Krista Noren's Reviews
Days Gone sits at the cusp between good and bad. It exists as a wholly mediocre game, relying so much on its inspiration that it never feels unique. When compared to Sony's recent first-party successes in the form of Spider-Man and God of War, it only makes Days Gone that much blander.
Massive's dedication and care to development have resulted in The Division 2 definitively being one of this year's best games thus far.
Any Persona fan will be delighted with seeing their favorite characters together once more. If you enjoyed Persona 4: Dancing All Night, or love either Persona 3 or 5, there's a good chance that you'll be pleased with these spinoffs. This would be easier to recommend however, if both titles were not split up as separate $60 games, with lots of added DLC.
Insomniac's Spider-Man takes the best elements from previous Spider-Man games, and gives it a level of polish that will leave you stunned. Swinging from towering skyscrapers is an absolute thrill, and this game sets a standard for impressive visuals. However, a lack of content and the repetitive nature of the game hold it back from true greatness.
Yakuza 6 is a wonderful, heartfelt conclusion to Kiryu's story, offering a hilariously fun and unique experience for both long-time fans and newcomers. While this isn't the best entry in the series, it's still an incredibly solid title that anyone with a PlayStation 4 should pick up.
Dragon Ball Z is a video game franchise that has many beloved entries, from the Legacy of Goku series, to the Budokai and Tenkaichi games. However, these games have always been targeted to its niche fanbase. Dragon Ball FighterZ is different; it's a fighting game that everyone, including veteran DBZ fans and newcomers alike, can enjoy wholeheartedly.
Hitting many highs, and a few lows along the way, Super Mario Odyssey is one of those titles that will definitely get attention, both from those looking to buy a Switch, and those that currently own one. If you're a Mario fan, you're probably already sold on the idea, but even for those who are looking something that offers that "Nintendo experience" you can get nowhere else, this is surely a game you'll want to pick up.
Fate/Extella is clearly made for hardcore fans of the series. It's a hard sell to anyone that's not well-versed in the Fate franchise, and even then, the repetitive, clunky combat system and overly wordy story sections will likely drive off those that have any interest in the game.
Read Only Memories could have been a just another adventure game lost to the genre's massive list of stellar games. But Midboss managed to push the social boundaries of what's normally seen in video games, combining it with a familiar gameplay style, creating a memorable and interesting experience.
While it doesn't outclass its predecessor, Steins;Gate 0 is an excellent game, and a is a worthy addition to one of the best visual novel series ever written.
Dishonored 2 takes everything that made Dishonored 1 great, and improves upon nearly every aspect. With a wealth of different ways to play, as well as fantastic level design dotted with collectibles, this game is sure to please returning fans and newcomers alike.
Though Chase: Cold Case Investigations doesn't last long, it's still a fun game. The game doesn't pad itself out unnecessarily just to lengthen playtime, and knows exactly when to end, as well as having a good enough story to keep players interested the whole time through.
Though Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom can get repetitive after quite a few hours in, there is a ton of mindless fun to be had from just speeding across expanses of land and taking down dozens upon dozens on giant foes. Even if you aren't a fan of the anime or manga, Wings of Freedom is a very enjoyable experience.
Boasting top-notch writing, visuals, and gameplay, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is one of the 3DS' finest titles and an experience well worth your time.
While the overall writing and story is a little weak here, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice is still a fun game, featuring characters you all know and love. Sadly, it's starting to prove that living up to the quality of the first three games is a hard feat to pull off.
All in all, Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X is a little bit of a downgrade from past Diva titles, but the core gameplay is still as great as ever. If you’re a fan of rhythm games, definitely give this a go
It seems Star Ocean fans are let down once again, with another mediocre entry for the series. This is hard to recommend, even to hardcore JRPG fans. Stale combat, and other gameplay issues ultimately prevent this game from being able to stand up with previous, more enjoyable Star Ocean titles.
Although the ending might not be one that fans expected, Zero Time Dilemma is a great game, with a lot of shocking twists and turns within its story. And being able to even have a finale to the Zero Escape series proves that we’re all in the best possible timeline.
Leifthrasir is an improvement of the original Odin Sphere in every way imaginable. If you were a fan of the original game, love beat-em-ups, or just want a game with solid combat, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir is a must-play.
It’s hard to recommend this title at all for the single player campaign alone. While the combat is fun in short bursts, it can easily get repetitive since most levels require the exact same strategy each time in order to win. However, Neptunia fans should like this, as well as Vita owners looking for an enjoyable online co-op experience.