Seven Pirates H isn't stingy with ecchi content and fanservice, but that's okay. When you decide to play the game, you usually know what's coming. But aside from the bouncing boobs and sexualized characters, you can have your joys with the title even if you're a JRPG sympathizer. The combat system is fun and the individual abilities vary in how they are executed. You can easily spend over 40 hours with collecting passages, side quests and the story. Seven Pirates H even has a lush bestiary where the models are displayed and every item drop is noted. A comfort function that I miss too often in other games. The difficulty level could be more difficult, because in the whole game I never got into trouble. Also, apart from the characters, the graphics are not up to date. All in all, Seven Pirates H is a solid JRPG with enough fanservice.
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It's been a long time since I've been so torn when it came to rating a game. Mario Party Superstars has a lot of good points, such as the different co-op options and the mini-game mountain with a selection of the best games in Mario Party history. But exactly the second argument also brings a disadvantage. With the given number of mini-games, the air is out very quickly. I also find it a shame that you no longer have to unlock the games or boards. This means that the replay value is quickly lost, especially if you have played through all the boards. With the coins won from them, you can still go shopping in the Toadshop, but these things have no relevance in the end. All in all, Mario Party Superstars is a good game if you want to indulge in fond nostalgic memories. As long as you are aware of this fact and don't expect any too important innovations, you will have your fun with the title.
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WarioWare: Get It Together! is a nice collection of different microgames under time pressure. Very often I found that you have much less time to understand and master the individual games. Fortunately, there is a training mode where you can work off these disadvantages. Unfortunately, however, long-term motivation falls by the wayside. After a good three hours, the main part is done, and if you invest a few more hours afterwards, all the microgames are done at least once. The cosmetic changes also don't bring the freshness that the developer probably imagined. It would have been more interesting if each character had special skins. What the title definitely shines with, however, is the multiplayer. Online or locally, you will have fun with the creative games and crazy sceneries. For single player, the air is out very quickly and you have to think carefully about whether you want to pay the full price.
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Samurai Warriors 5 is the best title in the Warriors universe! I have been playing the Warriors parts since Dynasty Warriors 3 and have experienced many lows and highs. But this title has so much to offer. An exciting battle system with different weapons that can be completely customized. The story, which is very close to reality. Admittedly, not everyone will like the story around Nobunaga Oda and Mutsuhide Akechi, but if you get involved, you will get to know an important part of the 15th century in Japan. Newcomers to the Warriors series will get a wonderful introduction to the franchise. Veterans will get plenty to do thanks to the different modes to keep the game fun for as long as possible. Now it's just a matter of going into battle and helping Nobunaga Oda unify old Japan once and for all!
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I'm always happy when I hear that remakes or remasters of JRPGs will be released, and Legend of Mana was no exception. After the well-done Trails of Mana, I was in enormous anticipation, but unfortunately it was not satisfied. Legend of Mana is a role-playing game that was innovative in the area of presentation and storytelling 20 years ago. But today it can't keep up these aspects. Is it on the one hand because the style mix of new backgrounds and old sprites really harmonize in my opinion, on the other hand also because of the weak protagonist. With this character, I never felt as if he had a purpose or development in the game. What saves the story, however, are the wonderful supporting characters. The charming characters, were able to keep me glued to the game even over a long period of time. It should also be noted that although the main plot is missing, the short stories were convincing. For gamers who don't have much time to follow a long story, this aspect is convincing. Exciting stories can be experienced again and again in small bites. All in all, you have to have a love for old JRPGs and innovative ideas to like Legend of Mana. But if you get involved, you'll experience a smorgasbord of different stories and loving characters in a good forty hours.
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Mario Golf: Super Rush joins the ranks of Nintendo's various simulation games. Even though the title has more simulation aspects than other representatives, like Mario Kart or Mario Football, the game is fun. However, with Battle Golf, you get the typical and insane gameplay presented. When it comes to the adventure mode, I would have liked to see more variety in terms of character selection. It's all well and good if you can experience the adventure with your Mii, but I would have been more pleased if I could go on this journey with Warluigi. But in the end, you only get real fun when you play with several people. Mario Golf: Super Rush offers both online mode and local co-op. These modes are well done and do what you expect. All in all, golf fans will get their money's worth and have a lot of fun with the title. However, if you have nothing to do with golf, it will be difficult to enjoy the game.
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Scarlet Nexus is, simply put, an awesome game! An exciting story, two different perspectives, fun gameplay and different powers. I haven't played a JRPG that was this much fun in a long time. Of course, I can't neglect the negative aspects either. I would have liked to have an open world. A world where I can travel with Kasane different villages and cities and understand the story around the world better. Also, the cutscenes and the presentation are often very halting, which worsens the storyline by quite a bit. All in all, if you like JRPGs with hack and slash elements, you'll enjoy it. I also think that Scarlet Nexus could be a hot candidate for game of the year!
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You can see in Dark Deity that the developers have a great love for classic SRPGs like Fire Emblem. Even if the story and presentation aren't overwhelming, the battle system does a lot right. Starting with the active abilities, which really add something and aren't just a decorative effect. Then there are the different classes, which gave me the opportunity to customize my squad the way I wanted. Finally, to the little things, like the battle animations, which add a lot of charm to the game. In my opinion, if more had been invested in the story presentation in addition, the title could have reached a wide range of players. Thus, Dark Deity remains an insider tip among SRPG fans that can be bought without hesitation.
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Yes, I love the game! Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster does so many things right that a Japanese role-player would want. First, an exciting story that takes a bit to get going, but picks up tremendously as the game progresses. With a total of six different endings, you can dive more than a hundred hours into the game. Secondly, the combat system, despite its age, is not boring. No two battles are alike, and in the most marginal fights you have to be careful not to die. Only by cleverly using the press-turn system can you survive. But this level of difficulty has been greatly alleviated with the "Gracious Mode". This means that a wider audience can now have fun with the title. Only the annoying random battles dampen the euphoria. Last but not least, the collecting urge is more than satisfied in the title. With far more than a hundred demons and monsters, there are endless possibilities to put together your dream team. Also, many monsters can evolve as well, giving a real "Pokémon feeling". I'm confident that Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster will be a big seller. Perhaps this will see more Shin Megami classics get a re-release on the current generation of consoles. Also, this spin-off is the perfect preparation for the hopefully soon to be released fifth part!
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NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... will be able to build on the success of Nier Automata. With the incredibly exciting story, fantastic characters and the nimble battle system, every action RPG lover will get their money's worth. However, there are definitely deductions for the unnecessary waiting times between the areas. Also, the boring side quests (with a few exceptions) are not up to date. What is also not up to date is the graphics. Since this hasn't been pimped, you have the same presentation as it was on the PS3 back in the day. All in all, you can spend a lot of time in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139.... The different endings let you see the story from different perspectives. There is also a completely new ending that can only be found in this version.
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I had an enormous amount of fun with New Pokémon Snap. That's especially because it's so wonderfully decelerating. Just turn on the Switch and dive into the tropical forests for a few hours and look for the perfect picture of Arbok. Since the game concept doesn't overwhelm, even children will have their fun with the title. Of course, it should not be forgotten that the gameplay is very repetitive and almost doesn't change at all from the beginning to the end. It also leaves the bland aftertaste that you only move along predefined routes. All in all, it's a good remake of the original title. If you can get excited about the likes of Animal Crossing, you'll definitely enjoy New Pokémon Snap.
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I enjoyed Dandy Ace enormously with its colorful layout. The immersion in the world of magic and illusion also convinced me. Defeating enemies with cards or giving them hell with fireworks fits perfectly into the overall concept. With the amount of enemies and the clarity, the developer could perhaps still create a remedy in an update. Because two waves of enemies with six to eight opponents is a bit much and gets frustrating very quickly. With more than thirty different maps and different endings, you can invest some time in Dandy Ace. Even if the game doesn't come close to The Binding of Isaac, it's a worthy successor to Skul: The Hero Slayer. I remain hopeful that the game will be fed with many updates and expansions.
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Bravely Default 2 convinces with its gameplay mechanics in all cases. Even though you have to be aware that the difficulty level is already hard as nails on the normal setting. You don't need to have played the predecessors for this spin-off, since the game tells its own story. It takes some time for the story to pick up speed. But once you reach this point, you won't want to turn off the console. If you liked Octopath Traveler, you'll definitely enjoy Bravely Default 2. If you are not a fan of turn-based, lengthy JRPGs, you should reconsider the purchase.
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Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is an excellent collection that offers both tried-and-true and new content. If you played Super Mario 3D World back on the Wii U, you might have a hard time buying it. There are new features, but they are marginal. However, considering that Bowser's Fury is also included in this bundle, you probably won't be able to keep your hands off it if you're a Super Mario fan. Even though this part is only eight hours long, you'll be well entertained throughout the entire game. The open world characteristic is fun and I hope that the next installment will also have a completely open world.
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Ys IX Monstrum Nox is a role-playing pearl that I wouldn't want to miss. The ninth part also convinced me with its battle system and story. Especially the plot is, in my opinion, the best story of the series. Unexpected twists combined with exciting character relationships have me under their spell. The graphics are, as in the other sequels, unfortunately outdated and could use a beauty treatment. With 20 to 30 hours and six different difficulty levels, you can spend quite some time in Balduq. The New Game Plus mode also invites you to collect forgotten items and explore all the secrets of the prison city. All in all, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a solid JRPG title that you won't regret buying.
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It took me about 20 hours to play through Skul: The Hero Slayer for the first time. That's unusual for a roguelike title, but it was all the more satisfying when I got to see the credits roll. The little skeleton captivated me more than I thought it would. Even if the story is only secondary, the concept with the different classes was convincing. Since the gameplay is always different, there is no boredom. However, once you've reached the point where you've explored the most, the urge to explore naturally subsides. On the whole, however, the game offers enough to provide many hours of fun and motivation. If you're looking for a roguelike title with cool new features, Skul: The Hero Slayer will certainly not disappoint.
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Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is the perfect entry into the gaming year 2021! The story follows directly after its predecessor. Despite the fact that the game takes place three years after the first part, you don't necessarily need to know anything about it. The story leads the player by the hand and doesn't leave him alone. The alchemy is as good as usual and the battle system is fun. Fast and crisp fights on three different difficulty levels invite you to enjoy the gameplay. Perhaps the only downer is that larger areas can take longer to load. Also, the fact that the audio output is only in the original Japanese version might deter some people. If you have played the first part, you will probably not miss this part of the series.
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Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light presents in a classic way how the famous hero Marth grows from a little prince to a shining hero. But the path is long and arduous, and not only for him. When playing this spin-off of the series, you have to be aware that you'll have to do without certain features. No battle prediction or fade-in movement radius. But instead, a certain thrill kept coming up for me during the game, which I miss in modern games. But if you get into the gameplay, you'll experience a captivating story. An absolute must for veterans of the series, but newcomers should perhaps go for a newer part with more beginner-friendly features.
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In short, Immortals Fenyx Rising is my game of the year 2020, it has everything that a good game has to have in my world. A setting which is fascinating and beautiful at the same time. The huge world just screams "Explore me, experience me", and I followed this scream with skin and hair. I found myself swinging onto my blue horse and just riding around in the area, simply because I liked the surroundings so much. The urge to explore is satisfied throughout the whole game and leaves nothing to be desired. If you want to do dungeons, no problem. If you want to improve the health bar of Fenyx, well, then you just have to look for it. You can invest more than a hundred hours in the game without getting really bored. The only thing that disturbed me was the funny slapstick humor that is present throughout the game. If you have a preference for Open World titles and can relate to Greek mythology, the title is a must buy. If you want to dive into the genre for the first time, the title is a must buy. If you want to make your dearest (gambling) person happy for the upcoming Christmas, then Immortals Fenyx Rising is a compulsory purchase.
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Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity bridges the time until the release of Breath of the Wild 2, but unfortunately only briefly. While the environment and enemy types may seem varied at first, you become dulled as the game progresses. However, the search for crogs or the prey hunt for special items and weapons remains particularly motivated. There are more than enough side tasks to complete. Besides the simple booty hunts, you can also sit down in the huge colossuses to defeat even more enemies in a short time. But especially when a lot of enemies appear on the screen, the performance of the Switch can reach its limits. All in all Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a decently made Warriors game that you will have fun with if you are a fan of such Musou titles.
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