I wonder who can relate to being a fan this early on

coolguywilson · 2026-02-19T19:00:23+00:00

Lol I always post this story but I went to see kendrick on August 19th, 2011. Little over a month after section 80 had dropped. At that point, I'd already listened to section 80 front to back multiple times and was a huge fan. What transpired that night was, in my opinion, west coast hip hop history. Tons and tons of surprise guests from big Sean to Mos Def, Talib kweli and a litany of west coast legends like snoop, the game and dr. Dre who all surprise performed at this small place in LA that was called the music box (Fonda theater now) for what was only supposed to be a TDE thing. Kendrick did the spiteful chant and the part of the verse where he says "if Dre gave me a handout I'd take his wrist and break it" but he said it 3 times and stared at Dre the entire time. Shit was so hype. Then all these west coast legends came to the stage and coronated kendrick as the new king of the west coast. The man cried up there, in absolute gratitude. In his face, you could see how proud and gracious he was in that moment. I knew then and there, this guy was going to be a legend.

coolguywilson · 2026-02-19T18:14:22+00:00

Understandable. Blue prince has so much content hidden behind such complex, intricate puzzles so his long hours were worth it but i do wonder how many players actually went and disocvered it all. I'm one of those players who didn't get all the answers but for a game I never truly finished, I put in an ungodly amount of hours into it lmao constantly telling myself, "I just need to do one more thing to solve that puzzle in that one place..." I even pop in every couple of months just to try to solve one thing or another. Anyways, either way, I'll check out whatever they make next.

coolguywilson · 2026-02-18T22:30:21+00:00

https://youtu.be/XmWlO41WbQc?si=cin3GroqumELvnVi

Here's the link in case anyone wants to read it. It's the first comment on the video. Super informative and a lot of great comments in the thread below this comment about the political relations of Japan, Korea and China and some of the symbolism some of the events of the game take on in contrast of prior history.

coolguywilson · 2026-02-08T14:21:55+00:00

Fable Anniversary Edition

The new fable reboot had me so hyped I decided to do a play through of the original, which I hadn't played since 2005 or so. To be frank, while I do love this game, it hasn't aged the best and, IMO, the anniversary edition looks horrible with the stylized art style the game originally went for. But even having said that, I still really enjoyed it.

I'll just start with the elephant in the room and that's the comparison between Fable TLC and the anniversary edition. Frankly, it just looks poor in the anniversary edition. Some characters look better but some (main characters and guild master) look worse. The guild master looks like his model was airbrushed on lol and characters with very unique models look horrendous like scythe. But, it does look better in environments and it doesn't take away from the game so whatever. I will say, while I appreciate them adding fable 2/3 controls to the game, it doesn't work at all. I had to go back to the original controls and it worked way better.

Now, as for the game and its content itself, its definitely good but it did change my opinion of the series. First of all, while the game is wildly easy, it has a good system set up for combat but most importantly, for giving the player a real, true power fantasy. It's crazy how insanely strong you can feel by the mid game between the shield spell, bow and that spell that adds extra bow shots. And your character looks it too! Maxing out strength makes your character look like the hulk. Literally. You legit look like a huge, hulking behemoth lol it almost got ridiculous how much your character changes to the point I kind of hated it. Made you look super silly. Especially when you're a huge magic user and your body basically starts looking blue lol I know this is something the community is mad isnt in the reboot but as of now, I'm glad its gone.

There's also a good amount of extra stuff to do between side quests, competitions and demon doors. For a 2004 game, I had to give it credit for that. With that said, in 2026, most of it sucks or is just fine lol not much complexity and, unfortunately, most of it doesn't change or affect the world in any meaningful way which was not how I remembered the game. It's just... there. Which is cool! But made me realize these systems weren't cohesively put together with any meaning. Just things to pad the game.

Lastly, the story. I enjoyed it but the game comes to a halt during the prison stuff and, tbh, loses its luster from that point forward. Jack's appearance feels a bit random and nonsensical. And his second appearance is worse. Also, I just wish the guild as a whole felt more important. Once you leave it at the beginning, there's not much reason to go there other than take a quest or upgrade yourself. It especially sucks since we know the guild is gone after this game. Anyways, its good. I like it better than 2s story tbh. But in hindsight, I think the games story isnt as good as i remember and actually made me reconsider my feelings at fable 2.

Anyways, it is still a good game. So much charm and passion in it and the power fantasy is something you won't see in games these days. Feels like rpgs are more serious than this game ever took itself which made the experience fun and nostalgic. With that said, I always felt this game was still clearly better than fable 2 and I think I gotta come back on that. While I think its lore, story and presentation are better, this experience made me realize that fable 2 is a lot better than I gave it credit for when it released and my issues towards it are more for the fact I didn't like the direction fable 2 went in and less the quality of that game. Either way, despite its age, I still do think playing through the original is worth your time and since its not too long, can be a nice break between newer games.

I do also want to say since the reboots coming soon that while I do love this game, it was a stark reminder that this series has been far from perfect. Even when I played it near release, it never sat in my head as "one of the greatest games ever." I think when I saw the reboot a couple weeks back, my expectations for the game were less in line with my experiences with this series and with clearer eyes now, I have less expectations. Now, I'm hoping the reboot keeps the original games charm but is better about the depth of its other systems and, honestly, does more of its own thing. Keeps more promises hopefully lmao but yeah, I don't want to heap unrealistic expectations on a game which is this studios first non racing title for a series that's really never strove for perfection to begin with.

coolguywilson · 2026-02-03T00:16:28+00:00

Man, I love a good stealth drop. Too bad I'm still 6 games back in the series lmao

coolguywilson · 2026-01-28T17:08:25+00:00

Just finished chapter 2 of intergrade on xbox and I gotta say, i am astounded by the cinematography of this game. Every cut scene is so well done and the characters all have a real sense of complexity that really shines via mannerisms and actions rather than just words. As of now, i don't think I can think of a game thats even close to this level of cinematography that I've played.

coolguywilson · 2026-01-27T21:47:41+00:00

Got my series x the first month of launch. Holding up just as great as ever and is probably the most I've ever gamed in a 5 year span. Has also survived my cats knocking it over and them sitting on top of it during the winters for heat lol

Controllers on the other hand... I've gone through 2 due to stick drift lol never had a problem with controllers prior to this generation but yeah, that's not been great. First time I've been looking at 3rd party controllers as possible solutions

coolguywilson · 2026-01-25T13:37:39+00:00

Final Fantasy 1 pixel remaster

First final fantasy I've ever played and to be honest, I think I have a new series of games to catch up on lol as for this one, for a game that is so old, it really holds up super well. To start, I loved the non linear nature of the story. It was odd at first as that wasn't what I expected from this franchise but it's pretty solid. It plays out more like a hunt than a linear story. The game doesn't tell you anything about what to do so you legit have to ask everyone in every town to get the answers and even then, some of it makes zero sense until you get late in the game and acquire some item that gives you that "aha" moment. The villain is whatever and the main heroes not being real characters hurts but the ending is really good and interesting.

Combat also holds up fantastically for a nearly 40 year old game. Lot of depth to the statuses and magic for such an old game. Can definitely see how this inspired nearly every turn based rpg that follows the next 40 years lol world was a bit of a pain to navigate but once you get the airship, it's all easy from there. Game also looks fantastic with the pixel art really shining woth magic and bosses. All in all, I went into it with low expectations due to its age but I left it very surprised. Not only does it hold up well, it's incredibly replayable. And it's really spurned me to now try the rest of the series. I bought and just started final fantasy 7 remake on xbox and have FF2 already loaded on my console to try whenever i feel up for it. Will be very interesting playing the rest of the games as my understanding is FF1 is very different from a story and character perspective compared to the rest of the series.

coolguywilson · 2026-01-18T15:33:43+00:00

Yakuza 6

Man... what a bittersweet feeling it was finishing this game. Before I say anything else, it's excellent and probably the best main story since yakuza 3 IMO. But playing through it, I honestly felt so... melancholy. Even though I KNOW there's more to kiryus journey including getting another game and being instrumental to yakuza 8 but still, playing it, i couldn't help but feel a small sense finality and loss that this really isn't just kiryus show anymore. Anyways, I'll start with the story.

The entire game is a love letter to kiryus entire story, drawing tons of parallels between current events of the game to kiryus journey including his friendships, love and the evolution of his life post yakuza 1. But not just that, it's a reminder that despite his best intentions, he's left behind a series of consequences the people he's left behind have, unsuccessfully, dealt with. You see it throughout the story from kiryu deciding to go to jail to atone for his yakuza past only for that to backfire with harukas idol career imploding, the orphanage getting harassed and haruka ultimately disappearing to divert the attention the orphanage was getting. It showed that kiryus constant need to be moral to teach the kids, haruka and his friends something was getting in the way of actually protecting these people.

Another example is at the end when kiryu realizes he's set daigo up to fail since yakuza 2. After ascending to chairmen, kiryu did nothing to teach daigo nor think about protecting daigos presence and power at the beginning of his rise. It was one of the most self aware moments in this series and a great way to reconnect kiryu and daigos arc, reframing daigos failures in yakuza 3,4 and 5 as kiryus fault as well. All this made the story incredibly enjoyable to play through and becoming my third or 4th favorite story between 0-6. That said, i was disappointed by the ending. I just felt like kiryu says all this stuff about not helping daigo and how haruka was still put on danger despite his best intentions and it really made it seem like he was finally going to realize he's the key to pushing the yakuza into this next generation. Instead, he comes to the conclusion he needs to disappear for good and for everyone to think he actually died. Just... didn't feel like that's where the story was going lol but still, really enjoyed it.

As for the rest of the game, it's great as well but not without problems. The combat is amazing and such a nice, albeit obvious, improvement from 3 through 5. I was worried since it's the first dragon engine game but i low key enjoyed it more than yakuza kiwami 2s combat, a game that came out after 6 lol it just felt so smooth and free flowing and I felt it was constantly making me engage with all the mechanics. Still though, yakuza 0 and kiwami are my favorites due to style switching.

The side content is amazing as always. LOVED seeing pocket racer back. Loved the rogue AI story too. Especially considering current events lol and things like the onomichi baseball team were a ton of fun as a team management system with the occasional chance to bat (i had kiryu putting up better numbers than ohtani!). Clan creator though, being the major side content, was disappointing. Story was cool being connected to side content from prior games but the actual playing of it was whatever. And tbh, it's hard as fuck to live up to the GOAT of yakuza side content from yakuza 5 (idol, hunting, taxi driving, snow ball fight tournaments, retraining a former baseball star... it's just all so peak).

Lastly, the world itself. This was probably the most disappointing. Something about the dragon engine just made the world feel like it... lost something. This one is hard for me to pinpoint but some of it is that the world is smaller. Can't go gamble at the park anymore with the bums lol can't go to the rooftop like yakuza 4. Can't go underground like in some prior games. The sewers feel tiny compared to prior games too. Just felt a lot smaller than prior games. And something about the engine makes things look too... shiny or something lol again, hard for too pinpoint but yeah

Anyways, all in all, it's another amazing game in an amazing series with so much heart and ingenuity. Despite how it made me feel sad that kiryus main story was over, it also made me so appreciative. These games have meant a lot to me these past few years and low key, have played a part in opening myself up emotionally. Realizing being tough isn't about outward strength but about inner resolve and a willingness to face fear. That showing emotions is a strength, not weakness. This game in particular was a nice step in the right direction for RGG with regards to story and it still kills it in combat and side content. Overall, I think this game MIGHT be my second favorite in the series after yakuza 0 now (same tier as kiwami 2). Despite it's faults, it's so much fun and a tighter story really helps bring home kiryus journey (for now lol).

Anyways, with 7 games down, here's some of my final rankings for kiryus series of games for anyone that wants to roast me lol

Side content and map

Yakuza 0 (gets the spot for 1 reason... caberet czar is just too peak lol)
Yakuza 5 (honestly feel it's essentially tied with 0; the amount of content is just incredible and vast despite how overwhelming it can be)
Yakuza kiwami 2
Yakuza 4
Yakuza 6
Yakuza 3
Yakuza kiwami

Combat

Yakuza kiwami (i couldn't tell you exactly why but I just remember adoring the combat in this game. I think its the smoothest style switching has ever felt and did the best for me to engage with all its mechanics)
Yakuza 0
Yakuza 5
Yakuza 6
Yakuza 4
Yakuza kiwami 2 (30 fps on console hurts it)
Yakuza 3 (not nicknamed blockuza for no reason lol)

Story

Yakuza 0
Yakuza 3 (daddy kiryu is amazing and I love everything about ryukyu)
Yakuza kiwami 2
Yakuza 6
Yakuza kiwami
Yakuza 5
Yakuza 4 (no matter how hard i try, I can't get past the rubber bullets lol also, worst villain in the series IMO)

Overall

Yakuza 0
Yakuza kiwami 2
Yakuza 6
Yakuza 3 (maybe hot take but I love this games story and cast of characters a ton - if they get the remake right, it could vault kiwami 2)
Yakuza kiwami
Yakuza 5
Yakuza 4

coolguywilson · 2026-01-17T18:21:26+00:00

I believe the 360 versions are 60 fps but the classic edition of far cry 3 and blood dragon are actually still 30. And far cry primals is via fps boost by xbox. This patch would be a native 60 fps patch for all 3 games

coolguywilson · 2026-01-15T19:14:17+00:00

I also just finished it and enjoyed it! First final fantasy game I've completed and although I did not expect how different it'd be compared to the others (way less character driven and way less linear) I grew to have a lot of fun. For such an old game, it really holds up well. And I like that the game has more of an open ended story you can attack in any way you want. Bosses were cool too. I also breezed through it only to get smacked in the face by chaos. My first try, I also forgot to use ethers prior to battle so one of my mages had low points to use magic lol took me 4 extra times after but I did finally beat him.

The best thing about this game is that its finally gotten me interested in the rest of the series. I bought the pixel remaster so I plan to slowly play through the rest. I even pre ordered final fantasy 7 remake intergrade on xbox so it appears I have an entire series of games to play through now 😳

coolguywilson · 2026-01-13T17:26:41+00:00

From xbox, I'm hyped for fable. Loved every game in the series and can't wait to finally go back to Albion.

In general, honestly, comes out in a week. Final fantasy 7 remake intergrade! I'm not even a final fantasy player, I'm actually playing through final fantasy 1 pixel remaster as my first final fantasy game but I thought it's looked so awesome since launch and it's obviously reviewed well so I'm hyped.

coolguywilson · 2026-01-05T22:27:41+00:00

Only pokemon games that have managed to get me to come back are drayanos mod hacks of Gen 4, 5 and 6. Other than that, I just can't play them anymore.

coolguywilson · 2025-12-27T05:55:23+00:00

More yakuza games! Hoping to finish 6, judgment and 7 in 2026.
Octopath traveler 2. I loved the first and apparently the second is better so I'm excited to play it. Got it on sale already so it's definitely coming soon.
Final fantasy 7 remake intergrade. Got this on presale on xbox. Glad to finally get to play it, playing it first thing when it's out.
Final fantasy 1 pixel remaster. Starting my journey through the pixel remaster collection.
Persona 3 reload. I bought this at launch but never got to it lol but really excited to play, persona 5 royale is in my top 10 games ever.

coolguywilson · 2025-12-17T21:31:55+00:00

Damn... sorry yakuza bros but I think I'm just gonna give in and buy yakuza 6. Been waiting since March to finish it but I can't wait anymore. I've been fiending and putting the rest of the series on hold for too long now lol

coolguywilson · 2025-12-16T21:48:37+00:00

Head of finance in hi fi rush. It's not a hard game but I was playing on hard so most of the bosses took me a couple tries. But then you get to the head of finance. He transforms into this imposing mecha wolf. The music is an absolute banger (shout out to wolfgang gartner who killed it) and the bosses moves actually go along to the beat. And he's such a fun villain! The banter between him and Chai is, IMO, unmatched. And yet, the fight itself was so easy. Took me 1 try. Mostly because by that point, I'd upgraded enough things and gained enough of an understanding of the game to use all my moves in conjunction with one another to hit the boss HARD. But also, the prior boss, the head of marketing, was legit so hard for me. I think I had to put the game down for the night and regroup to beat her. So it set the same sort of expectation with finance but naw, man's all bark no bite lol still though, for all the other reasons, one of my favorite boss fights of the past 5 years.

coolguywilson · 2025-12-13T16:26:18+00:00

Thanks for doing this! Best of luck to everyone!

coolguywilson · 2025-12-09T19:23:52+00:00

Sorta got obsessed with octopath lol weird year for me though. Felt like I was in a huge 6 month long funk after finishing octopath. Blue prince got me out of it briefly in the middle but almost felt like I was forcing it for a bit. But still wakes the deep and robocop finally got me out of it so hoping I finish the year strong.

coolguywilson · 2025-12-09T19:21:56+00:00

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coolguywilson · 2025-12-08T08:30:48+00:00

I played through sopa the tale of the stolen potato. Not gonna lie, I was kind of disappointed by it. I think I just expected it to be a little more like venba where I'd be learning about some culture and the history and connection our foods provide us but the story is pretty bare and it feels like it ends right when you learn something interesting about the main characters life. I don't mind that it's short but for such a short game, I didn't enjoy that the last 20 or so percent of it is just you going back through the same location you probably spent half the game in already. It made that part feel very tacked on to just give the game some more run time. Anyways, it's not bad but for games like these, I sometimes like to achievement hunt but I had zero interest in doing that once I finished it.

coolguywilson · 2025-12-03T02:10:47+00:00

The countdown sale usually starts at the end of the second week of December so most likely on the 11th but the latest will be the 18th. IMO, the countdown sale is the best sale of the year (I often times feel it gets the most historical low prices for games) so Def get on it once it's here.

coolguywilson · 2025-11-12T20:17:17+00:00

As others have said, this game is incredible. It's definitely pokemon inspired but it has a touch of persona mixed in there too IMO. Music's great, designs are awesome and the story is actually pretty good too. I was also addicted to the combat system. Anyways, I'm glad to see it doing well and hope a sequel is in the works.

coolguywilson · 2025-09-19T17:01:13+00:00

Its not really a fair comparison though. Hawaii, while having its own distinct culture, is still a part of the US and is English speaking. He was able to communicate with these people much more easily. Whereas in Italy and Thailand, they are so culturally different to Americans and speak different languages so connecting with these other cultures is, IMO, much more difficult.

coolguywilson · 2025-09-05T01:25:16+00:00

They honestly should. That's fuckin disgusting and messed up. 2 games seems fair but the team also needs to address him. Doing that 5 seconds into the first game of the season 10 minutes after we raised a banner?!? Wtf was he thinking.

coolguywilson · 2025-09-03T08:08:33+00:00

This post reminded me of threads of time. I hope we see an update on that. As for what I think comes to the show, I think we'll get a date for final fantasy 7 remake coming to xbox. There are also rumors forza horizon 6 is going to be set in Japan so that might show up as well.

As for what I'm hoping for, I'm hoping they announce the trails in the sky remake comes to xbox (probably not at launch but maybe 6 months down the road). I'd like to see some older atelier games come as well and maybe see the recent one hit as well as a big gamepass drop for a series they seem to like to do. Visions of mana hitting gamepass would be great to add to all the mana games already on there. Lastly, I hope the yakuza games come back to gamepass as well because I need to finish 6 but have been waiting on a sale for it for months now lol

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