Wong Si Jia's Reviews
In embracing and reinventing the old, Final Fantasy Resonance has crafted a charming, nostalgic adventure that will occupy a special place in the hearts of old-timers and genre traditionalists. Story is the weakest link here, but its visuals, music, and combat experiences set a new standard for the future of HD-2D.
Cementing its appeal in simplicity, Rhythm Heaven Groove packs an entertaining punch for both solo and co-op play. It makes sure to reward dedication and effort, and most importantly, proves that the spirit of fun hasn’t been eroded by time.
In crafting a story of hope, restoration, and recovery, Pokémon Pokopia promises time-sinking fun without over-complicating the process. The best Pokémon spin-off to date, it serves as both nostalgic fuel and a love letter to the original Kanto-focused titles.
Third time’s the charm. Building on the best parts of its identity, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is ambition done right, blowing expectations out of the water and showing that, sometimes, fortune favours the bold.
Octopath Traveler 0 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it represents a commendable effort at retreading and repacking nostalgia into a rewarding and enjoyable journey, despite its faults.
Final Fantasy Tactics rewrote history back in the day, and The Ivalice Chronicles presents the best way to experience its rise to one of the greatest in the tactical RPG pantheon, keeping the conversation for decades to come.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a bold riff on the roguelite genre that explores some interesting ideas, but falls short of its sleeper-hit potential.
The time has come for DK to shine, and Donkey Kong Bananza goes out of its way to give him the attention he deserves. A love letter to the franchise’s storied legacy, it burrows its way into a special spot in the player’s heart.
Shinobi: Age of Vengeance is a love letter to Joe Musashi’s legacy, conveyed through intoxicating action choreography and rewarding manoeuvring, topped off with a snazzy finish.
More than just a canvas of substance and style, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 paints a bright, promising evolution of the RPG genre, offering plenty to get excited about for its future.
Two Point Museum represents the best of the management sim genre, offering a clever renewed formula that makes it a more-than-worthy successor to its hospital and university counterparts.
Monster Hunter Wilds breathes life into bold ambition, steering a traditionally niche adventure into mainstream territory – and with mostly positive results to show for it.
More than just Majima fan service, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a delightful jaunt that promises time-sinking fun in spades – be it at sea or on land. This seafaring ambition is a charming love letter to a persistent fan favourite, with a neat blend of familiar and new elements to satisfy returning and newcomers alike.
10 years in the making, Starfield is shaping up to be a bright glow in a sea of stars. More than just Skyrim in space, it offers some genuine enjoyment in the face of both familiar and novel elements, namely with exploration and player choice. Bethesda’s latest isn’t flawless, and that’s perfectly fine (some may even find its faults charming), because it has a little something for everyone. Free-roaming fun? Check. The thrills of battle? Double check. Customisation? Triple check – the list goes on.
Final Fantasy XVI is a lot of things. It’s ambitious, gritty, and beautiful, but more importantly, it dares to dream. A sobering tale disguised as a dazzling visual spectacle, the almost-masterpiece presents a nuanced, clever take on all-too-familiar elements, and turns them into fresh experiences that devastate as much as they delight, before delivering the biggest reward – a well-executed emotional payoff.
A solid first-time attempt from Joysteak Studios, Songbird Symphony is a lighthearted, well, symphony of spectacular aesthetics, an endearing narrative, and simple, fun gameplay.
It’s no Mario Kart for sure, but Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled has the makings of a kart-racing gem, and does an excellent job at delivering a fun and nostalgic experience – several frustrations aside.