PixlBit

Games Beaten

-Mechstermination Force (Switch)

What if Shadow of the Colossus was a 2D run-‘n-‘gun game? It might be something like Mechstermination Force. The game does a good job with scale, making the mechs seem truly huge, and the variety of these bosses is impressive as well. Fighting them can be frustrating when precision is needed because the controls are a little floaty, and while I like variety of weapons you can purchase in the shop, I wish the game told you their various power levels. It’s a fun game but probably not something I’ll be returning to for repeat playthroughs.

-Pocky & Rocky Reshrined (Switch)

I did not play Pocky & Rocky back in the day but I certainly enjoyed it now. I love the Japanese-ness of the trappings—art, music, story—and the top-down shooter gameplay is very solid. I do have qualms though. First of all, you can't play co-op unless you beat the game once in Story Mode. That's annoying. Another thing is that you power down sometimes when you take damage. So if you're struggling, it just gets harder. This new version does have a generous checkpoint system, however, which relieves some frustration. It's a game I'd have played a lot as a kid. Hopefully co-op will give it some legs because it is fun to play.

-Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak (Switch)

As someone who enjoys playing Monster Hunter with friends but doesn’t get too far into the weeds with weapon and armor builds, I appreciate the improvements in Rise. You no longer need to carry nets and pickaxes to collect bugs or mine ore, for instance. But I really like the new wirebug system. You only get a couple at a time and they have to recharge after use but the wirebugs, which act like grappling hooks, allow for much greater mobility. Crossing big gaps or climbing cliffs are much more manageable now. Otherwise…it’s Monster Hunter.  There are tons of monsters to hunt and weapons and armor to craft. Good times!

Games Bought

In July I just picked up a couple of the PS+ games for PS5. Diablo IV is something I'll play with friends or not at all. We'll see. I had a great time playing its predecessor co-op but I hear this one feels pretty different. The other game is King of Fighters XV. I'm generally not big into fighting games but I've never played any KoF game, so I figured it would be good to have one.

Oh! I nearly forgot! The new Destiny 2 expansion came out, Edge of Fate! Got that as well.

Games Being Played

-Destiny 2 (PS5)

Bungie has made some significant changes with this expansion, like resetting the power level (it was getting a little ridiculous) and creating actual perks for using new armor sets. I didn't get to play this much when it first dropped but I'm enjoying the campaign so far.

-Danganronpa 2 (Switch)

I got back into this game in a big way. Doing the investigation for the fourth murder right now.

-Monster Hunter Rise (Switch)

It may be "beaten" but there is still a lot my group wants to do. The game introduces a new kind of quest after finishing the story. Things get harder and harder!

-Piczl Cross Adventure (Switch)

I have just a handful of puzzles left in this Picross game.

NOTE: I've decided to shelve Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. While the DOOMish gameplay is fun, it really hasn't evolved in any meaningful way, despite the addition of some new guns, and I feel like I am just treading water with it. I have so many games to play that I shouldn't stick with something just to finish it if I'm not enjoying it. This has been a hard lesson to learn through the years (and I suspect this decision is easier because Boltgun is not a physical game on my shelf) but I'm putting it into practice here!