The new game from Jump Over the Age is, just like NORCO and Disco Elysium, one of the best-written games in recent years, being a must-play for those who appreciate well-polished text, just as those previously mentioned, mature, thought-provoking sci-fi plot and tabletop RPG mechanics.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Although very rudimentary in its gameplay, as well as too simplistic in its aesthetics, even from the point of view of its simple proposal, A Hero and a Garden is consistent in its main design choices and, above all, has premises well thought out and executed in an elegant, sensitive and delicate way. It's just a shame that even in the narrative, where it's a strong point, it also lacks a greater elaboration of the dialogues, the development of the characters and its world.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Edition (Multi) is the kind of game that's simple and easy to play, but complex and tough to review, thanks to its unique concept of game design and the originality and humor-driven insight of its interpretation and evaluation of videogame narrative. However, it's also the kind of game that can be fun and interesting for any kind of player who likes interactive fiction or those who study [the] videogame narrative [possibilities].
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Even with a conservative concept regarding the classic Brigandine, and also considering that it is a lower-budget project, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia deserved more polish, especially in the in-game visuals and in several aspects of its gameplay that lead to be problematic and/or limited in much of what it does as both a macro-scale strategy game and a tactical RPG. However, the game has new features in its PC version that increase its replay factor, it has a good musical environment, a good connection between the types of gameplay in GSG and TRPG, and it is above all well written and illustrated. For these reasons, it's a title recommended for fans of the PlayStation classic, fans of high fantasy stories and anyone who wants to experiment with macro-strategic elements in TRPG, as there aren't many titles with this concept.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Although it's a game without much pretensions, Arise: A Simple Story - Definitive Edition could have had more refinement in the narrative construction, as well as more polish and development both from an artistic and gameplay point of view. However, the title by Piccolo Studio has good ideas in its level design, has some beautiful scenes and conveys a beautiful and simple message from its developers, and deserves to be appreciated by fans of platform art games, although they should try it without great expectations.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Despite the simplicity both in some technical visual aspects and in its level design and in its mechanics, NORCO knows how to use minimalism and point-and-click to its advantage with creativity and expressiveness, especially in audiovisual aspects, delivering one of the most immersive worlds , fascinating and memorable experiences I've ever experienced in video games. In particular, the text has a sophisticated narrative design, a context well motivated by important social and environmental problems of our time, and one of the best-written scripts of recent times. The debut game from the Geography of Robots studio is a strong candidate to be one of the best indies of the year, in addition to being a must-have title for adventure fans and a general recommendation for those who appreciate good stories in video games.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The main issue of Uuultra C is its plot and narrative format. It's true that the story isn't deep and can be very confusing, convoluted and filled with arbitrary situations, some of which, have appelative and controversial elements. However, the premise has a lot of personality and the execution isn't totally bad, especially due to the characters having good development. Besides that, when it comes to the visual aspect, this visual novel is the pinacle of ADELTA works thus far, being a highlight even when we consider BL VNs in general. On the music and soundtrack department, despite having drastic differences between its highs and lows, offers tracks that are reasonably well produced and fitting for the proposal. Therefore, this is a work that can be recommended to anyone who isn't afraid of something confusing and crazy and is looking for a good and unique BL with some good characters.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A Memoir Blue's interactive poetics is sensible in a subtle and demure way through its audiovisual [elements], even if technically limited and incipient in its level design and animation. It's a short title when compared to other videogames, but, just like a short film in cinema or a poem or short story in literature, length isn't an issue. The narrative and progression are modest, but the message is told in a succint, oneiric and expressive form, and it succeeds in doing so. The big issue, however, is that it uses interactivity only a little. A Memoir Blue is recommended for fans of art games stylized as graphic adventures, as those players will certainly enjoy the experience if they have in mind that it's a short journey without big ambitions.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Although sometimes underrated, particularly for its confusing and convoluted narrative design, there is no doubt that Chrono Cross was, in many ways, exceptional for its time. Even in the present day, Cross is still deep, resourceful, and a benchmark of gameplay and narrative synergy for non-linear design within its genre. Radical Dreamers is also an expensive piece for Western fans who have waited decades for a localization and brings an interesting alternate version of the early events in Chrono Cross, also adding to reflect on the gameplay and music of the JRPG. Even considering it's a low-cost collection, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition could be better, especially in battle performance. However, there is no denying that the team's other efforts to bring these titles to the new generation of consoles are commendable, especially Chrono Cross, which remains a great recommendation for JRPG fans.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Triangle Strategy is unsophisticated in mechanics and level design, compared to the classics that inspired it, but it has good ideas, it's well-made and balanced, in addition to being one of the most suitable games for newcomers to TRPG. While this tactical RPG has some flaws in its script and cast, it is creative and eloquent in its political applications in narrative design and has a serious, believable and realistic tone in its theme.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Unlike The Isle Dragon Roars, Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden's artistic and narrative choices make this title a much easier recommendation for fans of Yoko Taro, especially the NieR subseries. Although The Forsaken Maiden visually reuses a lot of its predecessor and evolves little in combat, the compositions are equally well done and consistent with the new proposal, and the exploration and especially the scenario and narrative design are significantly more inventive and refined, delivering a unique and accessible experience, recommended also for fans of tabletop RPGs and classic JRPGs.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Monark is a relatively accessible TRPG for beginners in terms of tactical complexity, while still being interesting and versatile. In addition, the game is recommended for those interested in shounen anime and plot premises similar to the Persona games and the dark brushstrokes of the main Shin Megami Tensei series.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a port with deleterious issues on several levels. And its narrative restructuring, while better developing some main characters, also follows new directions that leave “fleas behind the ears”, in addition to introducing new characters and some unpublished scenes of little use. However, the balance is much more positive. This RPG is a must for fans of the franchise and the genre in general, and is also recommended, with reservations, for those who are fans of the PlayStation original in particular.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Night Lights minimally delivers what it sets out to deliver, it has an interesting central idea and is consistent with it in audiovisual, as well as its level design is casual, accessible and intuitive. However, the game does not bring a captivating fictional world concept and/or plot to the proposal, the mechanics are creatively underused even considering its casual intent and its art is simple and generic. Still, the title is recommended to those who like puzzles with a cute design and sidescroller movement, but be aware that this is a very modest game in everything it does.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Hashihime of the Old Book Town Append is a complex, immersive, bold and creative VN that weaves a unique and moving plot filled with unpredictable twists under the light of an stylish art with serious, lively and psychedelic traces, but one that isn't beyond reproach. Besides the budget limitations, which are clear in the audiovisual aspect, the latter routes don't hold the same energy of the first one. Sometimes the balance between reality and fantasy seems to move too much in favor of fantasy and arbitrary logic, and the last route, while having an interesting and radical side to it, is particularly problematic and controversial. Certainly, it's one of the best (if not the best) BL VNs ever made, at least when it comes to narrative design, making it highly recommended for a general public of good stories about sense of reality, mystery and romance but the player has to understand that they're diving into a practically kinetic experience. Besides that, the plot formula requires a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief to dive into this tragic, unpredictable and moving web of dreams that the young writer from a Jinbounchou library got tangled with.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Whether from a narrative point of view, or from the level design, the mechanics and puzzle concepts perspective, Omno is not only modest and brief, but also shallow and uncreative. On the other hand, it has a charismatic look and fantastic fauna in a relaxing atmosphere. The title is recommended for those who want a pleasant, easy, accessible and fast experience, but it is far from what other similar games have to offer both as an art game and as an adventure in 3D platform puzzles.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Loop Hero doesn't have stunning graphics, but its visuals will certainly sound nostalgic to those who lived through the 8-bit era, and in this project it has remained quite functional for the simple structure in which the game delivers, with excellence, an automated gameplay with a circular screen scenario with an emphasis on managing the external economy of the character's adventure.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Despite its simplicity, ease, brevity and limitations, Where Cards Fall is certainly an accessible and unique game when viewed from the point of view of its core mechanics based on building card houses. Thus, the title is recommended for anyone who wants a unique, meditative and casual space puzzle experience. But it doesn't suit the most demanding puzzle gamers for its low challenge and simplicity, and probably not even those hoping for a deeper narrative.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The strength of Dungeon Encounters is not in its art, but in its science. It is a unique and competent RPG in the role it proposes: to be a game focused on the mechanical essence of a dungeon crawler while reinventing the way of thinking about exploration and combat dynamics in games of this style. This is an RPG recommended for fans of the genre who especially appreciate the science behind dungeon crawlers in creative interactions between combat mechanics and group management with unique dungeon exploration.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Astria Ascending is far from being a widely recommended RPG, but it can please those more avid RPG fans who appreciate differentiated art and want to appreciate the potential of its systems, although points such as level design and narrative design hinders the experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review