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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
F1 2018 takes the world of Formula One and faithfully recreates an all-encompassing experience in one of the best racing 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Puyo Puyo Tetris feels perfectly at home on the Nintendo Switch; the nature of the game just seems to fit what the Switch offers. I would say that is the best way to experience such a fun game as Puyo Puyo Tetris, but I have to factor in the cost. It is more expensive, and if the price is a concern, then go with PlayStation 4 but the Switch remains my recommendation. Don’t write Puyo Puyo Tetris off as a simple puzzle game that you may have played before because it's far from it. It features numerous game modes that will have you entertained for hours with friends and without. It’s so easy to jump in and out of games that you could play it anywhere and I recommend doing so; it makes those early morning commutes go by in a flash.
I enjoyed my time with Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star on the PlayStation 4 even with its few shortcomings, but I really enjoy playing it on the Nintendo Switch. I feel as if the game was made for the Switch as it's a much smoother and more satisfying experience. While both the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch offerings will serve you well, I definitely recommend the Switch version as the definitive release to go for.
Tanglewood is a brilliantly compelling platformer that boasts not only great gameplay, visuals, and music but compatibility with original SEGA hardware and a physical Mega Drive cartridge release to boot. I highly recommend trying it for yourself. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale perfectly embraces the “don’t judge a book by its cover” metaphorical phrase. It lulls you into a false sense of security with its charmingly simple visuals and cute anthropomorphic characters. The depth found within its story is unexpected, surprising, and frankly wonderful storytelling. The focus on mental health is eye-opening, self-affirming and a great opportunity to learn. This is all wrapped up in a therapeutic and fun colouring game with a powerful soundtrack.
Atlus says it's “two full-length RPGs in one package!” which should make this a must-buy for players of the original and newcomers alike. As a player of the original on the Nintendo DS, I decided to relive the event of the Septentriones scenario and I do not regret it. The story is brilliant and the battles are just a joy to play. If you haven’t experienced the first game, Devil Survivor/Devil Survivor Overclocked, and are worried about jumping in at DS2, don’t worry as the stories are completely separate. With essentially two full-length RPGs contained within this one release, you’re sure to get your money's worth.
Toodee and Topdee is a fantastic mash-up of genres that’s not only a quirky idea but one that actually works, and works flawlessly. Describing how the game mechanics work really doesn’t do justice to the actual magic at play here. The fluidity with which you swap between the two characters is everything. It allows for creativity from both the developer and player that otherwise could not exist. The brother developer team dietzribi has created one of the best and creative games of the year!
A tried and tested formula that’s hard to beat, no new evolutionary additions in this instalment but a series of refinement that makes for one of the best Warriors sub-franchisees to date. Being the first title in the series to be released on the new generation of consoles, everything has been amped up to get the most out of the new hardware. One Piece fans will enjoy the story mode that goes back to the series beginnings, following it to the most recent story arc in the manga and the whole raft of new characters it brings. The series also hits Steam for the first time so there’s even more availability for fans of One Piece and the Warriors franchise alike, you wouldn't go amiss with this awesome title.
Sword Art Online: Lost Song takes what Hollow Fragment made overly complicated, simplifies it, and makes it a much more enjoyable and fun experience. If you’re a fan of Sword Art Online, then you owe it to yourself to play this. The ALO story plays no real part in this game, so don’t let that dissuade you. The flight feature works brilliantly and you can have some really epic aerial battles or just take in the beautiful scenery. Sword Art Online: Lost Song is a really enjoyable game whether you play it alone or with friends.