This is for the simulation fan, or the gamer that has always had a desire to shape life and see what types of worlds they can create. Better yet, Birthdays the Beginning is perfect for anyone that has ever dreamt of visiting an alien world, and wondered just what it might like look. Because here, you have the power to make it look like anything you want. And the best part? No two worlds will ever look the same or have the same history.
Without a doubt, Persona 5 has climbed the ranks into one of my favorite games of all-time, if not being at the very top. It’s going to be hard for ATLUS to top this one when the eventual Persona 6 releases, but you know what’s funny? I said the same thing after finishing Persona 4 Golden, and guess what? They succeeded with Persona 5. I have full confidence they’ll be able to do it again in a few years time. There is a new measuring stick by which all future JRPG’s are going to be compared to, and it has successfully changed the landscape for what it means to be a Japanese developed roleplaying game.
In the end, Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy falls into a lot of the same traps that other first-person dungeon crawling roleplaying games also find themselves in. While the new gameplay mechanics and cast of characters remain a strong point, the overall design of the dungeons themselves and the lack of a compelling story make it hard to stay engaged throughout the 25+ hours needed to complete the game. For those that don’t have any experience with these types of games, the learning curve required might be enough of a frustration to avoid purchasing it. But, if you feel like you can either figure things out easily, have enough patience to really understand the mechanics, or have played through other Experience Inc. games like Demon Gaze and Operation Abyss, then certainly look at Operation Babel as another solid entry into this genre.
Seasons after Fall is a game that deserves all the praise and attention it will undoubtedly receive. Offering a unique style of gameplay with the ability to control the seasons, and a lovely artistic style that other games only dream of having, this is one that fans of platformers everywhere need to experience. Get lost in this word, and let the feeling of walking through nature as a child and appreciating every little thing engulf you once again. You won't regret it.
NBA Playgrounds will absolutely fill the void left behind by NBA Jam in regards to a strict 2-on-2 basketball experience. However, there isn't enough here to really keep gamers coming back for more after the initial newness period wears off. It can be fun in extremely short bursts, but the boredom kicks in quick.
Disgaea 5 Complete marks the return of the series to Nintendo consoles, and it feels like it never left. If Sony doesn't produce handhelds going forward, it's nice to know that the franchise will always have a home on future Nintendo systems. With all of the DLC included for free and the complete package that was offered on the PS4, if you have yet to experience this game, now is the perfect time to jump in!
The level of creativity that exists within Prey is reason enough to give this one a chance. Veterans of other titles from Arkane Studios will instantly feel right at home, and that's a good feeling. There were a few hiccups along the way, such as game freezing and enemies glitching out, but other than that, it held up well. Offering a style perfected with the Dishonored series and a difficulty that does not mess around, Prey will keep you busy for hours on end.
Injustice 2 doesn't really deviate from the formula it has already established. Offering a fighting system that fans have come to know and love, a deep gear and unlocking system to keep pulling people back, and the ever popular online modes, this is a game that is going to see a lot of action out of fans until the next big thing comes along.
Mass Effect: Andromeda severely disappointed me with the way the game performed even down to basic things, and I have to reflect that in my final score. I have high hopes for the next installment in the Dragon Age franchise, and I honestly hope this game does not spell the end for Mass Effect. There's clearly another trilogy worth of content here. Please do not abandon ship.
Dark Rose Valkyrie is a great addition to the JRPG fans' library on PlayStation 4. While this game certainly isn't going to be for everyone, it is going to appeal to the diehards who are itching for more Compile Heart games, those looking for a deep system with their next roleplaying game, or anyone looking for a unique mechanic with the traitor and interview system. Playing through Dark Rose Valkyrie has made me extremely excited for Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online when it releases in the west this winter.
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 has several issues, and because of this, it's hard to recommend anyone to actually go out and play through the game. If you enjoyed the first two games in the franchise, there's a good chance you'll find enjoyment out of this title as well. But for those that are just looking for another first-person shooter to hold them over until the fall, I'd strongly suggest waiting the extra couple months.
Nex Machina is a gem, and one that deserves to be experienced and enjoyed by as many gamers as possible. I highly recommend this to anyone, but especially fans of twin-stick shooters and those that have been following Housemarque for years. This is definitely some of the most pure fun I've had with gaming this year, and that's saying a lot!
Wipeout Omega Collection is a great entry point if you've never played through a game in the franchise before. Wipeout 2048 is the true standout from the collection, with HD and Fury definitely showing a bit of their age. It's sad that nothing new was included in this package, as fans of the series have been eagerly awaiting what's coming next. However, those looking for a true Wipeout experience need look no further. While not as impressive as a brand new title would be using all of today's technology, this is still a great collection to own nonetheless.
Trails in the Sky the 3rd is a bittersweet release that fans have been crying out for ever since completing the first two games. XSEED has delivered on a promise that many thought wouldn't be able to happen. A great send-off to a trilogy that introduced a ton of people to the franchise. Just be aware that a majority of the game takes place in one location. This is a must-play for anyone that has invested time in the first two games. Anyone else, I encourage you to hold off until after playing through the original two.
Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls is a great addition to an already strong franchise with a fan base that is eager for more. Even though this is a port from the PlayStation Vita, it's still worth picking up if you skipped over it the first time. If you already own it, you're better off waiting for Danganronpa V3 when it arrives later this year, as nothing new has been added to the game. Either way, this is a must-own for fans of the franchise, and is a strong addition to anyone's library looking for a fun exploration and shooting game with an insane story and fantastic cast of characters. Just do yourself a favor and play at least the original game first. You'll have a much better appreciation for it if you do!
Valkyria Revolution is going to get a significant amount of hate from the roleplaying game community. Is it justified? I actually don't think so. Even though the battle system is such a radical change from the original games, the graphics are hit or miss in certain areas, and the cutscenes can be down right brutal and quite lengthy, there's still a lot to enjoy. An impressive cast of characters and interesting story, beautiful accompanying soundtrack, fun sphere grid leveling system, and a different take on the battle system more in line with action RPG's. Yes, I purposefully included the battle system in both the positive and negative category. People like myself are going to enjoy it for what it is. Others are going to downright hate it. Revolution pulls back and forth on many different strings, but because of the inconsistency, it's hard to recommend the title to anyone but the diehard fan base and those who already made up their mind on a purchase. I would implore you to try this game for yourself. You may just find that you're like me, after all.
What Remains of Edith Finch will keep calling back to you after you’ve finished it, and in a way, you’ll want to return to get a better understanding for the story after you know the what and why things happened. My only complaint is that the game was literally over almost as quick as it began. You don’t get to enjoy the individual room sequences as much as I would have liked, because they end within minutes. Either way though, this is an excellent title, and I encourage you to check it out.
Akiba’s Beat is a strong entry in the series, and one that I absolutely prefer over the previous ones. It’s a shame that the game received such poor critical reception, because I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an addicting battle system, fun and engaging story, and interesting characters. There are some negatives that can’t be ignored though, such as the amount of backtracking required, the times when the story just falls flat and isn’t as interesting as other portions, and not streamlining other features. All of that aside though, I still found enough enjoyable with Akiba’s Beat, and hopefully the series will continue on and continue to get even better!
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is a brilliant addition to the latest remasters that Square Enix has been pumping out, and has satisfied my thirst this year for more Final Fantasy adventures after finishing XV last year.
Ultimately, Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is an enjoyable experience if you’re just looking to jump into a gorgeous looking game and do some exploration and crafting mechanics. I feel that this game would appeal to fans of the Harvest Moon, Story of Seasons, and Stardew Valley games without a doubt. Even though it had an overly complicated crafting and trade system, and no combat at all, the exploration tied to being on this mysterious island and the beautiful art style and graphics used are reason enough to give this game a look.