Eric Zander Avatar Image

Eric Zander


Favorite Games:
  • Kingdom Hearts Series
  • God of War Series
  • Legend of Zelda Series

28 games reviewed
77.1 average score
81 median score
57.1% of games recommended

Eric Zander's Reviews

I've been a gamer my entire life. I love spreading the word about games and technology and making sure everyone who wants to make a purchase decision is well informed beforehand. You can check out my reviews at GBAtemp.net.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was a breath of fresh air in 2013, breathing new life into the dying JRPG genre. This breath still resonates with audiences today and the game holds up in every way. With such a beautiful world, score, characters, and plot, it's hard to find much to hate. Level 5 and Studio Ghibli really knocked it out of the park with this entry.

Read full review

I greatly appreciated Atelier Sophie 2 and it serves well as the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Atelier series. Like prior titles, Sophie 2 is a fun slice-of-life game where the stakes aren’t astronomically high, but the story is fun and the characters are lovable. It was great seeing Sophie and Plachta on yet another adventure, one that I would recommend to newcomers to the series and veterans alike.

Read full review

Atelier Firis: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Journey is a game that can be played and enjoyed by both fans of the series, newcomers, and even people who would otherwise not consider it. It may not be a complete return to form for the series, but It does a great job of mixing both modern and classic Atelier games. I believe that it ranks slightly higher than the last entry.

Read full review

Opinions can differ, but I wouldn't laugh at anyone who says that this may be the best Atelier game to date. Due to the fact that the protagonist is the same as in the previous game and that the story builds off of the prior one, I highly recommend people play Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout. However, for those who have played the previous game and want to know whether this one is worth your time, it certainly is.

Read full review

8.6 / 10.0 - Ratchet & Clank
Apr 19, 2016

At the end of the day, it's hard not to fall in love with the new Ratchet & Clank. Leave it to Insomniac to maintain what made the original game so amazing 14 years ago, while still adding a modern twist to attract a new generation of gamers.

Read full review

Atelier Ryza is a great starting point for the series for those who have yet to bite the bullet. It kicks off a new saga and changes the formula enough to keep veterans of the series interested as well as attract a new crowd. If you're thinking of buying a relaxing JRPG on your console of choice to unwind after a long day, this is the title to pick up.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - The Bug Butcher
Nov 1, 2016

The Bug Butcher is exactly what the name implies and more. Sporting 30 levels, each usually lasting less than 2 minutes, there is a strong urge to try "just one more time" to beat your high score. Fans of the Pang/Buster Bros series will feel right at home with this game.

Read full review

Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is a game that can be played and enjoyed by both fans of the series, newcomers, and even people who would otherwise not even consider it. By being willing to open my mind and expand my horizons, I was able to very much enjoy a game that I initially overlooked simply by its cover.

Read full review

Jun 8, 2019

Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland is a game that can be enjoyed both by fans of the Atelier series, newcomers, and those who would otherwise never consider it. This is a great jumping in point due to the fact that, while loosely considered a sequel to an eight-year-old trilogy, it is a completely self-contained game without the stress of older time restricted titles. This game could have done more to innovate upon the previous titles, but it is extremely enjoyable all the same.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - Gunlord X
Jan 8, 2020

Gunlord X is probably the greatest spiritual successor to the Run 'N Gun games of yore like Contra and Turrican. The adventure is rather short, but the style is beautiful, the bosses and levels are varied, and there are many secrets to unlock. Do yourself a favor and spend the $10 to have a high intensity nostalgic afternoon.

Read full review

Feb 12, 2020

This is the DBZ RPG that we have been waiting for since the Legacy of Goku series on the Gameboy Advance. The game gets repetitive after a while and the battles can be too easy and mindless, but there's a lot of heart and attention to detail in this title.

Read full review

Mar 6, 2020

For those who have never played Under Night In-Birth, this version is the definitive version to buy. UNICLR is an incredible anime fighting game that has held up well over the years. The online mode isn't as active as one might wish, but the story, visuals, game modes, and gameplay are fantastic. I recommend this to new players and veterans of fighting games alike.

Read full review

8.3 / 10.0 - Calvino Noir
Aug 24, 2015

I was surprised at how interested I was in the story. It's not too difficult to understand the plot, yet it isn't spoon fed to you. A big part of the immersion comes from that fact that every bit of dialogue in the game is completely voice acted so I actually felt a connection to the main characters.

Read full review

Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Paintings is a game that can be played and enjoyed by both fans of the series, newcomers, and even people who would otherwise not consider it. It is a fine conclusion to the “Mysterious” series that is made more enjoyable when played after Atelier Sophieand Atelier Firis. It could have done more to innovate upon the previous titles, but it gave me a ton of enjoyment. If you like Atelier games, you'll like this game.

Read full review

Mar 28, 2016

République is not only proof that mobile games can be vast, unique, and fun; but that they can often make the transition to computers and consoles seamlessly. The game is immersive, the plot is developed from our own curiosity and desire to help Hope, and it strives to make you feel like an actual character in this strange dystopian world.

Read full review

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is a collection of very exciting, yet overpriced, adventures. Composed of two games and a movie, this collection gives fans of the series a lot to chew on as they wait for the elusive Kingdom Hearts 3. This is not a good starting point for newcomers and to them I recommend playing both 1.5 and 2.5 before they buy this title after it drops in price.

Read full review

Sep 13, 2020

This game truly is the Samurai Jack game that fans have been longing for for years. Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is clearly inspired by the original God of War games and follows many of the same patterns. There's enough fan service in this game to keep fans happy, while simultaneously being enjoyable for a new audience. If you're a fan of this old-school style of action-adventure game play, I recommend this title.

Read full review

7.7 / 10.0 - Heroland
Dec 3, 2019

Heroland is a very enjoyable experience for PS4, Switch, and PC owners. The graphics are cute and unique, the combat is enjoyable and surprisingly engrossing, and the game's overall charm is praiseworthy. Despite some canned in dialogue and my desire for "some" more serious parts, I really enjoyed this game and I think any fan of the genre will as well.

Read full review

7.6 / 10.0 - The Swindle
Jul 27, 2015

The Swindle is a very fun game, and I would certainly recommend it at its small price point.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0 - Resident Evil 0 HD
Jan 18, 2016

Resident Evil 0 stands completely on its own. You can go into this game completely blind, having never played a single Resident Evil game, and be able to appreciate it all. In fact, it's the best way to jump into the series. I highly recommend this game to newcomers and veterans alike. Do yourself a favor and get this game.

Read full review