In a lot of ways, this review could probably go on for a lot longer highlighting how dated and lifeless this game is, but the fact of the matter is it is meant to appeal to fans. It’s hard to comment on how they’ll feel, but this is objectively a bad game and while it has elements of being so bad it’s good, such as the emotionless voice acting, making it hard to see the value in.
Still, Lost Ember is a cute game that has a fair amount of variety. As long as you go in looking to play as cute animals and explore you'll have fun. Those looking for a deeper or more complicated experience will likely be disappointed, though even looking at the backgrounds can be relaxing. Toss in some performance issues and Lost Ember is fun and in some cases interesting but likely not something that will appeal to most people.
Maybe at a more discounted price or if you just love a narrative but for these reasons it’s hard to see the series as anything more than okay. It hits the points it needs to, there just isn’t enough to elevate it beyond the basics.
For the most part, SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions is going to appeal to the RPG fan at heart. It has some weird mechanics, a story that takes a while to get going and feels rather dated. This isn't to say you shouldn't experience it, as much as you should know what you're getting into.
The long and short of Blair Witch comes down to how much you're willing to invest. If the journey means more than the destination, you can actually find a fair amount of joy in this adventure. It's just those looking for a simpler experience or possibly more interesting things than watching a video and having something weird happen, followed by some dialogue about how weird that was. So, unless you really want to explore the woods in hopes of scares, this is one adventure you can probably skip out on.
Basically, this is a game that was made with fan service in mind. It's silly, adds some neat elements and tries to have fun with the concept but it simply is not on par with the main games. For some this is enough or in some cases exactly what they want, it's just something you need to know before investing in it. If that is fine, you'll likely have a lot of fun, as it explores some of the sillier and fun sides that are hinted at in the main story. However, anyone expecting something on par with the original will likely be quite disappointed.
Not only is this one of the better Borderlands expansions, it does a good job of a lot of things Borderlands 3 struggled with. Not only are characters fun and the story amusing, it is a fun ride for practically anyone involved. Sure, it doesn't offer untold amounts of grinding, nor does it contain a new tier of weapon, but there is more than enough to justify the cost of entry. Between one of the highest damage weapons in the game, amusing bosses and a cute story, it's worth revisiting Borderlands 3 over.
Despite not being the franchises best, Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack is still an extremely enjoyable experience. This adventure starts with whimsy and ends in a way that brings the seemingly random stuff together. Toss in some cute enemies, multiple endings, plenty to see and do and it's easy to have fun with it. Sure, none of them really break the mold or offer much different from previous adventure but for fans or someone looking for a different kind of RPG, it's worth, if nothing else, check out.
Scoring games like this is extremely difficult. I had fun, I legitimately did, running around the planet, shooting enemies and being a jerk to pufferbirds. It's just, had I stopped before collecting things I would've been at about five hours and even collecting things mostly added time due to issues solving puzzles. Once you start to see the mechanics, the adventure loses a lot of its charm and is just a weird world where you can shoot a complete enemies or jump to a hidden location/open a secret door. For some this is enough, but for most it's likely an extremely difficult sell.
Despite the rather negative sounding review, Azur Lane: Crosswave isn't a bad game, it's just nothing particularly special. Fans of Neptunia will likely enjoy the silly antics of cute girls, but others will probably fail to see the appeal. It's a character-driven adventure with rudimentary gameplay and a hollow story that manages to be oddly dialogue-heavy. Beyond that, enjoyment will come down to how interested you are in upgrading your ships or figuring out why one character might be better than another. If this sounds good, odds are you'll enjoy Azur Lane: Crosswave, whereas everyone else need not apply.
In the end, Warriors Orochi 4 Ultimate corrects the issue a number of fans had with the original, in one of the worst ways possible.
Even though very little has changed in Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] besides the finer points, it makes for a worthwhile experience for both sides. Newcomers have plenty of offline modes to test their skills or play around and a rather robust training system that genuinely wants to help you. Returning or skilled players will likely enjoy the new character and find new possibilities with the changes. Given current owners can simply upgrade it will probably be worth it, especially if you're a fan of the franchise.
The best way to describe One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows is a game designed for a certain type of fan. Those looking for a more complicated gameplay experience or to live the story will likely be disappointed, whereas anyone looking for something set in that world will probably have fun. Toss in a wide variety of wacky characters and it has enough to look forward to. Some might not enjoy the basic elements or get tired of the relatively low difficulty but for those looking to just live in the world, you'll likely be at home.
Naturally, this makes it a hard sell, something the pixel art does not help with, resulting in an experience that really caters to a specific demographic. You have to understand what you're getting into and your enjoyment will hinge on whether you picked correctly or not. Even with a guide, things can be rather confusing, as the presentation of the map doesn't quite make a ton of sense with the maps shown online. It's entirely possible to follow a guide or figure it out but La-Mulana 1 & 2 requires a bit more of an investment that most are likely willing to give.
Like most anime/manga games, My Hero One's Justice 2 is going to hinge on how much you love the series and characters, over anything else. There is certainly enough content and depth to justify playing, it just isn't particularly amazing outside of the novelty of it being related to My Hero Academia, over wowing players as Dragon Ball FighterZ did.
There really isn't much to say about the Moons of Madness. While it poses itself as a big horror game and that there is a lot to be excited for, it never quite builds off the initial hook. Often times you're stuck dealing with boring scenes that pad gameplay and do such a good job of keeping you guessing, you forget why you were interested, to begin with. For some, it will still be great but for many, it just isn't worth it.
While it's great to see the franchise persist and I could probably play the original for the umpteenth time, there isn't much to be excited with here. Most of the stages are pretty easy, special bubbles only make a difference if you're lacking in skill or want to maximize points and there is only so far you can go with the concept. Less skilled or younger players will probably feel at home, as will anyone that just wants to constantly try to build on perfection. If that is you, you'll probably love it but everyone else it's an okay game that isn't bad to play with others.
The best way to describe One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is the best version you could hope for. Regardless of where story and gameplay lack, it's impossible to cover anything, especially when there will be more in the future and a lot of the faults are a result of this being a Dynasty Warrior game. If you can get past that, this is a wonderful tribute to One Piece and allows some of the latest and most expressive arcs shine. At least enough to think it is worth considering.
In a lot of ways that is the problem with Trials of Mana. While it looks fine and the story has all the charm you'd expect from a '90s JRPG, it doesn't have much else. Combat is bland, the worlds feel empty, there are tons of cheese and it relies on a large investment to get to the stuff that is actually enjoyable. For some or anyone looking for the original game with a new coat of paint, it's great but if you were looking for something closer to the Final Fantasy VII Remake treatment, expect to be underwhelmed.
In the end, Arcade Spirits isn't a bad game, it's just a rather quirky and romance filled visual novel. Even though it can't transcend genres in the way Steins;Gate and a few others do, the strong focus on following your heart gives players something to enjoy. Toss in some silly references and genuinely interesting characters and it's honestly interesting if you can put in the time to see more than just the surface.