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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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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In a word, grandiose.
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The exotic holidays of Luigi's Mansion 3 look like a phantasmagorical comedy, each floor from this hotel presenting a play of its own which revisits the classic horror movies themes, thanks to Next Level Games' fantastic imagination through mischievous stagecraft, wonderful riddles and stunning ectoplasmic battles. Beyond the already reinforced ghost hunter gear, such elements are combined marvellously, if not even better in duo, since the slimy characteristics of Gooigi both fluidify and enrich the whole experience. A team spirit encouraged by the terrific multi player modes, in particular the more stupendously trapped ScareScraper, bound to haunt the long hallowed eves slamming with friends endlessly.
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Sometimes, even the most ambitious dreams come true, but their appreciation still depends on people's aspirations and imagination.
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The fresh thrill of discovering an uninhabited atoll tends to fade once such wild life gets cosier with crafted items, buildings, shops and incoming residents, until it looks like a village from the previous iterations. But the larger size of this wholly reshapable island, the customization's vertiginous level and the improved community interactions create an even more fertile ecosystem, hence Animal Crossing can slowly though decidedly stare further, towards New Horizons, equipped with an ever updating NookPhone.
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This Definitive Edition transfigures Xenoblade Chronicles through a work both meticulous and respectful to the original. Some aesthetic, tone or even conceptual decisions may divide though, particularly along the additional chapter. Whether necessary or not, this extended conclusion proves interesting in many ways, above all for its deep sense. After the narrative dispersal and mechanics piles from the other episodes, this founding opus recalls the purest expression of Tetsuya Takahashi's saga, hence Monolith Software absolute accomplishment.
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Paper Mario's heritage still floats over The Origami King, but didn't cause writer's block with this blank page, folded upside down thanks to the fantastic imagination applied to the staging and the story, decidedly audacious. Intelligent Systems' inventiveness also deploys through the ingenious architecture of this interconnected world and the tactical dimension unrolled by the battles, that become real puzzles. Such a well hammered increase of depth doesn't give headaches though, the main quest unwrapping along the realm's spread richness, so this moustached RPG asserts itself as the undisputed lord of its very own domain.
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Bravely Default II couldn't be through with the past, as shown by the JRPG's tradtional elements which inevitably, if not deliberately arouse nostalgia. While its wider, undulating world invites exploration, this episode seriously lays everything down, from the decidedly abrupt narrative to the extremely demanding strategical battles, exploiting the risk rewarding system and jobs' combination skills at full extent. Such kinds of class, whether wisely revised or exquisitely original, are worth it. Hence Tomoya Asano signs a deeply moving fairy tale intended for the genre's erudites, a beautiful proof of bravery.
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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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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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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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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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Just like Captain Toad, if you can't jump, you'd better use your brain. This down-to-earth approach transforms the environments into puzzles that require to look harder - and dig deeper - than expected in order to find all of their design treasures. And despite a lack of additional content, such wonders get even shinier on Switch.
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There is nothing better than a beautiful trip into the wilderness to rekindle primal platforming instincts, and Donkey Kong Country : Tropical Freeze gets even more cool through this Funky, yet still challenge heavy "Switchmake".
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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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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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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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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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