Welp, it’s that time of year again where I make a list of the (new to me) video games I played this year in order of best to worst. Here we go.
- Tetris 99
People who already know me and already know about my video game preferences know that I like falling puzzle games a lot. Puyo Puyo is my favorite by far, but Tetris isn’t far behind. Adding on multiplayer free-for-all is just icing on the cake. The only problem is, I had to buy a new Switch for the girls as my wife took over the Switch to play whenever she could. Paying for Nintendo Online is worth it only for this. - AI: the Somnium Files
I liked the Zero Escape series. This game was made by the same guy, and there are definitely some bits where he reminds you of that. Though it’s a little less puzzle-y and pretty short overall, I liked it about as much as I liked 999, which is to say, quite a bit. It flows nicely, and the story is engaging, though some of the somniums (puzzle segments) can be a little silly or irritating (looking at you Minecraft section). - Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Look, I liked Persona 4 when I played it this year, but SMT games are boring to me. So, when Nintendo told me I could play Persona with a base game I actually liked, “I jump in it”. Aside, if Fairfax County Public Schools wants to make fishing into our regular professional development, I’d be down. - Atilier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
This game is cute and it’s slow. If you’re not down with getting lost in 3 hour (or longer) crafting loops in which you come out the other end and forgot what you were trying to make in the first place, then this game is probably not for you, but if you want a really chill JRPG, I might suggest this to you. I actually finished it, which is saying something. - Feudal Alloy
When this came out at the beginning of the year I was really looking forward to it, and I found it enjoyable if samey. It definitely came at a time when I was looking to scratch that metroidvania itch, and it delivered. I can tell you that Reddit hated this game, but I liked it so I guess Reddit is full of shit? No news there… - Gravity Rush
I had a lot of fun with this game, until I didn’t. - Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Legit, I started playing this yesterday, and the only reason it’s so far down on my list is that I can see myself getting really frustrated with this game and just walking away. I don’t normally like AAA games, and I walked into this one without much background knowledge, but I’m enjoying it thus far. I might have to make an addendum to this list later. - Untitled Goose Game
I know the internet freaking loves this game, but it’s the sort of game that frustrates me. I got stuck and never decided to go back. I also don’t think it lives up to the hype. Kairi loved it though. (*shrug*) Quick aside, the use of scoring is fan-freaking-tastic and I hope this game wins awards for it. - Tales of Vesparia
Boy does this game drag. I thought I liked Tales games, but maybe I only liked Tales of Symphonia… - Persona 4
With all the hype about Joker being in Smash, I thought I’d take a look into Persona. I borrowed my best friend’s Vita and got to work. Here’s a thing, I played SMT4 and found it meh. I like what Persona adds, but it’s not enough to make going through SMT dungeons worth it. Just play Fire Emblem. - Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Disappointing. Expected. Sure it’s a fine copy of Symphony of the Night, but that’s as far as it goes. It doesn’t push, unless you call being needlessly obtuse pushing. In a world in which Ori and the Blind Forest and Hollow Knight exist (not to mention a slew of other really good metriodvanias *see the aforementioned SotN), I don’t think this needs to. - Puyo Puyo Champions
You may be surprised that an installation of one of my favorite game series is so far down on my list, but honestly, this should have been DLC for Puyo Puyo Tetris. There’s no story mode, and the only thing it adds is fever mode. Why that wasn’t in PPT is beyond me. The online community seems to have better support in PPT anyway, so unless you really need to play fever mode, just stick with PPT. - Pokemon: Shield
I think I’m gonna need a whole new blog post for everything I have to say about this game. Suffice to say that Dexit isn’t a thing I care about, but there’s a lot I do care about that was just plain bad. It’s still a Pokemon game though, and I still played all the way through, which is more than I can say for Gen 3. - Blasphemous
I don’t know why the metroidvania community likes this game so much. I picked up the demo when it dropped and got really pumped for this game, and then I picked up the full game on Switch and got really un-pumped. It’s too easy (apparently) for people who are good at video games and too hard for people who aren’t (me).
Pop Culture Musings 