simhoop
Game Freak
Member Since: 28 Jan 2018
Location: Fairfax, VA, USA
Bio: I like basketball even more.
Recent Ratings
Check out simhoop's...
Samurai Shodown (1993) - Rated 29 Jun 2025
"I was intrigued when this came out but I couldn't get into it as much as the way more accessible Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. But, upon reflection, it's just as excellent: interesting characters, a cool weapon-based fighting style (where you can even lose your sword), and an elegance to it that not even the more popular games could match. A worthy competitor."
Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1993) - Rated 22 Jun 2025
"While Empire is the superior film, the original Star Wars seems to lend itself to be a better game - especially a platforming one. To try to make up for this, JVC upped the arcade feeling with more digitized graphics, power ups and force powers but it just isn't enough. Running in the Hoth base and jumping around Degobah shooting creatures just isn't very interesting."
The Quarry (2022) - Rated 10 Jun 2025
"Similar to Until Dawn, Quarry is a playable-movie that branches with multiple endings. And, similar to its predecessor, it has great acting and is enjoyable to watch in its entirety but I'd rate this story as tighter and better. That said, it's still an extremely linear game and one playthough is enough for me."
Super Star Wars (1992) - Rated 08 Jun 2025
"Better than your average SNES platformer because not only does it handle the platforming well, it also serves the Star Wars license great. It successfully translates the story into levels and allows you to play multiple characters with slightly different play styles. I have never liked any of the NES/SENS attempts at flying levels but that's ok because the rest here is pretty fun."
SOS (1993) - Rated 06 Jun 2025
"SOS is an utterly unique in the SNES library, being a giant non-linear escort platformer. But that doesn't mean it's good because the main gameplay is clunky and not very fun."
Knights of the Round (1991) - Rated 19 May 2025
"I was always strangely drawn to this beat 'em up even though it didn't boast a well-known license or have flashy state-of-the-art graphics. It is cool that your character levels up but that doesn't seem to have much of a payoff - and it has just the opposite, literally, if you want to keep those gains. Having gone through it recently, though, I can honestly admit it's a competent game that lacks all of the fanfare that was expected in these games at the time."
Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) - Rated 15 May 2025
"Feels a little too rushed after the previous one (I would've preferred a break to have a new Injustice game) and the story is absolute dogshit, but the old MK charm is still here. Kameos feel a little gimmicky but are fun and they really went big on some of the super moves that seem gamebreaker but who cares? I'd appreciate a break before the next installment."
Saturday Night Slam Masters (1993) - Rated 24 Apr 2025
"This is a review for the arcade. Clearly inspired by Street Fighter 2's success, SNSM looks and feels much like it's more popular cousin - right down to wrestlers semi-related to fighters. Fighting in 3D doesn't work as elegantly as the 2D fighting, though, and the lack of level diversity and endings is disappointing. But, the characters are kind of fun and I was always drawn to this game in the arcades even if I knew it was nowhere near as deep as other Capcom fighters."
Lego DC Super-Villains (2018) - Rated 20 Apr 2025
"I wanted to love this - especially since it was comic book characters that I enjoy and an easy 2-player game my daughter might like. But, as great as it nails the characters, the game's puzzles are absolutely inscrutable at times. This is made worse when you're playing with a young gamer as a side kick and they get bored or actively fight against solving the puzzle. It's also way too long - again made more difficult when younger players (who this is aimed at) are getting lost."
Spiritual Warfare (1992) - Rated 20 Apr 2025
"An odd Zelda clone framed as a religious game. That's hilarious because besides some mini-game trivia questions, you're a character running around throwing fruit, skeletal jaws (!!!!) and swords at people. Sure, when you hit them, they look like they're praying but they still disappear as if killed. There's so much gameplay variety for a NES game, it's chock-full of secrets, and like many of these games, some of the puzzle solutions are inscrutable but this is a welcome surprise, for sure."
