Throwback Thursday - Ico

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  On the horizon this week: The game of unspoken bonds in a most unusual prison that is Ico.

Released on the Playstation 2 in the US on September 24th, 2001, Ico was a unique and minimalist adventure game designed by a new group of developers known as Team Ico, led by game designer Fumito Ueda.  The game centers around a simple narrative: A young horned boy named Ico, is taken and locked away in an abandoned castle.  After a sudden tremor that frees Ico from his hold, players begin exploring the castle and discover another captive girl by the name of Yorda.  Freeing this girl, the two search for a way out of this castle.  The ways in which these two characters interact with one another to explore and solve puzzles is the heart of this clever, but simple gameplay.  And it was a very intentional choice as designer Ueda wanted to focus on building a bond between these characters without any direct communication.  This is directly felt in the mechanic in which players will grab the girl's hand to guide her through the castle.  Occasionally, shadowy beings will gather in attempts to take back the girl, which players must find the means to fend off while keeping a watchful eye on their companion.  And there are times when Ico must venture on his own by means only he is capable of, adding an unnerving sense of fear leaving your partner in such potential risk of danger.  This game develops such an engrossing and rich relationship through such simple means of gameplay and interaction between the two.

By Design: The Birth of the Metroidvania

In a few short weeks, a new Metroid game (or re-imagined remake I should say) will be upon us in the form of Metroid: Samus Returns for the Nintendo 3DS.  And fans couldn't be more excited, considering it has been just about 15 years since the last release of a 2D side-scrolling Metroid.  During this absence, there has been a growing surge of indie games (independent developed games) who have had modest success using the Metroidvania formula, such as with Cave Story, Shadow Complex, or Axiom Verge just to name a few.  As many may be aware, Metroidvania is terminology used to describe games with similar concepts as found in the popular Metroid and Castlevania series, most notably Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.  So what elements makes a good Metroidvania?  How has this combination of series formed its own sub-genre that is still used today to define other similar games?  Do both series hold equal weight in the name Metroidvania?  Does the terminology stifle the potential growth / variation of games in this genre?  With these questions in mind, join us in the following design discussion as we explore the birth and rise of the Metroidvania.

Box art for Super Metroid (left) and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (right).

Before we dive too deep into the origin story here, it's important that we clarify what elements define a Metroidvania, as there can be varying opinions of such.  A game that is described as a Metroidvania typically contains many or all of the following characteristics:

• Non-linear, exploratory worlds often filled with secrets and/or backtracking.
• Upgrades that allow for new means in traversing the world and clearing previous road blocks.
• RPG or leveling-up mechanics that allow the character to grow during their adventure.
• 2D (or 2.5D) platforming-adventure action.

Tabletop Tuesday - Gravwell: Escape from the 9th Dimension

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, luck, cards, and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of tractor beams and gravitational strings that is Gravwell: Escape from the 9th Dimension.

Players: 2-4
Time: 20-30 minutes
Genre: Strategy

Top 100 Video Games

For the auspicious 100th post of this blog, I thought it appropriate to put out my personal Top 100 games (so far).  This list will be updated as we continue our weekly Throwback Thursday segments and can easily be viewed by clicking the new "Top 100 Games" tab on the far right.  If interested in learning more about any of these games, click the link of the game to learn more through other posts from this blog.

Please note for current purposes of the continuing Throwback Thursday, all games on this list will be prior to 2017.  Games released 2017 and after will be later considered once the list is complete.  Please also note that this list is built upon personal opinion and only games that I have played.  The games are also ranked based upon how they hold today, not when they were initially released.  With that in mind, enjoy viewing, discussing, and debating below.

-100- Super Mario Sunshine

-99- Sound Shapes

-98- Diablo II

-97- Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

-96- Goof Troop

Slippy Toad

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Throwback Thursday - Pikmin (series)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Joining the expedition this week: The game of fungi that devour curious flowers that is the Pikmin series.

Released on October 26th, 2001, Pikmin was a new IP for Nintendo's launch window of its new console of the time, the GameCube.  As a unique and interesting take on the real-time strategy (RTS) genre, the game follows the exploits of a space pilot, Captain Olimar, whose ship crashes on an unknown planet.  The planet's oxygen atmosphere is ironically lethal to our hero's species, and the ship is found to be in major disrepair.  Players will only have 30 days to find the ship's 30 missing ship parts before running out of air supply and succumbing to a terrible fate.  The little astronaut's only hope in completing this tall task is the fortunate discovery of these plant-like creatures he dubs Pikmin.  The Pikmin flock to Captain Olimar whose leadership helps these playful, unorganized creatures perform impressive feats as a collective whole, such as carrying heavy objects, tearing down towering walls, or defeating menacing wildlife.

Tabletop Tuesday - Jenga(s)

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, luck, cards, and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of unstable blocks and jeering taunts that is Jenga.  And since this a gaming blog, we'll also take a look at a few Jenga variations, specifically Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, and Tetris variants.

Players: 2+ (only 2-4 in Donkey Kong and Space Invader variants)
Time: 15-30 minutes
Genre: Casual Family / Party Game

An Unrelenting Surprise

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Splatoon 2 Review

Genre: 3rd-Person Shooter
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 25 hours (Includes clearing 103% of the single-player campaign, reaching Level 10 in online multiplayer playing various turf wars and ranked modes, reaching Go-Getter rank in Salmon Run mode, and participating in two Splatfests...curse you Mayo)

The original Splatoon for Nintendo Wii-U turned out to be a surprise hit as a new IP from the Big N, breathing new life into what was an otherwise predictable genre of shooter games.  So it's no surprise here that they quickly want to carry over this popularity to a larger audience with their new and successfully growing platform that is the Nintendo Switch.  As the name suggests, Splatoon 2 is intended to be more than just a pretty port / remake.  But does it quite deliver enough to warrant being called a sequel?  Let's ink up the turf and dive into the pros and cons to find out if this game has what it takes to stay fresh.

Throwback Thursday - Secret of Mana

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Swinging into action this week: The game of playful sprites and elemental fights that is Secret of Mana.

Released in the US on October 3rd, 1993, Secret of Mana is one of many esteemed RPG's of the SNES era.  Unlike many turn-based RPG's of its time though, this game featured very action oriented real-time battles with a stylish and unique menu system that would pause the action for critical decision making.  And if you happened to have the Super Multitap accessory for the SNES and three controllers, this epic adventure could be enjoyed as a three-player cooperative experience, of which the game centers around three main characters: A young boy who finds a mystical sword and inadvertently calls forth looming threats to the world; A young girl who defies her father's attempted arranged marriage and sets off to find / protect her love (a warrior sent on a mission by the king); And lastly a small sprite child who lost his memories and makes a living scamming travelers.  Together, these three characters' roles will intersect as they embark on a journey to protect the world's life energy / mana from an empire bent on obtaining such for themselves and resurrecting a powerful warship known as the Mana Fortress.

Tabletop Tuesday - Dixit

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, luck, cards, and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of abstract art to guess apart that is Dixit.

Players: 3-6

Time: 20-40 minutes

Genre: Social / Casual Family Game

Danger From Above

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Throwback Thursday - Heavy Rain

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  While my blog is rated E for everyone's safe and enjoyable viewing, I should mention this week's throwback is rated M for Mature.  Parental discretion is advised for playing this game.

Speaking of which, making an appearance this week: The game of troubled pasts and a varied cast that is Heavy Rain.

Released in the US on February 23rd, 2010, Heavy Rain is an intriguing interactive drama developed by Quantic Dream that helped pioneer and further the potential of the "movie game" genre (referring to games whose focus are on story/narrative through use of scripted cinematics rather than gameplay).  The game centers around four playable characters in which players alternate controlling between different chapters in the game.  There is Ethan Mars, a father who lost a son to a tragic accident and strives to protect his only other son while fighting depression.  There is Scott Shelby, a rough and tough private investigator with asthma looking into the killings of the Origami Killer on behalf of the killers' victims.  There is Norman Jayden, an FBI agent who is tasked with finding the Origami Killer using experimental AR technology while fighting an unhealthy addiction.  And lastly there is Madison Paige, a journalist suffering from chronic insomnia trying to find the big scoop on the Origami Killer.  All these characters' stories slowly begin to intertwine as Ethan Mars is put to the test when his son is the next target of the Origami Killer.  Following a series of calling cards, Ethan must perform a series of morally questionable and brutal tasks if he is to save his son.  The overlapping theme of the whole game is how far you'd be willing to go to save someone you love.

Tabletop Tuesday - King of Tokyo

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of monster claws and fireballs that is King of Tokyo.

Players: 2-6
Time: 30-45 minutes
Genre: Strategy / Party Game

Hey! Listen!

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Throwback Thursday - Punch-Out!! (Wii)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Entering the ring this week: The game of maneuvering blocks and landing knock-outs that is Nintendo Wii's Punch-Out!!

Released in the US on May 18th, 2009, Punch-Out!! for the Wii is the fifth installment in the series, the last of which was Super Punch-Out!! for the SNES released in the US roughly 15 years prior.  Despite this lengthy lapse in time, this latest entry was able to retain the fundamental gameplay elements that inspired the originals so long ago.  Players still control the underdog tiny boxer known as Little Mac as he fights to move up the ranks in various circuits, facing off against a colorful and eccentric cast of characters.  With each match, players must pick up on patterns to dodge attacks and exploit opportunities for counters.  This involves distinguishing when to use left or right dodges, ducking, and when to use left or right upper and lower-cuts.  As you move up the ranks, the difficulty in which detecting these cues and landing the timing increases exponentially.  But the sense of accomplishment from overcoming these increasingly challenging foes is all the more satisfying.

Tabletop Tuesday - Settlers of Catan

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the cult favorite of sheep and wheat that is Settlers of Catan.

Players: 3-4
Time: 45-90 minutes
Genre: Strategy