Jason Hidalgo's Reviews
Armored Core VI is the perfect example of tough love. I’ve lost track of how many times I thought a boss or stage was impossible before ultimately figuring things out, whether it be via a new build or simply learning boss patterns. I understand that Armored Core VI can feel too hard and unfair at times. But if you stick with it, you just might be surprised with what you’re capable of.
For a game with many flaws, Exoprimal has no business being this fun. From seesawing PVP encounters to large boss raids toward endgame, Exoprimal serves up plenty of dino-blasting fun once the game’s full experience opens up. The question is whether players make it that far. Thanks to an underwhelming early game that has you playing the same repetitive scenarios for hours, I wouldn’t be surprised if many folks quit early. If you do play it, do try to stick till the end. You just might be pleasantly surprised.
Final Fantasy XVI represents a major change in the Final Fantasy formula, thanks to a switch to full-bore action as well as the focus on a single playable character. It’s a switch that can be polarizing for sure but it also opens up all sorts of new possibilities for the franchise. Admittedly, the narrative, while compelling, can lose focus at times. The action, though, is quite good and the music remains top notch Final Fantasy. If you’ve never tried a Final Fantasy game before, Final Fantasy XVI is arguably the most accessible Final Fantasy game to date for newcomers.
With a “yuge” playable cast and homages aplenty to past games, Trails Into Reverie represents a love letter to fans of the Trails series. Admittedly, the large cast can be a bit challenging to manage and the decision to split the story into three playable parts also makes the game feel less cohesive. It also isn’t the most newcomer friendly game and is better enjoyed by those who have played the previous games. The combat, however, remains a great example of classic turn-based battling and the production values are also quite improved. It’s a nice bookend to the Crossbell and Erebonia arcs overall.
R-Type Final 3 Evolved is a solid take on the classic, side-scrolling shmup formula popularized by games such as Gradius and the old R-Type games. Admittedly, the naming is a bit confusing as this is essentially an expanded version of R-Type Final 2 as opposed to a new sequel. This makes it great for folks who don’t own the previous game but a bit of a pricey proposition for players who already paid for R-Type Final 2. It would have been nice to give such players the option to just get the seven new stages via DLC instead of having to re-buy a whole new version of the game again.
Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord is a spinoff that’s a bit of an odd duck in the Fairy Fencer F series. It tries to do some things differently by opting for a completely different battle system. At the same time, it doesn’t continue the story of the previous games and essentially does a creative retelling of the already existing narrative instead. The result is a game that will likely confuse series fans and newcomers alike. It’s a shame as Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force already did a great job in retelling the first game. For fans looking for a true sequel, however, they’ll just have to wait for now.
Monster Menu: The Scavenger’s Cookbook is a game with a brilliant recipe that falls a bit short due to a lack of ingredients. The idea of a roguelike tactical RPG based on cooking is certainly an intriguing one, especially the concept of being able to devour friend and foe alike. Unfortunately, the absence of a compelling story as well as the game’s repetitive levels and foes leave Monster Menu tasting somewhat undercooked. It’s not bad but it isn’t a dish that will be suitable for everyone either.
Dom Toretto famously said “I don't have friends, I have family” in the Fast and Furious movies. Apparently, Toretto has never played Dokapon Kingdom: Connect with family members. Cutthroat trolling returns in this remaster of the classic party game from 2007 as you sabotage former friends and family members on your way to the top. Dokapon Kingdom: Connect extends the party from your couch to online as well with new online play. Solo play remains a bit boring and the visuals are admittedly looking a bit dated. Get several folks together, however, and you’ll be set for hours of plotting, conniving and backstabbing. Machiavelli would be proud.
Diablo 4 marks a great return for the franchise, delivering a fun and compelling experience for fans across the board. The game is especially great for casuals or longtime players who might no longer have the time to go ham like they used to. It’s perfect for unwinding after a long day at work and getting a couple of hours in before you call it a day. Admittedly, more hardcore players might get bored more quickly once they reach the long endgame grind. Several new features and quality-of-life adjustments combined with fun combat, however, make Diablo 4 a blast for players of all skill levels.
The Street Fighter team has really gone the extra mile with Street Fighter 6 and it shows. Its new World Tour campaign provides hours of fun single-player content while also teaching newcomers to the game. The new modern controls, meanwhile, provide a fresh and more accessible alternative to Street Fighter’s classic control scheme while the new Drive mechanics add more depth to the psychology of fights — including the cat-and-mouse game between players. It’s a must-have whether you’re a Street Fighter veteran or a newcomer to the franchise.
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes the incredible blueprint of Breath of the Wild and further hones it to craft a better, more polished rendition. The crafting and building can honestly be its own game and its open world continues to be a treat that encourages exploration. The action also remains top notch and the game overall is a testament to what can still be possible on the Nintendo Switch. Granted, it has its share of issues and won’t feel as new or groundbreaking for folks who already played BOTW. That being said, other games coming out this year definitely have their work cut out for them to supplant Tears of the Kingdom as the best game of 2023.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a totally different take on the Bayonetta formula, eschewing the series’ kinetic action for a story-driven game that’s part action adventure and dungeon puzzler. Fans expecting good, old Bayonetta action might feel disappointed with it. Folks who aren’t married to classic Bayonetta, however, will find a great experience with a compelling story and surprisingly solid tandem action between Cereza and her rambunctious demon summon Cheshire. It’s certainly one of the best gaming surprises of 2023.
Hot Wheels: Rift Rally is a fun take on augmented reality gaming that turns your own house into an exciting race course. The price for entry is admittedly high and you’ll need a large space with hard floors to truly enjoy what it has to offer. If the idea of controlling a car in your house and having that translate into a virtual game with all sorts of bells and whistles sounds like fun to you, however, then Hot Wheels: Rift Rally will provide some nice, clean family-friendly fun.
GrimGrimoire OnceMore is a great example of a remake done right. Instead of doing the bare minimum with a simple upscale and calling it a day, the game throws in several new mechanics such as Great Magic spells and a skill tree plus several quality of life additions. The RTS gameplay might be a bit too simple for hardcore fans of the genre. Its solid mechanics combined with an excellent story and beautiful hand-drawn visuals, however, make it a unique experience that’s certainly worth checking out.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is like a time capsule for fans of classic JRPGs. From its retro aesthetic to its turn-based combat, it harkens to a time that some might consider the golden age of the genre. Granted, some might consider it dated. That would be a mistake, however, as The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is one of the best renditions of old-school JRPGs at their finest. If you like classic JRPGs, you certainly can’t miss this one.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key marks the end of the wonderful journey of Reisalin Stout and friends, and what a fitting send-off it is. From its larger maps to its new key-based mechanics, Atelier Ryza 3 certainly goes big for its last hurrah. Combat, while fun, can use a bit of balancing and ally AI could be more consistent. Overall, though, Atelier Ryza 3 neatly ties up the series’ narrative into a nice bow and will especially make longtime fans look back fondly on their adventures.
Idea Factory and Compile Heart serve up another dose of Nep-Nep in Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters, complete with the kooky and offbeat storytelling that Neptunia fans know and love. The use of a new action-based combat system can be potentially polarizing, especially since it feels uneven and could use more polish. If you love the narrative of Neptunia games and its characters, however, the story alone makes this worth playing.
Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe goes the extra mile in giving new life to an older game, going beyond the standard remaster route by remaking its visuals, adding a new minigame mode and also throwing in a post-game adventure starring Magolor to boot. At the same time, the campaign remains fun especially when you have other players joining in. Non-Kirby fans might find the action a bit too simple. For folks who want a polished action game with multiplayer co-op that’s also family-friendly, the game represents a welcome return indeed.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty adds to the growing list of “tough love” games that mercilessly tear players down before building them back up. To its credit, Wo Long introduces a lot of quality of life improvements that make its journey a lot more accessible and every death not quite as harrowing as it is in other similar games. At the same time, level design and storytelling could also be better. That being said, the combat in Wo Long is among the best and feels quite rewarding once you get the hang of it. It’s a no-brainer for action masochists and folks who love a good challenge.
It’s been a long time coming but Like a Dragon: Ishin! is finally out for western audiences in remade form. While the game is starting to show some of its age mechanically, the redone visuals and quality-of-life changes also give it new life. The storytelling is also solid, especially for newcomers but can feel a bit too similar to past games for longtime players. Add a plethora of quirky mini-games and Like a Dragon: Ishin! is still worth the long wait.