Jason Hidalgo's Reviews
Star Fox Guard is a fun entry in the tower defense genre set in the Star Fox universe. The visuals are a bit on the plain side and it doesn’t quite have the depth of popular entries in the space such as the Plants vs. Zombies. The gameplay is solid, however, serving as a refreshing take on both the tower defense genre and the Star Fox series.
"Bravely Second: End Layer" is a well-polished rendition of the classic gameplay that fans of Japanese RPGs know and love. The game doesn't necessarily break any new ground in a widely travelled genre and can be susceptible to some well worn RPG tropes. Its beautifully presented world combined with wonderful music and fun battle system, however, make the game a pleasing romp and worthy addition to any classic JRPG fan's library.
Dark Souls III represents yet another valiant swing in the brutally addictive formula that is From Software's unforgiving Souls series. Glitches and a been-there, done-that vibe for series veterans take off some of the sheen from the game. The solid gameplay, however, combined with new battle arts and more dynamic boss fights make Dark Souls III another worthy entry in the franchise.
Overall, Mind Zero is a fun romp for fans looking to satisfy their dungeon-crawling fill. It doesn’t have the polish of the Persona series or notable dungeon crawlers and JRPGs to earn a place in the upper echelon of the genre. If you’re looking for a dungeon crawler to sink your teeth into, however, it still might be worth trying out, especially given how rare such games are these days.
After some uneven execution in previous episodes Telltale finds its footing in Minecraft Story Mode Episode 5: Order Up! by delivering whimsical storytelling that’s more in line with the source material plus a touch of seriousness that doesn’t feel forced. The result is a more fleshed-out episode that’s more entertaining and arguably the most enjoyable in the series so far.
More a visual story than an actual game, “XBlaze Code Embyro” caters to a specific audience, with an emphasis on the word “specific.” The story leans heavily on anime tropes and the execution might feel inelegant to folks used to games with a lot more polish. It certainly isn't for everyone though fans of BlazBlue’s story or visual novels in general will get more mileage out of it.
Hyrule Warriors Legends is a notable refresh of the Wii U original that adds new characters and greatly improves gameplay thanks to the addition of character switching and the ability to direct allies in the battlefield. Owners of older 3DS systems and the 2DS likely will be disappointed by the drop in performance. If you own a New 3DS, however, and loved the Wii U game, this portable version is a worthy addition to your handheld library.
Mario, Sonic and friends return with more Olympic action, including a campaign that features character leveling and collecting various gear for boosting stats. The events are a mixed bag, however, and could use more depth overall. Players who don't like mini games will want to look elsewhere but the ability to play local multiplayer with one cartridge makes this an option for folks interested in some family-friendly fun. [OpenCritic note: Jason separately reviewed the 3DS (6) and Wii-U (7) versions. Their scores have been averaged.]
Pokken Tournament adds another solid and promising new game to Nintendo's stable, as well as an alternative for folks looking for another Nintendo brawler in addition to Super Smash Bros. It's not as technical as Tekken and the campaign can feel like a repetitive grind after a while. The game's mechanics, however, cater nicely to both beginners and advanced players, making it one of the more accessible, not to mention adorable, fighting games out there. With just a few tweaks and more fighters, this could be among the very best in the genre.
"The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" is like a golden ticket that takes fans of the original back home and newcomers to the equivalent of a historical landmark of gaming. Some of the visuals and gameplay elements don't quite make a successful transition to the present, showing some signs of wear and tear. The new features also might not be enough to bring back some series veterans. The base game, however, continues to be a treat and the story remains arguably the best in the series.
The first episode of "The Walking Dead: Michonne," serves up nice production values and a strong protagonist that commands attention. At the same time, it lacks the tension and suspense of the debut episode of Telltale's first Walking Dead game, which should be a strong point for a story-driven game based on a horror-survival series. With the setup out of the way, let's hope this new series steps up its game and freshens up its familiar story-adventure formula in the following episodes.
Pokemon Picross is a fun take on the picross formula, which has you solving puzzles that combine Sudoku elements with pixel art. The freemium formula it uses is admittedly a Catch 22 that will leave a bad taste in some gamers' mouths unless they spend the requisite $30 to access the full game experience without having to worry about timers and content gating. The puzzles themselves, however, are well done and can be addicting for folks who love brain teasers.
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is a nice improvement over its predecessor's solid foundation, featuring more characters, more modes and more content. The single-player additions are welcome though still a bit lacking and the time commitment required to unlock and level up all your characters can be a bit daunting. The gameplay, however, continues to be addicting and is suited for both kids and adults. If you're looking for a fun, family-friendly shooter, Garden Warfare 2 delivers.
Far Cry Primal presents an interesting take on the series' formula by going way, way back in time. The change in environment helps freshen up familiar mechanics that can get stale in a more modern setting while also making the game seem far more brutal and visceral. Folks who feel queasy at the sight of bloody animals and people might not be able to stomach Primal's prehisotric immersion. Gamers looking for a different open-world experience, however, will likely appreciate the change in setting.
Fire Emblem Fates builds on the strengths of Awakening by serving up three great games while presenting much improved storytelling that's backed by impressive production values. The piecemeal approach to enjoying the full Fates experience for those who miss out on the special edition is unfortunate as it unnecessarily punishes the most loyal fans. For gamers who want more Fire Emblem, however, having not one but three games to play in Birthright, Conquest and Revelation pretty much equates to gaming heaven.
Fire Emblem Fates builds on the strengths of Awakening by serving up three great games while presenting much improved storytelling that's backed by impressive production values. The piecemeal approach to enjoying the full Fates experience for those who miss out on the special edition is unfortunate as it unnecessarily punishes the most loyal fans. For gamers who want more Fire Emblem, however, having not one but three games to play in Birthright, Conquest and Revelation pretty much equates to gaming heaven.
XCOM 2 doubles down on the trademark gameplay of the franchise while adding some new elements to help keep things fresh. A challenging jaunt, the game is at its best when testing players' limits and layering the feeling of dread and hopelessness from fighting a superior foe. The random nature of the game can feel unfairly difficult at times and an assortment of bugs and niggles keep XCOM 2 from achieving perfection. For lovers of strategy gaming, however, the game is an excellent representation of the genre.
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth represents a step in a positive direction for the series, providing a fun RPG adventure and training simulator that features more than 200 digital monsters. Visuals are a bit of a mixed bag and the lack of an English dub won't sit well with some players. Overall, though, it's a fun game that has grown up alongside its older fans. It might not be for everyone but those who love the series will enjoy this game.
Final Fantasy Explorers adds a touch of that old Square magic to the monster hunting genre, complete with familiar job classes and abilities for Final Fantasy fans. It's not as technical as Monster Hunter so it'll feel shallow for veterans of that game. It's easier mechanics and faster pace make it more beginner-friendly, however, though everyone regardless of skill should be prepared for a serious grind.
LEGO Marvel's Avengers is a solid entry in the series with nice combat, charming humor and excellent production values. Content is also extensive, giving players plenty of stuff to do. Admittedly, it doesn't add much to the LEGO formula and still suffers from wonky platforming and old glitches. Folks looking for a new experience won't get as much mileage but fans of the series and newcomers will enjoy it.