Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE+ is phenomenal on the PS5. I tinkered with it on the PS Portal and having that portability with the raw power of this behemoth of a console made for a pleasure like I’ve never felt before. Moreover, this is Danganronpa, but with the various mechanics jumbled. The spirit of the trilogy is intact and it’s potent. You’d actually have to be blind not to see it. There are faults to it, of course, but nothing that derailed my session. I never felt like jumping ship.
Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP is a spectacular enhanced port of the PS3 cult hit. It retains the all-star voice acting that made it one of, if not the best, Suda51 project. It kept the stupid silliness and crazy energy that made me a diehard defender intact. Dragami Games did an admirable job at reproducing the OST, too, and have a few bangers on the setlist. I would’ve preferred a remake, especially because the detailed areas and robust Juliet model is a contrast to the mediocre NPCs. I couldn’t help but think that was the point of pivoting.
Yes, the army battles were a bit confusing. The thing is, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is chock full of content. It can keep me busy for hours upon hours before I start to get bored. From card games to spinning tops, I was very rarely not engaged.
The Legend of Legacy has ideas that I fully support, but the execution has it firmly sitting in the mildly above average category. The major deterrent is the absence of a storyline. It’s the definition of loose, and no amount of exercise will help it tighten.
Every feature of 2K23 has been enhanced tenfold, and as a result, it’s a goddamn joy to mess around in the various modes. MyUniverse has gotten extra cutscenes that round out the experience, while MyGM has ample flesh on the bone. I might have encountered a handful of blunders during my session, but they can be fixed with a snap. After investing hours, I’m intrigued by what a higher-caliber sequel could look like.
Granblue Fantasy Relink was not only well worth the wait, but it blew my expectations clear out of the water. If I’m honest, I anticipated a JRPG that was a bit above average but wouldn’t really be a blip in a Game of the Year discussion. Well, shut my mouth because, while it does tell the traditional tale of preventing the apocalypse, it handles it exceptionally.
Coral Island is a diamond in the rough that may be caked in dirt, but a good spit shine can bring out its true majesty. What’s already here is amazing, and the foundation is sturdy. No features are offensively terrible, and while the relationship aspect isn’t up to snuff, the customization is fantastic.
Still, as a package, this title is stellar. The music is superb. I love that it’s emulating the look and feel of a Game Boy title, and the writing is delightful. I don’t think the roguelike angle meshes with the JRPG one seamlessly, but that’s on me. When the narrative is important, having to rehash plot beats is tiring. Regardless, I still recommend In Stars and Time, but not if you’re like me.
The potential is tantalizingly close to being realized. I still suggest buying but with the asterisk of a discount. I mean, I sunk 50+ hours because I do like it, but it’s just so forgettable.
Cookie Cutter is a spectacular romp, and I had a blast in my 15+ hours. It’s not reinventing the wheel or changing the definition of a Metroidvania, but it is nailing the term with gusto. The hiccups I did notice, like lack of mini-map, are easily rectified. The foundation is sturdy and makes for a session in which I have no regrets about participating. I’m worried that with the title it has, it won’t attract the audience it deserves.
Persona 5 Tactica is another masterful inclusion in the P5 collection of spin-offs. It’s a mish-mash of inspirations that weirdly works spectacularly. In no world did I think that Splatoon would be a factor or that I’d experience the closest thing to an anime interpretation of XCOM. What I adore the most is how, no matter how egregious the ideas seem, they all coalesce together beautifully. It kept me guessing, and I was engrossed until the very end.
In lieu of my initial reservations, The Last Faith not only won me over but has me eagerly desiring a sequel. The blend of Metroidvania, requiring me to backtrack to access areas previously unreachable, and that bone-crunching misery that Soulslike is known for is simply enticing. Sure, being endlessly dismantled isn’t exactly my definition of fun, but how this game implements that toughness and whether I’m in for a challenge or not, cushions the grief.
In conclusion, Yohane the Parhelion: BLAZE in the DEEPBLUE is fun, but it fails to stick the landing totally. Several mechanics felt disjointed. For every crafting system that I lauded, there’s a hiccup to balance it out. Nitpick or not, the slight delay to melee is annoying. I’m known for my kamikaze ways, and I’m invigorated by panicked kills, but I can’t do that here. I did enjoy the homage to a renowned indie gem, though.
I couldn’t keep from being enthralled with the mystery and wanting to know what would happen next. What helps is the gameplay structure and how it’s perfect for a pick-up-and-play approach. I do wish it conveyed a few features more concisely, like a single piece of equipment able to be worn by all three girls. Regardless, this game is easy to suggest, and with a stellar performance on the hybrid, get it anywhere.
Inescapable: No Rules, No Rescue is the definition of a hidden gem marred by choices made. Where the art’s gorgeous, and the still CGs are beautiful, the pacing is bothersome. I wouldn’t recommend it to a casual player of VNs. It becomes evident that, unless you love exposition that gives everyone dimension, mileage will vary but likely veer towards boredom. It’s a shame because it’s delightful, and the majority of characters are memorable, but it takes too long for the nitty-gritty to begin.
Fate/Samurai Remnant brings the redemption arc that sees me becoming a fan.
Yes, Silent Hope isn’t profound, but what it does manage is being stupid fun. The loot grind, when paired with a silky combat system, makes for an enjoyable romp of treasure hunting. Sure, it’s not going to win Game of the Year Awards and won’t redefine Action RPGs, but it accomplishes something I think is more important. It’s a bloody good adventure and has a concept that I hunger to see honed and improved upon for a possible sequel.
Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles is a product of the late 90s, and it shows. Sure, it’s painfully easy, but man, if it isn’t super fun and quirky. It’s like comfort food, something I can play and immediately have the expectation that, yeah, I’m in for a delightful romp.
There being now waypoints in the sidequests brought the score down considerably. If I’m relegated to just stomping around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to find whoever I’m looking for, it’s boring. I have to wonder why more effort wasn’t put towards modernizing Akiba’s Trip: Undead and Undressed, and making it the true definitive edition.
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is the revival we’ve long yearned for. It’s sleek, with crisp visuals and, excuse my pun, a punchy combat mechanic. Nothing felt sluggish, with zero stutters or freezes to speak of. The optimization is pristine, and the soundtrack is, as the kids say, lit.