Keri Honea's Reviews
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr isn't perfect, but it's the first enjoyable WH40K action title to grace the consoles since Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. While many may write it off as a Diablo III copycat, I believe it's one of its best features, and it has plenty of other elements to set it apart from Diablo. The fact that I felt as thought I was playing out a possible mystery case from the files of Gregor Eisenhorn only added on the glee. It is, without a doubt, the best WH40K game on the PlayStation 4. It's a shame that the unreliable, yet required online connection prevents the praise to reaching beyond that niche audience.
Detective Gallo has most of the telltale signs that this would be a great point-and-click adventure—on paper, anyway. The cartoonish art style, the dark sarcasm, (most of) the puzzles, and the unpredictable story all heavily suggest this game has the makings of a hit. It's unfortunate that a few bad eggs spoil the experience a smidge.
The LEGO games have always been known for their little quirks, but when it comes to pushing a game out with a theater release, they're fairly sloppy. LEGO The Incredibles has all of the symptoms of a rushed game, but at least it doesn't have any game-breaking glitches. It's not a bad LEGO game, but it's nothing to write home about either. It's just incredibly okay, when it should just be incredible.
This is one story that mystery-lovers won't want to miss, much less otome fans, as long as they're willing to slog through an introduction that runs slower than molasses in winter. (It's funny because the game is eternally in winter, you see.)
If you're looking for a visual novel that has more to do than "press X to choose," then go on ahead and pass 7'sCarlet by.
I can't see me playing a Special Mission each day, but that's because I'm not sure I can spend more time with this unpolished hulk. As much as I've been clamoring for another action WH40K game since Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, it pains me to say this one does not fill that void. Deathwing has so much potential sitting there with the Dark Angels alone, not to mention roaming a Space Hulk, it's an absolute shame it falls short of the Emperor's expectations. I've been looking forward to this one since I first saw it at several E3s ago. Too bad it's as void and as lifeless as the derelict ships of the Space Hulk itself.
Most otome visual novels are a dime a dozen, and they're usually a guilty pleasure. Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly stands above the rest with its unpredictable, deep mystery and its pathways to the various endings. If you're looking for an atypical otome, especially one where the romantic endings aren't always the happiest, then you owe it to yourself curl up into your couch with this one.
Dragon's Crown Pro is that same Dragon's Crown we all loved and remember from 2013, it's just shinier, prettier, and on the latest console. If you've already played it to completion (or simply to death) on other platforms, there's very little reason to come back for a second purchase.
PlayStation 4 owners certainly got the best deal out of the ~Bouquet of Rainbows~ collection, as the Future Blessings title is tacked on, price-wise, as DLC. Vita owners, I am so sorry that each costs $39.99, and you don't have access to this collection. The combined duo is certainly the best way to go, even for die-hard otome fans. As sweet as the romances are, there simply isn't enough in Future Blessings to warrant an additional purchase. Fortunately, PS4 players have ~Bouquet of Rainbows~ to see all of these romances through to the end, and despite the glaring typos, jumps in logic, and overly simple gameplay, it's worth it to press X to get to the various conclusions.
I started The Raven Remastered with a bit of a soured opinion. Here was this game I had never heard of getting a remaster, it looks like an original Pixar attempt at making human features, and the dialogue is cheesier than the Power Rangers reruns my sons enjoy. I'm so glad I didn't rely upon first impressions, because like Constable Zellner, the game is deeper than it looks and has a story that will keep players guessing. I couldn't ask for much more in a great whodunnit.
The Station is short and sweet, which could be seen as a detriment. However, I liked the fact that there wasn't a lot of fluff to the story, and there weren't any fetch quests or other modes of padding the game to keep it going. There was plenty in the story to tell, and the developers didn't drag it out at all. The brevity actually solidifies how stellar the narrative truly is, and I can't recommend it enough to all gamers who love a good story, especially a good mystery.
It's really hard to recommend this game to first-timers with all of the problems and the JRPG stereotypes. I can't recommend it to long-time returning fans unless they owned a PS4 Pro. At least with a PS4 Pro you can choose the lipstick color.
It is known how much I adore LEGO games, but these last two have been glitch-filled messes. I can't recommend this one at all, even to those who loved the first one, until TT Games puts out a hefty patch to resolve these glitches. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 isn't unplayable by any stretch, but it's a downright frustrating adventure with these game-breaking issues. Ye have been warned.
The story is so great, it's difficult for me to not recommend it, but I can only, in good conscience, recommend only one playthrough. The magic is a bit lost after that.
It's always a shame when a game has such an incredible foundation and never becomes what it should. Fans of LEGO games and of the movie will have fun regardless, because we're a bit crazy like that. But if you don't fall in the crazy category, best bet is to wait for the next LEGO game that will hopefully feature this same innovation. TT Games has plenty of good ideas here. Please don't let them die before they can be implemented in a truly great LEGO game.
Ys VIII isn't Adol's typical adventure, but it's so well-crafted (aside from chatty characters) from its combat down to its methods of exploration and side mission variety. It may take a bit longer for newcomers than long-time fans to take the bait, but once you're reeled in, you will be hooked. You'll need to be hooked, because even with a crit-path strategy for completion, it will easily take over 40 hours to get through the mystery of the Isle of Seiren. Fortunately, any action-RPG fan, even those who disliked the Ys series in the past, will find plenty to lure them in and keep them on the line.
Pillars of Eternity was certainly crafted with PC in mind, but it's no less an enjoyable experience on console.
Tokyo Xanadu is a great fit for the Vita, as the repetitive chapter formula seems to be made for short bursts of play. If you're going to pick it up at all, buy the Vita version; don't wait for the PS4 release later this year. Those looking for a fun little action-JRPG for the Vita will most certainly enjoy their time in Morimiya. You'll probably also never look at a camera store the same way ever again.
With the vast love of the Mass Effect series, Andromeda was never going to make people 100% happy, the same way the ME3 ending didn't make people happy. The BioWare team put so many great things in place, but the main story, the characters, and most of the writing keep the game from being great. Sadly, technical mess keeps it from being good.
It’s really surprising that a game could be configured so well from PC to console and yet fail in so many other areas under the hood. InXile has the controls, menus, and navigation down pat for console, but it needs more tweaking in its engine before this game can be recommended to anyone. I hate giving this score for Torment, especially knowing that it’s a patch or two away from being a shining cRPG example on the PS4.