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.
Yo-Kai Watch is a rather odd beast in many ways. Kids' trends are always difficult to predict, and even with the massive marketing push behind the game, it's hard to say if Yo-Kai Watch will achieve Pokémon-like levels of cross-cultural penetration. It certainly isn't up to Pokémon's level: while exploring is fun, combat is a passive, frustrating slog that keeps it from being as enjoyable as it should be.
Chibi-Robo: Zip Lash is a solid little platformer that entertains despite faltering at times. It's cute, it's charming, and it offers some nice little twists on the 2D action/grappling formula that make it stand out. Be warned, however, that you will likely come out of the experience with a serious sugar craving. (I want to try some of the tasty-looking German candy I collected, but I don't know anywhere around here that would carry it. Argh!)