Timothy Nunes's Reviews
Code Vein does a few things well, like the amount you can customize as well as how enjoyable it is to explore the world proper. However, combat lacks the kind of refinement needed for such a complicated battlefield, and companions prove either useless or render you useless. Code Vein features many heavy inconsistencies that hide away a few good ideas.
GreedFall stands as Spiders' most successful game to day, bar none. Despite its issues, nothing gets in the way of this game's ambition and heart. Anyone looking for a standout, deep action-RPG will find it in GreedFall. With its different narrative paths and various ways to build your character, there are so many reasons to play through multiple times.
Vambrace: Cold Soul lacks the kind of depth that more appealing RPG and perma-death titles offer. Regardless, Vambrace looks gorgeous and does offer that first step into the challenging world of perma-death games.
Catherine: Full Body brings a PS3 hit title to the PS4 with its own modern additions. Not everything is ironclad, but Full body still shines despite its shadows. With new modes, a new character, and new ways to puzzle, Catherine: Full Body adds to the heart of the original in intriguing ways.
Oninaki takes dark themes and a child-like visual style and combines them with the potent themes of life and death wonderfully. Combat can be a little restrictive and the presentation takes a hit in cutscenes, but its successes make it more than worth your while. The game flows with darkness and hope, and Oninaki shines because of it.
Metal Wolf Chaos XD showcases the beginning of FromSoftware's iconic game formula. But, fifteen years on, the campy narrative and unpolished gameplay keep this from being a classic revival and a great re-release. It isn't too polished, but if you want to see the beginnings of From Software's beloved style, Metal Wolf Chaos XD is a solid way to do just that and only that.
It's brilliant to see WipEout back. It looked great back in the day, but thanks to the power of PS4 it now looks incredible, and captures with style the adrenaline-pumping action that we so fondly remember.
Madden NFL 20 manages to iron out some nagging issues, making gameplay better than it has ever been. Ultimate Team sees deep refinement, but online play needs some work. Madden NFL 20 feels like a game made for existing Madden fans.
Shadowbringers delivers on all fronts, offering up great new instances, vast new zones to explore, and a new storyline worthy of almost any best-of list. Despite its few early day hangups and minor missteps, Stormbringers excels on almost all counts.
While the original issues are still present, what made Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen so special is here as well. Glorifying combat, organic progression, and a saturated world will keep you slogging through the occasional lull on your way to the heart of it.
Dollhouse takes good ideas and puts them behind clashing mechanics. The randomly-generated landscapes all look the same, causing many issues with navigating and retrieving much-needed items. This pool of ideas lacks cohesion, and the minuscule payoff makes the tedium feel like a complete waste of time. Very little works in Dollhouse's favor.
Without its flaws, Super Neptunia RPG manages to depict the whimsical appeal of Neptunia in a new, approachable way for newcomers. However, these same flaws bring many aspects of the game down. Combat and character development also lack a whole lot of depth. Conversely, that lack of depth comes with an ease of access that works for this silly endeavor. Consider this title a between-games RPG curiosity.
This is the best way to play The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II. Visuals remain relatively the same as the PS3 version, albeit upscaled to higher resolution. The biggest changes come from perfect performance and Turbo Mode. Both add the kind of quality-of-life an epic-sized RPG such as this needs in order to feel as fresh as the first time you played it.
Observation does a lot of things correctly. Honing in on the isolation of space generates a wonderful tension on its own. Some pacing issues keep it from excellence, but there is plenty of appeal here for many different gaming preferences.
Rage 2 has room to grow, but it's also a great game to pick up and play. Combat is visceral in all the right ways, and exploration is always rewarding. A few technical issues and a general sense of sameness keep it from pure excellence, but Rage 2 still represents a good time.
Va-11 Hall-A is one of those games that comes out of nowhere and blindsides you with what it has to say. It beats the hearts and minds of the creators in special ways all while delivering a wonderful stylized world through its unique list of characters. Despite its few shortcomings and hefty reading, Va-11 Hall-A offers up something all its own rarely found in this industry.
Giga Wrecker Alt marries puzzling with Metroidvania beautifully, offering up just enough challenge without getting in its own way. Despite its few stumbles, Giga Wrecker Alt is one of those out-of-nowhere games that's well worth your time.
Ghost 1.0 has the heart of a beloved project and the soul of the best Metroidvania games in the industry. Despite its few quirks, the balance between accessibility and challenge, coupled with intriguing writing makes Ghost 1.0 a worthy pickup for even those with some curiosity about the game.
MLB The Show 19 takes itself through the paces and comes out improved and enhanced quite well. The game itself is still missing a few features to make it truly potent. The franchise delivers a beautiful, streamlined product each and every year, and 2019 is no exception.
We're only at the end of first quarter 2019, but Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is pulling out all the stops as a heavy hitter. Minor issues aside, Sekiro will occupy thousands of PlayStations for a long, long time.