When all is said and done, Shiftlings is a fun game.
Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice already had a lot stacked against it, which is an unfortunate position to be in. However, it isn’t the first game that had something to prove, and many others have come and surmounted all obstacles put before them.
The biggest takeaway I have from Mighty No. 9 is that it was such a letdown.
Nitroplus Blasterz – Heroines Infinite Duel plays it too safe, to the point of taking the game's potential and squandering it. The roster is top notch, with all of the heroines being unique and fun to watch tear opponents apart.
Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair has some good features. One amazing class, destructible environments, and tons of onscreen enemies sounds like the makings of something great. But the highly repetitive missions, dated graphics, forgettable story, and lack of anything worth sticking around for make the game a largely forgettable experience.
The Swindle has some really cool ideas, and the sound and visuals make for one of the prettiest games out there. But, for players looking for something new or intrigued by the steampunk aesthetic, the randomized barrier to entry may be a bit too much.
Funk of Titans is a game full of missed opportunities and it's really a shame. The game has a solid premise that would be good for some great laughs and varied gameplay, it just never seems to deliver.
J-Stars Victory Vs+ is a game that has the look, but just couldn't follow through on the execution. While it may be cool to see characters like Goku and Medaka fight head to head, the fact that the act of participating in said fight isn't very fun makes the whole moment lose its magic.
Chariot definitely has its heart in the right place. It brings a lot to the platforming space in order to stand out.
The Consequence's atmosphere was borderline perfection, unfortunately no other element of the game managed to follow suit. No matter how dark and terrifying the game manages to be at a standstill, it just isn't enough to carry the entire expansion to a fulfilling conclusion.
The Executioner is fun. That is something that it definitely holds over the previous expansions, and the minimalistic approach to the story helps to keep players in the experience.
Overall, Berserk and the Band of the Hawk provides the rich story that fans of the manga and anime will certainly appreciate. Unfortunately, the feel of the gameplay itself captures the unique nature of each character, but never feels like it shares the same soul as the series it’s based on.
If you loved Outlast for its story and the fact that it stripped away any sense of viable defense, then there's something special waiting for you. The story really does sing. But if you were hoping for something a bit more fresh and different in a genre that has started to become one-note, then you may be disappointed by what Outlast 2 has to offer.
Digimon World: Next Order is definitely a game for fans who are looking for a challenge. If you’ve always felt you had it in you to take your own Digimon partner and save the digital world, this is certainly a game you should check out.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to ignore the lacking story and largely dead play areas. If you’re a fan of Dragon Ball in general you’ll find smiles and some fun here, but if you’re looking for an amazing RPG experience, you may want to look elsewhere.
While it’s far from perfect, Yakuza 0 is a game that fans of the franchise should definitely play. It has the challenging combat and wacky humor that you’d expect, and the story is top-notch.
All in all, Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. Force accomplishes what it set out to do.
Still, even with the horrid framerate, I couldn’t help but press on. Fighting a growing roster of more powerful beasts as I tested my skills against any Aragami that crossed my path is difficult to resist.
If you're looking for a fighter with a solid, interesting roster, then One Piece: Burning Blood is right up your alley. But, if you seek story and new insight from your anime-based games, you will be left wanting.
All in all, Far Cry Primal is a great entry in the series when it comes down to gameplay alone. The refocus was necessary to rein in the series, introducing a renewed sense of helplessness with more thoughtful engagement.