January was an exciting month for me, thanks to the release of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE: Encore, as well as a bunch of interesting Indie games. Whilst I can’t review all of them, I will certainly play as much as I can – until this week. This week had the unfortunate side effect of me playing N-Fusion’s, Ember, a game I recently reviewed (check it out, hint, hint). Whilst that game was a bit on the naff side due to a distinct lack of mechanical depth, it stoked the fires of passion within me. The resulting aftermath of such a kindling, produced a number of knee-jerk purchases that I would like to touch on today. This will be a first impressions kind of article, as opposed to a review. That being said, full reviews may be in the works, so keep an eye out!
Mega Man X2…and X3…and X4…and X5
Of course Mega Mega Man Marathon Mondays are a thing, so I am dedicating an incredible amount of time, and sanity, to binging the X series. I managed to complete X2-X4 and X5 is in the works. X2 and X4 are wonderful examples of how to expand the X formula. Lemons everywhere, interesting bosses, cool new mechanics – it’s all there. X3 on the other hand made me sad. This is mostly due to an increased focus on collectables, with this entry containing exactly 13,469 (that may, or may not, be an exaggeration). I don’t want to speak ill of the uncompleted, but X5 has failed to leave a good impression either. I suspect this is the turning point for the series, which is a real shame. Time will tell, however.
Pillars of Eternity
This is the game I just had to buy the moment I started playing Ember. At the time of its PC release, back in 2015, my rig decided to explode. When it came to PS4, the gods deigned it necessary for that to fulminate in spectacular fashion. Clearly, this game was not destined for my critical eye. It eventually came to Switch, and it completely flew under my radar, until a google search not too long ago, revealed its existence. If you like CRPG’s with an incredibly dark, yet interesting, world, filled with in-depth combat, mechanics and characters, then this is the game for you. I am 10-15 hours in, and I am completely enthralled. It has such a firm grip on my being, that it has actually impacted my Mega Man marathon – a feat no other game has managed to do in the 2-3 months I have been doing it. Curse you Obsidian. I dread the release of Pillars of Eternity 2, for I may not survive the ordeal.
Divinity Original Sin 2
This was a purchase I did not necessarily need to make, mostly due to the fact my body and soul was absorbed by ‘Pillars’. I did so anyway, and I am glad I did. Divinity 2 is a true evolution of the CRPG, providing an incredibly in-depth combat system, fascinating takes on its races, and a difficulty curve that is both terrifying and satisfying. It took me a good 20 hours to complete the first act, which is truly mind boggling in this day and age. It may have taken a couple hours for the games mechanics to truly sink in, but when it did, I couldn’t escape. If you want something new, this is a great buy. If you are looking for something more traditional, then this might not scratch that itch.
That just about does it, I think. Normally my repetoir of played games is a bit more exhaustive, but this week it is all about the CRPG apparently. I am actually pondering the idea of doing a CRPG Marathon in May, going from Baldur’s Gate all the way to Pillars of Eternity. That may be madness incarnate however, so we will see how that pans out.
Let me know in the comment section below, what YOU have been playing, and whether or not you have played one of the corkers I have been dabbling with.
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