Ulisses Domingues
It's no coincidence that Uncharted is one of the flagships of Sony's gaming brand. Both adventures found in Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection are as PlayStation as it gets: intense and exciting narratives with well-crafted cinematics and gameplay that, despite not excelling in originality, meets all the requirements to be fun. This inclusion on PC will give more fans the opportunity to get to know this world of treasure hunting, with several graphical options to customize the experience for each one. The only real drawback is the price demanded at launch, lack of other extras, multiplayer mode and some missing accessibility options. I can only say that this Legacy of Thieves is a must-have for anyone who wants (roughly) twenty hours very well spent.
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Despite the apparent added value of including two games in one package, Fallen Legion: Rise to Glory / Fallen Legion Revenants is neither worth the retail price nor does it carry with it must-have titles to be displayed on anyone's shelf. Both deliver too similar an experience, with Revenants adding pointless and needlessly complex mechanics. Combat, meanwhile, an important figure in any RPG, becomes a bit repetitive and formulaic, requiring in later levels a huge reliance on the block button. Still, for all intents and purposes, Fallen Legion has good ideas, it's just a shame about its execution.
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All in all, The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is a JRPG good enough to be enjoyed on its own, but whose narrative and storyline take on added weight when there is the context of the Sky and Cold Steel saga behind it. Still, the narrative's focus on a small scale allows it to sell a very personal and intriguing world, with the more 'retro' soundtrack, gameplay and graphics helping the euphony. It is genuinely sad that there are two visually different versions between PS4, Switch and PC, however this is an adventure worth experiencing for fans of the genre regardless of platform of choice.
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In the same way that "Daniel Aço'zinho" took a delirious twenty-second beating or how the Mortal Queen user suffered with an accidental ambulance in his trunks, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R delivers worthy moments during one-page fights from Araki's works, always keeping the fighting video game context in mind. Not only does it come across as a product that breathes and exudes fanservice; the ultimate package for fans of the property, but also as an extremely competent and inviting fighter for novices (to a certain extent) without ever forgetting those who demand a greater challenge. I admit that All Star Battle R lacks rollback netcode, a robust story or a greater variety in offline modes, but it makes up for it in so many other areas that I only have one last suggestion: if you are not yet a fan of the franchise then it's time to give the anime and/or manga a chance, convert and try this title as a celebration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the most bizarre Japanese adventure ever.
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Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered holds the heart and soul of a video game that captures the experience of being Spider-Man and Peter Parker very well. Granted, the sameness of the inhabited world is impossible to ignore, but everything pertaining to this arachnid centric cycle is so good that swinging from web to web with your eyes closed is easy. With a storyline that will pull at the corner of your eye, combat that constantly evolves until the end of the game, and a port so well crafted by Nixxes Software there is no justification for any fan to pass up the opportunity to #BeGreater.
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Although somewhat fun when not disturbed by the problems described above, Rune Factory 5 is the first fully 3D title in the franchise and a step in the right direction for the saga (if sequels exist after the developers' bankruptcy). The already traditional Rune Factory systems such as combat, farming, and the famous interpersonal relationships are intact to some extent, but it is sad to see that the visuals come across as too simplistic for such a large-scale transition. With the controls making life difficult for players, I recommend first acquiring Rune Factory 4 Special and, if you like it, moving on to this fifth iteration.
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While the change from 2D to 3D graphics was not to everyone's liking, for fans Disgaea 6 Complete represents that favorite dish you always order at the same restaurant, now with a slightly different flavor. Even with some modifications to (at least) get newcomers to complete the main story, those who are not fans of the property will most likely not be converted. It is, however, still a good video game and a good experience for those who enjoy tactical RPGs.
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I don't know how Ghostrunner: Complete Edition slipped under my radar for two years, but it proved to be a very fun title. As the bastard and illegitimate child of Cyberpunk 2077 and Mirror's Edge, several aspects such as the narrative, atmosphere and frenetic gameplay are to be commended, as well as the Project Hel adventure and the overall good performance of the title. The only regrets are the bugs that occurred, the length of the adventure and the lack of accessibility options. Still this is a video game worthy of your time and attention, even more so if the themes employed are of interest to you.
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To be honest Starship Troopers: Terran Command is not a bad game, but rather just mediocre, joining the list of other titles that drink and breathe this property, but without managing to live up to the name. You realize there could be a good RTS here, but the various issues raised by the review outside prevent it from being something bigger and better (there is no multiplayer either!). If you are a true fan of the saga and all that it encompasses you might find some fun here, otherwise I advise waiting for the next attempt.
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THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake is an excellent remake in the true sense of the word. It falls short in some corners such as longevity, new content or even the lack of a proprietary online mode, making it hard to justify the asking price at launch. It is, however, still a fun experience with the frantic pace at which the levels progress and the new unlockable weapons. Given the simplicity of the title and how faithful it is to the arcade experience, you need to set your expectations correctly before hitting the buy button.
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The more I played and was captivated by Triangle Strategy's storyline, the more I understood that its excellent overarching story was changing my review. It is very easy to get carried away by what is good and close our eyes to everything else, but the truth is that the latest Square-Enix title has some problems: some poorly developed characters, little content outside the main story, imbalance between exposition and action, among others mentioned in the review. It's not all bad, though, because it's an entertaining tactical RPG to a certain extent, even more so after starting New Game Plus with all the other routes unexplored; most of the systems in question also work well for what they are. It's a solid recommendation to make for any lover of the genre, I just hope they have a strategy in place to combat the long dialogue sessions.
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Criticized positively by other means as the most ambitious iteration of the franchise, Pokémon Legends: Arceus conveys the feeling of being a cake in the oven for quite some time. It is the adventure that all fans have dreamed of, a departure from all the "gum" already more than chewed by then, and the least tautological. Game Freak has risked every chip in hand, creating one of the most exciting video games on its menu, full of several points for and few against. Granted, the overall performance isn't the best, as well as moving the focus away from battles causes some general inconsistencies but Hisui, with everything associated with it, is so much fun and full of life. It may not be more than perfect, but it is definitely better than imagination.
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Disregarding my skepticism with Sony exclusives, God of War showed me an adventure full of heart and emotion, a journey without brakes in both action and drama, mirroring an unstable but believable relationship between father and son. Thankfully all fans of the master race, in quotes, will be able to jubilate together due to the quality of the port and an experience that is, at the very least, a must-see. Adding to the list of accomplishments is the fun gameplay and memorable exploration. I will admit, however, that the boss fights disappointed a bit because of their repetitiveness. Other than that? After twenty-five hours of adventure I may still not believe in the Norse gods, but I certainly believe in God of War. Let's have the sequel yesterday.
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Shantae and the Seven Sirens adds one more chapter to a very appreciated series and while the ambition to be the best game to carry the Shantae name is not a full success, this is a very appealing work that combines a marvelous presentation, good level design and a gameplay experience that will please veterans of the series as well as welcome any newcomers.
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Liberated on the Nintendo Switch assumes the form of an interactive comic book that uses a noir aesthetic and a very dystopian plot to put the player in the middle of a sombre, disquieting and genuinely frightening experience. Its technical issues and quick time events are the game's Achilles' Heel but the plot, visual outlook and accessibility, which even allows the player to treat it as if it was purely a comic book, make this a very interesting choice for Nintendo Switch owners.
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Ion Fury brings an action experience that aims to replicate its inspirations from over twenty years ago using today's technology, as if to bring a game that features a retro charm with contemporary elements. And it works, Ion Fury is very successful at striking a balance between the retro feel and today's amenities that make gameplay more enjoyable.
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While certainly not as content-full or complex as more recent works, its simple gameplay is extremely fun and the local multiplayer mode will be thoroughly appreciated. It could be even better if an online multiplayer component had been added.
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La-Mulana 2 builds on its predecessor's legacy and improves on nearly every aspect, the result being a Metroidvania-type of game with a very demanding difficulty level but also a very rewarding experience. With a visual environment that brings back memories of the 16-bit era, a marvelous soundtrack and a more detailed plot, La-Mulana 2 may not appeal to those who did not enjoy the original but anyone else will easily be all over it quickly enough.
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The Complex is an interactive movie with a fairly interesting plot, a rather good performance from its cast and a decent amount of player involvement that goes beyond simple plot choices. While the genre may not be the most engaging when it comes to gameplay experiences, The Complex could have used some additional help with a flowchart for the plot choices and improving on some cliché elements. Overall, fans of interactive movies with sci-fi plots will have something to look forward here.
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La-Mulana may not be for everyone but this Metroidvania-style game is rich in challenging puzzles and bosses, with an interesting plot and a very welcoming audiovisual environment. Its puzzles might not be the most accessible ones, but those willing to put some effort and patience into this work will be duly rewarded with a marvelous piece of gaming on the Nintendo Switch.
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