Two more games played during November.
Game: 30 - God of War Ragnarok (PlayStation 5)
Acquired: November 2022
Game: 31 - Super Mario 64 - 3D All-Stars Version (Nintendo Switch)
Acquired: April 2021
My backlog so far:
52 Games Goal:
Game: 30 - God of War Ragnarok (PlayStation 5)
Acquired: November 2022
Because of my work bonus I decided to get the latest God of War game earlier than planned. God of War Ragnarok, aka God of War 5, is the latest instalment in the series and the second & final major instalment in the Norse mythology saga. The game takes place a few years after the events of the 2018 game and we see Kratos & Atreus deal with the threat of Ragnarok as well as other Norse gods.
Now it's been 4 years since I last played the previous game and to be honest it's been long enough that I don't actually remember what was in the previous game in terms of features. Ragnarok does retain the use of the RPG aspect with customising your skills and weapons but other than two key weapons the rest I can't recollect. However, what this game does provide is really good, the combat feels rewarding especially the parry tactic and the shield, the world-building is incredible and the character dialogue throughout is investing, which makes tackling the side content more interesting than a lot of other games. Basically, the dialogue is so good you won't be bored to death.
Now throughout my playthrough I did decide to delve into the side content as the game lets you try out some of the areas within a realm along your journey which is optional but lets you find new items to support your equipment, more XP to level up and side-quests that will benefit your trophy progression. The side-quests also add to the world-building, so it feels just as good as the main story which is great as other RPGs tend to be pretty weak on this aspect (side-quests in a lot of RPGs don't have much effort on them and are mainly fetch-quests, though I hear Trails is pretty solid for their quest content).
While you're on a boat or mounting on a sleigh with wolves, your characters will monologue throughout which adds a lot of fun moments and references to previous games. I know many people don't want to play the Greek mythology saga, but I highly recommend playing the franchise from the start to get the best impact possible on Kratos' development because there's a lot of call-backs and dialogue that hits more if you know his backstory.
I spent 45 hours overall on the game with all trophies acquired, including the Platinum. There are some tough fights with the Berserker Gravestones and a post-game boss fight but with practice and a very handy Resurrection Stone, you will beat it without an issue. One trick that I have found is that some big bosses will try to bifrost you (which eats your HP, especially if you get damaged after) and to protect yourself you'll want to double-tap the shield so that it does a deflect - you'll notice this tactic will generally appear when you see two blue circles appear on the enemy. Enemies will also have two yellow circles which if timed right will allow you to parry, or two red circles which basically means dodge them as you can't protect yourself from them.
I haven't talked much about the story or other gameplay elements to avoid major spoilers, but I do recommend going into the game with as little knowledge as possible because it's a great journey from start to finish and wraps up very well.
Now it's been 4 years since I last played the previous game and to be honest it's been long enough that I don't actually remember what was in the previous game in terms of features. Ragnarok does retain the use of the RPG aspect with customising your skills and weapons but other than two key weapons the rest I can't recollect. However, what this game does provide is really good, the combat feels rewarding especially the parry tactic and the shield, the world-building is incredible and the character dialogue throughout is investing, which makes tackling the side content more interesting than a lot of other games. Basically, the dialogue is so good you won't be bored to death.
Now throughout my playthrough I did decide to delve into the side content as the game lets you try out some of the areas within a realm along your journey which is optional but lets you find new items to support your equipment, more XP to level up and side-quests that will benefit your trophy progression. The side-quests also add to the world-building, so it feels just as good as the main story which is great as other RPGs tend to be pretty weak on this aspect (side-quests in a lot of RPGs don't have much effort on them and are mainly fetch-quests, though I hear Trails is pretty solid for their quest content).
While you're on a boat or mounting on a sleigh with wolves, your characters will monologue throughout which adds a lot of fun moments and references to previous games. I know many people don't want to play the Greek mythology saga, but I highly recommend playing the franchise from the start to get the best impact possible on Kratos' development because there's a lot of call-backs and dialogue that hits more if you know his backstory.
I spent 45 hours overall on the game with all trophies acquired, including the Platinum. There are some tough fights with the Berserker Gravestones and a post-game boss fight but with practice and a very handy Resurrection Stone, you will beat it without an issue. One trick that I have found is that some big bosses will try to bifrost you (which eats your HP, especially if you get damaged after) and to protect yourself you'll want to double-tap the shield so that it does a deflect - you'll notice this tactic will generally appear when you see two blue circles appear on the enemy. Enemies will also have two yellow circles which if timed right will allow you to parry, or two red circles which basically means dodge them as you can't protect yourself from them.
I haven't talked much about the story or other gameplay elements to avoid major spoilers, but I do recommend going into the game with as little knowledge as possible because it's a great journey from start to finish and wraps up very well.
Game: 31 - Super Mario 64 - 3D All-Stars Version (Nintendo Switch)
Acquired: April 2021
Back when I first acquired a Nintendo Switch the first game that I basically played was the original Super Mario 64 remastered from the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection. This remaster upscales the game and makes it clearer, though it doesn't improve the framerate.
I 100% finished the Nintendo DS remake many years ago and while I owned the digital version on the Nintendo Wii via the Virtual Console, I had never finished the original before and now I finally have. I started the game earlier in the year but only continued where I left off while I was on holiday since I brought the Nintendo Switch with me.
The camera is pretty terrible, it's not great and has caused a lot of deaths as a result so I won't lie there. But besides that, I do think the rest of the gameplay holds up very well. The jump setup is cool, the weird crouch-jump trick is handy for large gaps, and it's challenging in specific areas. I haven't gone for 100% completion in this instance because I can't be asked to try and get 100 coins for each level so I managed to get as many as 108 of 120 stars overall (6 stars of 7 for each level, though I did manage to get 100 coins for 2 levels, and about 11 of 15 from the Castle).
Overall, Super Mario 64 is good fun and will eventually go through the other two games in the collection later.
I 100% finished the Nintendo DS remake many years ago and while I owned the digital version on the Nintendo Wii via the Virtual Console, I had never finished the original before and now I finally have. I started the game earlier in the year but only continued where I left off while I was on holiday since I brought the Nintendo Switch with me.
The camera is pretty terrible, it's not great and has caused a lot of deaths as a result so I won't lie there. But besides that, I do think the rest of the gameplay holds up very well. The jump setup is cool, the weird crouch-jump trick is handy for large gaps, and it's challenging in specific areas. I haven't gone for 100% completion in this instance because I can't be asked to try and get 100 coins for each level so I managed to get as many as 108 of 120 stars overall (6 stars of 7 for each level, though I did manage to get 100 coins for 2 levels, and about 11 of 15 from the Castle).
Overall, Super Mario 64 is good fun and will eventually go through the other two games in the collection later.
My backlog so far:
# | PC/Steam Backlog - Game Name: | Genre: |
|---|---|---|
1 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky | Turn-Based RPG |
2 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC | Turn-Based RPG |
# | PlayStation 3 Backlog - Game Name: | Genre: |
|---|---|---|
1 | 3D Dot Game Heroes | Action RPG |
2 | Castlevania: Lords of Shadow | Action, Hack n Slash |
3 | Catherine | Puzzle |
4 | Drakengard 3 | Action RPG |
5 | Eternal Sonata | Turn-Based RPG |
6 | Folklore | Action RPG |
7 | inFAMOUS | Action |
8 | inFAMOUS 2 | Action |
9 | Katamari Forever | Puzzle |
10 | Puppeteer | Platformer |
11 | Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time | Action, Platformer |
12 | Tears to Tiara II: Heir of the Overlord | Tactical RPG, Visual Novel |
13 | Way of the Samurai 4 | Action |
# | PlayStation 4 Backlog - Game Name: | Genre: |
|---|---|---|
1 | 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim | Tactical RPG, Visual Novel |
2 | AI: The Somnium Files | Adventure, Visual Novel |
3 | Black Clover: Quartet Knights | Action, Fighting |
4 | Bullet Girls Phantasia | Action, Shooter |
5 | The Caligula Effect: Overdose | Turn-Based RPG |
6 | Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions | Sports |
7 | Catherine Full Body | Puzzle |
8 | Chaos;Child | Visual Novel |
9 | Conception Plus: Maidens of the Twelve Stars | Turn-Based RPG |
10 | Cyberdimension Neptunia: Four Goddesses Online | Action RPG |
11 | Danganronpa 1 Reload | Visual Novel |
12 | Danganronpa 2 Reload | Visual Novel |
13 | Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony | Visual Novel |
14 | Date A Live: Rio-Reincarnation - 1: Rinne Utopia | Visual Novel, Dating Sim |
15 | Date A Live: Rio-Reincarnation - 2: Ars Install | Visual Novel, Dating Sim |
16 | Date A Live: Rio-Reincarnation - 3: Twin Edition: Rio Reincarnation | Visual Novel, Dating Sim |
17 | Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories | Adventure, Simulation |
18 | Dragon Quest Heroes II | Action RPG, Musou |
19 | Dragon's Crown Pro | Action RPG |
20 | Fairy Tail | Turn-Based RPG |
21 | Fate/Extella Link | Musou |
22 | Final Fantasy VIII Remastered | Turn-Based RPG |
23 | Full Metal Panic! Fight! Who Dares Win | Tactical RPG |
24 | Gal*Gun 2 | On-Rails Shooter |
25 | Gintama Rumble | Action, Musou |
26 | GOD EATER 3 | Action Hunter RPG |
27 | Gravity Rush 2 | Action, Platformer |
28 | The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures | Visual Novel |
29 | The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve | Visual Novel |
30 | Gundam Breaker 3 BREAK EDITION | Action, Arcade |
31 | Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Infinite Combate | Action RPG |
32 | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven | Fighting |
33 | Kotodama: The 7 Mysteries of Fujisawa | Puzzle, Visual Novel |
34 | Langrisser | Tactical RPG |
35 | Langrisser II | Tactical RPG |
36 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel | Turn-Based RPG |
37 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II | Turn-Based RPG |
38 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III | Turn-Based RPG |
39 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV | Turn-Based RPG |
40 | Megadimension Neptunia VII | Turn-Based RPG |
41 | Megadimension Neptunia VIIR | Turn-Based RPG |
42 | MELTY BLOOD: TYPE LUMINA | Fighting |
43 | Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm | Action, Fighting |
44 | Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 | Action, Fighting |
45 | Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 | Action, Fighting |
46 | NEO: The World Ends With You | Action RPG |
47 | Neptunia Virtual Stars | Action |
48 | Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars | Action |
49 | Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered | Turn-Based RPG |
50 | Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom | Action RPG |
51 | Nights of Azure | Action RPG |
52 | Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon | Action RPG |
53 | One Piece Burning Blood | Fighting |
54 | One Piece Unlimited World Red | Action |
55 | One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 | Musou |
56 | Our World Is Ended | Visual Novel |
57 | Persona 5 Royal | Turn-Based RPG |
58 | Persona 5 Strikers | Action RPG, Musou |
59 | Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney | Visual Novel |
60 | Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All | Visual Novel |
61 | Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations | Visual Novel |
62 | Punch Line | Visual Novel |
63 | Raging Loop | Visual Novel |
64 | Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-: Prophecy of the Throne | Visual Novel |
65 | Resident Evil 6 | Action Horror |
66 | Resident Evil: Revelations | Action Horror |
67 | Resident Evil: Revelations 2 | Action Horror |
68 | Robotics;Notes DaSH | Visual Novel |
69 | Robotics;Notes ELITE | Visual Novel |
70 | SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays | Tactical RPG |
71 | SD Gundam G Generation Genesis | Tactical RPG |
72 | Secret of Mana | Action RPG |
73 | Sengoku Basara 4: Sumeragi | Musou |
74 | Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal | Action |
75 | Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster | Turn-Based RPG |
76 | Shining Resonance: Refrain | Action RPG |
77 | Steins;Gate Elite | Visual Novel |
78 | Super Neptunia RPG | Turn-Based RPG |
79 | Super Robot Wars 30 | Tactical RPG |
80 | Super Robot Wars OG: The Moon Dwellers | Tactical RPG |
81 | Super Robot Wars T | Tactical RPG |
82 | Super Robot Wars X | Tactical RPG |
83 | Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet | Action RPG |
84 | Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Sessions! | Music, Rhythm |
85 | Tales of Berseria | Action RPG |
86 | Tales of Vesperia | Action RPG |
87 | Tales of Zestiria | Action RPG |
88 | Tokyo Xanadu eX+ | Action RPG |
89 | Trials of Mana | Action RPG |
90 | Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception | Tactical RPG, Visual Novel |
91 | Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth | Tactical RPG, Visual Novel |
92 | Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen | Tactical RPG, Visual Novel |
93 | Utawarerumono: Zan | Action, Musou |
94 | Valkyria Chronicles 4 | Tactical RPG |
95 | Valkyria Revolution | Action RPG |
96 | Wing of Darkness | Action, Arcade |
97 | The Witch and the Hundred Knight Revival Edition | Action RPG |
98 | WORLDEND SYNDROME | Visual Novel |
99 | Yakuza 3 Remastered | Action Beat em up |
100 | Yakuza 4 Remastered | Action Beat em up |
101 | Yakuza 5 Remastered | Action Beat em up |
102 | YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of this World | Visual Novel |
103 | Ys IX: Monstrum Nox | Action RPG |
# | PlayStation 5 Backlog - Game Name: | Genre: |
|---|---|---|
1 | Cyberpunk 2077 | Action |
2 | Judgment | Action, Beat em up |
3 | Lost Judgment | Action, Beat em up |
4 | Neptunia ReVerse | Turn-Based RPG |
5 | Nioh 2 | Action Souls RPG |
6 | Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit of Wonder Labyrinth | Metroidvania RPG |
7 | Resident Evil 2 | Survival Horror |
8 | Resident Evil 3 | Survival Horror |
9 | Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin | Action Souls RPG |
10 | Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania | Puzzle |
11 | Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon | Turn-Based RPG |
# | PlayStation Vita Backlog - Game Name: | Genre: |
|---|---|---|
1 | Bullet Girls | Action, Shooter |
2 | Freedom Wars | Action |
3 | Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart | Tactical RPG |
4 | Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed | Action |
5 | MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies | Action, Musou |
6 | Muv-Luv | Visual Novel, Dating Sim |
7 | Muv-Luv Alternative | Visual Novel |
8 | Superdimension Neptune vs SEGA Hard Girls | Turn-Based RPG |
9 | Valkyrie Drive Bhikkhuni | Action |
# | Nintendo Switch Backlog - Game Name: | Genre: |
|---|---|---|
1 | Fire Emblem: Three Houses | Tactical RPG |
2 | The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero | Turn-Based RPG |
3 | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Action RPG |
4 | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Racing |
5 | New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe | Platformer |
6 | Senran Kagura Reflexions | Simulation |
7 | Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury | Action, Platformer |
8 | Super Mario Galaxy | Action, Platformer |
9 | Super Mario Sunshine | Action, Platformer |
10 | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Fighting |
11 | Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition | Action RPG |
12 | Xenoblade Chronicles 2 | Action RPG |
| No. | Game | Console | Acquired | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes | PS3 | 2017 | Musou |
2 | Toukiden 2 | PS4 | 2019 | Hunter RPG |
3 | Fist of the Nort Star: Lost Paradise | PS4 | 2019 | Action, Beat em Up |
4 | JUMP FORCE | PS4 | 2022 | Fighting |
5 | Saint Seiya: Soldiers' Soul | PS4 | 2020 | Fighting |
6 | Code Vein | PS4 | 2020 | Action Souls RPG |
7 | Super Robot Wars V | PS4 | 2019 | Tactical RPG |
8 | Gran Turismo 7 | PS5 | 2022 | Racing |
9 | Onechanbara Z2: Chaos | PS4 | 2020 | Action, Hack n Slash |
10 | SG/ZH: School Girl / Zombie Hunter | PS4 | 2021 | Action, Shooter |
11 | Ratchet & Clank: QForce | PS3 | 2021 | Action, Platformer |
12 | Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One | PS3 | 2021 | Action, Platformer |
13 | Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation | Vita | 2018 | Turn-Based RPG |
14 | Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation | Vita | 2018 | Turn-Based RPG |
15 | Spirit Hunter: Death Mark | PS4 | 2021 | Visual Novel |
16 | Spirit Hunter: NG | PS4 | 2021 | Visual Novel |
17 | Sisters Royale: Five Sisters Under Fire | PS4 | 2021 | Shoot em up |
18 | Resident Evil 4 | PS4 | 2022 | Action, Horror |
19 | Resident Evil 5 | PS4 | 2022 | Action, Horror |
20 | Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles HD | PS3 | 2021 | On-Rails Shooter |
21 | Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles HD | PS3 | 2021 | On-Rails Shooter |
22 | Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time HD | PS3 | 2021 | Action, Platformer |
23 | Prince of Persia: Warrior Within HD | PS3 | 2021 | Action, Platformer |
24 | Stray | PS5 | 2022 | Platformer |
25 | Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones HD | PS3 | 2021 | Action, Platformer |
26 | Resident Evil HD Remaster | PS4 | 2022 | Survival Horror |
27 | Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (Remake) | PS5 | 2022 | Platformer |
28 | Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil (Remake) | PS5 | 2022 | Platformer |
29 | Nioh Remastered | PS5 | 2022 | Action Souls RPG |
30 | God of War Ragnarok | PS5 | 2022 | Action RPG |
31 | Super Mario 64 (3D All-Stars HD Remaster) | Switch | 2021 | Platformer |
