SNES Game Review: Secret of Mana

 Secret of Mana is the first true Mana game to go under the title of the Mana series, the first was labeled Final Fantasy Adventure for the Game Boy.  This was an ambitious title by Squaresoft (Now Square Enix) that focused on a set of characters in a quest to reclaim mana seeds to overcome evil that wanted to re-create the Mana Fortress for world domination. This game was also one of the first to initiate more active combat/real time combat using a power system rather than turn based which was the more popular combat in the early to mid-90's. So what does Secret of Mana do for its time? What needed improving for its time as well? All that and more below

Positives:

1. This game is legitimately one of the most beautiful games on the Super Nintendo. The architecture designs are absolutely incredible, the colors are beautiful, and everything is so graphically sound it is warranted to give a massive 10 for this.  Squaresoft developed this game graphically to one of the best looking pieces on the SNES. 

2. With that, the soundtrack also is terrific.  Secret of Mana is highly regarded for its soundtrack and it does not disappoint at all.  From its overworld, to towns, dungeons and boss fights, every song in this game is exquisite and warrants its place on one of the best SNES soundtracks in the game.

3. Real time combat actually does pretty well here.  It is a bit nuanced with the attack bar/power bar style here but it does work well with the active combat style they were going for with this game. Secret of Mana is one of the first games with active combat and Squaresoft utilized this quite well overall for an early 90's video game.

4. The bosses take strategy for the most part to beat. There were times I had to look up a guide early on to figure out what to do but then one of the characters abilities did help to where I did not have to rely on that anymore.  However, the bosses for the most part are worthy of the fights you do to get there and also they are rewarding to the player as well when you finish a key battle.

5. The story as well deserves some high remarks.  I thought the story was done very well and it was laid out from start to finish quite exquisitely. The mission is clear to the gamer, collect mana seeds to stop evil but all while that is going on, work with your allies and others to rid evil in many dungeons and castles and focus on getting ultimate powers to take on the final areas.

Negatives:

1. Yes there are some negatives to this game. One is the rather irritating pause menu that works in a circular pattern for each of the characters so it is quite easy to get lost in doing this. It's a rather irritating system to deal with that they could have done better with in my opening.

2. The other main negative here has to be flying the dragon towards the end of the game.  While the directions were nice to have in terms of north, south, east, west, and so on it was honestly rough to make it work with the Mode 7 ability that they had.  Landing from the top on down was a tough endeavor due to the landscape.  I felt that Squaresoft did too much here and it could have been simplified.

Overall Rating:

Overall, Secret of Mana is a great game that borders on excellent for most of it.  It's main negatives do detract it from excellence, but make no mistake about it this is a fantastically great game.  Overall, I would rate this game an 8.5 out of 10.  Without a question this is a likely top 20 SNES game but easily should be in everyone's top 30 at the worst 

SNES Game Review: Lemmings

 Lemmings is a game that started on Amiga in 1991 and quickly went to other consoles, including the SNES.  It's a fascinating game that focuses on many puzzles in ways to obtain a goal overall.  I was able to play this game on my birthday last year, and there were many things that I thought about this game.  They are here below!

Positive:

1. Easy to play- For those that don't know puzzle type games like this, it's pretty easy to pick up and play and understand. With that, Lemmings is pretty plug and play with their controls and with the objectives.

2. Scenery- For a game that is kind of job/class and puzzles and figuring it out, it's pretty easy to think it's not great but this game graphically is really pretty sound on the SNES.  Graphically the game is well done overall.

3. Levels with Difficulty- Yes there is a set directive/objective with every level but with that comes a heightened expectation of difficulty.  It goes along with what the game does. With the levels that you go through, each one gets progressively more difficult.  And when that happens, your job becomes harder but it is doable to get things done and your characters across to the finish.  Do it correctly, and you can succeed.  It's a fun challenge.

Negatives:

1. Limited in Scope- For a game like this, Lemmings was always going to be limited in what their scope is with the game.  It's a puzzle game that enables jobs so you gotta figure out the way to the end.  There isn't a ton of depth in it so if this is your style, then that is great! If not, then it's a game you may get bored with relatively quickly.

2. This game also doesn't feature a ton in a reward type system for finishing the level.  There isn't a money system that rewards you or a way to really make it where you add time, it's just get to the end of the level with the required minimum and go from there.

3. On top of that, it's also a game that kind of brings the Lemmings characters out too quick so you risk losing a lot of them at different times and it can be frustrating to the overall aspect of the game, but it's just the nature of the game.

Overall Rating:

Lemmings is honestly quite a catchy, good puzzle job game that while is limited in its scope and super straight forward in the objectives makes up for it for just being a good cozy game.  It's a game that you can understand pretty much right away and be good with after a short period of time.  Either way, puzzle gamers and job type gamers will enjoy Lemmings.  I give it a solid 7/10. 

Recapping 2024, Outlooking 2025: The folzyfantasy15 Perspective

 Hello friends, I hope you have had a good 2024.  Or if not, I hope 2025 is a good outlook for you!  Normally I don't do like a recap of a year or outlook something but I feel like this is something at this point I want to do and it goes to really just life, gaming, and likely beyond.  So what I want to do is do a life recap of 2024 then gaming recap and then outlook each for 2025.

Life Recap of 2024: Honestly, I mentioned this to other people IRL and maybe some people in different chats, but if it weren't for three conventions between 2023 (Reconnect) and 2024 (Pax East and MGC) I have probably endured the two worst and two toughest years of my adult life from a personal standpoint.  From a personal standpoint, it's been rough. There's been a lot to endure and it has not been easy.  There honestly has not been a road map for any of the trouble that has beset myself and my family, even when members of that same family have been the cause.  That is the bad.  The good? Honestly, I got my own place and I feel I have upkept it pretty well but honestly it's the conventions of MGC and Pax East this year that I really honestly keep dear to me.  I honestly was so fortunate to meet so many amazing people and meet up with so many amazing friends again. It was fantastic to go through and have that much fun and just see three fantastic states that I hope to go to again in the future. 

Life Outlook for 2025: Honestly, my immediate family has been a great structure for me.  Hopefully those relationships stay close.  I don't know what my relationship (which is strained, which is probably being kind) with my father will be, but I will just take that day by day.  In terms of work, I just take it day by day also honestly because that place is either really good or terrible with no major in-between (My job itself is fantastic.)  So that's the other thing.  Living situation: Probably the same, as I plan to renew my lease as long as my rent doesn't go outrageously up in 2025. Just letting you all know as friends, I cherish my friendships with you and I hope that continues to be steadfast next year.

Conventions in 2025: So this is probably a thing eh? After Reconnect 2023, MGC and Pax East this year, I plan on going back to MGC in 2025 (it's near me so it's literally fine for me, and it's cheap) and I am going to Reconnect in Denver in 2025 as well.  With that, I likely will not be able to go to Pax East.  There is an outside shot of me going to Twitchcon in 2025, but I'll make a final determination on that in the spring most likely.  If you are at MGC (which is Midwest Gaming Classic) and/or Reconnect, can't wait to see you!

Gaming Recap of 2024: Honestly, this is one thing that I enjoyed getting back to, both on Twitch and YouTube.  To reach over 500 followers on Twitch has been just fantastic beyond belief, to know that I started 2024 just over 400 and to get a lot more means the world.  I don't game for money or fame or notoriety, but just to have fun.  To know that I have a crowd who openly is rooting for great things is fantastic too! You are as much of this ride as can be.  For YouTube, to be at 200 subs is fantastic.  I came back past the midway point of the year, but to put out the games I did and feel they were successful is fantastic.  Anytime I hit 10 views, I feel it's been a success.  If I somehow get 100, I feel like that's great.  If we did a comparison to 2023 to 2024, by years end I should be more on views, which is good.  I will likely be right around the amount of subs gained between 2023 and 2024, which is also good. 

Gaming Outlook for 2025: Honestly with Twitch, it's just continue to stream and do my best.  I don't have a goal like "Hit 600, hit 700 followers" because I just feel that if I stream and enjoy the game, I will have fun streaming still.  For YouTube, kinda the same deal. PS: I'll link both my Twitch and YouTube below. I just want to grow the following as I can.  To grow over double as I had from 2022 to now is just fantastic.  I just hope I can keep growing.  In terms of the games I will play, for the Twitch, expect a lot of variety of games.  I will start with Final Fantasy and expand with some Kingdom Hearts but mix in Mario, Pokemon, Kirby, and so much more.  I would expect Zelda, Tales, Luigi as well, and getting some other games like Star Fox, Legend of the Mystical Ninja, Bubsy, and so much more.  I plan to do a birthday streamathon again, though in a different way than I did this year.  I honestly learned a lot over those long type of weekends so while likely doing a 40 hour weekend isn't likely in the realm, I may make it something like 4-8 hour days or something like that (It also depends on my time off at work.) For YouTube, expect also some Mario, but also Donkey Kong Country and it's trilogy of games, and a lot of sports games ranging in sports.  I feel that has been a good market as well for me to hit in addition to the Mario games.  

With that, I hope you enjoyed reading this friends, and just know as much as I hope for my successes I hope for yours as well!

SNES Game Review: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

 Nintendo and Square Enix (Then Squaresoft) made a commitment to one of Nintendo's and gaming's biggest characters in the mid 1990's.  What came of it was Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.  A game that brought so much for so many people that to this day is beloved.  It inspired the remake in 2023 that also came to much acclaim and universal love.  So what does this game from 1996 do well? Was there anything they could improve on? All that and more below!

Positives:

1. I don't think I need to say graphics are a huge plus here do I when it is Nintendo and Square?

2. I also don't think I need to say soundtrack is also a huge plus when it is Square and Nintendo, do I?

3. Now to the actual analysis, the story is fantastic. The fact that you can get so many new characters involved in one way or another, whether good or evil, through this game is fantastic.  The story is deep enough to be grabbing but light enough to motor through the game easily with enough twists and turns to it to last a lifetime honestly.  It's all around just a job very well done.

4. The new characters are to be highlighted, Geno and Mallow.  They both have a skill set that can do well when needed, or they can just hang out when needed too.  Overall, Geno is the better character but Mallow can be clutch when needed and put into the spotlight with his abilities.  They were terrific additions to the game.  For the opposite side, the Smithy Gang are great villains that provide the evil for the game.  Whether its the bosses or just Smithy himself, it's a good addition to the game that otherwise may have just been another Mario v. Bowser clone.  Speaking of Bowser..

5. How cool is it that he goes from villain to comedic relief to playing hero here? It's an arc that very few characters could lay claim to, and to be honest it was one that I thought wouldn't work but Bowser makes it work here.  The guy is a tank of a character as well, so he really helps get it done for Mario and company.  But what about the Princess?

6. Also another fantastic addition to the party.  Peach's skill set really is as a healer, but she can be a good force when needed to attack as well.  She is a better healer than Mallow, but comes up clutch with her Group Hug attack that also heals the party of status ailments.  She also provides great dialogue between bosses, or Mario/Bowser or with Smithy.

Negatives:

1. Unfortunately there are a couple.  The first is the main one I had with this game.  The isometric platforming in this game left a LOT to be desired. It is the one main game problem that I have with it.  The platforming was a struggle really with most levels and areas overall.  

2. The only other issue I would say is the game played far too easy at times.  Overall, though not a terrible issue. Most other people may or may not say the same.  To me, it's a minor negative but one I thought should be noted.

Rating:

Overall, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars deserves a 9 out of 10.  I would warrant it a 10 even with the difficulty if they figured out the platforming, which is the only major negative of the game.  Definitely play this game if you can get the chance on the SNES, but with the new Switch version doing a lot of great things too, definitely play that game too!

Nintendo 64 Game Review: Pokemon Snap

 The 1990's were full of fads, crazes, and shows with almost cult-like followings.  From track suits, to the dot com bubble (and bust) to shows like Power Rangers developing huge followings, seemingly everything happened in this decade that either touched gold or touched disaster (or in the case of Power Rangers, seemingly both.) One such show that became a phenomenon with a major following became Pokemon, which to this date continues onward with shows, games, and mobile games as well.  One such Pokemon game that came at the probable height of its fandom was Pokemon Snap.  A game that features.. literally.. taking pictures of Pokemon in their 'natural' habitat.  It was popular as a game for Pokemon Gamers, but also Nintendo gamers, and it came back in 2021 with a new game, New Pokemon Snap (yes they could have used Pokemon Snap II but.. I digress.)  How does the original do for the N64? What needed to be improved?

Positives:

1. It's a quick paced game with quick paced levels.  Since the scope of the game is so limited, you can't really attract an audience well with a game that takes forever to complete.  Pokemon Snap can be done in a couple of hours and keep you wanting to complete the game fully as best as possible.  The fact the levels typically only take about 4-5 minutes each is a good thing for the game.

2. The replayability factor of the levels is big here, as you have to replay levels with different items that you get.  It's not a totally great replayable game, but the levels that you have to do are major and needed overall to extend the game's time span.  I feel they did a good job developing the game to have the levels be replayed over and over again.

3. Graphically, the game is fantastic.  Nintendo and the group that made this game did a terrific job with graphics and making this game and its levels look exquisite.

4. Same for the soundtrack, as the soundtrack is beautifully done and is exquisite as well.

5. The controls aren't too jerky, odd or anything while taking pictures.  You won't have too much issue with focusing the camera as it is already auto-focused in so you won't have blurriness like you might have IRL taking photos.

Negatives:

1. The game is very limited in scope with not much more to offer. It's taking pictures of Pokemon, there isn't much else to it.  And you had better take them well because..

2. Professor Oak's grading system has to be about the worst grading system I have ever come across in a game or real life.  if a pokemon is top-middle or bottom-middle by a bunch, you still get credit.  If it is even THE SLIGHTEST bit off center though, you are downgraded horrifically.  His grading system for including other Pokemon is also just terrible.  How did this dude allow Ash, Gary and others to determine Pokemon fate instead of a good professor?

3. With the game limited in scope, it's also limited in Pokemon.  There are only 60 Pokemon to take photos of here, well short of the 151 it would typically manage overall.  It just falls flat to have just some Pokemon and not even a majority of the beginning amount. 

Rating:

Overall, Pokemon Snap is a good-to-very good Pokemon game and a good N64 game.  The negatives definitely prevent it from being great.  However, it's popularity kept it going to the point they got a new game in 2021.  There is no escaping the road this game helped build for the future of Pokemon in America in the peak of its time.  Overall, a 7.5 out of 10 works for Pokemon Snap

SNES Game Review: Shaq Fu

 Shaquille O'Neal is one of the greatest basketball players of all time and one of America's most notable people.  The legend came into the NBA with a force and instantly was one of the biggest megastars in the 90's, helping propel the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers back to greatness.  His story off the court is well known as well, as he was a part of music, movies, and even a video game, Shaq Fu.  This game was very much critically maligned and excoriated for a number of reasons, of which may be discussed today.  However, was this game really, truly the worst game on the SNES (Quick Answer: No.) So what was a positive, if any, for this game? What were the negatives? All that and more below!

Positives:

1. The graphics in this game, even without a graphics card are actually quite good.  EA did a really good job on this aspect.  Unlike a lot of games in the fighting style where graphics were not great, this game actually was done well.

2. The sprite movements, also done quite well.  You can tell when the attack is big, and it's also fluid and well done.  The parries are also done in a good way.  Overall the movements are fluid, not too jerky and the moves and parries are good in this game.

3. If you want a quick to play, get it out of the way, type game, this is for you.  The story is not going to take you long at all, and it is progressively more difficult with all the different modes.  So it's a decent pick up and play quick game, with also a play now mode so you can just play against a different character without really jumping into story mode (Note, the Genesis version of this game has three more stages and five more characters, so it's more in-depth there.)

Negatives:

1. Story mode is just..bad. Just honest, it's bad, and it's deserving of criticism.  It's not done well at all, and done with the purpose of being quick with no good dialogue whatsoever.  It's just go place, trash talk each other, then fight. Which leads me to..

2. The fighting combat controls are just.. so bad. They are all over the place and wonky and it's just not a great thing, especially when the game is made for *checks notes* FIGHTING! Yeah.. as much as the positives brought it out, the main thing of this game is bad.  The controls are all over, it's almost impossible to set them to what you want, and the special moves are meh at best. Definitely not what a good fighting game should be.

3. The characters themselves leave a lot to be desired. They are just.. meh at best and seem to play at stereotypes of them from the 90's (which lets be honest, haven't exactly gone away 30 years later.) But overall, stereotyping aside, they just leave a lot to be desired and its just a let down. 

Rating:

This is at best a below average fighting game with it's main thing just bad.  However, this is not one of the worst SNES games, and it's far from it.  IT's below average at best, bad at worst, but no where near the terrible games like Pit Fighter, Race Drivin, Waialae Country Club and much more. This isn't even in the 100 worst categories, because there are FAR, FAR worse games.  With this game, a 4.5 out of 10 works, and honestly, it would probably rank between 500th-550th in the SNES scale.

PS2 Game Review: Dark Cloud

 Dark Cloud is a game that had two iterations on the PS2 (this and Dark Cloud 2, also noted Dark Chronicles overseas) and this game can be noted as a city building, dungeon conquering RPG.  It came out In December 2000 in Japan, while coming out in 2001 for North America and Europe. It sold initially poorly in Japan, but had a much better selling record in the Americas and in Europe.  It is a game that I never played until 2024.  How did I like this game? Was there anything I think that they should have improved on? All that and more below!

Positives:

1. Graphics are fantastic in this game.  This was near the start of the PS2 system so it was going to be a step up but this game done by Level 5 deserves high remarks for their graphics work.  This game is very well done graphically.

2. City building is necessary, but it's entirely optional how you want to do it. I love that the game gives you the freedom to be able to do things the way you want, while instituting what you should do for something (IE: making sure a pond connects fully to a waterway) but the scale of it is you should be able to be randomized with where you put things and that is good with me.

3. I like most of the partners you get in this game.  They have a very unique skillset and one that makes sense overall.  A lot of them are very unique to overcoming trials of the dungeon that they are affiliated with. 

4. Music is also a really good positive to this game, I feel that they did really well for the soundtracks of really anywhere and it was really well done I feel overall.

5. I honestly loved the story towards the end of it.  It provides twists and turns with all the dungeons but also a story of the final dungeon and what needed to happen was simply fantastic.  I thought they did really well explaining the full story in details throughout the entirety of the game.

6. It's a great final boss.  Like any final boss, multiple forms but a great duel.  Overall thought it was a very good final boss and one most people would enjoy

Negatives:

1. The combat is so repetitive and that really drags the game down. It is really easy to figure out the bosses and what to do.  It also makes it kind of a lot longer on the fights than they need to, because it's just a lot of switching characters and utilizing the others.  

2. Some of the mandatory characters of the dungeon levels are a bit much.  Mainly because most of them have such a limited skillset to try to find the dungeon level key or main thing to advance the level.. which brings me to.

3. Why is Osborn the last guy to get? It just feels forced (Sorry if spoiler as well) but it just feels so forced to put him in when.. there arguably didn't need to be a reason.

Rating:

Overall, Dark Cloud deserves a 8 out of 10.  I didn't mind the repetitive nature of the dungeons too much, but the characters being forced in is something rough. However the combat is the main thing that makes it go to an 8 instead of higher.  Had they figured out not to make combat for both regular enemies plus bosses not as repetitive and redundant, this would be a lot higher ranked game.  Still a good playthrough and should be given a chance for anyone.