpN74LvNsRXWKyBHxiXKOXRnVQphSZj0FIxcZExFja-ApAhTfU1vBxezf6-HiqyxZx-4OtvXlbpmh7FKP9lV51OmTUYUiQjiSprsbTwN539HsPsMAyLzf4Ndy_tPBm-VH-1gPE0OgoQWg66AzopxpPnxfQ0DSoxC7jNDVOkg8oKzb7Gn7wXg_349zNR0bIaMIrzw_QF/s400/re4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm kind of amazed how many people I saw saying they wanted a remake of <i>Resident Evil 4</i>. While it's obvious that Capcom is determined to re-release <i>RE4</i> on every console from now until the end of time, I consider <i>RE4</i> to be as close to perfection as an action game can get. Even though the graphical capabilities of the GameCube and PlayStation 2 aren't on par with what current consoles can put out, <i>RE4</i> still looks great today.<br />
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That being said, I do think there are ways to improve this classic. I purchased the <i>PS4</i> remaster and was surprised by the controls and camera. The last time I played <i>Resident Evil 4</i> was probably 2007, and trust me, between its release date in 2005 and 2007 I played <i>a lot </i>of <i>Resident Evil 4.</i> Replaying it on PS4, I had forgotten that the player was not given complete camera control.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh95V9Pcrxk/XpD24BZ00YI/AAAAAAAAEEo/KyulywGN-nsGCaV9z7ZpCnl-AN4wE3B3wCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoBLLE3_O-eWoGggnHmxwMf-SkIN49sGo0ck0Dr2f9JWBitKP2lmIvv91JFWucsKaaib_GBJKUTkZI3MNeaMDC2FPhfAQqWI1olGkpUW0pDn31MwJ1oyGMY26YM-M1RUtFIZ-40Z8e34pdfUpuw2FNqcApr91c2IIUamv7uiFnql9bNPlsmEM-_LIuSl8slugBodFbaATsCAxi7gde-goj1PNq1uz6QMkWjWheGqKEGUxRXcPQx0pKKu8_8bJ4YPQJmIaXTCQQHSDW0xIZ7ZhoeHSvLo6qF1gyD4Rf_7q3vEJHk9p6J4Z9R9SSCf523OAzjqG1awsw6UnDIq1A32XUQK43wocbYOY0DXmMd5IkLN3KnPSTPaKGPLkqCmhjPy0NExxfsvdSzGvZ1utA1wlh_d2uXrTVdtF2uJOoiFX1JlBccwwMgBBV-KBFTvv-OzFwRthNnVbuP4VvlX5mtErIW8E5c6kWGgUD1tKlzt3eas6q-2WOrErnuGhKCrtBYgzslBogXgEF_Vzf8bZuqUOPE0QF3aJgj4Tbc6e_bIsu-BWPDc6_SW0XhJxU-DRbxGxxZQEHELxkTkK398WEu6yRUxADegC7peqI5oMJPzw_QF/s1600/re4%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="512" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh95V9Pcrxk/XpD24BZ00YI/AAAAAAAAEEo/KyulywGN-nsGCaV9z7ZpCnl-AN4wE3B3wCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoBLLE3_O-eWoGggnHmxwMf-SkIN49sGo0ck0Dr2f9JWBitKP2lmIvv91JFWucsKaaib_GBJKUTkZI3MNeaMDC2FPhfAQqWI1olGkpUW0pDn31MwJ1oyGMY26YM-M1RUtFIZ-40Z8e34pdfUpuw2FNqcApr91c2IIUamv7uiFnql9bNPlsmEM-_LIuSl8slugBodFbaATsCAxi7gde-goj1PNq1uz6QMkWjWheGqKEGUxRXcPQx0pKKu8_8bJ4YPQJmIaXTCQQHSDW0xIZ7ZhoeHSvLo6qF1gyD4Rf_7q3vEJHk9p6J4Z9R9SSCf523OAzjqG1awsw6UnDIq1A32XUQK43wocbYOY0DXmMd5IkLN3KnPSTPaKGPLkqCmhjPy0NExxfsvdSzGvZ1utA1wlh_d2uXrTVdtF2uJOoiFX1JlBccwwMgBBV-KBFTvv-OzFwRthNnVbuP4VvlX5mtErIW8E5c6kWGgUD1tKlzt3eas6q-2WOrErnuGhKCrtBYgzslBogXgEF_Vzf8bZuqUOPE0QF3aJgj4Tbc6e_bIsu-BWPDc6_SW0XhJxU-DRbxGxxZQEHELxkTkK398WEu6yRUxADegC7peqI5oMJPzw_QF/s400/re4%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Keep in mind that since the release of <i>RE4</i>, we've gotten a half-dozen <i>Resident Evil</i> games with complete 360 degree camera control. <i>Resident Evil 5</i> had it, and it was actually much easier for me to replay because of it. That may be controversial to some, but I don't hate that game. When played with a friend, <i>RE5</i> is great, and you can shut up if you disagree.<br />
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So, while I don't want a remake from the ground up, I wouldn't mind a version that updates the controls and camera to play like the recent <i>RE2</i> and <i>RE3</i> remakes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>REMAKE IT: <i>Twisted Metal</i></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyH0MHvnIQE/XpD25axhE8I/AAAAAAAAEEw/907P2gVzg4syNUgEvKswSHBd218vfkTxQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/twisted-metal-wallpaper-full-hd-307842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyH0MHvnIQE/XpD25axhE8I/AAAAAAAAEEw/907P2gVzg4syNUgEvKswSHBd218vfkTxQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/twisted-metal-wallpaper-full-hd-307842.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When the <i>Crash N-Sane Trilogy</i> was announced, the first thing I thought was "I hope they do the same thing with the <i>Twisted Metal</i> games." So far, no such luck. For anyone who had a PlayStation growing up, chances are high that <i>Twisted Metal</i> holds a special place in your heart, <i>Twisted Metal 2</i> in particular.<br />
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I purchased <i>Twisted Metal: Black</i> on a recent PSN sale and lamented to myself about how the car combat genre isn't a thing anymore. I had just as much fun playing <i>Twisted Metal: Black</i> this time around as I did back when it was new.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MRLW7MIX8o/XpD25Py8vaI/AAAAAAAAEEs/nKkx9H-90_QMDpb3QnEtErsljouzwOkLgCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/twisted-metal-2_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MRLW7MIX8o/XpD25Py8vaI/AAAAAAAAEEs/nKkx9H-90_QMDpb3QnEtErsljouzwOkLgCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/twisted-metal-2_14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I wouldn't imagine that if this were to happen that they would include every game in the series. I don't think <i>Twisted Metal 3</i> lived up to fan's expectations and I'm not sure many people even remember that there was a <i>Twisted Metal 4</i>. If a collection of <i>Twisted Metal</i> games were limited to just three, I would be ecstatic if it were to consist of<i> Twisted Metal</i>, <i>Twisted Metal 2</i>, and <i>Twisted Metal: Black</i>, my three personal favorites.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>DON'T REMAKE IT: <i>Chrono Trigger</i></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHYU8dJEedk/XpD20qRQUUI/AAAAAAAAEEc/F21Wh2yeC4gMFE3Ucq8-2df2_wspJzJxgCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/chrono.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHYU8dJEedk/XpD20qRQUUI/AAAAAAAAEEc/F21Wh2yeC4gMFE3Ucq8-2df2_wspJzJxgCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/chrono.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Admittedly, my feelings toward a <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> remake are colored by nostalgia. One might think that <i>Chrono Trigger</i> is the same, but it's not. The first time I played <i>Chrono Trigger</i> was with the Nintendo DS port, and I didn't beat it for the first time until 2018. Look up a list of best RPGs or best video games of all-time and <i>Chrono Trigger</i> is likely ranked near the top or at the top of those lists.<br />
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My argument against a <i>Chrono Trigger</i> remake could also be used for any RPG of the era. I don't think 16-bit graphics will ever go out of style. There's a reason the original <i>Secret of Mana</i> looks better than the remake. There's just something about the colorful and vibrant art of the Super Nintendo that makes those games timeless and infinitely replayable.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bi4nLRqy0Vk/XpD20eg0BYI/AAAAAAAAEEc/q2dcUYHSO8UgDrNpRUh7YQyM7CtvWIbOQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/chrono%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="570" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bi4nLRqy0Vk/XpD20eg0BYI/AAAAAAAAEEc/q2dcUYHSO8UgDrNpRUh7YQyM7CtvWIbOQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/chrono%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I also don't believe there's a way to improve <i>Chrono Trigger</i>'s gameplay or music. It's perfect. It's absolutely perfect. You can do all the YouTube covers and orchestral versions of the songs you want, but those tracks will always sound best coming from a Super Nintendo. Even as someone who only recently discovered how great <i>Chrono Trigger</i> is, I have to wonder why so many people listed this as a game they wanted to see remade.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>REMAKE IT: <i>Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy</i></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OyfnlJa_mA/XpD24L57W8I/AAAAAAAAEEg/SHn7ul-AVVAVF9G8-P2pd-H8bcelDiQAwCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/psi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="800" height="287" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OyfnlJa_mA/XpD24L57W8I/AAAAAAAAEEg/SHn7ul-AVVAVF9G8-P2pd-H8bcelDiQAwCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/psi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy</i> is a hidden gem that you often see show up on lists of remakes/sequels that people want. I have to agree. My introduction to <i>Psi-Ops</i> was a demo that appeared on the retail disc of <i>The Suffering</i>, an underrated survival horror game, both developed by Midway.<br />
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Last year's <i>Control</i> garnered many comparisons to <i>Psi-Ops</i>, and understandably so. Both are third-person shooters that utilize psychic abilities to manipulate enemies and the world around you to your benefit. Where they differ is in story, <i>Psi-Ops</i> being a little more heavy on the government cover-up side of things while <i>Control</i> is more <i>Twilight Zone</i> and <i>Twin Peaks</i>, which makes sense because it's the same company that gave us <i>Alan Wake</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8zQkxWARt0/XpD23-NLu_I/AAAAAAAAEEs/h4x7rJ4gCjsD37klJsAjJgCBCgpiTzQnQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/psi%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="616" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8zQkxWARt0/XpD23-NLu_I/AAAAAAAAEEs/h4x7rJ4gCjsD37klJsAjJgCBCgpiTzQnQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/psi%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I doubt that <i>Psi-Ops</i> is high on any developer's list of games they would want to remake, so the likelihood of this one happening is practically zero. But the good news is that <i>Control</i> exists, and that's a game that I can't recommend enough, so play that and consider it a modern <i>Psi-Ops</i>.<br />
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Although, <i>Control</i> doesn't have a sweet theme song and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZQk3ig-i_s" target="_blank">music video</a> performed by early 2000s nu-metal band Cold, so that's one-up that <i>Psi-Ops</i> has over <i>Control</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>DON'T REMAKE IT: <i>Metroid Fusion</i></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6IjJ-ymYzU/XpD22OWSvfI/AAAAAAAAEEk/vNWrN1hALZc4wqGHbSGvJ8-CPETwC4kjQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/metroid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6IjJ-ymYzU/XpD22OWSvfI/AAAAAAAAEEk/vNWrN1hALZc4wqGHbSGvJ8-CPETwC4kjQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/metroid.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I know there's an argument for this one based on how well <i>Metroid: Samus Returns</i> turned out, but the difference here is that the original <i>Metroid II</i> isn't a very good game and <i>Metroid Fusion</i> is fantastic. I'm in the minority here, but <i>Metroid Fusion</i> is my favorite in the series. Yes, I like it more than <i>Super Metroid</i>, and I love that game, too.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHT_i0CQGpY/XpD21y7yLlI/AAAAAAAAEEY/OjYq0kBqBI4QWGM4yntm6NviPxuNqy7fQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/metroid%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="696" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHT_i0CQGpY/XpD21y7yLlI/AAAAAAAAEEY/OjYq0kBqBI4QWGM4yntm6NviPxuNqy7fQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/metroid%2B2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I imagine people want it to get the <i>Samus Returns</i> treatment, but as I said with <i>Chrono Trigger</i>, the 16-bit style that the Game Boy Advance is capable of makes its games look just as good to me as the Super Nintendo. I prefer the more vibrant color scheme that <i>Fusion</i> has compared to the dark and gritty one we see in <i>Samus Returns</i>, and <i>Fusion</i> plays just as well as<i> Super Metroid</i>, a game many consider one of the best ever.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>REMAKE IT: <i>The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind</i></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8RETNHJAkA/XpD231iMC5I/AAAAAAAAEEo/n9NXJpb84popi9g0sUXnQW_gOGH8zGzewCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/morrowind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8RETNHJAkA/XpD231iMC5I/AAAAAAAAEEo/n9NXJpb84popi9g0sUXnQW_gOGH8zGzewCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/morrowind.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Unlike every other game I'm talking about in this blog, I have zero experience with <i>Morrowind</i>, and that's the reason I want to see it remade. My first and only foray into the <i>Elder Scrolls</i> was <i>Skyrim</i>, and like many, it took over my life for a period of time. But I always hear about how good <i>Morrowind</i> is, many times by <i>Elder Scrolls</i> veterans turning their noses up at those of us who have only played <i>Skyrim</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq0BbeXZFHg/XpD23pS3TmI/AAAAAAAAEEw/yHQEm4TV5N8tuwhEH2mT4XK7gyXydtKFQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/morrowind%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq0BbeXZFHg/XpD23pS3TmI/AAAAAAAAEEw/yHQEm4TV5N8tuwhEH2mT4XK7gyXydtKFQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/morrowind%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The only thing holding me back from playing <i>Morrowind</i> is that, simply put, the game looks primitive by today's standards. I have a gaming PC more than capable of running <i>Morrowind</i> and I understand that there are mods to make the game look better, but if they remade it to look as good as or even better than the remaster of <i>Skyrim</i>, I'm certain it would be something I would lose hundreds of hours to.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">DON'T REMAKE IT: <i>Metal Gear Solid</i></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMocjcmjFgM/XpD223J-oLI/AAAAAAAAEEk/U7tLnKJljsw0TogkuPbjgcHPtWHKpkqrACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/mgs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="1000" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMocjcmjFgM/XpD223J-oLI/AAAAAAAAEEk/U7tLnKJljsw0TogkuPbjgcHPtWHKpkqrACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/mgs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is one cheating because <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> did receive a GameCube remake in the form of <i>Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes</i>, but I hate that remake and the less said about it, the better. Nevertheless, it's still a game that I saw a lot of people clamoring for. Specifically, people want to see it remade in the Fox Engine, the same engine that recent Hideo Kojima games utilized.<br />
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However, I must disagree with the idea of ever trying to reproduce this masterpiece. In 2018, I ranked my top ten games of all time, and I placed<i> Metal Gear Solid</i> at number three. It's a very important game to me. For a lot of the games in the PlayStation era--the early 3D games--they look bad today.<br />
They look blocky and awkward. Few games from this time still look great today and have no need of an overhaul. Two games that immediately come to mind are <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i> and <i>Metal Gear Solid</i>. The abstractness of <i>Metal Gear Solid</i>'s graphics is what makes it timeless in my eyes. The way characters don't move their mouths when talking and instead just move their heads somehow works because this detail remains consistent throughout the game. The colors you most often see in <i>MGS</i> are grays, blues, and dark greens This kind of muted color palette makes the game feel cold, which is perfect for <i>Metal Gear Solid</i>'s Alaskan setting. It's supposed to feel drab and dreary, and it is pulled off masterfully.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9ChEf5g-_s/XpD22hv-RrI/AAAAAAAAEEc/0bU8YZckc2U9LdUZtt43U5zc18k_dHNngCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/mgs%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="634" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9ChEf5g-_s/XpD22hv-RrI/AAAAAAAAEEc/0bU8YZckc2U9LdUZtt43U5zc18k_dHNngCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/mgs%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>The Twin Snakes</i> shows you things you were never meant to see. I remember the nervous anticipation I felt prior to the first time I battled Gray Fox. Walking through a corridor of dead genome soldiers who had been sliced and diced by...<i>something</i>...it made me feel like I was in for the fight of my life and that I didn't have the skill to pull it off. With <i>The Twin Snakes</i>, you're shown in grizzly detail exactly what happened to those soldiers. If <i>The Twin Snakes</i> was your introduction to <i>MGS</i>, there's no anticipation, you know you're about to fight a cyber ninja. The fear of the unknown is a far more effective storytelling technique.<br />
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I know that a lot of people have been hotly anticipating the remake of <i>Final Fantasy VII</i>. My wife was nearly moved to tears when she first started it, as its her favorite game of all-time. I don't fault her for fangirling all over the house, but when it comes to me and <i>Metal Gear Solid</i>, I don't want them to taint what I will forever see as a masterpiece no matter how advanced video games get.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>REMAKE IT: <i>Dino Crisis</i></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OUtbHlGR1A/XpD21dnhF8I/AAAAAAAAEEw/9ETtEIi5DGMqriqicEkqCUWOhcOZ4yvXACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/dino%2Bcrisis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="800" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OUtbHlGR1A/XpD21dnhF8I/AAAAAAAAEEw/9ETtEIi5DGMqriqicEkqCUWOhcOZ4yvXACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/dino%2Bcrisis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Another Capcom game, but this time from a long dormant series. When asking someone to describe <i>Dino Crisis</i> to you, you're almost assuredly going to hear it reduced to "<i>Resident Evil</i> with dinosaurs." And yes, that is exactly what <i>Dino Crisis</i> is, at least the original game. <i>Dino Crisis 2</i> is more of an action/arcade style shooter, and <i>Dino Crisis 3 </i>is more of an abomination than a video game. OG <i>Dino Crisis</i>, though? <i>Resident Evil</i> with dinosaurs, through and through. And there isn't a darn thing wrong with that.<br />
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You know what's scarier than zombies? Dinosaurs. Can you imagine turning a corner in a dark hallway only to see a couple velociraptors baring down on you? Or what the epic encounters with the T-Rex could look and play like in the RE Engine? While I've never considered <i>Dino Crisis</i> to be on par with its Romero-inspired brethren, a remake could resurrect a fondly remembered game and give the series a second chance.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>DON'T REMAKE IT: <i>Deadly Premonition</i></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJFW1dSiJI0/XpD20G-HjHI/AAAAAAAAEEw/ty_3kiixYNk4jqi6TFbOQR1HyJ8E-R4vQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/DP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJFW1dSiJI0/XpD20G-HjHI/AAAAAAAAEEw/ty_3kiixYNk4jqi6TFbOQR1HyJ8E-R4vQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/DP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Deadly Premonition</i> was originally released on the Xbox 360 and had graphics that would embarrass the PlayStation 2. There's no need for me to describe <i>Deadly Premonition</i> to anyone that has ever watched <i>Twin Peaks</i>. <i>Deadly Premonition</i> is the equivalent of the "let me copy your homework" meme as it pertains to <i>Twin Peaks</i>.<br />
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The game is uncomfortably and hilariously awkward at times, has rudimentary survival mechanics, passable combat, and a level of self-aware campiness that convinced well-known video game personality Jim Sterling to give it a 10/10 review. If there were ever an example of a game that's "so bad it's perfect," it would be <i>Deadly Premonition</i>. It was $20 when it launched, and I bought it based on Sterling's review. I have never regretted that decision.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHt1_QwTzO8/XpD21vAoVjI/AAAAAAAAEEs/8YXPZi0FjjwdI6rZeI8ItAgS08YnJ_eLgCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHt1_QwTzO8/XpD21vAoVjI/AAAAAAAAEEs/8YXPZi0FjjwdI6rZeI8ItAgS08YnJ_eLgCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAkMoHh9cI-HAxtWsdjkpO6oM-6dH4EeM0UCMuxHtsYz0MpVuwd9PnHXsDWAvr5vLOD_1saoTXMAhMR9HJDy_u5N6IWajz-1o2V5UbmUbaTqF66xX0adDCFDvmWDNe09xjad_dAmGvMSUtQ_5IPBeQTYlwXecSldKDWlu3H3AAwuGX2f30-K1mZ1ZYqo_Mfq8PJcsQTX2uLglB5mPkFuQqFsC9Mv72qC8TIhfsvJn03CnpNXftLIayFFZNz6PRE0LLB_RniIukX7snfDZbNewhIJiUB6OU3Rp6UcxqVx0pmGH8lLpY8cb-SFScwhA0MA9zaKicyt4BodZjyeY6TasUnFocsWEATaDF2SbOy4Y2LeeG82tgewSP2yhBDW0MtJNtRBgIlo9KBU_h0aR2ze5fpWDEqOR3WG2GwZDfWVz5yBG9xMftDoxaAKz1tQ4ls6nbfHnYVV_BIBv16mGbSAdZVSK-vdoMSmKjmigHzDcif6BCuTt1yPFBLzdwE3qCnfirqGX7nPIyf97Nl7biF2swKDvtMKzfSY8JA3ECEd-k_1MbvKR4vUXPtkunxy2qvB0yd89AIV-8E_U52VI9gmRpNKNX5r6V-iImGMKjzw_QF/s400/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
To be fair, I didn't actually see anyone on message boards asking for a remake of <i>Deadly Premonition</i>. This one is all me. Please, no one try to fix it. No one try to update it. Its flaws make it beautiful. Everyone should play <i>Deadly Premonition</i>. Stop playing the <i>Final Fantasy VII</i> remake and play <i>Deadly Premonition</i> instead.<br />
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Thank you so much for reading. Be on the lookout for my next writing.<br />
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If you want to help my wrestling career, <a href="https://www.change.org/p/ban-the-super-kick" target="_blank">go here and sign my petition</a>.<br />
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-TheDustinThomasTheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-38529021717971361312020-01-16T13:08:00.001-08:002020-01-16T13:08:46.230-08:00Top 10 Games of the 10s<div style="text-align: center;">
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The 2010s was a fine, fine decade for video games. We received the best last hurrahs from the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii, two new handhelds in the forms the 3DS and the underrated PlayStation Vita, the Wii U, which was disappointing but wound up having a handful of great games, and the launch of our current console generation. While I spent the beginning of the decade playing mostly Xbox 360, the PS4 and Switch became my two go-to systems for the majority of the decade (which will become more apparent as you read on), though that's not to say I didn't play plenty of Xbox One as well.</div>
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The thing that I think the last decade really excelled in is the advancement of the indie game space. Two indie games make my top ten, but I would wager a bet that I wound up playing more of the smaller indie games than I did the triple-A juggernauts.</div>
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So let's get right into it. Here are my top ten games of the 2010s.</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">10.<i> Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove</i></span></u></b><br />
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Five years after the release of <i>Shovel Knight</i>, it has managed to stay relevant through downloadable content. Each of the three expansions are equal to or greater than the size of the main game and allow you to experience the game in a whole new way with characters that control differently than the titular hero.<br />
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<i>Plague of Shadows</i> puts you at the helm of Plague Knight, using bombs and your many concoctions to traverse the world in an effort to steal the essences of the Order of No Quarter to create the ultimate potion. You play as Specter Knight in <i>Specter of Torment</i>, a prequel addition that asks you to recruit the members of the Order while periodically giving you glimpses of Specter Knight's previous life. The most recent expansion,<i> King of Cards</i>, puts you in King Knight's shoes. King Knight is not only the most easily accessible in terms of his control, but <i>King of Cards</i> is also the largest piece of content in the <i>Treasure Trove</i> not only in the sheer amount of levels, but also due to the inclusion of a very well-crafted and addicting card game called "Joustus."<br />
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However, it's the original campaign, <i>Shovel of Hope</i>, that made me fall in love with the franchise and character of Shovel Knight. I remember purchasing it on my 3DS the day of release and being swept back into the golden gaming age of my youth. This isn't surprising, as the small crew at Yacht Club Games will be the first to tell you that <i>Shovel Knight</i> is a throwback to the NES, taking elements from games like <i>DuckTales, Mega Man, Castlevania, Super Mario Bros</i>., etc. Over the course of the last five years, I've wound up purchasing <i>Shovel Knight</i> four times. Digitally on the 3DS, then digitally on the PS4 when it was released there. Then they had the physical releases, which I bought on the PS4 and then recently again on the Switch with the <i>Treasure Trove</i> edition. I may have a problem when it comes to <i>Shovel Knight</i>. But I have no regrets if it means that Yacht Club sees the support that fans have for this IP.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">9. <i>The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</i></span></u></b><br />
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I consider myself a casual fan of <i>The Legend of Zelda</i>. I like them, but I'm certainly not head over heels for them. I typically prefer the 2D games over the 3D ones, with <i>A Link to the Past</i> and <i>A Link Between Worlds</i> being my two favorite in the series. That is until <i>Breath of the Wild</i> was released and took the world by storm.<br />
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The Nintendo Switch was the first home console I've ever purchased on launch day. I knew I wanted to play <i>Breath of the Wild</i>, and I knew I didn't want to play it on the Wii U. Since Nintendo didn't have a track record of updating their systems with new revisions (their home consoles, anyway) I thought it was a safe bet that I wouldn't need to buy an updated version of the Switch anytime soon...until I bought a Switch Lite "for my wife" two years later. Nevertheless, that home/handheld hybrid has seen a lot of mileage over the years, and no game contributed to that mileage more than <i>Breath of the Wild</i>.<br />
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The launch lineups of the new consoles this generation weren't exactly stellar, but with the Switch, having a game like<i> Breath of the Wild</i> gave us more than enough to do. Not since <i>Skyrim</i> had I had a desire to explore every inch of a world. I was so taken in by the watercolor art style, the intricacies of the combat, and the way no detail was overlooked by Nintendo that I sometimes just chose a direction and spent hours just seeing what I could find. Even after I surpassed the 100 hour mark and the game was updated to show you everywhere you had traveled, there were still huge swaths of land that I had never even come close to.<br />
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Even greater than the game itself was the way the internet was completely enamored with it. It was impossible for me to scroll through social media and not see a video of something in <i>Breath of the Wild</i>, whether it was a secret that I never would have discovered on my own or a crazy new way to break the game, the internet was bombarded with <i>Breath of the Wild</i> content for several months after release.<br />
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Even after putting dozens of more hours into <i>Breath of the Wild</i> with its DLC releases, solving each of the 120 shrines, upgrading Link's health and stamina to max, and saving the land of Hyrule, I still can't begin to fathom what I didn't see. And with the impending release of the sequel, I'm ready to get lost for another 100+ hours.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">8. <i>Horizon Zero Dawn</i></span></u></b><br />
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Had I known how good <i>Horizon Zero Dawn</i> was going to turn out, I would have bought it on day one and put off a Nintendo Switch and <i>Breath of the Wild</i>. <i>Horizon</i> came out less than a month before <i>Zelda</i> and are similar games in terms of gameplay, but <i>Breath of the Wild</i> has the cache of being a <i>Legend of Zelda </i>game as well as being the hot title for an anticipated console launch.<br />
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<i>Horizon</i> may not have the scale and sense of discovery that <i>BotW</i> has, but what it lacked in those areas it made up for in combat and story. Practically from the get-go, I knew <i>Horizon</i> was my kind of game. Taking place in the 31st century long after a world-ending event where humans have reverted to the tribalistic ways of prehistory, the player controls Aloy, a young woman cast out from her tribe at birth that eventually comes to discover not only who she is but also why she's so important. While that may seem like nothing more than the "chosen one" trope we see in all types of mediums, <i>Horizon</i>'s unique take on the post-apocalypse is what makes it stand out. While there are certainly human enemies, the standouts of the game are the "Old Ones." These machines are modeled after animals--mostly dinosaurs--and I never got tired of the challenge that came with taking them out. I loved using the various tools at my disposal to try an ambush or sneak attack. I enjoyed the challenge of fighting a Thunderjaw or being in a jungle with multiple Stalkers nipping at my heels.<br />
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There were so many different ways to approach each encounter that combat never grew stale. Setting up traps followed by a swift attack to the weak spot of my oversized mechanical foes was exhilarating from the first time to the last. Some encounters felt cheap at first, but once I figured out how the game wanted me to approach it I began to employ new strategies that felt much more rewarding than they would have had I been able to brute force my way through them.<br />
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<i>Horizon Zero Dawn</i> was developed by Guerrilla Games, previously best known for the <i>Killzone </i>franchise, a run-of-the-mill futuristic shooter series that I always enjoyed but was never going to make Guerrilla a revered name in video games. <i>Horizon</i> changed that, and even if the long-rumored sequel doesn't happen, I'm excited to see what the studio comes up with next.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">7.<i> Super Mario Odyssey</i></span></u></b><br />
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2017 has a strong argument for being the single best year of video games ever. Between <i>The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Horizon Zero Dawn</i>, and my personal favorite game of that year, <i>Super Mario Odyssey</i>, it's easy to see why it could lay claim to that title. That's not even mentioning games like <i>Cuphead, Persona 5</i>, and for better or worse, <i>PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds</i>.<br />
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In 1996, <i>Super Mario 64</i> revolutionized console video games in terms of what we thought was possible with 3D graphics. In 2007, <i>Super Mario Galaxy</i> revitalized the dying platforming genre and is probably my favorite game of the last 20 years. Nintendo continually iterated on the face of their franchise over the years with stellar games like <i>Super Mario Galaxy 2, Super Mario 3D World/3D Land</i>, and <i>New Super Mario Bros. Wii/Wii U</i>. <i>Super Mario Odyssey</i>, however, is where I feel they truly changed the game again.<br />
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Eschewing a level/challenge based format of the previous games, <i>Super Mario Odyssey</i> employs a more open-world format, plopping the mustachioed hero down in the middle of a large area and commissioning the player to explore and see what they can find. To add to that, Mario's new companion, Cappy, allows Mario to possess dozens of different characters and use their abilities as his own. Shout out to Moe-Eye for being the best new <i>Mario</i> character since Blargg.<br />
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The first time fans saw a photorealistic t-rex in a <i>Mario</i> game, it took us aback. When we saw Mario standing out against the more proportionally correct humans in New Donk City, we smiled ear-to-ear. Lush jungles, beaches, a kingdom constructed entirely out of junk food, it was always tough to decide if I wanted to keep exploring the current kingdom for more moons or move on just because I wanted to see what Nintendo had concocted with the next one.<br />
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<i>Odyssey</i> contains more secrets than any other <i>Mario </i>game and has tons of unlockable outfits for Mario himself, many of which are throwbacks to classic Mario appearances like an American flag getup from <i>NES Open Tournament Golf</i> or his construction outfit from <i>Super Mario Maker</i>. Much like <i>Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey </i>is packed full of so much content that few players will ever see it all.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">6. <i>The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim</i></span></u></b><br />
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It would be difficult to read anyone's top games of the 2010s and not find <i>Skyrim</i> on their list. I'm no different, <i>Skyrim</i> was a phenomenon and my first successful foray into the open-world RPG. I say "successful" because I tried several times to play <i>Fallout 3</i> and never clicked with it. But I clicked with <i>Skyrim</i>, that's for sure.<br />
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<i>Skyrim</i> was special for me not only because of the game itself but because of where I was in my life when I played it. To put it simply, I was nowhere. I was 26, wrestling wasn't working out for me the way I wanted it to, I had moved back in with my parents after some bad luck, worked at a job I hated, and was taking college classes despite not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I was depressed and angry at the world, so I chose to lose myself on the continent of Tamriel. I have vivid memories of spending my Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays sitting on my couch at 2am with my late pup, Muldoon, at my side while I navigated the winding corridors of <i>Skyrim</i>'s many dungeons. By the time I was done playing <i>Skyrim</i>, I had met the woman that would become my wife. Over the years, <i>Skyrim</i> has become the game that I associate with both the lowest point in my life <i>and</i> one of the best times in my life.<br />
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Sentimentality aside, <i>Skyrim</i> was the first game that I remember getting truly lost in. There were games that I would play for hours at a time like <i>Assassin's Creed II</i> or <i>Borderlands</i>, but I never truly got invested in those games. I always knew I was playing as Ezio or Roland, but with <i>Skyrim</i>, I was the Dragonborn and could shape that character to my liking. In case you're wondering, I was a Wood Elf who looked like Nathan Explosion and specialized in stealth and archery.<br />
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I mentioned with<i> Breath of the Wild</i> how sometimes I would just pick a direction and go, but <i>Skyrim</i> was the first game that made me want to do that. The compass at the top of the screen was so great about showing you that there was something of significance close by, and I spent hours traveling from new site to new site anticipating what I would find. Sometimes it would lead to a new quest or something interesting to see, and other times it led you to an overpowered enemy that would utterly annihilate you. I doubt I'm the only one that returned to The Seven Thousand Steps just to take out that frost troll that gave you a rough time earlier in the game.<br />
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Sometimes games the size of <i>Skyrim</i> are intimidating. They also have a tendency to be broken in many ways. I actually encountered a bug that prevented me from completing a main story mission, causing me to start a new game just to complete it. Apparently this bug occurred because I had finished a certain other quest while that main story quest was active. It eventually got resolved, but I didn't care too much because of the sheer number of things to do. I was able to continue playing for dozens of more hours without ever needing to return to the story.<br />
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Given Bethesda's recent track record, I can only hope that <i>The Elder Scrolls VI</i> turns out close to as good as <i>Skyrim</i>. Hopefully it comes with a sweet nylon drawstring bag.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">5<i>. God of War</i></span></u></b><br />
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The 2018 reboot/sequel <i>God of War</i> is a special game. I've been with the series since the beginning, and I had grown attached to Kratos despite him being a pretty terrible person and little more than a grunting/yelling soundboard. The reaction Kratos got at the <i>God of War</i> E3 reveal was out of this world, but I still had my reservations. I was so accustomed to the arcade-style hack-and-slash of the previous games that this new over-the-shoulder perspective felt wrong. We've all played games with this perspective, but with Kratos it looked off to me. The switch from Greek to Norse mythology was an interesting move. I actually have a pretty good knowledge of Greek mythology, so this was a nice opportunity for me to learn about one I had little understanding of. Most curious, however, was the new weapon Kratos wielded in the trailer. The Leviathan Ax seemed cool, but the Blades of Chaos were as synonymous to the franchise as Kratos' ashen skin. And who is this whiny kid hanging around? Is Kratos a dad again? That didn't turn out too well for his first child.<br />
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Then I played the game and all reservations were banished. The new perspective felt great, Norse mythology was just as interesting as Greek, the Leviathan Ax became my preferred weapon even after the Blades were reintroduced, and Atreus turned out to be the best tag team partner in video game history. But the greatest curveball of all was the fact that <i>God of War</i> had an excellent story. Six games of angry guy doing angry guy things and not caring about anyone but himself, and suddenly we get a compelling story of a father and son coming to understand each other. Not just Kratos and Atreus, but God of War is filled memorable characters. For instance, Mimir, whose constant narration was not only informative and sometimes comical, but also made those long boat rides enjoyable. Brok and Sindri's constant bashing of each others blacksmith skills made you laugh but also made you wish the brothers would make amends. Baldur was an excellent and formidable villain. And somehow, the character with the most personality is Jormungandr, the great sea serpent.<br />
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The ability to craft new armor, the addition of runes, and the many skill trees available to sink your experience into made the game much deeper than its predecessors and felt more like an RPG. Being able to see what a skill will do before you choose it is a nice touch that I wish games of the same ilk would employ.<br />
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The attention to detail in <i>God of War</i> is second to none; nothing feels out of place. Every aspect of the story, the combat, the backdrops, it's all exquisite. The fact that <i>God of War</i> is shot in a one-take fashion is something that many people likely didn't realize until someone pointed it out to them. So many moments stand out, but none more so than when Kratos<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR9TzSFZ_-E" target="_blank"> returns home to recover the Blades of Chaos</a>. This five-minute sequence legitimately gave me chills, and the player is able to infer so much of what is going on in the mind of Kratos without him having to say a word. That's the kind of stuff that makes the 2018 reinvention of <i>God of War</i> so great. There was even an entire documentary about the game that's more than worth your time.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">4. <i>Stardew Valley</i></span></u></b><br />
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In my life as a gamer, no game has surprised me the way <i>Stardew Valley </i>did. I had heard about the game here and there from various podcasts, but chalked it up to being nothing more than a <i>Harvest Moon</i> clone that I wasn't interested in. However, my wife had great interest in <i>Stardew Valley</i> and I decided to pick it up for her when it was released for home consoles. 150 hours later, I'm starting to think maybe I need to play more <i>Harvest Moon</i> clones.<br />
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Upon first glance,<i> Stardew Valley</i> seems very simple. Plant some crops, chop down some trees, mingle with the townsfolk, the things you typically expect from a game like this. What I didn't expect was an incredibly in-depth crafting system, a 120 story mine to explore, a community center to rebuild, a major corporation to run out of my small town, a wizard, and a cast of characters that were a joy to get to know.<br />
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I continually return to<i> Stardew Valley</i> between other games. I've come back to my farm several times, and each time I do I find something new to sink my time into. I had spent over 100 hours in the game before I cooked for the first time. I focused individual sessions on catching every fish, crafting every item, and mining for every museum piece (currently in the middle of finishing this one). I have a very meticulous day-to-day structure that begins with speaking to my wife (Haley), saying good morning to my two children (Christopher and Grace), petting/feeding my dog (Muldoon), and then immediately heading to the barn to check on my various animals and harvest my crops. It's not glamorous, but it's honest work.<br />
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What started off as a game that I didn't expect to hold my attention became one of my all-time favorites and quite possibly the most bang for my buck that I've ever gotten out of a single game. I suggest <i>Stardew Valley</i> to anyone, even those who think they don't have an interest in the life simulator genre. It's the type of game that you can intend to only play for thirty minutes and wind up losing an entire afternoon to. I constantly found myself thinking "just one more day, I just need to see if my crops are ready" and the next thing I know Spring is becoming Summer. <i>Stardew Valley</i> is so peaceful and chill that I found myself never wanting to leave.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">3. <i>The Last of Us</i></span></u></b><br />
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If <i>Stardew Valley</i> was the most peaceful game I played last decade, <i>The Last of Us</i> was probably the most stressful. After what may be the best (and must gut-wrenching) opening sequence in gaming history, <i>The Last of Us</i> never relents, and that's what I most respect about it. Not once does <i>The Last of Us</i> offer the player a glimmer of hope. It's a depressing world, and Naughty Dog doubled down on that concept. People are doing everything they can to survive, there is no comic relief or ray of sunshine to get you through. Joel and Ellie get through because they just want to survive in a world where allowing yourself to die sometimes seems like the more desirable option. It reminds me of <i>The Road</i>, which is not an easy film to watch and one whose most traumatizing scenes are still burned into my memory. There's no hope. I respect a piece of media that's willing to withhold a happy ending from the consumer.<br />
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The reason so many people love this hopeless world is because of how well the relationship between Joel and Ellie evolves over the course of the game. When we first meet Ellie, we probably all felt the same way Joel did about her. She was a nuisance, a weight holding us back, but a weight we had to carry for the good of the cause. By the end of the game, however, anyone who even thought about laying a finger on Ellie is getting a shiv to the skull. The villainous David from the Winter chapter is one of my most hated villains in gaming history because of how much I had grown attached to Ellie. Even those of us without children imagined someone trying to do that to our own daughter. Seeing David get his comeuppance was disgustingly cathartic.<br />
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<i>The Last of Us</i> tows the line well between action, stealth, and survival horror. One minute you're shooting your way out of an abandoned apartment complex and the next you're sneaking your way past "clickers" and hordes of infected. You'll come to cherish the brief moments of reprieve the game affords you. In a lawless world such as this, it's nearly impossible to know who you can trust, if you can trust anyone at all. The only people Joel and Ellie truly trust are each other.<br />
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While I respect <i>The Last of Us</i> for sticking to its guns with its world-building, I also want to recognize the final sequences. A lesser game would have given the player the choice to save Ellie or to let the Fireflies go through with their plan and hopefully develop a cure at the cost of Ellie's life. I like that Naughty Dog didn't give us that choice. They had a story they wanted to tell, they wanted to tell it their way, and this is the way the story ends. When the credits began to roll, I sat there contemplating "Was that the right decision? Would I have done the same thing? Does Ellie believe Joel?" These answers will hopefully be answered with the upcoming sequel, which is at the top of my most anticipated games list.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">2. <i>Borderlands 2</i></span></u></b><br />
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My wife and I have played through <i>Borderlands 2 </i>so many times that I've honestly lost count. The series in general is one that holds a sentimental place for us. When we met, we bonded so much by replaying through the original <i>Borderlands</i> together over Xbox Live. Every night we were chatting with each other while working our way through hordes of Pandora's most dangerous residents. It was a beautiful time. Two weeks after we got hitched, <i>Borderlands 2</i> was released to the world. We were there on day one, two TVs set next to each other while we sat on the couch and laughed and shot our way through the beginning areas. Even with the release of <i>Borderlands 3</i>, it'll be <i>B2</i> that we will come back to consistently for years to come.<br />
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I'll never forget the first time I saw the original <i>Borderlands</i>. It was on the cover of <i>Game Informer </i>and looked like just another run-of-the-mill action game. I had no interest, I didn't even bother reading the article. After a graphical overhaul and coworkers suggesting the game to me, I picked it up and loved every second of it. <i>Borderlands 2</i> took everything that was great about the original and cranked it up to 11. Bigger and better areas to explore, more enemy types, a more substantial story with a now iconic villain, more guns, more humor, more vehicles, better NPCs, a more fleshed-out skill tree. Fans got more of what they loved, and Gearbox did a great job of changing the game just enough to keep it fresh for veteran players.<br />
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Then we got to the part where Tiny Tina shows up and I broke the disc in half. Not really, but in case you didn't know,<a href="https://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2019/12/2019-games-of-year.html" target="_blank"> I really hate Tiny Tina</a>. Although, the DLC expansion centered on Tiny Tina (<i>Assault on Dungeon Keep</i>) is the best expansion Gearbox has released to date. A lot of games have season passes that don't offer nearly enough content compared to what they expect you to pay for it, but I've never felt like I haven't gotten my moneys worth from <i>Borderlands</i> DLC. Over a year after launch my wife and I were still knee-deep in new <i>Borderlands 2</i> content. To my knowledge, <i>Borderlands</i> was the first (or at least one of the first) games to offer this amount of additional content post-launch, before the term "Season Pass" caused red flags to rise. <i>Borderlands 2</i> continued to get new content after <i>The Pre-Sequel</i> was released and even more prior to <i>Borderlands 3</i>.<br />
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As much as my wife and I have enjoyed <i>Borderlands 3</i> (which got much better after I wrote my GOTY blog) and its recently released <i>Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot</i> DLC, I think <i>Borderlands 2</i> remains the torchbearer of the series and will remain so for many years.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">1. <i>Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain</i></span></u></b><br />
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"Boo hoo! We're not playing as the real Big Boss! They put the real last mission on a bonus disc! Chapter 2 is just replaying the same missions on harder difficulties!" You know what? Shut up! <i>The Phantom Pain</i> is the best looking and best playing game in the franchise. This is how Hideo Kojima always wanted <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> to play.<br />
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Yes, yes, I understand the complaints, but those things didn't bother me. My only real complaints were replacing David Hayter with Kiefer Sutherland as the voice of Snake and that <i>The Phantom Pain</i> has the weakest rogues gallery of the series. Skull Face was a boring villain and the Skulls Unit soldiers were no fun to fight. I actually had to exploit those battles in various ways just to beat them.<br />
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Outside of that,<i> The Phantom Pain </i>is near perfect. For those that complained about <i>MGS4</i>'s extensive cutscenes, they were fewer and further between. For those that complained about overly long Codec conversations, <i>The Phantom Pain</i> tells a lot of story through recordings that don't hinder gameplay. For those that didn't like <i>Snake Eater</i>'s camouflage system, this game negates the need for one. The calling card of <i>MGS</i> has always been the amount of freedom you have in regards to enemy encounters. This is made even better by <i>TPP</i>'s open-world structure and optional companions, allowing the player to not only choose how to attack but also where to attack from and who to bring along with them as a companion, adding several new layers of depth and strategy. Many times I would fail a mission only to retry with new ideas and ace it.<br />
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The turmoil between Hideo Kojima and publisher Konami was well publicized prior to release. Under those circumstances, I think <i>The Phantom Pain</i> turned out far better than expected. It tied up some loose ends, told the origins of characters well known to series veterans, and despite the rage that the reveal induced in some players, I think this is a fantastic sendoff for one of the most iconic franchises in video game history. I think even those who don't consider themselves fans of <i>Metal Gear</i> or are put off by Kojima's insane storytelling methods can still appreciate <i>The Phantom Pain</i> based on gameplay alone. My love for <i>Metal Gear</i> is well-established, I've never held back my fandom, but I know lots of people that don't share the same kind of fervor that I do that found <i>The Phantom Pain</i> to be one of the finest action experiences they've ever played. Any fan of action games, stealth games, or third-person shooters owes it to themselves to give this one some of their time.<br />
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Hey, you! Yeah, you! Thanks for reading. My writings should become more frequent, so keep checking back every so often just so you don't miss anything.<br />
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-DustinTheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-78603412798804768842019-12-22T04:24:00.000-08:002019-12-22T04:28:45.139-08:002019 Games of the Year<div style="text-align: center;">
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If you've read any of my previous end of year blogs, you might know that I make up all kinds of fake categories just so I can talk about certain things or give love to games I enjoyed that didn't make my top 10 games of the year. This year is no different, though I've significantly pared down the amount of categories after I realized how long it was becoming. If you want to hear me talk about other categories like Best Soundtrack, Best Weapon, and Best Non-2019 Game of the Year, I discuss those categories in depth with my buddies Luke Roberts and Chris Schram on the latest episode of the Error Machine Podcast, <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/20020/2302013-error-machine-s-2019-games-of-the-year.mp3?blob_id=7386305&download=true" target="_blank">which you can listen to here</a>.</div>
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Only a handful of categories with blurbs I tried to keep fairly short before we get into my top 10 games of the year. Before you continue though, this is your official warning that there may be SPOILERS AHEAD.</div>
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Agents are GOOOOO!</div>
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</u></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Worst NPC</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tiny Tina</span></b></div>
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Tiny Tina is the worst character in any video game ever. I chose "Worst NPC" as a category just so I can talk about how much I hate her. She's so insufferable that she makes the second worst character in the series, Sir Hammerlock, tolerable by comparison.<br />
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I say this as someone who is a huge fan of the <i>Borderlands</i> series. I rank <i>Borderlands 2</i> in my<a href="https://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2018/10/my-top-10-video-games-of-all-time.html" target="_blank"> top 5 favorite games of all-time</a>, despite how much I hate Tiny Tina. She's not funny, she's not cute, she's a one-note, poorly written character. I hate Tiny Tina so much that I want her voice actress, Ashly Burch, to get less work. That hurts to say because Ashly Burch is a pretty good voice actor. She did awesome as Aloy in <i>Horizon Zero Dawn</i>, Parvatti was my favorite companion in <i>The Outer Worlds</i>, but Tiny Tina negates any goodwill she can ever receive for anything she does until the Lord comes back.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Biggest Disappointment</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Yoshi's Crafted World</i></b></span><br />
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<i>Yoshi's Woolly World</i> is an incredible game that my wife and I played together. We were beside ourselves with excitement for <i>Yoshi's Crafted World</i> this year. Then we started playing and realized that Nintendo didn't want two grown, capable adults to play together. They designed the co-op specifically for an adult to play with a child. If a section is too difficult, just have the adult player pick up the child's Yoshi and carry them to the next section. Great in theory. It would have been greater had you had the ability to turn that off so my wife and I didn't have to constantly stop our game because we kept jumping on each other by accident.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Most unnecessary remake/remaster</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story</i></b></span><br />
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Hey, remember when Nintendo decided to remake some classic games and put them on their Switch for a new audience to enjoy? You don't remember that? Oh wait, that's because they remade<i> Bowser's Inside Story</i>, <i>Superstar Saga</i>, and <i>Kirby's Epic Yarn</i> and put them on the 3DS, a system that they don't support anymore with no fanfare. Let me say here that <i>Bowser's Inside Story</i> is one of my favorite RPGs ever and certainly one of my favorite games on the original DS. </div>
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As much as I'm willing to forgive Nintendo and look past some of the stupid decisions they make, they remade a game for the dying 3DS that was already capable of being played on the 3DS in its original form. Then the company that developed the game went out of business due to poor sales. Come on, Nintendo, you're better than that.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Character I Most Wanted To Punch in the Face</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>V - <i>Devil May Cry 5</i></b></span><br />
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Look at this idiot.<br />
Freakin' nerd and his poetry.</div>
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Go listen to My Chemical Romance and brood somewhere else.</div>
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Still my favorite character to play as, though.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Game I'm Most Sick of Hearing About</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Apex Legends/Untitled Goose Game</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This isn't about hating these games. I didn't even play <i>Untitled Goose Game</i>, and I didn't hate <i>Apex Legends</i>. I'm just sick of hearing about them. People (you know, the internet) acted like <i>Untitled Goose Game</i> was the most innovative and groundbreaking indie game that has ever been released. These were the same people who thought <i>Goat Simulator</i> was a landmark achievement in modern gaming. OMG it's so wacky! Look at that goose! Isn't that crazy and hilarious?! I'm sure that I would enjoy <i>Untitled Goose Game</i> if I ever get around to playing it, but we need to stop treating it like it's anything more than just another goofy indie game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Apex Legends</i>, though? I played a few rounds when it was first released. It was fine. I'm not personally a fan of the battle royale genre, but for those that are, this seems like one of the best ones, and I'm glad you're enjoying it, but I'm sick of hearing about it. Enjoy it in silence, please.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Edit: I received a text from a friend while editing this blog that <i>Untitled Goose Game</i> is currently available for free on Xbox Game Pass, so yes, I will be playing this game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Worst Title</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Gears 5</i></b></span></div>
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<i>Gears of War.</i><br />
<i>Gears of War 2.</i><br />
<i>Gears of War 3.</i><br />
<i>Gears of War 4.</i><br />
<i>Gears 5</i>.<br />
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Why? Why did they do this? Yes, I understand that everyone shortens the title to just "<i>Gears</i>" when they talk about the series, but that doesn't make it right. Maybe I'm overreacting, maybe no one else sees it as a big deal, but the way I see it is that they had a perfect sequence of sequel titles, and then they just decided to ruin it for no reason. I hate this title more than I should.<br />
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And now, on to my top 10 games of the year. There were some notable games I didn't get a chance to play this year that, if I had, likely would have been in contention for a top 10 spot. I've listed those games below.<br />
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<b><u>Notable games that I didn't get a chance to play this year:</u></b><br />
<i>Luigi's Mansion 3</i><br />
<i>Control</i><br />
<i>Dragon Quest Builders 2</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>10. <i>Far Cry: New Dawn</i></u></b></span><br />
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The <i>Far Cry</i> series has always been one of extremely high highs and equally extreme low lows, with the one exception being <i>Far Cry 2</i>, which gamers seem to be split on. I got on board with <i>Far Cry 3</i>, which was one of my favorite games of the Xbox 360/PS3 era. <i>Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon</i> was even better to me due to its obvious 80s cinema influences which saw them taking cues from <i>Terminator</i>, <i>RoboCop, Aliens, Rocky</i>, and many more. <i>Far Cry 4</i> was the first platinum trophy I ever earned.<br />
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Then came <i>Far Cry Primal</i>, an abysmal title that I hated from the get-go, and <i>Far Cry 5</i>, whose cult-based plot never interested me. Then, we have this year's <i>Far Cry: New Dawn</i>, a direct sequel to <i>Far Cry 5 </i>taking place nearly two decades after the bombs dropped. Gameplay wise, there wasn't much here that you're not going to get in other <i>Far Cry</i> games. It's a tried and true formula.<br />
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I didn't feel compelled to go for the platinum trophy, in fact, I didn't even feel compelled to find all of the companions or do different mission types outside of the ones mandated by the story. But what did grab me were the villainous twins, Mickey and Lou, rebuilding the settlement of prosperity, and the community of hangers-on of the Eden's Gate cult.<br />
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What gave me the most bang for my buck was the same thing previous <i>Far Cry</i> games offered, the bandit camps. Taking over bandit camps as a stealthy archer is the thing that made me fall in love with the series, and while it wasn't always easy, having the option to replay each camp up to three times with harder enemies was a major incentive for me. If Ubisoft decided to make <i>Far Cry Bandit Camps: The Game</i>, I would be on board.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>9. <i>Gears 5</i></u></b></span><br />
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I've been a <i>Gears</i> fan since the very start, the original game being one of the major reason I decided to purchase an Xbox 360. I don't play the multiplayer, I'm strictly a campaign and Horde guy. Back in 2016, I gave <i>Gears of War 4</i> my number one game of that year on a blog like this one, but if I could go back, I would change that. I think it was the fact that it was a new <i>Gears </i>game released in a fairly lackluster year of gaming (at least for me) that made me give it my number one spot by default based on my love of the series. In hindsight, <i>Gears of War 4</i> is mostly forgettable. The campaign was the worst in the series outside of <i>GoW: Judgement</i>, and because of the bounty system, it was nearly impossible for a game of Horde to go past wave 20 without 3 players backing out, assuming that didn't happen immediately.<br />
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Despite having the worst title of 2019, <i>Gears 5</i> improved greatly in the areas that matter to me. The campaign shed some light on questions fans had, had some decent character development, and forced you into making a choice you didn't want to make in the final chapters. In fact, at some point I need to go back and play that section again so I can make the other choice. In that moment, playing as Kait, I made the choice I felt she would have genuinely made, and it made me feel feelings that I didn't know <i>Gears</i> could make me feel.<br />
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My only nitpick regarding the campaign is that its semi-open-world structure left me feeling like I wasn't making genuine progress. I don't think that's a universal thing that everybody felt, but that was my experience and it just felt strange for a <i>Gears</i> game. Horde is vastly improved from <i>Gears of War 4</i>, removing the class system which sometimes made victory feel entirely contingent upon whether or not you had an engineer on the team and that they knew what they were doing. Although I do miss playing as a heavy and having 16 boomshot rounds at my disposal at all times.<br />
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Escape is a new mode that's nice to have, but wasn't able to hold my attention. I played through it once, had a decent time, but ultimately never came back to it and don't see myself doing so anytime soon. One of the major bummers of <i>Gears 5</i> compared to <i>GoW 4</i> is the lack of unlockable characters. I had lots of fun unlocking new characters and skins for use in Horde mode, but in <i>Gears 5</i> you're limited to the characters provided and the few skins you can unlock (though I'm sure more and more will be added over time), which you'll likely never unlock if you don't pay real money for them. It's also a bummer that they don't allow for more than one player to play as the same character. This means that if I've taken time to build up my J.D. to level 10, but another player equips him and the game decides to let that person use him instead of me, I'm stuck choosing another character that I may have no perks for.<br />
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These are minor complaints for a game that I really enjoyed. I haven't played <i>Gears 5</i> in a bit due to the holiday season hitting with its big titles, but <i>Gears</i> is a series that I've always played consistently over the years, and I don't see why <i>Gears 5</i> wouldn't be the same.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">8. <i>Valfaris</i></span></u></b><br />
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In 2019, we finally received a new <i>Contra</i> game in the form of <i>Contra: Rogue Corps</i>. It was terrible. However, we also received two games that were heavily influenced by <i>Contra </i>and are better at being <i>Contra</i> than the actual <i>Contra </i>game we got. Understand? The first game I'm referring to is <i>Blazing Chrome</i>--one of the final games cut from my top ten this year--and the second game is <i>Valfaris</i>.<br />
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<i>Valfaris </i>was developed by Steel Mantis, whose previous effort was <i>Slain: Back From Hell</i>. <i>Slain</i> was a game that I picked up on PS4 because it was always on sale for the weird price of $3.24, and after playing for about a half hour, left me upset that I spent that much money on it. I could have used that to buy two large coffees at a gas station. I could have cussed 13 times and put 13 quarters in a swear jar. I could have saved another $1.76 and gone to GameStop to put a pre-order down on a better game. I didn't much care for <i>Slain</i> is what I'm getting at.<br />
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If there's any game on my top ten this year that could be considered a dark horse, it's <i>Valfaris</i>. I was aware of the game, but it wasn't on my radar in terms of being something that I definitely had to play. I figured it would be something that I would eventually pick up cheap and like slightly more than <i>Slain</i>. But I had a buddy (the aforementioned Luke Roberts) who said he was really enjoying it, and based on that, took a chance and picked up a copy. I don't regret that purchase at all.<br />
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If I had to describe <i>Valfaris</i> in one phrase, I would say that it's a heavy metal space opera equally influenced by <i>Contra</i> and Slayer. Each new area looks like it could have been ripped straight from an 80s thrash-metal album cover. The metal soundtrack is so good that it almost makes you forget how many times you just died to the same boss. <i>Valfaris</i> is a difficult game. It won't be the hardest game you'll ever play, but it's going to give you a hearty challenge. Luckily, the game is very generous with checkpoints following major encounters, and you'll need them because <i>Valfaris</i> doles out boss battles like candy.<br />
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While no one section gave me too much trouble, the penultimate boss, the ascension to the final boss, and the final boss itself did make what would be 20 minutes of gameplay turn into a two hour war of attrition. Despite that, I never got too frustrated because I always felt like I was getting closer and closer to winning. I always felt like I was improving my pattern recognition, my blocking, and my understanding of how I was supposed to be fighting these enemies. It was like <i>Dark Souls</i> except I was actually enjoying myself.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>7. <i>Pixel Puzzle Collection</i></u></b></span><br />
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For the first time since I started doing my games of the year blogs, a mobile game makes it into my top ten. <i>Pixel Puzzle Collection</i> is the completely free <i>Picross </i>game from Konami. There's no waiting until a meter fills up before you can play the next puzzle, no special currency to buy for more levels, it's simply a <i>Picross</i> game filled with hundreds of puzzles calling back to the likes of <i>Contra, Castlevania, Gradius</i>, and all the other classic Konami franchises with some spicy modern remixes of classic tunes to keep your head bobbing while tackling a tricky puzzle.<br />
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I've been a fan of <i>Picross</i> for a long time, I even rank <i>Picross 3D</i> in my top 10 games of all-time. Mix your franchise with <i>Picross</i> and I'll give it a go. <i>The Legend of Zelda Picross</i>? Loved it. <i>Pokemon Picross</i>? The only <i>Pokemon</i> game I've ever played and I played it daily for over a year. So when I heard about <i>Pixel Puzzle Collection</i>, it was an immediate download. Seeing as it's free, it's very easy for me to recommend to both those that love <i>Picross</i> games and those that have never played one.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>6. <i>River City Girls</i></u></b></span><br />
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Not counting the long line of licensed games under their belt, WayForward's games have always been hit or miss for me. I'm either blown away or completely underwhelmed by them. <i>River City Girls</i> was a game that I knew I would play eventually, but it wasn't a priority. Much like <i>Valfaris</i>, it was recommended by a friend (Luke really gave me some good recommendations this year) and I also watched some YouTube reviews. I became more interested but I still wasn't completely sold. Then Limited Run Games announced they were going to be publishing the physical version. Being the collector I am, I figured if I'm ever going to play it, I would want the physical cartridge, so I pre-ordered the Switch version and never looked back.<br />
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If there's anything WayForward nails, it's aesthetics. I love the way their games look. Whether it's with a beautiful cartoon look or the classic retro style, I can't get enough of WayForward's visuals. As much as I love the way the game looks, I love the soundtrack even more. If I had to rank my favorite soundtracks of the year, behind <i>River City Girls</i> would have been <i>Death Stranding, </i>but the gap between one and two is enormous. I don't listen to game soundtracks in my free time, but <i>RCG</i>'s has been on consistent rotation in my car these past few months, especially the songs with lyrics.<br />
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The game reminds me of Bryan Lee O'Malley's <i>Scott Pilgrim </i>universe, not only the graphic novels, but also the movie (a personal favorite of mine) and the game based on the movie. That shouldn't be too far-fetched, as <i>River City Girls</i> is a sequel to the <i>Kunio Kun</i> games (which includes<i> River City Ransom</i>) and O'Malley's universe is heavily influenced by <i>Kunio Kun</i>. Likewise, the game's soundtrack features songs that remind me of the ones The Clash at Demonhead performed in the film.<br />
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That's all well and good, but what about the gameplay? The classic beat-em-up was in good hands here, with tons of moves to unlock for each character. <i>RCG</i> can be played single player or co-op. I played single player throughout as Kyoko, and what I found great is that the other character, Misako, leveled up alongside me even though I didn't play as her, which made it easy for me when I started New Game +. As mentioned a moment ago, both Kyoko and Misako have different move sets, and I never got tired of experimenting with moves after unlocking them.<br />
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<i>River City Girls</i> features a recruiting mechanic where an enemy combatant can be recruited and then used as a special attack. This feature is...fine. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it, it was just kind of there. The idea is great, but the execution was not. The problem I found was that it required you to call in your recruits while perfectly lined up with enemies, otherwise they'll miss the attack. Even then, many times your recruit would still miss and the enemies would hit them, reducing the amount of times you can call the recruit back for help. A nice feature, but not necessary. My only other nitpicks are that parrying attacks is way too difficult and the ending basically makes the whole game pointless, so don't take the story too seriously, this one is about the journey and not the destination.<br />
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Plus, you can use a big fish as a weapon, so there's that.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>5. <i>Borderlands 3</i></u></b></span><br />
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I honestly considered making <i>Borderlands 3</i> my most disappointing game of the year even though it still made my top 5. It's disappointing because of my history with the series. This should have been a surefire number one game of the year for me. At the end of the day, it's <i>Borderlands</i>' gameplay that saves it. I still find <i>Borderlands 3</i> an incredibly fun game to play. It's everything surrounding the gameplay that's so disappointing. Perhaps I feel the way I do because of how much I allowed myself to be hyped up before release. Unfortunately, most of this entry is going to be me expressing my disappointment in the fact that <i>Borderlands</i> is not my game of the year.<br />
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<i>Borderlands 3</i> was released in September, and my wife and I haven't even made it through the game once yet because it's not a priority the way <i>Borderlands 2</i> was. In previous games, I felt like I consistently found new and better weapons, constantly experimenting with weapon types, elementals, and manufacturers. In <i>B3</i>, the weapon drops just aren't as impressive. While we haven't beaten the game yet, we are leveled in the mid-30s, so I assume we're getting there, and after every major mission or encounter, we're still getting green level weapons (the second lowest tier) that are worse than the weapons that we're carrying.<br />
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I don't think anyone comes to <i>Borderlands</i> for its story, but Handsome Jack from <i>Borderlands 2</i> is a very memorable villain. He was trying to establish his dominance over Pandora but also believed that he was justified in his actions. He's easily the best villain in the series. Troy and Tyreen Calypso, however, are just awful. They're not awful because they're bad villains, they're awful because of the what Gearbox did with the story of <i>B3</i>. Troy and Tyreen are the equivalent of Twitch streamers and YouTube "influencers," which is a term that I hate more than anything in the world. Every time they appear, they're filming themselves and asking people to "Like, share, and obey." I think this is going to cause <i>Borderlands 3</i> to become outdated very quickly. Where <i>Borderlands 2</i> was the classic story of a villain wanting total control, <i>Borderlands 3</i> will be out of vogue the moment we move on to a new fad and people no longer want to be influencers and want to be, I don't know, gypsies or whatever. Perhaps this is social commentary by Gearbox on how some view influencers as god-like leaders, but just because you have something to say doesn't mean it's a good premise for your game's story.<br />
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Then, we have the NPCs. The <i>Borderlands</i> series has always had its fair share of bad NPCs (have I told you about Tiny Tina?), but usually the ratio is about 50/50 in each game, but even the bad ones are memorable in some way. <i>Borderlands 3</i> takes that ratio and makes it about 90/10 bad to good. I can't remember the names of any of them, and the only one that I can think of off the top of my head is the one guy who constantly bugs you to listen to his mix tape. Other than that, I'm just talking to quest givers with no substance.<br />
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I do have some positive things to say about <i>Borderlands 3</i>, believe it or not. The soundtrack is great; easily the best the series has ever had. The different areas are fewer but much larger than in previous games, and because of that, you won't find yourself needing to fast travel as much. I also appreciate that there aren't too many quests that require me to backtrack to previous areas, so the pacing is much better and whenever you reach a new section of the game you know you're going to have plenty to do.<br />
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Just to reiterate, I really enjoy <i>Borderlands 3</i>, but I do have to express my disappointment. My wife and I have put hundreds of hours into both <i>Borderlands</i> games (we don't count <i>The Pre-Sequel</i>) and <i>Tales From The Borderlands</i> is my favorite Telltale game. I got the platinum trophy in all three of those games because I loved being on Pandora and wasn't bothered by the mindless grinding. I don't think I'm going to do that here, and it's a shame.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">4. <i>The Outer Worlds</i></span></u></b><br />
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Given its pedigree, I think we all expected <i>The Outer Worlds</i> to be good. Even a casual fan of Bethesda RPGs like me was intrigued by the idea of a "bite-sized <i>Fallout</i> game." Space <i>Fallout</i> that you can complete in 20-30 hours? That's half the amount of time I put into <i>Fallout 4</i> and a fourth of the time I put into <i>Skyrim</i>. Sign me up!<br />
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Had <i>The Outer Worlds</i> not been released on Xbox Game Pass, I probably wouldn't have played it by now. There were so many other games that I wanted to play or that were close to release that had I not been able to play it for free, I would have skipped it. I know not everyone is an Xbox player, but if you have an Xbox, spend the extra money and get Game Pass, it's easily the best service in gaming today.<br />
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Read any review of <i>The Outer Worlds</i> and you'll inevitably read about how well written the game is, and they're not wrong. It's really hard to pull off humor in video games. Think about it. How many games have actually made you laugh intentionally from a planned joke or gag? Probably not too many. <i>The Outer Worlds</i> pulls it off with a dry yet wacky sense of humor. <i>The Outer Worlds</i> is to <i>Fallout</i> what <i>Spaceballs</i> is to <i>Star Wars</i>.<br />
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Unlike previous games of the same ilk, I built my character to be a smooth talking hacker, whereas I usually put all my points into combat and stealth. I must say that I really enjoyed this type of character. I like being able to talk my way out of tough situations or schmooze my way through a conversation to get my way. If I ever get the time (unlikely) I may try a second run as a far less intellectual character, as I hear that it changes the way characters treat you, which would be interesting to see.<br />
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<i>The Outer Worlds</i> was the most surprising game of 2019 for me. It's a fun title for fans of the genre and a good one to start with for those not accustomed to the style.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>3. <i>Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night</i></u></b></span><br />
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I've been down with <i>Bloodstained</i> since day one. I did not, however, help Kickstart the game. Following the debacle that was <i>Mighty No. 9</i>, I'm hesitant to give money to any game before release, lest I get burned by it. Even when everyone trashed the game for its generic art style prior to the visual overhaul, I was still on board.<br />
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A few months ago a wrote a blog called <i><a href="https://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2019/08/top-5-metroidvanias-that-arent-metroid.html" target="_blank">Top 5 Metroidvania Games That Aren't Metroid or Castlevania</a></i> and I specifically disqualified <i>Bloodstained</i> from the list because, in every possible fashion except its title, <i>Bloodstained is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night 2</i>. Had <i>Bloodstained</i> not been made by one of <i>SotN</i>'s figureheads, fans would be crying plagiarism.<br />
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In my opinion, even though I loved <i>Castlevania: Lords of Shadow</i> (the less said about <i>Mirror of Fate</i> and <i>Lords of Shadow 2</i>, the better), I don't consider it a true <i>Castlevania</i> game. The last real <i>Castlevania</i> in my eyes is 2008's <i>Order of Ecclesia</i> on the Nintendo DS. Eleven years later, we get <i>Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night</i>, a true <i>Castlevania</i> game, but in more of a "the names have been changed to protect the innocent" kind of way.<br />
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But <i>Bloodstained</i> doesn't hide from its heritage, it embraces it. Some enemies, bosses, areas, familiars, and abilities are strikingly similar. Wait, you mean to tell me that there's a clock tower area that is everyone's least favorite section of the game and has detached heads that fly across the screen in an up-and-down fashion? I've never seen that before. What's this? I got the bad ending because I didn't have a specific item that allowed me to attack a spherical shape in the air? Don't tell me this isn't <i>Symphony of the Night 2</i>.<br />
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That isn't to say that <i>Bloodstained</i> doesn't have original ideas. The ability to craft items, weapons, and cook different meals that grant you permanent stat increases were great touches. It made me want to seek out the ingredients to make new dishes, and every time I made my way back to the safe house I would check to see if I had the right stuff to make new meals or to see what ingredients I was missing. The addition of side quests gave me an incentive to fight enemies that I normally would have avoided or skipped over because they weren't worth fighting. Most side quests boil down to "this type of enemy killed this person you don't know, go kill 5-10 of them and come back." At times it was annoying to have to go back to the safe house instead of being able to take on multiple quests at once, but luckily fast travel is a thing.<br />
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I really considered striving for the platinum trophy in <i>Bloodstained</i>, but the grinding required to cook every meal and craft every item is too great. I'll go for any trophy if it's considerate of my time. However, trophies that require me to kill every enemy type, complete the map, or seek out a secret boss that I otherwise wouldn't have known about, you better believe I'm going to get those.<br />
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If you're a fan of metroidvanias, if you're a fan of <i>Symphony of the Night</i>, don't put it off, play <i>Bloodstained</i>. It's currently free on Xbox Game Pass and can be found pretty cheap otherwise. I don't know if they've fixed the Switch version, but I played on PS4 and I ran into zero performance issues, so I suggest picking the game up on Sony's or Microsoft's console.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>2. <i>Death Stranding</i></u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Oh, boy. Where do I even begin to discuss 2019's most polarizing and divisive game? Full disclosure, I'm a Hideo Kojima fanboy. I say that, but really I'm more of a <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> fanboy, as I've not played any of Kojima's games other than <i>MGS</i> before <i>Death Stranding</i>. I didn't want to go into <i>Death Stranding</i> as one of those people that are going to say they love the game no matter how they really feel because of the need to defend their fanboyism. I wanted to be as objective as possible. I listen to many video game podcasts and follow a few personalities on Twitter, and they all seemed to be very middle-of-the-road on the game. I watched IGN's corporately manufactured 5 minute video review, and it soured me. I was very close to cancelling my pre-order. Then I watched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPTs4uW-zO0" target="_blank">this in-depth video review</a> and it completely changed my mind.</span></span><br />
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Let me start by saying that I don't think <i>Death Stranding</i> is for everyone. It's not one of those cases where I can say that if you just give it a chance you're going to fall in love it, because it's not true. You might, but I can't guarantee it, and the game takes several hours before you're doing anything more than delivering packages. I understand every criticism that <i>Death Stranding</i> has received. For me, however, I was enamored from the moment I first took control of Sam Bridges. I never got tired of the game's snail-like pace of chapters 1 and 2. I was so taken in by the game's visuals, story, and feeling of solitude that I found myself not caring that I didn't have enemies to fight or, really, anything else to do than just walk to the objective. If there were ever a game that one could dismissively call a "walking simulator," <i>Death Stranding</i> is that game, at least for the beginning hours.</div>
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Many reviewers have said that the game starts to pick up around chapter 3 when your traversal options improve, and that's true, but that's also where something else happened for me. My Pastor has often said that when he decided to start his own church that he no longer lived for himself but began to live for everyone around him. Chapter 3 of <i>Death Stranding</i> had that effect on me. When I gained the ability to repair roads, build bridges, safe houses, shelters, generators, and eventually zip-lines, I felt like I was no longer playing just for me but for all of the players that would come across a structure I built that could help them along their journey. I spent several hours collecting materials just to rebuild roads from one distribution center to another. I meticulously placed zip-lines in the mountains so other players wouldn't have to be slowed down by the heavy snow accumulation. I would place post boxes in remote areas with extra pairs of boots or all-terrain skeletons in case someone got stuck out there without them. And I would be lying if I said it didn't feel great when I returned to a bridge I had placed in an area I hadn't visited in some time to find that it had received 5,000 likes from my fellow players.</div>
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I understand why people got annoyed by needing to constantly skip pointless 5 second cinematics. I understand the tedium of trekking your way back to a private room in order to fast travel. I understand the annoyance of having so many systems to grasp. I understand the frustration of losing your balance or having to console BB if you take a tumble. I understand the feeling of being unprepared when the game suddenly decides that you have to fight enemies. But, simply put, those things never bothered me. Well, maybe the sudden combat sections did a little bit.</div>
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As expected, you get a lot of pointless exposition, especially in the game's waning hours, but those extensive scenes are much fewer and further between than you would see in <i>Metal Gear Solid</i>. But I enjoy Kojima's stories, as nuts as they can get, so I relish those overly done cutscenes. I enjoyed the twist regarding BB and trying to figure out the connection between BB and Cliff Unger. I loved the way every character had a stupidly literal name. I loved the apocalyptic story and how it made absolutely no sense in anyone's head except Kojima himself. I grew attached to BB to the point that during a specific section of the game, I got bummed out because I had to go it alone for a brief period. We felt like a team.</div>
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I genuinely loved every moment I put into <i>Death Stranding</i>, never once growing bored or annoyed by what the game asked me to do. The "slog" never felt like a slog to me. I will reiterate, however, that this is not a game that everyone is going to enjoy, but if you click with it, you're going to be in for an experience you've never had in gaming before.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1. <i>Resident Evil 2</i></u></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2019/01/thedustinthomass-2018-game-of-year.html" target="_blank">Last year I gushed about how good the PS4 remake of <i>Shadow of the Colossus</i> was</a>. I said "this is how you remake a game." This year, I have to update that statement. Capcom's remake of <i>Resident Evil 2</i>, <i>that's </i>how you remake a game. As someone who has been on the <i>Resident Evil</i> bandwagon since its inception, defended titles like <i>Resident Evil 5</i> and <i>Operation Raccoon City</i>, and even decided to come back to the series after if hurt me so bad with <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, I feel qualified to attest to its quality. In my eyes, the 2019 remake of <i>Resident Evil 2</i> is on par with <i>Resident Evil 4</i> as the best game in the series.</div>
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The original <i>RE2</i> was already a classic, heralded by fans as a top entry in the franchise and almost unanimously considered the best of the PSone era. The 2019 remake kept enough intact from the original that fans felt a sense of calming familiarity while changing enough to keep it fresh without detracting from the original's legacy. I felt like I knew everything the game was going to throw at me. My first time through, I remember thinking to myself that I was in the area that Mr. X appears but I wouldn't have to worry about him until I played through the game's B scenario. Imagine my surprise when I made my way through the dark corridors, approaching the previously flame-engulfed helicopter and noticing some vague movement coming from behind it, only to have the hulking monster move the chopper out of the way with a single, swift movement. That's the kind of stuff other companies need to take into consideration when remaking a classic.</div>
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Speaking of Mr. X, how great of a menace did he turn out to be? When he appeared, I again expected it to be like the original where he would give chase for a room or two and then reappear at predetermined sections of the game to antagonize you some more. Rinse and repeat. But no, only a handful of safe zones exist for you to seek respite after his glorious entrance, and he never stops. He's a lot like a Terminator. You can't stop it, you can't kill it, and he absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead. With a remake in the same vein being announced for<i> Resident Evil 3,</i> I'm interested to see how they employ this tactic with Nemesis.</div>
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<i>Resident Evil 2</i> controls and looks better than the series ever has, putting the RE Engine to great use. While the fixed camera angles of the original meant that you may hear enemies before you see them and led to some tense moments and jump scares, this update uses the now standard over-the-shoulder perspective and provides its tension by beautiful use of light and shadow, or rather, a lack of light and emphasis on shadow. Many areas in the game are in near complete darkness, so you only see whatever your flashlight illuminates directly in front of you. Uneasiness permeates around every corner as you hope you have a clear path to your next objective. Unfortunately, that's almost never the case. <i>Resident Evil</i> began as a true survival-horror series, where running from conflict was usually the best option and ammo conservation was crucial to making it out alive. It got away from that mantra with the next couple of console generations, but came back in a big way with <i>Resident Evil 7: Biohazard</i>, and kept that momentum up with this game.</div>
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<i>Resident Evil</i> is in a great place right now. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if <i>Resident Evil 3</i>'s remake tops my list next year. <i>RE3</i> was always a personal favorite and an underrated entry in my eyes, and the announcement of the remake made it one of the few 2020 games I'm looking forward to.</div>
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There you have it, my top 10 games of the year. I hope you've enjoyed reading, and I'll see you in the next article.</div>
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-TheDustinThomas</div>
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TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-75837804185391080922019-08-22T12:25:00.000-07:002019-08-22T12:25:24.514-07:00Top 5 "Metroidvanias" That Aren't Metroid Or Castlevania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The "metroidvania" genre, as it's come to be known (for better or worse), is my favorite genre of video game. For the uninitiated, "metroidvania" is a portmanteau fusing Nintendo's long-running <i>Metroid</i> series with Konami's classic <i>Castlevania</i> games. While<i> Metroid</i> has used its particular mechanics since the beginning, <i>Castlevania</i> perfected the genre when they adopted the <i>Metroid-</i>style with 1997's <i>Symphony of the Night</i>, heralded by many--including myself--as one of the best games ever made.<br />
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To make it simple, a metroidvania is defined as any game where acquiring items allows the player to backtrack to previously inaccessible areas in order to progress. There's a bit more to it than that, but that's the gist of it. I do think that there is a level of subjectivity, however. For instance, despite being one of my favorite games of 2018, I don't consider <i>Dead Cells</i> to be compliant with my personal interpretation.<br />
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For the purposes of this list, let me give you the parameters of what I consider a metroidvania:<br />
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<b>1. It has to be 2D. </b>Even though there are great 3D games that fit the bill, such as <i>Batman Arkham Asylum</i>, <i>Darksiders</i>, and if you really want to reach, early <i>Resident Evil</i> games, I believe that the metroidvania is inherently a 2D genre.<br />
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<b>2. It has to have one contiguous world. </b>I must be able to walk from the beginning of the game to the end of the game and back again in order to qualify. This is why I don't believe <i>Dead Cells</i> fits. Even though the layout of the individual levels and the map are obviously inspired by the founding fathers, once you progress to a new area, there's no going back.<br />
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<b>3. Backtracking and roadblocks. </b>Areas of the world must be blocked off until a certain item or criteria are met. This eliminates another favorite game of mine: <i>Rogue Legacy</i>, which doesn't hinder accessibility in any way, you can explore the entire castle from the start if you're good enough.<br />
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Before we begin, I would just like to say that I have deemed <i>Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night</i> ineligible. I did this because it is so obviously intended to be a <i>Symphony of the Night</i> successor and was created by the man most closely associated with <i>SotN</i>. Let's call it what it is. It's <i>Symphony of the Night 2</i>.<br />
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But let me be clear about it. If it had been eligible to make this list, it would undoubtedly be number one. It's outstanding, and every fan of the genre and/or the <i>Castlevania</i> series owes it to themselves to play it.<br />
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As is customary, let's give some shout-outs to some games that didn't quite make the top five.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Aliens Infestation</i></b></span></div>
The best game based on the iconic <i>Alien </i>franchise and the closest you're going to get to a horror game on the Nintendo DS. Features a semi-permadeath system and an excellent ending theme.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Guacamelee!</span></i></b></div>
Good, varied combat combined with fun and challenging platforming. A great sense of humor that is sometimes hindered by its constant references to internet humor.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yoku's Island Express</span></i></b></div>
Perhaps the most surprising and delightful game of the generation. Upbeat and original, this game takes pinball and does something original with it.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Owlboy</span></b></i></div>
Great gameplay, but the thing I loved most about <i>Owlboy</i> were the story and characters. It covers topics of loneliness, inferiority, and not fitting in, but is also an uplifting tale of a ragtag group of misfits saving the world.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">5. <i>Steamworld Dig/2</i></span></u></b></div>
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Let's start this top five list by cheating and putting two games in one slot. At its core, <i>Steamworld Dig</i> is a game with one objective: just keep digging. It's a simple concept that works exceptionally well. The sequel--released in 2017--definitely delves deeper into the metroidvania concept by emphasizing repeated trips through areas after new gear is acquired, but I still feel the original fits the description. In some ways, I find the simplicity of the original more refreshing than its more ambitious sequel. <i>Steamworld Dig 2</i> is definitely the more polished game, but when I get a hankering for <i>Steamworld</i>, I go for the original, which I've played a handful of times at this point.</div>
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There's something oddly addicting about digging, going to the surface to sell your gems, upgrading, and returning to the caverns to dig some more. There isn't much in the way of combat, but they have a great cast of characters, and the puzzles in the many smaller dig sites are satisfying to solve. Though combat isn't a major focus, enemies can still pose a problem, but the greater nuisance are the many stage hazards such as acid and inadvertently digging in a way that causes you to crush yourself.<br />
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<i>Steamworld Dig</i> can be finished in about 4-5 hours, with the sequel lasting double that time depending on how much of a completion percentage you're going for. While there are games in the <i>Steamworld</i>...uh, world...that venture into other genres (<i>Heist</i> is a turn-based strategy game while <i>Quest</i> is a card-battler), the <i>Dig </i>games are easily my favorites and the ones I recommend the most.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">4. <i>The Mummy Demastered</i></span></u></b></div>
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If there is any game on this list that took me by surprise, it's <i>The Mummy Demastered</i>. I don't think anyone expected anything special from a "de-make" based on a rebooted monster movie that completely flopped. That's only exacerbated by the fact that <i>The Mummy Demastered</i> was developed by WayForward Technologies, whose games are very hit or miss for me. It's as if their games are either completely outstanding (<i>Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, Aliens Infestation</i>) or the most average things you'll ever play (<i>Shantae: Risky's Revenge, A Boy and His Blob</i>) with no in between.</div>
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Despite being recommended to me by a friend, I decided to wait until the game went on sale, which it did at the tail end of 2017. It was the game that I started 2018 off with, but had I played it in 2017, it definitely would have made my top ten list that year, probably in the top five somewhere, which says a lot considering that that was the year that saw the releases of <i>The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</i>, <i>Super Mario Odyssey</i>, <i>Horizon Zero Dawn</i>, and many other great games.<br />
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<i>The Mummy Demastered</i> has you taking on the role of a nameless soldier working for Prodigium under the command of Dr. Henry Jekyll (who speaks to you in the form of a pixelated Russell Crowe). If the player dies, rather than starting over from the previous save, the player takes control of a new soldier who must find the now zombified remains of his former comrade to regain their equipment/weaspons, somewhat similar to the <i>Dark Souls</i> formula.<br />
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The game isn't overly difficult, and much in the same way that Alucard is ludicrously overpowered by the end of <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i>, your soldier(s) will likewise be laying waste to the hordes of evil with little effort by the game's conclusion. The array of weapons is plentiful and fun to use, and you're never at a want for ammunition. Certain areas can get tedious with backtracking, but I never found myself bored. For the most part, the different areas are interesting and I don't remember enemy types being reused often. The boss fights are pretty simple, though there was one that required a bit of trial and error.<br />
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<i>The Mummy Demastered</i> is a modern day horror take on a genre that's normally reserved for the sci-fi and fantasy. It's like <i>Castlevania</i> with modern weaponry, and that's not a bad thing.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>3. <i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i></u></span></b></div>
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Many metroidvania games employ difficult platforming challenges. Oftentimes they are used as a roadblock to non-essential items that players can choose to either acquire or forego, typically hidden in the game's secret areas. <i>Guacamelee!</i> is a great example. On the other hand, we have <i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i>, where overcoming difficult traversal sections is an integral part of the game. It's very possible that Ori's platforming prevented players from finishing. The combat can be challenging at times, but most of your deaths will come from an ill-timed or missed jump.<br />
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This is what makes <i>Ori</i> really stand out. The game is graphically beautiful, has great music, and a touching story (though I could do without the environmentalist message), but the creativity in the platforming design and the tools at your disposal to solve its platforming puzzles is what elevates <i>Ori</i> from good to great.<br />
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If <i>Ori</i> does anything wrong, it's the fact that there are certain areas that can't be returned to following some world-altering story events. My word of advice would be to make sure that you find all upgrades in these areas before continuing with the story. While not a huge deal, I did miss a HP upgrade that I wasn't able to go get when I got to the cleanup portion of my playthrough, which was mildly annoying.<br />
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<i>Ori and the Will of the Wisps</i> is scheduled for an early 2020 release and is one of my most anticipated games of next year.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>2. <i>Axiom Verge</i></b></u></span></div>
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<i>Axiom Verge</i> is the game on this list that most closely resembles the forefather of the metroidvania: Nintendo's <i>Metroid</i>. <i>Axiom Verge</i> wears its inspiration on its sleeve, with the world of Sudra being very obviously inspired by<i> Metroid</i>'s Zebes. Where the game's really diverge from one another is with the story. Whereas <i>Metroid</i> at its base level is about a bounty hunter trying to thwart an evil group of space pirates from using the titular Metroid alien species for galactic domination, <i>Axiom Verge</i> is more of a mind-bending sci-fi tale about unknown worlds and realities.<br />
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Now, don't ask me to explain what exactly happens in <i>Axiom Verge</i> because I literally read the plot synopsis right before writing these words to give myself a refresher and I still don't fully understand it. But what I do understand about <i>Axiom Verge</i> is that it's dripping with atmosphere. <i>Metroid</i> thrived on the feeling of isolation and loneliness, and while <i>Axiom Verge</i> does that to a degree, I find that its strength is the fear of the unknown. The first time you encounter Elsenova, a being belonging to a war machine race of giants known as the Rusalki, it can be quite intimidating. Even though you quickly realize that the rooms containing the Rusalki beings are safe zones, you can't help but feel uneasy around them.<br />
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<i>Axiom Verge</i> has no shortage of ways to find your way through Sudra. Some weapons are only useful in certain situations or against specific enemies, but the experimentation it provides is worth the exploring needed to find each new gadget. Like any good metroidvania, <i>Axiom Verge</i> adds new traversal methods throughout, as well as a plethora of secrets to uncover, whether they be hidden areas or messages in an unknown language you must decode. If you're a fan of sci-fi and want a true homage to <i>Metroid</i>, you can't do much better than this one.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>1. <i>Hollow Knight</i></u></b></span></div>
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I played <i>Hollow Knight</i> early this year after hearing great things about from many people for a long time. It's been several months since I finished it, but I find myself still thinking about <i>Hollow Knight</i> regularly. When I was still playing, I would read wikis about it because I was so invested in its world. I wanted to know more about the characters, I wanted to know more about the fall of the insect kingdom, I wanted to know more about the titular Hollow Knight. All these months later, I still find myself occasionally looking up more information about various aspects of the game. While the world is what I consider to be <i>Hollow Knight</i>'s greatest strength, the other things is does right should not be overlooked.<br />
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Let me change course just a little bit before returning to <i>Hollow Knight</i>. <i>The Simpsons</i> is my all-time favorite television show despite the fact that I haven't watched a new episode in a decade and a half. In its heyday, <i>The Simpsons</i> was a phenomenon, and the reason for this was because the town of Springfield is chock-full of memorable characters. While the show was great in its first seasons, around season three they really started to shift focus to the town and its residents and using the Simpson family as the central characters to drive each episode, and that's when they really began to hit their stride. Without characters like Mr. Burns, Chief Wiggum, Apu, Principal Skinner, Krusty the Klown, and innumerable others,<i> The Simpsons</i> wouldn't have survived to the point that we all now want it to die.<br />
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<i>Hollow Knight</i> is very similar to <i>The Simpsons</i> in this regard. <i>Hollow Knight</i> has a lot of interesting characters, many of which you may never meet because of how vast the world of Hollownest is. The Last Stag is the character that helps the Knight fast-travel and gives information about what each areas used to be like before Hollownest's fall. I loved hearing about the world that I would never see. I took an interest in Cornifer, wondering why he was so intent on mapping out the land. I found the Nailmasters to be fascinating, like old martial arts masters handing down the skills to their successors. Why is there a group of circus performers known as the Grimm Troupe and what is their motivation? And the list of characters goes on from there.<br />
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Combat can be difficult, but the different abilities you can equip at will (once earned or found) can even the playing field. In lieu of potions that you can stash for the opportune time, <i>Hollow Knight</i> employs a meter that increases with every successful hit on an enemy that can be used at the player's discretion. The downfall being that the Knight needs to be stationary when using it, so if you're down to your last hit during a boss battle, you have to weigh the risks of when to use it. It's an added challenge but I like the risk/reward idea behind it.<br />
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<i>Hollow Knight</i> is by far the longest game I've mentioned here, clocking in for me at just over 20 hours with lots of side quests and items that I never did or received. There's a lot of game here, but it's worth digging in for. This game also has a sequel on the way, and unlike the original where I waited for the game to go on deep discount, <i>Hollow Knight Silksong</i> will be a day one purchase.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
-TheDustinThomasTheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-59788228658182190852019-08-11T05:15:00.002-07:002019-08-11T05:23:57.731-07:00The Glaring Issue with the Cole/Gargano Trilogy<br />
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Spoilers for NXT Takeover Toronto, obviously.<br />
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I'll preface this by saying that this is not an attack on either wrestler. I think Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano are two of the best in the world and have very bright futures ahead of them. In their recent trilogy of NXT Heavweight Title matches, I was oftentimes amazed by the creativity of their spots and athleticism. I enjoyed all of those matches, but I had one major issue that began in their second match and really bothered me with their blow-off at NXT Takeover. My issue may sound strange, but I'll explain. Their final match was completely unrealistic.<br />
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Look, we all know that professional wrestling is a work. The concept of kayfabe is like Santa Claus at this point. Every wrestling fan knows that the guys or girls in the ring don't hate each other (usually) and are working together to put on an athletic performance. I already loved wrestling when I decided to get into the business, but when I started to understand wrestling psychology and how to put together a match, I fell in love with it even harder.<br />
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Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano told some excellent stories, especially their first match for the vacant NXT title. I remember watching that match while on the treadmill at the gym and wound up running a lot longer than I intended because I was so engrossed in what they were doing and the kind of story they were telling. I could sit down and watch it again right now and it would be just as thrilling. If I had to rank them, that's probably my match of the year in 2019.<br />
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Their second match was also very good, though by the end I found myself ready for it to be over. The third match, however, while still showing off how innovative they are as performers, lost me at around the 40-minute mark when the third and final fall began.<br />
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While reading the <i>Bleacher Report</i> recap of the event this morning, their writer gave the match an A+ rating and stated that Dave Meltzer would do right by breaking his five-star ranking system and giving this match a six-star rating. I couldn't help but disagree.<br />
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The reason these two excellent performers lost me is simple. There were <i>way</i> too many false finishes. Gargano and Cole kicked out of so many moves that normally would have won matches that it took away every bit of drama that they were building and reminded me that wrestling is a work.<br />
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I understand that the landscape of wrestling has changed, and in the time that I stepped away from the business, a new type of wrestling emerged. The "indie" style became the new norm. I'm not saying that that's a good thing or a bad thing, but what is popular now has certainly changed from the days of Stone Cold Steve Austin versus The Rock and Bret Hart versus Shawn Michaels.<br />
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Long gone are the days of the bodybuilder being a top guy simply because he looks like a million bucks. I support that. Gargano and Cole are both under six feet tall, and after watching them, one can't deny their talent. They deserve to be top guys wherever they are.<br />
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Back to my issue, though. When the trilogy came to an end, it did so with the two men taking a bump off the top of a cage through a table in the middle of the ring. Ten times out of ten, that's your finish, and this was no exception. The problem I faced is that after every finisher that was kicked out of up to that point, <i>I completely expected Johnny Gargano to kick out.</i> I did. I was actually surprised when Gargano <i>didn't</i> kick out of that.<br />
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I've often referred to <i>WrestleMania</i> as "the kick out pay-per-view" in years past. It's the biggest wrestling show of the year, and it makes sense that this would be where wrestlers dig deep to find that every bit of adrenaline to kick out of a huge move. Cole and Gargano were on a huge stage at Takeover Toronto, but it was just too much.<br />
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Many speculate that Johnny Gargano will now be heading to WWE's main roster. And good for him. He deserves it. But the problem I face now is how am I supposed to believe it when he doesn't kick out of an RKO or any other wrestler's finisher? He can kick out of two Canadian Destroyers in a row and the seventeen other finishers he kicked out of, but I'm supposed to believe that a Styles Clash was too much for him to handle?<br />
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This is not me being a jealous indie wrestler. Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano are ten times the wrestlers I'll ever be and do things that I'll never be able to do. Again, I'll reiterate, I loved their matches together. But even though I've been involved in wrestling since 2004, I'm still a fan, and the finale of their trilogy completely destroyed my suspension of disbelief. At a certain point, the drama disappeared because I knew that something as insignificant as a Canadian Destroyer (which was the most devastating finishing move wrestling had ever seen a decade ago) was going to be enough to win the match.<br />
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This was the glaring issue of these instant classics. After a certain point, I was no longer involved in the drama and storytelling of the feud, and remembered that I was simply watching two guys have a wrestling match.TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-56398161534691407772019-07-17T08:34:00.002-07:002019-07-17T08:34:51.904-07:00My Favorite Games From Each Year Of My Life (1990 - 1999)<div style="text-align: center;">
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Well, it only took me *looks at watch* five months to finish up this piece. I mean, there are reasons: finishing school, applying for a new job, and, at times, general laziness.I'm not perfect, give me a break. But here they are, my favorite game from each year of my life, <i>Super Rad 90s Edition!</i></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">1990 - <i>King's Quest V</i></span></u></b></div>
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This will be the first and only time you'll see a PC adventure game on this list. My family got in on the home computer market pretty early, as my dad had taken an interest in them. I have a lot of fond memories watching my him play games like <i>Myst</i>, <i>The 7th Guest</i>, <i>Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis</i>, and most of all, the <i>King's Quest</i> series.<br />
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Old adventure games loved to trick you into fail-states, which were points in the game that would result in you being unable to proceed further because of things you did or didn't do prior to that point. These games required a ton of trial and error, and I eventually got to the point that I had memorized the game and could beat it in one sitting.<br />
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I remember the game having a pretty interesting hint book. There were tons of questions relating to crucial points in the game, but the answers were blocked out and required a special decoder device to see them. I assume that was used as a form of copy protection. <i>King's Quest V </i>is also famous for all the ridiculous ways you could get King Graham killed.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>1991 - <i>Super Mario World</i></u></span></b></div>
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Cool, another reason for me to talk about <i>Super Mario World</i> and why it's definitively the best video game ever made!<br />
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I don't feel the need to go into great detail here, because I've already expressed my many wonderful thoughts on <i>Super Mario World</i>, and I've written about it so much that it would be hard for me to say anything without repeating sentiments from previous articles.<br />
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If you want my full, in-depth thoughts on this masterpiece, <a href="https://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-favorite-game-super-mario-world.html" target="_blank">you can read those here.</a><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">1992 - <i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time</i></span></u></b></div>
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Turtles in Time is undoubtedly the best game based on everyone's favorite anthropomorphic reptiles (suck it, Battletoads), but I think it's also the best beat 'em up of all-time. One of this year's contenders, Streets of Rage 2, is the only one that even comes close for me.<br />
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In 2019, we often complain if a $15 downloadable game only gives us 3-5 hours of gameplay. I'm just as guilty as the next guy. Most games in the 80s and 90s could be completed in a handful of hours or less, but what if I told you that one of the best games on the Super Nintendo could be completed in less than 30 minutes? That's the case with <i>Turtles in Time</i>. It's a tightly-packed game with graphics that still look great today, combat that's easy to learn, it's jam-packed full of characters from the original cartoon, and has great level variety.<br />
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Far superior to its original arcade version, <i>Turtles in Time</i> on the Super Nintendo stands as a testament to Konami's legacy as one of the premier game developers from the childhoods of anyone in their 30s and 40s today.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">1993 - <i>Zombies Ate My Neighbors</i></span></u></b></div>
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Oh, hey, look, another Konami game! See, I told you. Konami used to make video games. <i>Zombies Ate My Neighbors </i>was developed by LucasArts (who also used to make video games) and is one of the best top-down action games you can find. Each level is inspired by a different B-horror or science fiction film, and its self-aware approach to humor was something that hadn't been seen much in the console space at the time. This was long before every indie game leaned so heavily on self-deprecation.<br />
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<i>ZAMN</i> is a very tough game--one that I'll likely never beat it without the use of save-states--and that may be the game's only real flaw. Plenty of games are difficult, but <i>ZAMN</i> remains difficult because of a poorly implemented password system. You're given a password every four levels, which sounds more than fair, the only problem being that you start the level with the bare minimum in terms of weaponry, and beating later levels relies heavily on ammo conservation in previous levels.<br />
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Speaking of weaponry, that's another very endearing aspect for me. I loved that things like water guns, silverware (effective against werewolves), weed eaters (effective against plant enemies), tomatoes, and many other everyday items could be used as weapons.<br />
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<i>ZAMN</i> is a special game to me, and remains one of my favorite games of all-time. Many a weekend evening was spent playing and replaying<i> Zombies Ate My Neighbors</i> with a friend.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1994 - <i>Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball</i></u></b></span></div>
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When you look at the games that were contenders for 1994, you're probably beginning to think that I'm off my rocker. I am not, my friends. Baseball was my first love. My dream as a youngster was to one day play first base for the Cincinnati Reds. Actually, that's still my dream, but I don't know if the Reds have room on the roster for a 33 year old dude who hasn't played a baseball game since high school.<br />
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While <i>Mega Man X</i> and <i>Super Metroid</i> (and probably several other games released that year) are all-time classics and my personal favorites for both franchises, I can't begin to tell you how much time I spent playing <i>Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball</i>, which is how we referred to it. To this day, I can't think of a sports game that I think is better. It's the perfect blend of simulation and arcade sports, and I would be willing to bet that this is the game that I've put the most time into in my entire gaming life.<br />
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There were but two flaws that I can point out. One is that Nintendo was able to secure the MLB license but not the license for the MLB Players Association, so players were given fake names (outside of the game's titular star). This actually wasn't that bad to me, as the game gave you the ability to edit player names. I was obsessed with baseball at this age and prided myself on how many players I was able to change to the correct names by memory.<br />
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The game didn't keep track of stats aside from batting average, home runs, and RBIs for batters, and wins, losses, saves, and ERA for pitchers. Whenever I would start a new season, I would take several sheets of notebook paper, write my team's players on each one, and keep track of each stat. One page for doubles, one page for stolen bases, etc. The second major flaw came in the form of a well-known glitch. After you pass the All-Star Game in your season, player stats would be reset back to all zeroes. I'm not certain if this glitch happened every time, but it definitely happened to me on more than one occasion. This was heartbreaking for me, because Roberto Kelly had 34 home runs at the All-Star Break and was gunning for Roger Maris's single season home run record.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1995 - <i>Chrono Trigger</i></u></b></span></div>
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When <i>Chrono Trigger</i> was released, I shied away from anything even close to resembling an RPG. I was also too obsessed with the aforementioned <i>Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball </i>and consuming any and all <i>Mortal Kombat</i> information that I couldn't be bothered looking up information about other video games.<br />
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I played <i>Chrono Trigger</i> for the first time in 2010, and while I definitely enjoyed it, I didn't finish it and missed out on a lot of the game's best content. Last year, myself, alongside my lovely wife and my podcast co-host Luke Roberts decided to do a retrospective episode of the legendary game, and I came away from it this time recognizing its greatness and it instantly became one of my favorite Super Nintendo games. I don't know what switch flipped in the eight years between my playthroughs, but I'm glad it did. There aren't many games that I would tell people is required playing in their lifetime, but <i>Chrono Trigger</i> is one of them.<br />
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I don't know what I can say about <i>Chrono Trigger</i> that hasn't already been said by a thousand different people outside of the fact that it's a game that is incredible moment followed by incredible moment. The pacing is so well done that you never need to grind unless you simply want to see what type of attacks you can unlock. The combat and tech systems remain fresh 25 years later. To me, Super Nintendo graphics are timeless, which is why, even this long after release, moments like the battle with Magus remain epic in scale.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1996 - <i>Twisted Metal II</i></u></b></span></div>
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Recently, remakes of Playstation games have caused people to go back and relive the games they played growing up. The <i>Crash N-Sane Trilogy</i>, <i>Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled</i>, and <i>Spyro Reignited Trilogy</i> have given new life to the mid-90s classics. We're even getting a remaster of <i>MediEvil</i>, which is something no one asked for.<br />
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Due to the success of these games, many people like to discuss what other games of the era would be good candidates for an updated version. To me, there is only one answer: <i>Twisted Metal</i>. I would pay a full $60 for a <i>Twisted Metal</i> remastered collection. In fact, I don't even need the collection. Just remaster <i>Twisted Metal II</i> and <i>Twisted Metal Black</i>, maybe with online multiplayer thrown in.<br />
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<i>Twisted Metal II</i> is a game that my wife and I often wax nostalgic about. Can you imagine blowing up the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty in stunning 4K?<br />
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Each stage was its own character with unique secrets to find and music that fit perfectly. People who played <i>Twisted Metal II</i> as much as I did likely remember where to find the best weapons and the strategies they used to win in each level. Everyone had their favorite characters, mine being Hammerhead, which was a monster truck that I often used to push opposing players off of cliffs for easy kills.<br />
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<i>Twisted Metal</i> may not have been the first car combat series, but it certainly popularized it, and then perfected it with this sequel. <i>Twisted Metal II </i>remains the pinnacle of the genre (though I can't stress enough how much I love <i>Twisted Metal Black</i>), and it's a shame that the PS3 version was unable to revive the series.<br />
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Anyway, Sony, remaster <i>Twisted Metal</i>, please.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1997 - <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i></u></b></span></div>
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<i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i> is...a perfect video game. It just is. It's in my top 5 all-time games (number four, to be precise), I replay it at least once a year, and I never get tired of it. At this point, I know both castles inside and out, and I never grow bored of traversing them time and time again.<br />
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The "metroidvania" genre is my favorite type of game, and <i>Symphony of the Night </i>is the reason. Don't misunderstand me, I love <i>Super Metroid </i>just as much as the next person, but <i>SotN</i> is the be-all and end-all of the genre for me. It will never be surpassed. I fell in love with <i>Castlevania</i> at a young age because of my love for the Universal monsters that I watched in <i>Monster Squad</i>. That may be the reason I prefer it over its sci-fi counterpart. I love the monster motif more than the <i>Alien</i> inspiration.<br />
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When the worst thing that you can say about the game is that the minimal voice acting is hilariously cheesy, yet has become endearing in the twenty-two years since release, you know you've got something really special.<br />
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If you would like more in-depth thoughts on <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i>, <a href="https://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2018/10/my-top-10-video-games-of-all-time.html" target="_blank">you can find those here.</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1998 - <i>Metal Gear Solid</i></u></b></span></div>
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<i>Metal Gear Solid </i>opened my mind. I don't mean that in a philosophical "opened my eyes to the truth" kind of way, I mean it in the sense that <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> showed me what video games were capable of. I had defected from Nintendo so that I could play series like<i> Tekken</i>, <i>Twisted Metal</i>, <i>Resident Evil</i>, and many other classics.<br />
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A friend had received the Japanese demo of <i>Metal Gear Solid</i>. It still didn't have English voice over, and it only featured the dock and helipad sections, literally the first two areas of the game. We must have played that demo 20 times. I was amazed by the kind of freedom you had to tackle each area as you saw fit. I was flabbergasted that the game gave you the ability to knock on walls to lure enemies toward you. It was hilarious that you could hide in a cardboard box. The way the camera would pan when you leaned against the walls, enemies noticing and tracking your footsteps in the snow, sneaking past armed guards, I had never experienced that kind of freedom in a video game before. I could play the game how I wanted to. That demo alone sold me on <i>Metal Gear Solid</i>.<br />
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I did extra chores around the house for weeks to convince my mom to buy the game for me on release day. She held up her end of the bargain, and I became completely enamored. I have vivid memories of so many parts of the game. I remember reaching the electrified floor in level B2 before I turned it off that first night. I remember being at my friend Neil's house wracking our brains trying to figure out how to defeat Psycho Mantis. I remember trying everything I could think of to kill Sniper Wolf without having to trek back to get the sniper rifle (I didn't want to go back through the wolf cave because it was dark and scared me).<br />
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The tale of espionage and government conspiracy had me on the edge of my seat, and the way they built up the climactic fight with Metal Gear Rex was superb. The fist fight with Liquid atop the defeated walking tank and ensuing chase sequence was the perfect finale to cap off an epic adventure.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">1999 - <i>Resident Evil 3: Nemesis</i></span></u></b></div>
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The late 90s and early 2000s were a weird time in my life. I went through a period of time where I lost interest in video games. I still played them, but I had stopped keeping track of new game releases and just stuck to the stuff that I either already had or sequels in franchises I knew I liked.<br />
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I've loved the <i>Resident Evil </i>series from the very beginning, and while <i>Resident Evil 3</i> may not be the most well-regarded entry in the series, it's a personal favorite of mine, but I would be lying if I said that it being my favorite game of 1999 didn't have something to do with how few games I played at that time. It's well-known that <i>RE3</i> was quickly developed as a stop-gap between <i>RE2</i> and what was supposed to be the next true sequel: <i>Resident Evil Code Veronica</i>. Despite this, Capcom took efforts to try and make <i>RE3</i> different from its predecessors like giving you the ability to create ammo and a rudimentary "choose your own adventure" system. Your choices didn't have an effect on the game other than what was happening at that particular moment, but I appreciate the effort.<br />
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The two things that <i>RE3</i> got right was finally giving fans the ability to explore Raccoon City aside from the beginning moments of <i>RE2</i>, and the introduction of Nemesis, who has become a legend among <i>Resident Evil </i>fans. With how successful the remake of<i> Resident Evil 2</i> was earlier this year, rumors have begun circulating that Capcom may explore remaking<i> RE3</i>. If there were any game in the franchise that deserved a second chance, I believe it's this one.<br />
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Thanks for reading. Be on the lookout for writing more frequently. As I mentioned at the start of this article, I finished college and got myself a big boy job, which means I've finishing the thing that was taking up a great majority of my writing time. Stay cool, bros.<br />
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-TheDustinThomasTheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-89173853993432467572019-02-17T10:59:00.000-08:002019-02-17T10:59:07.615-08:00My Favorite Game From Each Year Of My Life (1985 - 1989)<div style="text-align: center;">
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I have a pension for making lists and ranking my favorite things. I've been doing it for several years now, and I look forward to the end of each year so I can make my Top 10 Games of the Year list. But what about the best games from the years before I started writing?</div>
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Just for something fun, I'm looking at the best games from each year of my life and writing about what games would have won my game of the year had I been able to write about them at the time. As the years go on, I'll also have as many as two other games listed as "contenders," so just consider those to be the top 3 of that year for me.<br />
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If you've followed my writing for any length of time, you may notice that these lists don't match up with my previous "Games of the Year" writings, and that's because my opinions on certain games may have changed. Maybe a game that got my number 2 spot that year came out with DLC and it jumped up to number 1, or maybe I went back and played a game that I didn't play the year it came out and wound up loving it. Many things caused shake-ups in my lists, and I'll do my best to address those shake-ups when I get to those games.<br />
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Let's begin with the year of my birth: 1985.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1985</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Super Mario Bros.</i></b></span></div>
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<i>Super Mario Bros.</i> kind of has to be my favorite game of 1985, right? Obviously, I didn't play the game until a few years later when my brother and I received our first NES with the game packed in, but what else could I really choose?<i> Ghost 'n Goblins</i>? Get out of here with that!<br />
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The now legendary series's initial adventure changed the video game industry and sparked my love of the medium, and it will definitely not be the last time you see the <i>Super Mario Bros.</i> franchise on these lists.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1986</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Castlevania</i></b></span></div>
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One of my favorite movies as a kid was <i>Monster Squad</i>. I'm not sure if I love <i>Monster Squad</i> because I played <i>Castlevania</i> or if I loved <i>Castlevania</i> because I watched <i>Monster Squad</i>, but the two are synonymous with each other in my head. I've had a fascination with the classic monsters ever since.<br />
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Again, not the last time a game from this series will make the lists, but there's something about the original game that holds an extra special place in my heart. Perhaps it's the music, which still rocks today. Or maybe it's the bosses like the giant Medusa head or the Grim Reaper. Maybe it's the box art, which is still my favorite video game cover of all-time.<br />
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If there's any series that I hate to have seen fall from grace, it's <i>Castlevania</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1987</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Contra</i></b></span></div>
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What makes <i>Contra</i> so great is not the incredible amount of machismo that oozes from it, nor is it that the NES port is superior to the arcade version. <i>Contra</i> is great because, even to this day, it remains one of the greatest co-op experiences you can have. The controls are spot-on, allowing the players to easily traverse the tiered stages with the combination of Down + Jump. <i>Contra</i> has an incredible variety in stages in terms of both the setting and the type of levels, which can be normal side-scrolling, vertical-scrolling, or behind-the-back in a pseudo-3D perspective.<br />
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The <i>Contra</i> series is well-known for its challenge, as well as letting you subvert that challenge with use of the "Konami Code" (though we knew it better as the "<i>Contra</i> Code" as kids). Being able to beat <i>Contra</i> without the code is a badge of honor for any retro gamer. But if there is anything we should remember <i>Contra </i>for (aside from the box art that rips off 3 major films), it's the ability to grief your friends and younger siblings by being able to steal their lives when you've run out.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1988</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Mega Man 2</i></b></span></div>
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1988 can make a case for being the best single year of video game releases. I don't personally ascribe to that notion, but when you look at the laundry list of classic games released that year, it's easy to see the argument. <i>Bionic Commando, Blaster Master, Double Dragon II, Super Dodge Ball, Ice Hockey, Ninja Gaiden, Super Mario Bros. 2, Splatterhouse</i>, etc. 1988 was incredible. But for me, <i>Mega Man 2</i> is the game that trumps them all.<br />
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When it comes to the standard <i>Mega Man</i> series, <i>MM2</i> still stands as its pinnacle. There have been other great games featuring the Blue Bomber, such as <i>Mega Man 3, 9</i>, and 2018's incredible <i>Mega Man 11</i>. But <i>Mega Man 2</i> features probably the best the original series has to offer in terms of music, robot masters, level design, enemy design, and features a surprisingly touching ending credits sequence. When it comes to run-and-gun platforming, few games compare to<i> MM2</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1989</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>DuckTales</i></b></span></div>
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There's just something special about <i>DuckTales</i>. Almost all of Capcom's Disney-licensed games on NES are of the highest quality, or at the very least, they're all worth playing, and <i>DuckTales</i> is the best of the best. Any aficionado of video game tunes will undoubtedly tout the <i>DuckTales</i> soundtrack as one of the best you'll ever hear, mostly due to the "Moon Theme," but the entire soundtrack is completely outstanding.<br />
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Scrooge McDuck's pogo and cane swinging abilities are just as fun today as they were in 1989, and almost all of the show's main characters are represented. If you don't want to track down an NES and a copy of <i>DuckTales</i>, you can play the excellent remastered version on many modern consoles, though I would implore you to play the original version if at all possible. It's one of my top 5 NES games, and I can't say enough good things about it.<br />
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And that's going to do it for the 80s. Coming shortly will be my top games from the 'tude-filled 90s.<br />
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-TheDustinThomasTheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-41812663889585037002019-01-01T09:07:00.001-08:002019-01-01T09:07:20.645-08:00TheDustinThomas's 2018 Game of the Year Awards<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">2018 was another outstanding year for video games. Unfortunately for me, I was entering my final year of school and had to devote days off of work to doing clinicals at a local hospital. Due to that, I didn't play nearly as many new games this year as I had wanted to, but I think that hard work will pay off and 2019 will be a year for me to get back into doing more writing and more gaming.</span></div>
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As usual, I have a few categories to go through and then my top 10 games of the year. Enjoy!</div>
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</u></b></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Best NPC</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Shopkeeper - <i>The Messenger</i></b></span></div>
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The first time I met the shopkeeper in <i>The Messenger</i>, I got a little worried. I got the impression that I was about to play another fourth wall-breaking, self-deprecating, self-aware indie game. "Isn't it cool that we realize that we're in a video game?" No. Stop it, video games. I hate that.</div>
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Luckily, the shopkeeper kept that to a minimum, and when he did bust out that kind of humor, it was done well. I took every opportunity to visit the shop just so I could speak with him, whether because he had some witty dialogue, told an interesting and sometimes thought-provoking story, or simply telling me to stay out of his closet.</div>
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I truly loved <i>The Messenger</i>, but if the shopkeeper wasn't so funny and well-written, it definitely wouldn't have been as memorable, despite how great the overall gameplay is.</div>
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<b>Runner Up: The World Serpent - <i>God of War</i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Biggest Surprise</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yoku's Island Express</i></span></b></div>
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<i>Yoku's Island Express</i> released just before I had to spend a month traveling back and forth between Cincinnati and St. Louis for a month, practically living in a hotel room. <i>Yoku's Island Express</i> (with some help from <i>Dragon Quest Builders</i>) is the game that helped me get through that time.<br />
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The best way to describe <i>Yoku's Island Express</i> is as a pinball-action-adventure-metroidvania. I'm not typically one to play pinball video games, but <i>Yoku</i> is such a unique twist on traditional pinball with a delightful cast of characters, a fun world to explore, and a catchy, upbeat soundtrack. If I had any complaints about the game, it's that the fast travel system isn't that fast and that sometimes the controls require a little too much precision in order to achieve the desired outcome. I understand what they were going for with that, making it as close to real pinball, but I think some concessions could have been made.<br />
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That being said, however, <i>Yoku's Island Express</i> is one of the most unique games I've played in a very long time and I can't wait to see what the developers come up with next.<br />
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<b>Runner Up: <i>Super Mega Baseball 2</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Biggest Disappointment</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Mutant Football League</i></b></span></div>
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I love football. I love mutants. And I especially love leagues. I'm a huge fan of the original game that inspired this one, and I was truly excited to finally get my hands on it. Within 16 hours of my purchase I had already traded it back in.<br />
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Passing the ball is sluggish, and I never felt like I had enough time to find an open receiver. Most passing plays resulted in me noticing I was about to get sacked, hitting a random button to throw the ball, with a result of an incomplete pass or interception 90% of the time. Running is the only effective way to gain yards, and even then you're lucky to get a first down in three plays. When playing defense, the AI breaks two-thirds of the attempted tackles, making it frustrating to be on either side of the ball.<br />
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The franchise mode only increased my distaste. Regardless of which team you choose, you always start at the bottom with the lowest possible stats. That's nothing new; many games utilize this strategy in their created player modes (usually in hopes of selling microtransactions for those who don't wish to put the work in), but even when playing on easier difficulties, my team was about as good at football as I am at not being handsome (i.e. not very).<br />
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<b>Runner Up: <i>Fallout 76</i></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Best Remake or Remaster</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Shadow of the Colossus</i></span></b></div>
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How do you make a remaster? Just ask Blue Point, they made it look very simple.</div>
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Step one: Choose a beloved title that would actually benefit from a remake.</div>
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Step two: Redo all of the game's assets from the ground up and make it look better than ever.</div>
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Step three: Show genuine reverence and respect to the original.</div>
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<i>Shadow of the Colossus</i> may be the best example of a remake of any product in any medium. Ever. I've played the game on every platform it has been released on, and the PS4 version that was released this year is by far the best one.<br />
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<b>Runner Up: <i>Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology</i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Most Unnecessary Remake or Remaster</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Secret of Mana</i></span></b></div>
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How do you ruin a remake? Just ask Square Enix, they made it look very simple.<br />
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Step one: make the original 16-bit soundtrack sound worse.<br />
Step two: HD it up but somehow still make it look more aged than the 1993 original.<br />
Step three: Bank on nostalgia for some easy money.<br />
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I fell for it. A lot of people fell for it...<br />
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<b>Runner Up: <i>De Blob Remastered</i></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Best Retro Game</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow</i></span></b></div>
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This category is reserved for the retro game that I played for the first time that year. Previous winners include <i>Kirby's Super Star</i>, <i>Earthbound</i>, and <i>Felix the Cat</i>. I've played many retro games this year, including some all-time classics, such as <i>Chrono Trigger</i>, which I finally finished this year. However, I had played Chrono Trigger before, so I can't give it this award, which is why I chose<i> Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow</i>.</div>
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I've made it no secret how much I love the <i>Castlevania</i> series, especially the 2D metroidvania-style entries. I didn't own a GameBoy Advance in its heyday, and for whatever reason it's taken me this long to play what many consider to be the best <i>Castlevania</i> game post-<i>Symphony of the Night</i>. I don't know if I necessarily agree with that opinion, but it's certainly one of the best. The castle isn't as big as it was in previous games but still a good size, with plenty of hidden secrets, upgrades, and a great progression system.<br />
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Aria has an...interesting story, to say the least. Something about Dracula's castle emerging from a solar eclipse, and that your character, Soma, is the reincarnation of Dracula. Soma has the ability to absorb the souls of the enemies that he defeats, and this "Tactical Soul" system allows you to use and upgrade special abilities for use throughout the game.<br />
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There's no upside-down castle in this entry, but there are different endings depending on a couple of factors. Striving for one of the better endings opens up the final area and secret final boss battle, which is worth the extra effort because the "bad" ending is very unsatisfying.<br />
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<b>Runner up: <i>Chrono Trigger</i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Best Moment or Sequence</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Returning Home - <i>God of War</i></span></b></div>
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I've been a fan of the <i>God of War</i> series since the very beginning. I would have been perfectly okay with Sony releasing a new game that played exactly like all of the previous ones that just gave me new Greek gods to mutilate. As we all know, they took a different route.<br />
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SPOILER WARNING!<br />
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There are excellent bits of foreshadowing this moment, like at the very beginning and we see Kratos' arms wrapped in bandages or when he becomes adamant that Atreus refrain from going down into the basement of their home. Kratos is trying to put his past behind him, but when Atreus falls ill and a special item is required to cure his illness, Kratos has to travel back home to retrieve his old weapons, the Blades of Chaos.<br />
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This sequence is so well done, with Kratos sitting in a boat as it returns him home, and without him saying a word, you can tell that Kratos hates what he has to do. There's no music, just the sounds of nature and the thunderstorm that surrounds him. When Kratos returns home and retrieves the blades, the spirit of Athena taunts him, and while Kratos realizes that he'll never be able to change who he is, he can choose who and what he fights for.<br />
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<b>Runner Up: The Summit - <i>Celeste</i></b><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Best 2017 Game I Played in 2018</span></u></b></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Mummy Demastered</span></b></i></div>
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I bought <i>The Mummy Demastered</i> at the tail end of 2017 on the PlayStation Holiday Sale and made it the opening game of my 2018 gaming year. As someone who loves the metroidvania genre more than most, I am in no way being hyperbolic when I say that <i>The Mummy Demastered</i> is one of the best metroidvania games that I've ever played. I've played a lot of them, and there are few that I've enjoyed more than this one.<br />
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If <i>Symphony of the Night</i> took place in the modern day, this is what that game would be. I loved the <i>Dark Souls</i>-esque system of retrieving your gear following a death, the music is superb, all the weapons in the game feel useful, the boss battles were great, and had I played it in 2017, it would have made it into my top 5 games of the year.<br />
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It's crazy to think that a "demastered" game of a garbage movie that was a failed attempt at resurrecting the Universal monster movie franchise could have been so enjoyable. It was developed by WayForward, who have made some great games in the past, and their previous forays into this genre (<i>Aliens Infestation</i> and <i>Shantae and the Pirate's Curse</i>) were excellent. If you enjoy the genre, you're doing yourself a disservice by not playing this incredible game.<br />
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<b>Runner up: <i>Pyre</i></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Biggest Blunder</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Fallout 76</i></span></b></div>
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I was never on board with <i>Fallout 76</i>. Not from the moment they announced it. I play Bethesda RPGs in order to get away from having to play with people, and this is the exact opposite. No big deal, I just wouldn't play it, Bethesda was very up front with what kind of game it was and I appreciate that. What they weren't up front about was that they were releasing a game that was nowhere near finished.<br />
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Then there was the whole canvas bag fiasco. The only people who spend $200 on a single video game (outside of retro games) are the people that are big fans of the series. I'm about to do the same with the <i>Resident Evil 2 </i>remake. So only the hardest of the die-hard <i>Fallout</i> fans were the ones spending that kind of money on <i>Fallout 76</i>. What did they get? Well, if you're a YouTube influencer, you got that nice, durable canvas bag, as advertised. If you're just a fan (i.e. someone that doesn't have hundreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers), you got a big box full of goodies, still advertising that sweet canvas bag. Only difference is that you don't get what's advertised. You get a cheap, dollar store, drawstring nylon bag.<br />
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If you had the audacity to complain, you received 500 Atoms worth of in-game currency (about $5), which isn't even enough to purchase a canvas bag for your character. After saying that the nylon bags were a cost-cutting measure and that they had no intention of replacing the bags, Bethesda back-tracked after much backlash. Though it's been said that you'll be waiting several months for that bag to show up.<br />
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<b>Runner Up: The PSone Classic</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>The Single Best Thing That Happened This Year</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Titus O'Neill</b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Notable Games I Didn't Play This Year</span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Shadow of the Tomb Raider</span></b></div>
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I've really enjoyed the rebooted <i>Tomb Raider</i> franchise up to this point. <i>Shadow of the Tomb Raider</i> got pretty mediocre reviews, mostly for being too much like the previous games in the franchise. That's alright by me, I'm up for playing a game like other games I love, and it's been long enough since I've played something close to this that I think I would enjoy it quite a bit.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Red Dead Redemption 2</span></b></div>
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I didn't like the original <i>Red Dead Redemption</i>. Not at all. But my tastes in games has changed since then, and I'm at least interested in <i>RDR2</i> enough that I'm willing to give the franchise another shot.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Timespinner</span></b></div>
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Look, all I'm saying is that if you tell me a game is heavily inspired by <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i>, I'm already in. If you then tell me that the visuals look like an SNES RPG, I'm even more down.<br />
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Now is the time! My top 10 video games of 2018.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>10. <i>Kirby Star Allies</i></u></span></b></div>
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<i>Kirby Star Allies</i> wasn't received as the best <i>Kirby</i> game. That alone should be an indicator of how few 2018 games I actually had the opportunity to play. I likely wouldn't have played <i>Star Allies</i> if I were playing by myself. Playing the entirety of the game with my wife, however, made it into one of the more fun co-op experiences she and I have had in a long time.<br />
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It's a traditional <i>Kirby </i>platformer. I enjoy traditional <i>Kirby</i> platformers. This time I got to play it with my wife.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>9. <i>Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon</i></u></b></span></div>
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I wait with bated breath for <i>Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night</i>, the next game from Koji Igarashi, the former mastermind behind the <i>Castlevania</i> series. <i>Curse of the Moon</i> is an 8-bit inspired companion game to <i>Ritual of the Night</i>, playing very similarly to <i>Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse</i>, complete with branching paths, multiple playable characters with their own special abilities, brilliantly composed music, and classic difficulty.<br />
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The game was released as it was announced, and at only $10, it was a bargain. If you're a fan of retro gaming and the classic <i>Castlevania</i> style, you owe it to yourself to play <i>Curse of the Moon</i>. While I would have preferred to have the more <i>Symphony of the Night</i>-esque main game, this side story is a nice diversion to hold us over in the meantime.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>8. <i>Shadow of the Colossus</i></u></b></span></div>
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I already touched on this one briefly, but this is how a remake is done, and I had as much fun replaying this game in 2018 as I did on my first time playing. It looks better and plays better than it ever has, it's still breathtaking to traverse the desolate world, and the colossi continue to be a sight to behold.<br />
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It's a little bit of a bummer that there really wasn't much added to the game; the collectible coins that were included were tedious to find and weren't worth the trouble. That being said, it's easy to look past that nitpick, because it's still <i>Shadow of the Colossus</i>, a game that I still herald as one of the best ever.<br />
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If anything negative came from this remake, it was having to hear people talk about how sad it made them to kill the colossi again. Shut up. You weren't really sad. Stop being a baby.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>7. <i>Yoku's Island Express</i></u></b></span></div>
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No game gave me the kind of constant joy that <i>Yoku's Island Express</i> gave me this year. From bell to bell, its charm is on full display, and I had a big, dumb smile on my face the entire way through. <i>Yoku </i>is easily the most unique game I played this year, mish-mashing pinball with an open-world game. If you were to tell me that one of my favorite games this year would see me playing as a dung beetle delivering mail, I probably would have asked you to take a drug test. Somehow, that premise works, and I have yet to talk to anyone that has played <i>Yoku </i>that doesn't love it.<br />
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Secrets abound throughout the entire island of Mokumana, and completing side missions and finding every collectible gave me just as much to enjoy as the main story. The world isn't overly large, but each subsection of the island felt unique and well-structured. If you play the metroidvania genre like I do, any time you unlock a new ability, you immediately revisit every area you've already been through until you inevitably reach a new standstill. Even when I would find myself racking my brain figuring out where to go next, I never found myself frustrated.<br />
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<i>Yoku</i> isn't a long game and can be beaten in a day or two, but I can seriously see it as one of those games that I return to every year just because of how delightful it is.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>6. <i>Mega Man 11</i></u></b></span></div>
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Let's take it in for just a moment. Capcom made a new <i>Mega Man</i> game. A new <i>Mega Man </i>game that doesn't just try to be a retro throwback. A <i>very good</i> new <i>Mega Man</i> game was released in 2018. Capcom has done a great job with their top franchises over the past two years. They resurrected a dying <i>Resident Evil</i> series in 2017 and have my current most anticipated of game of 2019 releasing in less than one month, <i>Monster Hunter World</i> took the world by storm in early 2018, and <i>Mega Man</i> hasn't been this good since the early <i>Mega Man X</i> games.<br />
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As much as I loved <i>Mega Man 9</i> and <i>10</i>, if they tried to return to the 8-bit well, I don't know how well it would have gone over, and I know that I personally wouldn't have been on board despite how much I love the series. Not only does <i>Mega Man 11</i> look modern, but it plays like a modern game, too. Bosses have multiple states to the fight, are uniquely designed, you get to try new abilities out after acquiring them, selecting the robot abilities is streamlined, you have loads of items and upgrades that can be purchased, and the Double Gear System provides a new level of strategy to the <i>Mega Man</i> formula.<br />
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Some would argue that the Double Gear System makes the game too easy, but there's still a good challenge to be had here. The level design is excellent and the robot master abilities serve more of a purpose during the levels instead of just being useful against the next robot master. There are a ton of bonus challenges if you're into that sort of thing, and if you're a completionist, then God bless you, because<i> Mega Man 11</i> is not an easy platinum trophy. Much like the old-school games, <i>Mega Man 11 </i>can be completed in a couple sittings, which some may see as a detriment, but the game is a budget title, being $30 at release. Personally, I was more than happy with my purchase and love seeing the Blue Bomber restored to his former glory.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>5. <i>The Messenger</i></u></b></span></div>
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The best way to describe <i>The Messenger </i>is as a slapstick comedy. Imagine <i>Spaceballs</i> but it's about a time-travelling ninja. That's <i>The Messenger</i>. It's a unique take on the "chosen one" story, and it does it very well. What starts off as seemingly another self-aware, self-deprecating indie game actually turns out to be a very well-written and witty game that uses it's time-travelling mechanic to solve environmental puzzles and open up the game in both size and scope. The first half of the game seems like nothing more than a very good indie game that is heavily inspired by <i>Ninja Gaiden</i>, but once time-travelling is introduced, you're suddenly replaying the game as a metroidvania and realizing that all of these levels were interconnected.<br />
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Though the great writing is a tremendous attribute for the game and deserves to be praised, the two things that really make <i>The Messenger </i>one of my favorite games of the year are the soundtrack and its "cloud step" mechanic.<br />
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Simply put, the soundtrack of <i>The Messenger </i>is my favorite of the year, having two versions of each level's music in both an 8-bit and 16-bit, representing the past and future, respectively. The 16-bit versions of the songs have the very distinct, twangy sound that is undeniably emulating the Sega Genesis, and the music transitions seamlessly with the time-travelling mechanic.<br />
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The cloud step is your de facto double jump. After your character jumps, if you land an attack, whether it be on an enemy, a grappling point, a candlestick, or any other acceptable surfaces, you gain your jump back. Essentially, you could jump continuously as long as you had enough things to strike. The majority of the game is not difficult, but there are some late-game areas that require precise and continuous use of the cloud step. These areas can be frustrating, but become empowering upon successful completion.<br />
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It's obvious that <i>The Messenger </i>was meticulously crafted by a man obsessed with bringing his vision to life much in the way that<i> Stardew Valley</i> was. I appreciate that level of obsession and it resulted in one of the finest games of 2018.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>4. <i>Spider-Man</i></u></b></span></div>
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All Insomniac really had to do with <i>Spider-Man</i> was make sure that the swinging worked. Not only did it work, it was perfect. I've never enjoyed traversal in an open-world game as much as I do in <i>Spider-Man</i>. The only times I used fast-travel were during instances where I wanted to get to a specific story mission and was very far away. Those instances were few and far between. Insomniac populated the island of Manhattan with so much to do that I found myself just swinging around seeing what kind of trouble I could get myself into.<br />
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But they didn't stop with just making the swinging feel great. They crafted a great story with some real weighty and emotional punches to the gut. As someone who is only a casual<i> Spider-Man</i> fan, kudos to Insomniac for getting me attached to characters that I don't know very well.<br />
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Combat is similar to the <i>Batman Arkham</i> series in the sense that you have the triangle button acting as the dodge/counter button, but where <i>Batman</i>'s combat is more brutal, <i>Spider-Man</i>'s is more finesse. If there's anything negative to say about <i>Spider-Man</i>'s combat, it's that I had to remind myself that Spider-Man has several gadgets at his disposal, and when I did remember, using the radial menu slowed down the flow of combat to the point that I often opted not to use them.<br />
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I had a blast unlocking the all the new Spider suits and abilities, changing them often because I liked so many of them, despite not knowing their significance to the lore. Each one unlocked a different ability, and luckily the abilities weren't tied to the suits themselves, allowing you to mix and match. I didn't wind up unlocking all of them because they were tied to Taskmaster challenges, and I didn't have it in me to shoot for the top scores to acquire more Challenge Tokens.<br />
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If anything, I'm excited to see what a sequel has in store. While I'm familiar with enemies like Dr. Octopus and Rhino, I would love to see where the series goes with Spider-Man's more notable rivals like Green Goblin and Venom, and I anxiously await our friendly web-slinger's next adventure.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>3. <i>Dead Cells</i></b></u></span></div>
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Without question, <i>Dead Cells</i> is the most exhilarating game I played in 2018. There's something special about being deep in a level with 50+ cells, knowing that one more hit might be the end of your excellent run. It's that kind of lean forward in your seat, white-knuckled grip on the controller that made me obsessed with <i>Dead Cells </i>for a good length of time.<br />
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Unlike similar games like <i>Rogue Legacy</i>, death never felt like a consequence to my actions. In <i>Rogue Legacy</i>, dying is simply an excuse to go back to the main screen, level up, and start again. In <i>Dead Cells</i>, however, each death felt tragic, especially those that came late in a run. The beauty of <i>Dead Cells</i> is how well the game controls. Each death was because I made a mistake, whether it was because I ran into a room hastily, not utilizing traps effectively, or trying to parry an attack that can only be dodged.<br />
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Many compared <i>Dead Cells</i> to the <i>Dark Souls</i> series, and I know that I've often mistakenly referred to the "cells" in <i>Dead Cells</i> as "souls." The difference to me is that <i>Dark Souls</i> is more punishing and actively tries to make you rage quit, while <i>Dead Cells</i> encourages you to learn from your mistakes and give it another go.<br />
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I've made it to the final boss of <i>Dead Cells </i>a few times, but have yet to beat him. Each boss encounter takes a few tries before you learn their nuances, and earlier bosses in the game eventually become a cakewalk, which I'm sure the same will happen with <i>Dead Cells</i> once I return.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>2. <i>Celeste</i></u></b></span></div>
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Anyone who reads my writing or listens to my podcast knows that I love the indie game scene. My top 10 games of this year that you've read so far is a testament to that. But I've always had one minor complain when it comes to indie games, and that is its overuse of using their story as an allegory for depression and/or mental illness. I'm not saying that I'm against games that want to have a message, far from it, I would just like to see a different message every once in a while.<br />
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When I heard what <i>Celeste</i> was about, it turned me off. I bought the game the first time it went on sale on the Nintendo Switch with the intention of just being interested in the gameplay, because I can look past the story in favor of a well-playing platformer.<br />
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By the time I was finished playing <i>Celeste</i>, it was the story that really made this game for me. While its obvious that climbing a mountain serves as a storytelling device for overcoming something, there are other themes that resonated with me because of things I've had to deal with in my past, such as anxiety, coming to terms with your own inadequacies, and realizing that you can't solve other people's problems.<br />
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All this talking and I haven't even touched on the gameplay. <i>Celeste</i> is one of the finest pure platformers that I've played in many years. Each bite-size section of the map serves as a unique challenge, and through much trial and error, the triumph of finally making it through a difficult area is unmatched. Each area of Celeste mountain incorporates difference mechanics that you only find in that level, so the game feels continually fresh.<br />
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The soundtrack is outstanding, and one of the best moments in gaming for me was making my way through the final section, The Summit, with its fantastic track accompanying it. What's great about the soundtrack is that it doesn't repeat itself over and over. Each track is a solid 5-10 minutes, which keeps the repetitive nature to a minimum even though you've tried and failed on one platforming challenge 30 times.<br />
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But as much as I loved <i>Celeste</i>, there was one game this year that far surpassed it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>1. <i>God of War</i></u></b></span></div>
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<i>God of War</i> is not only my favorite game of 2018, it's a top contender for my favorite game of the generation.Say what you will about the previous <i>God of War</i> games, but I've loved them all. Yes, even <i>Ascension</i>. I would have been completely happy with them making a new one of those games every few years until the end of time. Growing up, I was a huge fan of the 80s film <i>Clash of the Titans</i>, and because of that, I actually wound up knowing a lot about Greek mythology. Which is why I was a little worried coming into this game. The original series was fun for me because I knew who the Greek gods and characters like Medusa and Hercules were, but I know jack about Norse mythology.<br />
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After playing <i>God of War</i>, I still don't know much about Norse mythology outside of the main figures, but that's okay, because there's a character in the game whose sole purpose is to educate. His name is Mimir and he's a disembodied head that you carry with you throughout the game that tells you stories while rowing your boat gently down the stream. Even though I immediately forgot about all the mythology exposition throughout<i> God of War</i>, I certainly did not forget all the memorable characters that I encountered along the journey.<br />
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<i>God of War</i> has the best characters of 2018 in my book. Baldur was an outstanding villain, I've already mentioned Mimir, Brok and Sindri's constant bickering was a delight, Modi and Magni came off as half-wits but still served as one of the best boss fights in the game, Freya reveals herself as a potential future villain, the World Serpent is a sight to behold, and Kratos served as more than a one-note rage machine this time around. Atreus was annoying at times, but that can be forgiven because of how useful he is in combat. This doesn't even take into account the Valkyries, dragons, and variety of Norse monsters that you fight.<br />
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Sony Santa Monica took the tried-and-true <i>God of War</i> formula and flipped it on its head, switching from an almost completely linear arcade action game to a semi open-world full of interesting locations and people to meet. Both the Leviathan Ax and the Blades of Chaos feel weighty to the point that you can practically feel yourself dicing up your foes.<br />
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I loved the story of <i>God of War</i>, I loved the subtle nods back to the original games, I loved the secret Thor ending, but most of all, I loved the fact that this was a strictly single-player game where I paid $60 and got the entire game with that purchase. No downloadable content, no season pass, no microtransactions. In 2018, that is refreshing to see. Here's the thing, though. If they sold a season pass, I would have bought it, because I wanted more <i>God of War</i> when I was done with it. A lot of people would have bought it, but kudos to Sony for showing restraint.<br />
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Like I said before,<i> God of War</i> is more than just my favorite game of 2018, it's my favorite game of the last few years, and it's hard to imagine that Sony is going to be able to top this masterpiece, but I eagerly await to see what they come up with.<br />
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Thank you all so much for reading, have and excellent 2019.<br />
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God bless.<br />
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-TheDustinThomasTheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-83401186318898001172018-10-13T08:23:00.001-07:002018-10-13T08:27:56.893-07:00My Top 10 Video Games Of All-Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In case you've never noticed, I really like to rank things, especially video games. However, I've never sat down and really taken inventory of what my top 10 games of all-time would be. I had a rough idea of what I would consider my top 5, but I wanted to take an honest and critical eye to some of these games and truly nail down the 10 games that I think are the best I've ever played.<br />
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I wanted to make sure that nostalgia didn't play into this list too much, and after compiling my final list, I was delighted to see that I have games ranging from as early as 1991 to as recent as 2016, so I feel like I've got a solid mishmash of both genres and eras of gaming.<br />
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<b>What should I do if I don't see my favorite game on your list?</b><br />
Shut up about it. Seriously, though, I had periods of time in my life (specifically the PSone/N64 era) where I didn't play many video games. I've also never been a huge JRPG fan, though that is changing as time goes on. With that said, you won't see classic, beloved titles like <i>Final Fantasy VII</i> or <i>The Legend of Zelda</i> series making the cut. I've done my best to find time to play games that I missed out on as I've gotten older, and while I've enjoyed them a great deal, not having played them in their heyday is a detriment to how I feel about them today.<br />
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Without further ado, let's get to my Top 10 Video Games of All-Time!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>10. <i>Stardew Valley</i></u></b></span></div>
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When I was whittling down my list, I didn't expect<i> Stardew Valley</i> to even be in consideration. Having never played a "life-simulator," I bought <i>Stardew</i> primarily for my wife, who has always been a fan of games like <i>Harvest Moon</i>. Little did I expect that it would be a game I would become obsessed with and invest well over 100 hours into. It has become a game that I return to every few months and is definitely one that I'll never get rid of.<br />
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What's really unique about <i>Stardew</i> is that each time I return to it, I focus on completely different aspects of the game. When I first began playing, I just wanted to understand the farming aspects. Simple enough. Then I got really into restoring the community center. Then I focused on relationships with the townsfolk. Then I actually finished what would be considered the "story." Then I caught every fish, and so on, and so on. I had put about 75 hours into<i> Stardew Valley</i> before I even began getting into crafting items.<br />
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That's what's so amazing about what seems like such a simple game, there's so much to do that you may miss major aspects of the game without realizing it. When I inevitably return to my farm, who knows where it might lead.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>9. <i>The Simpsons: Hit & Run</i></u></b></span></div>
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A lot of people consider the last great season of <i>The Simpsons</i> to be seasons 7 or 8. I'm a bit more of an optimist, and I would say that season 11 is where you start to see a significant drop in quality, which is shortly before <i>The Simpsons: Hit & Run</i> hit store shelves. For those of you that don't know, I consider myself a superfan of the show up until that point. My knowledge on all things <i>Simpsons</i> between seasons 3-10 would astound you, which plays a big role in my enjoyment of <i>Hit & Run</i>, it was made for people like me.<br />
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There are so many minor references to the show that casual viewers would miss. I wind up playing <i>Hit & Run</i> once every few years, and I still discover new little Easter eggs that I missed on my previous trips through Springfield. Speaking of Springfield, I really love the way the city is set up. Rather than having one, sprawling open-world like <i>Grand Theft Auto</i>, the town is broken up into three smaller areas and I think that really helps with the overall pace of the game. The areas are big enough to feel significant, but small enough to remember where everything is.<br />
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There really isn't much in the way of combat, and each mission boils down to little more than a timed race, but<i> The Simpsons: Hit & Run</i> is more about exploration and collecting than anything else, and being able to explore such a well-realized version of Springfield (something fans had been wanting for a very long time) never gets old.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>8. <i>Picross 3D</i></u></b></span></div>
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It may surprise you when I say that I've probably sunk more hours into <i>Picross 3D</i> than any other video game in my life, and it was a $20 game at launch. That's what you call value! I've always enjoyed puzzle games, and I really enjoy the standard versions of <i>Picross</i> as well (to this day, <i>Pokemon Picross</i> is the only "<i>Pokemon</i>" game I've ever played), but there was something about <i>Picross 3D</i> that grabbed me like no other puzzle game ever has, not even <i>Tetris.</i><br />
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I became obsessive over completing each puzzle perfectly. I downloaded each additional puzzle pack (of which there are over 100) and found myself starting new profiles just so I could restart from scratch.<br />
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When Luke Roberts and I did our Top 10 Nintendo Games episode of the Error Machine Podcast, I fought harder to get <i>Picross 3D</i> on that list than I did any other game. In case you were wondering, <i>Picross 3D</i> is the 8th best video game that Nintendo has ever made. While I absolutely loved <i>Picross 3D Round 2</i>, I didn't get nearly as sucked in by it, and it never became an every day kind of game for me like the original did.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>7. <i>The Last of Us</i></u></b></span></div>
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<i>The Last of Us</i> had this weird thing happen where several years after its release people suddenly decided they didn't like the game, citing clunky combat as the culprit for their newfound revelation. Personally, I find that criticism unfounded, as I've never had a problem with the combat. In fact, I find very little to criticize in the overall package. With only one exception (which I'll speak about later), I've never been as engrossed in a game's story from beginning to end as I was with <i>The Last of Us</i>. It's the closest you'll get to a good <i>Walking Dead</i> game that doesn't begin with "Telltale Games Presents."<br />
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I grew to love Joel and Ellie despite not liking either one of them very much in the beginning. As the two of them begin to warm to one another, so too does the player begin to warm to them. I loved the original take on the post-apocalyptic story where only society had fallen into disrepair while vegetation continued to flourish and overtake its surroundings.<br />
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I love the ambiguous ending. I love the brutality of the combat. I love the catharsis at the end of Winter (if you've played the game, you know what I'm referring to). I love that Naughty Dog wasn't afraid to write a story devoid of hope. So many games try to make you feel like all hope is lost only to have the knight in shining armor pull off a miraculous victory and save the world. I credit Naughty Dog for having the guts to make a game where you don't feel good at the end of it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>6. <i>Super Mario Galaxy</i></u></b></span></div>
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<i>Super Mario Galaxy</i> is the antithesis of <i>The Last of Us</i>. Everything about it is awesome and makes you feel awesome. <i>The Last of Us</i> makes you want to take a shower. <i>Super Mario Galaxy</i> makes you want to adopt a puppy named Buster and then buy matching sweaters for you and your new friend as you frolic in the autumn foliage.<br />
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Seriously, though, <i>Super Mario Galaxy</i> was the reason I had to have a Nintendo Wii. If you ask me, <i>Galaxy</i> is the pinnacle of 3D platforming. Like many <i>Mario</i> games, the challenge comes not in beating the game, but in completing it. Acquiring all 120 stars and unlocking Luigi makes the game feel new again, as Luigi plays much differently than his older brother.<br />
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The soundtrack is completely outstanding and fits the game as well as any video game I've ever played. The word "whimsical" could not be more apt. The gravity aspect adds a new level of variety to the traditional <i>Mario</i> formula and the controls are perfect for the newfound abilities.<br />
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As much as I've loved every 3D <i>Mario</i> game before and since,<i> Super Mario Galaxy</i> hits all the right notes for me and is the reason I still own a Nintendo Wii.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>5. <i>Borderlands 2</i></u></b></span></div>
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Perhaps my love of <i>Borderlands 2</i> is more influenced by the fact that <i>Borderlands</i> is a series that my wife and I still play regularly to this day. Sometimes your memories are influenced by the people you play them with, but I don't think that's a reason to discredit them, though I've definitely put a lot of time into <i>Borderlands 2 </i>single-player and had a blast. If memory serves me correctly, it was the first full 1000 achievement points I ever earned on the Xbox 360. I say "earned" because a lot of us have <i>Avatar</i> and <i>TMNT</i> looking back at us, and those don't count.<br />
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There are better shooters, better open-world games, better western RPGs, better loot games, games with better writing, games with better characters, but <i>Borderlands 2</i> is the perfect amalgamation of all of those things. There's something extremely addicting about picking up new guns, shields, class mods and grenades and equipping your character to your play style. What's even better is that regardless of how you play, it still works as an amazing co-op experience. My wife is more meticulous and I'm more of a Leroy Jenkins.<br />
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The enemy design is very fun and as you continue to level up, you don't just get leveled up versions of the same enemies. While you do get that, you'll also encounter new, bigger, and more imposing versions of those enemies. The game has suffered from revisionist history over the past 6 years, as it seems the internet suddenly decided that they hate Handsome Jack and Claptrap, but I can't imagine the game being as good as it is without them.<br />
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The game can be snagged for very cheap, and what's even better is that the season pass doubles the size of the game and provides some excellent content.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>4. <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i></u></b></span></div>
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Games 2, 3, and 4 are where my list really gave me problems. I knew what the games were going to be, and going in I thought I knew what the order was, but then I came to <i>Symphony of the Night </i>and I realized that it could be in any one of those spots. I pulled my hair out over this, which makes me a very lucky man when I consider this is the type of stuff that stresses me out. Do I really like <i>Symphony of the Night</i> more or less than this other game? Oh, woe is me!<br />
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The one thing that <i>SotN</i> has working in its favor is that I don't have nostalgia for it. I didn't play the game for the first time until almost 10 years after its initial launch. Now I buy it every time it's re-released. Yes, I <i>will</i> be buying the PS4 version of SotN and Rondo of Blood this October, so don't ask. Every year around Halloween I get the hankering to play it again, and I've played it at least once every year since my first time through.<br />
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Each new playthrough I do or find things I've never done or found. For instance, last year I took the time to grab the Shield Rod and Alucard Shield and break the game. The year before that, I got the full 200.6% map completion for the first time. Despite knowing almost everything about the game, it always feels fresh and has aged better than any other game of the era (with the exception of the voice acting).<br />
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We're all well aware of the big twist halfway through. The inverted castle is a brilliant way to double the size of the game you're playing without actually doubling the size of the game on the disc. Additionally, the inverted castle features completely new enemies and bosses, and entering new, inverted areas is disorienting, somehow making it feel like a fresh section of the game to explore.<br />
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Much like <i>Super Mario Galaxy</i>, <i>Symphony of the Night</i>'s soundtrack is expertly crafted. Each track fits its area so well that it becomes its own character. The heavy metal guitar of "The Tragic Prince" when you reach the area just before the clock tower makes you ready to fight while the foreboding tune accompanying the Abandoned Pit leaves you uneasy. This is the type of soundtrack I could listen to on a constant loop. Well, aside from the fact that it has what may be the worst end title song of all-time.<br />
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The combat is simple enough for anyone to jump right in, with spells that can take a little practice to nail down but well worth the increased damage they'll induce. If there's anything wrong with the game, it's the difficulty. By the time you reach Dracula you're so overpowered that you can barely call it a fight. Outside of the early hours and a couple of boss fights, the game presents little challenge. When that's the only complaint I can levy against a game, you know it's a winner.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>3. <i>Metal Gear Solid</i></u></b></span></div>
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<i>Metal Gear Solid</i> was the first game where my hype level was through the roof. A friend of mine received the Japanese demo through one of the PlayStation magazines of the era, and despite just being the dock and heliport area of the game and being all in Japanese, I knew this was a game that I had to have. We must have played the demo 30 consecutive times. We had so much fun peeking around corners, knocking on walls to lure enemies, snapping necks, and hiding in cardboard boxes. It seemed to us that we discovered new tricks at our disposal on every run.<br />
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Not only was my hype level at an all-time high, but this was also one of the few times where the game met and exceeded my hype. I did extra chores around the house for weeks to convince my mom to stop at the mall on her way home to pick the game up for me on release day. I made it to the battle with Gray Fox before calling it a night, and <i>Metal Gear Solid </i>had already done things that I didn't know video games were capable of.<br />
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Regardless of what you think about the <i>Metal Gear</i> lore, I had yet to experience a game that came anywhere close to presenting the kind of story that <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> was. Having played each <i>Metal Gear</i> several times by now, I just skip over cutscenes, but on the first playthrough, I was glued to the TV set awaiting the next shocking revelation about Foxhound and Solid Snake's mission on Shadow Moses Island.<br />
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Much of what seems silly about <i>MGS</i> was revolutionary at the time. Hiding under the bed or using ketchup to make it seem like you had committed suicide in order to escape your holding cell? That blew my mind! Breaking the fourth wall by using the back of the game's CD case to find Meryl's Codec frequency? Genius! And of course we can't forget the battle with Psycho Mantis, which remains one of the most groundbreaking moments in gaming history.<br />
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Recently, I wrote about how the abstractedness of the game adds to its charm, and I'll stand by that until the day I die. I still prefer the sharp-edged polygons of the original PlayStation game over the crisper visuals of the GameCube. For an early 3D game, <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> has aged much better than most other games of that generation, and still very much worth playing today.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>2. <i>Resident Evil 4</i></u></b></span></div>
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<i>Resident Evil 4</i> holds a special place in my heart because it got me through a very rough time in my life. When <i>RE4</i> was released on current consoles, I picked up the PS4 version and eagerly anticipated being bombarded by chainsaw-wielding, parasite-infected psychopaths. It hurts to say this, but <i>RE4</i> is one of those games that maybe I shouldn't have tried to replay.<br />
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When you go back and try to play some old favorites, sometimes you're amazed at the kind of things you were able to look past. <i>RE4</i>'s camera controls is one of those things for me. Using the right analog stick only allows you to glance left and right but snaps back to center when you remove your thumb. It wasn't until the (highly underrated) sequel that the series finally gave the player free camera control. This isn't a popular opinion, but <i>Resident Evil 5</i> plays much better than its predecessor.<br />
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However, <i>Resident Evil 4</i> remains the the gold standard of the series in terms of story, action, horror, environment design, and atmosphere. It skewed more toward action but still has a level of uneasiness the series is known form. The big difference is that you now have enough firepower to defeat the things that go bump in the night instead of stressing about where you can find your next 5 bullets.<br />
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One of the many aspects of <i>Resident Evil 4</i> that makes it so great is the way I can't tell if the game is being self-aware with how campy it is or not. Did they purposefully write Leon S. Kennedy to be as big of a dork as he is? Are his terrible one-liners supposed to be funny or did the writers know that they were terrible? Is Saddler really as small-time as we're led to believe? Were the ganados actually going to Bingo? I don't know!<br />
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Trudging through the bleak villages in the woods, the airy corridors of the castle, and the aggressive halls of the commando base make for three very unique settings that each offer a different type of fear and challenge. Each area has memorable encounters, such as the <i>Night of the Living Dead</i> inspired shootout in the farmhouse, making your way through the castle's clock tower, getting trapped inside a cage with the claw-clad Garrador, the hedge maze, your first encounter with a Regenerator, and avoiding Krauser as he stalks you throughout an area.<br />
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The game was innovative in many ways, but most of all in the new, over-the-shoulder perspective that has become the standard for third-person games. While I criticized the camera for not giving you full control, it does make for a more tense experience by forcing you to use the quick turnaround and possibly coming face-to-face with another abomination.<br />
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Osmund Saddler is the man pulling the strings and the final boss, but he's perhaps the least memorable villain in the game. Bitorez Mendez (the town chief), Ramon Salazar, and Jack Krauser are the baddies that you remember long after you've stopped playing, not only because their fights are better, but because they're also more interesting characters.<br />
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<i>Resident Evil 4</i> may not have aged as well as I expected it to, but it's still a landmark game and one of the best of all-time.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>1. <i>Super Mario World</i></u></b></span></div>
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I'm not sure if I have enough words to properly explain why <i>Super Mario World</i> is my all-time favorite game. <a href="http://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-favorite-game-super-mario-world.html" target="_blank">I've already tried</a>, but I'll try again.<br />
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Some might say that it's cliche to have an early <i>Mario</i> game as my favorite of all-time, but no game before or since captured my imagination the way <i>World</i> did. To me, it's the zenith of 2D platforming. Gaming is subjective, so there's no way to quantify what a perfect video game would be, but <i>Super Mario World</i> is still the closest thing to perfect that I've found. The only real gripe I have is the level "Tubular," which is several times harder than any other level in the game. But that gripe is a small one, as I believe it's the only level that relies more heavily on trial and error than platforming skill.<br />
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There's still a debate between which game is better: <i>Super Mario World</i> or <i>Super Mario Bros. 3</i>? Don't get me wrong, <i>SMB3</i> was an integral part of my childhood and my favorite game on my favorite system, but I believe it's a silly debate. <i>Super Mario World</i> takes everything that <i>SMB3</i> did and cranks it up to 11. While <i>SMB3</i> blew my mind with how many levels it has, <i>Super Mario World</i> blew my mind with not only its size, but its contiguous world, allowing the player to replay levels, which would prove to be a valuable strategy for a young Dustin Thomas. Any tough level required a trek back to Donut Plains 1 to get a cape from the first caped Koopa and then a restart to grab another for my backup inventory. Speaking of which, the cape is the single greatest power up in <i>Mario</i> history. Shut up if you disagree.<br />
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Newcomer Yoshi went on to become a Nintendo mainstay and star in great games of his own, but this was his debut and he is more than just an animal companion, he is crucial to the entire experience. Having the different colors of Yoshi (or using the standard Yoshi and slurping up the different color Koopas) presents you with the ability to fly, shoot fire, or stomp, making combat and traversal much more versatile. Let's also not forget that certain secret exits can only be reached if you have Yoshi in tow.<br />
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Speaking of secrets, there are more in <i>Super Mario World</i> than any other 2D <i>Mario</i> game (probably), and in 1991, finding all 96 exits was a daunting task and required you to think outside of the box. You know...like <i>MURDERING YOUR NEW FRIEND! </i><br />
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The Koopalings were given more personality, and I personally find the fortresses to be much more fun than the airships of <i>SMB3</i>. Bowser's castle requires you to choose 2 of 8 different mini-levels before encountering the King of the Koopas, promoting multiple playthroughs. Bowser and his clowncopter make for an excellent final battle, which is proceeded by the kiss from Princess Peach that Mario worked for for so long.<br />
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Then we get the best ending credits/theme song in video game history. I wish more games would have an enemy roll call at the end, because it's always a treat.<br />
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There isn't a lot more that I can say about <i>Super Mario World</i>, and anything that I could say would be something you probably already know. It's an all-time classic and still just as fun to play today as it was in 1991, which is why it stands as my single favorite video game ever.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
-TheDustinThomas<br />
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Here's other stuff I do and where you can find it.<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/thedustinthomas" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/20020" target="_blank">Error Machine Podcast</a><br />
<a href="http://youtube.com/errormachine" target="_blank">Error Machine YouTube Channel</a>TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-76001587700072304792018-08-12T15:54:00.001-07:002018-08-12T15:56:54.995-07:005 Specific Things That Make Great Games Better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The games I'm talking about are great for far more reasons than the ones I'm going to talk about, but these small details that we sometimes neglect to think about make me love them even more. What's great about a list like this is that there are so many games with minutia similar to the ones here that I could turn this into a running series if I chose to.<br />
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That being said, let's not waste any more time and jump right into the list.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Active Reload in <i>Gears of War</i></span></u></b></div>
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Few things are more satisfying in<i> Gears of War</i> than nailing that perfect active reload. For those unfamiliar, when reloading in <i>Gears</i>, a small meter appears on your HUD. If you manage to stop the bar within the specified area (which is different on each weapon), not only does it reload your weapon faster, but you're also met with a very satisfying sound effect.<br />
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However, active reloading isn't simply about speed and sound, executing a perfect active reload also makes the first few rounds of your next clip more powerful, so you have a very good reason to try and nail it every time.<br />
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I also wanted to give a shout out to the battle-ending guitar riff. That riff has been there since the beginning and I would be genuinely disappointed if it were ever removed or altered.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Goal Explosions in <i>Rocket League</i></span></u></b></div>
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<i>Rocket League</i>'s goal explosions are like bat-flipping after a home run, spiking the ball after a touchdown, or giving my wife an nWo crotch-chop and "suck it" after I beat her at anything. It's the perfect exclamation point.<br />
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When the game is tight and all 8 players are near your opponent's goal furiously trying to score/defend and you watch every player fly backwards from the force as the ball crosses the threshold is one of the most satisfying feelings you'll ever get in a competitive game.<br />
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<i>Rocket League</i> is without question my favorite multiplayer game of all-time (I've played it consistently since release). It still would be even without the explosions, but if you've ever played the game yourself, you can't deny that they add a lot to the <i>Rocket League</i> experience.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alucard's Glide in </span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i></span></u></b></div>
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<i>Symphony of the Night</i> is a masterpiece. I play it every year around Halloween, I always 100% it and never get tired of doing so. There is such an attention to detail and so many moments that stand out. Some of those special touches are so subtle that you don't even notice, like the bat wings that briefly appear over Alucard when executing the double jump, the giant eyeball that peers in the window from the long hallway, or the fact that there's an item called the "Secret Boots" that make Alucard one pixel taller and serve no other purpose. There are probably still aspects of <i>Symphony</i> that have gone undiscovered.<br />
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But you know what no one ever talks about? Alucard's glide. No, I'm not referring to the backward dash that you see speedrunners use, I'm talking about the short glide that Alucard does when he begins moving again after a complete stop. I wouldn't be surprised if you told me you've never noticed it, and I can't properly articulate why I love it so much.<br />
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Unfortunately, I can't find a good gif of the glide move I'm talking about, but in the one below, you'll see it just after the player ducks the axe the second time.<br />
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When we did a retrospective on <i><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/20020/319686-episode-65-castlevania-symphony-of-the-night.mp3?download=true" target="_blank">Symphony of the Night</a></i> for the Error Machine Podcast, Luke Roberts and I discussed the glide, and I think Luke put it best when he said "that glide is just...so Alucard." That's the perfect way to describe it and I have no idea why. It's just such an Alucard thing to do.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Complete Tonal Shifts in </span></u></b></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Deadly Premonition</i></b></span></u></div>
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<i>(If you've read my writing for any period of time, you're probably tired of me talking about </i>Deadly Premonition<i>, but I genuinely love the game and you need to love it too)</i><br />
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If you've played <i>Deadly Premonition</i>, you know how weird it is. You probably also know that the early 90s television show,<i> Twin Peaks,</i> was its primary influence. <i>Twin Peaks</i> is a hybrid crime drama/dark comedy/supernatural/sci-fi bonanza from the deranged/genius mind of David Lynch. <i>Deadly Premonition</i> is also an amalgamation of all of those genres.<br />
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One moment Agent York will be discussing the details of the gruesome murder of a local girl with the town's deputies and the next moment he's going on and on about how good the coffee is at his hotel. Agent York will be speaking to the absent "Zach" about the townsfolk and then immediately switch topics and start talking about the worst <i>Superman</i> film.<br />
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The gameplay experiences similar changes in tone. The music goes from foreboding to lighthearted in an instant. Sometimes you'll be shooting zombie-like creatures and trying to escape the Raincoat Killer in a <i>Silent Hill</i>-esque hospital basement, and then it's time to go fishing.<br />
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It's bizarre in a "I love this but don't know why" kind of way.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Abstract Visuals of <i>Metal Gear Solid</i></span></u></b></div>
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I'm one of those people that winds up buying a lot of remakes and remasters. Yes, I'm part of the problem. But it's hard to resist when you have a reason to play one of your favorite games again.<br />
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I never owned a GameCube when it was a current, relevant system outside of a brief period where I bought one with a copy of the <i>Resident Evil</i> remake and <i>Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes</i>. The remake of <i>Resident Evil</i> updated the graphics to make it even more terrifying. The updated visuals of <i>Twin Snakes</i>, on the other hand, robbed the original of its soul.<br />
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A lot of PSone games look dated by today's standards, but I think <i>MGS</i> is one of the few that still holds up today because of the way the obscured faces and limited animations of the characters add to the world. The game was meticulously designed and the visuals are a major part of that. The game was better because of what you didn't see because your mind filled in the gaps.<br />
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On another note, <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> goes out of its way to <i>not</i> show you something. Case in point: the reveal of Gray Fox prior to his fight. In the original, little to nothing is shown to you as you make your way down a bloody corridor filled with the bodies of enemy soldiers. In <i>Twin Snakes</i>, that scene becomes <i>The Matrix</i> and Gray Fox's executions are all shown in slow, insane detail. Gray Fox loses all sense of mystery.<br />
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There's just something about the way the characters move that I prefer in the original. Perhaps it's just nostalgia talking, but I'm usually the type to support remasterings of old games, but <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> is a case (at least to me) where you don't need to try and fix what wasn't broken.</div>
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Hey, thank you for reading. Here's the other stuff I do:</div>
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<a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/20020" target="_blank">Error Machine Podcast</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/errormachine" target="_blank">Error Machine YouTube</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/thedustinthomas" target="_blank">Muh Twitter</a></div>
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-TheDustinThomas</div>
TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-25955248099153401822018-07-30T13:53:00.001-07:002018-07-30T13:53:32.680-07:00Top 5 Games That Don't Deserve The Hate They Get<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The term "underrated" gets thrown around a lot in video games. This is not that kind of list. I think there's a difference between games that are underrated and games that simply don't deserve the type of vitriol that the internet has thrown its way.<br />
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<i>Sleeping Dogs</i>. <i>Shadows of the Damned</i>. <i>Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon</i>. All critically well-received but didn't get the kind of sales numbers or love from gamers that they should have. These games are underrated. The games I'm going to talk about all come from very popular series' that were, for one reason or another, disliked by fans or critics.<br />
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As always, a couple of honorable mentions to get things started.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Devil May Cry 2</span></b></i></div>
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For years, <i>Devil May Cry 2</i> was the black sheep of the franchise. Then <i>DmC: Devil May Cry</i> came along and stole that distinction (which is also a game that could have been on this list).<br />
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I remember liking <i>Devil May Cry 2</i> quite a bit, though admittedly, it was my introduction to the series, so perhaps my view is skewed. I would also like to iterate that I'm not good at fast-paced action games like <i>DMC</i>, <i>Ninja Gaiden</i>, or <i>Metal Gear Rising</i>, but <i>DMC2</i> was dumbed down enough for even people who suck at these games to be able to beat, because I managed to at least do that.<br />
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However, <i>DMC2</i> seems like one of those games that one reviewer decided he didn't like and then everyone just went along with it. To this day, I've still never received a legitimate reason why everyone hates <i>Devil May Cry 2.</i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Super Princess Peach</span></b></i></div>
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Somewhere along the line, people decided they wanted to get offended by everything and ruined <i>Super Princess Peach</i> for everyone. Let's just get this out there: <i>Super Princess Peach</i> is essentially a game where you play as Princess Peach on a quest to save Mario by manipulating Peach's PMS to help you traverse the levels.<br />
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To some, that's offensive. To me, that's funny. Also, the game looks great and plays really well, so stop getting offended and enjoy things for once in your life.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">5.<i> Castlevania: Lords of Shadow</i></span></b></u></div>
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I was very excited for <i>Lords of Shadow</i> solely based on the word that preceded it:<i> Castlevania</i>. Having been a fan of the series my entire life and coming off of three stellar Nintendo DS games, I was excited to see what a 3D <i>Castlevania</i> would be like in 2010.<br />
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While I was a little bummed out to find that <i>Lords of Shadow</i> was a quasi-reboot and didn't fit into the original timeline, I was still optimistic. It was discredited as nothing more than a <i>God of War</i> clone, and in many ways, it is exactly that. My question is: why is that a bad thing? As long as the combat is competent (it is), the world is interesting (it is), and the story is passable (it is), then it's worthy of the <i>Castlevania</i> name.<br />
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Its sequels effectively killed the series, but this one can be enjoyed on its own with no prior knowledge or subsequent playing of the <i>Castlevania</i> series.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>4. <i>God of War: Ascension</i></u></span></b></div>
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<i>God of War: Ascension</i>'s greatest sin was that it was completely unnecessary. It serves as a prequel to the prequel of the original game. Got that? We already had the PSP title <i>Chains of Olympus</i>, which is a prequel to the original <i>God of War</i>. <i>Ascension</i> is even further back all the way at the beginning of the timeline.<br />
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<i>Ascension</i> still received pretty good reviews and was praised for its graphics and combat, but sold poorly and was looked upon by fans as nothing more than a cash-grab in the final months preceding the arrival of the PlayStation 4. Today, I feel like the game has suffered a lot from revisionism and receives scorn from the gaming community.<br />
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Personally, I like the game. It's not a game that I feel I'll ever want to play again, and I would still rank it as the worst entry in the series, but I certainly wouldn't tell you to avoid it. If you like <i>God of War</i>, you'll probably like <i>Ascension</i>, just don't go into it expecting something better than what you've already experienced.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. <i>Mass Effect 3</i></span></b></u></div>
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"<i>Mass Effect 3</i>'s ending ruined everything! It slapped my mother in the face and crapped on my very soul!" That's a legitimate thing I read in a real-life professional review (citation needed). Or rather, that's what the Internet would have you believe.<br />
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Nevermind the fact that we had to play a very good 40 hours of game in order to reach that ending, none of that matters because <i>Mass Effect 3</i>'s ending ruined the entire trilogy and then stole and crashed my grandfather's antique Mustang (citation needed).</div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. <i>Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare</i></span></b></u></div>
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This entry is strictly based on the single-player campaign, as I haven't cared about <i>Call of Duty</i> multiplayer since ever. <i>Infinite Warfare</i>'s campaign was the best effort put forth by any of the <i>Call of Duty</i> teams in a very long time. The action was frenetic, the dogfights were better than they had any right to be, the optional missions were worth playing, and the story built to a powerful, desperate, and brilliant climax. Despite casting Jon Snow as the villain, a memorable antagonist was the only thing <i>Infinite Warfare</i> lacked.<br />
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But the multiplayer sucked so screw this game, right?<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. <i>Resident Evil 5</i></span></u></b></div>
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Shut up! <i>Resident Evil 5</i> is great!<br />
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Is it <i>Resident Evil 4</i>? No.<br />
Is it <i>Resident Evil VII</i>? No<br />
Is it what is looking to be one of the best remakes I've ever seen in <i>Resident Evil 2</i>? No.<br />
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Is it stupid that you're forced to have an AI partner? Yes.<br />
Is Sheva the most incompetent AI you've ever seen? Probably.<br />
Is the game unplayable if you don't have a human partner? Most assuredly.<br />
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All that aside, <i>Resident Evil 5</i>--in all of its <a href="http://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2018/01/lets-remember-time-chris-redfield.html" target="_blank">boulder-punching goodness</a>--is, dare I say, a great video game when played with another human player. Unfortunately, that's the biggest flaw with <i>RE5</i>; its greatness is completely dependent on having another person playing with you. AI Sheva is an idiot. Sorry, feminists, but AI Sheva has the same IQ as the keyboard I'm using to type this sentence.<br />
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I have probably played through <i>Resident Evil 5</i> ten times with my buddy, Chris. We loved it on the Xbox 360, and then we loved it again on the Xbox One remaster. If the game gave you the ability to play single player or to keep Sheva in a role more akin to Ellie in <i>The Last of Us</i> or Atreus in <i>God of War</i>, then I think more people would love <i>RE5</i> the way I do.<br />
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It controls just as well as <i>Resident Evil 4</i>, has a better camera, and looks better graphically. I say this as someone who ranks <i>RE4</i> in their top 3 games of all-time.<i> RE5</i>'s African landscape lacks the creepiness of <i>RE4</i>'s Spanish village and Chris Redfield takes on a more serious tone compared to the over-the-top campiness of Leon Kennedy, but gameplay wise, I think the latter is just as good as the former.<br />
<br />
Hey, thanks for reading. Here's other things I do:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/20020" target="_blank">Error Machine Podcast</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/errormachine" target="_blank">Error Machine YouTube</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">-TheDustinThomas</span></div>
TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-13077618645548702102018-06-12T18:06:00.004-07:002018-06-12T18:07:38.689-07:00Top 5 Most Wanted Games of E3 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All of the major press conferences of E3 2018 have come and gone, and what better time than this to give you my favorite games of the show?<br />
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There are some major titles that I'm leaving off of the list on purpose: <i>The Last of Us Part 2</i> and <i>Spider-Man</i> are missing because we already knew those games were shaping up to be incredible and the new trailers only proved that to be even more true. Those would easily make the list, but I wanted to dispense love on other games.<br />
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Also, <i>The Elder Scrolls VI</i> isn't here because all we got was a 30-second aerial zoom and a title for a game that probably won't be out until 2020 at the earliest.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Honorable Mentions</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Gears 5</i></span></b></div>
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As a huge fan of <i>Gears</i>, I've surprised even myself by having this as an honorable mention. I fell off of <i>Gears 4</i> faster than I would have expected because of how hard it was to get a game of Horde to go 5 waves without half the team backing out. It was incredibly frustrating. I know that has nothing to do with how the game was designed, but unless something is done to prevent players from ruining the mode that I buy the game for, I don't know how up I can get on this one. I'm cautiously excited.<br />
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Side note: please call it <i>Gears of War 5</i> and not just <i>Gears 5</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Cyberpunk 2077</i></b></span></div>
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I've never been a big fan of the futuristic, <i>Blade Runner</i>-esque setting, but<i> Cyberpunk</i> is the next game from CD Project Red, the team behind <i>The Witcher</i> series. Considering how much time I wound up wasting on <i>The Witcher III </i>(and how much more time I'll rack up over the summer), I'm at least willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Rage 2</i></span></b></div>
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I'll keep this one succinct. I didn't like<i> Rage</i>. <i>Rage 2 </i>looks better than <i>Rage</i>, I'm interested.<br />
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And now, let's delve a little bit deeper into my five favorite games of the show.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">5. <i>Anthem</i></span></u></b></div>
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Well, I don't really want to give Electronic Arts any of my money, but I have to admit that <i>Anthem </i>looks pretty darn good. EA has already gone on record saying that there will be no random loot boxes and <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/anthem-will-have-no-loot-boxes-and-no-ability-to-pay-for-power/" target="_blank">no microtransactions that will put another player at an advantage</a>. Of course, I'm sure they could add those in later, and I would almost be willing to wager that they will.<br />
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Enough about that, though. <i>Anthem </i>looks fantastic. From what I've read, the game plays silky smooth and looks like what I wanted the <i>Destiny</i> games to be. My ears are perked, EA, please don't do something stupid to ruin the hype.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>4. <i>Metro Exodus</i></u></span></b></div>
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I never did play <i>Metro 2033</i>, but I did play <i>Last Light</i> and enjoyed it quite a bit. It was a great amalgamation of stealth, action, and survival-horror. <i>Metro Exodus</i> looks bigger and badder in every regard. It seems to be taking inspiration from games like <i>Far Cry</i>. Do I want to take the stealthy approach or go in guns-blazing? If you're going to ape something from another game, at least it's from a good one.<br />
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There also seems to be a good deal of time spent on upgrading and crafting items, furthering the amount of options available to the player. The world of <i>Metro</i> is very bleak and <i>Exodus</i> seems to be cranking that depression dial up. From the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKemIJ0G1C8" target="_blank">gameplay demo I watched</a>, the pace of the game is going to range from very tactical to "I need to get out of here now!"<br />
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The delayed release date is fine by me. <i>Metro Exodus</i> seems to be worth waiting for.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. <i>Ori and the Will of the Wisps</i></span></u></b></div>
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If you own an Xbox One, <i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i> is one of the games that I would tell you that you need to play. If you're a fan of the "metroidvania" genre and want a game that is stunning both graphically and musically but will also offer up an imposing challenge, <i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i> is the game for you.<br />
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<i>Ori and the Will of the Wisps</i> was already highly anticipated, but the E3 trailer during Microsoft's press conference made it the game that I most wish I could have right now. They showed off new abilities for Ori for both combat and traversal, and just from the short trailer we got, the platforming seems to be upping the ante. I'm so ready for this one.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. <i>Death Stranding</i></span></b></u></div>
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I'm a "Kojima Guy." I think the man does no wrong. If his name is on a game, I'm buying it, no questions asked. I'll even buy games that don't have his name on it, like <i><a href="https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-19-hideo-kojimas-name-removed-from-metal-gear-solid-5-branding" target="_blank">Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain</a></i>. With that said, it shouldn't be a surprise that <i>Death Stranding</i> was on my radar.<br />
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We finally got to see some gameplay footage, and the game looks like the exact kind of weird you expect from Hideo Kojima. From the trailer, I get the impression that combat will be minimal, as most of the video montage indicates an emphasis on loneliness and exploration. Of course, that's purely speculation on my part. Knowing Kojima, the game will probably have a dude with no skin who only speaks in haiku about ice cream and <i>Goat Simulator</i>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I also need to know more about this weird baby.</b></td></tr>
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I'm sure the game is still a long way off, and I'm torn between wanting to know more and wanting to know nothing so I can experience it myself.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. <i>Resident Evil 2</i></span></u></b></div>
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I was hoping this game would be featured on someone's press conference, and it only makes sense that it was Sony's. Not a whole lot was shown, but as someone who has <a href="http://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2012/09/jill-sandwich-best-of-best-of-resident.html" target="_blank">been obsessed</a> with <i><a href="http://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2014/09/weekly-top-5-resident-evil-games.html" target="_blank">Resident Evil</a></i> over<a href="http://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2018/01/lets-remember-time-chris-redfield.html" target="_blank"> the years</a>, I recognized all the key characters. We saw Leon (of course), we saw glimpses of Sherry Birkin and Claire Redfield, an obscured Licker, the daughter of Raccoon City's mayor, what appears to be Mr. X, Ada Wong, and even RPD's own Marvin Branagh.<br />
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It appears they opted to make this a modern remake, unlike the Gamecube version of the original. They stuck with the over-the-shoulder camera introduced in <i>RE4</i> and perfected in the <i>Revelations</i> games. One thing I'll be interested to see is if they incorporate the A/B scenario model from the original <i>RE2</i>. My initial prediction is that they won't, since this trailer focused almost entirely on Leon. January can't get here soon enough!<br />
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So there you have it, the 5 games of E3 2018 that I want the most. What games are you most looking forward to?<br />
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Thanks for reading.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/thedustinthomas" target="_blank">-TheDustinThomas</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/20020/722086-episode-138-nelly-matters-to-me.mp3?download=true" target="_blank">Error Machine Podcast</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/errormachine" target="_blank">Error Machine YouTube</a>TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-25605501259640011802018-05-23T13:38:00.001-07:002018-05-23T13:38:35.130-07:00The Dichotomy of Trophies and Achievements<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know a lot of people that put a lot of stake in their achievement score or trophy count on their respective consoles. While I've never been that kind of person, I do sometimes find myself going out of my way or spending more time with a game than I normally would just to get that one trophy that's just a little out of my reach.<br />
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I'm of two minds on this topic. On one hand, I don't believe that getting a few extra points on your fake scorecard is worth spending several more hours with a game. If you really love the game, that's a different story, spend all the time in that world that you want.<br />
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On the other hand, trophies and achievements have led me to discover more depth to a game that I loved that I never would have discovered had I not made the decision to chase after these notches on my gaming belt.<br />
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Case in point (and the reason I decided to write this in the first place), let's take the new <i>God of War</i> as an example. I loved the game so much and had gotten so close to the coveted platinum trophy that I almost felt an obligation to go for it. Begrudgingly, I swallowed my pride, opened up an online guide, and chased down all of Odin's Ravens that I had missed (don't act like you've never used a guide). At first, this process was extremely tedious. I revisited most areas, having missed at least one raven, but as I progressed and ultimately tracked them all down, I discovered no less than three new areas that I had previously passed over somehow.<br />
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The process of finding all of these ravens caused me to discover new parts of the game that I otherwise would have missed had I given up early. Granted, there wasn't anything spectacular in any of those spots, it was mostly just more chests to open and enemies to fight, but I was happy to discover more game.<br />
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Another example I'll give is <i>Stardew Valley</i>, which I went back to again following my acquisition of <i>God of War</i>'s platinum trophy. At this point, I've put 105 hours into <i>Stardew Valley</i>, and I'm still discovering new things to do, and it's all because of the achievements. Going through the achievements list, I saw that there is an achievement for getting married and having children, one for shipping 15 of each crop, one for getting friendship levels to certain heights, etc. Currently, I'm working through the achievements for catching every fish, cooking every meal, and crafting every item, all of which are things I never would have done had it not been for achievements. I spent 90 hours in <i>Stardew Valley </i>without cooking a single meal, and now, after returning, I'm discovering that there is so much more to this game that I already loved.<br />
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Here's the part where it gets tricky for me: I love the Nintendo Switch. A lot of people do, and like them, and I want to support it as much as I can. If a third-party game is released on the Switch and doesn't come attached with the dreaded "Switch tax," that's where I want to play it. Every game I have pre-ordered right now is of the Switch version. Having portability isn't a big deal to me, as I play most games at home and rarely use this feature, and since that's the case, why wouldn't I get my next pre-ordered game (<i>Owlboy</i>) on the PS4 instead? Not only will it have trophy support, but it'll probably look better running on my PS4 Pro. <i>Owlboy</i> looks like a game that's right up my alley, and it would be a shame for me to miss something cool simply because I didn't have a trophy/achievement system to show me there's more to it than I would have discovered otherwise.<br />
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I've long been one to stand on my soapbox and shout from the mountaintops that achievements and trophies don't matter, yet here I am, thinking about getting a game on a different platform simply so I can acquire some trophies. Hypocritical? Yes, it absolutely is, though I still don't get much out of having trophies or achievements. If I cared about my achievement score on Xbox, I would play multi-console releases on the Xbox One instead of my preferred PS4, and if I cared that much about trophies, I would have played more games on PS3, but I loved the Xbox 360 so much more.<br />
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As a self-admitted Nintendo fanboy that grew up playing systems without any type of scoring system, I can't help but feel like Nintendo is dropping the ball by not having one. Why couldn't they have tied them in to their Nintendo Rewards system? For instance, if an achievement on Xbox One nets you 5 gamerscore, why couldn't Nintendo have that same action score you 5 gold coins, which could then be used on Nintendo's rewards program for use on discounts of other games? Even if they didn't do it that way and just had a scoring system of some kind, I would feel more incentivized to buy things on my Nintendo Switch. In fact, having a Nintendo scoring system where everything is fresh and everyone starts at zero sounds very appealing to me.<br />
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At the end of the day, the experience of the game is what should matter. I recognize and support that. As I've stated, trophies and achievements have the ability to make you play a game longer than you want to (like it did with <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> for me) or to make you dig deeper and discover more than what you thought a game has to offer. I'm in this weird place where I don't want to care about trophies, but I guess I do. We all get that little dopamine drip whenever a new trophy or achievement pops with its accompanying ding. It just feels good.<br />
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I think I wrote this as a way to hammer out my thoughts on the subject, but I don't think I've actually accomplished that goal, so I would be interested to hear your thoughts. Feel free to comment, and don't forget to check out the other things I do, which you can find links to below.<br />
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Thanks for reading.<br />
<br />
-TheDustinThomas<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/20020" target="_blank">Error Machine Podcast</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/errormachine" target="_blank">Error Machine YouTube Channel</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/thedustinthomas" target="_blank">My stupid Twitter account</a>TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-28720156061648174352018-04-27T08:38:00.001-07:002018-04-27T08:38:15.629-07:00Top 5 Beloved Games That I Don't Like<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think we all have a few of those games that our friends love, but for whatever reason, never resonated with you. Myself, I'm a slave to anything Hideo Kojima does, and <i>Death Stranding</i> is already my game of the year in whatever year that games comes out, but I understand why a lot of people don't appreciate the insanity that is <i>Metal Gear</i>.<br />
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We all have our personal preferences, but if we disagree with someone else's opinion about our favorite games, we let them know it, and vice versa. So, here are a list of five games that are beloved by both critics and gamers that I completely despise. I know many will disagree, but hey, it's my opinion, and if you like some of the games on this list, I'm glad you like them.<br />
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But first, some honorable mentions.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time</span></b></i></div>
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I know. I'm an idiot, right? The reason the "greatest game of all-time" shows up on a list like this is because I haven't finished it, but I didn't like what I've played of it. I didn't play it as a kid, and didn't try it out until the 3DS remake. It's hard to go back and play the N64 these days. I know its popularity is on the rise right now because the people who grew up with it now have jobs and money, but I think the N64 is <a href="http://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2017/02/ranking-nintendos-home-consoles.html" target="_blank">Nintendo's worst home console</a>. While I enjoy the 2D Zelda games quite a bit, I haven't much cared for the 3D iterations outside of loving <i>Breath of the Wild</i> and liking <i>The Wind Waker</i>.<br />
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<i>Ocarina of Time </i>is in the honorable mentions because I'm sure that if I played it all the way through, I still wouldn't like it.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Super Smash Bros.</b></span></i></div>
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The <i>Super Smash Bros.</i> series is an amazing party game franchise. When I have a few friends with me and we're going after each other with our favorite Nintendo characters, it's a whole lot of fun. But when I try to play <i>Smash </i>as a single-player game, it's one of the most average games I can find.<br />
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Now, get ready to disagree more vehemently than you already have.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">5.<i> Flower</i></span></b></div>
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There have been so many beloved indie games that I've completely hated: <i>Gone Home</i>, <i>Proteus</i>, and pretty much any other game that has a "message." Many times, that message is "this game is terrible." The reason I chose <i>Flower</i> over other indie games is because<i> Flower </i>actually angered me, and to this day is the worst $15 I've ever spent on a "video game," if you can even call it that.<br />
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It has an environmental message, but the developers, ThatGameCompany, were so invested in their message that they forgot to make a fun video game. You know what else has an environmental message?<i> Ori and the Blind Forest</i>. You know what game is awesome? <i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i>. It's a beautiful, challenging, and at times, heart-wrenching metroidvania. In <i>Flower</i>, you're a flower petal caught in the wind. How very <strike>beautiful</strike> stupid.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4. <i>Ico</i></span></b></div>
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Oh, hey, it's the escort mission game. We love escort missions, right? Plus, it's made by the guy that made<i> Shadow of the Colossus</i>, so we have to like it. Nope, that's not how that works.<br />
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Fumito Ueda is heralded as a legendary game director despite the fact that <i>The Last Guardian</i> is mediocre at best and <i>Ico</i> is hot garbage. It definitely helps that <i>Shadow of the Colossus</i> is one of the best games ever made, but that makes him a one-hit wonder, not a legend.<br />
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<i>Ico</i> features an AI girl who doesn't listen to what you say, do what you ask her to do, or even possess basic survival skills. <i>What is that black, shadowy figure that looks like it wants to attack me? I better stand right here and see what it wants</i>. Team ICO doesn't know how to develop a competent combat system, either. Combat was clunky in <i>Ico</i>, pared down in<i> SotC</i>, and completely done away with in <i>The Last Guardian</i>.<br />
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In our politically correct era, I'm surprised people still praise this game the way they do, despite having one of the most helpless damsels in distress in video game history. I thought we weren't allowed to portray women that way anymore? They should probably remake <i>Ico</i> and change the Yorda character completely, and while they're at it, they should try to make it a good game this time.<br />
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<i>Ico</i> does not deserve its cult classic status.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i></span></b></div>
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<i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> won a bunch of game of the year awards in 2008. I certainly respect its scope and ambition, and I liked it enough to finish the story, but I think <i>GTA IV</i> is the worst game in the series since it reached mega stardom with <i>GTA III </i>back in 2001.<br />
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The combat was improved over previous games but still proved to be inadequate in large skirmishes. Having a cell phone that could be used to communicate with other characters was cool at first, but when you have to maintain constant contact with your peers and drop what you're doing to go bowling every thirty minutes, it becomes quite the nuisance.<br />
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Outside of a few good characters, I didn't find a whole lot worth writing home about in <i>GTA IV</i>. Liberty City is a very dull and drab backdrop, and traversing the city in some of the worst driving controls ever only makes it less fun to look at and explore. There's no reason to play this<i> Grand Theft Auto</i> game when there are so many better ones to choose from. I suggest <i>Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars</i>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. <i>Star Fox 64</i></span></b></div>
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If you ask me, I'll tell you that there's no such thing as a good <i>Star Fox</i> game. Ask everyone else in the world, and they'll tell you there's one: <i>Star Fox 64</i>. This one just simply comes down to personal tastes. The <i>Star Fox</i> games are very competently made, I just don't care much for the flight combat/sim genre.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I still don't understand how anyone likes <i>Star Fox 64</i>, but at least it controls well and allows you several paths to choose from when making your trek across the galaxy. It has the quality game design that you come to expect from Nintendo, but for me, provides nothing more than a wasted 45 minutes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1. <i>Red Dead Redemption</i></b></span></div>
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I don't care. <i>Red Dead Redemption</i> is not a good game. I don't care how much you love it. I don't love it. I don't even like it. I played it for about 8 hours, and if you tell me I need to play more before it gets good, then that's a poorly paced game. Many games start slow, but something usually happens within the span of a normal full-time job work day.<br />
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All I did in those 8 hours was hang out with some broad, ride a horse, look at dirt, clumsily shoot a gun, watch a ten second animal-skinning animation, look at different dirt, and wait for the game to grab me. I waited for a long time, and it never happened.<br />
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I like the idea of <i>Red Dead Redemption</i>. By now, I've had the story spoiled for me, so I'm familiar with a lot of the major plot points. I love the John Marston character and how he's a man with a shady past who just wants to get back to his family. I love that he's a pure character and is faithful to his wife. I love the final standoff and the payback that comes from Marston's son. But I'll never make it to that point myself because the game plays so poorly.<br />
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I consider <i>RDR</i> to be on the same level as <i>GTA IV</i>, and hopefully, since I loved<i> GTA V</i> because of how much it improved over its predecessor, I'll enjoy <i>Red Dead Redemption 2</i> the same way. I definitely look forward to finding out.<br />
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So, there you go. Please be sure to tell me how wrong I am in the comments. XOXO.<br />
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-TheDustinThomas<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/TheDustinThomas" target="_blank">Twitter</a>TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-78980431855939530212018-04-13T07:26:00.000-07:002018-04-13T07:26:02.624-07:00Let's Get Stressed: The Most Nerve-Racking Things In Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A phobia is defined as "an extreme or irrational fear or aversion to something." Even though we may not readily recognize it, I believe we all have something in our lives that the very thought of causes us to have a mini panic attack. For me, it is heights. While it may be one of the more common phobias, that doesn't settle my nerves one iota. Seeing a picture of someone at the top of a building with or without a safety harness is cause enough to make my heart to skip a single beat.<br />
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I'm also not a fan of wooded areas during the nighttime. This is mainly caused by my utmost certainty that every serial killer in the United States is currently waiting in those woods to turn my skin into a mask at that very moment. That's not irrational. That's fact.<br />
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But the same could be said of me and video games. Certain scenarios and situations raise my heart rate a dangerous degree. The typical jump scares found in survival horror games are the easy whipping boy for an article such as this, but this is supposed to be about irrational fears, and I have a few.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Water</u></b></span></div>
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I'm not a particularly big fan of swimming in large bodies of water; I've always preferred swimming in pools. The reason for this is simple: God put all of the monsters in the ocean. Ever heard of Leviathan? Sea monster. The Kraken? Also a sea monster. Jason Voorhees? They should play The Toadie's "I Come From the Water" when he shows up. Have you ever seen all of the crazy things that wash up on shore after a tsunami? It's like staring directly into the Underworld.<br />
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Being forced to go underwater in a game is probably the absolute most stressful thing that it could make me do. I skipped several missions in <i>The Witcher 3</i> because it wanted me to dive underwater. I don't care if I need that treasure to complete a mission, whatever it is in isn't worth the gray hair it's going to give me.<br />
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Even less serious fare like fighting Kingfin in <i>Super Mario Galaxy </i>is enough for me to question if I truly love that game as much as I think I do.<br />
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I've often wondered why I've had this aversion to video game water, and the best conclusion I can come up with is that usually swimming is such a minor portion of the game but still requires you to learn a new control scheme that never feels immediately intuitive. I constantly feel like I'm wrestling with the controls, even in games that I've played several times.<br />
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Water also makes you move slower, causing me to live my recurring nightmare of trying to escape from something but unable to move at full speed.<br />
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Conclusion: <i>Ecco the Dolphin</i> is scarier than <i>Dead Space.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Timers/Countdowns</u></b></span></div>
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One of the most diabolical things someone can do is make a short level in <i>Super Mario Maker</i> with a 005 time limit. They give you just enough time to beat the level with no room for error. Many games will give you a limited time frame to beat a section or boss, only exacerbating the tension of the battle. The <i>Resident Evil</i> team was particularly bad about this. All three of the PSone trilogy games had a countdown during the climactic battle; it practically became a staple of the series. Evil corporation? Check. Zombies? Check. Time limit to beat the final boss? You better believe it.<br />
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What's even more frustrating is when games place hidden collectibles or treasures in sections like these, and while you usually are given more than enough time to find what you're looking for and still escape/proceed, the simple addition of a ticking clock can add a whole new dimension of panic.<br />
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For me, however, I could be given ten minutes to run fifty feet with no enemies between me and the goal, and I'll run straight for the exit. Take no chances, I say. The most notable experience I've had with this is with the finale of <i>The Secret Armory of General Knoxx</i> DLC from the original <i>Borderlands</i>. You've already defeated the big bad and gained access to his titular secret armory, so why limit my looting? Just let me grab all the guns and I'll be on my way. This was hectic because you aren't given enough time to open the insane amount of loot chests available, and you're frantically scurrying to try and open another one in hopes of finding new and better gear.<br />
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Timers are a pointless gaming device. Not once have they ever added to the enjoyment of a game's overall experience.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Escort Missions</u></b></span></div>
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No one likes escort missions. Literally no one. If you say you do, I will call you a liar to your face and then pray for you because you're a sinner. I hate the cult classic, <i>Ico</i>, because that's all the game is. However, let me contradict myself by saying that <i>Resident Evil 4</i> is in my top 3 all-time games, which also relies heavily on escorting another character. What's the difference, you ask? Nothing really, I'm just being a bit of a hypocrite on this one. At the very least, <i>RE4</i> allows you to stuff Ashley into a dumpster during major encounters, negating the need to protect her.<br />
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While typically only found in action or survival horror games, one of the greatest offender in this category is <i>Yoshi's Island</i>. For the completionist, <i>Yoshi's Island </i>can be one of the most frustrating games you can play. One hit causes Baby Mario to drift away from you, making you go on the chase. It doesn't sound that bad on paper, but that one hit has the potential to ruin your perfect run of a level, requiring a restart.<br />
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The only games that do the escort mission right are games like <i>Bioshock Infinite</i> and the 2008 <i>Prince of Persia</i>, where the person you're "escorting" is incapable of being hurt, which, at that point, prevents it from being an escort mission in the traditional sense.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Choices With No Good Outcome</u></b></span></div>
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I remember watching a movie called <i>Escape From Sobibor</i> in junior high school. It's based on the true story of a group of Jewish refugees who stage an escape from the titular concentration camp. There's a scene where a group of Jews are about to be executed and forced to choose another person to be executed alongside them. If they refused, the Nazis overseeing the camp would kill even more people. That movie--and that scene specifically--have stayed with me for twenty years now.<br />
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I'm certainly not trying to equate meaningless video game decisions to the real life horrors that took place during World War II, but whenever a game forces me into a decision with no possibility of a positive outcome, I always think about that scene.<br />
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Story-heavy games like <i>Until Dawn, Heavy Rain, Mass Effect</i>, and the various Telltale adventure titles often force you into making decisions you're not particularly fond of. Do I want to kill this deplorable member of my team, or do I want to kill this other utterly reprehensible person? Flip a coin, I guess.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not crying. You're crying!</td></tr>
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Not all decisions are of the life-or-death variety, though. Sometimes, death is an inevitability. Take the final decision in Telltale's <i>The Walking Dead Season One</i> for example. Lee is going to die regardless of what you choose, your only real choice is if he comes back to life as part of the undead. In hindsight, the decision doesn't matter, and in a real-life scenario, the smarter decision would be to just walk away. One bullet could be the difference between life and death in this world, and a loud gunshot could attract a horde to shamble your direction. But after how much I had grown to love Lee and the relationship between he and Clementine, I simply couldn't allow such a good man to turn into one of those things. Lee had been absolved of his past crimes in my eyes, and deserved peace in the next life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>The Worst of the Worst</u></b></span></div>
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Despite its shortcomings, I really love <i>Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty</i>. I enjoy about 98% of that game from a strictly gameplay perspective. The other 2% is an underwater escort mission with a timer. That covers three of the four scenarios I discussed.<br />
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Again, the swimming controls are mangled, and I've never been able to nail them down in over a dozen playthroughs. Now combine that with Raiden's O2 meter, which acts as a de facto timer. Lastly, rescue Otacon's annoying little sister, who can't walk because of an injection given to her by the enemy, now swim back with Emma Emmerich holding on to you. Oh, by the way, her O2 meter is half as long as Raiden's, so have fun with that.<br />
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In my eyes, Hideo Kojima is a genius, and I like to look at <i>MGS2</i> as the greatest trolling in video game history. <i>You think this tanker section with Solid Snake is amazing? Well, screw you, now you're a pretty boy with an annoying girlfriend! </i><br />
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I've forgiven Mr. Kojima because he gave us <i>MGS3 </i>a few years later, and while I applaud the ballsy-ness of it all, this ten minute section of <i>Sons of Liberty</i> will serve as a reminder that those you love the most are the ones that have the ability to hurt you the worst.<br />
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Thanks for reading, here's other stuff I do:<br />
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<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/20020" target="_blank">Error Machine Podcast</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqp3G8BYDJz5qGTK0QbxE2A" target="_blank">Error Machine YouTube Channel</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/TheDustinThomas" target="_blank">The Twitter</a>TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-59639556067899921032018-04-05T07:26:00.002-07:002018-04-05T07:27:24.497-07:00Top 5 Backwards Compatible Xbox 360 Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The real title of this article is "The Top 5 Best Backwards Compatible Xbox 360 Games You Should Play If You Never Have" but that seemed a little long-winded. It's actually pretty rare for me to take advantage of the Xbox One's backwards compatibility feature, as I always find myself buying more current games and don't have much desire to return to older ones. But, to me, these are the five games that are more than worthy to get a playthrough on your more current and fancy console.<br />
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There are some rules for this list, however. First, if a backwards compatible game has received a remaster or port to the current home consoles, it's out. So that means you won't see games like <i>Bioshock</i>, <i>Borderlands 2</i>, and <i>Assassin's Creed Brotherhood</i>. All are great games, but they have more current versions available. Secondly, the game had to have been originally released on the Xbox 360/PS3/Wii generation of consoles, so early XBLA classics like <i>Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i> and <i>Contra</i> are also eliminated since they appeared on systems prior to that generation.<br />
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As always, let's start with a few games that were in contention but just barely missed the final list.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance</b></span></i></div>
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There are better fast-paced action games than this one, the parrying mechanic isn't always easy to pull off, and the controls for any weapon other than the sword are wonky, but the frenetic action and trademark <i>Metal Gear</i> insanity make this compact game (about 4 hours) a blast to play. Also, nanomachines, son!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Portal 2</b></i></span></div>
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I loved <i>Portal</i>. Like everyone else, I'm sick of "the cake is a lie" jokes. Also like everyone else, I was curious how they were going to take <i>Portal</i> and turn it into a full-fledged, $60 release. The mind-bending puzzles combined with amazing writing, a separate co-op campaign, and secrets that are very fun to find make for one of the best puzzle games of all-time.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Dead Space</i> series</b></span></div>
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<i>Dead Space</i> picked up the ball that <i>Resident Evil </i>had dropped in the latter half of the generation (before <i>Dead Space</i> dropped it and <i>Resident Evil </i>picked it back up again). <i>Dead Space 3</i> suffered from EA's intervention of trying to shoehorn in microtransactions (though I still enjoyed it), but the first two entries are survival horror royalty. The first game took everyone by surprise, delivering claustrophobic corridors, scarce ammo pickups, and a twist to the combat that made the genuinely scary enemies even more of a threat.</div>
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<i>Dead Space 2</i> leaned more toward action, but still had plenty of scares, and is my personal favorite of the series. I liked how the story had a heavier emphasis on the Unitology cult, and the game starts with one of the best opening sequences ever. As of this writing, <i>Dead Space 2</i> is currently a free via Xbox Live Games With Gold, so go get it!<br />
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SPOILER ALERT: One thing that I wish they would have done is went with what appeared to be the ending, with Isaac Clarke having completed his mission, but realizing that there's no hope of survival. The moment where he sits there with his head in his hands was a really powerful one, but I feel they ruined it with the last minute rescue.</div>
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Now, on to the top 5.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>5. <i>Split/Second</i></u></b></span></div>
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Unless it features a gorilla throwing a turtle shell at a ghost, I'm not usually into racing games. I took a chance on <i>Split/Second</i> because I had a genuine interest and managed to pick it up for only $20 the week of release thanks to an Amazon sale combined with a coupon. <i>Split/Second </i>is a different type of racing combat. Rather than weapon pick ups, you fill a meter through various means, such as drifting, drafting, or narrowly missing debris, and use the meter to trigger events in the world to attempt to crash your opponents. There are different levels of things to trigger, and some tracks even feature course-altering actions that will change the course layout on the next lap.<br />
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The story is set up like a reality show and there are several types of events outside of normal races. One event sees you dodging missiles from an overhead helicopter while another continually eliminates the car in last place until there's only one car left standing. The game's ending set up a sequel, but unfortunately the developer, Black Rock Studios, was shut down before that could ever happen, which is a shame, because I would gladly tune in for a second season of<i> Split/Second</i>.<br />
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This one just recently became backwards compatible and is very affordable, so check it out if you want a different spin on the racing combat genre.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>4. <i>Ghostbusters</i></u></b></span></div>
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Being in my 30s now, it shouldn't come as a surprise that <i>Ghostbusters</i> is one of my all-time favorite films. I grew up with the these movies, and it was practically an inevitability that <i>Ghostbusters 2</i> was playing on a basic cable channel at all times in the 90s. I was also huge into <i>The Real Ghostbusters</i> cartoon series, and I wanted nothing more than a third <i>Ghostbusters</i> movie. We never got it, but this game is the canonical continuation of the series, and even Dan Aykroyd stated "This is essentially the third movie."<br />
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The game has you playing as an unnamed rookie working with the Ghostbusters, featuring the voices of all of the original actors, and has so many throwbacks to the original movies that it'll bring a smile to the face of anyone who is a fan of the property. The fact that you can crack jokes with Vigo the Carpathian in your downtime is just one example of the attention to detail that was lavished on this game. It's obvious that the developers were big <i>Ghostbusters</i> fans.<br />
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As far as the game goes, it plays and controls like <i>Gears of War</i>, and it does a great job of mixing comedy and horror. There are some parts in the game where you'll need to use a PKE meter, and it feels much like a survival horror game a la <i>Dead Space</i>. This game has managed to hold its value pretty well, so I say pick it up if you find it for under $30.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>3. <i>Deadly Premonition</i></u></b></span></div>
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If you've ever played <i>Deadly Premonition</i>, you have one of two minds about it. It's either a shoddy, bargain bin, wannabe ripoff of <i>Resident Evil 4</i>, or it's one of the most bizarre yet incredibly enjoyable games you've ever played. I'm the latter.<br />
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It was Jim Sterling's infamous 10/10 review on Destructoid that made me take notice, and when I realized that it was released at only $20, I figured I didn't have much to lose and picked it up. The first chapter is very much an <i>RE4</i> knockoff, but the rest of the game is <i>Twin Peaks</i>. Literally. It takes quite liberally from David Lynch's bizarre supernatural comedy-drama television series: an FBI agent that gives exposition to an absent second party, a small town traumatized by the death of a young girl, a cast of weird but strangely lovable characters, and a protagonist that <i>really</i> likes coffee. Not surprisingly, the game was directed by Hidetaka Suehiro, better known by his alias SWERY, who also has a penchant for the bizarre and outlandish.<br />
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What makes <i>Deadly Premonition</i> so interesting is that it's not just a third-person shooter, it's a weird hybrid of shooter and life simulator. Your character needs to eat, he needs to sleep, he needs to shave (unless you want a wicked beard, and who doesn't?), if he doesn't shower flies will begin to swarm around him, when you're driving you need to stop and get gas. It sounds tedious but somehow it works. Even if you don't want to play it, I really do suggest watching someone else play it. Everyone needs to experience this game.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>2. <i>Borderlands</i></u></b></span></div>
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I talk about the <i>Borderlands</i> franchise a lot, and that's because there are a lot of good things to say about it. The game was such a pleasant surprise back in 2009, as the Game Informer cover story did nothing for me. It looked like any other generic shooter that was coming out at the time. <i>Fallout 3</i> had just released the year prior, <i>Rage </i>was also in the works, and it looked very similar to both of those games. But once they changed to the cel shaded art style, I suddenly became interested. It gained personality. Combine that with some coworkers that were really into the game, and I decided to give it a go.<br />
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I had never played a western RPG prior to<i> Borderlands</i>. I shied away from anything that had leveling up, stats, and perks, which is funny now considering how much I love the genre. This was my first taste, and I was very befuddled about what I was supposed to be doing, but luckily I had friends to play with to help me along. I immediately fell in love with the people and locations of Pandora. The game was full of design problems and bugs that somehow added to the wackiness and charm. Before I knew it I had logged over 100 hours into the game, and that was before any of the season pass content was released.<br />
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Speaking of which, with the exception of <i>Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot</i>, all of the DLC for <i>Borderlands</i> is top notch. <i>The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned </i>was a fun diversion while <i>The Secret Armory of General Knoxx</i> and <i>Claptrap's New Robot Revolution</i> felt like natural extensions and brought the story full circle (quite literally). It's not as great as <i>Borderlands 2</i>, but the original is still a great game that any fan of shooters or western RPGs can appreciate.<br />
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This game also has the distinction of being the thing that made me start liking that stupid Cage the Elephant song.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>1<i>. Alan Wake</i></u></b></span></div>
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I think<i> Alan Wake</i> is one of the most underrated and underappreciated games of all-time. If there is any game that I want to get a sequel, it's <i>Alan Wake</i>. Though there was a follow up in the form of <i>Alan Wake's American Nightmare</i>, developer Remedy stated that it's more of an "in universe spin-off" rather than a true sequel.<br />
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The game follows acclaimed thriller novelist Alan Wake as he tries to solve the mystery behind his wife's disappearance while vacationing in the pacific northwest. Over the course of the game, you discover pages from Wake's latest novel (which he doesn't remember writing) that predict the events that soon take place. I think it's such a great premise for a story, but not only that, I loved the twist to the combat we see in most third-person shooters. Rather than just pumping your enemies full of bullets, all of the enemies are covered in "darkness," and you must remove the darkness before you can damage them by shining your flashlight on them, at which point only a couple of shots will take them down.<br />
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The game is laid out like a television show, with six episodes that start with a "Previously on Alan Wake" segment, as well as a "Next time on Alan Wake" at each episode's conclusion. It pays homage to things like <i>Twin Peaks</i>, <i>The Twilight Zone</i>, Stephen King, Alfred Hitchcock, <i>The Shining</i>, etc. If there's one gripe I have, it's that each episode begins with the "Previously on Alan Wake" cutscene and uses it as a way to take your weapons away from you. You do get the weapons back over the course of the episode, but I just hate when games do this. In horror games, you usually hold on to your more powerful weapons for bigger enemies, but in this case, you may as well use them because they'll just be taken away from you.<br />
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There are many memorable sequences in <i>Alan Wake</i>, though none more so than the battle at the Old Gods of Asgard concert stage. The game also has a great soundtrack with many songs from European band <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f_hewSrAH4" target="_blank">Poets of the Fall</a>, who I wouldn't normally listen to but their music fits so well with the tone of the game. Sometimes I listen to them just because it reminds me of <i>Alan Wake</i>. They're kind of like the band HIM, only less terrible and less affiliation with Bam Margera.<br />
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The greatest tragedy in all this is that the planned sequel was scrapped and turned into <i>Quantum Break</i>. I want my <i>Alan Wake 2</i>! #AlanWake2<br />
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Thanks for reading! Be sure to check out the other things I do.<br />
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<a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/20020" target="_blank">Error Machine Podcast</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/errormachine" target="_blank">Error Machine on YouTube</a><br />
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-TheDustinThomas</div>
TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-90040789979973332592018-03-26T08:49:00.000-07:002018-03-26T09:53:18.865-07:00Top 5 NES Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been writing these blogs for several years now, and it just hit me that I've done top 5 games lists for several consoles, but not my favorite console of all-time: the NES. It's time to change that. The only problem is that there are so many NES games in contention for this that I can't possibly make a top 5 list without also listing several honorable mentions.<br />
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For some of these games, nostalgia plays a large role, as I'm sure they don't hold up as well as I think they do, but that's what is so great about nostalgia. I don't want to revisit certain games that I loved as a kid and find that "oh hey, this game is actually kind of terrible." I'm sorry <i>Monster Party</i>, you will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I appreciate that quirky humor of yours, but you're not actually a very good game.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Alright, I take it back. You're pretty great.</b></td></tr>
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The games on this list aren't going to shock anyone as it's going to be very similar to what you would find on any top 5 NES games list, it just goes to show that in the early generations of console gaming, the best games stood out from the pack. Let's begin.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Castlevania</i></span></b></div>
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Of all the games that just barely missed the top spots, this is the one that I shocked myself with the most. Usually when I make these lists, the top 5 starts off with the games that my gut instinct tells me, then I evaluate the other contenders and try to be as objective as possible.<br />
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<i>Castlevania</i> is an all-time favorite series for me, but when it comes right down to it, the original game, as much as I still love the music and tone, the gameplay doesn't hold up quite as well as five-year-old Dustin remembers. When I'm in the mood to play a <i>Castlevania</i> game, there are probably five or more other games I would choose ahead of this one. Still a great game, and another that holds a very sentimental place in my heart, just not up to snuff to make it to the top 5.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!</i></b></span></div>
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The game that's so exciting that it required not one, but TWO exclamation points!! Or maybe those exclamation points represent the two seconds that it takes to realize that I'll never beat Mike Tyson. Regardless, this classic still holds up very well today. They improved on the formula in <i>Super Punch-Out!!</i> and then perfected it in <i>Punch-Out!!</i> on the Wii, but this one is still worth popping in every once in a while.<br />
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And if you're that guy who says things like "<i>Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!</i> is classic Nintendo racism at its finest," then I will kindly ask you to not be that guy.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Bubble Bobble</i></span></b></div>
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I'm not good at <i>Bubble Bobble</i>, which is why it's good that it has a lot of other things that work in its favor. The songs...well, <i>song, </i>is catchy, it's a great co-op experience, and the characters are super adorable. One hundred unique levels of bubble-popping fun with no need to go to a level screen or map, and infinite continues for those of us that don't want something as trivial as death to impede our progress.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Batman</i></span></b></div>
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This might still be the gold standard of movie-licensed tie-in games. It captures the tone of Tim Burton's iconic 1989 <i>Batman </i>film perfectly. It may not capture anything else about the film aside from a few cutscenes, but the tone? Nailed it.<br />
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This is a tough game, with Joker being so unfair that he's nearly impossible, but the dark visuals and moody music add so much to the experience that the difficulty can be overlooked, showing that Sunsoft had mastered the NES architecture. I did an entire video on this game, which <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c0tj9Ee6hs&list=PLlGLED99HRahY6g_6m4t1_tSL3Q_rueZI&index=9" target="_blank">you can watch here</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Felix The Cat</i></span></b></div>
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Another one that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK8Hiofa0J0&list=PLlGLED99HRahY6g_6m4t1_tSL3Q_rueZI&index=8" target="_blank">I did a video on</a>, <i>Felix the Cat</i> is a game that I hadn't played prior to making that video, but it instantly became one of my favorite games on the system. I have no ties to the Felix the Cat character, and this game didn't make me suddenly want to learn more about Felix, but you can't argue with quality, and that's what you get in this package.<br />
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The game has a ton of personality with fun power-ups, good music, and it changes up the level design often by giving you standard platforming, flying, and swimming levels. Buying the actual cartridge these days is going to set you back a pretty penny, so get this one on an emulator and give it a whirl, it shouldn't take you more than an hour.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Super Spike V'Ball</i></span></b></div>
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I feel like this one stands out from the rest. I've never been a big volleyball guy, but <i>Super Spike V'Ball</i> is a game I played a lot as a kid and was delighted to find that it's still quite a fun game today. It's just a two-on-two beach volleyball game developed by Technos (most notable for developing<i> Double Dragon</i>) and its simplicity is its genius. One button to jump, one button to hit the ball, it doesn't get much simpler than that. It's arcade sports action done right.<br />
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And now, let's get on to the top 5 and what I consider to be the cream of the NES crop.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>5. <i>DuckTales</i></u></span></b></div>
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When I got married, I walked down the aisle with the "Moon Theme" playing, that's how great that song is. And yes, I had my own entrance, it's my day too! But the same can be said of every song in <i>DuckTales</i>. They're all memorable, including a stellar rendition of the show's theme song that plays on the title screen. You can't just hit "Start." You have to let that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROj5RqRrJRg&list=PL0FE0D134995B8F2B" target="_blank">song play in its entirety</a> before you begin playing.<br />
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It's well-known that Capcom made great games out of many Disney licenses, but <i>DuckTales</i> was their finest work on the NES. All five levels have their own personality, with (as already mentioned) a great accompanying musical number, hidden treasures, unique enemies and bosses, and characters from the show.<br />
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Using Scrooge McDuck to golf club rocks or various debris into enemies is fun, but the pogo bounce is what everyone remembers about the game. Not only is it fun to see how many enemies you can bounce off of in a row, but it gives the game an increased sense of speed and variety to ensure that you never get bored.<br />
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One thing that always bothered me, though, was that Scrooge lets Huey, Dewey, and Louie seemingly fall to their death in a mine cart.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>4. <i>Contra</i></u></span></b></div>
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When I started whittling down my list, I thought to myself "is <i>Contra</i> actually that good or is nostalgia playing too large of a role on this pick?" Like I said, I'm trying to be as objective as possible, but when it comes right down to it,<i> Contra</i> really is that good. Even today, it's <i>still that good</i>. It's opening level and accompanying track are so iconic not just for the NES, but for video games as a whole.<br />
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Talk to anyone who grew up with an NES, and they almost certainly have memories tied to <i>Contra</i>. The iconic "Konami Code" was used for several games, but everyone associates it with getting you 30 lives in <i>Contra</i>, which is why many refer to it as the "<i>Contra</i> Code" instead. It's simple run-and-gun action, but no one made it happen as smoothly and fluidly as Konami did here. Even though I think <i>Contra III: The Alien Wars</i> is a better game, it's the original game that everyone associates with the series.<br />
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It has one of the most immediately recognizable cover arts of all-time, borrowing quite heavily from <i>Predator</i>, <i>Alien</i>, and <i>Rambo</i>. I remember being amazed at the giant boss encounters, having never seen enemies that big before. <i>Contra</i> is pure, unadulterated machismo. Rip off your shirt, slap a headband on, and shoot some aliens, it doesn't get any more manly than that. You'll go in a boy (or a girl) and come out a man (or a man...that's not a typo).<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. <i>Tecmo Super Bowl</i></span></u></b></div>
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The Raiders are banned. Bo Jackson is the Oddjob of <i>Tecmo Super Bowl</i>. If you choose the Raiders, your win is deemed illegitimate and will be rescinded faster than <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/20/587219151/louisville-must-vacate-its-2013-national-title-after-ncaa-upholds-ruling" target="_blank">Louisville's national championship</a>. By today's standard of football games, it looks inferior in every way, but I would still rather play this game than the latest <i>Madden</i>...or any <i>Madden</i>...or any other football game for that matter. Sometimes, less is more.<br />
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As someone who has always been more of a casual football fan, I appreciate that <i>Tecmo Super Bowl </i>doesn't expect me to know different types of offensive and defensive schemes. It's a step up from its predecessor, and what it adds is more than enough but not too much. They doubled the amount of plays to choose from, received the NFL team license (which the original did not have), making it the first NFL game on the NES to feature both real players and all 28 NFL teams.<br />
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Gameplay wise, both this game and the original are very similar, though <i>Tecmo Super Bowl</i> does have a more zoomed out camera, allowing you to survey more of the field at once, and the cutscenes during touchdowns, interceptions, field goal attempts, etc. are more intricate and look more like actual cutscenes rather than a slideshow. There's a reason that<i> Tecmo Super Bowl</i> still has a rabid fan base that updates the game every year to feature current rosters and teams, and it's because this classic has never gone out of style. It still plays, sounds, and feels as good as it did when I was small lad.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>2. <i>Mega Man II</i></u></b></span></div>
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The original <i>Mega Man</i> is a flawed but satisfactory game. It has its annoying moments, like the several disappearing block sections and certain areas where I swear its impossible to not take a hit, but it was still a pretty good game by 1987 standards. The home console industry was just starting to climb its way back into the public consciousness after the crash of 1983, and <i>Mega Man</i> played a large role in that endeavor.<br />
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<i>Mega Man</i> didn't break any sales records, but the team behind its development knew they could improve on their formula, and Capcom agreed to let them create a sequel on their own time as long as it didn't interfere with other games they were developing for the company, and we can all be glad that they did, because <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdcJypOTAEA&list=PLlGLED99HRahY6g_6m4t1_tSL3Q_rueZI&index=1" target="_blank"><i>Mega Man II</i> is one of the premier games on the NES</a> and still one of the best games in the entire franchise.<br />
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When you think of the iconic heroes associated with the NES, your first thoughts are naturally of Mario and Link, but there's a good chance that the next one you think of is the Blue Bomber, and <i>Mega Man II</i> is what truly put him on the map. <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2011/03/21/mega-man-box-art-a-retrospective-of-spite/" target="_blank">It certainly wasn't the box art that did it.</a><br />
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It featured one of the best soundtracks on the system, improved level and boss design, new items and abilities that allow Mega Man to reach previously inaccessible areas, just about every aspect of the first game was given a facelift or overhaul, and it all came together in a masterful way.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. <i>Super Mario Bros. 3</i></span></b></u></div>
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Is this the most obvious number one pick I could have given? Absolutely. This does not surprise anyone, but my reasoning is simple: This game <i>changed my life</i>. I don't think I can say that about any other video game I've ever played. Even though <i>Super Mario World</i> is my <a href="http://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-favorite-game-super-mario-world.html" target="_blank">favorite game of all-time</a>, it didn't do to me what <i>SMB3</i> did.<br />
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I was already well on the hype train after the release of the cinematic masterpiece that is <i><a href="http://dustinthomas.blogspot.com/2014/08/weekly-top-5-best-moments-from-wizard.html" target="_blank">The Wizard</a></i>, and I'll never forget that Christmas when I tore through the wrapping paper to see the bright yellow box art adorned with Raccoon Mario staring back at me. This was the first game I ever looked forward to. I had rented and played other great games, but the anticipation I had for<i> SMB3</i> was unlike anything I had ever experienced.<br />
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My family and I had put a lot of miles onto our <i>Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt</i> cartridge, and <i>Super Mario Bros. 2</i> was probably the game we rented more than any other, but the first time I took flight as Raccoon Mario in Level 1-1, it completely changed the way I saw video games. Secrets could now--quite literally--be anywhere. Mario could be contained no longer. Cue Queen's "I Want To Break Free" right here.<br />
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It helps that <i>SMB3</i> plays amazingly, but what I remember most is how weird I thought the game was. What's up with the Tanooki suit? What even is a Tanooki? What's up with that card matching minigame you get every few levels? What's up with Kuribo's shoe? What's up with the weird "Boo Bars" in that one Fortress level? What's up with that castle in World 5 that takes you up into the clouds where the rest of the levels are? I don't know what's up with any of it. But what I do know is that it's all awesome!<br />
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Each world had its own distinct theme (like the Water World, the Giant World, etc.), an inventory system was added so you can hold on to all of those awesome new ability suits for the proper occasion, the airship's snail's-crawl pace and foreboding score made it feel like you were on your way to a legitimately dangerous encounter. I feel like I could go on and on and never fully capture everything that made <i>SMB3</i> one of the most revered games of all time.<br />
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When it comes to video games, there aren't many that I have as many fond memories with as I do with <i>Super Mario Bros. 3</i>.<br />
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Thanks for reading, here's some other things I do that you can check out:<br />
<a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/20020" target="_blank">Error Machine Podcast</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/errormachine" target="_blank">Error Machine YouTube Channel</a><br />
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-TheDustinThomasTheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-29237589599631295012018-03-15T16:40:00.001-07:002018-03-15T16:40:25.305-07:00The Internal Struggle of the "Retired" Professional WrestlerI'm not exactly sure why I'm deciding to write this. I guess, if anything, it'll be cathartic for me. I've found myself thinking more and more about a chapter of my life that has been closed for almost four and a half years. I find myself not thinking about what my career was, but rather, what it could have been. What it <i>should</i> have been.<br />
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While the great majority of the reason I decided to hang up my boots in terms of being an active professional wrestler is due to an ever-present back injury that continued to worsen over the years, there were certainly other reasons that played a role in that decision. Chief among those reasons was bitterness. For the final couple of years of my career, I worked so hard to get into the best shape of my life. If you knew me at the time, trust me, you knew I was in great shape, because I made sure everyone knew it. But it just seemed like no matter what I did, I just couldn't get that big break.<br />
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I worked hard to improve my in-ring ability, my look, my promos, etc. I was constantly thinking of new angles, new characters, spots I wanted to try. Unfortunately, those angles and characters I thought up, for one reason or another, never came to fruition. I always knew my in-ring work was solid, and I had a few times where I thought it was going to lead to a bigger stage. They didn't, but I was always encouraged by those possibilities. I would send tapes and 8x10s to every major wrestling company I could think of, but after months of no response, that encouragement waned and bitterness began to set in.<br />
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Many men and women that I came up in the business with have had their fair share of success, and I would find myself envious. It wasn't out of dislike for anyone, but more of a "I'm just as good as them" kind of thing. Looking back, I definitely wasn't as good as them, but that's what my mentality was as a brash, young professional wrestler.<br />
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In late 2011, I had a high profile match (at least locally) with a very well-known wrestling star. After the match was over, he told me that our match was his favorite that he had had in years. I'm sure he was being slightly hyperbolic, but he was very complimentary of my work and our match. Another man (who I respect to no end) who spent some time in developmental for WWE said in an interview that he thought I had what it took to go to the next level. At that time I felt like there was nothing that could stop me.<br />
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Just over a year later, another well-known wrestling star essentially told me that I was a garbage wrestler and that he saw nothing in me. I shouldn't have let that one negative voice be so loud when so many other voices were still encouraging me, but by that time my back was already affecting my day-to-day life, I had just gotten married, and other things in my life were becoming more important to me. I still wrestled for about another 7 months, but that day was the day I officially checked out.<br />
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I stopped caring about wrestling. I stopped watching it. I stopped following it. I think I've watched a total of three wrestling shows since that day. My entire exposure to the business now is the few friends I follow on social media and occasionally opening the Bleacher Report app on my phone. I've wrestled a handful of matches for the NWF since then, but that's been it.<br />
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But here's the crazy thing about professional wrestling: I still think about it every single day of my life. I cut promos in my head <i>all the time</i>. I hear a song and think about what kind of character would use it as entrance music. I still come up with new gimmicks and envision the ring gear to go along with it. I may not recognize it as part of my life anymore, but I can't escape it. It's like the crazy ex-girlfriend that keeps trying to weasel her way back into your life.<br />
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Back in 2014, I made it far enough in WWE's Tough Enough to get a Skype interview with a casting agent for the show. Obviously, I didn't make it, but in my head I constantly wonder <i>what if I did? </i>What would have happened? I've always found it ironic that I made it closer to WWE after I "retired" than I ever did while actively pursuing it.<br />
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I'll read interviews or listen to podcasts from wrestlers that say they didn't catch their big break until they were in their mid-to-late 30s, and I think "I'm only 32, maybe something could happen if I returned for one more run." Then I lean forward in my chair and my back goes out, then reality sets back in.<br />
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Again, I don't know why I felt the need to write these thoughts down. It's not to get compliments from people saying that I should have made it, nor is it me throwing myself a pity party because it didn't work out. In the grand scheme of things, my career was a million times better than what I ever expected it to be, and better than what most people in the wrestling business get to experience. I had matches with Hall of Famers, WWE champions, wrestlers that are worldwide superstars, and some of the best friends I have are ones that I only know because of the insane theater that is professional wrestling. In all honesty, I owe the much better place in my life that I am right now to the wrestling business. Had it not been for professional wrestling (and a tattooed viking), I wouldn't have met my wife.<br />
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So what do I do with all of these thoughts? Do I just keep them pent up and occasionally cry on my little blog here? The last month's worth of matches during my active career were some of my favorites, mainly because I just didn't care anymore. I just wanted to go out there and have fun with my friends. Is that what I do then? Do I return to wrestling or maybe just wrestle occasionally with the mentality that it doesn't matter anymore and just go have fun? I've always loved performing and being in front of a camera, so do I try to wrestle again just to occasionally get that fix? I've always had the mindset that it's better to burn out than fade away. I never wanted to be the type of wrestler that couldn't leave it behind. Perhaps I feel like I still have something to prove, as I do sometimes feel like I never had the opportunity to truly showcase what I was capable of.<br />
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I honestly don't know what to do with all of this, and I think that's perhaps the real reason I'm writing this today. I have all of these thoughts and I have no idea what to do with them. This, my friends, is the internal struggle of at least this "retired" professional wrestler.TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-45609852640601313582018-01-30T18:22:00.000-08:002018-01-30T18:23:27.066-08:00Let's Remember The Time Chris Redfield Punched That Boulder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chris Redfield has had quite the character arc over the past 20 years, and I just blew my own mind with the realization that <i>Resident Evil</i> is now over 20 years old. In the beginning, Chris was the character I knew little about, because I was very bad at the original <i>Resident Evil </i>and he had fewer inventory slots than Jill Valentine. The extra inventory space didn't help me, but Chris seemed like the character you chose only if you were an elite <i>RE</i> player.<br />
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Chris is perhaps the most prominent character in the entire franchise, being playable in <i>Resident Evil, Code Veronica, RE5, RE6, Revelations</i>, and<i> RE7 Biohazard</i>'s "Not a Hero" DLC (this is not including his appearances in spin offs like <i>Umbrella/Darkside Chronicles</i> and the <i>Mercenaries</i> modes in various games). In the beginning, Chris didn't stand out any more than any other grizzled cop. He smoked. He had a flat top haircut, the whole nine yards. He was a cop in every way you could imagine.<br />
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Over time, as we all do, Chris Redfield changed. Such is life. I'm certainly not the same person I was 20 years ago. I don't listen to Korn anymore. I'm not as socially awkward. I have slightly more gray hair. A lot can happen in that span of time. At some point, though, Chris Redfield drifted over to the dark side...<br />
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I spent ten years in the professional wrestling business, and I know a user when I see one. People you see regularly suddenly bulk up at an inhuman rate, and you know something is up. They're angry. They're more aggressive. They start criticizing your skinny calves. You know what's going on. That person is on the juice. They're on the gas. They're taking the Arnolds. Gym candy. Pumpers. The 'roids. PERFORMANCE. ENHANCING. DRUGS!<br />
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How do I know this? Let's look at the evidence. Chris spends so much of his time traveling the world with the BSSA protecting it from men like Albert Wesker, how exactly is he going to find time to hit the gym? Arms don't get that big from doing a few push-ups. Also consider that in order to pack on muscle mass, one needs to eat an incredible amount of calories, as well as keeping a close eye on their fat, carbohydrate, and protein consumption. Not once in any of the <i>Resident Evil</i> games have I ever seen Chris Redfield eat food. Lastly, let's compare his before and after photos.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5EVbTfB4AE/WloduRMzxII/AAAAAAAADb4/JT_tOkK3elIG2NBGhRGaZcZkLrxtP9VugCLcBGAs/s1600/tumblr_m2adk3tQsr1r0hnsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="410" height="222" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5EVbTfB4AE/WloduRMzxII/AAAAAAAADb4/JT_tOkK3elIG2NBGhRGaZcZkLrxtP9VugCLcBGAs/s400/tumblr_m2adk3tQsr1r0hnsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A subtle change.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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However, I can not condemn Christopher Redfield for his doping. I get it. I, myself, was once tempted to use steroids. I understand the feeling of wanting a more impressive physique and being able to bench press more weight. For me, however, it ultimately wasn't worth the moral guilt.<br />
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Perhaps Chris had those same feelings, but I have no doubt that those feelings quickly went away when he met his greatest adversary. A boulder. But not just any boulder. <i>That boulder.</i> You know the one. The one that was somehow conveniently placed on the edge of a precipice, ready for a good punching. The one that got to that spot without any prior human intervention. The one that would serve as a bridge between Chris and Sheva. That's the one. You remember that boulder.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl5NoeKZhf8/WloeBGqS2-I/AAAAAAAADb8/_cqhYsWir_cHsgzhSDq_6Guxc43tx9tAwCLcBGAs/s1600/re5_405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="290" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl5NoeKZhf8/WloeBGqS2-I/AAAAAAAADb8/_cqhYsWir_cHsgzhSDq_6Guxc43tx9tAwCLcBGAs/s400/re5_405.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jerk.</b></td></tr>
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Chris's performance enhanced strength proved to be ineffective at budging this boulder that only Jesus could have moved (though if I may critique his form, Chris should have been using more of his leg and core strength). But what that boulder didn't know was that there was an onslaught of pain coming its way...<br />
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...an onslaught, named <i>Chris Redfield.</i><br />
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Chris noticed that this boulder was going to play dirty, and that's when he got mad. A few body shots thrown in to weaken his opponent, and then BAM! A right hook and that boulder went down faster than<a href="http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/10-years-ago-my-bandmate-knocked-danzig-out-6593876" target="_blank"> Glenn Danzig in Tuba City, Arizona.</a><br />
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Had it not been for Chris's sudden explosion of roid rage, there may never have been a <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, which, honestly, wouldn't have been a very bad thing, but there also wouldn't have been a <i>Resident Evil 7</i>, which definitely<i> would </i>have been a bad thing.<br />
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As someone who has been a fan of the series since the very beginning, I can say that I really like <i>Resident Evil 5</i>. I think it gets unnecessarily written off as a bad game because it followed one of the best games ever made and people didn't like the increased ratio of action to horror. I will say, though, that that's only when played in co-op. As a single player game, it's terrible, but with a co-op buddy, it becomes one of the better cooperative experiences of the PS3/Xbox 360 generation.<br />
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With <i>Resident Evil 4</i>, the decision was made to change the series from "survival horror" to "survival action." It worked well with <i>RE4</i>, as it's one of the highest rated games every made and received several game of the year awards, but for whatever reason, people didn't lavish the same type of praise on <i>RE5</i> despite the fact that they're essentially the same game. With the increased emphasis on action, we started to see more firepower, more QTE action sequences, and more explosions to the point that <i>Resident Evil 6 </i>may as well have been directed by Michael Bay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_3c2mSSQdM/WlofdFXUfTI/AAAAAAAADcI/5C_WTNfsZyI8PcLkHcrNA8L-8Jcr0gfjQCLcBGAs/s1600/explosions1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="620" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_3c2mSSQdM/WlofdFXUfTI/AAAAAAAADcI/5C_WTNfsZyI8PcLkHcrNA8L-8Jcr0gfjQCLcBGAs/s400/explosions1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pictured: 70% of gameplay in <i>RE6.</i></b></td></tr>
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But even in a game where we had already been through several escape sequences, battled giant monsters, and survived a plane crash, this one moment of sheer stupidity was the moment where the series officially lost any and all sense of reality. In a section of <i>RE5</i> where you've just crash landed inside of an active volcano while the <i>Matrix</i>-enhanced version of Albert Wesker punches through a metal canister containing the Uroboros virus and becomes a hulking-armed mutation, the most ridiculous and unbelievable thing Capcom asked me to believe was that Chris Redfield can punch a boulder so hard that it rolls out of the way.<br />
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We often hear of television shows "jumping the shark," and this is the moment that it happened for <i>Resident Evil</i>. In my opinion, this is the most notorious example of a video game series jumping the shark in history, and I'm a <i>Metal Gear </i>fan.<br />
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<br />TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-45595807672928094032018-01-03T11:02:00.000-08:002018-01-04T17:36:22.209-08:002017 Games Of The Year Spectacular<div style="text-align: center;">
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2017 very well may have been the best year in video game releases we've ever seen. In the several years I've been doing these blogs, I never had this many games that were in contention for my top 10 list as I did this year. There were so many great games that I sunk dozens of hours into that I simply didn't have the time to play very popular games like <i>Shadow of War</i> and <i>Assassin's Creek Origins</i>.</div>
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But, as always, before I get into my personal top 10 games of 2017, here are some categories for me to give fake winners to.</div>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></u></b> <b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Biggest Surprise</span></u></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Prey</i></span></b><br />
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Had it not been for some positive word of mouth from a coworker and the fact that I received a digital copy as a freebie from work, it's likely that I wouldn't have given <i>Prey</i> a chance. I've never played the original Xbox 360 game with its definitely not racist-pun named protagonist, and had no interest in the cancelled sequel or this reboot/remake/re-imagining/re-whatever this is, but it was described to me as <i>Bioshock</i> with aliens, which sounded pretty solid to me.<br />
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I certainly have my nitpicks with <i>Prey</i>, like the loading times and one instance late in the game where I'm pretty sure there was no proper exit out of a room and had I not had enough ammo for the GLOO gun that I would have been stuck there forever. But <i>Prey</i> did a lot more right than it did wrong. Even after powering up I felt still felt vulnerable late in the game and had to use careful strategy when encountering certain enemies.<br />
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You can beat the game several different ways at many different points in the story, and I love that about it. There was a nice twist at the end that I didn't see coming, but I'd be lying if I said that the game maybe went on a few hours longer than it should have. Many of the side quests are good and worth your time, but when it came to the main story, it got to be a bit of a slog. I thought I was on the last mission and used up all of my resources and was more careless with my ammo, only to find myself struggling when it turned out I still had several chapters left to play. Definitely a game worth playing, and it certainly surpassed the limited expectations I had prior to playing.<br />
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<b>Runner up: <i>Little Nightmares</i></b><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Biggest Disappointment</span></u></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle</i></span></b><br />
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Not every genre is meant for every type of gamer. For me, I've never been good at nor have I ever really enjoyed strategy games. Strangely enough, I still find myself playing strategy games for the first few levels trying to convince myself that this is going to be the game that changes it for me, but it never happens.<br />
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I did that again with <i>Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle</i>. Surely, having the <i>Mario</i> pantheon of characters and the Mushroom Kingdom as the setting would change my mind and bring me around on the strategy RPG genre, but alas, here I am writing this entry. Like every strategy game, I made it past the first world and decided that I had had my fill. Not even my Nintendo fanboy blinders were enough to convince me that this was a game that I was enjoying enough to continue playing.<br />
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Let's talk about this again next year after I inevitably attempt to play whatever new <i>Fire Emblem</i> game there is.<br />
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<b>Runner up: <i>Crash Bandicoot N-Sane Trilogy</i></b><br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Most Unnecessary Re-release or Remaster</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers</i></b></span><br />
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This was a tight race between <i>LA Noire, Rayman Legends</i>, and <i>USFIITFC</i>, but it was Street Fighter that came out on top. I had no interest in <i>L.A. Noire</i> on the previous generation consoles, and hey, guess what, I still have no interest in it. <i>Rayman Legends</i> is an amazing game, but not one I feel that I ever need to play again. If anything, <i>Rayman Legends</i> on the Switch is inoffensive.<br />
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<i>Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers</i>, on the other hand...just, why? It's obvious that Capcom will not be content unless there is a version of Street Fighter II on every console possible. The fact that they had the audacity to call this "The Final Challengers," insinuating that this would be the last version of <i>SFII</i> WHEN WE ALL KNOW THAT THAT ISN'T TRUE, CAPCOM! just boils my blood. Can we just lay <i>Street Fighter II</i> to rest already? Just let its corpse rest in peace. That's all I'm asking. Capcom, have mercy on Street Fighter II already and put it out of its misery.<br />
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<b>Runner up: <i>L.A. Noire</i></b><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Best Re-release or Remaster</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap</i></b></span><br />
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Let the remake of <i>Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap</i> be the example for any and all future remakes. This is how it's done. This is how you take an old game and make it for a new generation of gamers. You take what was great about the original and update it. Not every game that gets another chance has to be given the "gritty reboot makeover" like <i>Bionic Commando</i>.</div>
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The way you're able to seamlessly switch between new and old graphics or the new and old music on the fly was done so perfectly. I've never played the original Sega Master System version, so I constantly found myself switching to the older graphics because I would find something that I thought looked cool and was curious how it looked in its original incarnation. The same goes for the music. Those remastered and updated tracks are beautiful pieces of music, and the 8-bit predecessors aren't so bad either.<br />
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<b>Runner up: <i>Mario Kart 8 Deluxe</i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Best Multiplayer</u></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Splatoon 2</i></span></b><br />
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You know a game is good when you move on to the next game and feel like you didn't give the previous one enough love. I adore <i>Splatoon 2</i>, and it's the only game that I spent a significant amount of time playing with friends this year. <i>Splatoon 2</i> became appointment gaming for my friends and I for about a month. With as great as 2017 has been, it's been hard to go back simply because there's always something new that I want to play, but few games have given me as much overall fun as <i>Splatoon 2</i>, despite some of the ridiculous things Nintendo did with it.</div>
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All of the maps are unique and fun, the community is great, and it just spews style from every orifice. I even got into some of the ranked battles, which is not something that I normally do, and really enjoyed the different types of matches. Even though I put it on the shelf a couple of months ago, it will eventually be pulled back off when the world of gaming slows down and the need to splat some fools comes back.<br />
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<b>Runner up: <i>Friday the 13th</i></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Best Retro Game</span></u></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Kirby Super Star</i></span></b><br />
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Did you know that I'm a huge <i>Kirby</i> fan? If you didn't, you do now. He's probably my favorite video game character outside of Mario. However, my love of Kirby really didn't begin until the DS era, so I missed a lot of his early glory like <i>Kirby's Adventure</i> and <i>Kirby's Dream Land</i>, but <i>Kirby Super Star</i> is the best of Kirby's back catalog (I still prefer the newer games to the older ones).</div>
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We chose <i>Kirby Super Star</i> as one of our retrospective episodes on the Error Machine Podcast this year, and what I found is a collection of bite-size games that each brought their own unique kind of fun to the table. Obviously, The Great Cave Offensive and Milky Way Wishes are the two games in the collection that stand out. They each have metroidvania-like elements to them, and I would love it if Nintendo would take these ideas and turn them into a fully fleshed-out game, even if it were nothing more than a $20 downloadable title.<br />
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<b>Runner up: <i>Windjammers</i></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Best Moment</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Kick It"<i> - Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus</i></b></span><br />
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There were so many great moments in gaming this year, most of them organically woven into the gameplay. All the moments of <i>Super Mario Odyssey</i> that made me smile, the <i>Breath of the Wild</i> moments that left me in awe, the exhilaration from taking down a Thunderjaw in <i>Horizon Zero Dawn</i>, all fantastic moments. But no game 2017 is saturated with more shocking moments that I'll vividly remember for years to come than <i>Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus</i>.</div>
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<b>WOLFENSTEIN II SPOILERS AHEAD!</b><br />
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It was really hard to pick just one moment because there are so many that left an impression. BJ's execution and subsequent transplant onto a new body, finding BJ's father waiting for him at his childhood home and their tense interaction, finally sticking that ax of yours into General Engle's face, all very good moments. But, when a game offers you the opportunity to kick Adolf Hitler in the face, any non-terrible human being on earth takes that opportunity. In fact, if you played the game and <i>didn't </i>kick Hitler in the face, I have legitimate reason to believe that you may be a Nazi yourself.<br />
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<b>Runner up: The New Donk City Festival in<i> Super Mario Odyssey</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>The "Wore Out Its Welcome" Award</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Golf Story</i></b></span><br />
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Never before have my feelings on a game from start to finish varied so much. <i>Golf Story</i> has such great and fun writing, and characters that I really liked. When the game was first revealed, it looked like everything I ever wanted, and it was...for about the first 8 hours. When you reach the third act, you start to realize that there's no more to the game than some quirky writing and a decent golfing game.<br />
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But even the witty writing wore on me to the point that I began skipping all dialogue. This was most evident after completing the second major tournament, when the rivalry between the old folks and young kids reaches its climax with a rap battle. That sounds funny when you write it down, but it went on so long that I said out loud "is this still going on?"<br />
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The actual golfing is solid, but outside of a few diversions, you quickly realize that you're essentially doing the same mini-games over and over with a few variables switched. The game is pretty easy until you reach the final golf course, where both the mini-games and final tournament have one of the sharpest difficulty spikes I've ever encountered. After beating every tournament and match on my first try, it got more than a little frustrating when it took me no less than 20 attempts to win the grand finale.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Game I Fell Off Of The Hardest</span></u></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Destiny 2</i></span></b><br />
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I loved the time I spent with <i>Destiny 2</i>, and I actually played the great majority of the game by myself. It was a great couple of dozen hours, and I haven't thought about the game since. After I beat the final mission, I spent about a half hour checking out the post-game stuff, turned off my PS4, moved on, and never looked back.<br />
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Even the expansion content, which I got for free from work, wasn't enough for me to turn it back on. Sorry, <i>Destiny 2</i>. I enjoyed the time we had, but you're in my past and you'll be staying there.<br />
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<b>Runner up: <i>Splatoon 2</i></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Best 2016 Game I Played in 2017</span></u></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stardew Valley</i></span></b><br />
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The life/farming simulator has never been my type of game. Games like <i>Harvest Moon</i> or <i>Fantasy Life</i> have never grabbed me regardless of how much time I've spent with them. I picked up <i>Stardew Valley</i> this year when the physical version was released on Xbox One. I mainly bought it because my wife is a big fan of the genre, and I figured I would go ahead and give it a shot myself due to the overwhelmingly positive buzz about the game.</div>
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If you would have told me that I would have devoted more time this year to <i>Stardew Valley</i> than I did to <i>Breath of the Wild</i>, I would have laughed at you, but that's exactly what happened. I devoted a solid month to the game on two separate occasions during 2017, and don't regret a moment. I got sucked into the lives of the characters, earning their trust, mining for resources, fishing, crafting, improving my house, expanding my farm, fixing up the community center, and courting Haley (who, of course, I chose because she bears the closest resemblance to my own wife). As much time as I've already spent with <i>Stardew Valley</i>, there are still many, many things left for me to do, and I'll be returning to it again at some point, no doubt about that.<br />
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</b> <b>Runner Up : <i>Witcher 3: Blood and Wine</i> expansion</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Honorable Mentions</u></b></span></div>
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There were two games this year that I really liked but simply didn't play enough of to form a strong enough opinion about, so I want to give them some love here.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Cuphead</u></b></span><br />
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I simply can't get over how good this game looks. I picked it up late in 2017 and only played a handful of levels before writing this blog. The word that spread about the game is its difficulty, and it is certainly a difficult game, but not so difficult that I don't want to keep playing. It does a great job of getting you to come back for one more try. Its also a great co-op game that the wife and I have been enjoying in the early stages of 2018.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>The Mummy Demastered</u></b></span><br />
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<i>The Mummy Demastered</i> is truly a gaming oddity; a very good game based on a very bad movie. If you're a fan of the metroidvania genre like me, what you'll find here is a tight experience that offers constant upgrades, good boss fights, and a map that's extremely fun to explore. The retro aesthetic adds a charm to the game, and you would come to expect nothing less from a company like WayForward.</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Top 10 Favorite Games of 2017</span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus</span></b></div>
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Considering how much I enjoyed <i>Wolfenstein: The New Order</i>, it came as no surprise to me that I enjoy this sequel. What it lacks in gameplay it makes up for with a great story that is chock-full of surprising and shocking moments as well as a cast of characters that I really enjoyed. That's not to say that the gameplay was bad, it just didn't do anything particularly special to separate from other first-person shooters. I did my best to play the game as stealthy as I could, but it seemed like too often I would be spotted from someone very far away and that would eventually just turn into me dual-wielding and running around the room like a crazy person. I had a much easier time playing stealthily in the first game. <i>Wolfenstein II </i>is certainly not without its flaws, but I still think it is worth playing for anyone that likes the genre or wants to good story.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9. Little Nightmares</span></b></div>
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The easiest way to describe <i>Little Nightmares</i> is do refer to it as "3D Limbo," though I think that is super reductive and sells <i>Little Nightmares</i> short. I loved <i>Limbo</i>, and I would say that I still liked it more than <i>Little Nightmares</i>, but <i>Little Nightmares</i> has a lot more going on. Its bleak atmosphere and enemy design that seems ripped straight out of an animated Tim Burton film gives it an underlying sadness that makes you want to see the main character, Six, successfully find her way off of The Maw.<br />
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The game has some genuinely thrilling chase sequences that oftentimes left you escaping by the skin of your teeth. It's a short experience, but what you get here is quality. It does so much with so little, and that's what makes it great.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8. Steamworld Dig 2</span></b></div>
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<i>Steamworld Dig</i>'s first direct sequel continues the trend of taking a simple concept and making it incredibly addictive. You're constantly postponing turning the game off because you just want to see what else you can find in the mines. You tell yourself that you'll stop when you reach the next cave, and then you get to the next cave and you say you'll stop after you solve it, then you solve it and say that you'll stop when you get to the next pipe that transports you back to the main town, and that's how the game goes until you've finished it.<br />
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<i>Steamworld Dig 2</i> improves on an already great game by giving you new and better abilities and increasing the amount of secrets and areas to explore. The cave puzzles are challenging without being frustrating, and the increased amount of enemies was a welcome addition. I'm hoping to see Image & Form return to create a <i>Steamworld Dig</i> trilogy.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">7. Splatoon 2</span></b></div>
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Despite my complaints about the map rotation, its poorly implemented app, and the fact that I can only play a certain mode of the game at specific times (I'm still yet to play Salmon Run), I don't know if there's a game that has a higher fun density than <i>Splatoon 2</i>.<br />
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I've never been big on multiplayer shooters, but<i> Splatoon 2</i> just does so many things right that I'll look past both the game's shortcomings and my introverted nature. The style it has, the way the guns feel, the feedback from shooting, the splat of the ink on the ground and walls, sliding through the ink to refill your tank, every aspect of actually playing <i>Splatoon 2 </i>is pure gold. It's just a shame that the way Nintendo mishandles the user experience hampers its periphery.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6. Everybody's Golf</span></b></div>
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I hate golf. But I <i>love</i> golf video games, especially the <i>Hot Shots</i> series. The latest iteration of the long-running franchise changed to its international title, but while I prefer the <i>Hot Shots </i>moniker, that's about the only change I disapprove of. The series may have gotten away from the super wacky characters that they had in <i>HSG3</i> and <i>Fore!</i>, but the actual golf is just as great (and anger inducing) as ever.<br />
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Golf is usually a relaxing game, but after one poor shot, you'll see just how infuriated I can become. That being said, however, the <i>Everybody's Golf</i> series is one that I continuously come back to throughout whichever PlayStation's life is current. While I didn't get too into the online tournaments, the online play with some of my coworkers and customers this year was some of the most fun I had in multiplayer outside of the few bugs we encountered. If you want a golf game on the PlayStation 4, <i>Everybody's Golf</i> is the perfect blend of simulation and arcade.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Resident Evil 7 Biohazard</b></span></div>
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Not counting the <i>Revelations</i> semi-spin-off series (which is great), I had been waiting for a great <i>Resident Evil</i> game for 8 years. In case you're wondering where my math is coming from, I consider <i>Resident Evil 5</i> to be a great co-op game. There isn't a series that I've written about more in my life than <i>Resident Evil</i>, as I've been a huge fan from the very beginning of the series, but after the abysmal <i>RE6</i>, I was worried that the series was no longer a viable commodity for Capcom. In this case, I could not be more happy to be wrong.<br />
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I will admit to being more than a little skeptical when the first gameplay footage had the game in a first-person view, everything else surrounding it seemed like exactly what I wanted from a new <i>Resident Evil</i>. Taking cues from films like <i>Texas Chainsaw Massacre</i>, you never once feel safe after you encounter the Baker family. Everything from the beginning walk up the driveway to the Baker plantation to the return to the house after an excursion feels masterfully crafted. The only real complaints I have about the game is the anticlimactic final battle and lack of variety in the enemies.<br />
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It felt like a return to its roots, but seeing as it didn't sell as well as Capcom had hoped, I wouldn't be surprised if they go back to the heavy action the series had come to prior to this. Personally, I would love to see the series stay right where its at.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Metroid: Samus Returns</span></b></div>
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Much like <i>Resident Evil 7</i>, I had my reservations about <i>Metroid: Samus Returns</i> after I found out that MercurySteam was at the helm. While I did enjoy the original <i>Castlevania: Lords of Shadow</i> game, I feel like they tarnished the good name of <i>Castlevania</i> beyond repair with the two games that followed.<br />
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That worry went right out the window from the very onset. Some may not have enjoyed the counterattack feature, I felt like it was a necessary, adding a variety to the combat that the series lacked. I could go into a lot more about <i>Metroid: Samus Returns</i>, but <a href="http://www.scholarlygamers.com/feature/2017/09/25/metroid-samus-returns-review/" target="_blank">I wrote a review of the game over at Scholarly Gamers</a>, so give that a read for my full thoughts.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</span></b></div>
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What can I say about <i>Breath of the Wild</i> that hasn't already been said? The fact that I played close to 100 hours of the game and was still discovering areas of Hyrule that I had never seen before is astounding. The sense of discovery is unlike any game I've ever played before, and oftentimes I would forego fast traveling simply because I wanted to everything on the way. Scaling the towers and finding little things in the distance that pique your curiosity could sometimes lead to hours-long diversions that lead you to all kinds of breathtaking moments and discoveries.<br />
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When the game released, my Twitter feed would be full of animated GIFs from people showing all of the cool ways that they were able to manipulate the tools at your disposal to do something that was likely not even thought of during development. <i>Breath of the Wild</i> rewards your for experimentation, and there are so many ways to approach each situation that there are probably still ways that no one has discovered. I truly think that <i>Breath of the Wild </i>is the new gold standard of open-world games.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Horizon Zero Dawn</span></b></div>
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It may be strange to some that I just said that <i>Breath of the Wild</i> is the new gold standard of open-world games and then have another open-world game higher on my list. Here is my explanation: <i>Breath of the Wild</i> had a sense of discovery that I've never encountered, but my nitpicks about it were enough to knock it down a peg. While the world of Hyrule is unmatched, that combat in <i>Breath of the Wild</i> is only adequate, the story is practically non-existent, the stamina meter and weapon degradation are two mechanics that no game should ever have, and Link becomes completely useless in the rain.<br />
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On the other hand, while <i>Horizon Zero Dawn </i>may not have a world that's as fun to explore as Hyrule, everything else is done better. I don't have to wait for the rain to stop before Aloy can scale a mountain, she doesn't get tired from running or swimming short distances, the story is probably the best of the year, and the combat is top-notch.<i> Horizon Zero Dawn</i> sometimes requires intense strategy and other times brute force to succeed in combat, and taking down a group of tough enemies is sometimes a very harrowing experience. I even took the time to get the platinum trophy for this game, which is not something that I'm typically inclined to do, and I went through the trouble of doing the same thing for the <i>Frozen Wilds </i>expansion.<br />
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I had a customer tell me that when I told him that I liked <i>Horizon </i>better than <i>Breath of the Wild</i> that I legitimately upset him, and then he played <i>Horizon</i> and came back into the store to tell me that he agreed with me. If you have a PS4, <i>Horizon</i> is probably the best game you can get on the system.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Super Mario Odyssey</span></b></div>
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Surprising no one, <i>Super Mario Odyssey</i> is my favorite game of 2017. But that's not just my nostalgic heart talking, that's everyone talking. I never grew tired of exploring the various Kingdoms, I never got tired of seeking out new Power Moons or purple coins, I never grew tired of the combat, I even enjoyed one of the water-based worlds in<i> Odyssey</i>, and that is saying <i>a lot.</i><br />
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</i> If the game has a fault, it's that it is almost <i>too dense, </i>which is not something that games usually deal with. There are so many moons available to find that it becomes a bit of a daunting task for the completionist. I took the time to find 500 moons in order to unlock the last area, put the game down, and will return to it in a month or two and there will still be almost 400 more moons to discover. That's insane!<br />
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All of the things you're able to capture in the game add new and fun abilities to Mario's arsenal that a lot of the time you don't ever want to return to playing as just Mario. The sense of discovery in <i>Odyssey</i> is just as great in<i> Breath of the Wild </i>but in a different way. Rather than seeing something in the distance, you'll see something that just seems slightly off and you know that you can manipulate something to make a Power Moon pop out. The late game moments are truly incredible, and the way it honors the history of Mario played wonders with my nostalgia.<br />
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I think <i>Super Mario Odyssey</i> will be to the current generation of kids what <i>Super Mario World</i> is to me.<br />
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Thank you all so much for reading, and here's to hoping that 2018 is as good for video games as 2017 was.<br />
<br />
-TheDustinThomas</div>
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TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-44027758631988065032017-10-13T08:09:00.005-07:002017-12-18T09:19:25.499-08:00Why WWE Could Benefit By Being Its Own Platform<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chances are that if you're reading this article, you play a lot of video games and you could very well play all different types. But there is a sect of gamer that sticks to the one or two titles that release annually and they're satisfied with that. Nothing wrong with it, it's just the way it is. If the new <i>Madden, </i>the new <i>NBA2K, </i>the new <i>FIFA</i>, or the new <i>Call of Duty</i> are the only games you play every year, who am I do judge?<br />
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Some of the customers that I encounter say they used to be big on the <i>Madden </i> games every year, but they fell off because it felt like the same game every year. They also say that they would like to see EA go to a biennial release schedule with roster updates in the off years. Essentially, they would like to see sports games become their own platforms. Back in the early-to-mid 2000s, I was that kind of gamer, but my preferred annual release was <i>WWE</i>.<br />
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While EA may not see the point in changing Madden's annual release schedule, it may behoove 2K to do so with <i>WWE</i>. The main difference between WWE and other sports (and if you have a problem with me calling professional wrestling a sport, see me after class) is that every other sport has a constant flow of new stars each year. A kid that graduated from my high school just got drafted by the Detroit Pistons, and people are already trying to scalp his jerseys and rookie cards. He's already a superstar despite the fact that he hasn't played a single NBA game.<br />
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WWE doesn't have that. While some wrestlers come to WWE or their developmental NXT promotion and immediately capture the fans, it's rare for that to happen with anyone that wasn't already well-established in other promotions like New Japan Pro Wrestling or Global Force Wrestling (formerly TNA/Impact Wrestling). A.J. Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, these are all guys that fans knew before making their debuts because wrestling is so much easier to follow in this day and age. Everyone already knew how talented those guys are and fans were excited to finally see them on WWE's grand stage.<br />
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Those men are the exceptions to the rule. Most wrestlers that get signed to NXT either spend years there only to be released or spend years there and finally get a shot on the main roster. Even then, a lot of characters that were super popular with NXT fans don't mesh with WWE's fans. Despite being under the same umbrella, the fan bases for the two are very different. The Ascension is a great example of a tag team who did great in NXT but floundered when WWE fans didn't take to them (mainly due to poor booking, but I digress). Other sports don't have that problem. While an athlete may eventually lose some of his stardom as he or she ages or injuries make them no longer able to compete with the younger players at a high level, he or she is never going to change their character.<br />
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Another issue that I feel hinders WWE is how frequently it changes. By this time next year, someone is <i>WWE 2K18</i> is going to have a completely different character when next year's game is set to release. Or perhaps an NXT wrestler gets called up shortly after the upcoming game releases. What if a popular star gets released for violating the company's wellness policy?<br />
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Case in point: Jeff Hardy. He's one of the most charismatic superstars that professional wrestling has ever seen. Unfortunately, he's also had to battle problems with addiction in his past, and while we certainly hope and pray that he never succumbs to that again, he was, at one, time, released from the company because of it. It's a very real possibility not only for him, but for any wrestler on the WWE roster.<br />
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At this point, the <i>WWE</i> games have every type of match you can imagine and can be customized beyond belief. Even though I'm not a fan of this particular model, I really think <i>WWE</i> would benefit from foregoing annual disc releases and providing fans with updates at a reduced rate or perhaps offering new wrestlers for the game at $1.99 a piece or bundling several wrestler together at a lower rate. This may be a problem for customers without access to the internet, but that could easily be rectified by providing an annual update card that could be purchased at any major retailer.<br />
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The WWE already has experience in this area with the WWE Network. Fans can forego paying $60 for the next WrestleMania simply by signing up for the WWE Network at $10 a month. They also have the <i>WWE Supercard </i>mobile game, which is doing very well for them.<br />
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Maybe the <i>WWE</i> video games could do something similar to the MMO model: <b>get your free one month trial of <i>WWE Online </i>on our website, then it's only $4.99 a month and you receive all updates for free!</b><br />
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Vince McMahon may not know a lot about video games, but if you ask me, he's one of the smartest businessmen the world has ever known and I have no doubt that he could make something like this work. In the long run, I think <i>WWE</i> fans would prefer this model. You wouldn't have to wait until the following October to play as your favorite new star or get new move sets or pay-per-view arenas to wrestle in. If there's one company in one sport that I think could pull it off, it's the WWE.<br />
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There are a lot of possibilities for the company by making this switch. A new star that makes an impact could be in the game within days or weeks. The company releases a talent and they could be removed immediately. They could constantly update the game with new legend characters. Maybe once a year they do a major overhaul and include a new story line for the player. It would be like a new <i>World of Warcraft </i>expansion: a new story, new wrestlers, new customization options for the create-a-wrestler, and so on.<br />
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The ratings for<i> WWE</i> games (as well as the overall sales numbers) have been in steady decline ever since 2K obtained the rights from THQ. According to VGCharz, <i>WWE 2K17</i> has sold a total of 2.26 million units, which is respectable, but is a far cry from the 7.28 million that Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 did.<br />
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I think a lot of that could be attributed to annual release fatigue. If<i> WWE</i> took a year off, did a major overhaul, and began work on what would become its platform, it could be a major moneymaker for the company in the long run. The WWE Network looked like it was going to be a failure, but now makes them major bank, and if there's one thing we know about Vince McMahon, it's that he loves money...and wrestling incestuous story lines for his employees, for some reason.TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-29849104946995318482017-10-08T05:36:00.000-07:002017-10-13T08:10:22.747-07:00An Outsider's View on Parenting in the Age of Mature Games<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I do not
subscribe to the notion that playing violent video games leads to a violent
teenager or violent adult. In fact, I did several essays and presentations in
college opposing that idea. I believe that there was a lot more going on with
Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris than the fact that they were listening to
Rammstein and playing <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Doom</em> when they walked
into Columbine High School that tragic morning. My purpose of writing this
piece is not to recount all the terrible actions that children have carried out
and men like Jack Thompson and Joseph Lieberman have blamed on violent video
games, but as someone who has worked in video game retail for several years, I
have come across lots of parents that seemingly don’t care what type of video
games their children are playing, and it has always irked me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Let me
start off by giving you my history with violent video games. I was seven years
old when I first saw the original <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mortal Kombat</em> arcade
cabinet at our local Putt-Putt Mini Golf location (R.I.P.). I always tried out
any new game that came in, but this one I couldn’t get to because it was always
in use. Despite not being able to play it, my brother and I kept hearing about
it from friends and seeing images of it in the pages of <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">GamePro</em> and <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Electronic
Gaming Monthly</em>. When the news hit that the game was making its way
to our Sega Genesis, we begged our parents to get it for us that Christmas,
which they did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Luckily for
us, ignorance was bliss in this case, as my parents had no idea what <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mortal
Kombat</em> was or that it was very controversial. All they knew
was that it was a game that their sons wanted and they could play it together.
In some ways, my parents were much like the ones that I see at work, but in
other ways, they’re the direct opposite. The original <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mortal
Kombat</em>, as most of us know, was one of the biggest reasons the ESRB
was created. But at the time, my parents — who stopped playing video games
after <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Super
Mario Bros. 3 </em>— had no idea that games could be this
violent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Despite a
new copy of <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mortal Kombat</em> being under the tree that
Christmas, my parents were always very aware of the television I was watching.
We weren’t allowed to watch <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beavis and Butt-Head</em> (though
we still found a way), in fact, MTV was blocked on our televisions so we
couldn’t watch any of those “rap videos with the naked women.” I wasn’t even
allowed to watch <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Simpsons</em>until I was in
junior high, which eventually backfired on my mom when <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The
Simpsons</em> became a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asq5EsYPOCo" style="background-position-x: 0px; background-position-y: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #494949;">little bit of an obsession</span></a> of
mine. No scary movies unless they watched with me, and if there was any nudity,
you cover those eyes young man, and you better not be peeking!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">So, my
parents were very cautious of the type of television I was consuming, but the
medium of video games and the direction it was going was uncharted territory
for them. The following Christmas they were kind enough to buy us <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mortal
Kombat II</em>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">So if my
parents weren’t aware of the violence in video games, is it fair for me to be
critical of parents that allow their young children to play mature rated games
today? Personally, I think it is. It’s been over twenty-five years since <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mortal
Kombat</em> first hit the scene, and we’ve come to understand a lot
more about video games than we did back then. As with every medium, video games
have evolved as technology has improved, allowing for more realistic graphics
and more engaging characters and stories. Things that were controversial back
then seem very tame by today’s standards. A television network never would have
given <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The
Walking Dead</em> the green light back in 1993. Any <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Grand
Theft Auto</em> game would have been given an AO rating back then.
You would have had to go to the video game black market to obtain a copy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">With that
evolution, parents have become much more lenient with mature content. Most
parents that come in to my store and allow their children to purchase<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Call
of Duty</em> are probably going to be playing the game themselves
or playing the game with their children. Video games have been popular for long
enough that they’re no longer a thing for kids. In cases like that, I still
have concerns, but at least supervision is present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">But when I
have to ask a parent if it’s okay for their children to purchase a mature-rated
game, and their responses are things like “It’s nothing worse than they see on
TV,” “They already play it at their friend’s house,” and “If it’ll make them
shut up,” how do you not expect me to be critical of that? The responses I want
to reply with are “Why are you letting them watch that kind of stuff on
television?” “Why aren’t you making your kid get new friends?” and “You’re a
bad parent!” But I can’t say that, because that might offend someone, and we
just can’t allow that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">My church
operates a day care, and one day I was there helping out with some work. The
young boys at the day care knew that I was into video games, so they struck up
a conversation with me. When I told them they were too young to be playing<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Grand
Theft Auto V</em> and they should be playing something more age
appropriate, one of the kids responds with (and I’m not kidding) “We play
killing games.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I was
legitimately shocked when those words came out of that child’s mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">My wife and
I are currently trying to have a baby, and I have a feeling that when he or she
gets to this age that there will be lots of “But my friends are playing it”
arguments. But if you’re a parent and reading this, let me assure you of
something. It is completely alright to tell your kid no. You don’t have to
explain yourself to them, you just have to say no. I know we live in an age
where everyone has to be included in everything, but it is alright to not allow
your kid to do or play or watch or listen to something that you don’t want them
to. You’re the parent, they’re the child. You’re the authority, they’re not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Recently, I
had a man come in with his grandson, and when I read off the laundry list of
reasons why <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Grand Theft Auto V</em> was mature rated (it’s
just coincidence that it’s always <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">GTA V</em>), he told his grandson
to pick a different game. This grandfather had restored my hope, and that hope
lasted for all of five minutes. After some whining and pouting, that child had
a brand new copy of <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Grand Theft Auto V</em>, and I
let out an audible sigh as I stared out into the evening sun and wept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBA3o2QmdC4/WdobjsGfRLI/AAAAAAAADX0/Q3wu23KHfOURWBJioBjb31EUwExUEnBtgCLcBGAs/s1600/1423997696_maxresdefault-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBA3o2QmdC4/WdobjsGfRLI/AAAAAAAADX0/Q3wu23KHfOURWBJioBjb31EUwExUEnBtgCLcBGAs/s400/1423997696_maxresdefault-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Perhaps it
is not fair for me to be critical of any parent when I myself am not one. It’s
kind of like that guy who doesn’t workout telling you how to get more fit when
you’ve been exercising for the past ten years. I know that parenting is not
easy, and I know that I’m going to mess a lot of things up when I do become
one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">As I said
in the very first sentence of this article, I do not believe that mature games
lead to violent or immoral adults. I believe I’ve turned out pretty well, and I
grew up with them. I’m not condemning games like <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Grand Theft Auto</em>, I play
every <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">GTA</em> game
and I really enjoy them. But I do believe that mature content can and does
leave an impression on any developing brain. If you’re a parent, I genuinely
hope that you’ve read this and take something away from it. Don’t take this as
a condemnation, take this as an encouragement to be more aware of what your
children are consuming and understand that it can affect them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Video games
are an amazing hobby, and I have a lot of great memories and met a lot of
friends because of them. They can help you live out the power fantasy of being
the Dragonborn, or let you throw the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, or
drift around corners at 100 mph. You can be a knight wielding a shovel, a
handsome adventurer, and the Batman all in one afternoon. They allow creativity
to spring forth. They allow you to create the <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mario</em> level you doodled
on your math book in fifth grade. Video games allow you to be something you’re
not and do things you can’t do. They’re an escape when you’ve had a bad day,
and they’re a great social experience when you have friends over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">But the one
thing that video games can’t be is a child’s babysitter.</span></div>
TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5771141704588721028.post-80052447488653625402017-05-26T06:43:00.001-07:002017-05-26T06:43:30.599-07:00More Than a 'Metroidvania': Guacamelee!<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Death, taxes, and ‘Metroidvanias’ — those are the only certainties in life. It seems like every week, an indie developer releases a new game in the genre. That is not a complaint, because the Metroidvania is my absolute favorite type of game. Even a lackluster review on one will still quantify some further investigation on my part. The quality of these games can vary from brilliant to dreadful, but every now and then, we get one that does something wholly original and makes everyone else have to step up their game. Enter <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I intend to make this a running series of articles, but I knew going in that <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!</i> was the one I had to start with. I think we all have those games that are so special to us that we wind up playing them at least once a year. For me, those games are<i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Super Mario World</i> and<i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</i>, but now, I can add <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!</i> to that list, especially since it made such a masterful transition to the PlayStation Vita, which in my opinion is the best way to play the game.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">But what makes <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!</i> stand out from the other great Metroidvania games in recent years like <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Axiom Verge</i>, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Shadow Complex</i>, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Aliens: Infestation</i>, and <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ori and the Blind Forest</i>? To understand<i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Guacamelee!</i>, we have to understand its source material: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">lucha libre</span>. Given my love of video games and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6bHGfgvgJA&list=PL66YVdZKHt2psHKBV4EYd35eeYY4KfUVq&index=6" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">who I was in a previous life</a>, I think I am a pretty good candidate to explain this to you.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CI5Fuu10mc0/WSgwbI-7O6I/AAAAAAAADTk/PujFZQRGO34KlzOSGjnf9hFIS6xj_bSRQCLcB/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CI5Fuu10mc0/WSgwbI-7O6I/AAAAAAAADTk/PujFZQRGO34KlzOSGjnf9hFIS6xj_bSRQCLcB/s400/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The basic plot of <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!</i> goes like this: You control Juan, an agave farmer in love with El Presidente’s daughter. When an undead <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">charro</em> named Carlos Calaca attacks the small village, he kills Juan and leaves with El Presidente’s daughter, intending to use her in a sacrifice so that he can rule the worlds of both the dead and the living. Juan finds himself in the land of the dead, where a <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">luchador</em> named Tostada (stealing that name for my next gimmick) bestows upon him a mysterious mask, endowing him with SUPER LUCHA POWER!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Is it a silly premise? Sure it is, but what is significant is where the game takes place: Mexico. Mexico is where <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">lucha libre</em> wrestling originated and is still the primary type of wrestling you will find there. In the United States, professional wrestling is treated differently than it is everywhere else in the world. Here, it is entertainment. <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Monday Night Raw</i> is treated no differently than any other television show you watch on a weekly basis. In Canada, professional wrestling is a tradition and wrestlers are respected as legitimate athletes. In Japan, it is treated as a sport on the same level as sumo wrestling or baseball. But in Mexico, <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">lucha libre</em> is practically a religion.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KCKZHPEmrww/WSgwgWoqEhI/AAAAAAAADTo/yYSJ9NBB4C4YaBi4BVc7wcwQHuYtJDViQCLcB/s1600/mexico-wrestlers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="642" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KCKZHPEmrww/WSgwgWoqEhI/AAAAAAAADTo/yYSJ9NBB4C4YaBi4BVc7wcwQHuYtJDViQCLcB/s400/mexico-wrestlers.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">A great deal of<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> lucha libre</em> wrestlers (“luchadores”) wear masks, which hold a special significance, and matches where the loser must relinquish his mask, while common, are always treated as a very big deal. One of the greatest luchadores of all time, Rey Mysterio Jr., once lost his mask in a throwaway match in WCW, and the outrage among the Mexican community was immense. Luckily for Mysterio, it did not hinder his future WWE success.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">In their native land, luchadores are looked upon as more than just wrestlers: they are superheroes. Perhaps the two most popular luchadores of all time are El Santo and Blue Demon. Both men were buried in their trademark masks, and between the two of them, there is only one occurrence of their faces being seen in public. One short year after retirement, El Santo appeared on the Mexican television show <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Contrapunto</i>, where he lifted up his mask just enough to show his face, effectively saying goodbye to his fans. He died only a week after the program aired. Santo’s identity was even hidden from the other wrestlers. When traveling, he would take different flights from the normal wrestling crew so they wouldn’t see his face when he removed his mask to make his way through customs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mklE9xZ17zQ/WSgwkDuQq4I/AAAAAAAADTs/GB8_0_H-Yygk9t2C_LnA2xw_2veshFoMgCLcB/s1600/santo_prinaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="651" height="245" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mklE9xZ17zQ/WSgwkDuQq4I/AAAAAAAADTs/GB8_0_H-Yygk9t2C_LnA2xw_2veshFoMgCLcB/s400/santo_prinaper.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Their popularity went beyond the wrestling mat. Santo appeared in over 50 films, many of which saw him in the lead role and were usually named “Santo versus…” and had him facing off against some supernatural entity. There was also an El Santo comic book series that ran for 35 years, ending in 1987. The only person in American history that we could possibly compare to El Santo would be Elvis Presley, but I think even that comparison fails to capture just how huge Santo was.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Now that you have gotten that history lesson, it should be easier to understand why <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!</i> is more than just a simple metroidvania game. It is authentic. It may be a bit stereotypical, but it is not insulting to Mexican culture or heritage, and it does right by the lucha libre community by incorporating legitimate wrestling moves and portraying its protagonist as a larger than life persona who always fights for a noble cause.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">One may argue that while luchadores were portrayed as superheroes, and took their characters very seriously, they did not do anything in the real world on the same level as saving the President’s daughter the way Juan does in <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!</i>. That is where you’d be wrong. In 2006, Jack Black starred in his magnum opus, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Nacho Libre</i>. It is the story of a cook at a Mexican monastery orphanage who becomes a luchador to help raise money to provide better food for the children he looks after.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">What many do not realize is that <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Nacho Libre</i> is actually based on a luchador named Sergio Gutierrez Benitez, who wrestled under the persona of Fray Tormenta (“Friar Storm”). Benitez is a <a href="http://caminocatolico.org/home/videos/35-videos-de-testimonios/13382-fray-tormenta-sacerdote-que-ha-sido-luchador-para-sacar-a-2000-ninos-y-muchachos-de-las-drogas-la-delincuencia-y-la-prostitucion-para-hacerlos-hijos-de-dios" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">former drug addict turned priest</a> who was in dire need of money to take care of the children in the orphanage he ran. By day, he was Friar Benitez, by night, he was Fray Tormenta. He has long since retired, but is still a priest at the monastery, and actually passed on the Fray Tormenta name to a boy from the orphanage who became a luchador. While I have a tremendous amount of respect for John Cena and all the charity work he does, he is no Fray Tormenta.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">When you combine the authenticity of the character with the excellent game design from Drinkbox Studios, you get perhaps the best metroidvania game since <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Symphony of the Night</i>. Because <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Super Metroid </i>really solidified the genre and is heralded as one of the best games ever, many of the better metroidvania games have similar sci-fi settings, like the aforementioned <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Axiom Verge</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Drinkbox had an idea that was completely out of left field with a setting that was atypical from the genre standard, and condensed it down to one of the most solid 5-6 hour experiences you may ever have in gaming. The feedback from your controller makes every uppercut, body slam, and suplex feel like they have real weight to them, and the controls themselves are responsive to the point that you never feel like the game is being unfair in its difficulty.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Speaking of the difficulty, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!</i> does what I feel more games should do. You have a main story that offers a decent challenge, one that may result in a death every so often but you know you are capable of defeating with a little more focus. The platforming sections can be a bit tricky, but much like games like <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Super Meat Boy</i>, can be conquered with a little trial and error. Secret areas and challenge rooms are a different story. These can be downright cruel, but do not offer you anything required to finish the game unless you are a completionist.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mdgtmRV42uA/WSgwsMR08_I/AAAAAAAADT0/GmNGYi2DxBgZDVZU09ZbLmG9FU6_lcyjACLcB/s1600/guacamelee-16.png" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1279" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mdgtmRV42uA/WSgwsMR08_I/AAAAAAAADT0/GmNGYi2DxBgZDVZU09ZbLmG9FU6_lcyjACLcB/s400/guacamelee-16.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Drinkbox Studios also threw in <a href="http://www.ign.com/wikis/guacamelee/Easter_Eggs_and_References" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">many references</a> to meme culture, and the video games that inspired them in the creation of <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!.</i> Some of them are so subtle that they can easily be missed. It is a big love letter to the games that old farts like me grew up playing, and they are there for no other reason than to bring a smile to your face.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I could not possibly recommend <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Guacamelee!</i> any more than I already have. You do not need to be a fan of lucha libre in order to appreciate it, but perhaps reading this will help you to appreciate the game just a little bit more the next time (or the first time) you sit down to play it.</span></div>
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TheDustinThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16562157080169495644noreply@blogger.com1