Jason Hidalgo's Reviews
Monster Hunter Generations does an excellent job in honoring the past while welcoming the new, thanks to a slew of new hunting styles and mechanics as well as a wealth of content that will keep players occupied for hours and hours upon hours. Folks who don’t get the hang of its technical combat will likely continue to wonder what the fuss is all about. For those who give its monsters the attention and respect they demand in order to do well, however, Monster Hunter Generations’ newly polished gameplay hits it out of the ballpark once more.
7th Dragon III: Code VFD is a welcome addition to the JRPG genre that features many classic elements fans will enjoy. Difficulty can be uneven with no middle ground and its world could be more fleshed out. An excellent turn-based combat system with interesting classes and excellent synergy between them, however, makes this a worthy addition to any JRPG fans’ library.
Released at a time when the genre is seeing heavy hitters such as Overwatch come to market, Umbrella Corps is a competitive shooter that’s as much a victim of bad timing as it is lack of polish. The idea behind its concept is interesting, especially for folks such as myself who were hoping for an improved version of Operation Raccoon City. With schizophrenic gameplay that falls behind others in the genre and no campaign to fall back on, however, Umbrella Corps is an even bigger missed opportunity than ORC was.
Minecraft: Wii U Edition adds a touch of Mario to the popular crafting franchise while bringing it to Nintendo's console. Outside of the Mario-themed additions, folks who have invested lots of time with other console or vanilla PC versions likely won't have incentive to make the switch. For those who have yet to play Minecraft, however, the Wii U Edition could be a good jump-in point to get their toes wet and find out what the fuss is all about.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions is the kind of wonderful surprise that you find in your stockings during Christmas morning. It’s quirky for sure and has its rough spots but its mix of stellar production values and solid take on classic turn-based JRPG combat makes it a must have for fans of the genre. Add much welcome nods to Shin Megami Tensei, Persona and Fire Emblem and you’ve got one of the best gaming surprises of the year so far.
While I still think Tropico 5 on the PC remains the definitive version of the game, this one’s pretty close for folks who exclusively play on the Xbox One.
Dungeons 2 is a witty and entertaining romp that adds a unique take to the dungeon keeper genre. Its combination of dungeon management with RTS mechanics is intriguing, though both systems aren't as fleshed out as dedicated games for each individual genre. Some of its niggles will also make you want to pull out your horns at times. Overall, however, its combination of humor with classic dungeon and fantasy elements makes it a nice diversion for aspiring evil overlords.
Although many video game re-releases are satisfied with slapping on some upscaling and calling it a day, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir goes the extra mile with its redrawn visuals and additional gameplay polishing. The result is one of the best representations of the classic 2D, sidescrolling action genre or any action game for that matter. This definitive version of the game is a video game remaster done right.
“Kirby: Planet Robobot” is an excellent addition to the franchise that manages to freshen up the series with its new Robobot Armor gameplay. Difficulty can be on the easy side for the most part, which might dismay folks looking for a challenge but also makes it more accessible to gamers of all ages and skill levels. The Team Kirby Clash mode is also a fun diversion for co-op lovers. If you’re a fan of Kirby platforming and puzzle solving, Kirby: Planet Robobot is one game you’ll definitely get sucked into.
Underneath TMNT Mutants in Manhattan’s shell are solid mechanics that could have been a great foundation for a technical brawler. Those technical elements, however, don’t get as much play as the game typically devolves into a four-turtle free for all. Add the lack of local co-op and you have a missed opportunity, especially given how the game nails the Ninja Turtles’ visuals. Overall, the game just can’t quite figure out whether to provide a solid single-player adventure or hectic multiplayer brawler.
Doom (2016) is a great addition to an oversaturated genre thanks to an excellent campaign, a polished old-school shooting experience and a creative SnapMap mode. Admittedly, the multiplayer, while competent, pales in comparison to the single-player experience. For Doom fans and newcomers looking for a different experience from today's typical shooters, however, this game's back-to-the-basics approach is devilishly fun.
The original Valkyria Chronicles redefined the strategy genre for many players thanks to its unique melding of turn-based combat with third-person flair. All that goodness from the original is in the remastered version, though I wish it also added more new things for returning series vets. For newcomers or series lovers who want to experience it all again, however, a good story, likeable characters and challenging combat make this game highly recommended.
Like Pokemon Art Academy before it, Disney Art Academy works as a solid learning tool for folks who want to learn how to draw by using characters from Disney and Pixar. The stylus interface can have some niggles with accuracy and the screen size can feel constricting. Overall, however, it’s a great way to get the basics down for drawing and painting.
Langrisser: Re:Incarnation Tensei has the misfortune of being the next strategy RPG that I’ve played after Fire Emblem Fates, making its flaws seem even more magnified. Behind the low production values is a game with some good ideas. Unfortunately, it looks like its makers didn’t quite have the necessary resources — whether it be time, money or both — to fully realize them.
"Chronicles of Teddy: Harmony of Exidus" harkens back to a time when pixels ruled and handholding was minimal. For some, that might make the game a frustrating and difficult slog. For others, however, it will feel more like a much welcome blast from the video gaming past.
For a game based on a laughably weird idea and with a budget price tag, Pocket Card Jockey ended up a lot deeper and more fun than I imagined. The elements of chance might frustrate some for sure. For folks who enjoy solitaire, strategy and even breeding, however, this will be worth hopping onto.
"Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition" harkens back to an older time in gaming and all the good things about it. It's not for the impatient or poorly coordinated as the game will test your motor skills and temperament. Lovers of Metroidvania platforming who never played the original, however, should pick it up. And if you played last year's game, well, go ahead and pick this up again anyway.
“Aegis of Earth: Protonovus” is a refreshing take on the genre despite its budget feel. The use of a rotating ring mechanic provides a different experience but the game can get repetitive during extended play. Despite its rough spots, however, this game still can be fun, especially in short bursts. It’s not for everyone but tower defense fans will likely enjoy it.
Overall, Quantum Break serves up a fun experience in a genre that's admittedly starting to feel long in the tooth. It doesn't break new ground but its inclusion of fun temporal powers freshens up the traditional cover shooter mechanics while encouraging some ruthless aggression. If you enjoy cover shooters with a solid story and fun abilities, this is one break you just might want to have.
Overall, Star Fox harkens back to a time when a different kind of shooter ruled the roost, making it a blast from the past for old-school gamers and a refreshing experience for younger players. The hybrid controls will likely be divisive for purists and the on-rails sections and invisible borders of All-Range Mode might feel confining for some. Like getting the hang of a stick shift car, however, the gameplay can be a hoot once you master its operation.