patrickmurphy09

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed MK11, to be honest. Admittedly, other than Smash Bros, which is a dramatically different styled fighting game, I'm not much for fighting games. In fact, this was my first MK since playing 3 or 4 on the GameBoy Color ages ago. I was worried that this gameplay would be too inaccessible and challenging for me to enjoy, but I was wrong. Indeed, I'm not a competitive MK player by any means. I'd imagine about 90% of my experience with this game was the campaign and 10% was button mashing on the couch with friends. But for those two gameplay aspects for a casual player like me, this game was great. Yes, it was a pain to watch pre-rendered scenes morph into in-game engine on the Switch. I wasn't expecting much in that department, but it was even worse than I imagined. Still, gameplay is a lot of fun and the story mode was surprisingly engaging. I never got much into the customization aspects of this game and did not download the DLC, but honestly, I look forward to repurchasing the Aftermath Kollection on the PS4, mostly just to play through more story mode as well as to try the new DLC fighters. I'm surprised that this game has gotten so many negative user reviews and that it is often available at a dramatically steep discount. However, after perusing the negative reviews here, I see that its a mix of die-hard MK fans that are upset their favorite characters are in the game (understandable), a criticism of excessive microtransctions (I never felt compelled to purchase any, to be honest), and random creeps that are complaining that the game is to progressive/"SJW"? I don't even know where that stems from the gameplay to be honest, other than some of these reviewers probably projecting. Nevertheless, if you're a casual MK player like me, you'll enjoy this, especially after taking advantage of some of the steep discounts you'll encounter.

Kirby Star Allies is a fun, chill platforming experience, best enjoyed while chilling with friends. The gameplay is not that challenging (which made it the perfect hangover time-killer for me and a buddy). Its funny to play together. It is also a joy to see Kirby get the graphic upgrades he and his world have deserved for some time in this game. However, it would have been nice to have just a little bit more of a challenge in this game. Or something to feel a little bit more in-depth. Sure, the completionist route does yield some more challenging gameplay -- and the final battles in the main campaign are where things finally get going -- but it would be nice to introduce more challenging options right at the start. Otherwise, gameplay can feel just a bit boring because it is too easy. Still, Kirby Star Allies is a fun game that does what Kirby does best, I suppose. I hope the next mainline Kirby installment goes for some bigger goals, though.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Ocarina of Time is already a masterpiece in its own right, obviously. One of my top 5 games, probably, and easily my favorite Zelda. Kudos to the developers for taking on such a challenge of taking what many consider to be their favorite game of all time, rebuilding from the ground up, and releasing it back with such high praise. Experiencing this game all over again in 3D with updated graphics was a joy. Honestly, I now feel that when I imagine the game in my head, I am recalling imagery from this 3D remake and not the OG N64 version. I also appreciate the quality of life improvements to the Sheikah stones and the Water temple: revisions to improve your gaming experience while not overstepping by any means. The touch screen menu makes such a remarkable improvement to gameplay, as well, I would not have imagined. Thank you for updating this classic with such care and passion!

Warning: This game is hard to put down. This game takes what makes top-down Zelda gameplay and absolutely knocks it out of the park. A love letter to A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds even builds upon that untouchable game and excels beyond it, in my opinion. The open world nature of the game makes the player feel like they are truly living in the world and acting on their own decisions. The storyline is also a remarkable experience built on top of an already solid game. The art style is also incredibly pleasant to experience, and viewing in 3D only makes it even better. I plan to be completing a hero's quest (master quest? I forget what this game calls that unlocked version) in the relatively near future.

Not only is this a solid entry in the Mickey Mouse/Illusion series, but I believe it to be the best. Thanks to its increased difficulty from the Genesis version, while still being a rather easy game to finish, I think this game is much more accessible and interesting overall for both youngens and adults alike. The art style is a joy to take in, helping demonstrate the charm that one would expect from Mickey Mouse. The voice acting is also surprisingly pretty solid. I would not have expected to enjoy the narrator's voice as much as I did, but it really sets the environment. There are some gameplay elements which feel a little unnecessarily challenging due to the camera angle, but it moreso felt unintended rather than cheap. But even then, this game is easy enough where I don't even feel it warrants complaining about. It's a fun game all around. It is short and sweet. A nice relaxing game to enjoy for the whole fam.

I realize I am in the minority here, though I never felt the same level of adoration that others feel for this Zelda installment. Sure, it's a fun, solid experience. But as far as gameplay is concerned, I think it doesn't live up to the standard the Zelda has set from others in the series like Link's Awakening or the Oracle games. This is a subjective opinion, but I feel that the overall game arch is not intuitive. Other Zelda games do a good job of hinting to the player about next locations to visit and whatnot. This simply doesn't feel as organic, and left me wandering around more. The world is okay to wander around in, but again, I just expect more. Now don't get me wrong: the dungeons are great, the storyline is fun, the Easter eggs are much appreciated (I particularly appreciate the nod to the unfinished Oracle/Mystical Seed of Truth game), and I recall really enjoying the design of the final boss fight. The final dungeon is also a gem to play in. For me, this one is a great Zelda game, just not on par with others.

I really, really wanted to like this game. I wanted to be the contrarian to the many people who have hated this game and lived to tell the tale. Sure, I was not expecting this to live up to the gems that are the original Genesis classics, but I went in open-minded. And yet, I walked away never thinking I could dislike a 2D Sonic game so much. Y'all warned me, and I didn't listen. Mini rant: Why doesn't spin dash work after falling off edges? Why is Sonic so dang slow? Why does even his walk animation feel slower than me trying to get off the couch after overindulging on pizza? Why are there so many free fall animations that eliminate Sonic's hitbox altogether? What's worst? These must have been all intentional gameplay decisions by the developers. I'm all for mixing things up and changing things up a bit. However, what the best Sonic games did was build upon Sonic's skills and abilities while ramping up the dificultly around them. Past Sonic games did not eliminate capabilities to make Sonic weaker resulting in increased difficulty. They strove to be additive, always adding more. This feels like they wanted to insert new features (cool) like homing attack but instead removed hitboxes that should have been retained from the previous games. I would also fault the developers for creating such a small world here, except for the fact that I was glad there weren't any more levels, and that I was glad the trip was just over when I finished. To say this is 17 levels compared to the classics is misleading, as five of said levels are boss fights. I recall thinking after I played Splash Hill Act One, "Hm ... that's kinda cool, I get access to the first four worlds off the get-go and then can unlock the rest later." Nope! That's it! No more than those four worlds. And they are lazy worlds with unnecessarily boring and punishing platforming. You know, the kind of boring lazy approach to platforming that is more about creating artificial challenges while having nothing interesting for the player. There is not a singular level I want to go back and play. The music is unmemorable, which is ironic because it is inspired by Sonic 2, mostly, which has incredible music. Speaking of, the stages here are mostly influenced by Sonic 2 it seems. You would think this would make me happy, given the love I have for Sonic 2. No. This game puts you in a world with a nerfed, slower version of Sonic that is supposed to look more visually appealing but instead just aggravates you even more throughout the process. I really wanted to like you, Sonic 4. I wanted to prove the other reviewers wrong. This has been my least favorite Sonic experience yet. I loathe the fact that I will still probably play Episode II in a little bit because I want to check that one off my list. Except now, I know a taste of what i am in store for. May God have mercy on my soul.

Let me start by saying: I love what this game tries to do. It is a fun platform fighter, and I believe a love letter from the developers to the Smash Bros fan base. As a die-hard Smash fan, it is hard for me to not compare this to Smash in my mind. However, I do believe that I am fair in my assessments. I believe that the developers were trying to take the competitive aspects of Smash, create their own unique characters mixed with some beloved indie game characters, and create a different sort of platform fighting experience. And I belive they were successful in that regard. Gameplay is fun, fast, and more aggressive in nature than my beloved Smash Bros. And even though its arguably not as in-depth as Smash is, perhaps in part to a smaller player base advancing the meta, this game still has advanced levels of gameplay that players can wish to aspire to if they are so inclined. This game does lack a bit of the refined power felt when playing other Smash entries. KOing someone in Smash -- whether in Melee, Brawl, Ultimate, etc -- still has a tactile feeling of a kill. I don't seem to feel that while playing this game. Still, this is a game for a few quick fun rounds of couch matches if you want to switch things up a bit from Smash in a casual way. Just not nearly as satisfying, IMO. Kudos to the developers, though, for still making a fun game that is obviously infused with great passion. I'd be curious to see what a sequel would look like, to be honest.

I sunk a good chunk of hours into Miitopia, and had a blast while playing. However, that doesn't mean that the game did lack some depth and that it fell into some monotonous copy & pasting of enemies. But first let's focus on the good -- I downloaded the demo first, thinking I would not really enjoy it. But I was quickly hooked. Being able to visualize myself on an epic quest, alongside my closest friends and whichever Miis I decided to make, was far more of a delight than I would have anticipated. Playing alongside Miis of my friends, watching the interactions amongst them and being able to power them up and whatnot - this game was funny, heartwarming, and engaging all at the same time. I even made Miis of people like Snoop Dogg, Bernie Sanders, and Albert Einsten to fight alongside me as we took on the evil Trump. HA! The game does get repetitive, yes. Horribly so. So while things can get a bit boring at times, the uniqueness of my characters coming alive is what truly kept me in the game. Fun all around!

For the longest time, i could never decide which was my favorite Sonic game: Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Now, that question is just a bit of a moot point. My favorite is easily Sonic Mania. Sonic Mania is the true Sonic 4, I believe many fans would agree. The gameplay takes everything that was exceptional about the original games in the series and builds upon it. The levels are a joy to play: a mix of both nostalgic familiarity and enough of a breath of fresh air that veterans and newcomers aiike can enjoy this exceptional game design. The art style is exceptional, and the music incredible. For me personally, the mini game selection is my least favorite style of the old Sonic games, and I don't particularly enjoy those special stages (so much that I just avoided the Chaos emeralds together ... yes, I know, I know that's not truly completing the game and I'm missing out on Super Sonic yada yada yada). And you'd be right about that. I do miss playing as Super Sonic just because I dislike the minigames so much, but nevertheless, I am still able to play the game as I like and still have a fulfilling experience. Its also great to see Knuckles and Tails return to form, too!

Indeed, as a Zelda game, it is rare that one say that a game is "bad" by most standards--and this holds true for that matter. Continuing the story of the Hero of Winds immediately following the incredible work that is Windwaker, Phantom Hourglass certainly continues to tell the legend we all love. And I did have a hard time putting the game down while playing admittedly. However, this Zelda game, standng amonst the other giants in the Zelda series, has a hard time living up to legend in some regards. While I truly and genuinely applaud Nintendo for doing something so bold with its touchscreen controls, I would retrospectively prefer to have the old school controls of most games in the genre. Truth be told, I did appreciate the approach for its uniqueness and still do, but sometimes playing this game was just a bit tedious and uncomfortable for me. With my arm contorted strangely trying to use my tiny stylus, meh. Also, as I'm sure its been said elsewhere in these reviews: Temple of the Ocean King. My goodness, Temple of the Ocean King. If there were any times in which I would have wanted to stop playing, its whenever I knew I had to return to the Temple of the Ocean King. I'm not sure if the developers did this as a way to demonstrate improved skill to the player, or to artifically increase play time, or to underscore something thematically. However, it was not needed. This was a chore time and time again and added to my annoyances of playing the game. Phantom Hourglass is ultimately a game I'm glad I've played and did enjoy the experience, but doubt I'll find any value in ever returning for a second playthrough.

I understand and appreciate that the Sonic franchise as a whole is divisive, and for many good reasons. However, I often struggle to see how Sonic Forces is considered to be one of the weaker entries. Sure, the game is with its flaws ... in fact, let's get those out of the way. The story gets oddly dark in some spots (callback to when Sonic was being tortured) and the story overall isn't perfect, sure. Me, personally, I'm not entirely playing for the story, but I appreciate that a decent story is there and in tact. The bonus Shadow DLC is kinda blah at best. And the game overall is way too short. However, the positives? I feel like the 2D platforming is incredibly fun. Sure, its no Sonic Mania or any of the classics, but it brings a fresh, fun take on it, building upon some of the 2D platforming from Generations. The 3D platforming was a lot of fun, too. Some spots here and there may have been tedious, but overall, it provided for great gameplay. And while I didn't fully invest into customizing every aspect and unlockable for my character, toying around with the options was still great fun. Overall, a really fun game in its own right with a few flaws; this game does not get the credit it deserves, though.

This was easily the hardest I've ever laughed while playing a video game. All the references to South Park jokes old and new, offensive and remarkably offensive, this game builds upon the strengths of The Stick of Truth and makes the experience even better. At first, I wasn't sure if I would have liked the grid-based gameplay compared to Stick, but I was easily swayed to appreciate the mechanics. In fact, I loved the gameplay so much that 100%-ing this game, plus all the DLC, more or less occurred naturally by my simply wanting to play more and more. I will admit that there were still a few bugs in this game when I played it (on Switch), but quite few and inconsequential compared to my experience playing The Stick of Truth on PC. Both for South Park fans and turn-based RPGs alike, the Fractured But Whole (lol) is a gut-busting great time to play.

This was my first entry into the SteamWorld series, and it set me on a path to loving what these developers could do. Gameplay is both fun and relaxing--oddly satisfying to simply dig and explore. And just when you thought you had a good grasp of what the gameplay would continue to entail, the game switches it up and takes you on a whole new course. Like other games in the series, the art design is lovely and music is delightful. What a fun experience!

This game was a good way to pass the time. If you played Clash of Clans, though, you've basically played Castle Siege. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, after all. However, I do feel like this game did cheapen the Age of Empires brand overall. I never could bring myself to purchase any of the microtransactions, but I feel like so long as you don't get addicted to the game, you can still have fun with or without spending money.

The GOAT of sports games; in particular, this game has ruined me for all baseball games. With intuitive gameplay, a high level of player and team customization, in-depth game modes, and more, this game pulls you in and allows for endless hours of fun. This was truly an instance where EA shined, and baseball games have never come close to living up to the standard of the MVP series. I can only hope for the series' return, though I do not expect it to happen.

Its been a hot minute since I played this game, but I can't wait to replay it in the Final Mix version I got. Still, the basic premise of Kingdom Hearts is amazing and lives up to the anticipation of marrying Disney with action hack and slash games. The story is enthralling (especially since I understand it got significantly more complicated following this first entry in the series). Gameplay is fun from each Disney world to the next, and I particularly remember enjoying the Colosseum battles. I never got into the gummy ship mini game between worlds and honestly was more or less waiting for those intermissions to be over. Still, this was truly an adventure to experience and I can't wait to replay it with a fresh coat of HD.

A fun expansion all around. It continues the great gameplay of the base game with great new civilizations. And even though those civilizations may have a bit more historical inaccuracies than others in the base game, it was a good attempt nonetheless. And although the single player campaign is worth playing here and definitely fun, the biggest advantage to this expansion pack is still being able to integrate the new components into the base game.

For me, this game defined real-time-strategy. Although I never got into the multiplayer component, gameplay against the AI isn't extraordinarily challenging yet it still provides plenty of variety. And although the graphics are a product of their time, especially compared to the upcoming definitive edition, the graphics would still continue to hold up to this day and were revolutionary for their time. The single player campaign was fun but not as gripping of a storyline as I would have hoped. Still, it was a fun way to engage the game in all new different varieities. I am eager to revisit this game's definitive edition shortly!

South Park came around and finally found a real home in the turn-based RPG world that is The Stick of Truth. This game was a joy to play with fun gameplay mechanics that could rival many other games in the genre. The artistic design was perfect, really making it feel as if I was playing an actual episode from the show. The plot was equally as bizarre as some of the craziest episodes of South Park with jaw-dropping final bosses in the game. And all of that on top of the incredible humor packed into the entire game ... wow! This game was a joy to play, and the biggest complaint I had was that the PC version of the game had several glitches and bugs--most of which were just noticeable things that didn't *really* disrupt gameplay. However, there were a few that did force me to quit the game at inopportune moments. This was frustruating to say the least. Had it not been for these glitches, I know I would have rated the game higher. But que sera sera. Nevertheless, The Stick of Truth was a ton of fun to play and I would like to replay it in the future, just on a console version of the game.

While Double Dash had its own unique charm as well as objective improvements, Mario Kart Wii was the first installment -- for me -- since Mario Kart 64 that really put its mark down. With vast improvements to the design, gameplay, music, stages, characters, and yes, even the joy o using optional motion controls (let alone the cutesy wheel peripheral you could also buy), Mario Kart Wii was a delight to pick up. For me, this game will remain emblematic of playing with friends in the dorm room, usually losing because I didn't master the game but still could find great fun in the gameplay. Mario Kart Wii does the job yet again here!

With this game providing my first experience to the Mario Kart franchise, I certainly have nostalgia goggles. Even so, it is hard to deny how truly fun and impressive this game was for its time and still is today. This built upon the SNES installment by providing a major update to the graphics, given that these graphics were processed completely differently by the N64. But this game also had lovely tracks, music, and characters to boot. A true classic!

This game was revolutionary. An obvious statement, but based on the fact that this is also a sequel to another game that was revolutionary for its time, that really says something even more. Smash Bros Melee still to this day brings fast, action-packed platform battling to its finest. What may seem to be a smaller roster in comparison to the likes of Ultimate today, Melee's roster is enough to entertain players for hundreds of hours. The competitive gameplay does yield a much less diverse "viable" character roster for top-level play, but for most players, that's not inhibiting. Smash Bros Melee also introduced some great new basic mechanics like more special moves, more accessible final destination and batllefield stages, and directional air dodging. And of course, it has developed its own cadre of advanced level gameplay techniques as well, enriching the experience for those looking for the next stage of fighting mechanics. Let alone the new gameplay modes like the Adventure mode that offer great, relaxed ways to enjoy the fighting mechanics in newer settings like stomping on goombas throughout Mushroom Kingdom or having Samus trying to make her great escape. Melee will always have a great spot in my heart as my first introduction to my favorite gaming franchise. It is impressive, to say the least, that the game still has a hardcore fan following to this day nearly 20 years after its release!

For some reason, this game seems to be considered a bit of a black sheep within the Smash Bros series, and that is a shame because this game is absolutely stellar. Sure, there are a few gameplay choices which are frustrating - tripping, slower meta, etc. - but even for its flaws, this game is exceptional. This game introduced the full-fledged story mode we may never get again: Subspace Emissary. Not the best platformer in the world, but the mashup of characters with cutscenes to demonstrate the storytelling we all have in our minds as little kids pitting their favorite characters against each other. Yes, the meta for competitive gampelay is broken with Meta Knight dominating the roster and with many glitches that top-level players can exploit. This is one of many reasons why its competitive aspect hasn't stood the test of time. But the gameplay is still fun to revisit with a new roster of characters, including my personal all-time favorite, King Dedede, to other great additions such as Snake. The music is absolutely fantastic, and yes, does take itself seriously in some regards, but I appreciate that the composers and game directors made the choice to do so and fully went with it. Casual play also is a lot of fun with the introductions of assist trophies and of course, final smashes. As imbalanced as the final smashes are, ranging from Mario's astonishingly weak fire attack to longlasting fury of Super Sonic, these were also among some of the most fun. I'd rather have some final smashes back like King Dedede's Waddle Dee Army or Giga Bowser rather than some of the new additions we have for Smash Bros Ultimate, which seeks to get players back into the match more quickly. Overall, a gem ****. Not the best in the series, but often undervalued for how well it still can stand on its own even through its flaws.

Smash Bros is my all-time favorite series, and this is the one that started it all (obvs, I know). Revolutionary for its time and still a fun title to revisit, Smash Bros for N64 has great gameplay for both casual and competitive play. In my opinion, this only laid the framework for its successor titles which are masterpieces each in their own right. Nevertheless, these 12 fighters are the true OGs, setting the stage for platform fighting games to come.

What a refreshingly unique game! I absolutely loved the concept of this game, marrying word puzzles with action platforming. Having a system which allows for massive creativity through spelling is such a rewarding gameplay mechanic -- especially as the developers programmed so many different results and easter eggs. My only real problem with this game was that it was absolutely too short! Its only a few hours of gameplay, but usually the sign **** game by always wanting more. The art style is so enrapturing and sets the environment perfectly, marrying the eerie feeling with scary enemies as well. Will probably go back and play, but realize that I need to give myself time to forget some of the hints. The side games are okay. I didn't really find them that engaging, but they are a nice addition for those who enjoy playing them. The core campaign is where its at!

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Especially considering its low price, the Gunman Clive games--in beautiful HD--is a delight to play. It is lovely platforming and running/gunning stripped down to beautiful simplicity while still keeping some challenge. Animation is smooth with a unique, lovely art style. Being able to play as other characters is also a delight, although they probably could've done without the first nations character (so as to not follow in the footsteps of the "Washington Football Team." Nevertheless, this is a lot of fun in a short game for a modest price

I was really looking forward to this game. Not really expecting anything earth **** ... it is a simple cheap run and gun with a cartoony protagonist after all ... but that's actually one in the same reason why I was looking forward to it! Something laid back, silly, and a little absurd all packed in a short run and gun adventure! But there's so much missed opportunity here. Wouldn't you prefer to have a game like this with a blazing gun in the style of Metal Slug? Instead we have a dinky set of weapons that often feel like you're shooting nerfed Mega Man pellets at a quarter of the speed. Furthermore, the difficulty curve is all over the place with a final boss fight that may have been the easiest part of the game. Also the sound effects should feel like something blasting at you with full fury. Instead it's a bizarre mismatch of sounds that seem like they were randomly ported from other games. I wanted this to be so much more and walked away feeling so disappointed, even for an affordable budget game.