William Murphy's Reviews
Fate/EXTELLA is out now on PC and Switch, and it’s worth your attention if you’re a hardcore Fate fan, Anima aficionado, or dying for a new Switch-based RPG. Others may just want to steer clear.
It’s amazing what Ironward’s done with Solstice Chronicles: MIA, and I can only imagine what they’d be capable of with a bigger budget, more staff, and more time. I want more of their version of Mars, and I hope to see it expanded upon in the future.
Now, if you missed the original Splatoon, which most people did because not many really owned a Wii U, you owe it to yourself to pick up Splatoon 2. Not only is it better than its forebear in every way, it’s simply one of the best shooters released so far in 2017. It’s a must buy.
There’s no denying that Prideful Sloth has created something special. Labeled an upstart Indie Studio, they’ve gone and created one of my favorite games of 2017 so far. It’s ambitious, breathtakingly beautiful, and a joy to play. There’s something to be said for games that don’t rely on combat of any sort to engage the player.
I can plainly see that Antihero would make an excellent game on just about any system it touched – from the tablet and phone to the lovely new portable Switch and even the big boy home consoles. On PC, it’s brilliant, but I can’t help thinking I’d choose to play it more if it were with me on the go. Get on it, Versus Evil! Overall, given my brief time with Antihero, I recommend it for fans of turn-based strategy looking for something new in a tried and true genre. It’s pretty great, my friends.
What really sets MXM apart is its PVE, and it's the feature I hope the game leans more heavily on going forward. Either way, MXM is a solid entry to NCSOFT's stable, and they should be proud of what they've achieved. It's had little fanfare around the web, which is a shame. If any of what I've described sounds like something you'd enjoy, MXM is well worth a look.
Rather, like the best roguelikes, it begs you to try again. You feel like you failed Ikk when he dies, not that the game was cheap or punishing. For $10, you could do a whole lot worse on the Switch. And if you like hard, side-scrolling action games – this is a no brainer.
This may seem like a short review, but I promise, I just about covered everything. If you like hard roguelikes such as Devil Daggers, The Binding of Isaac, and more, then this is right up your alley. You can find it on Steam, Humble, Green Man Gaming, and more. Head to tormentorxpunisher.com to see a full list of stores.
I cannot wait to see where Morrowind's story ends, and where the next year of content takes us in Nirn. It's fun to think that this is just the first chapter in years of content ESO has up its sleeve. Talk about starting off with a bang.
The fact remains, despite drawbacks, Mages of Mystralia is a promising start to Borealys' life as a game studio. There's abundant charm, tight controls, and enough ingenuity to make me confident that Mages' real story is only just beginning. Bring on a Switch version, and bring on a sequel!
The men and women of NetherRealm Studios are on my wavelength because Injustice 2 is the most content-rich fighting game I’ve ever played, the first one in ages to captivate me and keep me coming back for more.
There are only a few RPGs on the Switch so far, but Disgaea 5 is nothing short of one of the best. If you’re at all a fan of JRPGs or tactics games, this is a must buy. Even if you had it on the PS4, its inclusion on the Switch and portable greatness make it one of the system’s must owns early in its life.
As you break into the second act of The Surge, the difficulty spikes but that’s expected. The first boss and the run up to it is just a taste of what’s to come. You have to learn new patterns, how to defeat new enemies, and that means you’re going to die some more. But the beauty of The Surge is that when you die you don’t ever feel like it’s the game being cheap on you. You know it’s something you did or didn’t do, and you’re eager to get back and try again. That’s what Lords of the Fallen was missing, and what The Surge gets just right. When combined with the crafting, gear, and intrigue of the story, The Surge comes into its own as not “just another Souls-like”. This is a great Action RPG and one of the best of the year so far in an already crowded 2017. If you like difficult Action RPGs, The Surge is your next addiction.
... the apparent lack of content paired with the difficulty spike in the solo Tournament mode means NBA Playgrounds is just two big steps away from being a great game. Right now, it’s merely pretty good.
Overall though, there’s not a lot I can fault Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for. It’s a remake, sure, but it’s also the best the series has ever been and now a family favorite in my house. Oh, and I barely even mentioned the return of the excellent Battle Mode and all its arena-based kart combat fun. This one is highly recommended, and I only hopes Nintendo releases more content in the future.
Each level has its own theme, its own puzzles that teach you what to expect with the final boss, and in the end, I couldn't help but feel satisfied by Kamiko even if I wanted more. Few games these days are up front and honest about their value. Even with its short playtime, I'd have paid more for Kamiko because it's so expertly made. I can only hope we get a sequel or something equally excellent from developer SKIPMORE and soon.
Overall, Flatout 4 is an admirable resurrection of a franchise once considered on par with Burnout. Thing is, that sort of game has become passe in the age of realism, and it’s unlikely that Flatout 4 is going to bring it back to the forefront of racing games. Still, if like me, you miss these sort of non-serious racing and crashing extravaganzas, you’re not likely going to be disappointed in Flatout 4. It’s a bit of a dinosaur, sure – but I wouldn’t turn away a Stegosaur if I saw one either.
By the end of the game, you’ll wonder where the last 90 minutes evaporated so quickly, but you won’t wish you had them back. Scanner Sombre is an excellently unique adventure, that builds layer upon layer or intrigue and trepidation as you inch towards the surface. About halfway through, Introversion telegraphs the ending, and if there’s any real fault to this palate cleanser it’s that you wind up able to guess how the game will conclude before you actually get there – a cardinal sin for a one-time-through story.
If you’re at all a fan of either game, or if you want your family to have something they can play easily together – there’s no doubt you should look into Puyo Puyo Tetris. I’m a little miffed that the physical version on Switch costs $40 when the digital versions are $30, so keep that in mind. Puyo Puyo Tetris is the first Tetris (and Puyo Puyo) game in ages that feels worth a purchase, and it’s recommended for any Switch owner looking to diversify their game catalog.
There’s something innately fun about this brand of Guardians, and TellTale was right to capitalize on both the recent films and the comics lore. There’s a very deft story being told, and one that’s definitely got a few unexpected turns even after one episode. Side note, I also really appreciate the stellar soundtrack and that every episode title is another fantastic song title. The question is whether or not it can carry this momentum and give us as satisfying a conclusion as we received with the Batman series. If so, someone please give TellTale more comics to make games with.