If you're someone like me who sorely misses the golden years of 3D platformers, A Hat in Time has you covered. This game sort of sneaked up on me. I had heard about it briefly back in 2013 during its kickstarter from a few different YouTube channels, but didn't pay it much mind at the time. Jump ahead four years and I can safely say the package is well worth it. The control in AHiT feels perfectly tuned. Hat Kid has just the right amount of weight to her movements and you always feel like you're in full control. You'll never feel like you missed a jump or took a hit because the controls were resisting your intentions. Every now and again the camera can be problematic, but those occurrences are rare. The only area where AHiT disappoints a little, and the thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars, is the number of worlds. Just 4, not including the final level. Now, don't get me wrong; the levels we have are gorgeous and an absolute joy to explore. There's very little unused space and lots of secrets to find. It just feels like it ends too soon. Thankfully, there are two additional chapters in the works that will be added to the game as free DLC, and along with that, mod support has been confirmed by the devs as well. Side Note: You may have heard some rumors that the GOG version won't be receiving mod support or updates. This is only partially true. The GOG version will be receiving all the same major updates as the Steam, but won't receive any experimental updates. GOG will also be receiving mod support once it's out of beta. The GOG users aren't being neglected by the devs, so don't worry.
Return To Castle Wolfenstein isn't a game that gets talked about much whenever the series is brought up in conversation, which is a damn shame. It's a great realization of the series unshackled from the limitations of Wolfenstein 3D. One of the game's best strengths is its variety of missions. The campaign has BJ running the gauntlet of everything from ancient ruins filled with undead horrors, to science labs full of horrific experiments and even a V2 rocket base. On top of that, the game is built on the Q3 engine, which lends the movement and shooting mechanics a smooth, responsive feel on top of German soldiers that can be surprisingly tough to fight, with special mention going to the German paratroopers whose FG42s will make mincemeat out of you in the latter half of the campaign. It's a classic that's well worth experiencing, rivaled only by Wolfenstein: The New Order.
What took me by surprise when playing Quake for the first time was how well the game has stood the test of time, something not many concurrent games of the time have done gracefully. The gothic architecture and creepy atmosphere is something that's yet to be replicated in any FPS since. Like with any good id Software game, the arsenal is a joy to use, enemies come in all different flavors and require diffferent tactics to bring down. The only real knock on the game is the disappointing lack of bossfights - just two, one at the end of the first episode and the final boss.
I first discovered Tyrian when I went digging through the files on my dad's old computer at the young age of 3. I'm now 22 and have probably beaten this game around 25 times since I first played it. When it comes to pure shoot 'em up goodness, almost no other game can compare. Not only is Tyrian infinitely more forgiving than most other space ship shooters, allowing you to take multiple hits and even giving you a regenerating shield, it's just bloody fun. There's no better relief for stress than to hop on this game and romp through a few levels decimating entire star fleets and massive battle ships in your humble fighter. Besides, even if you end up not liking the game, you didn't pay a dime for it since it's free.
