For me, Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster is worth the premium, if only because I hope it encourages Sega and Atlus to remaster more of their catalogs (Panzer Dragoon Saga, please). However, players who think they’re going to find another Persona here will be disappointed. Nocturne is one of the great traditional JRPGs, but potential buyers should know what they’re getting into before they pull the trigger.
Tormented Souls is the successor to classic survival horror. I’ve wanted a new Silent Hill (or classic Resident Evil) game for years, but I’d trade all the drama and disappointment for a fantastic spiritual successor like this any day. Exploring Winterlake Hospital channeled all those feelings of dread and loneliness that made those games special and proves that the format still works.
This game’s biggest fault is that it has too much going on that detracts from the main plotline. I’m hoping Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio keeps taking risks with exploring gameplay outside of the Yakuza norm, and our next outing with Judgment (or another spinoff) will go further toward distinguishing itself as a unique property.
Shin Megami Tensei 5 brings back the things that fans love about the series. Its biggest sin is that it doesn’t do much to innovate. Fans that were expecting to see a brand new vision for SMT will be confused because this is essentially the same demon collecting dungeon crawler it has always been.
The Quarry is a celebration of horror with enough twists and turns to excite even the most jaded aficionado. It manages to avoid the tropes inherent with its summer camp setting by giving each of the protagonists a thorough opportunity for characterization and makes you care enough about each of them for their fates to matter.
However, don’t expect anything revolutionary. Sunbreak builds on a firm foundation and caters to those who conquered the base game. However, I see those who played tens of hours of Monster Hunter Rise feeling a bit weary when they boot up Sunbreak. Especially given its slow start.
Crisis Core Reunion is not quite a remaster and not quite a remake. The upgraded visuals breathe new life into the game, but there are little reminders here and there of its PSP origins. However, with a $50 price point, Square Enix is at least somewhat acknowledging that it’s not rebuilt from the ground up.
This game was reviewed on a physical copy provided by the publisher.
Luckily, the package as a whole is satisfying enough to overlook most of its flaws. The only one that came up to bother me time and time again is that the story is very weak in comparison to the rest of the series, and oddly enough given the wide-open gameplay, it's very linear. There's no weird questions, or whodunits when it's over, it's all spelled out for you and that's just not how Metal Gear is supposed to be. However, with Kojima's track record of innovation and tenacity, regardless of any announcement that he's no longer involved with the series, I believe he'll make sure that the legacy of the Metal Gear series lives on in some form or another. Even though Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain wraps up the saga of Big Boss, I feel we've only just begun...
#IDARB reminds me of the core reason why I play videogames, the honest fun and good spirit of the design with the tight competitive gameplay make this a perfect game to sit back and let the world slip away. It has its flaws here and there, and it's not got a ton of variety, but I love it. Besides, it's free on Xbox Live Games with Gold right now, so just grab it, ya dingus!
Whether you're a fan of sci-fi, real-time strategy, or simply just video games in general, Homeworld Remastered Collection is a must-have if you haven't played the series before. For those who spent years guarding their precious pressings of these classics, it's time to rejoice, the Homeworld series is just as good as you remember it.
Unfortunately, the Switch version of Final Fantasy 7 has some things stacked against it when it comes to determining what the ultimate version of the game is.
If you thrill in playing games that represent the sweat and tears of a developer, Gorogoa is a great game to purchase. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I found it supremely meditative.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a loving remaster of a series of fan-favorite games. If you need a dose of 32-bit nostalgia, or if you want to see where one of gaming's iconic characters started you can't go wrong here.
Other than a few technical issues, I have to say the game exceeded my expectations. Sure, the story can be a little all over the place, but that's the cost of taking the franchise in a little more in-depth direction. The New Colossus firmly establishes the alternate universe that we were introduced to in The New Order and is an excellent foundation for future entries in the series.
Skyrim is pretty much second only to Zelda: Breath of the Wild when it comes to action RPGs on this console.
There are not different materials for supports or road decks, and this is more of a puzzle game than an actual bridge construction simulator. It is a lot of fun though, and since Valve refuses to actually make games anymore, it's likely this is as close as you'll get to a new Portal game for years to come.
If Konami would have introduced Metal Gear Survive as an entirely new title, and marketed it better, it would likely be a Spring hit. However, slapping Metal Gear on it weirdly makes it have this generic feel.
For those who are already fans of the series, Dark Souls Remastered is just a polished version of an already great game, but for me, it was a bit more special. With the technical issues eliminated, Dark Souls can shine and is a much more satisfying experience.
I enjoyed my time with Into the Breach, and it's a great game to pick up and play for a few minutes at a time. I hope that it finds its way to mobile devices or the Nintendo Switch because it would be perfect for playing on the go.