Benjamin Bell's Reviews
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a fun action take on the classic Shin Megami Tensei series. It draws players in with its initial mystery and keeps them coming back for more as they dive deeper into this rabbit hole. It might have some rough edges, but it is still an unforgettable journey.
The Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit isn't just a fun retro throwback to days gone by; it is a legitimate modern-day NES game that captures what made these games special. Drawing heavy inspiration from Mega Man, it successfully blends the series' classic gameplay mechanics with stages and ideas from other NES titles, and the end result is a game all platforming fans can enjoy. While you do not need to be a fan of AVGN to enjoy this title, it is packed full of fan service that will put a smile on your face, and the live-action skits are nice to see as well. This game is in fact an Angry Video Game Nerd episode in disguise; it's just you are the one playing it this time, and not the Nerd. Either way, if you are a fan of retro platformers, and especially the classic Mega Man series, then this is a game you will not want to miss out on.
Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga is a fun arena fighter that successfully blends the hectic boss fights the Ys series is known for with classic player-versus-player action. No two fights will ever be the same thanks to the game's vast customization options, and being able to play as fan-favorite characters is a real treat. The game will not be for everyone, but those who are fans of both series and are itching for something different to play should look no further. There is a learning curve to overcome, but once you climb that hill, you will be in for a great time.
Dreams of Another is not a standard game; it is a profound work of art. It immerses the player with its unique visuals, compelling soundtrack, and its one-of-a-kind "destruction for creation" mechanic, all while compelling us to step back and examine ourselves. This game is a meditation not just on life, but on the nature of existence, the true meaning of creativity, and the ultimate pursuit of leaving a legacy. While it won't appeal to every player, those who are willing to engage in self-reflection will find a far deeper, more meaningful experience here. The game is brief, but its message is powerful enough to last a lifetime. You may not fully grasp it now, but one day, it will undoubtedly resonate.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 quickly became one of my favorite entries in the series. It is a solid RPG with a great cast of characters, addictive tactical turn-based combat, and a story filled with twists and turns from start to finish.
The Devil is in the Details is a fun and unique take on the "spot the difference" genre. It throws you into a maze with dozens of objects to memorize, scares you with jump scares, sends ghosts and monsters after you, and often plays tricks to further impede your progress. To top it all off, as you attempt to survive all of these horrors, you still need to recall what changed perfectly, or else you fail and will be sent back to a previous checkpoint. The game is challenging as a memory game alone, but this added layer of horror is what truly makes it unique and a game players can return to time and time again. While the game itself may be short, its replay value is endless.
Lost Soul Aside is not a perfect game. There are rough edges, a slow introduction that doesn't accurately represent the rest of the game, and a lot of the story feels like moments thrown together the creator thought would be "cool." However, if you can get past the unrefined parts, you will discover a fun action game that is a full-on throwback to days gone by.
Armageddon is just as solid as it was back in 1999 and has been made even better thanks to modern-day improvements. It has the ability to remain "the" go-to Worms title and is a must for fans of the series. It's a great place for newcomers to start as well, but don't expect to be a master right off the bat.
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a very unique game, to say the least. It takes the 2D action gameplay Inti Creates is known for and mixes it with that of a Metroidvania. The gameplay itself is fast and fluid, and the two main characters cover both ranged and melee-based playstyles. It can be played solo by switching between characters on the fly, or in co-op with a friend. Bosses are unique and challenging, but even the normal enemies can easily take you out if you aren’t careful. Transferring perks between picked-up items lets you customize your character’s stats to your liking, and unlocking new abilities is a lot of fun as well. Everything about this core gameplay is spot on and makes Servants of the Dark a joy to play; it is pretty much everything a fan of 2D action games could ask for! However, the rough edges are what makes playing the game a challenge at times.
I didn’t know I needed Artis Impact in my life. I’ve spent countless hours playing RPGs so similar to each other that I often forget what it's like to experience something new and unexpected. Artis Impact is both of these things, while also being familiar in a comforting way. It is a charming world with a main character I quickly grew attached to and an impressive amount of ways to interact with the environment. The social aspects helped keep me invested in this girl's life, and the ever-changing art style was visually pleasing from start to finish. The standard RPG elements were a bit light, as Akane became overpowered pretty easily, but role-playing her life more than made up for it. In the end, Artis Impact was a game I never wanted to end, and it had me jumping back in for a second playthrough once the credits rolled—something very few games have made me want to do.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is hands-down one of the most enjoyable 2D action games I've played in recent years. It flawlessly merges the classic NES experience with modern refinements, perfectly preserving the spirit of both old and new Ninja Gaiden titles.
Donkey Kong Bananza is a very special game, and it unexpectedly took me right back to my childhood. That feeling I had the first time I picked up a Nintendo 64 controller to play Super Mario 64? Bananza brought it all back. There is something magical about this world and the amount of freedom Donkey Kong now has to explore it. Destroying everything in sight, coming up with creative ways to solve puzzles, and boss fights that initially seem simple but eventually evolve into unforgettable encounters... The art design, the soundtrack, and Pauline in general—there is just so much to love here. All of these individual pieces come together to create something I never want to end. I went into this game expecting at least to have a fun time, but what I never counted on was it becoming one of my new all-time favorites. If you have a Nintendo Switch 2, you owe it to yourself to play this game.
BlazBlue Entropy Effect is a very fun game. Although fans may be disappointed to learn that it isn't truly a part of the BlazBlue series, the game's original story and roguelike gameplay more than makes up for it. Being able to use fan favorite characters like Ragna, Noel, Jin, and Lambda is great, but even without the BlazBlue representation this would've been a solid game. Every single character is unique, there are customization options to make the game easier or harder, and the combat simply feels great. There is some repetitiveness, sure, but simply changing your character or going with a different build will greatly change the experience. It is a game that is easy to come back to from time to time, with each run only taking up 10 to 20 minutes of your time. A perfect pick up and go title, that also thankfully saves mid run! For sure worth checking out even if you do not know a thing about the BlazBlue characters featured here.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons truly is a must play for newcomers and fans alike. Some fans will still prefer their old favorites in the series, but that doesn't change the fact that this game is packed with content and offers a new take on its gameplay thanks to island customization. Even without spending hundreds of hours making everything "perfect," there is still plenty to see and do, and it is a great hang-out game to play with friends. The DLC expansion added enough content to be a game on its own, with a heavy focus on interior designing, but even the base game without the add-ons is more than enough. This is a game I personally plan on coming back to for years to come, and I really cannot recommend it anymore. This isn't how I felt about the game back when it first came out, but after playing it for five years straight, I've come to see it in a completely new light!
While nothing in What Remains of Edith Finch is truly groundbreaking, it is the way the narrative and unique mix of gameplay blend together that truly draws you in. The short time you spend learning about each character and their death makes you feel like you've known them your entire life, and you can't help but look at the empty rooms and feel a sense of sadness. These are fictional characters, but the pain of losing someone is very real, and this game does an excellent job capturing that. Some stories will hit hard for those who can relate, and it might make others rethink their own actions. The emptiness this game leaves you with is something that is hard to describe, but it is a feeling I will never forget... And that is how you know this game is special.
Persona 5: The Phantom X is a solid spin off entry, and a game that successfully brings the main gameplay of Persona 5 to mobile devices, with plenty of extras added on as well. The game has some awkward animations at times, and some of the writing is laughable, but it hasn't impacted my enjoyment at all. The intro took quite a bit of time to get through (which was expected), but once more options opened up, I found myself having a lot more fun. I still enjoy the turn based battles (this is one of the few mobile games where I turn off auto battle), I liked the dungeons and puzzles, and I really like the additional social aspects that comes with this being a mobile game. I feel like anyone interested in Persona or Shin Megami Tensei should at least give this one a shot.
Even after all of these years, the Portal series remains a must play for fans of puzzle games, and those looking for an interesting and dark, yet funny, story. The inclusion of Portal: Still Alive makes this collection a must for long time fans who never got to play the Xbox 360 exclusive, and Portal 2 continues to be both an outstanding single player and co-op experience. This collection is the perfect way for newcomers to get into the series and see what all the hype was about, and it is also a great bundle for fans as well. It being on the Switch also means players can finally take these games with them on the go, and the puzzles really are perfect for the pick up and play style on handheld devices. Either way, Portal as a whole really is a series everyone should experience at least once, and Portal: Companion Collection is the perfect excuse to jump on in.
Star Overdrive is an impressive game made by a really small team, but it is also a game that tried to bite off more than it could chew. The hoverboard action is so much fun, and honestly the only thing this game really needed to succeed! The board customization is great, the power ups are fun to use in combination with the hoverboard, and the gameplay itself is both fast and fluid. Sadly the rest of the game slows to a crawl the moment you are off the board, with clunky and repetitive combat, and puzzles that overstay their welcome.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is an impressive step up from the previously released Rune Factory 5. The streamlined farming and city building system, mixed with the greatly enhanced social elements and RPG aspects, makes this one of the best entries in the series to date. Those who are here for farming may be let down by this faster simplified system, but the rest of the game more than makes up for it!
Scar-Lead Salvation had the potential to be a really good game. Its core gameplay is fun, the first patch greatly improved the difficulty and bosses, both the character dialogue and story are interesting, the anime aesthetics are visually pleasing, and there are some fun customization options to play with! In theory this game should have everything going for it; however, it is greatly held back by extremely repetitive gameplay.