GBAtemp's Reviews
Bloodborne is a game I was looking forward to since it was announced and only a few titles hyped to that extent deliver on their promises - From Software delivered. This Souls spin-off is near-perfect and it's exclusives like this that can be platform-defining. If there's anything I could complain about, it's the fact that I already want more Bloodborne and anxiously await DLC - I'll be the first in line for it. The game established a solid foundation for a series and any expansion or sequels are most welcome.
It's a great romp in the HD realm if you have a monster hunter itch. This "definitive" edition has its share of problems, but is still great fun. Most of the issues grow from the fact that its mostly a clone of a largely popular and well received game. Should you get this? Depends how far you are willing to go for your MH itch.
Very strong title to add to the Nintendo 3DS's library. Lots to do, pleasing gameplay, and decent visuals. Battle system is more than just an average RPG, has more complex elements that makes for some truly unique scenarios. Definitely deserves a purchase at some point but will require dedication and time to truly enjoy.
In an indie market so heavily saturated with retro-inspired games, Axiom Verge really stands out as a work of art that deserves to be played by everyone, whether they're looking to reminisce of days past or looking for inspiration to try other games of a similar style for the first time. Axiom Verge shows true devotion to a genre and style and the fruit of one man's labor is absolutely stunning. Axiom Verge is incredibly easy to pick up and impossible to put down.
Mario Party has enough entertainment in it to still be a fun game to grab a couple buddies and play with, but given the choice, I'd easily pick older iterations over this title. The fact that you can go whole segments without even touching a mini-game and the hollow offerings of amiibo mode make this game a pretty big party pooper.
Battlefield Hardline was a fantastic entry in the franchise. It was fresh, new, stealthy, comedic, and overall a damn good time to play. There's a little something for everyone here.
Helldivers is a great title, I was hyped for it since it was announced and in my eyes it lived up to the hype. If you're a fan of arcade titles, this is a game you should definitely try, especially if you own more than one PlayStation platform and especially if you have friends who'd like to join you on your quest to spread managed democracy - the best system of government there is.
OlliOlli was addicting, frustrating, and a downright enjoyable title. I was put off having it on console at first and not on a handheld on the go, but I think no matter what platform you play it on, you're going to find yourself having a great time. It was a pleasant surprise that made me all the more happy there is a sequel.
It's not a bad game, but it's not the greatest either. It needed to really sit down and choose an identity and then excel in those areas. It was just average in all categories it tried reaching out to. Features solid gameplay and a very thematic story experience, but pales in comparison to other games of its type and playset.
Dynasty Warriors 8: Empires manages to mix two largely different gameplay types into one game and makes it work. There's a lot of content to play through, and a great amount of customization. It provides hours upon hours of content without getting too boring or repetitive.
Overall, Xenoverse was a pretty nice step for DBZ games, and for fans alike. The customization and online offerings of the game keep the appeal up, the combat is balanced and entertaining, and all in all, its a solid release, and good title for any fan of Dragon Ball Z.
A fantastic entry to the series with lots of replay value thanks to Raid Mode. While the campaign may be short, Raid Mode itself is alone worth the dollars you pay for the game.
While the game is perfect for me, the game is not actually perfect. There are some glaring flaws such as the aforementioned frame drops and graphical issues on the older 3DS models, but the amount of good things in this game definitely outweigh the bad ones. I've had 153 hours of fun by now, and I'm getting ready to go on a quest with some friends as I type this. If this review has interested you at all, download the demo! It's free and gives a general idea of the game.
Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart is definitely a title worth picking up, for a number of reasons. The concept is interesting, the audio-visual presentation is great, the gameplay is solid and it's one of those Japanese RPG's that are wacky, but not wacky to the point of being unplayable for a typical western gamer. If you've never played a JRPG or SRPG of this kind, this is a good game to start with. If you have, all the better, you'll feel right at home with Noire and her CPU friends.
Granted you purchase the correct version of course, Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is a great addition to anyone's collection. That being said, if you've missed out on previous installments or just want a solid fighter on a next gen system, Last Round provides some good ol' fashioned fun.
Overall, I cannot stress enough not to buy this game at $40 for the Wii U, unless you're ok with what is basically a portable game being packaged as a full console experience. If Nintendo re-releases this game for the 3DS for $20, go for it. If you see it in a bargain bin for $5, go for it. But whatever you do, don't spend more than that.
I felt like I was a kid again finding those insects underneath the rocks, but running away at the bees that came out at times. Light on content, but a satisfying little romp that will be sure to charm everyone. Despite a price tag of $40, the game is sure to be an entertaining experience for the player. I would recommend this title to anyone who wants to try a little something new, and for Mario series fans alike – this game has something for everyone.
It's got its quirks, it has its strong points and downfalls. It's a fun game definitely geared towards a more mature audience, there are some areas that could use some work but overall it's definitely a strong purchase. You might not get as much enjoyment out of this if you can't stand anime or Japanese culture or if you're the type of person that can't laugh at bizarre, impossible situations. I could see this being a hidden, dirty gem. I like it.
All in all, Life Is Strange was well... strange. While I found myself nitpicking characters and plot development, I still was drawn into what would happen next, what all my decisions would effect in the future, and just what in the world is happening in this town? Life is Strange is the kind of game where you don't have to fear imminent death or sweat the danger and fear of the world around you. Instead, it's a very humane take on the episodic genre, with some supernatural tendencies sprinkled in. I honestly am very interested to see where this strange journey ends up in the next episode, releasing March 2015.
Gat Out of Hell is a small slice of Saints Row IV in a different setting. It lacks content and variety but is fun to mess around in for a couple of hours.