Peter Sarrett

I played all the way to the end(s), though, so I'm giving it a thumbs up. Just be aware that while you get a few powers along the way, there aren't any transformative system unlocks or hidden reveals. While there's plenty lurking under the sea in Dredge, what you see on the surface is what you get.

The inventory management game of Tetris isn't nearly as interesting as in, say, Backpack Hero, where what you keep and where you keep it actually matters. In Dredge, it's just a limiting factor and chore.

I was also disappointed that the entire game essentially boils down to a series of fetch quests, in the sense that you're catching fish or dredging up trinkets which you bring back to dock to sell, then use that cash to buy upgrades and/or make repairs to set out and do it all again.

Rolled credits on Dredge. I enjoyed a lot about Dredge-- the Lovecraftian undertones, the fishing minigames, the fluidity of navigation-- but wish it had more (ahem) depth. I wanted my decisions to matter more, but while the order may be different per player, you wind up doing all the same things.

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My quibbles aside, I love that this game got made at all, and I enjoyed my playthrough. A great example of the value of Game Pass.

I also didn’t love how the lore text told me about a character’s personality and foibles, not trusting the in-game narrative to show me. We see Beaux for what, 30 seconds? But the lore practically sets him up for his own spinoff. Too much.

It didn’t have to be that way. The levels could have been built less linearly, giving the player real options for organic discovery, rather than pitting the player against the story. Start me in a corner and let me find my own way, instead of plopping me down on the yellow brick road.

It also breaks my trust with the game. “Oh, you’re pointing me THAT way? I’ll bet there’s a collectible in the other direction, so I’ll ignore the way you obviously want me to go.”

The game routinely puts you on a clear path with a narrative driving you forward. But if you want the currency to upgrade your fighting abilities, you have to ignore all that and go the other way first. This creates ludonarrative dissonance— I’m exploring when my character expresses urgency.

It’s a shame the gameplay didn’t show the same level of innovation and risk. It’s pretty formulaic platforming and repetitive arena battles, and the level design commits some cardinal sins, all of them involving collectibles.

There’s a lot to like about South of Midnight. The soundtrack is phenomenal. The exploration of southern black folklore is not something you see much (at all?) in video games, and I appreciated the focus on healing and recovery.

Burnout: paradise wants a word

Season 3 is the weakest season, though it has a great set piece in the finale.

I love the central conceit of Expedition 33 (one of many) that dozens of past expeditions have preceded you, knowing they were doomed to fail but sacrificing themselves to move the ball a few inches forward for those who would follow. It’s deeply poignant and inspirational in today’s me-now climate.

I finished Act II tonight and am into act III. A triumph on so many fronts. I’m astounded at how big each level is. The art time to make the palettes and create, decorate, and light those levels blows my mind. Phenomenal soundtrack. Emotional depth. Character design. Maelle’s hair. So good!

Except the Taken King. We can’t seem to get rid of that guy.

I’ll choose to believe you said, “Make it so.”

The genius of Lode Runner is that the simplicity and weakness of the AI is actually the game’s strength, as luring the AI into traps is an essential game mechanic.

End of act I?

Yes, “Space Man From Pluto” completely avoids creating the impression that it’s a… <checks notes>… genre picture.

I was not prepared for the end of Act I.

The real hero is the hair modeling. Maelle’s hair is mesmerizing. It’s like her hair— but only her hair— is in an alternate dimension with 75% gravity. Love it.

Clair Obscur is amazing. Visually lush, great character design, emotional weight, evocative audio, fun combat. Some of the design reminds me of the 2007 game Blue Dragon, but far less annoying. Feels like I’m playing an epic movie.

PSA for artists depicting dice: Opposite sides of dice always add up to seven. Don't put 1 and 6, 2 and 5, or 3 and 4 next to each other. #BluePrince

The casting of a male actor in the lead role of Murderbot surprised me, because when I read the books I always thought of Murderbot as female. When I wondered why, I realized it’s because in my head, I always heard Failsafe’s downbeat voice.

If we get up to a 1000% tariff, it'll be Nebuchadnezzar Force!

Jeroboam Force

California King Metal Jacket

10/10 no notes