Jason Hidalgo's Reviews
After primarily sticking to more or less the same formula in previous games, Pokemon Sun and Moon shakes up things in a big way with a new look and a plethora of different mechanics that spice up the franchise. From a console-style presentation to some quality-of-life improvements that streamline gameplay in a good way, Sun and Moon truly feel like next-generation Pokemon games that takes the series to the next level. If this is an example of the approach to expect with the merging of Nintendo’s home console and handheld divisions, then I’m looking forward to what the company does with the upcoming Switch.
The second time is definitely a charm for Dishonored 2, which builds on the solid framework of the original to create a bigger, better sequel. This includes more powers, more characters and a bigger playground filled with interesting missions layered with even more gameplay elements. Some of its villains feel a bit caricaturish and lovers of pure stealth might not like the lack of consequences from taking a more action-oriented approach. The freedom to choose your path and approach to gameplay, however, combined with fun mechanics make Dishonored 2 worth playing over and over and over again.
Oceanhorn is an excellent mobile game that loses some of its magic in the transition to consoles. The inspiration from the Zelda series is welcome for fans of the franchise but also exposes some of its shortcomings when compared to the beloved title. If you're pining for a Zelda-style adventure on PS4 or Xbox One with an affordable price, however, this homage to old-school action adventuring is still worth hopping onto.
Disney Magical World 2 builds on the foundation of the solid original, serving up another dose of lifestyle and adventure gaming in the magical kingdom. From designing outfits and cafe interiors to dungeon exploring, there’s a lot to do here. Admittedly, there isn’t a big improvement from the original game and older gamers might decry the lack of challenge. For younger kids who adore Disney, however, this one’s close to perfect for good clean, fun.
BlazBlue: Central Fiction is a fun, polished fighter that harkens back to the day when Gamest Mooks ruled Japan and 2D fighting games ruled the world. The anime-style story and characters won’t be for everyone and the lack of English voice acting might turn off some folks. Its hand-drawn style, however, is a gorgeous rendition of 2D fighting games while its gameplay is both technical and accessible, which will satisfy experts and beginners alike. Add the most fleshed-out story you’ll ever see in a fighter and you’ve got a worthy addition to your library.
Mario Party Star Rush tries to mix up the old party formula by adding new twists such as Toad Scramble’s more open maps as well as AI-ally recruitment in the mix. The lack of larger, more interactive board game maps like those seen in past games is a letdown and the mini-game selection can be hit or miss. At the same time, the new touches combined with fun boss fights and the ability to play 4-player versus matches with just one copy of the game make this a treat when played with others. If you’re looking for a fun party game to play with friends and family on the go or even at home, Mario Party: Star Rush is a conniving, backstabbing blast.
Touhou: Scarlet Curiosity is the kind of low-budget title that’s light on bells and whistles but still carries a distinct appeal for fans of offbeat Japanese titles. Like Touhou Gensou: Bullet Ballet, this side adventure admittedly does not have the polish of a triple-A game or even the tight gameplay of the mainline bullet-hell titles of the Touhou franchise. As a fan-made game, however, it has heart as well as a certain whimsy to it that I find charming in its own right. It won’t be for everybody but fans of titles with an Akiba-flavor to them will likely enjoy this one.
Titanfall 2 returns with a more complete package this time around by supplementing its faster, more vertical gameplay with a much needed campaign mode. The new campaign is a huge improvement over the patchwork story from the first game and a wider selection of Titans makes multiplayer feel more diverse. Changes in Titan health mechanics, admittedly, might be a mixed bag for online players and the game’s multiplayer maps don’t fully take advantage of your pilot’s penchant for going vertical. Overall, however, Titanfall 2 is a fun romp for folks thirsty for a shooting experience that’s different from the norm.
Battlefield 1 manages to inject new life to the series thanks to great visuals and the best campaign in the franchise in some time while retaining most of the elements that it has traditionally done well such as massive multiplayer confrontations and vehicular combat.
Square Enix celebrates three decades of its marquee franchise with a nostalgia-filled love letter in “World of Final Fantasy.” Featuring wonderful visuals, classic turn-based fighting plus cameos of beloved characters from series lore, the game hits a lot of the right spots for Final Fantasy fans. Add a monster-capturing mechanic and you’ve got something that will interest fans both young and old. The kiddie presentation and focus on two young protagonists who act their age might turn off some gamers. Monster management on the field also can be a bit of pain. If you’re pining for old-school Final Fantasy with stellar production values and a big serving of Pokemon, however, this is one world you’ll definitely want to visit.
Dragon Quest Builders could have easily been a lazy Minecraft ripoff. Instead, Square Enix does a great job in adding compelling mechanics that make this a breath of fresh air for the genre that can stand on its own. The game’s greatest strength lies in its campaign, which makes it a bonafide action-adventure game with enjoyable combat and great boss fights while still incorporating the fun elements of building. The camera, admittedly, can be a pain at times and the lack of fleshed-out multiplayer and co-op is an unfortunate missed opportunity. If you’re looking for a solid crafting game and are intrigued by the addition of RPG and action elements, however, Dragon Quest Builders is a fabulous construct that fans both young and old will enjoy.
FIFA 17 tries to answer the challenge of rival PES with significantly improved visuals and new gameplay mechanics that improve physicality and offensive options on the field. The game still feels more arcadey, which is good or bad depending on your preference, and the improved career mode is still missing some options sought by series fans. While PES might still hold the mechanical edge on the pitch, however, FIFA 17’s more polished production values combined with its continued edge in licenses means it will remain the football game of choice for many fans.
“Jotun: Valhalla Edition” is a solid action-adventure game made memorable by stunning, fluid visuals and towering boss fights that are gigantic in every sense of the word. Gameplay mechanics for your character can feel awkward and dead spots in area design dampen the experience somewhat. If you like a throwback game with solitary ambiance or loved the original Jotun and pine for an extra challenge with its bosses via the new Valhalla Mode, however, you will enjoy what this version has to offer.
“Pac-Man Championship Edition 2” is a fun remix of the classic Pac-Man gameplay, featuring zippy action and crazy maze mechanics. As a followup, it doesn’t quite have the same freshness of the original Championship Edition. The incredibly fast pace of the game also can be overwhelming for some and tiring for others after extended play. All that being said, it’s an enjoyable and entertaining re-imagining of Pac-Man that builds on the classic formula’s solid foundation instead of shoehorning the round mascot in the square peg of a different gaming genre.
Gears of War 4 marks a welcome return of the franchise for fans of the series. The shooting and cover mechanics feel familiar in a good way and the retention of splitscreen will get a hallelujah from fans. Storytelling isn’t quite as dialed down as the original trilogy and feels more like an appetizer, especially given the lack of a memorable big baddie. At a time when many games are dropping full-fledged campaigns, however, Gears of War 4 provides the best of both worlds for folks who like their robust online modes to come with a meaty story component with co-op to boot. It’s a much awaited return homemuch-awaited return home for series fans.
“Paper Mario: Color Splash” is a stamped love letter to gamers who pine for some old-school action adventuring with a dash of classic RPG mechanics. The touchscreen controls for combat can be a tad cumbersome and aiming that hammer can make you go postal at times. A charming presentation, however, combined with delightful visuals, entertaining dialogue and tight combat make Color Splash an adorable adventure for folks both young and old.
Don’t think of Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse as just some throwaway cash-in title. This spin-off game builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor and even outshines it in some aspects. Admittedly, it reuses several assets from the previous game and mapping, while improved, could still be better. A likable cast of characters combined with an intriguing story and compelling combat, however, makes Apocalypse a worthy addition to anyone’s JRPG collection.
Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past joins the list of JRPG remasters done right on the 3DS. Instead of providing a simple upscale of the original and calling it a day, this remaster goes the extra mile by completely redoing the visuals and adding or updating gameplay elements that streamline the experience for veterans while making it more accessible to newcomers. Purists might decry some changes as dumbing down the game and nixing some of its trademark challenge. For the most part, though, this is an excellent example of how to remaster a classic.
Whimsical design and a plethora of creatures make Yo-Kai Watch 2 a gaming experience that kids will absolutely love while still providing enough meat for older gamers to enjoy. The inability to directly control some aspects of battling can be an issue, as well as its preponderance of fetch quests and grindy nature. Overall, however, Yo-Kai Watch 2’s excellent polish combined with its great attention to detail and plethora of stuff to do make it a great game for folks who enjoy the creature-collecting adventure genre. It's definitely the perfect game to tide your over before Pokemon Sun and Moon comes out.
Like Icarus, No Man’s Sky is an ambitious game that aims high. The result is a game with beautiful visuals and a wide, expansive universe filled with a multitude of planets and interesting creatures. At the same time, the game’s base mechanics, while solid, could use more variety as they can get old after a while. Players who like a clearly defined goal and more diversity in gameplay, for example, will find the lack of action and a clear overarching narrative disappointing. If you like simple exploration and getting lost in the weeds, however, then No Man’s Sky’s slower pace will be for you.