Spinning Disks is a feature where I collect thoughts on a smattering of games I’ve been playing lately, over the last three months. Often these are smaller works, or games I haven’t finished yet but still wish to talk about.
- Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Skies
- Misericorde Vol.2: White Wool and Snow
- Of the Devil Episode 1
- Devil Blade Reboot
- In the Palace of the Birds
- Metal Garden
- Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
(I’m planning on writing more on this.)
Played about 3 playthroughs of it: Once on easy with Kachi, Normal on Isa (co-op) and another easy run with the Kachi & Isa game mode (allows you to swap between the two on a button press) to unlock the bonus ending credits + cutscene. Initially I wasn’t getting that same boldness that I felt from the first game that drew me in so strongly to it yet, even without that feeling, I never was disappointed by the game. Each playthrough just increased my enjoyment of the work; it’s pure fun! Treasure knows what they are doing and they made a damn good game.
The surprise release of late last year! Basically dropped everything to go and play this (was one of the releases I was excited for last year) and it didn’t disappoint. Actually I think it exceeded whatever I could’ve thought it would do.
Seeing Hedwig in all her miserable glory again was a delight but the specific way that she commiserates upon herself and the situations she is put in and, perhaps sadistically of me, the self-flagellation that is both deeply heartbreaking and enjoyable really furthers her narration of the events. She’s so torn over what she desires (women) (routine, familiarity, purpose) and her position (not just her religious role but also as the “spy” to uncover the murder). It was a potent concoction that made for a deeply enjoyable read.
Was pretty enjoyable! I really liked the writing and flow of it as well as Morgan and the way she presents herself to others and her internal voice differing from that. I’m curious to see where her dynamic with Serra goes in the future, since that space between them feels very loaded both with their roles and history as well as the title Serra refers to Morgan with.
Ran into a few issues in the court sequences, usually with a lack of clarity between evidence shown for me to choose from and the lack of time to understand how that connected with testimonies but I believe there has been some updates since I played that clears that up a bit...I did play on high roller mode for extra challenge and I’m glad it de-emphasises save scumming but it also did mean I had a moment during the court case where it was really down by the wire (if I chose wrong it would have been a game over) so that was pretty fun to bounce back from.
When the game gets on a roll and you’re picking apart testimonies and arguments it’s really great, hits that high well. Overall I’m pretty positive on it and looking forward to future episodes. For the type of game it is I’d rather play through this again than AI Somnium, that’s for sure.
Pretty damn fun and chunky feeling shooting game...Everything in it’s got heft, bombast, everything announces itself and enemy ships flying in the background, whoosh in and let you know they are coming. Gives this real nice ease to it that doesn’t take away any bite. I also managed to 1cc it on easy the first time I played, which is a first and I was elated about that. Been trying to 1cc a few other STGs for a while now so that just felt like the practice put into those has translated to the genre as a whole. Currently practising 1cc runs for the normal mode although I’m taking it pretty easy.
A wonderfully short (can be played in under half an hour) and really evocative visual novel. Three friends are stuck in a room and listen to a tale, one that feels right out of any folklore or myth. There’s a real nice flow to the writing, and the way each friend interjects and converses, the way that interrupts and flows into the story being told and the story of the vn... The air of mystery yet familiarity...the trepidation of their game – the simplistic and smart presentation adds to the atmosphere and quality of the work.
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If you like those shadow girls from Utena, you’ll probably get a kick out of this.
Entombed in a unbreachable megastructure, clotted by a concrete sky, wandering as a nomad you enter the world of Metal Garden. An initial look at the images of this game might paint the world in a drab greyness, implying disinterest, but there is a deep invitation in the way the world is structured. The game takes you on a capital J Journey, being linear in nature, yet always making the concrete world feel much larger in scale than it appears to the player. The way the spaces are constructed and the way you progress feels so artistic in this particular way. It’s moody and tense and delightfully wanderlustful, with genuine surprises in its encounters and story.
(playing co-op hunts with sis)
Trying my best to ride the wave of FOMO w/ the new monhun (which I know I won’t like anyway) so smashing out some multiplayer hunts with my sister has really helped. We’re in high rank now so getting focus on what gear is best for weapon builds is fun, I’ve gotten to hunt some mons I’ve never experienced before (Brachy) and sis has gotten to hunt some underwater versions of mons she’s hunted before (Plesioth…) so it’s been an all round blast to play. Also, Moga Sweetheart is such a delightful dork, always fun to see the silly side of this series.
While I was playing Breath of Fire V: Dragon’s Quarter over the new year and in early months, I had to put on hold while sis plays Trails through Daybreak (and after a catostrophic failure of mine that caused a deal of woe – I will get into this when I write about the game).
Been watching her play Daybreak 1 & 2 and it’s been an experience having only played the first Sky chapter to see how far technology has advanced in the world in less than 10 years. The closer contemporary setting is an adjustment! Otherwise it's been a pretty enjoyable game to watch, even if 2 is a much messier, befuddling game that feels like the plot needed to cook more. However, the core cast remains as delightful as ever and remains a real strength of the games.