So we’re close enough to the end of the year…how about some of that dumb listy goodness? I’ve echoed the fact that I think making Top 10 lists or whatever is dumb, almost as often as I’ve said how much fun I have making them. Quantifying things against each other is a waste of time blah blah blah, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying doing it, and having a nice snapshot to look back on as the year as a whole. As always, I could totally fall in love with something not in my Top 10 years down the line, or regret the placement of some of these within minutes of making the decisions. That’s all part of the game, baby. People change, opinions sway back and forth, and nobody stays in the same mindset forever. Like…I used to say Zelda: Wind Waker was my favorite game of all time. Is it now? Probably not! Maybe! Who knows? Who cares?
Category: PC
-
Crowtel is Good Enough to Deserve That Wonderful Pun
You’re a crow who runs a hotel. Get it?
END OF POST.
Nah…just kidding. There’s quite a bit to say about this cute little thing.
-
Undertale Is Actually Getting the Attention It Deserves
More than a few times over the years, I’ve found myself falling in love with games that never got a voice. Whether it’s Mibibli’s Quest, Hubol’s 2, A Mini Falafel Adventure, Castle in the Darkness or many of the others, I’m constantly falling for games that deserve way more than a passing glance.
I’m so glad I don’t have to throw Undertale in that pile.
Toby Fox’s masterpiece is actually being talked about, and I couldn’t be happier. Every once in a while we’ll be blessed with the popular games consciousness acknowledging a game like Hotline Miami or FTL, but for each of those, another dozen go unseen by more than a devoted few. Have you played 2015’s Dropsy by Jay Tholen? What about Jesse Barksdale’s The Static Speaks My Name? Maybe Crawlies? You should.
I’ve been known to rant about things like this in the past, but now we can all take a breath, and be happy that something as amazing as Undertale can not only exist, but be recognized. Big names like Jim Sterling, Austin Walker, Bob Mackey, and Daniel Tack all reviewed Undertale for their respective publications, and now so many more people know that it’s out there. I wish so much that Mibibli’s Quest could have gotten that kind of coverage, instead having myself and the few others screaming into a void about how good it was. Which, by the way, go vote for Mibibli’s Quest on Steam Greenlight if you haven’t. Thanks!
So, in case you somehow haven’t heard about Undertale before now, I guess it’s my turn to sell it.
It’s a weird RPG-thing that’s less of an RPG and more of a loving tribute to every good video game that has ever existed. Uhhh, so go play it? Every character in Undertale has more personality than the entire cast of most other games I’ve played this year. The gameplay varies itself throughout the entirety of its 4 or 5 hour first playthrough, and continues showing off how limitless it is in subsequent ones. The soundtrack, oh god the soundtrack. Undertale is real good, yo.
I really don’t want to ruin anything for you with specifics, because Undertale wants to constantly surprise you can make you laugh, and ruining Undertale’s fun is the last thing I’m looking to do. I’ll spoil part of one: I joined a snail race, and I got so excited for my snail to win that the pressure got to him, and he flipped upside down on the track burst into flames as the other snails squirmed right on past him. This was one of the ten-dozen tiny things that happen in Undertale, and one of many that you won’t forget.
If you’ve ever loved happiness, Earthbound, good characters, being sad, surprise, or skeletons, please please please go play Undertale right now. And then play it again. And again.
And once you’re done, look around for similarly good games that you’ve been missing out on that haven’t gained as much coverage. Sites like the one you’re on right now, IndieGames.com, Warp Door, Offworld and many others will help you get started.
I honestly feel super strongly about this. If you’ve got the time, go play/watch more cool games and support the artist who make this stuff without expecting much feedback. Everyone will feel better, you’ll make the world a better place, and you’re supporting the future of an industry that you care about. Byyyyeeee. (and have fun.)
-
CRAWLIES – Gotta Catch ‘Em All!
CRAWLIES made me think a spider was cute.
I hate spiders, they’re basically the worst. But CRAWLIES has enough love in the world for all of us, so much so that it spreads joy to anyone it meets. As a beautiful mix between Animal Crossing and Earthbound, CRAWLIES is impossible to play without smiling at everything. Even the spiders.
-
A Mini Falafel Adventure is More Than an Appetizer
If you have any love of platformers, boss rushes, Kirby, Metroid, inventive weapons, humor, jammin’ soundtracks, or Good Video Games, I’ll go ahead and direct you to this link —-> A Mini Falafel Adventure.
My work here should be done. (more…)
-
Off Peak is the Surreal Art Exhibit You Need to Visit
Off Peak is a game that runs the risk of feeling spoiled by too much explanation. My first playthrough felt so special because I had very little idea what to expect. Once you’re in Off Peak, it feels like an endless exhibit of creativity, self-reflection and expression. If you like weird artsy things, “walking simulators,” or just want to a watch a businessman dance forever in an empty train station, you should take this tour through developer Cosmo D’s mind. Go play it now, be amazed, come back to digest.
hippochippies 