Reno Gazette-Journal
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Like Pokemon Art Academy before it, Disney Art Academy works as a solid learning tool for folks who want to learn how to draw by using characters from Disney and Pixar. The stylus interface can have some niggles with accuracy and the screen size can feel constricting. Overall, however, it’s a great way to get the basics down for drawing and painting.
Langrisser: Re:Incarnation Tensei has the misfortune of being the next strategy RPG that I’ve played after Fire Emblem Fates, making its flaws seem even more magnified. Behind the low production values is a game with some good ideas. Unfortunately, it looks like its makers didn’t quite have the necessary resources — whether it be time, money or both — to fully realize them.
"Chronicles of Teddy: Harmony of Exidus" harkens back to a time when pixels ruled and handholding was minimal. For some, that might make the game a frustrating and difficult slog. For others, however, it will feel more like a much welcome blast from the video gaming past.
For a game based on a laughably weird idea and with a budget price tag, Pocket Card Jockey ended up a lot deeper and more fun than I imagined. The elements of chance might frustrate some for sure. For folks who enjoy solitaire, strategy and even breeding, however, this will be worth hopping onto.
"Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition" harkens back to an older time in gaming and all the good things about it. It's not for the impatient or poorly coordinated as the game will test your motor skills and temperament. Lovers of Metroidvania platforming who never played the original, however, should pick it up. And if you played last year's game, well, go ahead and pick this up again anyway.
“Aegis of Earth: Protonovus” is a refreshing take on the genre despite its budget feel. The use of a rotating ring mechanic provides a different experience but the game can get repetitive during extended play. Despite its rough spots, however, this game still can be fun, especially in short bursts. It’s not for everyone but tower defense fans will likely enjoy it.
Overall, Quantum Break serves up a fun experience in a genre that's admittedly starting to feel long in the tooth. It doesn't break new ground but its inclusion of fun temporal powers freshens up the traditional cover shooter mechanics while encouraging some ruthless aggression. If you enjoy cover shooters with a solid story and fun abilities, this is one break you just might want to have.
Overall, Star Fox harkens back to a time when a different kind of shooter ruled the roost, making it a blast from the past for old-school gamers and a refreshing experience for younger players. The hybrid controls will likely be divisive for purists and the on-rails sections and invisible borders of All-Range Mode might feel confining for some. Like getting the hang of a stick shift car, however, the gameplay can be a hoot once you master its operation.
Star Fox Guard is a fun entry in the tower defense genre set in the Star Fox universe. The visuals are a bit on the plain side and it doesn’t quite have the depth of popular entries in the space such as the Plants vs. Zombies. The gameplay is solid, however, serving as a refreshing take on both the tower defense genre and the Star Fox series.
"Bravely Second: End Layer" is a well-polished rendition of the classic gameplay that fans of Japanese RPGs know and love. The game doesn't necessarily break any new ground in a widely travelled genre and can be susceptible to some well worn RPG tropes. Its beautifully presented world combined with wonderful music and fun battle system, however, make the game a pleasing romp and worthy addition to any classic JRPG fan's library.
Dark Souls III represents yet another valiant swing in the brutally addictive formula that is From Software's unforgiving Souls series. Glitches and a been-there, done-that vibe for series veterans take off some of the sheen from the game. The solid gameplay, however, combined with new battle arts and more dynamic boss fights make Dark Souls III another worthy entry in the franchise.
Overall, Mind Zero is a fun romp for fans looking to satisfy their dungeon-crawling fill. It doesn’t have the polish of the Persona series or notable dungeon crawlers and JRPGs to earn a place in the upper echelon of the genre. If you’re looking for a dungeon crawler to sink your teeth into, however, it still might be worth trying out, especially given how rare such games are these days.
After some uneven execution in previous episodes Telltale finds its footing in Minecraft Story Mode Episode 5: Order Up! by delivering whimsical storytelling that’s more in line with the source material plus a touch of seriousness that doesn’t feel forced. The result is a more fleshed-out episode that’s more entertaining and arguably the most enjoyable in the series so far.
More a visual story than an actual game, “XBlaze Code Embyro” caters to a specific audience, with an emphasis on the word “specific.” The story leans heavily on anime tropes and the execution might feel inelegant to folks used to games with a lot more polish. It certainly isn't for everyone though fans of BlazBlue’s story or visual novels in general will get more mileage out of it.
Hyrule Warriors Legends is a notable refresh of the Wii U original that adds new characters and greatly improves gameplay thanks to the addition of character switching and the ability to direct allies in the battlefield. Owners of older 3DS systems and the 2DS likely will be disappointed by the drop in performance. If you own a New 3DS, however, and loved the Wii U game, this portable version is a worthy addition to your handheld library.
Mario, Sonic and friends return with more Olympic action, including a campaign that features character leveling and collecting various gear for boosting stats. The events are a mixed bag, however, and could use more depth overall. Players who don't like mini games will want to look elsewhere but the ability to play local multiplayer with one cartridge makes this an option for folks interested in some family-friendly fun. [OpenCritic note: Jason separately reviewed the 3DS (6) and Wii-U (7) versions. Their scores have been averaged.]
Pokken Tournament adds another solid and promising new game to Nintendo's stable, as well as an alternative for folks looking for another Nintendo brawler in addition to Super Smash Bros. It's not as technical as Tekken and the campaign can feel like a repetitive grind after a while. The game's mechanics, however, cater nicely to both beginners and advanced players, making it one of the more accessible, not to mention adorable, fighting games out there. With just a few tweaks and more fighters, this could be among the very best in the genre.
"The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" is like a golden ticket that takes fans of the original back home and newcomers to the equivalent of a historical landmark of gaming. Some of the visuals and gameplay elements don't quite make a successful transition to the present, showing some signs of wear and tear. The new features also might not be enough to bring back some series veterans. The base game, however, continues to be a treat and the story remains arguably the best in the series.
The first episode of "The Walking Dead: Michonne," serves up nice production values and a strong protagonist that commands attention. At the same time, it lacks the tension and suspense of the debut episode of Telltale's first Walking Dead game, which should be a strong point for a story-driven game based on a horror-survival series. With the setup out of the way, let's hope this new series steps up its game and freshens up its familiar story-adventure formula in the following episodes.
Pokemon Picross is a fun take on the picross formula, which has you solving puzzles that combine Sudoku elements with pixel art. The freemium formula it uses is admittedly a Catch 22 that will leave a bad taste in some gamers' mouths unless they spend the requisite $30 to access the full game experience without having to worry about timers and content gating. The puzzles themselves, however, are well done and can be addicting for folks who love brain teasers.