Leonardo Faria's Reviews
I think the best way to describe Balan Wonderworld in a short but easy-to-grasp way is by comparing it to Yuji Naka’s Sonic Adventure. Both are graphically impressive, both feature phenomenal soundtracks, both are packed with a lot of content… but both are pretty underwhelming when it comes to their gameplay, even though you can get used to their jankiness and still have a great time.
This might be one of the last games released for the PSVR before Sony replaces it with its PlayStation 5 counterpart, but I’m really glad it’s going out with a bang like this one.
I may be sounding way too harsh, but don’t get me wrong, this game is tons of fun and stupidly addictive. Sega, once again, delivered a colossal puzzle title that could easily become an e-sport staple. It’s just more of the same. At a cost.
Dandy Ace will probably suffer the unfortunate (and totally unfair) burden of being eternally compared to Hades, which is basically the most perfect roguelite of all time. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a fantastic roguelite in its own right, as well as packed with unique ideas and gameplay elements that make it stand out among the rest of its peers.
I used to wonder why people were so hooked on slice of life games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, but now I completely understand why. Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town hooked me like very few casual games have ever managed. Something as banal as doing farm chores and committing to a routine turned into an engaging experience, slowly seeing my farm grow into a borderline agricultural empire, all while having all the freedom in the world to customize my household to my liking.
Taishogun: The Rise of Emperor might actually be the best game ever developed by Gilson B. Pontes, but that’s far from being a badge of honor. It’s still a poorly crafted Dark Souls clone with abysmal controls and no fun to be had whatsoever. The questions of how the developer managed to get a devkit to make these games and whether Sony is even aware of these terrible titles being released for its consoles, still linger.
Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol.1 is a fantastic (and cheap) way to play some of the best games available on possibly the best portable system you have never managed to put your hands on. I wish they have added some other cult classics like SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash and Sonic Pocket Adventure, but I’m pretty sure SNK and Code Mystics will eventually release them in a second volume. I for one, will eagerly look forward to it.
My only big complaint with Blind Drive is the fact that it’s a bit too brief. I wanted more of its insanity. I never thought a game about driving against traffic with my eyes literally closed could not only exist, but become one of my favorite indie titles from 2021. It’s hard to convey how good the game is without visual proof, but rest assured, this is one demented little title worth taking a look. Or worth hearing, whichever you prefer.
I had a great time with Hatsune Miku Logic Paint S despite not being a fan of the source material. You can easily ignore the anime and idol aesthetics and enjoy what’s essentially one of the best picross titles in the market.
That little cutscene nearing the end of the game and the surprisingly competent voice acting are basically the only minuscule silver linings in an otherwise patience endurance test. Adios is a story-driven game with a boring story and a lack of compelling characters. It’s full of minigames that are either broken or just too boring to play. It’s ugly to look at and its framerate is nauseating. Considering the fantastic premise, this should have been a lot better and this is what disappoints me the most.
Even if Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection features some abhorrent gameplay issues, something about it still makes it an entertaining game. You will die over and over again, but you won’t rage quit as quickly as you would imagine with a game riddled with so many inconveniences.
All in all, despite still not being a fantastic achievement when it comes to its presentation, Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure is easily one of the more full-bodied kart racing options available on the Switch. Sure, competing against Mario Kart is basically a death sentence, but considering its great controls and nonsensical amount of content are being sold for a surprisingly reasonable price tag, I’d say this one is easily worth picking up.
Estranged: The Departure is hindered by a truckload of technical issues, namely in its controls and framerate, but considering the hardware we’re talking about and the fact it was developed by a single person, it’s a game worth praising at the end of the day. Its story is a bit predictable and its combat sections are beyond bland, but all in all, you’re paying just five bucks for a surprisingly hardy first-person horror game that actually demands a bit from the Switch’s hardware. I have nothing but respect for the game and its developer, even if it’s far from perfect.
Despite the surprisingly great controls, Gensou Skydrift is a low budget disappointment. It’s ugly, it doesn’t feature a lot of content, and it’s not exactly the most accessible game if you’re not a die hard fan of the Touhou franchise, since you won’t understand a single thing about its plot otherwise.
In an era so devoid of proper RTS releases, Stronghold: Warlords stands out as a breath of fresh air. It appeals to both newcomers, with its excellent AI and voiced hint system, as well as veterans, with its deep mechanics and endless possibilities on how to create the best kind of stronghold against your enemies.
This is still far from what I expect from a proper next-gen racing game, but Monster Energy Supercross 4 is a pretty good game in its own right. It’s brutally challenging at first, but rewarding. It is chock-full of content, with a sizeable career mode, lots of tracks and licensed bikers, and a great track editor to boot.
In Rays of the Light is a massively disappointing game hampered by its confusing nature and abysmal optimization. So far, it’s the PS5-specific game with the single worst framerate in the console’s fresh, yet ever growing library. It’s a shame, considering that Sergey Noskov’s previous effort was such a delightful surprise, but this one fails to deliver in every single aspect except its soundtrack.
All I can say without spoiling things for you readers is that it’s a game worth experiencing. Despite the myriad of grammatical errors, this is an incredibly smart story that will catch players off guard with its inventive twists. It’s also one hell of a fun mix between an RPG and a rhythm game.
This game might be set in Ancient Mesopotamia, but there’s more bureaucracy in here than your average trip to the DMV, not to mention the lack of a true sandbox mode available right from the get-go. A commendable effort from a two-man team, but one that probably bit a bit more than they could chew.
As a project developed by a group of recently graduated game developers, Mail Mole is worthy of praise. It runs well on the Switch, it’s mostly devoid of bugs, and its character design is quite cute. Sadly, it’s a generic platformer with a very simple premise and forgettable level design.