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Neal: If this were the video version, we'd have a flashy reveal of the score, but you, dear reader, already know the score. Anyway, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a great package. Collectively I still think last year's remake of Dragon Quest III is stronger, but this is a fantastic companion and well worth diving into whether you've played the games before or just want to know the history and legacy.
Its focus on being a remaster of the first Plants vs. Zombies means it doesn't have all of the new plant types introduced in later sequels. Still, it's a great tower defense entry point and a welcome reminder of how much we rely on Mother Nature, even during a zombie outbreak.
It's even better that the one on Nintendo Switch feels like the third game in a trilogy with the two original PS2 games (that are also available in HD remaster form on Switch). Once Upon a Katamari is a full-fledged fresh entry in a series that hasn't had this kind of shot in the arm since HDTVs were a thing. Here's hoping we get a more consistent drip of Katamari following this charming entry that largely understands why the first one was such a cult hit.
If it wasn't for the flood of RPGs I still have to play this year, I think this would be "teh urn" for Persona 3. As it sits, I do want to see this one through to graduation, knowing full well what awaits me there, and the 45 minute / 13 stage final boss fight I have to go through to do it. There's still some structural issues with Persona 3, but it's probably the most underappreciated member of its trilogy.
BALL X PIT filled a hole, or a pit if you will, for me that I wasn't aware I had. The only thing I can do is keep crawling back out, shouting that others should join in, before I'm dragged back into its depths again. I don't think I'll be leaving the BALL X PIT anytime soon.
Not just mysteries or dark tales, but fun and creativity are what drive Blippo+. There is no game like it I've played all year and is something that I will often be thinking about in the months to come. If you're looking for a game that's both passive and creative, you will simply need to tune in to Blippo+.
Level design comes with the occasionally odd difficulty spike in places, but in general provides a satisfying shoot-em-up experience. It doesn't really push any boundaries in the gameplay department but handles the basics well. On very rare occasions the gameplay takes second seat to the visuals but most of the time they work together to create an memorable and enthralling journey.
undefined.There's more to do after rolling credits the first time, but my main take away is just how good the combat feels and how gorgeous everything looks while you're doing it. Absolum is made by a team that understands how to make a great brawler, like Shredder's Revenge and Streets of Rage 4, so you can expect a similar level of polish and chops. I ended up clearing the game with every character because I was having such a good time, and with all the awesome games I still haven't played from September, that's proof positive that any beat-'em-up fan should absolutely be checking out Absolum.
But it is disappointing that I can't say that more definitively. There are a lot of great quality of life updates but between stability issues and some questionable feature removal, it is hard to recommend this version without reservation. As I said at the outset, I like the original Yooka-Laylee. And I like Yooka-Replaylee. I think I can say that it probably fixes more than it breaks, but I'd rather it avoided breaking anything in the first place.
Overall, there's a bit too much holding Towa back from a recommendation. There are better Hades-likes out there, most notably Hades II: Melinoe Goes West. If you're a dyed-in-the-wool roguelite fan, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree will definitely fill your cup, but I think it's too easy to walk away from.
The whole experience is buttery smooth and pretty snappy. This is a unique rail-shooter with a lot of legitimately new ideas that I've never seen elsewhere. There are some mild colorblindness issues to be aware of if that is relevant to you, and now and then progression feels a little padded, but it is hard to complain too much when Candy Rangers is doing so many new things and doing them well.
I'd imagine a lot of people going to this with '90s or '00s Nick nostalgia in their eyes could leave a little disappointed due to the overall simplicity, but this is an action RPG for the younger sect. More specifically, it's an action RPG for adults with said nostalgia (and maybe some love for Diablo-esque games) to play with their children. It's a serviceable dungeon crawler with a lot of love for the Nicktoons involved that is super cute and playful.
It's retro enough to show the kids how it used to be done back in the day, yet modern enough to run at a smooth framerate in a handheld form factor. Still, this subversively styled game can be a difficult taskmaster with all of the race assists disabled and rule accurate settings in place. It's the tsundere waifu that will happily cook you dinner with a smile but will clobber you with a frying pan using all the force of the Incredible Hulk if you dare say it's a little salty.
But it doesn't. And this is the biggest issue with this game. Storm Lancers isn't bad, but every element in it has been done better and could be done better. When I saw the trailer come up in the Nintendo Direct I had high hopes it could be a new favorite in a genre I love, but sadly it was just OK.
Lynked: Banner of the Spark is a totally fine attempt at blending an action RPG with a life sim foundation. The town building aspects are stronger than the action RPG component, but even if the combat left something to be desired, it's an enjoyable game. The online interaction is largely a disappointment, especially because it's an online structure that seems adversarial to the handheld half of the Switch. This won't go down as a memorable Nintendo Direct shadowdrop, but it's a game that has some heart, even if it gets lost in some of the repetition and online emptiness.
This is a review in progress due to the fact I'm not quite done with the game and can't speak to the completed story, but I think the gameplay and characters show just why so many fans like myself have fallen in love with the Atelier series. It incorporates classic Atelier gameplay with fan favorite characters while still including fresh gameplay ideas. While this was definitely made with existing fans of the series in mind, Atelier Resleriana is something that new fans can also appreciate as well.
The Switch 2 version itself runs great outside of a rare technical hitch. Last but not least, they credit the entire original design team. The biggest negative I can give to Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is that it makes it very hard to go back to the original.
The job class system remains a standout, and the plot–as heavy as it is–stands as one for the ages. There is no better time to hop on a Chocobo, and delve into an RPG of and for history. One of the most replayable Square Enix games has never been more worthy of the title.
Without a doubt, Hades II lives up to its predecessor, and surpasses it in a number of ways. While it can at times be overwhelming in terms of collectibles and crafting materials, there are also so many ways to enjoy the experience, through options like God Mode and Aim Assist, or just grinding out in-game achievements and other unlockables. Ultimately, my first complete run through the first Hades signalled the end of my time with that game, but for the sequel, it felt more like I was just getting started.
Progression also feels a little flat. Each individual level is well made but I rarely felt like they were getting harder or more complex as I went. This is a solid and well made first-person-shooter, if not a revolutionary one.