PixlBit

Games Beaten

-Gato Roboto (Switch)

Gato Roboto's central conceit—you play as a cat in a mech—just tickles me so. It helps that the game is pretty good too. The controls are a little loose—particularly the double jump you eventually get—but I never felt hampered by the controls. It's a little too linear to be a great meowtroidvania but it gives that feel and has a good challenge without being frustrating. I like the two-tone Game Boy-ish graphics. The game doesn't take itself seriously and does not overstay its welcome. It's a great filler game or palate cleanser between beefier adventures.

-Runbow (Wii U)

Runbow is a platformer in which the background color changes regularly, making any platforms or obstacles that color disappear. This idea is explored in a surprising number of modes. I enjoyed the platforming challenges more than the chaotic PvP modes but there is fun to be had there too. There are a lot of guest characters from other indie games, which is cool, though we can't get any of the downloadable ones now that the Wii U shop is closed down. It's a fun game though, especially playing with kids.

-Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons (Switch)

I can nitpick a few things about Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons. A lot of the pictures were character portraits and I wish they had a little more variety. The music comes from the Story of Seasons series and some of it is great and some is not and I wish i could have customized what songs could play. On the biggest puzzles there was occasionally input lag, which was weird. But those things aside I had a great time with this game. The player input options are perhaps the best I've seen in a game like this and there was a good number of puzzles. I'll be keeping an eye out for more from this developer.

Games Bought

Sometimes I forget things. Case in point: I've been playing Monster Hunter Rise (Switch) since...July, maybe? I completely forgot to make note that I bought it (got a great deal on the eShop for a bundle that included the big Sunbreak expansion) and have been playing that with my little group since then. These things happen and will probably continue to do so. Anyway! Back to October. One of my sons had a birthday and he got Pokémon Scarlet (Switch) AND Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch). He has been jumping back and forth between them (which I cannot imagine doing; I'd have to pick one and see it through to the end before starting the other one) and I think he likes Arceus a little more. My other son bought LEGO City: Undercover (Switch) on a deep eShop sale and that was very popular among several of my kids all month. I had wanted to get that game on the Wii U and never did, so it's cool to have it now. The other thing of note is that I picked up the Dead Space (PS5) remake from PS+. I had hoped to play it in October but it was not a month conducive to sitting down for long gaming sessions. I haven't even downloaded it yet.

Games Being Played

-Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (Switch)

I heard a lot of good things about this game and so far it is delivering on it all.

-Monster Hunter Rise (Switch)

We made it to Hunter Rank 5 this week.

-Destiny 2 (PS5)

Just kind of doing whatever. I'd love to do the newest raid but it's such a time commitment.