PixlBit

Games Beaten

-Dragon Marked for Death (Switch)

The devs are trying to get a little too much out of the content that’s here. Dragon Marked for Death is fun to play. The action feels good and there is a decent variety to the mission objectives (though obviously you’ll always be killing a bunch of stuff). There really aren’t that many missions, however. The various character classes play quite differently and I guess that’s where the game’s staying power is supposed to come from but I don’t really want to play through these same missions that many times. Balance on the post-game content is also a little off, stacked against the player. Fun while it lasts…until it lasts too long.

Games Bought

In June I made use of an eShop sale to pick up some Switch games for very cheap. Gato Roboto is a monochrome Metroidvania where you play as a cat piloting a mech. Need I say more? SteamWorld Dig 2 is the sequel to a delightful little game and is supposed to be better in every way. And while Dig 2 is a superlative Metroidvania, SteamWorld Heist is a turned-based strategy game that is also supposedly quite good. The most exciting acquisition of the month, though, is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (Switch), which my wife got me for Father's Day. It is...well, a Metroidvania and, considering what I have been playing, that is definitely the theme of the month. Oh, I also grabbed a couple PS+ games, namely SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake (PS5) and Streets of Rage 4 (PS5), which is a delightful Metroidvania! Haha, no. It's a beat-'em-up but a very good one.

Games Being Played

-Hollow Knight (PS5)

Hey look! A Metroidvania! I have meant to play this celebrated game for years and I'm finally doing it. And you know what? It's pretty good! It can be unforgiving, particularly with its boss battles, but you never lose progress. It's compelling.

-Live A Live (Switch)

I have just the Edo Japan and Far Future chapters left to go before the endgame.