tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207406502024-03-14T11:43:25.369-07:00The Gay GamerI'm here, I'm queer and I'm a gamer, dammit!Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.comBlogger3107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-9763954378698762802024-01-29T09:01:00.000-08:002024-01-29T09:01:46.982-08:00One sentence about each of the games I played in 2023<div>I wrote posts similar to this one about <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/one-sentence-on-each-of-the-games-i-finished-in-2020.html" target="_blank">the many games I played in 2020</a> and <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/one-sentence-on-each-of-the-games-i-finished-in-2021.html" target="_blank">2021</a> and had a lot of fun with them, so I decided to give the idea another go this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please note that I only played some of these games for a few hours. In the case of one game, I put just a single hour into it. I didn't walk away from any of them because I hated them, mind you; rather, they all seemed like "wrong game at the wrong time" experiences. I do plan to return to each of these titles sometime in 2024. (Hopefully I'll be able to share better feedback in next year's write-up.)</div><div><br /></div><div>With all that said, here are a bunch of one-sentence mini-reviews of all the games I played in 2023, organized by when I played them.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XbVG5RILpENbZQHFm2qRRCY5WSR8MDvJjnxAJNIgxMDV_SQKjr0Hp_MJPe11D4aBs7iSfeCfmV0IF6o8JimDYFxn8JEtyA5Uecw23vyO-_LjdAR0uCpHUTZrD_O9QTWdqw2JNTd5T6yGfiqvMUDodo1g8IP8WX6sVysnsb4W3dcC_KoQbHj4bA/s1280/About_An_Elf_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XbVG5RILpENbZQHFm2qRRCY5WSR8MDvJjnxAJNIgxMDV_SQKjr0Hp_MJPe11D4aBs7iSfeCfmV0IF6o8JimDYFxn8JEtyA5Uecw23vyO-_LjdAR0uCpHUTZrD_O9QTWdqw2JNTd5T6yGfiqvMUDodo1g8IP8WX6sVysnsb4W3dcC_KoQbHj4bA/w400-h225/About_An_Elf_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><i>About An Elf</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b><i>About An Elf</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever the devs at Meringue Interactive were on when they concocted this bizarre, RPG-tinged visual novel, which follows the exploits of a latex-clad elf and her goofy feline familiar as they attempt to save the universe from the King of Terrors and his ugly stooges, I want some of it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2023/01/uchu-shinshuchu-impressions.html" target="_blank">Uchu Shinshuchu</a></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine SEGA's <i>Fantasy Zone</i> as an action-platformer rather than a shmup, and you subdue your enemies (invading aliens) with smooches rather than bullets.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Dragon Quest Treasures</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Dragon Quest</i> reimagined as a collectathon ARPG doesn't sound all that appealing on paper, but it's surprisingly thrilling in practice, thanks in large part to an open world that's both massive and massively fun to explore.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDDioFbbC-ga_LUwBNy9ZxLdPnzdWTahBoCHLUbsDPxGglEpGz4Dugj6zPyehgONbmUjnznwK6Xn9CWAhyX9_GMCvs_3Iam3TxjLmknAnNYC7wQqcHaJAxx0lLQ-ESRN5BvCqoPHPUevPK0mWe0ryNNRTbSCDw-wF9ClMN8zhG5FFXcz5ijfH1w/s1280/Labyrinth_of_Galleria_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDDioFbbC-ga_LUwBNy9ZxLdPnzdWTahBoCHLUbsDPxGglEpGz4Dugj6zPyehgONbmUjnznwK6Xn9CWAhyX9_GMCvs_3Iam3TxjLmknAnNYC7wQqcHaJAxx0lLQ-ESRN5BvCqoPHPUevPK0mWe0ryNNRTbSCDw-wF9ClMN8zhG5FFXcz5ijfH1w/w400-h225/Labyrinth_of_Galleria_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><i>Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Moon Society</i>'s story is neither as challenging or as captivating as that of its predecessor, <i>Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</i>, but it at least partially makes up for that fact with a second half that changes things up in unforeseen ways.</div><div><br /></div><div>V<b><i>oice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>A nice little throwback of an RPG -- think the original <i>Dragon Quest</i> -- that wants you to think it's a card-based board game even though it's not.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>An appropriately twisty and spooky visual novel that shines aesthetically and has the reader-player investigate a series of supernatural urban legends involving deadly curses.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJCsK-ZnPW9M1u8jf_XiWjxIAsrFU6diitQB8lU_IUH1W6uJMDsOJbBmvHoqKy3F4kqwSi1IGbSgqXWs6RtKr_63rYAubgsraqA7KrGY2PdC2wNI0y8E3oqdsJnccUMPlaakdJosypl3W_yoGMA32l-KAhh8xPdrW6WT1D0cEFr-L_nz7LHbNeQ/s1280/Process_of_Elimination_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJCsK-ZnPW9M1u8jf_XiWjxIAsrFU6diitQB8lU_IUH1W6uJMDsOJbBmvHoqKy3F4kqwSi1IGbSgqXWs6RtKr_63rYAubgsraqA7KrGY2PdC2wNI0y8E3oqdsJnccUMPlaakdJosypl3W_yoGMA32l-KAhh8xPdrW6WT1D0cEFr-L_nz7LHbNeQ/w400-h225/Process_of_Elimination_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><i>Process of Elimination</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b><i>Process of Elimination</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Nippon Ichi Software finally releases one of its VNs -- this one could and has been described as NIS' take on <i>Danganronpa</i> -- in English and I fail hard by devoting only an hour to it before moving on to something else.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Octopath Traveler II</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I thought I was ready for more <i>Octopath Traveler</i> when I started through this sequel last summer, but I wasn't; as a result, I only put a few hours into it and honestly can't remember what I thought of them other than "this looks and feels a lot like the original."</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQhzZWoj0A9q0ze9vxv_ORZrr6oTAYyrOT460posZWas-D8Tam5y-ojxaKZk55ELxo1OvsJXRRtZEvQlHuVMpNXP48_h8y7YU7cSeRkqJoHfl2GdHB0a8oJ2icYJge-r2GIRi7R9yscqtEZwUTSQlzfpeCoO1dnk_jIw75Q0zrM8zUccBd01_PA/s1280/Loop8_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQhzZWoj0A9q0ze9vxv_ORZrr6oTAYyrOT460posZWas-D8Tam5y-ojxaKZk55ELxo1OvsJXRRtZEvQlHuVMpNXP48_h8y7YU7cSeRkqJoHfl2GdHB0a8oJ2icYJge-r2GIRi7R9yscqtEZwUTSQlzfpeCoO1dnk_jIw75Q0zrM8zUccBd01_PA/w400-h225/Loop8_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><i>Loop8: Summer of Gods</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b><i>Loop8: Summer of God</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Though it's more of a time-management sim mixed with a visual novel than the JRPG it was originally touted to be, <i>Loop8</i> still manages to intrigue in the end thanks to its curious cast of characters and strange conversation and mood systems.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Pokémon</b></i><b><i> Violet</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>A mainline <i>Pokémon</i> game finally goes open world and succeeds brilliantly because of it, with a region that's endlessly engaging and a multipronged story that includes a plethora of appealing cast members.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Suika Game</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, yeah, it's another match-falling-things puzzle game, but it's so breezy and addictive -- and cheap -- that it's easy to overlook and enjoy anyway.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZpAUJV2sEvYRJwpuAd9rZquQgjajphb4L1-TVXmBr3e5beA-6D9O6c0xFHCotgsehFQi3lnJPAUGryZ_BDW3a35FigFAzgcuR-kvT2ZDex_sne75j2pwS6mcnpndxgU2-JgYNlmstrz4TZRQL1En6aCZeOxxqJaOP5E3O3NUmHaxF8NjsTgH_g/s1280/Rain_Code_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZpAUJV2sEvYRJwpuAd9rZquQgjajphb4L1-TVXmBr3e5beA-6D9O6c0xFHCotgsehFQi3lnJPAUGryZ_BDW3a35FigFAzgcuR-kvT2ZDex_sne75j2pwS6mcnpndxgU2-JgYNlmstrz4TZRQL1En6aCZeOxxqJaOP5E3O3NUmHaxF8NjsTgH_g/w400-h225/Rain_Code_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><i>Master Detective Archives: Rain Code</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b><i>Master Detective Archives: Rain Code</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Put <i>Danganronpa</i> and <i>Ace Attorney</i> into a blender and <i>Rain Code</i> is about what you'd get, though my (admittedly limited) experience with it so far suggests it's not quite as compelling as either of those classics.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Super Mario Bros. Wonder</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed the little I played of this latest entry in the two-dimensional <i>Super Mario Bros.</i> series, with the new Wonder Flower item and the trippy effects it prompts being the standout feature for me so far (along with the ability to play as several characters besides Mario and Luigi right from the start).</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Dragon Quest Monsters 3</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Starting through this <i>Pokémon</i>-esque <i>Dragon Quest</i> spinoff right after I put 80-ish hours into the real deal probably wasn't the best idea, and my opinion of and engagement with it suffered horribly as a result.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u8g09sduQSMWMwu9HZOnbTbjZKABEIfRevcJSdNHJmYGyMVdXsivobAjOuRJgMXBsqEsG3DHfcTGupa2N2pLZRA_D38eoS56_ZdxDy1KXywVsJPU2PNkixrxcwg-xxxu6WUyYepz6lp-2MZ-6mTX9nlEYiSZe9chtxpanWRJRRZ1dSmRVKb0YQ/s1280/World_of_Horror_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u8g09sduQSMWMwu9HZOnbTbjZKABEIfRevcJSdNHJmYGyMVdXsivobAjOuRJgMXBsqEsG3DHfcTGupa2N2pLZRA_D38eoS56_ZdxDy1KXywVsJPU2PNkixrxcwg-xxxu6WUyYepz6lp-2MZ-6mTX9nlEYiSZe9chtxpanWRJRRZ1dSmRVKb0YQ/w400-h225/World_of_Horror_Nintendo_Switch_screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><i>World of Horror</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b><i>World of Horror</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Somehow <i>World of Horror</i> dares to mix the survival horror, roguelike, RPG, and visual novel genres and succeeds, resulting in a brilliantly fresh and replayable game that helped end my year on a high note.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Metro Quester</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The vibes emanating from <i>Metro Quester</i> feel similar to those of another weirdo RPG I loved a few years ago, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/03/overlooked-nintendo-switch-games-you-need-to-play-asap.html" target="_blank">Dungeon Encounters</a></i>, while offering aesthetics and gameplay that are entirely and wonderfully unique.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2024/01/my-favorite-games-of-2023.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2023</a> and <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2024/01/my-favorite-games-of-2023-from-before-2023.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2023 that came out before 2023</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-34720473750395266622024-01-22T07:58:00.000-08:002024-01-22T07:58:59.774-08:00How I spent my time with video games in 2023<div>It's been a while since I put more than 100 hours into a game in a single year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I likely would've accomplished that feat in 2023 if I hadn't dropped <i>Pokémon Violet</i> in favor of first <i>World of Horror</i> then <i>Metro Quester</i> in early December, but I can't say I'm sad I decided to change things up as I did.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only have I since returned to <i>Pokémon Violet</i>, but <i>World of Horror</i> and <i>Metro Quester</i> ended up being among my favorite games of the year, so I think the decision was a good one.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOTf4kU1q42BiWxuapGcPWTb0O-FUGnwfsoNC_g1e3y8dv74Wt_jszzoOvNRQ-lSMMOEiIph9hyFQFzdEFb-zOlbgLNgtz5-0ksydzyCSOrgFxTciiSt2guHXbgHuyd_9dqYo6VWbC76IHPnjON9TQoJaDfLnYpxAdp4nauOWsBIIPsuJPGkr2A/s1280/World_of_Horror_Nintendo_Switch_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOTf4kU1q42BiWxuapGcPWTb0O-FUGnwfsoNC_g1e3y8dv74Wt_jszzoOvNRQ-lSMMOEiIph9hyFQFzdEFb-zOlbgLNgtz5-0ksydzyCSOrgFxTciiSt2guHXbgHuyd_9dqYo6VWbC76IHPnjON9TQoJaDfLnYpxAdp4nauOWsBIIPsuJPGkr2A/w400-h225/World_of_Horror_Nintendo_Switch_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><i>World of Horror</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Also, I still put just over 80 hours into <i>Pokémon Violet,</i> my most-played game of 2023, so I hardly ignored it despite the temporary switcheroo.</div><div><ul style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><li><i><b>Pokémon Violet</b></i> -- 80 hours, 55 minutes</li><li><i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2024/01/my-favorite-games-of-2023.html" target="_blank"><b>Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society</b></a></i> -- 60 hours, 45 minutes</li><li><i><b>Dragon Quest Treasures</b> </i>-- 35 hours, 35 minutes</li><li><i><b>Suika Game</b></i> -- 24 hours, 50 minutes</li><li><i><b>Metro Quester</b></i> -- 22 hours, 00 minutes</li><li><i><b>Loop8: Summer of Gods</b></i> -- 16 hours, 50 minutes</li><li><i><b>Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo</b></i> -- 16 hours, 40 minutes</li></ul><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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE3TC5gfAgjn2Vsq-tdVomj6o9eTJaINc0rPmPIDxtqRp6B3AjRM5yBGhuZZAbk4kUaJHjzTsXQOGaJQx5B4Wn1xFFx37e3_guwfgFLNhgvZGxwE77_5qj1viRxTw-NY5GNsTq3hfNM_soZPVW7OVU3n9Lwt3U52mm25s0HuUbXhfpuqfQuhang/s1280/Voice_of_Cards_Nintendo_Switch_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE3TC5gfAgjn2Vsq-tdVomj6o9eTJaINc0rPmPIDxtqRp6B3AjRM5yBGhuZZAbk4kUaJHjzTsXQOGaJQx5B4Wn1xFFx37e3_guwfgFLNhgvZGxwE77_5qj1viRxTw-NY5GNsTq3hfNM_soZPVW7OVU3n9Lwt3U52mm25s0HuUbXhfpuqfQuhang/w400-h225/Voice_of_Cards_Nintendo_Switch_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><ul style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><li><i><b>Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars</b></i> -- 14 hours, 20 minutes</li><li><i><b>World of Horror</b></i> -- 8 hours, 40 minutes</li><li><i><b>Octopath Traveler II</b></i> -- 4 hours, 20 minutes</li><li><i><b>Master Detective Archives: Rain Code</b></i> -- 4 hours, 15 minutes</li><li><i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2024/01/my-favorite-games-of-2023-from-before-2023.html" target="_blank"><b>About An Elf</b></a></i> -- 3 hours, 20 minutes</li><li><i><b>Dragon Question Monsters: The Dark Prince</b></i> -- 3 hours, 05 minutes</li><li><i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2023/01/uchu-shinshuchu-impressions.html" target="_blank"><b>Uchu Shinshuchu</b></a></i> -- 2 hours, 25 minutes</li></ul></div><div>As you can see, <i>Pokémon Violet</i> was my most-played game of last year by a long way. I'm pretty impressed I was able to put more than 20 hours into both <i>Suika Game</i> and <i>Metro Quester</i>, though.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvNVlXG47FvCK7KOyS0Wqw3RDBKmlE0irfdY2NYzZilIMTMHCzExVcS1OYLMXI-dmjgSR4nGTQo87OUoHwjsff1CBStLkN_IB_I_frWe_BmRI3ydMVTRAyCy91TaE_Ogztt_OGN7lXqirH_XiiUyWEdhzBJGpFGwcW44evQqqRdL2PTwLW4EOjQ/s1280/Metro_Quester_Nintendo_Switch_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvNVlXG47FvCK7KOyS0Wqw3RDBKmlE0irfdY2NYzZilIMTMHCzExVcS1OYLMXI-dmjgSR4nGTQo87OUoHwjsff1CBStLkN_IB_I_frWe_BmRI3ydMVTRAyCy91TaE_Ogztt_OGN7lXqirH_XiiUyWEdhzBJGpFGwcW44evQqqRdL2PTwLW4EOjQ/w400-h225/Metro_Quester_Nintendo_Switch_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">Metro Quester</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Which games did you put the most hours into last year? Let me know in the comments section of this post.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2022.html" target="_blank">how I spent time with video games in 2022</a>, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2021.html" target="_blank">2021</a>, and <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2020.html" target="_blank">2020</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-66988972383043567122024-01-19T08:06:00.000-08:002024-01-19T13:03:36.709-08:00Non-game media I enjoyed in 2023I did more than play games in my free time last year. I also spent a lot of time reading books and watching movies.<div><br /></div><div>In fact, I think I devoted more time to reading in 2023 than I did to playing games. The books -- and movies -- highlighted below were my favorites.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b><i>A Wrinkle in Time</i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gvLVEqtfuSmLYTeUW_nOqu4RyoEXzFr9SuK25rbJ3zibOhSJDVHlMOMWoWTl9WItSiVRpkEy5RNB1j_1IHx4XfEIR1GwpvjOUM735Iotmw91gCjWh8ZUD_kIHz2zAQpuh96dOyCbW5_5q6iFcSzizrYhjssdLSDk_47CYv1anWEna9az5oJNvw/s378/AWrinkleInTime.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gvLVEqtfuSmLYTeUW_nOqu4RyoEXzFr9SuK25rbJ3zibOhSJDVHlMOMWoWTl9WItSiVRpkEy5RNB1j_1IHx4XfEIR1GwpvjOUM735Iotmw91gCjWh8ZUD_kIHz2zAQpuh96dOyCbW5_5q6iFcSzizrYhjssdLSDk_47CYv1anWEna9az5oJNvw/s320/AWrinkleInTime.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>I devoured books growing up, but Madeleine L'Engle's YA sci-fi classic somehow never made it onto my radar. Oh, well, better a few decades late than never, right? And, really, I still found it pretty special to experience as an adult. At its heart, <i>A Wrinkle in Time</i> is a good-versus-evil tale, but it feels anything but ordinary thanks to how masterfully L'Engle introduces and develops the story's setting and characters. To put in perspective how much I enjoyed <i>A Wrinkle in Time</i>, I quickly bought the rest of the books in the related "Time Quintet" series after finishing it, and I've already read three of them.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Chocky</i></b></div><div>I fell in love with British author John Wyndham while reading another of his novels, T<i>he Day of the Triffids</i> from 1951. <i>Chocky</i> isn't as dramatic as that apocalyptic classic, but it's just as compelling. I especially appreciated the subtlety of its story -- which is quite the accomplishment when you consider <i>Chocky</i> is about a 12-year-old boy who's imaginary friend is actually an extraterrestrial scout looking for planets to assist -- or colonize.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Delicious in Dungeon</i> (Volume 1)</b></div><div>The manga every nerd is talking about now thanks to its just-released and much-heralded anime adaptation. I picked up this first volume partway through last year after numerous friends and acquaintances recommended it. It didn't disappoint. I especially appreciated its quirky cast and the strange creatures they discovered -- and ultimately devoured -- in the dungeon of this manga's title. My only complaint is that it left me desperately wanting to learn more about the ragtag group's underground exploits.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>From Beyond</i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3tlpUYg2WklqdvZ1dMBG8YTlcVHavID2R7djpXHQOEprVTV3Z56BlF06HQwrUsTa6D4APLcf1UXl_c6G6TMZQukYlGrWl3EdlWewYvd1fD5I1SBJ7i8HkaqZ3w9vEwI-pXyiDVKns3qRDvb6YRsTszxnRC_jjWhcDRw8xDMon-8c5C-DzYSC4w/s1307/From_Beyond.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1307" data-original-width="838" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3tlpUYg2WklqdvZ1dMBG8YTlcVHavID2R7djpXHQOEprVTV3Z56BlF06HQwrUsTa6D4APLcf1UXl_c6G6TMZQukYlGrWl3EdlWewYvd1fD5I1SBJ7i8HkaqZ3w9vEwI-pXyiDVKns3qRDvb6YRsTszxnRC_jjWhcDRw8xDMon-8c5C-DzYSC4w/s320/From_Beyond.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>I've been drawn to horror movies since I was a kid. I didn't watch too many of them until I was quite a bit older, though. As such, I missed seeing most of the classics -- and not-so-classics -- that came out during my youth. A few years ago, I decided to play catch-up. This 1986 flick was one of the few I watched in 2023, but I think it would've stood out even if I'd managed more. The story is unique -- a pair of scientists build a device that lets them see and interact with deadly creatures from another dimension -- and the cast is surprisingly adept. Long story short, I'd watch <i>From Beyond</i> again, which is something I can't say of all the horror flicks I've watched recently. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Hyperion</i></b></div><div>This 1989 effort from Dan Simmons has been a real highlight of my multi-year endeavor to read some of the classic sci-fi novels that have heretofore avoided my radar. It reads like a futuristic reimagining of <i>The Canterbury Tales</i>, though Hyperion follows six pilgrims rather than 24. I likely would've found the cliffhanger ending disappointing had I not bought the follow-up as soon as the story clicked with me (spoiler: it didn't take long), but I did, so no complaints from me. On the contrary, <i>Hyperion</i> is now firmly ensconced on my list of books to reread ASAP.</div><div><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Killer Klowns from Outer Space</i></b></div><div>Don't laugh (or jeer), but I didn't even know this 1988 film, now considered a cult classic, existed until I stumbled across it last fall. It didn't scare me or gross me out like I expected it to, but I got a kick out of it all the same. The titular "klowns" are equal parts creepy and goofy and elevate the rather ho-hum story to something surprisingly compelling. Honestly, I'll probably revisit <i>Killer Klowns from Outer Space</i> several times in the future thanks to the impressive practical effects alone.</div><div><b><i><br />Laid-Back Camp</i> (Volumes 8-13)</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzUeoJxvfIMx5IaKgQzHdpM9wAXHODed9Pa6h9BkcDcB9xAxrWeDQ0Br4kOrhwshZOJrCCqcu4BRwKIgL-5lBJagc4xs-urCieIbHyKOxFH_CilRCx8g7bbjIybprC__WA86jPOSiLosb-rX_veq6mP-JofdqKy-wBQ99x4E449BWTdnaKnnWXA/s750/Laid_Back_Camp_Volume_8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzUeoJxvfIMx5IaKgQzHdpM9wAXHODed9Pa6h9BkcDcB9xAxrWeDQ0Br4kOrhwshZOJrCCqcu4BRwKIgL-5lBJagc4xs-urCieIbHyKOxFH_CilRCx8g7bbjIybprC__WA86jPOSiLosb-rX_veq6mP-JofdqKy-wBQ99x4E449BWTdnaKnnWXA/s320/Laid_Back_Camp_Volume_8.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I read six volumes of <i>Laid-Back Camp</i> last year and loved each one. Truth be told, I often have a hard time telling these camping- and cooking-obsessed girls apart, aside from spirited Nadeshiko and serious Rin, but it doesn't cause me to enjoy their far-flung adventures any less. The way artist and writer Afro weaves together the girls' stories, their seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of both camping and cooking, and Japan's plethora of sheltering spots is as impressive as it is pleasing.</div><div><b><i><br />The Wind from Nowhere</i></b></div><div>I gained access to this J.G. Ballard novel when I bought a book that included it as well as one of the author's best-known works, <i>The Drowned World</i>. Of the two, I far preferred <i>The Wind from Nowhere</i>, which follows a trio of men who try their best to survive an unexplained global increase (five miles per hour per day) in wind speeds. It's not perfect, partially explaining why Ballard eventually disowned it, but it tells a unique apocalyptic story that keeps you solidly in its grasp until the very last page.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2023/01/non-game-media-i-enjoyed-in-2022.html" target="_blank">non-game media I enjoyed in 2022</a></div></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-55041271123131004772024-01-09T16:32:00.000-08:002024-01-09T16:43:01.188-08:00My favorite games of 2023 that came out before 2023<div>Not all of the games I played and loved in 2023 actually came out in 2023. The three titles covered here -- <i>About An Elf</i>, <i>Dragon Quest Treasures</i>, and <i>Pokémon Violet</i> -- are prime examples. They're also among my favorite games of last year.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>About An Elf</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Developer and publisher Meringue Interactive describes <i><a href="https://twitter.com/thegaygamer/status/1611771582099361792" target="_blank">About An Elf</a></i> as a "point-and-click-ish, RPG-ish, visual-novel-ish game." Though accurate, it doesn't do this 2022 <a href="https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/about-an-elf-switch/" target="_blank">eShop release</a> justice.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8yb9CoG1bGrdkS2tIfCEKsAPXt6X9T17cK8wibxV1xHER6h_NyfwrUedM3Pqf4kRB4zDSKitj9G4tz-EbIMiglUDex9lqqgqDqz_xlHCgjwhztI78ALqa5y_RoNjbVJLNxak5Ra9f7oVL2-TguGG2GQB7tStsZfQdqvbTcccLqaZmMyaNfDxcA/s1280/about-an-elf-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8yb9CoG1bGrdkS2tIfCEKsAPXt6X9T17cK8wibxV1xHER6h_NyfwrUedM3Pqf4kRB4zDSKitj9G4tz-EbIMiglUDex9lqqgqDqz_xlHCgjwhztI78ALqa5y_RoNjbVJLNxak5Ra9f7oVL2-TguGG2GQB7tStsZfQdqvbTcccLqaZmMyaNfDxcA/w400-h225/about-an-elf-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>About An Elf</i> may be the strangest game I've ever played. Nearly every aspect of it will have you scratching your head -- from the outlandish cast (which includes an Ulala-esque elf and her "oh noes"-spouting cat companion), to the nonsensical save-the-world story, to the inscrutable battles, and more.</div><div><br /></div><div>They'll also likely put a smile on your face and keep you engaged for the few hours <i>About An Elf</i> lasts, though, which is the main reason I'm giving it a nod here. Another reason: despite the fact that <i>About An Elf</i> is a fairly silly and superficial experience, I regularly think about returning to it and its fever-dream world.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Dragon Quest Treasures</i> (PC, Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>A lot of folks turned up their noses at this release as soon as they realized it wasn't a new <i>Dragon Quest Monsters</i> game. I feel no allegiance to nor nostalgia for the <i>Monsters</i> series, so I went into it with few biases or expectations.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdGeNlfRIr6csHkFOVKbvq4dX97Lj86NzmS1A2OKc-LCLSqGnSLVKhsJjVkxq6DXdauHqBY3XhBpkhjdeZqPehwzA123CQC3lHnDoFIcpLThl7pCloULppuZMf4mVxlW-gHBqiM4IL2JVMnhfSj8x8qN2yfL1vSDkv8p7Bw2eILlbKGbmuJCEBg/s1280/dragon-quest-treasures-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdGeNlfRIr6csHkFOVKbvq4dX97Lj86NzmS1A2OKc-LCLSqGnSLVKhsJjVkxq6DXdauHqBY3XhBpkhjdeZqPehwzA123CQC3lHnDoFIcpLThl7pCloULppuZMf4mVxlW-gHBqiM4IL2JVMnhfSj8x8qN2yfL1vSDkv8p7Bw2eILlbKGbmuJCEBg/w400-h225/dragon-quest-treasures-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'd like to think that's at least partially responsible for why I enjoyed it so much. Also helping matters was that <i>Dragon Quest Treasures</i> reminded me of a similar offshoot, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/my-favorite-games-of-2022.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Pokémon Legends: Arceus</a>, that quickly won me over in recent years. Both games offer up open worlds that are thrilling to explore and more action-focused gameplay than their parent series provide.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sure, <i>Treasures</i> could and probably should include a wider selection of <i>Dragon Quest</i>'s iconic enemies, but I had a blast even with the palette-swap-heavy crew that currently fills the game's varying environs.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Pokémon Violet</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, well, what have we here? Another game that message-board denizens love to hate and yet I adored. For me, <i>Pokémon Violet</i> was one of the best experiences I've had with a <i>Pokémon</i> game to date.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPIkpJsw5cNfLBX6msMx_95Harjh9o5PtPnwfaN_WOxKqrq7-8106P1LjIVuFgF7mSX5vOyH6hssvvQ7EOaNOp2vUBSNNf_h3pdsliFz8baM4sqHsmgaSRjscz1tln25GodESrV5FRejW5z1BMHa9FS7mrGc-5TsWInCTUxYok2TUu9zkJiVpHA/s1280/pokemon-violet-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPIkpJsw5cNfLBX6msMx_95Harjh9o5PtPnwfaN_WOxKqrq7-8106P1LjIVuFgF7mSX5vOyH6hssvvQ7EOaNOp2vUBSNNf_h3pdsliFz8baM4sqHsmgaSRjscz1tln25GodESrV5FRejW5z1BMHa9FS7mrGc-5TsWInCTUxYok2TUu9zkJiVpHA/w400-h225/pokemon-violet-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, how could it not? It took what was my favorite aspect of <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/03/6-games-i-have-finished-in-2020-part-1.html" target="_blank"><i>Pokémon Shield</i></a>, the Wild Area, and expanded it to cover the entire map, after all. Another draw for me was the three storylines you can tackle at your discretion. I get the feeling it would be difficult, if not impossible, to finish the game without completing all three stories, but I appreciated the increased freedom all the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>Really, though, the highlight of playing <i>Pokémon Violet </i>for me was the same highlight of all my favorite <i>Pokémon</i> games so far: the simple joy of spotting a new <i>Pokémon</i>, trying to and (hopefully) succeeding at catching it, and then moving onto the next, rinse-and-repeat style. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2024/01/my-favorite-games-of-2023.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2023</a> (that actually came out in 2023)</div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-26036334213310108172024-01-03T13:04:00.000-08:002024-01-09T16:34:14.571-08:00My favorite games of 2023A lot of blockbuster games released in 2023. None of them made it onto my list of favorite games of the year. (Shocking multitudes, I'm sure.)<div><br /></div><div>I don't say this to suggest those AAA titles are beneath me or anything of the sort, of course. On the contrary. For various reasons, I either didn't play any of those games or I played them and they just didn't gel with me like they did so many others.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which games did gel with me last year? The handful of indie or otherwise small releases you'll read about starting now.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sE-yK7WIadllIFEabIiXin0WKhWpfH2niVX-oS1sFoz0LtdLGiak71kM-Prg6qZ6-bqs37us0Ed272UvVedqzzBmNAksxZfLYrMdmNo5xuy0PXdK8eNZzz-jMg93crao8dx7HImSLjyeP0wBAHFKjM40WntWZMJfLxq5NJqZ3-XJZZuAGnbkXQ/s1280/labyrinth-of-galleria-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sE-yK7WIadllIFEabIiXin0WKhWpfH2niVX-oS1sFoz0LtdLGiak71kM-Prg6qZ6-bqs37us0Ed272UvVedqzzBmNAksxZfLYrMdmNo5xuy0PXdK8eNZzz-jMg93crao8dx7HImSLjyeP0wBAHFKjM40WntWZMJfLxq5NJqZ3-XJZZuAGnbkXQ/w400-h225/labyrinth-of-galleria-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><b style="font-style: italic;">Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society</b><b> (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Vita)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I adored this game's predecessor, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021-not-from-2021.html" target="_blank">Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</a></i>, despite its dark-as-tar story. <i>Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society</i> is a lot lighter in that area, though no less enthralling overall. <i>Labyrinth of Galleria</i> doesn't do as much to alter or update its forebearer's wall-breaking, pit-jumping, dungeon-crawling gameplay, which is sure to disappoint some, but it still offers enough unexpected twists and turns to make it well worth playing by series veterans and noobs alike. Bonus (or word of warning, depending on how you look at such things): <i>Labyrinth of Galleria</i> is a long game. To see its true and final ending, you'll likely need to devote well over 100 hours to it. You can experience a ton of what the game offers and see its initial credit roll after 40 to 60 hours, though, if that sounds more manageable.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKQDzyyNFCl0xJKcBVMHyql7fy2cgRC9vUBpEl3GwciLn9vjpbOj5emo-DPioYrUvaxtwTIc9MGK9f5PsAcA2Ff8LsUPisqi-H_pBXgttY3fJDUbbg1OKR3fTY3O8OXgRPJodNoy0xQuQkrKcHeYHYCGv78F5Biu2wyF-d27YEDcpmy92T8INHQ/s3840/metro-quester-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKQDzyyNFCl0xJKcBVMHyql7fy2cgRC9vUBpEl3GwciLn9vjpbOj5emo-DPioYrUvaxtwTIc9MGK9f5PsAcA2Ff8LsUPisqi-H_pBXgttY3fJDUbbg1OKR3fTY3O8OXgRPJodNoy0xQuQkrKcHeYHYCGv78F5Biu2wyF-d27YEDcpmy92T8INHQ/w400-h225/metro-quester-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Metro Quester</i> (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox One/S/X)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't judge this retro-inspired dungeon-crawler by its "unlicensed NES game" title or similarly cheap-looking cover art. If you tend to enjoy hack-and-slashers like <i>Wizardry</i> or <i>Etrian Odyssey</i>, you'll dig <i>Metro Quester </i>(or just <i>Quester</i>, if you play it on PC), too. Which isn't to suggest <i>Metro Quester</i> is some kind of ripoff of those classics. It's viewed from a top-down perspective, for starters, plus there's a survival element to <i>Metro Quester</i> that not only helps differentiate it from the competition but also adds intrigue and tension. <i>Metro Quester</i>'s story is minimal, but can still manage to surprise and impress if you pay attention to the occasional bits of text that pop up along the way. The battles here are the real selling point, though, thanks to their flexibility and exhilarating, whiz-bang snappiness.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbb6LaOUAfiKNE8AFdmZonKROXyb2KHiYddqJ2w9wZ0QrCdWM0jWbQ5r4PeDvhFO76fPxn-TrfQ_vhZoi1mkkemu_vjvwGIa_uY2GZmgtPAYE9XsZKwsw6GYTfy8xPQ5oh53c8kdE9qanMCG3kdeCrbqBEQcYAxsN4tMdXDWv6rjw2e1U1278ig/s1280/paranormasight-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbb6LaOUAfiKNE8AFdmZonKROXyb2KHiYddqJ2w9wZ0QrCdWM0jWbQ5r4PeDvhFO76fPxn-TrfQ_vhZoi1mkkemu_vjvwGIa_uY2GZmgtPAYE9XsZKwsw6GYTfy8xPQ5oh53c8kdE9qanMCG3kdeCrbqBEQcYAxsN4tMdXDWv6rjw2e1U1278ig/w400-h225/paranormasight-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><div><b><i>Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo</i> (Mobile, PC, Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've enjoyed a lot of adventure games (or visual novels, VNs, if that's the verbiage you prefer) in my time, but the ones I've enjoyed the most have featured spooky or scary elements. <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/02/can-i-still-call-raging-loop-one-of-my-favorite-games-of-2019.html" target="_blank">Raging Loop</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021.html" target="_blank">Gnosia</a></i> are two examples from previous years, and now <i><a href="https://twitter.com/thegaygamer/status/1646268388539510785" target="_blank">Paranormasight</a></i> can be added to the pile. At its heart, <i>Paranormasight</i> is a murder mystery. There's more to it than that, though, as you might imagine -- with supernatural urban legends and curses both playing important roles in the proceedings. Another interesting quirk to <i>Paranormasight</i> is that you'll occasionally replay portions of a character's story, which helps the experience feel less boringly straightforward than the bulk of its genremates.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97tMCLxanDl4CY5KNOitDWjpnRD9g_aUJMEP__RTZz3icuDkuz2VURbBPk21PQJC4qTHzt5wKzirJSz_JGo6dMdEIJ9aIL4FjU3ZaSdxvu1fNdIimry5uH2OzPl6DWbUl56RLFTjczB0E0sMwdO_Ekc8EYGAqrYgNCk_7KHlMlEL_2zqvKE_iJQ/s1200/suika-game-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97tMCLxanDl4CY5KNOitDWjpnRD9g_aUJMEP__RTZz3icuDkuz2VURbBPk21PQJC4qTHzt5wKzirJSz_JGo6dMdEIJ9aIL4FjU3ZaSdxvu1fNdIimry5uH2OzPl6DWbUl56RLFTjczB0E0sMwdO_Ekc8EYGAqrYgNCk_7KHlMlEL_2zqvKE_iJQ/w400-h225/suika-game-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Suika Game</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Does the world really need another match-things-that-drop-from-the-top-of-the-screen puzzle game? <i>Suika Game</i> provides a firmly affirmative answer to that question. The rules of <i>Suika Game</i> are so uncomplicated that you could play it in any language and not feel lost. The gist: get two fruits of the same type (cherries, strawberries, oranges, and more) to touch and they'll become a bigger one -- up until you reach the big kahuna, the watermelon. (Fun fact: suika is Japanese for watermelon.) Rinse and repeat until your accumulated pile of fruit hits the top of the screen. It sounds simple and even a little stupid, but it's also intoxicatingly addictive.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNwDTJyqWYABQ-5vMmdECzdzx-mFgG35ne98fHaB8IW1bkiIMmXUp_vYLP9SmEwMVD-yAl_6GaMtpNMR8WTc1j9ofdiqHe84WfLk7jbR21IaUUwmfHLlmd5ZIjpLLWsv3ZME_uW-nAre9ZJK_VZmVafu9Q55F_GtS0ChvRPZw9CZX1JYuTeNNvg/s1280/world-of-horror-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNwDTJyqWYABQ-5vMmdECzdzx-mFgG35ne98fHaB8IW1bkiIMmXUp_vYLP9SmEwMVD-yAl_6GaMtpNMR8WTc1j9ofdiqHe84WfLk7jbR21IaUUwmfHLlmd5ZIjpLLWsv3ZME_uW-nAre9ZJK_VZmVafu9Q55F_GtS0ChvRPZw9CZX1JYuTeNNvg/w400-h225/world-of-horror-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>World of Horror</i> (PC, PS4/5, Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I never knew how much I needed a Junji Ito-inspired horror roguelike RPG VN until I started through <i>World of Horror</i> in early December. <i>World of Horror</i> is both not at all what I expected and far beyond what I expected of it. In doing so, it bizarrely and even bravely defies categorization. Hell, I'd go so far as to say it deserves a genre of its own, should any future games dare to follow in its footsteps. At any rate, if you've ever dreamed of playing a game that makes you feel like you're living -- and attempting to survive -- in a post-apocalyptic Japanese city right out of one of Ito's macabre manga, here's your chance.</div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>What were your favorite games of 2023? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2024/01/my-favorite-games-of-2023-from-before-2023.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2023 that came out before 2023</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-86357149967193535942023-01-16T09:26:00.000-08:002023-01-16T09:26:59.834-08:0013 games I hope are announced and/or released in 2023<div>I need more games like I need a hole in the head, yet I can't help but hoping new ones will be announced all the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of which, here are 13 games (presented in alphabetical order) I hope are either announced or released at some point in 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>The Alliance Alive 2</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Considering FuRyu went from <i>The Legend of Legacy</i> to <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/07/five-reasons-i-played-alliance-alive-3DS-for-60-hours-plus.html" target="_blank">The Alliance Alive</a></i>, I doubt they're going to follow up the latter with a direct sequel. I'd take one, though, and in a heartbeat. I'd also take a direct sequel to <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2015/10/a-few-more-thoughts-on-the-legend-of-legacy-3ds-demo.html" target="_blank">The Legend of Legacy</a></i>, actually, especially if it fixed some of the original game's flaws. Should the loopy bastards at FuRyu find a way to come up with something similar that also features an alliterated title, well, I suppose I'd take that, too.</div></div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ler3-RHrFW4CVhrSLeiW5nC6LYrfvJVjn5hTfbIcbRXt2MVnckWRnSc4v6AXoMwzxaC23UyUu8Hd6nTS4_HKZPNTFwkv7VQzlfa8-3840UdPXsv4__Jb_-xA4dbOrQ5PVj26kqLMV1uo3RfeEc_AseVgM4x5NaHzsHx8H6dDmv2ePaLpy9c/s1280/the-alliance-alive-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ler3-RHrFW4CVhrSLeiW5nC6LYrfvJVjn5hTfbIcbRXt2MVnckWRnSc4v6AXoMwzxaC23UyUu8Hd6nTS4_HKZPNTFwkv7VQzlfa8-3840UdPXsv4__Jb_-xA4dbOrQ5PVj26kqLMV1uo3RfeEc_AseVgM4x5NaHzsHx8H6dDmv2ePaLpy9c/w400-h225/the-alliance-alive-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">The Alliance Alive</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Bravely Default Collection</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure most <i>Bravely</i> fans would prefer a brand new offering over a collection of the series' first two entries. I'd also welcome a <i>Bravely Third</i> or even a <i>Bravely Second II</i> (erm, or a <i>Bravely Default III</i>?), to be sure, but before any of those games are released, I'd prefer to get my greedy hands on a Switch compilation of <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2014/02/shall-we-do-it-bravely-default-3ds-and-thats-all-folks.html" target="_blank">Bravely Default</a></i> and <i>Bravely Second</i>. I wouldn't even need anything fancy here; a "simple" remaster would more than suffice.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Deltarune Chapters 3</i>, <i>4</i>, and <i>5</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I was a bit wary of <i>Deltarune</i> after finally playing and thoroughly loving Toby Fox's previous offering, the transcendent <i>Undertale</i>. I needn't have worried, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/one-sentence-on-each-of-the-games-i-finished-in-2021.html" target="_blank">if <i>Deltarune</i>'s first two chapters are anything to go by</a>. I've especially enjoyed <i>Deltarune</i>'s brainy and exhilarating battles so far, though its characters and soundtrack have impressed, too. At any rate, I want more, and I want it as soon as possible.</div></div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dST3GZXO_p_YVTWJW4h8gZ_csldUScFKSqAZjKHPfCtL92lcySl5b07-pDClMB05gCgsoZ8XQbmzKtnxDrRXs3xvQgVGyo0K2mPXcRR3zPshnNw71hw8pOuMcjkz7U_cQxv-7ppujGIocpog2_Qvji6--6_tIA9uRG_e_Jy82Bu2wBc8E70/s1280/disaster-report-4-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dST3GZXO_p_YVTWJW4h8gZ_csldUScFKSqAZjKHPfCtL92lcySl5b07-pDClMB05gCgsoZ8XQbmzKtnxDrRXs3xvQgVGyo0K2mPXcRR3zPshnNw71hw8pOuMcjkz7U_cQxv-7ppujGIocpog2_Qvji6--6_tIA9uRG_e_Jy82Bu2wBc8E70/w400-h225/disaster-report-4-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">Disaster Report 4</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Disaster Report 5</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Switch port of <i>Disaster Report 4</i> was a complete mess in many regards, but <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/my-pleasant-surprise-games-of-2020.html" target="_blank">I loved the hell out of it anyway</a>. I've heard even the best versions of the game paled in comparison to previous installments of the series, but since I haven't played any of them, all I can go on is my experience with this fourth iteration. It was tense, touching, and took me places I never saw coming. As such, I'd love to take another run at this long-running series sooner rather than later.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Dungeon Encounters II</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This ask should come as little surprise considering the original <i>Dungeon Encounters</i> was one of <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2021</a>. How the development team of that game could enhance or expand upon their first effort is beyond me, but I'd sure like to see them take a stab at it. At the very least, I'm confident they could come up with a new cast of creative and colorful party members. That said, the existing <i>Dungeon Encounters</i> includes a caped pumaman, a sword-wielding dog, and a giant roly-poly cat, which could be tough to top.</div></div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkO_qDjFvoC4wmY-c2B0LyyycEopEmmcSKfKoREIEdg_l3Ser32nT6XvmUxNt4foG04N-2gmYkQyZXOsuhRvEOJre-B8zs2B0r_Z1m_Yl3mokXOqc4WFOsakpE277NnaCdFG9rkTc1-etRXqQe6EuCI2sm30clmgunnhQ1aD_hGdjyyCNgj4/s900/DungeonEncounters_screen1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkO_qDjFvoC4wmY-c2B0LyyycEopEmmcSKfKoREIEdg_l3Ser32nT6XvmUxNt4foG04N-2gmYkQyZXOsuhRvEOJre-B8zs2B0r_Z1m_Yl3mokXOqc4WFOsakpE277NnaCdFG9rkTc1-etRXqQe6EuCI2sm30clmgunnhQ1aD_hGdjyyCNgj4/w400-h225/DungeonEncounters_screen1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">Dungeon Encounters</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Etrian Odyssey VI</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I know the Switch, the most likely home for a new <i>Etrian Odyssey</i> game, poses some unique challenges for the makers of this previously dual-screened series, but even so I'm surprised it's taken this long for a sixth entry to see the light of day. Hell, we're not entirely sure a sixth <i>Etrian Odyssey</i> is being worked on, are we? A teaser of sorts hit the internet ages ago, but did it specifically name the <i>Etrian Odyssey</i> series? Regardless, I'll buy and play an <i>Etrian Odyssey VI</i> should it ever make it out of Atlus' secret underground laboratory.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Ghost Trick 2</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Does anyone really think Capcom is going to make and publish a <i>Ghost Trick</i> sequel anytime soon, if ever? I doubt it. I have all the power here, though, so I'm going to hope for it anyway. As long as it's released for consoles and not just mobile, I should add. On a related and likely more realistic note, I'd totally buy a remastered release of <i>Ghost Trick</i> if it hit the Switch. The damn thing would probably only be sold through the eShop, but I'd grit my teeth and pick it up all the same. That's just the kind of <i>Ghost Trick</i> fan I am after adoring <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/12/my-favorite-games-of-2019-that-werent-released-in-2019.html" target="_blank">my virgin playthrough of it in 2019</a>.</div></div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUZarp1-MTYIi3JS1LbVoWRlaXzG93boOf17_ZpfXvmQws5KttKhxgfK4YCKvFVbAY4wnZtf-n2oA5yUBmO1jl5QrG9G0sxMFgPMNH2Vwl1-zW49sUq6goCEha85QPArXxursintSBP3CDfgOCuprRiMq2jYOSE7pOipiU4MG-tlPsZ6MRVg/s1280/saga-scarlet-grace-ambitions-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUZarp1-MTYIi3JS1LbVoWRlaXzG93boOf17_ZpfXvmQws5KttKhxgfK4YCKvFVbAY4wnZtf-n2oA5yUBmO1jl5QrG9G0sxMFgPMNH2Vwl1-zW49sUq6goCEha85QPArXxursintSBP3CDfgOCuprRiMq2jYOSE7pOipiU4MG-tlPsZ6MRVg/w400-h225/saga-scarlet-grace-ambitions-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">SaGa Scarlet Grace: AMBITIONS</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div><b>A new mainline <i>SaGa</i> game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The last mainline <i>SaGa</i> game, <i>SaGa Scarlet Grace</i>, came out (in Japan, for the Vita) just over six years ago. An enhanced version released worldwide and for more modern systems three years ago. I'd say the time is right for a follow-up to appear, wouldn't you? Please agree with me, as <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/01/my-favorite-games-of-2020-that-werent.html" target="_blank">SaGa Scarlet Grace: AMBITIONS</a></i> is one of my all-time favorite games and I'd desperately like to play another game that's in the same vein. Of course, every <i>SaGa</i> game since <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/12/my-other-favorite-games-of-2019.html" target="_blank">Romancing SaGa 3</a></i> has been radically different from the one that came before it, which suggests the next release won't be anything like <i>Scarlet Grace</i>. I'll be OK if that comes to pass, too.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Onion Games' new RPG</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll play anything Onion Games releases at this point, as long as it releases for a system I own (though I'd prefer for such a game to not be mobile-only). After all, I've already had a blast with <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/12/my-favorite-games-of-2018-black-bird-sushi-striker.html" target="_blank">Black Bird</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/06/dandy-dungeon-nintendo-switch-impressions.html" target="_blank">Dandy Dungeon</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/03/overlooked-nintendo-switch-games-you-need-to-play-asap.html" target="_blank">Mon Amour</a></i>, and of course <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/12/my-favorite-games-of-2020-goty.html" target="_blank">Moon</a></i>. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't especially thrilled that Onion Games' next offering will be another RPG. In particular, I love that I have no idea what to expect from this mostly unknown game -- though of course we all know it will be weird and dark and beautiful and probably will include kissing in some form or fashion.</div></div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvbD_DhAtc6D0ml5cpinBdJpaylRb_lb7XKRwH42C_4llExEMTmCp8ca_bDFq1jxVf_VfkDumCbTI86kEX5s1hwRd0GEauX3Z9gsO5eFYl3mCaq3Vk9uyZ7QULqQlbRZERiLhNyAKQoVexgrs7XX87c7k5j0u7wDhYMvOpFVjo--0MOWUSKo/s1280/mon-amour-nintendo-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvbD_DhAtc6D0ml5cpinBdJpaylRb_lb7XKRwH42C_4llExEMTmCp8ca_bDFq1jxVf_VfkDumCbTI86kEX5s1hwRd0GEauX3Z9gsO5eFYl3mCaq3Vk9uyZ7QULqQlbRZERiLhNyAKQoVexgrs7XX87c7k5j0u7wDhYMvOpFVjo--0MOWUSKo/w400-h225/mon-amour-nintendo-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">Mon Amour</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Opoona Remastered</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Do I really want to return to <i>Opoona</i>'s world? Yes, yes I do. I'm not entirely sure I want to return to it in its original form, though. After all, I got horribly lost, or at least turned around, pretty much every time I played <i>Opoona</i> on my Wii a few years back. To be honest, I don't have the highest of hopes that a remaster would fix this or any of <i>Opoona</i>'s other issues, but I'd probably buy it anyway if it were made available for the Switch (and so could be played portably).</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!</i> console port</b></div><div><br /></div><div>When I started writing this post a couple of weeks ago, I asked for a <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2016/07/the-great-gaymathon-review-74-pocket-card-jockey-3ds.html" target="_blank">Pocket Card Jockey</a></i> remaster or sequel here. Then developer Game Freak announced this reimagined version for the Apple Arcade service. As I don't currently own an iOS device, and I don't expect to own one anytime soon, I sincerely hope <i>Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!</i> gallops away from its iOS exclusivity and onto consoles (like the Switch, cough cough) as soon as is contractually possible.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhTOKXIUA2fsMwRfD29aVk4C78uDmD983Yen1PT_Osy4dmqAOZ58YlYuPDH7WrnNAD0WBU6LDnX6Me3bvryVyti7ldl2P6D0qxE_fnQqxZPKVAbvDMJobn-Yd9G5XTrBrEKYU_6kiyeUgbDGCHJ1n_aY-PpJl3gZG4PkS6S2GjEHc2sPKWZE/s2560/pocket-card-jockey-ride-on.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2560" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhTOKXIUA2fsMwRfD29aVk4C78uDmD983Yen1PT_Osy4dmqAOZ58YlYuPDH7WrnNAD0WBU6LDnX6Me3bvryVyti7ldl2P6D0qxE_fnQqxZPKVAbvDMJobn-Yd9G5XTrBrEKYU_6kiyeUgbDGCHJ1n_aY-PpJl3gZG4PkS6S2GjEHc2sPKWZE/w400-h250/pocket-card-jockey-ride-on.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><i>Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Tobu Tobu Girl 2</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's another unlikely announcement or release. I'm going to put it out into the universe anyway, as <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/04/my-tobu-tobu-girl-review.html" target="_blank">the original <i>Tobu Tobu Girl</i> thrilled me to pieces</a> in 2018. If you've never heard of it, <i>Tobu Tobu Girl</i> is a fast-paced, high-score-chasing platformer that has you climb the screen rather than race to the left or right. The original was made to the GameBoy's specifications; honestly, I'd take more of the same here, but I'm guessing developers Lukas Erritsø Hansen and Simon Larsen would prefer to change things up the second time around. Sadly, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/04/five-questions-about-tobu-tobu-girl-deluxe-gameboy-color.html" target="_blank">I'm pretty sure they're not up for giving the world a <i>Tobu Tobu Girl 2</i></a>, but I guess it's possible they've changed their minds since I last chatted with them about the topic?</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Tomodachi Collection 3</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I had a wonderful time playing <i>Tomodachi Life</i> (the North American title for Japan's <i>Tomodachi Collection 2</i>) back in 2014. So much so <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2015/01/heres-how-i-spent-my-2014-3ds-edition.html" target="_blank">I put nearly 130 hours into it</a> that year. I've been daydreaming of a sequel, which I guess would be called <i>Tomodachi Life 2</i> here and <i>Tomodachi Collection 3</i> in Japan, ever since. Surely the devs at Nintendo of Japan are hard at work on this game, right? And for the Switch, not its eventual successor? Assuming that's the case, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2014/04/an-open-letter-to-nintendo-of-america-about-tomodachi-lifes-lack-of-lgbt-relationships.html" target="_blank">it'd better allow same-sex couplings</a> this time around.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/10-games-i-want-to-play-in-2023.html" target="_blank">10 games I want to play in 2023</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-27089393183659252552023-01-11T20:23:00.003-08:002023-01-16T22:53:40.656-08:00A cute kiss of death: early-ish impressions of Uchu Shinshuchu for Nintendo Switch<div>If you've ever dreamt of playing an old-school action-platformer that has you kiss enemies rather than jump on or otherwise attack them, <i><a href="https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/uchu-shinshuchu-switch/" target="_blank">Uchu Shinshuchu</a></i> may be the game for you. Or it may not be, as even after conquering 25 of its 51 stages I'm still teetering on the fence as to whether I like or loathe this digital Nintendo Switch title.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>My main issue with <i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i>, which tasks players with saving the world from an alien invasion using the power of their puckered lips, is that you have to get <i>really</i> close to an enemy to kiss it. That would be fine if the game provided its protagonist (named Saturday-Chan) a life or health bar and flubbing a kiss resulted in damage rather than death, but it doesn't. As such, you die when you lean in to kiss an enemy but instead miss and run into it.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2LrN4SjltXSFyAM_T-wRSy-QIElg-YxSCPXMVOLnziySHwtp8J8LJdIINbVx_Io6z7LnUDW-fn-e27xFIrKS2l5MvgjiiVssQkYf_oAuKMo5JR2xQv03dESjlwqZteA-fmV1d3mQYs_n-kh7M_TRpP01lqqT39o28E-_T26HHGDtRL5xd9s/s1280/uchu-shinshuchu-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2LrN4SjltXSFyAM_T-wRSy-QIElg-YxSCPXMVOLnziySHwtp8J8LJdIINbVx_Io6z7LnUDW-fn-e27xFIrKS2l5MvgjiiVssQkYf_oAuKMo5JR2xQv03dESjlwqZteA-fmV1d3mQYs_n-kh7M_TRpP01lqqT39o28E-_T26HHGDtRL5xd9s/w400-h225/uchu-shinshuchu-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i>'s start screen</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<div><br /></div><div>That said, I've come to (mostly) appreciate this mechanic. It's strangely... fitting? You generally need to be bold to kiss someone, after all. Well, boldness is required to succeed at <i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i>, too.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>A second issue with <i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i>, which may be even more damning than the first one, is that there's no backtracking. If you get stuck on a particular stage, you need to beat it or start over from the very beginning of the game.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xFpIf7-NP6cnDIKYTVakDIdT1haQwoK4rptlZswXwQ82exLj4YeDu4T1DS8RVCnnVUF5oh_yxBgwtsik53MMVibfJ2umN8tdfKC2KDe_7orQAGgamNm79wfrc8h_zy2rv4iOv5d8c8G4bPDouV4ROxENpI25YVOqnAF4hk-hP_TutztbGiE/s1280/uchu-shinshuchu-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xFpIf7-NP6cnDIKYTVakDIdT1haQwoK4rptlZswXwQ82exLj4YeDu4T1DS8RVCnnVUF5oh_yxBgwtsik53MMVibfJ2umN8tdfKC2KDe_7orQAGgamNm79wfrc8h_zy2rv4iOv5d8c8G4bPDouV4ROxENpI25YVOqnAF4hk-hP_TutztbGiE/w400-h225/uchu-shinshuchu-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i>'s story is as wacky as its gameplay</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<div><br /></div><div>That hasn't proven to be a huge problem for me yet, but what has proven to be a problem is getting stuck during a boss encounter. I'm currently on the game's fifth boss and having a devil of a time defeating him. So, I can either keep trying or give up.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>On a related note, another of <i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i>'s unique gameplay components has you "befriend" (for lack of a better word) all enemies you kiss. You can toss these so-called frenemies at their comrades to stun them, which then makes them easier to kiss and befriend.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagPdCBYAAAxu_EKixku4DGmwfMyZ2g9ZfHH2j8FKkOhqhd0W2oZXZf5xsX2mzSdPFyh6a8mW4xPg7fkdxs05z1LUuUaiAXElPMSEfkrFlbbhj8N_ZCxelu-uf7XMkAaiYqXoG3J0cF0uWBd-VuV0yyxIbcD-j1s1qB0WlrbOiS0b_5yQZjmE/s1280/uchu-shinshuchu-nintendo-switch-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagPdCBYAAAxu_EKixku4DGmwfMyZ2g9ZfHH2j8FKkOhqhd0W2oZXZf5xsX2mzSdPFyh6a8mW4xPg7fkdxs05z1LUuUaiAXElPMSEfkrFlbbhj8N_ZCxelu-uf7XMkAaiYqXoG3J0cF0uWBd-VuV0yyxIbcD-j1s1qB0WlrbOiS0b_5yQZjmE/w400-h225/uchu-shinshuchu-nintendo-switch-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Yes, you kiss enemies into submission in <i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>That's cool and at least somewhat useful during the game's regular stages. It's nearly useless during boss fights, though, as if you don't defeat a boss on your first try (and if anything you're like me, you won't), you can't make use of these tossable frenemies. Why? Because you lose your cache of captivated frenemies when you die.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>As a result, you usually have to tackle <i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i>'s bosses solo. Considering how close you need to get to kiss them, this can be a frustrating challenge. I have a feeling a lot of folks will quickly give up on the game because of this alone.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-N-JMis0JwYFW0t3zQOUnU9chUmq2vR6xNpQiYYYCszX6gHis63nnZZZKnAUjr_o0qqNMl4ocprO7HaUfhcqM7Ds6Lm7BvFAbNUWGs0PGeH3e2fL7Gi6PYugXJN_v9TO_viChwy407X1TxfV6EWhwk4Sp5uM-qsGVTy-7J1RJBDGo13YnPU/s1280/uchu-shinshuchu-nintendo-switch-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-N-JMis0JwYFW0t3zQOUnU9chUmq2vR6xNpQiYYYCszX6gHis63nnZZZKnAUjr_o0qqNMl4ocprO7HaUfhcqM7Ds6Lm7BvFAbNUWGs0PGeH3e2fL7Gi6PYugXJN_v9TO_viChwy407X1TxfV6EWhwk4Sp5uM-qsGVTy-7J1RJBDGo13YnPU/w400-h225/uchu-shinshuchu-nintendo-switch-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">You'll see this message a lot while playing <i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Which is too bad, as I otherwise like <i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i> quite a bit. Although I found the kissing "attack" off-putting at first, it's since grown on me to the point that I now view it as a pretty novel addition to the often-staid platformer genre. Also, the game has a nice, if simple, look to it and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L23EC76qSs" target="_blank">peppy soundtrack that recalls similar offerings of yesteryear</a> (think <i>Mega Man</i> and the like). It helps, of course, that I don't mind dying over and over and over again. On the contrary, it usually cracks me up. If it's likely to drive you mad, you should probably give the game a pass.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>Speaking of buying or passing on <i>Uchu Shinshuchu</i>: I paid $2 for it. The game usually goes for $8. I wouldn't recommend buying it at full price. I'm fine with having spent $2 on it, but I doubt I'd be as happy if I'd spent $8.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/03/cruel-king-and-great-hero-review.html" target="_blank">why <i>The Cruel King and the Great Hero</i> is a better bedtime story than it is a satisfying JRPG</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-56622557322140242452023-01-09T11:17:00.002-08:002023-01-09T11:17:50.900-08:00Non-game media I enjoyed in 2022I know this site is called The Gay <i>Gamer</i>, but I regularly enjoy media other than video games.<div><br /></div><div>As such, I thought I'd share some of my favorite books and films from 2022 here. None were actually released in 2022, mind you; I just read or watched and enjoyed them last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still, hopefully my musings will either spur folks who happen upon this post to check them out, too, or at least get them to start a conversation about them in the comments section that follows.<div><br /><b><i>An American Werewolf in London</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOuwj_VmiBMqXRCY6QFVLti4Ppr-lO4C124xEyU8BpVkjg4utM3e_f1J9owo8p1wB5xszTccViu9SQoWY_jMToqbexV_EemoP4p_8VwwHtIzA2soZojVyUsCgQG0837SdVrTR3Y9zNLaUlUH_8ZL35mY9gcaHF6KHQiv_tTcAGJQ9g9w-lqI/s1198/an-american-werewolf-in-london-poster.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOuwj_VmiBMqXRCY6QFVLti4Ppr-lO4C124xEyU8BpVkjg4utM3e_f1J9owo8p1wB5xszTccViu9SQoWY_jMToqbexV_EemoP4p_8VwwHtIzA2soZojVyUsCgQG0837SdVrTR3Y9zNLaUlUH_8ZL35mY9gcaHF6KHQiv_tTcAGJQ9g9w-lqI/w268-h400/an-american-werewolf-in-london-poster.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>I long ignored this 1981 film because I erroneously thought it was a goofy 1980s popcorn flick. I had no idea until I started through it just before Halloween that it was a horror movie with some (dark) comedic trimmings. That immediately made it more appealing to me — although I'll admit the opening salvo was a brutal and gory shock. Once I knew what I was in for with <i>An American Werewolf in London</i>, though, I had a blast with it. My only complaint is that it ends rather abruptly. I was hoping writer and director John Landis would draw things out more than he did. Oh, well, it was fun all the same.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>The Day of the Triffids</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I added this post-apocalyptic novel from 1951 to my Amazon wish list years ago when I was still acutely interested in the genre. The COVID pandemic put the kibosh on such interests, though — or at least I thought it had. An impromptu conversation about the 1962 film adaptation earlier this year reminded me of the novel's existence, and that led to me buying a copy and finally giving it a read. I struggled with it early on due to the depressing nature of the apocalypse that's at the center of <i>The Day of the Triffids</i>, not to mention the sadly realistic response to it. I eventually got over it, though, and from then on I was fully engaged. I'll definitely re-read this one in the coming years, and I may even watch the aforementioned theatrical reimagining of it. </div><div><br /><b><i>I Think Our Son is Gay</i> Volumes 1 and 2</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEige4BnfhziKs8WsqmljB1rIP8DEvPkgbywcAiu3KtCxsaJdDicGRzAS4iO4cwiFeV-uGdQYSxcYXznMzL5LbYVzc5sp-B-uKbwkD71jLvB7jFlJMgNYHeQf4f08ynh2AH1GG4tMlr5F_VJjg3PqtWcJuCediANiDaRAiearz6bSeNttXOYcnc/s485/i-think-our-son-is-gay-manga-volume-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="348" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEige4BnfhziKs8WsqmljB1rIP8DEvPkgbywcAiu3KtCxsaJdDicGRzAS4iO4cwiFeV-uGdQYSxcYXznMzL5LbYVzc5sp-B-uKbwkD71jLvB7jFlJMgNYHeQf4f08ynh2AH1GG4tMlr5F_VJjg3PqtWcJuCediANiDaRAiearz6bSeNttXOYcnc/w288-h400/i-think-our-son-is-gay-manga-volume-1.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>I decided early on in 2022 that I'd finally start reading some manga. By the end of the year, I'd read 13 volumes (or 15, depending on how you count them up) of four different series. Two of those 13 or 15 were the opening pair of <i>I Think Our Son is Gay</i> volumes, both of which surprised me by being far more touching and astute than I assumed they'd be. This slice-of-life manga series of four volumes is told from the perspective of a mother who suspects her teenage son is gay. Watching her grapple with her own internal issues, while at the time always being outwardly supportive of her precious offspring, struck a chord with me in a way that I didn't expect. Honestly, as much as I enjoyed these two volumes, I think they (and likely the rest of the series) would be even better for those who are struggling to embrace a gay loved one.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Laid-Back Camp</i> Volumes 1 through 7</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Laid-Back Camp</i> may be the most joyous piece of media I've ever experienced. Everything is so peppy and positive that it never fails to bring a smile to my face. Which isn't to suggest it's annoyingly saccharine and lacking in depth. It sure is nice to read something so pure of heart once in a while, though. <i>Laid-Back Camp</i> follows a group of young girls who love to camp. They also love cooking and eating. The series, currently at 12 volumes, offers up surprisingly detailed descriptions of camping equipment, how to set up said gear, and how to prepare delicious-looking and -sounding camping-appropriate meals. That may seem goofy to some, but I loved it — especially when paired with a cast of endearingly dorky characters.</div><div><div><br /><b><i>The Lathe of Heaven</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WijhE3JEE9Uluuv-asz4xpQ5v3Q9H9WdMTzEh10W7AHJbK-VivAu0a6Tm8bXynT1hYUShopT2dymQAY6rEH4_fPFRpfg9jCQaq5BvfPjGVGGC4cIoBj3rwwlf4LrjgpkD1ck7n9eCpIwsOE6Vx0KZDZi4IWtBDhW6M1SlaCcqsik3CSxKBk/s384/the-lathe-of-heaven-book-cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="258" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WijhE3JEE9Uluuv-asz4xpQ5v3Q9H9WdMTzEh10W7AHJbK-VivAu0a6Tm8bXynT1hYUShopT2dymQAY6rEH4_fPFRpfg9jCQaq5BvfPjGVGGC4cIoBj3rwwlf4LrjgpkD1ck7n9eCpIwsOE6Vx0KZDZi4IWtBDhW6M1SlaCcqsik3CSxKBk/w269-h400/the-lathe-of-heaven-book-cover.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>Another novel that I had trouble with up to a point. With <i>The Lathe of Heaven</i>, though, the difficulty came from the protagonist being an annoying loser for at least half of the story, which centers on a man whose dreams can alter reality — and another man who takes advantage of that fact. Even when it challenged, though, <i>The Lathe of Heaven</i> remained a enthralling read thanks to the brilliant prose of Ursula K. Le Guin. She takes the story in some shocking and exhilarating directions while also keeping it grounded in the here and now. </div><div><br /></div></div><div><b><i>Link</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This 1986 release, which stars a young Elisabeth Shue, is billed as a horror flick. It sure didn't seem like one to me. There's some tension to it, but it's rarely scary and I only recall a single scene that could be called gross or gory. I still got a kick out of it, though, as the interplay between Shue and her simian costars rarely fails to captivate. I doubt I'll put <i>Link</i> into regular rotation or anything even resembling it, but I can see myself watching it again. On a related note, those of you who would like to see a real horror movie featuring scary-ass primates should check out <i>Shakma</i> from 1990. Ignore the critics; it's a terrifying treat.</div><div><br /><b><i>My Brother's Husband</i> Volumes 1 and 2</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztkSry1rhg2MJGLafnNmVJfCRX8mkjPE622A-8PGl1Gjd4qvaQP6IsiGRf-peK3NewOpE6UkoLqRATBJa9Z9hD07RdSYq5mu36zoEsJTsFKGptWunBwXnC3YTrlPjpFJE0M6234X1RnxjbQ3sLPGYezKPTtJMzOImuJos0Q1THL0nhPVyDtY/s500/my-brothers-husband-volume-1-cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="351" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztkSry1rhg2MJGLafnNmVJfCRX8mkjPE622A-8PGl1Gjd4qvaQP6IsiGRf-peK3NewOpE6UkoLqRATBJa9Z9hD07RdSYq5mu36zoEsJTsFKGptWunBwXnC3YTrlPjpFJE0M6234X1RnxjbQ3sLPGYezKPTtJMzOImuJos0Q1THL0nhPVyDtY/w281-h400/my-brothers-husband-volume-1-cover.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>Similar to <i>I Think Our Son is Gay</i> in many ways, <i>My Brother's Husband</i> focuses on a straight Japanese man who welcomes into his home the Canadian husband of his deceased twin brother. The protagonist here, Yaichi, struggles more mightily with homophobia than does his counterpart in <i>I Think Our Son is Gay</i>, but his growth in this area makes <i>My Brother's Husband</i> an even more rewarding and tear-inducing read. This one is wrapped up in just two volumes, so it's a perfect gift for anyone in your life who is gay or who loves someone who is gay and hasn't entirely accepted that fact.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Uzumaki</i></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>What a wild ride this manga is. The story begins in the small Japanese town of Kurouzu-cho, where the father of one of the protagonists becomes obsessed with spirals. That obsession doesn't end well for him or anyone else in this omnibus release. It would probably be a tantalizing-enough read in written form, but Junji Ito's macabre black-and-white drawings ensure it reaches that stature and beyond. Even at nearly 650 pages, <i>Uzumaki</i> is easy to race through, as the disturbing drama ratchets up with every new panel.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/my-favorite-games-of-2022.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2022</a> and <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/my-favorite-games-of-2022-not-from-2022.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2022 that weren't released in 2022</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-72883720061170077412023-01-05T09:17:00.002-08:002023-01-11T19:48:43.160-08:00How I spent my time with video games in 2022<div>I've said a few times before that 2022 was a weird year for me and how I interacted with video games. Not only didn't I play as many games as I did in previous years, but I also didn't spend as much time with those games.</div><div><br /></div><div>A case in point: in 2020, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2020.html" target="_blank">I put more than 80 hours into three different games</a>. In 2021, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2021.html" target="_blank">I put more than 70 hours into two games</a>. This year, I breached the 70-hour mark with just one game.</div><div><br /></div><div>At least my 2022 game stats cover a range of genres and systems. I played platformers, RPGs, visual novels — even a couple of classic arcade titles.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nqUFu3PAPnkcZbgyGBqt-r41L8HYyTxvqXnwyrAg8_lVLw6uhUaiCGb64m0vftGnEMTWUqmyG6s5uE1AxYs-vljHK5jK3aLNoc9WBkVpmhVBHrxdPerS5knmRZx9xvb3oDnSRaa3sJcF6S0mmR-Ez7LYsUCIlea5COmon6mZ47YUonAlSJg/s1280/made-in-abyss-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nqUFu3PAPnkcZbgyGBqt-r41L8HYyTxvqXnwyrAg8_lVLw6uhUaiCGb64m0vftGnEMTWUqmyG6s5uE1AxYs-vljHK5jK3aLNoc9WBkVpmhVBHrxdPerS5knmRZx9xvb3oDnSRaa3sJcF6S0mmR-Ez7LYsUCIlea5COmon6mZ47YUonAlSJg/w400-h225/made-in-abyss-nintendo-switch-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<div></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><b>Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness</b></i> (Switch) — 90 hours, 35 minutes</li><li><i><b>Pokémon Legends: Arceus</b></i> (Switch) — 45 hours, 10 minutes</li><li><i><b>The House in Fata Morgana</b></i> (Switch) — 44 hours, 25 minutes</li><li><i><b><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2016/07/the-great-gaymathon-review-74-pocket-card-jockey-3ds.html" target="_blank">Pocket Card Jockey</a></b></i> (3DS) — 34 hours, 30 minutes</li><li><i><b>SaGa 2 Hihō Densetsu: Goddess of Destiny</b></i> (DS) — 25 hours, 40 minutes</li><li><i><b>Kirby and the Forgotten Land</b></i> (Switch) — 15 hours</li><li><i><b><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/03/cruel-king-and-great-hero-review.html" target="_blank">The Cruel King and the Great Hero</a></b></i> (Switch) — 14 hours, 20 minutes</li></ul>
<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimriLx_j9gc-zb47qZOPMfI0Mk64m6RJSAFeyKzp_opF52_JcqxMx30TeRI8wCVxTQDh8eDWWS3dALHN71eTW1Gir-M_lJu81FV-Whts_vZJFiC5R-A6WL22S3JiaW0tM6-vVSQhVYfNOzGEDvKO-92dzUyR2G8CW-DRfgJf_m2xG6GLO3Xt4/s1280/cruel-king-and-great-hero-nintendo-switch-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimriLx_j9gc-zb47qZOPMfI0Mk64m6RJSAFeyKzp_opF52_JcqxMx30TeRI8wCVxTQDh8eDWWS3dALHN71eTW1Gir-M_lJu81FV-Whts_vZJFiC5R-A6WL22S3JiaW0tM6-vVSQhVYfNOzGEDvKO-92dzUyR2G8CW-DRfgJf_m2xG6GLO3Xt4/w400-h225/cruel-king-and-great-hero-nintendo-switch-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>The Cruel King and the Great Hero</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><b>Yurukill: The Calumniation Games</b></i> (Switch) -- 12 hours, 50 minutes</li><li><i><b>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</b></i> (Switch) — 11 hours, 20 minutes</li><li><i><b>Live A Live</b></i> (Switch) — 10 hours</li><li><i><b><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2011/02/great-gaymathon-review-2-rainbow.html" target="_blank">Rainbow Islands</a></b></i> (PC Engine) -- 9 hours, 15 minutes</li><li><i><b>The Fairyland Story</b></i> (Switch) — 4 hours, 55 minutes</li><li><i><b>Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball</b></i> (3DS) — 4 hours, 20 minutes</li><li><i><b>Nora and the Time Studio</b></i> (DS) — 4 hours</li></ul>
<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHpby_M1I1p-YcFgbsKxzta9bL9C0BFyfH5DQ8BcfN1zEbFubh0JbwPsGfX8IKITeaT11F4DtJLaQlixW2MkmZDXiJoWXt0KMM2zbF1tXIz6ZK2g-n1tg4iS1NS6Kt99GSwkkf4gegCVnOJFKoJmfnUdd6gf6rsVmlf-bQd17Yla7Vf21Nm0/s1280/fuga-melodies-of-steel-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHpby_M1I1p-YcFgbsKxzta9bL9C0BFyfH5DQ8BcfN1zEbFubh0JbwPsGfX8IKITeaT11F4DtJLaQlixW2MkmZDXiJoWXt0KMM2zbF1tXIz6ZK2g-n1tg4iS1NS6Kt99GSwkkf4gegCVnOJFKoJmfnUdd6gf6rsVmlf-bQd17Yla7Vf21Nm0/w400-h225/fuga-melodies-of-steel-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<div>How did you spend your time with games in 2022? Feel free to share your own stats in the comments section below.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/my-favorite-games-of-2022.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2022</a> and <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/my-favorite-games-of-2022-not-from-2022.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2022 that weren't released in 2022</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-52233707904611287702022-12-31T07:41:00.002-08:002023-01-11T19:49:21.843-08:0010 games I want to play in 2023<div>The vast majority of the games I played in 2022 were played on my cherished, <i>Splatoon 2</i>-colored Nintendo Switch.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's nothing necessarily wrong with that, but I usually prefer to spread my gaming love among several systems, both new and old.</div><div><br /></div><div>As such, I want to do more than just play Switch games in 2023. I also want to play the following:</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNV6rt-_Irous-xCW0jzWJzCxy3W7G-zWIO7Ga5xva9YC-9kM6zlsTfAFX3QUZn5VzsPWj_7QGlkTjXWc0rqwGQ3meaZMEzH7qHVdLCjnfgEMqrZrgTz1TJzK2_ZtazbjUmEgRkyJVASN2wfwhdoR5wjuMI1e2yY4f7HEZ777_lhoNPOc9Rg/s829/another-code-r-nintendo-wii-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="829" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNV6rt-_Irous-xCW0jzWJzCxy3W7G-zWIO7Ga5xva9YC-9kM6zlsTfAFX3QUZn5VzsPWj_7QGlkTjXWc0rqwGQ3meaZMEzH7qHVdLCjnfgEMqrZrgTz1TJzK2_ZtazbjUmEgRkyJVASN2wfwhdoR5wjuMI1e2yY4f7HEZ777_lhoNPOc9Rg/w400-h220/another-code-r-nintendo-wii-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Another Code: R</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Another Code: R</i> (Wii)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm one of those nerds who adored developer CiNG and all of the brilliant games it managed to release during its relatively short lifespan. Or at least I've adored all of its games that I've tried to date, which includes the original <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/12/reviews-of-19-games-i-finished-in-2019-part-one.html" target="_blank">Another Code</a></i> (<i>Trace Memory</i> in North America), <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2015/08/a-decade-of-nintendo-ds-hotel-dusk.html" target="_blank">Hotel Dusk</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/12/six-reasons-i-am-thrilled-i-finally-finished-last-window-nintendo-ds.html" target="_blank">Last Window</a></i>, and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/02/overlooked-nintendo-ds-games-you-need-to-play-asap.html" target="_blank">Again</a></i>. I've yet to play the company's lone PS2 effort, <i>Glass Rose</i>, or the Wii-based follow-up to the first game I mentioned here, <i>Another Code: R</i>. Although I don't see myself tracking down and starting through <i>Glass Rose</i> anytime soon, I'd like to finally check out <i>Another Code: R</i> in 2023. I love its art style and I similarly adore the Nintendo Wii, so I'm struggling to see how it won't quickly find a place in my heart alongside the other CiNG products I've experienced.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>E.X. Troopers</i> (3DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>So many people I respect regularly sing the praises of <i>E.X. Troopers</i>. I took the first step to finding out if it's my cup of tea, too, by buying a copy of the 3DS version a few years ago, but I've yet to even slip its cartridge into my 3DS. I'll be honest here: I'm worried its gameplay won't thrill me the way it does so many others, but I want to give it a solid go all the same.</div><div><br /><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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3lYQkJGiUsqnqfm2WAGd_MspfkUAFmjkCXBMeWmpgYp_fdd9GhWhqul0sQHoZ2jDT3JuNSUk4ilvnZCItAb91Y1xsUEhhmK0PDia3czWEhXIbxewACgjGEjAGE7JOtbbBl9t3ft6JrzrtOf9QXNH6zrkc0jdmsIxHQQysEkPbgUWMQUVkHs/s640/ff-crystal-chronicles-crystal-bearers-nintendo-wii-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="640" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3lYQkJGiUsqnqfm2WAGd_MspfkUAFmjkCXBMeWmpgYp_fdd9GhWhqul0sQHoZ2jDT3JuNSUk4ilvnZCItAb91Y1xsUEhhmK0PDia3czWEhXIbxewACgjGEjAGE7JOtbbBl9t3ft6JrzrtOf9QXNH6zrkc0jdmsIxHQQysEkPbgUWMQUVkHs/w400-h219/ff-crystal-chronicles-crystal-bearers-nintendo-wii-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers</i> (Wii)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Like many folks, I was miffed when Square Enix announced this <i>Final Fantasy</i> spinoff for the Wii rather than a mainline entry or even an actual <i>Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles</i> sequel that iterated on the original's ARPG gameplay. Now, though, pretty much everything about <i>The Crystal Bearers</i> appeals to me, from its dashing protagonist to its bizarre gameplay. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I ignored this game's predecessor, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021-not-from-2021.html" target="_blank">Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</a></i>, for years despite generally loving Nippon Ichi Software releases because its gigantic parties of 40 or so members seemed both ridiculous and overwhelming. Once I got to playing it, though, I learned it wasn't too much to handle at all, and actually was an interesting departure from the norm. I've heard this follow-up treads similarly unique ground, so I plan to dive into it as soon as a copy is in my greedy hands in mid-February.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9VdSoveeqf5M8LK9ylMzr6LDFjZJEb8njb0kvKz-sigRnfzXGmQL-0AhusFfDh-FmxBPZVz4sopKr0bCNsBiPz5OhZoYykmDU16T2bwY9UoL6HgDcRkcjSaPwltSEtRC6jYYfila7lxTqseDylWY-_tGMigGwF-fbl4xmuDgLU8-jGaichY/s480/me-and-my-katamari-psp-1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="480" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9VdSoveeqf5M8LK9ylMzr6LDFjZJEb8njb0kvKz-sigRnfzXGmQL-0AhusFfDh-FmxBPZVz4sopKr0bCNsBiPz5OhZoYykmDU16T2bwY9UoL6HgDcRkcjSaPwltSEtRC6jYYfila7lxTqseDylWY-_tGMigGwF-fbl4xmuDgLU8-jGaichY/w400-h226/me-and-my-katamari-psp-1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Me & My Katamari</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Me & My Katamari</i> (PSP)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Full disclosure: although I thoroughly love the original <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2011/11/great-gaymathon-review-44-katamari.html" target="_blank">Katamari Damacy</a></i> game, I've never played any of its sequels. I've bought most of them, but never even booted them up. That includes this PSP release. I'm pretty sure I've said here before that I would try to play <i>Me & My Katamari</i>, but I failed to follow through on it. Hopefully I can get off my butt in that regard this time. I've heard it's worth the effort, even if it doesn't exactly live up to the lofty expectations set by pair of PS2 releases that preceded it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Popolocrois</i> (PSP)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I have a feeling this isn't the first time I've publicly vowed to play this PSP game, too. Like <i>Me & My Katamari</i>, I've avoided <i>Popolocrois</i> for a few reasons, with the main one being that word of mouth on it isn't all that positive. Still, I've wanted to experience some version of this game ever since I first became aware of it decades ago (via the Japan-only PlayStation title from 1996), so I should probably get it over with and see if it's been worth all the fuss.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney</i> (3DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Why I didn't buy and try this curious crossover when it first came out is beyond me. I've thoroughly enjoyed every <i>Professor Layton</i> game I've played to date, and the same is true of the <i>Ace Attorney</i> games I've played, so of course I'd enjoy this one, too, right? I suppose it's possible I won't, but I'm willing to chance it. If only copies didn't cost so blasted much these days.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhkriicqZu3rorsM7hbYW3VShEdoFl9I6cru8ut2sXZ7bhCO8RyXL4jDyADwlkj25nV1ql9PIFAKZff5KAhFYS1NMmoUpdKwAMb5jssZa436DC0ufgKT63oU2oZhkz7TrQNgYlJuWIigRN6pvmgQ6CsnDr0gknBTChF69u4_NkDLf-2qQty4/s400/3DS_ProfessorLaytonVSAceAttorney_enGB_02a.bmp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="400" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhkriicqZu3rorsM7hbYW3VShEdoFl9I6cru8ut2sXZ7bhCO8RyXL4jDyADwlkj25nV1ql9PIFAKZff5KAhFYS1NMmoUpdKwAMb5jssZa436DC0ufgKT63oU2oZhkz7TrQNgYlJuWIigRN6pvmgQ6CsnDr0gknBTChF69u4_NkDLf-2qQty4/w400-h220/3DS_ProfessorLaytonVSAceAttorney_enGB_02a.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Romancing SaGa</i> (Super Famicom)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've attempted to play the original version of <i>Romancing SaGa</i> a few times over the years. At least a couple of those attempts were made using an actual Super Famicom cart of the game, while the rest involved a ROM of the same. I'm fairly sure all took place before any <a href="https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/wsc/578836-romancing-saga/faqs/78029" target="_blank">worthwhile English walkthroughs</a> existed. Now that one does, and now that a <a href="https://www.romhacking.net/translations/2377/" target="_blank">complete English fan translation</a> can be found online, too, I'm ready to try again. I know I could just play the more modern <i>Minstrel Song</i> remake, but for now I want to tackle the original. Don't worry, I own a copy of the <i>Minstrel Song</i> remaster that released recently, so I'll fall back on that if needed. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Tengai Makyou II: Manji Maru</i> (DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I was one of those odd kids who proudly owned a TurboGrafx-16 back when it was current (and a distant third option for game fans after the SNES and the Genesis). I even owned one of those devastatingly expensive TurboGrafx-CD units. One of the games I bought to put the latter device to use was <i>Tengai Makyou II: Manji Maru</i>. I was obsessed with it at the time. It looked unlike any RPG I'd ever laid eyes on up to that point. The battle scenes, in particular, blew me away with their dynamic animations. Unfortunately, the language barrier proved to be far too massive for my puny brain to overcome. Thankfully, walkthroughs are a thing now (they weren't then), so I'll refer to as many as are needed if I tackle <i>Tengai Makyou II</i>'s Nintendo DS port this coming year.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xD63fpctoDZHaWLsLEfU7XtjVgr2Ya6rrCUh30l8tvpTD8cZfpEF9FRHZvM1WOxErLcvSh55NREc72CgTFjKynvPDMIzZjHCYHE0JglLPN34OeiIW7pwK-OLPhUf812f3raBRjKhbNtjQgr7SabGdAttQGiG268p_j1bnG1BaRqxD-LeuSI/s1920/void-terrarium-2-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xD63fpctoDZHaWLsLEfU7XtjVgr2Ya6rrCUh30l8tvpTD8cZfpEF9FRHZvM1WOxErLcvSh55NREc72CgTFjKynvPDMIzZjHCYHE0JglLPN34OeiIW7pwK-OLPhUf812f3raBRjKhbNtjQgr7SabGdAttQGiG268p_j1bnG1BaRqxD-LeuSI/w400-h225/void-terrarium-2-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Void Terrarium 2</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Void Terrarium 2</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The first <i>Void Terrarium</i> was one of <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/12/my-favorite-games-of-2020-goty.html" target="_blank">my three favorite games of 2020</a>. That game daringly combines a futuristic roguelike (one of my favorite genres, currently) with a human Tamagotchi. Like many such NIS mashups, it sounds like an obscene mess on paper, but seems brilliant once you play it. To be honest, previews of <i>Void Terrarium 2</i> have me worried it will be disappointingly derivative (it often looks like a retread of the first game), but those who have played the Japanese release swear it's an honest-to-goodness sequel, so I'll take them at their word and fervently anticipate its North American launch in late February.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/seven-games-i-failed-to-finish-in-2022.html" target="_blank">seven games I sadly failed to finish in 2022</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-15386864679242491482022-12-27T09:13:00.000-08:002022-12-27T09:13:29.387-08:00Seven games I sadly failed to finish in 2022<div>I finish nearly every game I decide to start.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or at least I did before this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned in my "<a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/my-favorite-games-of-2022.html" target="_blank">favorite games of 2022</a>" post, this year has been a weird one in many regards, but it's been especially so in terms of my interaction with and enjoyment of video games.</div><div><br /></div><div>For reasons I can't fathom, I failed to finish a whopping seven games this year. The games in question are <i>13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim</i>, <i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i>, <i>Live A Live</i>, <i>Nora and the Time Studio</i>, <i>SaGa 2 Hihō Densetsu: Goddess of Destiny</i>, <i>Shin Chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation</i>, and <i>Skyrim</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1bhpdOeOpYInsQXqPxDoZJBeZ-GwxB9uMshijDvJB7KLZqIoxkTsiVPuVqFiNW2PsLw1n1gLQHczazEmnNMbW7Cw_tAPL6qxxFiuqx6uGx3jBFL2HXQc9aYiPr85PN_hajgothBJhnhTZaO_7O0RrLXnLjex37qmDDyoA7OgbUFEA-XNZiM/s1280/13-sentinels-nintendo-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1bhpdOeOpYInsQXqPxDoZJBeZ-GwxB9uMshijDvJB7KLZqIoxkTsiVPuVqFiNW2PsLw1n1gLQHczazEmnNMbW7Cw_tAPL6qxxFiuqx6uGx3jBFL2HXQc9aYiPr85PN_hajgothBJhnhTZaO_7O0RrLXnLjex37qmDDyoA7OgbUFEA-XNZiM/w400-h225/13-sentinels-nintendo-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've wanted to play this Vanillaware game since it was first announced for the PS4 and Vita several years ago. Yet when I finally got a chance to play it, I bailed after just over an hour. To be sure, this bailing had little to do with <i>13 Sentinels</i>' story or gameplay and a lot to do with the fact that tacking its strategy segments with a drifting Switch Joy-Con proved to be more than I could handle at the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I'm to be honest, though, the existence of these strategy segments played a small role in my disenchantment with <i>13 Sentinels</i>, too. I've never been a big fan of real-time strategy games, so sticking one into an otherwise-compelling visual novel was never going to thrill me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't worry, I'm planning on returning to <i>13 Sentinels</i> in 2023 and giving it a proper chance, RTS segments be damned. I won't be doing so until I fix or replace my current pair of Joy-Cons, though, that I can assure you.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR52kQCekU4VVko7E1G2cOv12Y5ajNw6KUSqik71-VQXcSsUukT0GAowMVdYtjZ_VZLvhkATEAm1neVxRjke01MC50FLPcUiCqSjw4RUYYkmUegsdMAVKhjq1jUpgVNI3HT57ZNGzToRyYOm9OaWat-o1ECMQuXmYOPIAnMgy7QSrMt-CxLhk/s1038/fuga-melodies-of-steel-nintendo-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1038" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR52kQCekU4VVko7E1G2cOv12Y5ajNw6KUSqik71-VQXcSsUukT0GAowMVdYtjZ_VZLvhkATEAm1neVxRjke01MC50FLPcUiCqSjw4RUYYkmUegsdMAVKhjq1jUpgVNI3HT57ZNGzToRyYOm9OaWat-o1ECMQuXmYOPIAnMgy7QSrMt-CxLhk/w400-h223/fuga-melodies-of-steel-nintendo-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike <i>13 Sentinels</i>, I put a good amount of time into <i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i> before walking away from it earlier this year. Over 11 hours, to be exact. Which suggests I liked it quite a bit, right? I did, in fact. Unfortunately, a <i>Fuga</i> boss that gave me more trouble than expected and a (real life) trip that occurred around the same time conspired to both take me away from the game and keep me from returning to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, the plan is to give <i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i> another go sometime next year. Perhaps strangely, I'm considering starting over with it. After my abovementioned boss woes, I did some sleuthing online and learned that I made a few decisions during my aborted playthrough that likely led to that unfortunate roadblock. A fresh start should keep me from repeating the experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think the hard work will be worth it regardless, as <i>Fuga</i>'s two-dimensional, turn-based tank battles and cute, furry crew proved to be quite captivating during the 11-plus hours I put into the game a few months back.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QyK2BCqSbNUzOc302cUZr-Hz4JUzXdwtHZeO9nxYg9NKYZxdFneQspSlo-Wb7YZIT7sr8-9hoNdBFLyQsLA8Uat5GOhPfeJWMDudJ1GzyMXYeVa9bAc-up0EqaISufXvQnDC23XKNOQn-TjQeNBG78tAArCckUbiNQ1ZVUtxskr4EkvKyy4/s1920/live-a-live-nintendo-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QyK2BCqSbNUzOc302cUZr-Hz4JUzXdwtHZeO9nxYg9NKYZxdFneQspSlo-Wb7YZIT7sr8-9hoNdBFLyQsLA8Uat5GOhPfeJWMDudJ1GzyMXYeVa9bAc-up0EqaISufXvQnDC23XKNOQn-TjQeNBG78tAArCckUbiNQ1ZVUtxskr4EkvKyy4/w400-h225/live-a-live-nintendo-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Live A Live</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>As is usually the case, I can't remember <i>exactly</i> why I failed to finish <i>Live A Live</i> after devoting about 10 hours to it shortly after it hits store shelves in July. What I do remember: I had a great time with the four stories I managed to complete in the time I spent with this HD-2D remake. I especially liked the prehistoric chapter that focused on a lovelorn (some might just say horny) caveman and his colorful crew—which includes an ape that injures baddies with his farts and poop.</div><div><br /></div><div>This JRPG's unique settings—others include ancient China, the Wild West, and a spaceship in the distant future—were the highlight here for me, though I also appreciated how each story lasted a few hours at most. You'd think that would've made it easy for me to plow through the whole she-bang in a breezy 20 hours or so, but somehow I felt a bit burned out by the time I wrapped up my fourth chapter. Considering I've only got three more to go, I should be able to complete the rest before similar feelings set in after I circle back to <i>Live A Live</i> sometime in 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u95dsc_upMU46h29Z2cdfwNY8ApuV6hMznRxRy9BaOsbhs4RY8AeXfBrbFgCBernkHtwwQGuPsRHTfK5BcPHCQmZJV66uThyvN6irRx35BM4GboxVjMuimKMmx7sTNPRB7DrFL-h-EVT7O7EdUnAIwx2ckkMaoNGrIHMJoR3u65Vs1xTdB0/s256/nora-and-the-time-studio-nintendo-ds-1a.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="256" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u95dsc_upMU46h29Z2cdfwNY8ApuV6hMznRxRy9BaOsbhs4RY8AeXfBrbFgCBernkHtwwQGuPsRHTfK5BcPHCQmZJV66uThyvN6irRx35BM4GboxVjMuimKMmx7sTNPRB7DrFL-h-EVT7O7EdUnAIwx2ckkMaoNGrIHMJoR3u65Vs1xTdB0/w400-h222/nora-and-the-time-studio-nintendo-ds-1a.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Nora and the Time Studio</i> </b><b>(Nintendo DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've dreamed of playing this Atlus-made <i>Atelier</i>-like since I first heard about it in early 2011. Not because I'm a huge fan of the <i>Atelier</i> series, mind you (I've yet to play a single entry), but because I think it looks adorable and because I've rarely met a Nintendo DS game I didn't like. I had no hope I'd ever be able to enjoy it due to the language barrier, though. (It never earned an official North American or European release.) Or at least I didn't until I learned earlier this year that an English fan translation for <i>Nora</i> was out in the wild.</div><div><br /></div><div>At any rate, I enjoyed the four or so hours I put into <i>Nora and the Time Studio</i> this summer thanks in large part to its gorgeous sprite art and charming characters. The only complaint I can level at it at the moment is that I found its gameplay to be more restrictive than anticipated. In some ways, it reminds me of another DS title I played in 2021, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/one-sentence-on-each-of-the-games-i-finished-in-2021.html" target="_blank">Princess Debut</a></i>. The two titles are worlds apart in terms of genre, but both seem aimed at a similar audience and feature fairly (sometimes overly) simplistic gameplay. Should a bit of digging suggest <i>Nora and the Time Studio</i> is a relatively brief affair, I'll probably return to it in 2023. Otherwise, I think I had my fill this year.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JiX1toEOO0qn6bE_ziyc2rNQSwboXNlnIP7x-uQK89HFZAwCLlyhVtqPMaPGxLzYbc1w1Yw1xhoxmmtHLavqUzRrr6DGAcg-iTn_GhB2fHAZwDSsBNNukiOJY_ha7c86HnTaHe6OIuDAmzmBAS93b4Vumiq5mJmxRhseUnG4tNoM0eaoJg0/s768/saga-2-nintendo-ds-2b.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="768" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JiX1toEOO0qn6bE_ziyc2rNQSwboXNlnIP7x-uQK89HFZAwCLlyhVtqPMaPGxLzYbc1w1Yw1xhoxmmtHLavqUzRrr6DGAcg-iTn_GhB2fHAZwDSsBNNukiOJY_ha7c86HnTaHe6OIuDAmzmBAS93b4Vumiq5mJmxRhseUnG4tNoM0eaoJg0/w400-h223/saga-2-nintendo-ds-2b.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>SaGa 2 Hihō Densetsu: Goddess of Destiny</i> (Nintendo DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It's hardly a secret at this point that I generally adore Square Enix's <i>SaGa</i> series. <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/01/my-favorite-games-of-2020-that-werent.html" target="_blank">SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions</a></i> has been one of my favorite Switch games to date, and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021.html" target="_blank">SaGa Frontier</a></i> is one of my favorite games of all time. Long before these two titles were even a twinkle in creator Akitoshi Kawazu's eye, though, there were the trio of GameBoy games that started it all. My fondest memories are for the first release, known as <i>SaGa</i> in Japan and <i>The Final Fantasy Legend</i> in North America, but I have a lot of love and affection for its sequel, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a three-dimensional reimagining of that game, as you might imagine. Although I'm sure it was more impressive back when it first came out in 2009, it remains a nice-looking game. It's a lot easier to play than the original GB release, too, thanks to various quality-of-life improvements. It's still quite stilted in that regard in comparison to more modern JRPGs, though, and I think that, along with the random and regular-ish difficulty spikes, is what prompted me to throw up my hands in surrender after nearly 26 hours of play. Will I willingly circle back to it in 2023? I can't imagine it at the moment, but stranger things have certainly happened, so who knows.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxE8h-fBLPkTugT7FdpN_xN125N9bXEizgVvX9NPTwtd-kYymOYoyejklaWUoI9KNic-ceQRTeNMOHzNjd2-Jq1mnuy6n6ESbAUUKCwy7pFudSmjqF7xq5XciCrJFxXO-rx-ZN-QB-DTdMA6zkHsA1DR_ZiBgPceEbpYE7LmlKMNUXyxJeTk/s1100/shin-chan-me-and-professor-on-summer-vacation-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1100" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxE8h-fBLPkTugT7FdpN_xN125N9bXEizgVvX9NPTwtd-kYymOYoyejklaWUoI9KNic-ceQRTeNMOHzNjd2-Jq1mnuy6n6ESbAUUKCwy7pFudSmjqF7xq5XciCrJFxXO-rx-ZN-QB-DTdMA6zkHsA1DR_ZiBgPceEbpYE7LmlKMNUXyxJeTk/w400-h225/shin-chan-me-and-professor-on-summer-vacation-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Shin Chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's another game I spent a lot of time looking forward to playing before I finally got my grubby mitts on it. (It released in Japan over a year before it released in my neck of the woods.) As with <i>13 Sentinels</i>, though, I walked away from <i>Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation</i> surprisingly quickly.</div><div><br /></div><div>What was the reason? The biggie is that I just wasn't finding it as interesting or enjoyable as I thought I would. Also, and I hate to admit this, I think the Shin Chan characters and aesthetic weren't doing it for me. I would've far preferred for this to be a real <i>Boku no Natsuyasumi</i> game, even though I know that probably wouldn't be possible at this point in time (what with the Switch being the leading platform here, and <i>Boku</i>'s close ties to Sony and the PlayStation).</div><div><br /></div><div>Still, the plan is to return to <i>Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation</i> as soon as possible in the new year. Whether I actually accomplish that task is anyone's guess, though. Who knows, maybe the long-promised physical version will materialize soon and that alone will prompt a reappraisal of the game. Fingers crossed, regardless.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEWh__3KaIV2B64KMi83tEsOdyZQ_zxEF_ZRHafmuxFSwquf_vDMlQwp8Cb68ly_XXwaHBiOjrnWU1FvxtRZiq-esuGNEeFgi-Og-Hd4fTM43K_45dlc_XSPdpArszr7QnT7Xk2fLoHGo1KUpvJIlIVmVYxd3ggBXbwT5SyOGQOKZOA_CeHU/s1920/skyrim-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEWh__3KaIV2B64KMi83tEsOdyZQ_zxEF_ZRHafmuxFSwquf_vDMlQwp8Cb68ly_XXwaHBiOjrnWU1FvxtRZiq-esuGNEeFgi-Og-Hd4fTM43K_45dlc_XSPdpArszr7QnT7Xk2fLoHGo1KUpvJIlIVmVYxd3ggBXbwT5SyOGQOKZOA_CeHU/w400-h225/skyrim-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Skyrim</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Of all the games highlighted here, this is the one I put the least amount of time into in 2022 before dropping it for something else. To be honest, <i>Skyrim</i> has never seemed like my cup of tea. I only bought it after its Switch port released because multiple people whose opinions I respect suggested I would enjoy it. Based on my admittedly terse experience with it so far, I remain doubtful.</div><div><br /></div><div>The classic European fantasy aesthetic doesn't do <i>Skyrim</i> any favors for me. Nor does the huge, open world (something that's always been hit or miss with me) or the real-time WRPG gameplay. Still, I've barely scratched the surface of what the game supposedly has to offer, so I'll try to push these semi-negative thoughts to the very back of my brain if I give this fifth <i>Elder Scrolls</i> adventure a second chance in the coming year.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/my-favorite-games-of-2022-not-from-2022.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2022 that weren't released in 2022</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-63626303673143450892022-12-18T09:00:00.002-08:002022-12-23T07:32:06.067-08:00My favorite games of 2022 that weren't released in 2022<div>I wasn't planning on publishing a post about my favorite games of 2022 that weren't actually released in 2022 (hence the little bonus note at the end of <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/12/my-favorite-games-of-2022.html" target="_blank">my last write-up</a>), but then I got to thinking about it and decided I had a few things to say about these not-quite-current games after all. So, here we are again.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNENpjeqqHTV66U0BcEQ-6djIjPET0ZjQlQUW2Zgbtlab2JTObYewNfim7mWoDjPXLxgaqfYPOWvHTTTT1ShH9eVj1FlZ-4ITyyBv2E7kek18fRiUxpR8m-rhGTAvMGaP5EhN4NN9XwyzfE66E30VBRMOaljHJsz9TzhDwrFmtt3k2ezMPHJM/s1280/chackn-pop-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNENpjeqqHTV66U0BcEQ-6djIjPET0ZjQlQUW2Zgbtlab2JTObYewNfim7mWoDjPXLxgaqfYPOWvHTTTT1ShH9eVj1FlZ-4ITyyBv2E7kek18fRiUxpR8m-rhGTAvMGaP5EhN4NN9XwyzfE66E30VBRMOaljHJsz9TzhDwrFmtt3k2ezMPHJM/w400-h225/chackn-pop-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Chack'n Pop</i> (Arcade, PS4, Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>OK, so I'm starting things off on a rather questionable note. I say that because technically the version of <i>Chack'n Pop</i> I played and enjoyed this year (Hamster's <a href="https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/arcade-archives-chackn-pop-switch/" target="_blank">Arcade Archives port for the Nintendo Switch</a>) was released during 2022. Calling it a 2022 release seems disingenuous at best, though, considering it was introduced to the world as an arcade game all the way back in 1983.</div><div><br /></div><div>At any rate, <i>Chack'n Pop</i> is a wonder. It's often called a precursor to <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2017/04/my-10-most-influential-games-bubble-bobble.html" target="_blank">Bubble Bubble</a></i>, and while that's true (<i>Bubble Bobble</i> didn't come out until 1986), it's only true in terms of release dates and a small amount of character overlap. In terms of gameplay, the two titles couldn't be more dissimilar. <i>Chack'n Pop</i> is slow and methodical, to the point it often feels like a puzzle game. Also, whereas even people who are terrible at <i>Bubble Bobble</i> can make it through a multitude of stages, especially if they use continues, those who find <i>Chack'n Pop</i> challenging will struggle to make it through more than a couple. I could be said to be included in this bunch, by the way, but that hasn't kept me from continuing to plug away at and thoroughly enjoy the game.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpJaRfwvt01YBGG6ZyVAZoEfMNJL1MMuetuLRgXFY2luc0zP4l97X054tAzIvkG055gCBYVX80itGH2UgsqTv5IjH-__LEO11NMg-i8MCD0lc2iKTGjeAwKbcrN_P1MheHKAAbwBC4VjuCFZEYKePRwBhisxymoIFWrsYkVHMatzWy4NYJp0/s1280/FairylandStory_Switch_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpJaRfwvt01YBGG6ZyVAZoEfMNJL1MMuetuLRgXFY2luc0zP4l97X054tAzIvkG055gCBYVX80itGH2UgsqTv5IjH-__LEO11NMg-i8MCD0lc2iKTGjeAwKbcrN_P1MheHKAAbwBC4VjuCFZEYKePRwBhisxymoIFWrsYkVHMatzWy4NYJp0/w400-h225/FairylandStory_Switch_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>The Fairyland Story</i> (</b><b>Arcade, </b><b>PS4, Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, look, another game often described as a <i>Bubble Bobble</i> precursor. This one more strongly resembles that 1986 classic, though, especially as far as its gameplay is concerned. That said, only those who don't quite know what they're doing will play <i><a href="https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/arcade-archives-the-fairyland-story-switch/" target="_blank">The Fairyland Story</a></i> in a similar fashion to how they play <i>Bubble Bobble</i> -- as in, spamming the attack button (which here causes protagonist Ptolemy to shoot magic from her wand) to turn each level's enemy creatures into mouth-watering hunks of cake. Clued-in players tackle <i>The Fairyland Story</i> in a far more deliberate manner.</div><div><br /></div><div>If this is news to you, the gist is that dropping a piece of cake onto two or more enemies at once nets you a medal that, once grabbed, adds a multiplier to your score as long as you stay alive. Along with this, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2012/08/you-say-bubble-bobble-clone-i-say.html" target="_blank">The Fairyland Story</a></i>'s enemies are highly manipulatable, and combining this aspect of the game with the aforementioned one can result in scores that make your eyes roll back and your head spin.</div><div><br /></div><div>As is true of most such things, pulling off the above at all, let alone consistently, is easier to suggest than it is to accomplish. I myself am still a rough work in progress here. Knowing what is possible is a hell of a motivator, though, as are the rest of this game's components, like its adorable sprite art and charming backing tunes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsewqJ3B5o2MhmSkxFW8-tkEpjfn4vpkNmyu-OZu-ZHMfysZoG1MEGB1mvyYy5EpZmhRLAOqRd8TIxtsU65_BHIVYF1DvxUeQq1FgwoEgNnwtOxuYUMAYGtCIMzGUUwOLtuGQZ8vcXVhVoBdCu_KmqRAIMK2HVEwxS7CP7Pts25YBsxrYRx1w/s1280/the-house-in-fata-morgana-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsewqJ3B5o2MhmSkxFW8-tkEpjfn4vpkNmyu-OZu-ZHMfysZoG1MEGB1mvyYy5EpZmhRLAOqRd8TIxtsU65_BHIVYF1DvxUeQq1FgwoEgNnwtOxuYUMAYGtCIMzGUUwOLtuGQZ8vcXVhVoBdCu_KmqRAIMK2HVEwxS7CP7Pts25YBsxrYRx1w/w400-h225/the-house-in-fata-morgana-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>The House in Fata Morgana</i> (PC, PS4, Switch, Vita)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is one of those "games" (in quotes because it's not really a game, but rather a Visual Novel) that various people whose opinions I respect told me I needed to play (experience?) for years before I finally dove into it earlier this year. Did I share their high praise of <i>The House in Fata Morgana</i> in the end? Yes... and no. Don't get me wrong, this VN does many things well. The story is entrancing, haunting, and surprising. The art is gorgeous, as is the exotic, ethereal soundtrack.</div><div><br /></div><div>I struggled with some other aspects of <i>The House in Fata Morgana</i>, though. At times, its story is <i>too</i> haunting, verging on tortuous. I also thought it overstayed its welcome by a good bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the end, I appreciated <i>The House in Fata Morgana</i>'s positive attributes more than I abhorred its negative ones. Its story went places I didn't expect -- at all -- and for that alone it earns the exalted position it has among VN fans. I'm not sure I ever see myself going through it again, mind you, but I'm glad I reached its credit roll at least once.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuumDsbvefIYlbASq0fkZN9q3zV9AQtN9ix1iQ8er1YIrd6Y6z9udfnNx7PjLw8rhdeSdoO58oSlizKH-fBAWFNA5oRTBeugceSTxKaiMR3jcwRdKg3C4naEQ5hzb1cQXew3wksALzKe61e5hqruhqnizc3dwnfgSJ8GWhOwmoxHwYuhYIHjA/s400/pocket-card-jockey-3ds-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuumDsbvefIYlbASq0fkZN9q3zV9AQtN9ix1iQ8er1YIrd6Y6z9udfnNx7PjLw8rhdeSdoO58oSlizKH-fBAWFNA5oRTBeugceSTxKaiMR3jcwRdKg3C4naEQ5hzb1cQXew3wksALzKe61e5hqruhqnizc3dwnfgSJ8GWhOwmoxHwYuhYIHjA/w400-h225/pocket-card-jockey-3ds-2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Pocket Card Jockey</i> (3DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I could probably include <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2016/07/the-great-gaymathon-review-74-pocket-card-jockey-3ds.html" target="_blank">Pocket Card Jockey</a></i> in every post like this I ever publish, or at least I could over a period of 10 or so years. Which is a long way of saying this digital 3DS offering, made by the folks at Game Freak (you might know them from a little series called <i>Pokémon</i>), worms its way back into my heart on a regular basis. A case in point: 2022 was the sixth year I put more than 20 hours into <i>Pocket Card Jockey</i> since its Japanese release in 2013. (I put just under 35 hours into it this year, for the record.)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Pocket Card Jockey</i> is one of those Nintendo games like <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2011/10/great-gaymathon-review-39-endless-ocean.html" target="_blank">Endless Ocean</a></i> that I just don't understand how they didn't blow up with the masses. I'm guessing the fact that it's a 3DS game and not a DS one, and that the only way to buy it is to venture onto the eShop (as opposed to walking into a retail store or logging onto Amazon), is chiefly responsible for holding it back. The horse-racing theme probably didn't do it any favors either. Regardless, it's a crying shame, as <i>Pocket Card Jockey</i> is a blast. How the wizards at Game Freak turned the typically sedate game of solitaire into such a nail-biting, just-one-more-try electronic experience is beyond me. Thankfully, I don't need to understand how they conceived of <i>Pocket Card Jockey</i> or brought to life; I only need to sit down and enjoy the spoils of their hard work.</div><div><br /></div><div>(Related aside: if you're struggling with this game, read my <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2016/05/how-to-succeed-in-pocket-card-jockey-3ds-without-really-trying.html" target="_blank">guide on how to play and succeed at <i>Pocket Card Jockey</i></a>.)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpoN2F4NkVvZYIASoW-A5RXEGjpVXztJb6IhwVJn_JIa2icQeVsTm5z6H33yf_XFy-Hvf4y6R58A7umxKhyQ3WISkuz_gKQX27alj8zQBPnVg4JLIEF9SB1YZRmmU20RTgXBDZ5AKx3RpTyo3zLHH_dD2rw3zirngyntP9sKTi2D537IKT0o/s1000/rainbow-islands-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpoN2F4NkVvZYIASoW-A5RXEGjpVXztJb6IhwVJn_JIa2icQeVsTm5z6H33yf_XFy-Hvf4y6R58A7umxKhyQ3WISkuz_gKQX27alj8zQBPnVg4JLIEF9SB1YZRmmU20RTgXBDZ5AKx3RpTyo3zLHH_dD2rw3zirngyntP9sKTi2D537IKT0o/w400-h225/rainbow-islands-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Rainbow Islands</i> (PC Engine)</b></div><div><br /></div>
<div>I swear I didn't intend to make this write-up so <i>Bubble Bobble</i>-centric. I guess that's just what happens when you start playing a game that's related to <i>Bubble Bobble</i>, and that leads to you playing another and then another. At any rate, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2011/02/great-gaymathon-review-2-rainbow.html" target="_blank">Rainbow Islands</a></i> is my favorite of the bunch. And by that I don't simply mean my favorite of the <i>Bubble Bobble</i>-adjacent games I played in 2022, or even of all the <i>Bubble Bobble</i>-adjacent games in existence. Honestly, I think I like <i>Rainbow Islands</i> even more than the great <i>Bubble Bobble</i> itself at this point.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now you're going to want to know why. I'm not sure I know myself. I guess the main thing I prefer about <i>Rainbow Islands</i> to its brethren (sistren?) is that it is, or it can be, a more exhilarating experience. Once you're powered up to a certain degree, you can practically (and sometimes literally) fly through its vertical-oriented stages, quickly hopping here and there and wiping out the game's adorable, big-eyed baddies with rapidly slung rainbows along the way. If you're anything like me, such runs will inevitably come to a crashing halt because of one dumb decision or another. I always dust myself off and get back up again, though, ready to give it another shot while bopping my head to its main "Not Somewhere Over the Rainbow (No, Really)" backing tune. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCgX_1XKupuHN28QIO57MLBDIDv3Rz5y_5R9E0N6fVXCoM4Wud5PUFARg23tg--ydWPqfUJz0pyp2uUcxefp-fLC0po5PnOA19UMBqQv1cTWuGGrM-8oZD_jtVyzQ5MpuJdbOF7F_-zV5A5fPQXUPdAP3_uy9dCs4NIEU62RpKbtFGw7JMLw/s400/Rustys-real-deal-3DS-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCgX_1XKupuHN28QIO57MLBDIDv3Rz5y_5R9E0N6fVXCoM4Wud5PUFARg23tg--ydWPqfUJz0pyp2uUcxefp-fLC0po5PnOA19UMBqQv1cTWuGGrM-8oZD_jtVyzQ5MpuJdbOF7F_-zV5A5fPQXUPdAP3_uy9dCs4NIEU62RpKbtFGw7JMLw/w400-h225/Rustys-real-deal-3DS-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Rusty's Real Deal Baseball</i> (3DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Rusty's Real Deal Baseball</i> is another victim of the 3DS eShop curse. As in, it's a great -- brilliant, really -- game that was mostly and sadly overlooked by millions upon millions of Nintendo 3DS owners because it wasn't a DS game and/or wasn't given a physical (boxed) release. Also, much like <i>Pocket Card Jockey</i> may have been hurt by its horse-racing and -breeding theme, <i>Rusty's</i> may have been hurt by its focus on baseball.</div><div><br /></div><div>All you and anyone else need to know is that I love <i>Rusty's</i> to death -- and I hate baseball. OK, so hate may be too strong of a word here, but I'm certainly no fan of the sport. The reason I adore <i>Rusty's Real Deal Baseball</i> despite its unfortunate theme: it often feels like an offshoot of Nintendo's just-as-bonkers <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2011/02/great-gaymathon-5-rhythm-tengoku.html" target="_blank"><i>Rhythm Tengoku</i></a> series. That's right, it feels like a rhythm game. Add to that the game's ugly-cute anthropomorphic dog characters and its head-scratchingly dark story, and you've got yourself a must-play 3DS game -- even for folks who have no love for the so-called American pastime.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021-not-from-2021.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2021 that weren't released in 2021</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-54310487426755799402022-12-13T13:02:00.000-08:002022-12-13T13:02:44.624-08:00My favorite games of 2022<div>Something I have to get out of the way right at the start: 2022 has been a weird year for me. In all sorts of ways, but especially when it comes to video games.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although I played many more games in <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2021.html" target="_blank">2021</a> and <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2020.html">2020</a> than I did in, say, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/01/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2018.html" target="_blank">2018</a> and before, this year has felt like a real step back. Nowhere is that more obvious than in the number of games I finished this year: a measly six.</div><div><br /></div><div>At least I enjoyed four of the six games I finished this year enough to call them favorites. (Actually, I also enjoyed one of the remaining two, but it was released before 2022 and so doesn't fit in here.)</div><div><br /></div><div>What four games am I talking about? <i>Kirby and the Forgotten Land</i>, <i>Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness</i>, <i>Pokémon Legends: Arceus</i>, and <i>Yurukill: The Calumniation Games</i>. I'm also talking about <i>Live A Live</i>, which I sadly have yet to finish.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMe5Pa0ycX1_nFt64nHvQ78aGdbzqFDB8PWHgk09cvpQ02iSeT6kFJ_CSDAI_-eTNJSi5epwEEC1iXe04LkJKDuHC6H4_2jJiV6GL5LMmhMdcONmbWPq6b6wbW8m6QCJofKno_zyyl4y-nGCiZ0UkoSbfttGEAW3QZIjTZrNfpYr-2S-GJZXs/s1920/kirby-and-the-forgotten-land-nintendo-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMe5Pa0ycX1_nFt64nHvQ78aGdbzqFDB8PWHgk09cvpQ02iSeT6kFJ_CSDAI_-eTNJSi5epwEEC1iXe04LkJKDuHC6H4_2jJiV6GL5LMmhMdcONmbWPq6b6wbW8m6QCJofKno_zyyl4y-nGCiZ0UkoSbfttGEAW3QZIjTZrNfpYr-2S-GJZXs/w400-h225/kirby-and-the-forgotten-land-nintendo-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Kirby and the Forgotten Land</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I have a spotty history with the <i>Kirby</i> franchise. During my youth, I turned my nose up at its NES, SNES, and GameBoy releases because I thought they were for kids who'd never played any "real" games. It wasn't until I tried a few of <i>Kirby</i>'s Nintendo DS releases--and then, quickly, some of the earlier ones I'd missed--that I realized the error of my ways. Yes, <i>Kirby</i> games are for kids, but they're also for adults--and everyone between. The only people they're not for are curmudgeons who hate all things cute, colorful or fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>That remains true for <i>The Forgotten Land</i>, even with its dramatic move into the third dimension. To be honest, although I enjoyed pretty much every component of this game--from its candy-coated visuals, to its jubilant soundtrack, to its thrilling boss encounters--I most got a kick out of exploring its multitude of environments. If the only point of <i>The Forgotten Land</i> were to walk and hop and float from a stage's starting point to its exit, I still would've been perfectly happy with my purchase.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3ZBaG_M4rzgWzBOZFBE2h5CNr5QFqHxldBP0xIHN2Ag5AiPeLhd-1q8YujKm1XZ1S0wO6CC8K4iaoYA_pIMDY0jcDj-42BSElGfcVBuY2KRkD7DvmvaXzPobfNB41G2UgImt4PJRWORvzFsduMzTvupBI-WwO9ATDvKWiq8E05QgJQlMx5o/s1280/live-a-live-nintendo-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3ZBaG_M4rzgWzBOZFBE2h5CNr5QFqHxldBP0xIHN2Ag5AiPeLhd-1q8YujKm1XZ1S0wO6CC8K4iaoYA_pIMDY0jcDj-42BSElGfcVBuY2KRkD7DvmvaXzPobfNB41G2UgImt4PJRWORvzFsduMzTvupBI-WwO9ATDvKWiq8E05QgJQlMx5o/w400-h225/live-a-live-nintendo-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Live A Live</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Live A Live</i> is one of those (formerly) Japan-only RPGs I've wanted to play since it first released. Oh, I know an English fan translation of it has been out in the wild for ages, and I even gave it a (brief) go nearly as long ago, but for whatever reason it just didn't click with me at the time. I'd say the exact opposite about this HD-2D remake, even though I've yet to finish it. I've thoroughly enjoyed the four stories I've played through thus far, and that's nothing to sneeze at, if you ask me.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for why that is, well, for starters, I like that each of <i>Live A Live</i>'s stories take a few hours to beat, tops. Although my teenage self loved to tackle RPGs that demanded 100-ish hours to conquer, my current, much older self doesn't have the time or energy for such things more than once or twice a year. Just as importantly, though, I dig how unique and varied the stories and characters are within <i>Live A Live</i>. I mean, one puts you in the shoes (boots?) of a cowboy in the Old West; another plops you into the life of a lovelorn caveman.</div><div><br /></div><div>Admittedly and obviously, such short stories lack the depth of the ones that serve as the backbones to comparable epics like <i>Dragon Quest</i>, <i>Final Fantasy</i>, or <i>Xenoblade</i>, but I'm OK with that in this instance. For me, the breadth of the stories offered up here, along with the interesting ways in which they're told, trump the missing dimension.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjwzTbzouMStj12qViw5dRYmNVSjV6tdz09z75fnu8g1mU3Mj-TedszKBdSulDCnsT0sAh7zmkuQehLJjJDgOpNLuVnup0B6112PoVAtKM4S-SmuUfyK_sI1vfiz9EL_D-WHVSABOrfpTNwz8QAQJVqHFfHrITDYb8jmow28O_JSMIBMibAo/s1280/made-in-abyss-nintendo-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjwzTbzouMStj12qViw5dRYmNVSjV6tdz09z75fnu8g1mU3Mj-TedszKBdSulDCnsT0sAh7zmkuQehLJjJDgOpNLuVnup0B6112PoVAtKM4S-SmuUfyK_sI1vfiz9EL_D-WHVSABOrfpTNwz8QAQJVqHFfHrITDYb8jmow28O_JSMIBMibAo/w400-h225/made-in-abyss-nintendo-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness </i></b><b>(PC, PS4, Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Before <i>Binary Star Falling into Darkness</i> was announced, I'd never even heard of <i>Made in Abyss</i>. I tend to like Spike Chunsoft-made games, though, and I liked the look and sound of this one, so I pre-ordered it at my earliest opportunity. While I awaited its release, I bought and read the first volume of the manga and watched the first two episodes of the manga. I enjoyed both, despite the dark tone and gory imagery, so was pretty sure I'd appreciate this game adaptation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Boy, did I ever. Not right away, though. The game's "Hello Abyss" mode, which was mandatory upon release and basically acts as a tutorial, intrigued but also annoyed. It feels quite restricted, plus it tells an extremely minimalistic version of the anime's and manga's story. It wasn't until I started my way through the "Deep in Abyss" mode that I truly fell in love with <i>Binary Star Falling into Darkness</i>. Here, the game feels like an offshoot of the <i>Shiren the Wanderer</i> series in the best possible way. It feels like a <i>distinct</i> offshoot, though, offering plenty of unique twists and turns that make it seem like a real-time jaunt through a good chunk on <i>Made in Abyss</i>' nightmarish world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Truth be told, there were times when <i>Binary Star Falling into Darkness</i> made me want to break my Switch over my knee or fling it into the nearest wall thanks to some of its odd gameplay choices and overall jankiness. For the most part, though, I couldn't put it down. In fact, I wanted to keep on playing it well past its credit roll, and that took me 80-plus hours to reach.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSzJ4NTzh1gtN9V8eptSpMH6uXsjjvn2LxuzosD1CrwIJl8QkPb0hOi3PHpQorT0U44ycKfBC3K87w8NZLpvbAM_IlMA-BIh-W0F9pSN4-Jp3iJIRWQtWve2m5BFEpJONLUfNKXLxYPwQo_DUgxpoFihV4-IJ9n2T38hBOpBCwfaFR_BMY-k/s1280/pokemon-legends-arceus-nintendo-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSzJ4NTzh1gtN9V8eptSpMH6uXsjjvn2LxuzosD1CrwIJl8QkPb0hOi3PHpQorT0U44ycKfBC3K87w8NZLpvbAM_IlMA-BIh-W0F9pSN4-Jp3iJIRWQtWve2m5BFEpJONLUfNKXLxYPwQo_DUgxpoFihV4-IJ9n2T38hBOpBCwfaFR_BMY-k/w400-h225/pokemon-legends-arceus-nintendo-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i><b>Pokémon</b></i><b><i> Legends: Arceus</i> </b><b>(Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>As with the aforementioned <i>Kirby</i>, my experience with the vaunted <i>Pokémon</i> series is complicated. Although things between us started out positively enough--I played and finished and loved <i>Pokémon Red</i> at some point not too long after it released in the U.S.--they went downhill shortly after. To the point that I didn't finish another <i>Pokémon</i> game until <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/12/how-lets-go-renewed-my-interest-in-the-pokemon-series.html" target="_blank">Let's Go: Eevee</a></i> came out in late 2018.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since then, I've finished two more <i>Pokémon</i> games: <i>Shield</i> in 2019 and this one earlier in the year. I'll be honest here: I think <i>Legends</i> may be my favorite of the bunch. And not just the bunch, but of all the <i>Pokémon</i> games I've played to date (and I've played at least a bit of all of them). Why? The gist is that I enjoyed the freedom of it. Although I've liked a lot of the <i>Pokémon</i> games I've played, they've all felt a bit too straightforward. <i>Legends</i> felt anything but. On a related note, I loved and appreciated how you can avoid battles altogether in <i>Legends</i> and instead just catch wild <i>Pokémon</i> by sneaking up on and chucking Poké Balls at them. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also appreciated that <i>Legends</i> didn't overstay its welcome. I finished it in just over 45 hours; smack dab in the middle of my personal sweet spot as far as RPGs are concerned.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl_w68-2f7fP54YvjLbrX9O114u28a_OQXmnjTdGGuS8abv-TUxYstC2Mk2qdcafjaHDH-3365Vn9p7DrzM1v8WPhAcsa5u-LVBwTvRoCs0Tklk5o-19j0IySgSeFH9FIYr6k9D0IglBwHPoeEmXiTXkoR8Ap5PzxCtH1ZUZfuK6oh-OfH9M/s1280/yurukill-nintendo-switch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl_w68-2f7fP54YvjLbrX9O114u28a_OQXmnjTdGGuS8abv-TUxYstC2Mk2qdcafjaHDH-3365Vn9p7DrzM1v8WPhAcsa5u-LVBwTvRoCs0Tklk5o-19j0IySgSeFH9FIYr6k9D0IglBwHPoeEmXiTXkoR8Ap5PzxCtH1ZUZfuK6oh-OfH9M/w400-h225/yurukill-nintendo-switch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Yurukill: The Calumniation Games</i> (PC, PS5. PS4, Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>When <i>Yurukill</i> was revealed, I assumed it would literally be half visual novel and half shmup. I was unsure if I would like it based on this--I'm hardly the world's biggest shmup fan, and I've only recently come around to VNs--but I pre-ordered it anyway because I tend to enjoy games that dare to combine disparate genres. (See: NIS' <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/03/overlooked-nintendo-switch-games-you-need-to-play-asap.html" target="_blank">Void Terrarium</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/my-most-disappointing-games-of-2020.html" target="_blank">Mad Rat Dead</a></i>.)</div><div><br /></div><div>By the end of its first chapter, it was clear to me that <i>Yurukill</i> was more, and better, than I imagined it would be. For starters, it's really more of a mashup of an escape-room adventure game and a bullet-hell shmup, if you want to be specific. More importantly, it's not a straight half-and-half affair. Quiz-focused trial segments regularly interrupt and invigorate the proceedings. They also help bring everything together and make <i>Yurukill</i> feel more like a cohesive experience than it would otherwise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also helping matters is that every component of <i>Yurukill</i> is of a certain quality. And I'm not just talking about the adventure and shmup gameplay here; I'm talking about the character art, the soundtrack, and the voice work, too. Honestly, that last element may be <i>the</i> standout of <i>Yurukill</i> for me, especially Yu Kobayashi's brilliant, bonkers, giddy turn as the game's antagonist, Binko.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiFreNN5fAPlW3DWsrtXWZlYZHspzfvtWEDx_Ntnetu5-l2ItFjkDL8S3Imh5zcIA6jrXIQ0wBzeP87p_267ZuuDtFzF-8KKd7ub1mBE6ibsmGwq1cyNDfYz4DIqp9fJiYlZDgdG1tQ4emlaLt1HxSMk5IRsESfioP9F5Ud6idUjL3ZWWoko/s1280/the-fairyland-story-nintendo-switch-2.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiFreNN5fAPlW3DWsrtXWZlYZHspzfvtWEDx_Ntnetu5-l2ItFjkDL8S3Imh5zcIA6jrXIQ0wBzeP87p_267ZuuDtFzF-8KKd7ub1mBE6ibsmGwq1cyNDfYz4DIqp9fJiYlZDgdG1tQ4emlaLt1HxSMk5IRsESfioP9F5Ud6idUjL3ZWWoko/w400-h225/the-fairyland-story-nintendo-switch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>BONUS: My favorite games of 2022 that weren't released in 2022</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Chack'n Pop</i> (PS4, Switch)</li><li><i>The Fairyland Story</i> (PS4, Switch)</li><li><i>The House in Fata Morgana</i> (PC, PS4, Switch, Vita)</li><li><i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2016/07/the-great-gaymathon-review-74-pocket-card-jockey-3ds.html" target="_blank">Pocket Card Jockey</a></i> (3DS)</li><li><i>Rainbow Islands</i> (PC Engine)</li><li><i>Rusty's Real Deal Baseball</i> (3DS)</li></ul></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2021</a></div></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-1341111652824528382022-11-11T10:31:00.003-08:002022-11-11T10:31:59.240-08:00Where to find me if Twitter dies<div>Hello all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry I haven't published a post here in a while. I haven't given up on this blog, even if it probably seems like I did so long ago. Still, there's no denying I share pretty much all of my game-related thoughts and opinions on <a href="https://twitter.com/thegaygamer" target="_blank">Twitter</a> these days.</div><div><br /></div><div>It seems that may soon come to an end, though, thanks to Elon Musk's disastrous takeover.</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I stop visiting and posting on Twitter in the coming days, weeks, or months and you'd like to continue to connect in some way, please look for me at the following sites:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cohost: <a href="https://cohost.org/thegaygamer" target="_blank">@thegaygamer</a></li><li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thegaygamerblog/" target="_blank">thegaygamerblog</a></li><li>Mastodon: <a href="https://mastodon.lol/web/@thegaygamer">@thegaygamer@mastodon.lol</a></li><li>Tumblr: <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/gaygamer" target="_blank">@gaygamer</a></li></ul><div></div><div>Please keep in mind that I only just joined Cohost and Mastodon and, as such, I'm still learning the ropes there. Also, I don't post all that regularly on Facebook or Tumblr at the moment. </div><div><br /></div><div>That said, expect my output on one or more of the above sites to increase dramatically should the assumed Twitter implosion happen anytime soon.</div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-49244919986069242572022-03-29T17:31:00.005-07:002022-03-30T19:31:05.029-07:00On why The Cruel King and the Great Hero is a better bedtime story than it is a satisfying JRPG<div>When the folks at Nippon Ichi Software revealed <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i> in early 2021, I was ecstatic. I adored <i>The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince</i>, a puzzler-platformer with a similar aesthetic and vibe--so much so I declared it <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/12/my-favorite-games-of-2019.html" target="_blank">one of my favorite games of 2019</a>--and thus expected the world from this follow-up.</div><div><br /></div><div>With <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i> being a JRPG rather than a side-scroller, though, I couldn't help but wonder how artist and writer <a href="https://nisamerica.com/blog/interview-sayaka-oda-creative-mind-behind-cruel-king-and-great-hero" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sayaka Oda</a> and her talented team at NIS would handle the genre switch.</div><div><br /></div><div>I say this because <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/11/five-reasons-i-cant-stop-thinking-about-liar-princess-and-blind-prince.html" target="_blank">The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince</a></i> is a wonderfully accessible, streamlined, and unique take on the puzzler-platformer genre. Before I played it, it was hard to imagine how <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i> would check those same boxes.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCcwbclt5_an1-_Vd1B96CM9K7gRlyS9C6i7ggGdCaEUMZHTAXRiiaXkA7kz646gLuUiyDFl1eUce8f1-TaQyIBOpqUhXzSgWTlOa60tDn_m082CMDhg_SuwDHSW6Z2OSE45fcEX2GB2uRJuU02DPseSjZjbUiaKbxh3S0PJCkREO-zo0WB4/s1280/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_startscreen.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCcwbclt5_an1-_Vd1B96CM9K7gRlyS9C6i7ggGdCaEUMZHTAXRiiaXkA7kz646gLuUiyDFl1eUce8f1-TaQyIBOpqUhXzSgWTlOa60tDn_m082CMDhg_SuwDHSW6Z2OSE45fcEX2GB2uRJuU02DPseSjZjbUiaKbxh3S0PJCkREO-zo0WB4/w400-h225/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_startscreen.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>After finishing <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i>, the difficulty makes perfect sense. Although the game is plenty accessible, and some may argue it's streamlined and unique, too, it's not streamlined or unique in the ways I hoped or expected it would be in the wake of <i>The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>One noteworthy case in point: there's no traditional overworld map, dotted with towns and dungeons, to explore in <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i>. Instead, the game presents players with a minimalistic map that's vaguely Metroidvania-esque. Rather than traverse it by jumping from platform to platform, though, you move from point to point by ambling left and right down tight and barren (but beautiful!) hallways.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a lot less taxing than scouring a vast overworld or stumbling through a maze-like dungeon, of course, but I personally never found it to be an enjoyable or satisfying alternative to the status quo, and I'm pretty sure most others would feel similarly about this odd design decision. (For the curious, Nintendo's <i>Miitopia</i> does a much better job of tweaking this staple RPG component.)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gQB9zpift6oVleJVjDHFmWGSB4Rv7Z7B3C8YoDeB10LqehuOuhJtJisPsuBaQQUdsASlW50q5j4QsaJeH69xpquiDOx8gh8xG1fN3NousTr5lYOzSRM0zrQPp1XRsyBkSeHe5YEuEDcycaFAeHmwQ98jdMdMPFFXLhbr5BtTOR1mTJbDNCM/s1280/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_map.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gQB9zpift6oVleJVjDHFmWGSB4Rv7Z7B3C8YoDeB10LqehuOuhJtJisPsuBaQQUdsASlW50q5j4QsaJeH69xpquiDOx8gh8xG1fN3NousTr5lYOzSRM0zrQPp1XRsyBkSeHe5YEuEDcycaFAeHmwQ98jdMdMPFFXLhbr5BtTOR1mTJbDNCM/w400-h225/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_map.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Another example of how <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i> tweaks the RPG formula but ultimately fails to produce something gratifying: party members occasionally learn new battle skills, and some of them allow you to target groups of enemies that are lined up vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Depending on the makeup of your party (and the alignment of your enemies), you can combine these skills to overwhelm the opposition.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, the game conspires in several ways to keep this from happening as often as it could or should. For starters, each character learns just one or two of these skills during an average playthrough. And not only that, but it can take a long time to learn them. Also, enemies typically are grouped in ways that make it possible to defeat some, but not all, using such combos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Although that's hardly the worst thing in the world, I think <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i> would have been a lot breezier and a lot more fun if it set things up to make these happen as often as possible. Especially since the game's tussles are fairly ho-hum otherwise.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWDNVmUD5RARdVrZgX35uzkrBefpwbjDs22QnlRh0PcqVxazATSyMgUBP9nAKmHqCJteWUnlsbaVLRaoHhJfvKX1Wlk5WxjorurjrFo9B5BirSMaUmF-KKbbzqHjY_MNFjEgVl74slOW5k3fUK58vNmvRtHuthb-O05MKhid-1L2ucvNjoAM/s1280/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_Yuuskill.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWDNVmUD5RARdVrZgX35uzkrBefpwbjDs22QnlRh0PcqVxazATSyMgUBP9nAKmHqCJteWUnlsbaVLRaoHhJfvKX1Wlk5WxjorurjrFo9B5BirSMaUmF-KKbbzqHjY_MNFjEgVl74slOW5k3fUK58vNmvRtHuthb-O05MKhid-1L2ucvNjoAM/w400-h225/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_Yuuskill.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i>'s battles disappoint--though underwhelm may be a better word here--in another important way, too. Early on, the game tells you that you can spare enemies in certain situations. To be honest, that notification basically went in one ear and out the other for me, or whatever the equivalent is for your eyes while reading. Later, I remembered it and looked it up online, worried I might be missing something vital or even playing the game "wrong."</div><div><br /></div><div>I was missing something, it turns out, but not anything important--as far as I'm aware. If you manage to expose an enemy's weakness and make it sweat, you can let it escape. The thing is, exposing an enemy's weakness is easier said than done, especially early in the game, and even then, there's no guarantee the enemy will agree to flee.</div><div><br /></div><div>As such, playing <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i> like it's an <i>Undertale</i> knockoff isn't really possible. Which is just as well, as the game currently doesn't give you any reason to do so. Sparing an enemy doesn't benefit you in any way, or at least it didn't seem to during my playthrough. It was noted in my "monsterdex," but that's it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp209w3-596vHGIq5YXcEjtK9NWvX3ehYcR_cZTR1DahiMBc9SnSwbhwgMpLRKNCXinNyPNs-1Co4p62tQrIn9Htkswiby4hW338ky8XSJaBloZhn7VEfq4Z178PXuPeeA_xBg53YcERccA1wYXrZkOy7WlHDGCnyh_ATpVGb3wRk0kEGMbg/s1280/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_talkingsheep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp209w3-596vHGIq5YXcEjtK9NWvX3ehYcR_cZTR1DahiMBc9SnSwbhwgMpLRKNCXinNyPNs-1Co4p62tQrIn9Htkswiby4hW338ky8XSJaBloZhn7VEfq4Z178PXuPeeA_xBg53YcERccA1wYXrZkOy7WlHDGCnyh_ATpVGb3wRk0kEGMbg/w400-h225/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_talkingsheep.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>It's too bad <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i>'s designers and developers decided to incorporate this element into the experience and then do so little with it. Especially since the story, which follows an orphaned girl who is raised by a dragon and helps local monster-folk while training to become a "hero," is a perfect fit for such anti-RPG gameplay.</div><div><br /></div><div>Based on what I've said so far, you're probably thinking I wish I'd never wasted my time and money on <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i>. I don't--and keep in mind this is coming from someone who dropped big bucks on the game's pricey "Treasure Trove" bundle. Oh, sure, the protagonist's slower-than-molasses walking speed occasionally (OK, regularly) got on my nerves. And there were times when the frequency of the battles bugged me, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Still, I enjoyed it overall. Its story is the definition of heartwarming and is, without a doubt, the highlight of <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i>. Its soundtrack is top of the line, too. Even after hearing its main battle theme 100 times, you won't tire of it--or at least I never did. And of course it's filled with gorgeous, hard-drawn art, like most Nippon Ichi games are these days. (See <i>Yomawari</i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/one-sentence-on-each-of-the-games-i-finished-in-2020.html" target="_blank">Mad Rat Dead</a></i>, and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021-not-from-2021.html" target="_blank">Labyrinth of Refrain</a></i> for evidence.)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPz69QKxe5_g7wgfBonK1u79SS1XJPkcrwH2pr26yghsWfiqjrZkRLyaRXFgkypYDGwkag6e7jB9pMndaqFBEGARLjJLamtCnPiV-2Deh-QfEuQj4A8HTGUX1ncF6gUaPx950m8Q2MF5ej81TisLWtNhp6nTxnsZe__av2PLMlBd7NerxyHY/s1280/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_DragonandYuu.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPz69QKxe5_g7wgfBonK1u79SS1XJPkcrwH2pr26yghsWfiqjrZkRLyaRXFgkypYDGwkag6e7jB9pMndaqFBEGARLjJLamtCnPiV-2Deh-QfEuQj4A8HTGUX1ncF6gUaPx950m8Q2MF5ej81TisLWtNhp6nTxnsZe__av2PLMlBd7NerxyHY/w400-h225/CruelKingGreatHero_NintendoSwitch_DragonandYuu.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There's no denying I expected more of it, though. I consider <i>The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince</i> to be one of the best games Nippon Ichi's ever made. I've played through it four times and would struggle to find fault with it if pressed on the issue.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because of that, I had high hopes <i>The Cruel King and the Great King</i> would follow in that game's footsteps a bit more than it did. Oh, well, at least it came through with a killer bedtime story.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/01/the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-heroland-switch-impressions.html" target="_blank">The good, bad, and ugly of <i>Heroland</i></a> (or, why I'm thinking of walking away from this oddball RPG after putting 20-plus hours into it)</div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-54400642762689718322022-03-10T11:08:00.000-08:002022-03-10T11:08:56.307-08:0015 overlooked Nintendo Switch games you need to play as soon as possible<div>My last two posts have focused on <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/02/overlooked-nintendo-ds-games-you-need-to-play-asap.html" target="_blank">overlooked games for the Nintendo DS</a> and <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/02/overlooked-3DS-games-you-need-to-play-asap.html" target="_blank">3DS</a>--a pair of systems most people stopped buying games for and even playing years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>This post focuses on overlooked games for the Nintendo Switch, a system that, while definitely starting to show its age (it came out five years ago, after all), is far from done selling or being played. </div><div><br /></div><div>So why write a post about overlooked games for a system that's still in or near its prime? My main motivator was that so many high-profile and highly regarded Switch games have released in the last five years that a ton of smaller, less acclaimed--but no less worth buying and playing--titles have gotten lost in the shuffle as a result.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which ones? For me, the 15 discussed below more than qualify as overlooked or underappreciated Nintendo Switch games.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUX6QOfXlSX2uVIRNZCEcWFFsakFt3dIFDGSKk5cqVfZY6bamEQJOCynI15fCMHEiUODRYbPWUo5LuI9Nxz_dabFKulC_wwnpl6q2YfgAn3r0MK9UPtaHI2rzBCMuabCXerJ9wB2kxelsLRuAJNEpw4ZcROwessOLlstT3FPCrJ5fRwdsnUe0=s900" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUX6QOfXlSX2uVIRNZCEcWFFsakFt3dIFDGSKk5cqVfZY6bamEQJOCynI15fCMHEiUODRYbPWUo5LuI9Nxz_dabFKulC_wwnpl6q2YfgAn3r0MK9UPtaHI2rzBCMuabCXerJ9wB2kxelsLRuAJNEpw4ZcROwessOLlstT3FPCrJ5fRwdsnUe0=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Black Bird</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>At first glance, Onion Games' <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/10/black-bird-impressions-nintendo-switch.html" target="_blank">Black Bird</a></i> is little more than a ripoff of Sega's <i>Fantasy Zone</i> with a drab makeover (makeunder?). Dig beneath the surface and give it a proper chance, though, and you'll see there's a lot more to this side-scrolling, wrap-around shmup than copying key aspects of the aforementioned classic's gameplay. And I'm not simply talking about its otherworldly vaudevillian soundtrack. <i>Black Bird</i> features bullet-hell elements, for starters. It's also more strategic. Don't take my word for it, though; give it a try yourself, especially if you're any kind of fan of the genre.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Bravely Default II</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Some will say calling <i>Bravely Default II</i> overlooked is a stretch; my response to those naysayers would be to compare how the masses embraced the original <i>Bravely Default</i> and the Switch's version of that game, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/07/ten-things-i-adore-about-octopath-traveler.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Octopath Traveler</a>, to how they've reacted to this title so far. Regardless, <i>Bravely Default II</i> is worth a look if you tend to like JRPGs--even if you've yet to experience its precursor. Sure, its visuals are kind of ugly, but they'll more than likely grow on you in time. And even if they don't, the other components on offer here--the fascinating story, the stunning setting, the rousing battles--are sure to do the trick.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfRxbc-wJHYsK_isGFFiRkNMYV84Q1Ff_C7Cboo9RWlyqz5F2Juv81vlFy7EqAC6uMSBwirbDrRaFR-zFJrAeAGg8FzSVkTrDnOPWi3vIhEmBlJPX1qQqrFCMZaeZIZGrRDBtQhyTvID4fzVzGK1Li_AESuQSzjvBc40rxoOmDHj-lqO32sEA=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfRxbc-wJHYsK_isGFFiRkNMYV84Q1Ff_C7Cboo9RWlyqz5F2Juv81vlFy7EqAC6uMSBwirbDrRaFR-zFJrAeAGg8FzSVkTrDnOPWi3vIhEmBlJPX1qQqrFCMZaeZIZGrRDBtQhyTvID4fzVzGK1Li_AESuQSzjvBc40rxoOmDHj-lqO32sEA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Destiny Connect: Tick-Tock Travelers</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>A lot of Nippon Ichi Software (NIS from here on out) titles go unnoticed by mainstream game fans, but I think this one may take the cake in that regard, especially among the company's releases of the past decade. That's too bad, as <i>Destiny Connect</i> is one of the sweetest RPGs I've ever played. It also features time travel, a customizable robot party member, and a stellar soundtrack. The cherry on top for people like me who don't always have time for 60- to 100-hour adventures: <i>Destiny Connect</i> takes just 20 hours or so to finish.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Dungeon Encounters</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>When <i>Dungeon Encounters</i> was revealed, it looked like an absolute stinker. It proved to be anything but after spending a few hours with it, though. Yes, it's minimalistic to an almost shocking degree, but that just lets you focus on the addictively <i>Etrian Odyssey</i>-esque gameplay it offers all comers. This means you map out floors in <i>Dungeon Encounters</i>, as you might imagine, though the process is more straightforward and less involved than it is in Atlus' long-running series. The game balances out this slight (for some) by having players solve riddles to find new abilities, party members, treasures, and even the final boss.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwFJsRUfODtEGYxxHaVVXwmBomyiVXggMyXW6LFWP6MIfvvDjijo61jimyKTCabSooG13A4lS_-d8Vksgzo6SwLLB9O20DMshNXGKR3gjGfFKEt5I0Os7pL43hfW6YuAoeluc_-oN8WMxlhE5uvk-DGIV2VC7Fq4ysiaPlcZGHBMs2gQYD5Bc=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwFJsRUfODtEGYxxHaVVXwmBomyiVXggMyXW6LFWP6MIfvvDjijo61jimyKTCabSooG13A4lS_-d8Vksgzo6SwLLB9O20DMshNXGKR3gjGfFKEt5I0Os7pL43hfW6YuAoeluc_-oN8WMxlhE5uvk-DGIV2VC7Fq4ysiaPlcZGHBMs2gQYD5Bc=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i> starts off seeming like the ultimate head-scratcher. The game follows a pack of furry children (young, anthropomorphic cats, to be more specific) piloting a giant tank against an onslaught of Nazi-esque dog-folk in the hopes of reuniting with their kidnapped loved ones. Once you accept its inherent weirdness, <i>Fuga</i> is a joy to behold. In particular, its tank-on-tank (or, more commonly, tank-on-two-or-three-tanks) action is strategic bliss. Fights here begin with a bit of rock, paper, scissors, but quickly blossom into something quite unique. They're surprisingly snappy, too, which makes the game feel like less of a slog than it otherwise might.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Gnosia</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've said this elsewhere a few times now, but here is it again: <i>Gnosia</i> is a Werewolf simulator. If that means nothing to you, Werewolf is a social-deduction game that models a conflict between a small group of murderous werewolves and a larger group of unsuspecting humans. This AI-operated take on the game is set in space and involves evil, alien-like creatures called Gnosia instead of werewolves, but everything else is the same. <i>Gnosia</i> is thrillingly executed, sending players through loop after loop--sometimes in the shoes of a human crewmember, sometimes as a Gnosia--to unravel its mysteries and unlock its gratifying conclusion.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9JVG3_VVFkwguFnfiwpErUwhQPtINcKSkfmOCsbhZEG8BSarN6PSA2gj4wR5bNWMF0YBSaxIH0x-42amBbG4MXJKfPIIfDqKO361_RINLcafw5tuCoXQ94R0_VeVgznU7ixZw9PnZ1gMP1SiwUijdR_gO8HcTGgrsMwSKpOTE_6DSWwkpuXA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9JVG3_VVFkwguFnfiwpErUwhQPtINcKSkfmOCsbhZEG8BSarN6PSA2gj4wR5bNWMF0YBSaxIH0x-42amBbG4MXJKfPIIfDqKO361_RINLcafw5tuCoXQ94R0_VeVgznU7ixZw9PnZ1gMP1SiwUijdR_gO8HcTGgrsMwSKpOTE_6DSWwkpuXA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The main selling point of this NIS production seems to be that you can create a party of upwards of 40 members. I understand why that is, and the idea of it is pretty electrifying (even if it's less so in practice), but for me the real draws here are the unique traversal abilities, like jumping over chasms and breaking through walls, and the story that slowly, but satisfyingly, transitions from acerbic to touching. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This NIS creation is an accessible puzzler-platformer filled with lovely art, a blissful soundtrack, and a heart-breaking story. It's also the perfect length. A single playthrough takes just five or six hours, which means returning to it once or even twice a year is no bother at all. Doubt you'd ever do such a thing? Consider that I've already completed it four times. That's the kind of experience <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/11/five-reasons-i-cant-stop-thinking-about-liar-princess-and-blind-prince.html" target="_blank">The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince</a></i> provides those who give it a chance.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi61zRfpzhz7f7FVCcMBQukhzwzcef0SNR058zDxsXA7DZSdCU7YemBnLkNMurHuRIfG94KU8Yla3hz2YneCFJM8QX3eWbN3sXV3s7eG8rG8b9UhD9XCzBJTrtJeHtRoS8D8rgumZgOzvdcXfzC5e3peEa38BWsFKjshP_zyOGL_HlOjDBsHe0=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi61zRfpzhz7f7FVCcMBQukhzwzcef0SNR058zDxsXA7DZSdCU7YemBnLkNMurHuRIfG94KU8Yla3hz2YneCFJM8QX3eWbN3sXV3s7eG8rG8b9UhD9XCzBJTrtJeHtRoS8D8rgumZgOzvdcXfzC5e3peEa38BWsFKjshP_zyOGL_HlOjDBsHe0=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Mon Amour</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The first time you play <i>Mon Amour</i>, you'll probably respond as I did and think to yourself, "this is cute, but I doubt I'll play it for very long." Since then, I've put a little over eight hours into it--which is pretty amazing when you consider a single runthrough takes 10 to 15 minutes, at most. Don't ignore <i>Mon Amour</i> because it looks like a kooky <i>Flappy Bird</i> knockoff, by the way. Although it seems the former was inspired by the latter, <i>Mon Amour</i> treads its own curious--and surprisingly strategic--path.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Overboard!</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This eShop game bills itself as a "next-gen visual novel," but for me that description doesn't quite fit. While playing it, <i>Overboard!</i> feels more like an elaborate, modern, mystery-themed puzzle game. Your goal is to get away with murder by learning the movements and motivations of everyone else on board a cozy cruise ship and then using that information to your advantage. <i>Overboard!</i> is more interactive than your typical VN, as you may expect. Not only do you direct conversations, but you dictate where you go and when, as well as what you do once you're there. Succeeding as a murderer isn't easy, so you'll likely screw up a number of times before you nail it. Thankfully, a single playthrough often takes 30 minutes or less, so tackling it over and over again shouldn't be much of a problem.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZcgwE8o4heJPrCv5lK3wb1SfSuiQK7U1SGd9kU58Hf6oDuEZcogpTsTcZeI60EN0L383wE81Akn69mLNqCAiuNMsmKVq6vFjrGK03o6tEBGOr_g4ovOi-LYHY9ICF7u5eG9_eirRiDV9H2eQjQUFlRfAk8XoLJl7ZO1mpxryQGMU-Ui9G3oc=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZcgwE8o4heJPrCv5lK3wb1SfSuiQK7U1SGd9kU58Hf6oDuEZcogpTsTcZeI60EN0L383wE81Akn69mLNqCAiuNMsmKVq6vFjrGK03o6tEBGOr_g4ovOi-LYHY9ICF7u5eG9_eirRiDV9H2eQjQUFlRfAk8XoLJl7ZO1mpxryQGMU-Ui9G3oc=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Part Time UFO</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Part Time UFO</i> is the type of bite-sized gem that Nintendo used to plop onto the 3DS eShop with some regularity. Such releases have been nearly non-existent during the Switch era thus far, which is a shame. What makes <i>Part Time UFO</i> so special? Without trying to sound too superficial, its candy-coated visuals and syrupy sweet OST are chiefly to "blame," though the gameplay, which blends that of a claw crane with that of a balance-puzzler, deserves credit, too. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Raging Loop</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Like the abovementioned <i>Gnosia</i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/02/can-i-still-call-raging-loop-one-of-my-favorite-games-of-2019.html" target="_blank">Raging Loop</a></i>'s content cribs from Werewolf. It also has players (readers, if you prefer) go through several loops--though the ones in <i>Raging Loop</i> are far fewer and a lot longer than those in <i>Gnosia</i>. That's where the similarities between the two titles end, though. Otherwise, <i>Raging Loop</i> is very much a visual novel. This means a lot of reading, of course, but the story here is more than captivating enough to warrant it, plus you're regularly allowed to make decisions that impact how things play out.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifr86Ty_TLNRDzcKELYT0EARMghtcCw2R2zNmf_O6jY0C_wHJtR4UTk5SQ76uTEzrATN9pO59QTkCx24RcWga-rpBxgkEy0i3fzeEq1zExm-Xwy9DNcyxuIihdZtqHNtb3l0gHTIAfsYkEr7MMCYjxGNFIMdsrr_b_hxd4HSVpZb5LdCJG2Ro=s989" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="989" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifr86Ty_TLNRDzcKELYT0EARMghtcCw2R2zNmf_O6jY0C_wHJtR4UTk5SQ76uTEzrATN9pO59QTkCx24RcWga-rpBxgkEy0i3fzeEq1zExm-Xwy9DNcyxuIihdZtqHNtb3l0gHTIAfsYkEr7MMCYjxGNFIMdsrr_b_hxd4HSVpZb5LdCJG2Ro=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2017/04/my-10-most-influential-games-final-fantasy-v-super-famicom.html" target="_blank">Final Fantasy V</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2011/03/great-gaymathon-review-15-saga-frontier.html" target="_blank">SaGa Frontier</a></i> have long been my all-time favorite RPGs, but this most recent entry in Square Enix's decades-spanning <i>SaGa</i> series is seriously giving both games a run for their money. <i>SaGa Scarlet Grace</i> does so many things differently than practically every other competitor in the JRPG space that I scarcely know where to begin in explaining what sets it apart. An obvious example is its battles, which are even flashier and more visceral than the ones in <i>SaGa Frontier</i>. Traversing <i>Scarlet Grace</i>'s boardgame-like overworld is another highlight, as are its plethora of recruitable characters and its <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Ito" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kenji Ito</a>-composed soundtrack.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Sushi Striker</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've been championing this indieszero-developed puzzle game since it was first announced, but it doesn't seem to have done an ounce of good. <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/12/my-favorite-games-of-2018-black-bird-sushi-striker.html" target="_blank"><i>Sushi Striker</i></a> is widely considered a bomb and a disappointment due to its overwhelmingly poor sales. Yet I continue to proclaim it's well worth the $15-ish you're likely to drop on a physical copy of the Switch release. (The 3DS version goes for less than $10.) Slinging plates of sushi at an endless parade of cartoonish enemies is a distinct thrill, and the story is bizarrely compelling. Bonus points go to its length and its better-than-it-has-any-right-to-be OST.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUfjSn2NWuG_dNETBL5LVESYn674HZC1WTsjLjyTK5UHoGSsn0HmL_Ud0ng85qDNqzVPljvig3DLADcAaGmfQBsIxC3tpZS9okVBWpPqePpbEEShCFrFlY3ZR-sIOQCKCf2AbCLOEBec5_VNDMnZn5icsOKoXv55i_Kho0JU5L5smK4xQ_Ge0=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUfjSn2NWuG_dNETBL5LVESYn674HZC1WTsjLjyTK5UHoGSsn0HmL_Ud0ng85qDNqzVPljvig3DLADcAaGmfQBsIxC3tpZS9okVBWpPqePpbEEShCFrFlY3ZR-sIOQCKCf2AbCLOEBec5_VNDMnZn5icsOKoXv55i_Kho0JU5L5smK4xQ_Ge0=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Void Terrarium</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know who at NIS came up with the brilliant idea to combine a roguelike with a (human) Tamagotchi, but I'd like to kiss them. The result of their brainstorm is one of the most enjoyable examples of the genre I've played in years. Further helping matters is <i>Void Terrarium</i>'s bleak-but-intriguing post-apocalyptic setting and its crunchy, industrial-tinged soundtrack.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable mentions:</b> <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/06/dandy-dungeon-nintendo-switch-impressions.html" target="_blank">Dandy Dungeon</a></i>, <i>Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind</i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/12/my-favorite-games-of-2019.html" target="_blank">Lapis x Labyrinth</a></i>, <i>Mad Rat Dead</i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/02/a-few-thoughts-on-space-dave-nintendo-switch-impressions.html" target="_blank">Space Dave!</a></i></div></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-3117593939676611002022-02-28T19:55:00.001-08:002022-02-28T19:55:50.137-08:0010 overlooked Nintendo DS games you need to play as soon as possible<div>Ten years ago--yes, a whole decade ago--I published a post here about <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2012/01/five-ds-games-you-should-have-played.html" target="_blank">five Nintendo DS games you should have played, but probably didn't</a>. That write-up highlighted titles like <i>Daigasso! Band Brothers</i>, <i>Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light</i>, and <i>Kirby: Canvas Curse</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I stand by those picks today, of course, but I also can't help but feel like they're just the tip of the iceberg as far as overlooked and underappreciated Nintendo DS games are concerned. Hence the creation of the post you're reading now.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>A Kappa's Trail</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a Nintendo DS game--a DSi game, to be exact--but you'll need to buy it via the Nintendo 3DS eShop these days. And even then, you'll need to hurry, what with the <a href="https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/~/wii-u-%26-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation" target="_blank">eShop closing its virtual doors in March 2023</a>. Why should you bother? Because this Brownie Brown-made title is easily one of the best to ever hit the DSi service. It's an action-puzzle game that has players lead the titular kappa from each lengthy stage's start to its finish using the system's stylus and touch screen. As you can probably imagine, there are countless obstacles along the way--not the least of which is a purple disembodied hand that follows your path and prompts a "game over" if it catches up to you. In short, <i>A Kappa's Trail</i> is unique, tense, fun, and doesn't overstay its welcome.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimLegGKGOJt4jDf-QhyAoZHlqSSbtrT9x_mvjQjqwHRTz4Wxgu_vi75jOG-aPIRtNyUeky5MRX4-9xLPbem69zd5FviNkxuwVk8-xiY7bk6mRO_MsL_x0ajhTp27r0Y9Givv0vBRjmZmzAHrv_ygK5XkRJ6f0mzyOiQm2EZd8yy8jy21Ra7Zg=s255" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="255" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimLegGKGOJt4jDf-QhyAoZHlqSSbtrT9x_mvjQjqwHRTz4Wxgu_vi75jOG-aPIRtNyUeky5MRX4-9xLPbem69zd5FviNkxuwVk8-xiY7bk6mRO_MsL_x0ajhTp27r0Y9Givv0vBRjmZmzAHrv_ygK5XkRJ6f0mzyOiQm2EZd8yy8jy21Ra7Zg=w320-h241" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>A Kappa's Trail</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Again</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>You've heard of, if not played, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2015/08/a-decade-of-nintendo-ds-hotel-dusk.html" target="_blank">Hotel Dusk</a></i> and <i>Another Code</i> (<i>Trace Memory</i> in North America), right? Well, <i>Again</i> was developed by the same team that made those well-regarded releases. All three are point-and-click adventure games that task players with solving a mystery. You could think of <i>Again</i> as the ugly duckling of the trio, but don't let that keep you from giving it a try. It lacks a lot of the charm that fills both <i>Hotel Dusk</i> and <i>Another Code</i>, but even so <i><a href="https://twitter.com/thegaygamer/status/1332790926314442752" target="_blank">Again</a></i> features an intriguing whodunit that puts Nintendo's unique hardware to ample use. It even has you hold your DS or 3DS system sideways like it's a book, just like <i>Hotel Dusk</i> and its sequel, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/12/six-reasons-i-am-thrilled-i-finally-finished-last-window-nintendo-ds.html" target="_blank">Last Window</a></i>, do.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Alice in Wonderland</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>If you're looking for a Metroidvania that strays a bit from the norm, track down a copy of <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/02/alice-in-wonderland-nintendo-ds-review.html" target="_blank">Alice in Wonderland</a></i>. Despite its rather hideous cover art, the game itself, made by a company called Etranges Libellules, is a beaut. Its art style is equal parts <i>The Nightmare Before Christmas</i> and <i>Okamiden</i>. Don't worry, I'm not recommending <i>Alice in Wonderland</i> simply because it looks great. Its gameplay is alluring, too, thanks in large part to the partners who join and assist you in your journey through Wonderland. <i>Alice in Wonderland</i> isn't without fault, I'll readily admit, with the main culprit being the occasional tussles that tend to annoy rather than thrill. The overall experience should prove intriguing enough to make up for it, though, if you're anything like me.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia2Dr3SGNhnmDFBA4Gy78eJFm_mkzXHVFJ1e73ciHVtsOukZs9Dsa3k5yctATZRAv-xkJrAlr5srPWePSpT-kyi3ObRb5Oc0V3iEnq2xz0unusgBhPK1QYdm0tlLJTVMnSs1ZnNLvLl9l5evQRdF3oNo5K8GtgvLEx1WnQw0LLriFjGOIhyJY=s267" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="267" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia2Dr3SGNhnmDFBA4Gy78eJFm_mkzXHVFJ1e73ciHVtsOukZs9Dsa3k5yctATZRAv-xkJrAlr5srPWePSpT-kyi3ObRb5Oc0V3iEnq2xz0unusgBhPK1QYdm0tlLJTVMnSs1ZnNLvLl9l5evQRdF3oNo5K8GtgvLEx1WnQw0LLriFjGOIhyJY=w320-h240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Boxlife</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Boxlife</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skip_Ltd." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Skip Ltd.</a>, otherwise known for blessing the world with <i>Chibi-Robo!</i> and <i>Captain Rainbow</i>, produced a ton of brilliant, bite-sized games for the GameBoy Advance, DS, and Wii back in the day. <i>Boxlife</i> (<i>Hacolife</i> in Japan) is among the cream of the crop, in my humble opinion. It's certainly among the most unique--and not just when compared to Skip's other releases from the era, but also when compared to other puzzle games, period. Of course, what else would you expect from a puzzler that tasks you with cutting pieces of paper and then folding them into boxes? Unfortunately, <i>Boxlife</i> contains just two modes, and both can get pretty tough pretty quickly. If you go into this one thinking of it as a mobile game you'll play for a few minutes here and a few minutes there, rather than something you'll play obsessively for hours on end, though, you'll probably get a lot more enjoyment out of it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>For a long time--too long, really--I ignored <i>Rocket Slime</i> because I assumed it was a <i>Zelda</i> ripoff starring everyone's favorite <i>Dragon Quest</i> enemy. Boy, was I wrong. In reality, this game is a tank-battle simulator--albeit a <i>cute</i> tank-battle simulator. During said battles, which occur quite frequently, you race around your fantastical vehicle, pick up ammunition, and toss it into one of a pair of onboard cannons, which then launch the ammo at the opposing tank. This tends to be a frantic affair, but it's nearly always <i>enjoyably</i> frantic, so keep that in mind. Also, the game's tendency toward hyperactivity in this area is balanced by the sense of calm that pervades the sections that sit between the tank-on-tank tussles. Here, you happily hop around a lively overworld and gather materials to use in your next, inevitable skirmish. Combined, these disparate components produce a whole that's far more engaging than they have any right to be.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwJrs9MNHnRl9QrouIbjuSDompUPlXUlcvdf61zO006TxS38GYSiFuW1gOZKxjkzGrOtaKa68RbYNYPHUYpZ4E7m7Op8fv-BRISkzbtfKukzKbqA1RMJVh9msz13-cURftGNT3LzZr7HZC91ZaC1CEdPqxphUVPqb5da-JGBOVdidxsSmxevw=s500" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwJrs9MNHnRl9QrouIbjuSDompUPlXUlcvdf61zO006TxS38GYSiFuW1gOZKxjkzGrOtaKa68RbYNYPHUYpZ4E7m7Op8fv-BRISkzbtfKukzKbqA1RMJVh9msz13-cURftGNT3LzZr7HZC91ZaC1CEdPqxphUVPqb5da-JGBOVdidxsSmxevw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Ghost Trick</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Ghost Trick</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_Takumi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shu Takumi</a>-directed, Capcom-developed release is one of the most compelling Nintendo DS titles around. <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/12/reviews-of-19-games-i-finished-in-2019-part-one.html" target="_blank"><i>Ghost Trick</i> is part adventure game and part puzzler</a>, if you can believe it. And the puzzle sections don't play like <i>Tetris</i> or <i>Puyo Puyo</i>, as you might imagine; instead, they basically involve connecting dots. I know it sounds boring, but believe me when I say it's surprisingly captivating and gels perfectly with <i>Ghost Trick</i>'s story. Speaking of which, the game's story is a winner, too. It's centered on a guy--or, rather, a former guy who's now a ghost--named Sissel who can't remember who he was or who killed him. Your job while playing <i>Ghost Trick</i> is to help him solve both mysteries. Doing so is a joy, especially when you factor in the game's gorgeous art and music.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Pictobits</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>If ever a puzzle game could be called an inverse <i>Tetris</i>, this Skip Ltd.-made offering is it. To be honest, <i>Pictobits</i>' gameplay is a smidgen too chaotic for me, but I still appreciate and recognize that it's an interesting puzzler loads of people are likely to enjoy. This is especially true when you consider its overtly NES-talgic visuals and soundtrack. Something to note here is that <i>Pictobits</i> (<i>Picopict</i> in Japan and Europe, <i>Pitcopict</i> in Australia) is a DSiware title, just like <i>A Kappa's Trail</i> mentioned earlier. So, if you want to buy and play it these days, you have to do so via a 3DS (or a hacked DS, I suppose).</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4K1Qaubik6-3ps8pSjv1DAZkOLt3KDHCdkdNgR8QzHtBpvqdVCPye2XhFgu7cd6uC-HgimCY6S_Gbn5_ZWka1yDB924Cxr3PTq7cg07Ii5pJNFf-a3nrAlLxOlWaLjyR8IOVF46vSbU6EonnQgnTwS0r5nVcedxV1JM7txcWwOk3qiCpo3yc=s256" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="256" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4K1Qaubik6-3ps8pSjv1DAZkOLt3KDHCdkdNgR8QzHtBpvqdVCPye2XhFgu7cd6uC-HgimCY6S_Gbn5_ZWka1yDB924Cxr3PTq7cg07Ii5pJNFf-a3nrAlLxOlWaLjyR8IOVF46vSbU6EonnQgnTwS0r5nVcedxV1JM7txcWwOk3qiCpo3yc=w320-h240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanpool_(company)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vanpool</a>-developed point-and-clicker may be the most bizarre game Nintendo's ever published. For starters, it stars Tingle, the loveable weirdo from <i>The Legend of Zelda</i> series. That alone is a major eyebrow-raiser. Then there's the fact that its story skewers that of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>. That <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2017/08/10-questions-with-guy-behind-tingle-balloon-trip-ds-fan-translation.html" target="_blank">Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love</a></i> is an old-school adventure game not unlike LucasArts' best efforts from back in the day is just the cherry on top.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>The World Ends with You</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Much like several other DS games discussed in this post, I dragged my feet on playing <i>The World Ends with You</i> for an embarrassingly long time. Don't be like me. If you haven't played this thoroughly modern RPG and you still own a DS or 3DS, get it now. Controlling two characters at once (one with your system's touch screen and stylus, the other with its directional pad or face buttons), as you do while playing <i>The World Ends with You</i>, can be awkward and confusing at first, but you should eventually come to grips with it enough for it to feel something at least approaching exhilarating. The game's controls aren't the only thing that make it stand out from the JRPG pack, by the way. The same can be said of its visuals, soundtrack, setting, and cast, too.</div><div><br /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVygvuX0xmTDCIRAUgkMXLufE1uzu-weoV8uUzqAemIJB9Dr-bCkQNBBezRgwfvFohgEXshsyrErNipKfLfn3QD0oU667bGbE6r_C_uIYlfeqGKH24eQr9MBJ2lJvuCQ6yyKOL0gy_fqjlnDf2MWlmY_Yoo8aVZ6fWdUImZTQnW_RL1rkTlGk=s300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVygvuX0xmTDCIRAUgkMXLufE1uzu-weoV8uUzqAemIJB9Dr-bCkQNBBezRgwfvFohgEXshsyrErNipKfLfn3QD0oU667bGbE6r_C_uIYlfeqGKH24eQr9MBJ2lJvuCQ6yyKOL0gy_fqjlnDf2MWlmY_Yoo8aVZ6fWdUImZTQnW_RL1rkTlGk=w320-h240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><i>Time Hollow</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Time Hollow</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Time Hollow</i> is yet another mystery-centric adventure game for the DS, though this one is a decidedly different beast from the ones mentioned elsewhere in this write-up. A key case in point: <i>Time Hollow</i> allows you time travel (to a limited degree) by drawing circles on the screen that open portals to the past. It's clunkier than it could be, not as thrilling as it sounds, and doesn't prevent the game from being fairly linear, but even so I enjoyed the time I spent with <i>Time Hollow</i> and don't at all regret adding it to my collection.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable mentions:</b> <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/10/six-reasons-i-adore-a-witchs-tale-nintendo-ds.html" target="_blank">A Witch's Tale</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2015/06/a-decade-of-nintendo-ds-contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></i>, <i>Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales</i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2015/03/a-decade-of-nintendo-ds-awatama-aka-soul-bubbles.html" target="_blank">Soul Bubbles</a></i>, and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/my-pleasant-surprise-games-of-2020.html" target="_blank">Super Princess Peach</a></i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/02/overlooked-3DS-games-you-need-to-play-asap.html" target="_blank">10 overlooked Nintendo 3DS games you need to play as soon as possible</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-1455296526642087402022-02-20T10:08:00.006-08:002022-03-02T14:24:43.802-08:0010 overlooked Nintendo 3DS games you need to play as soon as possible<div>The Nintendo 3DS is about to celebrate its 11th birthday and its <a href="https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/~/wii-u-%26-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation" target="_blank">eShop is set to close in March 2023</a>. Neither piece of news is likely to mean much to many gaming fans. After all, most folks who had even a passing interest in Nintendo's second dual-screened handheld moved on to other systems some time ago. </div><div><br /></div><div>As you might imagine based on what I write here and what I share on <a href="https://twitter.com/thegaygamer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, I am not one of them. I still regularly boot up my trusty "flame red" 3DS, in fact.</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you in the same boat and keen to check out one of more of this portable's overlooked offerings? Or maybe you're returning to the 3DS to buy some of its hidden gems before they become difficult or even impossible to find? Either way, I'd strongly recommend that you consider the 10 titles highlighted below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-rZHGvZnI-bcYIaUopgWK3KxS_uDtT1afghv9yZ_rpTxfDzQ6SEhUgv6nRTe5RO-T1mX9f14qFDjcgCQQqj9Asd0dv4sTSrzTBlG4V79ErzG8yWX58aZ1Bl-EcyMOdoJG7zqevoY9RklKaxK5VS8NRMKEf6UqjmkpSbMYpAnCE9aEel1DFbw=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-rZHGvZnI-bcYIaUopgWK3KxS_uDtT1afghv9yZ_rpTxfDzQ6SEhUgv6nRTe5RO-T1mX9f14qFDjcgCQQqj9Asd0dv4sTSrzTBlG4V79ErzG8yWX58aZ1Bl-EcyMOdoJG7zqevoY9RklKaxK5VS8NRMKEf6UqjmkpSbMYpAnCE9aEel1DFbw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>The Alliance Alive</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>OK, so an HD remaster of this JRPG is now available for PC, PS4, Switch, and even mobile, but I'm the kind of nerd who prefers to play the original version of a game whenever possible. As for why you should give <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/07/five-reasons-i-played-alliance-alive-3DS-for-60-hours-plus.html" target="_blank">The Alliance Alive</a></i> a try (any version, not just the 3DS one), the main reason I'll offer up is that its turn-based battles are deliciously <i>SaGa</i>-esque. Specifically, you regularly, thrillingly, and randomly "awaken" special moves during tussles with this title's enemies. Its at-first-confounding "guild" system ramps up the excitement even more, as towers that dot the surrounding landscape aid your efforts by doing things like stunning all baddies for a turn or weakening their defenses.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1NaBPONWMC1hlidSxJOyIFSsGfxWl5vz0l_7zyHKbaEyxlZINBP55PXoMFoydIJZhKKXUfBxKlebaD1-sJjTmGCBSpmYCzXQrqBvOIQJg1C_IKDcOF7W8m_2OFmdq3XbdCYCD9qTobyvRVjKhFA03sgozrrHkAPuFWqb8CYVsOFOpkOMKSM8=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1NaBPONWMC1hlidSxJOyIFSsGfxWl5vz0l_7zyHKbaEyxlZINBP55PXoMFoydIJZhKKXUfBxKlebaD1-sJjTmGCBSpmYCzXQrqBvOIQJg1C_IKDcOF7W8m_2OFmdq3XbdCYCD9qTobyvRVjKhFA03sgozrrHkAPuFWqb8CYVsOFOpkOMKSM8=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Attack of the Friday Monsters!</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you've ever wanted to play one of those <i>Boku no Natsuyasumi</i> games dorks like me have been blabbing about for ages but you don't own a PS1, PS2, PS3, or PSP, here's your chance. Admittedly, <i>Attack of the Friday Monsters!</i> isn't a "real" <i>Boku no Natsuyasumi</i> game, but it was made by the same company and has a similar vibe. One of this game's strengths, in my humble opinion, is how it makes you feel nostalgic for a time and place you likely never experienced. Another feather in its cap: the rock-paper-scissors-esque card battles it has you play on occasion. Not only do they imbue the game with a welcome sense of tension, but they're pretty fun, too. As for negatives, the only one that comes to mind is that <i>Attack of the Friday Monsters!</i> is woefully short. Just think of it as allowing you to replay the game as often as your heart desires.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw9cms10NExCa993yOivxBDCzkZfEwFzKEUsmTu3kTvhMlqkxT0AphtJR9bgr7hao4GO3egF66LoYK2UVjcHxfPKpkag-FtqUdh4gqhDXpO8-nuK3WMMjZpnNYLgI5Fa1auxCUd1SXDgdsu7_lyhGywKJsfOyPfEJwbdND0qUqSomOp7MYQOo=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="320" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw9cms10NExCa993yOivxBDCzkZfEwFzKEUsmTu3kTvhMlqkxT0AphtJR9bgr7hao4GO3egF66LoYK2UVjcHxfPKpkag-FtqUdh4gqhDXpO8-nuK3WMMjZpnNYLgI5Fa1auxCUd1SXDgdsu7_lyhGywKJsfOyPfEJwbdND0qUqSomOp7MYQOo" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>The 'DENPA' Men: They Came By Wave</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game first made headlines for being developed by the folks at Genius Sonority, chiefly known for working on various <i>Dragon Quest</i> and <i>Pokemon</i> spin-offs. That pedigree is well reflected in <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2012/10/ten-things-i-love-about-denpa-men.html" target="_blank"><i>The 'DENPA' Men</i>,</a> though this game is more of a dungeon-crawler than either of the aforementioned RPGs. The main draw here is that you "catch" all of your multi-colored party members (who look a bit like spacemen) by scanning your real-life environment using the 3DS' AR capabilities. Each one can use a single skill--from "heal" and "revive" to "ice missile" and "rising flames"--or they can simply bash foes with their shapely noggins. The cherry on top of this quirky role-player: it's a deliciously streamlined affair that keeps the focus squarely on having fun.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmfXVrOS3CZoWWfjRgp7NojrNWvD5XseVhr6QO5qEHkFtdaI5DEin00sZQXwWwpX4nKSb7F0sjbDVgHLtjtkgjw8HDQt9mjDMHy2tydUTgMrMKeceLtts7u4rMRU8ajm7DJtlxgS3OCdqeSf5aukKYmF1y4wl4l3c0P1xY9cJIFtBUHNd4VpM=s530" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="530" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmfXVrOS3CZoWWfjRgp7NojrNWvD5XseVhr6QO5qEHkFtdaI5DEin00sZQXwWwpX4nKSb7F0sjbDVgHLtjtkgjw8HDQt9mjDMHy2tydUTgMrMKeceLtts7u4rMRU8ajm7DJtlxgS3OCdqeSf5aukKYmF1y4wl4l3c0P1xY9cJIFtBUHNd4VpM=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Crimson Shroud</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I love role-playing games. Always have--or at least I have ever since I played my first (<i>Dragon Warrior</i> for the NES). Although I still enjoy RPGs that are sticklers for tradition, I prefer ones that try something new. <i>Crimson Shroud</i> sits squarely in the latter camp. Chiefly, it changes things up by adding elements of tabletop games, like rolling dice, to the tried-and-true JRPG genre. <i>Crimson Shroud</i> even looks the part, with party members and enemies alike resembling board-game pieces. Beyond that, <i>Crimson Shroud</i> offers players an intriguing story and an impressive soundtrack composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto of <i>Final Fantasy XII</i> and <i>Final Fantasy Tactics</i> fame. It needs to be noted that the game can be annoyingly obtuse at times, to the point where you'll probably need to consult Google or an FAQ, but those experiences shouldn't overshadow the rest of its positive moments.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNHfW-J6iOfR09DgGCFGCTe7mMdXpUScSAcKgOtjSmMmelMRqs2gquYDXPdltndvWuHX4G5xBmcChICkIwGrUafxwb5DenZl0zoMDDxoLmpkb4PhN-PyQL65lfNBjgs7Q5XF4IhRPYWJWOJ0AZi_bD7qzQG-Skwcctz-qmOHAktc9En4w3v04=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNHfW-J6iOfR09DgGCFGCTe7mMdXpUScSAcKgOtjSmMmelMRqs2gquYDXPdltndvWuHX4G5xBmcChICkIwGrUafxwb5DenZl0zoMDDxoLmpkb4PhN-PyQL65lfNBjgs7Q5XF4IhRPYWJWOJ0AZi_bD7qzQG-Skwcctz-qmOHAktc9En4w3v04=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Fantasy Life</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Truth be told, I've never been the biggest fan of the action RPG genre of games. Role-players with turn-based battles are much more my cup of tea. Still, I gave <i>Fantasy Life</i> a chance upon its release because it looked too charming to pass up. Charming is the perfect word to describe it, too. In particular, filling the shoes of the game's 12 "lives" (jobs) is a blast. Some, like angler and woodcutter, are more delightful than others, of course, but even the relative duds are fun for a while. As you also might expect, <i>Fantasy Life</i> doesn't entirely follow through on its promises--playing as a cook won't mean running a restaurant a la <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2011/03/great-gaymathon-review-13-order-up-wii.html" target="_blank">Order Up!</a></i> or the like--but that shouldn't keep you from enjoying the overall experience.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNzJvxI7Rt8_xGKX6REwcdzM1E4bCDLkjHQNOCnL-bZxxVA-avlHCjZ_NTS5Q0irZQkLMHfmYUftODhJvfcQ5TgMiy6t3hje64wW3GQ-9_2VtRTDtDk6luAdaUBQ8v0H8RvrQh6xH2L7sDlkisoekVYLomV_ORc7bNQGY5Zt4l2skL4uaJatw=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="320" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNzJvxI7Rt8_xGKX6REwcdzM1E4bCDLkjHQNOCnL-bZxxVA-avlHCjZ_NTS5Q0irZQkLMHfmYUftODhJvfcQ5TgMiy6t3hje64wW3GQ-9_2VtRTDtDk6luAdaUBQ8v0H8RvrQh6xH2L7sDlkisoekVYLomV_ORc7bNQGY5Zt4l2skL4uaJatw" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Hey! Pikmin</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Nintendo disappointed a lot of people when it revealed this game and showed it to be a side-scroller rather than the proper sequel they were expecting. Most of those folks probably passed on <i>Hey! Pikmin</i> as a result, and that's a shame. They're right that it's not the <i>Pikmin 4</i> they wanted, but it's still a lot of fun--and quite intriguing, too. <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/01/my-unasked-for-hey-pikmin-review.html" target="_blank"><i>Hey! Pikmin</i> feels like a mash-up of a <i>Kirby</i>, <i>Yoshi</i>, and <i>Pikmin</i> game</a>, if that makes any sense. It's slower and more methodical or thoughtful than your typical <i>Yoshi</i> or <i>Kirby</i> title, though, and all the better for it, in my opinion.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimamS4GsVGd7IvNeEkD9ozAUnmwTvOOoXnVhazmSATNIu6sldNRsxuGKhb4z_ajQDngXjkI8D8Enxk-DxVqpACfbWWHknFGkQovcarejiTxJCHaHOBQOGwUx-UYWVD3UGyvQOCn52pxPu9nFKVRy7x65lJP9t1zxNRNGbPnippDcgLF3y6fd8=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimamS4GsVGd7IvNeEkD9ozAUnmwTvOOoXnVhazmSATNIu6sldNRsxuGKhb4z_ajQDngXjkI8D8Enxk-DxVqpACfbWWHknFGkQovcarejiTxJCHaHOBQOGwUx-UYWVD3UGyvQOCn52pxPu9nFKVRy7x65lJP9t1zxNRNGbPnippDcgLF3y6fd8=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Pocket Card Jockey</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've exalted the virtues of this Game Freak-made eShop title since day one, and for good reason. For starters, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2016/07/the-great-gaymathon-review-74-pocket-card-jockey-3ds.html" target="_blank">Pocket Card Jockey</a></i> is thrillingly unique, combining horse racing (and breeding, to an extent) and quick rounds of golf solitaire in an adorably addictive package. It also features a Go Ichinose-composed soundtrack that's catchier than it has any right to be. Finally, it includes a colorful cast of characters, each of whom reveal surprisingly and increasingly intriguing backstories the deeper you delve into the game.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjULZ0tmGhGZIeHe6effxR5KEZKUzuHU650PejHSl0YFn4Ev0Fap4uKB6jh_QeCKXnDZ_MkAY3xiRjK8AVHvRWyV4ysKZZv9kbi0LLCIqYjxcoP4XDUomaYI_qVz9YaVR9G_j01BdfnZL1FvVQVCUq9cATKMYSH7WLv78O0mOKVF4nNIIzz8Uw=s610" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="610" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjULZ0tmGhGZIeHe6effxR5KEZKUzuHU650PejHSl0YFn4Ev0Fap4uKB6jh_QeCKXnDZ_MkAY3xiRjK8AVHvRWyV4ysKZZv9kbi0LLCIqYjxcoP4XDUomaYI_qVz9YaVR9G_j01BdfnZL1FvVQVCUq9cATKMYSH7WLv78O0mOKVF4nNIIzz8Uw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Rhythm Heaven Megamix</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The best <i>Rhythm Heaven</i> game is the first, a Japan-only GameBoy Advance title called <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2011/02/great-gaymathon-5-rhythm-tengoku.html" target="_blank">Rhythm Tengoku</a></i>. This 3DS offering is a solid second choice, however. A few reasons for this: 1) it combines most of the series' best mini-games with a few all-new ones, and 2) it eschews the control gimmicks of the previous two releases and lets players use buttons. <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2015/08/the-great-gaymathon-review-70-rhythm-tengoku-the-best-plus-3DS.html" target="_blank">Rhythm Heaven Megamix</a></i> also is among the most accessible options for folks who want to give this rhythm game a try.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnYVfoqa2E4S7qnmrFx8HZi8nM1v9ILcdi8gxyztgca2vki8Ku_w1UnJQViBcT8ClScwJsIbg_6OheAURvEYNsraCQs0PeNGm1QOYqYlxbTl8DbnZHgFwPgTbJVu3PWOvKjpF3zXpehrPqUR5-9Z3hSjFi3vuh1G4LwMJjt4e8YHiwaXqp2DQ=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnYVfoqa2E4S7qnmrFx8HZi8nM1v9ILcdi8gxyztgca2vki8Ku_w1UnJQViBcT8ClScwJsIbg_6OheAURvEYNsraCQs0PeNGm1QOYqYlxbTl8DbnZHgFwPgTbJVu3PWOvKjpF3zXpehrPqUR5-9Z3hSjFi3vuh1G4LwMJjt4e8YHiwaXqp2DQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Rusty's Real Deal Baseball</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Although I think this eShop-only 3DS game was destined to fail, I'm glad Nintendo made and released it. Not only is <i>Rusty's Real Deal Baseball</i> a secret <i>Rhythm Tengoku</i>/<i>Heaven</i> game, but it also offers up one of the oddest--and maybe darkest--stories in a Nintendo-published release. I don't want to completely spoil the "fun," but expect to read about divorce, single-parenting struggles, small-business woes, and more.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvrdA0xy2QGE4eSXtzaJ-B2hF1ZL_2Ui81LgdKVXMLw35JavvlbAULHt8yIwi6v0qBLSqoJR-fEeGmfnngkiGfplSS11_WvrXFVhmG3_htzwkClqNXeiG62ERE54ak-3em_AwCutpgSaQY38koEftLL-ZagnopNNuOMYC2wkt2cUGJ2lpRJW0=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvrdA0xy2QGE4eSXtzaJ-B2hF1ZL_2Ui81LgdKVXMLw35JavvlbAULHt8yIwi6v0qBLSqoJR-fEeGmfnngkiGfplSS11_WvrXFVhmG3_htzwkClqNXeiG62ERE54ak-3em_AwCutpgSaQY38koEftLL-ZagnopNNuOMYC2wkt2cUGJ2lpRJW0=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Sushi Striker</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/07/five-reasons-i-love-sushi-striker-switch-3DS.html" target="_blank">Sushi Striker</a></i> would deserve a look even if all it offered players was a puzzle game focused on furiously slinging plates of sushi at an onslaught of oddball opponents. Although these food-themed tussles are the centerpiece of this indieszero-made game, and for good reason, there's far more to the experience. <i>Sushi Striker</i> also features tons of quirky side characters, a silly story that will regularly bring a smile to your face, and a soundtrack that gets and keeps you in the mood for the hours upon hours of sushi-tossing needed to finish it. (Seriously, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/01/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2018.html" target="_blank">I put more than 50 hours into <i>Sushi Striker</i></a> in 2018.)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Honorable mentions:</b> <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/07/a-few-thoughts-on-ever-oasis-3DS-impressions.html" target="_blank">Ever Oasis</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2013/04/a-somewhat-gay-review-of-harmoknight-3ds.html" target="_blank">HarmoKnight</a></i>, <i>Kirby: Planet Robobot</i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/01/i-am-obsessed-with-miitopia-3DS.html" target="_blank">Miitopia</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2017/02/the-great-gaymathon-review-75-starship-damrey-3DS.html" target="_blank">The Starship Damrey</a></i>, <i>Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call</i>, <i>Woah Dave!</i>, and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2014/05/the-great-gaymathon-review-68-yoshis-new-island-3ds.html" target="_blank">Yoshi's New Island</a></i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2022/02/overlooked-nintendo-ds-games-you-need-to-play-asap.html" target="_blank">10 overlooked Nintendo DS games you need to play as soon as possible</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-28271846890718059972022-01-19T08:56:00.000-08:002022-01-19T08:56:00.389-08:0010 games I would replay this year if I let myself replay games<div>I used to replay games all the time; I rarely allow myself to do it today.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why? The main reason is I'd rather spend my free time on games I've yet to play than those I've already experienced. Or at least that's how I've felt the last couple of years.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not quite ready to change my tune here, but if I were, I'd start with one or more of the following games, each of which have been bouncing around in my brain, begging to be replayed, in recent weeks and months.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIgepwWwSQ0j2ZNCOnyepP6DTbheDqlMCscxJk6eUBGIzSr05RU22ua5f-jp1JAifpyGSKKcvYQu45vq6MiIRI9k2DK0SPoHFLKgfpqU5xbIBU10ZlM9e1HOX-oxB1DAvm0hSFZdUvWXaeU_g0s8lUeIBZbhjoCUtx0c-AZ7BzaQjvqTHILzQ=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIgepwWwSQ0j2ZNCOnyepP6DTbheDqlMCscxJk6eUBGIzSr05RU22ua5f-jp1JAifpyGSKKcvYQu45vq6MiIRI9k2DK0SPoHFLKgfpqU5xbIBU10ZlM9e1HOX-oxB1DAvm0hSFZdUvWXaeU_g0s8lUeIBZbhjoCUtx0c-AZ7BzaQjvqTHILzQ=w400-h240" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Chulip</i> (PS2)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've got a huge soft spot for games made by Love-de-Lic and its many offshoots. Of all the ones I've played so far, though, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2013/01/bye-bye-backlog-diary-entry-1-chulip-ps2.html" target="_blank">Chulip</a></i> has proven the least compelling. I think that's because the <i>Chulip</i> is both quite dark and quite slow. Still, I appreciate and respect its odd and off-kilter aesthetic and story, so hopefully those aspects will carry me through my next <i>Chulip</i> playthrough--should one ever happen.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>EarthBound</i> (SNES)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It's been eight years since I last played this cult classic. In the meantime, I've finished both its predecessor, <i>Mother</i>, and its sequel, <i>Mother 3</i>. To be honest, a part of me would prefer to replay the first <i>Mother</i> rather than this follow-up, but I'm going to do my best in the next year or two to push those irrational feelings aside and return to <i>EarthBound</i>, aka <i>Mother 2</i>, instead.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Endless Ocean</i> (Wii)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Considering how popular the Wii was during its peak, I never understood how this game failed to reach a wider audience. It certainly deserved one, in my opinion. Exploring <i>Endless Ocean</i>'s watery world was equal parts soothing and awe-inspiring the last time I played the game, and I could use a little (OK, a lot) of both in these uncertain times. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0OUejOmX7A-4XG_YnxHowUojp1_UBkmDNeXnJl93nj5b8q6CqXNfUwJiRdimYZHea3n4gqvnuvipo0t1Ws3L8bUdlcSNkh9Pwe3qXu909kH6qcWXeTVcQIOUqnXTeUjaVbIV3VXLmqxgpvebxHeFHgh-MaOFlbPJkCUfidegvgz8gNeXN7MI=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0OUejOmX7A-4XG_YnxHowUojp1_UBkmDNeXnJl93nj5b8q6CqXNfUwJiRdimYZHea3n4gqvnuvipo0t1Ws3L8bUdlcSNkh9Pwe3qXu909kH6qcWXeTVcQIOUqnXTeUjaVbIV3VXLmqxgpvebxHeFHgh-MaOFlbPJkCUfidegvgz8gNeXN7MI=w400-h240" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Fantasy Life</i> (3DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>After <i>Pocket Card Jockey</i> (below), <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2014/12/my-favorite-games-of-2014-that-actually-were-released-in-2014.html" target="_blank">Fantasy Life</a></i> is the 3DS game that has stuck with me the most over the years. I've wanted to return to it ever since my first--and thus far only--playthrough ended. Although I usually prefer turn-based RPGs to real-time-action ones, <i>Fantasy Life</i> bucks that trend. Why? My guess is it's due to the game's wide and whimsical selection of jobs and weapons, which conspire to make it a joy to play despite its lack of random battles.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light</i> (DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I enjoyed playing <i>Bravely Default</i> and <i>Bravely Default II</i>, I'm not sure I enjoyed either title more than I enjoyed this 2010 precursor. Which isn't to suggest <i>The 4 Heroes of Light</i> is the best of this JRPG bunch. It's not. It may be the most charming, though, and that goes a long way with me. I also adore <a href="https://singingmountainpod.com/episodes/final-fantasy-4-heroes-light-vgm" target="_blank">this game's soundtrack</a>, which isn't as bombastic as that of the first <i>Bravely Default</i> but holds its own otherwise.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Hotel Dusk: Room 215</i> (DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>In a perfect world, I'd play through <i>Hotel Dusk</i> once a year. It offers players such a cozy vibe and such a captivating cast of characters that it's like the video-game equivalent of comfort food for me. This world is far from perfect, though, and so annual replays of this CiNG-made treasure are not an option. But maybe I could get myself to return to it every other year?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizwhLWCYq2sVuPYQVXs9CzDmOJ0dghq2FJttckIzVCQBW4d3O6RZ2VnpwpuylVvC1uciokKqd_zrEQfjnxdpdzanXYactjPKdPHcUjFL6giOCj3VGb_NMrbwADU8AJxcBpKtaehxVTSEbPTSKR6PGtIH9MuxQY8KsedpEZTNE_HJxSs2IELX8=s455" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="455" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizwhLWCYq2sVuPYQVXs9CzDmOJ0dghq2FJttckIzVCQBW4d3O6RZ2VnpwpuylVvC1uciokKqd_zrEQfjnxdpdzanXYactjPKdPHcUjFL6giOCj3VGb_NMrbwADU8AJxcBpKtaehxVTSEbPTSKR6PGtIH9MuxQY8KsedpEZTNE_HJxSs2IELX8=w400-h239" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Pocket Card Jockey</i> (3DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Despite what I said earlier about rarely replaying games these days, me replaying this digital-only curiosity is nothing new. Should I find a way to boot it up again in 2022, it would be the fifth time I've done so, if memory serves. If you're wondering what makes <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2016/05/how-to-succeed-in-pocket-card-jockey-3ds-without-really-trying.html" target="_blank">Pocket Card Jockey</a></i>, developed by Game Freak of <i>Pokémon</i> fame, so seductive, my answer would be that it's a rare example of "the complete package"--cute visuals, curiously captivating gameplay, and cool, jazzy OST.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Raging Loop</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Why would I choose to replay a visual novel I finished less than two years ago? For starters, I loved my first playthrough of <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/02/can-i-still-call-raging-loop-one-of-my-favorite-games-of-2019.html" target="_blank">Raging Loop</a></i> so much I immediately wanted to experience it again. Also, it promises a seemingly aptly titled "Revelation Mode," which promises all kinds of additional content--including the ability to hear side characters' thoughts and witness scenes outside the protagonist's perspective.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Theatrhythm Final Fantasy</i> (3DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>My recently realized desire to play through <i>Theatrhythm Final Fantasy</i> a second time comes as a bit of a shock to me. Although I adored the time I spent with this game back in 2013, I've rarely considered returning to it. Now that it's back in my mind, though, I can't stop thinking about it. Mark my words: should I actually boot up some of the games highlighted here in 2022, <i>Theatrhythm Final Fantasy</i> will be among them.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0ol2vHBcrNGnHWLaATfTkLQthgcuv__hw7mrFujRrcBxI0JStsZgVwgDeIP5vTskCICquCGnSsZG4vXkfwU_cLzq5aXekE0kH1p1xJ2WbXZuSo9jDKe79ON_WjZ0aqkLprhnDM5oHJlRri8yEcpOb4yMVZTIlprbG8aDE8masXGmNUWpOJ50=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0ol2vHBcrNGnHWLaATfTkLQthgcuv__hw7mrFujRrcBxI0JStsZgVwgDeIP5vTskCICquCGnSsZG4vXkfwU_cLzq5aXekE0kH1p1xJ2WbXZuSo9jDKe79ON_WjZ0aqkLprhnDM5oHJlRri8yEcpOb4yMVZTIlprbG8aDE8masXGmNUWpOJ50=w400-h240" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Void Terrarium</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I get the distinct impression that most folks don't even know <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/12/my-favorite-games-of-2020-goty.html" target="_blank">Void Terrarium</a></i> exists, and yet here I am, desperately wanting to give it a second go. Similarly to the above-mentioned <i>Pocket Card Jockey</i>, <i>Void Terrarium</i> successfully mashes up a pair of gaming genres--roguelike dungeon-crawler and digital pet--that really shouldn't work together. It also boasts a sweet and somber story that makes the experience even more worthwhile.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/12-games-i-want-to-play-in-2021.html.html" target="_blank">12 old and new games I want to play in 2022</a></div><div><br /></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-23524758465660310632022-01-08T08:36:00.001-08:002022-01-09T07:16:41.959-08:0012 new and old games I want to play in 2022<div>I did a pretty good job of spreading the love around last year in terms of playing a variety of games on a variety of systems. Sure, the majority of the games I played were played on my Switch, but four were played on my Vita, one was played on my 3DS, and three were played on my DS.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going to try my best to keep that up this year, as the following list of old and new games I want to play in 2022 should make clear.</div><div><br /></div><b><i>7th Dragon</i> (DS)</b><div>I've wanted to play this Imageepoch-made DS RPG since it was first announced due, mostly, to its adorable character designs and Yuzo Koshiro-composed soundtrack. Hopefully they'll be enough to overcome <i>7th Dragon</i>'s annoying components, of which I've heard there are a few. I'm no stranger to old, frustrating RPGs, of course, so fingers crossed that experience helps me out a bit, too.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha-ck4zE3nKKP11kXf_N7H5zf7Ifc6_mygkWiwAzu1hKdwMo5sN8MNqSFRrzATpKMAowK5MRxAAOT5PtfVWOVyrSwTosqGZ5kkVi1jp_sC27DWlj4_qnpPzsJobtK7dVFC6AMnEhHA1BtJvELDyLQFRFaJ_z712-lL9ry2cuIllG1fv9irq-I=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha-ck4zE3nKKP11kXf_N7H5zf7Ifc6_mygkWiwAzu1hKdwMo5sN8MNqSFRrzATpKMAowK5MRxAAOT5PtfVWOVyrSwTosqGZ5kkVi1jp_sC27DWlj4_qnpPzsJobtK7dVFC6AMnEhHA1BtJvELDyLQFRFaJ_z712-lL9ry2cuIllG1fv9irq-I=w400-h240" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>Bravely Second</i> (3DS)</b></div><div>I've started this <i>Bravely Default</i> sequel twice since I got my hands on a copy in early 2016. On both occasions, I walked away after just a few hours of play, feeling decidedly disinterested. Will this third attempt be the charm? I have my doubts, but after thoroughly enjoying <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021.html" target="_blank">Bravely Default II</a></i> (and having a similarly positive experience with the original release), I'm willing to give it a try. If things don't click this time, though...</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>For the Frog the Bell Tolls</i> (GameBoy)</b></div><div>Oh, look, another game I've tried a couple of times. I don't remember ditching <i>For the Frog the Bell Tolls</i>, or <i>Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru</i>, because a lack of interest, though; rather, I think my previous attempts simply began at the wrong time. That said, I do recall finding this GameBoy title's battles a bit curious, so here's hoping they--as well as the rest of this retro adventure--strike me as appealingly curious during my next go-round.</div><div><br /><div><b><i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i> (Switch)</b></div><div>I've yet to play the other two games in the <i>Little Tail Bronx</i> series, so why am I champing at the bit to play this one? For starters, I'm intrigued by its tank-centric gameplay. I also rather like how it looks. That's it, really. Now I just need the game to (finally) go on sale, as its $40 asking price is a little too steep for me.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYto7YcQq3m65zikE82fil-pCbAUDt7xK-TobsUA5JwjE7c0xjr5wVqx4Tbfx6-eFil7luxfnVZLxM7vcaIpbU6nglA7SfbVsvKFlGf0X4s4KmgHs0UAWb18DN-tEUixjo_kHsIl4zJ3DK5bgd1Y_8TuRCBtYFPYSG7pVNdBpjtboGVeplBZs=s515" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="515" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYto7YcQq3m65zikE82fil-pCbAUDt7xK-TobsUA5JwjE7c0xjr5wVqx4Tbfx6-eFil7luxfnVZLxM7vcaIpbU6nglA7SfbVsvKFlGf0X4s4KmgHs0UAWb18DN-tEUixjo_kHsIl4zJ3DK5bgd1Y_8TuRCBtYFPYSG7pVNdBpjtboGVeplBZs=w400-h226" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Katamari Damacy no-Vita</i> (Vita)</b></div><div>Truth be told, I'd rather <i>We Love Katamari</i> be ported to the Switch so I can play that game portably. With that being an impossibility (for the moment, at least), I'll settle for giving this Vita entry in the series a go. Don't worry, I'm well aware it pales in comparison to earlier releases. It's still <i>Katamari Damacy</i>, though, right?</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>NEO: The World Ends with You</i> (Switch)</b></div><div>Being the serious <i>TWEWY</i> fan that I am (though <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/01/my-favorite-games-of-2020-that-werent.html" target="_blank">I only finished it for the first time last year</a>), I was beyond excited when this sequel was announced in late 2020. <i>NEO: TWEWY</i> released at a weird time for me, though, and so instead of playing it right away, as planned, it was unceremoniously ushered into a closet to be played at some future date. That future date is going to be sometime in 2022, if I have anything to say about it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Okaeri! Chibi-Robo! Happy Richie Oosouji</i> (DS)</b></div><div><i>Chibi-Robo!</i> totally is a "me" kind of series--and yet I've only ever played a bit of its very first entry, released for the GameCube. I'm going to attempt to rectify matters by diving into this direct follow-up (I think?) in 2022 thanks the English fan translation that's been available for the last five or so years.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiZ87XtY6SXWqDnAbbG0Hp_s4F14iIAgGAdJnJSu1fhe55HWy9JEO4W0uQYOwAaQ9ozBgP6SAmxQObe864pmQlDWdSGKe335yWnF4X73PM9aKM_KgXQhmi330YPbw1oeSapbfrjIux4AxkoVqnziUCeA8annCxo5JgBbJYhWJsZtJaXuDwGwg=s768" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiZ87XtY6SXWqDnAbbG0Hp_s4F14iIAgGAdJnJSu1fhe55HWy9JEO4W0uQYOwAaQ9ozBgP6SAmxQObe864pmQlDWdSGKe335yWnF4X73PM9aKM_KgXQhmi330YPbw1oeSapbfrjIux4AxkoVqnziUCeA8annCxo5JgBbJYhWJsZtJaXuDwGwg=w400-h240" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>SaGa 2</i> (DS)</b></div><div>I was enamored with this game, known as <i>Final Fantasy Legend II</i> in my neck of the woods, as a kid. Mind you, I was enamored with reading about it, not playing it. Oh, I bought and played it, and of course enjoyed it, but I never quite got into it like I did its predecessor, which I played for hours on end. Hopefully a second attempt in 2022, via this DS remake from 2009, will prove more compelling.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi</i> (Switch)</b></div><div>Here's another game that I eagerly anticipated playing last year as soon as I got my hands on a copy, only to drop the ball when that happened due to the timing of the release. I continue to think this dungeon-crawler looks masterful, especially its intriguing, near-modern-day setting, so don't expect me to ignore it for much longer. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars</i> (Switch)</b></div><div>I can't muster much interest in Square Enix's major productions these days, but the company's smaller efforts? I nearly always adore them. I suspect that trend will continue with this card-themed RPG, especially since its demo impressed me to a surprising degree. In particular, I appreciated its slow pace and mysterious vibe. I can't wait to find out if I feel the same way about the full, final product.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFxvvKxHipPFr0qkAKE7nZn3_0ULcibVk-T2BQaxcqKv61NIKcnPM4Lb7nn7wEhAEoXzrOwF3EgJJuEbHPMmSEZ2kRIae9E70XT9tu69Sy1dAIEdGUU1y5cHevpElzBzGfa-SPYIbL5iOd4fG_m0F87_VfIgz_86VrK0riY4PDeAH2E7VgvGs=s620" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="620" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFxvvKxHipPFr0qkAKE7nZn3_0ULcibVk-T2BQaxcqKv61NIKcnPM4Lb7nn7wEhAEoXzrOwF3EgJJuEbHPMmSEZ2kRIae9E70XT9tu69Sy1dAIEdGUU1y5cHevpElzBzGfa-SPYIbL5iOd4fG_m0F87_VfIgz_86VrK0riY4PDeAH2E7VgvGs=w400-h241" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Weapon Shop de Omasse</i> (3DS)</b></div><div>I adored what I played of Level-5's inventive <i>Guild</i> series games back when they released here in 2012 and 2013. <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2015/01/my-favorite-games-of-2014-that-were-released-before-2014.html" target="_blank">Attack of the Friday Monsters!</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/12/my-favorite-games-of-2019-that-werent-released-in-2019.html" target="_blank">Crimson Shroud</a></i> were my favorites, but I also enjoyed <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2017/02/the-great-gaymathon-review-75-starship-damrey-3DS.html" target="_blank">The Starship Damrey</a></i> and <i>Aero Porter</i>. One <i>Guild</i> release I've yet to experience is this "rhythm fantasy RPG" that has players forge weapons for would-be heroes to rent for upcoming quests. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Yomawari: Midnight Shadows</i> (Vita)</b></div></div><div>Although it occasionally irritated me, <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2016/02/nice-package-yomawari-vita.html" target="_blank">the original <i>Yomawari</i></a> impressed me overall when I played through it last year. I especially liked its compact setting and its cute-but-also-plenty-unsettling aesthetic. I've been meaning to take a stab at this follow-up ever since, but the timing's never been right. I'm going to force the issue soon, though, due to the fact that a third <i>Yomawari</i> game is releasing in Japan this April.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2021</a> and <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021-not-from-2021.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2021 that weren't actually released in 2021</a></div></div></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-75138043570719978772022-01-03T10:07:00.000-08:002022-01-03T10:07:21.342-08:00How I spent my time with video games in 2021<p>Although <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/one-sentence-on-each-of-the-games-i-finished-in-2021.html" target="_blank">I played and finished a lot of games in 2021</a>, I didn't spend as much time with those games as I did with <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2020.html" target="_blank">the games I played and finished in 2020</a>.</p><br />
<p>Last year, for example, I put more than 80 hours into three different games. This year, my most-played game topped out at just over 75 hours.</p><br />
<p>Despite that, I'm plenty happy with how I spent my time with games in 2021. In particular, I'm happy that four Vita games made the cut this year, as did three DS games and one 3DS game. I failed to finish the 3DS game (<i>Etrian Mystery Dungeon</i>), admittedly, but that's how it goes sometimes.</p><br />
<p>I'm much more bummed about the fact that I only managed to put three-ish hours into <i>Shin Megami Tensei V</i> between its release and the end of 2021. I didn't dislike the time I spent with this Switch RPG, so my current indifference to returning to it has me stumped.</p><br />
<p>Who knows, maybe I'll finish it in the new year and it'll appear in my eventual "how I spent my time with games in 2022" post.</p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9ToxTRnGV86Qf7YfWuhN5uSXTv7hOtXibR4RGPE-wh3lUqBLhBkYEOZU5Z6WGkna0JtOe3UaFmdRt24LWDT0ghmzey8JL3IKhWZp_ReQhuHBYLISRpJDxgCxhztjAHBGhXYxpNS1RhBgHIbvy5F_b452n7mvGc4---nWcqLPFEa2yGttTwCc=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9ToxTRnGV86Qf7YfWuhN5uSXTv7hOtXibR4RGPE-wh3lUqBLhBkYEOZU5Z6WGkna0JtOe3UaFmdRt24LWDT0ghmzey8JL3IKhWZp_ReQhuHBYLISRpJDxgCxhztjAHBGhXYxpNS1RhBgHIbvy5F_b452n7mvGc4---nWcqLPFEa2yGttTwCc=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div>
<p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><i>Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</i></b> (Switch) — 75 hours, 30 minutes</li><li><b><i>Bravely Default II</i></b> (Switch) — 72 hours, 20 minutes</li><li><b><i>Dungeon Encounters</i></b> (Switch) — 43 hours, 25 minutes</li><li><b><i>SaGa Frontier Remastered</i></b> (Switch) — 32 hours, 40 minutes</li><li><b><i>Airship Q</i></b> (Vita) — 28 hours, 35 minutes</li><li><b><i>Gnosia</i></b> (Switch) — 24 hours, 45 minutes</li><li><b><i>Shiren the Wanderer 5+</i></b> (Switch) — 24 hours, 30 minutes</li><li><b><i>Spelunky</i></b> (Switch + Vita) — 24 hours, 25 minutes</li></ul><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiek1vwS_ZpVZ4RneHAsuc-NH6VPisPYwQZCSTm4oZgwWVlf0avutnY4gxp5exBKas7CPt7WHjyRL3dqbeyXdwwFmkFBwdFHGxVfYEht920IuYgRjeP4gijAgf9es3a-rJDreOur-1Ccnzhq8PD32f7SvZDNx4tz4G9vDXxjYXo6ER0xBfW08s=s522" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="522" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiek1vwS_ZpVZ4RneHAsuc-NH6VPisPYwQZCSTm4oZgwWVlf0avutnY4gxp5exBKas7CPt7WHjyRL3dqbeyXdwwFmkFBwdFHGxVfYEht920IuYgRjeP4gijAgf9es3a-rJDreOur-1Ccnzhq8PD32f7SvZDNx4tz4G9vDXxjYXo6ER0xBfW08s=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><i>Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love</i></b> (DS) — 23 hours, 40 minutes</li><li><b><i>Poison Control</i></b> (Switch) — 16 hours, 50 minutes</li><li><b><i>Gravity Rush</i></b> (Vita) -- 14 hours, 40 minutes</li><li><b><i>Pikmin 3 Deluxe</i></b> (Switch) — 14 hours, 15 minutes</li><li><b><i>Pac-Man 99</i></b> (Switch) — 11 hours, 50 minutes</li><li><b><i>A Kappa’s Trail</i></b> (DS) — 10 hours, 40 minutes</li><li><b><i>Captain Toad</i></b> (Switch) — 10 hours, 30 minutes</li><li><b><i>Deltarune Chapter 1&2</i></b> (Switch) — 8 hours, 40 minutes</li><li><b><i>Mon Amour</i></b> (Switch) — 8 hours, 05 minutes</li><li><b><i>Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir</i></b> (Switch) — 8 hours, 00 minutes</li></ul><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvtD0bUM2MNJKwvOtxLXYREX3hMyPdRCV1vwp0FgAj44zb-ch4IGhXJqgY5fpXTbbYXBGE3_uaBfQ2zRQLuKmn_3OGO6SSPR6wLaK_VS6jMq5j4tK1XS2WFq4V7WacVGmZQ4f6Jf9mug9973dszhVWeUy1L8hmsyU5uY-DvuuZBfeOMIOH-yw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvtD0bUM2MNJKwvOtxLXYREX3hMyPdRCV1vwp0FgAj44zb-ch4IGhXJqgY5fpXTbbYXBGE3_uaBfQ2zRQLuKmn_3OGO6SSPR6wLaK_VS6jMq5j4tK1XS2WFq4V7WacVGmZQ4f6Jf9mug9973dszhVWeUy1L8hmsyU5uY-DvuuZBfeOMIOH-yw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><i>Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind</i></b> (Switch) — 6 hours, 55 minutes</li><li><b><i>Tearaway</i></b> (Vita) -- 6 hours, 50 minutes</li><li><b><i>Etrian Mystery Dungeon</i></b> (3DS) — 6 hours, 00 minutes</li><li><b><i>Umurangi Generation Special Edition</i></b> (Switch) — 6 hours, 00 minutes</li><li><b><i>Princess Debut</i></b> (DS) — 5 hours, 20 minutes</li><li><b><i>Liquid Kids</i></b> (Switch) — 3 hours, 45 minutes</li><li><b><i>Shin Megami Tensei V</i></b> (Switch) — 3 hours, 45 minutes</li><li><b><i>Overboard!</i></b> (Switch) — 3 hours, 25 minutes</li></ul>
<p>How did you spend your time with games in 2021? Feel free to share your own play-time stats, or simply list your most-played titles, in the comments section below.</p><br />
<p><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2020.html" target="_blank">how I spent my time with games in 2020</a></p>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-29123018913653275032021-12-30T07:13:00.000-08:002021-12-30T07:13:03.492-08:00One sentence about each of the 21 games I finished in 2021<div>I somehow managed to finish 21 games this year. I say "somehow" here because for all of 2021 it felt like I played fewer games than I did in 2020.</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, it's possible I did play fewer games in 2021 than I played in 2020. And I surely spent less time with the games I played in 2021 than I did with <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/how-i-spent-my-time-with-games-in-2020.html" target="_blank">the games I played in 2020</a>, as my next post will make clear.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for this post, it features—as the header above hopefully suggests—one-sentence "reviews" of each of the 21 games I completed this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, they're organized according to when I completed them. So, <i>Shiren the Wanderer 5+</i> was the first game I "beat" in 2021, while <i>Umrangi Generation Special Edition</i> was the last.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiafvhrbZl8WwTwLqJ2B65_nCGvUgm06taZXkhorFi_1zZZNYK0PhEp1vF5-xIz10VgOVy7C670E_KtiTsC32UPyPmtsFLslODSwrZ3vWwFfmd0jTVHZLNWoM-ibDrJd1TYbBXJUVi12OEE_TUGnpF5Nlf7kyo8AcOhLnwLUWrZVIixJXODhIM=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiafvhrbZl8WwTwLqJ2B65_nCGvUgm06taZXkhorFi_1zZZNYK0PhEp1vF5-xIz10VgOVy7C670E_KtiTsC32UPyPmtsFLslODSwrZ3vWwFfmd0jTVHZLNWoM-ibDrJd1TYbBXJUVi12OEE_TUGnpF5Nlf7kyo8AcOhLnwLUWrZVIixJXODhIM=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Shiren the Wanderer 5+</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div>
<div>I didn’t realize just how much I’ve always wanted to pillage towers at extreme threat of violence and even death until I dug my teeth into this beautifully complex roguelike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Captain Toad</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/02/captain-toad-and-chill-games.html" target="_blank"><i>Captain Toad</i></a> is a cute and (mostly) chill puzzle-action game that I can honestly say I enjoyed more than I've enjoyed any of the proper <i>Mario</i> titles that have been released over the last few years.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Princess Debut</i> (DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>A fluffy and rather childish otome game that features a barebones rhythm component—via simple ballroom dance sequences—and attractive, manga-inspired art.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzb__zMFscC4Wji0lXS9ItBu8lTQmTkZBETf5_UlXdwTIVT-coD8XjVkbl8uCIySBwxyfhp8kDoRvw2MSxX3QHkpfeGjRdF6VlIA45L31hZ2g9pOp7Q3GmK4TBxhQioLXkc74mjOutBGbgfzdbUGtPpmPnfmMqUPFDzxmSEhUlVRZ5Z3uug_Q=s255" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="255" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzb__zMFscC4Wji0lXS9ItBu8lTQmTkZBETf5_UlXdwTIVT-coD8XjVkbl8uCIySBwxyfhp8kDoRvw2MSxX3QHkpfeGjRdF6VlIA45L31hZ2g9pOp7Q3GmK4TBxhQioLXkc74mjOutBGbgfzdbUGtPpmPnfmMqUPFDzxmSEhUlVRZ5Z3uug_Q=w400-h224" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>A Kappa’s Trail</i> (DS)</b></div><div><br /></div>
<div>An instant-classic, hidden-gem, touch-controlled, puzzle-action game from some of the same devs who gave the world <i>Mother 3</i>, <i>Magical Starsign</i>, and <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2014/12/my-favorite-games-of-2014-that-actually-were-released-in-2014.html" target="_blank">Fantasy Life</a></i>.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Pikmin 3 Deluxe</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div>
<div>Exploring the game’s beautifully realized environments while capturing towering "enemies" and corralling similarly giant pieces of fruit is great fun; doing all of those things while watching a clock tick toward zero is not.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Bravely Default II</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div>
<div>Yes, it’s yet another RPG about those damned “four heroes of light,” but this one tweaks the formula, gameplay (the battles, especially), and aesthetics just enough to make it all seem fresh and exhilarating.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiocjfXmELgsiFSeaB7INW5sqZLy48N6rRqkbIbZjNKLzwpLYklOilIyvLAEe2K4WmfxlHhpM6lhT9CCCynp2XhFdswMszr2yOfVheV-F_hIWI3sDVMThUY7Pplj55dq-GwnH51tbnkhl5WfaErLczjzUOLaww1i2VUFt9GWgNu3BuMn0x_nk=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiocjfXmELgsiFSeaB7INW5sqZLy48N6rRqkbIbZjNKLzwpLYklOilIyvLAEe2K4WmfxlHhpM6lhT9CCCynp2XhFdswMszr2yOfVheV-F_hIWI3sDVMThUY7Pplj55dq-GwnH51tbnkhl5WfaErLczjzUOLaww1i2VUFt9GWgNu3BuMn0x_nk=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Gnosia</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I started this game expecting it to be little more than <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/02/can-i-still-call-raging-loop-one-of-my-favorite-games-of-2019.html" target="_blank">Raging Loop</a></i> set in space, but what I got was an addictive <i>Werewolf</i> simulator with a thrilling drip-feed story—the opposite of <i>RL</i>’s, basically—and a swoon-worthy OST.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Poison Control</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://twitter.com/thegaygamer/status/1386678702965096452" target="_blank"><i>Poison Control</i></a> is a curious and snappy mashup of a dungeon-crawler, a third-person shooter, and Taito's classic quartermucher <i>Qix</i>, all set to a surprisingly dark assortment of stories and a subtly brilliant soundtrack.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Come to this dungeon RPG for the 40-member parties (kind of, but kind of not), stay for the in-the-end-touching story and the interesting traversal elements.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1Pz7DUx_xstNBBY0eAHoHHDQjXydVQf88gOJhJ0l3ogxnHqCG8aRcDnR32fkC7xidsvStKFzsbMgWIwTprPctCpV5UR0ZneaA43IDRY7_awfbgDm0wBjMakOnlkFr18PTh58M95X6RxkCehBRXG4wltJtaqA_YCnni03-r5rnjGnYCOhiH0g=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1Pz7DUx_xstNBBY0eAHoHHDQjXydVQf88gOJhJ0l3ogxnHqCG8aRcDnR32fkC7xidsvStKFzsbMgWIwTprPctCpV5UR0ZneaA43IDRY7_awfbgDm0wBjMakOnlkFr18PTh58M95X6RxkCehBRXG4wltJtaqA_YCnni03-r5rnjGnYCOhiH0g=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>An attractive and captivating whodunit that occasionally frustrates due in large part to a clunky interface that sticks a little too close to its late-1980s roots.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Another modern remake of an old adventure game that originally graced the Famicom Disk System, though this one is more suspenseful and has a slightly more appealing setting and story.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love</i> (DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>A point-and-click game starring everyone's favorite emotionally stunted oddball, Tingle, and sporting a story that's a silly riff on <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>; believe me, it's every bit as great as it sounds.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHtCAWzo3EEKpJCl1VGKdSsXeYE61R-yUGG9EoaGc_ckAJuwjkVsPmIAOz5ZVS23sFACQ4KCZFjepOvF0REF8SdzEZPLuVoe_HzjD4fZxjzP9E1ccI-6cjq5zDIAC6HISBuH5fJMDk3syTsQSRR-Wwbmn77yWteMZ6e_69YpTddaadRNoWyOY=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="500" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHtCAWzo3EEKpJCl1VGKdSsXeYE61R-yUGG9EoaGc_ckAJuwjkVsPmIAOz5ZVS23sFACQ4KCZFjepOvF0REF8SdzEZPLuVoe_HzjD4fZxjzP9E1ccI-6cjq5zDIAC6HISBuH5fJMDk3syTsQSRR-Wwbmn77yWteMZ6e_69YpTddaadRNoWyOY=w400-h226" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Gravity Rush</i> (Vita)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Although its increasingly nonsensical story and always-aggravating combat regularly attempted to take my attention away from it, I don't think I've ever felt more like I'd stepped into the shoes—or spandex jumpsuit—of a superhero than I did while playing this gorgeous "gravity action" game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Tearaway</i> (Vita)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Tearaway</i> is a breezy, <i>Kirby</i>-esque platformer that makes impressive and creative use of the Vita hardware and, as such, feels more like an amusement-park ride than a video game.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Airship Q</i> (Vita)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Take <i>Terraria</i>, make the protagonist a cat, add a save-your-catnapped-sister story, and toss in a few honest-to-goodness, pull-your-hair-out-by-the-roots moments of jank-prompted frustration, and you have <i>Airship Q</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVcLp8yEGHpFuJgjM6ns_SBVSl3j5I2j65lKFaGlBrZpv8B1N73dxsYfash09Q4MsX3tEhz7hCYuWTjoSBe0-ghUXQ6pelzxqVJu94cRG9hkqibn4_K9x48kw9OsZy9iNf1O_BhZ-2D5FzLjF6iHHxFXuN6Gp2caTEaBEn416jv5YATNXhUmM=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVcLp8yEGHpFuJgjM6ns_SBVSl3j5I2j65lKFaGlBrZpv8B1N73dxsYfash09Q4MsX3tEhz7hCYuWTjoSBe0-ghUXQ6pelzxqVJu94cRG9hkqibn4_K9x48kw9OsZy9iNf1O_BhZ-2D5FzLjF6iHHxFXuN6Gp2caTEaBEn416jv5YATNXhUmM=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Deltarune Chapter 1&2</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/01/my-favorite-games-of-2018-that-arent-black-bird-sushi-striker.html" target="_blank">Undertale</a></i> follow-up may or may not be a better game than its predecessor, but either way, it's a joy to play thanks to its wall-to-wall witty and silly text and its decision to fully lean into bullet-hell gameplay.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Mon Amour</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you've ever wondered what <i>Flappy Bird</i> would look, sound, and play like if the creative geniuses at Onion Games (<i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/10/black-bird-impressions-nintendo-switch.html" target="_blank">Black Bird</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/06/dandy-dungeon-nintendo-switch-impressions.html" target="_blank">Dandy Dungeon</a></i>) had made it, here's your answer.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Dungeon Encounters</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It's best to ignore how <i>Dungeon Encounters</i> looks, especially before you actually play it; instead, think of it as a minimalistic, top-down <i>Etrian Odyssey</i> that has you solve riddles to find new abilities, party members, treasures—even the final boss.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWXkQADKMgdWnbH2OPrUy7WFsqAOmR2rEZGNGeieABJg88BVL4I6o228tWHx-D0YPOmTGrcP3ToBmpifBXr0045sAISNqLyfNFfVoMwyPdgMjP6dxJWh6FEC-cQ0DeyyqE5FQ1GyVGDrs8O9rZk3D4ypnNxkTasCCKhqFIsymbCAuSzLrmHew=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWXkQADKMgdWnbH2OPrUy7WFsqAOmR2rEZGNGeieABJg88BVL4I6o228tWHx-D0YPOmTGrcP3ToBmpifBXr0045sAISNqLyfNFfVoMwyPdgMjP6dxJWh6FEC-cQ0DeyyqE5FQ1GyVGDrs8O9rZk3D4ypnNxkTasCCKhqFIsymbCAuSzLrmHew=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>SaGa Frontier Remastered</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Although the stories that hold <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2011/03/great-gaymathon-review-15-saga-frontier.html" target="_blank">SaGa Frontier</a></i> together are on the simple side, every other element of this Japanese role-player is out of this world: the eye-popping array of party members, the exotic enemy designs, the extraterrestrial locales, the electrifying battles, and—last, but certainly not least—the extraordinary soundtrack.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Liquid Kids</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This side-scrolling <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2017/02/manual-stimulation-bubble-bobble-LE-famicom-disk-system.html" target="_blank">Bubble Bobble</a></i>—basically, though the protagonist is a roly-poly platypus rather than lime-green dinosaur—is an arcade game through and through, with cheap deaths around every other corner, but it's also a blast to play thanks to how fun it is to throw "water bombs" everywhere and at everything.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><i>Umurangi Generation Special Edition</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div>
<div>If <i>Gnosia</i> is a <i>Werewolf</i> simulator, <i>Umurangi Generation</i> is a document-the-end-of-the-world-using-a-DSLR-camera simulator—and a damn good one, at that.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/one-sentence-on-each-of-the-games-i-finished-in-2020.html" target="_blank">one sentence about each of the 24 games I finished in 2020</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-21843259568609688942021-12-24T10:50:00.005-08:002022-01-15T13:05:23.604-08:00My favorite games of 2021 that weren't actually released in 2021<div>Although <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/12/my-favorite-games-of-2021.html" target="_blank">I played and loved a lot of games this year</a> that were actually released in the last 12 months, I also played and loved a lot of games that came out before 2021.</div><div><br /></div><div>In particular, I played more Vita games in 2021 than I have in years<span face="Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: #f7f0e9; caret-color: rgb(99, 32, 53); color: #632035; font-size: 13px;">—</span>three of which are highlighted below. I also played a handful of DS games.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUMHsQNx2szFeUQ1q8CQW9hkA_V3kRQoQYzaG32d4s1MmOg3qZIWff3hBeiiS2dkNV_2TIBS9u-dFCisoEpT2EEwvLA_tkb9j9IVLsuZsdKZqErjL8CGltdcdwBoxSGRs90SsH3ysSFY1vJiE72HLhHRp7uRtu0hbQDF2s14dL4t1RKNzwXHs=s255" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="255" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUMHsQNx2szFeUQ1q8CQW9hkA_V3kRQoQYzaG32d4s1MmOg3qZIWff3hBeiiS2dkNV_2TIBS9u-dFCisoEpT2EEwvLA_tkb9j9IVLsuZsdKZqErjL8CGltdcdwBoxSGRs90SsH3ysSFY1vJiE72HLhHRp7uRtu0hbQDF2s14dL4t1RKNzwXHs=w400-h224" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>A Kappa’s Trail</i> (DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This Nintendo DSiWare game is a breath of fresh air for several reasons, though the most noteworthy are that it makes full use of the DS system's touch screen (in fact, the machine's directional pad or face buttons are disabled during play) and it forces players to figure out what to do right from the word go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Granted, I'd hardly call this digital release one of my favorite games of 2021 if all it offered were a lack of handholding and slick, stylus-centric controls. On that note, <i>A Kappa's Trail</i> is also quite a looker, no shock given the wizards at Brownie Brown (of <i>Mother 3</i> and <i>Magical Starsign</i> fame) made it. Its lead-a-big-headed-kappa-to-the-end-of-each-winding-stage-while-avoiding-myriad-pitfalls-and-perils gameplay is unique, too, not to mention tense, thanks to the creepy disembodied hand that slowly stalks you and threatens to cut short your otherwise jaunty journey.</div><div><br /></div>Don't worry, the latter isn't overly off-putting; instead, it injects the game with a welcome dose of drama that elevates the experience beyond "pleasant but boring."<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8CfQU2hPlHMcPtjfsB7HhzLdwWVhHuXF7aG-SZ5LFOUn35ZSbgID7zXwk0iIkyYus3YCZ6Z8eDQyNSGn8uusjO17MdxAYQa7MZ6xZBNuf-3tZG7XhNCCurXxgS9eH-oizGQeHKxy-GrWSmNy3dqvFMzs1xDh2botkTI5lO6M5U8J52kvYJfg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="960" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8CfQU2hPlHMcPtjfsB7HhzLdwWVhHuXF7aG-SZ5LFOUn35ZSbgID7zXwk0iIkyYus3YCZ6Z8eDQyNSGn8uusjO17MdxAYQa7MZ6xZBNuf-3tZG7XhNCCurXxgS9eH-oizGQeHKxy-GrWSmNy3dqvFMzs1xDh2botkTI5lO6M5U8J52kvYJfg=w400-h226" width="400" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Airship Q</i> (PC/Vita)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>When I imported my copy of this game many moons ago, all I knew about it was that it was supposed to be <i>Terraria</i> with cats. In reality, that description isn't entirely accurate. <i>Airship Q</i> is a far more straightforward title than <i>Terraria</i>, though this doesn't mean it's constricted. On the contrary, it's as open as you could hope for it to be; however, there are times you'll be forced in a particular direction to advance <i>Airship Q</i>'s rather meager story.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now to throw some cold water onto this little "review": <i>Airship Q</i> is a bit janky. In particular, its block- and physics-based world regularly does its best to spoil your progress and fun by trapping your craft or keeping you from reaching your intended destination. This usually induces laughs rather than rage, but don't be shocked if it causes the occasional fit. It shouldn't prompt you to huffily pull the plug on your playthrough, though, or at least it shouldn't if you do like I did and think of this aspect of the game as charming instead of irritating.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9AMGeJC40Dc2HuQoVvZbeaqtoZhuSMFyemyGGTXzoCuu9tYcEIXgK9g2H-jqMGlDOZzFmENWsFxlSdlGi6ZlLoLy9J5WBLMU1c1u0nGHEKdMwQEXyJIT46CccXfkfmii0iz2TUEV9byixrsPMdeXoX7raDjX-PWBVG8vy9I7CWG3Em0DQ99s=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="960" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9AMGeJC40Dc2HuQoVvZbeaqtoZhuSMFyemyGGTXzoCuu9tYcEIXgK9g2H-jqMGlDOZzFmENWsFxlSdlGi6ZlLoLy9J5WBLMU1c1u0nGHEKdMwQEXyJIT46CccXfkfmii0iz2TUEV9byixrsPMdeXoX7raDjX-PWBVG8vy9I7CWG3Em0DQ99s=w400-h226" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Gravity Rush</i> (PS4/Vita)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Gravity Rush</i> is one of those games that are filled with brazen, brilliant ideas that never fully gel. The characters (Kat, the protagonist, especially) and steampunk-ish setting fascinate, and its soundtrack alternatingly soothes and soars. Speaking of soaring, dashing and falling through the air as the aforementioned Kat is one of the more exhilarating experiences I've had in a game in eons.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dashing and falling into one or more of <i>Gravity Rush</i>'s low-key nightmarish enemies, on the other hand, tends to be tiresome rather than breathtaking, and it didn't take me long to both dread and even detest such tussles. Fulfilling the game's many missions gets old quickly, too, though not as completely as its battles.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps appropriately, the story in <i>Gravity Rush</i> veers wildly between riveting and ridiculous<span face="Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: #f7f0e9; caret-color: rgb(99, 32, 53); color: #632035; font-size: 13px;">—</span>almost like it exists to meld the game's positive and negative attributes. It leans toward the former more than the latter, though, and that was enough for me.</div><div><br /></div>A ringing endorsement, right? Maybe not, but the fact is I'm still thinking of my time with <i>Gravity Rush</i>, and I'm also already contemplating taking another stab at it. In other words, its pros outweigh its cons, or at least they did for me. Considering how bold <i>Gravity Rush</i> is overall, putting up with its handful of quibbles isn't such a difficult task. <div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpbHqNyRe1GeQU-Uk61OiaCNBhb70d4u14bg4RtzSHyeSAG3DULUINThyrUw7XoFP9rPtrD67KRIGOB-f-8kzX-0qgOvN1dt20ZDTquxPNBSaFaBrzOLF4rc5bhdJg-OZA-lr0-BP45Vy_JwCh0K0kOWshGfrKHnitx1dI3wl4uF8UEkCYyeA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpbHqNyRe1GeQU-Uk61OiaCNBhb70d4u14bg4RtzSHyeSAG3DULUINThyrUw7XoFP9rPtrD67KRIGOB-f-8kzX-0qgOvN1dt20ZDTquxPNBSaFaBrzOLF4rc5bhdJg-OZA-lr0-BP45Vy_JwCh0K0kOWshGfrKHnitx1dI3wl4uF8UEkCYyeA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</i> (PC/PS4/Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I avoided starting <i>Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</i> for ages because screenshots of it intimidated me. Specifically, the number of party members depicted in said screens got me thinking this dungeon-crawling RPG would be far too convoluted for my feeble brain. After finishing and putting more than 75 hours into it, I'm glad to report it's not. In fact, its multi-character battles are far more conventional than initial impressions suggest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which isn't to say <i>Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</i> is traditional to a fault. It actually offers up several innovations that make it seem surprisingly fresh. Two standout examples: you can jump over pits while exploring its many maze-like dungeons, and you can break through walls to examine previously inaccessible areas.</div><div><br /></div><div>Building and customizing your party, which can eventually include as many as 40 members (each of whom are puppets, not humans), provides a similarly unique thrill. Unfortunately, it's a bit too deep to delve into here. The game does a decent job of explaining it as you go along, thankfully.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another area in which <i>Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk</i> excels is its story. Hell, a dungeon role-playing game having anything more than a barebones backstory is worth noting, but the one included here wouldn't be out of place in your typical JRPG. That it ends up being rather poignant only adds to the allure.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPG-teyzH7aQ2ONyHVrsSbIrdsMoiEq5sG-Psr_JqfDvUCAcNdh4kxECBiltrIrUKG_whjdESprTutvW1agvDaZFRxzI7iPYqf8ff1Fm9bHNHFbN6lq_2lRU8fz8XNBxm6BXT91zmvcWDJt8n109XSw7YMYVIysXEeYgFDXk5g3Ml2smSqj2c=s255" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="255" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPG-teyzH7aQ2ONyHVrsSbIrdsMoiEq5sG-Psr_JqfDvUCAcNdh4kxECBiltrIrUKG_whjdESprTutvW1agvDaZFRxzI7iPYqf8ff1Fm9bHNHFbN6lq_2lRU8fz8XNBxm6BXT91zmvcWDJt8n109XSw7YMYVIysXEeYgFDXk5g3Ml2smSqj2c=w400-h224" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love</i> (DS)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love</i> is such a bizarre mashup of ideas that I'm frankly amazed the powers that be at Nintendo greenlit its development. It's a point-and-click game that stars everyone's favorite jumpsuit-wearing oddball, Tingle, and sports a story that parodies <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>.</div><div><br /></div>Actually, there's more to <i>Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love</i> than just pointing and clicking. You solve puzzles, complete mini-games, and even woo some ladies, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whether or not you tend to enjoy this genre, it's worth checking out<span face="Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: #f7f0e9; caret-color: rgb(99, 32, 53); color: #632035; font-size: 13px;">—</span>in large part because it was developed by the talented crew at Vanpool, an offshoot of the renowned Love-de-Lic (known for cult classics <i>Moon: Remix RPG Adventure</i> and <i>UFO: A Day in the Life</i>).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUoo488LR-wAJyCbKnF1FKWj1YmqeQzBgKyflKWmHCm8wTZIXlNnJ1Gqiy-HtTb9QZ46Xygw5Qdh2ffU7tGpjpTQkzlhDCqLidjsmv3d2yOc7XqSHDBCeX0s5M5q3QORJbkfOP_GswQz_nsnRGGTdBUsUsm4CbwSJPdqhkxMGrUo8TfiXBJWY=s660" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="660" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUoo488LR-wAJyCbKnF1FKWj1YmqeQzBgKyflKWmHCm8wTZIXlNnJ1Gqiy-HtTb9QZ46Xygw5Qdh2ffU7tGpjpTQkzlhDCqLidjsmv3d2yOc7XqSHDBCeX0s5M5q3QORJbkfOP_GswQz_nsnRGGTdBUsUsm4CbwSJPdqhkxMGrUo8TfiXBJWY=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Spelunky</i> (PC/PS4/Switch/Vita)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Admittedly, my obsession with <i>Spelunky</i> began after I bought the Switch port that released this past autumn. I quickly moved over to the Vita version, though, and that's where I spent most of my time with this masochistic title.</div><div><br /></div><div>That I enjoyed it enough to play it for more than 20 hours is a near-miracle, I must say. This type of platformer has never been my cup of tea for all sorts of reasons I won't bore you with now. What's different about <i>Spelunky</i>? For starters, I feel like I'm at least slightly more in control of my destiny while playing it than I do while attempting similar efforts. Also, dying in <i>Spelunky</i> rarely devastates me. And even when it approaches doing so, I still typically end up laughing at the comedic cruelty of it all before moving on to just one more run.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're wondering why I or anyone else would willingly go through such hell over and over again, well, my only answer is that I like the challenge of it. Success, at both the individual stage and overall game level, always seems within reach<span face="Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: #f7f0e9; caret-color: rgb(99, 32, 53); color: #632035; font-size: 13px;">—</span>if only I could do this next time, or not do that. It's easy to blame yourself, rather than the game, for failing, though never so harshly you give up and move on to something less taxing. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/01/my-favorite-games-of-2020-that-werent.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2020 that weren't released in 2020</a></div></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-69994496697542436532021-12-17T18:26:00.003-08:002022-01-15T13:04:43.155-08:00My favorite games of 2021<div>Although I played a lot of games in 2021, only about half of them were actually released this year. And even then, most were far from the AAA efforts that tend to fill similar GOTY write-ups. </div><div><br /></div><div>Still, I hope those who read this post will enjoy the thoughts I share below on what I consider to be my favorite games of 2021.</div><div><br /></div><div>Something to consider as you scroll: I've sadly yet to experience a good handful of 2021 releases that I expect would've made this list had I gotten around to playing them. Among the games in question: <i>Fuga: Melodies of Steel</i>, <i>The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles</i>, <i>NEO: The World Ends with You</i>, <i>Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi</i>, and <i>Voice of Cards</i>.</div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4a5jomulh5otQeBGYprFTsw4To2XY8AZNu7jA_686TV7iA7_3QIQwtgxwxMYeJnWu_nUywTZCrF4i36LpvW9fpp4TjC-hLGd88KVpXy9lX8KrO60j48oyAttuQLO8wfGaccWAgQI9WLsyjJ2zmvhyTexYwmR_E-d_0lcvOYo1uNMnFSLn3vM=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4a5jomulh5otQeBGYprFTsw4To2XY8AZNu7jA_686TV7iA7_3QIQwtgxwxMYeJnWu_nUywTZCrF4i36LpvW9fpp4TjC-hLGd88KVpXy9lX8KrO60j48oyAttuQLO8wfGaccWAgQI9WLsyjJ2zmvhyTexYwmR_E-d_0lcvOYo1uNMnFSLn3vM=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i>Bravely Default II</i> (PC/Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>You're probably already aware that the character models in this <i>Bravely Default</i> sequel are less visually appealing than their counterparts in the original. <i>Bravely Default</i> <i>II</i>'s soundtrack doesn't hit the same highs as the previous game's either. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even so, I found <i>Bravely Default II</i> to be enormously compelling. The claymation-inspired, diorama-esque world is a joy to race around, and its battles exist somewhere within the same exhilarating realm as those found in the first <i>Bravely Default</i> and the oft-similar <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2018/07/ten-things-i-adore-about-octopath-traveler.html" target="_blank">Octopath Traveler</a></i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The cherry on top of this sadly divisive RPG: the bonkers story, which becomes more and more compelling--not to mention bizarre--the deeper you delve into it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPLF48mNEyxcuLlL7_XFG8rAOxwKWFuJn38Lq-VctQ7VuhtQw3ZqAL9QNj9tyUrjPzBg1bv1cXwaKqTgTR1UixvzVnStYHkKaeK0jrvwvG1vI6iK2BcCjd9_xlh8iOPpSQqo6xEfgj6MXrBI0ZT8pcj0AaOvt6WTYA0tSb11uAub2cBycd_GE=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPLF48mNEyxcuLlL7_XFG8rAOxwKWFuJn38Lq-VctQ7VuhtQw3ZqAL9QNj9tyUrjPzBg1bv1cXwaKqTgTR1UixvzVnStYHkKaeK0jrvwvG1vI6iK2BcCjd9_xlh8iOPpSQqo6xEfgj6MXrBI0ZT8pcj0AaOvt6WTYA0tSb11uAub2cBycd_GE=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i>Deltarune Chapter 1&2</i> (PC/PS4/Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I dragged my feet on plunging into the first two chapters of <i>Deltarune</i> until late this year because, frankly, I couldn't fathom how they'd even remotely reach <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2019/01/my-favorite-games-of-2018-that-arent-black-bird-sushi-striker.html" target="_blank">Undertale</a></i>'s splendorous heights. Boy, was I wrong. I don't know that I could declare <i>Deltarune</i> chapters one and two to be better than the whole of <i>Undertale</i>, but I also wouldn't argue with anyone who makes such an assertion.</div><div><br /></div><div>For me, the main area in which <i>Deltarune</i> bests its precursor is combat. Battles in <i>Deltarune</i> have more depth and are more strategic than those in <i>Undertale</i>. I also found them more fun, truth be told. I can't <i>quite</i> say the same about <i>Deltarune</i>'s characters, story, or soundtrack. In particular, Queen and Lancer pale in comparison to their <i>Undertale</i> counterparts, Sans and Papyrus, though the former are by no means duds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever. All I know is I'm itching--desperately--to play <i>Deltarune</i>'s remaining chapters, however many Toby Fox and crew decide to release into the world. For me, that makes the whole "which is better?" discussion moot. At least until the next time I play through <i>Undertale</i> (wink wink).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgr_6etXoqZECYJZ9klUSft79JNjppapG3ymI76fr3ePtF1AjM0sboEkinwjE8WhtPJPG4HFdpcPQUjV41betoq1AFpyf1BupURkRpmDzpMeCTcA-gik29fwAkS-LbQLMl6zoxC3GQfCfIVXUGdWUgVB1jEXbBcaFCU-RrC7wzfyqh9kTgUhuk=s900" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgr_6etXoqZECYJZ9klUSft79JNjppapG3ymI76fr3ePtF1AjM0sboEkinwjE8WhtPJPG4HFdpcPQUjV41betoq1AFpyf1BupURkRpmDzpMeCTcA-gik29fwAkS-LbQLMl6zoxC3GQfCfIVXUGdWUgVB1jEXbBcaFCU-RrC7wzfyqh9kTgUhuk=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i>Dungeon Encounters</i> (PC/PS4/Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Dungeon Encounters</i> offers up a terrible first impression, looking like one of Square Enix's lowest effort titles ever. Give it a whirl, though, and you're sure to realize, as I quickly did, it's a minimalistic <i>Etrian Odyssey</i> viewed from a decidely different perspective.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even that sells this digital RPG short, though, as I enjoyed playing <i>Dungeon Encounters</i> more than I've enjoyed playing any <i>Etrian Odyssey</i> title to date. I also managed to finish <i>Dungeon Encounters</i>--something I've yet to do with <i>Etrian Odyssey</i>'s many releases.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why? The sense of mystery and exploration is strong in <i>Dungeon Encounters</i>. Not only do you map out floors of a dungeon, but you solve riddles to find new abilities, party members, treasures, and even the final boss. Also, the game practically begs you to break it in various ways. Once you've acquired certain abilities, you can jump around the 99-floor dungeon nearly at will. As you might expect, there's a risk-reward element to this play style, but that's yet another feather in <i>Dungeon Encounters</i>' cap.</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, if you're usually an RPG fan and you're up for tackling a tough one (though not unfairly so) that dares to stray from the norm, give serious consideration to <i>Dungeon Encounters</i> in 2022.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhT9yBLrNrwORrfIvkq3-vBCb0FsSgxuLWixmFYtCtt-r2uUAlsgbxK1k9wkjNLubPciTbwXwe81dcLDFVFpQLjb-SF4R1S1KtrcEQ_avCEDa0kzqFm9kLlJ8sFRmMwvbR0283nLwvaFhbdf-DivncG0-A0Nqj0uW6kFr_GhME3HJs3bYvkU0=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhT9yBLrNrwORrfIvkq3-vBCb0FsSgxuLWixmFYtCtt-r2uUAlsgbxK1k9wkjNLubPciTbwXwe81dcLDFVFpQLjb-SF4R1S1KtrcEQ_avCEDa0kzqFm9kLlJ8sFRmMwvbR0283nLwvaFhbdf-DivncG0-A0Nqj0uW6kFr_GhME3HJs3bYvkU0=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i>Gnosia</i> (Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/02/can-i-still-call-raging-loop-one-of-my-favorite-games-of-2019.html" target="_blank"><i>Raging Loop</i> was among my favorite games of 2020</a>. One of the main reasons I loved <i>Raging Loop</i> so much was that it deftly blended aspects of the social-deduction game, <i>Werewolf</i>, into what is otherwise a spooky visual novel.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Gnosia</i> also incorporates aspects of <i>Werewolf</i> into its gameplay. It's not a VN, though. Rather, it's more of a <i>Werewolf</i> simulator. The end result is every bit as gripping as you might expect if you've ever experienced <i>Werewolf</i> in some form or fashion. If you haven't, the gist here is that you're on a spaceship with a slew of extremely colorful characters (literally and figuratively) and you need to suss out which are Gnosia, alien-like creatures who will, without intervention, kill all humans aboard. </div><div><br /></div><div>The thing is, you don't play through <i>Gnosia</i> just once. You play through it many, many times. A single loop may take as little as a few minutes or as long as a quarter-hour or more. While working your way through a particular loop, you'll regularly encounter event scenes that expand one or more characters' backstories. Only after you experience all of these scenes can you access <i>Gnosia</i>'s true ending.</div><div><br /></div><div>Really, though, the ending is the icing on this pixelated piece of cake. The real joy comes in the journey to that point--getting to know your crewmates, using what you glean there to your advantage (or their disadvantage), and figuring out what you need to move the overarching story toward its satisfying conclusion.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj731InNPvW3wSByslUz0VzVgFdv6YfSWpONQddOXIW5gFdjZBLQawh9K5q_pk3260CmUbCK1ntfOvfgRefGJQT6NueQqvIlUAHSxJjMlmnXwDlT8uwqCvlIgWoYa_-KSumnYfK1sVUrJKDfV4H5FsySKJmIHqHFUBiaphiTvAcDuzzkoSFxQo=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj731InNPvW3wSByslUz0VzVgFdv6YfSWpONQddOXIW5gFdjZBLQawh9K5q_pk3260CmUbCK1ntfOvfgRefGJQT6NueQqvIlUAHSxJjMlmnXwDlT8uwqCvlIgWoYa_-KSumnYfK1sVUrJKDfV4H5FsySKJmIHqHFUBiaphiTvAcDuzzkoSFxQo=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i>Mon Amour</i> (PC/Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>After I played Onion Games' <i>Mon Amour</i> for the first time following its release, I thought, "this is cute, but I probably won't spend much time with it." I returned to it the next day, mostly to give it a quick second chance before moving on to something more my speed. Instead, I got wrapped up in its silly quest to rescue Princess Mona and her multitude of servants. I intended to only save a few of the latter, but by the time I'd done just that, I was hooked--or at least I was hooked enough to continue on rather than prematurely pull the plug on my <i>Mon Amour</i> adventure.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm so glad that happened. Because that's when I discovered there's more to this little gem than its <i>Flappy Bird</i>-ish gameplay, plethora of rescuable "mon-a-girls," and appropriately zany soundtrack. Notably, it's surprisingly strategic once you realize how your actions affect the playfield. With that knowledge in mind, you'll likely have as hard a time as I did putting down <i>Mon Amour</i> until you've saved every citizen, climbed the high-score list to an acceptable degree, or both.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQxAd4Jecars5-4IVHrm43TarNM1E0BD-u2oAePib_eJKrCQIlbFyCjMjnEOQDfynYIiXdpTqDArK6OapL32hbXLnGIrYkAKOk0G50lVR2-_7gywvRJa-9i7BQKzl1BbW8j7xDGF5EBRpocQ0_3kx0hcIWkJmnWT4SluL_lHMyBOWBsxPJcEc=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQxAd4Jecars5-4IVHrm43TarNM1E0BD-u2oAePib_eJKrCQIlbFyCjMjnEOQDfynYIiXdpTqDArK6OapL32hbXLnGIrYkAKOk0G50lVR2-_7gywvRJa-9i7BQKzl1BbW8j7xDGF5EBRpocQ0_3kx0hcIWkJmnWT4SluL_lHMyBOWBsxPJcEc=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i>SaGa Frontier Remastered</i> (Mobile/PC/PS4/Switch)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've been enamored with <i>SaGa Frontier</i> since first laying eyes on Japanese screenshots of it in some old gaming magazine or other in advance of its late-1990s release. For me, it was far closer to what I wanted from Square Enix (then Squaresoft) during the 32-bit era than <i>Final Fantasy VII</i> was.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm even more appreciative of what <i>SaGa Frontier</i> brings to the table today, thanks to the fact that it's now portable and sports a cleaned-up--and thus less confusing--localization. As it always was, <i>SaGa Frontier</i> remains thrillingly exotic, with locales, characters and battles that inspire awe while also getting the eyes popping and blood flowing.</div><div><br /></div><div>True, <i>SaGa Frontier</i> can be brutal, with death lingering around nearly every corner. But even that is a positive, in my mind--considering how common it is for battles in RPGs to feel yawn-inducingly superfluous.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>See also:</b> <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/12/my-favorite-games-of-2020-goty.html" target="_blank">my favorite games of 2020</a></div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20740650.post-40085584236682488032021-02-11T06:22:00.000-08:002021-02-11T06:22:57.897-08:00Captain Toad and chill (or, move over Animal Crossing, this is the relaxing game I want and need in these difficult times)<div>So many people found solace in <i>Animal Crossing: New Horizons</i> last year. I was not one of them.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>I expected to be one of them, of course. Not only have I enjoyed every previous entry in the <i>Animal Crossing</i> series (with the possible exception of <i>Wild World</i>), but I've returned to <a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2013/01/the-great-gaymathon-review-63-animal.html" target="_blank">the GameCube version</a> at least five times since my first obsessive playthrough eons ago.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>There's no point in me prattling on about why I didn't gel with <i>Animal Crossing: </i><i>New Horizons</i>; all I'll say for now is that it felt too much like busywork this go around.</div><div><br /></div><div>With <i>New Horizons</i> tossed into the bin as my go-to "chill game" for 2020, I set out to find a suitable replacement. <i>A Short Hike</i> could have been it but it was too, well, short. <i><a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2020/12/my-favorite-games-of-2020-goty.html" target="_blank">Moon</a></i> seemed promising as well, but it was a bit too somber and emotional to fill this particular role.</div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQWphgiMMbAJhFo3EGjVZIumlqJaD570i3gZukeknX5nGr7fvJaJomZboWMJtthLkt2rHigy7SPvun5MOrfMgiaW8MJmLwO9g7srhZlpBD8ZVHhGdngcn6kY-HbUxVb9kC1sfrA/s1500/CaptainToad_Switch_screen1.jpg" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQWphgiMMbAJhFo3EGjVZIumlqJaD570i3gZukeknX5nGr7fvJaJomZboWMJtthLkt2rHigy7SPvun5MOrfMgiaW8MJmLwO9g7srhZlpBD8ZVHhGdngcn6kY-HbUxVb9kC1sfrA/w400-h225/CaptainToad_Switch_screen1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div>I guess I should have known <i>Captain Toad</i> might fit the bill. Nintendo is well known for concocting such non-threatening offerings, after all. Still, I assumed it would be more like one of the company's three-dimensional <i>Mario</i> titles—generally mellow, but with a slight edge.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>Although <i>Captain Toad</i> shows some teeth near the end, the bulk of the experience is the definition of relaxing. You, plopped into Toad's shiny little shoes (and, later, Toadette's), shuffle and waddle around each cuboid stage in search of three diamonds and a single gold star, the latter of which doubles as an exit.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>There are coins to grab, too, as well as doors to unlock and open—even chunks of earth and brick to lower or raise.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>Oh, and there are enemies! How could I forget them? You can pluck turnips out of the dirt and weaponize them against the game's adorable baddies, but you can also sneak by them.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's probably why they momentarily slipped my mind; for the lion's share of my <i>Captain Toad</i> playthrough, I ignored the Shy Guys, Goombas, and Boos that sauntered around each level with me whenever possible.</div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhk8Aa0Vj2slwyh5Iwocu3I_LWo-8eYAlwc7Nvg752VLzS1qIZlLKHoXjSNJLxZZ69YHzWpciAsgbYXAwAXZ0EGPqEH3tXX1naOyTlvdWIvAm361YTTbe1WCvib685WH1lQ2m1YA/s1280/CaptainToad_Switch_screen3.jpg" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhk8Aa0Vj2slwyh5Iwocu3I_LWo-8eYAlwc7Nvg752VLzS1qIZlLKHoXjSNJLxZZ69YHzWpciAsgbYXAwAXZ0EGPqEH3tXX1naOyTlvdWIvAm361YTTbe1WCvib685WH1lQ2m1YA/w400-h225/CaptainToad_Switch_screen3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div>Given that, I can't help but wonder why they're even there. Or why Nintendo's developers didn't allow players to flip a switch and remove them, if that's what they fancied.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>Maybe the company's bigwigs demanded (or at least strongly suggested) that <i>Captain Toad</i> needed them to be considered a proper game? Or maybe they (or, more likely, the devs themselves) thought they might provide an entertaining distraction from the rest of this rather low-key adventure?</div><div><br /></div>
<div>Whatever the case may be, the majority of <i>Captain Toad</i> has such a tranquil vibe that it shocked me—in the most pleasant of ways, of course.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>Note, however, that I said "the majority of" <i>Captain Toad</i> is tranquil. For reasons I still can't quite comprehend, the game veers in a decidedly stressful direction just before its end credits.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're not talking <i>Dark Souls</i> territory here, naturally, but things do get a lot tougher. I had several "sweaty palm" moments during this portion of the game, which confused and even annoyed me a tad.</div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fhtfMs4VMQ_ekW3GbBkCWzjYC8TmngQwrR6FxwCWgGGuT_7Hvl4Zri9L1Phm9-pBZvBQ6EAuslTSlWlM45qyWu6dDqYbL2VRUlkPX2IsOyJPzxDDjNWXoJ42eAsgLBh1BzNK4Q/s1280/CaptainToad_Switch_screen4.jpg" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fhtfMs4VMQ_ekW3GbBkCWzjYC8TmngQwrR6FxwCWgGGuT_7Hvl4Zri9L1Phm9-pBZvBQ6EAuslTSlWlM45qyWu6dDqYbL2VRUlkPX2IsOyJPzxDDjNWXoJ42eAsgLBh1BzNK4Q/w400-h225/CaptainToad_Switch_screen4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div>Honestly, I wish the folks who made <i>Captain Toad</i> had saved these slightly more taxing stages for the post-game. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would've preferred the main campaign to be a fully laidback experience, rather than one that suddenly ramps up in intensity at the last second.</div><div><br /></div>
<div>Oh, well, at least the best part of it proved to be perfectly chill. That's more than I can say about nearly every other game I've played in the last year, so I'll forgive this lone misstep.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you found any old or new games particularly relaxing in the last year? If so, please tell me about it in the comments section below.</div><div><br /></div>
<div><b>See also:</b> '<a href="http://www.thegaygamer.com/2021/01/one-sentence-on-each-of-the-games-i-finished-in-2020.html" target="_blank">One sentence about each of the 24 games I finished in 2020</a>'</div>Bryan Ochallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256591698209804728noreply@blogger.com0