A few sentences on each of the games I finished in 2024

In my recent "how I spent my times with games in 2024" post, I lamented that I played fewer games last year than I did in previous years.

Along the same lines, I didn't finish as many games in 2024 as I'm used to doing. In fact, I only finished six games last year -- which seems pretty pitiful now that I've typed it out.

Also a bit pitiful: I failed to finish a handful of games I otherwise enjoyed playing in 2024, with Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid and Princess Peach Showtime! being the standout examples. (I also spent a good amount of time with a few games that aren't really beatable, like Endless Ocean Luminous and Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!)

Regardless, I had a blast with the six games I did finish last year. Here are a few sentences about each one that hopefully make it clear just how much I liked them.

Pokémon Violet

Time to complete: 102 hours, 25 minutes

I often feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone when it comes to the Pokémon series, especially these days. Unlike most folks on the internet, I've loved every mainline Pokémon game that has been released for the Nintendo Switch. And not only that, but I've loved every new one a little more than I loved the previous one. Which is to say I loved the hell out of the 102-plus hours I devoted to Pokémon Violet in 2023 and 2024.

Is Pokémon Violet the prettiest game ever made? Far from it. Is it janky as hell in some spots. It's also a ton of fun to explore, though, and that meant a lot more to me than how it looked during my 100-hour playthrough. I really liked its story, too. It's fairly simple, as you might expect, but it's got heart, along with a slew of endearing characters, and both of those things often go a long way with me.

Another Code: Twin Memories (from Another Code: Recollection)

Time to complete: 8 hours, 15 minutes

I played through the original Nintendo DS version of Another Code: Twin Memories back in 2019 and found it both blissfully brief and curiously charming. This remade release for the Nintendo Switch is arguably better looking, but that's probably the only way it bests its forebear.

Still, if you got rid of your DS ages ago, or never owned one to begin with, playing it via Another Code: Recollection is far from the worst thing in the world. If you like it, though, I'd recommend finding a way to play the original release -- and then following it up with the similar-but-superior Hotel Dusk and Last Window.

Another Code: R – A Journey into Lost Memories (from Another Code: Recollection)

Time to complete: 8 hours, 35 minutes

Although I owned a Nintendo Wii and was smitten with its weird and wacky catalog of games during the system's heyday, I never played this sequel to Another Code: Twin Memories. Thankfully, the powers that be greenlit a remake for the aforementioned Another Code: Recollection. This version of Another Code: R is less of a glow up than the remake of Twin Memories, but it still looks great.

How does it play, though? To be frank, it's less immediately intriguing than Twin Memories due to being more straightforward and not as puzzle-focused. I still had a good time with it, though, and don't regret spending a week or so of my life focusing on its mysterious story.

Emio — The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club

Time to complete: 10 hours, 45 minutes

I had a great time overall with the Nintendo Switch remakes of the original pair of Famicom Detective Club titles back in 2021, but I didn't find them to be faultless experiences. Both could be more than a bit finicky and frustrating, though neither proved so irksome I walked away from them with a completely bad taste in my mouth.

This all-new sequel left a much better impression on me. I can't honestly say if this is because the developers made things easier and less annoying this time around, or if it's because those previous playthroughs prepared me for The Smiling Man. Regardless, the result is that I felt far less friction with The Smiling Man than I did with its precursors.

Beyond that, the storytelling here is, as you've likely heard or read elsewhere, brilliant. It's also dark, harrowing and surprisingly touching. If we're all lucky, the same team will bless us with even more Famicom Detective Club goodness in the future.

SaGa Emerald Beyond

Time to complete: 122 hours, 05 minutes

I adored this game's predecessor, the supremely weird SaGa Scarlet Grace. Emerald Beyond may be even more weird -- so of course I adored it, too, when I played it in late 2024. You could probably call that an understatement of massive proportions; after all, I put more time into Emerald Beyond than I did any other game last year.

The funny thing is, Emerald Beyond is pretty darn similar to Scarlet Grace at first blush. The two certainly look and sound eerily alike. I wouldn't say they play alike, though. In many ways, Emerald Beyond is the polar opposite of Scarlet Grace, from how you traverse the world, to the battles, to the length of each playthrough.

A particular standout for me is how Emerald Beyond is structured for repeated runs. You need to play through most (every?) character's story multiple times to get the whole picture and, usually, to face their real final boss. It's a nice twist on the SaGa formula that keeps things fresh while also providing the staples fans are used to from the decades-old series.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island

Time to complete: 27 hours, 05 minutes

I had high expectations for this sixth Shiren the Wanderer game after having a blast with the Switch port of the series' fifth release (subtitled The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate) back in 2020. Amazingly, they were quickly met and even exceeded. I didn't think that would be the case early on, as Serpentcoil Island is tough with a capital T. It also only lets you access the main dungeon until after you've completed it at least once, which seemed annoyingly limiting.

After spending some quality time with Serpentcoil Island's main dungeon, though, I came to appreciate just how much it wants you to learn and understand how the game's systems work and then put them to use -- not only so you can clear the main dungeon, but so you can survive the myriad post-game dungeons, too.

To be sure, Serpentcoil Island can feel downright cruel. That's kind of the point, though. You're supposed to fail (sometimes hilariously, sometimes depressingly), learn from it, and try again until you succeed. If that, plus the hopefully obvious dungeon pillaging, appeals to you, give it a try. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

How I spent my time with games in 2024

There's no getting around it: I played many fewer games in 2024 than I played in the last several years. I also spent less time with the games I played in 2024 than I played in recent years.

Still, I put enough hours into enough games to have had a pretty great time in 2024.

Which game captured the most of my free time in 2024? That would be SaGa Emerald Beyond, which I played for just over 122 hours. This is the first time I've spent over 100 hours with a game in a single year since 2018. 

• SaGa Emerald Beyond -- 122 hours, 05 minutes
• Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! -- 38 hours, 35 minutes
• Pokémon Violet -- 37 hours, 50 minutes
• Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island -- 33 hours, 45 minutes
• Endless Ocean Luminous — 16 hours, 40 minutes
• Emio — The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club — 10 hours, 45 minutes

• Another Code: Recollection (R) -- 8 hours, 35 minutes
• Another Code: Recollection (Two Memories) -- 8 hours, 15 minutes
• Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid — 6 hours
• Princess Peach Showtime! -- 5 hours, 25 minutes
• Pocket Card Jockey -- 4 hours, 05 minutes
• Uchu Shinshuchu -- 2 hours, 25 minutes

After SaGa Emerald Beyond comes Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!, Pokemon Violet and Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, respectively. I devoted more than 30 hours to each of these stellar titles, and I don't regret a single second of it.

It saddens me that I only gave Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid six hours in 2024. Hopefully I can find my way back to it this year.

How did you spend time with games in 2024?

See also: how I spent time with games in 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020

One sentence about each of the games I played in 2023

I wrote posts similar to this one about the many games I played in 2020 and 2021 and had a lot of fun with them, so I decided to give the idea another go this year.

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.)

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.

About An Elf

About An Elf

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.

Uchu Shinshuchu

Imagine SEGA's Fantasy Zone as an action-platformer rather than a shmup, and you subdue your enemies (invading aliens) with smooches rather than bullets.

Dragon Quest Treasures

Dragon Quest 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.

Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society

Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society

The Moon Society's story is neither as challenging or as captivating as that of its predecessor, Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk, but it at least partially makes up for that fact with a second half that changes things up in unforeseen ways.

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars

A nice little throwback of an RPG -- think the original Dragon Quest -- that wants you to think it's a card-based board game even though it's not.

Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo

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.

Process of Elimination

Process of Elimination

Nippon Ichi Software finally releases one of its VNs -- this one could and has been described as NIS' take on Danganronpa -- in English and I fail hard by devoting only an hour to it before moving on to something else.

Octopath Traveler II

I thought I was ready for more Octopath Traveler 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."

Loop8: Summer of Gods

Loop8: Summer of God

Though it's more of a time-management sim mixed with a visual novel than the JRPG it was originally touted to be, Loop8 still manages to intrigue in the end thanks to its curious cast of characters and strange conversation and mood systems.

Pokémon Violet

A mainline Pokémon 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.

Suika Game

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.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code

Put Danganronpa and Ace Attorney into a blender and Rain Code 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.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

I enjoyed the little I played of this latest entry in the two-dimensional Super Mario Bros. 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).

Dragon Quest Monsters 3

Starting through this Pokémon-esque Dragon Quest 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.

World of Horror

World of Horror

Somehow World of Horror 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.

Metro Quester

The vibes emanating from Metro Quester feel similar to those of another weirdo RPG I loved a few years ago, Dungeon Encounters, while offering aesthetics and gameplay that are entirely and wonderfully unique.

See also: my favorite games of 2023 and my favorite games of 2023 that came out before 2023

How I spent my time with video games in 2023

It's been a while since I put more than 100 hours into a game in a single year.

I likely would've accomplished that feat in 2023 if I hadn't dropped Pokémon Violet in favor of first World of Horror then Metro Quester in early December, but I can't say I'm sad I decided to change things up as I did.

Not only have I since returned to Pokémon Violet, but World of Horror and Metro Quester ended up being among my favorite games of the year, so I think the decision was a good one.

World of Horror

Also, I still put just over 80 hours into Pokémon Violet, my most-played game of 2023, so I hardly ignored it despite the temporary switcheroo.

• Pokémon Violet -- 80 hours, 55 minutes
• Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society -- 60 hours, 45 minutes
• Dragon Quest Treasures -- 35 hours, 35 minutes
• Suika Game -- 24 hours, 50 minutes
• Metro Quester -- 22 hours, 00 minutes
• Loop8: Summer of Gods -- 16 hours, 50 minutes
• Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo -- 16 hours, 40 minutes

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars

• Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars -- 14 hours, 20 minutes
• World of Horror -- 8 hours, 40 minutes
• Octopath Traveler II -- 4 hours, 20 minutes
• Master Detective Archives: Rain Code -- 4 hours, 15 minutes
• About An Elf  -- 3 hours, 20 minutes
• Dragon Question Monsters: The Dark Prince -- 3 hours, 05 minutes
• Uchu Shinshuchu -- 2 hours, 25 minutes

As you can see, Pokémon Violet 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 Suika Game and Metro Quester, though.

Metro Quester

Which games did you put the most hours into last year? Let me know in the comments section of this post.

See also: how I spent time with video games in 2022, 2021, and 2020

Non-game media I enjoyed in 2023

I did more than play games in my free time last year. I also spent a lot of time reading books and watching movies.

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.

A Wrinkle in Time

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, A Wrinkle in Time 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 A Wrinkle in Time, 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.

Chocky

I fell in love with British author John Wyndham while reading another of his novels, The Day of the Triffids from 1951. Chocky 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 Chocky is about a 12-year-old boy who's imaginary friend is actually an extraterrestrial scout looking for planets to assist -- or colonize.

Delicious in Dungeon (Volume 1)

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.

From Beyond

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 From Beyond again, which is something I can't say of all the horror flicks I've watched recently. 

Hyperion

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 The Canterbury Tales, 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, Hyperion is now firmly ensconced on my list of books to reread ASAP.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

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 Killer Klowns from Outer Space several times in the future thanks to the impressive practical effects alone.

Laid-Back Camp (Volumes 8-13)

I read six volumes of Laid-Back Camp 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.

The Wind from Nowhere

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, The Drowned World. Of the two, I far preferred The Wind from Nowhere, 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.

See also: non-game media I enjoyed in 2022

My favorite games of 2023 that came out before 2023

Not all of the games I played and loved in 2023 actually came out in 2023. The three titles covered here -- About An Elf, Dragon Quest Treasures, and Pokémon Violet -- are prime examples. They're also among my favorite games of last year.

About An Elf (Switch)

Developer and publisher Meringue Interactive describes About An Elf as a "point-and-click-ish, RPG-ish, visual-novel-ish game." Though accurate, it doesn't do this 2022 eShop release justice.

About An Elf 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.

They'll also likely put a smile on your face and keep you engaged for the few hours About An Elf lasts, though, which is the main reason I'm giving it a nod here. Another reason: despite the fact that About An Elf is a fairly silly and superficial experience, I regularly think about returning to it and its fever-dream world.

Dragon Quest Treasures (PC, Switch)

A lot of folks turned up their noses at this release as soon as they realized it wasn't a new Dragon Quest Monsters game. I feel no allegiance to nor nostalgia for the Monsters series, so I went into it with few biases or expectations.

I'd like to think that's at least partially responsible for why I enjoyed it so much. Also helping matters was that Dragon Quest Treasures reminded me of a similar offshoot, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, 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.

Sure, Treasures could and probably should include a wider selection of Dragon Quest's iconic enemies, but I had a blast even with the palette-swap-heavy crew that currently fills the game's varying environs.

Pokémon Violet (Switch)

Well, well, what have we here? Another game that message-board denizens love to hate and yet I adored. For me, Pokémon Violet was one of the best experiences I've had with a Pokémon game to date.

Of course, how could it not? It took what was my favorite aspect of Pokémon Shield, 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.

Really, though, the highlight of playing Pokémon Violet for me was the same highlight of all my favorite Pokémon games so far: the simple joy of spotting a new Pokémon, trying to and (hopefully) succeeding at catching it, and then moving onto the next, rinse-and-repeat style. 

See also: my favorite games of 2023 (that actually came out in 2023)

My favorite games of 2023

A 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.)

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.

Which games did gel with me last year? The handful of indie or otherwise small releases you'll read about starting now.

Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Vita)

I adored this game's predecessor, Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk, despite its dark-as-tar story. Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society is a lot lighter in that area, though no less enthralling overall. Labyrinth of Galleria 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): Labyrinth of Galleria 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.

Metro Quester (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox One/S/X)

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 Wizardry or Etrian Odyssey, you'll dig Metro Quester (or just Quester, if you play it on PC), too. Which isn't to suggest Metro Quester 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 Metro Quester that not only helps differentiate it from the competition but also adds intrigue and tension. Metro Quester'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.

Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo (Mobile, PC, Switch)

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. Raging Loop and Gnosia are two examples from previous years, and now Paranormasight can be added to the pile. At its heart, Paranormasight 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 Paranormasight 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.

Suika Game (Switch)

Does the world really need another match-things-that-drop-from-the-top-of-the-screen puzzle game? Suika Game provides a firmly affirmative answer to that question. The rules of Suika Game 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.

World of Horror (PC, PS4/5, Switch)

I never knew how much I needed a Junji Ito-inspired horror roguelike RPG VN until I started through World of Horror in early December. World of Horror 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.

What were your favorite games of 2023? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

See also: my favorite games of 2023 that came out before 2023

13 games I hope are announced and/or released in 2023

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.

Speaking of which, here are 13 games (presented in alphabetical order) I hope are either announced or released at some point in 2023.

The Alliance Alive 2

Considering FuRyu went from The Legend of Legacy to The Alliance Alive, 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 The Legend of Legacy, 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.

The Alliance Alive

Bravely Default Collection

I'm sure most Bravely fans would prefer a brand new offering over a collection of the series' first two entries. I'd also welcome a Bravely Third or even a Bravely Second II (erm, or a Bravely Default III?), to be sure, but before any of those games are released, I'd prefer to get my greedy hands on a Switch compilation of Bravely Default and Bravely Second. I wouldn't even need anything fancy here; a "simple" remaster would more than suffice.

Deltarune Chapters 3, 4, and 5

I was a bit wary of Deltarune after finally playing and thoroughly loving Toby Fox's previous offering, the transcendent Undertale. I needn't have worried, if Deltarune's first two chapters are anything to go by. I've especially enjoyed Deltarune'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.

Disaster Report 4

Disaster Report 5

The Switch port of Disaster Report 4 was a complete mess in many regards, but I loved the hell out of it anyway. 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.

Dungeon Encounters II

This ask should come as little surprise considering the original Dungeon Encounters was one of my favorite games of 2021. 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 Dungeon Encounters includes a caped pumaman, a sword-wielding dog, and a giant roly-poly cat, which could be tough to top.

Dungeon Encounters

Etrian Odyssey VI

I know the Switch, the most likely home for a new Etrian Odyssey 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 Etrian Odyssey is being worked on, are we? A teaser of sorts hit the internet ages ago, but did it specifically name the Etrian Odyssey series? Regardless, I'll buy and play an Etrian Odyssey VI should it ever make it out of Atlus' secret underground laboratory.

Ghost Trick 2

Does anyone really think Capcom is going to make and publish a Ghost Trick 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 Ghost Trick 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 Ghost Trick fan I am after adoring my virgin playthrough of it in 2019.

SaGa Scarlet Grace: AMBITIONS

A new mainline SaGa game

The last mainline SaGa game, SaGa Scarlet Grace, 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 SaGa Scarlet Grace: AMBITIONS 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 SaGa game since Romancing SaGa 3 has been radically different from the one that came before it, which suggests the next release won't be anything like Scarlet Grace. I'll be OK if that comes to pass, too.

Onion Games' new RPG

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 Black Bird, Dandy Dungeon, Mon Amour, and of course Moon. 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.

Mon Amour

Opoona Remastered

Do I really want to return to Opoona'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 Opoona 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 Opoona's other issues, but I'd probably buy it anyway if it were made available for the Switch (and so could be played portably).

Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! console port

When I started writing this post a couple of weeks ago, I asked for a Pocket Card Jockey 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 Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! gallops away from its iOS exclusivity and onto consoles (like the Switch, cough cough) as soon as is contractually possible.

Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!

Tobu Tobu Girl 2

Here's another unlikely announcement or release. I'm going to put it out into the universe anyway, as the original Tobu Tobu Girl thrilled me to pieces in 2018. If you've never heard of it, Tobu Tobu Girl 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, I'm pretty sure they're not up for giving the world a Tobu Tobu Girl 2, but I guess it's possible they've changed their minds since I last chatted with them about the topic?

Tomodachi Collection 3

I had a wonderful time playing Tomodachi Life (the North American title for Japan's Tomodachi Collection 2) back in 2014. So much so I put nearly 130 hours into it that year. I've been daydreaming of a sequel, which I guess would be called Tomodachi Life 2 here and Tomodachi Collection 3 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, it'd better allow same-sex couplings this time around.

See also: 10 games I want to play in 2023

A cute kiss of death: early-ish impressions of Uchu Shinshuchu for Nintendo Switch

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, Uchu Shinshuchu 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.

My main issue with Uchu Shinshuchu, which tasks players with saving the world from an alien invasion using the power of their puckered lips, is that you have to get really 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.

Uchu Shinshuchu's start screen

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 Uchu Shinshuchu, too.

A second issue with Uchu Shinshuchu, 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.

Uchu Shinshuchu's story is as wacky as its gameplay

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.

On a related note, another of Uchu Shinshuchu'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.

Yes, you kiss enemies into submission in Uchu Shinshuchu

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.

As a result, you usually have to tackle Uchu Shinshuchu'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.

You'll see this message a lot while playing Uchu Shinshuchu

Which is too bad, as I otherwise like Uchu Shinshuchu 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 peppy soundtrack that recalls similar offerings of yesteryear (think Mega Man 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.

Speaking of buying or passing on Uchu Shinshuchu: 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.

See also: why The Cruel King and the Great Hero is a better bedtime story than it is a satisfying JRPG

Non-game media I enjoyed in 2022

I know this site is called The Gay Gamer, but I regularly enjoy media other than video games.

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.

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.

An American Werewolf in London

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 An American Werewolf in London, 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.

The Day of the Triffids

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 The Day of the Triffids, 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. 

I Think Our Son is Gay Volumes 1 and 2

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 Think Our Son is Gay 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.

Laid-Back Camp Volumes 1 through 7

Laid-Back Camp 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. Laid-Back Camp 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.

The Lathe of Heaven

Another novel that I had trouble with up to a point. With The Lathe of Heaven, 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, The Lathe of Heaven 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. 

Link

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 Link 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 Shakma from 1990. Ignore the critics; it's a terrifying treat.

My Brother's Husband Volumes 1 and 2

Similar to I Think Our Son is Gay in many ways, My Brother's Husband 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 Think Our Son is Gay, but his growth in this area makes My Brother's Husband 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.

Uzumaki

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, Uzumaki is easy to race through, as the disturbing drama ratchets up with every new panel.

See also: my favorite games of 2022 and my favorite games of 2022 that weren't released in 2022

How I spent my time with video games in 2022

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.

A case in point: in 2020, I put more than 80 hours into three different games. In 2021, I put more than 70 hours into two games. This year, I breached the 70-hour mark with just one game.

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.

Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness

• Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness (Switch) — 90 hours, 35 minutes
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch) — 45 hours, 10 minutes
• The House in Fata Morgana (Switch) — 44 hours, 25 minutes
• Pocket Card Jockey (3DS) — 34 hours, 30 minutes
• SaGa 2 Hihō Densetsu: Goddess of Destiny (DS) — 25 hours, 40 minutes
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch) — 15 hours
• The Cruel King and the Great Hero (Switch) — 14 hours, 20 minutes

The Cruel King and the Great Hero

• Yurukill: The Calumniation Games (Switch) -- 12 hours, 50 minutes
• Fuga: Melodies of Steel (Switch) — 11 hours, 20 minutes
• Live A Live (Switch) — 10 hours
• Rainbow Islands (PC Engine) -- 9 hours, 15 minutes
• The Fairyland Story (Switch) — 4 hours, 55 minutes
• Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball (3DS) — 4 hours, 20 minutes
• Nora and the Time Studio (DS) — 4 hours

Fuga: Melodies of Steel

How did you spend your time with games in 2022? Feel free to share your own stats in the comments section below.

See also: my favorite games of 2022 and my favorite games of 2022 that weren't released in 2022