Alana Hagues's Reviews
Essential and powerful, but perhaps seek out the mobile version first.
An extremely personal game which confronts cancer head on, it shines brightest when telling its story and examining the effects of grief.
Aside from a few divisive plot points, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is yet another excellent entry in the series.
CrossCode is one of the most endearing and fun action RPGs I've ever played, though it's not without its frustrations.
Minor blemishes aside, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition lives up to its namesake and is still among the best Tales of games ever.
Indivisible takes three different genres and melds them together expertly to create something wholly unique.
At times brutally difficult, and others frustratingly random, SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions takes some big risks to ensure it's highly satisfying and incredibly rewarding to play through.
Regardless of my feelings on the final changes, or at my annoyances at the reptetitions, few games touch my soul as deeply as this series does. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is still an experience that will always stick with me, whether I think my hard work has been rewarded or not. The original 2010 release came with many caveats, and Replicant has softened many while bringing some of its own, but this is a game that makes me think and feel more than most others. It’s tedious, mindless, and even frustrating at times, but this rerelease makes a peculiar, melancholy and beautiful game much easier to recommend.
Loop Hero will put you in a spin—but it's the kind you won't be able to stop going round and around in.
A solid point-and-click which is a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre.
Ys Origin is a fantastic place to start if you've never experienced the wonders of the Ys series.
Live A Live has been well worth the long wait. This remake reintroduces an influential, unique JRPG to the wider world with aplomb, with a cacophony of different gameplay styles, music, and visuals that somehow hang together beautifully. Despite looking like Octopath Traveler and perfecting the HD-2D visual style, you'd do well to remember that this is still a Super Famicom RPG, with many of the frustrations that come with ‘90s RPGs still intact in this remake. Still, we admire that Square Enix decided not to change too much with this remake, instead delivering an authentic and faithful update to the game that the majority of players outside Japan missed nearly three decades ago. This is a piece of gaming history we have loved getting to experience for the first time.
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure dares to be different, and it succeeds with aplomb. By interweaving a heartwarming and inclusive story with addictive gameplay, Furniture & Mattress teaches us that puzzle games can be more than just a vehicle for making the cogs in your brain turn. If you're looking for pure puzzling, then the game won't be for you, but a simple story and simple gameplay loop are both elevated to new heights because of the thought and care that's gone into them.
While not as feature-rich as some collections, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars proves that these RPGs have largely stood the test of time. While the issues with this remaster don't take away too much from the original games' brilliance, we think these classics deserve the very best. Boasting ambition, narrative stakes, and heart that few other RPGs of the time can muster, Suikoden burns bright in its origins, and we hope Konami sees just how important this series is to many and makes a handful of tweaks.
An excellent battle system and gorgeous soundtrack create an immersive entry that's a whole lot of fun, but Bandai Namco needs to polish their series a little more.
A quirky and fun adventure that could go far with a few little tweaks.
Ys VIII is nearly perfect when you're simply exploring the island and defeating monsters, but the story sometimes interrupts the action too much.
A beautiful, chaotic adventure, Dragon's Crown Pro is worth a go if you've never played the original.
I'll always want the mainline games, and I don't see myself continually coming back to Let's Go like I have done the standard entries, but as a gateway for newer, younger players, I can't think of anything more perfect that Let's Go. I can't wait to see the smiles on kids' faces as they start up their first ever Pokémon adventure.
Arcade Spirits's warm heart can be felt under its clumsy exterior.