Afterparty unfortunately doesn't come close to the standard its predecessor set. While it has great ideas and actors, the rest of the game collapses under the weight of its own ambitions.
As the west's first peek into the Granblue universe's gaming side, Granblue Fantasy Versus is a fighter that can stand alongside its peers in terms of depth, but in addition offers a simplistic control scheme that even those less familiar to the genre can get to grips with quickly and easily. RPG mode is a unique way to to learn the basics of fighting, even if this and other modes could have been a bit more fleshed out.
While Devil May Cry 3 is starting to show its age, it still holds its title as one of the best character action games ever made. The new additions add a refreshing twist on this classic game, while still retaining its difficulty and depth. And who knows, after so many re-releases and playthroughs, maybe people will notice how meaningful and well told the story is.
Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 have both the best and worst the series has to offer, which is saying something because those highs are so high and the lows really aren't that bad. All three games run exceptionally well, and 4 and 5 look like they belong on PS4 alongside Yakuza 0. 3 is a bit rough around the edges, but it's still a worthwhile entry in the series cannon.
All in all, Sonic 2 is still a great game this time wrapped in a very nice package. The new modes make the game more accessible than ever, while still retaining the core Sonic experience. While there are some nice details, like being able to switch between versions of the game and the Sonic & Knuckles lock-on cart appearing when selecting the echidna's mode, the lack of widescreen support is very strange.
Daemon X Machina has found its home on PC. The game looks and runs beautifully, and is surprisingly well optimized. This is the best version of a great game, don't miss out on it.
The Tale of Doris and the Dragon is an intriguing one. You'll be drawn in by the unique premise and dry wit, and stay for the charming characters.
Super Crush KO is an incredibly fun, if short and easy, character action game. It's as ridiculous and over the top as its contemporaries. Combat has a lot of depth, while remaining simple enough for beginners to pick up or veterans to enjoy.
Arc of Alchemist features repetitive combat, tired tropes, an empty world, and a poorly thought out and written story. There is nothing interesting in this package, just skip it.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is the best version of a great game. It's got great characters with a lot of depth (except for Itsuki), varied visual themes, wonderful music, and an addictive battle system. Its debut didn't get the attention it deserved, but maybe this encore will shine a spotlight on one of the best RPGs in recent memory.
You've probably seen or played a game like Retimed, but the new mechanics it does bring to the table keep it interesting even among its contemporaries. While the single player is not fun or interesting and the online player base is non-existent, if you're looking for a new game to play with friends or at a party, Retimed is a good option.
What SaGa Scarlet Grace Ambitions lacks in its plot, it more than makes up for in its difficult and complex battle system. Make no mistake, this is a hardcore RPG. You'll be retrying battles over and over just to barely scrape by, and while it can be too difficult at times, the combat system is still a blast the whole way through.
I found So Many Me Extended Edition to be extremely frustrating. It requires laser precision and a psychic amount of forward thinking that makes its skill floor very high. However, if you enjoy throwing yourself at puzzles over and over, bending a game's mechanics until they succumb to your will, and collecting everything you possibly can, you'll find a lot to love in this small, adorable package.
Orangeblood is a mixed bag. On one hand, it's visually striking and has a conceptually deep battle system. On the other hand, the english translation is incomprehensible and your characters are too powerful to really have any sort of challenge or interesting fights. It won't physically and emotionally destroy you like the Lisa games, but it's still a decent enough RPG that I can recommend if it's on sale.
Life is Strange 2 is one of the best stories in video games. It tackles a lot and handles all of it with grace. It's emotional, evocative, heartwarming, and heartbreaking. Every choice you make matters not only to you, but also to those around you. The journey of the brothers Diaz is one you absolutely need to take.
Star Ocean: First Departure R is an above average game that has the potential to be great. While the story, characters, and world are fun to experience, a dull battle system, uncooperative AI, and reliance on random chance bring it down too much.
Taking into account the stuttering, low resolution textures, and downgraded 3D models, this is still an incredible game. When I started playing, the game was a bit harder to look at, but as I continued and got back into the flow of its platforming I stopped caring about the visuals. While the glitches are still bothersome, it's a testament to just how good A Hat in Time is that I still adored the game in this compromised state.
Shenmue III feels like a remake of the Dreamcast game that never existed, for better and worse. It's got everything fans loved about the Sega classics, along with some of their baggage. Still, the best of the series is the greatest it's ever been. It can feel as bloated as the originals, and some mechanics feel unnecessary or are poorly explained. If you're curious about that fabled Shenmue charm, though? This is the best entry to date.
Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy may not have an interesting plot, but the game's likeable characters, a plethora of puzzles, and beautiful artwork are enough to see it through to the end. While it is a bit too easy for my taste, it's still a fun enough journey.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is a surprisingly competent minigame collection with a decent story. Where most in the genre would become repetitive after just a few rounds, this entry in the series incentivises replaying again and again to beat official Olympic records or the tough as nails AI. Either alone or with friends, it's a great time.