Tag: Elden Ring

My Games of 2022

It’s already a few weeks into the new year, but that doesn’t mean I’m too late to post that completely mandatory, yet arbitrary list as a blogger – My Games of the Year. I played a number of different games over the course of the year, but if I had to denote any one thing that defined 2022 for me it would be *FROM SOFTWARE GAMES*. According to my 2022 PlayStation Wrap Up, 55% of my time spent playing games on my PS4/PS5 can be attributed to four games – Elden Ring, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Dark Souls: Remastered, and Bloodborne. As the “Omnivore” in the site name should indicate, I do typically distribute my gaming time across multiple consoles, old and new. So, I’ve also included a handful of games that I really enjoyed over the past year; ones that Hidetaka Miyazaki had no involvement in.

Ready? Ok. Cool. Here’s a couple special mentions before proceeding with the full list…

Special Mention(s)

For as many hours as I devoted to playing video games in 2022, there’s still a few games that were released in the latter months of the year that, while I really enjoyed what I played, don’t feel like I spent enough time on them to provide an educated opinion just yet. This list includes, but is not limited to…

  • God of War: Ragnarök
  • Pokémon Violet
  • Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

Dark Souls: Remastered

2022 firmly established my FromSoft Era, so I might as well begin this list here. After playing through Elden Ring and returning to Yharnam for another playthrough of Bloodborne, I decided to do something I’d been meaning to do for years – play AND complete Dark Souls. I began my journey to re-kindle the First Flame mid-July and spent the next two months slowly but surely making progress before finishing the game in September. I feel like there’s so much I could say about the game that I’d need multiple blog posts to come close to saying everything. Do I feel like the gameplay itself vibes with me as much as something like Elden Ring or Sekiro? No, but there’s still something truly special in the way Dark Souls establishes it’s story and lore that extends deeper than the Abyss, along with some exceptional level design *chefs kiss*. It feels like there’s some new aspect of the game that I discover on a near-daily basis.

Wario World

I actually first played Wario World years ago, shortly after it was first released in 2003 but never really played much of it. I had been wanting to return to the game for some time, but copies of it have begun to appear less and less often around town as GameCube games have skyrocketed in demand(and price). I was able to pick up a decent copy of the game this past year and finally played through the entire game. Wario World is a very solid adventure/platformer with some cool levels and boss fights. It’s an underrated title in the GameCube’s library and a shame that more people haven’t played it.

Dragon Quest III

It was this time last year when I somewhat randomly decided to play Dragon Quest III. I say “somewhat” as I had finished up the main story and endgame content in DQ XI the previous summer and enjoyed it enough that I wanted to go back and play some of the older games in the series. I spent roughly 50 hours over the next couple weeks glued to my Switch throughout the day, venturing forth as legendary hero, Erdrick. I usually describe Dragon Quest as a “meat and potatoes JRPG” in they maybe don’t exhibit the stylized flash of something like Persona or other modern JRPGs, but there’s something still satisfying to lose yourself(and countless hours) playing. I’m even more excited to see Square’s HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest III…hopefully in 2023?

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Ok, so…Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice *did* actually appear on my list of favorite 2019 games a few years ago. I debated on whether or not the game should be excluded from the list, but ultimately decided that it *is* one of the games that defined my 2022, so it’s goddamn well gonna have spot on this subjective-as-hell list. I’ve mentioned in the past how Sekiro is a game that I really, really liked, but could never manage to complete; I felt like I just couldn’t get the combat down. It was the past August and I had been getting my ass kicked in Dark Souls, so I decided(impulsively, of course) to see if the faster, block/counter combat of Sekiro would be the change of pace that I needed. I’m not sure what it was that changed this time around, but the combat finally began to click for me and once I finally beat Genichiro at Ashina Castle, I felt a strange sensation: confidence. I felt like I could actually make significant progress in the game and handle the obstacles the game would throw at me. I ended up beating Sekiro nearly four entire times before finally getting the platinum trophy and the closest thing to a sense of accomplishment in some time. It’s since become my “other” favorite From Software game alongside Bloodborne and one of the most memorable experiences of this past year.

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge

Having grown up during the height of “Turtlemania” and TMNT being my very first obsession as a kid, Shredder’s Revenge being included on this list seemed likely before the game was even released. I was very, very excited to see what DOTEMU would do with the spiritual successor to Turtles In Time, which is still one my top 5 SNES games. I feel like Shredder’s Revenge easily lived up to my expectations as it retained everything I loved about the old TMNT games of the early 90’s as well as adding some much-appreciated modern touches.

My impressions of TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Kirby and the Forgotten Land was immediately intriguing to me in that it looked a bit like Super Mario Odyssey, but with the pink puffball in place of Nintendo’s mustachioed mascot. I played the demo before the game was released and, yup…I liked it. I got to experience the full game upon playing it just a few months ago, and I liked it even more. Kirby and the Forgotten Land has such an innocent charm and sense of fun that made it nearly impossible not to smile while playing, at least not until the end of the game, which like so many other Kirby games, go all-out in the final act.

Dark Souls 3

Having embarked on a quest make my way through all of the Souls games this past year after finishing up Elden Ring, I began playing Dark Souls III in the final weeks of 2022. I had heard relatively little about Dark Souls III other than that it sounded like it was to be a slightly more linear experience as you would simply move from one region to the next rather than criss-crossing the map like the first Dark Souls. I watched my wife play through the game while I was working on collecting the last few trophies in Sekiro and was near-instantly sold on some of the game’s spectacular boss fights – the final two alone are easily among my favorite FromSoft boss battles. The combat in Dark Souls III feels much more fast-paced than previous Dark Souls game and felt much more like Bloodborne, which I GREATLY APPRECIATE. I was also really interested in the way the game’s story was centered *almost entirely* around the passing of time and the inevitable close to every chapter of life, which is incredibly self-aware for the third installment in an acclaimed series such as Dark Souls.

Death’s Door

Death’s Door feels like if you were to combine the gameplay and puzzles of a Zelda game with some of the quiet, introspective tone of Ori and the Blind Forest and Hollow Knight. I played through the game via GamePass at the beginning of 2022 and immediately fell in love with the game’s heart and straightforward, yet satisfying gameplay. I even bought the PS5 version afterwards with the intent of getting the platinum trophy.

Vampire Survivors

How It Started: “This indie game I saw on Twitter looks interesting, I think I’ll give it a try”

How It’s Going: “This may be one of the most simple, yet addictive games I’ve played in the past few years. I love the fusion of roguelite and bullet hell elements. Easily one of my favorite games I played in 2022.”

Elden Ring

Well, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Elden Ring was finally released this past February and it was impossible to spend any amount of time online and NOT hear about the game. I was pretty confident that I was gonna like the game, but honestly didn’t foresee it consuming my entire life(and destroying my sleep schedule) the way it did. I feel like there’s an almost endless amount of things I could say about Elden Ring regarding the epic boss fights(Malenia, Radahn), massive open world full of places to die explore(catacombs filled with fanged imps or mechanical chariots), or the astoundingly dense world-building and lore contained within(Marika? Fingers?). When I wasn’t *playing* Elden Ring, I was talking about it as my wife and I would spend considerable amounts of time discussing the game, posting screenshots and clips, or simply sharing in the abundance of memes to be found online platforms. When it comes to games released in 2022, it’s been Elden Ring and Vampire Survivors…and then everything else.

What were *your* favorite games of 2022?

Thanks for reading!

The Unofficial Shitboi Roster: Elden Ring’s Most Annoying Enemies

It’s been four months since I finished Elden Ring and From Software’s latest Souls game is still living rent-free in my head. The game is one I will absolutely describe as “an experience” and have little doubt will end as my GOTY – though God of War: Ragnarök is likely to be a contender. Apart from actually playing the game, one of the other things I’ve enjoyed the most about Elden Ring is the general sense of “community” after its launch. I remember my Twitter timeline being almost *entirely* flooded by clips and screenshots as everyone was sharing everything from tips and strategies to discussing the game’s story and lore in greater depth. There was also an endless array of memes to provide a laugh or two after rage-quitting a boss fight or inadvertently walking into a dungeon trap and losing a small fortune in runes.

I had intended to have this completed for the Blaugust 2022 ‘Creative Appreciation Week’ – yes, I know that was LAST WEEK. Coincidentally enough, this week’s theme is ‘Staying Motivated Week’ and what better way to build momentum in yet another attempt to stay motivated than by *actually finishing* something I’ve been procrastinating on for WAY TOO LONG. I’m pretty excited about today’s Blaugust entry as it is part of a collaborative effort in the spirit of ‘Creative Appreciation Week’. I began this rambling intro by talking about Elden Ring and my experience as part of the FromSoft/Souls community. What better way to tie this all together than by joining forces with the self-appointed ‘Pope of Dark Souls’ – Meghan from MeghanPlaysGames.

What began as a simple conversation complaining about discussing which Elden Ring enemies annoyed us the most eventually turned into what was not-so-affectionately referred to as the “Shitboi Roster” and…here we are today. Both of us picked the five enemies that irritated us more than any other in our time across the Lands Between and have added our respective two cents for the other’s selections. Alright. Let’s do this! There’s one enemy in particular I knew was gonna get roasted first on my list…

Fanged Imps

When thinking of enemies faced in Elden Ring, no enemy evokes the same level of rage as Fanged Imps. These annoying little gremlin fucks are found in countless dungeons and catacombs throughout the Lands Between and typically hide on walls and ceilings in order to ambush and inflict blood loss on any wayward Tarnished not paying close attention to their surroundings. They are incredibly nimble and often attack in groups. Maybe not as menacing as other enemies found in Elden Ring, but they will absolutely ruin your day if not given the proper respect – 100% speaking from experience here. I’m a little torn as to whether or not my profanity-laced outbursts were affected greater by the sheer number of times you encounter them throughout the game, or being miserable little fucks in general? Either way, my Elden Ring Shitboi Roster BEGINS and ENDS with Fanged Imps.

Meghan: I was humbled by these gremlin fuckers way more times than I am publicly willing to admit. I had a particularly troublesome time with them in the Subterranean Shunning Grounds, while trying to traverse some pipes. The Fanged Imps are hiding everywhere, ready to jump you and send you plunging to your death – or, if you manage to survive, to the Giant Crayfish waiting below. The Fanged Imps are deceptively unassuming, but like Omni said, they will absolutely fuck your day up with vigor. Can’t imagine my Elden Ring experience without them (said with no warmth whatsoever).

Glintstone Sorcerers

I wasn’t sure anything would match the sheer obnoxiousness of the inhabitants of Stormveil Castle – endless waves of archers, birds with knives for legs, and a lion with a giant sword grafted to its front leg. But that was BEFORE I reached Raya Lucaria Academy. Of all the enemies hellbent on making your visit to the academy as MISERABLE AS POSSIBLE, the Glintstone Sorcerers may be the most maddening. These Burger King-masked goons are content to sit back and spam non-stop magical homing missiles which can and WILL one-hit kill you. In addition to a barrage of ranged attacks, Glintstone Sorcerers are more than happy to straight up bitch slap you with a Whopper-sized spellbook should you get close enough. The *only* positive thing I have to say(see? positivity) about these flame-grilled assholes is they provided some A+ meme content to laugh at while suffering through my time at the Academy.

Meghan: As if going to school wasn’t already miserable enough, this particular wizard academy is crawling with the worst kinds of students – no, not Chads, the Glintstone Sorcerers! Though these little shits are among the most annoying enemies in the game, I do kind of love them – their Burger King likeness (honestly, sending memes back and forth to Omni was my favourite part of this discovery) and general silliness of their appearance does make me more fond of them than I probably should be. Even that one dickhead that shot me in the back with an uncannily accurate homing spell on every single one of my runs to fight Rennala. Shout out to them especially. Number one draft pick for the Shitboi Roster, easily.

Abductor Virgins

There’s no shortage of…strange enemies to be found in Elden Ring, but the Abductor Virgins are among the more foreboding designs. These mechanized foes look like Inquisition-era torture devices and will quickly cause an inattentive Tarnished to seek penance for running afoul. Abductor Virgins only have(need?) two different attacks: rolling up and flailing about with their chain-guillotine arms, and pulling any nearby victims into its frontside chamber of horrors for MASSIVE DAMAGE. I still remember the first time I stumbled across one of these shitbois in the Raya Lucaria Academy courtyard – my bemused laughter quickly turned to fear as soon as one slowly wheeled its way up to me and completely wrecked my ass. What makes these Popes of Pain Town even MORE aggravating is the fact they don’t have a particular weakness as they boast high defensive numbers and are completely immune to all status effects. Another enemy whose appearance would warrant a firm “NO THANKS, BRO!” as I scurried away with my maidenless fingers(and runes) intact.

Meghan: Big “same” from me. I was initially excited about these Iron Maiden-wannabes after seeing them in one of the loading screens – their design is pretty cool, right? But after encountering the Virgin Abductor’s for the first time (getting grabbed, killed, and being unceremoniously yeeted to the Volcano Manor with a ton of runes) I started to avoid these enemies whenever I stumbled across them. Their grab attacks can be hard to dodge, and do an insane amount of damage. Yet another enemy that falls into my “it’s a no from me” category. Bravely running away, not out of fear, at all. Unless I need a pizza sliced, these things can stay ALL THE WAY away from me.

Revenants

Ok. So there I was, minding my own business, casually taking in the sights(and loot) of Elphael – Brace of the Haligtree. I had made a wrong turn somewhere down the line and had become pursued by the numerous Cleanrot Knights patrolling the area. Long story short, I found myself down in the lower depths of the city. It was here that I once again crossed paths with an enemy I had learned to fear dozens of hours prior – Revenants.


Revenants are, in scientific terms – fucking terrifying. I’d elaborate further on precisely what happens when attacked by a Revenant, but I never really…uh, lived long enough to discover anything other than swift death. These humanoid-arachnid abominations have limbs for days and are freakishly fast! Even the bravest of neanderthals(aka STR builds) best tread carefully when there’s one in the area, if not more. I didn’t come across as many of these as some other enemies during my time in Elden Ring and I bothered to fight even fewer – I saw a Revenant, I RAN FOR MY GODDAMN LIFE! Salty, angry tears were plentiful after encountering these cursed foes.

Meghan: The Revenants are probably among my least favourite enemies in this game. Not only do they have 45 limbs to slap you around with (which will stagger you, leaving you unable to roll away – accept your death with as much dignity as you can muster) but they can also magically teleport around by appearing and disappearing into the ground. Great. As if that wasn’t already enough, they have an incredibly loud, grating shriek, reminiscent of the inhuman horrors that they are – headphone users, enjoy. I sure didn’t. I genuinely refused to fight these things after I encountered them a few times, because they were just so infuriating to deal with. I remember running into one down in the sewers while I was looking around for the Shit Eater’s jail cell – I took about three steps into one of the chambers to snatch up some items, heard the Revenant appear, and immediately made a swift exit. Nope. Nope, nope, nope.

Ulcerated Tree Spirit

Have you ever thought to yourself “I wish I could fight the Moldorm from A Link To The Past – the squirmiest, most annoying boss fight in the game, but with the grim specter of death looming over you in a way only Hidetaka Miyazaki can accommodate?” Have I got just the irritating shitbag for you! Ulcerated Tree Spirits look like the disgusting offspring of *Nerdtree* Avatars and Magma Wyrms, but even more frustrating to fight and are found in several places across the Lands Between as mini-boss fights. What makes Tree Spirits so difficult to fight is the face they flop and squirm around the area with no discernable pattern, oftentimes doing little other than spinning in circles and dishing out huge damage to whatever it decides to slap around. As annoying as the erratic movement and attacks of the Ulcerated Tree Spirit can be, the biggest hurdle IS the camera itself which seems to immediately get knocked to the ground and you spend the entire fight looking upward in a daze as the camera spins. There’s also the fact that the majority of fights seem to take place in very confined areas, as if something frivolous like being able to, you know, see what’s kicking your ass was an afterthought. What cemented the Ulcerated Tree Spirit’s place on this list was squaring off against yet another of these fuckers in Elphael at the Brace of the Haligtree, which of course, takes place in a lake of rot. As if tackling these giant slugs wasn’t already fun enough.

Meghan: I hate enemies/bosses like these, specifically for the struggles that Omni mentioned. Locking on to something like the Ulcerated Tree Spirit is completely pointless because the camera goes insane, and you’re more likely to get killed because of it. Instead, I found myself jumping around and swinging my sword like a madman during these encounters, just hoping to hit SOMETHING. It’s a massive tree slug, WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT? I didn’t mind so much when I came across the first one – but then I found a second. And a third. And so on. Yeah, that’s when I started to mind, and officially added these creatures to my Shitboi list. And the ones in the rot areas, like the Grand Cloister? Fuck right off.

(Go check out Meghan’s list of annoying enemies here and bask in her suffering as she undoubtedly did in mine.)

Thanks for reading!