Shuffle Tactics has a good game somewhere in it, but that isn’t what it is presently. I wish the beautifully fluid art style matched the RNG-based gameplay. After my lack of success, I searched and saw player feedback again and again regarding the game’s balance, as well as some of the pain points I’ve brought up in this review. Shuffle Tactics may have been made in reverence to games like Slay the Spire and Final Fantasy Tactics, but Club Sandwich must revisit the game if they hope for it to be spoken in the same breath as those greats.
While Etheria: Restart has solid worldbuilding and aesthetic appeal, its outdated free-to-play mechanics, tedious progression systems, and heavy reliance on gacha tropes hold it back from being a standout. It’s competent, but ultimately fails to respect the player’s time in meaningful ways.
Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker is a great DLC for those who were already hooked on the base game and crave more, though it may leave others wanting. New classes and a new party member don’t make up for the lack of character development for our main duo, and I did not appreciate having my party shrunk and helpful skills removed. A gorgeous and bombastic ride seems to be Sea of Stars’ goal here, and on that note, they do not disappoint. If you were craving more Sea of Stars or have been away from the game, this free DLC awaits a brave Solstice Warrior or three to mete out justice once again.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is the second TMNT game I’ve played and reviewed in recent years, with great humor, music, and gameplay. I did find some occasional lag, which I think is because the game is unclear in communicating if an animation is “over” or not. It is also a shorter budget title, which seems to work very well for the property. If you’re even a casual TMNT fan, I think you’ll find something to love here, with a great story that hints at more to come in the future.