AlgernonFTW

This game is the remaster that we've deserved after 30 years and multiple prior "remakes" that really did not push the envelope from the original. Fully redesigned visuals, voice acting, and music creates an atmosphere that the N64 version could only have dreamed of. The added cutscenes and logs add a ton of story and background, which again, was mostly left to the imagination in the earlier iterations. Not only that, but the added challenge mode and multiplayer battle modes add entirely new elements to the game, including a ton of unlockable player banners, icons, and avatars to use with a camera during co-op or multiplayer. The addition of alternate camera and control modes should not be overlooked either. They really filled in all of the gaps around the core gameplay of the original, which was virtually untouched. And for only $50, this is a fair price and an awesome way to experience the masterpiece either for the first time, or in a glorious new light. Yes, the game itself is very short, but the replay value and additional content makes up for it.

I am mad at myself for buying this. Nintendo charged so much more than anything previously for its new console, and then decided that for their promotional tech demo game to show off the features and functions of it, they would charge another $10. It's got to be one of the worst, most greedy looks for a game company in a long time. That said, I am absolutely the type of person who loves to really take the time to explore and learn about all of the unique and cool new aspects of a piece of tech that I bought, and Welcome Tour really gives a thorough walkthrough of everything about the system in a very palatable way. I enjoyed learning about some of the thoughtful physical design aspects of the controllers and intentional placements of inner components of the system's components just as much as I liked the tech demos that showed off the new or improved capabilities of the system. It gives you a chance to experience what the system has to offer visually, audibly, or physically, through cool little demonstrations. The actual minigames, which are likely the only part that would merit charging money for this game, might have been my least favorite part, as most of them require you to constantly shuffle between control styles, docked/handheld mode, or to use various accessories. You cannot actually complete all of the challenges without owning the appropriate accessories in some cases, either - despite them even providing a way to "skip" those challenges... but this does not actually give you progress towards completion. In all, I did enjoy strolling around the game system's surfaces, learning some cool little insights into the development of the system, and I did leave with an added respect and appreciation for how many decisions and careful considerations had to be weighed in creating this next-gen hybrid console. However, the frustrations with minigame progression and requirements to own extra accessories to finish it are small marks against the game as a whole. The horrifically greedy and tasteless decision to charge $10 for this tech demo is what brings the marks down to a 5 here. Final recommendation: If you absolutely love learning about your new tech, and want to do so in a creative and somewhat entertaining way, go for it. Otherwise, please do not support this type of corporate behavior and skip this.

It really is just more of the same, but frankly less interesting than past Far Cry games. It is pretty, open world, and has moments of excitement, but mostly it's just a grind to get through each storyline and finish the game... Especially if you don't care for all of the random side games and quests.