Dan Rizzo's Reviews
If you are a fan of the visual novel genre, this is certainly a must play title. It’s historical presence within the category will forever be etched and shown through many of it’s counterparts, that have experimented with similar traits. YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of this World is certainly one of the best visual novel titles, of all time.
The Surge franchise has a bright future ahead of itself, and while it may have hit a small bump in the road with it’s sequel, it’s learning curbs will only help better their development heading into the next generation of gaming. The Surge 2 is well worth your time, if your a fan of any action RPG or Souls-like title.
AIBA’s shining personality really helps in times of ominous footing. Boss’ guidance really sets a pace between her relationship with Date, and making sure he remember’s why he’s an officer in the first place. I love everything about AI: The Somnium Files. It’s story, it’s presentation, it’s sound design, and it’s characters. Spike Chunsoft and Numskull Games truly have themselves a Game of the Year contender on their hands.
It’s interpretation of the Souls category relies on it’s established past, but brings in elements from many other Role-Playing titles, but conveys an uncommon commitment. From its amazing level and dungeon design, its vast and beautiful world, its insane cast of characters, and addictive gameplay, Code Vein will no doubt be remembered as one of 2019’s best.
It’s ironic, but not a coincidence that we experience a title, tailor made for handheld hardware make a solid return for Nintendo’s newest piece of kit. The charming, and nostalgic world of Zelda returns with this incredible adventure, proving that the franchise itself, will remain timeless with Link’s Awakening being one of the greatest entries ever.
It’s lush environments, along with it’s impactful offsets that will make your jaw hit the floor. It’s story that will absolutely tug at your heart strings, not going to lie… cried a little playing this again. It’s inspiring, it’s daring, it’s courageous, and completely captivating. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is one of the best JPRG’s ever.
Three titles that are insanely popular amongst gamers, and the world of esports. It’s the grandaddy of ’em all. Borderlands still has something to prove to us, and that’s not to take this all seriously. Sit back, have a laugh at your characters expense, with a little self deprecation and humility presenting a chuckle, while systematically planning your next attack and how to loot every single enemy in the area, while beholding it’s bloody grace. Welcome back Borderlands, we missed you.
While it’s gameplay may not stand out as anything unique, it’s a lot of fun. Learning how to pull off a one-two-three punch/kick combo, allotted with an awesome finisher is such a gratifying feat that ultimately displays how a combo string should really be delivered. River City Girls is unmissable, and is one of the best arcade based experiences this year.
It’s violent, it’s gorey, it’s bloody, and story intense. It boldly delivers an emotional investment that will certainly surprise the hell out of gamer’s who decide to experience it. I for one implore any fans of any third person shooters to play Gears 5, it’s damn sure a hell of a good time. Gears 5 has Game of the Year potential written all over it, and will surely be remembered as XBOX One’s best of the best.
Where we’re treated to true cinematic experiences across all major platforms, that deliver some of the most expansive worldliness that can only be achieved by a plethora of untapped potential in gaming. This is it. Astral Chain is one of the best video game’s of 2019.
Catherine: Full Body will have everyone talking, from it’s incredibly vibrant yet gritty design, it’s fascinating tale of love, devotion, lifestyle, and deviancy. It’s risk/reward style of prodding it’s own audience into making conscious decisions, and it’s impeccable style in anime-like scenarios, that mix well with it’s incredibly challenging gameplay. Catherine: Full Body is no nightmare, but a dream come true for devoted fans of the original, and truly a welcoming experience for new fans, alike.
The potential risks in the game meet a grander reward awaiting you near the end of your journey to save humanity from potential extinction. While every turn could spell disaster for you and your character, it’s all part of the fun here. I can definitely say that RAD, is RAD.
While I do believe developers have mastered the third person action-adventure formula, Remedy thought outside the box here, and is something I can considerably respect. Control is a great experience for gamer’s who are looking for something new, exciting, fresh, unique, bold and risk taking. It will put everyone to the test, not only skillfully, but psychologically.
With such an engrossing experience ready to be played right in the palm of your hands, it’s a bite sized tale that only will cost you a two cups of coffee (That’s around about $13 bucks, right?). Erica is highly recommended and essential gaming, for casual and experienced gamers alike, and would definitely be considered one of the best surprises Sony Interactive Studios have presented us this year.
Now that’s not a bad thing, as Hollow Realization is quite a solid game, but changing the mechanics and formula can be risky, which is something I highly respect the developers for trying. Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is awesome. It met my expectations as a Sword Art Online fan in every way. While it might not be the perfect JRPG, I will cherish my experience with this title, and will continue to enjoy it for what it is, a great adaption to one of the best Anime’s ever made.
The game lives up to this award, as one of the best independent developed games I’ve played, and so near and dear to my heart that it is from our homeland of Australia. It serves itself well as a casual title that appeals to a niche crowd that absolutely have no love lost for their platformers. Damsel is an intense experience, that will leave hardcore devotee’s for their love of platform shooters, coming back to this title for years to come.
It’s definitely a novelty to own, but the word “relic” comes to mind while playing this game. While you can experience other title’s in similar fashion to Metal Wolf Chaos XD, It’s cheesy lines, it’s quirky nature, and it’s unbelievable plot sell the title, but it’s gameplay and pacing will ultimately question it’s current worth.
A violent, arcade shooter, that doesn’t give a stuff about your fancy upgrades, your new gun mechanics, your brand spanking new mech-armour, or your feelings. Wolfenstein should always be known for kicking ass, and taking names, and while I do believe Youngblood does try to take that notion, and turn it into a party, the party stopped the moment it wanted to be modernised. It’s the old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Packed with a punch, it’s hack and slash style that simply inputs quite a cute charm into it’s dark and dreary state, along with it’s amazing colours and contrasts, set with incredible presentation and gameplay, and a soundtrack that will leave you quite emotional at times, with a story as compelling as any Triple-A title, will leave you stunned. Hollow Knight is perfect.
It’s a great party game, if you have friends around that want to experience VR for the first time, but if you’re looking for a true blue immersive experience, I can’t say you will find it here. Is it a great “one-timer”? Absolutely. It’s a ton of fun, that you will love for hours. However, it’s only for hours. GORN is a great VR experience.