Video Game Quarterly Report

 

Games I have played through

Resident Evil 2 Remake

I started this game years ago, and I finally played it through this year. I have watched an old friend play through the original PS1 game in the 90’s, and never actually played it through myself. The Remake ended up being the perfect way to finally get to it. Playing through as Claire first, and then Leon with the PS1 classic costume and the original PS1 music I really enjoyed. One day I’ll play through the game with Leon first and then Claire with the PS1 model, but for now I’ll move on to the Resident Evil 3 Remake.

Lost Your Marbles and Executive Golf

The first Playdate games I have played through. The Playdate I have been mostly playing more on the go, arcade-y games that don’t really have endings, but these were the first ones I played through and got to credits. Honestly, I don't have a ton to say about the games without getting into minutiae about the mechanics, so I’ll just say that I love the form factor and looking to play more! Reminds me a lot of the original Gameboy I played with ages ago.

Marvel vs Capcom Arcade Collection

I don’t have a ton of arcade game experience, but the ones I have are X-Men vs Street Fighter and Marvel vs Capcom. I never got super good at either, but neither did anyone I played with, so I had tons of fun with these back in the day. Playing this collection almost got me thinking maybe I should practice these a bunch and see if I can play online, but not quite. I am more comfortable at just setting the difficulty low and playing through each game. More of a content tourist at this point.

Capcom Beat ‘em up Collection

Big collection year so far. I imagine because this year started off really rough, and I needed some comfort food. Beat ‘em ups are the most comfort food of comfort for me. Nothing really insightful to say other than Warriors of Fate is better than I remember (despite the odd localization) and Battle Circuit was disappointing.

Poinpy

Poinpy is the spiritual successor to Down Well if not only because it was made by the same creator, but now you are going up instead of down. My favorite iOS game, and something I wish I didn’t have to have a Netflix account to play, but what can you do? This will be my 2nd time playing it through and hope that it remains available to play in the future.

Terry’s Other Games

Terry Cavanagh is one of the best game designers living today, and has made some of my favorite games with some of the best video game OSTs. Mainly got this for Don’t Look Back, which is such a brilliant little game. Haven’t played much else yet, but hidden in this collection is the secret best version of Flappy Bird.

Pepper Grinder

I played this mostly because Patrick Klepick of Remap recommended this and I get why. For platformer fans, it is the level design of New Super Mario Brothers with the speed of a Sonic the Hedgehog game. It works for a while, and when it doesn’t, it changes it up. I don’t think it really lives up to its inspirations, but it is fun, and has a killer soundtrack.

Ender Magnolia

I loved the previous game Ender Lilies, so this had a lot to live up to. Luckily, I ended up loving this one just as much, if not more. My first GOTY contender. Love playing a good search action game early in the year.

Streets of Rage 4

If Beat ‘em ups are my comfort food, Streets of Rage 4 is like gourmet hot chocolate, with the perfect amount of sweetness, and maybe even a little booze to really get you in the mood. Honestly the only other game that competes is Streets of Rage 2 as far as satisfyingly beating up people in the street.

Capcom Fighting Collection

Mostly played in anticipation of Collection 2, which I am really looking forward to (Capcom vs SNK 2 is probably my favorite fighting game). I did enjoy finally playing as Hsien-ko in a fighting game after enjoying her character design for so long. I can’t say I really love the Capcom Collection interface for them to keep reusing it, but it is good enough. Really wish these games had some sort of Ending viewer, but I get that with youtube and whatever, the need for that probably is not worth the work.

Angel At Dusk

A bullet hell shooter in the vein of Mushihime-sama Futari, Ikaruga, or whatever game people remember (1943? Does anyone remember these games under the age of 35?) that lured me in with its gory visuals, and made me stay with the surprisingly cheeky and silly UI. One of the best one of these games I have played in a good while.

UFO 50

I put 30 hours in this game, and I haven’t even played all of the titular 50 games. I did manage to get through 5 of them, and this might end up on my GOTY list again.

Games I am playing now

Paper Mario

I beat Mario RPG last year, so I am hoping to finally play through this now.

Zelda Echoes of Wisdom

Maybe it is because everyone was saying it was mid, but I am having a lot of fun with this one. It is all about finding silly solutions to things.

Another Crab’s Treasure

This is the first Dark Souls-like game that has really grabbed me. I love so much of what this game is doing with the story, environments, and skill load out. I think I am nearing the end, and I hope it really closes out good because if so this will end up on the GOTY list for sure.

Suikoden 1+2

Finally going to play through 1 ever since quitting before the final area, and play through 2 which I heard is great.

Super Lesbian Animal RPG

Sort of reminds me of Suikoden 1, but with more lesbians, and more animals.

Assassin Creed Shadows and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Not sure if I will have the time to get through these games but we’ll see.

Naiad and Toem

Both seem like relaxing games that make good use of the Dual Sense controller. Gotta find quiet times to put on the good headphones and really vibe out with these.

Like 18 Visual Novels

Shout out to Seabed, Misericorde, and Hello Girl. I swear I will at least play more of these!!!