MrPopo wrote:I'm having trouble wrapping my head around you calling it a massive time commitment and then you stating it's a 50 hour game. That's about what I expect an RPG to be.
Yep. I took a break from DQVII at 21 hours...a point at which I have not yet unlocked the game's class system. I will undoubtedly get 100+ hours out of that game, and I don't consider it particularly long compared to the gameplay available in most modern JRPGs and WRPGs.
.....
First 50
51. Armillo (WII U)
52. Human Resource Machine (iOS)
53. Alone in the Dark (iOS)
54. The Room 3 (iOS)
55. Monument Valley (iOS)
56. Hysteria Project (PS3/PSP)
57. Azarashi (iOS)
58. Pink Hour (iOS)
59. Kero Blaster (iOS)
60. Pink Heaven (iOS)
A few months ago, Exhuminator mentioned that, while everyone loves Cave Story, almost no one has played the rest of Daisuke Amaya's video games. Having already beaten (and enjoyed!) both Cave Story and Ikachan, I took this comment as somewhat of a challenge and resolved to get through the rest of his easily accessible games. I am glad that I did. All of his games are good, and Kero Blaster is excellent.
Azarashi is the most basic of Studio Pixel's games. In it, three keychains are suspended by three strings, and each keychain has a starting point value of 200 points. The strings break at random, sending each key chain, and its point value, falling. You tap the keychain to pin it to the wall, and the faster you tap it, the more points you retain. (If you tap too early, you get a grisly animation and 0 points.) You play three rounds, and the keychains fall faster each round. Each game lasts less than a minute, and the highest possible score is in excess of 1790. My high score, however, is 1315, and that was high enough to earn a gold medal. (I played a lot, and I think that breaking 1400 would take a lot of practice.) In sum, Azarashi is a twitch-based score chaser, but its a good one that I plan to keep on my phone.
If Cave Story is Studio Pixel's Metroid game, Kero Blaster is his Mega Man X. It is a fast-paced action platformer with unbelievably smooth and responsive touch controls, well-designed levels, a plethora of unlockable and upgradeable equipment, awesome boss-fights, detailed sprite work, trophies, and tremendous personality. Beating the game also unlocks a more challenging "new game+" mode with a modified level design, new bosses, and, supposedly, a different ending. I was shocked by the game's quality; I enjoyed it thoroughly; and I really can't recommend it highly enough. (The game played great on my iPhone, but those of you who prefer tactile controls can also get the game on Steam.)
Pink Hour and Pink Heaven are a prelude and epilogue, respectively, to Kero Blaster starring one of the game's minor characters. They utilize the same control scheme, but are drastically shorter. (Each game is essentially one short level.) Nonetheless, they still have charming sprite work, multiple endings, a more difficult "new game+" mode, at least one boss fight, and all of the personality present in Studio Pixel's other works. Best of all, they are completely free. I enjoyed both games for what they are, and they serve as an excellent appetizer and dessert to Kero Blaster's delightful main course.
. Havent touched the expansions yet, but will go back to them some day.
