Jason Hidalgo's Reviews
Mega Man 11 brings back Capcom's Blue Bomber in all his glory, complete with the series' trademark difficulty as well as new modes that help ease in newcomers and less technically skilled players. Admittedly, the game's challenge can feel cheap at times and stages can feel a bit drawn out. That being said, this is a great first take of a modern Mega Man for this generation and one can only hope it doesn't take another five years for the next game in the main series to come out. Now how about Mega Man Legends 3, Capcom?
Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle provides an impressive list of arcade classics that old-school fans will definitely love. Admittedly, some of the games haven't aged well, but stalwarts like Armored Warriors continue to be an absolute blast to play. It has one huge downside, however, as the game's netcode is horrible, making the games virtually unplayable online due to lag. It's a shame as the the game selection is great and work well offline. Just don't expect to have a decent multiplayer experience unless you can gather a bunch of people in your living room.
Given the Dragon Quest series’ long and storied history, it almost feels sacrilegious to say that the latest entry is the best of that whole lot. But that’s exactly what Dragon Quest XI feels to me. As a fan of classic turn-based JRPGs, DQXI is a full-throated, unapologetic rendition of the genre I know and love so well. Yes, it’s not perfect, but it’s about as close to perfection that a Dragon Quest game can get.
SNK Heroines is an odd duckling in SNK's fighting stable that turns the traditional formula upside down by emphasizing accessibility over traditional technical prowess. Admittedly, it's not for everyone and the game might turn off purists. For newcomers or even KOF fans who want to be able to enjoy the core fighting game experience without having to pull off tough special moves, however, SNK Heroines could still be a fun and flashy fighter that brings everyone into the fray regardless of skill level.
The hectic co-op cooking game is back for another heaping serving with Overcooked 2. The sequel adds even more crazy mechanics and hazards to overcome, the ability to throw your food without your mom berating you, and the option to play online with other folks to boot. Controls still can be finicky at times and lag can be an issue online as well. Overall, though, Overcooked 2 is one gaming dish you'll want to savor if you love charming co-op hijinks with a gourmet twist.
Little Dragons Cafe is an adorable game that has Harvest Moon creator Yasuhiro Wada's DNA all over it. A charming world and characters give the game the kind of warmth one would expect from a Wada game. At the same time, its multiple gameplay elements can lead to haphazard focus at times. It doesn't mean using multiple mechanics is wrong. Like any dish with multiple ingredients, it just needs extra time in the oven for all those extra components to meld into one delicious whole.
Double dipping in your guac is usually a bad thing. That's not the case with Guacamelee! 2, which serves up some fun brawler action with Metroidvania stylings. It can feel a bit drawn out at times and the combat can feel a bit button-mashy. Fun mechanics, however, combined with hilarious humor makes this Juan game worth your while.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is like my old 300ZX from years past. It’s not as comfortable or as fast as newer sports cars. But boy did I have fun driving that thing. Let’s just hope that Monster Hunter World or its successor incorporates the fun parts from MHGU, whether it be stuff like hunting styles or being able to play as a cat. Like its flagship monster, if this is the last hurrah for the previous monster hunter generation, it’s certainly going out with a jet-powered bang.
Dead Cells is the perfect representation of a genre that once seemed dead but has come roaring back to life. A Metroidvania-style rogue-life game, Dead Cells boasts excellent mechanics and punishing difficulty that forces you to "git gud." It's admittedly on the short side and can be repetitive after a while. A sturdy foundation based on solid core mechanics, however, make this one fun romp that bears repeating.
Mushroom Wars 2 is a fun, back-to-basics RTS that distills the core elements of the genre into one fungi-laden package. It might be too basic for hardcore players who want a lot more meat in their RTS game. For folks looking for a quick, pick-up-and-play RTS or those who want to introduce newcomers to the genre, however, this just might be well worth your truffle.
Ultimately, FAR: Lone Sails is a game for folks who want to occasionally step back and enjoy the world it exists in as opposed to taming it. In that sense, it's more experiential than mechanical in the traditional gameplay sense, which is a bit ironic given its heavy use of machinery. Folks who want fast-paced action and a lengthy adventure will be better served looking elsewhere. If you're the type who enjoys atmosphere and also have an affinity for machines like the Vic Viper or mobile suits, though, FAR's okomotive just might steal your heart.
Like a Datsun 240Z with a new engine, Octopath Traveler is a retro JRPG homage done right. This love letter to fans of old-school JRPGs is a great example of how to bring the classic JRPG formula to the present and make it look fresh instead of feeling old and tired. Admittedly, the narrative could be more cohesive and the level grind could have been done better. At the same time, its warmth and charming style is a nice change from the cold, factory-like approach adopted by games sometimes. It's definitely a delight.
All in all, Shining Resonance Refrain is a solid effort that ticks off a lot of JRPG checkboxes. Admittedly, it has a by-the-numbers feel and doesn't have that uniqueness seen in heavy hitters such as Persona 5. Its fetchy, repeating side quests also feel a bit long in the tooth. At the same time, I appreciate the game being brought over to our shores, which is hopefully a trend that continues as the genre sees a resurgence. The more JRPGs make it to the West, the better it is for fans.
It's-a back? Mario Tennis Aces on the Switch gets the series back on the right track after the less than stellar Ultra Smash for the Wii U. It admittedly has issues with balance and the campaign could be more fleshed out. Fun features, however, combined with solid base mechanics, a nice roster list and Nintendo's efforts to patch and address problems post-launch make Aces a worthy addition to Nintendo's tennis franchise. Series fans will definitely want to check it out.
Family? Friends? What are those? Super Bomberman R brings the fun and cutthroat rendition of the classic Bomberman formula, not just on the Switch but other consoles a year later. Positives include a story mode with crazy boss fights plus hectic online and local multiplayer with up to eight players. However, input lag and latency, which was an issue on the Switch release, continues to negatively impact the experience on PS4, particularly when playing online. Despite that, the game is still a blast, especially when you get four people together in your living room or with mics online.
Veemo! A new Octoling hero combined with a bevy of new challenging stages makes Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion a fresh and welcome addition for fans of the series. Do be warned that the levels can be quite tough, likely making this expansion too difficult for younger or less coordinated fans. For those looking for a challenge that tests their mastery of Splatoon 2’s various weapons and mechanics, however, you’ll definitely wanna grab hold of this sucker.
As an avid robot fan and someone who enjoyed the last game in the series, I really wanted to like New Gundam Breaker. Stiff controls, however, combined with a broken parts system and heavy use of tired MMO-style side quests make this new entry in the series fall hard like a space colony on Sydney. This game made me want to go back and play its predecessor Gundam Breaker 3 instead, which has an English-subtitled version, by the way. I suggest you do the same.
Just like its director speaking onstage at E3 2015, the game isn’t perfect. Certain aspects of the controls could be better and playing the game solo can feel repetitive and a bit of a drag at times. Unravel Two, however, makes up for its faults with its earnest disposition and likable charm. Co-op play especially enhances the experience, turning it into a fun and hilarious exercise even when you're failing miserably. If you’re a puzzle-platformer fan who's looking for a game to enjoy with friends, your kids or a significant other, Unravel Two is one needle that you’ll definitely want to thread.
If you’ve played the previous versions before, there really isn’t a big, overarching new feature in Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, so there’s less incentive for you to double or even triple dip unless you want the ability to play on the go with a bigger screen. If you’ve never played it, though, this is literally the definitive version of the game and is the one you should get. For fans of the Warriors-style of games, Hyrule Warriors is easily one of the best takes on the Musou formula.
With a protagonist seeking to balance his dark instincts with his remaining humanity, it's interesting how Vampyr faces an inner struggle of its own. On one hand, the storytelling is excellent, delivering another great narrative from DONTNOD that forces players to make tough choices. On the other hand, the combat is a bit uneven and doesn't quite reach the same heights. It certainly has promise, though, and hopefully marks a return by DONTNOD to making games that add action to its narrative touch.