Reno Gazette-Journal
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Twelve years after it first released, Trails From Zero finally makes it to western shores. Admittedly, the visual inconsistencies between the PS4 version and the graphically superior Switch and PC versions is a bit of a bummer. Despite being more than a decade old, however, Trails From Zero has aged quite well and remains one of the best JRPGs out there. Gamers who especially like classic JRPGs should definitely pick it up.
Yomawari: Lost in the Dark features the franchise’s trademark dichotomy that combines a disarmingly cute art style with disturbing suspense-horror sensibilities. Admittedly, the gameplay can feel a bit repetitive and drawn out as you find yourself constantly running away from things instead of truly confronting your fears. The story, however, is a high point that manages to keep you on your toes while also touching your heart at the same time. Give it a look if you like the Yomawari series or a survival game that’s different from the norm.
No More Heroes 3 might have missed the extra point with some of its flaws. But a zany cast, fun combat and a nice selection of boss fights make Travis’ latest adventure still a touchdown in my book.
Don-chan and the gang are back with another thumping exercise in musicology with Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival. The versus toy mode and the co-op DON-Chan band mode are nice additions to the standard arcade experience that taiko fans know and love. Admittedly, the subscription model that provides access to 583 songs at launch can be polarizing for fans. A diverse set of 76 base songs combined with fun modes, unlockables and tight taiko drumming mechanics, however, make Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival one of the best rhythm games out there right now.
The first Splatoon game was a wonderfully novel experience and Splatoon 2 also managed to build on its framework while still feeling new. In comparison, Splatoon 3 doesn’t feel quite as fresh as those two initial games even with its new additions, opting instead to polish and refine the franchise’s tried-and-true formula. That being said, Splatoon 3 represents the pinnacle of the series’ shooting mechanics, which are further fine-tuned into splatting perfection. Add a campaign with fun and creative bosses as well as engaging multiplayer options and you have another colorful and addicting addition to the franchise.
Like its predecessors in the series, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 likes to go big. Whether it be its story, its large areas and creatures, or gameplay that can stretch well over 100 hours, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 boasts a scope that’s hard to beat. Its scale can admittedly be intimidating and overwhelming at times. The story can also be prone to anime tropes and uneven pacing. Overall, however, the narrative impresses with its poignant take on war and death. Add its fleshed-out gameplay and there’s a lot to love in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 for RPG lovers.
Soul Hackers 2 is another solid entry in the Shin Megami Tensei universe, sharing the devilish traits of the mainline SMT series with some of the jazzy vibes of Persona 4 and 5 sprinkled in between. The simple combat belies a deep customization system for demons and character skills while the game’s excellent cast help lift its story. Admittedly, it’s not quite as fleshed out as Atlus’ best role-playing games. If you like old-school JRPGs with a Shin Megami Tensei twist, however, Soul Hackers 2 is a game that you’ll be dying to play.
Kunio and the gang stake a claim on hot-blooded martial brawling since ancient times with River City Saga: Three Kingdoms. Combat is decidedly old school with pixellated characters to boot. The gameplay can feel a bit repetitive after extended play, which is par for the course for the beat-em-up genre, and can also be a bit of a grind at times. Replay value is solid, however, and fans of classic side-scrolling games will love its old-school fighting roots.
Mario Strikers: Battle League boasts excellent gameplay mechanics as well as item-based hijinks that make it feel more like a survival game at times. Online options are also much improved, including the ability to create your own Strikers Clubs for competing and earning rewards. The focus on competitive online play, however, has made the game less of a compelling offline experience due to a lack of a true campaign as well as various other modes. It’s still a blast when played with friends or online rivals. For folks playing solo by themselves, however, Battle League can be a lonely experience.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak further builds on the new mechanics introduced by Rise with an assortment of new skills as well as several quality-of-life improvements that further improve the overall Monster Hunter experience. Add the introduction of AI hunting partners — a first in the series — and you have a nice assortment of new things that further move the series forward. The absence of Rampage Mode in Master Rank does make it feel like features have been taken out. The endgame could also be a bit more fleshed out. A great campaign experience combined with excellent combat mechanics, however, makes Sunbreak another worthy addition to the franchise.
Touken Ranbu Warriors mixes the classic one vs. 1,000 hack-and-slash Warriors gameplay with the beautiful boys of the Touken Ranbu franchise. The use of investigations helps break the monotony of the Warriors-style gameplay a bit and the time-traveling element adds a twist to the history-based narrative often used in games set in Japan’s warring states period. Although it doesn’t exactly introduce groundbreaking changes to the formula, it’s a solid take on Warriors gameplay for fans of the classic hack-and-slash games and the Touken Ranbu franchise.
Nintendo Switch Sports is a modern take on one of Nintendo’s beloved classis from the Wii era, complete with the motion controls and burning muscle soreness that veterans of the series know very well. The game boasts improved visuals compared to its predecessors and playing with or against other people remains a hoot. Limiting multiplayer to docked mode is a bit of a bummer, though, especially since playing solo feels like a more lonely and less fulfilling experience. It’s a game best enjoyed with others for sure.
Crystar gets a Switch port following its earlier release on the PS4 and PC, giving you one more avenue to cry on the go. Crystar is actually one of those cases where a game boasts a strong and compelling story that’s unfortunately saddled with action gameplay that’s OK at best. Folks who prioritize top-notch combat mechanics and don’t particularly care for storytelling might want to look elsewhere. If you love games with a strong narrative and interesting characters, however, Crystar is definitely worth a trip to Purgatory despite its faults.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land shakes up the traditional Kirby formula by fully bringing it into the third dimension while adding some fun new mechanics into the mix. Despite the switch to 3D — pun so totally intended — it still feels like a Kirby game for longtime fans. The length is a bit short and the game could also be more challenging. Those are minor gripes, however, as the game adds some much-needed freshness to the franchise while maintaining the charm that Kirby fans know and love.
Atelier Sophie 2 continues to build on the Atelier franchise’s solid foundation and the result is another excellent game in the series. Granted the game can admittedly be grindy and repetitive at times. With its likable cast, addicting gameplay loop, touching narrative and feel-good charm, however, Atelier Sophie 2 is another welcome addition to the franchise, whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran who waited seven years for this surprise sequel.
Ghostwire: Tokyo boasts a great premise and concept but ultimately serves up a more typical game experience that doesn’t quite reach its initial lofty expectations. That being said, it’s a good iteration of the classic sandbox formula and also has great potential as a series. I’m actually looking forward to Tango Gameworks further building on this as Ghostwire: Tokyo sets up a solid foundation for its yokai-meets-urban-jungle formula.
Elden Ring remains a compelling experience thanks to its incredible breadth and scope combined with its excellent combat and litany of options for curating your own unique journey. Is it a massive change from the Dark Souls formula? Honestly, you can name it Dark Souls 4 and it would actually fit quite well. At the same time, it represents the best iteration of the Souls formula to date as well as the potential of the series moving forward. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m dying to hop back and play it again.
Like its predecessor, FAR: Changing Tides serves up a poignant journey through a lonely apocalyptic landscape with a bigger ship, a bigger world and a bigger scope overall. At the same time, it still retains that same claustrophobic feel and charm while serving up all sorts of environmental puzzles for you to solve. The extra mechanics can admittedly be frustrating to deal with at times as you find yourself juggling many things at once and it also doesn’t quite have the same sense of newness for veterans of the first game. Overall, however, FAR: Changing Tides is the kind of game that makes you wonder and also makes you think, which is a credit to the compelling atmosphere that it deftly provides.
If your main focus is a highly polished, big-budget arrangement with lots of action — and there’s nothing wrong with that — this game will likely be underwhelming for you. But if your priorities lie in story, a more nuanced perspective and an experience beyond just the game within a game, then The Cruel King and the Great Hero is worth picking up.
Monark is a game that boasts a solid foundation with some really good ideas and fun combat. It’s lack of polish, however, means this game is likely destined to be more of a cult favorite as opposed to a big hit. It’s a shame as the story alone is worth the journey. If you like an old-school 3D JRPG with interesting gameplay and don’t mind budget visuals, Monark is one ego trip worth indulging in.