
Niche Gamer
HomepageNiche Gamer's Reviews
It may not be definitive or “complete”, but it still packs a lot of bang for your buck and offers one of the most robust action game experiences on the market. Ninja Gaiden Black II is utterly epic and will push gamers to their absolute limit.
The Combat is serviceable for a VR game involving firearms and maybe a little more enemy variety feels needed. However, a light at the end of the Metro tunnel is seen through its fantastic storytelling and world-building.
As someone who hasn’t played the series since the first game, getting to experience how the franchise has changed over the last 20 years and evolved really shows how much Rebellion Developments has put into making a realistic but fun WW2 Sniping experience.
It doesn’t feel great to criticize a title that has clearly had effort put into it and is even somewhat charming in its execution, but Tails of Iron 2 simply fails to be different or interesting, at least to someone who is more than familiar with the genres it borrows from.
Eternal Strands manages to be more than a checklist of influences that market research would appreciate. This is an outrageous action adventure game that leans hard on unbelievable physics to suck the player into its setting. It can be a little hard but every problem can be solved with unconventional thinking.
There are a few more things that felt were missing, but Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist manages to bloom as Lilac herself. If there’s anything I learned from this is that cute girls with white hair in a dystopian setting, are a sure-fire recipe for success.
Overall, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a really good revamp of the classic formula, but it’s also a pretty good action game for newcomers to the franchise. Considering these games have always had a niche following, it’s good to see them get a shot in the arm that might bring in some new blood.
While it may be a 15-year-old game now, it holds up beautifully and still delivers thrilling platforming, spectacle, and diabolical challenges.
In its current state, you’ll be lucky to beat this game. There is no telling what causes some of the bugs. It feels random, but maybe during a full moon on Friday the 13th, DreadOut might not throw up all over itself. It could have been “so bad, it’s good”, but instead it’s “so bad, it’s unplayable”.
The Rangers in the South does the bare minimum to be considered an ARPG and thoroughly fails at being a roguelike. This is a game that would have benefitted a lot from player input and more development time, as it feels rushed and lacking in content.
This was a very responsibly made JRPG that has an epic vision and scope with a sweeping adventure, mystery, and a cast of lovable characters. It scratches that very specific itch that only a real Final Fantasy can scratch.
Adol may not be able to remember them himself being the professional amnesiac that he is, however, I will not forget this experience. Fantastically tight and responsive action combat, a light-hearted story, and dungeons to explore are what Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana promises, and it delivers.
A game that consistently feeds players with such raw dopamine hasn’t come along since Vampire Survivors initially released, and it shows that indie developers can turn anything into a fun roguelike experience. If you are still in the fence about it, give Balatro a try, you won’t regret it.
The game feels like it is meant for children between the ages of 2 to 7 who can’t play mechanical games. Most Lego games are played by adults or adults playing with their children and this feels like this was created for the lowest denominator.
It’s very easy to like the game’s characters thanks to how much personality they have, and things like the voice acted cutscenes are the cherry on top of the whole experience. If Pizza Tower looks a little too daunting, then look towards Antonblast for an easier entry into the world of fast-paced 2D platformers; you won’t regret it.
Nightdive has made an exceptional remaster of a very mediocre game. The Thing does not deserve this kind of attention. There are better games out there that could have gotten this treatment, but hopefully, it inspires someone else to take another shot at adapting John Carpenter’s immortal classic. Its premise is still fertile and novel and maybe one day, someone will get it right.
Most people consider Chrono Trigger one of the best JRPGs for a good reason. It’s an exciting story to play through with unforgettable visuals and music. The gameplay is a perfect balance of challenging yet it remains streamlined to keep it accessible. It may be too basic for hardcore RPG maniacs, but it’s hard to ever feel disappointed when getting swept up in such a wonderful and feel-good adventure.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a cinematic title that manages to fulfill the “playable movie” premise in a positive way. Fans of the franchise will be right at home with the Raiders of the Lost Ark-inspired plot, and given the game’s positive reception, it might even open the door for a new era of Indiana Jones media.
Much like Triangle Strategy, both games suffer from having to compete with Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre. No SRPG has ever or likely will ever come close to achieving such greatness. You’re better off revisiting those two classics if you need to scratch the strategy RPG itch.
Spirit Mancer is a solid action platformer with amazing pixel art and breezy gameplay that makes it ideal for kids.