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: Q4

October

Game 50: Pikmin 2

Developer: Nintendo
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 9 hours 34 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: While the core gameplay is still excellent, the lack of urgency and caves that stress difficulty over creativity hold down this sequel.

Game 51: Returnal

Developer: Housemarque
Played on: PS5
Release: 2021

Playtime: 26 hours 41 minutes
Rating: 9.5
Thoughts: Returnal is a near-perfect mix of third-person shooter, bullet hell, and roguelike that will keep you returning for more.

Game 52: New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Developer: Nintendo
Played on: Switch
Release: 2009

Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: Despite how good both the gameplay and level design can be, New Super Mario Bros. Wii's single-player doesn't stand out compared to its predecessor and successors.

Game 53: Pikmin 3 Deluxe

Developer: Nintendo and Eighting
Played on: Switch
Release: 2020

Playtime: 9 hours 17 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: Pikmin 3 is a solid sequel, though the side content exclusive to Deluxe is lacking.

Game 54: Pikmin 4

Developer: Nintendo and Eighting
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 17 hours 31 minutes
Rating: 9
Thoughts: Pikmin 4 wonderfully fleshes out and improves on concepts from its predecessors to create the strongest entry in the series.

Game 55: Poinpy

Developer: Moppin
Played on: Pixel 6 via Netflix Games
Release: 2022

Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: A great platformer perfectly suited for smartphones. However, it could do with a high-score leaderboard or an endless mode to entice replayability after completion.

November

Game 56: Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Developer: Nintendo
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Rating: 9
Thoughts: Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a great platformer that brings many new ideas to 2D Mario. However, repetition sets in when the game sticks too close to the formula.

Game 57: Super Mario RPG

Developer: ArtePiazza
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 11 hours 35 minutes
Rating: 9.5
Thoughts: Despite what people may say of its length, difficulty, and minor performance issues, Super Mario RPG is a stunning remake of a bonafide classic.

Game 58: The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails

Developer: Nihon Falcom
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Playtime: 18 hours 6 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: A solid action-RPG with a strong story and compelling level design, but it is held back by repetitive combat and weak side content.

December

DLC 1: Sonic Frontiers — The Final Horizon

Developer: Sonic Team
Played on: PS5
Release: 2023

Playtime: 8 hours 27 minutes
Rating: 4
Thoughts: The Final Horizon has the potential to be better, but it falters under poor design, frustrating challenges, and a rushed development.

Game 59: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Developer: Nintendo
Played on: Switch
Release: 2023

Rating: 9.5
Thoughts: Tears of the Kingdom is a superbly crafted game that takes Breath of the Wild's concepts to their natural conclusion. But, some decisions lead to a frustrating opening few hours.

Game 60: Jusant

Developer: Don't Nod
Played on: Series X via Game Pass
Release: 2023

Playtime: 4 hours
Rating: 8
Thoughts: Jusant is a beautiful game best played in short sessions.

Game 61: Deathloop

Developer: Arkane Studios
Played on: PS5
Release: 2021

Playtime: 22 hours 1 minute
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: When it plays fast and loose with its mechanics, Deathloop is wonderful. However, it falters when the objectives are too rigid.

Game 62: Ghostwire: Tokyo – Prelude: The Corrupted Casefile

Developer: Tango Gameworks
Played on: PC
Release: 2022

Playtime: 45 minutes
Rating: 5
Thoughts: Despite a few spelling errors, this prelude visual novel is competent — and nothing more.

Game 63: Ghostwire: Tokyo

Developer: Tango Gameworks
Played on: PS5
Release: 2022

Playtime: 15 hours 41 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: Ghostwire's recreation of Tokyo is a fun playground for this charming first-person open-world adventure.

Passing on the Season Pass

It's surprising that the concept of downloadable content (DLC) has been around for 10 years now. Starting with the launch titles for the Xbox 360, DLC has become a major part of the industry as it gives the player more things to do in the game and keeps them from trading it in for something else. This need to keep gamers from trading in their old games has forced every major AAA title nowadays to have a plan for DLC or risk fading away into obscurity. With the industry's dependence on DLC, packaging all the DLC together in one purchase called a season pass has become a standard practice for every game big and small. What first started as a great deal has more commonly become a money gouging strategy by publishers.

The two most recent season pass offenders are Star Wars: Battlefront and Rainbow Six: Siege.

It has become common knowledge that Battlefront has great gameplay, but DICE clearly skimped out when it came to the content. Looking to make up for the short-sight, or what I like to call, "We need to get this game out now, better add this stuff later," DICE has provided 20 weapons, 16 maps, four playable heroes and villains, four new game modes, and an exclusive emote that players can buy in a season pass. The content seems reasonable until you look at its 70 dollar price tag. Seriously, 70 dollars! What does EA think they will achieve? They're scaring people away, rather than enticing them to pay for extra content. EA may be arrogant enough to believe severely overpricing their season passes is an acceptable practice, but it will come back to haunt them when gamers skip on the initial release of their games to wait for the inevitable Game of the Year version.

If you though Battlefront's season pass is bad, well the season pass for Rainbow Six: Siege is on a new level of exploitation. Spending 30 dollars on this season pass nets you seven day early access and instant unlock of eight new operators (which you can unlock free of charge by playing the game), weapon skins, 600 credits for additional in-game purchases, five per cent Renown boost, and two more challenges a day. I can't think of a worse way to spend 30 dollars. Outside of the minor boosts and cosmetic additions, everything contained in this season pass can be unlocked through regular play, meaning this pass only exists to gouge money out of Rainbow Six fans. Is Siege a AAA title or a freemium game, Ubisoft? Because how you treating it with this abomination of a season pass and the addition of unnecessary microtransactions are telling me otherwise.

Not all season passes are bad. Witcher III's expansion pass and the Mario Kart 8 DLC bundle price are two examples of great season passes. Just most of the recent offerings have been giving this option to buying DLC in bulk a bad name. Making new content for a game, no matter its size, can be costly especially with the ever-rising price of video game development, but that doesn't give publishers justification to gouge money out of the consumer that already pays close to 100 dollars for one title. Instead of enticing more people to buy more content for their games, these underhanded practices are good ways to keep people from buying DLC altogether.