Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites!

Xeogred
HRG Grand Elder

Turbo Gamer

Posts: 14,718

Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 29, 2020 7:17:55 GMT -5

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Post by Xeogred on Nov 29, 2020 7:17:55 GMT -5

In no particular order for this list:

Vagrant Story

The level design and atmosphere is what I really loved about Vagrant Story. I know myself and others sometimes regard it as kind of an earlier Demon's Souls-like and bit of a Metroidvania. It was a very lonely venture, cutscenes and story aside, you were all alone throughout. And I love that in these type of games.

Full review: hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/25084

Front Mission 3

The main characters were pretty bratty like some mecha anime, but everyone grew on me as the story got better and more focused in the second half. Great stuff. Though it's kind of funny, I still think Gun Hazard might be my favorite scenario wise. I guess I'm biased since that one kind of goes into space near the end and just felt really epic as things escalated. FM3 was a monstrous step up from how robotic FM1's story was though. I dig them all in this department either way so it's all good.

Full review: hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/26381

Dragon Quest III - SNES

Possibly tied with DQ4 (DS) for my favorite in the series so far. As of 2020, I have beaten DQ1-5.

Some thoughts: hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/29240

Tomb Raider: Anniversary (I played the PS3 version)

Overall dang good stuff and for anyone that's curious about Tomb Raider, Anniversary would be a good single entry to recommend anyone check out. And for those hardcore retroheads who can get accustomed to the controls of the original, that one is even better... but probably a much harder one to get into. TRA isn't a full on 1 to 1 remake, more of a redux with a lot of iconic rooms being re-envisioned. So fans of the original would have a fresh experience from this too. It feels comparable to the Metroid -> Zero Mission case.

Full review: hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/30069

I'm going to say the Rolling Thunder trilogy as a whole was a nice standout this year. RT2 arcade probably being my favorite, despite its unfair final stretch.

Some thoughts: hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/32694

Final Fantasy XII - The Zodiac Age

Full review: hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/33979

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Honorable Mentions:

- Super Mario Galaxy (Switch) - this was a replay, but it's been so long I forgot a lot about it. Galaxy truly is a masterpiece. hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/34065

- Final Fantasy 7* (PC)[Reunion] - another replay with one I know more and finished 2-3x times prior to this year, but I replayed it with the Reunion mod/retranslation this year which made it even better.

- Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (GG)

- Sonic Chaos (SMS)

- M.U.S.H.A.(Genesis)

WORST GAMES OF 2020:

- Super Mario Sunshine - I can't find my rants here nor care enough to keep searching.

- Tomb Raider: Underworld - hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/30269 & hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/30340

My full breakdown:

First: 40
Replay: 21

Modern: 17
Retro: 44

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire* (N64)
2. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (PS4)
3. Blazing Chrome* (Switch)
4. Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (GG)
5. Sonic Blast (GG)
6. Sonic Chaos (SMS)
7. GG Aleste (GG)
8. GG Aleste II (GG)
9. M.U.S.H.A.(Genesis)
10. Vagrant Story (PSX)
11. Ristar (GG)
12. Sonic the Hedgehog* (Genesis)
13. Hard Corps: Uprising (PS3)
14. Sonic the Hedgehog 2* (Genesis)
15. Sonic CD* [J](Sega CD)
16. Sonic the Hedgehog 3* (Genesis)
17. Sonic & Knuckles* (Genesis)
18. Sonic Mania* (PC)
19. Vectorman* (Genesis)
20. Vectorman 2* (Genesis)
21. Doom Eternal (PC)
22. Front Mission 3 (PSX)
23. Doom 64* [Official](PC)
24. Resident Evil 3 Remake (PS4)
25. Nioh 2 (PS4) [PLATINUM]
26. Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4) [PLATINUM]
27. Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (NGPC)
28. Super Mario Bros 2J (NES)
29. Super Mario Bros* (NES)
30. Final Fantasy 7* (PC)[Reunion]
31. Tomb Raider: Legend* (PS3)
32. Dragon Quest III (SNES)
33. Tomb Raider: Anniversary (PS3)
34. Resident Evil 7* (PC)
35. Tomb Raider: Underworld (PS3)
36. Streets of Rage 4 (PC)
- Nioh 2: The Tengu's Disciple DLC (PS4)
37. Trials of Mana* (Switch)
38. The Messenger (PC)
- The Messenger - Picnic Panic DLC (PC)
39. Ghost of Tsushima (PS4) [PLATINUM]
40. Battletoads* (NES)
41. Battletoads & Double Dragon (NES)
42. Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (SNES)
43. Super Turrican (NES)
44. Raiga: Strato Fighter (Arcade)
45. Code Name: Viper (NES)
46. GunLord X (PS4)
47. Rolling Thunder (Arcade)
- Control Foundation & AWE DLC (PS4)
48. Rolling Thunder 2 (Arcade)
49. Shadow Dancer (Arcade)
50. Rolling Thunder 3 (Genesis)
51. Rolling Thunder 2 (Genesis)
52. Super Mario Sunshine (Switch)
53. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (PS4)
54. Super Mario 64* (Switch)
55. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (PS4)
56. Shinobi (Arcade)
57. Super Mario Galaxy* (Switch)
58. Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair (Switch)
59. Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)
60. Demon's Souls* (PS3)
61. Marvel's Spider-Man (PS4)

* = replay

First: 40
Replay: 21

Modern: 17
Retro: 44

Misc/Hack: -

Last Edit: Nov 29, 2020 7:20:23 GMT -5 by Xeogred

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Ex
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Posts: 22,204

Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 29, 2020 12:25:12 GMT -5

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Post by Ex on Nov 29, 2020 12:25:12 GMT -5

In your top picks, Xeogred, you've got some powerhouses for sure. Vagrant Story, Front Mission 3, and Final Fantasy XII are all some of my all time favorites. At the same time, I completely agree that Super Mario Sunshine and Tomb Raider: Underworld are junk. I'm really hoping next year, you play through Front Mission 4 and Dragon Quest VIII (the PS2 version!). I think you'd find both of those to be blissful experiences, and replaying them vicariously would be fantastic.

I do plan to include my own choices into this thread. Unlike the modern thread, I've got lots of candidates for this one. However, I'm waiting till the end of this year before posting my choices, as there's still Dreamcast gaming to be had next month!

How Long To Beat Records | GameFAQs Reviews
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." -George Bernard Shaw

anayo HRG Zealot #1 JUNKER Runner Posts: 3,171	Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 29, 2020 12:57:26 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by anayo on Nov 29, 2020 12:57:26 GMT -5 I also liked Need for Speed 3: Hot Pursuit, but not as much as Star Wars Episode One Racer.
	Last Edit: Nov 29, 2020 12:59:47 GMT -5 by anayo Anayo's backlog: backloggery.com/Anayo Anayo's game collection: vgcollect.com/Anayo

Sarge
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Posts: 15,274

Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 29, 2020 16:03:45 GMT -5

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Post by Sarge on Nov 29, 2020 16:03:45 GMT -5

Is it that time already? Anyway, perusing my list of new-to-me games, here's what I have so far. Note that "new-to-me" means I beat it this year for the first time. There are games here that I've definitely played well before this year.

All these games got a 9/10 from me.

Xeogred
HRG Grand Elder

Turbo Gamer

Posts: 14,718

Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 29, 2020 16:43:53 GMT -5

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Post by Xeogred on Nov 29, 2020 16:43:53 GMT -5

anayo : I remember you going through Mechwarrior II and talking about it. Looked really cool. It's also fun to hear Episode 1 Racer holds up, I'll have to revisit that one someday.

Sarge : You definitely liked Jak & Daxter more than me! Probably more of a 7/10 for me at most. On the other hand, I think you and I kind of have similar tastes in shmups and I just checked, I don't think I've actually beaten Soldier Blade or any of the popular PCE shooters. I'll have to prioritize that one!

Ex: I've got one DC game picked out that I want to hit up and I think there is potential it could rank highly for me if I like it, seems very promising...

Last Edit: Nov 29, 2020 16:48:32 GMT -5 by Xeogred

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paulofthewest
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Posts: 714

Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 30, 2020 17:27:45 GMT -5

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Post by paulofthewest on Nov 30, 2020 17:27:45 GMT -5

That was the best one. It was a simple action RPG that had some cool town building elements. I do wish there was more to the town building, but a solid game nonetheless.

Other good ones: Wild Arms, Beyond Oasis, and Super Ghouls n Ghosts.

Like others said, this was a weird year. I hope I can get my gaming setup better for this coming year.

Xeogred
HRG Grand Elder

Turbo Gamer

Posts: 14,718

Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 30, 2020 19:38:58 GMT -5

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Post by Xeogred on Nov 30, 2020 19:38:58 GMT -5

paulofthewest Soul Blazer is a great pick! Have you played Illusion of Gaia or Terranigma? Those are somewhat of a loosely connected trilogy from Quintet. I think Gaia is the weakest of the bunch personally. But if you liked the world building aspects in Soul Blazer, there's a bit more of that in Terranigma. There's also Act Raiser. Quintet really liked you playing the role of God basically.

Last Edit: Nov 30, 2020 19:51:23 GMT -5 by Xeogred

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Sarge Administrator Lord of Platformers Posts: 15,274	Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 30, 2020 21:14:47 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sarge on Nov 30, 2020 21:14:47 GMT -5 Even if it's the "weakest", it's still a great game.

Ex Administrator Retromancer Posts: 22,204	Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 30, 2020 21:29:19 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Ex on Nov 30, 2020 21:29:19 GMT -5 Terranigma is the weakest in that trilogy.
	How Long To Beat Records \| GameFAQs Reviews "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." -George Bernard Shaw

Sarge Administrator Lord of Platformers Posts: 15,274	Your Retro 2020 Top Favorites! Nov 30, 2020 21:56:45 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sarge on Nov 30, 2020 21:56:45 GMT -5 It's okay, you're allowed to be wrong every now and then. (And yes, I do remember your main gripe. It's all good.)

Post by Xeogred on Nov 29, 2020 7:17:55 GMT -5

Post by Ex on Nov 29, 2020 12:25:12 GMT -5

Post by anayo on Nov 29, 2020 12:57:26 GMT -5

Post by Sarge on Nov 29, 2020 16:03:45 GMT -5

Post by Xeogred on Nov 29, 2020 16:43:53 GMT -5

Post by paulofthewest on Nov 30, 2020 17:27:45 GMT -5

Post by Xeogred on Nov 30, 2020 19:38:58 GMT -5

Post by Sarge on Nov 30, 2020 21:14:47 GMT -5

Post by Ex on Nov 30, 2020 21:29:19 GMT -5

Post by Sarge on Nov 30, 2020 21:56:45 GMT -5