I played a fistful of styling metroidvanias, ruined some punks and some suits and survived some horror this month, bringing me ever so close to 100 games beat, in just 1 year. Let's go!

83. Guacamelee! [2013]

With the announcement of its sequel and looking back on all the glowing reviews I decided to tackle Guacamelee! I have to say I’m left kind of disappointed. We’ve no doubt been spoiled by great Metroidvania games over the past couple years, but the only thing I really cared much for in this one was its style. The platforming and beat ‘em up action did not do much for me.

84. Outland [2011]

This is another Metroidvania that received some glowing reviews some years back. Same thing as Guacamelee. Cool look, but the gameplay doesn’t live up to it. There is an Ikaragu style blue and red shoot em up element to this one, which is interesting for a spell, but it ends up being more annoying than engaging.

85. Salt and Sanctuary [2016]

The last game in this month’s Metroidvania block. Probably the best of the bunch, but my reception towards this one is about as middling. I played most of this game earlier this year, but set it down for a long time, and in coming back I discovered that even though I had only the vaguest idea of where to go, I was better at it than I ever was. I apparently only had a handful of bosses left when I stopped and I breezed through the remainder of the game. This game has the reputation of being a 2D Dark Souls. And it basically is just that, but there’s something special about the souls series that this game lacks. And while it’s bearable, I really don’t care much for the dishwasher aesthetic.

86. Ruiner [2017]

Of all the stylish games I played this month, this one takes home the most stylish prize. The cyber technopunk thing its got going on really carries the experience and that coupled with the gameplay evokes Crusader: No Remorse. It’s a solid twin-stick shooter that pulls a lot of good ideas from many other games we’ve seen over the years. The best idea being that you can swap out your set of perks willy-nilly.

87. Resident Evil [1996]

One of my gaming sins has been righted. I had never played a Resident Evil game before this one, the birth of survival horror. It’s not too spooky these days, but I had a great time anyway. There is something about playing important games I missed that aren’t supposed to hold up very well that I find very enjoyable. Even if it wasn’t that, the shotgun and zombie decapitations hold up. And no, I didn't play the REmake. I played the original ass original, because I'm a purist.

88. Resident Evil 2 [1998]

I enjoyed the first game so much that I played the second as well. I did Leon A and Claire B for what that’s worth. It’s a neat concept to play through parallel stories, but it doesn’t come into play as often as you might like. It’s got the same fun action regardless, and I had a good time. But while I enjoyed it, I think I'm going to take a break from the fixed camera and PS1 controls and skip Nemesis and move straight to the lauded “4” unless someone tells me otherwise.

There you have it! 6 more games added to the tally. 88/100. 12 games remain. Can I do it? I guess we'll find out in a month together. See you then!

January Progress Report 19/100

February Progress Report 24/100

March Progress Report 26/100

April Progress Report 37/100

May Progress Report 46/100

June Progress Report 48/100

July Progress Report 52/100

August Progress Report 63/100

September Progress Report 73/100

October Progress Report 82/100

November Progress Report 88/100 (viewing)

December Progress Report ???/100