GBAtemp's Reviews
Moonlighter is Zelda with a shopkeeper twist. Balancing beautiful animations and soothing tunes against an underwhelming plot, a thing combat system, and plenty of grinding, there's plenty to like and dislike.
Gal Metal is a game that is what you make of it. If you want a tall string of technical combinations, this is a game for you. If you want a satisfying and consistent beat through some brilliant metal beats, this is still a game for you. The flexibility and personal nature of the experience feels entirely unique, let down only by the limited list of 13 tracks. Pick this up if you're a fan of metal, of drumming, or of violently swinging a Joy Con; you won't regret it.
I went into this game with quite high expectations, based on what all the hype surrounding the game, but unfortunately they didn't meet those expectations. Regardless, however, Call of Cthulhu is probably one of the better video games based on the Cthulhu Mythos, even with of all the technical issue it faces. While animations and voice acting can be rather mediocre at times, and some of the puzzles are quite annoying, the story and overall experience is probably worth dealing with some lackluster technical aspects. If you love Lovecraftian Lore, than I would fully recommend the game to you. And remember, Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!
The World Ends With You is my favourite game of all time. The story is engaging and heartwarming, the characters are diverse and well-designed, and the gameplay is remarkably unique. Overall, TWEWY is a niche title that I think most fans of games like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts will enjoy.
This is a game for Corpse Party fans and nobody else, and that's fine. Building on the world, lore, and characters of the first game, Book of Shadows presents an encyclopaedia of every question you never knew you wanted answering, and will keep you wanting more. This version offering HD graphics and a real point and click interaction, it stands as the best way to experience these tragic tales.
Fire Pro Wrestling World is a game for anybody that wants a good time. Though best enjoyed with friends, the progression and cast of characters seen in the single player mode kept me gripped throughout, and will likely grip me again should I come back to it in future.
Soul Calibur VI is a fantastic reboot that hearkens back to the golden age of fighting games where anyone could pick up a controller, get lost, and just -have fun-.
Super Mario Party is where the series should have gone years ago. Gone are the cars, the mini stars, and the one player chasing down the team as Bowser. Here we have a Mario Party game for the ages, one that builds on and will hopefully be built upon, and one I'll be coming back to happily.
Mega Man 11 is frankly something I consider fantastic. I unfortunately don't particularly anticipate this title bringing in newcomers who previously disliked Mega Man, just by means of the added complexity and much raised skill ceiling (even though the floor has also been lowered slightly), as well as the fact that it is still every bit Mega Man at its heart, for people who are already fans of the franchise, I'd be surprised if they weren't extremely satisfied with Mega Man 11, as there's a LOT this entry improves, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This is by far my favorite entry into a franchise I already had a fondness for, and I'm pleased as a peach with what they've put out.
Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD isn't the best version of Final Fantasy XV out there but it is the only version available for the Switch. Pick it up if you really want to experience Noctis' adventure on the go but be prepared to be left wanting for more in several aspects.
The game is simply not finished yet, and while I can definitely see those desperately hungry for this kind of game being able to look past a fair number of its faults, I would sooner recommend the myriad of other titles which scratch the same itch, without nearly as many caveats.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a fantastic game, this much I have no doubt. While I might not be able to compare it to the other games in Lara's modern trilogy, I can say with certainty this game does enough to stand proudly alone. Through great visuals, fun puzzles, and an unexpected degree of replayability, this is a game worth playing for any fan of the series, or anybody just looking for a great journey.
Insomniac's Spider-Man takes the best elements from previous Spider-Man games, and gives it a level of polish that will leave you stunned. Swinging from towering skyscrapers is an absolute thrill, and this game sets a standard for impressive visuals. However, a lack of content and the repetitive nature of the game hold it back from true greatness.
Serious, hilarious, serious, hilarious. Yakuza 0 segues between those two adjectives surprisingly well in a poignant narrative with fluid gameplay. It is the perfect opportunity for PC gamers to finally invest hours of their lives in the world of Yakuza.
While by no means a perfect game, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an example of a remake done right. It feels fresh and modern, it takes the original story of Yakuza 2 without losing its spirit or charm. If you've never played a Yakuza game before, Kiwami 2 is a good place to start as it introduces you to everything you've missed so far, keeping the doors open to new players. You've tried being an American gangster in GTA, perhaps being a Japanese one will be to your liking as well.
Senran Kagura Reflexions is no masterpiece, but it was never made to be one. It is a short and sweet adventure of discovery and love, of poking, slapping, grabbing, and ultimately, massaging.
Despite its shortcomings, I did enjoy my time with SNK Heroines. Its weak plot and lacklustre single player options did leave me wanting more, but the fun and ease of playing with friends really stood out to me. If you have a group to play with or find yourself eager to play against the masses online, it's definitely a game I can recommend. An appreciation for the partially dressed also helps.
A balanced title offering some proper fast-paced fun imbued in good humor, recommended for those who are looking for a fun game without too much time commitment!
Calling Freedom Planet a Sonic clone would be unfair. It has unique mechanics, huge levels, and a larger focus on combat. Sometimes I found myself missing the blistering speed of classic Sonic titles, but I deeply appreciate and respect that Freedom Planet has its own identity. I'm looking forward to any improvements the sequel can bring. For only $15, it's worth checking out.
Iconoclasts has a genuinely interesting story, told in a way which is too obtuse to come across well. It also leaves quite a lot on the table without properly explaining things. Its characters are charming, lovable, believable, detestable, and sympathetic all at once, and watching them go through the events of the story can be captivating. Unfortunately, it takes Iconoclasts about halfway through before it begins to even feel like a game, and while the gameplay progresses a bit more from there, it still never reaches the heights I think it could have. At just 11 hours for the main campaign, it's something I would definitely recommend to anybody looking for something to dig into without much time commitment. Also recommended, start the game on hard mode; normal leaves things much too plain. I definitely believe that if the game's creator, Joakim Sandberg, ever places himself in the directorial and lead writer positions of a small development team, all of the depth that the gameplay and exploration elements were sorely lacking could reach their full potential and then some, creating something absolutely great.