Release Year: 2012
Reading Year: WI2024
Developer/Publisher: GameFreak/Nintendo
Time to Beat: XX Hours

Thoughts: I think this is the best Pokemon game. I get it. As someone who played every single of game in the main-series except this one, I had always heard that the Black and White games were different. Now, I can I say that I agree. So, I am mostly going to say what others have already said. The story is more nuanced, but more importantly is given space to breathe. The Team Rocket equivalent is muddied in a very refreshing way, especially with N as a character. It should be high praise that this game felt like i was present playing a Pokemon game and not just going through the motions. I will also say it was the first time since Sword and Shield that I felt wowed by the animation gimmicks. Every Pokemon game there some marginal animation improvement and it typically feels like a waste of resources. But here, I was genuinely excited with each gym to interact with the 3D space or see these magnificent bridges and cityscapes! This is the best of Pokemon in the classic handheld era hands down.

Release Year: 2012/2021
Reading Year: SU2024
Developer/Publisher: BioWare/EA
Time to Beat: 40 Hours

Thoughts: After nearly a hundred hours, I have finally rolled credits on Mass Effect 3. A series that was created in 2007. 17 years ago. A series I grew up around, albeit on the periphery (in my ME1 review below). A series that felt so mature and was endless in scope. A true space opera. A series whose first two games I scored a 9/10 and 10/10, respectively.

Release Year: 2017
Reading Year: WI2023
Developer/Publisher: Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks
Time to Beat: 22 Hours

Thoughts: Prey is exactly the kind of game I hate. It’s a game with too many systems and too little guidance. It is too easy to feel stupid or lost in a game meant to “fit any play-style.” Prey is also difficult. Especially in the early game. You are meant to feel powerless and carefully plan your enemy engagements – which usually amounts to finding any way to not engage. However, you aren’t told this. Instead you will be stonewalled by a Voltaic Phantom or die one too many times to a household object. In either case, it can feel unforgiving, unfair, and directionless. If you end up finishing, you may feel that you didn’t play “correctly” and still don’t understand why people love this game so much.

Release Year: 2023
Reading Year: WI2023
Developer/Publisher: Avalanche Software/Portkey Games
Time to Beat: 28 Hours

Thoughts: So, this is obviously a controversial game. While that controversy has mostly died out, it is still important to make a measured decision on where your money goes. I will link a few articles that discuss the controversy and analyses so you may self-inform. My reasoning is two-fold: First, my dad plays one-two video games per year. Before Hogwarts Legacy it was Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, games I have no interest in. I want to stay connected with him and this game is the way. Second, I bought it through Humble Bundle (a charity game store), am within the targeted community, and realize there is no “right” decision concerning giving money to a bigot versus supporting a studio. Fuck J.K. Rowling and I played this game. Okay, here is the review!

Release Year: 2023
Reading Year: WI2023
Developer/Publisher: Visai Games
Time to Beat: 1 Hours

Thoughts: This game received a lot of critical praise in 2023. The closest I can come to understanding why that would be is the Green Book effect. The writing feels timid and the story safe. I appreciated the perspective of the mother as that is rare in any medium, but wish they had leaned into more complex dialogue. You can’t say that it’s too short for that, look at What Remains of Edith Finch or really any AnnaPurna game. The recipe book conceptually is a powerful and grounding object in the game, but it doesn’t pan out that way. I wish there was more heart and introspection from the act of reading and cooking.