The Video Game Critic

There are a number of games that I have wanted Dave to review throughout the years. While reading his comments on the Super Mario Maker thread, I thought to myself "he would probably give the game a C+ or a B-," justifying that prediction based on his dislike/disinterest in creation tools.

I've always wondered where he would stand on the Souls series, as well as Prince of Persia (SNES). Here are my predictions:

-Bloodborne (Anywhere from a D to an F). Dave likes a reasonable challenge, but I think that this series of games would be too much for him. Part of the reason he reviewed Ninja Gaiden III a C- was because of the crippling challenge. Myself? I love how the game pushes you and refuses to hold your hand, but it's not for everyone. I also think he'd be confused by the layout of the Hunter''s Dream. He would love the gothic scenary, as well as the soundtrack, but he would be frustrated by the lack of instant gratification.

-Prince of Persia (SNES): A- or B+. To me, this was the best adaptation of the original; and I think that Dave would agree. The game is like a gorgeous, beautifully designed Director's Cut of the original. Instead of 12 levels, the game has 20. Dave would appreciate the password feature, the way that the game challenges you but never feels impossible. He may dock it points for the time limit, though it has been doubled from 60 minutes to 120.

Anyway, what do you guys think?

I have to believe that the Critic would score Bloodborne an A or A+. The game is so darn near perfect in every way. Remember that the Critic gave Zelda 2 an A- and that game is much harder than Bloodborne.

Some miscellaneous predictions:

Paper Mario: A
Paper Mario is a JRPG for people who don't like JRPGs. It deals in small numbers and simple concepts and requires precise timing during combat, keeping you engaged from turn to turn. This is not a game where you can hold down the A button for long enough and win. Lighthearted in sensibility and smartly written, Paper Mario is a concise but not brief RPG for Mario lovers.

Final Fantasy VI: B+
This is a widely beloved Super Nintendo title that we were lucky to have back in 1994 when JRPGs weren't very popular in the West. Amazing graphics and music but slightly disorganized gameplay characterize this ambitious title. The narrative is sustained more by its interesting characters than the moment-to-moment storytelling, which is inconsistent in tone and quality.

Demon's Souls: C
Full disclosure: this is my favorite game of all time. But it's designed to be so impenetrable that you need to study it for weeks to even begin to grasp how to approach it. It's the very opposite of "instant gratification." What it does, however, it does better than any other game. It gives a massive sense of satisfaction and joy when you accomplish even the smallest thing and rewards you amply for it. At the beginning, though, it makes you really feel the struggle. AMAZING boss battles. Now, that being said, Demon's Souls is easier than a good portion of the NES library. What's interesting about it is that it pairs that old school difficulty with a dark, threatening atmosphere, a deep sense of lore, and an addictive risk/reward cycle that feels decidedly modern. As I write this, I'm not really sure whether the Critic would love it, hate it, or put it down after about an hour and just slap a "C" on it. This is why I want him to play it so badly.

Yes, he would like Paper Mario. Turn based RPG's generally bore me. But Paper Mario is quite short in comparison to other RPG's, and very funny. I'd give that particular game an A+ to be honest.

Yeah, but he gave TTYD a B+, and many people consider it an improvement over the original. I would give both games an A+, but I could see him giving Paper Mario anywhere from a B- to a B+.

Never mind, The RPG Critic wrote it.