This is a perfect off-TV experience. While the gameplay premise wears thin over the short adventure, when the slashing combat works and the exploration feels organic, it’s incredible. Just be prepared for a bit of repetition as the story reaches its conclusion.
Then again, sometimes that third game is the best of all of them, and that’s certainly the case here. Despite some feelings of deja vu while traversing this end-of-days version of Tokyo, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is an excellent game and a fantastic addition to the 3DS library. The year of the RPG is still red hot.
Much like its predecessor, Picross 3D: Round 2 comes late in the system’s life to provide dozens upon dozens of hours of glorious puzzle goodness. It’s a charming experience from the moment you first crack a block, and the additions and changes in Round 2 make this even better than what came before.
Between solo and multiplayer content, Tumblestone is filled to the brim with content. If the concept hooks you, the amount to do is near endless. The single-player campaign can get very demanding, but even if the challenge halts your progress, the endless modes and multiplayer modes offer fun no matter what your skill level is. This is the strongest new puzzle game concept in a very long time.
While the story is a little linear and straightforward, the bonus missions make up for it with untold tales and new voicework. Like with seemingly every Lego game, if you're not into the source material, buyer beware. But if you're into Star Wars and want to relive the thrill of The Force Awakens, this is the best way to do so.
The level design is all different and unique, but the locations and the story are nearly identical. Zero is a great start for a new Star Fox series, but it's also a start that features a lot of stuff we've seen before. I enjoyed saving the Lylat System once again, but give me a year and this experience might just blend in with Star Fox 64 since it shares so much DNA with that classic.
Playing through this 2006 Zelda game, though, made me rekindle my love for it. This is a fantastic game, even with the lame side quests and overworld. If you missed out back in the day or only have fuzzy decade-old memories, this Wii U remake is, no doubt, the new and best way to experience Twilight Princess.
Final Fantasy Explorers is layered with systems and mechanics, some of which are great and others that aren't. It all works best when it's dripping with nostalgia, which might not make for an amazing game, but it makes for a good time if you're a fan of Final Fantasy. It doesn't have the nuance or depth of a Monster Hunter game, but it's a decent, enjoyable experience that is well worth checking out, especially if you can play locally or online.
At the end of the day, the lack of character doesn't weigh heavily on the quality. This is a balls-to-the-wall, lightning fast racing game that soars with gripping gameplay and excellent visuals. If you've been longing for a new F-Zero or another rad racing game, this is for you.
But to me, those few issues are worth wading through because moment-to-moment puzzle gameplay in Pokémon Picross is dependable and excellent. It's a perfect gateway drug to nonogram puzzles if you've never tried them before. And if you're a Picross vet hankering for more, this is well worth diving into as long as you're okay with the fact that, if you want to play this free-to-start game without mindlessly repeating puzzles ad nauseum, you're going to have to spend some money.
Even with the disappointing Live mode, Guitar Hero Live is a refreshing take on controller-based rhythm games. The streaming focus in GHTV works extremely well despite some technical hiccups, and as long Activision keeps rolling out new songs to the library, this is the kind of game I'll be regularly playing for a long time. This is a fantastic start to a new era of Guitar Hero games.
As a single-player experience, Tri Force Heroes has its moments but playing through it solo is just a stark reminder of the game's multiplayer focus. At its best, single-player can be nice when you're trying to lock down a specific material for an outfit. But, if you're planning on getting Tri Force Heroes and playing it by your lonesome, I don't recommend it.
Extreme Exorcism is a fun game bolstered by an extraordinarily unique concept. The game's campaign wears a little thin by the end, but the ride from start to finish is delightful. If you have friends to play with, the multiplayer is well worth the price of admission, as the weapon variety and unbridled insanity make it a hell of a time.
Skylanders: SuperChargers is just bursting with content, and fortunately, all of it is great fun. If you're invested in the series, SuperChargers is on par, if not better, than the best the series has offered in the past. If you're a newcomer, SuperChargers is a fantastic jumping-on point, as it has the lowest barrier of entry to see the majority of the content. As opposed to past games, which were filled with eight different elemental gates, the only gated story content is with sea and air vehicles. Even factoring out the sea and air segments, SuperChargers is still stellar. The Skylanders series is now into year five and as long as they keep being this entertaining, varied, and lively, then each one should still be worth playing, whether you're 7 or 27 years old.
The limitations might be bothersome, but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter because crafting your very own Mario levels makes for an incredible feeling, especially with how easy-to-use the interface is. Super Mario Maker is a supreme early leap into the world of game-making software for Nintendo, and I want to see them make more fascinating games like this, even if I can't place a Charging Chuck on screen.
Runbow is a top-shelf Wii U eShop game, bringing a wide selection of modes and options that can all be played with a stupid amount of players at once. It's frantic and insane, but in the best way possible. It works best as a party game, but even those just looking for a fun, difficult platformer should get ready to Runbow.
There is potential in Roving Rogue with its unique narrative presentation and teleporting platforming ideas, but it's squandered by a middling execution. With a glut of superior platformers out there, this is a Wii U eShop game worth passing over.
Overall, Splatoon makes for an amazing online game, likely the most engaging online experience Nintendo has ever made. The multiplayer, regardless of its lack of voice chat or randomized parties, is sublime, successfully making a shooter that is easy to hop into but tough to master. The single-player might be short and linear, but it's a wonderful change of pace from the frenzy of online play.
The only real downside to Boxboy is that there are so many ideas that I wish some of them were expanded upon more. Each new mechanic really only gets about a half-dozen levels to shine, and each one is so rich that they might even be able to support their own game. Because of that onslaught of fresh ideas, Boxboy never gets boring, which makes it a fun experience for your 3DS.
But everything is something you might want to do in this game, as it is all so much fun to discover. Combat manages to stay fresh over the 50-60 minimum hours required to finish the story, and the story is great at carrying you through any lulls. Xenoblade Chronicles 3D might not be the best version of this modern-day classic, but it's a satisfactory way to play one of the boldest, biggest games in recent memory.