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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: May 01, 2026, 02:10:39 am »

33. The Last of Us: Part II (PS4)

Since The Last of Us: Part II (TLOU2) came out in 2020, one thing I have never done is play TLOU2 immediately after playing the first game. Perhaps it's for this reason I've always considered the first Last of Us game the best one. This was likely reinforced even more by the fact that the first time I tried playing through TLOU2, I quit halfway through due to a very subversive twist that happens that really changes the tone and plot of the game quite a bit. So yeah, you could say I hated TLOU2 the first time I played it. However, fast forward a year and I decided to give this game another change. I suspended my judgement and decided I was going to finish TLOU2 and then judge the game based on my overall experience. I did precisely this and found a pretty damn good game on the other side of the end credits. Then I beat it again about a year later....and then again a year or two after that.


Much like the first game I seem to like TLOU2 more and more every time I play it, however this time around with me playing the two TLOU games back to back, something very unexpected happened. Somehow, I actually like TLOU2 just a smidge more than the first game. I know, I know, that's blasphemy, but it's true. TLOU2 absolutely has shortcomings compared to the first game, but where it lacks, it makes up for it in some very meaningful ways that go above and beyond anything we got in TLOU.


I don't think it's a controversial statement to say the presentation, story, and audio in these games is practically perfect. Just how TLOU pushed the PS3's hardware to its limits in terms of what it was capable of producing, TLOU2 did the game on the PS4 and then some. The voice acting is just as good with performances that put most blockbuster and high budget Hollywood movies to shame. Whatever the voice cast of TLOU2 was paid for their performances was too little given how amazing every scene and every bit of dialogue is. TLOU2's overall sound design is just as masterfully done as the first game, with noises from infected, the environment, and other aspects doing an amazing job at immersing you in every scene and ever moment this game has to offer.


While this does tie into TLOU2's gameplay which I'll definitely go into more in a bit, Seattle, where the majority of the game takes place, is far and above better than any area or section of TLOU. I LOVE making my way through the various parts of Seattle during both sections of this game and there are always interesting and downright creepy areas you'll have to traverse through to get to where you need to go. More or less, there is never a dull moment or the feeling that you've seen it all when you still have another third of the game to go.


TLOU2's story is one that grows on me more and more every time I play it. It's absolutely a more intense and emotionally taxing game than the first TLOU, which depending on who you are, may or may not be a good thing. Some real crazy shit goes down in this game, often in very graphic detail. However, it's all part of a general plot and elements of world building that I feel surpass the first game in terms of depth and complexity. That's not to say, the plot and story in TLOU is inferior to its sequel, but it just doesn't hit those same emotional valleys like the second game does. However, one aspect of the writing I will say is definitely better overall in the first game is the characters.


Characters in TLOU2 are absolutely a mixed bag. There are some characters I absolutely love, some of which surprised even me. However, there are other characters in this game that I've despised since the first time I played through TLOU2 despite Naughty Dog's writers probably wanting me to feel the opposite. I can't stand Dina who unfortunately is a fairly big part of this game, and some of Abby's friends are also incredibly stupid and I dare say even cheesy. I will also so, TLOU2 does a fairly good job of making me dislike some legacy characters from the first game more too, but again, not in the way Naughty Dog probably intended. The wildly inconsistent character writing in TLOU2 isn't enough for my enjoyment to make a dramatic dip, but it is enough to cause me to roll my eyes and even cringe at various parts of this game. Speaking of cringe...


I think TLOU2 has finally been getting more of the love and recognition it deserves in recent years, however one thing I will fully admit is in the long run, it will age itself way more than the first game will or has. Some of the writing in TLOU2 is so painfully late 2010s/early 2020s it freakin hurts. While it is fairly easy to gloss over given how good the rest of this game is, the ever present corporate ESG checklists as well Abby's character design do a good enough job undermining my suspension of disbelief that it does somewhat diminish my enjoyment of TLOU2 each time I play it, but not enough to make me feel like this game is anything short of a masterpiece. Had Naughty Dog tried virtue signaling just a little less, especially with Abby, This game might be a top 5 game of all time for me. Still, even with its fair share of modern dayisms, it's not that far off.


The gameplay in TLOU2 is definitely a step above what was in the original TLOU, and even in the first game's remake on the PS5. I said in my TLOU Remake review several days ago that I felt like that game took a lot of TLOU2's gameplay to improve its own. That's still a statement I stand by, but unfortunately it didn't go all the way. TLOU2's gameplay is outstanding, albeit not perfect. The character and weapon leveling system, while similar to that in TLOU, is undeniably better, as is the combat, stealth, and area balancing in terms of enemy placement, obstacles, and resources availability. There are very few parts in TLOU2 that I felt were annoying or frustrating for the wrong reasons. Enemy AI is improved quite a bit too, which makes for a more challenging and interesting game. I also like the weapons in TLOU2 more than the first game, especially since you more or less get double the amount of them to play around with. One other thing I'm pretty sure I've mentioned in every TLOU2 review I've ever written is there's a boss towards the end of the game which still stands as my all time favorite TLOU boss, period! It gives me massive Resident Evil vibes and if we ever do get a TLOU3, I hope there are more bosses and enemies like the one I'm referring to.


Again, I cannot believe I've saying this, but I now like TLOU2 more than the first game. The real tie breaker here comes down to how much I love playing through the various areas in Seattle you find yourself in and also the noticeable improvements to gameplay. The end result is a game and world I feel like I can't get enough of each time I play these games. I want to go on more adventures as Ellie, Abby, or hell, even some new character that has never appeared in any previous game. I just want to experience more of TLOU's world, learn more about its lore and origins, and just experience how fleshed out Naughty Dog has made this franchise. What's even crazier than everything I just said is yeah, I'm thinking TLOU2 might be a top 10 game for me now. I'm constantly drawn towards the game and feel the urge to beat it again almost annually. It's hard for me to recommend a game more highly than TLOU2. (4/30/26) [46/50]

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: April 23, 2026, 12:04:55 am »

32. The Last of Us: Part I (PS5)

One thing that continually surprises me is how every time I pick up and play The Last of Us (TLOU) I enjoy it a bit more than the last time I played it. 2022's The Last of Us: Part I was a welcome improvement to the original game on PS3 and PS4. Not only did it look significantly better, borrowing the visuals and engine from TLOU: Part II, but it also borrowed it's quality of life improvements when it comes to controls, enemy balancing, and just the overall gameplay. The end result was a game that nearly makes the original version of TLOU obsolete.


Speaking of TLOU's gameplay, it's the only part of this game which I would consider to be imperfect. Still, make no mistake, TLOU's gameplay is still very good and its combination of stealth, action, third person shooting, puzzles, and various other gameplay elements are all implemented wonderfully for the most part. There are still the odd sections of this game that are still somewhat annoying and there are at times inconsistencies when it comes to remaining undetected when sneaking around or lining up a lethal headshot on an enemy. Regardless, these occasionally frustrating parts don't diminish too much what is otherwise a very enjoyable game to play.


When I said the rest of TLOU is perfect, I meant it. The audio and visuals are top of their class. The OST is great and absolutely fits what is occurring at any given time, but what really steals the show is the overall sound design. This game does an amazing job at ramping up your anxiety, even if you've played this game half a dozen times like I have and know what's coming. The impact of TLOU's audio is a masterfully designed rollercoaster that will have you breaking out in a cold sweat one minute and the next have you appreciating an oddly serene moment in an otherwise violent, chaotic world.


As for TLOU's visuals and presentation, they're even better. The character models, animations, apocalyptic set pieces, and grotesque enemies all look phenomenal. They all compliment one of the best stories and writing ever put into a video game, with TLOU's world telling just as much of the story, if not more, than the things revealed through dialogue and cutscenes. I adore the world and lore of TLOU and it pains me we only have two games in probably my favorite post apocalyptic franchise ever. But yes, the visuals do not disappointment at any point, and neither does the writing.


I'm at the point with TLOU where I'm tired of pretending it's not about as close to a perfect game as you're going to get. I know it does have its flaws, but when looked at with the context of the sum of all its parts, TLOU is a masterpiece that I will never grow tired of playing through. (4/22/26) [45/50]

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Modern Video Games / Re: Report: PS6 2029 | Switch 2 price increase soon?

« on: April 19, 2026, 01:48:25 am »

Although I've gotten more use out of my PS5 this past year, it's still far from where I wanted it to be when I bought it.

PS4 was a step down from PS3 for me, and PS5 a step down from PS4. Just the selection of games has gotten thinner as dev times have been stretched out, meaning a single letdown hurts way more. Back in the PS3 days there were usually a dozen or so games I was looking forward to in a given year. I mean really looking forward to, like I wanted to play them Day 1. PS5 though? I'm lucky to have half that in a year. And in years 1 and 2 there was even less.

I will likely be focusing on retro next gen and not making the same mistake of expecting things to pick up after a slow start. Unless they come out of the gates swinging in year one to change my mind, PS6 will largely be a skip while I focus on more affordable consoles of yesteryear.

This is pretty much me too, except I do like the PS4 more than the PS3. As for my PS5, I still don't feel like it's paid for itself yet in terms of worthwhile exclusives and how much enjoyment I've got out of it. And I've had mine since 2021. I'm counting on next gen being 100% digital, which will only make my decision just to play retro and older titles that much easier.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: April 17, 2026, 10:33:23 pm »

2. Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil (PS2 - ABANDONED

The first Klonoa game was probably one of the most surprisingly good games I can remember playing. I remember going into that game with fairly mild expectations in terms of its quality. Sure, I'd heard over and over again online how great it was, but I tend to not believe the hype when it comes to retro games getting heaps of praise thrown on them, particularly when the games are more on the obscure side. When I actually did play Klonoa on the PS1, I was blown away by how fun it was, but also how deep, and impactful the story was too. I was definitely not expecting that. So after falling in love with that first game, it's been a longtime backlog goal of mine to tackle its sequel, Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil on the PS2. Unfortunately, that game didn't hit me nearly as hard as the first game and in pretty much every way felt like a noticeably inferior game.


I really didn't care for most things in Klonoa 2. The OST, gameplay, and visuals are all okay, if not even being pretty good overall, but I guess in the end, the game just felt way less special or interesting as the first game. Levels often go on for way longer than they should. Most bosses aren't particularly enjoyable or fun. The story is a massive downgrade over the first game, at least up to the point where I stopped playing. I just couldn't get into this one as hard as I tried.


With all that said, I'm not going to discount how unfortunate events in my personal life recently might be tainting my opinion of Klonoa 2, but honestly more convinced that I just didn't enjoy this game. I'm certainly not ruling out someday trying to play this game again, but for now, the combination of me struggling to continue playing it and also me being unsure how much my personal problems are dampening my enjoyment led me to the decision to drop this game for the time being. Time will tell if I ever get around to playing this one again, but for now it's going back on the shelf. (3/17/2026) - ABANDONED

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: April 17, 2026, 12:41:33 am »

Thanks everyone for the encouraging and kind words. Yeah, it's pretty devastating and to make matters worse the job market is awful right now. Tons of people looking, but not nearly enough jobs to go around. Luckily I'm considered senior level in my field, but that only gives me a slight edge in the current economic climate. I'm also on the company payroll for another 2 months and I have a decent severance package headed my way. Still, the prospect of potentially being unemployed, or even under employed is pretty terrifying. I can hold on until probably later this year before I have to make some very hard decisions, assuming I don't find something before then. I've already applied to nearly 50 jobs and haven't even been given an interview yet. As I said, the job market is crap right now. I've never even remotely had this much trouble landing a job before.


On a side note related to this thread. I am in the middle of another game. Unfortunately, I'm not enjoying it as much as I'd hoped, but it's still the kind of game I felt like I needed right now. I'm guessing I'll beat it sometime this weekend. We'll see though.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: April 10, 2026, 09:15:15 pm »

31. Pilotwings 64 (N64)

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.


I've probably played and beat Pilotwings a dozen time since it came out in 1996. It honestly makes me feel ancient even thinking about this game being 30-years old this year. But over the past three decades, this game has always made me smile. Whether it's the surprisingly good, and fun gameplay, the almost perfect OST, or the fact that this game still looks fairly impressive, even with how aged N64 graphics are typically seen now. Pilotwings 64 is a legitimately enjoyable, well made, and special game.


My only gripes with this game involve the camera, some of the controls, especially when playing the unlockable modes, and yes, the graphics which are very impressive for a game in 1996, but have lost most of that luster they once may have had. However, all these issues are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Anytime you get frustrating trying to control the hang glider or hit Giant Hawk with a missile, playing the birdman mode instantly makes all those frustrating melt away.


I know this game isn't typically discussed when the upper echelon of N64 games is brought up, however I feel like Pilotwings 64 almost belongs in that conversation. If you grew up with this game like I did, you'll no doubt be unable to resist its mid-90s video game charms, but more than that, the game and its various modes still control and play very well, and its various areas all have a distinct charm to them, even of they are relatively small in scale. Pilotwings 64 is an absolute must play on the N64 and a game I'm very thankful to have right now. (4/10/26) [39/50]

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: April 08, 2026, 01:05:44 am »

I was left a bit surprised by how much this game feels like a prototype to Mario Kart 8 than its own distinct Mario Kart game. Don't get me wrong. MK7 dos have enough of its own unique stages, music, and visuals to set it apart from 8 or any of the other Mario Kart games, but I guess I was surprised by how similar the gameplay mechanics were between 7 and 8, as well as most of MK7's better tracks being included in MK8, many of them within the vanilla game.

It's funny how playing them in this order can change your judgement on the game. It's like playing Mario Kart DS after Mario Kart 7 and pointing out how they play alike and that some of the best tracks from DS are in 7.

Not saying you're wrong. It's factually the case that 8 is an improvement over 7. But that's kinda the case for the entire series (outside of the latest entry imo).

Just thought it was funny how the order we play games can affect people's perception on games. One of the reasons I tend to play games in release order when I try a new series.

That is true, however DS and most other MK games feel very distinct from one another. DS and 7 feel and looks completely different from one another, whereas 7 and 8 almost feel like the same game often, albeit 8 looking way better. And being similar to 8 is absolutely a good thing (8 is my favorite in the series), but it does make me wish 7 felt a bit more unique and distinct.

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General / Re: What are some of the worst games you've ever played?

« on: April 04, 2026, 01:46:36 am »

Resident Evil 6

I will never for the life of me understand why this game gets so much hate online. I played it for the first time a few years ago and expected it to be nearly unplayably bad. Instead I found it to be a really fun, albeit flawed. I especially enjoyed Leon and Ashley's campaign. I think my least favorite was Sherry and Jake's campaign. I also didn't like a lot of the retreading of the same area across campaigns. But despite this, I found it incredibly entertaining and fun in its own way.


RE0, RE5, and a good chunk of the spinoffs are certainly worthy of way more hate than RE6. The fact that people were acting like the Outbreak games were some sort of hidden gems once people learned about Grace Ashcroft's mom's connection to those was laughable. RE6 was also well received by most gaming sites back when it came out too, which leads me to believe the hate is 90% an internet bandwagon thing, which I'm sure will reverse in the next decade once the "RE6 was actually a masterpiece tho!" vids start appearing on YouTube with reaction faces and red arrows in the thumbnails.

I think the game sucks, but nothing about it makes it a "worst game ever" for sure lol Everything about it is all functional and fine as a game, it's a decent game for what it is if you want a co-op action shooter, to me it was just the culmination of everything wrong with RE at that point in time.

I feel like compartmentalizing the franchise helps me enjoy it more. Separating classic RE (0, 1, 2, 3, CV), from action era RE (4, 5, 6), from first person Ethan Winters era (7 and , and the whatever the hell RE9 is really allows me to appreciate the games for what they are. Still, there are certainly better games than others across the franchise.

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General / Re: What are some of the worst games you've ever played?

« on: April 03, 2026, 10:16:49 pm »

Resident Evil 6

I will never for the life of me understand why this game gets so much hate online. I played it for the first time a few years ago and expected it to be nearly unplayably bad. Instead I found it to be a really fun, albeit flawed. I especially enjoyed Leon and Ashley's campaign. I think my least favorite was Sherry and Jake's campaign. I also didn't like a lot of the retreading of the same area across campaigns. But despite this, I found it incredibly entertaining and fun in its own way.


RE0, RE5, and a good chunk of the spinoffs are certainly worthy of way more hate than RE6. The fact that people were acting like the Outbreak games were some sort of hidden gems once people learned about Grace Ashcroft's mom's connection to those was laughable. RE6 was also well received by most gaming sites back when it came out too, which leads me to believe the hate is 90% an internet bandwagon thing, which I'm sure will reverse in the next decade once the "RE6 was actually a masterpiece tho!" vids start appearing on YouTube with reaction faces and red arrows in the thumbnails.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: April 03, 2026, 01:07:29 am »

30. Mario Kart 7 (3DS)

Up until today, I've never once played 2011's Mario Kart 7. After doing so and beating it several times, I was left a bit surprised by how much this game feels like a prototype to Mario Kart 8 than its own distinct Mario Kart game. Don't get me wrong. MK7 dos have enough of its own unique stages, music, and visuals to set it apart from 8 or any of the other Mario Kart games, but I guess I was surprised by how similar the gameplay mechanics were between 7 and 8, as well as most of MK7's better tracks being included in MK8, many of them within the vanilla game. While Mario Kart 7 was certainly a very appealing and attractive game for its time, particularly with it being a handheld exclusive, it still begs the question as to whether MK7 is still worth playing or if you should just immediately play MK8 Deluxe on the Switch instead.


For a 15 year old game (God, saying that makes me feel super old) and even mostly by today's standards, Mario Kart 7 is a good looking and sounding game. While it didn't have the best 3DS graphics, they'e still no slouch in MK7. Stages, characters, animations and everything else your eyeballs can absorb look so vibrant, colorful, and creative. That trademark Nintendo charm is absolutely on full display here, and if you like other Mario games and other first party Nintendo titles, you're bound to love the visuals here. Audio is also great with some very good tracks in this game, yet overall, I wouldn't necessarily say it's the best in the series when it comes to music and overall sound design.


Where I feel MK7 shines the brightest and leaves its most noteworthy mark is in its gameplay. Having spent hundreds of hours playing Mario Kart 8, I felt right at home with the mechanics and gameplay of MK7. However, it must be said that compared to its younger brother, 7's controls do feel a tad more floaty and imprecise. That's by no means a massive ding on this game either; controls are still good as is being able to place your racer where you want them and have them do what you want as well. MK7 and MK8 mostly share all the same power ups and as mentioned earlier, many of the same stages.


Stages are split 50/50 between tracks introduced in MK7 and ones that are from previous Mario Kart titles, albeit with a 3DS coat of paint. While I did say earlier that many of the better stages in Mario Kart 7 where recreated a few years later in 8, not all of them are. And what I found was many of these still MK7 exclusive courses are actually better than the majority sent over to the WiiU and Switch. And going one step further, some of the tracks that are shared between 7 and 8 actually flow and work better in the older game. I'm looking at you Neo Bowser City. But yeah, tons of great tracks in this game across 8 different cups will keep you occupied for some time.


So is MK7 irrelevant? No, it is not. However, if you are coming back to this game after spending a lot of time with MK8, or maybe you're like me and have never played 7, you will find a lot of redundant tracks and gameplay that just worked way better in MK8. Still, those stages that MK7 did better combined with the ones that will likely always remain locked on the 3DS alone make a playthrough of Mario Kart 7 worth it. (4/2/26) [37/50]

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General / Re: Do you still prefer physical games or digital?

« on: March 31, 2026, 10:51:43 pm »

I will always go with physical. I don't consider digital games a form of ownership regardless of whether they were purchased or downloaded illegally.

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General / Re: March 2026 - Recently added to collection/recently purchased

« on: March 28, 2026, 01:38:05 am »

I grabbed Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection on the Switch this evening. I really wish it had been available physically on the PS4 like the other collections, but I won't complain.

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Modern Video Games / Re: Report: PS6 2029 | Switch 2 price increase soon?

« on: March 27, 2026, 03:16:21 pm »

All this AI nonsense that is giving us nothing good, just completely decimating the PC and console market.  Hate it so much.

I work in an industry that is very adjacent to the boom in AI adoption, and it's absolutely disgusting how much greed is fueling all this. CEOs and executive teams are frothing at the mouth over all this and they speak with glee about replacing large percentages of their workforce and investing in thousands of new data centers. They simply do not care how much this is decimating certain industries, all they see is massive dividends for themselves and their shareholders.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: March 26, 2026, 01:31:02 pm »

I think at this point there are no more undiscovered retro gems,

There certainly are, such as games that never released in the US that don't have English language options alongside titles for older PC systems. Although, maybe you specifically said this in reference to the US home console market which is probably more true than it's not.

Sometimes playing the bad games helps us appreciate the good games that much more.

Absolutely, and obviously this isn't limited to video games. If you're someone who has a favorite genre within a particular medium, then engaging in lower-quality contemporaries gives you the opportunity to think critically about what it is you do actually like. Sometimes, people don't know why it is they like a particular aspect because they don't actually have anything bad to compare it to.

With how long YouTube and various other large online spaces have been around, any game you can possibly think of has been discussed to death at this point. There are some fairly obscure PC games I grew up with and even those have at least a handful of dedicated reddit threads (sometimes whole subreddits) or there's a few videos on YouTube discussing them to some degree. Sure, there are probably unreleased games that have never seen the light of day that no one but the original devs know about, but if it's been released, it's known about and the internet has fully thrust it into the gaming community consciousness by now.

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General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2026!!!

« on: March 26, 2026, 10:27:28 am »

29. Xyanide (XBOX)

One pet peeve of mine is how freely the word "hidden gem" is thrown around online. At this point, saying hidden gem is more or less just a buzz phrase to bait people into clicking on your YouTube video or Reddit post. The reason I mention this is because over the years of playing countless examples of supposed hidden gems, I've come to discover that the overwhelming majority, probably around 90% of them, range from being wildly mediocre to absolute trash in reality. For most of these obscure titles, there's a very good reason they remained obscure and relatively rare. And while I realize there are exceptions and special cases when it comes to this, most obscure games remained that way because, well, they kinda suck. Case in point, Xyanide on the original XBOX.

Yeah it annoys me too lol. I feel this 100% If they were good games, even if they didn't sell well at the time for whatever reason, collecting is such big hobby now that they would have been found by now.

I think at this point there are no more undiscovered retro gems, but for whatever reason there still seems to be quite a few games that have this reputation for being good, under appreciated, and lessor known, yet I just don't see it when I've actually played them. As I said, I think hidden gem has become a clickbait phrase more than anything, but I also think sometimes people dupe themselves into thinking a game is way better than it actually is due to the game's rarity, value, or desirability among collectors.

Sometimes playing the bad games helps us appreciate the good games that much more.

Very true. I tend to try and play games that have a pretty solid reputation for being good, but I also like to get adventurous and try out stuff that is lessor known, but also have reputations for being at least decent. I'm pretty sure I found my copy of Xyanide before Metal Jesus Rocks posted his XBOX Hidden Gems video, but at the time it gave me hope that game would actually be a gem. After all, I'm a pretty big fan of shumps, so I figured the game at to at least be okay. Nope...