Managed to play a reasonable amount during August, still spending a lot of time with the Switch. I am planning on a substantial PC upgrade between now and Christmas though, so I expect that’ll be where I focus my gaming time once it happens.
Games completed this month
Timespinner – Switch
A rare 100% completion here, including a New Game+ run. Really enjoyed Timespinner, but a lot of it was spent thinking what a great game Symphony of the Night is. A worthy tribute, as touched upon in my Metroidvania post.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World – Switch (SMS)
One of the first games I played on a games console, and certainly the first played on a system I owned. I finally completed Alex Kidd in Miracle World this month, some 30 years after first playing it. One of my all time favourite platform games, it only narrowly missed a place in my All-Time Top 5 games. Granted I was playing the SEGA Ages version on Switch and benefiting from some quality of life improvements, but it was satisfying to see the ending. I had previously got to the last area on occasion as a child, but didn’t understand what I needed to do.
Games played during August
Tetris 99 – Switch
Another Tetris 99 event to unlock a theme took place over an August weekend, and although the theme was based on a videogame IP I don’t care for (Fire Emblem) just the prospect of unlocking something was enough to pull me back in. Very much enjoyed putting some time into this again. I bloody love Tetris. Still haven’t managed first place though.
Tiny Trax – PSVR
I have been neglecting my PSVR. Admittedly the warmer weather had been making me less inclined to step into the headset, but the issue was more that whenever I put it on, I ended up just playing Tetris Effect and nothing else. Realised I’d bought this months (at least) ago and never even tried it. Spent some time with Tiny Trax this month and really enjoyed myself. It’s pretty much slot-car racing, with a steering mechanic to make things interesting. Also, it’s from FuturLab, the Brighton-based developer who made some of my favourite games on the Vita, always happy to show them some support.
Metro Exodus – PC
Put a few more hours into Metro Exodus during August. I am enjoying it, mostly because I like the setting and the characters. I do miss the claustrophobia inducing tunnels of the metro from the previous games, but at least there is a train. Everyone likes a train. Could do without the crafting though. Humbug.
Phantasy Star – Switch (SMS)
I played about half an hour of this, spoke to everyone in the village where I started. Entirely forgot I could save anywhere. Took one step outside the village and got murdered by a giant scorpion. Game Over. Games used to be tough, ya know? I was a bit disheartened but I shall go back and try again with regular saving (and maybe a guide).
Tetris Effect – PSVR
After my good work playing Tiny Trax, I was intending to play some more of my VR stuff. However the urge took me and I spent another 4 hours playing VR Tetris instead. No regrets! Also finally got to play in the “1989” themed levels, modelled on the original Gameboy graphics & music. It did not disappoint.
Retail version on Amazon here*. Best reason to go for the physical release for this is that if you forget to put the disc in, you might end up playing some of your other games for a change.
August Pick-ups
Warcraft 1 & 2 – PC
I never really played these properly back in the day, but have been meaning to try them properly ever since Good Old Games added them to their store. Warcraft II is still pretty playable so I’m hopeful I’ll get round to playing through that campaign. Possibly wasted my money on the first game though, not much fun to play in 2019…
Diablo – PC
As above for this really. Grabbed it at the same time as the Warcraft bundle. Like Warcraft 1, the original Diablo is clunky to play now, but I might still spend a bit more time with it. The mechanics aren’t as bad as early RTS games.
Outrun 2, Project Gotham 1 & 2 – Xbox
I took to eBay to pick up a few basics for my recently acquired Xbox. Outrun 2 was pretty much the main reason I wanted to console so was very happy to get hold of it.
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid – Switch
When this first came out I was intrigued as my partner is a big Power Rangers fan and does enjoy a versus fighting game. However early reports suggested that although it was a competent game, it was let down by a lack of content. It popped up in a Switch sale recently though, for a very reasonable £15, and a quick google informed me they had since added a few new characters and a story mode to the game as free updates. Figured it was now worth a punt, and after having a quick go it does seem promising.
Just Dance 2019 – PS4
Because fun.
Zelda Wired Pad – Switch
Not entirely happy about this one. My partner’s brother was visiting and I wanted to pick up a cheap extra pad in case we played some 3 player Raging Justice or Puyo Puyo Tetris. I left it too late to order online and my local Argos didn’t have stock for same day pick up. I was thus limited to Game and the only ones they had were this, Pokemon and Mario designs. I went for Zelda as the least visually offensive and to be fair it is a pretty good pad to use. As it happen’s my other half is a Zelda fan and really likes the design, so I’m optimistic she’ll use it and I can both get my Pro Controller back, and also stop having to detach the joy-cons when we want to play together on the TV.
They have this one on Amazon* if you want one. Can’t imagine why you would though. xD (In fairness, it is a very competent extra pad if you already have a Pro Controller)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 – Switch
Didn’t think I’d get round to picking this up for a while. It hasn’t reviewed particularly well, but the criticisms could largely be levelled at the two previous games in much the same way and I had a lot of fun with those. The main thing putting me off was the £50 RRP. However during August there was a “Buy one get one half price” deal on a handful of Switch exclusive retail games. Although there was nothing else in the offer that I wanted, my buddy was keen to pick up Dragon Quest Builders 2, so we grabbed both games and split the discount. Worked out about £34 each via Amazon thanks to their “slightly less than RRP” base price. (Deal has ended, but Amazon have dropped it further to £39.99* atm)
*As usual, these links are affiliate ones, which may earn me a small commission if you buy something.
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