Andy Hoover
Having two whole games worth of content can also be seen as a double-edged sword depending on how you feel about repetition and collectibles. In short, it’s another solid Lego game with all the good and bad that come with the franchise
Were Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 a serious fighting game trying to compete with the best the genre had to offer, its imbalances and frustrations would make it hard to recommend.
Sega 3D Classics Collection is decent collection of games made better by an earnest attempt to do something fun and unique with older games. Sega could have easily made a cynical cash grab by throwing a layer of 3D paint over everything and calling it a day, but the developers obviously put quite a bit of effort into making everything look as good as it could while also making a few worthwhile tweaks to the playability. Unfortunately, all that effort is actually let down by the selection of games.
Succinctly summarizing Stella Glow has proven surprisingly difficult. In many ways it feels like your average JRPG strategy game, and in some places it even stumbles over itself with attempts at being cute or sexy. However, there are also enough strong points that really shine through and make the game stand out from the crowd, even if its best features are reminiscent of ideas from more noteworthy titles.
Considering the plethora of top notch platformers available on Wii U, Wooden Sen'SeY isn't capable of earning an automatic recommendation. The game looks great and has a fantastic soundtrack, but the mechanics just feel a little too off to qualify as gameplay bliss, though they are most certainly serviceable. Finally, the brevity of the core game is going to hurt the overall sense of value to those who aren't obsessed with absolutely mastering every game in their collection; so if that isn't you it might be better to wait for a sale.
So, for those interested in a no-frills, story driven sci-fi adventure that doesn't overstay its welcome, Lifeless Planet is well worth a closer look.
Overall, the game is just an exceptionally pleasant experience. Nothing it does is truly groundbreaking but almost everything just gels together into a very cohesive experience both aesthetically and in terms of gameplay. It’s an exploration game that has both a world you’ll want to see coupled with a means of traversing the world that’s just plain fun. What more can you ask for in such a game?
Altogether, it’s the worthwhile successor many fans have been waiting for.
Strikey Sisters really feels like a game that should have been released 25 years ago, both in its unique blend of classic genres and its almost era perfect presentation.
Complaints of repetition will probably ring true for those who want to complete every activity the game has to offer, but on a mission to mission basis, the greater nuance added through the different gameplay modes, characters, and weapon systems has resulted in a significantly more rewarding and strategic game. Yes, the focus on fast-paced action on a large scale remains unchanged, but actually thinking ahead feels more important now than ever before in the franchise.
Personally, I found GRIS to be a worthwhile experience but I can also fully understand those who won’t see the appeal.
The best version of an already good game.
hese issues might be enough to discourage some gamers, but for most it will probably serve as a fantastic way to spend a long evening or a weekend where you’re in the mood for something a little more emotionally driven than your average game, because when you reach the ending, the final moments will likely melt away every annoyance from the last few hours.
If your love for RPGs comes from a love for strategic thinking and party customization, then 7th Dragon III absolutely deserves a look.
Inside is a good game bordering on great.
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen undoubtedly stands out as a compelling adventure with a lot of original ideas in terms of its systems. So, for any hardcore RPG fan, it’s pretty darn close to a must play.
Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is a truly original game that obviously required a great deal of thought, passion and creativity, something I really don't get to say nearly enough.
With its gorgeous visuals, moody story, and clever platforming gameplay, Nihilumbra is definitely trying its best to join the hallowed halls of indie greatness. However, I think it falls short, but not by much. Though they might seem contradictory, I would argue that the narrator needed a bit more gravitas while the story needed a little more subtlety to let the gamer decipher more of their own emotions. And while the gameplay is great, I really would have preferred a longer campaign that continued the brilliantly conceived difficulty curve and fewer post game levels that drastically up the difficulty. Of course, there are plenty of people who will probably adore the challenge, but I imagine that many will also be upset to find half of the game is overly frustrating. These problems, though, are actually quite small because the core package is so well executed and well worth just about any gamer's time.
In terms of gameplay, there are certainly titles that offer greater variety and complexity, but the beautiful visuals, fantastic soundtrack, compelling story and likable characters easily elevate Forgotton Anne to the level of being a truly excellent game.
SteamWorld Heist has always been a great game and the Switch version might just be the best way to experience it.