The series found a comfortable stride in the handheld world, and moving away from that isn’t always a strong step – so it’s a good thing that the Switch is a little bit of both worlds. The game is great for playing in short bursts, with even ten to fifteen minutes feeling like enough to really get something done, even if it’s just returning a bunch of lost items to your units in the monastery to boost your support links. The characters are endearing and help draw you into the world and its story, complete with divine mysteries to carry you through the school year.
Overall, Team Sonic Racing is… fun. I wouldn’t say it’s a top-of-the-line title by any means, but little tweaks to the formula give it an edge over others in the same field.
Metro Exodus feels like a solid simulacrum of someone else trying to make a Fallout game, for all the benefits and drawbacks that entails.
I honestly enjoyed my time with Assassin's Creed: Odyssey. It adds new elements to the franchise's recipe that I enjoy, and some of the story beats look to be leading future instalments in a really interesting direction.
As remastered games go, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is one of the better examples.
The in-combat effects and camera work really make what could be a relatively basic combat cycle into something that feels dynamic and empowering every time you get to button-mash to truly kick the stuffing out of a goon's face.
At the end of the day, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is a LEGO game
Overall, "The Frozen Wilds" gives one more taste of the game's amazing combat, world and character animation to players like myself who loved Horizon (whether it was straight away or after coming back to it). It's a pity that Guerrilla has stated this will be the game's only piece DLC as it lays even more hints for a greater story in this world.
While I never expected to say it, I may actually play a Monster Hunter game to completion, because Stories is the perfect storm of keeping the nuggets of the series I like while abandoning literally everything else about it.
While I had some difficulty getting into the gameplay at first, due to how different it is to previous games from this developer, I'm glad to have persevered. Given the chance, Pyre opens up a world rich with lore to enjoy, and a variety of characters to throw headlong into magical bonfires. With both the story campaign and a multiplayer match mode available, it's easy to get deep into the Rites yourself.
RiME is exactly the game I like to slowly work my way through.
Persona 5 is a beautiful balancing act; one that feels eternally stressful unless you give in and enjoy it rather than aiming for the perfect run.
Overall, these three new Operations feel very consistent with the standard set by the core Watch Dogs 2 experience. The chance to return to San Francisco and geek it up with the DedSec team is welcome, and their characterisation remains as energetic and positive as ever.
Even then, there are some concessions made in the name of more effective gameplay that aren't exactly native to the series.
Yakuza 0 is simultaneously the best and worst starting point for newcomers like myself.
Ultimately, Super Mario Maker is paired down on 3DS, but not to ridiculous levels. Editing is as easy on a 3DS touchscreen as a Wii U touchpad — though decidedly easier on a 3DS XL than a 3DS — and gameplay is largely the same. If you own a copy on Wii U, it’s probably better to stick with that. For most of us — who either don’t own a Wii U or who mothballed it a while ago — this entry’s a great little package to pick up for Christmas.
All in all, 7th Drgaon III Code: VFD is a fun dungeon-crawling experience with enough bells and whistles to set it apart from the pack. The base-building gives you a fun reason to grind dragons beyond simply levelling up your party, and the reward loop of loot and levelling keeps you interested at just the right pace. Barring the absence of a quick-save option for short burst play on public transport, it’s a great way to while away time as needed, and tells a goofy fun story along the way. But dang, someone get a swear jar for Nodens HQ. That little demon rabbit needs to calm the heck down before Nintendo NOTICES.
While I may not think of this personally as a true Final Fantasy title, that doesn't make it any less of a good game. Despite all my above quibbles, I still haven't been able to put the controller down for any longer than it takes to visit the bathroom or refuel my needy human body. It's understandable why this was set as a side title to the franchise initially, given how much it plays with the formula, but fresh input is what is needed to keep this franchise alive. Final Fantasy XV welcomes new players with open arms, and challenges long-time fans to try something new. It's worth your time, and worth the wait.
Dishonored 2 is a good game marred by too many issues, and adds up to far less than the sum of its parts.
Paired with a well-written story and varied soundtrack, Owlboy does something that a lot of pixel-art games don’t – it elevates the medium from the bare requirements. While some games utilise pixel art as an easy way to convey a mechanic or story with simplified visuals, D-Pad Studios have clearly chosen pixel art because that’s what they WANTED to use. It’s no wonder the game has been cooking for nine years now – anything with this much love poured into it doesn’t leave the kitchen until it’s good and ready.