Pierre-Yves Lanthier's Reviews
Bravely Second is not only a great new entry into the newly minted series with this release, but it is also exactly what a sequel should be. Even with returning characters it was nice that they didn't steal the lead from the newest entry as can sometimes happen when an older introduced character is "cameoed". Building upon the aspects of the first while making improvements big and small to something that already worked was amazing. Not sure what the third will be called but I truly hope that this series will continue on.
There comes a point in one's life where they simply have to accept the facts. Danganronpa is a prime example of this as it continues to raise the bar on each subsequent entry. Thinking that the first title had set the bar for insanity, craziness and the darkness that mankind is capable of, it wasn't long before the second game released and passed it and Another Episode that dark trend. Having only recently played the first two entries through the PS4 release of Reload:1 and Reload:2, I wasn't sure how these tales could get any darker.
On a whole Shantae Half-Genie Hero clocked in around the five hour mark for the first play-through with about seventy-five percent of the collectable items and the good ending. This leaves more time for completionists, speed running challenges, the new mode that opens up thereafter, and those wonderful platinum trophies that the more elite covet. With lovable and detestable characters alike making their return for the latest adventure there's no reason not to explore Sequin Land with our Half-Genie Hero Shantae.
The Little Acre is a work of art. The character and environment designs, the dialog, and the game-play all come together for a masterpiece of warmth and fuzzy feelings as the credits roll over this beautiful hand drawn adventure.
Berserk and the Band of the Hawk is Omega Force's latest Warriors-styled experience based off an anime. The brutal nature of the battlefield feels right at home as you move from one fight to the next with the once-young man named Guts exploring his life through its veritable rollercoaster of ups and downs.
Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey is the latest in Gust's Atelier series and quite honestly one of the best so far. Set after Atelier Sophie, join both the new and old protagonists Firis and Sophie through a wonderful and open-conceived alchemic journey.
Cosmic Star Heroine is an awesome title. It's story is well paced, the environments are gorgeous in that retro style that they use and the combat is simply fun with the variety of characters that themselves are great with their personalities. All of this is made even better with the various nods both big and small to other series such as Chrono Trigger, Pacific Rim, I believe I saw something for Xenogears and the obvious tribute to Cthulhu.
When Nintendo announced the Switch, Disgaea was the last thing that I ever would have figured would be coming its way. They, being Nintendo, are surprising a few of us however with some of the - and hang with me here - mature content. Disgaea can often be seen as immature to some, but that is selling the brilliant dark humor that lies beneath short. Murder, death and subjugation at the hands of the one known as Void Dark is back and it runs just as brilliantly on Nintendo's new platform as it did on Sony's current one.
Cladun Returns is exactly what the series needed in order to make a successful comeback. Originally for the PSP, this newest entry is releasing for both the newer PlayStation handheld as well as the big box that sits in your living room. Conceptually Cladun hasn't changed all that much, as its scope still aims for small stages that are designed to be done in a minute or less. That is the core concept, at least in theory. In actuality Cladun is anything but small, with tremendous amounts of content that provide considerable replay value as you simultaneously grind for experience and tackle challenges within each stage in under the target time.
Black the Fall by Sand Sailor Studios is one of the better platformers that I've played in a while. With both Nick and myself having previewed it at various stages of development I'm both confident and happy to say that the final product has been worth the seemingly long development time.
“If what is currently available is any indication of the final product, Antihero is going to be good.” I’m happy to say that this statement from my preview stands. Having just released, Antihero simultaneously places you in the role of being a Master Thief and the leader of a guild as they take to the streets in order to both make it theirs and remove any competition that dares to get in the way.
Cardboard Utopia’s Children of Zodiarcs is the next “Final Fantasy Tactics” that you’ve been waiting for. While there may not be classes for your characters to switch between, dive into a world based on dice rolls and the luck of the draw as a group of children try to survive by stealing from the rich in order to buy enough food to survive.
Fans of Mega Man X, 20XX is for you. It’s everything that you’ve probably wanted since the last release fourteen years ago back in 2004. It’s fun, it’s well built and even more, it’s designed for even those that only have time for a stage or two before having to run out the door with a quick save option. The only downside? There’s no real story. That’s it. 20XX is all the classic gameplay with modern accuracy and responsiveness that you need for both your platforming needs and the void that Capcom have left since the last release of the Mega Man X series.
Right now is a great time to be a fan of the Ys series. With just about a simultaneous release of the upgraded Ys Seven for the PC which came out back in 2009, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana takes the concepts that were designed almost a decade ago and takes it all a step further.
Warriors All-Stars is Omega Force’s latest creation and possible the successor to the Warriors Orochi series which saw a mash up of the Dynasty and Samurai series as well as other characters from Atelier, Ninja Gaiden and Soul Calibur. Transported to another world in order to help save it, join in on a brand new adventure with elements and characters from across the various IPs that Koei Tecmo’s has access to.
Quality “old schooled” RPGs are becoming fewer and farther between as the more open world and “immersive” styles take over. Semisoft’s kickstarted Legrand Legacy: Tale of the Fatebound is a nod to that previous level of quality which should make fans of the late PS2 / early PS3 era feel right at home alongside those of Mistwalker’s Lost Odyssey.
After having recently taken Vermintide 2 for a spin during their closed beta any worries that I may have had for the newest edition were put to rest like that latest Slaven horde that came calling for our heroes' blood. Equipped once again with swords, guns, crossbows, hammers and explosives, take control of the group of five heroes as four of them head out into crazy missions with less than friendly odds of survival.
The Banner Saga, The Banner Saga 2 and The Banner Saga 3 make for one very fulfilling experience. From the very start to the very end, the quality of the writing, the animations, the visuals, the music and choices you make mesh to create an experience that others would be hard pressed to match. Would I do it all over again? Not tomorrow but yes. There are still loads of choices that I would like to know the outcomes to and I would like to see the adventure through Alette’s eyes.
Dragon’s Crown Pro is a prime example of what a couch co-oped remake should be like. The amazingly designed system is just as good now as it back back in 2013 and because of the newer hardware it runs even smoother. If you already have it? It’s really up to you but fans of the title will want to see this masterpiece in its new glory. For everyone else, Dragon’s Crown Pro is exactly what a Brawler should aspire to be with plenty of customizations and amazing artwork to go with it.
Whether into the first chapter and learning what is going on or into the last chapter where emotions have run both high for you and the cast of characters, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is fantastic. The way that the series has been designed continues to shine both for how it presents its story and for how it showcases its gameplay. The hybrid system continues to evolve without compromising what made it so great in the first place making hour thirty just as good as hour one, if not even better because of how far you’ve had to come with the amazing experience before you.