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Super Mario Odyssey + Nier: Automata + Gunpoint

Super Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch; Image Credit: playcalendar.com Super Mario Odyssey (2017) Finally Mario’s hat gets its own game. (The Justice for Waluigi people have something new to cry about.) Mario is there too, because the hat needs somebody to throw it. The player takes command of a mario-version of whatever the hatContinue reading “Super Mario Odyssey + Nier: Automata + Gunpoint”

Celeste + Civilization VI + Pokemon Red/Blue

Celeste for the Nintendo Switch; Image Credit: Matt Makes Games Today Kelley and I both tackle Celeste and finally play well-established series we’ve never previously attempted. Celeste (2018) From a distance, Celeste appears to be composed of simple, familiar elements. Heroine Madeline joins Zelda’s Link and Carmen Sandiego‘s gumshoe in the dubious pantheon of protagonistsContinue reading “Celeste + Civilization VI + Pokemon Red/Blue”

Persona 4 + A Good Snowman Is Hard to Build + Hidden Folk

Persona 4 for PS2. Image credit IGN.com Persona 4 (2008) Implicit in almost every RPG, and most video games in general, is the idea that growing as a person is largely about increasing strength and improving skills. Persona tries a bold alternative that I absolutely love: you “level up” by dedicating time and attention toContinue reading “Persona 4 + A Good Snowman Is Hard to Build + Hidden Folk”

Link’s Awakening + English Country Tune + Lost Pig

Link’s Awakening for Nintendo Switch; Image Credit: Nintendo Today there is a stealth theme for the three reviews that will be revealed at the end. See if you can spot it before then! Link’s Awakening (2019) I played two Zelda games in 2019. Breath of the Wild was first – a sprawling open-world exploration adventureContinue reading “Link’s Awakening + English Country Tune + Lost Pig”

Hollow Knight + Elder Scrolls: Skyrim + Mirror’s Edge

Hollow Knight for the PS4. Image credit: https://gamingbolt.com/ Hollow Knight (2017) Side-scrolling metroidvanias are my jam, but Hollow Knight made me feel like I’d shown up to the digital equivalent of American Ninja Warrior naked except for a blindfold. It’s a brilliant game that was so hard I was rarely able to enjoy the craftsmanship.Continue reading “Hollow Knight + Elder Scrolls: Skyrim + Mirror’s Edge”

Ape Out + My Time at Portia + Day of the Tentacle

Ape Out for PC; Image Credit: igf.com Ape Out (2019) It usually isn’t a good sign when a two word title (a mere six letters) provides the entire plot of a game. Note, too, that the even more apt Ape Escape was already taken. But what Ape Out lacks in literary merit it makes upContinue reading “Ape Out + My Time at Portia + Day of the Tentacle”

Mass Effect 2 + Tacoma + The Longest Five Minutes

Mass Effect 2 for PC; Image Credit: hddmag.com Mass Effect 2 (2010) The Mass Effect universe has so much lore that it helps to spend some time reading the in-game encyclopedia. Yup, this is the type of game with an in-game encyclopedia! To boil it down: a couple hundred years in the future humanity isContinue reading “Mass Effect 2 + Tacoma + The Longest Five Minutes”

Baba Is You + Batman: Arkham Asylum + Three Fourths Home

Baba is You for PC; Image Credit: Pocket Gamer Baba Is You (2019) Kelley’s go-to phrase for Baba Is You is “brain-melty,” usually after multi-hour battles of wit with the titular sheep left us mentally exhausted. We’ve tried to explain the game to several people, and I never quite do it justice: initially Baba hasContinue reading “Baba Is You + Batman: Arkham Asylum + Three Fourths Home”

2019 Trios: Reviews

The following are sets of three reviews for games Kelley and I played in 2019 (the original release dates vary): Snipper Clips + Spider Man + Mu Cartographer Detroit Become Human + SteamWorld Dig 2 + Another World Into the Breach + Death Squared + Wizards Unite Baba Is You + Batman: Arkham Asylum +Continue reading “2019 Trios: Reviews”

Into the Breach + Death Squared + Wizards Unite

Into the Breach for PC; Image Credit: Subset Games Into the Breach (2018) Into the Breach is a roguelike tactical RPG, but if you prefer the jargon-free description try “chess with mechs.” You only get three pieces, but each comes with rules about movement, a handful of weapon options, and a special ability or two.Continue reading “Into the Breach + Death Squared + Wizards Unite”