As one of the last indie titles of 2018, GRIS also proves to be one of the greatest. Anybody interested in gaming as an art form should absolutely pick it up. It’s tender, it’s vague, and it’s inspired. And it will be a landmark in both visual design and abstract storytelling for years to come.
If I had to bring just one Switch game to a deserted island, it would without a doubt be this one. And I know that I will continue to love this entry, this game, and this franchise for many ages to come.
If you’re new to 2, then it can be a great starting point if you’re unsure of your commitment to a 100 hour experience, as it’s a wonderful sliver of what the full game offers. And ultimately, I think I’ll look back at it even more favorably than the main questline. Just like the game it’s an addendum to, Torna ~ The Golden Country is an unpolished gem: an experience with rough edges that dazzles in spite of them all.
It asks you to be kind, even though it knows how hard that can be. It is aware that some wicked beings will never be receptive of your good intentions, and cautions you appropriately. It proposes that being good — while difficult — feels good.
Every moment spent feels like a treasure; an experience that no other game, franchise, or thing in this world can provide. It will forever be a landmark of style, remaining vibrant and vivid long after its release. It is a feast for the senses, a splendor of divine properties, and one of the finest games to ever be made.
Hollow Knight is a special game; a triumph of atmosphere, design, and so much more.
Shadows of Valentia is a remake done right. The aesthetics are charming, the characters are lovable, and everything that made the original stand out is retained. Rather than mess with the base too much, Intelligent Systems stayed wholly faithful to the core of Gaiden — and with a few minor exceptions, it paid off. It was a joy from start to finish, and I found myself satisfied by almost every aspect along the way.