Justin Celani's Reviews
I love a good western game and one with creatures and monsters is even better. I knew little going into Ritual: Crown of Thorns and was probably better off because of it. The name doesn’t exactly resonate well with the theme and I wouldn’t be surprised if people had no idea this was a western game to begin with. Overall, if players are looking for a fun, challenging time, with a great theme, Rituals will be the game to play. It feels a bit more old school in some ways but there is nothing wrong with that. So if a challenging, arcade like, top down shooter sounds enticing, give this undead six shooter a chance.
Stranded Sails I would say fits just right in the genre with its own take. If the intro hours were a little quicker I think the pacing would feel much better and I worry some folks will stop before getting there. It reminded me of the first time I played Harvest Moon 64. I had no idea what I was doing, but slowly and surely I came away feeling accomplished and satisfied. Stranded Sails gave me that feeling of heart and charm with a pirate twist.
A Knights Quest started off a bit rough for me and I thought perhaps my expectations were set a bit too high after having watched the trailers. Luckily over time, the best elements of its world, exploration, and it stellar music won me over. The combat is so close to feeling good, but just can’t quite get there. Overall I’d still recommend fans of this genre to check it out. A Knight’s Quest has a great adventure in store, only missing the mark just barely.
When One Piece originally debuted it wasn’t to a huge reception and bringing it to the Switch seems like it was a simple enough of an idea to provide a portable version on Nintendo latest console. That could have been a selling point but it having debuted portable on Vita and 3DS, maybe not. Which really just makes this release seem all the more weird. It’s a mildly entertaining game for players looking for something anime like to play, ad a bit more for those who are actually fans of the franchise, yet were still looking at a bare bones port that most likely no one was really asking for. Only the most diehard of fans will most likely grab it again.
Yet, I can’t fully recommended it currently without some warning. There are a few game breaking bugs ruining the game. From games that won’t load, to getting NPC players stuck in the party forever. The devs are aware of it and if they fix this, the score would go up another whole point. As it stands it’s a great game that get a bit repetitive, and has some irritating bugs that could potentially kill all progress in the story. Once those bugs get squashed, it’s a game most RPG fans definitely deserve to check out. It has heart, charm, and lots of funny moments. It just needs a little bit more of “TLC” to give it a full recommended purchase.
The developer’s hearts are in the right place and I think they have a solid game on their hands that could just use a bit more gameplay or RPG elements to add to the mix making a sequel a stand out title that rivals some of the bigger RPG devs out there. As it is, it’s an enjoyable romp and one that I’d recommend for anyone that has an interesting, even if they might want to wait on a sale price.
I’m sure fans of the first game and of this type of genre might love it, but I walked away from it just wanting more, but my guess isn’t that the game has issues, it’s just that this genre isn’t for me.
If Deadlight has already been experienced years prior, I’m not so sure there is enough new content here to get players to pick it up for a second time. Though if zombies and “Prince of Persia” old school style gameplay are two things that players have interest in, Deadlight is worth a trip to Seattle. Just don’t expect it to be the most memorable or longest of journeys.
The highs are damn high, but the lows might be too low for some. It’s going to be a very hit or miss game depending on how you interpret the issues, but for me, this is one that stands out regardless.
Burning Blood is also lacking for hardcore fighting fans. The mechanics are competent enough, but perhaps too simple at times and slow. This epic battles happen on screen and the controls just don't seem to be able to keep up with the visual performance that is being project on screen. That's not to say what's here is horrible, it just feels as if there could have been much more.
Attack on Titan is a fun, unique, and different yet familiar style of game that keeps pulling me back in for either new equipment material to farm or just to boost around the environments. It got me interested in the series more so then ever before and shows that the Dynasty Warriors-like gameplay can still provide a unique and interesting take on the genre depending on the set up and added mechanics.
Mighty No. 9 was a long time in the making and with lots of discussion and chatter before release. I think there is a solid foundation for a shooting/platforming type game here and it clearly has some great elements to it. It doesn't quite invoke any originality though neither from a gameplay perspective or even a visual one as, but as a whole and for the price of $19.99, I think it's suitable.
The Black Mirror is ripe for being that classic creepy haunted manor mystery type setting, but everything surrounding its tale makes it hard to get pulled into and constantly pulls players out of the experience with its follies. This mirror is still worth looking into, but its cracks definitely show.
Perception isn't really doing a whole lot gameplay wise that the majority of these types of games haven't done before. If players are a fan of narrative driven, creepy experiences, Perception offers that, and even if the game can be completed in a few hours, it's entertaining.
This genre is for a special crowd of players that either love the genre or have loved it since they were kids. They're not the deepest experiences, and they are definably better with friends. Playing alone can be a bit of a drag, as some levels go on longer then needed. Though bring a few friends, get on the couch, have some snacks and enjoy a few hours of old school arcade fun. Sometimes that's all you need.
I can’t say I loved Pixel Gear VR. It works well enough and the shooting mechanics are fun, yet with the limited enemies and levels, I felt the repetition hitting fast and hard. It was the bosses that made me continue to work my way through each of the waves as they were the highlight of my time. The pixel effects of blocks exploding and the visuals work well with VR, but with the short playtime, lack of variation or substance of levels, really brings down the experience.
For the price of entry and the type of game Exiles End is worth a look from fans of the genre. It’s got decent atmosphere, controls fairly well, and provides some fun exploration and fighting. It’s just not nearly as good as those that came before it, take it or leave it. I want to like the game more than I do, but getting endlessly lost, questioning my progression, and the weak start left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
Spider has one of their biggest and best looking games and solid mechanics as well. Yet even with those elements in play, the rest of the game can’t keep up to that standard. I would recommend Technomancer only to those extremely interested in the setting and going into it full well knowing that this RPG has issues.
Cold Darkness is another fun DLC release, but again it’s one that won’t last players long. If you prefer to play these extra modes over and over again, it’s considerably worth checking out. Yet that’s the problem; these feel as if they should have been in the core game or in an extra menu or bonus mode at launch.
Upon the light has a nice visual look and some interesting, if typical mechanics. The idea of light and darkness playing reverse roles is something I find interesting, but the puzzles and gameplay are what will bring people in to play. There is a slim story here but it's just a serviceable means to get to the end of the levels, nothing really more. Its feels more suitable to be a game you'd play on your phone or on a tablet versus consoles, but it's still enjoyable while it lasts. I'd like to see a bigger game with a broader scope from the team in the future, as the idea behind it is one that can be expanded in the future. Puzzle fans might want to take a look, just be sure to stay out of the light.