Hey! Pikmin has its moments. The stages have some neat but simple puzzles, the visuals and music are solid, the inherent cute charm of Pikmin's weird alien worlds is on full display, and discovering treasures based on common household items – and seeing Olimar's confused interpretations of them – is always good for a smile. However, the lax difficulty, slow pace, and repetitive structure drag it down quite a bit. There's not a lot of meat to Hey! Pikmin, which is disappointing when compared to the required skill and replayability of the console Pikmin games. It's good for a playthrough, but this is a voyage I can't see myself taking again.
Final Fantasy XII's relatable roleplaying adventure has aged remarkably well, and The Zodiac Age remaster improves it further in meaningful ways. The storytelling, visual design, and gameplay feel just as fresh and interesting as they did over a decade ago, and the various new enhancements and adjustments will give new players a chance to experience the magic for the first time and fans of the original something enticing to return for.
While satisfying at times, poor story presentation and an abundance of superfluous elements make Valkyria Revolution less than the sum of its parts.
Tekken 7 is a fantastic fighting game when taken on its sheer fundamentals. People who are already well-versed in the genre will find a lot to chew on here: nuanced gameplay mechanics to learn, lots of characters to try out, and lots of neat cosmetic upgrades and historical extras to unlock. But if you're coming at this game fresh-faced -- or even as a 2D fighting game player making the jump to a 3D game -- you won't find a lot of in-game aid to explore its complex mechanics, and you're not likely to learn anything beyond button-smashing to get through the game's short and thoroughly underwhelming story mode, either.
The ambitious-but-flawed Birthdays the Beginning is packed with charm, but suffers from a clunky interface and confusing systems.
Fire Emblem Echoes' combat and exploration work so well that you won't lament the absence of the series' recent dating-sim whims.
Dragon Quest Heroes 2 feels like a step forward in some ways, but a step back in others. The new additions to combat are nice, but the attempts to bring more RPG elements to the story missions don't always work out for the best – at worst, they wind up transforming an enjoyable action game into a boring slog. At least it shows that Omega Force is willing to try new things with their long-established formula. Let's hope that their experiments go a little better next time.
Short but sweet, this superb remake reintroduces an overlooked classic in style.
A new kind of Devil Crush.
A handful of interface-related annoyances can’t fully drag down the cheerful spirit of this farming-themed social simulation.
An enhanced remake of a cult classic, Wild Guns Reloaded offers up a rare breed of white-knuckle arcade-shooting action.
Alas, just like Hercule in the series, Dragon Ball Fusions postures and promises more than it actually delivers.
World of Final Fantasy’s cute character moments can only offset its various frustrations for so long.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is among the best games to emerge from this beloved franchise.
It’s a solid action game with a charming retro flavor that leverages RCR's foundation to construct both a new adventure and a different perspective on beloved game.
This all-new adventure in the Shin Megami Tensei IV universe ranks among the best games for the 3DS.
7th Dragon III’s extensive party customization and pleasing difficulty make for a great portable RPG.
If it's high-quality arcade-style action you want, Dariusburst Chronicle Saviours has you covered.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is a great-looking, fast-paced anime fighting game that remains true to its roots for better and for worse.
The Wii U version of Rodea is simultaneously a game with a lot of charm and one that's difficult to love as much as you want to. When Rodea works and all of its gears are cranking along smoothly, it's an exhilarating joy to play. But everything can come crashing down at any time: an enemy encounter reliant on overly finicky aiming or a misplaced attack that sends you careening into the abyss can sour the sense of wonder in a flash.