Fiction of 2019

[nerdietalk]

Hell yeah, a new and improved obsessive list

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September

[nerdietalk]

Tormentum: Dark Sorrow

The core premise relies on the idea that the final twist is... a twist. And its pretty clear what's going on really quick. But in spite of that, the journey is genuinely fascinating. The strange world and its complexities are made somewhat worse by the final reveal (doesn't matter! not real!) but the art direction is so stunning and creative. Its a thrill to behold. A short three hour game.

The Silent Age

Another short, three hour point and click. Much less interesting and memorable than Tormentum but basically fine? Its about time travel shenanigans and shifting between timelines is one of the excitement of the puzzles. But it doesn't try going beyond that mechanic and abandons it at the very end for a pretty disappointing final chapter. But there is some exciting concepts thrown around and I can't say it wasted by time. A nice short journey. Can't complain.

Post Mortem

OLD 3D POINT AND CLICKS. WHY MUST YOU VEX ME.

So many of these puzzles can screw you out of the good ending if you ask a question out of order. You lose opportunities to get evidence all the time. Its frustrating!

Still Image

Sequel to Post-Mortem. Quite a bit better! Gameplay is easier and more intuitive, there's no "wrong" question. In fact, interrogations are split into two easily labelled types of questions: plot and personality. The former advances the story, the latter helps develop the character if you're curious. Puzzles are much more intuitive too. Story kind of falls apart as the game runs out of money, but its still better than Post Mortem. I don't... think I'll play Still Image 2, honestly I feel compelled to push through more steam games. I did my time.

Nancy Drew: Labyrinth of Lies

Another great Nancy game! Even easier than usual because it was about Greek myths! That said, woof, the name Thanos is so goddamn distracting.

Blue and Bullets

God. The art and creativity on display here is astounding. Its so sad that its never getting a complete story but I adored what I got.

Virginia

Stunning. Incredible. Creative as all hell. One of my favorite games of all time for sure. What a ride.

Thirty Flights of Loving

Did I spend money on this? I don't know. Its a half hour game. Brief fun. Not much to say except that it inspired Virginia so.

Home

Serviceable point and click thriller. Not much to write home about.

Noir Syndrome

Randomly generated mystery game. Super not for me, even though it should be. Whoops!

Monster Loves You

Real cute and endearing. What kind of monster will you grow up to be? Its all up to you!

Later Alligator

UTTER DELIGHT. BAMAN/PIDERMAN CREW DOES IT AGAIN. 10/10

Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale

The closest a video game has put me in a rage in a long time because those combat sections are infuriating. However... its still such a compelling, fun game. The entire mechanic of selling things and racking up money is an incredible system that's a blast to play with. I really did enjoy is a lot. With more experience under my belt, I might even give New Game Plus a go.

Jenny LeClue

I love ambitious games, even when its sad it doesn't quite reach its goals. The game is a bit slow and plodding when it shouldn't be, the puzzles only really work towards the end, and I'm not sure about how "choosy" it actually is. But its dealing with really compelling ideas and its talking about my own love hate relationship with kid detective stories. The lack of danger is always a problem and the game has an open discussion about the values of thrilling murder stories vs. innocent playful stories. And I think its a discussion that needs to be had.

Untitled Goose Game

THE GOOSE IS LOOSE

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

GOD. The future of Metal Gear world makes perfect sense and its fascinating to behold. This needs a sequel so bad. The Rising series was exactly where the franchise should have gone. It sucks that this is it, but its still a wonderful journey. Blitzed through it faster than any other Metal Gear.