Super Mario Run (iOS)

Date Purchased:  December 15, 2016
Date Completed: December 24, 2016
Price: $12.99 (iTunes)

The long awaited mobile game from Nintendo.  At first I was like "nah" then I was like, "well" and now I'm like "yeah!".  I can tell you this is not a traditional Mario game, and it takes some getting used to.  It's not the best Mario game ever by any means, and not even the best Mario game released this season, but for whatever reason I can't stop playing it ... yet I still have this lingering feeling ...

Super Mario Maker (3DS)

Date Purchased: December 9, 2016
Date Completed: December 14, 2016
Price: $30 (Amazon/Kijiji)

Needless to say, I love Super Mario Maker.  When I'd heard about the disappointing lack of online sharing of this one, I was going to pass, but I ended up buying it ... twice.  I know, it's crazy, but I got them for a good deal and both my son and I love Mario.  This game is quite good for what it is.  I remember reading on Reddit they should have called it "Super Mario Player" and if that's what you're going for, then it's just fine.  It can access infinite levels created on the Wii U, and if you do want to create, you can exchange levels locally and via streetpass.  I had a great time with the 100 included challenge stages, and after playing some "Super Mario Run", I can safely say this is the better game. If you can get past rando's not liking your created levels, then what have you got to lose? Recommend.

INSIDE (Xbox One)

Date Purchased:  November 25, 2016
Date Completed: December 7, 2016

Price: $13.49  (Xbox Marketplace)

This time of year is always filled with game of the year discussion, and a game that keeps coming up is “Inside”.  It won the “Indy game of the year” at the Game Awards last week, and is sure to be on many top 10 lists in the weeks to come.  Inside is a fantastic puzzle platformer that has pacing completely nailed down.  There was only one sequence that I found particularly tedious, but that was due to an oversight of my part.  The graphics are simple but very effective, the sound is amazing, and the story, while still out for the jury, is interesting to say the least.  This game is from the same studio that brought you Limbo, and while I enjoyed my time with it, I like this game better.  My greatest regret was hearing about a giant “twist” on the Giant Bombcast and I kept waiting for it.  No doubt it’s there, but it’s not as mind blowing as I was expecting, I’m a victim of the hype on that unfortunately.  Go in with expectations tempered and you’re sure to have an amazing time. Highest Recommendation.

Tearaway (Vita)

Date Purchased:  October 15, 2016
Date Completed:  December 04, 2016
Price: $7.99 (PSN)

Tearaway is a cool game and by far the most innovative game I've played on Vita, or any console for that matter in a long long time.  The game has so much promise, and creative types (which I would consider myself one) could get a lot of mileage out of this games decorating.  To draw an item on screen, cut it out and decorate  your world opens up a lot of customization, problem was, I didn't give a shit about any of it.  Nobody else is going to see this, and really, who cares?  I know, lots of people out there probably do and are tweeting out screenshots (or did when the game came out) but that's not me.  The platforming is quite enjoyable though, the graphics and art style are well done, this is probably my favorite Media Molecule game to date, which really isn't saying much.  The game sets it up for an amazing ending which left me a little unsatisfied.  All the negatives aside, the platforming and the combat can be quite fun, enough that I'd give this game a recommend.