Manburger

Fun list! Enjoyed reading about your Nintendo World experience — didn't know it was gamified to that extent, but it makes sense. And hah, yes: the ever-present danger of having kids that enjoy Wonderful games. Hopefully you also get to enjoy Elephant Daisy it eventually!

This is the way to be, playing things at your own pace. Mario Odyssey: Game of the year, every year!

Find myself thinking about Heist occasionally. Terrific game! Carrion is some concise, crunchy, gnarly goodness.
I should check out Ender Lilies, huh?

Great writing — A lovely list!

Had meant to comment on your previous DOOMposting: Hell yeah, happy 30th, DOOM! Sacrilegiously, I have not finished the playthrough I started earlier this year, (just Knee-Deep in the Dead) this has inspired me to get back into the flames. And then I'll get to both SIGILs, I swear.

A fiercely fun read, this sort of infectious enthusiasm is my jam!

@creepingdeath0:Let's GOOooo! I wondered if 2023 could be rivaled in terms of wonderful games: seems like next year's already there.

Quite intrigued by a Pony Island sequel, I'm down to clown with whatever shenanigans Mullins cook up.

I was initially severely stoked by THRASHER, spiritual sequel to rythm-violence classic THUMPER, but then realised it was in VR — but just now I read: "We plan to release the VR version next year, with flatscreen versions to follow sometime after" and thus I am a bit enthused again. Though the flat version will invitably be a lesser experience. Need to get a VR headset at some point. (i mean i haven't even played HL: Alyx what am i doing with my life??)

Will certainly be playing Hellblade II when it hits Game Pass. Dig the raw, oppressive atmosphere.

What a time to be alive.Sicko games are mainstream.

Hell yeah! Never been a better time to be a pervert!

@mento: Ah, great! Sorry, didn't mean to pry.

And: heck yes, Dangeresque! All up ons!! I did play & enjoy that.
I will also be holding out for a Hero. es.

@bigsocrates: Heh, yup, the World of Balan truly is. A Wonder.

Mh, good point regarding Shenmue —I shouldn't have implied it was exactly the same situation— although I do think the game still would've ended up baffling and backwards with the proper budget due to Suzuki's, uh, strong direction. But a more polished baffle.

Regarding Flashback 2, I was going to say "This might be less fun-bad than the other examples," but I did see someone mention that the story, at least, might occasionally be 'so bad it's good.'

Hmmyeah, that might be true about 2D games. Though F2 is not always fully locked to 2 axes, it might be more frustrating in this case since apparently it can be hard to tell when/where/what to interact with. A good time all around with this one.

@bigsocrates said:

Hey! There are dozens a couple of us! A couple of us!!

And I know I am looking forward to Tiptup: Shelling Out, the hardcore FPS + shopkeeper tycoon we've all been hankering for!

I was going to say "You absolute madman!" but I genuinely appreciate you giving something a second look and the benefit of the doubt, instead of just redunking on something already thoroughly dunked. (Admitedly I do also enjoy a bit of warranted mockery/justified haranguing) Enjoy the additional context, detail & history provided, as usual.

… you still might be a little bit crazy, though

Nothing insightful to add, just some basic thoughts:

I was struck by the palpable mood of mystery and melancholy, and was surprised by how much I cared for the the writing and characters— always took care to check in with everyone in the camp after a powernap.

I found it to be a mostly successfully engrossing explormer, scroungin' for secrets, and I did enjoy the basic "shoot to build melee-power" combat, though I can see how some could find it unweildy/unsatisfying.

On that point: I can see how the whole experience might feel plodding and frustrating, especially how parched one might be in this desert of save points. Though you unlock shortcuts between them, it is still a bit too unforgiving. There's a fine line between tension/frustration, after all. Oddly enough I didn't really have any issues in this case, though. (Ordinarily I am inclined to be less enthused about this sort of thing)

Ultimately maybe not quite hauntingly great, I still had a good, haunted time with Little Blue!

Also includes a fine addition to any Save Room Music playlists. (One of the best soundtracks of '22?)

@borgmaster said:

Oh, for sure, but this conciseness and 'purity' is generally enticing to present day me. I do actually really enjoy the core shooting gameplay of PD: let me sweep a reticle across foes to paint targets and watch those sweet homing projectiles arc across the screen and I'm a happy goober.

On that note, @judaspete, if you enjoy rail shooters, I definitively recommend both Sin and Punishment games!

"If any of you chuckleheads says King's Field"
*Frantically slamming backspace* whaat why would anyone