Reno Gazette-Journal
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Life of Black Tiger is the kind of game that will make you question what you’re doing with your life. On the plus side, there's nowhere to go but up after playing it.
This HD re-release of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is the same game that fans know and love, complete with high-paced action, team mechanics and over-the-top hyper combos that’ll take you for a ride. As a port, however, this rendition does the bare minimum and does not add any new key features while also suffering from some netcode issues. It’s still a great game for hardcore fans or newcomers looking to get into its kinetic action. At the same time, it’s also a bit of a missed opportunity.
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Future Tone rectifies the main issue with Project Diva X by adding a huge song list that will have you playing for days on end. The lack of a story or interaction among the cast is disappointing and the difficulty can be intimidating for more casual players. Tight gameplay, lots of unlockables and catchy tunes, however, make this an easy recommendation for rhythm game fans.
Following 2015’s excellent Wii U version, Super Mario Maker 3DS takes the fun of Mario level design on the go. The portable version brings the fun of the original’s creation tools as well as modes like the 100-course and 100-Mario challenges. Although the visual downgrade is expected, however, the limited level-sharing options are more surprising and take out the teeth from an otherwise solid game that’s centered on creation.
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization feels like a game that’s on the cusp of something great but is held back by a few hiccups. The story is interesting and quite fleshed out, and the base combat has potential. The inconsistent pacing, sketchy AI and grindy nature of the game, however, make it feel like a slog after a while. If you’re a fan of SAO, though, this is worth checking out just to re-experience Aincrad’s rebirth once again.
The Last Guardian is a story about the bond formed between man and beast where loyalty and friendship trump instincts. It's not perfect as Trico's AI can be finicky and the pacing will not be for everyone. Nevertheless, if you like games that challenge your knack for problem-solving and also appreciate storytelling that's both touching and raw, The Last Guardian is a game with timeless appeal that's very much worth the wait.
If you’re a fan of Hearthstone and took a break or if you’ve been interested but didn’t know when to start I highly recommend the new expansion. If you’ve tried the game before and found you don’t like it for any of the core mechanics or maybe you just don’t like card games in general, then this expansion isn’t going to do anything for you to change your mind. Overall, though, I’m personally having a ton of fun trying to survive on the Mean Streets of Gadgetzan.
Yomawari: Night Alone is a story about childhood loss, mortality and facing your fears. It’s certainly not the most technically or mechanically amazing game and a lack of familiarity with the Japanese concept regarding gods can dilute its story. What it does well, however, is leverage Japanese folklore while tapping into those fears and insecurities we’ve all felt as children in order to transcend the game's own limitations. Charming and survival-horror may seem like an impossible mix but that’s exactly what Yomawari: Night Alone manages to do.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is a faithful rendition of the original, perhaps too faithful, with visual improvements and mod support right off the bat for consoles. The lack of major new content and gameplay changes means folks who have burnt out while extensively playing the original likely won’t have reason to revisit this region of Tamriel. If you’ve never played the game before, however, it presents a great opportunity to experience one of the best RPGs to date.
Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection remasters what are considered some of the best games in the series alongside Black Flag. Parts of the games admittedly haven’t aged as well but the story continues to be a compelling one even today. Overall, the lack of significant new content means there’s less reason for series vets to don the assassin’s hood yet again though newcomers will find a lot to enjoy in this one.
Final Fantasy XV represents a coming of age, not just for its protagonist but a series that was met with a polarized response from Final Fantasy XIII. It shows some courageous risk-taking that breathes new life into the series' aging formula while also encouraging the kind of exploration that was lacking in FF13. Admittedly, the modern settings and new magic system dilute some of the fantasy elements the series is known for, and the hybrid turn-based and real-time combat system can feel like a compromise to fans of the two differing styles. At the same time, this is a worthy addition to the Final Fantasy franchise that looks to the future while also honoring its past.
Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 builds on the foundation of the solid original, including its fusion (ha) of fighting and RPG elements while also adding a bigger hub and even more characters to its deep roster. The game can be a repetitive grind at times and the combat system can be a bit too simple for hardcore fighting-game purists. At the same time, the game’s RPG-style progression and social aspects continue the fresh take on the Dragon Ball formula that its predecessor started, which remains a nice change of pace for the series. Admittedly, the game won’t be for everybody but if you’re an avid Dragon Ball fan, feel free to add one point to my final score.
Don’t let its old-school look fool you. Owlboy is a game that is excellent regardless of the time period thanks to great gameplay, a compelling story and characters that will make you care.
After primarily sticking to more or less the same formula in previous games, Pokemon Sun and Moon shakes up things in a big way with a new look and a plethora of different mechanics that spice up the franchise. From a console-style presentation to some quality-of-life improvements that streamline gameplay in a good way, Sun and Moon truly feel like next-generation Pokemon games that takes the series to the next level. If this is an example of the approach to expect with the merging of Nintendo’s home console and handheld divisions, then I’m looking forward to what the company does with the upcoming Switch.
The second time is definitely a charm for Dishonored 2, which builds on the solid framework of the original to create a bigger, better sequel. This includes more powers, more characters and a bigger playground filled with interesting missions layered with even more gameplay elements. Some of its villains feel a bit caricaturish and lovers of pure stealth might not like the lack of consequences from taking a more action-oriented approach. The freedom to choose your path and approach to gameplay, however, combined with fun mechanics make Dishonored 2 worth playing over and over and over again.
Oceanhorn is an excellent mobile game that loses some of its magic in the transition to consoles. The inspiration from the Zelda series is welcome for fans of the franchise but also exposes some of its shortcomings when compared to the beloved title. If you're pining for a Zelda-style adventure on PS4 or Xbox One with an affordable price, however, this homage to old-school action adventuring is still worth hopping onto.
Disney Magical World 2 builds on the foundation of the solid original, serving up another dose of lifestyle and adventure gaming in the magical kingdom. From designing outfits and cafe interiors to dungeon exploring, there’s a lot to do here. Admittedly, there isn’t a big improvement from the original game and older gamers might decry the lack of challenge. For younger kids who adore Disney, however, this one’s close to perfect for good clean, fun.
BlazBlue: Central Fiction is a fun, polished fighter that harkens back to the day when Gamest Mooks ruled Japan and 2D fighting games ruled the world. The anime-style story and characters won’t be for everyone and the lack of English voice acting might turn off some folks. Its hand-drawn style, however, is a gorgeous rendition of 2D fighting games while its gameplay is both technical and accessible, which will satisfy experts and beginners alike. Add the most fleshed-out story you’ll ever see in a fighter and you’ve got a worthy addition to your library.
Mario Party Star Rush tries to mix up the old party formula by adding new twists such as Toad Scramble’s more open maps as well as AI-ally recruitment in the mix. The lack of larger, more interactive board game maps like those seen in past games is a letdown and the mini-game selection can be hit or miss. At the same time, the new touches combined with fun boss fights and the ability to play 4-player versus matches with just one copy of the game make this a treat when played with others. If you’re looking for a fun party game to play with friends and family on the go or even at home, Mario Party: Star Rush is a conniving, backstabbing blast.
Touhou: Scarlet Curiosity is the kind of low-budget title that’s light on bells and whistles but still carries a distinct appeal for fans of offbeat Japanese titles. Like Touhou Gensou: Bullet Ballet, this side adventure admittedly does not have the polish of a triple-A game or even the tight gameplay of the mainline bullet-hell titles of the Touhou franchise. As a fan-made game, however, it has heart as well as a certain whimsy to it that I find charming in its own right. It won’t be for everybody but fans of titles with an Akiba-flavor to them will likely enjoy this one.