While it may not feel like a traditional entry into the Warriors style of spinoff games that most are used to, there is a unique feel to be found in Touken Ranbu Warriors. With an interesting setting that has both characters that are engaging and a unique play on its historical situations, there’s a lot to enjoy for anyone.
While it may not tick every box in the quality department, there is something to be said for a game with an interesting core and Out There: Oceans of Time does hit that mark. It’s a story and universe that really offers a unique feeling sci-fi experience, and with a little time this ocean of stars could be more than worth flying through, even if there needs to be some more stability prior to that occurring.
The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is worth looking into for novelty alone, but it also manages to be an effective and interesting tale makes it just that much easier to recommend. Mystery is a genre that demands a puzzle worth solving, and this one is a case that delivers all the requisite twists and turns to make the experience feel like time well invested.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is an excellent example of how the looter shooter genre can innovate.
Sometimes a game that just misses the mark on really coming together is still worth playing thanks to the parts of it that go above and beyond. Aztech Forgotten Gods is a game with a great central gimmick and a good core story, both of which are more than worth experiencing even if, as a whole, it just isn’t quite able to coalesce. It's just a shame that the promise of its best facets isn't deliver on when it falters on some of the more basic elements of its design.
To say that The Anacrusis is better with friends is an incredible understatement, as it’s less like a different experience and more like a completely different game. Everything just feels more cohesive with co-op. Teamwork and communication make objectives and combat more exciting, while death feels less like a chore. This is the type of game that is meant to be played one way and one way only, but when it’s that much better, there’s nothing really wrong with that, and The Anacrusis is well worth anyone's time if they can put together their own team to tackle it with.
It’s a regrettable time when a game is simultaneously extremely fun and extremely broken. The potential for greatness is obviously present, but Trash Sailors holds itself back thanks to poor circumstances. With that being said, should Trash Sailors receive the kind of tech support that it needs and finally lives up to its potential, it would be more than a fun time for any group of friends.
It’s a hard task to create something that pays homage to a beloved work, as no matter what happens it will always be compared to that original piece, often unfavorably. Against these odds, UnMetal manages to straddle the line of being both a parody and an exceptional example of a top-down stealth game more than able to stand up to such scrutiny. While the game’s inspirations are obvious, it’s the fact that it also stands out on its own merits which makes it special and worth playing for anyone longing for a retro experience or clever, enjoyable writing.
For being as strange and bloated as it is, Epic Chef is a very engaging experience. While there are an almost frightening number of different mechanics involved, they all work together in interesting ways to create a very cohesive experience. Some people will like specific aspects of Epic Chef over others, but the way in which they work together means that very few are going to have trouble engaging with the whole, at least on some level.
Despite a few shortcomings, over the course of a playthrough, Time Loader proves itself to be a game worth trying out for those interested in its concept. The story is smart and, in true time travel fashion, has multiple ways in which it can come to a close. All of this is presented alongside a solid gameplay core which makes for a fun, if short, jaunt through a sci-fi tale.
The original Actraiser achieved cult classic status back when it first debuted thanks to its unique premise and gameplay. Fortunately, the promised Renaissance is able to more than give this gem another look for those who understandably missed its decades-old launch, and Actraiser Renaissance is an exciting, engaging experience in 2021.
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom – Prince’s Edition is a more than serviceable way for audiences that haven’t yet been able to play the game to do so. The game itself is very unique and a lot of fun, and with the included DLC there’s even more of it to enjoy. Those looking for the smoothest performance and best rendering will need to look elsewhere, but the convenience of a portable variant of Revenant Kingdom is an appealing one that won't be a barrier for those inclined to check it out.
Lost in Random is certainly a unique and interesting game, in spite of its flaws and aside from its inspirations. The art style may give the impression of journeying through a Tim Burton-inspired, imaginative landscape, but Lost in Random has its own identity that makes it worth exploring. Despite its faults, the combat's close similarities to 3D version of the Megaman Battle Network and Starforce series in all of the best ways makes it highly entertaining. Lost in Random is an innovative and enjoyable take on its genre, and a game that’s very easy to get lost in.
From Ori and the Blind Forest’s difficulty to Limbo’s puzzles and aesthetic, Unbound displays its inspirations with aplomb. On top of the innovative gameplay mechanics, the game’s art style, monster designs, and narrative are all fantastic. For fans of puzzle-platforming or gorgeous narrative aesthetic, Unbound: Worlds Apart shouldn't be missed.
Button City wants its audience to feel warm and to remember all of the things that they enjoyed when they were kids, and it succeeds in that goal. It feels right at home beside any media from the era it’s invoking.
To say that Blightbound has a lot of potential is an understatement, but to say that it squanders that potential is even more of one. For all its faults, the game is still worth playing thanks to the nuggets of concentrated fun that can be had while playing it with friends. In the end, the frustrating aspects of Blightbound are likely to be far more transient than its appeal, but what's a good game now could be an excellent one with some patches and a smoother experience on the technical side of things.
The nature of a game like Cotton Reboot! is one where its audience will know immediately if they want to pick it up, because as far as being a classic shooter game, it’s exactly what is to be expected. For those less knowledgeable, however, this game is for players who want to spend quite some time on what amounts to a very short game so that they can learn its ins and outs. It is also far more important than it probably should be to not be bothered by more than a little fanservice.
Even with this being the case, however, it doesn’t do enough to really drag down Triversal as a whole. It’s a game that’s meant to be played in brief segments and then set down again. Triversal’s simplicity, relaxing atmosphere, and brain-distracting difficulty can shine and provide just the type of experience needed for any puzzle-lover to unwind.
Secret Agent HD is the type of game that some will see as worthy while others will view as unplayable for the exact same reasons. It has lots of video game style and this rerelease comes packaged with not just more than the original, but the ability to make even more than that. Secret Agent HD is ultimately a mixed bag of “NES hard” clashing with modern sensibilities, while still always managing to show how legitimately fun it can be to play the super spy infiltrating the bad guy’s lair.