Reno Gazette-Journal
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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.
Titanfall 2 returns with a more complete package this time around by supplementing its faster, more vertical gameplay with a much needed campaign mode. The new campaign is a huge improvement over the patchwork story from the first game and a wider selection of Titans makes multiplayer feel more diverse. Changes in Titan health mechanics, admittedly, might be a mixed bag for online players and the game’s multiplayer maps don’t fully take advantage of your pilot’s penchant for going vertical. Overall, however, Titanfall 2 is a fun romp for folks thirsty for a shooting experience that’s different from the norm.
Battlefield 1 manages to inject new life to the series thanks to great visuals and the best campaign in the franchise in some time while retaining most of the elements that it has traditionally done well such as massive multiplayer confrontations and vehicular combat.
Square Enix celebrates three decades of its marquee franchise with a nostalgia-filled love letter in “World of Final Fantasy.” Featuring wonderful visuals, classic turn-based fighting plus cameos of beloved characters from series lore, the game hits a lot of the right spots for Final Fantasy fans. Add a monster-capturing mechanic and you’ve got something that will interest fans both young and old. The kiddie presentation and focus on two young protagonists who act their age might turn off some gamers. Monster management on the field also can be a bit of pain. If you’re pining for old-school Final Fantasy with stellar production values and a big serving of Pokemon, however, this is one world you’ll definitely want to visit.
Dragon Quest Builders could have easily been a lazy Minecraft ripoff. Instead, Square Enix does a great job in adding compelling mechanics that make this a breath of fresh air for the genre that can stand on its own. The game’s greatest strength lies in its campaign, which makes it a bonafide action-adventure game with enjoyable combat and great boss fights while still incorporating the fun elements of building. The camera, admittedly, can be a pain at times and the lack of fleshed-out multiplayer and co-op is an unfortunate missed opportunity. If you’re looking for a solid crafting game and are intrigued by the addition of RPG and action elements, however, Dragon Quest Builders is a fabulous construct that fans both young and old will enjoy.
After its recent underwhelming expansion, Blizzard finally manages to get back on the right track with “World of Warcraft: Legion.” If you have never played WoW before or if you feel that you have been burned in the past, I suggest giving the game another shot as the game adds many new mechanics and features that make it feel fresh and compelling. Add a big content patch that’s incoming plus Blizzard being more in tune with what the game’s fan base wants and you have an expansion that’s as close to perfect as WoW has been in a long time.