Benjamin Bell's Reviews
The game is a solid foundation, and it is great to see that the developer will be actively working on it to improve it, but there is no denying that it also has a long way to go. For $15 on Steam, it isn't bad as a game to play with friends, but it isn't a game I can recommend if you are going at it solo. It also didn't have a large playerbase online during our play testing, so even finding random players could be difficult. It honestly feels like a game that would benefit from a "4 player co-op pack" version at a discounted price, as maybe asking $15 from you and your three friends could be a bit much.
Victory Heat Rally is a game that knows exactly who its fanbase is, and it does everything in it's power to deliver a fun and captivating experience. The game is setup in a way that is inviting to newcomers to the arcade racing genre, but also with challenges that will even give long time veterans a run for their money. It's a game all about honing your skills, but it also features modes for all skill levels. It is an inviting yet challenging experience, and that's a fine balance a lot of games fail to achieve... Yet Victory Heat Rally managed to pull it off!
Generic backgrounds, a single repeating song, the lack of a cancel button, and luck based gameplay aside... It's an interesting concept, and I did like the stages that didn't rely on luck. The game managed to pray on my stubbornness to get me to keep going, and ultimately it did have me feeling nostalgic for the flash games I used to play. It's a game that has potential, but it really needs a fresh coat of paint and some polish.
Peglin is a game you can easily get sucked into. It has a lot to offer, and a lot of ways you can play through the game. It has a lot of luck, sure, but it's also about learning how to control that luck and complete your run. It's a unique concept, and once it clicks with you it is hard to pull yourself away.
Gimmick! is a great game for anyone who loves classic platforming games, and those who would like a challenge. It's a very rewarding game once mastered, and it is also very cute and charming.
Mika and The Witch's Mountain is a very short game. A single playthrough while completing most of the Side Deliveries clocked in around 6 hours. During that time however I got used to exploring the island, discovered many hidden secrets, and simply had a fun time.
No More Heroes is a unique game, and it will not be for everyone. Some may find the repetitiveness of the game to be a bit too much and never get through it, but at the same time it's actually a very short game. Focusing on the main story will put you at around 8 hours of gameplay, and doing everything isn't going to add too much time onto that. You do end up spending more time living out Travis' daily life than you do in missions fighting, but the missions themselves are memorable enough to make up for the lack of time spent in them.
If you are a fan of Muv-Luv already, then there is no reason you shouldn't read Alternative. It's one of the best stories in the entire series, and the conclusion to what was started all the way back in Extra. Especially with the way Unlimited ended, this is a game you'll for sure want to play. As for everyone else, if a dark twisted psychological horror alien story sounds like something you'd be interested in, then for sure go back and start with Muv-Luv Extra!
If you want a fun pick up and go action game, or something you can sink hundreds of hours in by just trying something new... Dead Cells is the game for you. I'd for sure recommend it, and that's something I never thought I'd say about a roguelike!
Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War does a lot right. It's a solid Call of Duty entry, and a great shooter in general. Call of Duty fans will find that this game offers nearly everything they love about the series, while newcomers can easily jump in here. Sure some of the plot of the story will be lost on them, but the game's stand alone plot and gameplay makes up for it. There's not really anything to complain about here, as everything is very well made. The Code Breaking can be annoying if you're not into that type of thing, but it's also not even required to beat the game. Heck, even the extra scenes for doing them isn't anything too crazy. That being said, the game really does offer something for every type of shooter player.
Before jumping into Witch on the Holy Night you should understand what kind of story it is. It's not a long drawn out experience filled with tons of action and drama, but instead a quick read that sets up exactly what it needs to. It introduces the characters, sets up the world's lore, brings in the main plot, and throws in a key event that brings our main cast together. From that point on, we get to see the characters learn more about each other and develop their relationships, as we eventually make our way to the climax. It's a more grounded story, and it uses it's setting and atmosphere to help draw it's readers in. The "Holy Night" in the title refers to Christmas, and the snowy backdrop of the game really helps set the mood. Sure, there are some laughs here and there, but overall this is a melancholic tale that features a group of characters you'll want to hold onto.
Overall, Soul Hackers 2 isn’t a bad game, but it’s a game that will leave you wanting more. It’s not really a follow up to the original Soul Hackers, except in name and some references, and the dungeon design has a lot of room for improvement. Even so, the combat system is still solid, and the character driven story gives you a reason to keep playing. It’s not the best Megami Tensei experience out there, but it’s still a game that both fans and newcomers alike can enjoy… As long as you understand what you are getting into that is. Honestly, I'd love to see these characters again, and hopefully they can improve on the series in the future!
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a solid JRPG. It's core mechanics are flawless, with a large verity of demons to recruit and add to your party. The game is jammed packed full of lore, and it is loaded with content. It's a game that's actually two games in one, with multiple endings, and a lot of new features that greatly expanded it from it's original version. Pretty much every downside to the original has been corrected here, and it has something to offer RPG fans of all skill levels and interests.
Star Ocean: The Divine Force is an interesting game, with a lot of mixed feelings. The game doesn't have any fundamental flaws that ruins the experience, but what someone likes varies from person to person. The game has a lot going for it -- it's a fun sci-fi adventure with a great cast of characters, interesting locations to explore, high speed action combat system, and is very story focused.
Trails from Zero is a different beast compared to other JRPGs, and that’s partly due to the way the series works in general. Putting that aside though, Zero is still a great game in its own right. It has it’s own unique set of main characters, the game is filled with character development and world building, there are multiple mysteries at play, and it is very easy to get sucked into life as a police officer. The game is very dialogue heavy, and a large chunk of it is talking to NPCs (assuming you want to get the most out of this world), and honestly that might not be for everyone. Of course you can skip NPCs and only focus on the side stories and main quest if you like, but doing so really does take away from the world building the series is known for. It’s just one of those things that will not click with everyone, and if it starts to feel like a chore, then that will greatly damper your enjoyment of the game.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name might have one of the longest names in the series, but it's actually the shortest of them all. It's a side game (Gaiden means "side story") meant to fill in the gap between Yakuza 6 and the 7th main entry, and also serve as an intro for Infinite Wealth (8). That being said, it's a game that everyone who's a fan of the series should play, and it's a game that won't disappoint.
The Resident Evil 3 remake is an outstanding game, but it’s also not a game for everyone. First of all, the game looks amazing, and it plays great as well. The smooth “modern” controls are a huge step up from the tank controls seen back in the day, and the action aspect of the gameplay has even improved greatly because of it. The game is simply fun to play from start to finish, and I often found myself just admiring the detail put into this recreated world. Assuming you like the classic RE style gameplay, there’s really nothing to complain about here.
Yakuza 0 is an outstanding game. There's no denying that. While the Japanese crime drama story might not appeal to everyone -- it's something worth giving a chance. If you're willing to do so, then you'll find a game with a rich story, great character development, multiple mysteries to uncover, fun beat em up style gameplay, and loads of extras and mini games to keep you busy. It's a huge game, with a little bit of everything, that will appeal to a wide verity of people.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is a unique game. It mixes classic SMT dungeon crawling, with Fire Emblem systems, and puts it all to a music filled story. While it’s plot really isn’t it’s strong point, the characters are still fun and likable, and the gameplay is pretty solid. It’s nothing outstanding by any means, especially compared to other SMT titles, but it’s still good enough to stand on it’s own. It’s a great way for newcomers to get introduced to the series, and is something worth checking out if you are already a fan.
Trails of Cold Steel is a solid JRPG, and a great entry in the Trails series. The characters start out a little rough, but as you get to know them they really grow on you. The world and character development is spot on, you get to visit a lot of interesting locations and meet a lot of great characters, and the game as a whole does a good job of making you feel like you're living Rean's life. It's very easy to become attached to this world, and once you're sucked in you never want to leave. However that doesn't mean the game is perfect, and there are some hurdles newcomers will have to get over before they can truly judge the game.