#monthinreview

[iloveabunchofgames]

January 2023 Game Awards

#JakeReviewsItch Game of the Month Archives

Around here, the start of a new month brings an important tradition that I'm making up right now: Stealing game award categories from old magazines or Web sites, and then giving those awards to the Itch.io games I reviewed over the last month. I think it's going to be a very hot feature.

This month's plagiarism is brought to you by the 2001 Nintendo Power Awards (minus platform-specific categories like "Best Nintendo GameCube Graphics"), found in volume 156, pages 116-123.

[Editor's note: Probably should have taken a closer look at the magazine before committing to this. So many categories! Aaa!]

Best Overall Game: 10s

I played 1s, 2s, 3s, and 4s this month, but I didn't give out a single 5/5. The closest I got was 10s.

Best Overall Graphics: A Hole New World

It looks like a really good-looking NES game, but better.

Best Opening Sequence: A Hole New World

It looks like a really good-looking NES game, but better.

Best Music: 2000:1: A Space Felony

It's all public domain classical music, because that's what the 2001: A Space Odyssey soundtrack was, and that was a great soundtrack! It was so good it was prominently displayed on a shelf in a store in A Clockwork Orange, another movie with a great soundtrack filled with classical music. Game developers, movie directors: This stuff is free. You can just take it, for free!

Best Sound: 10mg: Sealed Estate

The second you notice that you're never in danger, this game falls to pieces, but up until that point, the sound design did a nice job of convincing me that there might be a scary threat on my tail.

Best Voice Acting: 2064: Read Only Memories

This game is packed with words. There are hours and hours of voice acting, and just about all of it is good to great.

Best Driving Game: 10 in 1 game-a-week bundle!

There's a little top-down driving/drifting thing in here that's not completely objectionable. "Best" doesn't always mean "good."

Best RPG/Strategy Game: 9 Till Void

Think several moves ahead, or charge forward and worry about the consequences later. Either way, it's a good time.

I know there weren't a lot of either on Nintendo systems in 2001, but lumping RPG and Strategy into a single category was a weird choice, Nintendo Power. (Golden Sun won, with Paper Mario and Pokémon Crystal as runners-up.)

Best Puzzler: A Good Snowman Is Hard to Build

I wrote a pretty harsh review of a Sokoban-like earlier today. It's nice to be reminded that this kind of a game can be quite good.

Best Sports Game: 10s

Well, duh.

Best Sequel: 2000:1: A Space Felony

I'm counting this as an unofficial 2001: A Space Odyssey sequel, and if you have any objections to that, I'll see you in robot space court.

Best Revival Game: 1993 Space Machine

Development was nearly complete in 1993. The team broke up over some teenage drama. One of them found the old disk 22 years later, and it was finally released in 2016. Decades in the making, and the result is a top-notch space shooter.

Best Replay Value: 1993 Space Machine

A shop with more weapons than you could ever afford in a single run is great incentive to go back and try old levels with a new loadout. Multiplayer and absurd difficulty options are there for those who want them.

Best Use of a License: Unity

This category is meant to be for integration of a licensed intellectual property. (Nintendo Power gave it to Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader. Runners-up: The Simpsons: Road Rage and Batman Vengeance. I understand wanting to praise one of the most highly acclaimed Star Wars games of all time, but if you can't even come up with three serious nominees, maybe cut that category.) Considering how many Unity splash screens and launchers I saw this month, I have to give it up to the license that is empowering so many indies to get things made, even if I'd rather not play some of them.

Best Build-Your-Own: 1993 Space Machine

You put the guns on the space ship.

Most Innovative Game: 10s

I've said this a lot in the last few weeks, but Tennis + Rogue + Shooter. It shouldn't work! It works!

Best Minigame: A Mortician's Tale (Cremation)

Slicing corpses and draining their blood is the obvious choice, but I gotta go with the one where you grind up the bones and dump 'em in an urn. I might not be the target audience for this game.

Best Multiplayer Mode: 1993 Space Machine

Hard to judge since I haven't played any of these games with another person, but I'm confident I'm picking the right one. I'm curious about 10s with a second player, but I believe that's versus only; not co-op. That's not what I want out of 10s.

Best New Villain: 2064: Read Only Memories (That one bigot)

James Stephanie Sterling as the giddy leader of a hate group is a sickening monster, as a bigot ought to be.

Best New Character: 2064: Read Only Memories (That one bigot)

Please don't read this as encouragement to attack minorities in real life. Read it as encouragement to mock bigotry. Don't let would-be followers take would-be leaders seriously.

Most Difficult Boss: A Hole New World (The bosses I couldn't reach)

The harpy at the end of Level 4 nearly broke me. I can only imagine what's waiting in Levels 5 and 6.

Cutest Character: A Good Snowman Is Hard to Build (Licorice Dots candy with rubber hose arms and legs)

A little blob thing that builds snowmen and hugs them? I don't know if that's safe for the snowmen, 'cause even from a safe distance, it's melting my heart.

Best New Weapon/Item: 2d flight simulator (Reverse engines)

Is the plane supposed to be able to stop in mid-air and fly backwards? Probably not, but technology like that could really disrupt the air travel market.

Best Secret/Unlockable Character: 10 Flights of Ballooning

Even though its movements are copied from the regular character, taking control of the man-eating fish from Balloon Fight pleases me.

Weirdest Title: 6 pack of craft games

Sorry, a completely normal dating simulation that is definitely sweet, innocent and normal. I know you were campaigning hard for this award, but you didn't count on a collection of not six pieces of software, most of which are not games.

Best In-Game Text/Dialogue: 2064: Read Only Memories

I wish a more critical editor had been on staff. Regardless, the absurd amount of text/dialogue is generally strong enough that no other game this month comes close.

Coolest Box Art: 2 9 0 1 / / FREELANCER

A chaotic CGA nightmare. Love it.

Most Overlooked Game: 9 Till Void

I don't know who's overlooking them. I looked at all of them. None of these games have broken out into the mainstream, have they? I'm going to trust my gut and say, uh, look at 9 Till Void.

Strangest Concept or Plotline: 4-LEGGED-HEROINE

COVID lockdown delivery dog can't stop running into stacks of tires.

Best Way to Amaze Your Friends: 1977: Radio Aut (Do it yourself)

Follow real-world activist Peppino Impastato's example. Dedicate your life to social justice and freeing civilians from Mafia rule.

Best Game URL: A e r o c r a f t

The arguments in the comments section are gloriously embarrassing.

Most Frustrating Moment: 1,000 Heads Among the Trees (Going the wrong way)

The game gives hints about where to go and what to do. Ignore them. Except the ones that aren't misleading. You need those.

The Hardest Job In All of Gaming: 2064: Read Only Memories (Completing it in a single, seven-hour stretch)

Going through personal stuff and also having a migraine that day didn't help.

[shatteredangel04]

That’s a wrap on 2022! Swipe to see my initial setup for the new year➡️ PS. My January theme will be revealed on Monday! 👀 Materials Used: 🎄Journal: @tumbitri_meri 🎁Pens: @gellyrollph @marvyuchida 🎄Markers: @tombowusa @magicflyofficial 🎁Ink: @tim_holtz #bujo #bujoideas #bujoinspiration #bujolove #bujoinspire #bujocommunity #bujoinspo #bulletjournal #bulletjournaldecoration #bulletjournaling #bulletjournalist #monthinreview #december #decemberbujo #christmas #christmastheme #2023 #newyear #newyearsnails #futurelog #floral #floraldesign #floralbujo https://www.instagram.com/p/CmwGLRNOu95/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[meezcarrie]

September 2024 In Review

WOW! September was another FULL reading month for me with lots of great books in a variety of genres. Here's my September 2024 in Review! #BookTwitter #bookblogger #readingcommunity #MonthinReview #BooksWorthReading #whatireadinSeptember #bookX

Hello, reading friends! As the past month fades into a new one, it’s time to look back at my September 2024 in Review – the books I read and reviewed during that period. And I don’t know about you but my heart is heavy today for so many people I know who are going through tough things. From the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene (stay tuned for ways you can help authors who were affected)…

[cettaliza]

#workitwednesday As a person that lives with #bipolardisoder I've found that counting my blessings versus problems and challenges helps me in my every day life. So I thought that before this month gets away from me I should go back and count my blessings from last month. Thank you to all the amazing people that have already filled this year with so much for me to be grateful for. #betterlatethannever #monthinreview #januarydump #highlights #blackgirlmagic

[anotherwaytod]

January 2019 in Music

Top Artists

Top Albums

Top Songs

[plan2bee]

Hello, everyone!

I wanted to share my latest creation with you. I designed a finances page to help you keep track of your expenses and income. What do you think about it? Do you use your regular planner to plan your finances or do you use an external program?

Love, Paula

Hallo zusammen!

Ich wollte meine neuste Kreation mit euch teilen. Ich habe eine Seite für Finances entworfen, die euch dabei helfen soll Ausgaben und Einkünfte im Blick zu behalten. Was denkt ihr darüber? Nutzt ihr euren regulären Planer für die Planung eurer Finanzen oder nutzt ihr ein externes Programm?

Liebe Grüße, Paula

[iambookseater]

Month in Review: April 2022

Month in Review: April 2022

I know May is almost half over, but I just now found the time to do an April wrap-up. To be honest, the last few months have been a rollercoaster ride for me. I have been working on various projects at the same time. Anyhow, I finally got some time to myself and thought I would share my April reads with everyone. What have you all been up to? Any good books you came across recently? Don’t forget…

[theponicorn]

Month in review. I'm trying to do this to give each month a closure. #monthinreview #artjournaling #artjournal #memorykeeping #memento #smashbook #smashbooking #scrapbooking #scrapbookingph #scrapbook #collage #planner #planners #plannergeek #plannerlove #plannernerd #planneraddict #planneraddicts #plannersmexico #washi #tape #plannercommunity #washitape #bujo #bulletjournal #bujojunkies #bujocommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/BnKFLdBlvaJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v7tytbcz5kik

[ohtheplacesblog]

#MondayMonthly My completed July monthly layout in my 2020-2021 #MemoryKeeper. I'm trying to be creative and use stickers more for symbols of my activities and events rather than taking a pen to the monthly pages #plannercommunity #PlannerGoals #planner #MonthInReview #plannerlayout #plannersofcolor #blackgirlhappyplanner #HappyPlanner #memorykeeping https://www.instagram.com/p/CSGGQXVDaN6/?utm_medium=tumblr

[everythingwithange]

Ep. 533 - Month In Review Happy Monday! I go over the guests we had over the past Month, what shows am I watching? Update on what is happening with All Very Good! Don't Forget to Vote for A Little Bit Of Everything With Me! for the Latin Podcast Awards 2021 www.latinpodcastawards.com Clubhouse: @angelicavg Facebook: @alittlebitofeverythingwithme Instagram: @alittlebitofeverythingwithme Merch Line IG: @avgest2020 Website: www.everythingwithange.com Buy me a Coffee: Ko-fi.com/everythingwithange Search: A Little Bit Of Everything With Me! on 15 podcast platforms Link in Bio! Website: anchor.fm/everythingwithange #toronto #applepodcast #pandora #iheartradiopodcast #spotifypodcast #googlepodcasts #podcast #podcasting #torontopodcast #torontotalkshow #podcaster #realitytv #monthinreview (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/COsfzY1l44e/?igshid=38sl24185edp

[travelinggoblin]

So I made 64 pieces in October. Here’s hoping I can keep the motivation going through November 😊 . . #art #drawing #practice #november #characters #inktober #october #monthinreview

[ellayvonne]

New post is up #ontheblog today taking some time to reflect on this past month and how our vacation had such a huge impact on my motivation and work life. I didn’t even realize how burned out I was until I felt REALLY relaxed on vacation 🙈🙈🙈 // I’d love to hear from you all - how do you deal with burnout and how do you find ways to rest and recharge from home? . . . #selfcare #phdlife #vacationvibes #gradschoollife #burnout #restandrecharge #relaxation #beachvibes #relaxation #monthinreview #ellayvonne #ellayvonnetravels #flashesofdelight #theeverygirl #travelvibes #travelblogging #lifestyleblog #wisconsinblogger #madisonblogger #wiblogger #midwestblogger #selfcaretips #recharge (at Turks and Caicos Islands) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv4X9xdgvYp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vv4i95csl1ml

[shatteredangel04]

That’s it for January! What was your highlight of the month? PSA: My February theme will be revealed on Thursday! 👀 Materials Used: 🐬Journal: @tumbitri_meri 🐋Pens: @gellyrollph @marvyuchida 🐬Markers: @tombowusa @magicflyofficial 🐋Pencil Crayons: @crayola #bujo #bujoideas #bujoinspiration #bujolove #bujoinspire #bujocommunity #bujoinspo #bulletjournal #bulletjournalist #bujotheme #seatheme #dolphin #whale #bluetheme #januarybujo #january #tombow #marvyuchida #crayola #gellyrollpens #monthinreview #reflection #whatworks #reflect #bujowithme #bujowithaakriti https://www.instagram.com/p/CoCfBmwObOM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[meezcarrie]

August 2024 In Review

Whew! August was PACKED with lots of great reads for me, in a variety of genres. Here's my August 2024 in Review! #BookTwitter #bookblogger #readingcommunity #MonthinReview #BooksWorthReading #ChristianFiction #cleanreads #whatireadinAugust

Hello, reading friends! Fall is in the air… at least in my dreams. August has flown by for me, and I’m ready for summer to leave Georgia. While the end of August isn’t ushering in cooler weather for me any time soon, it does mean it’s time for my August 2024 in Review post where I look at the books I read and reviewed in that time period. August was a packed reading month with a couple of 5 star…

[thewhimsybookworm]

Memories of December. It honestly just whizzed by, in a blur of tinsel, lights, festivity and joy. You were everything I hoped for . Thank you, see ya soon! All my love, Pooja . . . #monthinagrid #monthlyfavorites #monthinreview #collage #flowers #flowerstagram #December #postitfortheaesthetic #aesthetic #aesthetictumblr #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramindia #simplethings #adventureanywhere #lifeofadventure #indianblogger #lifestylephotography https://www.instagram.com/p/BsY6aiRHif1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jp0hf1yhxjno

[craftiekimmie]

May 2017 . . . #crochetersofinstagram #etsysellersofinstagram #makersgonnamake #crochet #crochetlove #crochetaddict #monthinreview #handmade #craftiekimmie