Amethyst Stardust
@amethyststardust.bsky.social
Finished Metroid Prime 3 earlier today. It's rare that a trilogy is all pretty much equally good, I really don't think I can pick a favourite or least favourite out of any of them. There's a few things here and there that I prefer about one or the other, but overall, they're pretty evenly matched.
January 28, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Finished Metroid Prime 3 earlier today. It's rare that a trilogy is all pretty much equally good, I really don't think I can pick a favourite or least favourite out of any of them. There's a few things here and there that I prefer about one or the other, but overall, they're pretty evenly matched.
Well, that's the year. Played a pretty good amount of games, 37 reviews plus some stuff I didn't bother with reviews for (multiplayer stuff, fangames/romhacks, stuff I came back to for achievements, etc). It was fun reviewing the games I played, though I struggled to say much about some games.
December 31, 2024 at 7:50 PM
Well, that's the year. Played a pretty good amount of games, 37 reviews plus some stuff I didn't bother with reviews for (multiplayer stuff, fangames/romhacks, stuff I came back to for achievements, etc). It was fun reviewing the games I played, though I struggled to say much about some games.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #37: Metroid Prime 2 Echoes
Pretty good. The Light & Dark mechanics were pretty cool, quite well done, I'd say. A few annoyances here and there, but no major complaints. Hard to say which I preferred between this and 1. I didn't mind Logbook as much this time.
Pretty good. The Light & Dark mechanics were pretty cool, quite well done, I'd say. A few annoyances here and there, but no major complaints. Hard to say which I preferred between this and 1. I didn't mind Logbook as much this time.
December 22, 2024 at 10:06 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #37: Metroid Prime 2 Echoes
Pretty good. The Light & Dark mechanics were pretty cool, quite well done, I'd say. A few annoyances here and there, but no major complaints. Hard to say which I preferred between this and 1. I didn't mind Logbook as much this time.
Pretty good. The Light & Dark mechanics were pretty cool, quite well done, I'd say. A few annoyances here and there, but no major complaints. Hard to say which I preferred between this and 1. I didn't mind Logbook as much this time.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #36: Sigil
A Doom 1 WAD for once is a nice change of pace, no chaingunners or archviles to worry about. On the other hand, killing cacodemons and barons with a regular shotgun, oof. Pretty good levels, nice and short too. Cool visuals, great soundtrack. Very good WAD.
A Doom 1 WAD for once is a nice change of pace, no chaingunners or archviles to worry about. On the other hand, killing cacodemons and barons with a regular shotgun, oof. Pretty good levels, nice and short too. Cool visuals, great soundtrack. Very good WAD.
December 11, 2024 at 12:19 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #36: Sigil
A Doom 1 WAD for once is a nice change of pace, no chaingunners or archviles to worry about. On the other hand, killing cacodemons and barons with a regular shotgun, oof. Pretty good levels, nice and short too. Cool visuals, great soundtrack. Very good WAD.
A Doom 1 WAD for once is a nice change of pace, no chaingunners or archviles to worry about. On the other hand, killing cacodemons and barons with a regular shotgun, oof. Pretty good levels, nice and short too. Cool visuals, great soundtrack. Very good WAD.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #35: Mario & Luigi Brothership
I think I'm around 33-40% of the way through, and I just have no interest in continuing. It's not even really that bad, it's just not engaging enough, it's kinda tedious, and it drags on so slowly. Should've been much more concise.
I think I'm around 33-40% of the way through, and I just have no interest in continuing. It's not even really that bad, it's just not engaging enough, it's kinda tedious, and it drags on so slowly. Should've been much more concise.
December 9, 2024 at 10:01 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #35: Mario & Luigi Brothership
I think I'm around 33-40% of the way through, and I just have no interest in continuing. It's not even really that bad, it's just not engaging enough, it's kinda tedious, and it drags on so slowly. Should've been much more concise.
I think I'm around 33-40% of the way through, and I just have no interest in continuing. It's not even really that bad, it's just not engaging enough, it's kinda tedious, and it drags on so slowly. Should've been much more concise.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #34: Fallout New Vegas
Been a while since I first played this, was fun to finally come back to it. Interesting to see what I remembered and what I didn't, and good to finally see a lot of the stuff I hadn't done before, like the DLCs. Great game.
Been a while since I first played this, was fun to finally come back to it. Interesting to see what I remembered and what I didn't, and good to finally see a lot of the stuff I hadn't done before, like the DLCs. Great game.
December 6, 2024 at 11:06 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #34: Fallout New Vegas
Been a while since I first played this, was fun to finally come back to it. Interesting to see what I remembered and what I didn't, and good to finally see a lot of the stuff I hadn't done before, like the DLCs. Great game.
Been a while since I first played this, was fun to finally come back to it. Interesting to see what I remembered and what I didn't, and good to finally see a lot of the stuff I hadn't done before, like the DLCs. Great game.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #33: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero
Between the obscenely unfair enemy AI and various other bullshit, this is easily one of the most infuriating games I've ever tried playing. Wish I had quit sooner. The What-If stories are cool but absolutely not worth playing the game for.
Between the obscenely unfair enemy AI and various other bullshit, this is easily one of the most infuriating games I've ever tried playing. Wish I had quit sooner. The What-If stories are cool but absolutely not worth playing the game for.
November 28, 2024 at 7:43 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #33: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero
Between the obscenely unfair enemy AI and various other bullshit, this is easily one of the most infuriating games I've ever tried playing. Wish I had quit sooner. The What-If stories are cool but absolutely not worth playing the game for.
Between the obscenely unfair enemy AI and various other bullshit, this is easily one of the most infuriating games I've ever tried playing. Wish I had quit sooner. The What-If stories are cool but absolutely not worth playing the game for.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #32: Sonic X Shadow Generations
Just putting this one in a pastebin again. TLDR: Sonic Gens basically the same as original, Shadow Gens is one of the best Sonic games, IMO, only real complaint is Shadow's VA still kinda sucks.
pastebin.com/SeSEXBhE
Just putting this one in a pastebin again. TLDR: Sonic Gens basically the same as original, Shadow Gens is one of the best Sonic games, IMO, only real complaint is Shadow's VA still kinda sucks.
pastebin.com/SeSEXBhE
November 22, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #32: Sonic X Shadow Generations
Just putting this one in a pastebin again. TLDR: Sonic Gens basically the same as original, Shadow Gens is one of the best Sonic games, IMO, only real complaint is Shadow's VA still kinda sucks.
pastebin.com/SeSEXBhE
Just putting this one in a pastebin again. TLDR: Sonic Gens basically the same as original, Shadow Gens is one of the best Sonic games, IMO, only real complaint is Shadow's VA still kinda sucks.
pastebin.com/SeSEXBhE
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #31: Doom 2: No Rest For The Living
Pretty good set of levels, not too hard, not too easy. Good secrets that are fairly intuitive to find. Not much else to say about it, really.
Pretty good set of levels, not too hard, not too easy. Good secrets that are fairly intuitive to find. Not much else to say about it, really.
November 16, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #31: Doom 2: No Rest For The Living
Pretty good set of levels, not too hard, not too easy. Good secrets that are fairly intuitive to find. Not much else to say about it, really.
Pretty good set of levels, not too hard, not too easy. Good secrets that are fairly intuitive to find. Not much else to say about it, really.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #30: Sonic Rush Adventure
I'd probably put this roughly on par with Sonic Rush. Core gameplay is more of the same, and the different sea traversal minigames are neat. Missions are a cool idea, but way too many of them, especially when most unlock at the end of the game.
I'd probably put this roughly on par with Sonic Rush. Core gameplay is more of the same, and the different sea traversal minigames are neat. Missions are a cool idea, but way too many of them, especially when most unlock at the end of the game.
November 1, 2024 at 11:43 AM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #30: Sonic Rush Adventure
I'd probably put this roughly on par with Sonic Rush. Core gameplay is more of the same, and the different sea traversal minigames are neat. Missions are a cool idea, but way too many of them, especially when most unlock at the end of the game.
I'd probably put this roughly on par with Sonic Rush. Core gameplay is more of the same, and the different sea traversal minigames are neat. Missions are a cool idea, but way too many of them, especially when most unlock at the end of the game.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #29: LoZ Echoes of Wisdom
This is a long one, so instead of cutting it into 300-char chunks, I'm just linking a pastebin. pastebin.com/8aYPSQNa
TLDR: Mixed feelings, the game is good, but just good, and still doesn't satisfy the desire for a new "proper" Zelda game
This is a long one, so instead of cutting it into 300-char chunks, I'm just linking a pastebin. pastebin.com/8aYPSQNa
TLDR: Mixed feelings, the game is good, but just good, and still doesn't satisfy the desire for a new "proper" Zelda game
October 25, 2024 at 4:40 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #29: LoZ Echoes of Wisdom
This is a long one, so instead of cutting it into 300-char chunks, I'm just linking a pastebin. pastebin.com/8aYPSQNa
TLDR: Mixed feelings, the game is good, but just good, and still doesn't satisfy the desire for a new "proper" Zelda game
This is a long one, so instead of cutting it into 300-char chunks, I'm just linking a pastebin. pastebin.com/8aYPSQNa
TLDR: Mixed feelings, the game is good, but just good, and still doesn't satisfy the desire for a new "proper" Zelda game
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #28: Master Levels for Doom II
Fairly good set of levels, I'd say. The order the 2024 rerelease puts them in is weird, by far the hardest level is only half way in, and everything before then was pretty easy, so there's just a huge difficulty spike.
Fairly good set of levels, I'd say. The order the 2024 rerelease puts them in is weird, by far the hardest level is only half way in, and everything before then was pretty easy, so there's just a huge difficulty spike.
September 30, 2024 at 8:10 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #28: Master Levels for Doom II
Fairly good set of levels, I'd say. The order the 2024 rerelease puts them in is weird, by far the hardest level is only half way in, and everything before then was pretty easy, so there's just a huge difficulty spike.
Fairly good set of levels, I'd say. The order the 2024 rerelease puts them in is weird, by far the hardest level is only half way in, and everything before then was pretty easy, so there's just a huge difficulty spike.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #27: Metroid Prime Hunters
Not very bad but not very good either. Mechanically, it's fine. The touch screen controls aren't terrible, but they're not really reliable enough to consistently hit shots without just spamming L, which can get uncomfortable quickly. (1/3)
Not very bad but not very good either. Mechanically, it's fine. The touch screen controls aren't terrible, but they're not really reliable enough to consistently hit shots without just spamming L, which can get uncomfortable quickly. (1/3)
September 30, 2024 at 12:18 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #27: Metroid Prime Hunters
Not very bad but not very good either. Mechanically, it's fine. The touch screen controls aren't terrible, but they're not really reliable enough to consistently hit shots without just spamming L, which can get uncomfortable quickly. (1/3)
Not very bad but not very good either. Mechanically, it's fine. The touch screen controls aren't terrible, but they're not really reliable enough to consistently hit shots without just spamming L, which can get uncomfortable quickly. (1/3)
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #26: Sonic Rush
Pretty good, had a lot of fun with this. Touch screen controls work incredibly well for the Special Stages, they are among the best Special Stages in any Sonic game, and a gold standard for incorporating touch screen controls into a DS game.
Pretty good, had a lot of fun with this. Touch screen controls work incredibly well for the Special Stages, they are among the best Special Stages in any Sonic game, and a gold standard for incorporating touch screen controls into a DS game.
September 24, 2024 at 11:14 AM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #26: Sonic Rush
Pretty good, had a lot of fun with this. Touch screen controls work incredibly well for the Special Stages, they are among the best Special Stages in any Sonic game, and a gold standard for incorporating touch screen controls into a DS game.
Pretty good, had a lot of fun with this. Touch screen controls work incredibly well for the Special Stages, they are among the best Special Stages in any Sonic game, and a gold standard for incorporating touch screen controls into a DS game.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #25: What the Car?
Pretty creative and fun. I think I prefer What the Golf, though, feel like it got a little more varied and out-there in its creativity. Player-made levels being required for 100% is dumb, even if you can just choose an easy one (if you can find any).
Pretty creative and fun. I think I prefer What the Golf, though, feel like it got a little more varied and out-there in its creativity. Player-made levels being required for 100% is dumb, even if you can just choose an easy one (if you can find any).
September 22, 2024 at 6:11 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #25: What the Car?
Pretty creative and fun. I think I prefer What the Golf, though, feel like it got a little more varied and out-there in its creativity. Player-made levels being required for 100% is dumb, even if you can just choose an easy one (if you can find any).
Pretty creative and fun. I think I prefer What the Golf, though, feel like it got a little more varied and out-there in its creativity. Player-made levels being required for 100% is dumb, even if you can just choose an easy one (if you can find any).
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #24: Advance Wars
Quite enjoyed this, pretty fun. Very satisfying to have a strategy work out. My one major complaint is Fog of War is terrible. Even without the AI cheating like it apparently does on GBA, it still just sucks all the fun out of a mission, I despise it.
Quite enjoyed this, pretty fun. Very satisfying to have a strategy work out. My one major complaint is Fog of War is terrible. Even without the AI cheating like it apparently does on GBA, it still just sucks all the fun out of a mission, I despise it.
September 16, 2024 at 2:49 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #24: Advance Wars
Quite enjoyed this, pretty fun. Very satisfying to have a strategy work out. My one major complaint is Fog of War is terrible. Even without the AI cheating like it apparently does on GBA, it still just sucks all the fun out of a mission, I despise it.
Quite enjoyed this, pretty fun. Very satisfying to have a strategy work out. My one major complaint is Fog of War is terrible. Even without the AI cheating like it apparently does on GBA, it still just sucks all the fun out of a mission, I despise it.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #23: Doom Legacy of Rust
Pretty cool new Doom campaign. The new weapons and monsters are pretty interesting, and the levels are pretty good, though some are maybe a bit more difficult than they should be. E2M6 is probably the coolest Doom level I've ever played, tbh.
Pretty cool new Doom campaign. The new weapons and monsters are pretty interesting, and the levels are pretty good, though some are maybe a bit more difficult than they should be. E2M6 is probably the coolest Doom level I've ever played, tbh.
August 30, 2024 at 2:52 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #23: Doom Legacy of Rust
Pretty cool new Doom campaign. The new weapons and monsters are pretty interesting, and the levels are pretty good, though some are maybe a bit more difficult than they should be. E2M6 is probably the coolest Doom level I've ever played, tbh.
Pretty cool new Doom campaign. The new weapons and monsters are pretty interesting, and the levels are pretty good, though some are maybe a bit more difficult than they should be. E2M6 is probably the coolest Doom level I've ever played, tbh.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #22: Mail Mole
Picking up random interesting-looking indie games I've never heard of on Steam works out well for me fairly often, but this time not so much. I'm not sure I'd call it bad, that may be too harsh, but I hesitate to call it anything better than that either.
Picking up random interesting-looking indie games I've never heard of on Steam works out well for me fairly often, but this time not so much. I'm not sure I'd call it bad, that may be too harsh, but I hesitate to call it anything better than that either.
August 17, 2024 at 10:41 AM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #22: Mail Mole
Picking up random interesting-looking indie games I've never heard of on Steam works out well for me fairly often, but this time not so much. I'm not sure I'd call it bad, that may be too harsh, but I hesitate to call it anything better than that either.
Picking up random interesting-looking indie games I've never heard of on Steam works out well for me fairly often, but this time not so much. I'm not sure I'd call it bad, that may be too harsh, but I hesitate to call it anything better than that either.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #21: Sonic Advance 3
I think I'd put this roughly on par with, or a little below, Sonic Advance 1. Level design's mostly pretty solid, and three acts per zone gives a good amount of content. Some of the later bosses are kinda horrendous, though. (1/2)
I think I'd put this roughly on par with, or a little below, Sonic Advance 1. Level design's mostly pretty solid, and three acts per zone gives a good amount of content. Some of the later bosses are kinda horrendous, though. (1/2)
August 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #21: Sonic Advance 3
I think I'd put this roughly on par with, or a little below, Sonic Advance 1. Level design's mostly pretty solid, and three acts per zone gives a good amount of content. Some of the later bosses are kinda horrendous, though. (1/2)
I think I'd put this roughly on par with, or a little below, Sonic Advance 1. Level design's mostly pretty solid, and three acts per zone gives a good amount of content. Some of the later bosses are kinda horrendous, though. (1/2)
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #20: Sonic Battle
I can appreciate and respect the ambition of what they were trying to do on GBA, but the end result is pretty janky, and kinda just dull. Story Mode was super repetitive with too much padding, so after two chapters, I just watched the rest on YouTube.
I can appreciate and respect the ambition of what they were trying to do on GBA, but the end result is pretty janky, and kinda just dull. Story Mode was super repetitive with too much padding, so after two chapters, I just watched the rest on YouTube.
August 1, 2024 at 10:47 AM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #20: Sonic Battle
I can appreciate and respect the ambition of what they were trying to do on GBA, but the end result is pretty janky, and kinda just dull. Story Mode was super repetitive with too much padding, so after two chapters, I just watched the rest on YouTube.
I can appreciate and respect the ambition of what they were trying to do on GBA, but the end result is pretty janky, and kinda just dull. Story Mode was super repetitive with too much padding, so after two chapters, I just watched the rest on YouTube.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #19: Kaze and the Wild Masks
Fairly good DKC-inspired game. My only comment is that, as always, I dislike autoscroller-y bosses, especially with a reward for taking no damage. Otherwise, nothing especially noteworthy, just a fairly good game. Worth a shot for DKC fans.
Fairly good DKC-inspired game. My only comment is that, as always, I dislike autoscroller-y bosses, especially with a reward for taking no damage. Otherwise, nothing especially noteworthy, just a fairly good game. Worth a shot for DKC fans.
July 28, 2024 at 12:55 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #19: Kaze and the Wild Masks
Fairly good DKC-inspired game. My only comment is that, as always, I dislike autoscroller-y bosses, especially with a reward for taking no damage. Otherwise, nothing especially noteworthy, just a fairly good game. Worth a shot for DKC fans.
Fairly good DKC-inspired game. My only comment is that, as always, I dislike autoscroller-y bosses, especially with a reward for taking no damage. Otherwise, nothing especially noteworthy, just a fairly good game. Worth a shot for DKC fans.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #18: Sonic Advance 2
Level design that's 90% hold right & 10% precognition, stupidly annoying bosses, and true ending requires memorising entire levels to take exact specific paths through them. Skipped that, wish I skipped the whole game. One of the worst Sonic games.
Level design that's 90% hold right & 10% precognition, stupidly annoying bosses, and true ending requires memorising entire levels to take exact specific paths through them. Skipped that, wish I skipped the whole game. One of the worst Sonic games.
July 24, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #18: Sonic Advance 2
Level design that's 90% hold right & 10% precognition, stupidly annoying bosses, and true ending requires memorising entire levels to take exact specific paths through them. Skipped that, wish I skipped the whole game. One of the worst Sonic games.
Level design that's 90% hold right & 10% precognition, stupidly annoying bosses, and true ending requires memorising entire levels to take exact specific paths through them. Skipped that, wish I skipped the whole game. One of the worst Sonic games.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #17: Sonic Advance
Pretty decent 2D Sonic game, felt pretty close to being as good as the Mega Drive games. Better than Superstars, at least. Not really a fan of how each special stage is only accessed from one specific spot, rather than how, say, S3&K or Mania do it.
Pretty decent 2D Sonic game, felt pretty close to being as good as the Mega Drive games. Better than Superstars, at least. Not really a fan of how each special stage is only accessed from one specific spot, rather than how, say, S3&K or Mania do it.
July 12, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #17: Sonic Advance
Pretty decent 2D Sonic game, felt pretty close to being as good as the Mega Drive games. Better than Superstars, at least. Not really a fan of how each special stage is only accessed from one specific spot, rather than how, say, S3&K or Mania do it.
Pretty decent 2D Sonic game, felt pretty close to being as good as the Mega Drive games. Better than Superstars, at least. Not really a fan of how each special stage is only accessed from one specific spot, rather than how, say, S3&K or Mania do it.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #16: Metroid Prime Remastered
I'm a fan of 2D Metroid so naturally, I enjoyed this too. A few minor annoyances aside (enemies respawning too easily, no map markers for items, etc), it was pretty good. Not sure how much I care for scanning, even without missable ones.
I'm a fan of 2D Metroid so naturally, I enjoyed this too. A few minor annoyances aside (enemies respawning too easily, no map markers for items, etc), it was pretty good. Not sure how much I care for scanning, even without missable ones.
July 11, 2024 at 11:07 AM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #16: Metroid Prime Remastered
I'm a fan of 2D Metroid so naturally, I enjoyed this too. A few minor annoyances aside (enemies respawning too easily, no map markers for items, etc), it was pretty good. Not sure how much I care for scanning, even without missable ones.
I'm a fan of 2D Metroid so naturally, I enjoyed this too. A few minor annoyances aside (enemies respawning too easily, no map markers for items, etc), it was pretty good. Not sure how much I care for scanning, even without missable ones.
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #15: Lingo
Fun word puzzle game. Gets pretty inventive with its different rules and how they're applied, and the non-Euclidean map. Didn't finish a few post-game areas, they were getting a bit too obtuse, and I kinda just wanted to be done, but would stilll recommend.
Fun word puzzle game. Gets pretty inventive with its different rules and how they're applied, and the non-Euclidean map. Didn't finish a few post-game areas, they were getting a bit too obtuse, and I kinda just wanted to be done, but would stilll recommend.
July 2, 2024 at 7:01 PM
Amethyst's 2024 Game Reviews #15: Lingo
Fun word puzzle game. Gets pretty inventive with its different rules and how they're applied, and the non-Euclidean map. Didn't finish a few post-game areas, they were getting a bit too obtuse, and I kinda just wanted to be done, but would stilll recommend.
Fun word puzzle game. Gets pretty inventive with its different rules and how they're applied, and the non-Euclidean map. Didn't finish a few post-game areas, they were getting a bit too obtuse, and I kinda just wanted to be done, but would stilll recommend.