Monster Hunter World: Iceborne isn't perfect but it adds a lot to the franchise. The new monsters, gear and difficulty is the kick in the pants players need to start hunting again. Between new monsters, gear and skills it's hard to say no and you get a great deal of value for the price of the expansion. Even if it could do a bit more, by giving less skilled players a bit more to look forward to, this is an absolute must for anyone who loves Monster Hunter or just wants a harder experience.
Graphics aside, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III is a story-driven experience that delivers that in spades. It's more than enough to make up for some of the shortcomings and is a more intricate story than you'd probably expect. That being said, if story isn't your thing, gameplay and graphics are nothing special. Nothing about them ruins the experience, they're just not on the same level as the story. So if you want to get sucked into a fascinating world, it's hard to say no, though if you're just in it for the gameplay, you might want to look elsewhere.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 does a great job of giving everyone something to do. Some games are hard, others require specific skills and a few are all tricks, giving everyone something to do. They're also short enough where you can easily play a few without getting sucked into a long session. Best of all, these can be played online as well, meaning you can go international or at least outside of the house to prove you deserve the gold. Toss in a cute story and plenty to do and this makes for a fantastic party game.
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.
Astral Chain is weird, thrilling, unique, different and crazy, it's just held back by bad choices. Some of the design elements take a lot of getting use to and make sense in the long run, but can be frustrating to beginners. Combine this with entirely too many things going on at once and some of the most boring scenes between action packed combat sequences and you have an experience that loses a bit too much between scenes. This isn't enough to take away from Astral Chain, it just turns a title that could've been among the best games this year to something that is still among the best on the Switch.
It doesn't matter if Crystar is a bit on the simpler side or that the story has some familiar plot beats, it tells a tale that is insightful. It won't take much to want to reunite the sisters and it's an adventure that rings true for some. Toss in gameplay that might not change the world but is a blast to experience and it's a solid adventure that is easy to see the value of experiencing.
It’s honestly really hard to rate Overwatch. In the time I played I enjoyed it enough to make sure I had Nintendo Switch Online time to play beyond the initial week and considered finally purchasing it for PlayStation, but it’s easy to see why this is the worst version. Still, it has all the previous content, enough disadvantages and reasons to keep the player base on the easier side and more to normally net this an Editor’s Choice award, it’s just the Switch’s shortcomings that hold it back.
In a lot of ways Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout is an improvement. Here we have someone who is getting into alchemy because they want to, plus a mysterious plot that is building in the background, making it one of the better stories to date.
There is a fair amount of charm to Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition. Characters stand out, it doesn't take long to warm up to Katrielle and the animated scenes make the experience so much better. Toss in a wide variety of challenging, yet accessible, puzzles and you have a fun adventure that is sure to delight kids of all ages.
New Super Lucky's Tale is a massive improvement over the original and it shows. Between accessible levels and colorful designs, it's a game that is easy to enjoy. Sure, there are times when it feels too easy or the performance starts to dip but that doesn't take away from the rest. So if you're looking for a classic 3D platformer that is just fun or something like this for your young one, it's hard to say no to New Super Lucky's Tale.
Given how simple the core gameplay loop is, there really isn't much to say about Deemo -Reborn-. The improved visuals make it easier to suggest and the gameplay is fun enough for fans of the genre. While some might find there is a bit of a learning curve, it's worth it to see where the story goes. So, if you're looking for a new rhythm game or just simply slept on Deemo before, I strongly suggest giving Deemo -Reborn- a go.
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.
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 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.
As a visual novel, Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen is pretty good. It doesn't hit the heights of a masterpiece like Steins;Gate but it is engaging, interesting, and charming, all of which are more than enough to motivate you to find out what happens next. Dated designs and lackluster combat hold it back, especially if you just what to find out what happens next but are not enough to stop it. As long as you're willing to invest the time and effort to get to know these characters, it will be an experience that pays off in the end.
Honestly, there isn't a whole lot to say about Daemon X Machina. With an average story, enjoyment hinges on how you feel about piloting a mech. It does this fairly well, though it could be more intuitive, making the whole experience okay, rather than amazing. I could easily see an Armored Core fan loving it or even a Gundam fan, it just doesn't have the universal appeal other games manage to have.
To be perfectly honest, Disney Tsum Tsum Festival is in a weird place.
Black Desert is a beautiful looking game with plenty to offer, it just has a bit of a learning curve and some rather annoying design choices. In a lot of ways, I could see it being a fun game you casually play and enjoy with a friend or your guild, but it doesn't seem to have the same inviting feeling Final Fantasy XIV or ESO have. This is a shame, though a lot of things can be fixed with patches. Plus, the core concept is at least fun enough to make it worth the initial investment.
The Alliance Alive HD Remastered might not be perfect or even be one of the most stand out titles on the 3DS, it still has enough to justify checking it out. Between a good number of characters, strong interactions and an overwhelming sense of cute, it's the type of adventure anyone can get into, provided they love character-driven stories. The only downside is, for all it does right, is that it's a 3DS title it shows its age, regardless of how good it is compared to other 3DS titles.