Tales of Xillia Remastered isn't exactly a masterpiece. The flaws of the original are still present: the sometimes bleak and empty overworld, pop-in of objects, tedious side quests, and excessive backtracking significantly detract from the overall enjoyment. However, it also boasts a captivating main story, endearing characters, excellent dialogue, a wonderful soundtrack, and generally customizable gameplay. It's not a hit, but it's not a flop either. Ultimately, it's a good to very good game.
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I'd say Ubisoft Blue Byte has done it again. Anno 117: Pax Romana is a blast. The game is a lot of fun and has some interesting innovations, such as roads that can be placed even at a 45-degree angle. Admittedly, the campaign story is a bit dull and not everything is explained clearly. But in the end, I had a great time. I was constantly thinking about how to place things where, or how to adjust my plans to keep everything running smoothly. And that's a good sign!
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I usually enjoy building things. But in the case of Rise of Industry 2, the fun quickly faded. It feels like the game is its own worst enemy, with an ugly menu and controls that are anything but intuitive. The steep learning curve only adds to the game's mediocre quality.
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Borderlands 4 is fun! Gearbox basically did everything right. They took inspiration from Borderlands 2 without being overly slavish about it. They introduced many small changes, such as a completely new game world that is also relatively open. The story is varied and offers frequent surprises. The only downsides are the occasionally invisible walls at the beginning and the fact that the game starts to lag when playing with multiple players.
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I never played Kirby and the Forgotten Land on the Switch back then. Therefore, I can't compare whether and how the two console versions differ. What I can say, however, is that I enjoyed the game. The new world, the many secrets and things to discover, and the new objects Kirby can wrap himself around: it all has its charm. Even though the game is far too easy and the visuals, while beautiful, sometimes feel a bit empty. The DLC is a nice expansion and is even a little more challenging than the main game, though not by much. In the end, all I can say is that the game has become more varied.
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I had a lot of fun with Donkey Kong Bananza. The game is fantastic, full of ideas and also featuring homages to the classics. Visually, the freely destructible terrain is quite impressive, although the frame rate does stutter towards the end. The camera also often doesn't behave as you would, and there are occasional graphical bugs. Nevertheless, with this title, Nintendo has released another must-have for the Switch 2!
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I really wish Edens Zero were a better game. As a fan of the source material, I was really looking forward to it. But the execution leaves much to be desired in several respects. The strange beginning, which gives away a lot of the story, the lack of enemy variety, the tanky bosses that pose no real threat, and the graphics, which could be improved: there are more reasons against the title than for it. The only redeeming qualities would be the minigames and the voiced dialogue. And that's simply not enough.
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Mario Kart World is a system seller! Despite the rather weak free mode, everything else is a blast. The many new characters, the knockout mode, and various unlockable items ensure long-term enjoyment. It's just a shame that the game wasn't physically included in the bundle, but that's just how things go these days.
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Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition isn't a standout like Part 3 was. The game has too many unnecessary problems. Popping objects, a story that drags at the beginning, and a somewhat confusing menu are simply things that drag on the enjoyment of the game. However, this is offset by the fact that the game is ultimately fun. Mira is a fantastic world that rewards you for exploring it. The story eventually picks up, and the graphics are very good, aside from the aforementioned issues.
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Perhaps it was a mistake on Ubisoft's part to release Assassin's Creed Mirage, their last Assassin's Creed, that felt like a return to the roots. Assassin's Creed Shadows had a tough time holding its own in comparison, precisely because it's more like the games since Origin. Which is why, in the end, the game is a good, but not a superior Assassin's Creed game. There isn't a single flaw that had a negative impact. The enemies are once again a mysterious organization, the controls are clunky, the enemy AI could be improved, and the lackluster present-day story is disappointing. But on the other hand, you have entertaining antagonists, a vibrant and colorful world, and many diverse missions. Despite all the flaws, I got that usual AC feeling while playing, meaning I moved from tower to tower, took on every side mission that came along, and enjoyed the game's atmosphere. Hopefully, this won't be the last Assassin's Creed game Ubisoft releases. Although hopefully, there will be some time before the next installment, during which a little polishing can be done on everything. That would be nice.
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To return to Daniel's review and his final assessment: I can confirm his opinion from back then, and today I would also add the lame beginning. But the reason I ultimately rate the remastered version higher than the original is simply because a lot of work went into making the title better and more modern. Things like the flippable dialogue and the puzzles being more solvable for people with disabilities show that the developers didn't make things too easy for themselves. It's just a shame that the visuals show the game's age and origins.
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Donkey Kong Country Returns HD isn't a bad game. The diverse and wonderful level design, David Wise's soundtrack, and the variety of secrets make up a lot of it. But it's also "just" the HD release of the 3DS version, with better graphics and otherwise no changes. And that's honestly not enough to warrant the full price.
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I liked Mario & Luigi: Brothership. It has a certain charm that the previous Mario & Luigi games also had. It has variety and a lot of good ideas. Graphically, it's good, but the difficulty isn't particularly challenging, especially at the beginning. And as for the story, don't expect an epic adventure; just plenty of humor.
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Mission Accomplished, I'd say. Dragon Age: The Veilguard may not be the high-flyer you'd once associate with the Bioware name. But after the disappointments of recent years, it's a step in the right direction. The changes are well-considered, the character editor is fantastic, and the bugs aren't designed to drag the game down mercilessly. I had fun, and that's the main thing.
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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is no Tears of the Kingdom. But it still enjoys experimenting with the game formula, this time in the form of the titular echoes. It's less of an action-adventure and more of a successful action-puzzler. Unfortunately, the enemy AI leaves a lot to be desired, the echo bar quickly becomes confusing, and blending smoothies isn't exactly exciting. Nevertheless, I highly recommend the game.
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I like Star Wars: Outlaws. It's an interesting game that dares to explore new concepts. The atmosphere is unparalleled. But the gameplay has its flaws. The stealth sections are annoying, and the hacking is sometimes a hit and miss. Likewise, Nix's controls have become very fiddly in certain situations. But other than that, it offers many good approaches. It's not a standout, but it's turned out well.
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For me, Visions of Mana is a prime candidate for Game of the Year. It's magnificent and fantastic. The story draws you in and has many surprises. The world invites exploration, and there are many details familiar from Secret of Mana. It's just a shame that there are sometimes discrepancies between the spoken words and the corresponding animations. Or that not as much effort was put into the secondary characters as into the main ones.
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Nintendo has spoiled Switch owners for years with expanded remakes and remasters. It's a shame that Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is "just" a simple graphics update and hasn't changed much in terms of scope. Especially because, apart from that, the game is still a lot of fun, even today. The gameplay is good, and the levels are designed with variety.
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Sand Land has a lot of potential. It offers variety, a good story, and charming characters. Add to that Akira Toriyama's distinctive design. However, the title falters when it comes to getting from point A to point B in the desert. Upgrading vehicles can be fiddly, and the decision to make individual vehicle components appear crudely disassembled is extremely distracting. Nevertheless, this is a game that worthy represents the legacy of the renowned artist.
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Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a solid platforming game. It doesn't quite reach the level of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, but its African setting offers enough to stand on its own. The story and music motivate you to keep playing, as do the numerous rewarding secrets you discover.
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