Games I Played in May 2025

Yeah I stole this from Razbuten, but he also "stole" the idea, so what are you going to do about it? Take away my video games?

Please don't. I enjoy them.

UFO 50: Bushido Ball

I truly don't know why, but Sanrio World Smash-Ball has a special place in my heart. Well, likely inspired by its inclusion in Multibowl, UFO 50 has its own take on that idea in the form of Bushido Ball.

Now, I'm no pro at Smash-Ball, but this game was not afraid to point out how casual I really am. I'm used to having a dedicated button for power shots, but like every game in UFO 50, this one only has two buttons. And one of them is dedicated to dashing. And this game adds more shot types such as the lob. Even after getting a clear (I really should at least attempt this cherry) it felt less like I had precise control and more that I was placing my trust in the system (which is still fun, it just may be a tad more frustrating).

I do have to note that UFO 50 has this silly bug where using a controller sometimes has the game recognize the input as both player 1 and 2. In Bushido Ball's case, if I'm not being careful with keyboard input, it can softlock a run instantly. Not hard to get around, but an annoyance nonetheless.

Despite the roadbumps, Bushido Ball is certainly a fun take on games like Smash-Ball, and Windjammers. I've yet to play it versus a real human opponent, but I imagine it'd be nothing short of joyful.

Laika: Aged Through Blood

I was quite excited to give this one a go, and it did not disappoint. When I first saw the game, my thought was "oh this game is badass" followed by the demo doing something even cooler and me repeating that thought, and this cycle repeating several times. Driving into a zone of enemies and carefully taking aim and maneuvering your bike to block shots and reload your gun feels incredible when you get the hang of it. The music is both somber and energizing in a way that perfectly fits the vibes, I listen to "Playing in the Sun" regularly even after beating the game.

I don't think the writing is perfect. It heavily relies on gut-punchy moments, and while I think those moments hit their mark I did notice the moments without them felt much more shallow. The writing is still stronger than it is weak, and Laika's relationships with her mother and Puppy are some of the highlights of the narrative. The stories for the sidequests can be hit or miss but I found most of them to be engaging enough to stick with each quest.

The game does have a couple rough patches. The opening sections that wowed me back when the demo first released are still some of the stronger moments. The endgame picks up quite a bit, but the midgame really had me missing the energy that was present in the start. There is one section in particular that features a movement gimmick that just feels awful. And it's here where the "corpse run" mechanic feels its most unnecessary. But again, the game absolutely picks up again near the end. I can see some people not enjoying the final boss, but for me it scratched an itch that Laika was made for.

One of those games I can't stop thinking about. I don't know if I want more like it, Laika is a very good solo piece. But it does make me excited for video games, just as a concept, and that is an incredible feeling.

Slay the Spire

I've gotten back into casual Slay the Spire runs this month. I know the idea of a deckbuilding roguelite is less novel now, but their oversaturation is really a testament to how solid Spire is. I've yet to beat Ascension 20 on any character (and let's just pretend I have a better history with the Silent and the Watcher than I do), but that just gives me a stronger motivation to claw out wins when I can. Several hundred hours in and it's still one of my go-to's for a game to keep my hands distracted when I have something longer to listen to playing.

Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger is a bit difficult to talk about because it has such a golden reputation. You'll occasionally see people say the reasons it's so good are the things it "discards" from other JRPGs. I disagree. Chrono Trigger just knows what kind of JRPG it wants to be.

The story's main appeal is how it uses time travel. And while this shines the best during the sidequests that open up at the very end, the rest of the story is sure to never miss a point where they can do something interesting with it. Chrono Trigger's combat also strikes an interesting balance of simplicity and engagement. While the mechanics don't have much depth, the game constantly finds ways to trip you up if you refuse to give fights your full attention. Shoutout to enemies that can counterattack for just a moment after death if you're too reckless. I also appreciate how it handles backup party members - still giving them plenty of experience points, but only unlocking techs if they're in your party. Alongside the concept of dual techs. it really adds to the feeling that your party is learning to fight together.

Calling Chrono Trigger a good game isn't exactly breaking news, but it's still true. It truly has stood the test of time, and not because it refuses its genre. It simply prioritizes the aspects that best serve its goals. And really, that's how more big name games should be designed.

Minecraft: E2E

On one of my days off, I was in a Minecrafty-mood. And thinking I should try a modpack that isn't a skyblock, I finally gave Enigmatica 2: Expert a whirl. I don't remember what else I did the day I started that world. It wasn't much much, I can tell you that. A lot of the goals are segmented enough to make you feel like you're making constant progress, while also giving you plenty of time to relax in between re-structuring part of your operations. Sometimes you just need to watch number go up, and this is a much more interesting way to do that than loading up Cookie Clicker.

Stealth Crossword

This one is free and can be played in your browser!

Knew nothing about this game until I saw it mentioned on a recent post from The Works of Egan and this is a delightful little concept that made the most of every idea it had. It's like 6 minutes long, please just play it for yourself.

Wow, there was a bigger variety in one month than I expected. I don't know if I'll continue to maintain that. But hey, might as well keep playing video games, y'know?