Sentient Pixels

 I usually post game reviews on this website, but I'll make an exception today. Jonathan Hickman has made quite a name for himself by rebooting the X Men successfully, and I agree with everyone who claims that it really was something brilliant - somehow, he managed to bring in the entire history of the X Men and still make the reboot feel accessible for readers like me who has not kept up. But Issue 4 of the main series is something else entirely. It's one of the greatest X Men comics of all time.

 Game of the decade? 

Someday, I'll compile a list of the absolute best platformers ever made. When I do, Tropical Freeze would be up there with the best of them.

I should not have enjoyed this game as much as I did. The whole gameplay is as follows: run, explore, jump, take cover, shoot, repeat. But there was something really accessible and entertaining about it that kept me engaged. Really looking forward to the sequel, which I have heard good things about. 

Arkham City is the gaming equivalent of potato chips. It's really nice while it lasts, but if it's all you have, you'll be hungry before long.

Outer Wilds was my biggest disappointment in gaming in 2020. Not because it was a bad game, but just the opposite. If I had finished it by myself, I would possibly have said that it was one of the greatest games ever made. Unfortunately, I got so frustrated with not being able to progress at one point that I gave in and spoiled the whole thing for myself. Now it's too late: I don't feel the need to go back and play what's left, now that I know what's in store. Nevertheless, it was so brilliant when I was trying to solve everything by myself. A sublime experience.

When you read reviews of Witcher 3, you come across at least two tendencies among reviewers: there will be those who will claim that they're very old gamers, and rarely have they come across a game that is so lavish and so generous. The other kind of reviewer will grudgingly accept the wonders of Witcher 3, but also admit to boredom before long. I fall somewhat in both categories: for someone who has tried to play various kinds of games in many genres, it's astounding how the Witcher 3 seems to do so much right all at once. There is exploration, conversations, crafting, combat. Then there is the story, which has perhaps some of the best writing in a video game I've ever seen. But I have been bored with this game as well, and this largely when I have rushed through it and approached it like I would a game like Arkham City. That is playing it all wrong. While the difficulty in the game can be adjusted to suit your needs, this is a game that demands that you experience it ...