The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is a quick thread which ties together the plot between Life is Strange and Life is Strange 2. We’re hoping we get to see more of Chris this September, because we definitely feel as if his story has yet to be concluded.
Vampyr is an interesting game that walks a fine line between being average and being good. When conversing with NPC’s and going out on investigations, the game is really good. When engaging in combat and trying to move around from one area to another, the game is average at best. It’s unfortunate, because Vampyr shows a lot of promise, and there’s a lot to enjoy in this 15 to 20 hour experience. If you were at all remotely interested in the game leading up to its release, give it a chance. If you were on the fence or just didn’t care, then it’s probably skippable.
As mentioned earlier, we honestly cannot wait to see what the future holds for the talented team over at Bluepoint Games. But at the same time, we can’t help but to wonder what may be next for Fumito Ueda and genDESIGN. The recent teases from Ueda himself certainly have our collective minds pondering the possibilities, but one thing is certain. Whatever it is, will be worth the wait.
Tokyo Xanadu is clearly the start of a brand new franchise arc for Falcom. The Xanadu series in name has been around for quite some time, but this is the first time we’re seeing something on this level and scale for it. It is honestly my second favorite original roleplaying game released in 2017, second only to Persona 5 earlier this year. The lore found within the game and the premise that they have developed with these different organizations and factions, each with their own unique way to deal with the Eclipse and things surrounding it.. we could easily see something on the scale of The Legend of Heroes with some proper care and management. We know Falcom has their hands busy over in Japan currently with Sen no Kiseki IV, and we’re positive they’re eager to work on Ys IX… but after that.. maybe we’ll end up seeing Tokyo Xanadu 2. We can only hope, right?
If you are a fan of Danganronpa, you're in for a treat. This is without a doubt an excellent continuation for the story and the characters, and as a nice little bonus, it's also the longest game in the franchise so far. If you managed to get through this entire review and you haven't played a game in the series yet, again, it's very important that you start with the first, which is Trigger Happy Havoc. From there, work your way up until eventually getting back to Killing Harmony. Doing so will allow you to really appreciate what Spike Chunsoft has achieved in this masterful example of storytelling and character building. Only one question remains at this point. How long must we wait until the next entry of Danganronpa?
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is definitely going to set the bar for future installments of the Ys series. Hopefully it continues to go up from here, because I had an absolute blast experiencing this story and playing through the game. There were a few hiccups along the way, such as slight frame rate drops during more intense combat moments when there was a lot going on, minor voice acting issues, and rare AI issues. But these moments are easily counterbalanced by an incredible soundtrack, amazing story, addictive gameplay, and one of the best battle systems for any Action RPG around. Ys fans, you’re going to love this game. Action RPG fans, pick this one up. Everyone else… you might just be surprised with how good this game really is. Well done, Falcom.
While the narrative isn’t as clear-cut as it was in Yakuza 0 and the fact that this is a true-to-life remake of the original game will mean it may not be as exciting as some of the more recent outings in the franchise, the classic re-telling of how everything came to be and the addictive gameplay is enough for fans of the series to give this a go. If you haven’t played Yakuza 0 yet, I strongly suggest starting there. But if you have played 0, what are you waiting for? Continue Kiryu’s story and let Sega know we want Yakuza Kiwami 2 localized as quick as possible in English after it releases in Japan at the end of this 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.