Natural Doctrine is a punishingly difficult strategy game but if you stick with it, you may just find it to be extremely rewarding.
In my 26 hours of playtime, I finished the main story, saw a bunch of optional conversations, and completed 45% of the side quests. It’s fun in a mindless sort of way and it isn’t terrible but you’re not missing anything by skipping it.
Those Who Remain is rough around the edges but there are a handful of standout moments that make it a journey worth taking, if you can get past those aforementioned edges.
Shining Resonance Refrain isn't a great game but it isn't a bad one either. I love the combat despite the repetition and the story and characters are both worth paying attention to, but it's rough around the edges. Whether it's the dated presentation, the several wholly unnecessary systems, or traversing the same areas ad nauseum, there are simply too many roadblocks for me to give it a resounding recommendation.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD is a beautiful remaster of an oft-maligned entry in the series. It's far from perfect, but there's a lot of fun to be had mastering its courses.
Mario Golf: World Tour is a mixed bag. On one hand, it is an almost perfect golf game with interesting and compelling online options. On the other, it adds in a bunch of gimmicks and lacks enough actual golf courses. Still, my complaints are more related to the lack of content that I was expecting, not the quality of the gameplay, which is pitch perfect.
While it's appeal is decidedly niche, the game excels as something much more than a visual novel. Add in the slightly easy, but satisfying, turn-based battles and it's a game that speaks directly to me and gets a high recommendation.
Shadows of Valentia is more Fire Emblem but also a change of pace. More recent fans might not like the missing romance options, weapon triangle, and battlefield changes. These are sometimes dramatic differences, but those looking for a compelling strategy game with the series' staple excellent characters, will be pleased by what's included as well as the new features this remake has up its sleeve. Just be ready for some enemy AI shenanigans along the way.
If you played the first NES Remix and were unimpressed, this one probably won't change your mind. However, if you thought it was a great idea that lacked proper execution, you'll be pleased to see that enough has changed for the better.
If you have a Vita, and think this all sounds interesting, you must check it out.
The story may be a bit of a let down but the core turn based strategy gameplay is a ton of fun.
Naturally every Wii U owner should pick this up but old fans should also consider it because it truly is the Mario Kart that you remember.
Also, you can hurl an axe across the map into an unsuspecting Nazi's face, and that's sure to brighten anyone's day.
It's not perfect and the nostalgia goggles are likely affecting my memories of the first game but Bayonetta 2 is still a great time and better than pretty much any other action game out there.
Do you like BioShock? Then play this.
Not only is Salt and Sanctuary a fantastic distillation of the Dark Souls formula to 2D, it is also one of the best Metroidvania games I've ever played. Either one of those would make the game an easy recommendation but both turns it into a must play.
Besides a map system that could be better and a few glitched side quests, my experience with Prey was flawless. There were some misteps near the end, but the final scene gave me chills and the existential implications therein made it all worth it. To me, Prey easily stands toe to toe with some of the best sci-fi games in recent years, and if the world is just, should be remembered as one of the finest gaming experiences of all time. This is an instant classic that you shouldn't overlook.