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Toby: The Secret Mine's performance is pretty good as a whole with only a couple of instances that caused me some frustration. The most prevalent of these took place near the end of the game while platforming on a series of turning buckets. After I had fallen a number of times, I soon found that after regenerating at the checkpoint, I couldn't even land properly on the first bucket, a previously simple endeavor. I first assumed that I was at fault, making some sort of micro adjustment to force Toby to slide off the bucket. However, after testing this at length, I found that Toby just wouldn't stick to it. I eventually had to reload the level to an earlier checkpoint, which resolved the issue but not after significantly testing my patience. For all of the inspiration that similar titles have leant to Toby: The Secret Mine, the game fails to do the most important thing: to establish itself and become its own. The end result is a mechanically sound puzzle-platformer heavily reminiscent of other games from the genre, but in a far more watered-down form. Additionally, at only about three hours in length with few reasons to replay save for a second ending (you can just play the last level again to get it) and only a few missing collectibles, Toby: The Secret Mine is not something worth playing before getting to one of the games it was born from.
I love Tokyo Xanadu for what is: a solid action RPG with a dramatic premise and an awesome cast of characters. The game impressed me with the responsive battle controls and beautiful special attacks. Even though the story didn't amount to the standards Falcom has set in the past, Tokyo Xanadu truly shows what the PlayStation Vita is capable in terms of graphics and playability and I would happily play through the game again.
Yet, I can't lie: I hope that Sega will interpret the reception of this game as a signal that we want more Valkyria Chronicles, and that this kind of spin-off is better explored when the hunger for the main course has been sated, and not when we're all starving.
If you want an enthralling Final Fantasy story, with likable, beautifully depicted characters and interesting enemies, that will keep you hooked with a monumental crescendo driving like an unstoppable phantom train towards an explosive climax, Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood will provide exactly that, and then some.
Although the game looks a bit dated and the story can be messy at times, God Wars: Future Past is a game that should be played by anyone who craves a great SRPG that tests your skills and knowledge of the genre. Kadokawa Games seemed to take the feedback of what they did wrong with Natural Doctrine and deliver a game that fits in well with other notable SPRG titles, while adding unique systems that allow it to stand out.
Ever Oasis proves that the six year old handheld still has the potential to pump out some great content, while also being one of Koishi Ishii's best works. Even if you haven't heard of the game befor3 this review, I urge you to check Ever Oasis out, especially if you are a fan of city builders or Zelda-style games.
Even though Bloody Days tries to walk the walk and talk the talk, ultimately it feels less like a creative homage to a cult film classic and more like a shallow imitation with a hint of Tarantino flair.
Though some of the series' weaker aspects are unlikely to go away any time soon like some of its technical and visual shortcomings, the deeper focus on characterization and the relationships that players will build between Star-Lord and the rest of the Guardians is one I deeply look forward to exploring in the coming episodes. Telltale nailed the look of Guardians of the Galaxy in the first two installments, and with Episode 2 they're finally getting a little closer to nailing the heart of it.
Mighty Gunvolt Burst is something that you'll want to show your friends who quit playing games in the 90's or youngsters who haven't experienced a true retro style game. In a generation that pushes hardware to limits, Inti Creates continues to deliver these five – six hour long experiences that push our 2D action platforming skills to the test. Now if only we can get Beck in a proper Azure Striker Gunvolt game.
All in all, Cars 3: Driven to Win is one of the better titles in a sea of movie tie-ins. You won't find any groundbreaking stuff here, but the game is definitively above average for what it is, and an easy kart racing recommendation for families. I don't know if I could necessarily recommend it right now with it's $60 price tag, but if you see this game discounted even by $10, it's definitely worth picking up.
Nex Machina is quick, challenging, and exactly what the arcade shooter genre needed.
It is sad to say that this game will probably never reach the levels of popularity of both its predecessor and modern genre counterparts because the player count is at a currently super low despite the fact the it only recently launched. I encourage people interested in the game to pick it up, as Mirage: Arcane Warfare is really fun and would benefit from having many more players. Just be aware that if the game's community doesn't grow soon, its severs could be barren by the end of the year, if not in the next few months.
As one of Nintendo's first truly new IP for the Nintendo Switch, ARMS‘s first impression might lend itself towards being no more substantial than the games we saw in Wii Sports: fun for short bursts of play, but lacking in substance. Instead, the game manages to make that simplicity its greatest strength with surprising levels of depth on top of it. More often than not, ARMS pulls no punches in being one of the standout titles in the Switch's early lineup of games for the summer.
The WipEout Omega Collection is a great bundle of racing games that still hold up quite well today. Returning fans of the franchise will find that the racing is as good as it ever was, but may be disappointed with the lack of extras included. Newcomers who are interested in giving the series a shot will find WipEout to be unlike any other racing game currently on the market, which is oddly refreshing for a collection of old games. All in all, the WipEout Omega Collection does its job as a remaster bundle even if it does feel sparse with bonus content.
Also, there's a lot of potential here for some real mythology to be created within this universe-in-need-of-saving. Until then, Chroma Squad is a nostalgic step in the right direction but it might take some time before we take bigger strides in giant mech feet.
Like its predecessor, I'm unlikely ever to forget Emily is Away Too. What developer Kyle Seeley has created is a great reminder that excellent immersive storytelling is reliant on only two things: an unique idea, and the vision and passion to see that idea materialize.
Tekken 7 may not be the perfect entry point for newcomers into the long and twisted narrative that follows the Mishima Zaibatsu, but they will unmistakably have fun with the rock solid gameplay and mechanics. With the addictive Treasure Battle mode, deep character customization, and strong character options, Tekken 7 is one of the best titles in the 23 year-old series.
Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers is a great addition to the Switch's library. But at $40 it won't be for everybody on day one. I think hardcore Street Fighter fans will find the content included pretty enjoyable, and young kids who may not have had the opportunity to experience those games will find it a lot of fun too. Meanwhile, most people should wait until there's a more appropriate entry price before jumping into The Final Challengers.
Nekopara Vol. 3 is a welcome addition to the series. It holds everything great about the previous entries, while giving it a plot with real character development. I enjoyed my time with the visual novel and can't wait to see the wonderful characters and story beats that Sayori brings to the series in the future.
Cladun Returns: This is Sengoku! is for gamers who want a quick and satisfying dungeon-crawling experience. The game is fast enough to pick up for ten minutes and complete a few missions, but also has some deep systems that can take hours of your time and push the game to its highest potential.