Had Square not played it so safe, Explorers would be a much better game than it is; as it stands, I'd definitely recommend this one for those who feel the Monster Hunter series is a bit too inaccessible and/or those who love Final Fantasy, but for everyone else, they might be safe to pass on this one in favor of greener pastures elsewhere.
The best way to sum up Paper Jam as a game: safe. Too safe for its own good.
Overall, I was shocked by how fun Minecraft is and quickly grew to understand why millions of people around the world have taken to it so strongly. It won't be for everyone, but I highly recommend that anyone looking for something new give it a look.
It's a stunning title that any F-Zero or hyper-fast racing fan will want to play. Shin'en continues to be a developer that delivers the goods almost each and every single time it goes up to the plate, and I really hope that this is a series fans can continue to see more installments of in the future.
It's hilarious to me that this version of the game feels the most natural, when it's treated as nothing more than bonus material! The Wii iteration of Rodea comes packed with the first run copies of the game, and Naka himself actually announced on Twitter that he'd like fans to play it, specifically. Was that a subtle indictment of the other two versions of Rodea? Hopefully not, especially because (as you've seen in my reviews of both games) neither is terrible by any stretch of the imagination. That said, playing Rodea on Wii it becomes clear that the system was the true destination for the game. The controls here feel the most natural (though still, sadly, imperfect), taking full advantage of the Wii Remote's excellent motion-sensing capabilities. The Wii version of Rodea feels more unique than either of the other takes, and though it's nowhere near as pretty to look at as the Wii U iteration, it's also packing a respectable presentation. Why the motion controls couldn't have at least been an option for the Wii U Rodea is confusing, and I walked away wishing Naka and company would have given that proposition some more thought before moving forward with the control scheme they ultimately settled upon. I'm pleased that all three Rodea games are available to experience, however, and this bonus disc should act as some compelling frosting for those who choose to buy the game for Wii U.
There's plenty to see and do in Amiibo Festival, so long as players have the time to invest in unlocking it all. This isn't a challenging title, but that's fine because it's not meant to be one; this is the Animal Crossing version of a party, meaning everyone can come, have fun, and soak in the game's positive and uplifting attitude. Some fans will be irritated by the need to buy so many Amiibo products to get the most out of Amiibo Festival, which is disappointing. Nintendo's previous efforts with the toys have been less demanding, so I guess it was only inevitable that the company would take a more aggressive approach with the line. If Amiibo Festival had more playable animal neighbors right out of the box, even if they weren't the marquee characters like K.K. and Tom Nook, I'd be less agitated, but as it stands Nintendo made a mistake in leaning so heavily on the figurines and cards. It shouldn't take multiple additional purchases to see and enjoy all the familiar characters who define Animal Crossing; it's like playing a Zelda game where Link doesn't show up until his Amiibo is purchased and scanned in later. Not cool. Despite this glaring shortcoming, Amiibo Festival is good, relaxed fun that will be perfect during the holidays and parties with friends.
Those small issues aside, Maiden of Black Water is a premium title on Wii U that left me very impressed. The use of the GamePad here is a rare example of what Wii U's controller can bring to a game that other consoles can't. The familiar Fatal Frame combat takes on a whole new dimension because of the GamePad. Koei Tecmo clearly pulled from some of the mechanics introduced in Spirit Camera on 3DS (a Fatal Frame spin-off), but improves upon them greatly. Solid presentation and a gripping storyline will keep players glued to their seats, no matter how scared they might be throughout. The biggest (pun intended!) downside for some fans will be the large install for the game; Maiden of Black Water is over ten gigabytes in size, so make sure to have space available before hitting download. It'll be worth it, though, as this is a can't-miss title on a system that has been relatively light on releases of late. Maiden of Black Water needs to be on everyone's wish list.
It's such a shame that Tri Force Heroes falls as short as it does.
Woolly World was a delight to play, and one that I think any platformer fan will enjoy. It's reminiscent of Yoshi Story with its fabric-focused art design, but the addition of yarn has almost reinvented what a Yoshi game can be. The new puzzle types and mechanics that the thread has allowed for are among the best that I've ever experienced in any Yoshi title, and that includes Yoshi's Island. The difficulty level is hovering right in that Goldilocks-zone of "just right," leaning enough toward the hard end of the spectrum that experienced players don't have to depend on item-gathering to feel challenged, while offering safety nets for newer players who might otherwise be intimidated away. Wii U's library continues to grow and be populated by top-tier, AAA games, and Woolly World is the latest gem added to the pile.
It's fun in spurts, but overall a disappointment that hopefully doesn't consign this series to years in limbo.
Happy Home Designer is a different kind of Animal Crossing. From its pacing to its objectives, the game will delight fans with its new take on the series' longstanding gameplay. It's not the life-sim of years past, but Happy Home Designer's successful re-imagining of what makes Animal Crossing tick is a lovely departure that I sincerely hope Nintendo explores again in the future. Go and snag yourself a copy today!
Vicarious Visions really shocked me with the quality of SuperChargers, and has taken this franchise to new heights. Young or old, this a game everyone should enjoy.
Budding game designers would do well to take advantage of Mario Maker's suite of tools, but even the most uncreative of players will be able to mine hours of playtime and fun from the work of others. Now stop reading this and go buy the thing, already. It's a keeper.
Gameplay rules this experience, and every puzzle serves to remind the player of that. That said, a greater variety of enemies would have been welcome, and maybe even crazier level layouts just to see what the design team could really do when they stretched their wings, but overall this is a fine game that every Wii U owner should consider downloading.
Splatoon has arrived and very nearly delivered on every bit of the potential it showed at E3 2014. A bold mixture of classic Nintendo sensibilities and modern game design, Splatoon has planted its flag firmly in the ground both as an online multiplayer title and solo adventure game.
What does it say when the most dependable, exciting video game console on the stands is a handheld? 3DS, no matter what version is being rocked, continues to show everyone else how it's done. Majora's Mask 3D comes a scant two months into 2015, and it's already a forerunner for my favorite 3DS games this year.
MH4U is a milestone achievement for Capcom's unique series. It looks, sounds, and plays better than ever, belying the fact that it's running on a handheld and not a home console.
Citizens of Earth is a wonderful RPG that plays around with convention and brings something new to the table. It's familiar and accessible enough for longtime or new RPG fans, and is an engrossing experience for all.
Short, sweet, and tough as nails.
This game needs to be in every Wii U owner's collection. The replay value, from playing to collecting and unlocking everything, is almost endless. And it's going to be pretty hard to not want to play this game endlessly. This is a title that players will keep coming back to for years to come.