We’ll see how much is recency bias and how well it will stand the test of time, but I really think Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be on this list going forward. It’s definitely one of the best games I’ve ever played, and I’ve played a lot of games. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough in all the parts that actually matter.
Last time a game was in the zeitgeist to this extent was BG3, and we all know how that went. Only thing going against E33 at this point is that the Game Awards are a long time off and recency bias/forgetting about it tends to have an impact.
I sincerely hope it does sweep the awards, not only is the game phenomenal but it would also send a very positive message to the industry.
Who knows though, people love Kojima and if Death Stranding 2 is slightly more approachable than the first it might put up a good fight.
I wish I hadn’t fumbled my french fluency over the past decade and a half as I still had to go back multiple times and re-listen and read the lyrics to understand them. And also the male singer on the OST sounds like he’s not a native french speaker so that makes it even harder to pick out.
But yeah, maybe it was for the best that I didn’t understand right away in the end!
It somehow just keeps getting better too. Super strong leitmotif work as well, throughout the game. And like I mentioned, even if you don’t speak french try looking up translations for the lyrics (but after you finished the game). Some really beautiful passages, but steeped in foreshadowing and spoilers.
I’m drunk on recency bias myself but I’m tempted to put him in Uematsu tier myself. I know that sounds outrageous but it’s actually that good. Even the lyrics are absolutely amazing. It will probably end up being my favourite OST of all time.
And there’s 8 fucking hours of it and not a single weak track!?
I finished Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a couple of days ago. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing people rave about it at this point. All I can say is: the hype is justified.
It’s a beautiful piece of art, with a wonderful story, gorgeous visuals and absolutely unbelievable music. One of my favourite OSTs of all time, and there’s more than 8 fucking hours of it.
It’s definitely within my top 10 games of all time. Thoroughly recommended, and a game I will still think about for a long time, even after putting it down.
In fact, it’s one of those rare games where I’m seriously considering going immediately back in to a NG+ playthrough right after finishing it. Yes, it’s that good.
It is definitely in my Top 10 games of all time. I haven’t settled on a final placement yet. It’s a beautiful piece of videogames-as-art, the story and the characters are well written and acted and the plot itself is very compelling. The world building is interesting and engrossing and the music boasts one of the best Video Game OSTs of all time, without a doubt.
There are some minor niggles, sure. It’s not literally perfect. It’s unfortunate that you can easily make yourself so overpowered you miss cutscenes in the final fight if you don’t consciously gimp yourself.
But other than that, none of the minor niggles really detract from the impact of the core experience, which is super super strong.
I have to be honest here and say I don’t understand where you’re coming from at all.
Why should every single game be changed to suit your specific play style?
Literally nobody is asking for this. Accessibility options, not “permanently and irrevocably reduce the difficulty of all games”. The good thing about options is that they’re option-al. If you want the game to remain challenging, the presence of accessibility options does not affect you in the slightest. You can just ignore them and go on with your day, enjoying the game just as it was.
It’s true I haven’t played the Elden Ring expansion, and I guess that’s the most difficult one now so it’s required to have played it to be able to parade around your gamer credentials? Whatever that’s supposed to mean? To me gaming is about enjoying a medium of culture, not a dick measuring contest. I’ve played Dark Souls, I’ve played Elden Ring. I’ve beaten Sister Friede, I’ve beaten Malenia.
Accessibility options are good. Not everyone is a god gamer with the reflexes of a 14-year old hopped up on Adderall and Red Bull. Some people just want to enjoy the story and the atmosphere of a game and it should be normal for us to let them.