Noah Hunter's Reviews
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is a surprisingly fun collection, but it falls short of a satisfying single-player offering. This is a great tool for beginner speedrunners or those simply looking to dive back into some classic NES titles. I'm most curious to see how the game might evolve, whether through updates or with a new entry.
College Football 25 is a good return to form for the series after an 11-year absence. All 134 FBS teams have been recreated with exceptional detail, from the stadiums to the playbooks. While there is a lot left to be desired, CFB25 is a great platform that Tiburon can build off of for the future. It's nowhere near perfect, but it's a ton of fun. It's safe to say that EA has mostly delivered.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a great enhancement of the original 3DS title. It's by far the definitive way to experience this classic 3DS title, and a perfect supplement to hold over players for a new game in the widely popular series. With the second and third games now available on Nintendo Switch, we can only hope that the GameCube original will make its way over at some point.
Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is a beautiful and surreal experience with gorgeous illustrations, an incredible narrative, and presentation that sits atop the visual novel market. It can be easy to get lost in life, but Tsukihime provides a firm reminder that no matter how fragile life is, you belong here.
Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide ties up the base game quite nicely, resolving one of the key mysteries of the base game. The face-off with Leviathan is one of the most memorable Eikon battles yet, with a beautiful score and challenging fight. However, The Rising Tide still suffers from the same problems the base game had. It also only provides a few hours of story content, which makes it somewhat of a hard recommendation at its current price point.
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection revives two beloved multiplayer experiences for modern consoles. While both keep the gameplay feel and flow, this release is plagued with serious online issues that make this collection hard to recommend. The single-player content is exceptional and justifiable for purchase, but overall, the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection feels incomplete and messy.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a generational RPG that exemplifies everything there is to love about the medium. Featuring a colossal open world, a gripping narrative, beautifully written characters, and an out-of-this-world soundtrack, Rebirth is a title no RPG fan should pass up on. It's improved on nearly everything from its predecessor, offering a complete and flawless combat system alongside countless other additions. FFVII Rebirth is the shining jewel of modern Final Fantasy, a prime example of the series at its best.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an excellent first step into console RPGs for the series. The story doesn't quite live up to expectations with poor pacing and an overall lack of character development, but the second half features epic fights and a streamlined narrative. Additionally, the gameplay is a thrill to experiment with, and it is a blast to play with friends online. Combined with its jaw-dropping mosaic-like visuals and beautiful soundtrack, it's safe to say that the six-year wait has mostly paid off for Cygames & Granblue with a solid first entry into the world of RPGs.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is gleaming with joy from every corner, with bright colors and expressive animations. The innovation and creativity seen in each level transcends what held back previous 2D entries, marking a new era of 2D Mario. While there's nothing here that transcends the platforming genre, Wonder is a fantastic title that any Nintendo Switch owner should grab.
Alien Hominid Invasion is a re-imagining on the formula of the original Alien Hominid. Taking the form of a roguelite, the title features a widely customizable gameplay system with beautifully stylized graphics. However, the lack of diversity among objectives in levels can get old quickly, especially with the roguelite style.
Skull Island: Rise of Kong is a bug-filled mess that's defined by an empty world with no exciting gameplay. With no simple QoL features like a useable map, it's a pain to complete each level. For $40, there's not a chance Rise of Kong is worth your money or time.
Fate Samurai/Remnant is an excellent new take on the almost two-decade-old series. New and old fans alike have an excellent story in front of them, with dozens of hours of exciting combat through the many playable characters. This is an easy recommendation for any RPG fan in a year crowded with exceptional games.
Exoprimal is a very fun third-person action game where players may enjoy destroying waves of dinosaurs to progress a story across time. Exosuits offer a compelling arsenal that may suit different combat scenarios, and various upgrades and cosmetics let players add a personal touch. However, Exoprimal's opening hours leave a lot to be desired, so commitment and time are needed to get to the game's best features and modes. The game's use of a Season Pass and microtransactions may also be a point of contention for some Capcom fans.
Final Fantasy XVI is bold, brilliant, and everything a Final Fantasy should be. Despite from some shortcomings due to the sheer ambition of the title, XVI is a masterful work that is a must-play experience for any RPG or action game fan. Clive Rosfield's story is one that will surely be talked about for years to come.
Resident Evil 4 reimagines and reanimates the 2005 classic with exceptional gameplay updates and lifelike visuals. The thrilling narrative and meticulously crafted environment have made RE4 a game I just can’t stop playing. With such high attention to detail, Capcom has crafted a prodigious experience so immersive that it stands gallantly as one of the greatest video game experiences offered in the industry today.
Metroid Prime Remastered is a genuinely stunning remaster of the beloved GameCube Classic. Retro Studios have gone above and beyond in recreating the assets and implementing superb twin-stick gameplay. Prime Remastered only improves on its original release and acts as the definitive way to experience the 2002 classic.
Fire Emblem Engage is a fantastic entry in the long-running strategy RPG series, offering a fun and enjoyable story with some of the best gameplay the series has to offer. New and old fans alike have a spectacular title in front of them that will be fondly looked upon for years to come. Engage is a celebration of the past and the worlds we’ve seen, while also celebrating the strong future this franchise holds.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is one of the most beautiful games I have ever played. It is full of heart, soul, and decades of passion. MonolithSoft has once again crafted one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, going above and beyond in all aspects. With intricately written characters, a deep and engaging story, and a massive world hosting hundreds of hours of playtime, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a must-play title for any fan of RPGs.
With its fantastic gunplay, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II feels like a perfect platform for the franchise's next two years. An extremely enjoyable campaign and loads of multiplayer experiences are available for players to enjoy, leading endless hours of entertainment. Although the various technical bugs and missing components such as player stats do take away from the experience, Modern Warfare II is one of the better Call of Duty titles we have seen for quite some time.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is an incredible package, offering two incredibly high quality Mario games. The addition of online multiplayer truly excels the experience of playing through the game to the next level, and with the fantastic level design, soundtrack, and amount of mechanics, 3D World truly is the best it has ever been. Bowser's Fury is a wonderful new take on 3D Mario, offering a vast open world for players to explore over time.