PixlBit

Some interesting ideas for 2D games here, especially Bot Gaiden. 

I've wanted to play this series for a while but was not aware of it until well after most games came out. 

I think a modern video game with a realistic take on the historic Goemon would be an interesting game changer, but I don't think Konami will make that either. 

I know it was in a Baskin Robbins in the 90s near me in Dallas. lol

Loved playing this in the arcade as a kid. 

I remember this getting poor reviews but always thought the series looked fun. 

If only I felt like Popeye after eating Popeye's chicken ...

I really need to play a Fatal Frame game ...

And here I have yet to complete the second game of the original Ace Attorney trilogy. 

Maybe I'll go back and play Streets of Rage 4. I had to beat that one on easy cause once I got to the elevator stage I couldn't get past a certain point on normal mode. 

We'll see how I feel about TMNT Shredder's Revenge when I actually beat it but it already has an unfair advantage in that I have friends willing to play it with me. 

The sequels are definitely more open world but the actual "stealth" in Sly Cooper isn't as slow as actual stealth games and for me it never came anywhere near the difficulty level of a Crash game or disorient me as much as some of those levels ... so I respectfully disagree with that comparison but you're definitely right about both games being linear.

I tend to prefer linear games because they get to the fun part and don't overstay their welcome but I understand the appeal of open world. To each their own. I do think you'd enjoy Sly 2.