As I am now more in “jump in, jump out” mode, CS2 from time to time, but mostly The Hunter (COTW) with friends and family, mostly as a background to talk and hang out, eventually some solo missions if there is more time or on a rainy day.
For me the amazing part was somehow pacing. Every single time I felt like I am starting to cruise through levels, I was knocked down really hard… and my brain exploded more than a few times.
Stunningly, this created one of the best mechanics for me — “if it was too easy, you probably missed a valuable lesson there”.
Arvi created something special, where every bit of that frustration pays off at least tenfold.
Yeah… as remasters/remakes go, this would be one of my favorites just right next to Crash Bandicoot series and New ‘n’ Tasty Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee. Oh! Tetris Effect kinda sorta fits in this group too.
All of those titles deserved some new generation graphics and polish, none of them lost their fun value, vibe or overall quality in the process. Plus there is no need to emulate anything, no crack-mod-tango, so bonus points for making some of the best games ever created widely accessible.
If one day, any studio would put the same amount of effort into Driver series or Remedy would go full nostalgia and re-do the Max Payne series — oops… I think, I ventured too deep into fantasy lands here.
I am a simple man… Some Stardew Valley — I try to visit my farm every so often, a little THPS1+2 action when it’s raining lately and I am waiting for a perfect / slow morning to tackle Gorogoa.
There should be a special division in all patenting offices called Burning With Fire ™
This is one of the most influential games ever for so many different reasons… I am definitely a big fan and have a lot of great memories with the classic one on NES, especially the 1v1 mode. It was a pure joy to play with my uncle, brother, friends or mom, she preferred Battle City tho!
This was long time ago, now if I play, I go for the Tetris Effect — which doesn’t change the main formula, it mostly builds around it or plays with it.
One of — counterintuitively — not so many games that you can just keep playing to get better at them, as your brain rewires itself and conscious decision making process goes into the deep, unconscious brain backroom magic. Of course to be the best there is a lot of technical knowledge or some tactical aspects but the base gameplay loop just keeps you in self-learning mode or more often than not, in the flow state.
Let me take a personal spin on that question.
This wasn’t the first game that I played but it was the first game that I PLAYED. It really got me, made me draw stuff from the game, scratch my head and glued me to the screen.
My little brain melted from not understanding. The bitterness of every mistake and death was sprinkled by some mysterious force with the most magical feeling of solving the next level. This game explained by the example how games can be and are amazing. Before it, I just enjoyed the fun aspects of playing but here I was gaming and every level felt like a real achievement.
Now, when I think about it, this game made me skip building with LEGO for some time.
Oh, the title? Gobliiins.
First, first? Some bootleg version of Tetris.
For now, my favorite one was for Christmas — “On behalf of CyberLife I want to wish you very happy holidays. I hope Santa will bring you a CyberLife android soon!”.
This is one of the better thought through and well designed game menus, or even menu experience — perfectly fitting for the overall game vibe.
Yeah, major bullet dodged there. Just when I started actually appreciating Figma and heard about the Adobe plans, I automatically felt like I just need to hate Figma to not get used to it too much — just in case.
Affinity is great and gets better, Figma stays great and gets better, for now at least, all fine with me. No Adobe logo anywhere in sight — good news for me.
Tunic is really amazing, besides lovely graphics the overall concept there is top notch.
“The feeling hit me like a point blank shot straight in the face.”
Yup, when I was talking with a few different Microsoft representatives, they just straightforwardly stated that they don’t focus at all on punishing or pushing consequences for “obtained/purchased windows instances via any existing alternative/not supported ways” when it comes to private/home users.
They surely and happily will put the idea of buying a key or official upgrade from their certified resellers locally or online on the table.
It is quite a different story with larger organizations and companies.
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Of course all this info is based on just a few talks during the last decade and with incoming subscription (ugh) model a lot will change, I guess.
I would just wait for techmoan or crinacle to test it and explain what is what, probably some sort of a cash grab is the correct answer but… maybe?
…with great form and a lot of style — no room for doubts here.
With the original they wanted the immersion part to feel like you are actually racing with toy cars and make everyday / mundane surroundings feel unique from this perspective and scale — I guess they still want this to be the main fun factor / appeal.