Spencer Legacy's Reviews
Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns is a pleasant enough expansion to the latest Mortal Kombat game. The new characters are a blast to use and the story, while somewhat all over the place, has enough fun moments to be worth a go. If you didn’t dig Mortal Kombat 1 already, this expansion won’t change your mind, but it’s a good time for those who are already into the title.
Athena Crisis is a solid tactical RPG that takes some of the best parts of Advance Wars and brings them to PC and Steam Deck. There are some rough edges, but the map editor and general gameplay make this one title worth keeping an eye on.
Epic Mickey: Rebrushed fixes many of the issues the original game had to craft a much-improved version of the hidden gem. A few irritating issues persist, but for the most part, this is the way Epic Mickey was always meant to be experienced.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is, for the most part, a strong revisit of one of Capcom’s classic titles. The new improvements are excellent, and the small problems aren’t enough to derail the experience. The original game is still widely accessible on current consoles regardless, but I recommend checking out Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster if you’re fond of the original or looking for a unique new experience, as there’s nothing quite like it.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a blast of a retro platformer for Rugrats fans and NES fans alike. The length is a tad bit short, but what’s here is so fun and pleasant to listen to, and look at that I can’t help but want to replay it despite having only recently beat it.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is as stellar as it gets when it comes to classic rereleases. Not only are these some of the best fighting games out there, but they’ve been revived with such excellence that it’s worth applauding. I hope this leads to more Marvel vs. Capcom games, as this collection serves as the perfect reminder that there’s no crossover quite like it.
The Castlevania Dominus Collection is a brilliant compilation of some of the most creative Castlevania games there are. The Nintendo DS functionality is translated perfectly to modern single-screened consoles, and the bonus features go a long way in making this an especially worthwhile collection. If you’ve got a hankering for exploratory platformers, you can’t do much better than this.
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a snazzy platformer beat-em-up that combines satisfying combat with a dazzling setting and visuals. The occasional clunky aspect does stand out, but for the most part, this is an exciting and well-made remake for anyone fond of the beat-em-up genre.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a truly peculiar game that is wildly fun to play. It has some unfortunate technical issues, but the distinct world and wonderfully gruesome gameplay go a long way to craft a game unlike anything else I’ve experienced.
Bakeru is a rather unique title that showcases Japan and its culture in a colorful and exciting way that would appeal to anyone. If you’re a fan of Mystical Ninja Goemon, Japanese mythology, or just distinct games in general, then Bakeru is worth your time and attention.
Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a delightful summer exploration game that harkens back to childhood days gone by in a refreshing way. There are tons to do and see, making it easy to recommend to anyone who’s looking to close out the summer with a relaxing title.
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.