Kyle Movius
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the best Fire Emblem game since 2005's Path of Radiance. Players who skipped Shadows of Valentia may find a lot of things strange and different at first, but it all fits together so well that it starts to feel natural pretty quickly. Even if you don't know what you're doing in the beginning, you can still succeed and enjoy playing in the long run. The story is fascinating, the characters are lovable and entertaining, and the presentation is great.
If you really love crafting, Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Paintings might be your jam. But if you like literally any other aspect of a typical JRPG, you're going to be disappointed. It might be worth $20 for the curiosity, but at $60, I really can't recommend it to anyone who doesn't already like the series.
ChromaGun answers a question nobody wanted answered: What if Portal made a few really terrible game design decisions that soured the whole experience? Don't get me wrong, ChromaGun is not without enjoyment. It certainly has its moments. At $19.99, it may be worth buying. But it could have been so much better.
Fire Emblem Warriors is a very fun game marred by a only few issues, some of which were probably unavoidable. The basic hack-and-slash gameplay is as solid and polished as any Warriors game, and the new innovations based on the Fire Emblem series add a lot. The game honestly feels like Fire Emblem almost as much as it feels like a Warriors game. If you're a classic Fire Emblem fan like me, don't let the roster keep you from buying the game. If you like Dynasty Warriors but don't know Fire Emblem, there's still plenty to enjoy here.
The original Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was a fantastic adventure, and this remake has not harmed it. You'll find the same fun and challenging gameplay accompanied by the same witty dialogue that first appeared on the Game Boy Advance in 2003, but now everything looks and sounds much better. The new content, Bowser's Minions, is not good enough to warrant a purchase by itself; however, since it's completely optional, it's also not a reason to stay away.
Whether you like the old Sonic games or the new ones, or even if you've never played one before, Sonic Mania holds plenty of fun for everyone.
It's hardly unique in gameplay and story, but what it lacks in uniqueness it makes up for in execution and presentation.
Flip Wars is a very simple, shallow party game. It's not actively terrible, but it barely offers anything to do.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a quality Fire Emblem game, no doubt about it. It'll feel strange at first for those who started with Blazing Blade or a later title, but not in a bad way. Once you get used to its little quirks, any Fire Emblem fan will love this game. It's got an engaging story, likable characters, and multifaceted gameplay that stands together with the rest of the series in some ways and sets itself apart in other aspects. Whether you were looking for a change of pace or just more Fire Emblem, this game is sure to satisfy.
Miko Mole is a disaster. Someone would have to pay me to play it again. Antiquated graphics, annoying sound effects, forgettable soundtrack, poor level design, iffy controls, and a complete lack of story make this not a last hurrah for the Wii U but rather a dying gasp.
Specter of Torment puts cool new twists on Shovel Knight's action platformer gameplay and has a fascinating story to boot. It's challenging but very fair, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire game. Those who already have Shovel Knight should look forward to this excellent free expansion, and those who don't have the base game needn't think twice about spending $9.99 for this masterfully crafted experience.