To summarise, Kyurinaga's Revenge has aggressively bland level design, flawed mechanics, and the only purpose its few bosses serve is to put expensive HDTVs and controllers at risk. Although the backgrounds show some creativity and the combat mode is a serviceable distraction, they do little to stem the tide of misery that is this game.
The trouble with Valley is that it has to employ various design decisions in order for both the story and game to function. It wants to have adventurous aspects, but it also wants threats that players must combat. Being able to run fast and jump incredibly far is an awesome and satisfying experience, but it never grows to be anything more than that. The boss encounter towards the end is remarkable, yet also completely out of place. It's emblematic of a game that lacks a cohesive vision. A video game that involves superhuman exoskeleton suits, the ability to manipulate life, and takes place in and around a forgotten WW2 weapons research facility isn't something that can be neatly wrapped up in a five-hour long adventure. The music and graphics are quite excellent, though.
Mad Father is a delightful surprise. It's rare to see a horror adventure that takes full advantage of its limited framework. The puzzles are easy, but they're also creative. They're appropriately themed, and they don't attempt to pass off leaving the player in the dark as some sign of depth. The sprite work is nicely detailed, and everything about the house exudes a high level of polish. The story is very dark and well-told, and gamers will probably experience a wide range of emotions. There are also plenty of genuinely scary and disturbing moments. All in all, this game is highly recommended.
Senran Kagura: Bon Appetit! is what happens when scantily-clad ninjas face off to see who's the greatest chef. Whenever the lecherous judge yells, "Delicious!" clothes spontaneously combust. That's pretty much the extent of it. Not everyone is going to be thrilled by such a concept, and some might be entirely put off by it. On the other hand, this product has a je ne sais quoi that's oddly admirable. Even when faced with all of this flesh, players are liable to find themselves laughing more than anything else. Everything is just so blatant and extreme that it becomes commonplace, so one can't help but roll with the punches. Maybe it's just easier to defend a premise when it results in quite a good game.
It's not uncommon for a video game to borrow ideas from other titles. However, it is very rare to see something like Xanadu Next. It takes full advantage of every influence to deliver an absolutely terrific adventure. The engaging combat is bolstered by a variety of sub-systems. These ideas are seemingly disparate in their inclusion yet harmonious in their execution, which is exactly why they work together to create something very unique and impressive. Despite being released in 2005 by a developer that didn't have a lot of experience with 3D graphics, the game has aged quite gracefully. Falcom's sound team delivers an atmospheric soundtrack that is simply stunning. Altogether, this makes for a classic game that genre enthusiasts should pick up immediately.
Headlander probably won't be the best "Metroidvania" everyone has ever played, but it is one of the most unique. Its overuse of door-based progression is unfortunate, but is more than made up for by a plethora of inventive scenarios. This is all backed by solid controls and combat mechanics, which is always appreciated. The visual and sound design is reason enough to convince players not to quit until they've finished the game. The way everything comes together makes for an unparalleled sci-fi experience.
Although Gregory Stokes hasn't managed to get his racing team out of 9th place, he still recommends that anyone who has an interest in being a Motorsport Manager to give it shot. It's a career that can be tailormade to suit anyone. All that's necessary is the right mindset. Naturally, they can't expect immediate gratification. There's also the possibility that they'll struggle to make any real progress. It does deliver a different sort of excitement, though; one that can't be found blasting alien invaders, or trading blows with a martial arts master. In the end, this is a career that revolves around setting goals and achieving them, while attempting to exceed expectations. The choices other managers make will differ from Greg's, which is what makes the experience so personalised and fulfilling.
Without a doubt, the wrestling action in WWE 2K17 is some of the best the franchise has seen in a very long time. All of the improvements result in matches that are more fluid, more entertaining, and are generally very balanced and satisfying. It does a fantastic job at coupling deep sub-systems with arcade-like appeal. However, the career mode is hobbled by an absence of compelling storylines. The WWE Universe mode and it's plethora of customization options are massive time investments, and the freedom to build the perfect roster is very cool. Promos are a great idea. It's a shame that there's a little too much guess work involved, and the results tend to be disappointing. The lack of polish isn't game breaking, but the long load times and occasionally baffling AI can get annoying after a while. Still, if pro wrestling fans are willing to persevere, they'll find a lot to like.
Let it Die is a trippy brawler with a unique vision. Alongside its cool atmosphere and stellar soundtrack is thoughtful game design. Exploring and obtaining gear is entertaining enough on its own, while the twists on the rogue-like formula add a lot of spice to the spelunking. The online features are creative and offer a nice break from the horrors of the Tower. The F2P elements are nicely handled, and don't take much (if anything) away from the game. Although, as it becomes more difficult, the costs of everything from elevator rides to revivals gets more expensive, sometimes an investment of dollars might be necessary, just to maintain the pace. If nothing else, a pocketful of death medals might lend players the necessary confidence to challenge the higher floors. In any case, Let it Die deserves a look.
There's very little that can actually be said about how brilliant OneShot is. Be sure to stay well away from streams or a YouTube playthrough before getting the opportunity to experience it. Just expect to be treated to a thoroughly wonderful tale. Definitely consider checking it out.
This is a superb entry in what has become a remarkable platforming saga. The lush visuals are impressive to behold, and Jake "virt" Kaufman has outdone himself with yet another phenomenal soundtrack. The game itself finely balances both the action and adventure elements. With the amount of abilities involved, there could have been a little more creativity in how they're employed. Still, it's a mild complaint considering the amount of care that went into everything else. The pacing is efficiently handled. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero doesn't benefit from having checkpoints that must be repeated dozens of times, or thousands of shiny objects to collect. Everything has a purpose, and nothing wears out its welcome. All in all, this is a can't-miss title of the holiday season.
As far as point and clicks go, The Little Acre is a fair effort. The artwork and animation is great, and the attention to the smaller details is really appreciated. The soundtrack is splendid, and the voice actors deliver a quality performance. The simplistic interface is perfectly in line with genre standards. However, the game ends before it can really establish its footing. There are a few scenes that could have been expanded upon. More time spent exploring the other world and all its wonderment would have greatly benefitted the adventure.
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is a decent port overall. There aren't any particularly major issues, though the audio-visual errors might be a little jarring. The boosted frame rate and image quality are well worth the trade-off, especially for fans of the previous console version. The game itself isn't spectacular, but it has some great ideas and solid execution. The presentation is also quite good. While its last gen roots are clearly showing, this game still showcases an impressive atmosphere. The cut-scenes and voice acting are top notch. Action-adventure fans might find a lot to like here.
For anyone who has ever had an interest in marine life then ABZÛ is a required play. It's a stunning interactive aquarium with plenty of flair. The absence of restrictions allows for players to immerse themselves entirely in all of the undersea happenings. Every scene is an event to be cherished, and even the most minimal of interactions are memorable. There are a few moments that are so powerful that text or even a video could never hope to do them justice. If the concept sounds appealing, then don't hesitate to pick this game up immediately.
All of the praise that Dark Souls III receives is well deserved, because it gets most of everything right. However, it never strays from the established formula. This is something most gamers are willing to ignore, just because the formula is excellent. Although it's great that the Dark Souls series can retire on a high note, it's a shame that its crown has gone unchallenged. Hopefully that will change in the future. Videogame companies in competition with one another helps to bring out the best in them.
Cyber Chicken could eventually become a decent shooter, but it needs a lot of work. Badly-tuned boss fights, poor mechanics, and massive game-halting bugs completely obliterate any possibility of deriving enjoyment from this game. The dated jokes are more likely to cause stomach cramps than laughter. Gamers looking for a Metroidvania fix will find nothing but misery here.
LostWinds is a fine game that doesn't require a lot of effort to see through to the end. The short play time, easy puzzles, and practically non-existent enemies make for a fine way to spend a lazy Sunday. Unfortunately, its lack of substance and long-term appeal guarantees that it will be forgotten before long.
A game designed strictly around boss battles isn't the easiest sale, so it's great that Furi has a slew of fantastic encounters that are challenging and exciting. Each Jailer will take a good while to defeat, but failures can never be attributed to poor game design or inexplicable issues. However, the spotty frame rate is unfortunate. The optional time trial and harder difficulty modes are welcome additions for exceptional players. If the idea of spending several minutes to an hour or more on a single fight - no matter how well-designed it is - doesn't sound appealing, then steer clear. This Prisoner's epic is as rewarding as it is punishing.
If an adventure game was only judged by its graphics and music, Silence would have been highly recommended. The world that Noah and Renis explores is stunning, with rich environments and a fantastic use of colour. The soundtrack is appropriate for every situation and quite good. However, the rest of the game suffers due to an uneven story and poorly written characters. There are a handful of charming and even brilliant moments, but they're sandwiched in between occurrences that will only confuse and frustrate the viewer. This is a game of peaks and valleys, and it ends after going over a cliff.
A strong case can be made for Rise & Shine. It boasts fantastic visuals, tons of references that appeal to the older crowd, and a more thoughtful approach to running and gunning. Unfortunately, it never realises its full potential. There are numerous intriguing elements, such as destructible cover or contending with adversaries while platforming. Simply put: they don't get enough attention. If a few of the less interesting segments were excised or moved to optional modes, and in their place were stages designed with a more advanced skillset in mind, then the campaign could be tighter and more complex. All told, it's still a worthwhile venture for shoot 'em up fans seeking a change of pace.