Niche Gamer
HomepageNiche Gamer's Reviews
BlazBlue Entropy Effect manages to deliver a really fun and fast-paced hack-and-slash experience while still respecting the characters and how they originally played in their fighting game appreances. It feels fantastic to upgrade your character as you progress through runs, and the Evotype system lets players constantly get stronger in a really interesting way.
Persona 3 Reload is a cynically made cash grab that has no wow factor. It’s peak remake culture where a lot of the edge gets sanded off to be in line with “modern audience expectations”. It may look great (in parts), but it lacks the vision to realize the full potential of what a modern Persona 3 could be. Even if it didn’t cut content, it is still a grossly overpriced remake that still feels like a PlayStation 2 game. Go play Persona 3 FES instead.
The biggest departures in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s story feel like fan fiction. There is no restraint when it comes to Sephiroth and there’s too much emphasis on the love triangle to please the repugnant shippers. There should have been more effort to focus on the internal struggle of the characters instead of the “Will she/he, won’t she/he?” aspect of the story.
If SplitSide games can work out the bugs and add more accessibility options then Fling to the Finish could become a trending streaming game to play with friends or community members. At the moment, the game could use a bit more polish before that but is still a rather solid game.
If you’re already a fan of “AAA” style action RPGs you’re likely to enjoy Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden even more than I did.
It is a miracle that Pocket Fishing doesn’t let you wander off out of bounds, because it is the Big Rigs of fishing games. It has very little going for it at all and it thankfully didn’t corrupt my data. Sadly, Pocket Fishing does not crash often enough and you’ll be wishing it did for the excuse to not play it anymore.
Dungeons of Sundaria is a gracious attempt at repurposing assets from a previous unsuccessful endeavor, but the game’s mechanics and level design desperately need to be looked at, otherwise Industry Games will never achieve a successful multiplayer experience.
A lot of the issues present are the same sins that Outlast has always committed: being defenseless is a nonsensical mistake. The biggest blunder it makes is requiring an online connection for playing alone.
Welcome to ParadiZe isn’t without its merits. It is an appealing-looking game, ran well on PlayStation 5, and it is mercifully short for what it is. The average gamer could potentially reach the end in under 15 hours, so it won’t feel like work. It is functional, mediocre, forgettable, and can be charitably considered a guilty pleasure.
Ultros transcends the cynicism often found in modern metroidvanias. It’s more than just competent – it’s a game with a soul. Created by passionate artists with a clear vision of the cycle of life, Ultros boasts one of the most unique visual styles in its genre. It isn’t a forgettable experience; Ultros leaves a lasting impression with solid gameplay to back it up.
If you are already a fan of mystery dungeons or hardcore roguelike nightmares, you’re going to have a lot of fun. If the prospect of luck-based scenarios and cruel difficulty seem unappealing, then Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island will give you a thousand-yard stare. This is not for the faint of heart and demands only gamers with steely resolve, patience, and a bit of luck.
While there are some minor technical hiccups with this remaster, the overall package is massive and is well worth its modest asking price. These are some of the most challenging dungeons ever designed and the gameplay is very hardcore and requires a bit of patience. Even with the modern controls, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered won’t be for everyone since there is no handholding. Only the most bold can go on a date with Lara.
Overall, Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the Nintendo Switch is a game I couldn’t put down. It’s a remaster of an iconic puzzle game that’s a direct upgrade and even adds features. There’s over a hundred stages, creative level design, expressive characters, and it’s just simple and clean fun.
Getting sucked into the loop of riding elevators to get into goopy scuffles with slimy, boney fish for upgrades and quickly moving on to the next is stimulating. Compounded with the already excellent foundation that Splatoon 3 is built upon, it is a necessary and worthwhile addition to the game and takes its mechanics to new heights.
Tekken 8 also has the “Tekken Fight Lounge” mode, which aims to provide a more social experience for players. It has the appearance of a giant mall with a huge dedicated arcade area, attempting to appeal to the nostalgia of the arcade era some of us experienced growing up.
This is a barren horror game that feels like it is barely clinging to its life and is held together with cheap tape. It’s utterly lacking in features and the gameplay is simplistic… when it works. When you’re not bored or desperately scraping for something to do, expect to be frustrated by the ill-conceived photography and melee systems.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth achieves tremendous success while simultaneously puzzling players with some frustrating decisions. Unlike its predecessor, which welcomed newcomers, Infinite Wealth assumes familiarity with Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Players who haven’t experienced Yakuza 6: Song of Life will miss major plot points, as Infinite Wealth resolves themes and loose ends from that game.
Block Buster Billy is a simple, but well crafted puzzle game that’s sure to provide fans of the Sokoban genre plenty of brain teasing content. It may be a bit overtuned for the casual audience, but veterans will enjoy the challenge.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a fantastic game that you will enjoy whether you pick it up when its full price or on sale. A sequel to a smartphone RPG, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a surprise gem that everyone should have fun playing.
Ultimately, Home Safety Hotline is a fairly linear puzzle game but makes up for its depth of mechanics with its depth of lore. There’s a severe lack of whimsy in horror, and perhaps it’s just me but I feel that fairies, hags, and similar supernatural creatures haven’t yet been given a fair shake. This game is a lot of fun if you’re not an achievement hunter, otherwise you’ll end up playing it twice without really seeing any new content.