The final month of the year meant thirty one days to squeeze in whatever else I fancied. I’d had a fab time trying out new games and revisiting old favourites but there were a few more that piqued my interest.
Street Fighter V Champion Edition 6/10
There’s something about the Street Fighter games. I load up the new one to see fifty amazing designs. The playstyles are easy to pick up with decently even matches. After several updates, there’s arcade, online, and even story modes; amazing for a casual fan. Additionally the premise of being able to get DLC without having to spend actual money? We love to see it. Match after match, you’re waiting for the enjoyment to kick in, but after a while I realise it’s not going to come. Characters feel heavy while combos feel short and hard to input. A win online feels virtually impossible while the rewards are a pittance. Also where are the character credits I spent on these champion edition characters? Am I not getting those back? In the end, it felt like a beautiful game with weighty gameplay. And that was weighing me down.
Pac-Man 99 8/10
A classic turned into a battle royale? Interesting! Battle Royales are polarising. A fight-to-the-game-over with each player sweating it out clash against little reward and a lot of luck elements can entice or expel potential players. However being able to play a classic changes the context, keeping it relevant while changing up the genre with new concepts. Everything looks modern despite being over 20 years old. Above all, it’s a lot of fun! Albeit each game is pretty short. Nevertheless, for a free title, worth and look to try your luck!
Pixel Bar Manchester
It had been on my radar since it opened. Right across from the bus station in my home city, pixel purple lights glimmering on the glasses of many a gamer inside. Customers can play on arcade machines, hire a booth with a console all while tasting some interestingly named coctails. Regardless to say, myself and my friends were not disappointed! Here’s some of the many games we played.
Gang Beasts 6/10
A favourite of my friends’ but a rival of mine. Gang Beasts is one of the most frustrating and infuriating games that I’ve ever played. There’s no progression and everything looks like it’s made out of plasticine. My friends love this game and have played for hours on end, so I know I’m on my own here. But for me, it’s not a favourite. It’s not one that I’d buy for myself.
Ultra Foodmess 8/10
The GOAT of our time here. This game was a cute mash of minigames where players cosplay as food items and try to shoot, dodge, steal and explode their way into a win. The art style is cute and homely while the gamemodes are so varied that there’s no sure winner.
Tinker Racer 5/10
Fun for a few rounds! This was great for all players and pretty fast moving from the track to the menus. Players have to race to knock the enemy team off the screen to win a point. It’s like playing in someone’s kitchen with a Scalextric from your childhood. Not bad for the price.
I reached the goal! It’s been a really fun challenge to do and has helped me both revisit old favourites and explore games that would’ve just sat on my shelf for years to come. I’ve explored venues across the North of England and experiences consoles from totally different eras.
