So after smashing out this game over the weekend, I found myself quite engaged with the gameplay, story and fun characters. Sure it’s Pokémon but there’s a true sense of progression that when linked to the entertainment factor creators not the best Pokémon experience but one that succeeds with both newcomers and fans alike.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is an enjoyable classic RPG on the 3DS with a few 21st century mechanics thrown into the pot. I like how it has been ported to the 3DS as it works on all levels from not just the control system but how the game plays out. It’s the perfect title for this console as it allows you to get lost in this world for either quick or long gaming sessions. Fighting is a challenge, creating items is easy and all in all, it’s a game that has been tailored for lovers of role-playing games.
If you're looking to get your dance on with Queen, Let's Sing presents Queen is the perfect elixir to transport yourself into Queen's leading front man Freddy Mercury. The gameplay is sturdy, the music is phenomenal and when you add real-people to the mix, it makes for the perfect party game!
Yo-Kai Watch is no Pokémon clone but rather its own unique game that gives the player a sturdy combat system with some great Japanese RPG elements thrown into the mix. It's also a well-designed game that really allows you to explore this colourful world as you solve quests and discover new Yo-Kai for your collection.
2017 is off to a great start for gaming and Yakuza 0 leads the way with its enjoyable gameplay (albeit a little dated) and some very interesting characters and a story to die for. My favourite element of Yakuza 0 was the exploration and the craziness of some of the side missions that when mixed with the micromanagement aspect and fighting, it creates a thoroughly enjoyable experience as you battle your way through the streets of Japan to gain your Yakuza cred.
Sure, the story in the single-player campaign is a little contrived at times but it's a great introduction to the game and more importantly the controls. Given that, the combat mechanics of For Honor is quite sturdy and can be very brutal at times, particularly in multiplayer but the amount of grinding and use of both in-game and real-world currency may deter some people.
Who would have thought that Need for Speed is still going strong after two decades and given the last few instalments of this franchise, it's good to see the game go back to basics without the over the top arcade experience which the series has become.
In the end, Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past is a very sturdy Japanese RPG on the Nintendo 3DS that offers a massive world for you to explore. Best of all, it contains an interesting time travel story as you search for the antagonists and the characters you encounter are not too clichéd but help add to the overall mythology of this title. The gameplay is great and I had no issues navigating both the menu system and the gaming world with my characters.
Fire Emblem Warriors may not have the most original story, however the gameplay works well, particularly if you like the musō genre. Koei Tecmo have also done an excellent job at bringing this genre to the Nintendo Switch and if you're looking for a game to absorb all your spare time, Fire Emblem Warriors is definitely that game!
With 1080p graphics running at 60 frames per second, WWE 2K15 is easily the best looking game from the series and although the core mechanics have been changed for the better, the lack of the customisation options and reduced gaming modes is a little frustrating. Nonetheless, the fighting works well and you can quite easily get lost in the MyCareer Mode. With quick matches to online modes, the developers have definitely take the series in a better direction but there was a slight cost to some of the mechanics.
Tacoma developer Fullbright should be commended on creating a very original game and given they were responsible for Gone Home, it's great to see them using this premise and adding another layer of complexity with some very clever story telling.
In the end, One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 is probably one of the most enjoyable One Pirate games that I've played in a long-time and it's good to see the franchise remaining strong on the PlayStation 4. It's a fun beat 'em up with some exceptional graphics and a very entertaining story with some sturdy gaming mechanics!
In the end, the Rise of Iron DLC expansion for Destiny shakes up this universe in order to give players new content to draw them back to this PvP and PvE shooter. Add in tweaked gameplay mechanics and some really impressive graphical treats to be found as you explore the Plaguelands and Rise of Iron will definitely keep you invested in this expansion for some very long gaming hours, especially the co-op aspect.
In summary, Doom Unto The Evil is a fun DLC for the main game which gives players some enjoyable new maps, a couple of new weapons although the handgun really shouldn’t count and of course the Kinetic Mine and the new playable demon which adds to overall Doom mythology well.
Sure it’s not Samus but Metroid Prime Federation Force is actually quite a good game on the 3DS and if you’re looking for a challenge with some fun gaming mechanics, it would do you well to check out this title.
If you have a younger gamer that is a fan of Disney, then check out Disney Magical World 2 which is a mix between The Sims meets RPG but of course with some fun and easy to learn gameplay. Adventuring is fun as you never know who you might bump into. There’s also some great NPC interaction and the cutscenes help progress the story of your avatar, including some fun battles to be found along the way. In conclusion, Disney Magical World 2 proves that games can be created for younger players and best of all, it’s not a condescending title but treats the player with respect and delivers on the enjoyment factor.
Dragon Ball Fusions is a fun adventure in this popular franchise that gives players a new adventure to embark on with lots of cameos, fun storytelling and good (although repetitive) combat mechanics. Sure, there’s a bit of grinding when it comes to leveling up and collecting energy to access new areas but the gameplay works well on the 3DS with that enjoyable Dragon Ball humour. Best of all, the game gives something to both newcomers and fans!
f you’re a fan of Pokémon, Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! creates a decent experience on the Nintendo Switch that takes the series back to basics which makes for an enjoyable game as you attempt to catch all these little critters.
Become Iron Man in this fun and immersive game on the PlayStation VR system
Star Wars Squadrons is great value for money at just $49AUD or $39USD (October 2020) and provides a superb distraction to COVID-19 Earth by transporting you to the stars of Star Wars. While the single-player is good as it introduces you to the mechanics of the game, it's the multiplayer aspect where you'll be spending your space flight time and that's where the Star Wars Squadrons succeeds.