Timothy Nunes's Reviews
Rival Megagun has what every good shoot-em up has and tops it off with engaging competitive play. Apart from a few disparages, Rival Megagun offers a unique idea to an old formula and comes out on top.
Persona Dancing: Endless Night spotlights the interstellar soundtracks from the last three Persona entries. Payoff is limited here, since these are side stories, but strong writing and interesting concepts accentuate the rhythm experience wonderfully. This collection, and each of its individual games, is meant for anyone looking for a great rhythm game that features fantastic music.
World of Final Fantasy Maxima offers a fair amount of extra content intended for newcomers and die-hards alike. With that said, this content is not necessarily essential to everybody. The extras with it make a newcomer's life easier, and the end-game content adds just enough to bring back the most dedicated completionists. This content is intriguing and adds some extra freedom and flexibility, but it is not essential content.
Timber Tennis Versus is everything you'd want in a competitive game - simple controls and challenging gameplay. Playing against other players makes for a great time, but the single player lacks both challenge and depth. Still, you'd be hard pressed to find a $2 game this competitive or perhaps this enjoyable.
Déraciné has an interesting approach that only FromSoftware can deliver. At the same time, enough stands in the way of the overall package that diminishes what the game could have been. Fans of FromSoftware storytelling will find something interesting here, but others will dislike the pacing and execution.
Castlevania Requiem brings to modern consoles what made the franchise successful in the first place. Requiem is not perfect and offers little extra in terms of modernization, but it stays true to the original vision.
Soul Calibur VI has the heart and soul of what makes a great fighter great. However, Reversal Edge is a mixed bag, and some presentation elements lack visual investment. Regardless, Soul Calibur VI is the complete package, accommodating to newcomers and veterans alike.
Fast Striker pays homage to the original game, but it offers very little in regards to modernization. Fast Striker has some simple, intriguing elements to it, but it lacks the polish of other games in the genre.
NHL 19 continues to refine its beloved sports title to a sheen. Game play feels fluid and responsive with next to nothing getting in its own way. NHL 19 sets a standard that most sports titles could learn from: fundamentals before flair.
An engaging experience that can get a little repetitive, Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe looks gorgeous and has enough heart to warrant you tucking in to discover its unique flavor.
Madden 19 has the kind of defense that makes this game worth buying, and spectacular plays are more spectacular than ever. Uncomplimentary menus and peculiar gameplay simulations keep this year's Madden from being something profoundly special. Still, there's plenty here to feed the need for more football.
Anamorphine has a lot of technical and performance problems, but the outlying narrative finds its way through, delivering a poignant, deep exploration into loss and depression. The game's performance issues can't be ignored, but Elena's story will stick with you for a long, long time.
What makes The Spectrum Retreat special is how its puzzles are equal parts accessible and challenging. As a consequence, what started off as a laser-focused story line soon ebbs in favor of the puzzles themselves. The spectacle is in the vivid scale of its presentation, with narrative beats to keep things interesting.
Rainbow Skies has a few good ideas, but those aren't enough to move past its bland narrative and repetitive gameplay.
Riddled Corpses EX has a strong foundation with a steep but engaging difficulty. The game is grindy, though, and has a few things keeping it from feeling polished and complete. Either way, Riddled Corpses EX has everything an addictive twin-stick shooter should have, and it does those things well.
Tacoma has a heart all its own, exploring a myriad of themes and advocating for the human condition, but the branches that sprout from the tree rarely bear fruit. Still, the growth is wonderful, even without that sweet taste you so long for.
AO International Tennis does not have any competition in this current market when it comes to tennis games, but AO Tennis lacks both refinement and variety that a good sports game should have.
MLB The Show 18 touches up some places and refines others. Despite missing online franchise, The Show 18 slings a complete game, even if it has a couple of problems on base.
Fe features a charming aesthetic and a wonderful soundtrack that elevates with every beat. However, it suffers mechanically in key moments, requiring enough compensation to detract from the game's overarching intentions. Still, there's something here, but it'll be behind a struggle.
With little in its way, Monster Hunter World smashes expectations with its organic, living, beautiful world. Matchmaking has its quirks and qualms, but little stands in the way of what's been created here. Monster Hunter World raises the bar high without distilling what made the franchise special in the first place.