Binary Domain

 This game is amazing 

Game no: 449
Genre: Shooter
Platform: PC
Release Date: 2012
Factory Sealed: 228

In the future where humans live with robots there are some people who thinks robots should be sentient. Basically a Terminator or iRobot concept. Thus a group of soldiers called the Rust Crew is sent to stop all bad robots by blowing them up. The game is basically a run and cover shooter but what makes it different from a Gears of War is that it has an arcade style to it. Every action you do you get credits in which you will use the credits to upgrade your weapons or buy more equipment to continue your journey. 

What do I like about this game. What there is not to like. The shooting is great and precise. Each blow gets you points and the better  your kill style, the more credits you get. Each different character gets one main weapons and a secondary weapons. The main weapon is the only weapon that can be upgraded. There are a lot of branches in the game and you as the main characters can choose two of your team mates with you. Each of your team mates has a unique ability, weapons and dialogue options depending on who is on your team. As for me I choose Faye (cause she is hot) the sniper and in the middle of the game I choose Cain the robot since he is super cool. This game uses voice commands with the mic on your controller but it's tedious to yell out commands. Good thing that you can turn it off and give commands using your controller. The better the mood the more they will help you if they are annoyed at you they will just leave you be. It is a very interesting mechanic. The action is batshit crazy. Really I am not even kidding. Just when you thought you are done, the game ups the action to 1000. You fight different types of robots on different types of situation and every time you will barely survive. The other best part is that is very hard to die in this game. You have a minute to revive yourself and if you don't have any first aid kits. You can ask your team mates to help.

There are a couple things I don't quite like about this game. Some of the bosses are not just cheap, they are hard. Once they hit you down it hard to recover and move out of the way. There was one boss that I keep on dying again and again since they keep on pounding me. The other thing is that the active time events its based on a slider and that requires you to press it on the right time. The story is great and yet also not great at the same time. I can say that in the end the ending was great. 

I played the game until the end credits (as well the after credits). This has been a long time since a game has entertained me this much. So much so that it deserve an S-Rank in my book. This is clearly one of my top 10 games of this year

Super Mario Galaxy 2

This one improves on the original in so many ways

Game no: 406
Genre: Platformer 
Platform: Wii
Release Date: 2010
Factory Sealed: 221

What is it about?
The sequel to the first Mario Galaxy game 

What did I liked?
A lot of improvements from the original
- There is a world map which makes it easier to navigate 
- You will get notifications for every new star
- Each place will only have 2 or 3 stars tops 
- Platforming is challenging and rewarding at the same time 
Yoshi 
Cloud suit and drill suit plus the whole old suits 

What I didn't liked?
You need a lot of stars to advance and some of the stages are super hard 
The duck and jump is still hard to execute 
The dragon boss is super hard

Status: Finish the game will 70 stars 

Fun Factor: One of the best Mario games I played in a long while. Top 10 game of the year  

Super Mario Galaxy

This is an awesome Mario game. Why didn't I play it sooner 

Game no: 405
Genre: Platformer 
Platform: Nintendo Switch 
Release Date: 2007
Factory Sealed: 190

What is it about?
Peach is kidnapped again but this time she is in a another galaxy

What I liked?
This is classic Mario platforming which is super awesome 
The stages are unique and challenging 
Powerups are awesome, spring, bee, ice, flower, and flight.
Flying through the galaxy is great 
There are some speed rounds that involve a comet 

What I didn't liked?
The powerups all have timer which is frustrating 
Controlling the gyro with the switch controller takes a while getting use to 
The touch screen features also needs work 

Status: Finish the game with 61 stars 

Fun Factor: A must play game 

Dead Space

Made by EA when they were great 

Game no: 395
Genre: Action
Platform: PC 
Release Date: 2008
Factory Sealed: 168

What is it about?
They lost contact with a space ship. Little that they know there is more lurking inside it 

What I liked?
The gameplay is just the right speed. The atmosphere is dark and every corridor you need to walk slowly in order to get mauled by monsters
A lot of choice of weapons with tones of customizable options  
Everything you pick up you can sell. Which makes it hard since you will hoard everything you find in order to upgrade your suits and weapons
The storyline is serviceable. Nothing to special.
Fighting in no air is cool 

What I didn't liked?
The grabbing animations are slow and really cut the pace of the action 
Kenesis and Magnetic powerups gets tedious after a while
Zero gravity is a mixed bag

Status: Finish the game until the end credits 

Fun Factor: One of the best action games I played. Easily a top 10 for me  

Star Wars Episode 1 Racer

An old classic but still fun 

Game no: 394
Genre: Racing
Platform: Nintendo Switch 
Release Date: 1999
Factory Sealed: 68

What is it about?
The best part of episode 1 made into a game 

What I liked?
The gameplay is very face paced. One wrong move can spell disaster
Upgrading can be done two ways. Weather is buying it new or from the junkyard
The stages ranges from different planets with different environmental hazards 
Different podracers to choose from with different attributes
Boosting is fun 

What I didn't liked?
Dying last minute at a long stage and it requires you to start the game again 
This was my bad I didn't know you can change the prize money to winner takes all. It could really save me a lot of money winning the game 

Status: Finish the game until the end credits 

Fun Factor: This games still holds up and it is a classic 

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

An additional add on of the FF7 story 

Game no: 393
Genre: RPG 
Platform: PSP 
Release Date: 2007
Factory Sealed: 217

What is it about?
The events before Final Fantasy VII where we follow a SOLDIER name Zack 

What I liked?
The story actually is good (It doesn't make sense to me for some parts) 
The combat design is active time battle but it is a bit clunky for me 
The game is linear with other stuff added on if you some extra replayability
Backstory on Cloud

What I didn't liked?
I don't understand the slot system in the game. It is fun to see the animations but I don't know how it works
The leveling up system also is confusing. I mean you don't grind for EXP but you get level up by using the slots
The combat is not fun after repeating it again and again

Status: Finish the game. I did watch half of it on youtube but that still counts 

Fun Factor: If you love Final Fantasy you should check it out. If not, this game is not for everyone

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

This game is not fun the second time around 

Game no: 383
Genre: Action
Platform: PS2
Release Date: 2004

Factory Sealed: 212

What is it about?

In the 60s, Snake needs to stop the launch of a nuclear missile from an autonomous tank

What I liked?

I love the metal gear gameplay of sneaking from point A to point B

The boss fights are all challenging and unique. Especially the sorrow and the end

The eating mechanic is great. Catching a lot of flora and fauna really adds to the experience 

The storyline is serviceable but there are problems in that 

The weapons are awesome. The Gatling gun is the best weapon out there

What I didn't liked?

The scene involving the motorcycle. The on rails wasn't that much fun

The escort mission involving EVA sucks

The main thing that bother me is the amount of exposition this game have. The gameplay is actually short but the exposition can last up to 45 minutes long. Hideo Kojima is a story teller but this game really is a drag if you experience it the second time. 

Status: Finish the game until the after credit scene

Fun Factor: Game is fun the first time around but the second time really a drag

Ape Escape

This game still holds up

Game no: 378
Genre: Platformer
Platform: PS1
Release Date: 1999

Factory Sealed: 210

What is it about?
You play as Spike and is in charge to capture escape monkeys 

What I liked?

Multiple weapons use to capture the monkeys 

Dual stick controllers makes the game fast and fun

Each monkey provide a certain challenge 

Different stages provide unique skills that needed to be masters

What I didn't liked?

Switching between weapons is tedious 

Some stages require you to hunt down the monkeys and its just so annoying 

Status: Played the game until the last 2 stages. And then just watch the longplay of it

Fun Factor: It's a fun game. That's about it

Portal

It's been forever since I've played this game 

Game no: 370
Genre: Puzzle 
Platform: PC
Release Date: 2007

Factory Sealed: 205

What is it about?

A puzzle game where you use portals to solve the problem 

What I liked?

The gameplay is simple and yet complicated at the same time 

What makes the game for me is the writing. The writing and voice acting is top notch. You wanted to play the game because you wanted to know what is going to happen next

The gameplay throws a curve ball in the middle of it which makes it more interesting 

End credit song is very catchy 

What I didn't liked?

I can only say the only thing that I didn't like is that it is a bit short and the ending just ended abruptly. 

Status: Finish the game until the end credits 

Fun Factor: One of the classics. A must play 

Alan Wake

This game has a storyline that will hook you in

Game no: 365
Genre: Action
Platform: PC
Release Date: 2010
Factory Sealed: 203

What is it about?

A writer by the name of Alan Wake came to an small town to get over his writer's block. Little that he knows the evil that awaits him 

What did I liked?

First of all the story is captivating. Remedy the makers of Control really knows how to tell stories. From the start until the end you want to continue to find out what happens next

The mechanic where you need light to beat the evil is cool. Apparently this game is sponsored by Energizer?

The variety of weapons from revolvers, shotguns, rifiles, flare guns, flares and flashbangs 

Secret routes that shine using the flashlight. 

Finding manuscripts which in turn becomes a real novel. The page are scattered everywhere which makes exploring the whole area worth wild 

Each episodes starts like a miniseries and he narrates everything he does. 

Each episodes starts of differently so you are never repeating the same thing 

What I didn't liked?

Controls is a bit clunky. You can't run but I guess that a design mechanic.

Ammo doesn't carry forward to the next episode

The ending... I don't get it. 

There are more bad guys than ammo so you'll end up running 

Status: Finish the game until the credits

Fun Factor: Great game. One of the best I played this year in terms of story

 

Final Fantasy VII Remake

I don't like playing RPGs due to the fact I don't like static gameplay and long winded storylines. But there is one series that I would try to play (even if sometimes I don't enjoy it). That series is Final Fantasy. I've played FFVII close to 20 years ago and I did enjoy it. I knew going in the remake that this is a totally take on the gameplay.

Game no: 364
Genre: RPG
Platform: PS4
Release Date: 2020
Factory Sealed: 202





What is it about?
The story about a group called Avalanche and how they try to save the city from a Shinra Company (of course it more than that but that is the gist of it) 

What I liked?
First of all what made the game for me is the combat. The combat is amazing. The game controls like a fighting game. It's a one button combo but what makes it deep is once you fill your ATB (Active Time Battle) Gauge  you can execute different combos and spells which makes it fast paced and very nerve wracking  
The ability to play with different characters. Cloud, Tifa, Barret and Aerith all give different play styles and movement. So you can strategize on how you want to want to approach the enemy
The Music. I rarely talk about the music since music does elevate the game but the music here is on another level. I think it's due to the fact that I've heard this music before and now it became more amazing since it's enhance the gameplay experience. The best music is the combat music. It really gets the blood pumping
The storyline and voice acting are way better. And they provide a lot of back story to all of the characters
Weapons and materia slots. Everytime you change a weapon and equip a materia it shows in game as well in the cutscene. That small feature is really awesome in my book

What I didn't liked?
It's not as open world as they say. The map is a small area where you go in long stretches of road until you get to the next area. Some of this areas looks climbable but in this game it has a lot of invisible walls 
Lots and lots of loading screens. Loading screens comes from walking into a tight corner for at least 1 or 2 minutes or going down a tunnel. It really breaks the action.
Materia system is different than the old game. Really need to learn that one.
The main part that is going to bug me is that knowing that is not even 10% of the game and we have to wait for an unknown time for the next part.

Status: Finish the game until the credits (32 hours) 

Fun factor: One of the best game of this year. Easily my top 3 (for now). A must play for everyone

Black Mesa

Tried this game again. Still I couldn't get through it.

Genre: FPS
Platform: PC
Release Date: 2020
Factory Sealed Ep: 201





What is it about?
It's the original Half-Life remake with modern graphics, improve AI and features

What I liked?
The gameplay is fast and fluid.
Graphical improvements looks superb but there are some issues to that (I'll get to that below)
The game is design to be very seamless. There is no end.
The NPC's provide with a lot of backstory and help during the game
Everything is in engine which is very rare for a game

What I didn't liked?
This game doesn't have a waypoint. So you'll spend your time getting lost in the map
Due to the increase in graphics. The lighting means everything is so dark.
The game is just not fun. I can't seem to be enjoying myself. Ammo seems hard to find and I keep emptying the clip

Status: Played till chapter 12 and then I'm considered done

Fun Factor: This game is practically fun like during it's time. Right now it didn;t stand the test of time

Super Mario World

I've been a community of a new group of retro gamers called Factory Sealed and every 2 weeks they will give a game for everyone to try. I think I am going to start trying to play their recommendations and see if I like it or not

Game no: 362
Genre: Platformer
Platform: SNES
Release Date: 1990

Factory Sealed Ep: 200

What is it about?

Mario needs to save Yoshi and his friends and also Princess Peach from the Bowser and his kids

What I liked? 

Traditional Mario platforming 

Stages are unique and provide a certain challenge 

Power-ups. The cape provide a fast way to skip everything in the stage

Yoshi provide a certain vulnerability 

What I didn't liked?

This game is hard. You need to have cat like reflexes in order to avoid all the traps and bad guys appearing on stage

The Forest of illusion. You can get stuck in there for a while if you don't know where to go 

The ghost castle. You also need to know where to go because you can get lost in there quite easily 

Status: Finish the game until the credits 

Fun Factor: Worth to play once but that's about it 

Donkey Kong Country

This game still holds up.. and it’s hard

Game no: 345
Genre: Platformer
Platform: SNES
Release date: 1994
Factory Sealed: 155

Gameplay
Jumping
Running
Swimming
Animal riding

What is it about?
Donkey Kong travels around his island to stop King K Rool and minions

What I liked?
3D sprite graphics
Stages are well designed

What I didn’t liked?
The controls are a bit floaty
The stages are ridiculous hard
The bosses are cheap

Status: Finish the game until the end credits

Fun Factor: One of the great Snes games

Undertale

A game where you don't need to fight



Game no: 322
Genre: RPG
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 2018 (Originally 2015)
Factory Sealed: 94

What is it about?
A boy wake up in the underworld and needs to make his way to real world

What I liked?
The turned battle system is one of unique things about the gameplay. The attack system is a mixed of bullet hell as well rhythm timing
The dialogue is fun and interesting. The story starts slow but slowly build up to the finale. Great writing
The puzzles are easy which is great for me
You actually need to beat the game without killing anyone to get the true ending. I didn't know that but I guess the game is design for a second playthrough
The final boss does a number on your switch

What I didn't liked?
The slow paced level up system. The game slowly ramps up your level.
The lack of items (or I didn't find any) to aid you in your quest. The more I look at it, the gameis design with less items in mind.
Some bossess are extreamly hard. The finally boss is way overpowered

Status: Played the game for 230minutes. Finish at level 18. Got the bad ending

Fun Factor: A great game to play. But would recommend to read the walkthroguh first before proceeding

Halo Combat Evolved: Anniversary Edition

This game is truly a masterpiece of it's time. Still holds up until now

Game no: 312
Genre: FPS
Platform: Xbox One (Part of the Halo Master Chief Collection)
Release Date: 2011
Factory Sealed: 176



What is it about?
The war between the humans and the covenant has reached a certain planet called Halo. There is something that lies beneath it.

What I Liked?
This game was released in 2001 and the things that they implement still holds up to date.
Rechargeable shields give you an extra boost when fighting
Interchangeable guns which means the action is non stop even when you run out of ammo
The storyline an interesting one. Just when you think you understand the game. It throws an unexpected twist in the middle which is scary and awesome at the same time.
Everyone has small bits of dialogue that is fun to hear
Vehicles that can be mounted and provide extra firepower.

What I didn't like?
Driving the Warthog. No idea why they map the driving controls to two analogue sticks. It feels very buttery
The constant feeling of lost. There are no waypoints so you are left to find the next path yourself. The problem is that the stages are massively huge and the same. So sometimes you will end up going in circles until you find the correct path.
The ending chase is impossible to do since the Warthog drives like shit.

Status: Finish the game

Fun Factor: Worth to be played with the enhance graphic and sound

Super Metroid

It's this one of the best games ever?

Game no: 304
Genre: Action (Metriodvania)
Platform: SNES
Released Date: 1994
Factory Sealed: 116

  

What is it about?
Directly after the events of the the first Metroid. Play as Samus Aran, bounty hunter determine to stop everyone from getting 

What I liked?
- Exploring planet Zebes is awesome. The difference about Metroid and Castlevania is their world map shows where is the opening. Metroid games just show a block and you need to explore the whole are yourself.

- The game slowly gets you started with minimal weapons and you slowly build up your arsenal by finding upgrades from rooms and hidden walls.

- 8 way directional shooting makes more precision in shooting enemies but the enemies move all around means getting a clear shot sometimes proves difficult. 

- Each bosses have certain hit points to destroy them makes fighting them fun and exciting 

- The final boss is awesome. There are no text in the game but it manage to convey a very good ending 

What I didn't liked?
- Getting lost... This game doesn't have a waypoint system. You'll end up going in circles finding what you need to do until it hits you where should you be going.

- Wall jumping.. Oh my god wall jumping sucks. I have no idea how those people does the speed running for this game. It requires a lot of precision and patience 

Status: Finish the game in 7 hours 11 minutes and 66% complete

Fun Factor: It is one of the best Metroid games I've played. Worth to be played at least once