Jake Su's Reviews
More of the same when it comes to a quality experience is never a bad thing, but Death Stranding 2 doesn't have the same wow factor that came with every little detail of the first. It is still an incredible, indie-esque realisation of a grand vision that only Kojima can come up with, and being exceptional instead of groundbreaking is still worth giving a thumbs up to.
Coming into Date Everything!, I was expecting a standard visual novel affair. What I didn't expect was a thoroughly entertaining reflection of values when it comes to relationships and people, all deftly expressed with characters made of everyday objects and conversations that run the gamut of the human experience. If you were hoping for the sparks to fly, I assure you, you are in for a whole fireworks display with Date Everything!.
Looking forward is an inevitable part of progress, and with the Space Marine franchise going from strength to strength, it is still nice to see where it all began with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition. Despite its limited longevity and stiff gameplay, there is still a generation of players who never had the fortune of witnessing Titus' journey. Now they can, in the best of ways, just don't look too closely beneath the armour.
As an experience, SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure has the makings to climb the summit of co-op games. Its distinct focus, coupled with the gameplay loop, aesthetics, and systems that are more welcoming of players of all skill levels. The brand of delectable chaos is best enjoyed with a partner, but even if you have to go it alone, the kitchen is still hot enough to ignite the culinary passion, and that’s always a good thing.
There is something to be said about cherishing the classics, and for what it's worth, I did enjoy my time with this remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny. It provides a lens back to when things were much more simpler and straightforward, where being able to complete a run in 6 hours and still having a good time was more the norm than the exception. Capcom could have made more significant changes to bring the game up to modern standards. Yet, in this form, we get to see how far games have come, albeit with a tinge of sadness at the missed opportunity to build even more hype ahead of Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
As a game, American Arcadia doesn't necessarily require much from the player. As long as you can get past the control issues and ever-changing puzzles, you will discover a tantalising tale that pulls you right in. When they say television is bad for you, I never imagined it to be in this way, and neither does Trevor, and that makes for something that should keep you glued to the screen for the next few hours.
Whether you choose to fight locally or online, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 has got you covered in all the best ways. Sure, not all of the games are made equal, and that's true both in the past and the present, but in terms of a collection, it is still a significantly outstanding one. It remains to be seen just how much more Capcom can draw from the well, but since we are here, let's enjoy the goodness while it lasts.
It is clear what Fallen Tree Games and Kwalee are looking to deliver with The Precinct, and there is room for such games to exist and potentially prosper. The premise is intriguing, but the delivery and execution have room for improvement. While the game is hoping players become a true force of good, much like the real world, the environment in which that is possible remains a mixed bag.
From the first kill to the last, Doom: The Dark Ages is an undeniably exhilarating ride that rarely comes down from its high. The narrative sets the stage for more, the weapons and the Shield Saw make for potent combinations, and the level and world design tie it all together in one devilishly brilliant package. It has been more than 30 years since the franchise first kicked off the killing spree, and this latest entry represents the continuation of a new golden age for the Doom Slayer.
For what it's worth, Chains of Freedom is not a bad game at all. As a turn-based tactical adventure, it fulfils the brief sufficiently, with the sort of conflict and narrative that is simply par for the course. Being unable to offer anything genuinely new means that you really have to love the premise to see everything through, and at the end of the day, that's not for everyone.
It may not be heavy on the narrative, save for a few interspersed cutscenes, but the star attraction of Path of Fury – Episode I: Tetsuo’s Tower is the engaging combat. It gets you into the action quickly and almost seamlessly, and has enough of a challenge to push you further and higher. Even if you are not chasing a high score or trying to find a new fitness routine, every run in Tetsuo’s Tower will inevitably lead down those paths, and it is extremely satisfying every time.
There is no denying that South of Midnight has some room for refinements when it comes to gameplay, but in this case, it does a good enough job in serving as the vehicle for delivering the impressive narrative at the heart of the experience. Intrigue and mystery permeate throughout Prospero, and every step you can take as Hazel in helping others and yourself is impactful and emotional in all the right ways. Framing events like a storybook is perfectly apt, and despite its gameplay, I have never felt more inclined to turn the pages until the very end.
Ultimately, what can be considered the best selling points of The First Berserker: Khazan could also be its most significant drawbacks. The action role-playing adventure may be hardcore in name, but there are ways in which the developers have tweaked things to make it possible for more players to enjoy the game. It is also a more constrained journey with smaller levels that constantly funnel you into its biggest strength, the combat. Over 20-30 hours spent on an initial run, and more to see alternate endings, this bloodthirsty revenge tour was utterly enjoyable. The fact that I am now more interested in discovering the Dungeon Fighter Online universe is a testament to the quality, and positions this game as no mere pretender but a genuine contender for the Soulslike crown.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally delivers to players what has always been demanded, a franchise adventure set in the world of ninjas, shinobis, samurai, and ronin. It is somehow boosted and hampered by its dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, and their place in the narrative, but the underlying systems are where the game truly shines bright. There is still room for improvement, but if you are looking for a substantial adventure where gameplay is king rather than the storytelling, then feudal Japan beckons.
Without necessarily venturing into something fresh, Avowed gets the brief right in the other areas of an action RPG. A wonderfully constructed world, brilliant and engaging writing, and action that is just satisfying for the most part, it is definitely comfort food for those invested in the genre. Whether playing it safe is the right way to go depends on your wants, but for an enjoyable fantasy adventure, you really cannot go wrong with Avowed.
What Hazelight has done with Split Fiction is simply amazing, using their expertise to craft a co-op adventure that feels just right. There are all sorts of gameplay sequences that can appeal to different tastes, an engrossing story told through the characters and the worlds, and splendidly propped up by imaginative cooperative interactions that have none of the frustration and all of the charm. It might not be the best co-op game for everyone, but from a design perspective, there are no split opinions; this is Hazelight Studios’ best work yet.
In many ways, Two Point Museum is similar to the voyage of a museum visitor in Two Point County. There are new and amazing things to marvel at, familiar sights that are comforting, and the odd discovery here and there that might bring the mood down. But at the end of the day, you are getting a well-put-together management simulation experience that is worth the price of entry, even if you won’t like everything on show.
Capcom knows the importance of Monster Hunter Wilds and the franchise, and it shows. The seven-year gap between Worlds and Wilds has been put to excellent use, with the latter easily grabbing the crown as the best mainline game, no mean feat considering the storied origins it comes from. Whether it be the world-building or the visual quality, the monsters and the combat, or the chase for the next big hunt and improved gear, fans will have to prepare themselves for the hunt of a lifetime with Wilds, and there’s nothing better than that.
The attempt of Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap to change the formula with a roguelite twist is not perfect, but neither is it a disastrous failure. The game looks better than before, and the gameplay is still exciting and satisfying for the most part. There is always joy to be had at figuring things out, but whether you can keep up the momentum is the issue, and the longer you go, the more it feels like the game is actively working against you. The orcs still need slaying, but hopefully, the heroes trying to do so don’t get all ground up in the process.
As a spin-off that leaves us wanting more for the next mainline entry, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii definitely checks a few boxes. Character development is once again stellar, with Majima deservedly being spotlighted, and the various nautical elements infused into combat, exploration, and the world help to breathe new life into Hawaii and its surroundings. Yet, there are still rough edges to this adventure, such is the pirate life, but the crests of the waves most certainly outshine the troughs.