thrilly26

Game Complete #17: Tony Hawk's Project 8

I think I've played this before on PS2, but I don't quite remember. I saw a video covering the PS3 version recently, however, and decided to give it a go. I tried it before but at first it feels so different due to the 30 FPS and the new engine, but in the end, it's a good time. It's Skate before there was Skate, but without the realism of course. I enjoyed this game a lot with its mix of open world and classic gameplay. Wouldn't mind another Tony Hawk open world game like this.

Game Complete #18: Resident Evil 3 Remake

Game Complete #14: THPS 3+4 PRO GOALS

I was wondering whether to include this in my list, since I'd already beaten the main game last year and for 100% you need to do the solo tours as well (aka including beating base game like 20 times?). However, since it took me almost as long (if not even longer) than the main game, I decided to do it. Some of these goals are really hard, but I wanted to be able to replay the levels in solo tours, so that's why I did it. I mean, it's still a great game.

Game Complete #15: The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

This is the big one. I could write a full article about it. Played 40 hours the year it release, a couple since, and now another 40 hours. I barely play games this long anymore, and while the final missions required some grinding, this was still fun grinding. It's crazy how even with the same characters and open world as BOTW, Nintendo were able to create a game that still plays completely differently. While both games are similar, both are unique experiences, and games unlike (almost?) anything else. It's very rare to play a game like this, so unique, so creative, so special. There's so much to see here, the world feels alive, the shrines are great. While playing this again, I thought I liked BOTW more since it's a more focused experience, but after beating this, I'm not sure if I can place one above the other. Just such a great game.

Game Complete #16: Shin-chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation – The Endless Seven-Day Journey

Game Complete #12: Yooka-Replaylee

I enjoyed the original game, and would've enjoyed Replaylee even more if I hadn't played the original. Still happy to support this, hoping for a second game.

Game Complete #13: Resident Evil Reqiuem

I wasn't sure whether this deserved its own post, but I have thoughts, so here we go. I'm saying this because this is a pretty short game, at least the campaign. The replay value is there, of course, but I beat all grand prixs in ~3 hours?! Sonic Allstars Racing Transformed was at least twice this long, I believe. But let me structure my thoughts.

I lvoed Sonic Allstars Racing Transformed. In my opinion, it's the only actual Mario Kart competitor. Crash Team Racing was fun too, but didn't have any crossover stuff. SART had Wreck-it Ralph, Football Manager, Danica Patrick (?!) and tracks from other games like Samba De Amiga (or whatver it's called). Sonic Team Racing disappointed because it didn't have all that, albeit it's not a bad game and I might need to give this another try. But, because of that, Crossworlds seemed like an actual succesor to that, and to a small extent, it is. It has Joker, Hatsune Miku, plus DLC with Spongebob, Minecraft etc. But that's about it. Maybe I'm just not too much into Sonic, but there were only few maps I recognized. In SART, even if I didn't know the games, I could still see where they were coming from. We almost don't have that here. At least, I think the DLC tracks are the only ones that are inspired by their franchises.

Crossworlds reminds me a b t of Lumines Arise. Technically, it's a great game, and it looks fantastic. It still plays as great as its predecessor, but somehow, it isn't better. In Lumines, that's the music and in Crossworlds that's the tracks (and slightly, the racers). There's so many Sonic characters that I don't know and so few crossover characters.

Now that is a game I have some thoughts on. It took me over 10 years to finally beat this game and it will likely be the worst game that I'm beating this year. Why? Where do we start?

The game is an impressive tech demo at the time of release. A PS3 game for a handheld - this could've easily been Uncharted 2 but worse. The PS Vita exclusive features are nice for some time, and really make me wish for more unique gameplay experiences like this, but most of them also get old pretty fast. Swiping, motion controls when climbing - especially when you're playing in bed. Some stuff is cool like motion aiming, some puzzles. But apart from that, gameplay-wise this has the same problem as the other Uncharted games: You're either shooting or climbing. Some people may like that, but I prefer the modern Tomb Raider games in that regard. What is especially annoying in this game, however, is that you have lots of unfair enemy encounters in the final chapters, and some passages where the camera works against you. It became annoying, but being so far into it, I finally wanted to beat it.

I am a bit surprised to say that I've finished this game already, as it's been almost two years since I bought it. Some parts were still extremely slow, but I still loved this so much to actually finish this in a week or so (~10 hours?). I mean, I mostly played this for the story. I hated how slow FF VII Remake was, and how it dragged, and I'm not a big fan of boss fights or just long fights in general. But somehow these FF games always have those great stories/storytelling. In the end, I even got hooked on the gameplay. There were notable improvements over Remake here, and in the end I noticed that I actually enjoyed it.

I didn't do too much exploring, even though I spent a tad bit of time with mini games and side quests. Sometimes I wondered where the story was going or whether it lacked focus, but in the end, this game is one big journey. There were still some parts that could've been shorter, and I felt that in the end as well, but it's still a great game. I love the story, and even though I spent so much time with this and felt that some parts dragged, I still want more. I would've liked to do a bit more exploring, but you can only go back to certain points/chapters in the story instead of exploring the world before the end of the story. I don't want to do that. I considered Crisis Core as well, but coming from Rebirth, the game's PSP nature is a downgrade in every way. Not to mention that it's a sequel to FF7 OG and not necessary Remake. Maybe I'll play another FF game then. We'll see. At last, this leaves me waiting for the third game of the remake trilogy. I have no idea how they are going to top Rebirth, but I can't wait to play it.

Game Complete #5: Penko Park

... and a short one after that: Indie Pokemon Snap. Good game. Now, give me that New Pokemon Snap Switch 2 Edition. (Fine, I'll continue my playthrough of the OG first.)

Game Complete #6: Klonoa Empire of Dreams

This game to Switch Online GBA recently, and it's been a good time. Beat a level before bed time, then go to sleep. I might like this 2D version ever better than the main (3D) games. Chill experience, and I don't even like puzzle platformers (if this can be counted as one).

Game Complete #7: Sizeable

What a way to start the new year. First of all, I'm now glad I didn't skip RE7 because it definitely is important here. There's so much story here, and I was invested as to even reading all of the notes I'd found.

Overall, I had a good time with this game. Loved the beginning, the wintery village and the castle, the middle had a good pacing, but the final area dragged on slightly too long. The end was crazy though.

This is my fourth Resident Evil game in the span of a year, from playing RE2 Remake, to playing the second half of RE4 Remake, to playing RE7 and now Village. I don't recall ever having played games of the same franchise in such a short amount of time. I'm reminded a bit of my time with Alan Wake - American Nightmare - AW 2.

Because of that, I'm not as hyped for RE Requiem though. I mean, I'm more invested than I was before I started RE7, but I didn't have to wait like two or three years for that. Besides, I still have other RE games to keep me busy. I want to play the RE7/8 DLCs while the memory is still fresh. And then I still have RE3 Remake and RE4 Seperate Ways, and possibly the Revelations games. I could give the 0 and 1 Remasters another chance as well, although I'd rather have remakes here as well. We'll see. There's other games as well.

Game Complete #2: BRAZILIAN DRUG DEALER 3: I OPENED A PORTAL TO HELL IN THE FAVELA TRYING TO REVIVE MIT AIA I NEED TO CLOSE IT

This game is ... something. 90s shit. Weird shit. Weird vibes. Fun times. Boomer shooter. Best game from the 90s that game out in 2025? I don't know. It's cheap, It's short, it's worth a try.

Game Complete #3: High On Life + High on Knife DLC

In the beginning, there was games...games for the New Year. Let's take a quick look at how "successful" I was in beating these games.

Quantum Dream: I wanted to play this because of my love for the Remedyverse, especially Alan Wake. I didn't enjoy it though, so I never beat it.

RDR2: I played this a few hours here and there, but it's a big game. So, it's on my list for this year again!

Half-Life Alyx: Also played a bit of this, but I'm such a bad VR gamer. I rarely play these, always have a good time, but can never play for too long. Hopefully, I'll return to this in the New Year.

God of War Ragnarök: I've played this as well, for 10 hours or so. I've been enjoying it, and then not anymore. It's not on my "must play" list anymore, and I'm fine if I never beat it, but I might continue it at some time.

Silent Hill 2 Remake: Only game of this list I've actually beat, yay! It was a bit long, but I got it done right in time for Silent Hill f. Great game.

FF VII Rebirth: Also played a good amount of this, and I'm maybe 1/2 or 2/3 through. It's on this year's list again, and I'm sure I'll beat it this year!

Hyper Light Breaker: The first disappointment of the year. Played a bit of this, but the devs have officially abanonded it now, so I guess it'll never leave Early Access? What a shame. It had atmosphere, but it was never as good as Hyper Light Drifter.

Switch 2: A slight disappointment, but hey, I beat two-three games on it! Bananza > Prime 4 > MK World.

GTA VI: Possibly the biggest disappointment that this didn't release, but was delayed for a whole year. I hope it'll finally come out in 2026!

I also had another look at the games I beat in 2025 and here are my favorites / top 3:

3) Spongebob The Cosmic Shake / Star Wars Jedi Survivor

2) RE2 Remake

1) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 Remake

Not exactly ... but when it comes to figuring out what to play, I'm finding new ways to organize myself. Some games from last year that I've yet to beat, as in "must play", but also lots of games I want to play, or at least, try.

So first, I've got my "must play" list. I've already started Village in the new year, and enjoying it so far. I've started Yotei and SMG2 when they came out and plan to beating them. I've started FFVII, TOTK and RDR2 even longer before and while I've been playing them for a bit last year, they're long games. So, I want to dedicate some time this year to beat these at last. And finally, while there are lots of interesting games on the horizon for 2026, I've nailed it down to a top 3: Wolverine, Control Resonant, and hopefully, we'll finally get GTA VI.