13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a 35-hour love letter to Japanese Manga and late 80s to early 90s Science Fiction with outstanding writing but ultimately average combat sections. While I did enjoy the city defense aspect of the game, it stunk of missed opportunities. It didn't have that same allure, love, and feeling of weight and scale that the other half of the game had. I'm not a fan of visual novel gameplay, but I enjoyed nearly every hour with 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. While it's also available on other platforms, playing it on the Switch allowed me to pick off story sections in my spare time, and I think that helped keep my interest. While not the perfect game I wanted it to be, it's close. But as we know close is no cigar. That said, I still suggest if you have an interest in the genres mentioned above you put 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim on your list ASAP.
Z-Warp is a bargain-priced, arcade romp and just a generally all-around good time. It controls well, has addictive scoring, an endearing art style, and it doesn't damage your wallet for the privilege. While not oozing in content, the price and quality do put this title over as a serious contender for a perfect introductory Shmup for newcomers or a great snack before a hardcore player's next conquest.
Big Bang Pro Wrestling is a curiosity from the Neo Geo Pocket Color. While it looks nice, it hasn't aged quite as well as previous releases on the Neo Geo Pocket Colour Selection Volume 1 or the more recent SNK vs Capcom: Card Fighters Clash. This title is more for die-hard fans of the console or someone struggling for a wrestling fix on the Nintendo Switch, though there are alternatives such as Arcade Action Wrestling. Sadly this game is more Legend than Heavyweight Champion of the World.
I wasn’t a huge fan of this in Early Access. It was a great idea but more of an unpolished diamond than something I would have raved about. I’m glad I went back to this title in its final release as all the issues I had with the game have been addressed. It’s more of a complete package and meets the expectations I had when it dropped into my inbox many moons ago. It’s with great and disturbed pleasure that I take back most of my grievances with Forgive Me Father, open my arms in my mentally weak state and offer my soul to Dagon.
Great title for hardcore shmupers.
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a cult fighting game hit for all the right reasons. It’s such a genuine pleasure to have the title once again readily available on modern platforms. It offers enough options for fans of Persona 3/4/5 who may not be fighting game fans to have a good time, but it also offers enough heft and chaos that only an Arc System Works fighting game can provide. It’s a shame that not all ports are created equal and the Switch owners are going to be missing out on the Rollback patch, which will no doubt breathe even more life into the game, but with its plethora of modes, unlockable artwork, and hefty roster to play around with, it’s very hard not to recommend this game to anyone who is a fan of the source material or the genre in which the game is set. Even though it's been years, every day at your Junes is still fantastic!
Triangle Strategy is old school through and through, from its graphics down to the amount of investment it requires from the player. In a world after Fire Emblem: The Three Houses, the investment required might be a little too much for some, but those that give it the initial time and attention it requires are in for a slow burn of an SRPG with an amazing finish.
When titles like Guilty Gear -Strive- and King of Fighters XV have set such high bars lately it's very difficult to accept anything less. While Phantom Breaker: Omnia has all the tools and look of the next big fighting game it doesn't quite have the feel. The lack of a playable tutorial certainly doesn't do it any favors either. I would imagine fans of the franchise will lap this title up and the crossover content could bring a few fresh eyes over, but as a fighting game in a genre that's made such a strong comeback over the last decade, it doesn't do much to differentiate from the cream of the crop or the more cult fighters such as Melty Blood or Arcana Heart.
Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection is a fantastic little package that I imagine fans of the franchise would just lap up. The bonus features and care that have been put into the emulation are commendable. The quality of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier really cannot be understated as I fell in love with it almost instantly. When I started playing, I was joking to our dear chief here at NookGaming that the rest of the games could be naff and it would still score high. Little did I know that would partially be the case. I have no desire to play Valis II in any shape or form again anytime soon. Fortunately, Valis III seemed to fix some of the issues I had. The fact this collection is missing at least 1 major game and a Super-Deformed reimagining of Valis II is very hard to overlook. This married with a high asking price and the other issues raised, it may be a little too much to suggest picking this up outside of a sale.
River City Girls Zero is an awkward title. It's fun but it's also infuriating and relies on cheap tactics to see you through. At 3 hours tops for your first run, and with replayability being quite low on this title, it makes it a hard sell for anyone who isn't a die-hard citizen of the River City. If you are a fan of the franchise and go in knowing that this is just a classic title repurposed as a hype device for the upcoming River City Girls 2 then you should be fine.
The King of Fighters XV is one of the highest points of the franchise. It plays like classic KoF and looks just as good as it plays. It feels like SNK have taken all the criticism from King of Fighters XIV and Samurai Shodown and successfully created a game worthy of their legacy. Not only that but one but interesting and charming enough to tempt players over to the series again. Despite being a little thin on content for single players, the meat of the genre lies within its multiplayer. With the sterling netcode, it's never been easier and smoother to throw down with fighters all over the world. Move over Street Fighter and shove off Tekken, The King of Fighters is back and long may it reign.
MONARK is one of those games that had everything in place for it to be something special and unfortunately either a lack of experience or budget absolutely crucifies it. Uninspired gameplay and poor graphics spend their time battling an amazing narrative and well-crafted atmosphere. You can see where the influences came from and the presentation of the game has some great aspects. But when it comes to the actual video game section of MONARK, you find it’s just middle of the road.
Powerslave Exhumed is the best way to tackle a cult classic game without changing anything in an egregious way. I can’t imagine anyone complaining about the fusion of both console versions or the fact it’s much easier to get running now than the downgraded PC port. The campaign is around 6 to 8 hours long depending on if you go secret hunting and the game has 2 endings to tackle. Beyond that, there are multiple difficulties for those who want a challenge; This means you’ll easily get the best bang for your buck with this one. Giving this title a second lease on life is a masterstroke. What may have released to average reception and eventual cult appreciation later on is now one of the most fun and unique experiences from the 90s, cleaned up and put on display in a public museum for the masses to enjoy and take in.
At this moment in time, Action Arcade Wrestling is a great-looking and fun title that feels like it’s still very much in early access. The lack of content for solo players is painfully obvious from the get-go and the fact the creation tools require a totally different format and separate download is a puzzling choice. As mentioned before, the bones of a great wrestling game are here, just currently that’s all it is. It’s a quick and fun time without substance and doesn’t really offer much that other wrestling titles such as Retromania Wrestling or Wrestling Empire haven’t already recently covered.
Breakneck City is the worst-case scenario of the above. It looks horrid, it plays badly, it's boring and it lacks enough content to keep masochists coming back after the game's paltry offering of an arcade run. Do yourself a favor; If you like Beat 'em ups or want to experience the genre, look at literally ANY other Beat 'em up. This game is just almost offensively bad at every juncture.
SNK Vs Capcom: Card Fighters' Clash represents exactly what I had hoped for when SNK announced they were porting a collection of old titles. It's an obscure and fun celebration that doubles up as a time capsule of one of the most exciting times in gaming. The lack of online does harm this title, but it's made up for slightly by the inclusion of both versions of the game. Hopefully, the 2nd volume of this collection also sees the sequel to this title amongst a few more obscure and fun titles from the little handheld nobody owned.
At the end of my shift, I found myself really enjoying my time at Happy's Humble Burger Farm. It managed to be a genuinely interesting title with surprisingly fun simulation gameplay. The save issue aside, I do feel the game had some genuine pacing issues and was too eager to serve the meal while I was still wolfing down the starters. If you’re a horror fan or fancy something a little different than usual I’d suggest coming on down to the Farm, but if you’re after a pure Simulation maybe skip the fast food this time.
All in all Space Moth: Lunar Edition is a big boy shooter in a budget package. It's a top-tier bullet hell experience for less than a trip to McDonald's. The only thing the game lacks is a difficulty mode choice for newcomers to the genre who want to work to that 1CC - That and online leaderboards. Aside from those, this is one bug you'll want to spare its life.
I enjoyed and continue to enjoy my time with Shin Megami Tensei V, but it isn't the title I envisioned when it was announced a few years back. It's a top-shelf JRPG with a lot of content, charm, and game time to keep the most engrossed of players demon negotiating until the wee hours. For me sadly the game lacks the identity I've come to expect from the main Shin Megami Tensei series. That alongside some performance issues, the weighty day one DLC, and the draining pace issues means this is one title that has strayed further from God than I would have liked.
I wanted to love Demon Turf and at its bone, there is a good title here. It just seems a little disjointed and awkward at points that make this little demon stumble. The asking price is more than fine for the game, and you get around 20 hours out of it. Just note that not all of it is gold, and has more padding than a push-up bra.