Jon Scarr's Reviews
Dynasty Warriors: Origins reinvents the franchise with a single protagonist, refined combat, and RPG elements. It offers a fresh take on the classic formula while delivering engaging battles and a deeper story. Although the voice acting and early progression may be weak points, the overall experience is exciting and rewarding for both newcomers and series veterans.
Batman: Arkham Knight expands the Arkham formula with a larger Gotham, refined combat, and strong voice performances. The Batmobile adds speed and power but is overused in forced combat sections. While the story has memorable moments, predictable twists weaken its impact. It’s still the most complete Batman experience, but some design choices keep it from being the series’ strongest entry.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O refines the classic fighter with rollback netcode, balance updates, and sharp visuals. Its strategic combat remains strong, but missing single-player modes and the lack of crossplay hold it back from feeling like a full upgrade. While it’s the best version for competitive play, it still feels like a temporary step before a true sequel.
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain offers a cozy, laid-back adventure with bright visuals and simple gameplay. Flying, delivering packages, and meeting island residents create a relaxing experience, but limited gameplay and repetitive deliveries hold it back. While charming, it’s best for short, casual play sessions.
Trails Through Daybreak II builds on its predecessor with refined combat and strong character moments. While the story’s pacing can feel uneven and the focus on character arcs slows the main narrative, the game’s strategic battles and solid presentation make for an engaging experience. Although some technical issues and repetitive content may detract from the overall experience, Daybreak II still offers a rewarding journey for both newcomers and longtime fans of the series.
Double Dragon Neon reimagines the classic arcade beat ‘em up with bright, ‘80s-inspired visuals, over-the-top humour, and a unique mixtape-based combat system. Its slower pace and strategic gameplay set it apart from other brawlers. Although the style and pace may not appeal to everyone, Double Dragon Neon delivers a memorable, fun experience for fans of retro-inspired action games.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II builds on the original with refined combat, exploration, and survival systems. The detailed medieval world and solid sound design bring the experience to life. Though challenging, fans and newcomers alike will find a rewarding RPG adventure.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap refines the series’ signature blend of tower defense and third-person combat with new traps, roguelike mechanics, and varied War Mages. The story provides context without overshadowing gameplay, while the cartoonish visuals, energetic soundtrack, and dynamic effects enhance the chaotic action. Fans of Orcs Must Die! 3 will appreciate the expanded mechanics and creative challenges. Though it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it offers a fun, strategic experience for single and co-op play.
Sniper Elite: Resistance offers tactical stealth and satisfying sniping gameplay with a new protagonist, Harry Hawker, leading the charge. While the story leans on familiar WWII tropes, the game’s open-ended missions and strong level design keep the experience engaging. With replayable content and additional modes like Axis Invasion, the game delivers plenty for fans of the series, even if it sticks to its well-worn formula.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth expands on Remake with refined gameplay, a bigger world, and deeper character interactions. The game’s improved visuals, engaging combat, and thoughtful story make it appealing to both fans of the original and newcomers. While some side quests can feel repetitive, the polished experience and exciting world make it a standout RPG. The PC version offers better performance and smoother gameplay, making it the ideal way to experience this chapter.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town combines nostalgic farming gameplay with modern updates. Its relaxing pace, charming visuals, and expanded features make it enjoyable for newcomers and longtime fans. While limited customization and a slow start may deter some, the satisfying daily rhythm and meaningful progression offer a rewarding experience.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind brings back the series with retro visuals, co-op gameplay, and fun Zord battles. Repetitive combat and similar characters limit the gameplay, but the story and presentation make it enjoyable for fans and newcomers.
Tales of Graces f Remastered revitalizes a classic JRPG with its engaging combat, deep customization, and quality-of-life upgrades. While its story can feel predictable and its visuals show their age, the likable cast and rewarding gameplay make it worth experiencing for both newcomers and fans.
Nine Sols is a unique Metroidvania that combines challenging combat, exploration, and a story about revenge and redemption. The hand-drawn visuals and mix of Taoist and cyberpunk elements create an engaging world. While the story can be hard to follow at times and some gameplay can be frustrating, the sense of accomplishment and rewarding progress make it worth playing. If you want a tough, visually impressive Metroidvania, Nine Sols is a great choice.
Metal Slug Attack Reloaded is a decent, nostalgic experience with noticeable flaws. It’s best suited for hardcore fans of the franchise or those willing to tolerate its mobile-game roots.
Guacamelee! 2 expands the series with refined mechanics, hilarious storytelling, and a vibrant Mexiverse. While minor performance hiccups and chaotic co-op moments hold it back, its inventive gameplay, colorful visuals, and heartfelt humor make it a standout Metroidvania adventure.
Sonic Frontiers reinvents the franchise with open-world exploration, nostalgic Cyber Space levels, and a fantastic soundtrack. While technical issues and repetitive combat hold it back, its bold direction and creative ambition make it a promising step forward for Sonic’s 3D future.
Infinity Nikki blends creativity and exploration in a cozy adventure full of stylish outfits and colourful visuals. While gacha mechanics and some shallow quests detract from the experience, its charming world and engaging gameplay make it a unique journey worth exploring.
Nikoderiko: The Magical World delivers a polished, nostalgic platforming experience that celebrates the genre’s golden era. Its tight controls, colourful visuals, and David Wise’s standout soundtrack combine for an enjoyable adventure. Local co-op adds extra fun, turning even challenging levels into laugh-out-loud moments. While it doesn’t bring anything new to the table, Nikoderiko nails the classics, making it a must-play for platforming fans.
Fantasian Neo Dimension blends classic turn-based RPG elements with fresh innovations, like trajectory-based combat and handcrafted diorama visuals. Its heartfelt story, dynamic gameplay mechanics, and Nobuo Uematsu’s memorable soundtrack create a unique experience. While minor control issues detract slightly, the game’s strengths far outweigh its flaws. Whether you’re a longtime JRPG fan or new to the genre, Fantasian Neo Dimension offers an adventure worth your time.