Jydge is a compelling game that has some clever ideas and a huge amount of customization. Unfortunately it's held back by a demanding progression system that lends itself to grinding and replaying missions ad nauseam. There is definitely fun to be had with the solid gameplay, a huge amount of unlockables and challenging subgoals, but for those hoping to see the credits roll, prepare yourself to replay the same missions time and time again.
The new elements provided a nice change, but by the conclusion I couldn't help but trust my first instincts. It tries to spice it up with some abilities, but ultimately it's about the core mechanic of throwing the spear. While fun and satisfying to nail an enemy from across the screen, the well runs dry towards the end of your journey, especially with the spike in difficulty when dealing with bosses.
undefined.Loot-driven action RPGs can find themselves in a pattern of being repetitive, relying on the desire for the next shiny piece of armor to keep players engaged. Lapis x Labyrinth certainly falls into that category, but unfortunately despite the huge number of items you earn, many tend to be downgrades. However, the diversity in each character type works to its advantage, promoting mixing and matching party members to help reduce the feeling of grinding in this outrageously stylistic 2D Action RPG.
Instead of relying on fast-paced bullet hell antics, it presents a more methodical and thoughtful approach to level and enemy design. This does become frustrating, however, as some stages can have difficulty spikes towards the end, making it a chore to go through the motions just to get back to where you were. Fortunately, this isn't the norm and more often than not I found the clever level design to be a true treat.
It's systems are robust and plentiful, but frankly many are downright confusing. The developers decided to do the player no favors, leaving much of the complexities a mystery without searching online. That is enough to scare some away, but if it isn't a dealbreaker, there's more than enough here to keep you busy for hours on end.
Steredenn Binary Stars might look like a generic shoot-'em-up on the surface, but it offers quite a bit to be excited about. I found the wonderful selection of weapons and multiphase bosses an absolute delight despite the relentless difficulty. While the all or nothing nature will be more than enough to turn some people off, for those who welcome it will without a doubt find themselves proclaiming, just one more run.
Missions tend to be repetitive, but the thrill of executing them flawlessly is equally as satisfying as it is devastating when a crash whips out your entire crew. Roguelite elements throw a great wrinkle to the gameplay, but do come at the expense of light grinding when losing members of the crew or plane. Although not without blemishes, it presents an interesting and challenging take on simulator that requires quick thinking and even faster reactions.
They strike a great balance of accessibility and challenge, and even give the option for players who want more of a challenge to do so. The only glaring flaw is the limited content the package has to offer. While there are some incentives to revisit levels in the form of challenges, those dry up relatively fast which left me wanting more.
Level design and variety are wonderful, continuing to stay fresh throughout. However in contrast, the enemy design was a let down due to a small pool of enemies. Fun boss battles and the cutest protagonist ever do help to mitigate the shortcomings resulting in a brisk and enjoyable experience.
At first glance you might expect something much more family friendly, but will instantly be welcomed by a sinister set of events. Behind the cuteness of the main protagonists are a pair of creepy games filled with grotesque and downright strange monsters. With the focal point of exploration in lieu of combat, the pace of each game is on the slower side, but it helps to build the feeling of isolation and helplessness as you wander the dark streets aiming to uncover their mysteries.
Not only did they deliver a truly breathtaking rendition of the classic art style, but also introduced an interesting mechanic to the already familiar style of play. There were some choices I didn't love, mainly having to revisit levels numerous times to continue forward. And while it certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, it hits the sweet spot for those looking to go on a nostalgia trip.
While this won't be one you play for hours on end, it's perfect for those looking for bite-sized fast paced action.
While the introductory RC Car is a quick 10-minute build, the other four (Motorbike, Piano, Fishing Rod, and House) are much more involved.
The wonderfully crafted campaigns present both fun and challenging tasks that can be tackled in a number of different ways depending on which of the seven classes you choose. It's likely that the game will run thin before really messing around with all the classes, but the soon to launch online mode could help elevate that feeling. Even with a few blemishes with the music and a couple of crashes, the hook of exploration and monster slaying kept me crawling back for more.
While the driving force to unlock all the items and game modes doesn't last long, racking up high scores remains both satisfying and addicting. Relatively lengthy load times and a bug are a few blemishes on an otherwise enjoyable game. Like many endless runners your mileage may vary, but for anyone who enjoys the genre, this is an easy recommendation.
Note: Keep an eye out for future patches/updates that could address MyCareer and save issues.
When I first picked up South Park The Fractured but Whole, I knew the humor and overall tone of the game would appeal to me, even being a relatively lapsed fan of the series.
Featuring two characters for a majority of the adventure adds some interesting puzzle design, but also takes away from the feeling of isolation and dread. Fortunately the frightening and off-putting atmosphere helps to counteract that. While it isn't the best of the classics, Resident Evil Zero still manages to deliver an authentic survival horror experience.
Trials of Mana is a great example of how to do a remake, bringing a classic to modern day while sticking closely to its roots. Improved battle mechanics, visuals, and soundtrack are great additions, but at times poor AI and jarring transitions are a bit of a letdown. Overall though, combat and the upgrade system kept me engaged and coming back for more.
With a pretty high encounter rate, this caused more than a few issues. That's not to say Ni no Kuni isn't entertaining; it just feels a bit imperfect. Regardless, exploring the different sights within the stunning world and interacting with its fascinating characters helped to overcome the shortcomings.