Kyle Hilliard's Reviews
Breaking down a large cube into a recognizable object using your puzzle-solving smarts is hugely rewarding
Guacamelee 2 nails the Metroid formula while including its own style of combat and a great sense of humor
Building your own Mario levels isn't as exciting as it was in 2015 on Wii U, but the story mode is a lot of fun and the new tools lead to some novel experiences
I don’t know that I will ever fully understand what transpired during my molecular journey on Cocoon’s alien world, but its imagery and puzzles will stay with me for some time.
The best thing about Separate Ways is having the opportunity to revisit the Resident Evil 4 remake again in shortened summary form. Some additions exist, like getting to see more of Ada dealing and working with Albert Wesker, which is only teased in the main game. Learning more about their relationship is fun for longtime Resident Evil fans, and I also enjoyed spending more time with Luis, who continues to be improved over his original characterization. Separate Ways isn’t wholly unique, however. Ada has many of the same combat scenarios as Leon, and while getting to see memorable moments from a new perspective is fun, it doesn’t reexamine the story or action in an impactful way. The DLC functions as a fun extension of the main game but isn’t one to play in lieu of the primary adventure. But any excuse to play more Resident Evil 4 remake is one I am eager to attach my grappling hook to and fly toward.
Much of what has changed about Super Mario RPG for the remake beyond the visuals is behind the scenes. The pace is brisker, and my hour count (even after beating the big optional boss) came in lower than the average playtime of the original. The game has been tweaked only slightly to add some new mechanics and make the adventure even more welcoming than it already was. The result is an experience that only shows its age slightly and rewards longtime fans and newcomers alike.
It's an easy recommendation for anyone looking to fight yetis and engage in some light tower defense
Though best played alone, Yoshi's Woolly World is the best platformer starring the dinosaur mount since the Super Nintendo original
Yo-Kai Watch has a great sense of humor, unique combat, and collection hooks that sink in quickly
The single-player campaign is the main attraction, offering a fun experience that plays with Kirby's typical mechanics in interesting ways
You’re still collecting monsters by throwing Poké Balls and taking on the competition in turn-based battles, but Sun & Moon feels like a brand new Pokémon game in some fundamental and worthwhile ways
The story doesn’t add much, but the music-based gameplay is better than ever thanks to better indicators of your timing
Yoshi moves to the 3DS from the Wii U with little downgrading. The new modes don’t merit a re-purchase for those that played the Wii U version, but this version is a perfectly fine way to experience Woolly World
Bye-Bye Boxboy marks a high point for the series, and has some of my favorite puzzles in the trilogy
Heat Signature demands you learn its intricacies. When you finally do, the infiltration stories you walk away with are legendary
You won't find much incentive to return to Alola if you enjoyed your original trip, but if you skipped Sun and Moon's 2016 release and want to play a new Pokémon game, this is your best bet
The excellent writing, silly premise, and fun combat all translate well to the updated visual style. The added Bowser Jr. mode is worth exploring, even if it's not the main attraction
Tetris 99 delivers a fun and intense experience while taking inspiration from gaming's most popular multiplayer trend
It’s one of the few PlayStation VR2 games that takes advantage of the hardware’s eye tracking and it works great. I personally encountered issues playing with a webcam in the past, but I never encountered a single issue on PlayStation VR2. It also doesn’t require initial calibration. It just works immediately, and continues to work, letting you focus wholly on Benjamin Brynn’s story. Beyond the blinking, though, being able to look around the environments makes everything feel more impactful and real. The structure of the game, where you as the player character are sitting in one place as you move through life, is perfectly suited to VR. It’s also not a long experience, so the nausea potential is very low. You should play Before Your Eyes if you can on whatever platform you can, but if PlayStation VR2 is an option, then that is absolutely the route you should take. Plus, no one will be able to see you cry if you’re wearing a headset.
Tchia drips with joyful, explorative fun. The idea of letting players loose in an interactive sandbox is a goal that has been chased by developers since video games began. Few truly give you the freedom to frolic in a virtual playground, and though Tchia is not without its shortcomings, it’s a rare instance where the temptation to just play in the digital world is rewarding at just about every turn. The tone, the music, and Tchia’s abilities all come together to create something that is simply fun, and it all takes place in a setting that demands to be explored.