I AM GLEEFULLY RE-ENERGIZED BY CONSUMING THIS SLOP-FREE SOUNDTRACK
02.03.2026 00:14
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I AM GLEEFULLY RE-ENERGIZED BY CONSUMING THIS SLOP-FREE SOUNDTRACK
Every time I think, "oh, maybe we AREN'T in the worst world line after all", I am reminded that yes, we are indeed in the worst world line after all.
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/26/w...
Gravity Rush Remastered might have my least favorite controls of any game I’ve played in recent memory.
When it gets it right, it’s so good… But when it gets it wrong, it’s absolutely abysmal.
Next game on deck: Gravity Rush Remastered!
This game being next on my playlist is PURELY coincidental to what recently happened with Bluepoint. Nevertheless, I’ve always admired the well-intentioned heart that Gravity Rush has, despite its… “interesting” gameplay design.
It has the typical foibles of indie Metroidvanias - mainly, combat that feels a little unbalanced, and too much lore explained in too vague terms. But I really enjoyed this one.
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I also liked the premise of the enemies - sentient everyday electronic devices and machines taken over by a virus. I absolutely laughed out loud when I started getting chased around by an oven that literally breathed fire. It's delightful.
And in conjunction with that, what I liked a whole lot was that all of the areas in the world map felt distinct - mainly due to the use of background color. You could always tell where you were, and where you transitioned to, as you moved around.
Game #3 of 2026 completed: Haiku The Robot!
And what a delightful little diversion it was. The highlight is absolutely the spritework - seriously, some of the best I’ve seen in a while. I’m an absolute sucker for that kind of art direction.
@hananomaude.bsky.social CROSSCODE MENTION ALERT!!!
HGSS, you're next!
As someone with physicals of both FireRed and LeafGreen...
I hope that the Switch release completely tanks resale values. Current resale pricing is just scalping under the guise of gatekeeping.
People made this too. Pour one out.
Nintendo continuing to slap the faces of physical media collectors everywhere.
People will have literally JUST bought this game a year or so ago on Switch at the time this Switch 2 physical releases.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC0X...
Scarlet Nexus is SO underrated. You can rightfully give it some flack for the "comic book cutscenes" but it is so good to play and I love the premise.
I posted on LinkedIn concerned about data protection and guest privacy in the theme park industry and got a reply from the CEO of a US-based company saying that data collection is a service.
While I respect and appreciate their opinion… You really can’t make this stuff up, can you?
Pockets of pure art.
Next up: 2022’s indie Metroidvania Haiku The Robot!
The spritework is deliciously crunchy, traversal is fun, and I absolutely love the color palette. Hoping to get a lot of fun out of this one!
But messes can be cleaned up. And I think that by the time updates are put out, I think it will be something truly special and even more impactful than it already is.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go blast "Worn Out Tapes" through my headphones for the 13th time.
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But whoo boy, is it a mess. From an overwhelming (but adjustable) graphical presentation, to a lack of clarity of when your actions will advance the story (and lock you out of optional content), to glitches that come from the mashup of its 2D and 3D art direction... It's a bummer.
It is immediately, unashamedly apparent that the folks at D-Cell threw everything - including their hearts and souls - at this beautiful mess of a game. And all of that heart - especially the narrative and absolutely SAVAGE soundtrack - is what carries it, and makes me love it so much.
Game #2 of 2026 completed: UNBEATABLE (they told me to write it in all caps)!
I "slacker backed" this game too long ago to remember and it's always amazing to see a final product turn out to adhere to the same general vision as was laid out so many years ago.
Clef repeatedly proving that she is the best character in this game.
Is it though?
First impressions of Unbeatable!
Even putting aside that I participated in D-Cell's backer campaign, I freaking love this complete and utter mess of a game. It is so hard not to love.
But a mess that I love is still a mess.
But in general, I liked it just as much as Daybreak 1 overall. Same solid combat, same goofy Scooby gang of misfits, just "more". And sometimes, that's what you want when you already like a thing.
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The narrative is all over the place (and time), successfully keeping the stakes and pressure high, but getting its pacing all mixed up. I enjoyed each individual act on its own, but certain story sections dragged on while others were way too short.
I'm caught between it standing on its own as a sequel and being an effective DLC to Daybreak 1, though. It equal parts treads new ground in its arc and kind of rehashes some "greatest hits" of its predecessor. It's a tough one to place for that reason.
First game of 2026 completed: Trails Through Daybreak II!
While everyone else is playing Beyond the Horizon right now (and unintentionally spoiling me), I’m playing catch-up. And Daybreak II was certainly a worthwhile 55 hours of solid JRPG goodness.
There’s a particular moment with Lune that probably exudes the most “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed” energy I’ve ever witnessed in any form of animated / gaming / CG media.
Title drop, key art, done. I’d be legitimately surprised if “Kai 2” / “Horizon 2” releases in the first half of 2027.