Murillo Zerbinatto's Reviews
Back in the day, Trails in the Sky hinged on its story and world-building to make up for its other lacking characteristics. Twenty years later, Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter not only brings back the full heart of what made the original a classic, but it can now stand tall beside any other heavyweight JRPG. The visual presentation is beautiful, the mix between real-time and turn-based battles is a blast, and the quality-of-life additions adhere to present-day audiences. I can confidently say that Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter is a quintessential JRPG that should be cherished by every fan of the genre.
The gameplay is excellent, offering plenty of versatility for everyone and depth. The post-game challenges will undoubtedly please those wanting to test their hack and slash proficiency. That is, however, if they have the grit and tolerance to see the game through to the end.
As most DLCs go, Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant is recommended for the more hardcore fans of the original. It does a decent job expanding the lore of Valandis and even dropping hints of a potential sequel. But if you're looking for answers to the base game's unresolved questions, you'll be disappointed. The gameplay loop is essentially the same, and the only variation is the addition of a new party member and the Talent board. If you're not that keen on learning more about Chained Echoes' mythology, maybe you should give this DLC a pass.
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is the definition of a solid 7 out of 10 game. Everything it sets out to do, it delivers, but in the modest way possible.
The highlight of the DLC is how it tries to give more personality to the protagonists, Zale and Valere. While it succeeds in doing so in isolation, it still feels like sugarcoating an unfixable problem. If you miss Sea of Stars, try Throes of the Watchmaker. Otherwise, it might not be worth your time
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is superior to its classic version. The gameplay additions are welcome and streamline the experience, allowing us to invest time where it truly matters, whether exploring or completing the most varied missions. The new story content may be divisive, but for me, it was the perfect conclusion to the game, leaving me intrigued about what to expect for the future of the Xeno series.
The sequel, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, expands on the original's mechanics. It introduces new ways to employ the phantoms and their quirks in strategic combat and also adds fresh methods to strengthen and progress characters. However, a lackluster and overly childish story might turn off players uninterested in grinding to astronomical levels, potentially putting the series back into a long hiatus or even ending it for good in favor of NIS's more acclaimed tactical RPGs.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D is unapologetically a remake made for long-time series fans. Anyone looking for a faithful representation of the classic game with updated graphics will get precisely that. The addition of Ortega's backstory is mildly interesting, but it doesn't elevate the story, which remains extremely basic. Gameplay and exploration remain the highlights of Dragon Quest III HD-2D and will provide hours of enjoyment for turn-based RPG enthusiasts. While it might serve as an entry point for newcomers to the franchise, its mechanics stand in contrast to what many expect from a contemporary RPG, potentially deterring them within a few hours.
Much of what Black Myth: Wukong promised, it delivers: spectacular visuals, a reenactment of Sun Wukong’s story, and a swift, seamless combat style. On the other hand, the game’s plot and storytelling lean far too heavily on knowledge of the source material, Journey to the West, which may alienate those unfamiliar with it.
Die-hard One Piece fans will be able to appreciate the game as an interactive reminiscence of its arcs with minor redesigns. Yet, those looking for a bold and unique game may need to look elsewhere.
The game isn’t for everyone; it requires both time and patience to learn how everything ticks. However, those willing to engage in the game, particularly across multiple playthroughs, can find a title packed with nuances and peculiarities that still stand the test of time.