Forums > Contributor Zone > RotW: July 8-14 -- Where I Learn About Games I'd Mainly Never Played (or heard of before)

Seven reviews by six people this week, so it's a bit busier than last time, when I think I had three reviews to go through, making this a really quick job. Had to do a bit more reading this time. Of games where I've only previously played one of them (The TMNT game for the NES) and, from reading about the rest, have little to no desire to play any of them. Which means that no one will have to worry about getting passed over simply because I had no interest in reading about whatever the hell you were writing about, since you all were on pretty equal footing as far as that goes!

To briefly discuss the non-placers, in no particular order:

Mariner's game was pretty interesting to read about. A "platformer" where the main gist was to plummet downward, using game mechanics as a way to rack up points and gain some control over your descent. A few typos and the like in it, but overall a pretty good read. I especially liked the part where you described just how tricky the mechanics are in this game, if you want to do halfway decently at it; which isn't the sort of think one might expect from a game where you're essentially just falling a long ways.

CRB brought two reviews, with that TMNT one being the one I liked the best. The first paragraph seemed a bit choppy, but the overall review was pretty nice. I especially liked how you emphasized that this game's mere existence is a bit mind-boggling, as Nintendo had moved onto the SNES, so having a new, original TMNT game for the older system was surprising. With how the game is actually pretty good being really surprising. I remember renting this one back in the high school days and do agree that this was a pretty fun game. Don't know if I'd still like it today, but I did really dig it back then.

Jason has a very well-written review, but had the unenviable struggle of explaining to someone like me just why I would enjoy a rogue-like game with flawed combat mechanics to the point where you can get beat by weak monsters simply because the computer decided it was physically impossible for you to actually connect with your attacks. Don't get me wrong, I thought you did a good job of writing about the plot and how the game works AND if combat was corrected, I would find the game interesting enough to consider thinking about possibly playing some day down the road because the mechanics do seem interesting; but to me, the whole "combat sometimes doesn't work" thing seems to be the sort of thing that'd be somewhat of a deal-breaker for me, especially considering that you made it sound like it happens somewhat often. One of those cases where the writing was good, but I wasn't feeling the recommending vibe.

THIRD PLACE

EmP's Zero Strain (PC)

I think I'm thoroughly confused after reading this review. The combination of your repeated assertions that this is a confusing game to write about AND how I have no actual experience with these, uh, *checks notes*, MOBA things really did a number on my brain. However, you do a really good job of describing things in detail so that I could figure out enough to at least have some degree of comprehension as to what you were saying AND in light of your "this is complicated to describe" tactic, your conclusion where you say the game takes a bit of getting used to, but is rewarding if you persevere with it really feels appropriate.

SECOND PLACE

Joe's Super Mega Space Blaster Special (PC)

Now, this was an easy-to-understand review! Aping a game I'm very familiar with from my youth and expanding on it to create something bigger, with challenges, alternate ships and the like. You do a good job of making this sound like quite the addictive time-waster, although, as you mention, one that has its flaws, such as how one of the two single-player modes is just sort of there, in comparison to the superior other mode. I enjoyed reading this review, as you did a really good job of showing the similarities and differences between this and Asteroids, as well as how this game expands on that one.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK (aka: Overdrive Place)

Pickhut's ACA NeoGeo: Cyber-Lip (PS4)

This was a really strong review for a game that sort of fell in the cracks between Contra and Metal Slug. You point out that tidbit, as well as how, for its time, it was pretty strong as far as graphics and sound goes. And also allude to how it doesn't really differentiate itself that much from Contra, unlike Metal Slug, which took a more "out there" approach. You have this game looking pretty cool, as a lesser-known gem, but then do a good job showing that it wasn't all that. Having the additional weaponry being that flawed here when I remember stuff like the wave gun saving my ass in Contra with regularity is definitely bad. And the lack of aiming versatility seems to fly against what a run-n-gun game should be all about. Overall, a really good read that serves as enough of a history lesson that I don't feel I need to actually ever play the game to get that lesson. Bonus points for mentioning how, in these games, all the world needs to be saved from alien (or whatever) domination is two burly, gun-packing dudes to go on the warpath.

Another successful RotW! At least for me, as I now have another few weeks until doing this again!

I'm not afraid to die because I am invincible
Viva la muerte, that's my goddamn principle

Cool; abandoning Prison Boss VR, one of the worst experiences I've had in VR, and its incomplete review for Cyber-Lip turned out to be a great decision!

But in all seriousness, thanks for the position. Cyber-Lip was something I remembered seeing all the time in arcades, but it was something I didn't actually had a chance to play (I think I often got it mixed up with Gunforce 1, too), so this was an interesting dive.

Congrats to EmP and Joe on their respective positions, and for everyone else for participating this week!

I head spaceshit noises.

Thanks for the topic, and congrats to the top three! Thank you to all for your participation!

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." - John F. Kennedy on reality

"What if everything you see is more than what you see--the person next to you is a warrior and the space that appears empty is a secret door to another world? What if something appears that shouldn't? You either dismiss it, or you accept that there is much more to the world than you think. Perhaps it really is a doorway, and if you choose to go inside, you'll find many unexpected things." - Shigeru Miyamoto on secret doors to another world2

Cheers for the words; another awkward review down. making life harder for myself is seemingly my current thing. Props to the rest of the gang, moreso to a deserved Pickhut win.

For us. For them. For you.

Every damn time I've logged onto this website, I've said I was going to comment on this thread. Guess what I didn't do every damn time I logged onto this website?

Thank you for placement! I'm glad you liked the review. I always have a hard time writing stuff for arcade-style titles, so I'm glad it went over well.

The only thing my milkshake brings to the yard is a subpoena.