Casey Scheld's Reviews
The pastel world and happy-go-lucky premise of Alpaca Stacka achieve exactly what it sets out to do, providing a casual experience kids (and kids at heart) will absolutely love. It’s overly short, but think of it as a casual breather between meatier titles and you’ll have a great time.
Track and field titles were designed as casual button mashers at their core, and World CHAMPIONS: Decathlon doesn’t do much to shake things up. The lack of personality and depth prevent this competitor from ever taking on the Track & Field champ.
The outrun aesthetic is alive and well with PalmRide. While this racer’s life system takes away from its sense of speed, its overall vibe more than makes up for it.
You would think a game about minigolf would have a competent physics system, but Minigolf Adventure makes every last ball feel like a lead weight. It’s simply not fun to play, and no amount of variety can change its poor fundamentals.
Designed for short burst sessions, TechBeat Heart encourages players to come back for just one more run. This vertical shmup doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t have to - its focus on the fundamentals pays off in dividends.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl attempts to follow the Super Smash Bros. formula, but it just doesn’t take things far enough. There’s a general lack of polish to its presentation and its physics, making it hard for even the most diehard Nicktoons fan to get engaged. Not even Nigel Thornberry and his smashing antics can save this platform fighter.
The arcade action of Centipede: Recharged is inoffensive, but there simply isn’t enough content here to justify its price tag. Even the most devout score chaser will likely get bored with this title’s lack of variety, and its bland aesthetics seal its fate.
Those with a pocket full of quarters and a fervent love for the classics will be right at home with the side-scrolling action of Steel Assault. It might be a bit on the short side, but it encourages absolute mastery - just mind the gap.
Those with a taste for speedy fighters will be right at home with Melty Blood: Type Lumina. The series' in-depth mechanics are alive and well in this reboot, making this arguably the best entry yet.
Horatio Goes Snowboarding’s got the downhill action - and even the yeti - of Ski Free, but the start-and-stop pacing between runs prevent this blue fellow’s run from being a new casual classic.
Is World Racing ‘95 a retro throwback that will drum up nostalgia? Absolutely. However, despite looking and sounding the part, the awkward physics and slower action prevent it from hitting the same speed as AM2’s arcade classic.
The bad girls of idolYAKI are certainly bad, but for all of the wrong reasons. While this visual novel has got a novel concept, the execution and presentation prove to be too much of a has been to make an impact.
Those with the gambler’s spirit will enjoy raking in the dough with PEGGO!’s pachinko action, but this cathartic experience is a bit repetitive. It’s great for fans of multiplier frenzies, but less so for those looking for something a bit meatier.
Cruis’n Blast focuses on style over substance, making the end result feel a bit hollow. Navigating a careening ferris wheel is the stuff action movies are made of, but there’s just not enough content here to justify picking this home release up over sinking a few bucks into the arcade version.
Although Beat Souls features a kaleidoscope of color and a wealth of anime girls, the music and action of this rhythm game are far too tame for their own good. It provides an interesting twist on the genre, but it will leave players feeling like something is missing.
A title described as an “invasive expression of gesture” might not sound like a good time, but Cuccchi’s blend of art and gameplay largely pays off. Those that can stand a bit of awkwardness in its navigation can enjoy a novel experience that they are sure to remember.
While the aerial movement of Neon Wings: Air Race helps this title stand out, its poor implementation hinders its balance when all is said and done.
If 2236 A.D. Secretary Stories shows the future of visual novels, then things look bleak. This title manages to make nearly every mistake in the book, making this AI PASS an easy pass.
Although it is not the most polished game around, Aery – Calm Mind manages to provide a relaxing experience free of danger and worry. Those looking to zone out a bit will enjoy hitting the skies, but those seeking out something meatier best approach with caution.
The experimental nature of Heal Hitler pays off in dividends. By focusing squarely on the script, this visual novel features a real human element that makes every choice truly matter. Those looking for an enthralling tale with one of history's most infamous dictators have certainly found it in this psychologists' office.