Square has conjured up a really detailed role-playing game for the SNES that has been rightly dusted off without changing much of the original: The HD textures and slightly revamped battle system bring Super Mario RPG up to date, and the post-game rematches offer a brand new tough challenge. All summed up, this is a remake of a role-playing game as it should be in the textbook; the only downer is and remains the playing time of the main story, which is too short at roughly 10 hours.
Review in German | Read full review
If anyone says that 90s role-playing games are out of date these days, should take a hard look at Star Ocean: The Second Story. With the help of stunning 2.5D graphics and a few small improvements to the combat system and other gameplay mechanics, the title shines as The Second Story R in a splendour that rivals any other current RPG of the year. The depth of the original game, including side activities, take care of the rest
Review in German | Read full review
The WarioWare series has been around since the Nintendo DS, but with Motion Control the microgames have become a real blast. As on the Nintendo Wii, it's just huge fun to face the crazy challenges that last only seconds, in crazy poses in front of the screen. It's too bad that the single-player mode is already over before it has really begun. But instead, other game modes for single, party and multiplayer challenges can be found in WarioWare Move It! to round off the amusement.
Review in German | Read full review
Super Mario Bros. Wonder evidently impresses with its creativity and innovation! The best jump 'n' run action paired with the colourful presentation of the flower kingdom including new enemy types and unpredictable spectacles of a wonder flower leave hardly anything to be desired! The implementation of a selectable badge before the levels rounds off the game experience; and the multiplayer has clearly been given some thought too. Only in terms of scope one can sense the short playing time and the small amount of power-ups that can be found.
Review in German | Read full review
The influence of Danganronpa can be felt in every corner of Rain Code - and that's not a bad thing! Nevertheless, one could have wished for a bit more innovation besides the visually crazy "Mysterious Labyrinth" in 3D. For a new IP, the game borrows a bit too much from the spiritual ancestor, but the story and gameplay are absolutely convincing. Danganronpa fans and otakus will have a blast!
Review in German | Read full review
Link is back, and better than ever! The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes the excellent foundation of its predecessor and adds to it: the new abilities allow for much more experimentation and puzzle solving, plus the islands in the sky offer a change from the earthbound world of Hyrule, inviting you to explore much more, putting the saying "The sky's the limit!" to new use. Nintendo has managed to outdo itself once again after Breath of the Wild.
Review in German | Read full review
As a rule of thumb, sequels do a lot of things better, and so it is in the case of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor! With a full five lightsaber fighting styles, plenty of new abilities and activities in addition to those from the predecessor, a more open game world, more customization options and a multitude of small improvements make the title a worthy successor to Fallen Order. Once the minor performance and quality issues are fixed, there's absolutely no reason why Star Wars fans shouldn't pick this one up.
Review in German | Read full review
There is a reason Advance Wars is considered one of the best games of all time: It offers something for everyone, from beginners to absolute experts in warfare, and can achieve an incredible depth regarding gameplay. This remaster also does everything right: changes are only made to the graphics, but gameplay and level design remain true to the original. Add online functionality, dubbing and a map editor on top and a Game Boy classic is brought to the modern era in a perfect way.
Review in German | Read full review
And again, the grind is real, guys! Octopath Traveler II is insanely beautiful to look at, the story around the eight characters is better realized, and the turn-based battle system is a true joy, reminiscent of the glory days of 16-bit RPGs. If some boss fights drag on forever and random battles also demand their share of playing time, it shows that the sequel also appeals to die-hard fans for the most part. Nevertheless, the improvements compared to the first part are noticeable in every corner - Octopath Traveler II shows itself as a role-playing game on the highest level in 2023.
Review in German | Read full review
Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman, the spiritual fathers of Guybrush Threepwood, are back, and you can feel it in every fiber of Return to Monkey Island. Hilarious situations, clever dialogue, memorable characters, beginner-friendly gameplay, and a fresh graphic style that may not be to everyone's taste bring the game series back to where it belongs: at the top of the point-and-click games. This game is definitely more than just pure nostalgia!
Review in German | Read full review
The 2022 iteration of Live A Live shows how remakes for games from the early 90's should be done: a fresh coat of paint, a few quality of life improvments and Live A Live looks like a brand-new title that plays just as well. The story was, with a few minor drawbacks, so great that it still amazes today. It i is a love letter to old school RPGs and a recommendation for everybody who likes them.
Review in German | Read full review
A gaming series as old as LEGO video games has to reshape some of its mechanics to stay relevant. LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga did a formidable with that and therefore has become the new gold standard for all games of its kind. The experience is only troubled by the ubiquitous little puzzle games, which all feel the same and fill the vast space of the galaxy far far away...
Review in German | Read full review
Don't be fooled by Tunic's cute packaging: the game is quite demanding in terms of combat. When it comes to the quality of the puzzles, the game is on the same level as the platform classic FEZ. But the biggest selling point remains the mysteries that motivate you to solve another puzzle or find a collectible over and over again. An absolute recipe for success!
Review in German | Read full review
You notice immediately that Horizon Forbidden West massively builds upon the first game and offers a lot more of machine models and side activities. The Gameplay stays excellent, only the story takes a lot of time to gain momentum. Forbidden West is still a sequel how most fans would've wanted it to be.
Review in German | Read full review
Looking back at it roots, Mario Party Superstars brings back some of the biggest joys from the Nineties. A wide selection of the best minigames and classic boards originally debuting on the Nintendo 64 surely will satisfy everbody's nostalgia. On the downside it feels like there's content lacking, since there are only five playable boards, no overarching story and nothing worthwile to unlock. As soon as the nostalgia wears off, this Mario Party almost feels... incomplete.
Review in German | Read full review
Inscryption may not reinvent the card gaming genre, but it is filled to the brim with great ideas and the usual twists of a David Mullins game. If you enjoy a spooky atmosphere as well as deckbuilding definitely check this out!
Review in German | Read full review
Deathloop is the newest hit from Arkane Studios and even if it feels very familiar to Dishonored at the beginning, the gameplay loop changes everything. The studio captivates players again with a strong level design and the day and night cycle gets even more out of the different environments. In short, with Deathloop in your hands you'll experience the best the studio has delivered so far and leaves little to be desired.
Review in German | Read full review
WarioWare: Get It Together! lives from its weird and often amusing micro games. So for a short amount of time the game feels like a collection of amazing ideas with new surprises every time around the corner but the effect wears off after the second and third time playing the same game. The different playable characters offer some fresh takes on some gameplay elements but there could have been a lot more new features after 18 years of waiting.
Review in German | Read full review
By expanding on the strong parts of its predecessor - like the imaginative worlds and the bonkers humor -, and reworking the fighting system from the ground up, Psychonauts 2 shows everybody how a succesful sequel should be made. This might be the definite Psychonauts experience as well as the 3D platformer of the year.
Review in German | Read full review
The graphics are colorful and beautiful, the story mostly motivating and at its core a turn based combat system with some clever time manipulation. Cris Tales got the whole package and every fan of RPGs should check out this amazing indie game.
Review in German | Read full review