Disciples: Liberation was a game I started out intrigued by. It seemed my thing, and I wanted to like it. After I started playing it though, I moved from wanting to like it to simply wanting to like something about it. Eventually, I ended up just playing it to get through it, which is the death knell for any game. After all, if a game’s not fun, what’s the point?
It takes what Age of Calamity did for Breath of the Wild (or at least tried to), and makes good on it. It does great honor to its original game, fixes its flaws, and, for me at least, does everything better. It ends up being to me, what Persona 5 seems to be to everyone else. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite MegaTen game, but it’s damn close.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I played a game that I found just as fun as I did find impressive. With the way this game works, there’s still so many options and paths I have left to see. And it’ll take a while to see them all, but I know I’ll enjoy every moment.
If you ever wondered what a western JRPG would look and feel like, King’s Bounty II is kinda it.
Warhammer 40000: Battlesector is another great example of Games Workshop’s hands-off approach with the license working wonders. It’s such a fun game, with a great fast paced take on turn-based combat. Fast, flashy, and both factions play true to form.
I play this game for the same reason I play any action game. Not because of a brand new updated raid tier, but because I simply enjoy playing the game so much. And I never knew how much I wanted an MMO like that until I started playing Swords of Legends: Online. And I personally can’t think of any higher praise than that.
It’s a very solid fun game that I’m definitely going to be spending some more time with. I love the look of the game, the playstyles of the chosen factions, and the roguelike nature keeps me coming back. I’m also slowly getting deeper into the Age of Sigmar setting, and this game is a great intro point. Also I can’t ignore just how easy it would be to add Faction DLC, so I’m really hoping it sold well enough to get some.
If you haven’t noticed, I’m a huge fan of The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood. It’s just altogether a perfect example of why I love this game. The world, the lore, the new mechanics, Oblivion Portals, it’s just all so well done. And this is built on top of everything Elder Scrolls Online has already done, and molded around One Tamriel.
Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is a Disgaea game, but with 3D graphics. That’s basically the best summary of the game that you’ll find. Those who are into the franchise will have already bought it, while I doubt those who aren’t will be swayed by some new 3D graphics.
This is the game that set my standards for a turn-based JRPG, and revisiting it showed me why. Make no mistake, I loved Shin Megami Tensei IV, Apocalypse, and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE as well. But this one stands triumphantly as the best of MegaTen (although TMS is a solid second, salty Fire Emblem fans be damned). At least for now. Shin Megami Tensei V is on the way, and it’s coming for Nocturne‘s crown. May the best God-rejecting simulator win.
Nowadays though, we have so many mediocre ARPGs on console, let alone genuinely amazing ones. And we’re a little past losing our minds over interactable enviroments. All that’s left is a game that’s doesn’t play nearly as well as it looks. Hopefully the Dark Alliance reboot is much better than this one.
I honestly wonder why it was even chosen to be remastered, I feel like we’d be having a totally different conversation if it was Medieval instead. Still it’s here, it’s fun, and it looks great. So if you’re looking to experience some classic classic Total War gameplay, then this is exactly what you’re looking for. Everyone else, there are better Total Wars available. For cheaper too.
If I didn’t already have a VR headset, Demeo would have been what pushed me into buying one. As it stands, it’s made me consider buying a second to fully experience some local co-op play. Anyone who’s a fan of tabletop games, RPGs, or classic D&D needs this game.
Zombieland: Headshot Fever was a way better game than I was expecting. I was expecting both a shoddy media tie-in game and a terrible VR experience. Instead I got a fantastic example of what VR is great at, and a fun game to boot. It won’t set the world on fire, nor is it even the best zombie VR game (Saints & Sinners exists). But it’s a fantastic game on its own, and VR owners, rail shooter enthusiasts, and people simply looking for a fun game definitely shouldn’t sleep on this one.
All in all, this expansion ended what was implemented with Legion, and effectively brought the game into modern times. Now it’s just up to Blizzard to keep momentum going.
I legitimately both love and hate this game. I love it because of everything it does right (basically everything it does), and how it feels like more Breath of the Wild on an epic scale. But I also hate it because of what it does with the plot, and what it could have been. Granted, I’ve come to terms with the latter and it’s one of my favorite Warriors and Zelda games.
While I understand those less than impressed, I still really enjoy Torchlight III. I feel if the game had stuck with its original title, reception would have been totally different. As it stands, it feels like this weird hybrid game, with elements of both Frontiers and a proper Torchlight III haphazardly mashed together.
Transformers: Battlegrounds is a basic turn-based strategy game, no more, no less. The campaign is decent, if lacking in overarching mechanics that make XCOM so addicting. Likewise the multiplayer is fun, but the omission of any versus modes is kind of bizarre. The gameplay is vanilla, but still fun and the use of environmental effects is genuinely interesting. It’s the kind of game that’s fun, has nothing overtly wrong with it, but just lacks something what would make it whole.
Until You Fall is a great example of a well done VR game. Strong idea that uses the strengths of VR to their fullest, realized systems with depth and variety, and a satisfying gameplay loop that brings it all together. Even with some drawbacks, it’s still now one of my favorites to play. A quick 30 minute session is so satisfying, both in-game and physically. Because, damn, if this game doesn’t wear your arms out after serious play.
I still have no idea why or how these games exist, but I’m glad they do. I’m a sucker for a fun tough 2D platformer that’s not a bullet-hell or a “move one pixel too far and you’ve lost everything” kind of game. It’s the perfect blend of hack ‘n slash and platforming for me, with plenty of variety in enemies and environments to keep things interesting.