Spencer Legacy's Reviews
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a unique and exciting Star Wars game that mostly holds up over 20 years later. The new release retains a few tiny errors, but for the most part, this is a great way to check out one of the seemingly less-remembered Star Wars titles from long, long ago.
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition will heavily appeal to a specific group of players, but it’s a very enjoyable title for the unique experience it provides. Casual players will likely not find as much to do here, but those who are raring to clash with others in iconic NES games are in for a treat.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a brilliant action-strategy game that once again proves Capcom’s ability to make enjoyable games in essentially any genre. The gameplay and atmosphere are top-notch and unlike anything I’ve played in a good while, making for one of this year’s most memorable games.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a great remaster of an overall enjoyable 3DS sequel. Though the price point is a bit steep, the visual upgrade and core gameplay make this a solid rerelease of a somewhat overlooked Mario spin-off.
Spy x Anya: Operation Memories is a pleasant and laid-back romp for fans of Spy x Family. Though it may wear thin a bit quickly for anyone outside of the fanbase, the varied minigames and breezy story and character interactions will make this a decent time for fans of the series.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is another exhilarating platformer from Ryu ga Gotoku Studio. Though some of the later levels can be less than pleasant, the majority of the game is a blast and will have you on the edge of your seat in the best way possible.
Endless Ocean Luminous isn’t the most active or engrossing game, but its soothing atmosphere and relaxing gameplay do make for a unique experience.
Demon Slayer: Sweep the Board! is a straightforward but pleasant Mario Party-esque title that Demon Slayer fans will obviously get the most out of. The minigames and boards are full of neat ideas, and the unlockables give further incentive to replay boards alone or with friends. If you’re looking for a breezy board game with Demon Slayer theming, Sweep the Board! will get the job done.
Princess Peach: Showtime! is a completely fine platformer with plenty of fun ideas seeded between some pretty standard platforming levels. The presentation and different classes for Peach make the game stand out, though the technical performance and slightly repetitive nature of the game make it more of a neat experiment than a must-play title.
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection is a solid option if you want to relive some single-player nostalgia but outside of console availability, you can do this for less money already on PC.
Though Penny’s Big Breakaway wears a bit thin by its end, the 3D platformer is a lot of fun in bursts and features lots of fun ideas that I hope to see refined in future titles. The colorful style and plethora of play styles make it worth the time of platformer fans, and I look forward to the next game from Evening Star.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a remarkable sequel and one of the best RPGs of the generation. This new installment both respects and expands upon the original game’s story and legacy in a way that will please old-school fans while sowing some intriguing new narrative seeds for the final installment in this trilogy. I can’t wait to get my hands on whatever comes next – even if it takes another four years.
Persona 3 Reload is already another contender for game of the year. It’s an almost perfect remake of an already exceptional game, and I wanted to play it nearly every moment that I wasn’t. Whether or not you’ve played Persona 3 before, Reload deserves your attention, as it’s one of the most fun, styling, and enthralling RPGs around.
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is an overall disappointing fighter that doesn’t quite live up to the franchise it’s adapting. There are kernels of exciting ideas scattered throughout, but there are a few too many problems to raise it above a pretty average experience – even for Jujutsu Kaisen megafans.
Tekken 8 is a blast to play thanks to its strong core gameplay and welcome breadth of content. If you’re essentially a Tekken beginner like me or a returning series regular, there’s lots to do and enjoy in every corner of Tekken 8.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a pleasantly loaded collection of the latter three mainline Ace Attorney games that newcomers and fans both should turn to for the best version of these games. The group of games is filled with twists and turns that look excellent and come with dandy extras. Now, if we can just get both Ace Attorney Investigations games in a collection …
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is what all sequels should aspire to be. The gameplay is improved upon all-around, the story is riveting from start to finish, and the breadth of side content is second-to-none. It may be early, but I feel confident in saying that one of 2024’s game of the year frontrunners has debuted not even a month in.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is a stellar RPG that anyone who enjoys monster-catching games has got to play. The technical issues can be frustrating and surprising, but they don’t impede the game enough to be a serious hindrance. The depth of the synthesis system and the intriguing story make The Dark Prince easily stand as one of the best RPGs of the year.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a thrilling and compact continuation of the neverending and endlessly exhilarating adventures of Kazuma Kiryu. There’s plenty of content to make you feel fulfilled alongside the expectedly explosive story. This is a delightful little Like a Dragon experience that will tide you over until the next main entry.
Super Mario RPG is a light and enjoyable return to the roots of Mario’s now-iconic presence in the role-playing game genre. Those looking for a more complex RPG may find it a tad too simplistic, but this remake thrives at being a straightforward and endlessly pleasant throwback to a simpler time.