Hot take: Everyone should start new games on normal difficulty with zero assist options.
Especially for action/RPG heavy games, I think experiencing and understanding how all the mechanics work can really help you appreciate the game more.
The fun thing about changing your phone wallpaper after a while is the jumpscare when you wake up the next morning and check your phone, forgetting the wallpaper changed.
This one certainly woke me up faster.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / LeafGreen: BDSP is a terrible remake, but still an enjoyable play through every once in a while. FRLG is an AMAZING remake that I haven’t played in like 20 years. I’m really hoping RSE also release on Switch soon, and maybe Gen 4 too. GBA and DS, best Pokemon era.
Mega Man Star Force Pegasus: The first of three games in the Legacy collection, this one I’m so happy to have not only finished, but beaten 100%. I loved Battle Network growing up, but barely scratched post game content.
Pokémon Pokopia: Newest game released and the one I sunk the most time into. I completed the story and the Pokédex, but plan on circling back eventually just to goof around and build things. It’s a shame I don’t have anyone to do multiplayer with, but single player is still loads of fun.
Rayman GBC: A game I played the crap out of as a kid but never finished. It still holds up really well to this day. Also it’s so surreal to find there’s a level select map once you beat the game?? I never knew this?? 10/10, love finding new things in childhood classics.
FFVII Rebirth: I played a few hours on the PS4, but dropped it for some reason. Unlike the original I loved the combat in this game, and I loved the story and characters even more. Even when the plot gets convoluted, the game is so pretty to look at.
Final Fantasy VII: First time I played FF7 and it’s… a game. I loved the story up to a certain point but I could not stand the gameplay. Still glad I experienced it, even if I cheated in the last third of the game.
The Hundred Line: A super fun game, great story and characters, I love Danganronpa so naturally I enjoyed this. Only got a third of the endings so far, but I’ll circle back to those. Eventually.
Portal: It’s Portal. I replay this like twice a year. It’s always a fun hour.
Nine games I’ve finished in 2026 so far! A mix of new and old games, replays and first times. Thoughts below:
As much as I replayed Yellow, I’ve only played the remakes once. Until the Switch port! Dragonite and nidoking pretty much did everything, but I at least wanted a varied team, if only for appearance.
Apple Music Replay for March! Nothing super crazy, I had a kick for Sonic R a couple days, plus had an itch for a couple albums I hadn’t listened to in years.
My first 100% completion on a Battle Network or Star Force game! I absolutely would not have done this without the encounter toggle (both none and max).
Pokopia is absolutely one of the best Pokemon games, who would have guessed. I know I’ll revisit the game soon to just build and have fun, but I also can’t wait to see what future events they have, and fingers crossed for a DLC or two!
The Star Force Legacy Collection is amazing with so many QOL changes and assist options. Thank you none/maximum encounter toggle and Zenny increase.
I’m currently 21 standard chips away from getting the S star, which I have NEVER done in a Mega Man game so I am pretty excited.
I’ve barely touched the post game in any of the games, and even with the Legacy collection I haven’t beaten 4-6 again. Similarly for Star Force, I played 1 and 3, and got 2 in college but played like an hour before dropping it.
As much as I loved Battle Network growing up, my experience with the games has been wonky or non-existent! I started with 2, then 3 and both versions of 4 (plus game guide). I traded my friend 2 for the 1st game, and that was it until I played 6 and 5 DS in college.
Megaman Battle Chip Challenge and Network Transmission?
I know it’s just a spinoff, but for a while now Pokemon games have been “I like it, but”. Too handholdy, too buggy, Go catching, boring world. Any nitpicks I have with Pokopia are super minor, and mainly just a mechanic I hope they add in the future.
Not only is it absurdly fun to play short or long sessions, or to build, progress, or just collect things, the game has amazing UI and QOL. It looks and runs really well too, Pokémon have so much life and personality, so much attention to detail in lore.
Pokopia absolutely surprised me and keeps on surprising me. I didn’t expect much from the game when it was revealed, but I beat the main story at around 40 hours, and between building, collecting everything, and completing the Pokédex, I’m now at 140 hours.
I’m actually making a base? That doesn’t look like the worst thing ever?? #Pokopia
Me neither, I thought they were just fancy things to collect! A random pokemon was like “I want potato burger steak” and when I read the description I was like huh. That’s different!
Add just one potato and you’ll make a stronger and longer lasting power up. (I do bean, potato, leaf, leaf)
Have you made a potato hamburger steak yet?
Lämp #Pokopia
HELLO?? I’m starting to think I just might be the protagonist. #Pokopia
