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Nick Herber

Chalgyr
Chalgyr
Chalgyr
Chalgyr

Favorite Games:

316 games reviewed
75.1 average score
75 median score
62.0% of games recommended

Nick Herber's Reviews

I've been playing games for some time now (my first console was a TI 99/4a). I have been reading and writing about video games, swords and sorcery fantasy and more for years and try to bring an open mind to my reviews and the discussions taking place in our industry.
Jun 17, 2016

If you already were a fan of the original game, there is enough change here to warrant at least some consideration towards picking the title up. If you missed the PlayStation 3 release a couple of years ago, Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force is the definitive version of the game to play. With enough tweaks to make several aspects of the game feel fresh again, there is not enough of an overhaul that it should alienate those who enjoyed the game the first time around, making it easy to recommend to all RPG fans.

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Feb 1, 2017

As a package of three tables, I really enjoyed the Bethesda Pinball set. Fallout was average-ish, DOOM was really, really good and I thought Skyrim was great. Now, these tables with their game elements might not appeal to pinball purists. I can imagine my dad wrinkling his nose a little at these because there are times they feel more like a video game than the typical Zen Pinball tables - but I believe that works here. These tables are after all based on popular video games, and to that end I applaud the devs for taking some chances and doing something unique with these tables. The overall package is one I will be coming back to time and again.

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Jul 25, 2017

There are so many Final Fantasy titles with their own followings that it is impossible to say which ones are the best and the worst, but Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age allows us to revisit one of the more popular titles in the series that has aged pretty well since its initial PlayStation 2 release.

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If you already have the base game for Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII (a title that we enjoyed a great deal when we reviewed it), you owe it to yourself to consider this DLC expansion then. It is a fairly pricey pack, but it brings a lot of great new options to the table and makes the core experience considerably better. And isn't that exactly what we want? DLC that actually adds something to a game we already enjoy, and not just frivolous weapons or costumes? In my case, the answer to that question is a definitive 'yes'.

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Jun 19, 2018

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is a fantastic game for a host of reasons. The characters are charming, the gameplay is entertaining and there is a solid gameplay loop that kept me exploring just a little further each time. Fans of the Ys series owe it to themselves to explore what this latest chapter in Adol's adventures has to offer, but the gentle learning curve and various options provided make this an approachable title for those new to the series or the action RPG genre as well.

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Mar 16, 2018

Whether you are new to the Yakuza titles or a long-time fan of Kazuma Kiryu's exploits, there are numerous things to like about Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. The title creates a sense of familiarity for those familiar with the series, but has enough new features and nuance to make this entry its own title as well. If you have not yet played any of the Yakuza games, this chapter does a great job of catching you up on the story while providing approachable - if sometimes a little shallow - game play. The end result is an open-world game that rewards you for the time you invest.

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8.8 / 10.0 - SoulCalibur VI
Oct 25, 2018

While SoulCalibur VI probably will not be a top title in the eSports fighting scene, it has a solid enough online presence that should provide plenty of competitive gameplay. That being said, too often the fighting genre relies too heavily on online competition to give their games longevity. Kudos to the development team here for creating an incredibly robust single player experience that is worth coming back to time and again. This makes SoulCalibur VI my vote for best fighting game of 2019.

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8.8 / 10.0 - Tetris Effect
Nov 28, 2018

I really, really enjoyed Tetris Effect. The modes are engaging, the presentation has a life of its own and is certainly the best the series has ever looked and sounded and the variety of modes and options while coupled with the new Zone mechanic offer some new wrinkles with plenty of replay value.

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May 16, 2019

Excellent visuals, a well-thought out system of combat and character progression compliment a mostly good if sometimes inconsistent story to make Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark one of the most entertaining strategy games I have played in some time. There is room for improvement in a few areas, but the overall package is certainly an impressive, enjoyable one that I can easily recommend to fans of the genre.

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8.8 / 10.0 - F1 2020
Jul 31, 2020

For racing fans, F1 2020 is the real deal and the best entry in the series I can recall. Incredible replay value and management depth go a long way towards making this title one I find myself replaying more than previous iterations. Usually a season or two does it for me, but I’ve already surpassed that and intend to go back for more. Add to it the split-screen feature and wealth of accessibility options and there is more broad appeal to be had here than many of the earlier games in the series. So, if you were turned off by the simulation style of the game in years past – go ahead and give this version a go, as you can tweak your experience in numerous ways.

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Jul 15, 2021

ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights doesn’t necessarily bring a lot new to the table, but it does a great job of mashing up the principles of Soulsborne and Metroidvania games into a hauntingly beautiful 2D action experience. Certainly there were moments of frustration – this is not the hardest game I’ve ever played, but ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights certainly is not easy either. It has a very distinctive aesthetic that really appealed to me though as I continued to unravel Lily’s mystery while exploring this unique world.

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8.8 / 10.0 - Corpse Party (2021)
Nov 1, 2021

Corpse Party is the best version of this release yet, which is saying something as it has seen multiple ports over the last twenty-five years. It has the most polished visuals, accessible menus and extra content. The pacing and graphics might not be for everyone, but if you are a fan of creepy writing and outstanding audio design, then give Corpse Party a chance during this year’s scary season.

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Dec 7, 2021

Rune Factory 4 Special is fascinating in that it has numerous systems that on their own are pleasant if not terribly deep. Where the title shines however is in how these various systems interact with one another. They create a cumulative experience above and beyond its individual parts, and there is a ton of content to be enjoyed overall.

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8.8 / 10.0 - Rogue Legacy 2
May 6, 2022

Rogue Legacy 2 is a delightful mix of action-platforming with enough progression elements baked in to keep the many deaths from getting too frustrating. Unlocking new areas of my tower or discovering new traits was enjoyable, as was trying out new class / weapon / ability combinations with each new generation. Rogue Legacy 2 is a worthy successor to its ancestor.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Axiom Verge
Oct 12, 2017

Axiom Verge has come to the Nintendo Switch, and while the game has been out on several platforms over the last few years, it holds up just as well now as it did when it released then. It's retro sensibilities have allowed it to age flawlessly, making it just as compelling to play now as it was upon initial release. If for some reason you have not had a chance to play this Metroid-style game yet, and you have a Switch, you really should pick it up if you are a fan of action / adventure games.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Final Fantasy XV
Dec 15, 2016

Final Fantasy XV should be less divisive than the previous XIII titles with fans. It helps that this release in the fabled series gets off to a strong enough start that you are properly invested by the end to overlook most of the flaws encountered along the way. If it is true that an experience is more about the journey than the end, then Final Fantasy XV is the video game representation of that saying.

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May 27, 2016

With amazing production values, characters I cared about, an entertaining story and plenty to see and do along the way, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End may not be the best game in the series overall, but it is a fitting conclusion that shows Naughty Dog continues to deliver the goods with their games.

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8.5 / 10.0 - The Witness
Sep 26, 2016

I found The Witness to be a fascinating idea that shows an incredible sense of scope. Solving the game's myriad puzzles almost always delivers an incredible sense of satisfaction - an impressive feat when you consider just how many there are to tackle. The island is a truly interesting place to explore and the vast majority of the puzzles work incredibly well with one another and the environment to create a unique if methodical experience that I can easily recommend to fans of puzzle and exploration video games.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Hue
Aug 29, 2016

It was hard not to immediately draw comparisons to Limbo when I started off in control of a young boy named Hue, who lived in a monochromatic world who basically starts off the game with the ability to jump around with little context as to who he is or why he is there. The Limbo comparison one is meant with only the best intentions, as that was a game I absolutely loved when I first played it.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Cuphead
Oct 11, 2017

Cuphead is a throwback in almost every sense of the word. Visually it hearkens back to an old art style that remains fascinating today. Beyond its incredible visuals however, Cuphead is a tough-as-nails action platformer that reminded me of my classic platforming days where memorizing boss patterns and learning the lay of the land were essential for victory.

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