Radiantflux: Hyperfractal is an odd package with a solid, but not great, arcade game locked inside.
Octocopter: Super Sub Squid Escape‘s initially funny concept is lost in its boring and repetitive execution.
Exile’s End is a good action-platformer that checks all the boxes of a good Metroidvania, but does so without much pizazz.
Twisted Fusion, to me, isn’t so much bad as it is simply unfinished and broken. I don’t hate the ideas put forth by Lewis Pugh: a Metroidvania with RPG elements is my kind of jam, plus I like that it has co-op… but it’s a dupe to anyone who buys Twisted Fusion thinking it’s finished.
Chase has a great story, but the lack of presentation and short length mean it’s not a title I can particularly recommend right now.
Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 is a short, but well crafted experience that plays it safe
The game begins hard and ends even harder… To be rather blunt and self-deprecating, it made me feel like a moron
Despite a long list of small gripes, it’s hard not to see the majesty in [Dragon Quest VII]
Visually, Sky Force Anniversary looks nice with a colourful pallet and a magnificent set of effects, but there’s not enough variety in the levels
[DOGOS is] an exact middle of the road kind of game that could have been something great for the genre if the execution was better implemented
Similar to a good RPG, any time spent with Riptide GP: Renegade is not wasted, even in defeat
This game will not be heralded as a classic in the same vein as Mega Man. However, the original Mega Man isn't the best either. Fans debate back and forth between Mega Man 2 and 3 as their favorites (MM3 for this writer's money). Another example is the first Assassin's Creed. Great concept, failed delivery. The point is, despite its flaws, Mighty No. 9 is a good step toward reviving the Mega Man style in all but name. Hopefully the team will learn from their mistakes and make the next game the classic fans want it to be.
Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam is a crumpled up discarded note, recycled into a paper-thin product. At its core, it's good. The dynamic combat system has never felt better, but the rest of the package is padded with poor mini games and excessive backtracking. As a die-hard fan of both series, this was a let down. Nintendo and AlphaDream played it too safely making Paper Jam feel like a reaction to Dream Team rather than an evolution. Based on this, one wonders if it's time to retire both franchises in the hopes of reinvigorating new RPG life into another classic Nintendo character. Again, it's good, bordering on great, but the issues, both big and small, keep Paper Jam from jumping any higher.
Tales of Zestiria holds the series back in light of its upcoming 20th Anniversary in December. It's an uneven adventure filled with half-baked ideas. The fun, enigmatic cast and stylistic combat help Zesteria from completely falling off the RPG radar though. It's a good, but not great entry in the Tales franchise.
Just Dance 2016 gets the basics right. While that may be enough for most, it's in desperate need for an overhaul. It still needs a teaching mode and this writer isn't necessarily sold on the costly, poor execution of Just Dance Unlimited. Complaints aside, grab some friends, and Just Dance. It'll be okay.
Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls suffers in that it doesn’t know what it wants to be. The plot and design rivals that of the previous two entries, but the action is clunky and virtually kept in the dark for about half the game. Even with all these complaints, it’s hard not to recommend for the story alone. It’s flawed, but damn is this world addictive. Next Danganronpa please!
Story of Seasons is a niche game for an extremely small crowd. It's not bad and as another in this small genre, it's good. The slow pace and plethora of tasks can be overwhelming at first, accompanied by a slow start, but those who put in the time will reap its rewards. Fans of Nintendo's Animal Crossing series will feel at home and enjoy this as well. And to other gamers, like this one, maybe it's time to branch out the old genre branch.
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is Nintendo's first true new IP in a long time. Thankfully the experiment worked, proving the old studio still has some magic up its sleeve. It's not perfect, but a sequel could definitely smooth out its rough edges. Here's hoping this won't be the last time players will see Abraham Lincoln and his diverse agents of S.T.E.A.M.
Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright was an excellent experiment that captures both series rather well. The puzzle vs court case gameplay tie together seamlessly while not stepping too far outside their box. Again, the story may take some giant leaps and drags on a bit too long, but it’s still a game worth visiting for fans of each series. From this gentleman, there are no objections here.
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a short, but fun adventure that knocks a lot of AAA console games out of the park. The animation, gameplay, music, and style far outweigh any problems. Yes it’s repetitive, fairly easy except for a few weird puzzles, and the story and dialogue is hit or miss. Complaints aside, it’s a must play for sure.