Fate/Samurai Remnant brings the redemption arc that sees me becoming a fan.
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.
There’s a lot to like here, so it should come as no surprise that the pros far outweigh the cons.
Crystar is a hidden gem for niche JRPG fans with a beautiful music assortment to boot.
Touken Ranbu Warriors may not be the hardcore love letter fans crave. What it is, however, is an impeccable entry point for anyone looking to dive into the world of 1 vs 1000.
Coromon is a quaint journey full of fun, smiles, and kick-ass evolutionary forms. Nothing is offensive. The issues I noted can swiftly be addressed with a patch. In other words, it’s at the cusp of being a superb monster collector. The foundation is hard as a rock, with no signs of chipping – it’s time to build on it.
Batora: Lost Haven is a thrilling romp of fast-paced carnage. The combat system is a blast and left me constantly engaged, gripping my total and utter attention. Once beaten, I immediately hopped back into New Game+ for another round.
This game is a statement declaring that older philosophies of yesteryear remain intact and are still relevant. The ideas are entertaining, and the dub – it ain’t half bad. That’s why I can enthusiastically hand it my seal of approval.
Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg may be an oldie, but there’s absolutely no disputing that it’s a goodie. The ease with which everything functions is quite beneficial to children as it’s easily understood, allowing them to enjoy it suitably. It’s the ideal introduction to the franchise before embarking on those more involved.
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.
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.
Kitaria Fables is a stellar adventure held back by sporadic bad calls. That, however, never went on to cloud the fun I had and how smitten I got by its inherent charm. I loved my time with this game, and while a few key elements were missing, I wasn’t too fussed.
While the gameplay in Blue Reflection: Second Light is a treat, the story is why it’s worth your time. I was left guessing up to the bitter end and blindsided by twists – to the point of audible obscenities. It’s so damn intriguing and had me extending my bedtime. I had to see how scenarios would unfold. Sure, the humour is an acquired taste, but even in those instances, the characters are bloody endearing. I couldn’t help but smile like an absolute dork.
Demon Gaze Extra fills a niche, ideal for those with a grind fetish. Most of its systems revolve around going out and infinitely killing. Sure, it’s a tedious affair, but the quality of life factors, such as speeding combat up, helps with that.
Maglam Lord is an imperfect, tarnished hidden gem that will excite fans of niche entertainment, but do it at a discounted price.
I loved combat and working on the skill tree. The story is intriguing and I wanted to push on. The fun tanked when puzzles were ambiguous. I wanted to quit and was tempted to move on. Once I figured it out, though, the fun picks up.
Yurukill: The Calumniation Games is an ideal example of a murder mystery that isn’t innovative but has a compelling story. It may lack flesh on its bones, but the skeleton is sturdy. Despite some predictable plot beats, an equal amount subverts expectations by throwing in a slight twist. There’s a truckload of untapped potential here.
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.
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.
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.