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Xenoblade Chronicles 3 may not have the same spirit of invention that the first game had which made it such a huge success, but it is still an RPG masterpiece. Anyone who loved the first Xenoblade but had misgivings over some of questionable aspects of the second game (like the gacha mechanics), will find that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is perfectly balanced and delivers on almost every aspect imaginable.
There’s a good game here with Frogun, but it just needs to refine its very rough platforming, particularly with the “frog gun” before I could ever say Frogun is a great platformer that deserves to be compared to the classics of the past in a manner beyond that which is superficial.
For the price of $39.99 of just the basic version without other small DLC, this is a good collection of games that can be a nostalgia trip and also serve as a celebration of the classics that started it all and introduced the world to the Blue Blur. It’s a fantastic game that has replayability and charm with the only downside being the collision glitches against some walls and platforms and Tails glitching out. Those I have hope will be fixed with patches but even with those somewhat glaring issues, I enjoyed the classic and the new animated cutscenes that breathe new life into the franchise that started gaming career.
Metal Max Xeno: Reborn is a highly enjoyable and entertaining JRPG that is stuffed with ideas that mostly work, even if some come at the cost of logic. The story and characters lack presence and it is due to the after thought presentation. The protagonist is borderline mute, and it is jarring when he suddenly speaks and everyone acts normal.
This is the perfect game to pick up if you want to get into the non-licensed musou titles, but also a fantastic game for veterans of the genre. There is a reason why so many consider it to be the peak of the IP. There are tons of characters to play that you are bound to have a bunch that fit right into your playstyle. The story is fun, the character interactions are charming, there really is nothing too negative I can say about it.
Live A Live is one of the greatest RPGs ever made. Fans of Chrono Trigger will definitely want to check this out and even if you played the original, this remake offers some new additions and adjustments that make it more enjoyable than ever. It is too bad that the localization was bungled in some areas, but this will only affect those who are intimately familiar with the original intent.
Sometimes it feels like those who enjoy Musou games have very little options nowadays and this is a huge letdown. One negative that I forgot to mention was that this game, that at times can feel unfinished, has a Season Pass of content you can get. I feel like this is a little uncalled for since it is a game so far detached from itself that it should fix itself first and then worry about the extras later.
Unless you’re someone who really enjoys roguelikes as a genre. Then this would be something you could spend a weekend on. Otherwise if you’re only a more casual fan of the style of game, then look at the one that reach a higher standard.
At worst, Death’s Gambit: Afterlife is derivative and is getting by thanks to the successes of its contemporaries. Thankfully, the time spent enhancing the vanilla game and rebranding it has paid off. The developers took a flawed and rough around the edges 2D action platformer and made it the very best it could possibly be.
In conclusion, Flower Shop: Summer In Fairbrook seems very much a title that those already in the VN genre can enjoy. It checks the box of interaction satisfaction when you improve a relationship as is required of dating simulators. The story isn’t particularly inventive, but player interest is maintained while wooing the four candidates. Ultimately though, the game is crippled by the repetitive farming minigame and could have benefitted greatly on the whole with a reduction in its presence.
Ground Divers! is stuck in a limbo where it it has the foundation of an addictive rogue-action arcade game, but is held back by unnecessary features. This needed a separate mode where its minimalized or if the options allowed for some tweaking. It has cute anime girls in it and a cool tiger-man, but it isn’t enough to endure the slew of annoyances that get in the way of trying to dig a hole.
Stray may not be for everyone, but it is enjoyable so long that gamers check their expectations before playing. Its got a bit of puzzle solving, chases and simple navigation, but its never demanding much accuracy or dexterity from the player. Merely aim camera and prompt to jump will make cat 100% land on target- anyone can play it.
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch is a very solid “metroidvania”; one that anyone who enjoyed Metroid Dread, would find it worth their time. It is not as perfectly polished as Dread, but it makes up for it with its amazing visuals and setting.
Hopefully, later down the line, the developers will add a feature allowing players to resume at a certain checkpoint. Yes, the game is completable but it can take a lot of time. If you are looking for a fun 2D side-scrolling roguelite, then Eyes in the Dark will be right up your alley.
While not perfect from the minor addition of more RNG variables that I experienced and the very minor hiccups during gameplay, Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course is an incredible experience and recommended for anyone that already owns the base game. It adds a lot of gameplay that to me is equivalent in time played to the original.
Overall, while it feels a little steep at $40, there’s a terrific collection of games included in this pack. The only way this would be any better would be if these games could somehow all interface together so you could launch any of them from within the same game. I’m hopeful that this trend of keeping older games alive keeps going and Capcom finally gives me Cadillacs and Dinosaurs in the next iteration.
DNF Duel has a glorious soundtrack, distinct characters, and immersive environments that really set this whole game up to be a fan favorite. Anything else coming after this game’s launch is more than welcome and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
FOBIA: St. Dinfna Hotel can be best described as a very competent and enjoyable alternative for gamers who enjoyed Resident Evil 7 or Village. It is certainly not perfect, but has nothing broken about it either. Its story is told effectively and has some genuine scares that will make your blood run cold. Classic horror fans will definitely appreciate what FOBIA: St. Dinfna Hotel offers.
With a good soundtrack, memorable characters, and jam-packed gameplay elements, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is highly recommended for someone wanting to get into the series as a whole or wanting a new experience from their beloved franchise.
The cast in AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is full of interesting and fleshed out characters that you’ll care about. Everyone’s motivations are deftly defined and everyone gets a moment to shine. AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is as perfect as a visual novel can get and receives our highest recommendation. Even ignoring its engrossing story, the gameplay alone is novel and explores concepts rarely seen in games.