General and Gaming > General

52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

<< < (24/56) > >>

supremeusername:
9. Tomb Raider II Remastered | 2024 | "Tomb Raider I-III Remastered" Collection | Xbox Series X | 2/18:



     I'm finally picking up from where I left off on my 1st completion of 2025. After more than a year since completing Tomb Raider I, I decided to put myself through the gauntlet again and best its sequel: Tomb Raider II! TL;DR: Tomb Raider II as a first playthrough is not quite as fun as the first game.

     Almost every level in the 1st half of the game required me to look up walkthroughs just to figure out what I needed to do. There's too many wrong turns and confusion that occur just to find where a certain key is, what door just opened, or what pulling down a lever does to the level. The first game had moments like this for sure, but nothing of this scope. It's the inconsistencies in Tomb Raider II (and what the game doesn't tell you) that weigh it down for me. For example: distinctive levers that tell you what doors stay open and those that have a time limit, terrain that tells you what is or isn't climbable (like the bookshelves in the Venice level), or jumps that have to be off-angle or some "side-flip off the ladder in mid-air to grab the opposite ladder" type of shit that isn't explained at all in the Lara's House tutorial.

     The new locales in this game are nice & varied compared to the first one, but the level design feels too labyrinthian at times. The 2nd half of the game gets more difficult and trolls you a lot more, but I didn't mind it as much because the levels are laid out in a digestible manner that makes sense. The monastery is probably my favorite level in the game and an excellent example of a very large, open level that is made digestible by the fact that each smaller section of the monastery circles back to a larger hub area near the level's exit. You're not finding a key that's stuck under ice and out of the way of where you need to go, or navigating the Opera House level.

     I'm kind of nitpicking at this point. It's pretty impressive in retrospect that the original Tomb Raider team were able to push out a robust sequel in just under 1 year. I like the new weapons added like the M16 and grenade launcher, and even the vehicles were fun for a bit. I could see myself enjoying Tomb Raider II a little more in a second playthrough, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I would've liked currently.



Grade: D+

kashell:
18. Resident Evil Village - Shadows of Rose

Well, this was a fun and spooky little piece of DLC. Rose was shown a bit during the end of the regular campaign, but she got her time to shine in this DLC. I liked her as a lead. This made the actual gameplay more manageable. Going from a fully loaded Ethan to a clunky Rose was a struggle. Even with her unique powers, the game felt longer due to the constant running and scrounging for materials. In terms of atmosphere, though? Tens across the board. The part where you have to play red-light/green-light was absolutely nerve wracking and terrifying.

bikingjahuty:
17. F-Zero X (N64)

When it comes to futuristic racing games on the N64, my goto series has always been the two Extreme G games on that console. I received the first Extreme G as a Christmas gift back in 1997 and remember the agony of having to wait to play it until later in the day since we were at a relatives house with no N64. I eventually did get to play my new game later that evening and long story short, I loved the hell out of it. It's become an incredibly sentimental game for me and one I still hold in fairly high regard on Nintendo's 5th get console. However, some of the N64's other futuristic, high action racing games kinda flew under my radar, one of which was F-Zero X.


I never played the original F-Zero on the SNES, nor would I even first hear about the series until the 2000s. Seeing gameplay footage of that original game, as well as F-Zero X, I'd always been interesting in trying them out eventually, but just never got around to it for whatever reason. My first F-Zero would actually be GX on the Gamecube, but really it was more of me trying it out for a bit than me really sinking serious time into the game. So yeah, I'm essentially an F-Zero virgin that has put off jumping into one of the series' beloved entries for far too long. I decided to finally do something about that this year and committed to playing the entry on the N64. I know GX is considered the best in the series by most, but due to my personal history as a gamer, I have a soft spot for N64 racing games. So, what did I think of F-Zero X?


X is a fairly lopsided game in terms of quality. On one hand, you have gameplay that is ultra tight, well balanced, and has a high skill ceiling while also continuing to be surprisingly fun and accessible. On the other, the presentation run this game, while not terrible, definitely screams budget title, particularly for being a first party Nintendo game. Still, I respect games that pretty much sacrifice all else in the name of gameplay (it's always nice when a game gives you everything, but gameplay always trumps everything else in my book). F-Zero X's gameplay is highly polished and well thought out. That's a pretty impressive feat given how challenging this game can be with its 29 opponent racers, very tricky tracks, and fairly deep character stats that noticeably impact how certain racers perform over others. That's not to say that X's gameplay is perfect however. Some tracks are certainly designed way better than others, and I'd say the opponent racers on higher difficulties become downright cheap as hell at times. Still, if you play this game on Novice and Standard, you'll likely have a good time despite how difficult the game still is.


As mentioned, the visuals in X aren't the greatest. I know the N64 is generally criticized for its visuals, especially nowadays, but compared to other N64 and 5th gen games, F-Zero reminds me more of third party budget games like Battletanks than it does a first party Nintendo game. The menu and character art is done in an illustrated comic style, which isn't terrible, but what is borderline bad is the art direction of X's various stages. Most look fairly the same from an artistic perspective, except the color pallet has been changed. The only real thing that makes some stages standout is the design of the track itself with its various jumps, narrow sections, or sharp turns. But other than that you have some blurry illustrations of buildings in the background that you'll mostly barely see given the trademark N64 draw distance fog that is heavily present in this game. I get that Nintendo likely had to do this given how much action is going on in each race and also maintaining a smooth, consistent framerate, but the visuals of each track definitely take a hit as a result. Likewise, there aren't any really standout 3D elements like what you see in Mario Kart 64 or Extreme G. In those games, each track felt like it had a distinct personality and identity. Not so much in F-Zero X.


However, ending the discussion of the game's mostly lackluster visuals on a more positive note, I thought how distinct and interesting each of the selectable race ships were was well done. While the 3D models for these ships can be a little plain at times, they're mostly creative and unique, which is a breath of fresh air given how flat and uninspired the tracks looks.


Finally, there is the OST in X, which is pretty good. It mostly consists of a heavy rock/metal instrumental soundtrack which goes very well with the crazy action and sense of speed in this game. There are some sound effects and voice acting in F-Zero X, but really it's all about the OST. I wouldn't necessarily rock out to any of the music tracks in my car, but listening to them in the game is definitely welcome.


I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with F-Zero X overall. While I wouldn't place X among my favorite racing games on the N64, it certainly doesn't sit that far outside that illustrious list. I really appreciate the focus on the gameplay, but I'd be lying if I said nothing else mattered here. When other first party games like Wave Race 64 and Mario Kart 64 can pull off incredibly fun, well implemented gameplay and visuals...and a soundtrack, why can't F-Zero X? This is what really holds this game back from being an all time great of its generation. Still, this is a very well made, highly polished racing game that I'd still definitely recommend despite its blaring shortcomings. (2/19/26) [33/50]

marvelvscapcom2:
10. Super Mario Sunshine [GC] - finished Feb 21st, 2026



Super Mario Mario Sunshine

PLOT

Mario Sunshine takes place in glorious Delfino Island, and initially Delfino Plaza. Where in a cunning twist of circumstances, the villain of the game (cant share for spoiler purposes) attempts to frame the real Mario for crimes of vandlism to have him imprisoned so that Bowser can shag peach in privacy. But all along he is vandalizing delfino plaza under the guise of a shadow mario which is a ink based illusionist version of Mario...  I dont get how an entire village and even peach herself confuse this character for the real Mario considering he is literally black. But video game logic lol.  Either way real Mario is sentenced to community service pretty much, which leads to of course your investigation into the culprit and a rescue mission on our beloved Princess... 


THE SLANDER = SKILL ISSUE


Video games are objective, I get that. So this is just my 2 cents. Probably 5 cents due to inflation. But some of the Slander this game gets is just blasphemous and borderline cringe. I have no clue why this game gets beat up the way it does. Sure it has a cult following. But Galaxy gets far less criticism with far wonkier controls. 64 gets far more praise with a far worse Camera. I read comments like "this level took me 2 hours. Shitty level design. I'm gonna Curse the designers" on levels that took me 5 minutes to clear.  Is the game challenging? Yeah.  Is that why it is one of my favorite marios? Precisely.. because I am so refreshed to actually have a Mario game test me. To actually have to earn a shine sprite.  To feel victorious when I clear a level versus what we get with games today. It isnt that sunshine has any gaping flaw, it's that the typical Mario consumer is used to coasting through Mario games. And this one makes you earn it. I hate this expression but it has to be said. Skill issue. The game is perfectly fine. The camera isnt flawless but ive played 100x worse games than get praised to the high moon. Sunshine has some of the most fun, fresh and unique platforming the series has ever seen. Fluid (pun intended) jumping. Excellent implementation of the water jetpack. And colorful, gorgeous and cute boss battles.  It is paced perfectly. Isnt too long. Isnt too short. It might be the most consistent and entertaining 3D platformer ive played. Absolutely INCREDIBLE. 


LEVELS

Levels are broken down into numbered missions.  Each level has 8 missions. Its sorta similar to mario 64 where you beat a goal to get a shine sprite.  Not like Odyssey where you free roam as a open collectathon.  You always get the following missions


1. A mission where you gotta collect 8 red coins

2. A mission where you have to catch shadow mario and spray him with water


And

3. My favorite.. which are these little levels within levels where you lose your jetpack and are required to do some intense and intricate platforming accross differing obstacles to get a shine sprite at the end.  These are expert level shit. But far from unfair.  Any time I died I always felt like "I didnt do this right" not "the game cheesed me"  the game is what ive always wanted from Odyssey and I never got it outside of darkside of the moon.  Challenge. Difficulty.  Nintendo was built different back then.  The level layouts feature very beachy utopias. It's got a summery, tropical, Jimmy Buffet and coconuts vibe going for it.  And the levels are very pretty to look at even 2 decades later.  These types of levels are like if a very tactile and skill based 2D side scroller blew up into 3D landscapes.


Water jetpack buddy named F.L.U.D.D has differing attachments that can guide the water in differing ways. Some rocket, some propel, some spray. Think like nozzles on a water hose but on steroids. And I love jetpacking accross large gaps. It's really a blast to naviagate :)

All and all.  Mario Sunshine is the most unique of the series of 3D Mario Games. It implimented very daring and risky controls and elements yet somehow still knocked a home run.  I really really loved this game.  And this is quickly becoming one of my favorite gaming years.


Rating - 99/100

marvelvscapcom2:
11. Venba [PS5] - finished Feb 22nd, 2026

 

THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF IMMIGRANT LIFE

Venba is actually intense... a short, condensed powerful tale of the trials and tribulations of first generation immigrant parents. Without politicizing or romanticizing that circumstance, the game does such a tremendous job of not only taking you through the pains of fitting in, in a foreign place.  But also how food, culture and roots bond families.  You play as Amma and Appa which I believe is mother and father in Indian.  You are Indian (Tamil) immigrants in Canada and the story unravels to include elements of parental sadness, longing for a life since forgotten, struggling to maintain work, fit in or even avoid abuse and the challenges that come with the golden opportunity of new life.  But an added layer of having children who "westernize" far faster than you. Leaving this cultural disconnect.

As far as gameplay is concerned, it is essentially a prettier more wholesome cooking mama type of game. The premise is you read faded recipe books passed down with hard to read pages and broken dialect and puzzle solve to make Indian dishes.  The game taught me how to cook Tamil dishes but also the names and vibe and also cultural significance of these meals.  You add ingredients into different cooking instruments in varying orders and if you mess up, it comes out BOOTY and you must retry.  The trophies are fun. The game is condensed like milk. And it's a tear jerker for sure at times.




Many times throughout the game I drew parallels with the titular Venba to my very own mother.  The hardships, the growing older and having distant children who maybe dont appreciate everything you did and the sacrifices. But also Paralells to mothers cooking, childhood soup, faded mumbling of the adult world seeping through over heritage and cuisine.  And like art, food is a barrier breaker.  The game does an excellent job at showing me a side of secondary residency or your 2nd home conflicting with your begginings that I hadn't faced so directly.  And I feel more grown for having played it.  Or just learning about Indian culture.  It isn't a history lesson or anything nor is it overtly preachy but there are good tid bits that show a window into what it's like to balance your roots versus flourishing new leaves.  A beautiful short story.

Rating - 88/100

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page