hylian_elf wrote:

Why the sad face? It’s normal for you to buy anything.

I don't often buy Elf games though, managed to convince myself this one looked good.

Edit: Aer

21. Alienation

Played through the campaign co-op with Shabby and finished it today. We’re now doing higher World tiers and are firmly on the Loot Cycle but as far as campaign goes, we can say it is “completed”.

B+ Housemarque, not their best, but even B level Housemarque is better than 90% of stuff out there. Lovely particles, crunchy guns, all the effects on screen at once. Missions are short and sweet - most take 10-15 minutes, so it’s the perfect game to jump on for a quick session. It’s not Nex Machina or Returnal, but very little is. Would be a 6 or 7 (if generous) played solo. But as a coop adventure, it’s a cool little thing.

[8]

Yar. Absolutely a co-op thing.

Nex Machina has couch co-op. Alienation online only, I think.

Tilly pulling no punches lol.  Uncompromising.

58. Detroit: Become Human - PS4 (10hrs)

I've got a soft spot for the Cage stuff, although other than this I've only played Heavy Rain to completion.  HR had big 90s TV movie energy whereas this is more of a late noughties Partridgeshrug FX Sci Fi series.  I'm not really a science fiction guy - there are dozens of things I like within the genre but I rarely seek it out, so 'androids with feelings' was never likely to float my boat as much as press X to Jason.  Wonky serial killer whodunnits ftw.  Actually, I did really enjoy the films EX Machina and Her in recent(ish) years, but this was probably closer to D.A.R.Y.L than Blade Runner.  No-one is going to come away from this thinking they'd like to read the book (whereas the universe of something like Mass Effect felt strong enough to withstand extra scrutiny, so games can do it).  

It was fine for the most part, which is good enough for what boils down to a choose your own adventure QTE.  There are 85 endings apparently, and with so many choices/repercussions it's quite impressive that my playthrough maintained a decent average throughout.  I'm sure I missed some of its better scenes, just as I undoubtedly sidestepped some of its worst.  The acting is decent for the most part with neither Henriksen or Brown phoning it in God bless 'em, but the guy playing Connor has clearly modelled his performance on everything Keanu Reeves has ever done, which was disconcerting.  

I can't be arsed with a long winded review.  Anyone familiar with the work of David Cage probably knows what to expect, and this was almost precisely as enjoyable as I expected it to be.  When it's grandiose it tends to fail, given that scenes are often unintentionally hilarious when it has its po-face on, but Kara's story keeps it in check. [7]    

19. Mass Effect 2 - 30 Hours - 10/10 - Xbox Series X

This is just so close to perfect it’s incredible. Everything is better than the first in my opinion, it’s like everything got turned up to 10. Even the most boring mini-game of planet scanning is somehow addictive and has you scouring for resources you know you’ll never ever need. Ended up with tons of everything.

Story, characters, action, choices, everything, everything is ace, the Illusive man is awesome, Mirandas ass is incredible, just can’t fault it really. Absolutely loved every second.

Onto number 3 at the expense of Resi, Ratchet & Clank, and Returnal.

It’s just perfect. Can’t find fault with it!

60. Alba: A Wildlife Adventure - Switch (2-3hrs)

Delightful, huge hearted holiday snapshot that's as refreshing as a snooze in a sun lounger.  It's not beholden to anything oppressive despite essentially boiling down to a checklist of rudimentary tasks, and manages to feel like it's fuelled by holiday time.  Which is precisely the intention, given that Alba herself is holidaying with her grandparents in laissez-faire land.  Trouble is afoot, in fairness, but it always feels like a small plaster and a big squeeze will fix it.  It's been described as a chillectathon, which is fitting, but it's also a weight lifter.  Not the sort that aggressively pinches TV presenters after a hearty breakfast, I mean an experience that can lift a yoke from your neck with its laid back charm inoffensive.  Even the way Alba occasionally skips with exuberance as she hot-foots it around the picturesque island is effortlessly enchanting.  

It's the sound of the summer.  It's cheese and chutney sandwiches after Cockleshell Bay.  It's a Touryst taking A Short Hike in search of a Kodak moment.  It's a wild life adventure.  It's coming home!  It's a near perfect bitesized getaway and it's just what the doctor ordered. [8]

Disclaimer: I played this in our family caravan on holiday time and had a refreshing snooze in a sun lounger part of the way through.  Props to yourfavourite uncle for popping it on my radar and Tempy's review for cementing the WANT.  Elf, you should give this a go. 

The kid is halfway through it at the moment (although it's been inexplicably dropped for the time being for the rancid Miitopia). I really like it. A bit like A Short Hike. The game Pokemon Snap should have been.

Yeah likewise. A mostly automated RPG that makes you create your own characters. She can mostly get on with it on her own so that’s something.

I’ve been cautiously taking my time as didn’t want to burn through it. I’ve only played the PS4 version but really enjoyed it. The quality of the game is stunning. There’s a solidity to the graphics not seen outside of Naughty Dog stuff.

61. Disc Room - Switch (3hrs)

Had this on my massive watch list since launch, finally bit at £9ish in the current sale.  From what I've played it's very good (underlined or in bold, possibly), but depending on where it goes with the unlockable hard mode there's a chance this could become a Legit Worldie of Actual Merit, the sort that pops up on end of year lists in respected publications.  I haven't investigated properly yet, but it feels like its now try the real thing mode is the equivalent of Meat Boy's Dark World, with tweaks that up the ante in existing stages.  The default quest was tough but not outrageously so, which bodes well for my chances in the post game.  I thought I was getting a roguelike HyperDot for some reason, which isn't the case at all.  It's got the same timed avoidance puzzle core, but here the rooms are knitted together as part of a larger puzzle box.  You gradually open up the map by hitting room requirements to open exits (survive ten seconds, kill two guardians and so on), but it also has a more cryptic side.  Fez springs to mind, but I expect this is only because I can't think of a better comparison right now.  It doesn't lean into its ambiguous elements quite as much as I would have liked - in the main game at least - but when it does it works very well.  It's a masocore death tally twitch puzzler with a more-than-meets-the-eye subsurface.  I often stick my neck out and suggest certain games for certain badgers, but I'd be amazed if this wasn't all the way up @Acemuzzy Avenue.  I was wrong with THOTH and it smarts, must make amends.  Visually it's a treat - think a nice & chunky, slightly darker top down The Splasher - and the score is pretty strong.  There are endless things to fiddle with when it comes to difficulty sliders too.  I've played on the defaults so far but I like it when the devs allow you to mitigate your own shiteness, if you so wish.

I'll have to play more to be sure, but at this stage it feels like a [9].  I'd probably buy a Devolver Digital tower defence farming sim if the price was right, I wouldn't be surprised if the dozen or so games they've published that I've played average an 8.5.  Semi hidden full gem.

15: Metroid Zero Mission (Wii U) 8/10

The road to Metroid Dread!  I need to play this and Fusion so that I can pass myself off as a Metroid expert in a few months time.

This is a little more positive than Moot’s review from a page back but we share quite similar opinions (except for the last level, which I thought was awesome!  I like games when they make you do a level as a weakling, then go back though when you’re powered up).  Namely boss fights (they do look great but didn’t do anything for me) and Samus being just okay to control.  Had an easier time than I did with Super Metroid (a game I didn’t play for years because I didn’t like Samus’s gait, lol) , this game feels a lot less demanding, like you don’t need to be so precise with your screw attacks and such, so that’s something.

They’re the only real issues though; it’s a great map (assuming it’s a close likeness to the original Metroid, this is a crazy achievement for such an old game), a real nice sense of progression with your powers.  Looks and sounds great too.  No stuffing around either.  Didn’t feel bloated even with the extra level.   

It did feel a bit off with the layout on the Wii U controller with jump being on A and shoot being B.  Never stopped confusing myself with which was which.  Also felt like it could have done with a couple of buttons; i think that’s always the way when playing a game built around few buttons on a pad that has several buttons.  Anyway, great stuff and looking forward to Fusion sometime soon.

I’m not familiar with that fellow.  Couldn’t find a nice long side on video of him running to compare, but did find the quote from Alex Ferguson about how he runs from the knees with a straight back.  Perfect description of our girl!