Ra Ra BOOM is a beat ‘em up and a short experience that doesn’t ask too much of you. Unfortunately, it doesn’t draw interest beyond the great introduction to what could’ve been a group of characters that people started to cosplay as and look forward to wherever they showed up next. The game even has an odd moment where it pokes fun at itself, which feels entirely unearned. The game also has a number of moments that feel like a cutscene or animation of a boss terrorizing the ladies or lurking in the environment are missing, breaking the rule of “show, don’t tell”. As a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mark, I should’ve been ecstatic when I encountered what was effectively an entire level devoted to the franchise, only to feel nothing upon completing the level.
Abyssus is another roguelite that could be balanced much, much better. While I’m sure a friend group could have fun as is, the sheer amount of gameplay-related things (weapons, mods) that must be unlocked could lose players’ interest before they even get to them. There is also an enhanced difficulty setting, which I’m not sure how players will tackle unless there are some extremely powerful hidden charms. The awesome aesthetic (minus the player characters) would’ve made for a great adventure into the depths, provided there were fewer jokes, but maybe a game about colonizing an ancient Aztec/Mesoamerican-inspired civilization shouldn’t think too hard about what it’s actually saying.
You’ve heard the story of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers dozens of times before, and ultimately, though she is the protagonist, you’ll discover she may not even be a good person (if the “pirate” bit didn’t clue you in). This is a gorgeous game, and not just because of its graphical fidelity. Much of the environment is so strong and distinct, it tells a story and is clearly authored very carefully. However, the gameplay is punishing and seems more focused on imitating a PlayStation 3 era tech demo than an enjoyable experience for the player.
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.