Yann Bernard


85 games reviewed
73.5 average score
80 median score
68.2% of games recommended
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Apr 1, 2014

Contrary to appearances, the former spearhead title of the Ouya is not just a small game indie in tune with the times, displaying without complex its large pixels. Indeed, TowerFall is resolutely dedicated to local multiplayer, a practice that is now marginalized.

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Literally transfigured, Majora's Mask expresses here all the ambitions carried by its resolutely dramatic tone. With a concept based on the sometimes oppressive management of time and an approach favouring ancillary activities, this episode certainly goes round in circles, but is nonetheless visionary.

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9 / 10 - Bloodborne
Mar 26, 2015

Ordinary mortals will no longer need an eternity to taste this opus, while the most diehard will find something to quench their thirst for hemoglobin. Contract therefore fulfilled for From Software. Here is the masterpiece of Hidetaka Miyazaki, father of souls, the signature in blood ink below being authentic.

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Sep 2, 2015

Some will see in Super Mario Maker the admission of a lack of innovation so often blamed on the series. Yet this is the most creative approach ever undertaken by our mustachioed plumber. Nintendo thus opens the doors of the Mushroom Kingdom wide so that we offer Mario new adventures, thanks to a surprisingly playful construction process and rarely simple, GamePad in support.

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Mar 8, 2017

Based on Mario's best sports experiences, this selection would fully deserve the title of multi activity champion, if it hadn't been too influenced by the (super)star system.

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New Frontier Days : Founding Pioneers doesn't venture into uncharted lands from the construction and simulation game territory, yet it's a pastoral, simple and efficient introduction to the genre, although such lack of ambition shows limitations sooner rather than later, whether because of the repetitiveness or the absence of multiplayer.

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Mar 20, 2017

Through Shovel Knight, Yacht Club Games not only unearthed rough conerstones of the past, but also polished them by modern standards. Then Plague of Shadows let brave alchemists experience a more elaborate, explosive formula, while Specter of Torment came back from the dead to sharpen both the gameplay and the narrative, a fantastic journey now gathered into this well-named Treasure Trove.

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Apr 24, 2017

Back to basics with new types of blocks to boot, there couldn't have been a better way to say farewell for BoxBoy!

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Fire Emblem Gaiden had explored different approaches, which appear even bolder through this remake on 3DS thanks to an absolutely epic staging, a more developed narrative and many modern gameplay adjustments, while staying true to the original Famicom version. Despite some relics from the past and a less strategic philosophy, Echoes : Shadows of Valentia proves that these pragmatic concepts are still relevant today, indeed for the future of the franchise.

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8 / 10 - Ever Oasis
Jun 22, 2017

By mixing proven Action-RPG recipes with inspired puzzles and a slice of good-hearted life simulation, Ever Oasis already makes a refreshing cocktail. But there is more to discover under the sand of the desert than it seems, since the powerful stream of cooperation injected through the game's strata adds depth to this captivating adventure. Despite the inexplicable lack of multiplayer, such journey can be seen as a humanistic, ecological allegory from Koichi Ishii, and surely a benevolent experience, something rather rare these days.

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7 / 10 - Hey! Pikmin
Jul 26, 2017

Like a herbarium, Hey! Pikmin is a conscientious, wonderful, tactile, yet flat transposition of the series' singular gameplay, mostly preserved along the way. While some depth, even life was lost in the process, this lateral perspective lets Captain Olimar explore the vertical dimension of this feral world rather quietly and cleverly, carrying its delicate ecogical message to new heights as well.

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8 / 10 - Miitopia
Jul 27, 2017

Miitopia may seem like a simple, artificial RPG simulation with Mii, but the humoristic narrative tone underlined by such absurdly customizable protagonists suggest to take some distance from the deceptive classicism of this quest, that reveals an ironic look at the genre. The focus on the relationships between these avatars, their freedom in combat along with the randomness of the gameplay elements add life to the whole experience, creating a special position for the player, neither actor nor spectator, yet deeply involved. Whether it's considered as an introduction to RPG or a satire, Miitopia doesn't lack character, and wonderfully embodies the role.

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Thanks to a playful tone, an adaptive challenge and a wide selection of cleverly designed activities, Brain Age : Concentration Training successfully keeps the experience interesting, but also gratifying. Despite some persistent handwriting recognition issues and the rather large amount of recycled games, this devilish episode shall amuse our minds, an indubitable benefit, intellectual empowerment debates notwithstanding.

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7 / 10 - Semispheres
Sep 15, 2017

Apart from unnecessary narrative and simultaneous action-oriented stray deviations, Semispheres deploys its half stealthy / half puzzling mechanics to their full extent, more easily experienced with a second player thanks to the Joy-Con.

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With such fundamental narrative additions and rich locations to discover, Psychic Specters is undoubtedly the most complete, accomplished version of Yo-Kai Watch 2, underlining its role of Japanese culture's ambassador at the same time. Yet considering the substantial updates released for Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls, the decision to get this definitive edition will not only depend on what you possess, but also reveal if your are possessed by Level-5's wicked fanchise...

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Bowser's Minions were not the reinforcements expected for Mario & Luigi, but such pugnacious tactical digression strengthens the hilarious narrative as well as the whole adventure, while the astonishing amount of content and gameplay improvements make this completely overhauled Superstar Saga even more shining.

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Carried by the Layton family's experience in mystery, Katrielle starts her detective career with modern resolutions, such as the episodic investigation proceedings. But the cases and their protagonists ultimately lack depth, while the whole plot looks like a long introduction. The puzzles and mini games also appear less inspired, or bold, since Kat solves the most relevant riddles by herself anyway. Let's hope that she's keeping more tricks in her hat for the upcoming adventures...

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Beyond an assumed classicism, Etrian Odyssey V refocuses on the Yggdrasil labyrinth, adding space and depth to exploration. Hence this episode gives more relevance to each decision, each combat, which boldly asserts its mythical role playing heritage through such refined formula.

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Nov 30, 2017

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 gets bolder in every direction, with a colorful character design backed by a caricatural tone to mask the gravity of the purpose underneath, a denser world deployed vertically, that literally breathes life through atmospheric compositions and folklore. Some ideas deserved more development, but most concepts are organically integrated, the versatile talents of the Blades sharpening the whole gameplay. A way to cut deeper into this huge adventure enriched by the variety and random nature of such symbiotic support creations, while its slight impression of d'j' vu only comes from the essential elements scavenged to forge the saga's most refined iteration. Nothing disappears, everything transforms indeed.

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Dec 13, 2017

"The sooner the better" This may apply to Pok'mon Ultra-Sun and Ultra-Moon in many ways. While fresh memories from the previous episodes help to notice the small, delicate differences, with clever twists aimed at Alola's returning vacationers, the main story transformations happen rather late. Similarly, the additions are mostly interesting, even captivating, but they often lack more development to express their full potential, and overall flaws were not really addressed, in particular tedious pace and inconsistent challenge. However, the generous amount of commemorative - not to say recycled - content suggests Game Freak tried to reach some closure there, broken rules like the introduction of new species during this generation hinting that the series might seriously evolve in the future. Better late than never...

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