Items with a platform.
everything · with writeups · reading · games · covers · by year
There are 100 finished items here.
Xenoblade 2
Finished — 2019-09-22Started — 2018-11-10
Platform — Nintendo Switch
Fond memories of semi-impulsively buying a Switch in Shinjuku, much like many console purchases before, and sneaking Xeno time during baby naps on our long stay in Tokyo. Lost interest for half a year, much like the first Xenoblade, then got way back into it during a hectic time at work that called for some mindless JRPG decompression.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Finished — 2015-12-26Started — 2015-12-04
Platform — Wii U
This was not at all what I’d hoped Xeno would become, and much of the depth and mystique that made me such a fan of the previous games just isn’t here. But it’s fantastic at what it does. I eventually got genuinely hooked on exploring its colossal world, meeting its silly inhabitants, and beating up a wide variety of aliens. Much like the first Xenoblade, I find myself a bit homesick for it long after it’s over.
Soma
Finished — 2015-12-05Started — 2015-11-07
Platform — PlayStation 4
This had some of the most provocative decisions I have ever seen in a game. Not just mundane “whose life do you save” choices, but ones that are genuinely philosophical and that often split our group down the middle.
Persona 2 罪
Finished — 2014-11-09Started — 2011-05-16
Platform — PlayStation Portable
I played the P2 duology out of order, which was actually probably ideal. More late PSX-era graphics, more weird psychology, more Amano Maya, more Persona 2! These games are so emblematic to me of the strange, hip, geeky Japan of the 1990s.
初音ミク Project DIVA F 2nd
Finished — 2014-10-26Started — 2014-04-16
Platform — PlayStation Vita
I think Project Diva is the perfect artifact to represent the entire Vocaloid phenomenon. So many creative folks’ efforts went into creating it, but my favorite fact about this game is that the motion capture for when Miku plays guitar was done by one of my favorite bands, Gacharic Spin.
フェイト/ステイナイト［レアルタ・ヌア] extra edition
Finished — 2014-10-17Started — 2013-09-08
Platform — PlayStation 2
The joke was that nobody would want to watch a Japanese visual novel on Twitch. But a few friends ended up immersing ourselves in the day-to-day rhythms of this game together, and developed elaborate inside jokes and rituals for the narrative’s meditatively repetitive nature. I wish Nasu Kinoko was better at editing, though; I like drawn-out pacing but nearly every scene felt about 50% too long!
Gone Home
Finished — 2013-12-24Started — 2013-12-08
Platform — Macintosh
I am so ready for the generation of mature, intelligent, heartfelt games that this heralds. Played through it with my cousin Steve as a revival of our MacVenture days, then again on my own with commentary, then played through it for H.
The Legend of Heroes — Trails in the Sky
Started — 2013-10-03
Platform — PlayStation Portable
Solid, meat-and-potates, earnestly pre-moe JRPG. Focuses on the experience of traveling around a rich fantasy world, which feels like it existed long before you came along, and discovering the complex relationships between its people and institutions. Doesn’t focus on gimmicks, technology, or unlockable swimsuits for your female party members. The promising beginning to what seems to be a truly epickal series.
Xenoblade Chronicles
Finished — 2013-12-14Started — 2012-04-21
Platform — Wii
Given how often I find myself wanting to go back and play this again, maybe it should have gotten five stars. The excitement of a brand-new Xeno title that Shishka and I could play together was huge; he’s the one who got me into Xenogears in the first place, so many years ago. The world and much of the story felt appropriately epickal for the Xeno name. The tedium of the back third of the game cost me so much enthusiasm, though.
Persona 4
Finished — 2010-11-07Started — 2010-08-27; 2010-11-14
Platform — PlayStation 2
The one game that Hiroko and I enthusiastically played through together in its entirety.
Ar tonelico 3 世界終焉の引鉄は少女の詩が弾く
Started — 2010-02-22
Platform — PlayStation 3
Impressions; Button Trance: Ar tonelico 3; Addendum: Of Tilia
Shin Megami Tensei — Persona
Finished — 2010-06-16Started — 2010-05-15
Platform — PlayStation Portable
Shin Megami Tensei — Persona
Finished — 2010-05-15Started — 2010-05-02
Platform — PlayStation Portable
Mana Khemia ~学園の錬金術士たち~ プレミアムボックス 特典 ドラマCD付き
Finished — 2008-05-29Started — 2007-07-17
Platform — PlayStation 2
Summon Night Swordcraft Story
Finished — 2007-01-31Started — 2007-01-02
Platform — Game Boy Advance
Fire Emblem The Sacred Stones
Finished — 2007-01-02Started — 2006-09-19
Platform — Game Boy Advance
Atelier Iris 2 — The Azoth of Destiny
Finished — 2006-09-24Started — 2006-08-20
Platform — PlayStation 2
SIMPLE2000シリーズ Vol.50 THE 大美人
Finished — 2006Started — 2006
Platform — PlayStation 2
The people at Pink Godzilla practically made me take this when I bought some other game there, and I can see why. It made for a pretty dumb couple of hours at Shishka’s house.
Xenosaga エピソード I 力への意志
Finished — 2002-04-22Started — 2002-03-04
Platform — PlayStation 2
The announcement of a new Xeno game marked my first phase of fervent video game geekery. I ended up teaming with some folks online to create a guide and script translation.
サクラ大戦
Finished — 2002Started — 2002
Platform — Dreamcast
CAPCOM VS. SNK 2 MILLIONAIRE FIGHTING 2001
Finished — 2001Started — 2001
Platform — PlayStation 2
The first video game I ever imported (from good old NCSX). I used to pack up my precious PS2 and bring it to Jon’s apartment so we could play this. Eventually I just moved in with him.
King's Quest V — Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder!
Finished — 1993-10Started — 1993-10
Platform — Macintosh
King's Quest VI — Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow
Finished — 1993-07-12Started — 1993-06
Platform — Macintosh
Space Quest IV — Roger Wilco and the Time Rippers
Finished — 1992ishStarted — 1992ish
Platform — Macintosh