It's been a week or so but I still think about 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 on a regular basis. It's been a very long time where I've gone the cinema and watched something that felt larger than life. From cinematography to score to the performances, it's just a phenomenal film that very little have experienced.

I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this. Feel like those that go out of their way to cause pain to others are wrestling with their own demons. Fully acknowledge that while I’m just someone that’s read a handful of your articles and seen you on LSM and Castle Super Beast, I’m glad you are here.

Really glad Metaphor took home as many awards as it did though. It’s really some of the best that Atlus has pumped out so far.

Unrelated to the game awards news but there’s this little game called “Mouthwashing” that came out a few months back. It’s best to go in blind but highly recommend if you are into psychological horror.

Unfortunately I had to tune out for most the award show because I had a more pressing matter to attend to: getting my car towed and getting a ride home.

Astro Bot winning game of the year makes sense. Out of all the nominated titles, it has the broadest appeal and it’s easy to pick up and play. While my personal pick would have been Metaphor Refantazio, I still think this is a good choice.

Makes sense. Lot of my time was divided amongst RPG’s this year as well.

The words “Luigi’s Mansion” are forever changed.

HappyConsoleGamer might be one of my favorite YouTubers. Just a guy sharing his passion for games and looking back on fond memories. Just a wholesome time. Nitro Rad has a similar vibe only with an emphasis on Indies.

Starting to think getting controller drift (whether with joycons or dual sense controllers) is worse than the RROD.

Idk if I’d call this a mark of shame or an accomplishment.

Marvel Rivals is pretty fun. Been waiting for something that’s Overwatch adjacent that isn’t bogged down with controversy. Think my only complaint so far is the overall UI being a little difficult to navigate but presentation, character selection and gameplay are on point.

Vibes here are pretty good.

Losing it because this is literally me.

Don’t know about “Pumpkin Spice” but sounds about right.

I fuck with this dude heavy

Tekken 8 would be higher if the monetization model wasn’t such doo doo feces. I think the only objectively bad game I played was the Star Wars Battlefront Classic collection. Charging a premium for games that old and online being bork? Get outta here.

Overall rankings for games I beat that were released in 2024. Honestly, Metaphor, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Astro Bot are all pretty much tied. So hard to pick between those 3 titles.

Mahvel

30 hours later and I finally figured it out

From what I’ve played of Black Ops 6 it feels like a return to form. The difference in quality between MWIII level design and Black Ops 6 is night and day as there’s a good balance between player freedom and scripted segments. Treyarch feels like varsity team.

This really is the year of Sega:

Metaphor Refantazio
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Sonic X Shadow Generations
Persona 3 Reload
Unicorn Overlord

All critical and commercial successes. I have played all but Metaphor but all of them were worth owning. Bangers.

Man why did the have to bring back Heihachi? I know it’s a staple to bring characters back with Tekken but Tekken 7 really made his death feel definitive and now so much of what happened in that game feels irrelevant. Fighting game stories aren’t great but damn dude.

I’d redownload Tekken 8 if its monetization practices weren’t such doo doo feces.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealths island management mini game is so addicting and dense that it could have been its own game.

Here is how I would rank the games I’ve beaten that have been released so far in 2024. I’ll update by the end of the year but the only game I would advise against playing is the battlefront collection. Either way its been a pretty good year for games.

1st post so games you should play:

Metal Gear Solid Series
Resident Evil 4 (2005 & 2023)
Chrono Trigger
Mega Man X
Bloodborne
Ghost of Tsushima
Cyberpunk 2077
Nier Replicant
Shadow of the Colossus
Hotline Miami
Black
Doom
Red Red Redemption
Live A Live
Tekken Series
Mass Effect 2