GBAtemp's Reviews
Citizens of Earth was an ambitious RPG that set out to bring back the classic RPG styles of Earthbound and the like, but the standards of that genre really fail to take their place among RPG's today. There's fun to be had, to a point, and it's worth checking out if you're a fan of those oldschool games.
It's a hard task to sum up a game like this. Should it be judged as a title in 1996, 2002 or 2015? Does it stand up in today's market on its own merits? Am I viewing it with rose-tinted glasses and a bucket full of nostalgia or does it still deserve the high praise it has always garnered? I first played Resident Evil on the PSX with a group of friends back in 1996 and have fond memories of us gathered around the TV trying to figure out the puzzles, what to do and where to go next. In 2015 I feel you must play the game blind to experience that same magic. Using internet guides and youtube walkthroughs will take away everything that makes Resident Evil the classic survival horror adventure. In a nutshell the game is as good as it ever was and better than it has ever been. A masterclass in pacing, whether the design truly is masterful or just a product of the age from which it came will probably never be truly understood.
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is well-worth your money if you're a fan of dungeon crawlers and JRPG's, the it can definitely provide hours of quality entertainment. The game is well-executed and although it has some shortcomings and it isn't always true to its roots, it manages to deliver an enjoyable experience that's worth recommending.
Stealth Inc. 2 is a fantastic addition to the growing indie support the Wii U is getting. Curve Studios did a wonderful job of showing just how much thought and care they put into their game, and it really is an indie game you should pick up the next time you are browsing the Eshop.
An overall enjoyable rhythm/dance game with a large variety of songs and game modes both local and online. Not much has changed from the previous release, but when a product isn't broken, it may not need fixing. The game won't make you the best dancer in the world, but it will provide you with hours on hours of moving around in front of your TV.
This game is definitely what the Wii U needs for a huge boost, and the popularity of smash probably is going to give it atleast some of that much-needed boost. It polishes everything the 3DS version lacks in, though gets rid of the underwhelming Smash Run game mode for the, sadly, even more underwhelming Smash Tour game mode. It presents itself really well through amazing graphics and music, but also through fluid, fast gameplay, but the lack of an adventure mode really makes this game lacks something. that said, go out and buy this game if you have a Wii U right now!
This game has a ton of strong points and few weaknesses, with one of the weaknesses possible to fix in the form of DLC. It's a very solid title that deserves to be purchased if you enjoyed the previous versions. For sure one of the better games of the franchise, and could well be THE definitive game of the series if Game Freak plays its cards right.
Samurai Warriors 4 is a worthy entry into the long Warriors of the franchise. It's definitely a must have for fans and maybe even newcomers.
Never Alone is a charming tale of companionship and exploration. It opens a window to a world rarely seen and is a unique mesmerizing experience.
Tales of Hearts R is a fantastic addition to the diverse Tales of franchise. I found myself engrossed in the story of the characters as I followed them. I laughed with them, and I had my heart strings tugged on once or twice. I took on epic battles with them, and I struck down evil with amazing magical fortitude. I enjoyed all of the hours I sunk into Tales of Hearts R, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to begin with the Tales Of franchise.
Fantasia was a treat to play. I had a lot of fun going back and playing songs i'd loved as a kid like "Bohemian Rhapsody," or mixing up some of today's singles like Lorde's "Royals." Fantasia is a great party game to play with some friends, and really shows that Harmonix can continue to put out quality music experiences for people to enjoy. Not to mention, it's another game that I feel really utilizes the Kinect in a way that actually makes it an enjoyable peripheral to have.
Bayonetta 2 was a pleasant surprise for me as a Wii U gamer going through a bit of a drought. It sucked me into a realm of beautifully crafted battles, enormous personality, and just plain sexy character design. Bayonetta 2 was charming, and just a little bit naughty. It is an absolute must have for the Wii U, and I would dare say it is one of the top Wii U titles available for the platform.
If you like repeating gameplay to get the controls of a bland party game down, this game is for you! Otherwise, wait for a better party game that will surely hit the PS4 sometime soon.
Hyrule Warriors was an interesting experience. The Zelda Aesthetic was enough to keep me engaged for awhile, but in the end I came to realize I was just mashing the A button to progress through most of the game. The Hollow Game modes offered, and the lack of any engaging in game content is what kept me from having any lasting playtime with the game. I found myself only being able to enjoy the game in short bursts, before wanting to set it down and play something else. In the end, It's an entertaining Zelda skinned game, but doesn't do anything to really change or set itself apart from other Hack and Slash games.
I enjoyed tearing through the world Of Styx, and truly felt I had that "Master of Shadows" title down to a T. While the game has its slight bumps here and there, it is a fantastic addition to the stealth genre, and I couldn't be more pleased with it's approach. There's enough innovation and elements sprinkled in there for you to have creative and tactical approaches to how you take on your enemies and truly, Master the Shadows.
Overall, Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishment made an excellent addition to the Holmes Adventure games. The new modern approach really benefits the game as a whole, and the new engine brings out the best in the Holmes games that the others just couldn't convey. I would highly recommend this game to anybody who enjoys the Sherlock Holmes universe as well as to anyone who enjoys detective/mystery games as well.
What looks like a fun and beautiful spiritual sequel to the DKC64, SM64 and other bright colorful platformers of old, is more of a bland waterings down of an "adventure".
For maximum enjoyment of this title, I would highly recommend playing the titles from both franchises. I feel that only enjoying one character's game will reduce the fun by half - thus limiting the overall enjoyment. Get into both series, and then this game becomes that much better, because the puzzles are still able to maintain a freshness without repeating. And at $30, this title is pretty dense in content. There's a lot to be able to witness in this game. Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a truly solid adventure that takes the best from two very greatly written worlds and puts them in the same game - puzzle solving and courtroom action. Fans of either franchise will feel at home and at the same time will be able to explore the other game, hopefully developing an interest in the other franchise to continue playing them once they beat this title. The best part is, you don't really need knowledge of either franchise to be able to play this game through (although playing the previous entries of each franchise will help you understand some of the jokes or references). You can simply pick up this title and the storytelling will do the rest. Putting aside the minor gripes of rather weak voice acting and some linearity problems, you still have an excellent title to look at, and I couldn't recommend this title more - it's thrilling entertainment that will be sure to last for a good number of hours. Big shout out to my press contacts at Nintendo of America for making this review possible!
Personally, I love Surgeon Simulator. It's a great QWOP style game, and can easily be a great time waster when needed. Unfortunately, the game just plays better with a mouse and keyboard than on a controller, and I would recommend sticking to the PC version over the PS4 unless you lack the required specs.
Definitely one of the best Vita games right now. So many things to do means that being bored quickly won't happen. I'm still just on the tip of the iceberg here, and I've been playing for a few days now.