David Poole's Reviews
Whether you’ve been a fan from the beginning or you’re starting out now, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III is a fine JRPG. It may have an overwhelmingly rich history, but there’s plenty of elements in place to help newcomers.
If you’re a fan of games like Fallout or The Elder Scrolls, then The Outer Worlds is definitely for you. Even if not, the Halcyon system is always welcoming new recruits to start their space cowboy journey.
Overall, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 doesn’t quite reinvent the wheel for the series. As the first Switch entry, it’s great to see a button alternative for every single event. However, it would’ve been nice to see more effort in the presentation.
Death Stranding may not be a perfect game, but it’s still a work of art, and we definitely appreciate it. There is so much to say about the game, but we encourage you to play the game and find out for yourself.
The ending of Life is Strange 2 will definitely depend on the player. For those that developed an investment in the journey, most will enjoy the reward at their conclusion. Others may not get the payoff they expect, but that’s the beauty of a choice-driven game. It’s ultimately up to the player to reach the ending they chose for themselves.
Overall, it should be known that Life is Strange 2 is an achievement in narrative storytelling in video games. It’s an eye-opening story of two brothers that have everything thrown at them, yet they continue to persevere.
Respawn has done something for fans of the series, making what is practically a love letter to the franchise. Because of this, thankfully, we can happily say the single-player Star Wars game is back in full force.
Don’t let the short length of the game fool you, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a genuine, heart-filled blast. The music has the potential to send you through waves of bliss and make your spirit soar.
While it’s not perfect, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an incredibly enjoyable experience. Not just a retelling of the story, but ultimately the definitive way to play the Dragon Ball Z saga.
It only slightly improves upon the original, so it might not be worth double dipping, but for newcomers, it’s a real treat. Honestly, it was worth picking up for myself, because the original couldn’t play on the Wii U Gamepad. Now fans can have Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE on the go, and they’ll have dozens of hours to kill with this title.
With 40 different characters to explore, and a lot of variety with the V-System, fans can fight the way they want. Street Fighter V: Champion Edition is truly the definitive Street Fighter V experience. After four years, the game is finally at the level that fans have come to expect from this series.
When it comes down to it, Re Mind is here to explain the ending further, and even tease more of what’s to come. It was clearly added to give the player more challenge, and it definitely succeeds in that. Unfortunately, at the price point of $29.99, it doesn’t feel like it’s worth it.
Fans of the original may love to stroll down memory lane again. You might not show up for the story, but you’ll at least stay for the gameplay. The high-octane feel of the ARS is still a blast to enjoy and it makes for a great part of the 10th anniversary bundle with Bayonetta.
Overall, I came in knowing very little about Granblue Fantasy, and I came out not knowing much more. Despite this, Granblue Fantasy Versus is a unique and competent fighter.
While it may not be a long experience, with a story lasting roughly a half an hour, Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! is still a groovin’ good time. The music and dancing is addictive fun, and it really challenges players to keep track of the rhythm. As far as VR games go, it’s one of the better games I’ve played, working well in both concept and function.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a truly gorgeous spectacle of a platformer. The level design is fantastic and the variety in the gameplay keeps things fresh and invigorating. Gareth Coker’s music sets the mood perfectly, making the experience much more emotional and endearing. The combat keeps things challenging and allows for plenty of experimenting, and really feels like a progression to the Ori formula. Overall, this sequel reaches the bar the original game set, and climbs even further to make an incredible journey.
If you’re a fan of the series, it might be cool to give it a shot. Otherwise, if you’re simply looking for something new to play on your VR headset, it may be wise to avoid taking a trip to the good doctor.
If the controls could be adjusted to be more forgiving with the timing, Ski Jumping Pro VR would be exactly what it needs to be. Unfortunately, given the circumstances, you may be better off forgetting the controls and simply watch a VR ski jump video. This game could’ve made for an excellent experience, but unfortunately, it’s simply too difficult to recommend as it is.
When all is said and done, Bleeding Edge does feel like a side project for the developer. While it does feel that way, there are some extremely redeeming qualities of it. The aesthetically pleasing style and the unique personality of the characters shine through the gameplay. Even though content is a little light, the game is half the price of a usual game, and it’s free on Xbox Game Pass. For what is available, the game is a lot of fun, and despite the slow progression, there’s always that feeling of “one more game” lingering.
Overall, the Shadow of Doom DLC is a worthy addition to the game, rounding out the ultimate alliance nicely. The story is entertaining enough to engage with and the additional characters bring a lot to the table. While there aren’t significant changes to the formula, it truly makes the game feel like the “ultimate” Marvel Ultimate Alliance game. A truly fantastic addition to an already mighty game.