Stardew Valley: I wandered around for a couple of minutes, cutting trees and chatting with people; then I realised I was not enjoying myself — not to mention that I didn’t have a clue about what to do. I don’t like games on rails, but neither do I like a total lack of guidance. On top of that, Stardew Valley is famously open-ended, and I know I have trouble dealing with that.
Cross Code: Okay, now: I completely forgot I was supposed to test that game, and I started playing it in earnest. I forgot the New Classic project, the world around me, and even time itself: the only thing that mattered was Cross Code — its brilliant puzzles, its dazzling combat, its amazing addictiveness. There is something intoxicating about that game: I’ve seldom been sucked in so quickly, and so deep. That addictive quality was mentioned in reviews, so it’s not just me — it’s the game, mate.
Ni no Kuni – Wrath of the White Witch: I couldn’t get past the slow, mundane prologue-meets-tutorial. Maybe an amazing RPG is waiting beyond; but I have other amazing RPGs that are amazing right from the first second. Not only that, but my gaming FOMO is now dead and buried; even if I do miss something amazing, it doesn’t matter, because The Collection is full to the brim with amazingness already.
Children of Morta: I was instantly mesmerized by the striking atmosphere, and wanted nothing more than to keep playing. However, fighting quickly doused my enthusiasm. Not only are the controls on the stiff side, but foes require way too many hits to kick the bucket. No matter how much I love a good, thick atmosphere in my RPG, I won’t put up with a fighting system I dislike just for the sake of atmosphere.
Hyrule Warriors – Age of Calamity: It’s time to admit a truth I had never quite perceived until now: I don’t really like the Zelda vibe. Sure, I love Link’s Awakening to pieces; but that game is famously not quite a classic Zelda game. What am I trying to say here, you may ask? Well, simply that while I enjoy HW’s combat and physics, I dislike everything else — the colours, the aesthetics, the character models, the lore, the story, you name it. And since I already own musou games with great combat and atmospheres I like, HW has to go.
Sonic Forces: I learnt about the existence of that game only lately, as I was reading a 2018 French book about the Sonic saga. A little research revealed that SF garnered some hype prior to its release, before proving a resounding disappointment upon said release. Research also revealed that players were much more forgiving to the game than game journalists, which may or may not mean that SF is not such a complete piece of crap after all. Of course, I had to see for myself how SF fared — and guess what? I really liked it! Creating my own shitty friend was fun, running at breakneck speed through revamped zones was fun, and the lush graphics and bright colours enchanted my retinas — and heck, I just want more.
Team Sonic Racing: I bought that game hoping to relive my Sonic Drift Racing days; unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Sonic Drift Racing was simple and clear-cut, with straightforward physics and short thematic tracks; Team Sonic Racing has iffy physics and long tracks with little to no discernible themes. Sonic Drift Racing this is not indeed — and I don’t quite like what it is.
Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City: Two Experience Inc. FPDCs for the price of one! How did we get so lucky? Seriously though, I’m overjoyed. I’ve wanted to play the former — known in Japan as Students of the Round — since my fellow gamer and blogger Kina wrote a series of mouth-watering posts about it; as for the latter, I’ve wanted to play it since I purchased the Vita version. Yup, I bought SoSC twice, and I’m not even salty about it. Take my money, Experience Inc!
Nexomon – Extinction: If that game were a person, I would drop everything in a heartbeat to follow them to the end of the world. These lush graphics! These vibrant colours! Those adorable starters! That heart-warming atmosphere! This is too much! My gamer’s heart is throbbing with giddiness and happiness, and I just cannot wait to go back to NE for good.
Vambrace – Cold Soul: Did someone say ‘winter theme’? I’m sold! Seriously though, that game has atmosphere in spades and a promising gameplay, and my gaming instinct wants more of it.
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