Niche Gamer
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Galactic Civilizations 3 is a solid turn-based strategy with a great potential. Unfortunately, right now it just doesn't do enough to surpass its predecessors and distinguish itself from competitors. It's a good game, sure – but it does feel like an enhanced remake of Galactic Civilizations 2 rather than a full-fledged sequel.
All-in-all, I would say that Nom Nom Galaxy is a definite purchase for anyone looking for a fun, cheap game.
And for me, this is one of the most complete and fulfilling RPG experiences I've ever had.
Overall, it's hard to find much to hate about Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker. The combat is satisfying and complex. The story is deep, with rich characters, and a plot that you actually change with your decisions throughout the game. The demon fusion system is improved over that of the previous entry in the Devil Survivor series, and the exclusive features that come with the new version give it much more content than the vanilla game. If you're looking for a quality RPG to sink a hundred or so hours into, and you own a 3DS, buy this game.
I was surprised by Omega Quintet, and extremely happy to say that this game has fixed a lot of those particular issues in my experience. Omega Quintet still has its flaws – mainly involving story and battle balancing – but it's one of the better titles that I've played from them and enjoyed. This game is a very welcoming addition to the Playstation 4's library and I really hope any avid JRPG player will enjoy this title.
With its well fleshed-out world and clever twist on classic Dungeons & Dragons-style rules, Pillars of Eternity could be the next big RPG series that people have been wanting from the genre for the past decade. As for me, I'm already working on a second trip and still gloating over the success of my dwarven Paladin to anyone who will listen.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon has a few good twists on the roguelike formula but could have strived for a little more diversity in the dungeon experience. There were a few kinks in gameplay, which are minor issues they will hopefully fix. The classes are fun and diverse, allowing for interesting combinations. This is not a revolutionary title, but it will be a great experience for people unfamiliar with rogue-type games or for those who want an easier time of it. Purists may not be as happy with its challenges.
Ultimately, the lack of available options to approach combat with doesn't make Bloodborne a bad game, at all. Where it does hurt, however, is the online longevity of the game. While Bloodborne is absolutely worth picking up and playing through a few times, it's likely that most fans of From's games will be sticking with Dark Souls 2 for their long-term PvP online.
The game has some trivial shortcomings, but overall it is fun and exciting to play. On top of that, it presents you with enough challenges and ways to make the game that more interesting. Plus, the main star is a blue cat, and you can't get anything better than cats! According to the Internet.
I would recommend Final Fantasy Type-0 HD to any JRPG fan—especially if they enjoy action RPG titles. Type-0 really delivers where it counts, despite being held back by a few minor problems, most of which are the result of it being an HD port.
Changes to gameplay (negative) and narrative (positive) will probably be widely discussed among the game's fans and detractors, but the truth about Hotline Miami 2 is that your opinion about it will probably be very similar to your opinion about the first game. Did you enjoy the fast-paced gameplay of the original? You'll enjoy it again.
Xenoverse is far from a bad game; there are massive amounts of collectibles and stuff to do, plenty of things to unlock, and the online Parallel Quests make playing as a group fun. Unfortunately, the grind, relatively uninspired gameplay, and poor AI makes Xenoverse less fun to play than the old-school Dragon Ball Z games from the PS2 era.
Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart is a fan’s game. You get to have fun with the Hyperdimension Neptunia cast, and with the lovely tsundere Noire as the leading lady. It’s an entertaining ride, similar to the flagship titles. But the game itself just doesn’t measure up. There’s nothing of note that makes it worth playing, and that is what hurts this title: it’s just a too-simplistic strategy RPG that does nothing to make you want to play more.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is one 3DS title that shouldn't be passed up. It's easily one of the best games for the system hands down, and it is a huge step toward Monster Hunter reaching perfection in its gaming genre. However, 4 Ultimate still is a Monster Hunter game, so those that have tried it before and hated it shouldn't bother. But anyone new to the series will find that 4 Ultimate is a great place to start.
Overall, the game is solid, with a few annoying quirks about it, most notably the controls. Considering that controls are the most integral part of a platformer, Oddworld takes a heavy hit against it for what would otherwise be a rather minor niggle.
In spite of these small gripes, Blackguards 2 is a much more complete and better-playing game than its predecessor and will no doubt please all of those who loved the first. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you are a hardcore fan like me), the game has not been streamlined enough to attract casual CRPG fans and will still be far too complex and challenging for those not accustomed to the difficulty of a dyed-in-the-wool European game like Blackguards.
The scrolling space shooter genre was due for a revitalization, and REVOLVER360 RE:ACTOR is it. Buy it, mute it, play it.
Die-hard platforming fans will feel disappointed, and puzzlers may not feel the game is quite satisfying enough. The overall experience, however, is good enough, just. If you're the curious sort who loves a good yarn, you should give Monochroma a go; but if you find pleasure primarily in the mechanics and control of gaming, you're better off with something else.
Alien: Isolation is a frightening, atmospheric experience, and a perfect example of how to properly adapt an Alien game. However, it is not without its pitfalls. Abysmal pacing, a thin plot, bugs aplenty, and a frustrating save system are just a few of the many snags in an otherwise faithful representation of the franchise as a whole. Even with those drawbacks, I'd recommend A:I wholeheartedly to fans of horror, or devotees of the series. If you're not either of those things, however, you may find more aggravation than fun in the 15-20 hours of gameplay the game has to offer.
Those who are used to the slick action RPG combat of Diablo, Titan Quest or Sacred will probably come away with the same assessment I did, while those who are more interested in Planescape-style questing will find the patience necessary to trudge through the combat to get to the game's tasty dialog-saturated center. Since I am firmly in the former of those two categories, I walked away feeling very disappointed with Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms, and wish more than anything that I could be a member of the latter group.