For anyone with a surplus of free time, Cladun Returns: This is Sengoku! is a fine way to exhaust it. The process of collecting gear and levelling up is familiar to action RPG fans, but this game introduces a number of ideas to keep things fresh. The Magic Circle system is very slick in how it offers a multitude of build varieties. New additions, like the option to take on quests, make exploration a little more rewarding. However, spending most of the adventure jogging through randomised dungeons does wear thin. This title's long-term value depends on how much its players enjoy the grind.
MXGP3 is a very nice racing title. There's plenty of content, but the best part is easily the fantastic handling. The physics are superb and have a nice sense of weight to them. The deformation and weather effects add the right amount of depth to keep each race interesting. There's also a bevy of options that make the racing approachable for any skill level. However, the mediocre to poor frame rate and long load times really weigh everything down. There are some nit-picks, but anyone willing to look past those, as well as the other issues, will find an enjoyable Motocross game.
In short, Tekken 7 is a phenomenal fighting game, but it's not without issues. Players have hundreds if not thousands of exciting matches to look forward to. Grasping the complexities of movement and learning characters is an involved process that'll cause anyone to lose track of time. However, the developer continues to focus their energies on features that simply aren't worth the trouble. The Mishima Saga, with its cheap battles and dishwater dull story, is a relic from an era best left forgotten. The broken matchmaking is also a very serious issue, so hopefully it's addressed in short order. Still, this fighter is highly recommended.
Rocking Pilot has the basics down, but it doesn't have much in the way of staying power. The potentially neat scoring system is held back by some baffling design decisions. The game never really has the chance to establish any sort of flow, due to control repeatedly being taken away from the player. Every minute there's another milestone reached or objective accomplished, and skills don't get nearly as tested as they should. Ultimately, this shmup, while fun, is a little too disjointed, shallow, and easy.
inFamous: First Light feels almost like two games in one. One game has some good ideas, but tends to be a little dull and uneven. However, completing that first game is required to make the most out of the excellent second one. When playing through the story, the great controls and superb mechanics mean very little, because there isn't enough resistance to put them to work. However, the Survival Arena is absolutely wonderful. Not only is it loaded with thrilling encounters and satisfying action, it demands the player's attention. They're going to notice every moment, grab hold of every opportunity, and do whatever it takes just to survive a little longer.
To put it bluntly, there's never been a better time to jump into this fantastic fighting game. Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 is the total package. The new story content is nice, but the changes and additions to the roster really bring everything together. All of the characters are deep, complex, and rewarding to learn. The competition tends to be fierce, if not entirely on another level, but there's never any reason to feel put off. This title provides all of the necessary resources to help newcomers make meaningful progress. In short, you don't want to miss out on one of the best fighting games of the year.
A lot of games have great concepts, which are then thoroughly wasted due to bad gameplay or other issues. The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile isn't one of them. This title delivers on the cyborgs, zombies, and decapitations - that much is true. More importantly, it is superbly designed and programmed. It flicks all of those "hell yeah" switches in the gamer's brain. Before long, they're completely enthralled by the bloody spectacle. Altogether, this is a worthy pickup for slash 'em up fans.
Charlie Murder is altogether a very solid beat 'em up. Brawlers with RPG elements very rarely hit the mark, but this one is quite enjoyable. It doesn't sacrifice the essential mechanics that make cracking skulls so satisfying. There's an understated layer of depth that skilful gamers can really appreciate. Admittedly, the punk aesthetic is lost on a prog-rock geek like this reviewer. Still, it's charming all the same. All in all, this is a title that's well worth looking into.
Despite its issues, which should be addressed in short order, Prey is a stunning gem. Not since the venerable System Shock 2 has there been an immersive simulator that succeeds in everything it sets out to do. Talos-1 is masterful in both its construction and design. Players are given limitless freedom to approach every possible situation, lending the game unparalleled levels of replay value. Also, it's rare to see a purely single-player experience retain its freshness in the face of a lengthy play-time. This is just as compelling in the 30th hour as it is in the first.
Voodoo Vince Remastered is what some would call a "working man's 3D platformer." It isn't ground-breaking or breath-taking, but it delivers on all of its promises. Each stage offers something new, but it never detracts from the core elements. The amazing soundtrack can't be praised enough. Above all, this game has aged quite gracefully. Even somebody who has never played it before - such as this reviewer - will find it to be thoroughly impressive.
The problems with Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 are manifold. Although some players might be able to stomach the long load times and poor framerate, it's unlikely they'll endure the countless bugs. The three regions that the game takes place in are sufficiently large. They're also filled with the appropriate amount of secrets and general busywork. Unfortunately, Georgia feels static and lifeless. Enemy troops don't have a purpose beyond shooting it out with the protagonist. While putting an end to these hapless goons is entertaining, it doesn't justify suffering through all of the other setbacks.
Usually when it comes to videogames, there are qualities that allow them to stand out, in a good or a bad way. One Dog Story doesn't quite have that distinction. For the most part, it's just a solidly built game. It does everything in its power to keep players occupied for several hours.
In short, there will never be another fighter quite like Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. The staggering roster has some notable flaws, but an admirable effort was made to provide something for everyone. The X-Factor sub-system could have used a bit more development time in order to iron out the issues. Even taking into account all of the frustrating nonsense that can occur, this game is still very impressive. The Xbox One port is really good, though there aren't enough additions to win over anyone who has played the previous version extensively. For everyone else, it's still a worthwhile pickup.
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is a superb remake. It's a flawless port with various minor improvements sprinkled throughout. It's also drop-dead gorgeous. The original game's age is clearly shown when it comes to matters such as equipment and level design. Even with these issues, the quest still hits all of the right notes. It doesn't waste the player's time, nor does it ever get overly frustrating. Each leg of the adventure makes a lot happen with very little, thanks to smart enemy placement and rock solid fundamentals. Altogether, this journey is one that any generation can find joy in.
With its satisfying controls and enthralling action, Flinthook is an exemplary roguelike. It gives players the space they need to really come to grips with the titular character's unique repertoire. Each raid presents its own challenges, and there's enough agency to keep every attempt interesting. The constant loop of level-ups of booster packs is maddeningly addictive. There's always something to look forward to, but never at the expense of the game's core. A bevy of extras, such as hardcore and infinite modes, round out this superb release.
Captain Kaon shows a lot of promise, but there are too many aspects that need to be tweaked or fixed. The graphics are passable, but the frame rate borders on horrendous. The difficulty balance is heavily stacked against the player early on, but then jumps between "too easy" and "too infuriating," depending on the objective. The soundtrack is just awful. There's one song that plays during every mission, and it must have been composed with just six or seven notes. It has a better chance of driving someone insane than being trapped miles underground, while surrounded by hostility.
While having an additional campaign is swell, the real stars of the Elite Class DLC are the hover vehicles. They offer an exciting spin on traditional racing. Taking the time to learn their intricacies is a very rewarding endeavour. The higher top speeds and looser handling make for very frenetic and sometimes chaotic races. All in all, a fine purchase for any fan of Mantis Burn Racing.
Snowbound is a fantastic add-on that's sure to please Mantis Burn Racing veterans. The four tracks not only look great, but they're also fairly designed and fun to race through. A lot of time could be spent just testing out how all of the vehicles behave on these treacherous ice-covered roads. Everything is seamlessly integrated, so both campaign and multiplayer gamers aren't going to run into any issues. Most importantly, this DLC is free. How can anyone complain about that?
Pinball Parlor is very clearly aimed at enthusiasts. Grasping the mechanics behind nudging can take several hours. Getting an impressive score? That'll take even longer. The high skill barrier is bound to annoy players accustomed to more modern renditions of pinball. Still, if they're willing to put in the effort, they'll find a game that's unique compellingly and rewarding. With every session, they get a better idea of how it all works. Eventually, their time will be appropriately rewarded.
It's natural and rewarding in itself, so the collectibles are merely the icing on the cake. Anyone seeking a different take on the platforming genre would do very well to check this game out.