LONG BLOG
The BRG Collection Entries #41-44
Welcome to a new set of entries into the BRG Collection. The rest of the games in my ongoing list can be found here or at the bottom. With that said, here are entries #41-44.
The Witness
Release Year: 2016 / Developers: Thekla Inc.
The Witness takes a simple idea and exploits it in as many ways as possible. You draw a line from beginning to end, but the beauty of The Witness (besides its gorgeous setting and art style) is the amount of ways this game plays around with the rules and restrictions. What’s more interesting is the lack of any narrative, instead letting the game itself egg players on into exploring its world. Thanks to the game’s expert puzzle design, The Witness doesn’t grow stale and shows that you can do a lot with a little.
In Other Waters
Release Year: 2020 / Developers: Jump Over the Age
Exploration is often associated with visual eye-candy as the game wants to reward the player with something to look at. In Other Waters only offers topographical maps and dots, but it’s in this minimalism where this game shines. Through an engaging story, relaxing gameplay, and solid sound design, this game manages to turn these simple points on a map into a vibrant ocean planet to explore and a mystery to solve. In Other Waters manages to do a lot with a little, and every step of the way feels like a scientific journey into the unknown.
Ape Out
Release Year: 2019 / Developer: Gabe Cuzzillo
An ape wants out. That is the premise for Ape Out. But through its maze-like corridors and henchmen ready to kill, Ape Out is a pure and undiluted experience. The simple act of throwing enemies around and trying to make it to the other side of the level is exhilarating, but it’s the game’s style that elevates it. The mix of its jazz music that plays into the gameplay and its Saul Bass inspired minimalist art style gives the feeling of a slam poetry session, except the only thing slamming are enemies against walls. Ape Out is a short experience, but it’s a memorable one that packs a punch.
Yakuza 0
Release Year: 2015 / Developers: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
The Yakuza series has been around for quite some time, and Yakuza 0 is meant to be the starting point for it all. More than just a prequel, however, Yakuza 0 is also one of the best in the series thanks to its fantastic plot, fun combat, and excellent world minigames. Not only is this game a great entry point into the series, but it was a great entry for the western market, and the series has only exploded since its release. The series may be rigid in its structure (with exception to Yakuza: Like a Dragon), but it doesn’t stop Yakuza 0 from shining above the rest.
Spec Ops: The Line
Furi
Outer Wilds
Super Crate Box
Return of the Obra Dinn
Getting Over it with Bennett Foddy
Red Dead Redemption 2
Hunt: Showdown
Hitman: World of Assassination Trilogy
Lonely Mountains: Downhill
Control
Superhot: Mind is Software Trilogy
Half-Life: Alyx
Supraland
Cuphead
Resident Evil 7
Bosconian
Beat Saber
Clustertruck
Into the Breach
Far Cry 3
Dying Light
Tales from the Borderlands
The Beginner's Guide
Monster Hunter: World
Kane and Lynch: Dead Men
Kane and Lynch: Dog Days
TrackMania
Hades
Brutal Legend
Payday 2
Ghost of Tsushima
Bioshock
Slime Rancher
World War Z
Papers, Please
Super Mario Odyssey
The Surge
Assassin's Creed 2
Titanfall 2
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