Krista Noren's Reviews
Tokyo Mirage Sessions never really captures the best of either of its inspirations, always feeling like a crossover that mixes the elements of both Persona and Fire Emblem, but never blends them fully. However, that doesn't take away that this is a fun and fulfilling JRPG, even if it's not what we expected, and most definitely deserved a second lease on life on the Nintendo Switch.
A solid game on all accounts, Granblue Fantasy Versus is a great fighting game to play with your friends, whether you're lacking in skill, or happen to be a total pro.
Megadimension Neptunia VII is a great JRPG, with witty writing, fun and polished combat, and a vast amount of content to keep players coming back. The game never takes itself too seriously, allowing for a very enjoyable experience.
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.
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.
It's been four years, but Resident Evil HD is just as good a remake as when it first launched. For anyone who didn't grow up in the era of the original PlayStation or get around to trying it on another platform, this specific outing of Resident Evil 1 is a great way to get into the series, provided you don't mind a few Switch-related quirks with the port.
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
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.
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.
A serviceable remaster that reminds us of how good Sonic games can be when they're done right.
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.
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.
At the end of the day, Pokemon Sword and Shield are genuinely fun. That fun might be a little short-lived, but it's still got all the trappings that you can expect from a Pokemon game. There's a few new bells and whistles, a few steps taken forward, and a couple of steps taken back, just as there is with every new generation of the franchise.
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.
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.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition, at the end of the day, is three well-regarded games bundled together, with some modernizations to help keep them relevant, nearly 20 years after their original release. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that I’m new to GTA that prevents me from finding many issues with this collection, as I’m absolutely taken with the fun gameplay and more than content with both the graphics and performance. But that also goes to show how this collection helps introduce these games to the current generation, allowing new fans to understand the hype behind three classic industry-defining titles.
Dynasty Warriors 8: Empires manages to mix two largely different gameplay types into one game and makes it work. There's a lot of content to play through, and a great amount of customization. It provides hours upon hours of content without getting too boring or repetitive.
If you're a fan of either Arslan or Dynasty Warriors, you'll probably like this game. Otherwise, it doesn't offer much else that other, more robust titles in the series couldn't provide.
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.
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.