Reno Gazette-Journal
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Like a loaded hero sandwich, Injustice 2 serves up a stellar fighting game that is not only mechanically solid but also packed to the gills with plenty of "fixins." It still has some uncanny valley moments and the dark, insufferable versions of Superman and Wonder Woman are starting to wear a bit thin. Thanks to a deep combat system, a chunky narrative and a plethora of collectibles and unlockables to collect, however, Injustice 2 is proof that fighting games can be full-fledged experiences that aren't one-dimensional.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia provides the best of both worlds by serving up classic tactical gameplay in a modern, more visually pleasing presentation. Some fans might decry the absence of the Weapon Triangle and romance options. All in all, however, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia does a commendable job in re-imagining an old game for today's times. It's a great example of a remake done right.
Like a lovable blast from the past, The Disney Afternoon collection brings back six 8-bit games based on beloved franchises while adding a few twists. These include a neat rewind feature as well as a Boss Rush mode for getting into the big action right away. The games can feel dated and might not hold up for folks who don't have any attachments to the original versions or the franchises they are based on. If you enjoyed the games as a kid, however, they provide a wonderful trip down memory lane.
Having played all those other Lego games in the past, Lego City: Undercover feels like a retread, despite its solid design and mechanics. If you're a newcomer to the series, Lego City: Undercover will be loads of fun, especially when played with a sidekick in your living room. If you're someone who played the Wii U version or many of the games in the series and are looking for something new, however, Lego City: Undercover will likely feel like more of the same despite being one of the best incarnations of the Lego formula.
Sci-fi survival horror can have a been-there, done-that vibe but Prey manages to add another worthy entry to a genre that has seen its fair share of titles. Thankfully, the game manages to strike a good balance between action and tension while weaving a narrative that encourages you to discover what's next. Certain aspects of combat can feel clunky and loading times can be annoying given all the backtracking you need to do. Overall, though, Prey is a pulse-pounding addition to the survival-horror genre.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe puts the pedal to the metal by creating the most accessible racer in the series, or any racing game for that matter, to date. Smart steering and auto-acceleration lets little kids join in on the fun without being too overpowered. The return of a full-fledged battle mode also makes it a more complete Mario Kart experience. It might not have enough new features to entice folks who still own the Wii U version. Overall, though, this is arguably the best Mario Kart game to date.
The Caligula Effect features a nifty concept as well as some notable minds behind its story, music and character design. At the same time, the PS Vita JRPG is also the victim of bad timing as everything it does, Persona 5 does much better. If you haven't played the latter, then I recommend getting that instead. Otherwise, if you're looking for a more old-school Persona-style game, then The Caligula Effect can be worth checking out.
Groundhog Day meets Cluedo in the fascinating murder-mystery game, The Sexy Brutale. At times charming and other times poignant, this spin on the classic “whodunnit” formula in a mansion features an interesting time travel mechanic as well as a likeable cast of characters. The game and puzzles are admittedly linear and repeating time can get, well, repetitive at times. Overall, however, The Sexy Brutale is a fun murder-mystery romp, regardless of what time it is.
Like some unholy love child, Dragon Quest Heroes II continues its predecessor's attempts at merging JRPG conventions with the hack-and-slash gameplay of the “Musou” or “Warriors” franchise. Although it isn't always a perfect union, Dragon Quest Heroes II is a fun romp that provides one of the more challenging experiences in Koei Tecmo's “Warriors” franchise. If you enjoyed the first game or Hyrule Warriors, you'll certainly want to try this one out.
Wait, isn't turn-based role-playing game combat supposed to be obsolete? Persona 5 proves that the classic JRPG formula can still work in today's world given the right amount of love and attention. Add a compelling story, stylish production and a healthy dose of modern cool and you've got today's standard-bearer for the traditional JRPG formula.
Looking back at the games I loved most since the NES era, every single one had their imperfections. If I were to rate those few select titles just based on the pure joy I felt while playing them, however, I'd give those games a 10. Just like those beloved titles, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is not a perfect game. Ask me just how much I enjoyed playing it, though, and I would say it deserves the highest rating I could give it. In the end, that's all that truly matters.
IT’S ELEMENTAL, DEAR WATSON…
Ultimately, Touhou Double Focus is a game that appeals to a narrow slice of the gaming community. The tough Metroidvania mechanics won't be for everybody and the game has a bit of that rough, "dojin" or fan-made taste to it. If you enjoy old-school games with an indie feel and loads of Japanese flavor, however, this one just might humor the otaku in you.
Atelier Firis is a fun and charming Japanese RPG with an alchemy twist that works quite well with its open-world approach. Admittedly, the combat system is a tad underwhelming and I didn't feel a bond with most of my party members. The key cast members are quite likable though and the game's engaging item creation system make this worth checking out if you enjoy more cozy JRPGs.
Toukiden 2 steps up big time from its predecessor, featuring a new open world with a fleshed out campaign while throwing in a fun Demon Hand mechanic that makes breaking demon body parts a bonafide hoot. It's still not enough to dethrone Monster Hunter from the top of its perch for this fan of Capcom's premier hunting franchise. It's the closest any Monster Hunter clone has gotten, though, making it my second-favorite series in the hunting genre.
Necropolis: Brutal Edition is a combat-based rogue-lite game that features some interesting ideas — like a procedural Dark Souls of sorts. Execution of those ideas, however, feels uneven and is hampered by the lack of a sense of purpose and clarity. A key trait for any roguelike is to provide you incentive to try, try again. Necropolis, however, feels like a stick that’s missing that enticing carrot to keep you coming back for more.
Touhou Genso Wanderer is a charming and challenging take on the classic Mystery Dungeon formula with lovably wacky Touhou characters. Presentation is great for this type of roguelike game and it also features lots of Japanese voice acting. Like many games in the genre, it can feel grindy and repetitive at times, and its difficulty also might scare newcomers away. If you like games like Shiren or Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, however, this is one title you'll want to wander into.
Like the explorers entering Andromeda's new world, Mass Effect Andromeda appears to be feeling its way into something new. The game has a good foundation to work with but an assortment of niggles and glitches combined with a lack of polish add up to one shaky melting pot at times. As a big Mass Effect fan, I'm still looking forward to seeing what's next. I just hope that the series gets a chance to keep continuing its journey.
Mario Sports Superstars takes the mechanics from some of Nintendo's popular sports series and puts them in one package. While games like tennis and golf do a good job in emulating the gameplay of Mario Tennis and Mario Golf, the bare bones features make the total experience feel stripped down — essentially turning it into a jack of all trades and master of none. If you like simple minigame collections, however, this is one of the better ones out there.
Snipperclips is arguably the best surprise of the Nintendo Switch launch, providing a fun and charming puzzle experience while also bringing back the joys of couch co-op and competition. It's not as fun when played solo and doesn't give you much reason to replay finished stages. Get two to four players in the same room, however, and get ready to make some noise and imbibe in hilarious hijinks.