Tag: 1000xRESIST

Noob’s Top 10 Games Experienced in 2024

2024 was undeniably an incredible year for games. I don’t often tend to play new releases, so it is to my complete surprise that four games from the current year have made it to my top 10 list this year. Four! As primarily a backlog and PS Plus gamer, I often don’t even experience that many current games in a year, let alone enjoy them enough that they dominate the top 5 of my list.

While I haven’t managed to play as many games this year as I did in the previous years, it is safe to say I had some all timer experiences and it was a particular struggle ordering the lower end of the list, having to decide who to cut despite also giving me some fantastic memories.

Without further ado, here is the best of my 2024 gaming experiences.

I do my game tracking on GG App, you can see all 34 of the games I experienced in 2024 here.

10. Alan Wake 2

Developer: Remedy Entertainment

Release Date: 27 October 2023

Saga Anderson arrives to investigate ritualistic murders in a small town. Alan Wake pens a dark story to shape the reality around him. These two heroes are somehow connected. Can they become the heroes they need to be?

Number 10 on the list is a game that I didn’t play myself, but was one hell of an experience regardless. Watching a friend play the game and theory crafting along the way of this absolute trip of a journey was an especially fun time. Tying it into the first game – which I didn’t enjoy very much – and Control – which was only just bumped down from this very list – allowed us to go full corkboard and strings while taking in the atmosphere of this dingy, eerily beautiful world.

Ask me right now to summarise the story and I am not sure that I could off the top of my head, but it was a lot of fun along the way and now I think in spirals.

You can buy the game here.

9. Mass Effect 3/Legendary Edition

Developer: BioWare

Release Date: 14 May 2021

The Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from the highly acclaimed Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs — remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD.

Finishing up the Mass Effect trilogy was a monumental moment. Legitimately the end of an era. Despite the fact that we only played Mass Effect 3 this year, I am including the others in here too as they are all within the Legendary Edition.

It took us years and now I finally understand why the ending is disliked on such a universal level. Thankfully, it did not dampen the memories of my years long playthrough of this epic series, with moments of the finale having me in actual tears on stream, something that I generally prefer to avoid.

You can see my fill playthroughs of Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 here.

8. The Talos Principle

Developer: Croteam

Release Date: 11 December 2014

The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle game in the tradition of philosophical science fiction. Made by Croteam and written by Tom Jubert (FTL, The Swapper) and Jonas Kyratzes (The Sea Will Claim Everything).

This list has a couple of games that I didn’t have the most fun playing but shone so bright in other areas that I loved them anyway. The Talos Principle is the first of those. I made my way through the puzzles because I had to. What I was really there for was the story, delivered in the form of a computer archive. Every new area I made it to gave me the rush of finding new information. While I found the puzzles fun at first, they eventually became a block between me and my next lore fix.

I will admit, by the end I was following a guide for most of the puzzles – especially the stars – but the story was so interesting that despite this, I think this is my favourite first person puzzle game that I have played yet (unless Portal 2 co-op counts as its own game).

You can buy The Talos Principle here.

7. Frostpunk

Developer: 11 bit studios

Release Date: 24 April 2018

Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society’s survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process?

Frostpunk is the only game that made it onto this list from my 12 Days of Epic Games series, but it sure did earn its place. It was only the second game of the 12 and I immediatly broke my own rule that I was only trying out these games. I ended up finishing the campaign within the week.

I couldn’t get enough of the stress. I am not sure that I have played a game that balanced that line of helplessness but just scraping by so well in my entire life. I was sure I was going to fail, tens of times. Yet every time, through some miracle, we managed to pull through. It was not elegent, there was suffering, but I fully embodied my position of leader and did everything in my power to save my people.

What I am saying is, this is the most immersive, thrilling, coldest city builder that I have ever played. It was memorable, and it was pretty incredible.

You can see my experience with Frostpunk here.

6. Undertale

Developer: tobyfox

Release Date: 15 September 2015

UNDERTALE! The RPG game where you don’t have to destroy anyone.

Above I mentioned some games making it onto the list despite not having the most fun during the act of playing. Undertale is the second. I very nearly quit, but I am so pleased I persevered.

I had heard bits about Undertale but didn’t really know what to expect until I tried it out during 12 Days of Game Pass. Even then, I knew that I liked it, but I didn’t realise quite how much I was going to enjoy it until I finally jumped back in, 2 years later. Despite having some things spoiled, I really appreciate what this game is. It is humorous, clever, heartfelt, more difficult than I had hoped but I am not sure that is a problem for everyone.

Whether you find it iconic or cheesy, the Stay Determined messaging stayed with me for a while, making a real life effort to notice things that I too could stay determined about.

You can see my first look at Undertale here.

5. Mouthwashing

Developer: Wrong Organ

Release Date: 26 September 2024

The five crew members of the Tulpar are stranded in the empty reaches of space, shrouded in perpetual sunset. God is not watching.

Mouthwashing is the second and final game on the list that I watched rather than played. Once I watched it, I immediatly watched it again. And again. And I wasn’t sick of it even after watching 3 different playthroughs. I was glad that I didn’t play it myself because of certain gameplay sections, although part of me wishes they weren’t even there. Not just because I wouldn’t have enjoyed playing them, but because I think the game would have been better for it.

Overall though, I couldn’t get enough of the bleak, disturbing tones of this game. The claustrophobic setting and the off putting characters drew me in in the exact opposite way that I would have fled from them in real life. The game is an examination of a few themes that almost feel spoilery to mention, but hits that morbid mood itch in its own unique, worthwhile way.

You can buy Mouthwashing here.

4. Animal Well

Developer: Billy Basso

Release Date: 9 May 2024

Explore a dense, interconnected labyrinth, and unravel its many secrets. Collect items to manipulate your environment in surprising and meaningful ways. Encounter beautiful and unsettling creatures, as you attempt to survive what lurks in the dark. There is more than what you see.

Just like Undertale, I very nearly quit this game. But despite that, the impeccable uncanny atmosphere, the stunning colours and the freedom of puzzle solving kept me coming back for more. It took my eyes a short while to adjust, but once they did, this could well be the most stylish pixel art game I have ever played. The audio design also deserves a massive shout out for being both confidently understated yet enticingly effective.

Animal Well would never have worked as a stream game for me, but I desperately wish I could capture the absolutely chaotic energy during my journey of discovery. I perhaps got even more joy from stumbling into solutions than I did using my brain. Over and over again I would somehow make exactly the right mistake at exactly the right time to learn something that I would never have even thought of. It is masterful in design and the lack of handholding is somehow empowering.

This game can get spooky. My blood ran cold at least 3 times and I almost quit at least as many. Guides were my friend in these scenarios and I am glad that I pushed through to experience this gem that I would have passed on if it wasn’t available on PS Plus.

You can buy Animal Well here.

3. Life is Strange 2

Developer: DONTNOT Entertainment

Release Date: 26 September 2018

After a tragic incident, brothers Sean and Daniel Diaz run away from home. Fearing the police, and dealing with Daniel’s new telekinetic power, the boys head to Mexico. Each stop on their journey brings new friends and new challenges.

Life is Strange 2 was the final Life is Strange game that I had left to play. It may be an unpopular opinion, but I definitely saved the best till last.

This game was better than I could have hoped. It didn’t take me long to get invested in the brothers, but it was the ‘on the road’ element that really made this game tailored to me. It was full of emotions, highs and lows, wondering what might be next, and I connected with it more than I have any other LiS game to date.

I think it is a shame that so many people pass this one by. I understand that my experience isn’t the most common one, but if you enjoy the LiS format but skipped 2 because of low expectations, I would ask you to reconsider and give it a shot. It was definitely worth my time and may well be worth yours too.

You can play Episode 1 for free here.

2. 1000xRESIST

Developer: sunset visitor 斜陽過客

Release Date: 9 May 2024

1000xRESIST is a thrilling sci-fi adventure. The year is unknown, and a disease spread by an alien invasion keeps you underground. You are Watcher. You dutifully fulfil your purpose in serving the ALLMOTHER, until the day you discover a shocking secret that changes everything.

Oh. My. God. 1000xRESIST came out of nowhere and just decided to become part of my life. I have written extensively about both my first impressions (which took me a while to warm up) and my full experience with the game, so I won’t go into much detail here. What I will say is that this game is worth your time.

There is a reason that this game recieved so many nominations and awards. It tells a story that so many others could only hope to tell, so confidently that you don’t have any choice but to listen, admire, and continue to ponder long after playing. It is bold in its choices in a way that most AAA could not be, and if you can buy into the world they created – which you should – then you are guaranteed to go on a thoughtful and emotional journey, on both a personal and grand scale.

You can read my first impressions of 1000xRESIST here or my full review here.

1. Astro Bot

Developer: Team Asobi

Release Date: 6 September 2024

The PS5® mothership has been wrecked, leaving ASTRO and the bot crew scattered all over the galaxies. Time to ride your trusty Dual Speeder across more than 50 planets full of fun, danger and surprises. On your journey, make the most of ASTRO’s new powers and reunite with many iconic heroes from the PlayStation universe! 

I think everyone knows by now that Astro Bot is a delight. This feels like an objective fact, and I can’t imagine anyone disputing it. I was slightly worried that it couldn’t live up to Astro’s Playroom (more on that below) but my worries were completely unfounded as the compact yet densely packed levels provide so much fun and so many surprises along the way that I could hardly contain myself.

The level of detail is just phenomenal. Every new level, just take a second and admire the physics of every single thing that you touch. I have never been in such kinetic and satisfying environments and this could only possibly have come to fruition from a team putting their heart and soul into their project. It is genuinely awe-inspiring, as well as wholesome and nostalgic as you make your way through the carefully crafted planets.

For the record, I have been championing Astro since Playroom and if you haven’t played it yet, I still think it is very worth it. It has a different set up to Astro Bot and it will make everytime you power on your PS5 feel like magic. Plus, it has one of my favourite video game songs ever (I am looking at you, GPU). I have yet to play the VR game but overall, this is the most joyful series that I have ever touched and Team Asobi have my trust for anything that they create in the future.

You can see my full playthrough of Astro Bot here.

Considering I have had so many high quality experiences with game in the past, it feels insane that there are still so many waiting for me. I have already selected a bunch of games I hope to play in 2025 as part of a backlog challenge and I look forward to seeing which games make it onto next years list.

top 10 games experienced in Other years

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A Noob’s Review – 1000xRESIST

There is a nearness and its gravity is echoing.

I already wrote at length about my first impressions of 1000xRESIST. Instead of rehashing that, I am going to talk about what I consider to be the games strengths. I would also talk about the weaknesses but I honestly have difficulty finding any beyond the slow start that I mentioned in those impressions.

The more you try to recommend this game to folk, the more you realise how difficult it is to define the genre. There is a surprising variety of touchpoints for comparison, but every similarity I point out is usually a specific tone or mechanic, rather that the game itself being similar to any other. Here, I want to talk about what this game does, and why it works for me.

+ Scope

I often wonder how people come up with stories like this. But then I read something from an AMA with the developers. This game is a fantastic example of using what you have to inform what you do.

A question was asked about what birthed the idea using clones. There were two answers, one we will get into later, but the second one stood out to me.

“The other thing was SCOPE. Yes, it meant we could focus on making the character model that we had, better!”

It’s fascinating how a creative decision so important can stem from such a technical, meta reason. I personally find that given all of the freedom in the world, my work will often be weaker than the work I had to do under restrictions, which could be why this resonates so much. Scope takes discipline, and while they could have decided to spend more time creating more characters, they made it a core part of the story, giving them more time to focus on the intricacies of the world they were building.

Thinking of it this way, it begins to dawn on me that there are a lot of reused environments too. Many of the places that you go, you will see again for one reason or another. However, there wasn’t a single visit to any of these locations that made me feel sick of them. It never got tiresome. Every revisit was repurposed so carefully that suddenly, fewer environments become a blessing, allowing me that familiarity that makes me feel more involved in the story.

+ Nature vs nurture / themes

Nature vs nurture is something that has always intrigued me. It’s not something that can ever be researched ethically, but the questions remain ever fascinating. How much of a person is in their genetics, and how much is their circumstance? What would the best of us be driven to under difficult circumstances? Could an evil person have been good? Is everyone capable of anything? Is anyone capable of everything? We will never know and it makes for an extremely rich setting for a narrative to explore. One thing that no one can deny is that we are influenced by the people around us, no matter how much we want to be, for better or worse, and that is explored well here.

There are two reasons why we wanted to look at clones! One, was getting to explore the classic thematic of nature vs. nurture. How much of how we turn out as human beings is because of things we don’t understand?

The game also took on many tricky themes that could very easily have been too much. Generational trauma, oppressive regimes, faith, sacrifice, ends justifying means, intent, justice. It was a lot, but never too much. Everything was handled with care and in a world where everyone is waiting for the next thing to be outraged about, I found the game handled everything with class, giving no ammunition to the folk who try to drag things down. Equally, it felt like a safe space to consider these delicate topics without judgement.

+ The Writing

As I mentioned in my first impressions, I didn’t like the writing at first. However, once I got used to the rhythm of the speech of these characters, I was finishing their sentences. I when I finished the game, I couldn’t remember the specific lines in some important moments, but I could hear their rhythm like a melody stuck in my head. And it’s believable. No one talks like this, but they do. It is another one of those bold choices that went well because they rightfully have confidence in the excellent quality of their storytelling.

+ Everything Audio

The music goes a long way to setting the atmosphere of this game. Every time I sat down for a session, hearing the melancholic tones had me immersed immediately, whether it was light, sombre melodies or a little heavier.

The voice acting is another auditory factor that solidifies this games identity. There are so many characters, all so similar and yet so different. The hushed tones, words spoken so softly yet carrying so much weight. It is all so intentional and commendable. The voice acting also contributes to the rhythm of the speech as mentioned above. Without it, I am not sure the game would have bled into my thoughts the same way that it did.

+ Visuals

The game does not have ‘impressive’ graphics. As in, don’t come here for photorealism or next gen aesthetics ala Hellblade. It is stylized. Sometimes, particularly walking around the hub area, the textures felt a little PS3 to me. However, I think any reasonable gamer, and particularly indie enjoyers, can accept that photorealism is only one choice in a medium that can achieve anything, and beauty can be created in other ways.

What this game does have is very impressive art direction and cinematography. It is ambitious in its style in every way except perfection. Colour is already an in game concern, but the use in a creative sense, alongside lighting, can be striking. Whether you are walking around a corner into a set piece, or being guided by a cutscene to see something new, the developers clearly had a vision and they did everything they could to put that on screen, succeeding with flying… colours.

+ Balance

1000xRESIST contains a huge, winding story, the likes of which is very rare to be told so comprehensively within a 14 hour experience. The reason that it is done so well is the balance achieved in the conceptual phases as well as the execution. This story is about disaster. It is about eras. Civilisations. But it is also about people. Individuals. It is about things much bigger than we can possibly comprehend, and it is about the nuance of being human within that. It never loses sight of either of these things.

+ Attention to Detail

Just because the scope was kept in check, that doesn’t mean there is a lack of anything. In fact, that is most likely the very reason that the game contains the density of detail that it does. Again, I am not talking about the textures or foliage. I am talking about continuity, and the stories that are being told indirectly throughout the entire game. It is worth looking around and talking to everyone that you find. You never know who or what will make a huge difference down the line. While it isn’t the focus of the story, I find there to be a bit of butterfly effect between the lines and it is really neat to identify the triggers that may change the course of history, no matter how small they seem at the time.

+ Respecting the Player

Possibly the thing that I found the most impressive above all else is the way that I felt respected as a player. In my initial impressions I complained that I felt I was supposed to care about something I had no understanding of or context for. I understand that decision a lot more as I have made my way through the game. The developers trust that you will come to understand, without any clumsy exposition dumps or codexes. We learn through experience, exploring the environments we are in, and observation. It is no coincidence that our main character is called ‘Watcher’.

Of course, there is exposition, there has to be, but it is weaved into the game so well that I never begrudged it. In fact I welcomed it as the more that I found out, the more that I realised I still wanted to know. There is even an exposition device written into the story in the form of communions, allowing us to learn about the history of the game world alongside our main character.

I felt respected in another way too. Throughout this whirlwind of heavy hitting themes, I never once as the player felt that I HAD to feel a certain way. These characters are flawed. They make mistakes, mistakes that we are making with them, whether we believe it is a good idea or not. Never once did the game then shame you for what you have done. It provides opportunities to think, but it never does the ‘What have you done?! You, the player, you did something despicable’ thing that some other games do. It could easily have gone down that route but I am very grateful that it did not and as a result it is a richer experience.

1000xRESIST appeals to the part of me that loves YA dystopian fiction. There is nothing wrong with that, but it also somehow feels very reductive. I think what I ultimately mean is that this is not going to be for everyone. For me, it came out of the blue, infecting my thoughts both in and out of the game for a while, but not everyone will have that experience. I think it is important to temper expectations, especially if you aren’t going in as blind as I did.

If anything that I have wrote sounds interesting to you then there is a good chance you will enjoy the game, but be aware that this is an immersive, experimental, narrative based experience. If that isn’t your jam then I don’t necesserily think this is the game that could convert you. My recommendation to everyone is that if you aren’t feeling the beginning, just like I wasn’t, try finishing the first two chapters and see if it grabs you. If it hasn’t by then it probably wont but that is a good amount of time to see some of the variety of storytelling on display.

One thing I do know is that I am not finished with this game.

This is a game about breaking barriers. Some characters giving their all to destroy them and some giving their all to stop them. But also the developers, creating a game that I can’t ever imagine a large studio having the courage to try. It is unconventional, it nails what it is going for, it is a breath of fresh (and emotional) air, and as I said in my impressions post, this is what indie gaming is all about.

Hekki Grace.

TLDR:
+ Scope
+ Themes
+ The Writing
+ Everything Audio
+ Visuals
+ Balance
+ Attention to Detail
+ Respecting the Player

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1000xRESIST – First Impressions

Breaking the mould of the narrative experience.

1000xRESIST

Developer: sunset visitor 斜陽過客

Release Date: 09 May 2024

1000xRESIST is a thrilling sci-fi adventure. The year is unknown, and a disease spread by an alien invasion keeps you underground. You are Watcher. You dutifully fulfil your purpose in serving the ALLMOTHER, until the day you discover a shocking secret that changes everything.

This is a write up of my first impressions of 1000xRESIST having played through 2 chapters of the game. I intended to play around an hour or the first chapter – which ever came first – but this game got it’s hooks in me. I had to tear myself away otherwise my first impressions would become a full blown review. On one hand, I wouldn’t mind that but on the other, I have lots more games to try out during the fantastic LudoNarraCon.

*My first impression posts aren’t usually this long but I had a lot to say about this game!

First thing’s first, this is an experimental game. It does exactly what it wants to do and does so confidently. I will admit, I was not sold at first. I found the opening slightly off-putting, feeling like I was supposed to care about these characters that I had never met, having an experience that I don’t understand. However, with a little more patience the world was built, less through exposition and more through exploration and character interactions. Half way through chapter 1 I got into my groove and by the end of the chapter I was all in.

The steam description sets up an epic story about aliens and diseases and the ALLMOTHER, and while these are all certainly present, creating the entire setting for the game, it surprisingly feels very personal so far. Even more impressively, it remains personal and creates an investment despite incredibly flawed and some even dare I say unlikable characters.

The game splits between the present time and the past, parts of the chapter taking place in the form of what I would call long vignettes. The character who’s memories we are exploring, in my opinion, is down-right awful, but I am compelled to see what made her that way. What particularly shines are the relationships, personalities and actions of the people around her.

A common complaint in either cinematic narrative games or walking simulator style stories, is that there isn’t enough for us – the player – to do. I feel it is important to point out that I can personally enjoy a narrative game with very minimal mechanics. Having said that, I find 1000xRESIST to have struck a great balance of engaging gameplay so far. The primary verbs that I have experienced so far are walk around, interact, and a time hop mechanic.

The time hop mechanic alone warrants the existence of this game. Not to sell the other aspects short, but the way it weaves intricately with the environmental storytelling and level design has been fantastic to experience so far. Not to mention that in each chapter the mechanics have been used in their own way, leaving me eager to see what other ways the story is going to be told throughout the rest of the game.

An example of the impact of the aethetic contrast.

The presentation – particularly in chapter 1 – felt inspired. The lighting alongside fixed camera angles were super effective, I felt dread rounding every corner without it ever being too much. The design of the aliens that have literally plagued humanity and the effect that they have had on the world brings a fantastic contrast to the world of 2047, an unknown amount of years prior, right before the effects took hold. Switching between both of these times in the blink of an eye creates a jarring effect aesthetically and a devastating one emotionally.

It is hard to describe what to expect as this game is unique, but I felt influences or slight similarities every now and again from other media. The first being that the experience of Chapter 2 is exactly the experience that I wish I had from the game Virginia. A wonderfully executed montage experience that I can’t say I have seen many games try. Other looser and unexpected vibes I got lead me to think of set up and themes of stories like Signalis and Everything Everywhere All At Once. I am not saying that you will have the same experience in this game as you had from those other properties, but they felt worth mentioning none the less as if you enjoyed them, I think there could be something here for you.

1000xResist is an experimental narrative game that resonated with me in ways that other experimental narrative game sometimes have not. Both chapters that I played were strong and emotional. What is different about this game is that I don’t actually know what I am going to be doing next. Rather than being goals driven, I am being taken on a journey. A tour of a world entirely different to the world I know. And that is great too. I am excited to see what lies in store.

This game breaks the mould – this is what Indie Gaming is all about.

At a glance
+ All in on the experimental storytelling.
+ Enough input required from the player to keep it engaging.
+ Time hop mechanic.
+ Environmental storytelling.
+ Very intriguing concept all around leaving me hungry for more.
+ Not exposition heavy.
+ I feel invested in characters despite not agreeing with them or even liking some of them.
+ The Asian-Canadian perspective enriches the whole experience.
+ The aethetic – particularly in chapter 1 – is great.
+ What a cool idea for a disease.
+/- The characters are flawed, and I think the game is trusting player curiosity to carry on despite the player characters feelings on the situation.
+/- Took a while to understand what is happening.
+/- No indication about what is next, just this really interesting world.
– Disconnect in dialogue took me out of it occasionally e.g. Watcher talking as herself when people see her as Iris.

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