Yeahh…I didn’t beat any of those games. Haha. Whoops. I have gotten through a few over the past few months though (including 2 yesterday).

• Super Mario Wonder
• Super Mario RPG
• It Takes Two
• spider-man: miles morales (2nd time)
• spiderman 2
• Super Cat Boy
• Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion 

And I’ll likely finish Jusant some time this week/weekend as well. 

Not my strongest year for gaming but a strong year for the games I played at least. Hoping Santa left me Baldur’s Gate 3 under the tree this year and I’m going to pick up Alan Wake 2 sometime soon. 

Seems this will end up being my final list. RE4 plat is gonna take me the rest of 2023 at a minimum. Overall it ended up being a somewhat decent year for me I think. After having only like two games beaten heading into September.

Assassin's Creed Mirage
Jedi Survivor
Baldur's Gate 3
Elden Ring
Disgaea 6 Complete
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
Life is Strange True Colours
Legend of Heroes Trails Azure
Callisto Protocol
Call of Duty MW 2 (2022)
Diablo 4
Final Fantasy XVI
Star Ocean The Divine Force
Call of Duty Vanguard
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Ghostwire Tokyo
FF: Stranger of Paradise

Just Finished: Kirby Star Allies (Switch)

Kirby is my main in Smash yet I had never played a Kirby game before, so I decided to give this one a shot. I guess this is a 2D platformer but Kirby and his friends's ability to float make the platforming not much of a challenge. I am not sure what is going on in Kirby's world or the story. It was a lot of random nonsense with some menacing looking bad guys talking a lot at Kirby. The visuals are crisp and colorful enough. I guess the central hook of this game is the ability to turn your enemies into allies and use their abilities to help you overcome obstacles. It works well enough. Using Kirby to absorb other powers is pretty neat. The level design is pretty straightforward but what's with the load times when entering doors? I completed the story and it shows my completion percentage at about 30%. Not sure if I'll ever go back to explore. Also apparently I unlocked a bunch of extra modes but I haven't tried them out. The game is not really difficult but it scratched an itch when played in short bursts. Mario and Donkey Kong are way more ambitious as 2D platformer series. The final boss fight was overly involved. I don't feel compelled to go back and play the rest of Kirby's many games, the way I feel obliged and excited to play most of the major Mario and Zelda games. I hear the 3D Kirby ant the Forgotten Land is pretty good. Maybe I will check it out somewhere down the line.

Score: 7/10

Full Completed 2023 List:

• Super Mario World (NSO)
• Star Fox (NSO)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)
• Donkey Kong Country (NSO)
• The Legend of Zelda (NSO)
• Gran Turismo 7 (PS5)
• Grand Theft Auto V (PS5)
• The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Edition (PS5)
•  Bioshock Infinite: Complete Edition (PS4)
• The World Ends With You Final Remix (Switch)
• My Japanese Coach (DS)
• Puppeteer (PS+ Premium)
• Gravity Rush 2 (PS+ Extra)
• Devil May Cry HD (PS+ Premium)
• Jak and Daxter The Precursor Legacy (PS+ Premium)
• Resident Evil HD (PS4)
• Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Final Mix HD (PS4)
• Kirby Star Allies (Switch)

• Part 1
• Part 2

Time for a final update now that the year is drawing to a close. Played quite a few smaller titles in this last third of the year.

• Pokémon Legends Arceus - 7/10
  
  • I actually played this earlier in the year but forgot to include it in the earlier posts. Shortly put Arceus is two steps forward and two steps backward, I enjoyed it and I think the more open format has potential, but they really need to put more time and effort into these releases and make a design change or two for it to ever really live up to that.

• DOOM Eternal - 9/10
• Blends the already excellent shooting of DOOM (2016) with suprisingly solid platforming elements to give one of the most satisfying games to sit down and play. Some of the surrounding parts could have been better but the gameplay itself is near perfection.

• Mega Man X - 3.5/10
  
• I didn't expect to like this less than Mega Man 2 but here we are. Vital upgrades hidden in barely accessible locations (at least one of which you can lock yourself out of) is awful game design, particularly when the game still uses password saves in 1993. I played it on an SNES Classic so I could suspend save, but otherwise I wouldn't have bothered. Some things about the game are cool to be sure, but I have to conclude I'm just not masochist enough to like this series.

• Halo 1-3 (Master Chief Collection) - 7.5/10
• So, I've finally tried Halo and well, it's not bad. I've only played the single-player campaigns and they're pretty solid with good shooting and decent stories. Oh and the vehicles. They're fairly... AMAZING! God those are the best part by far, getting the different ones for the first time was easily the best part of the whole experience. I do have to point out that the first game had godawful checkpoints which forced me to restart a nearly completed mission at one point and at others just seemed not to activate, which dragged the game down for me, probably down to a 7, but I still mostly enjoyed the trilogy and definitely enjoyed the vehicles.

• Disco Elysium: The Final Cut - 8.5/10
  
• This game was a two month project for me that I slowly worked my way through in smaller sessions. An incredibly original game that relies entirely on writing, a lot of which is incredible and hilarious, but ironically the pure amount of writing might also be the game's biggest weakness. All the world-building and hundreds of interactions can't all be equally engaging and I probably did have to drag myself through a few parts, but overall it was still an excellent experience with some extremely memorable parts.

• The Talos Principle II - 8.5/10
  
• A worthy sequel to one of the greatest puzzle games of all-time. The Talos Principle II is in many ways even more ambitious with both storytelling and its plethora of creative puzzle mechanics and when it comes to gameplay it's probably tied with the first as the best puzzle games out there. Overall I still prefer the original a little bit due to its story and more mysterious feel, but regardless The Talos Principle II should definitely not be overlooked even in a year as packed as 2023.

• Sonic the Hedghehog 1-3 (& Knuckles) - 6/10
  
• I never really got into 2D Sonic before despite giving it a try, but this year I finally played them as part of the Mega Collection and well... can't say I got really into them this time either. Personally I don't think maze-like leves with secrets is a good match for a game where you blast past things at rapid speed. Then there's the ring system, lives, infuriating final bosses... There are things to like in these games but not enough for me to like them much overall.

• Sonic Mania - 7.5/10
  
• A definite step up in level design and a (mostly) very fun and enjoyable game. Being able to pick up rings easier after getting hit somewhat redeems a bad health system that's too iconic to get rid off. There were a few levels that were more annoying than fun, but overall I liked Mania a good margin more than the originals.

• Vanquish - 8/10
  
• An over the top game as one would expect from Platinum. Sliding is fun, the shooting is good. I probably have more to say but I'm running out of energy here... It's pretty great, that's for sure.

• Spyro Reignited Trilogy - 7/10 (still missing a bit of 3 but close enough)
  
• A bit more kiddie compared to other 90s platformers but still a nice chill game. I probably liked the first one best despite questionable level design in a few places.

1. Hades (PC)

2. Gris (PC)

3. Salt and Sacrifice (PC)

4. Death's Gambit: Afterlife (PC)

5. Dragon Quest VI (DS)

6. Mega Man 10 (PC)

7. Nioh 2 (PS5)

8. Crystal Project (PC)

9. Final Fantasy 16 (PS5)

10. Super Mario RPG (Switch)

11. Evoland (PC)

12. Parasite Eve (PS1) - Did not finish.  My Steam Deck corrupted my SD card, which is where my PS1 memory card file was located.  I'm gutted, since I was in the final area.  I will not be starting over, so I'm calling it a finish for the purposes of this thread.  Maybe if I can recover the file from the SD card (formatted in a Linux file system, unfortunately), then I will finish it up.  

Now playing:

Cthulhu Saves Christmas (PC)

Just Finished: Warioware: Get It Together (Switch)

I played through the main story campaign in local co-op with a friend. It provided a fun distraction for about 2 hours. The biggest disappointment is that the game uses traditional controls, I guess so as to not alienate Switch Lite gamers. I am glad the next Warioware game on Switch does in fact makefull use of theJoy-Cons so I will be looking in to getting that one down the line.

Score: 6/10

Full Completed 2023 List:

• Super Mario World (NSO)
• Star Fox (NSO)
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)
• Donkey Kong Country (NSO)
• The Legend of Zelda (NSO)
• Gran Turismo 7 (PS5)
• Grand Theft Auto V (PS5)
• The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Edition (PS5)
•  Bioshock Infinite: Complete Edition (PS4)
• The World Ends With You Final Remix (Switch)
• My Japanese Coach (DS)
• Puppeteer (PS+ Premium)
• Gravity Rush 2 (PS+ Extra)
• Devil May Cry HD (PS+ Premium)
• Jak and Daxter The Precursor Legacy (PS+ Premium)
• Resident Evil HD (PS4)
• Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Final Mix HD (PS4)
• Kirby Star Allies (Switch)
• Warioware: Get It Together (Switch)

Ultimate Spider-Man
Marvel's Midnight Suns
Sonic Mania
Sonic 1
Sonic 2
Sonic 3
Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition
Call of Duty 3
Call of Duty Black Ops
Call of Duty Black Ops 2
Link's Crossbow Training
The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening
Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity
Super Mario 3d Land
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3d
Star Fox 64 3d
Dead or Alive Dimensions
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Kirby's Dream Land
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Adventure

Kirby's Epic Yarn

Castlevania 1

Batman Arkham Asylum

Batman Arkham City

23 games for 2023.

----

Monthly wise

January 2023 (1)
-Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty (PS3)

February 2023 (1)
-Gears of War Ultimate Edition (XBO)

March 2023 (1)
-Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (PS3)

April 2023 (1)
-Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker (3DS)

May 2023 (3)
-Astro's Playroom (PS5)
-Final Fantasy I Pixel Remaster (NS)
-Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster (NS)

June (1)
-The Legend of Zelda (NES)

July (1)
-Soulcalibur V (PS3)

August (2)
-Soulcalibur (X360)
-Super Mario World (NS)

September (4)
-Pokemon Sword (NS)
-Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (PS3)
-Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (3DS)
-Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition (PS4)

October (3)
-Super Mario 64 (NS)
-Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster (NS)
-Super Mario Bros Wonder (NS)

November (3)
-Dead or Alive Ultimate (Xbox)
-Street Fighter V (PC)
-Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster (NS)

December (2)
-Super Mario RPG (NS)
-Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster (NS)

Grand Total: 23

----

Platform wise

Completed Platform Wise

NES (1)
-The Legend of Zelda

3DS (2)
-Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
-Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker

NS (10)
-Final Fantasy I Pixel Remaster
-Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster
-Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster
-Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster
-Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster
-Pokemon Sword
-Super Mario 64
-Super Mario World
-Super Mario Bros Wonder
-Super Mario RPG

PS3 (4)
-Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty
-Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
-Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus
-Soulcalibur V

PS4 (1)
-Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition

PS5 (1)
-Astro's Playroom

Xbox (1)
-Dead or Alive Ultimate

X360 (1)
-Soulcalibur

XBO (1)
-Gears of War Ultimate Edition

PC (1)
-Street Fighter V

Grand Total: 23

-----

Hours by game

Total Game Completion Hours

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker (3DS): 86 hours
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (3DS): 81 hours
Pokemon Sword (NS): 62 hours
Street Fighter V (PC): 54 hours
Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition (PS4): 36 hours
Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster (NS): 28 hours
Super Mario RPG (NS): 17 hours
Gears of War Ultimate Edition (XBO): 15 hours
Super Mario 64 (NS): 15 hours
Soulcalibur V (PS3): 15 hours
Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster (NS): 13 hours
Super Mario Bros Wonder (NS): 12 hours
Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster (NS): 12 hours
Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster (NS): 12 hours
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (PS3): 11 hours
The Legend of Zelda (NES): 10 hours
Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (PS3): 9 hours
Final Fantasy I Pixel Remaster (NS): 7 hours
Astro's Playroom (PS5): 5 hours
Super Mario World (NS): 5 hours
Soulcalibur (X360): 4 hours
Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty (PS3): 3 Hours
Dead or Alive Ultimate (Xbox): 2 hours

Grand Total: 514 Hours

-----

Hours by Platform

Total Hours on Platform

NS: 183 hours
3DS: 167 hours
PC: 54 hours
PS3: 38 Hours
PS4: 36 hours
XBO: 15 hours
NES: 10 hours
PS5: 5 hours
X360: 4 hours
Xbox: 2 hours

Grand Total: 514 Hours

----

Score wise...

NES
The Legend of Zelda - 72

3DS
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King - 98
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker - 96

NS
Super Mario Bros Wonder - 97
Super Mario RPG - 95
Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster - 95
Super Mario World - 94
Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster - 93
Pokemon Sword - 90
Super Mario 64 - 90
Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster - 90
Final Fantasy I Pixel Remaster - 87
Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster - 87

Playstation 3
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time - 88
Soulcalibur V - 84
Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus - 80
Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty - 74

Playstation 4
Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition - 89

Playstation 5
Astro's Playroom - 85

Xbox
Dead or Alive Ultimate - 54

Xbox 360
Soulcalibur - 80

Xbox One
Gears of War Ultimate Edition - 86

PC
Street Fighter V - 95

One final recap of the year.

Games Completed: 28

By Platform: 

• PS5: 7
  1. Astro's Playroom
  2. Horizon Forbidden West
  3. Stray
  4. Final Fantasy XVI
  5. Alan Wake Remastered
  6. Octopath Traveler II
  7. Powerwash Simulator
• PS4: 11
  1. Monster Hunter World
  2. Superhot
  3. Control
  4. Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
  5. The Legend of Dragoon
  6. Valkyria Chronicles
  7. The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero 
  8. Gravity Rush
  9. Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
  10. Spider-Man
  11. Kingdom Hearts III
• PS3: 1
  1. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
• PC: 5
  1. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
  2. Cosmic Star Heroine
  3. Pinstripe 
  4. AER: Memories of Old
  5. FAR: Lone Sails
• Switch: 3
  1. Katamari Damacy REROLL
  2. Cadence of Hyrule
  3. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
• SNES: 1
  1. Super Mario RPG

Ranked by score (New games only)

1. Horizon Forbidden West (94/100)
2. Monster Hunter World (91/100)
3. Control (91/100)
4. Final Fantasy XVI (90/100)
5. Octopath Traveler II (88/100)
6. The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero (87/100)
7. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (85/100)
8. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (85/100)
9. Spider-Man (85/100)
10. Katamari Damacy REROLL (84/100)
11. Cadence of Hyrule (82/100)
12. Stray (82/100)
13. Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout (81/100)
14. Kingdom Hearts III (81/100)
15. Powerwash Simulator (80/100)
16. Astro's Playroom (80/100)
17. Superhot (80/100)
18. Super Mario RPG (76/100)
19. Alan Wake Remastered (76/100)
20. Cosmic Star Heroine (75/100)
21. FAR: Lone Sails (75/100)
22. AEW: Memories of Old (74/100)
23. Pinstripe (71/100)

Repeat Playthroughs:

1. The Legend of Dragoon (98/100)
2. Valkyria Chronicles (97/100)
3. Final Fantasy VIII Remastered (94/100)
4. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (92/100)
5. Gravity Rush (82/100)