Shaking It Up

[pelagia14]

15 hours ago, MissShake said:

#115: Venba

 

I had seen this game's lovely art style but wasn't sure how the gameplay would hold up. Your review is lovely, and I'm so happy to hear that it was a pleasant experience despite its short length! Definitely will keep an eye out for when it is on sale closer to $10, though, considering the game length. 

[MissShake]

16 hours ago, pelagia14 said:

I had seen this game's lovely art style but wasn't sure how the gameplay would hold up. Your review is lovely, and I'm so happy to hear that it was a pleasant experience despite its short length! Definitely will keep an eye out for when it is on sale closer to $10, though, considering the game length. 

 

I'm glad you liked it! Yeah it's not at a terrible price now, but considering how short it is I just can't say pulling the trigger is a good move. The art is beautiful though, and I think that the story is worth it in the end!

Edited October 27, 2023 by MissShake

[MissShake]

Trophies to Fight Cancer Plat #2

 

#116: We Are OFK

You Are OFK
Obtain all of the Trophies

 

Strap in, you guys. This is gonna be a weird one.

 

First off, if the following screenshot bothers you, then you can stop reading now. You were never going to like this game. You know it, I know it, so let's just cut to the chase and not waste anyone's time here.

 

Alright, we good to go? Cool, let's get to the meat and potatoes.

 

We Are OFK is a lot of things. It's a story of finding oneself, of achieving your dreams, of finding out what those dreams even are and how important they are to you. It's a character study about people who are simultaneously incredibly lovable and completely frustrating in their relatability. It's an interactive music video sometimes, complete with holographic AI cats and songs that will bring you back to the days of Owl City. (You would not believe your eyes... If ten million fireflies...) It's a visual treat of haze (or smog, since we are in Los Angeles) and pastel, it's an experience for the LGBTQ+ youth to relate to (complete with a blue-haired bisexual), it's full of heart and love and everything in between.

 

One thing We Are OFK is not? Well... It's not a video game. Not quite, anyway.

 

If you've come to this little corner of PSNP, you know that I love me a good visual novel. Sometimes OFK can trick you into thinking that's what it is, with its sporadic choices and text replies that impact pretty much nothing in the grand scheme of things. The only way that you'd know it actually changes anything is if you were a trophy hunter and gave a shit about a voice message after the last episode that lasts about two minutes. Even so, that doesn't exactly mean that OFK isn't a visual novel. After all, many games in that medium have choices that change nothing at all and are still worth it. But OFK doesn't quite feel like a visual novel. From the moment you boot it up, you're greeted with a profile page a la Netflix that even asks "Who's Watching?" And it doesn't end there: when you pause the game, a time bar shows up at the bottom to let you know how long is left in the episode. It's like OFK was a mini-series that was shopped around to streaming services, but somehow got a deal with a silicon valley dude that wanted something innovative, so hey it's a game now!

 

This is where the mini games come in. Towards the end of every episode you listen to a song by the band while you do... Things. Not all of it makes sense, but when you play around with the buttons and sticks you're treated with visuals that are incredibly stylish. And that's about it, really. If you're after trophies this is where I'd say you'll find any "challenge," but even then it's mostly because one or two of these sections have quite a bit of jank in them. These music videos aren't here to challenge you, they're here to look cool and make you contemplate the song in relation to the scenes surrounding the previous plot beat. I wouldn't call this a problem, more just a note as to why it's tough to call We Are OFK a visual novel.

 

Been there, sister.

 

Alright, so if OFK is a television show then it only makes sense to go into detail about the episodes, which really means talking about the main cast. There are four members of this gang, five if we count the holographic AI cat that I'm pretty sure is supposed to be something like Hatsune Miku. Each of the episodes mainly focus on a member of the gang, with the last one being more of a wrap up with equal emphasis on everyone.

 

We start the first episode in the hands of Itsumi Saito, a classically trained piano player who recently broke up with her girlfriend and has to pick up the pieces. She's goofy and awkward and texts incredibly insufferably, but she's always there for her friends and makes everyone around her feel comfortable. If only she didn't feel like she had to be in an entanglement of some sort at every point in her life... I mean this with all due respect, but Itsumi is far and away my least favorite character. She starts out fine in "her" episode, even if some of her slang and texting quirks felt like cringe incarnate to me, but as the story progresses she makes choices that actually had me heated. Fundamentally I understood why she was making the decisions she did, but it still drove me up the wall to see her make decisions that I know for a fact never go right. She's definitely realistic though, and I applaud the writers for it.

 

Next is Luca Le Fae, the vocalist who feels a calling to creativity but is in a dead end job that wants to stick with the status quo. He's a lot of fun to be around, but becomes flaky the moment he's in a position that requires any form of true spotlight, retreating quite quickly into dating apps and frivolous flings that he hypes up as true love. I think I found Luca to be the most likable of the cast, even if he had his moments that had me shaking my head at the screen. I think in part it might have to do with me being able to relate to his worries about his abilities as an artist. I think anyone whose involved with some sort of creative medium worries if their art is really worth it in the end, so Luca just makes sense to people like that (me). This episode's song is also pretty nice, I like the verses better than the chorus but it's worth a listen either way.

 

Episode three gives Jey Zhang the spotlight. As a music producer who has managed to gain some attention in the crowded Los Angeles scene, she feels proud of the opportunities that come her way, but often feels stifled by the expectations put upon her by her parents. Her guard is always up, even if she probably should be getting more opinions than those of her family before making decisions. Jey sort of acts as the catalyst for the main conflict, which doesn't even get revealed until this episode. She drove me absolutely insane, but in a way that's different from Itsumi: I flat out just cannot relate to her struggles, but I am very sure there are many people out there who can, so while I couldn't relate I still... Understood? If that makes any form of sense. Musically, Jey's song is the most interesting, not sounding quite like anything else on the soundtrack.

 

And finally it is VFX artist Carter Flores's time to shine. Carter is an enigma to everyone around them, and maybe even a bit to themself as well. Their conversations often feel like ramblings, but it becomes clear that this is another wall built so that they don't have to truly be open with their feelings. I think out of the entire cast I'm the most neutral on Carter. They're likable, sure, but I think in the grand scheme they're just sort of there for the sake of it. I absolutely blame this on the fact that their episode is the only one that isn't tied to the main story in really any meaningful way. The writers could have fit their story into the setting easily, yet for some reason it takes place in the desert. This causes a very disorienting disconnect, and it means that even when things are happening they don't really feel like they are. That being said, I'd say the song in this episode is my favorite one, it's a catchy little number that I find relaxing.

 

"Paralyzed to rely on / Something bigger than this life"

 

It's fascinating how everyone in this cast has some relatable personalities, maybe to the point that it's a bit uncomfortable. As someone who has officially exited their twenties I would see patterns that drove me nuts simply because I knew how wrong these behaviors can and will go, so I can't imagine how someone still in their twenties would feel about seeing a lot of their bullshit in game (sort of) form. As an overall story you aren't exactly working with something remarkable, just pick a decade and you're bound to find a popular movie or something that's all about trying to "make it" and find yourself in the world of music. But the character writing in OFK is strong and clearly written from the perspective of individuals who understand the modern mind. That might not be for you, and that's okay! I'm glad this is there for the people it is for, though.

 

Like the Los Angeles haze, We Are OFK may seem dreamy and it might not always know how to get where it's going. But does anyone, really? Sometimes you're here to just wander, go down a random path and say "hey, where is this gonna take me?" I wish we as players had been given more time to wander within We Are OFK, but the wandering these characters do is not without its merits. If you know what you're getting into and still find yourself interested, then We Are OFK can be worth a try. Just remember that you're basically buying a mini series, so I'd probably recommend this one on sale.

Edited October 31, 2023 by MissShake

[MissShake]

#117: Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

Leave. Is. Possible.
Explore every nook and cranny of Camena.

 

One of my favorite little indies is the first Oxenfree. The story, the characters, the atmosphere, it was all such a great time that I still think back on fondly. It was also a game that I truly never expected to get a sequel. I played that game through multiple times, even going back after I'd achieved the plat, just because I wanted to know all of the secrets about Edwards Island. If you've seen the secret end of Oxenfree, then I feel like you may understand why I thought it was always gonna be its own thing. Yet here we are, seven years later (has it really been that long???), and I officially have completed Oxenfree II.

 

It says all of it on the tin, really: Oxenfree II is a sequel in the truest sense. The first game was all about the mystery of what the hell was happening, so by the time you're in Oxenfree II everything feels "solved" in a sense. The feeling of mystery is gone, replaced with urgency: we do not need a repeat of the bullshit from the previous game. I think what I'm trying to imply is that I really think that you need to play the first game to get full enjoyment from Oxenfree II. One of the biggest twists of this game hit me very hard, but it would have had zero impact if I hadn't played Oxenfree back in the day.

 

So what even is Oxenfree? If I told you that many people at this dev studio are ex-Telltale employees, would that tell you what this game is? Yup, the Oxenfree games are Choices and Consequences games with light puzzle elements. None of the puzzles are particularly difficult, but they're quite unique due to your radio. The protagonists of both games have a radio with them, and they need to tune into the right stations to solve puzzles, most of the time this is related to unlocking specific doors.

 

Jacob will remember that...

 

That being said, the meat and potatoes of these games are the choices and the story they revolve around. The unfortunate part is that I can't really say too much about this without possibly spoiling stuff, but I'll say that Oxenfree II follows protagonists that are older than the original game. The first game has some mature elements to it, but the second game pumps these moments up to eleven since the lives of these characters are just so complicated. There's especially a lot about parentage and how complicated it can really be, and it definitely invites a lot of discussion. This is especially true of the final decision you can make: in my first run of the game I had to really think about what ending sounded like the best option, since all of the choices definitely had their ups and downs.

 

I honestly am a bit stumped with this write-up. I liked Oxenfree II, I think it's a good time, but I really think that it's better as a companion to the first game. If I had to pick one or the other, I'd really say go with the first game. Both are good though, and the first game is often on sale so it's not like you'll be breaking the bank giving it a run.

[MissShake]

#118: Bomb Rush Cyberfunk

Bomb Rush Platinum
Unlocked all trophies!

 

As we approach the end of the year, I've been looking over my list of platinums, anticipating what my end of the year list is gonna look like. One thing I should have probably expected, yet didn't, was the amount of indies I'd played this year. With all of these amazing games releasing in 2023 it's really easy to expect that I may have a bunch of AAAs under my belt. But no, I have basically stuck to the indie scene and I am having the time of my life. And even after the amazing year of indies 2023 has been, I think Bomb Rush Cyberfunk might be up there as one of the standouts.

 

I don't know if I've ever really mentioned it, but one of my favorite platformers ever is Jet Set Radio Future. (JSR is okay, but Future is miles better in my opinion.) Everything about that game feels incredible, be it the gameplay or the presentation. It just oozes cool, even now, and yet it was the last time Sega touched the property outside of the occasional appearance in racing games. Over two decades later, and a team in the Netherlands went "fine we'll fucking do it ourselves," and this is where Bomb Rush Cyberfunk comes in. On a very basic level you play as a member of the Bomb Rush Crew, a group of writers (graffiti artists) who have dreams of making the city of New Amsterdam their own. (We're going All City, baby!) But the story is quick to twist the expectations, and by quick I mean everything goes batshit in the tutorial level. Breaking out of jail! Evil looking DJs! Cybernetic heads! From the beginning BRCF kicks the door open with some 40s in hand, and yells "are you ready to have a fucking good time???"

 

And what a good time you will have, especially in your movement. You can walk, sure, but most of the real meat and potatoes in BRCF is in roller skates, skateboards, and bikes. Not only are these faster than walking, but you can do tricks while getting from point a to point b. If you're familiar with the Tony Hawk games it's a bit like that, complete with manuals and rail grinding, but I'd say it's a lot less complicated. For example you don't have a balance meter like in Tony Hawk, so you don't really have to worry about beefing it. In fact I'd say that once you get the hang of the system it becomes incredibly easy to rack points up, especially when you figure out that hard corners and wall rides up your score multiplier, plus boost tricks help keep the combo going. The timing on boost tricks can take a little bit of practice, but once you get a rhythm going it becomes like second nature. This is especially important if you're going for the platinum since you're gonna need to hit specific point thresholds in all seven of the areas in the game.

 

When you first meet this guy a song plays that goes "let me see you shake that... ASSASSASSASS." No I'm not making this up, no I don't get it.

 

Another big aspect of the game is graffiti. To claim territory and become All City you'll need to mark your territory, and you'll need to tag each borough to chase the reigning gangs out. In the original JSR you would do an unresponsive stick movement mini game to tag, while JSRF got rid of the tagging mini games completely. BRCF hits an interesting middle ground by presenting the player with a grid that they have to fill out by flicking the analog stick in different directions, and each combination results in a different piece of graffiti art. It's better than JSR's game, but I still found it a little clunky at times. It was worth it when I'd see the resulting graffiti though: Team Reptile brought on a bunch of artists to add their graffiti into the game (I think there was even a contest for it), and it's really neat to see each artist's own little touch in-game.

 

Graffiti has been a huge part of JSR since the beginning, but for my money one of the most iconic aspects of Jet Set Radio games is the soundtrack. I think it's clear the BRCF devs agree with me on this since there's a lot of effort put into the music. Every track in this game feels like it would fit right in with JSR; they even invited the composer of JSR on to make music for this game, along with other creators that have clearly been influenced by the games. (One even did an entire album of tribute tracks to JSR.) I don't think the soundtrack quite soars to the heights of JSRF, but it sure isn't a slouch either. I love how well every track fits in a given area, and I'm especially a fan of the tracks that tended to play when back at the hideout. They may not be quite as energetic as many of the level songs are, but they had me nodding my head as I'd skate around. If you want a small sample I'd point to the following tracks as favorites: GET ENUF, Refuse, I Wanna Kno, condensed milk, Light Switch (I think this one is my favorite overall, I especially love how low budget this MV clearly is lol).

 

"JUST CAN'T GET ENUF OF YOU"

 

I should probably be a bit more fair and what I disliked about this game, huh? I may have a lot of compliments to pay to BRCF, but that's not to say it's perfect. One thing this game did not need to emulate was the terrible map system of JSRF. I remember having an absolutely miserable time navigating the last level of that game because the map system was just so awful, but JSRF also came out in 2002. BRCF never shies away from its inspiration, but there is no reason for Team Reptile to not modernize navigation. I also found using your phone to be a bit awkward, I'd often find myself hitting the wrong direction on the d-pad while trying to get to my text messages. It gets even worse when you have to take pictures for a trophy since you have to move your character around while trying to get the shot, and it never really felt all that intuitive.

 

All that being said, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is absolutely worth your time. It's fun, it's stylish, it doesn't take itself too seriously, and on top of it all it has an incredibly fun platinum. Team Reptile managed to strike a great balance with this list, nothing is exactly handed to you but at the same time everything feels within reach. I only hope that this game gets the recognition it deserves and Sega takes notice, I'm really missing Beat and the gang. (Or remaster JSRF? Please? I know one of the record labels went out of business so the tracks are in limbo, and I know the soundtrack is essential to the game, but still? Please?)

 

(Side note, special thanks to my sister and her boyfriend on this plat! They came over for the Thanksgiving holiday and popped the first three trophies, then went home and got all the achievements on Steam for this game lol.)

[MissShake]

The post above summoned a Jet Set Radio sequel.

[MissShake]

Hey guys, happy new year!!! My last month has been a bit on the intense side, but now that the holidays (and my dad's birthday) are done I'm finally back to update this checklist. I also have a 2023 wrap-up post in the works, but for now let's talk about the plats I've done since my last post.

 

#119: Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes

Hero of Might and Magic
Complete all main quest and side quest objectives in all Campaigns

 

I remember back when it was announced that this game was getting a remaster, and I was incredibly excited. When I was a teenager we had this game on the 360, and my sister loved it so much that she bought it twice more: on the DS and on Steam. The nostalgia this remaster brought back was insane, so it was an easy choice to make this one of my plats.

 

Essentially Clash of Heroes is a match three game with puzzle and very light RPG elements. Your goal is to strategically place units so that they either damage the enemy's hit points or get rid of potentially threatening units. Some units are stronger than others, and each character you play as has their strengths and weaknesses, so the game really forces you to experiment with what you're given. On top of that, each campaign unlocks different equipment for each character, adding another layer of elements to consider in battle. Which equipment benefits this character best? Should I go with this unit that takes longer to charge but does massive damage, or do I go for something that is quicker yet won't drain as much HP? It's honestly impressive how much strategy they've managed to fit into a simple premise like match three, which is great because it never feels too complex.

 

The artwork was updated for this Definitive Edition. The results are definitely mixed.

 

This simplicity carries over to the story itself. A demon lord kills people that are close to the five playable protagonists, he wants to take over the world, it's your job to stop him. You've experienced this story before, probably told in a more compelling way too, yet the layout of the campaign gives you enough time with the protagonists to at least make you feel some sort of connection with the cast. Except for Nadia. She definitely gets the short end of the stick.

 

The trophy list for Clash of Heroes is a bit on the weird side. It copy-pastes the PS3 version's list, which did not have a platinum to its name, but this also means that to actually get that platinum you don't actually need to beat the final boss? I think this probably wasn't the case on the PS3 version, but in this one as long as you do all the side quests and unlock all the units/equipment you're fine. (We finished the final boss anyway, but yeah it's a bit of a bummer that no pop showed up afterward.) On top of that there's online trophies that are a bit of a pain in the ass. The online is dead if you don't count the absolute killers that seem to enjoy chilling in the menus, which is especially annoying when you have a trophy that requires you to win in a 2v2 match. I had to boost this one, thanks to my partners for the help!

 

All of this to say that Clash of Heroes is a great time. Yes, it may sound basic on paper, but the gameplay is worth experiencing. I've heard this might fit for fans of Puzzle Quest, so if you enjoy that series maybe give this a try!

 

#120: Gnosia

All There is to See
Obtained all trophies

 

Back in 2020 I was watching a Nintendo Direct, and I was absolutely blown away by the art of this little game called Gnosia. If you're a mainstay here you know I am all about visual novels, so a visual novel with art as beautiful as this game? Hell yeah, count me in! And on my Switch wishlist it stayed ever since. I'm not really sure why, but I just never pulled the trigger on this one. I'm glad I didn't since I can now say I have a nice shiny plat to go with the experience. And boy, Gnosia is one hell of an experience.

 

Have you ever played the game Werewolf? Okay, have you played Among Us? If so you've played Werewolf, and if you've played either you have a basic idea of how Gnosia works. After a simple character creation screen you find yourself on a spaceship with a colorful (really colorful, really pretty, god the art in this game is awesome) cast of characters, but one of them is a Gnosia. The goal is simple: figure out who the Gnosia is so that they don't take over the ship. You and the cast vote for who you think the Gnosia is, and they're sent to cold sleep. Whether you win or lose, you're taken to a results screen... And the entire process starts over, but things are different. The humans are different, the Gnosia is different, and maybe there are new people added in. This is the best part of Gnosia: after you've seen every initial member of the cast, your experience randomizes. Games are only the same under very specific circumstances: sometimes you have people that can tell who the Gnosia is, sometimes you have people who want to help the Gnosia, sometimes you are the Gnosia. Experimenting with each option is great fun, and doing so means more pieces of the puzzle unlock.

 

She's so beautiful, right? She'd never hurt you, right?

 

The biggest question is obvious early on: why are you in this loop? The only person who seems to know this is happening is Setsu, so the biggest gameplay aspect is finding different events within the loops that might explain why everything is happening, often with Setsu by your side. Most of the time this means making sure you find the Gnosia, but sometimes this means letting the Gnosia win or keeping specific characters alive for as long as possible. On occasion this can get annoying, especially if you get a Gnosia that is particularly cunning or you have to protect a character that is not good at winning people to their side. Even so, it feels more like a difficulty curve than the game being an asshole, which is incredibly impressive when you consider how much is randomized.

 

In a way this game reminds me of my time with I Was A Teenage Exocolonist. It has time loops where you learn more with each run, it has a distinctly sci-fi atmosphere, you befriend (and maybe smooch) some characters that may have hated you in another timeline. (No you can't smooch the beluga whale, yes this is a tragedy.) Again I was very attached to a good chunk of the characters, and it always hurt a little bit when a character I was particularly fond of was killed by the Gnosia or sent to cold sleep.

 

It ain't a real loop if Raqio doesn't get voted off early on.

 

And sometimes favorites of mine were quick to disappear, for every member of the crew has their own strengths and weaknesses. You along with the crew have stats, and depending on how your stats look you can unlock abilities that make it easier to get what you're after. If you have a high charisma stat, for example, it becomes much easier to sway how others vote. But again, the other characters can take advantage of their own strengths, so it's a good idea to make allies with characters that may pose a threat later on... Even if you may think they're the enemy.

 

This is another one of those games where it's really hard to explain without possibly spoiling something for a future player, but all I can say is this: if you like Zero Escape, you might like this one. If you like visual novels with pretty art and sci-fi vibes, I think this is for you. And if you're a trophy hunter, I'd say this actually is a very fun list that gives enough of a challenge so you're not bored while also not being insanely difficult. This was my first plat of 2024, and I think I'm off to one hell of a start.

Edited March 22 by MissShake

[Copanele]

12 hours ago, MissShake said:

All of this to say that Clash of Heroes is a great time. Yes, it may sound basic on paper, but the gameplay is worth experiencing. I've heard this might fit for fans of Puzzle Quest, so if you enjoy that series maybe give this a try!

Say no more! Wishlisted  

To be fair, already did that, I just want more Puzzle Quest!

 

Also...and I can't believe I am saying this...your review of Gnosia counts as the first instance where something made me curious about a Visual Novel.

That artstyle...damn!

[pelagia14]

I'm also quite intrigued by Gnosia now, as well!

 

Glad to hear that it was a great start to 2024 for ya!

[MissShake]

12 hours ago, Copanele said:

Say no more! Wishlisted  

To be fair, already did that, I just want more Puzzle Quest!

 

Also...and I can't believe I am saying this...your review of Gnosia counts as the first instance where something made me curious about a Visual Novel.

That artstyle...damn!

 

Time to add some VNs to your list, friend! You're gonna run out of fighting games eventually

 

6 hours ago, pelagia14 said:

I'm also quite intrigued by Gnosia now, as well!

 

Glad to hear that it was a great start to 2024 for ya!

 

Gnosia is awesome, and based on what I've seen on your checklist I think it'd be right up your alley

[MissShake]

Now that we're well into the new year, it's time to give a wrap-up to my plat adventures of 2023! Thanks for your patience, guys.

 

In 2023 I got sixteen platinum trophies done: ten PS5 plats, four PS4 plats, and surprisingly enough two PS3 platinums! This was thanks to my PS Plus subscription! In total four of my platinums were thanks to PS Plus, so I'm making some use of that subscription.

 

Here are some highlight games from 2023!

 

Weirdest Platinum

 

I had a few games last year that were interesting, to say the least, but even after all this time away from We Are OFK I still don't know how I feel about it. The writing was good, sure, and I definitely don't regret giving this a run, but even now I'm not sure if I like it or not. I think my biggest problem was summed up in my post about it: interesting presentation, well written characters, but is this a game? I really don't think so. It's definitely unique though, so I suppose it's worth a look if you want something that's different!

 

Best Soundtrack

 

This one was so obvious that it's funny. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk had jam after jam after jam in it, definitely fitting for a spiritual successor to the Jet Set Radio series. You can get some links to favorites of mine in my post about BRCF, but here's a few more tracks that I think are worth a listen: Operator, Precious Thing, Big City Life, you can say hi, and Plume. (Side note: still find it funny that the day I posted my wrap-up of BRCF was the day a new Jet Set Radio was announced to be in the works. I summoned the game, guys 😛)

 

THAT BEING SAID, I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is also a big contender in this category! Becoming may be my favorite track I heard last year, and there are many other amazing songs in that OST, but overall I think BRCF is just the most solid soundtrack.

 

Funniest Platinum

 

I did Stranded Deep when the autopop glitch was happening, and I have no regrets. It was great to have this on my profile simply because it reminds me of how much of a shitshow the forums were when this was going on, feels like I was part of some weird moment in PSNP history. Maybe someday I'll come back to it and give it a real try... Maybe.

 

Biggest Disappointment

 

I knew in my heart that Stray may not be the big amazing game that everyone was making it out to be, but I don't think I expected to be that bored with this one. Simply put, it's just so painfully average. I think a part of me hoped that something else was here, but as it stands it's just an overhyped indie that no one would be talking about if it didn't have a cute cat in it. Truth be told I'd forgotten that I got this platinum trophy until I started this wrap-up, so I think that says it all.

 

Worst Platinum

 

Stray may not be amazing, but it's at least a competent and sometimes fun game. Endling is not. Endling: EXTINCTION IS FOREVER is a preachy slog of a time with navigation that is so shit it ruins the entire experience. Not once can I say I enjoyed myself while playing Endling, and while that does make sense for the type of game it's trying to be it doesn't mean I have to say I recommend it to anyone. I guess if you already hate humans and just want to hate them more than you could give this a run, but personally I would rather do literally anything else with my time than pretend that this was fun.

 

Game of the Year

 

I did not get the plat done for Baldur's Gate III, but the winner at TGAs absolutely deserved it. I haven't spoken much about my love for Bioware games, mostly because they haven't done much of worth in the last few years (I'm coping fine, thanks for asking), but BG3 feels like the game I really needed to scratch that itch. The world is amazing, the characters are even better, and the amount of creativity you can flex by coming at the game from different angles is staggering. I plan to finish this trophy list out in 2024, and I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy every moment of it.

 

Platinum of the Year

 

There was a period of time in 2023 where all I thought about was I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. Even now, more than half a year later, I'm considering going back to it to get the PS4 stack. There's so much packed into this game, so many story beats and gameplay options that left me thinking about this game long after my platinum adventure was done. I was so excited when Gnosia reminded me of Exocolonist ever so slightly because goddamn this game was truly something special. And to top it all off the platinum was an absolute joy for me. If you want to take anything away from this post, it's that Exocolonist is worth your time and money. Please give it a shot, if you start now you might be able to get within the top fifty since even now only twenty people have this platinum to their name on PS5 (even less on PS4!). Which is a shame, because Exocolonist is something that's truly unique.

Now to finish this post off... Have some Plans for 2024!

 

- Cleanup Crew progress! I uh... I didn't do much with this last year, but that's not for a lack of trying! I actually beat the main story for Guacamelee for the first time ever due to this challenge I gave myself, I just didn't get the platinum done. I'm sorry! I think it was that by the time I was done with the story I was kind of over the game itself for the time being, so I wasn't super motivated to continue getting trophies done for it. I also think the wheel aspect was not really doing me any favors. Like I like RE4, but if I'm honest with myself I didn't really feel like playing the og again when I was still in the middle of the remake, ya know? So I think for the new year I'll be removing that element and just taking the list people have nominated and making it a higher priority than those that weren't nominated.

 

- Plat more long RPGs. I am starting to fall into the trap of not starting anything long because I know it will take a while to get the platinum done, and this is really not a healthy way to go about things. Limiting myself because of trophies is just not a good call, so I've actually already started Final Fantasy XVI in hopes of getting back into the swing of it! (Baldur's Gate III, your time is coming...)

 

- Speaking of trophies limiting what I play, I want to spend more time with my Switch. I really like my switch, but trophies are so tempting that I often won't even start games on other systems because of it. Last year I beat all of one Switch game (Fire Emblem Engage, it's a fun time, I'm sad that it didn't do so well) and honestly this is such a shame. I have so many games that are just rotting on the system, so I think it's time to change that.

 

- Finish at least one tier in the Ultra Rare Cleanup. This means getting at least five URs done! I'm already well into a couple of UR games (Steep, Baldur's Gate III) so I think this one could definitely be a possibility. I definitely have the time now too!

 

- Get more fighting games done before Evo! I have a plan with my sister to go to the event in person this year, so it'd just be cool to get some platinums done before then.

 

- I did use my PS Plus subscription, but I think I could do more with it, so one of my other goals for 2024 is to plat more games available on PS Plus. I already have some plans related to a particular raccoon...

 

- Maybe hit 150 platinums? I know I'll for sure hit 125 this year, but it'd be cool to see if I have it in me to get to 150!

 

Anyway, that's everything I can think of right now! If you read up to here then thank you! I hope your year was great, and I hope 2024 is even better for you

[Breakingthegreen]

5 minutes ago, MissShake said:

I already have some plans related to a particular raccoon...

 

 

OMG it's gonna be Tom Nook! 

 

11 minutes ago, MissShake said:

Stranded Deep[...]  Maybe someday I'll come back to it and give it a real try... Maybe.

I did the same thing... I definitely won't and I have no intention of going back to it and I have no shame  

[MissShake]

5 minutes ago, Breakingthegreen said:

 

 

OMG it's gonna be Tom Nook! 

 

Look, I saw enough of Tom Nook back in the Covid days and when I was a kid, he's gonna have to be without me for a while longer!!!

 

5 minutes ago, Breakingthegreen said:

I did the same thing... I definitely won't and I have no intention of going back to it and I have no shame  

 

You know what, I appreciate the honesty. If onIy I was as honest as you 😛

Edited January 12 by MissShake

[Copanele]

Hell yeah 2023 wrap-up post let's go!

2 hours ago, MissShake said:

Funniest Platinum

I remember this one 😂 and especially the short-term madness that was on the forum with this bad boy autopop.

Good times... 😌

 

2 hours ago, MissShake said:

Worst Platinum

aaaand I remember this one too, the most frustrating ass fox and "humans are bad m'kay?" moments, if I recall.

Thankfully I avoided this game  

 

The 2024 plans sound awesome, definitely supporting the more RPG completion, because there's never enough archer assassins in the videogame world   

Edited January 12 by Copanele

[Breakingthegreen]

On 1/12/2024 at 8:52 PM, MissShake said:

 

There was a period of time in 2023 where all I thought about was I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. Even now, more than half a year later, I'm considering going back to it to get the PS4 stack

 

Just remembered that I wanted to ask you, did you get either of the Exocolonist Plushies? (If you hadn't but wanted to get them, sorry the pre order timed out on the 5th)

 

Edited January 18 by Breakingthegreen

[MissShake]

On 1/18/2024 at 8:53 AM, Breakingthegreen said:

 

Just remembered that I wanted to ask you, did you get either of the Exocolonist Plushies? (If you hadn't but wanted to get them, sorry the pre order timed out on the 5th)

 

 

I saw them but I didn't get one. I'm honestly not huge on plushies, they're really cute though

[MissShake]

#121: Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly

Thank you for Playing
Unlock all trophies

 

It's raining right now. I haven't gotten out of my pajamas despite having to work in a couple of hours. I have a cup of coffee next to me, and a Games Done Quick run is playing while I type this sentence. When people think of the word "cozy" I assume a similar scene might come to mind, so I suppose it's fitting that I'm writing about Coffee Talk 2, a game that fits squarely into the cozy gaming umbrella.

 

In a version of Seattle where humans coexist with fantastical creatures (think elves, banshees, werewolves, vampires) there sits a coffee shop that opens late and closes at ungodly hours of the night. This is the titular Coffee Talk, and you play as its mysterious barista. You have a handful of regulars that are often dropping by, and your main job is to make the correct drink while you listen to their woes. Sounds simple, right? That's because it is: this gameplay loop is not here to stress you out by any means, you are here to look at pretty drinks and read a fairly low stakes visual novel. It was a perfect game to play before bed.

 

The pixel art is top notch.

 

I'd say the biggest draw of Coffee Talk 2 is the character writing, which really shouldn't be a surprise. There's not really a main overarching plot, but each character has their own stories that read a bit like vignettes. You see how these people interact and how the connections they make at the cafe help them figure out aspects about themselves. There's a huge emphasis on the connections people make; be it romantic, platonic, or even a budding work partnership, and each on is made to feel important in its own way. I couldn't help but wonder how the cafe stayed in business since I assume the same sevenish people can't sustain the bills I'm sure the cafe has, but I definitely found the cast of Coffee Talk 2 to be incredibly endearing.

 

Spoiler

I think the moment that really stuck with me was the secret ending, which you can only get if you've seen the normal and good endings. Throughout the game there's this cat that seems to appear at random, and there's no hints about its identity until this ending. This is when Mohammad Fahmi, the creator of Coffee Talk, appears, getting ready to head off to a writing conference with returning character Freya. Fahmi passed away in 2022 and this cat is his Tofu, and when I figured this out I gotta admit I teared up. I think it's amazing that in a way he lives on in his works, and it was such a nice thought to make this happen literally within Coffee Talk.

 

This also had me thinking about the game he was in the process of making, Afterlove EP. The game took a hiatus after his passing, and looking at the trailer I definitely see why. The game is about loss, about living your life after losing someone who meant a lot to you, and it must be incredibly difficult to make a game where not only is there no leader, but that leader is truly gone. The development has since resumed under a new lead, and I think that the devs could channel what they went through to create something truly special. I'll be there when they're ready to share Afterlove EP, and I wish the best for them.

 

I'd definitely give Coffee Talk 2 the recommend if you are a fan of visual novels, but only if you played the first one. There's a couple of references to specific reveals in the first game that will go over your head if you didn't play the first one, but as a pair I think Coffee Talk is an experience that's worth a try. I can confirm that it's even better with a hot beverage by your side.

 

Mohammad Fahmi, creator of Coffee Talk

1990-2022

[MissShake]

Main post has been revamped!

 

Lately I've been looking at my main post and not feeling too much towards it... So now it's been changed up a bit! Let me know what you guys think.

 

I am also doing something pretty big, which is combining what I had at Shake's Evolution and putting it in here instead. I tried running two checklists, definitely didn't like it. But I think the idea I had over there wasn't all that bad, so I see no reason to bring it over to here.

 

What is Shake's Evolution, you ask? Well it was my own little challenge to myself, where I attempted to get as many platinums for games that were featured at the Evo main stage. With Tekken 8 in my hands I have a renewed spark to play some fighting games, so let's hope this means some of those games I've had at 90% completion get done sooner rather than later.

 

Speaking of games I've had on the backlog... Cleanup Crew. Think it's time I look over the list of nominated games again and get back to that, wouldn't you say? There's a couple of them that I think are in need of a look, including some fighting games, so perhaps we'll see progress on Cleanup Crew sooner than you'd expect 

Edited January 26 by MissShake

[MissShake]

#122: Tekken 8

A fight is about survival.
Acquired all trophies.

 

This year is looking to be absolutely stacked, and we're already off to a good start before January has even ended. Lots of people on here are playing the remaster of The Last of Us Part II (for some reason), and I know a good chunk of us are excited to have their hands on Infinite Wealth, but me? I was so hyped for Tekken 8 from the moment I finished up Tekken 7's story. Sure, I still played 7 after I was done with that story mode, but the ending of that game made me feel like the plot was gonna be insane in 8.

 

But this is a fighting game, so before we get into that let's talk about Tekken 8 as a game. When you think of a 3D fighting game series, chances are your brain goes to Tekken. Sure, there are some other great series that utilize the third dimension (Virtua Fighter, Dead or Alive, Soul Calibur), but in recent times it truly feels like Tekken has become the king of 3D fighters. And why wouldn't it be? Its presentation isn't as simple as VF, and the monetization isn't as insane as DoA. Plus the series' timeskip was much more successful than Soul Calibur's was, adding characters to the series that would become iconic to the series.

 

Speaking of characters, this roster is incredible. Towards the end of my platinum adventure I played a few rounds with a friend, and she and I agreed that everyone in this game feels awesome to play as. A couple of returning characters feel like they have a glowup from their Tekken 7 days (we both felt like Shaheen and Nina were especially improved), while the three new characters are definite winners. I feel like Reina is already a hit especially, while I can also see Victor becoming quite popular with players. As for Azucena... I predict her becoming an absolute monster once people really figure out her full potential.

 

She's so cool, I hope she beats the everliving fuck out of me.

 

The presentation of this game is particularly impressive, with graphics that say "welcome to the next generation." I think we all knew Tekken 8 was going to look amazing when that reveal trailer made its appearance, and while I don't think the game is quite on the level of the reveal trailer I'd say it's a joy to look at. I have some random matches playing on my tv as I type this, and Leo and Dragunov's coats are flowing in the wind in just the way you'd expect them to. It definitely helps that the stages are a marvel to look at: whether it's on a yacht that's sailing on the River Seine, atop a mountain in Peru as alpacas walk by, or even on a fallen comet as two tornadoes rage on in the sea, you're sure to be drenched in the atmosphere of your fight.

 

Now I'm sure that last stage might raise an eyebrow or two if you aren't familiar with the batshit insane story that is Tekken. If we put this into the most basic of basics, a bunch of fathers and sons HATE each other with every fiber of their beings, a few of these men have this gene called the Devil Gene in them, this makes them super strong, and the story follows these men as their family feud gets crazier and crazier. Throwing children off of cliffs, companies getting taken over on a whim, World Word III... All of these and more can be found in the craziness that is the Tekken storyline, and the eighth game serves as the end to an arc that has been in progress since the first game all the way back in 1994. I really want to talk about a few things that happen at the end of the story mode, so if you click the spoilers tag be sure to do it with caution!

 

Spoilers ahead!

Spoiler

I couldn't believe the amount of callbacks this story mode had. Tekken Force section out of nowhere! Reina being so obviously the daughter of Heichachi! What the fuck happened to Zafina and Claudio? Azazel is here??? There's just so much in here that I'm sure made fans happy, but I KNOW that final boss got people grinning from ear to ear, and I only got into Tekken in the late 2000s! After a long battle, Jin and Kazuya lose the power of the Devil Gene, and honestly this fight might be one of the highlights of the series for me. Jin switching to Mishima style and the remix of his theme from T3 playing hyped me the fuck up more than I expected it to, and it was just as cool when Jin started using Kazama moves and the T2 remix started.

 

I don't think I really grasped how much I cared about these characters until this match, because when the main theme started during the final round I felt weirdly emotional? Like sure, it's Tekken, it's a fighting game and it's inherently a stupid story. But I don't think I really grasped how long the series has been a part of my life. It's my favorite fighting game series, and while I'm not good at the genre I still play quite a few of them. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you spend as long as I have with a group of characters, you sort of just want good things for them? Yes, even if they're absolute piece of shit human beings. And seeing that this whole feud bullshit might finally have some sort of ending was cathartic. I am seeing some people say this might be the best story mode in a fighting game ever, and I want to say I agree, at least based on the games I've played. I know, I know, I've played the story of a couple of NRS games and they're the most popular story mode creators in fighting games. But let's be honest, I didn't start my fighting game journey with Liu Kang and Scorpion.

 

I started it when I was in high school, at a friend's house, and I played Tekken 6. I saw Alisa, I thought she was cute, and I mashed my way to victory. Jin Kazama was sort of the first main bad guy of my fighting game journey, so he was part of the start of it all for me. To finally be at some sort of conclusion for him was nice to see, and I genuinely can't even imagine how fans from 1994 feel about this story.

 

There's other modes we could talk about, we could mention how amazing this soundtrack is, we could ponder on how cool customization is or how aggressive you can be with the new Heat system. Hell, we could even mention how happy some people must be to see Tekken Ball, of all things, make a return! But I think this review has said all I need to say about Tekken 8. Once upon a time I thought fighting games weren't for everyone. But as a person who spent a lot of her life in RPGs, the genre that might be the exact opposite of fighting games, I can tell you with certainty that they absolutely are. You just need to find the one that's right for you, and Tekken 8 is the one for me.

 

"Chikara dake ga subete janai."

Edited January 30 by MissShake

[Copanele]

10 minutes ago, MissShake said:

#122: Tekken 8

A fight is about survival.
Acquired all trophies.

 

I had the same mirror experience when Guilty Gear Strive appeared, the "bullshit blazing"  gameplay paired with a damn fire story mode + a satisfying concluision.

 

That was such a fun read, so glad that Tekken 8 fully delivered for you!  it's always a damn pleasure to see an arc being successfully completed in a fighting game! Gives you even more motivation to fire those punches and kicks with friends!

 

Definitely having my eyes on this one, Reina is just too good of a new character to ignore!

[MissShake]

8 minutes ago, Copanele said:

I had the same mirror experience when Guilty Gear Strive appeared, the "bullshit blazing"  gameplay paired with a damn fire story mode + a satisfying concluision.

 

That was such a fun read, so glad that Tekken 8 fully delivered for you!  it's always a damn pleasure to see an arc being successfully completed in a fighting game! Gives you even more motivation to fire those punches and kicks with friends!

 

Definitely having my eyes on this one, Reina is just too good of a new character to ignore!

 

It's just amazing to me that they managed to do it in such a satisfying way! Many games that are more story focused do worse than Tekken 8 did, I really think that this has set a new bar. I might need to redownload Strive and watch the story again, I remember the Xrd ones being a trip...

 

I can't wait until you pick up Reina and inevitably beat my ass with her

[FreshFromThaDeli]

Well done. You are postively beaming about this game and it is well deserved.

 

Spoiler

When Jin switched to fighting Mishima style and I slowly started realising Jin has a new (old?) moveset and THEN the nostalgic remixed music kicked in I turned up the volume and fully immersed myself in the moment. This one moment is the best moment I have seen in any fighting game story mode.

 

[MissShake]

6 hours ago, FreshFromThaDeli said:

This one moment is the best moment I have seen in any fighting game story mode.

 

Exactly. It is the perfect summary of the character's journey, and I genuinely don't know how it can be topped. It makes me so excited for the future of the genre too, now that devs realize some of us do care about the story I think a lot more moments like this are gonna show up

[MissShake]

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I saved this platinum pop for the day, and I think you'll see why if you read this write-up.

 

#123: Thirsty Suitors

All done!
Collect all trophies

 

This was another one of those games I saw as part of a Nintendo Direct or something like that and decided to give it a whirl, but I wouldn't say it's quite a slam dunk like Gnosia. Thirsty Suitors is a turn-based RPG where you utilize emotions to fight instead of the usual weapons and magic spells. Which makes sense since the main premise is about Jala's return to her hometown after running away with a girlfriend. She hasn't spoken to anyone in town, including her family and a slew of exes, in three years, so she's not exactly greeted with open arms once she exits that bus. You "fight" many people by utilizing emotions, but the main bosses are the many exes that Jala has left in her wake.

 

A game with this premise could be great at showcasing how there's two sides to every breakup, and while Thirsty Suitors does attempt to do this I came away from this game simply thinking that Jala is really just a super shitty person. The amount of terrible things Jala has done to pretty much every ex of hers is gross, and it makes sympathizing with the character almost impossible for me. I can think of one ex that is completely in the wrong, two if I'm being super generous, but the rest was pretty much all on Jala in my opinion, and it actually made me wonder several times what everyone seems to see in her. There's a moment at the end where she basically calls herself a selfish prick and instead of me sympathizing I was like "yeah you are lol."

 

I have a lot of thoughts about the back half of the game, so I'm gonna write some spoilers here:

Spoiler

The game is trying to make this all seem like generational trauma, since at the very end your final boss is Jala's grandmother (I'll call her Paati from here on since that's how she's referred to in game). There's this whole speech about how Jala is as self centered as she is because of the way Paati treats her family and I don't know about you guys, but this storyline is getting really fucking old. Yes, I understand that the way we are treated by family can fundamentally shape who we are and what we become, but Jala is fucking awful to everyone who loves her. I think it just sort of comes off as an excuse in this particular story, since I can't think of a single moment in the game where I thought she did something that made her likable. Many of the things Jala did to her exes are really irredeemable in my eyes (especially to poor Tyler, holy fuck girl you can do so much better!!!) and while I get that playing as an asshole can be very interesting, in this case I actively did not want Jala to make up with almost every ex of hers.

 

Get her, Tyler.

 

I do think that this game tries some stuff that's very interesting though, even with all of my gripes about the story out of the way. The battles really emphasize looking for the weakness of each person and taking advantage of it via taunting, which then opens the enemy up to attack. For example, if you fight against an ex that is still thirsting after Jala, you can use a Thirsty Taunt. Once this hits they have a chance of hitting themselves on accident. Your specials are also in line with this, so once a thirsty suitor (heh) has been taunted, your thirsty attacks do even more damage than they would usually. In a way it reminded me of the One More system you'd see in Persona, where once you hit an enemy with an attack they're weak to you can attack again. I wouldn't say Thirsty Suitors is quite as combo heavy as Persona, but I think they did a good job with the battle system. It does help that every action comes with a small mini-game, so you do have to keep engaged despite the game being turn-based.

 

When you aren't dealing with emotionally exhausting relationships with mad baggage, you're either skateboarding around town or learning how to cook a slew of Indian dishes from your parent. I thought it was particularly funny that a good chunk of the dishes Jala makes in this game were ones I'd see in Venba previously, so this (along with the passive aggressive comments mom makes) made cooking particularly enjoyable for me. I liked the way the mini game for cooking played too: you have a "heat" bar that fills up as you do different button prompts, and the better you are at these prompts the more the heat meter fills. You can then cash in your heat to do other aspects that fill up your approval meter with your parents, and your goal is to hit at least above three stars if you're going for the platinum. The balancing act of the cooking was a joy, and if I were to go back to Thirsty Suitors I think it'd be just to cook some dishes.

 

If only the skateboarding was as fun as cooking was. I never felt like I fully got the hang of skating, not from lack of trying mind you, but skating around just felt incredibly stiff to me. I wonder if it's because I played Bomb Rush Cyberfunk not that long ago, but it just never grabbed me like I was sort of hoping for. Also the biggest challenge for this plat comes with the skateboarding challenges, and it never felt like a fun challenge to me, so maybe that's part of it too lol.

 

Thirsty Suitors is a weird one. I do like some aspects of it (I haven't mentioned how nice the art style is, colorful and vibrant like some sort of Bollywood movie), but the more time away from the game I have the more I think I dislike it. Which is a shame, because I think the premise had the potential to discuss stuff that could have been very fascinating. It's a shame that Jala is such an asshole, because if it was easier for me to empathize with her I think I could've really enjoyed this game. As it stands though... Not for me.

Edited February 15 by MissShake

[Don_Chipotle]

On 1/30/2024 at 3:43 AM, MissShake said:

#122: Tekken 8

A fight is about survival.
Acquired all trophies.

 

This year is looking to be absolutely stacked, and we're already off to a good start before January has even ended. Lots of people on here are playing the remaster of The Last of Us Part II (for some reason), and I know a good chunk of us are excited to have their hands on Infinite Wealth, but me? I was so hyped for Tekken 8 from the moment I finished up Tekken 7's story. Sure, I still played 7 after I was done with that story mode, but the ending of that game made me feel like the plot was gonna be insane in 8.

 

But this is a fighting game, so before we get into that let's talk about Tekken 8 as a game. When you think of a 3D fighting game series, chances are your brain goes to Tekken. Sure, there are some other great series that utilize the third dimension (Virtua Fighter, Dead or Alive, Soul Calibur), but in recent times it truly feels like Tekken has become the king of 3D fighters. And why wouldn't it be? Its presentation isn't as simple as VF, and the monetization isn't as insane as DoA. Plus the series' timeskip was much more successful than Soul Calibur's was, adding characters to the series that would become iconic to the series.

 

Speaking of characters, this roster is incredible. Towards the end of my platinum adventure I played a few rounds with a friend, and she and I agreed that everyone in this game feels awesome to play as. A couple of returning characters feel like they have a glowup from their Tekken 7 days (we both felt like Shaheen and Nina were especially improved), while the three new characters are definite winners. I feel like Reina is already a hit especially, while I can also see Victor becoming quite popular with players. As for Azucena... I predict her becoming an absolute monster once people really figure out her full potential.

 

She's so cool, I hope she beats the everliving fuck out of me.

 

The presentation of this game is particularly impressive, with graphics that say "welcome to the next generation." I think we all knew Tekken 8 was going to look amazing when that reveal trailer made its appearance, and while I don't think the game is quite on the level of the reveal trailer I'd say it's a joy to look at. I have some random matches playing on my tv as I type this, and Leo and Dragunov's coats are flowing in the wind in just the way you'd expect them to. It definitely helps that the stages are a marvel to look at: whether it's on a yacht that's sailing on the River Seine, atop a mountain in Peru as alpacas walk by, or even on a fallen comet as two tornadoes rage on in the sea, you're sure to be drenched in the atmosphere of your fight.

 

Now I'm sure that last stage might raise an eyebrow or two if you aren't familiar with the batshit insane story that is Tekken. If we put this into the most basic of basics, a bunch of fathers and sons HATE each other with every fiber of their beings, a few of these men have this gene called the Devil Gene in them, this makes them super strong, and the story follows these men as their family feud gets crazier and crazier. Throwing children off of cliffs, companies getting taken over on a whim, World Word III... All of these and more can be found in the craziness that is the Tekken storyline, and the eighth game serves as the end to an arc that has been in progress since the first game all the way back in 1994. I really want to talk about a few things that happen at the end of the story mode, so if you click the spoilers tag be sure to do it with caution!

 

Spoilers ahead!

  Reveal hidden contents

I couldn't believe the amount of callbacks this story mode had. Tekken Force section out of nowhere! Reina being so obviously the daughter of Heichachi! What the fuck happened to Zafina and Claudio? Azazel is here??? There's just so much in here that I'm sure made fans happy, but I KNOW that final boss got people grinning from ear to ear, and I only got into Tekken in the late 2000s! After a long battle, Jin and Kazuya lose the power of the Devil Gene, and honestly this fight might be one of the highlights of the series for me. Jin switching to Mishima style and the remix of his theme from T3 playing hyped me the fuck up more than I expected it to, and it was just as cool when Jin started using Kazama moves and the T2 remix started.

 

I don't think I really grasped how much I cared about these characters until this match, because when the main theme started during the final round I felt weirdly emotional? Like sure, it's Tekken, it's a fighting game and it's inherently a stupid story. But I don't think I really grasped how long the series has been a part of my life. It's my favorite fighting game series, and while I'm not good at the genre I still play quite a few of them. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you spend as long as I have with a group of characters, you sort of just want good things for them? Yes, even if they're absolute piece of shit human beings. And seeing that this whole feud bullshit might finally have some sort of ending was cathartic. I am seeing some people say this might be the best story mode in a fighting game ever, and I want to say I agree, at least based on the games I've played. I know, I know, I've played the story of a couple of NRS games and they're the most popular story mode creators in fighting games. But let's be honest, I didn't start my fighting game journey with Liu Kang and Scorpion.

 

I started it when I was in high school, at a friend's house, and I played Tekken 6. I saw Alisa, I thought she was cute, and I mashed my way to victory. Jin Kazama was sort of the first main bad guy of my fighting game journey, so he was part of the start of it all for me. To finally be at some sort of conclusion for him was nice to see, and I genuinely can't even imagine how fans from 1994 feel about this story.

 

There's other modes we could talk about, we could mention how amazing this soundtrack is, we could ponder on how cool customization is or how aggressive you can be with the new Heat system. Hell, we could even mention how happy some people must be to see Tekken Ball, of all things, make a return! But I think this review has said all I need to say about Tekken 8. Once upon a time I thought fighting games weren't for everyone. But as a person who spent a lot of her life in RPGs, the genre that might be the exact opposite of fighting games, I can tell you with certainty that they absolutely are. You just need to find the one that's right for you, and Tekken 8 is the one for me.

 

"Chikara dake ga subete janai."

 

Amazing game by the reviews, its great it came out in a time no other fighting game was at the radar, and it just looks outstanding, i love that the move charts of many characters is a huge puzzle for the hardcore players, but its simple, no "add perks or extra stuff", and thats ok. Its a superb work Namco does to achieve the 8th game in a long franchise.