David Poole's Reviews
It lets players give in to their destructive tendencies, piling on dry humor in the most absurdly entertaining ways. Maneater is a rare breed indeed, and it’s well worth spending time with.
If you’re a die-hard fan of the Yakuza series, then there’s plenty to love here. Even if you’re not, this is a great place to become one, especially given the standalone nature of this title. With that in mind, joining Ichiban’s heroic journey is an easy choice here.
Overall, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is an excellent successor to the original Hyrule Warriors. When it comes to being a Breath of the Wild prequel, it captures the spirit and essence, but it also somewhat tarnishes the story that game told. Despite that, the gameplay is fun and inventive enough to see this new story through, and it should still be enjoyable for fans. If it means this will fill the void till we get the proper sequel, then so be it.
While I didn’t have as great a time with Sackboy: A Big Adventure as I did Astro’s Playroom, this was still a fun time. It’s definitely a much longer platformer, and it offers a lot more challenge as well. It doesn’t take as much advantage of the DualSense controller on PlayStation 5, but this is likely due to the game being available on PlayStation 4 as well. Either way, Sackboy is still a strong platformer for friends and families to play together this holiday season. The levels are diverse, the music is catchy, and the charm is excellent.
To my surprise, I really liked Airborne Kingdom. I wasn’t expecting to beat the game in one sitting, but it was an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
If you’re a fan of the graphic novels or the film, you’ll likely have something to love about the game. Come for the fantastic pixel art style, stay for the Anamanaguchi music. This is still the classic we deserve after half a decade.
It’s a lot to take in, but Atelier Ryza 2 manages to succeed more than it falters. Even with the fan service, it’s hard to hate this game. With a heartwarming story and an emotionally powerful ending, this is an enjoyable RPG experience from start to finish.
Overall, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is still a great game. While it does have some flaws, this two-for-one package is still very worthwhile. It’s unfortunate that the online multiplayer limits progress to the host player, but it’s still fun for quick sessions. Even if the length of Bowser’s Fury is somewhat underwhelming, it’s a fun experience that makes for a cool experiment.
As mentioned before, the Blizzard Arcade Collection is a great way to look at the company history. With three unique games, each with three different versions, behind-the-scenes artwork, videos and more, there’s plenty to enjoy here.
Overall, it’s incredible to see how much of Persona is retained in Persona 5 Strikers. This truly is a sequel, even with the gameplay changes in effect. Sure, we can actually take our time now, but many of the core themes and ingredients of Persona 5 carry on to Strikers. While things can definitely get busy, it’s great to get another grand adventure with the Phantom Thieves.
With Chivalry 2 coming in at a budget price tag, it’s a great multiplayer experience for anyone to enjoy. The combat is deep and full of variety, giving players a chance to live out their medieval fantasies however they wish. Utilizing cross-play and great animations, players will always have someone to have their epic duels with. While it might not be perfect in the performance department, nor for offline play, Chivalry 2 is still good fun.
Overall, I feel like Scarlet Nexus is a game that can easily be judged by its cover. In an industry where there are tons of generic anime action games, it’s hard to pick out the right ones. Hopefully people give this one a chance, because the fantastic combat and the visual style make it something truly special. While it does have some pacing problems and some unrealistic alliances, the incredibly unique story manages to entangle you in a web of intrigue.
In the end, my time with Twelve Minutes was time well spent. The puzzling narrative will have you constantly seeking answers while also raising even more questions. While the gameplay isn’t perfect, it works for this style of game with a visual design to match. The performances are a major highlight, and really push this game higher in the production department. I would honestly watch this if it were a movie. Overall, it’s a fantastic study of the human mind and how it adapts to patterns and acquiring information.
If you haven’t played Wild Guns: Reloaded on the PlayStation 4 or even on PC, then the Switch version is definitely worth picking up.
The relationship between Bruce and John continues to blossom based on the choices of the player, and it shows here. Even with some slight shortcomings, What Ails You is a good way to lead into the season finale.
For a budget No More Heroes experience with more content on the way, Travis Strikes Again is a fun ride.
While not quite as good as the introductory episode, Rules still stands strong. Held back by a decision that some might not even come across, it just goes to show how many paths one can take.
If you like weird and supernatural games, this one is worth picking up. If you prefer a game with less thought and more action, then it might not be your cup of tea. Even so, there's plenty of intense action in Control.
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, 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.