I'm not very into the soulslike action RPG scene. That said, Khazan is an insanely cool game, worth experiencing if only for its boss design and stellar mix of action and RPG features that makes it far better than you would have ever expected. backloggd.com/u/Typewriter...

It's long overdue but time to do a replay of KH card games on memory loss wait a second that's not righ-

Sifu is an incredibly cool game and I'm glad I finally got to experience it. I don't feel it's my thing though and I honestly could not tell you why despite the acknowledgement that it has a lot of things I love in action titles.

Everyday, I read copious nonsense and the only reason I subject myself to it is because it'll motivate me to do something. The absolute scenes of this realization.

With these state of play shows, no. 1 is "show me gameplay or I can only care so much"

I remember when i played Y3 and how Mine was one of the best fights of the series and having now just seen how the Kiwami version plays, it's like: Well, I sure hope way better players show me something cool with this cause my initial impression is, "Man, what a downgrade."

Finding it immeasurably funny that the soulslike I beat is a better polished action game than NG4

Funny thing is, I'm not massively surprised by the practices & disappointments of RGG with YK3 as much as others. There's always been some rather questionable things in their choices, ranging from xenophobia or misogynistic in writing to constant inconsistency & corner-cutting with design choices.

the biased khazan boss tier ranking, absurdly shocked to find all of them were likeable (though the top 4 are so good I'm partially convinced the bottom 2 aren't)

And Khazan finishes with an absolutely extraordinary finale, a fight I can call one of my favorites in recent memory. This was such a surprising treat of a game, didn’t expect it.

Absolutely jaw-dropping dual-phased boss OST www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4k9...

imagine dragon

Rare to play a game with such consistently strong boss quality, but also constant escalation and diversity in demands. And if the boss isn't increasing in difficulty, it's asking new questions for you to address. Whenever I play something like that, it's incredibly satisfying.

If I finish Khazan and Maluca isn't at absolute worst a top 5 boss, consider me impressed.

Started Khazan The First Berserker. Yeah lads, this one might have the sauce.

I'm not into the FPS genre. I had an absolute blast with Doom Eternal though. backloggd.com/u/Typewriter...

I didn't particularly enjoy 2025, between numerous life circumstances and the like, but I remain optimistic that the next year will be better.

the annual dan's game awards GOTY: Tales of Graces F Combat: Tales of Graces F Character: Kazama Kiryu (LAD series) Story: E33 Enemy Design: Doom Eternal Boss Fight of the Year: Kosei Shishido (LAD Gaiden) OST: E33, "Un vie un peindre" Worst Exp of the Year: Refighting Shinobi PS2’s Final Boss

So Doom Eternal's boss roster has been pretty disappointing, but this final dlc is like ok we got this epic showdown in the works at the end surely this has potential. No, it's a giant marauder yet more restrictive as far as actually engaging him. Least the music was good.

Sometimes, I remember SMT4A's final dungeon and how it took a dozen hours to navigate.

I don't particularly take the game awards seriously and neither should anyone. Still, the E33 devs clearly love games, and that part does show in the final product. I have my criticisms of the title and hope those weaker pts don't set precedents, but I'm happy for their success.

Petr Yan's performance against Merab Dvalishvili stands as one of greatest in recent memory - and I am here to tell you it's even better and more important than you think it is. Here is the writeup, a postscript to endeavor to chronicle his career. Link: open.substack.com/pub/danalber...

Doom Eternal is so good I can't even conceive of trying 2016 again.

I've neglected reading as much as I used to, but I just finished 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. What a wonderful treat that was; stayed in my queue for too long.

I don't know how to feel about NG4. I think it's probably okay. I did my best to like it, but it's frustrating sometimes. backloggd.com/u/Typewriter...

Doom Eternal is utterly mental. I will be the first to say that I'm not good at FPS titles, though 2016 never made me struggle whatsoever. Eternal demands you be okay with being constantly uncomfortable and that in of itself is a reason to love it.

Had a cough for a month. Thought it was triggered by a cold/bronchitis or was asthma. Had a chest x-ray: there's nothing going on w/ my lungs. Was told it could be a mold infection or GERD. It's to the point that my diaphragm actually hurts and I'd take any suggestions.

A few years ago, Petr Yan was considered the boogeyman of the bantamweight division. Now, he faces enormous pressure as he challenges to avenge his most definitive loss. This writeup evaluates what happened as well as weighing his chances. Link: open.substack.com/pub/danalber...

You're never going to have me not be excited for a Metroid title and I'm sure P4 will be fine. That said, can definitely say a certain addition curbs a bit of my enthusiasm, especially with the drive for ambiance and exploration that has always made Metroid special to many.

i beat metal gear railing it was about something

Ryu's section is immeasurably undercooked, not just in moveset (at least compared to previous entries) but in content. The gleam abilities are solid, I enjoy playing as him far more than Yakumo. Shame he only has one exclusive boss and it's complete trash.

wow this ryu fella's kinda fun, they should make a whole game where you play as him

I think NG4 is probably fine in spite of a laundry list of things that baffle me, but there's this constant thought I've not played many games recently where - and I cannot explain this if you pushed me on it rn since it's a feeling - offers so much, yet feels simultaneously scripted.

I swear they did playtest half the things in NG4 cause I cannot think of any other reasons why some stuff happens, what a bizarre mess of a game. I think it's fine, there's enough to work with, but sometimes, I just go: wait what

an artist's depiction of my sentiments whilst playing ng4

i am the boss to surpass big boss but the children i opened the door to provide candy to are demanding i learn yargh or some other jargon and that's where im at a loss

Itagaki was an innovator like few others. Uncompromising as far as making something unique. Some of my favorite titles that brought me greater respect for the medium and an even greater network of friends. He embodied how special games and their creators were. RIP.

I played E33 earlier this year & it's obvious that it takes inspiration from a great number of titles by people who loved them. It's inherently contradictory to then read how it puts 'the rest of the genre to shame' and tells me, as usual, people don't get RPGs.

I beat Doom (2016). I'm not really much of an FPS guy, but it's an embarrassment that I've so little time with the genre, let alone the Doom franchise. I had a decent amount of fun.

This is a writeup on Lost Soul Aside I made. It's a game of shortcomings just as much as its a title of achieving despite its odds. I choose to be optimistic about things that I don't feel get discussed re: mechanics or in the big picture cause I'm a sap. backloggd.com/u/Typewriter...

I beat Lost Soul Aside and have started playing a little with the boss rush and hard modes. It was what I thought it was. Pacing a bit of a mess, but the combat elevates it so much more than what it is. The passion of the project comes through and that's what should matter.

Wrote a short study of one of my favorite fights, Nieky Holzken vs Yoann Kongolo. Link: danalbert.substack.com/p/the-freest...

Just got the scythe in Lost Soul Aside and the combat continues to kick ass. The pacing and non-combat sections aren't the best and there have been glitches/errors (audio, etc.), though, frankly, think this game got tons of undeserved criticism for how much it does right.

Yeah so, with the right allocations with gear and accessories, you can deal better stagger damage to their bar and weaponize status effects. Not the most easy thing to see when it happens though, what with how chaotic bosses are.

If there's one thing academia nailed into my skull, it was an exasperation with hypercynical pseudointellectualism. It's like those people have lost the ability to even try to feel joy.

There's a lot of cool stuff in this game, I'm enjoying myself. It's undercut with things that hold it back. Bosses and elites have all these patterns/gimmicks that elevate the fights + you somehow have enough to be aggressive despite heavy armor. The problem is, still heavy armor.

I’m pretty tolerant of super/hyperarmor in boss design (e.g. hitstun) compared to most so long as I can find ways to interact w/ it. But I’m asking if there’s a stagger bar to give me ways of deal with it past chip damage w/ no alteration per hit or it’s just this boring add on.

I was surprised to read how many people were expecting LSA to be some gold standard bearer for modern action games. I can say as someone who was excited for it and who’s enjoyed it for what it is through 3 hrs, it’s rather strange to see some statements when you’re realistic with expectations.

I'm just watching old footage of Metroid Prime trilogy boss design and the fact that so many FPS games get outdone by games made for children dude.

"Hell" is an understatement. That is the worst boss fight I've ever experienced and memory didn't even do it justice. I cannot remember the last time I actually got mad playing a fucking video game.