Reno Gazette-Journal
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“Spirit of Justice” continues to do what the “Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney” series does best, which is serve up kooky cases with a bunch of kooky characters with some drama sprinkled in between. The game continues to be linear to a fault and it sometimes tries too hard to misdirect its audience. A likable cast of characters combined with funny and poignant storytelling that leverages those characters’ relationships, however, leaves me no objections in recommending this to series fans and newcomers alike.
Abzu is one of those pleasantly surprising titles that feels likes it's on the cusp of being a great game with just a bit more fleshing out. Its deep, undersea world is absolutely gorgeous and its metaphysical take on "show-don't-tell" storytelling evokes thoughts of the excellent game INSIDE. Folks who prefer traditional gaming mechanics and storytelling might consider the overall gameplay to be barebones and lacking purpose. If you're a fan of non-traditional gaming that has a bit of an indie feel to it, however, you'll want to dive into Abzu.
Whether you're a gung-ho Leeroy Jenkins wannabe or a more measured warrior of the shadows who likes skulking around, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided features diverse, mechanically sound gameplay that will entertain. Storytelling could be a bit more fleshed out especially toward the end but it still provides a nice take on a serious and uncomfortable topic. It stops short of being an outright revolution but it's also a tight, polished experience that should satisfy fans itching for either a stealthy reprise or adventurous action.
God Eater Resurrection updates the series original with new weapons and combat that brings it more up to speed with today’s times. The stylized visuals will be a hit for folks who love Japanese anime and the more accessible gameplay makes it friendly for newcomers to the genre. While some will say that it has more style than Monster Hunter, however, this enhancement to what is essentially a five-year old game doesn’t quite have the same substance as newer entries in Capcom’s more popular hunting series. That being said, it’s still a solid game.
All in all, KOF XIV is a great addition to the franchise that launches with a full feature set unlike its more popular rival Street Fighter V. It doesn’t look as fancy as Street Fighter V and some veterans might feel that it doesn’t add anything revolutionary to the mix. Its fundamentals, however, are rock solid and the classic KOF style and humor shines. If you’re looking for a fully-fleshed arcade fighting game experience from home, you can’t do wrong in picking up this one.
Federation Force is a solid, polished addition to the Metroid franchise, though it admittedly is missing that “it” factor that makes the Metroid games with Samus Aran a great experience. Campaign co-op can be a blast thanks to fun mechanics and multiplayer hijinks while the Rocket League-style Blast Ball is an enjoyable diversion for sure. For players dead set on a new main-line Metroid title, though, the game might feel more like an appetizer instead of a main course.
Don’t mistake “Style Savvy: Fashion Forward” for mere shovelware, dahling. This game is dedicated to serving up the fashionista lifestyle with solid production and oodles of content for wannabe fashion consultants, designers and runway models. The lack of male options are a bummer and the game certainly won’t be for everyone. If you love lifestyle fashion games and don’t want to sell your soul to Kim Kardashian, however, this is a solid option.
Republique lands on the PlayStation 4 with all its chapters and its own take on the stealth genre. Its use of security cameras adds an interesting touch to stealth while its dystopian tale should keep players hooked. Admittedly, the slow, methodical pace won't be for everybody and even the otherwise solid story runs into some hiccups later on. Overall, however, it's an engaging experience for folks who want a little Orwell in their stealth games.
“Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven” looks spectacular thanks to gorgeous character models that bring a large number of its kooky cast to life. Gameplay, however, feels a bit flat and lacks the engaging action seen in “All Star Battle.” The AI is also about as reliable as the electronics of a Land Rover. Fans of the series might still enjoy this arena brawler but folks expecting a more polished fighting experience likely will feel differently about it.
Street Fighter V continues the tradition of its predecessors when it comes to providing technical 2D-style fighting for genre purists. Admittedly, the sparse number of features and lack of an arcade mode at launch killed a lot of good will from the less competitive members of its fanbase. The release of a cinematic story mode and steady stream of additional characters, however, is giving SFV that additional polish it really needed.
Chambara represents a compelling idea in the multiplayer duel arena genre thanks to visuals that are not only unique but play an integral role in the gameplay. The lack of modes and online hamper the longevity of its gameplay. Overall, though, it’s definitely a more than “OK” start for Team OK.
Fans looking for a totally new experience might be disappointed by the sameness of the gameplay for the most part. Gamers who prioritize graphics also might be turned off by its bare bones visuals. Personally, though, I love the game’s honest simplicity and lack of pretension. For folks who loved the original and want more, BoxBoxBoy definitely shapes up quite nicely.
Like Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi, things come full circle as the property that started it all serves up one of the more enjoyable entries in Traveller's Tales' ongoing LEGO franchise. Admittedly, some annoying glitches scuttle the experience at times. Overall, however, new mechanics combined with nice set pieces and the classic LEGO touch make LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens the best title in the series in a while.
There's no sophomore slump here. Playdead delivers an excellent followup to Limbo with INSIDE, a puzzle platformer that turns up its predecessor’s concepts to 11 thanks to well-designed mechanics and a compelling setting that elegantly drifts between light and shadow. Add an engaging “show, don’t tell” story that is seamlessly integrated into the gameplay and you’ve got one of the best titles of the year.
I Am Setsuna is an unabashed love letter to fans of classic JRPGs, featuring solid, turn-based combat and a beautiful snowy world that looks like a moving painting. It’s a tad on the short side for an RPG and the journey can feel rushed, especially with the lack of extra content. Overall, it feels like it's at the cusp of JRPG greatness but just needs that little extra something to reach its full potential. Still, if you’re looking for an old school-style JRPG fix, I Am Setsuna will hit the spot.
Monster Hunter Generations does an excellent job in honoring the past while welcoming the new, thanks to a slew of new hunting styles and mechanics as well as a wealth of content that will keep players occupied for hours and hours upon hours. Folks who don’t get the hang of its technical combat will likely continue to wonder what the fuss is all about. For those who give its monsters the attention and respect they demand in order to do well, however, Monster Hunter Generations’ newly polished gameplay hits it out of the ballpark once more.
7th Dragon III: Code VFD is a welcome addition to the JRPG genre that features many classic elements fans will enjoy. Difficulty can be uneven with no middle ground and its world could be more fleshed out. An excellent turn-based combat system with interesting classes and excellent synergy between them, however, makes this a worthy addition to any JRPG fans’ library.
Released at a time when the genre is seeing heavy hitters such as Overwatch come to market, Umbrella Corps is a competitive shooter that’s as much a victim of bad timing as it is lack of polish. The idea behind its concept is interesting, especially for folks such as myself who were hoping for an improved version of Operation Raccoon City. With schizophrenic gameplay that falls behind others in the genre and no campaign to fall back on, however, Umbrella Corps is an even bigger missed opportunity than ORC was.
Minecraft: Wii U Edition adds a touch of Mario to the popular crafting franchise while bringing it to Nintendo's console. Outside of the Mario-themed additions, folks who have invested lots of time with other console or vanilla PC versions likely won't have incentive to make the switch. For those who have yet to play Minecraft, however, the Wii U Edition could be a good jump-in point to get their toes wet and find out what the fuss is all about.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions is the kind of wonderful surprise that you find in your stockings during Christmas morning. It’s quirky for sure and has its rough spots but its mix of stellar production values and solid take on classic turn-based JRPG combat makes it a must have for fans of the genre. Add much welcome nods to Shin Megami Tensei, Persona and Fire Emblem and you’ve got one of the best gaming surprises of the year so far.