jeremyf

A new Sonic game is coming soon(tm). The most bizarre thing to me is that despite how important Sonic is as a franchise for Sega, the budget looks like it's shrinking with every game. Maybe they will go all out next year for the 30th anniversary?

As a side note, the Sonic comic by ADW is very good and probably the best Sonic-related thing right now.

I really enjoyed the game actually, playing exclusively in co-op. I was Gooigi and did feel some of those frustrations with his limited agency. The handicaps are there if you're playing with a younger/less experienced player. So if Gooigi keeps dying, there's nothing to worry about. It was more disheartening towards the ending of the game because I wanted to get as much money as possible while Luigi just wanted to mainline. Yes, the money is pointless, but it's fun to collect! Other than the padding, I liked everything about the game and its personality. My guess is I enjoyed it more than if I had to play alone and keep swapping between Luigi and his goo twin. Just my 2 cents.

I wrote a review!

https://www.giantbomb.com/kentucky-route-zero/3030-41082/user-reviews/2200-31524/

Take what you said about Hop and apply it to the entire world of Pokémon for the past few generations... everyone exists just to say how awesome you are and how your level 13 Bidoof or whatever is the best thing they've ever seen. I miss when there was actual conflict with the rival and the bad guys. The whole thing hammers home that this is a capital K Kid's game. Kids deserve better, indeed.

I really wish I had played Control, the console performance problems scared me off at the last minute. Maybe I'll pick it up over the holidays. Great list and always thrilled to see Judgment love!!

@big_denim: Agreed. Small to medium sized chat rooms can be fun, but when thousands of people are there it becomes unbearable. People post such odd stuff that it's hard to see them as functioning human beings. It's something that can only happen anonymously - imagine an audience that size shouting that crap to a performer in real life.

This one just didn't make it onto my list because it broke my brain too hard. Really into everything it does, but I think I could play this game for 15 hours and still not make any more progress.

I've still got my hat in the drawer from last year, but I'm stopping in to wish everyone happy holidays! Ho ho ho and all that.

Thanks to Ben for getting my attention on Pikuniku at the very start of the year. It's a very short adventure/platforming game with an oddball personality. I don't think everyone will love it, but those who don't mind irreverence will probably have a great time. And there are some real bangers in the OST!

I didn't get to see the whole thing, but they opened with a new IP from Rare: Everwild. Looks to have less of the jokey tone they're known for... maybe they're trying to have a Naughty Dog-esque transition? Might be something to keep your eye on.