April 2020
Streets of Rage 4
I wasn’t a “Sega Kid” growing up. I was firmly in the Nintendo camp and still think that I made the right choice with my time and money (aka begging parents for games!). Nintendo had all the best games but I will say that Streets of Rage always made me a touch jealous. Yeah, Nintendo had Final Fight but it never held a candle to SOR. Streets of Rage was raw, edgy, rough. It was violent and loud, in your face in a way that no other beat-em-up has been since. The franchise disappeared for a long time with the change in the gaming landscape, and I was naturally skeptical when I saw that they were putting out a 4th entry all these years later. My skepticism was misplaced as SOR4 is not only a worthy sequel, but manages to surpass any other game in the genre. It captures everything about the original games and modernizes the formula, something that a pure sequel to a nostalgic franchise should do. It’s fun as heck, looks fantastic…that art is top notch…, sounds awesome. The game plays so smoothly yet still makes you feel the impact of the bearings you’re putting on those random street punks. The game is a chunky length and also heavily replayable, with combo based combat, moves and characters to unlock, and multiple ways to play. It’s great stuff, pure nostalgia fueled gaming goodness in the best way.
This was a hard month to choose just one, with Yakuza Kiwami, Resident Evil 3 Remake, Hotline Miami Collection, Gato Roboto, Deliver Us the Moon, Telling Lies, Moving Out, Snow Runner, and Book of Demons all releasing and being super high quality. Go play some games!
3 Likes
May 2020
Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft isn’t my thing and never had been. I’m an “old” gamer, and the idea of “create-your-own-fun” experiences like Minecraft or Sea of Thieves are tough for me to enjoy. I need more guidance, more objectives beyond “go do stuff!” Minecraft isn’t an IP I love or grew up with. So when I saw Dungeons, I was…excited? A Diablo-like spin on a franchise that’s very popular and accessible that might help me understand what others like about it was right up
my alley. I’m a big action-RPG fan, I love the loot grind and mindless combat. My index finger still probably shows signs of clicking fatigue from all those hours in Diablo II on PC. Dungeons certainly isn’t the best ARPG I’ve played, but it sure is a good entry point and is a bunch of fun. It’s simplistic in terms of level design, story, loot, and gaining skills, but it all works so well. It’s a game to turn on and play with a podcast or book on. It looks great too, taking the blocky, colorful aesthetic of Minecraft and applying it to create a great looking variety of levels and biomes. Even better, this game is one my wife, young nephew, or other players who aren’t “hardcore” can pick up and play without much issue. It’s great, a solid effort. I wish the package was meatier, but support has been ongoing from what I’ve seen.
A large list this month, Huntdown, Deep Rock Galactic, Super Mega Baseball 3, Ion Fury, A Fold Apart, The Persistence, Maneater, MK11 Aftermath, Atomicrops, Shantae and the Seven Sirens, and Bug Fables all worth a go.
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June 2020
The Messenger
The Messenger is a game of two parts. It starts off as a fairly straightforward homage to Ninja Gaiden. It’s awesome, with tight gameplay, a jamming soundtrack, and lovely pixel art graphics that’ll have your nostalgia firing on all cylinders. This goes on for around half the game, and you know what? It would have been amazing just as it is. The Messenger isn’t content to be a simple homage to one classic, but instead spends its second half doing the same for classics such as Metroid and Castlevania. Yes, the game completely flips on its head, becoming a much more complex matter with updated graphics to boot. It feels like an evolution in action, but only in terms of look and sound, but also core gameplay mechanics. And you know what? This also works and would be an amazing game as it is. The Messenger is brilliant, both parts, and you should play it for yourself to experience this idea executed so well.
Slower summer month…still, good games to play including Project Warlock, Desperados III, West of Dead, and Yes, Your Grace.
3 Likes
July 2020
Crosscode
Crosscode is a good game that just misses excellence. An action-adventure similar to 2D Zelda in terms of gameplay and look, Crosscode is already off to a good start in my book. The story is about a mute lady in a gaming world and…well, think Ready Player One but actually good and with some depth, and you’ll know what you’re dealing with here and I don’t enjoy spoiling story. It’s amazing that this game is able to emote the way it does with such a limited graphical style, but by the end of the game I really cared for the world and characters within. The combat is fast, frantic, and at times challenging. It feels great to move around each screen, both vertically and horizontally. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost, not seeing a ledge to jump on to progress or small hidden crevasse to squeeze through, but in general traversing the world is a joy. The puzzles are the only element of the game I don’t enjoy, as they take less inspiration from Zelda and more from deft skill at aiming and shooting a disc-ball-thing. It feels finicky and ultimately leads to frustration. If you can get over that or are blessed with skills better than mine, it may not bother you at all. And oh, the soundtrack is darn good. Like good enough to buy the tracks.
This month was filled with some quality titles, particularly in the indie space including Bloodstained 2, Superliminal, Neon Abyss, Superhot Mind Control Delete, Forager, Rock of Ages 3, Rainswept, Creaks, Carrion, The Touryst, Heroes of Hammerwatch, and the excellent remake Yakuza Kiwami 2.
2 Likes
August 2020
Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is one of those games that looks unassuming but really creeps up on you and hits you smack dab in the feels. What looks like some sort of weird 2D platformer that takes obvious cues from Ghibli Studios in terms of its aesthetic, Spiritfarer is so much more. It’s a game that takes a story of life and death, a game about its characters more than its mechanics. You play as a lady who has become the Spiritfarer, acting as essentially the replacement for the boatman of death, taking the deceased to their final destination. You’re joined by your pet cat who is able to be controlled by A.I. or a second player throughout the entire game, helping you with your task. The game is a mix of platforming, adventure, and…city builder? You sail from area to area, along the way collecting fascinating characters to bring aboard your ship. In order to help these folk come to terms with death, you meet certain criteria which includes building up your ship, giving them food, tracking, and hugging (yes, hugging) them. It’s an emotional journey which starts around perhaps a bit longer than it should (20+ hours) but remains compelling throughout. It’s a game of little risk and much reward, makes you feel things, and is just as beautiful well crafted experience.
A lot of great games came out this month, including Undermine, Wasteland 3, The Alto Collection, Manifold Garden, Tell Me Why, Pathfinder: Kingmaker, Battletoads, The Last Campfire, and Drake Hollow.
3 Likes
September 2020
Going Under
Going Under is a game I’m sure many passed over. It doesn’t look incredibly appealing graphically, and the game’s roguelite design is something many are likely tired of at this point. Letting this one pass by without giving it a look would be a mistake though, as Going Under is a fun little game that tells a weird and interesting story. You’re an intern at a big corporation, and on your first day you’re tasked with cleaning out monsters from the basement. Strangely, I never experienced anything like that during my internship way back when 
. I thought it sucked researching for articles I was writing! Anyway, Going Under is indeed a roguelite, presented from an overhead perspective. You traverse from floor to floor, mashing enemies with random objects strewn throughout each level as you continue your descent. The sheer amount of items you can use in combat is amazing and although many feel worthless and you’ll quickly find favorites, there’s something awesome about whacking a monster bat with a stuffed fish…The game is also very accessible, with options to allow you to make progress more quickly if you aren’t down for the grind. It’s a lovely game that’s designed well. It never feels like a chore to play, never leaves you feeling despair when you fail. Sure, it’s not Hades but goodness it’s fun time while it lasts.
Fun month of games! You might want to check out Touhou Luna Nights, Marvel’s Avengers, Lair of the Clockwork God, Welcome to Elk, Hotshot Racing, Minoria, Nexomon Extinction, Mafia DE, and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2 HD.
2 Likes
October 2020
Katana Zero
The streak of amazing indies continued in October with Katana Zero. Soapbox here, but the rise of indies has made the industry so much better! Anyway, Katana Zero is another 2D action game, in many ways similar to The Messenger. Katana Zero not only takes cues from games like Ninja Gaiden, but also Super Meat Boy, Hotline Miami, and Max Payne? You play as a samurai-ninja-assassin guy, playing through grimy levels in a trippy, unexpectedly impactful story. Your goal in each level is essentially murder everyone, and your given the means to do so with a time slowdown ability (ala Max Payne), exquisite control, and deadly weapons. You feel powerful but also incredibly vulnerable at the same time. This game is a one-hit game (like Hotline Miami) where the smallest mistake can lead to your doom. Restarts are quick and you’re never out of the action long, and after completion of each level you’re provided a replay on what happened (similar to Super Meat Boy). It’s really cool to see how you failed and succeeded in your quest to reach the final stages of the game. It’s not a long game but every encounter feels meaningful and well thought out. It’s immensely fun to play and satisfying as heck to complete. This is one of the best in the genre and shouldn’t be missed.
Big month, the last month before the release of the Series consoles. We were lucky enough to enjoy the return of Crash in Crash Bandicoot 4, Star Wars Squadrons, Ikenfell, Foregone, Cake Bash, Raji: An Ancient Epic, Scourgebringer, Gonner 2, Supraland, Pumpkin Jack, Stories Untold, Carto, Ghostrunner, Visage, Dark Pictures Little Hope, and Watch Dogs Legion.
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With the Xbox Series X and S releasing in November 2020, I believe I’ve reached a fairly good point to stop. It’s been personally very interesting looking at Xbox gaming through the years and the evolution of the brand, platform, and industry as a whole. I’m an “Old Gamer”, I love old school and classic games but ultimately think the gaming is at its peak in terms of quantity quality things to play. Despite the bs we so often see and experience, there’s never been a better time to play games, so cheers and game on friends!
Thanks to those of you who read this insomnia-fueled nonsense, The lot of it. Unless there’s a desire from others for me to continue through to the Xbox 20th anniversary aka November 2021, October was the last “official” post from me in this topic. Anyone is free to continue on if they want of course, but thanks again for the space and your time.
7 Likes
I am sorry I petered out a little @anon98342452 as we got closer to the present I was finding it harder and harder to find things that stood out to me, I found the end of 360 and XBone gen pretty dry and couldnt really bring anything new to the conversation. Plus new job and RL taking me away it was always a slog to try and catch up.
Still the best thread here though, and with the news of the book, certainly worth getting some fresh eyes on it.
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It was/is an amazing thread.
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Just wanted to post my appreciation for this thread. I just joined this forum, and spent some time yesterday and today scrolling through this thread, looking at box art, stopping here and there to read the accompanying post. It was a great stroll through memory lane, the nostalgia for many of those games is real, and I’d just like to say ‘Thanks!’
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This thread is pretty good. I hope we can enjoy the next 20 years together
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