For the most part, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is an amazing looking game that tells a rather interesting story. It follows an interesting arc that unfortunately will lead to a rather easy to figure out a conclusion. Gameplay relies largely on point to click elements and a rather fundamental strategy RPG, which might be a dealbreaker for some, but it is worth it if you like anime/manga series like this. It might not be perfect but the fundamental elements are there to make it interesting enough to, if nothing else, give it a serious look.
Overall, Kingdoms of Amalur Re-Reckoning will appeal to a certain demographic over your average fan. If you didn't play the first one and wanted something like Elder Scrolls, it's a solid buy. It's also great for anyone looking for an RPG that isn't an MMO that you can invest a lot of time in and just enjoy the world. The combat does make it a bit more open, as it's less tactical and more reflex driven but also has the depth if you want it. Once you get past the rather dated look, it's still a pretty good experience.
Long story short, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered isn't an awful game. Seriously, it isn't, but it isn't the best remaster around. It feels like it got a small touch up, a couple of modern features, a few edited dungeons, and gear to add something different. Without something to make it stand out, besides being a popular game in the past, it struggles to find value. For some revisiting a beloved game is enough, whereas others might opt for better experiences.
This is a rather unusual experience, which in some ways makes it pretty interesting. The core concept is actually fun, provided you find the right amount of challenge, with enough details to make it interesting. Different teams and people have their own stats, you can control looks, and obviously tracks offer different challenges. It's enough to find it enjoyable, provided you have reasonable expectations. It might not be Mario Kart, even if it is similar, but it does a good job of presenting a fun idea and giving players things to mess with.
New Super Lucky's Tale is a massive improvement over the original and it shows. Between accessible levels and colorful designs, it's a game that is easy to enjoy. Sure, there are times when it feels too easy or the performance starts to dip but that doesn't take away from the rest. So if you're looking for a classic 3D platformer that is just fun or something like this for your young one, it's hard to say no to New Super Lucky's Tale.
Giraffe and Annika is meant for less experienced and younger gamers and does a good job of presenting a world for them to explore. There might not be much to see or challenges to overcome, besides some control issues, making it easy to understand its place. The cute story and vibrant visuals also make it easy to enjoy the simple charms, even if the rhythm sections are a bit on the rough side. While I wouldn't say this is a grand slam of a children's game, it's has enough redeeming aspects to play through it.
There really isn't much more to say about Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Familia Myth Infinite Combate. It really feels like the intent was to make the simplest thing that might appeal to fans and that is unfortunate. Everything feels rushed, simple, or dated that it's hard to find a redeeming point. Sure, combat isn't the worst but there are games out there that do most aspects of Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Familia Myth Infinite Combate better or at least have more to offer.
It goes without saying the darker themes and bleak elements won't appeal to everyone, but those willing to give Death end re;Quest 2 a chance will be rewarded. Not only is it a lot of fun to play, the story immediately hooks you and there is a lot to see. Combine that with improved visuals and some nicer touches and it's a great experience that might be a bit of a niche but certainly interesting in its own way.
So much of Othercide hinges on how well you handle rogue-lite elements. Those able to plan accordingly will likely suffer fewer losses than reckless players, though there is always an element of luck that comes into play. For most this will be enough to drive the experience forward, ultimately to the boss or another cycle that will end with a final confrontation. It would be nice if the mechanics were deeper or there was more to the experience than punishing mechanics, though there really isn't. Still, fans of tactical RPGs will likely find it engaging and the unique elements make it worth, if nothing else, another go, just don't expect the most complicated experience around.
Games like Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is hard to review. Some people will tell you skill makes little to no difference, something I'd probably agree with for the most part, and the unpredictable elements can be annoying, yet it still manages to be engaging.
There really isn't much you can say about Skully. It's a rolling platformer that relies on rather simple concepts to sell the experience. It's enough to make the game engaging and in a number of sections challenging, but it really doesn't do anything to stand out. Story is largely just there, dialogue is a bit on the stiff side and visuals often look underwhelming. This isn't to say there is absolutely no reason to play Skully, it actually does a number of things well, it just doesn't stand out in any particular way, ultimately making average feel shine through.
The unfortunate thing about Fairy Tail isn't that it's a rather bland and forgettable gameplay experience, it's that it feels like it was made by people who understand what an RPG is but not why players enjoy them. Cool movies and strong characters aside, you'll end up spending most of your time going down the same small maps, killing a small handful of enemies, all for resources you have in excess. This forces the story to make up the difference and super fans might find it engaging enough to pursue but anyone without fond memories of the series will likely be lost and bored.
Since there is so much to say about Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme VS. Maxi Boost ON, it, unfortunately, comes down to broad strokes. The lack of offline content makes it even more of a niche experience but there are so many units to play as and adapt to that you can easily get a lot of value from it. You just need that desire to master the controls and a more measured playstyle. With these things you can find a lot of success, it's just a big if.
Ultimately, Hellpoint is the worst kind of inspiration by game. Outside of visuals elements and design, it feels like someone wanted to offer their own take on something like Dark Souls, without the understanding of what makes those games fun.
Seemingly simple gameplay and delightful art aside, Cuphead manages to balance challenge and difficulty fairly well.
For the most part, Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break is going to appeal to a very specific type of gamer.
As someone who loved A Rose in the Twilight and the whimsical art style found in both of these games, Void Terrarium is a hard sell. At its core, you have an okay roguelike that is bogged down by countless mechanics and things to pay attention to. Fight a monster, heal yourself, replenish your energy, clean up Toriko's poop, obtain food, drop something for a blueprint, and then rush home because she is about to starve to death. It's a lot to take in and as a result, falls short of simpler and less management heavy experiences.
Games like CrossCode are fun, not because they're super challenging or add engaging elements, as much as they're simple and effective. Fights hinge on whether or not I can dodge an attack and unleash my own. Progression comes down to how many enemies I've defeated and the resources collected. It doesn't matter how simple this stuff is, because CrossCode is just a lot of fun and will be engaging throughout. So, if you're looking for something to get you through the summer, I strongly suggest giving this game a chance.
Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris does little to step beyond using Sword Art Online to sell this experience. It's poorly optimized, looks, at best, okay, tutorials have little forethought, subpar gameplay, and questionable effort was put into this experience. As nice as the Alicization experience is, there is nothing in this game that motivates me to play it over simply watching the anime or reading the source material. It's unfortunate, as these games could really be engaging and have so much more to them than we've seen with this and other releases.
Like the other collection, you get 11 pretty good games in Namco Museum Archives Vol 2. Galaga, Gaplus, and Dig Dug 2 add enough value to justify the collection and the modern features make it accessible for everyone. It's a shame this release features a few of the weirder titles but fans of classic games will likely enjoy replaying or experiencing these titles.