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2025 is here and so is January’s game pickups. I started off this year with quite the total, so let’s not waste too much time and get into it all.
Steam
Streets of Rogue
So I started this one but I didn’t spend enough time with it to have formed an opinion. I’ve heard a lot of positives about the game though so I’m sure I’m in for an interesting time.
Balatro
Downs actually gifted me this, and I have had a time with it. It took several attempts to finally win my first game. I’m still playing and trying to win with the red deck currently. If you don’t know about this game, I would try to watch someone else play on YouTube. I will give a simple idea of how it works below though.
You choose a deck that has its own perk. I’ll use the Yellow Deck for an example. It gives an extra $10 at the start of the game. You have 52 cards in your deck. You go up against the house and have to score X amount of points each round. It’s like blackjack where you form pairs, straights, etc to get as much points as possible. Then you also have the Joker cards, which you typically get 5 of those max. You buy these and they offer different advantages.
For example, one of them will add 4 mult to your score. So it would be your hand times the mult. In between rounds, you get to shop for new cards. There’s regular playing cards, Jokers, Plants, Tarot cards and more. Really I could keep going but then this would be way too long.
Redacted
This is by the same people behind (paid link) Callisto Protocol and it even takes place in the Black Iron Prison, which is where the other games takes place as well. Only this game is a roguelike and our goal is to reach the last escape pod before anyone else can due to a viral outbreak.
Nomad Survival
I bought this because it was an auto-shooter roguelike, which I thought would be fun. I think it’s okay but it didn’t grab me like the genre usually does. Sometimes, they’re a hit or miss. It’s a shame too since the ideas behind this game seemed cool.
DS
New Super Mario Bros
I got this to play with someone and to also add it to my collection. I haven’t played much of it though, surprisingly. I’m halfway through the first world.
Switch
Mario vs Donkey Kong
I received this for Christmas and I’ve got to admit something. This is my very first Mario vs DK game. I never tried the others the released, but I have to say this one has been great so far. I’m only on world 5 at the moment. The levels are getting somewhat challenging, which I find fun and refreshing given what I usually play. Puzzle games aren’t frequent on my list, but I think this is a good one. Go (paid link) check it out yourself with this trailer.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
I’ve seen so many people complaining about the price point. Yes, Nintendo is charging $60 for this and they’ve done it multiple times throughout the years so I’m unsure why this time is different.
Personally, I’ve had some great times with this game. I still don’t think it’s as good as the SNES trio, but it’s definitely still fun and my goodness, some of those levels are a real pain to play. If you don’t already own this (paid link) title, I recommend picking it up.
Ys Memorie: Oath in Felghana
This is a remake of the third Ys game. I have not played any of this outside of a couple of minutes when I first received it. I’m still somewhat playing (paid link) Ys X so I don’t quite want to take away from that.
Digimon World: Next Order
After finishing the game last year and writing a review for it, I really didn’t think I would play again for quite a long time. Well the Switch version caught my attention for some reason or another and here we are. I’m still early on in chapter 1, but I have two ultimates and moving slowly.
It was a help to look back on some of the tips I wrote for the game and refresh my own memory. The game feels better on the Switch in my opinion. Handheld mode has been a good experience so far.
Titanigods
I thought this looked pretty cool. It’s a turned based RPG about the Gods taking down the Titans. You play three Gods going on an adventure. I haven’t touched it yet so that’s about all I can tell you myself. Go check it out on Nintendo for more information.
Skating’s Odyssey
This looked like a very low budget game but I thought I would give it a try regardless. I can’t say I recommend it but I also can say that it’s more challenging than what I expected.
Eoombo First Blood
I actually bought this due to Downs’ 2024 recap post. I’m only a couple of levels in but it seems sort of difficult at the end of each level. Trying to clean up my mess has not been an easy task and I have not actually successfully done so yet.
Godsvivors
This is another roguelike auto shooter, and all I have to really say about this is that it’s not worth the money. If you want more details, go check out the review I just posted.
PS5
Control
I think this literally the third time I’ve owned this game. I actually still have my Xbox Series X copy, but given that I don’t play that system often at all, I thought this may help me get back into the game. It’s pretty good from what I’ve seen the other attempts, but we will see. It will probably be a little bit before I get the chance to try this one again. If you haven’t given this (paid link) game a try, check out a trailer if interested.
Poppy’s Playtime Triple Pack
I’ve been curious about these games for a little bit and thought this would be really cool to give them all a try. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet though.
Ys The Oath in Felghana
Oh yes, I did buy it twice, Though this was accidental. I first pre-ordered the Switch version because it was the only one announced and available at the time. Then the PS5 version came up and I did that one too but never canceled the Switch one. Oh well though. Given how some of the games in the series can be hard to physically obtain, I’ll just put this version back for a future date.
Conclusion
Well that’s all for January. I can already say February will be an interesting month, but we have some time until then. In the meantime, stay tuned for more news, fun articles and have fun gaming.
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