Psychology of Gaming 3: The Brilliance of Bloodbornes Amygdala NopNapNarp 2026-09-21 | Psychology of Gaming 3: The Brilliance of Bloodbornes Amygdala
A Sly-tly Short Look at Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus Emulation NopNapNarp 2024-07-02 | Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus isn't my favorite entry in the series, but there's been something so nostalgic and rewarding about revisiting it in 2024. Thanks to the new emulation available on PS4 and PS5, Sly's back and given how much the series has done in attracting an audience to my channel, I couldn't help but to make a video. In this short look, I share some general thoughts on the game, the new features found here, while giving thanks to you all for spending so much time watching my Sly videos. Thank you!Twitter: twitter.com/NopnapnarpDiscord: discord.gg/j8QQzMN6gP
Little Kitty Big City Review: Purfectly Cozy NopNapNarp 2024-06-16 | Little Kitty Big City is what you get when you combine Untitled Goose Game with Stray. It's a light hearted adventure platformer through a bustling cityscape filled with opportunity to cause some cat chaos. It's the perfect game for a lazy sunday morning as you can complete it quick. A few quirks hold things back a bit, but it's another excellent title for anyone looking for more cat gameplay.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/j8QQzMN6gP
Senuas Saga: Hellblade 2 Review - Walking Backwards NopNapNarp 2024-06-06 | Hellblade 2 is graphically stunning, one of the most breathtaking games you will ever see with strong audio work backing up those immaculate visuals. However, despite this beauty, it feels very empty and hollow from a gameplay perspective. Lots of slow walking is occasionally alleviated with puzzles and combat that are far easier and less engaging than what we got in Senua's Sacrifice. It leaves the story as a tie-breaker to either lift this game or tear it down, and for me, it didn't work. Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/Aye4BjVh3Y
Spyro the Dragon Analysis (Reignited): The Adventure Begins NopNapNarp 2024-05-19 | Spyro the Dragon is a legendary game. It's a shame I couldn't play the original 1998 version for this video, but the effort put in by Toys for Bob to remake the game back in 2018 has gone a long way in mitigating that feeling. In this hour and a half long video, I take a deep dive into the first game and share my thoughts on the gameplay, the collectables, the level design, the art direction, and much much more. Hope you enjoy!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/xMfzgAPvwGJoyless Video on Spyro: youtube.com/watch?v=wwECwhK7bJs&t=20s&ab_channel=JoylessSpyro 1 Screenshot Credit: mobygames.comSpyro 1 Opening Cinematic Credit: youtube.com/watch?v=WHcMiKKRPPE&ab_channel=RickyPratamaIGN Spyro Scope Article: ign.com/articles/2018/07/27/spyro-reignited-trilogy-devs-on-getting-spyro-right-how-they-rebuilt-the-original-gamesChapters:Introduction - 0:00Brief History of Development - 2:36Starting the Game - 5:51Artisans - 7:18Peacekeepers - 27:30Magic Crafters - 41:24Beast Makers - 54:18Dream Weavers - 1:08:08Gnorc Gnexus - 1:20:00Conclusion - 1:34:09
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Review: Different, But Still Great NopNapNarp 2024-04-24 | Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a game I didn't expect to enjoy nearly as much as I did. However, I shouldn't be that surprised considering I had the same reaction to Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2020. Rebirth delights in different ways though. The focus has been greatly expanded here, as the world itself is massive, ripe for adventure, but paradoxically, the story has been pulled way in for a closer examination of our characters. Gameplay wise, the game remains excellent, although an abundance of mini-games will turn some folks off. Still, Rebirth is excellent, and one of the best releases of 2024 so far.Time Stamps:Introduction - 00:00World Building - 4:30Quest Design - 10:55Combat and RPG Elements - 32:57Story - 45:50Presentation & Performance - 57:28Conclusion - 1:01:54Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/z2PdHQNEW4
Balatro Review: Felt Table Fun NopNapNarp 2024-03-17 | Balatro is a game meant for the casino enthusiast. Taking a luck based card game like poker and infusing it with even more chaos is a recipe for a great game, especially when your wallet isn't being preyed upon. Balatro is a poker roguelike where you build broken poker hands and buff their power using strong wildcard jokers. It's a lot of fun, and one of the best games I've played so far in 2024.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/akNSEARCB5
6 Bite Sized Reviews of Xbox Game Pass Games NopNapNarp 2024-02-28 | Recently, I snagged an Xbox Game Pass Subscription for 1 dollar. Over the last 14 days, I finished as many short games as I could and decided to review them all in bite sized reviews. I limited myself to one page per review, meaning they're super short. Hope you enjoy!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/ChyJeaweSvTime StampsA Short Hike - 0:00Inside - 4:13Clone Drone in the Danger Zone - 8:23Superliminal - 12:48Firewatch - 17:59A Little to the Left - 22:27
Baldurs Gate 3 Review: Celebrating Choice & Consequence NopNapNarp 2024-02-14 | I spent 70 hours with Baldur's Gate 3 and it's another one of those games that I've barely scratched the surface on. As a first time CRPG player, I was a bit nervous going in, but it's incredible how well the game invites newcomers into this world while also providing vast amounts of depth and choice for seasoned veterans. The game celebrates choice and consequence more than any other RPG I've ever played, and for that, it's truly something special. A new high mark for CRPGs. Enjoy my review!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/8RNHhf383X
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered Review NopNapNarp 2024-01-28 | When this game first released back in 2020, I was bitter about it's narrative direction and that showed up throughout my review. 3 years later, I've grown a new appreciation by accepting the story for what it is and enjoying its great characters. This recent remastered version gave me a chance to right the wrongs of that review while also enjoying some really cool new inclusions like a rogue-like mode and some lost levels. But the director commentary, took it over the top. Enjoy this quick review of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered.Twitter: twitter.com/NopnapnarpDiscord: discord.gg/F42qT6YMEw
An Unenthusiastic Glance at Pokemon Scarlet/Violets Indigo Disk DLC NopNapNarp 2024-01-04 | Can you tell I'm tired of talking about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet yet? I've now spent nearly 5 hours talking about the games on my channel, and to be honest, I'm just ready for GOOD Unova Remakes or Legends Arceus 2...This video is a bit uninspired, but I felt obligated to cover the DLC, so here you go. Back to my normal self in the next one! Enjoy!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/3rhnJWBCwp
The Best Games I Played in 2023 NopNapNarp 2023-12-29 | 2023 was another fantastic year for gaming. There was truly something of great quality for everyone to enjoy regardless of what genre they're into most. For me personally, I played a lot of great games this year and I wanted to take some time as always to reflect on those experiences as the year wraps up. Hope you enjoy!Twitter: @NopNapNarp Discord: discord.gg/TagYjdgZyz
Starfield Review: A World that DOES Revolve Around Me NopNapNarp 2023-12-13 | Starfield is an immense game, one that Bethesda hopes players will play forever, voyaging into the infinite just like the universe they've created here. However, many elements hold it back from greatness, leaving it in a weird place, unable to reach the heights of Skyrim, but not feeling like a total flop either.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/qB9qKKDVXR
Marvels Spider-Man 2 Review: More of a Good Thing NopNapNarp 2023-11-14 | Spider-Man 2 is a perfectly good video game, lots of great set pieces, action packed combat rich in meticulously crafted animations, and a pretty good spidey story to boot. It plays things close to the chest though, and while series fatigue hasn't set in quiet yet, it's imperative for a third game to shake things up a bit to avoid a feeling of staleness. Good thing Spider-Man 2 has deferred a lot to a third game then, great for the future, but a bit of a let down now.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/yG56SEdkU6
Lies of P Review: Some Strings Attached NopNapNarp 2023-10-18 | Lies of P is an incredible Soulslike, arguably the best ever. However, it continues the genres recent trend of pushing the difficulty to the extreme, challenging the most hardcore players, while leaving more casual fans in the dust. For me, Lies of P struggles because it tries to incorporate systems from Bloodborne, Dark Souls, and Sekiro without fully going all in on one. At the same time, bosses are overpowered and borderline unfair for a multitude of reasons. Still, Lies of P will endure as a great soulslike in part because of the combat, but also because it's incredible storytelling and strong art direction. Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/pNKwXCEMj3Link to Borrowed Footage: youtube.com/watch?v=gefL2LanJxk&t=245s&pp=ygUVTGllcyBvZiBQIGFsbCBlbmRpbmdz
Briefly Assessing Pokemon Scarlet/Violets Teal Mask DLC NopNapNarp 2023-09-23 | In the 10 months since the release of Scarlet and Violet, Gamefreak has done very little to improve the quality of those woefully performing games. Instead, we get DLC! To no one's surprise, it's technical limitations are various and many, and as a result, I can't recommend buying this as a product. If you're willing to push through the technical crap, then you'll find an alright pokemon story with a few other additions that seem closer to filler than meaningful content.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Sea of Stars Review: Incredible, Even Without Nostalgia NopNapNarp 2023-09-12 | Sea of Stars harkens back to games like Paper Mario and Chronotrigger to deliver a modern take on those classic RPGs. Make no mistake though, that even divorced of nostalgia for those bygone years, you can still play and massively enjoy Sea of Stars. I know I did. Hope you enjoy my full review!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Why I Quit Diablo IV NopNapNarp 2023-08-22 | I gave up on Diablo 4, and it's basically because I didn't like the experience I was having. Baldur's Gate 3 console release is coming, and I think that's more my style. Anyway, here's some thoughts on Diablo 4.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Final Fantasy XVI Critique: Epic, but Inconsistent NopNapNarp 2023-08-01 | When you set aside the questions about if this is a real Final Fantasy game, forget about all the difficulty debates, and ignore all the Playstation fanboys hyping this hoisting this game up to masterpiece levels to push a console dominance narrative, you come to realize, Final Fantasy 16 is just a good, above average game. It does one thing, really, really well; and that would be the epic kaiju like fights. Everything else is a bit of a mixed bag, some good, some bad, leading to a lot of inconsistency. It's a game with high highs and low lows. Check out my full critique.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review - Discovering Adventure NopNapNarp 2023-06-26 | This highly anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild reminded me of a valuable lesson - what it means to adventure. In the world of modern gaming, with so many titles seeking to drag you around by the hand, this game dares to give it's players freedom to explore, uncover, create, and complete at their leisure and on their terms. This freedom parallels that sense of adventure we get from discovering new places so well, that it truly blew me away. By shifting my perspective on how to approach this game, I came out appreciating it way more than Breath of the Wild. Check out my full Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom analysis.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgsBorrowed footage from: youtube.com/watch?v=RT-nT482oHg&ab_channel=SailorCheryl
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Review - Balancing the Force NopNapNarp 2023-05-23 | Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has brought balance to the force - finding a way to pull me out of my series apathy and genuinely be excited for Star Wars content once more. It's perhaps the best Star Wars game of all time, Kotor and Battlefront 2 (The Real One) may beg to differ, but it's excellent regardless. However, I think it can be pushed farther. Too many imperfections still linger, but there's potential for the third game to really deliver an experience that parallels the best movies. Only time will tell. For now, Jedi Survivor is a great game that's worth your time.Time Stamps:Introduction - 00:00Exploration, Questing, Customization - 3:55Combat - 13:36Story - 24:43Presentation - 44:09Conclusion - 49:26Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Ravenlok Review: Short, Sweet, Simple NopNapNarp 2023-05-12 | Leave it to me to upload a review of a small indie game on the same day that arguably the most anticipated game of the year (Tears of the Kingdom) releases. Oh well, here we are. Ravenlok is a short, sweet, and simple indie game that doesn't reach too high or too far but instead concentrates on delivering a harmonic experience through simplicity. Enjoy my brief review!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Redfall Impressions: Red-Falling Flat on Its Face NopNapNarp 2023-05-04 | Yes this video is not my best work. I am currently sick, I didn't have a lot of footage, and I just wanted to wash Redfall away for good. So I made an impressions video for y'all. Redfall is a disaster. In this short video, I sight the many issues I had with the game after playing for just two hours. Hope you enjoy. Do not buy this game. Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Assessing Horizon Forbidden Wests Burning Shores DLC NopNapNarp 2023-04-29 | Horizon Forbidden West was one of my favorite experiences in 2022, and the chance to return to this world for more adventure was a no brainer. The Burning Shores is a bit of a step down from the base game in many ways, yet it still feels like a vital part of the story going into the third title. Despite the issues, it's still worth your time for the story alone which is bolstered by quality quest design, new skills and weapons, and simply for the chance to play more Horizon. Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Dredge Review: A Tiny Treasure NopNapNarp 2023-04-18 | Dredge is a tiny treasure that any fan of management games will enjoy. While those management mechanics are kept pretty light in comparison to other games in the genre, it more than makes up for it with a stylized art style, a mysterious and interpretable story, and everyone's favorite, cosmic horror! Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Atomic Heart Review: Drawing Too Much Inspiration NopNapNarp 2023-04-08 | In an attempt to pull from industry legends like Resident Evil, Bioshock, and Doom, Atomic Heart drinks too much from the well, resulting in an experience that feels disjointed and frustrating. This is incredibly disappointing after experiencing a brilliant opening tutorial. Only the pursuit of an interesting story kept me playing, and by the time the credits rolled, that too was spoiled. Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Hogwarts Legacy Review: The Magic of Nostalgia NopNapNarp 2023-03-22 | Hogwarts Legacy is neither a 1/10 piece of garbage game or a 10/10 crowning achievement. Instead, it's just a pretty decent open world game that's enhanced by a player's love or nostalgia for the Harry Potter franchise. While not one of it's systems is particularly innovative or new, they are par for the course in this genre and are good enough to make you see the game through to the end. If you want to role play as a Hogwarts' student, this is the game for you.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgsChapters:Introduction - 00:00World Building - 4:28Quest Design - 12:14Combat - 23:42RPG Elements - 33:45Story - 38:44Presentation - 46:14Conclusion - 49:28
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Analysis: An Aimless Search for Treasure NopNapNarp 2023-03-06 | Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are simultaneously a great success and a stunning failure. They push the series forward in ways no recent set of games has, yet it stumbles immensely putting one foot in front of the other. By diving into the open world format, Gamefreak has given fans exactly what they've always wanted, but it comes at the cost of presentation and performance. This video is an all over the place analysis, where I comment on different aspects of the game and series that has stood out to me as I played. It's by no means the most detailed/focused/interesting video on the game, but it is one that I was happy to make. I hope you get something from it.Tom Rocks Math Video on Generation 1 Capture Mechanics:youtube.com/watch?v=z1T5zkqwlxQ&t=86s&ab_channel=TomRocksMathsTwitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Hi-Fi Rush Review: Off Brand, On Beat NopNapNarp 2023-02-09 | You wouldn't expect a studio like Tango Gameworks, known for their survival horror expertise, to ever release a fast-paced, vibrant action rhythm game, yet here we are. When making a game, developers and publishers hope and pray for a release and reception like this. The excitement of a shadow drop got people playing, but many will see it through to the end because of the funny and quirky characters, high skill ceiling combat, and the bright and beautiful world. This is an easy recommend for me!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarp
A Space for the Unbound Spoiler-Free Review NopNapNarp 2023-01-29 | The first indie hit of 2023 has arrived with A Space for the Unbound. This title welcomes its players to re-discover their sense of imagination and creativity by exploring how it both enhances our childhood and enriches our lives, but also how it's used as a coping mechanism to deal with difficult and traumatic situations. Experience a wonderful story about Raya and Atma as they learn to deal with depression in this point and click adventure game. I heavily recommend it!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
My Favorite Marvel Snap Deck (Low Energy Cost, High Power) NopNapNarp 2023-01-13 | Guys, Marvel Snap is incredible. AND I FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO RECORD FOOTAGE OF IT (and it was embarrassingly simple, I feel old). Anyway, in this video, I do my first ever deck profile - talking a bit about my favorite Marvel Snap deck, it's strengths, weaknesses, and then showcasing it in a few matches. I went on a 21 game streak with it, so maybe it just is the Best Marvel Snap Deck Ever. Thanks for watching.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
High on Life Review or How I Learned to Stop Worrying about Loving or Hating It and Simply Liked It NopNapNarp 2023-01-02 | Yes, as it turns out, it's possible to not love or hate a game. In this video, I take a look at Squanch Games' newest title, High on Life, explaining a little bit about what strengths the game has and what weaknesses hold it back. My only regret with this video is that I didn't spend more time talking about the critical reception of this game. Of course, a serious discussion in a video about High on Life might have been a bit off brand. Enjoy!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
The Best Games I Played in 2022 NopNapNarp 2022-12-31 | Another year has come and gone, and with its fading daylight comes reflection. Join me, as I count down the 10 best games that I enjoyed playing this year. As always, these are just some of my personal picks. Many will disagree, but these were the ones that rewarded my time with them. Hope you enjoy. As always, thank you so much for another great year on Youtube. Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
A Loose Review of God of War Ragnarok NopNapNarp 2022-12-15 | God of War: Ragnarok is an emotionally charged sequel that builds on it's predecessor in nearly every way. It tells a much grander story with more characters and higher stakes while not losing the personal touch that made the 2018 title so impressive. It also addresses most of the gameplay issues from before while piling on a few new additions to keep things action packed. And the presentation is incredible too. There really aren't many glaring issues with this title. I'm sure others will pick this game apart in lengthy critiques, and I'm sure issues exist, especially on higher difficulties. But for me, it was just a great game. Simple as that. I didn't feel the need to pick it apart, but instead to just enjoy it for what it was. Hope you like the video.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgsTime Stamps: Introduction - 00:00Narrative - 4:52Gameplay - 28:02Presentation - 41:49Conclusion - 46:48
A Serious Look at Fortnite Battle Royale NopNapNarp 2022-11-28 | Fortnite Battle Royale has been maintained it's monumental growth and popularity in the five years since it's initial release, yet somehow, a comprehensive analysis of the title is lacking from Youtube. In this video, I attempt to take a step back and look at the ideologies and principles that define Fortnite's success and the repercussions of those same ideas. Time Stamps:Introduction - 00:00The Basics - 7:44The 4 Pillars that Differentiate Fortnite - 22:43Criticisms - 38:13Conclusion - 46:37Discord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgsTwitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarp
A Plague Tale: Requiem Critique - Its About the Destination, not the Journey NopNapNarp 2022-11-08 | Plague Tale: Requiem was a disappointment to me. While this reaction might be due to misguided hopes for more dynamic gameplay, there's no denying that Requiem recycles a lot of ideas from the first game while not pushing things forward significantly. Requiem does offer up some new inclusions, but often times they are stripped away too fast, resulting in a mixed bag of levels. The story concludes with a masterful heartfelt moment, but the lead up to it feels weak. They subvert your expectations, but it takes 15 hours of slog to get to that point. I feel it's a game that's better on a second playthrough than a first. Enjoy my full critique of the game.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
TemTem Review: TemTedium NopNapNarp 2022-10-17 | TemTem had so much potential to be the David to Pokemon's Goliath; but unfortunately it isn't able to deliver the ideal online creature capture experience. Despite some interesting changes to the Pokemon battle system and a well realized world, an unnecessary amount of grinding leads to an extreme amount of tedium. A boring story seals the deal on the title being an average experience sadly.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarp
Cult of the Lamb Review: Brilliant Blending NopNapNarp 2022-09-25 | Cult of the Lamb is yet another big indie hit in a year full of great titles from small development studios. An ambitious title, Cult of the Lamb looks to blend dungeon crawling rogue like elements with management systems and the marriage is beautiful. The blending doesn't stop there, as a gorgeous hand drawn cutsie art style meshes oddly well with occult symbolism. This one is for sure checking out, a heavy recommend from me.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpJoin our Discord!: discord.gg/Rca7KppM
Reflecting on God of War 2018 NopNapNarp 2022-08-30 | 2018's God of War marked the triumphant return of Kratos, one of gaming's biggest icons, but he wasn't alone, as new character, son Atreus, accompanied him on a new journey in a new land. The combat remained great but a new take on the story catapulted this title into the hearts of many and elevated it to Game of the Year status that year. It didn't quite do the same for me. I played and reviewed the game at release, but put it down soon after. 4 years later, I figured it was a good time to return to the title and see how my opinions had changed and what had stayed the same. So join me as I reflect on 2018's God of War.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
As Dusk Falls Critique NopNapNarp 2022-08-07 | As Dusk Falls is the latest TellTale-like game that promises the player an engaging narrative that twists and turns based on their choices. It tackles dark and grim subject matter that may turn some players off, but in doing so, it allows us to experience these tough moments without real world consequence. The downfall of these games is always the second playthrough that shows you how little your choices matter in the grand scheme of things. Can As Dusk Falls overcome this? Check out my review to find out.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgs
Stray Review: The Cats Meow NopNapNarp 2022-07-29 | Over the past few weeks the gaming world has been enamored by the cat game, aka, Stray. Finally, a title that lets you connect deeper with cats by letting you play as a realistic one. Pretty cool, huh? Well, Stray is more than that. It's a game that understood that playing as a cat could be gimmicky, unless it built an impressive world and told a meaningful story within it. They did just that.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord Server: discord.gg/VzPYW5F6
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge Review NopNapNarp 2022-07-17 | So I've never played a brawler before, but in these dog days of summer where not many games are releasing, I figured, why not. So, I played Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder's Revenge. I guess the best way to put this would be to say this: I'm not a fan of the genre. I'm not a fan of TMNT. But this game is a lot of fun, especially if you get through Game Pass!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.com/channels/998283168811581522/998284623949856798
Halo: A Franchise Analysis NopNapNarp 2022-07-07 | Being a teenager in the mid to late 2000's meant everyone was playing Halo. It was the era of the Xbox 360 and online multiplayer. For me, I was stuck with a Playstation 2 and never got to experience any of the Master Chief saga. Earlier this year, I bought my first ever Xbox and and after all these years, I knew it was time to play some Halo.In this video, I share my thoughts on the 8 mainline Halo games, from 2001's Combat Evolved to 2021's Halo Infinite. In it, I analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each game as well as how each title attempted to push the series forward or in a new direction. Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpDiscord: discord.gg/YpFP9zScgsTime Stamps:Intro: 00:00Combat Evolved: 3:24Halo 2: 17:02Halo 3: 35:06Halo 3 ODST: 51:07Halo Reach: 1:03:57Halo 4: 1:20:25Halo 5 Guardians: 1:34:59Halo Infinite: 1:51:58Closing Thoughts: 2:12:28
Card Shark: Cheating the Cheat (Impressions) NopNapNarp 2022-06-19 | Card Shark is the newest title from Devolver and it's unlike any card game you've played before. Cast away your notions of deck building and strategy and instead embrace the game as a humble cheat in a world of rags and riches. The trill of swindling opponents was gripping and this amazing gameplay was only further supported by an interesting story and a beautiful art direction.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpCredit for Inscryption Footage: youtube.com/watch?v=cfuW6HYShzg&ab_channel=SnomanGameplay (Thanks Snoman Gaming)
Why I Quit Dying Light 2 (Impressions) NopNapNarp 2022-06-07 | Dying Light 2 is probably the worst game I've played so far this year, so much so that I couldn't imagine getting through the whole experience. It's a horrifying amalgamation of every open world game trope done without any of the style, substance or successful systems that masterpieces of the genre use wonderfully. So, I stopped playing. This is why.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarp
Trek to Yomi Review: Cohesive, Yet Confused NopNapNarp 2022-05-24 | Trek to Yomi pays homage to Akira Kurosawa films with its stunning art direction and presentation, but the game itself fails to thrive under the weight of this vision. It results in a game that's visually cohesive, but confused on what medium it wants to associate with. It's combat is repetitive and relatively unengaging, while it's narrative treads a heavily traveled path. The end result is that Trek to Yomi fails to deliver a great story or a great game, but hey, at least it looks cool. Seasoned Gaming Interview with Game Director Leonard Menchiari: seasonedgaming.com/2022/03/22/an-interview-with-trek-to-yomi-creator-leonard-menchiari Twitter: Https://www.twitter.com/NopNapNarp
Elden Ring Review: Scratching the Surface NopNapNarp 2022-05-15 | Despite this video being over an hour long, it truly feels like I've hardly been able to articulate what makes Elden Ring so enjoyable to play. The main reason for that is because a single playthrough can't do this game justice, despite it taking 70 hours to do so. Because of that, this review is is about scratching the surface of Elden Ring rather than it being a deep dive. Hope you enjoy it anyway.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpTime Stamps:Introduction - 00:00Open World Design - 4:45Combat & Boss Design - 22:30Character Building - 42:36A Few of Many Things I Missed - 48:55Presentation - 54:42Narrative - 1:00:53Conclusion - 1:02:37
A Frustrated Critique of Tunic NopNapNarp 2022-04-22 | Tunic is unlike any other game I've played in quite awhile. It harkens back to games of the 1980's, and 90's especially in which player guidance wasn't to be taken for granted. Tunic isn't afraid to let you struggle in both exploration and combat. You won't be told where to go, what to do, or where to do it, but you'll be trusted to intuit these things for yourself. It's a game that trusts your intelligence, but also requires a above-average level of dedication to complete it without outside help. This will frustrate some while engross others. Your mindset going into the experience will determine your enjoyment. Patient players, with time, will find a valuable experience; while those more pressed may feel slighted. I found myself somewhere in the middle. Enjoy!Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpNoah's Dark Souls Trilogy Video: youtube.com/watch?v=O_KVCFxnpj4&t=17160sTime Stamps -Introduction: 00:00Gameplay Act One: 3:05Gameplay Act Two: 12:04Gameplay Act Three: 29:31Narrative: 40:22Presentation: 51:22Conclusion: 56:18
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Review: A Delightful Treat NopNapNarp 2022-04-10 | Kirby and the Forgotten Land is my new favorite Kirby game. It's a simple, yet fun platformer that encourages player exploration, secret discovery, and fun all in a surprisingly familiar but stylized world. The pink puffball has his best outing yet in Forgotten Land, and succeeds in his first foray into 3D.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpTime StampsIntroduction - 00:00Story - 1:28Gameplay - 5:36Presentation - 19:22Conclusion - 22:37
Horizon Forbidden West Critique: Outstanding & Overshadowed NopNapNarp 2022-03-29 | Horizon Forbidden West is an outstanding game, but like it's predecessor, it was overshadowed at release by a genre-defining take on open world games. It was Breath of the Wild in 2017, and now, 5 years later, it's Elden Ring. Both of those games are fantastic in their own right, but Forbidden West does not deserve to be overlooked. In this critique, I break down the world building, questing, combat, story, and presentation of this latest Guerilla title sharing both the positives and negatives of this notable achievement.Twitter: twitter.com/NopNapNarpTime Stamps:Introduction - 00:00World Building - 2:32Exploration - 16:56Quest Design - 25:17Combat - 47:21Story - 59:46Presentation - 1:17:13Conclusion - 1:22:45
Psychology of Gaming 45: The Rise of Wordle NopNapNarp 2022-03-11 | Wordle. It's everywhere. In this episode of psychology of gaming, we take a brief look at the Wordle phenomenon and analyze the design principles that have allowed it to shine while also discussing some of the psychological benefits of puzzle solving.
