Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea brings the Dusk Trilogy to a close and joins its predecessors on the PlayStation Vita. With the lack of a Time Limit system, Atelier has never suited the handheld device better than with this instalment. The pick-up and play nature of the device works brilliantly with this entry and I can’t help but love the game even more for that. While I may be new to the Atelier series I can’t wait for more and I’ll definitely be picking up some of the other titles available on the PlayStation Vita.
As a big fan of strategy RPGs, I’m surprised at myself that this is my first foray into the Disgaea franchise. Often hearing of the series' brilliance, I’ve never found myself picking up one to play and I realise now what a great injustice that is. I will say, however, that past knowledge of the series may be a good thing, as the sheer amount of options available to you can be quite daunting. Outside of battles, I found my head spinning at all the possible ways of customising characters and the extra features available. Not to say this is a downside to the game rather a benefit that only adds to the game's long-term appeal. It’s clear that Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance has so much to offer that you may never truly achieve 100% completion, but be ready to sink in many hours trying. Even after the main story campaign, there’s just so much to keep you coming back for more; D5 is easily worth the price of admission and then some.
There’s not much to knock with Little Town Hero it’s a great experience with a praiseworthy visual style, soundtrack, and the sometimes hard but ultimately inventively brilliant battle system. Some minor frame rate stutter here and there, but nothing worth getting up in arms about. The game won’t be to everyone’s taste, whether that’s down to expectation as a Game Freak game or just the overwhelming nature of the battle system. If different and out of the box is an appealing trait, then Little Town Hero has it with a lot to spare.
My Hero One’s Justice continues to impress the further you dive into it. It’s filled to the brim with content that’ll keep you occupied for hours on end and that’s not even including the online mode. Not to mention that the game just works and works well. Online is simple and streamlined, the gameplay is exhilarating and the visuals are stunning. My Hero One’s Justice is well worth the entry price and more!
The low entry requirements and the unique nature of the game will keep you, your family and friends occupied for hours on end. Each game is a story yet to be written, an adventure of your own to craft. Fans of the traditional board experience will find a lot to love here as will those who like a good helping of strategy in their games.
Dead Cells is an addictive yet brutal game that’ll have you swinging from frustration to enjoyment in quick succession. It’s perfect for when you have a spare couple of minutes jumping in and out for a quick game.
F1 2018 takes the world of Formula One and faithfully recreates an all-encompassing experience in one of the best racing games.
Final Fantasy XV no doubt has its issues and it’s far from perfect but it is one of the most enjoyable games of the year. The game opens with the statement “A Final Fantasy for fans and first-timers” and this could not be truer. The much needed and natural change in gameplay should definitely attract new players and fans alike. The planned updates should give players a sense of ease with regards to how well the game will be supported in the future. It should also give players even more reason to return after they have completed it. Give the sheer amount of content packed into the game is definitely a worthy investment and will keep you entertained for many, many hours.
Yomawari: Night Alone may be short and repetitive but like with other survival horror games of this type, such as Corpse Party, the replay value is extremely high and encourages you to die a lot and explore everything the world has to offer. Rushing to the end may leave you feeling unsatisfied, but know that there is a lot more to get from this game. Visually simple but very charming and a masterful use of audio throughout, make sure you’re using headphone, Yomawari: Night Alone is the perfect pickup for this Halloween season.
Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness does a great job and bringing the world that fans have come to love to a visual novel and while it could have been better in areas it’s definitely an enjoyable experience. I reviewed the game on PlayStation 4 but it would feel more at home on the PlayStation Vita which, thankfully; it is also available on. I actually spent a good deal of my time with it using remote play as it’s just a much more comfortable experience when you’re having to spend a lot of your time reading. Ultimately, I feel the enjoyability of this game really comes down to how much you like reading, though there is a minigame to mix things up a little but that’s only necessary to unlock gallery items.
Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- is a fantastic looking game and definitely a joy to play. Featuring an intriguing and deep story, complex battle mechanics and now a stylish mode that caters to newcomers making -REVELATOR- a great title to pick up for new and old fans alike.
Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale clocks in at around 30 hours of core story but features a lot of side content and a fantastic farming simulation that you can easily pour hours into. There’s a good range of things to do within the game given its hybrid nature. Really fitting the pickup and play style this game is perfect for short bursts or extended sessions.
It’s a shame that Stella Glow will be imageepoch’s last game, but what a game to finish on. Based on the initial trailer and screenshots, I was expecting some great SRPG elements and an engaging story from Stella Glow and I can safely say it delivers on all that and more. Combining a brilliant soundtrack and fantastic visuals each map continues to impress upon each visit and with multiple ending the replay value is high. Strategy RPG fans this title is not one to miss and it’s easy to grasp for newcomers to the genre so definitely give it a try if you’re on the fence.
I can honestly say that I had a blast with Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight. I look forward to future titles and I’m definitely going to hunt down the older ones. I’ve been a huge fan of dungeon crawling RPGs for some time now and EO easily pleases and then some. The mapping feature is brilliant and obviously a big draw for the series. The new cooking feature has depth and becomes rather addictive in itself as it opens up in the later game. If you’re a newcomer to EO like me, don’t feel afraid to jump in, each game is separate from one another and you’ll have a great time with it.
Corpse Party: Blood Drive is a great new entry in the Corpse Party series and the final instalment of the Heavenly Host storyline. Be prepared to die in more ways than before, but also experience more ways in which to defend yourself. If you’re a fan of Corpse Party, you know what to expect, but newcomers get ready to start sleeping with the lights on. Blood Drive is more tension-filled and heart pumping than we’ve seen before and we love it.
Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below is a great addition to both the Dragon Quest series and Dynasty Warriors series. Taking the basic elements from DW and adding in a lot of DQ, making it a stand out title amongst a growing sea of DW spin-off titles. If you’re a fan of either series, then you will find something to like here; it’s both familiar and different, making for a unique and thrilling ride.
Omega Quintet suffers in quite a few areas with a huge amount of dialogue filler, not much story progression to its visually dated look that for a PlayStation 4 title may put potential buyers off. For fans of Compile Heart’s style and those looking for a new JRPG experience will find a great amount of pleasure here. The battle system is crammed full of exciting and interesting features that make battles an absolute joy to partake in. The Promotion Video System, although missable, will entice fans of simulation that have been eager to try this style of game mainly confined to Japan. Overall, for a JRPG fan a very enjoyable experience with plenty to offer.
While the premise of the game is quite simple and the plot progression can be considered safe in its approach, there is a very solid turn-based RPG at its core, with each new element added to the battle system only helping to boost the enjoyment of the game. The dialogue is sharp and funny and the characters are likeable. The dungeon designs are rather bland, making the exploration aspect of the game forgettable, this is not a perfect game by any means, but if you love JRPGs then it's worth the time.
Grapple Dog delivers a solid 2D action platformer with fresh and interesting mechanics, impossibly cute characters and a soundtrack that’s straight fire! Don’t be fooled by the charming aesthetics because Grapple Dog follows a trend of impossibly cute but frustratingly challenging platformers. Taking advantage of some choice accessibility options might be a must when taking on this 2D platformer unless, of course, living life on the edge is your jam. Despite some issues, Grapple Dog is an incredibly exciting journey that never outstays its welcome.
Penny-Punching Princess is equally off the wall and ridiculously fun at the same time. The visuals will no doubt put a smile on the faces of regular NIS game fans, but the grind can be an annoyance. The story is a little lacking, but what there is of it is enough to keep you entertained throughout.