The Games I Beat in 2024: Q2

April

Game 14: Gravity Circuit

Developer: Domesticated Ant Games
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 6 hours 34 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: Gravity Circuit expertly pays homage to the past while making changes to better establish a flow state. However, the loading can be a pain.

Source: Epic Games Store

Game 15: Concrete Genie

Developer: Pixelopus
Played on: PS5
Release: 2019

Playtime: 3 hours 59 minutes
Rating: 6
Thoughts: Concrete Genie is a collection of interesting ideas and mechanics that never come together to fulfill their true potential.

Source: Gematsu

Game 16: Max: The Curse of Brotherhood

Developer: Press Play
Played on: Series X
Release: 2013

Playtime: 5 hours 50 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a fun and highly creative puzzle platformer. However, the focus on realism in graphics can sometimes hinder gameplay.

Source: Nintendo

Game 17: Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

Developer: PlatinumGames
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 17 hours 57 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: Despite a mess of a map system and trickier combat, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a delightful and heartfelt spinoff.

Source: WCCF Tech

Game 18: 20XX

Developer: Batterystaple Games and Fire Hose Games
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2017

Playtime: 10 hours 6 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: 20XX does a good job of adapting Mega Man's gameplay to a roguelite framework. However, it falls short in other key areas, namely its level design.

Source: Fire Hose Games

May

Game 19: Yakuza 3 Remastered

Developer: Ryu ga Gotoku Studio
Played on: PS5
Release: 2019

Playtime: 26 hours 25 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: Yakuza 3 is a solid entry in the long-running series. However, the game's slower chapters will test one's patience.

Source: OpenCritic

Game 20: Psychonauts

Developer: Double Fine Productions
Played on: Series X
Release: 2005

Playtime: 12 hours 55 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: Even 19 years later, Psychonauts is a highly creative and humorous 3D platformer. However, the level design hasn't aged as gracefully.

Source: Double Fine Productions

Game 21: Psychonauts 2

Developer: Double Fine Productions
Played on: Series X
Release: 2021

Playtime: 17 hours 24 minutes
Rating: 9.5
Thoughts: Improving on its predecessor in every way, Psychonauts 2 is one of the finest 3D platformers ever created.

Source: Double Fine Productions

June

Game 22: Neon White

Developer: Angel Matrix
Played on: PS5
Release: 2022

Playtime: 21 hours 17 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Neon White is an amazing blend of first-person shooting, precision platforming, and visual novel storytelling.

Source: Ben Esposito

Game 23: Brutal Legend

Developer: Double Fine Productions
Played on: Series X
Release: 2009

Playtime: 10 hours 28 minutes
Rating: 6
Thoughts: Between character action, open-world exploration, and real-time strategy, Brutal Legend is too ambitious for its own good.

Source: Double Fine Productions

Game 24: American Arcadia

Developer: Out of the Blue Games
Played on: PC
Release: 2023

Playtime: 5 hours 46 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: American Arcadia expertly combines two disparate genres into a fluid and highly entertaining experience.

Source: Out of the Blue Games

Game 25: Bye-Bye BoxBoy!

Developer: HAL Laboratory
Played on: 3DS
Release: 2017

Playtime: 5 hours 24 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: Bye-Bye BoxBoy! is a highly inventive puzzler that moves on from new mechanics a little too quickly.

Source: Nintendo

The Games I Beat in 2024: Q1

January

Game 1: Steel Assault

Developer: Zenovia Interactive
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2021

Playtime: 2 hours 30 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: Steel Assault is a fun action romp. However, the difficulty needs better balancing. Easy is a breeze, while normal is too unforgiving.

Source: Reno Gazette Journal

Game 2: Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe

Developer: HAL Laboratory and Vanpool
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 9 hours 30 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: A solid remake with an incredible piece of post-game content in the Magilor Epilogue.

Source: GameSpot

February

Game 3: Elden Ring

Developer: FromSoftware
Played on: PS5
Release: 2022

Playtime: 82 hours 37 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Elden Ring expertly adapts FromSoftware's action RPG mechanics to an open-world format. However, the difficulty can become overwhelming in places. 

Source: Game Informer

Game 4: Sonic Superstars

Developer: Sonic Team and Arzest
Played on: PS5
Release: 2023

Playtime: 6 hours
Rating: 6
Thoughts: Although Sonic Superstars emulates past games, it doesn't understand what makes them great. What's left is a fine game that disappoints more than it delights.

Source: MobileSyrup

Game 5: Trace Memory

Developer: Cing
Played on: 3DS
Release: 2005

Playtime: 5 hours 39 minutes
Rating: 6
Thoughts: As an early DS adventure game, Trace Memory is very ambitious in how it takes full advantage of all the system's features. However, that doesn't excuse the obtuse and sometimes frustrating puzzle design.

Source: One Controller Port

Game 6: Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Developer: Nintendo Software Technology
Played on: 3DS
Release: 2004

Playtime: 4 hours 21 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: Mario vs. Donkey is a solid puzzle platformer held back by the GBA's limitations and the game's insistence on perfectly executed solutions.

Source: Nintendo

Game 7: Another Code: Recollection

Developer: Arc System Works
Played on: Switch
Release: 2024

Playtime: 15 hours 46 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: Despite some stiff animation, slow pacing, and cumbersome use of motion controls, Another Code: Recollection does a good job updating Cing's DS- and Wii-era adventures for a modern audience.

Source: Nintendo

Game 8: Yakuza Kiwami 2

Developer: Ryu ga Gotoku Studio
Played on: PS5
Release: 2018

Playtime: 22 hours 51 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Although the combat pivots away from the multiple fighting styles of previous remakes, Yakuza Kiwami 2's phenomenal story more than makes up for it.

Source: Rage Works

DLC 1: Splatoon 3 — Side Order

Developer: Nintendo
Played on: Switch
Release: 2024

Rating: 9
Thoughts: Despite some repetition in stage design, Side Order expertly configures Splatoon's gameplay into the framework of a roguelite.

Source: Inkipedia

March

Game 9: Super Princess Peach

Developer: Tose
Played on: 3DS
Release: 2006

Playtime: 7 hours 51 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: Despite the problematic undertones of the vibe powers and the far too frequent use of tutorials, Super Princess Peach is a fun romp, no matter your age.

Source: Nintendo

DLC 2: Fire Emblem Engage — Divine Paralogues + Fell Xenologue

Developer: Intelligent Systems
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 15 hours 50 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: A solid expansion that adds a fun selection of new Emblems and an alt-world side story. 

Source: Serenes Forest

Game 10: Shank

Developer: Klei Entertainment
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2010

Playtime: 2 hours 48 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: Shank is a solid brawler that nails its grindhouse aesthetic. However, forced platforming and poor boss design hurt the overall package.

Source: Klei Entertainment

Game 11: Octopath Traveler

Developer: Square Enix and Acquire
Played on: Switch
Release: 2018

Playtime: 77 hours 20 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: In terms of gameplay and presentation, Octopath Traveler is top-of-class. But, due to its premise, the story and pacing are highly uneven.

Source: Square Enix

Game 12: Open Roads

Developer: Open Roads Team
Played on: Series X via Game Pass
Release: 2024

Playtime: 2 hours 43 minutes
Rating: 6.5
Thoughts: Open Roads is a solid adventure game with a heartfelt story. However, its brevity is a double-edged sword.

Source: Game Informer

Game 13: Princess Peach: Showtime!

Developer: Good-Feel
Played on: Switch
Release: 2024

Playtime: 7 hours 10 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: What Princess Peach: Showtime! lacks in depth and difficulty, it makes up with variety, stunning presentation, and uncompromising fun. 

Source: Nintendo

The Games I Beat in 2023: Q3

July

Game 34: Final Fantasy XVI

Developer: Square Enix
Played on: PS5
Release: 2023

Playtime: 59 hours 33 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: XVI masterfully transitions Final Fantasy to the action genre.

Game 35: River City Girls 2

Developer: WayForward
Played on: Switch
Release: 2022

Rating: 8
Thoughts: An improvement over its predecessor in every way — except for the performance. Slowdown can hamper gameplay when the screen fills up with too many things.

Game 36: The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure

Developer: Nihon Falcom
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 63 hours 40 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: Uneven pacing and consistent slowdown on Switch hold Trails to Azure back from being the best in the series.

Game 37: LittleBigPlanet 3

Developer: Sumo Digital
Played on: PS5
Release: 2014

Playtime: 5 hours 31 minutes
Rating: 6
Thoughts: LittleBigPlanet 3 has some interesting ideas. However, none of them are fleshed out enough to keep you engaged for long.

Game 38: Tunic

Developer: TUNIC Team
Played on: Switch
Release: 2022

Playtime: 15 hours 7 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Despite its difficulty and obtuse nature, Tunic is a charming and expertly crafted homage to the 2D Zelda adventures of old.

August

Game 39: Prey

Developer: Arkane Studios
Played on: PS5
Release: 2017

Playtime: 20 hours 41 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: The amount of experimentation Prey offers the player in any situation is awe-inspiring. However, frequent load times and a confusing map bog it down.

Game 40: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Developer: Capcom
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Rating: 9.5
Thoughts: Even 12 years later, Ghost Trick has not lost a step. Easily one of the finest puzzle-adventure games to grace this medium.

September

Game 41: Ratchet & Clank

Developer: Insomniac Games
Played on: PS2
Release: 2002

Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: Despite some rough edges, Ratchet & Clank is still as fun and ambitious as when it was first released.

Game 42: WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Developer: Nintendo and Intelligent Systems
Played on: Wii
Release: 2007

Playtime: 1 hour 54 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: A silly collection of microgames that will keep you smiling. However, the motion controls can be unreliable at times.

Game 43: The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie

Developer: Nihon Falcom
Played on: PS5
Release: 2023

Playtime: 85 hours 24 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Trails into Reverie is an exhilarating epilogue to the Crossbell and Erebonia arcs.

Game 44: Mario Kart 7

Developer: Nintendo and Retro Studios
Played on: 3DS
Release: 2011

Playtime: 15 hours 39 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Mario Kart 7 walked so that Mario Kart 8 could run.

Game 45: Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Developer: MachineGames
Played on: Series X via Game Pass
Release: 2017

Playtime: 15 hours 4 minutes
Rating: 6.5
Thoughts: For all of Wolfenstein II's improvements, its over-reliance on stealth continues to frustrate.

Game 46: New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Developer: Nintendo
Played on: Switch
Release: 2019

Rating: 8
Thoughts: While New Super Mario Bros. U and Luigi U lose some of their lustre in the transition to Switch, they still hold up in terms of gameplay and level design.

Game 47: Sonic Origins Plus

Developer: Sonic Team
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Rating: 8
Thoughts: A good collection of 5 classic Sonic platformers and 12 Game Gear games of varying quality.

Game 48: Cocoon

Developer: Geometric Interactive
Played on: Series X via Game Pass
Release: 2023

Playtime: 3 hours 54 minutes
Rating: 10
Thoughts: A short yet phenomenal puzzle-adventure, Cocoon does more with its mechanics than games 10 times its length.

Game 49: Pikmin 1

Developer: Nintendo
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: While some aspects have dulled with age, Pikmin 1's gameplay loop is timeless.

The Games I Beat in 2023: Q1

My 2023 had plenty of ups and downs. A massive down was a continuation from 2022 in my unemployment. While I would eventually find employment by the end of September, I had a surplus of free time in the proceeding months. To keep myself sane between the nearly daily grind of job searching, I played a whole lot of video games, and subsequently beat many along the way. 

Inspired by Twitter user Vedran's (@Jamsch101) incredible thread listing the games he beat in 2022, I thought to make one of my own. Instead of doing the exact same thing, I wanted to add my own twist. So, in addition to mentioning the game, its developer, what I played it on, and a photo of the game, I included my playtime as long as that information was easily available, my rating for the game out of 10, and a short sentence or two review (however long I could get with Twitter's character count). 

So starting from when I got home from my early-to-mid January trip to Japan, I catalogued every game and DLC I beat on my Twitter (@AJSilver22). However, over the course of 2023, a certain manic billionaire threatened the stability of Twitter as a platform. Wanting to prepare myself for the eventuality that Twitter may collapse, I have been thinking of ways to preserve this thread outside of a personal Excel document. 

While I will continue to post on Twitter, I am going to post on multiple platforms. First of which being Bluesky (@ajsilver.bsky.social). The second place I will be posting is here on Blogger, with updates coming on a quarterly basis.

To give you taste on how these posts will be formatted going forward, I am posting the entirety of 2023's list, split into each quarter of the year and with a few corrections. So, I hope you enjoy my journey through this medium we all love, and either come back every three months or so to check out the new ones or follow it live on Bluesky and Twitter.

January

Game 1: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Developer: Insomniac Games
Played on: PS5
Release: 2021

Playtime: 14 hours 38 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Rift Apart does an excellent job of bringing Ratchet & Clank up to Sony's cinematic standards while maintaining the series' core sensibilities.

February

Game 2: Hi-Fi Rush

Developer: Tango Gameworks
Played on: Series X via Game Pass
Release: 2023

Playtime: 10 hours 55 minutes
Rating: 9.5
Thoughts: With its unique blend of rhythm and action, Hi-Fi Rush is the home run that Microsoft has sorely needed.

Game 3: Aperture Desk Job

Developer: Valve
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2022

Playtime: 37 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: With its short length, excellent writing, and free price, there is no reason not to play Aperture Desk Job. Moreover, it's an inventive tutorial for the Steam Deck.

Game 4: Metroid Prime Remastered

Developer: Retro Studios
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 13 hours 20 minutes
Rating: 10
Thoughts: 20 years has done little to take the shine off this certified classic.

March

Game 5: Pokemon Picross

Developer: Jupiter
Played on: 3DS
Release: 2015

Playtime: 62 hours 20 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: Easily the most approachable and unique take on Picross. Unfortunately, the freemium model bloats the experience and kills the pacing.

Game 6: Ittle Dew

Developer: Ludosity
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2013

Playtime: 2 hours 26 minutes
Rating: 7
Thoughts: A short and sweet parody of classic Zelda. However, the humour can be hit or miss.

Game 7: VVVVVV

Developer: Terry Cavanagh
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2010

Playtime: 2 hours 2 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: A challenging little platformer that is hard to put down.

Game 8: Mosaic

Developer: Krillbite Studio
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2019

Playtime: 2 hours 24 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: If you're willing to play something that's more an experience than a game, Mosaic offers poignant social commentary on work and business.

Game 9: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC

Developer: Nihon Falcom
Played on: PC
Release: 2015

Playtime: 66 hours 5 minutes
Rating: 9.5
Thoughts: Despite being a little bloated in places, Sky SC has the strongest storytelling and world-building in gaming.

Game 10: Ittle Dew 2+

Developer: Ludosity
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2016

Playtime: 5 hours 17 minutes
Rating: 6
Thoughts: Despite the ambition, Ittle Dew 2, unfortunately, trades its predecessor's charm for superficial difficulty and frustrating dungeon design.

Game 11: Gears of War: Ultimate Edition

Developer: The Coalition
Played on: Series X via Game Pass
Release: 2015

Rating: 6.5
Thoughts: Don't let the subtitle fool you, this remaster is held back by technical issues and horrendous AI. At least, the gameplay holds up well.

Game 12: Helltaker

Developer: vanripper
Played on: Steam Deck
Release: 2020

Playtime: 2 hours 18 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: Helltaker sets a high bar among freeware games with great art, writing, and puzzles. However, the short length causes difficulty to spike quickly.

Game 13: As Dusk Falls

Developer: Interior/Night
Played on: Series X via Game Pass
Release: 2022

Playtime: 5 hours 37 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: A gripping Choose Your Own Adventure that breezes by. Its only big stumble is the abrupt sequel-baiting ending.