Messages

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: April 14, 2026, 07:50:50 pm »

11. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Holy crap this game is fantastic! I'm completely blown away! This is the first Ratchet & Clank game I've ever played, so I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. But I had a total blast.

This game's presentation is downright fantastic. I felt like I was playing through an animated feature film. Seriously impressive stuff. The gameplay is a blast too. Shooting up enemies with a wide variety of weapons, quickly switching between them to stack attacks and control the crowds, it feels really freaking good. I honestly don't really know what to add. I just really freaking enjoyed it. May play through it again at some point (even though I say that more often and I rarely do, but still). I can genuinely highly recommend it.

Only thing I'll say is: if you want to get the most out of this game visually, I do recommend playing on PS5 or a high-end gaming PC if you have one. I played it on Steam Deck with mid graphics settings, and it looked good and mostly ran perfectly fine, but when things got really hectic it did stutter or drop frames here and there. Not a huge deal, but noticeable. I chose Steam Deck because it's the most convenient and comfortable (and I don't have a PS5), but perhaps I should try replaying this via my high-end laptop on my tv and see how that looks. I'm curious what that's like now.

I feel like all gamers have those special comfort games they play when life isn't at its best or maybe they just need to be reminded of simpler times. In my case, I felt like I needed both. I found out last week I'm getting laid off from a job I've had for 8 years. I don't work from some mega corporations where layoffs are the norm and the company is certainly small enough to where everyone is fairly connected to everyone else, even the executive management team. So the fact that I was one of about 40 people that were told we're getting let go soon came as a complete shock. This unfortunate news derailed my playthrough of Chrono Trigger, a game from a genre I struggle to get into even when I'm not dealing with life changing events. When I finally did feel like doing something other than frantically navigating a terrible job market, I decided to play a game I've thoroughly enjoyed since I was a young kid, and one that reminds me of those simpler times better than most.

Oh that sucks hard. I'm sorry to hear that. I do hope you'll find something new soon. And until then, that playing some of your favourites and sharing experiences at least helps a little bit.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: April 13, 2026, 10:41:23 am »

10. Anarcute

The devs of this game were like: 'What if we take the grim reality of protestors rallying together and giving their own life to overthrow an oppressive regime, and make it cutesy?'

In Anarcute, you control growing hordes of anarchist chibi animals to fight cops, break out your friends and free areas from the evil regime. It's so stylised and light on story that I'm not exactly sure how it wants me to interpret its political message, but it's clearly not at the foreground.

Gameplay-wise it's fun enough. It's straightforward and relatively simple. Beating up the enemies and clearing levels does feel good. Its short levels make it perfect for quick bursts. I played a few levels on the train after work every day, and it's perfect for that. Towards the end I could get a little bit tired with some levels, but overall I enjoyed my time with it.

I wouldn't say this is a must-play, but it's worth a look on sale if it sounds interesting to you. Tip: the game is available on a bunch of platforms, but I got it on itch in 2020, in a massive charity bundle against racism. So if you bought that bundle, you have it already

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: March 17, 2026, 04:51:00 pm »

9. Just Dance 2024 Edition - Dance with the Swan Story mode

Compared to the story mode in Just Dance 2023 Edition, this is essentially same thing, different time. See here. This story mode just has a couple of songs that I don't like as much. (Thankfully, the other songs in 2024 Edition do include some bangers.)

2025 Edition doesn't have a story mode anymore, so I'll just be counting those as endless games that I see as ineligible for this challenge. Reportedly the developers stopped doing it because they felt it wasn't working that well. Which I agree with, but with 2024 Edition, that leaves the story on a bad note with the villain winning, which I find hilarious.

That's it really. I'm working on games with more legitimate campaigns, I swear, those just take a little longer.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: March 14, 2026, 04:48:26 pm »

8. Just Dance 2023 Edition - Enter the Danceverses Story mode

Yes, you read that right. Story mode. Just Dance 2023 Edition, for some reason, has a story mode. I play a lot of Just Dance, and I mostly consider it an endless game and thus ineligible for this challenge under how I'm counting it. But this is an official story mode, and if that's the case, I'm gonna treat it as such.

There isn't that much to it. It's a set of seven songs with routines that, when played in order, tell a simple story. You're a player joining the dancer Wanderlust to recruit other dancers and defeat the evil Night Swan. Specifically, the seven songs covering this story are:

• Can't Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake
• Witch by Apashe feat. Alina Pash
• Physical by Dua Lipa
• Rather Be by Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne
• Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars
• Majesty by Apashe
• If You Wanna Party - a Just Dance original song

I like these songs, and the routines and visuals are well done and fun to dance to. And Night Swan, admittedly, is serving. But does this story mode add much to Just Dance as a whole? Not really.

I do really love Just Dance as a whole. I've been playing it actively for months now. It's really fun! I love many of the songs in it, with the subscription service Just Dance+ you have hundreds to choose from, most of them with fantastic visuals supporting dance routines performed by real talented dancers. The routines are varied and great fun. It's not easy either: many songs take quite a bit of practice and skill to master, and it feels great to hit that Megastar rank. Many songs will really make you work up a sweat too. As someone who struggles with exercising regularly and who does not feel comfortable at the gym, this has been a great way for me to get more moving and exercise in.

However, the story mode, while harmless, is also superfluous. I'm mostly just wondering whose brilliant idea it was to say: "You know what Just Dance needs? A story mode!" Just Dance 2024 Edition had one too, and it's mostly just a tad distracting when you select a song in the regular game mode that you don't realise is part of the story mode and you're suddenly thrown into the middle of a plot. I had that with Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson, which is a part of 2024 Edition's story mode.

I still love Just Dance tho. I feel like many gamers tend to look down on it, but it's a series that has a lot of love put into it, and that's great fun alone and an absolute blast in a group. I doubt I'll specifically come back to the story mode often, but I'll definitely be playing a lot more Just Dance in the future.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: March 11, 2026, 06:34:23 pm »

7. Rayman Origins [GOG / Steam Deck]

Game number 7 down: Rayman Origins. Bought it for a few bucks on GOG and played it on Steam Deck. The first Rayman game I've ever beaten. And I liked it!

I gotta admit, it took a while for me to get into it. In the first bit of the game, I found it a tad dull. The platforming takes a bit to get interesting. But as the difficulty increases and you get more abilities, it becomes pretty fun! Smoothly running through a difficult segment perfectly is pretty satisfying. Especially near the end it can take a couple of tries, but it has an extremely forgiving checkpoint system and unlimited lives which is hugely appreciated. It's all tied together by worldbuilding that clearly isn't even trying to be realistic or cohesive, as long as it's creative, and I appreciate that.

There was one thing I gotta say I didn't like, and that's the sound design. It's annoying as hell. The soundtrack and sound effects are nothing but kazoos, jaw harps, and high-pitched voices going DOOOBEEEDABEEE DOBADABWAAAAA DOOOBAAADABWAAA. I did not enjoy it. Eventually I got to the point that I could tolerate it, but it was always present and always annoying.

But apart from that, I enjoyed this game a lot! I played a few levels on the train every day, and it's perfect for that. I got it on GOG for like 2 bucks on sale, and at that price? It's a steal! If you like 2D platformers, I think you'll really enjoy this game. (Just check your tolerance for Minions, Chipmunks and toddlers going BABABABABABABABABABABABA first.)

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: February 26, 2026, 06:23:05 pm »

6. Sly Raccoon [PS2]
Also known as Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus in the US, but I'm from Europe and my box says Sly Racooon so that's what I'm going with.

The first game in the Sly Cooper series, and actually the first PS2 game I've ever beaten if you can believe it. And well, I loved it!

This is a 3D platformer with elements of a collect-a-thon and stealth. I really loved its style. The character designs, art style and storytelling reminded me of Humongous Entertainment, and I mean that in the best way. It's cartoony, charming, appealing and just fun. It's also backed up by solid gameplay. Just moving Sly around is fun on its own, and when a game pulls that off you know it does something right. The game isn't hard at all, honestly it's really damn easy, but that's OK. Sometimes you want games like that. Spotting a collectible, and then making a jump or climbing a pipe to get to it is just fun. I've now beaten all the levels and collected all the pages of the Thievius Raccoonus. I have not done the time trials yet, but maybe I'll try a few out sometime.

Overall, you can definitely call me a Sly Cooper fan now. This game made me nostalgic for a type of game I didn't even know I was nostalgic for. I gotta keep an eye out for the other games in the series, because I'd love to try them!

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: January 24, 2026, 09:40:31 pm »

5. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

And that's game number 5, the long awaited Metroid Prime 4. Including by me. This game has been divisive, with some people and reviewers praising it but many players heavily criticising it. And honestly, now that I've beaten it, I'm rather split on it too. Full warning: I will try not to spoil anything, but I will be generally discussing some aspects of the game. And yes, sorry, this is a long one, but I have a lot of thoughts on this one.

Let's start with the good, because there is a lot to like here. This game is visually beautiful. Its visual design in the environment and creatures is just as strong as it was in the previous Prime games. I really enjoyed the boss fights. Those are always highlights for me in the Prime games, and these bosses do not disappoint. The gameplay loop is satisfying. The various areas in the game, although linear, are still fun to explore, and constantly finding powerups to slowly beef yourself up feels as good as ever. I really want to stress: there is a lot to like here, and at times, that did shine through for me.

But yes, there are annoyances here too. The game feels strongly linear. You still explore areas and solve puzzles to progress, which is still fun, but in some way, this just felt stronger in previous titles. The games's locations are connected by an open world, and I know it's a desert but it still feels empty. I think I preferred the more directly interconnected areas from the previous Prime titles.

By far the biggest criticism online is the supporting characters, and unfortunately, I have to agree with the critics. Throughout the game you're accompanied by a cast of Galactic Federation characters. They call you, join you on quests, and will talk to you whenever they're around. And yes, I found them annoying and grading. Some of them instantly got on my nerves, to the point that once the cutscene ended I jokingly tried to shoot them (which the game doesn't allow but still). They instruct you on every new step which makes the game not only feel even more linear, but also takes away some of that sense of figuring stuff out more on your own. The previous Prime games also had objective markers, but they were far less intrusive. And on top of this, they're a hindrance in combat. There are multiple segments where you get into fights and they join you. And while they're constantly depicted as capable soldiers, every time they almost die and you have to stop fighting and go heal them. Often multiple times per fight. Several times I found myself almost screaming at my screen: "This would be so much easier if you would just GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

But a deeper issue with them is that, to me, they don't fit Metroid. A core aspect of Metroid, to me, is its sense of loneliness. That feeling of you, alone, on a distant, intriguing but hostile world, with nothing but your wits and your skills to aid you. One of Metroid's biggest appeals to me is that atmosphere. And these characters, to me, ruin that completely. If I ever got into that mental state of getting lost in the world the game was giving me, whenever these guys popped up it immediately took me back out of it. They break the immersion, and also break that sense of isolation and weight. I admittedly don't play many games with chatty sidekicks like this, but still: I would've enjoyed this game so much more if I was just left to explore this world on my own, and only interact with ancient messages and the main villain.

^{(Also, a little side tangent, but I do not understand why Nintendo thinks we like the Galactic Federation so much. Personally, I don't. At all. If you want other characters: Prime 3 had you interacting with other bounty hunters that turn from good to evil, all from different species with wildly different designs and abilities. They were cool! Prime Hunters's other bounty hunters are still, to this day, fan favourites! Yet from Prime 3 to gosh darn Federation Force to this, they keep focusing on the stupid space army. Drop them and focus on something cool instead! Hell, Sylux is right there. If you focused on just him, he could've been so much cooler!)}

I think the biggest thing that stood out to me about Prime 4 is that it didn't feel as grand or epic as the previous games. The game does try to give your situation weight, trapping you in a completely unknown and isolated world, with a troubled history of a fallen civilization, but I rarely felt that weight. I don't know whether it's the world design, the npc's or whatever, but I never felt that immersion or weight. When I beat the original Metroid Prime games, I felt a sense of accomplishment, relief, grandeur, weight. With this game, I just felt like I had beaten another game.

And let me re-emphasize: that doesn't mean the game is bad. Tons of good games have left me without a major feeling at the end. And I did enjoy this game. I was always happy to pick it back up and keep playing, there are moments that did immerse me into the world and battles that are riveting. But yes, from Prime 4, I was also hoping to feel more.

I know that Prime 4 had an impossible legacy to live up to, but even seen on its own, I cannot ignore some of these annoyances. This is still a good game, there is no doubt about that. This is a high quality title that I don't doubt many people will enjoy. But to me, while I overall enjoyed my time with it, if I were to rank my favourite Metroid games, Prime 4 would not be very high on that list. I only just beat it, so maybe the positives will become stronger in my head over time. But right now, while this game is no doubt good and worth playing, I also don't feel comfortable calling it anything more than just "good".

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: January 16, 2026, 11:29:38 am »

4. inbento (Mobile)



Fourth game down, and actually the first mobile game I've ever beaten. I almost never play mobile games, but I got this game on itch and it looked adorable, so I gave it a shot. And I quite liked it!

inbento is, at its core, a pretty simple puzzle game. You've got a bento box with some squares of food in it, a few tiles you can use to either put more food in the bento or move food around, and your goal is to recreate the pattern it asks you to. It's a pretty simple concept, I'm sure you can tell from a screenshot how it works. It's pretty addicting though. I quite enjoyed pulling out the game on the train or on the couch at home and finishing a few puzzles. Helped by the adorable plot of a small family of cats making bento, told through adorable illustrations you unlock as the game progresses. There are over 120 puzzles here. Some are really easy, others can get very tricky. But it's nothing impossible: there were only two puzzles I could not figure out on my own (at least, not before I finally gave up and looked up a hint).

This game is adorable and comfortable, and I'm glad to have played it! As someone who never plays mobile games, this was a reminder that there's a lot more on that market than the typical ad-filled dopamine-rushing Raid: Shadow Legends-type ordeal I think of when I hear the term. This game is available on platforms like Nintendo Switch and PC, but I actually recommend it on mobile. It's perfect for the platform.

Tip: Unfortunately on Google Play the game is tied to Crunchyroll for some reason, but the game is also available on itch, where after buying it you get an .apk file that you can install on your phone yourself. Also, did you buy the 2022 itch charity bundle for Ukraine, like me? Then you already own the game! So all the more reason to give it a try and show the creators some love 

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: January 08, 2026, 11:04:20 pm »

2. Chaos Faction*
3. Chaos Faction 2



Well these certainly weren't games I was planning to add to the list this year, but here we are. Chaos Faction is a Flash game from back in the day that I liked a lot as a kid. I remember beating it on a school computer, with a friend watching, and I felt so cool when I did. I was surprised to find that Chaos Faction and its sequel were ported to native PC and rereleased together as Chaos Faction Legacy Collection on Steam. Hell, I didn't even know Chaos Faction had a sequel. But for nostalgia's sake, I decide to give them both a go again. Flash games are odd in general: do they even count for this? Well, I say they do. Sure, many of them are 5-minute long crap, but there were also some genuine gems on Flash, sometimes with substantial amounts of content. And I don't see how Flash games are that different from bite-sized experiences that we still see on platforms like Steam, itch or even the Nintendo eShop nowadays. So as far as I'm concerned, they count.

Starting with Chaos Faction 1, I played through the game again, and usually when I play through games for the second time I do count them with an asterisk here, so that's what I'm doing. This is pretty much a 1-to-1 port of the original Flash game. Almost to a fault: they didn't even bother to include built-in controller or Steam Deck support, so I had to manually map the buttons. That's a bit cheap guys, but thankfully the game is simple enough that mapping the buttons is easy. Apart from that, the only difference is some music and sound effects which I'm assuming is because in the original release they didn't have the rights (I mean, it was still an online Flash game).

Chaos Faction is a platform fighter. You jump around, attack your opponent, and collect items to attack your opponent harder. It's pretty simple stuff, but for a Flash game in the mid-2000s, this was legitimately good. Among the endless piles of junk and extremely basic or repetitive stuff on Flash game sites at the time (or, well, the Flash game sites I frequented as a kid), this game was a breath of fresh air. It's hectic, but with some strategy and skill to it. However, you really need to see it in that context of Flash games of the time. If you're looking for a platform fighter, there are so many options out there nowadays that are far better. The campaign mode has 15 stages and I beat it in half an hour. It's fun to look back on and still pretty enjoyable to me, but if you're not nostalgic for it like I am, there's probably little here to make it worth searching out. (And let's be real, if you're curious, you can also just try it through Flashpoint first.)

It's sequel, Chaos Faction 2, I played through for the first time. It also only has 15 levels in its campaign mode so that also didn't take too long to beat. Compared to Chaos Faction 1, there are some clear improvements here. More variety in the challenges per level, there's actual hitstun this time, movesets are expanded a little, in addition of course to the new skins, stages and items. It's clear some effort and skill went into this, and it's probably objectively the better game. However, my views on it are similar to Chaos Faction 1: if you're not nostalgic for these titles, they probably won't wow you. There's some fun to be had in these games, for sure. Including in multiplayer. Some of the items, if aimed right, can be blunt 1-hit kills, which creates a fun chaotic dynamic of trying to run for them and creating some "What was that?!" moments. If you're looking for a smooth, fast, hectic game with Flash-feeling fun, this'll do the trick. But I just find it difficult to see people who don't know already know these games really fall in love them.

So yeah, Chaos Faction was fun to go back to, and I'm sure I will again in the future when I'm feeling nostalgic again. But should you search them out? Well, if you're nostalgic for the mid-2000s Flash game era, maybe give them a try through Flashpoint, or support the developers by buying it if you want to (I mean, I'm assuming they're getting a cut). But otherwise, eh, as much as I will always have a soft spot for these games, you'll probably be all right skipping these.

(Also, if you haven't heard of Flashpoint yet: it's an archival project intended to archive as many Flash-based games and applications as possible, and make them playable on modern hardware. Do check them out and support them, they do great work: https://flashpointarchive.org/ )

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: January 01, 2026, 10:17:03 pm »

1. Spyro the Dragon (Spyro Reignited Trilogy)

And that's the first game of the year beaten already: the remake of the original Spyro the Dragon, from the Spyro Reignited Trilogy. I started this game a few years ago, but I finished it just now. And well, sorry to start the year off on a negative note. I know the original Spyro and this remake are beloved, and I genuinely wanted to like it. But I'm sorry, I didn't. There's a reason I put the game down a few years ago. I found some parts to be fine, but in other parts it was tedious and finicky.

Some sections were outright annoying. I'm thinking of some precise glide jumps that I would repeatedly die to until I made them, with no idea of what I did differently. And the enemies you have to chase with your dash, they can get lost. I always had a little difficulty controlling Spyro, especially when it came to those long glides and in lining up my dash attacks. In some levels the game wasn't bad, but even there it also just never grabbed me. Many times when I died, I just didn't feel compelled to try again. I just wanted to stop playing and pick up something else.

It's a shame. I want to like this game. I love Spyro's character design. I like the idea of a world populated by cartoony anthropomorphic dragons. I know these games are beloved. But this game just did not do it for me. Funnily enough, the first Crash Bandicoot from the N. Sane Trilogy didn't either, so that's an extra thing Crash and Spyro share I suppose. Maybe Spyro 2 and 3 are better, that's possible, but I honestly do not feel compelled to pick them up right now. I've got other games in my backlog I'd much rather play than more of this.

Speaking of which, Metroid Prime 4, you're up.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: January 01, 2026, 10:00:49 pm »

All right! 2026 edition, let's go! Last year, I managed to beat 19 games, 17 of which for the first time (and one I beat twice). Not my highest score ever, but not bad. Let's see how I do this year!

Beat:

• Spyro the Dragon (Spyro Reignited Trilogy) [Switch]
• Chaos Faction [PC (Steam) / Steam Deck]
• Chaos Faction 2 [PC (Steam) / Steam Deck]
• inbento [Mobile (itch)]
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition [Switch 2]
• Sly Raccoon [PS2]
• Rayman Origins [PC (GOG) / Steam Deck]
• Just Dance 2023 Edition (Enter the Danceverses story mode) [Switch]
• Just Dance 2024 Edition (Dance with the Swan story mode) [Switch]
• Anarcute [PC (itch) / Steam Deck]
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart [PC (Steam) / Steam Deck]

(Purple = started it last year or earlier)
(Orange = already beat it before)


Endless games I'm playing or have played:

• Just Dance
• Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream

Abandoned:

• Hollow Knight

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General / Re: December 2025 - Recently added to collection/recently purchased

« on: December 17, 2025, 06:19:28 pm »

I did it. One of the crown jewels of stupid gaming accessories, is now in my collection. Behold: the BigBen Cyberbike (Magnetic Edition) for Wii. Half exercise bike, half GameCube controller.



I can't help it, I have a fondness for stupid gaming accessories. I learned about this thing well over 10 years ago, and it's always been on my brain. So I'm so happy to finally own one! One complete with the papers and game, and in really good condition no less. All I'm missing is the original cardboard box.

So this thing works both as a GameCube controller and as a bike in the included game. I tried the included game, and it's a slog. But the real fun was gonna be using this thing as a GameCube controller. Immediate problem: the pedals and turning the handlebars are mapped to inputs even in GameCube mode. This made playing Super Smash Bros. Melee on it really hard (that, and the handlebar input constantly going off center). But then I had an idea, and what I found made the whole purchase worth it all on its own: it works with Mario Kart. Just out of the box. The buttons are remappable, but I tried it with Mario Kart Wii and the default settings work. You turn the handlebars to turn and you freaking paddle to accelerate. This is hilarious. I'm dragging this thing to the gamerspace I frequent and gonna have a blast with this.

...Now to just figure out where the hell I'm gonna store it.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2025!!!

« on: December 11, 2025, 08:00:16 am »

A few months ago I purchased a uDraw GameTablet along with uDraw Studio: Instant Artist and Pictionary Plus. A few weeks later I got hold of an fat PS3 with funtioning disc drive, which enabled me to play my PS3-games again after almost 7 years. I love funky peripherals and started off trying out the GameTablet with uDraw Studio: Instant Artist, trying to get the platinum trophy to finish it. But after getting stuck with the mini games of this title, I switched over to trying out Pictionary Plus.

Omg, someone else who remembers the uDraw GameTablet, no way. I have the Wii version collecting dust on my shelf, but I did try it out. Cool to see someone else who loves odd peripherals!
I'm currently trying to get my hands on a Cyberbike. Half exercise bike, half GameCube controller. That would probably be the crown jewel of my stupid accessories collection. Looking forward to trying and reviewing that once I get one.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2025!!!

« on: December 07, 2025, 03:31:21 pm »

20. Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies

Also known as Sin and Punishment: Star Successor in NTSC regions. This is the Wii-sequel to the original Sin and Punishment for Nintendo 64. I never played the original, but this series always interested me. It just looked like a cool action game. So when I got the Wii game, I was excited to play it.

This is an on-rails shooter. You are moved along on a set track, on which you move around the screen and shoot at enemies. There are two playable characters, I played as Isa. This game feels very arcade-style in its setup, going from section to section. I had fun with it! I wouldn't say it's the most engaging thing I played this year, but the action held my attention well enough.

The game can be pretty difficult. I died a lot. Most of it felt like a good challenge though: I always felt like I could do it with enough tries and learning the patterns. Only the final boss drove me to points where it felt unfair, though spread over two evenings, I did manage to beat it. I played this game on normal difficulty with the Wii Classic Controller Pro. And with the sensitivity cranked up a bit, that worked fine. Though one tip: for the final phase of the final boss, swap to Wii Remote and Nunchuck. It made that final section significantly easier.

One thing I did find a little weak was the story. Clearly, with its arcade setup, that was just a backdrop for the levels to happen, but I still like there to be something I can latch on to. But I played the whole game and I still barely understand how this world works, what the villains wanted to do exactly and what the main characters even are. Maybe this gets established more in the first game? No idea. A shame, because I did really like this game's art direction. The characters and enemies all looked really cool. With a plot that was expanded on just a bit better, I think I could've fallen in love with this world.

Overall, I'd say the game was all right. If it established its world better, maybe I would've liked it more, but the gameplay was also just all right to me. Who knows, maybe bullet hell just isn't my genre. I liked it for what it was, but that's all I can give it. But still, if you're interested in this sort of game, I do recommend you give it a look. I can see that for some people, there's greatness in here.

Now if you'll excuse me, there's a fresh new copy of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond with my name on it.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2025!!!

« on: December 02, 2025, 04:06:39 pm »

19*. Gori: Cuddly Carnage (hard difficulty)

Okay, this one may be cheating a bit, because I already beat Gori: Cuddly Carnage for the first time earlier this year on my Steam Deck. However, I really freaking love this game. Like, this is probably a top 5 game of all time for me, I love it that much. I won't even argue it's one of the most impressive games ever or anything: it's just the perfect game for me. Wacky, insane, campy over-the-top action. I loved it so much that I bought it again in physical form for the Nintendo Switch (which I had to get from Japan). And now on Switch, I've beaten the game again in hard difficulty, so I figured I might as well add it.

This game is part platformer part beat-'em-up/hack-'n-slash. As Gori, a cat, you zip around on your foul-mouthed hoverboard to traverse levels and slice up zombie unicorns and other monstrous toys. Controlling Gori feels great, both in platforming and in combat. The combat can get insanely hectic, to the point you can barely make out what's going on, but I can still feel what's happening, if that makes sense. I can compare it to Smash Bros.: once you learn to see through the chaos to process what's actually going on, it becomes an entirely different experience. The combat is all about zipping around your opponents, and knowing which enemies to take out or stun at which time to optimally take on the crowd. The toy-based enemies are beautifully imaginative, and just as grotesque as your takedown animations in which you make them explode in splatters of blood. I never get tired of pulling those off.

The only thing I'll say about the Switch version is that I encountered a couple of glitches. Twice I had to restart from a checkpoint because I glitched a required enemy or the boss out of the stage, and once the game crashed on me. Thankfully the game has a good checkpoint system so this was never a massive deal, but I do not remember this happening during my playthrough on Steam Deck/GOG. So that may be something to keep in mind. (Also, I played this on Switch 2, so I don't know if performance on Switch is different and/or worse.)

But still: I freaking love this game. It's crazy, campy over-the-top action, exactly how I like it. Especially coming from a small indie studio, this game is hugely impressive, and I cannot recommend it enough. Please go check it out. This game deserves a lot more attention than it gets and I need to see a sequel someday.

(Bonus fact: this physical Switch version also came with a poster of the main character Gori (again: "a cat on a hoverboard fighting [zombie] unicorns") flipping you off, which is now proudly framed on my wall.)