Happy New Year, everyone! I had a bit of a mixed 2017, but it was pretty good overall. I’m still here, aren’t I? Here’s praying for even better things in 2018!
Without much further ado, let’s jump straight to my gaming resolutions for 2018. I already mentioned the guiding principle a few posts ago: “It’s enough to play just a little bit of a game.” In other words, it’s enough to just see what a game has to offer, I don’t necessarily have to finish the whole thing. It’s the game developer’s job to make me want to finish their game, not my job to force myself to do it.
The reason I bring this up is because it’s a 100% reversal from my policy in 2017, where I promised to do my best to finish more games. I gave it my best shot, I really did, but I think my game selection was bad to begin with. Though I couldn’t have known how meh Summon Night 5 or Operation Abyss would be when I started them. When it came to the stuff I liked, I blitzed through them in short order. Nayuta no Kiseki, for example. Stella Glow. And OreShika yesterday afternoon. More on that one another day.
So here’s my list of games to try – but not finish unless they deserve it – in 2018:
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Nintendo Switch) – I have to play this somehow, I just have to. Even if there’s nothing else on the Switch I want to play, I just have to make this happen.
Atelier Totori Plus (PSVITA) – The next logical step after Shin Atelier Rorona, which I enjoyed more than I’d expected to. Nothing much to say about this one.
Sakura Taisen 4 (PC) – I meant to find the time to play this last year. Quite looking forward to putting the Tokyo and Paris teams together and watching the fur fly. I’ve thought better of forcing Oogami to pair up with Kanna every time, so the race for his heart is wide open now.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse (3DS) – 3DS still has a couple of RPGs I haven’t played, but when it comes to stuff I want to play this is the only one that comes to mind. This, and maybe one of the Etrian Odyssey remakes. Unfortunately my 3DS is suffering from a catastrophic battery failure (I thought it was odd that my brother returned it without prompting) so it will have to wait till I get round to replacing the battery.
Demon Gaze (PSVITA) – For all my dungeon crawling needs. It looks like a cute, colorful skin on top of the usual Experience Inc. games, can’t wait to try it.
Luminous Arc Infinity (PSVITA) – Rest in peace, Imageepoch… Even though they didn’t have anything do with this one and it was done by Felistella. The same guys who ruined Summon Night… But I must play it, for the sake of closure. It’s not like there’s much to ruin about Luminous Arc anyway, though 3 was pretty good.
Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Curry God (PSVITA) – Roguelike! Cute roguelike! About food! I’ve been wanting to play it since the day it was announced. I just hope there’s an Easy mode so I can actually finish a roguelike for a change.
Ys: The Oath in Felghana or Zwei!! or Tokyo Xanadu eX+ – Nayuta no Kiseki was legit my Game of the Year for 2017. I want to try another Falcom ARPG but there are so many that I’m spoilt for choice. I’m leaning towards Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection (I like the look) or Tokyo Xanadu (I like the setting) but nothing’s really pulling me in. I might end up playing something from a completely different company– Aaah!
Phantasy Star Nova (PSVITA) – How could I forget one of the reasons why I wanted a VITA? No need to talk much about this one either, except to wonder forlornly why it was never localized. Sometimes it’s because the game sucks, but that can’t be true of my beloved Phantasy Star, can it? I’ll play it for myself and tell you.
There we have it, 9-11 games to try this year. They’re just guidelines, really. In practice I might end up playing none of these and all of some other games instead. But at least it gives me something to shoot for whenever I’m wondering what to play next.
There’s no edition of “Games that didn’t work out” for 2017. The only games that would go on such a list are Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment and Black Rock Shooter, and I haven’t quite given up on either one just yet. Especially the latter. If the whole year passes and I haven’t touched them again, I’ll bundle them in with the 2018 edition.
Welp, that’s it from me. Enjoy your day and the rest of 2018!
Happy New Year to you too, Kina! I’ve said that already, but I cannot wait to read more of your Vita reviews. I’m already having a blast reading about the ups and downs of your OreShika 2 run. ^^
I couldn’t agree more with your newfound “It’s enough to play just a little bit of a game” motto. No need to spend time on a game that has stopped enthralling you when there are so many other games ready for the playing. And dang, games are just so long these days!
Happy New Year! I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts too. I’m not a very adventurous gamer, so I like reading about your solo challenge runs and other deeds of derring-do! ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ Here’s to a year of fun gaming for both of us!
Happy New Year.
You should totes give Oath in Felghana a try. It’s a really fun and quick Action-RPG, but with way less talking than Nayuta no Kiseki had.
I think you and the 3DS are just not meant to be, have you ever not had a problem with it in recent years? xD
Seriously, I think I got a cursed one, it’s the only explanation.
I’m mainly interested in Oath in Felghana because I like the name. It looks cool. ^^;;
Many happy returns of the day!