The 7th Guest Remake is fantastic. The developers didn't just adapt the game for the modern era on a one-to-one basis; they added new rooms, new puzzles, and new story details. The revamped video sequences look fantastic, and the puzzles are varied and fascinating—though I sometimes wished for a bit more explanation regarding the latter. Aside from that, there are some clunky controls and a few bugs to report, but that doesn't change the final verdict: this is a title well worth checking out.
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I spent a lot of time with *Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Tides*—perhaps more than I really needed to, which explains why this review is so late. Real life kept getting in the way, and the game was a nice way to unwind in the evenings. That said, it isn't exactly a favorite of mine. Quite the opposite: of all the games the series has released in recent years, this is the worst. Although, even this title offers decent entertainment compared to some AAA releases from the last few years. However, the cut mini-games, the occasionally weak graphics, and the awkward camera angles during combat significantly detract from the fun. The add-on is pleasant enough but lacks depth, offering nothing truly new. While the roguelike mode is a new addition, it fails to turn things around. Factor in the controversies surrounding Teruyuki Kagawa, and the picture that emerges is one of a flawed game. Ultimately, the sobering truth is that significant changes are needed for the next *Kiwami* installment—and, above all, the mistakes made in this remake must be avoided.
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Resident Evil Requiem is a "best of" collection for the Resident Evil series. It combines elements from both the classic and modern eras without feeling forced or lacking in any way. You grow fond of the characters, and the gameplay is superb. It is a shame, however, that the villains don't quite measure up to those of the past and the puzzles leave something to be desired. That said, this is really just nitpicking.
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In terms of content, Tales of Berseria Remastered remains beyond reproach. It still boasts a stunning story featuring a fantastic anti-heroine as the protagonist. The changes introduced in the remastered version are largely well-conceived and improve the game. It is a shame that the graphics still betray their PS3 origins, and the English voice acting is poor.
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Is the Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition worth it? Yes and no. On the one hand, it is substantial and perfectly captures the spirit of the original game—including its challenging difficulty. On the other hand, it is essentially the same thing four times over, with only minor differences at best. The original soundtrack is also missing.
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Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition isn't quite the standout hit that the third installment was; the game suffers from too many issues that could have been avoided. Pop-in, a story that drags at the start, and menus that are sometimes cluttered simply detract from the fun. On the other hand, the game is ultimately enjoyable. Mira is a magnificent world that rewards exploration; the story picks up pace eventually, and—aside from the aforementioned issues—the graphics are excellent.
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Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is another example of what the Switch 2 is capable of achieving. Aside from a few rare performance hiccups, the game runs absolutely smoothly. Added to this are the varied gameplay and the compelling story. It is just a shame that the level design is repetitive and some design elements lack the necessary attention to detail.
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When comparing *Octopath Traveller 0* to its two predecessors, this installment falls noticeably short. While the story is lovely, the pacing issues and the sense that it has been unnecessarily stretched out in places are frustrating. And as wonderful as the combat system is, the difficulty level—especially early on—can be exasperating. The game isn't bad, particularly considering its gacha origins. Furthermore, the graphics and sound are excellent once again, even if players might miss having German subtitles. The rebuilding of Wishvale is undoubtedly superb and, all things considered, the most enjoyable part of the experience.
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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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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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