And the riddle tower (not sure if there's more than one) I like on paper, but it really tested my patience because it went on *so* long... Not sure if I like the recurring minigame either.
Gotcha! Unfortunately I haven't reached the mine, but I feel you on the novelty part. But I'm mainly glad that you find the combat screens janky too, because I guess that's my main complaint? I found so many screens kind of haphazard, and many enemy types kind of hard to get a read on.
Nice! It's defininitely worth playing Myst too. I like it quite a bit, although it's a way simpler game than Riven. Just a heads up though, if you're looking to beat Riven blind, it might require *some* notetaking. But you'll be mindblown when you manage to solve it!
Just happened to see this, but how about Riven (1997)? It doesn't look like you've played it on Backloggd, and it's one of my favorite games ever made. Not sure if you're into puzzle games though!
I was actually gonna ask you how you've been finding the game, because after 4-5 hrs I realized that it wasn't clicking with me for some reason, despite how much there is to love.
That's a good idea! Honestly, I've been playing too many action games this year and slacking on my JP studies and other priorities... Kind of embarassing, but I hope to find a better balance next year.
Nice! That's incredibly impressive and way beyond my skill level, but I feel similarly when rewatching my first Silvergun clear, especially because that game felt *impenetrable* to me as a kid. I love the feeling of overcoming things I thought I couldn't do. Sorry for replying to an older post!
I think it's fine to change your ratings, and it's not like you're changing them drastically (from like an 8 to a 5). I think it's valuable to decide on a score even with a written review, because it forces comparison. I just wish more people used the scale properly.
You aren't alone. After years of feeling isolated, I've been slowly trying to join game communities and reach out to like-minded people, but I still don't know how others do it. Nice to meet you!
I'm also a (beginner) shmup player and learning JP. Congrats on passing the N4 as well!
And you're right about time being an important factor in deciding what a masterpiece is. Let's not forget that musicians like Bach were not recognized for their genius during their time. It takes time to reflect on what was released during a given year/decade and look at what 'truly' stood out.
Unfortunately, I think this immediate, hype-driven 'tunnel vision' mindset has taken hold in all of media criticism. Both critics and (in this case) gamers are either paid, or swayed by their immediate reactions. Hot take: there shouldn't be a masterpiece every year, let alone 10 of them.
Definitely. But that's not to say I don't think new things can be good; obviously supporting artists and new ideas is good. I think my problem lies with people who play 'new' things exclusively, or actively disregard the past. I think you should strive for a balance and avoid recency bias.
Agreed! And I think this goes for other mediums too (e.g., music, films, etc). Most people don't know how much is out there, and what has been done before. Which leads me to another point: exploring the past also lends your critique a historical perspective, which many reviewers lack imo.
OK, you definitely have me interested! The fact that it has any classic-style DNA at all is really appealing, because the lack of level design is what I disliked most about SoTN/Bloodstained. It's great to hear that hard mode is so transformative too.
I might pick up the DS collection on sale soon.
I'm surprised by how much you liked Order of Ecclesia. Since I'm not a big fan of Symphony of the Night, I've been skeptical of the other Igarashi games, but this has me curious. I also really need to get to Alien Soldier and Wipeout 3...
