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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Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has its weaknesses, I won't hide that. Some minigames aren't that great, and the visuals are a bit disappointing, as are the reloading and lifeless overworld. But I had fun. Collecting the heroes, each one unique, expanding the base, the music, and the story... All of this makes this game a true highlight of the year for me!
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With Princess Peach Showtime, Nintendo has succeeded in capturing the blue-blooded princess beautifully. The game has a lot of charm and easily captivates you. The levels are varied and innovatively designed, and if you want to collect all the stars, you sometimes have to work hard. It's just a shame that the game is on the shorter side and the loading times are long. This unfortunately shows how outdated the platform has become.
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On the Series X, Contra: Operation Galuga is definitely a fun title. While the game's story is run-of-the-mill, and the static cutscenes and clunky narrative ensure that the game isn't a standout. But if you like run-'n-gun action, you can't go wrong with this title.
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I complained a lot about Alone in the Dark, but ultimately, I quite enjoyed the game. It's the atmosphere, above all, that made it a memorable one for me. The strange events, the eerie environment, and the many puzzles, both large and small. All of this makes me forgive the game for many things that bothered me, but not so much.
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I'm late, and Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth only has itself to blame. Why does the game have to be so powerful? Dondoko Island, all the side missions, the gripping story... this is almost a perfect game. Even if it does have its flaws. It takes four hours for the title to finally start, the German translation has obvious spelling mistakes, and the fact that the New Game+ mode is behind a paywall is a disgrace. Nevertheless, the game thoroughly entertained me.
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It's a shame that The Universim runs out of steam at the end. The game definitely had the potential to be a lot of fun. But the small glitches starting in the Industrial Age, such as not knowing what affects research speed or not being able to tell at a glance which nuggets are unmarried, significantly diminish the fun. I don't regret investing so much time in the game. But at the end, I'm left with a certain sense of disappointment.
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Do Switch owners absolutely have to own Another Code: Recollection? If you're a fan of adventure games and/or own the games from that era, you should definitely check it out. Other than that, you should think twice before buying it. The game is good. The only major flaw is the puzzles, which use the poorly designed gyroscope controls. Otherwise, the only criticism is that the difficulty level isn't as challenging and the graphics are "just" good.
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My initial concerns were dispelled during the test. The beginning may take some getting used to, especially the lack of blocks. But once you arrive at Mount Qaf, the game really starts to get fun. The Prince's various movement styles, the innovative take on the Metroidvania genre, and the brilliant soundtrack are all a ton of fun. If you've played Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, you can easily wait even longer for the Sands of Time remake!
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