Elisha Deogracias's Reviews
Luckily, the avant-garde humor is still intact, and I found myself laughing out loud at getting caught once again by mom. Well, that or accidentally letting the kid fall into a pit because I didn’t patch up a hole in the game. I really love the minimalist graphics due to the quirky charm it provides, and now that this is officially a franchise (seriously; there’s a spinoff title called Hide & Dance that’s surprisingly good), I’d love to see an overhauled sequel soon.
In terms of presentation, the graphics are charming and have a Saturday morning cartoon feel to it. Cloudy and some NPCSs are rendered in cardboard while other objects are in a minimalist 3D style. It’s a nice contrast that pops with the colorful graphics. There are a few hiccups here and there when playing in handheld mode, but it’s alright when docked. The music is a bit of a weak point, with some stock tracks being used to grating effect. It’s not a dealbreaker, but I would have appreciated more original tunes than what was offered here.
While the less powerful Vita version of ScourgeBringer does have a few performance issues, this is a great way to get into the addictive roguelike. With some brilliant swordplay, gorgeous pixel art, and a great progression system, you should prepare your handheld and get ready to judge the Judges.
As a $9.99 download, the Switch re-release of Shantae is a great look at the half-genie's debut for those who want to check her out. It might be dated compared to the rest of the series, but it's a nice look back at the classic series we know and love.
Tennis World Tour 2 on the PlayStation 5 is the definitive way to experience this realistic simulation title. While it does have quite a few flaws considering the package, there's still a lot to love for those looking for a tennis game with a learning curve.
Simultaneously using its charm and creepiness to great effect, Toree 3D is an adorable little game with an amazing soundtrack and wonderful art style. It has just enough content to keep you hooked, and at 99 cents is an instant recommendation for anyone looking for a quick platforming fix.
Signs of the Sojourner is an intriguing deckbuilder with a great cast of characters and integrated story and gameplay. While there are some glaring flaws with its mechanics, this is a nice relaxing game that teaches the beauty of communication.
Kaze and the Wild Masks is a near-perfect platformer with a lot of charm and entertaining gameplay. It’s just a rush of amazing platforming action chock-full of collectibles and challenge that will have you grinning ear-to-ear like you did in the 90s.
Mighty Fight Federation is a wild and wacky 3D arena fighter with more complexities than its subgenre normally has. While this unfortunately causes it to lose its identity and muddle its gameplay, the free-for-all fighting mode and wonderful music is worth the asking price.
Overall, Viola still needs some polish in presentation, but it still has a great look and art style.