Reno Gazette-Journal
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All in all, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a great addition to the Warriors franchise thanks to its more fleshed out combat as well as an addicting weapon skill system that can drain hours from players if they get hooked. Divine Beast combat is a bit of a mixed bag and old problems remain such as co-op being limited to local multiplayer. An intriguing storyline, however, combined with fun combat, a bevy of things to do and the ability to play as Hyrule’s legendary champions make Age of Calamity one of the best entries into the “musou” series to date.
Move over, Uncle Ben. There’s a new rice god in town. Sakuna of Rice and Ruin lets you have your grains and eat them too by serving up a nice heaping of action alongside one of the most detailed and meticulous systems for rice farming that you’ll ever see in a game. Admittedly, the agriculture side can feel like work sometimes and gameplay can become a bit repetitive as you go through multiple years. Its uncanny attention to detail and refreshing take on the farming genre, however, makes Sakuna a game worth adding to your daily diet.
Despite not being as big a fan of sports games like I used to be, EA’s NHL series is the one I still have a soft spot for among the ongoing crop of sports titles. I just like its balance of fun gameplay and how it doesn’t shamelessly abuse microtransactions like other more popular sports games out there. For NHL 21, the series brings in a more fleshed out Be A Pro mode as well as more intuitive movement on the ice. The minimal improvements to franchise mode, however, combined with the lack of key fan-requested features such as shared rosters make NHL 21 feel incomplete. All in all, it’s still one of the better, more consumer-friendly sports games out there. At the same time, I also feel that it could still be much better.
Kirby Fighters 2 is a family-friendly game that serves as a great introduction to the genre, especially for younger children. Content is a bit on the sparse side, however, and will leave you wanting more. And for folks who want more technical combat from their fighting games, the simple mechanics of Kirby Fighters 2 likely won’t hold their attention for long. If you’re a big Kirby fan or want a cute and accessible game to play with your family, however, Kirby Fighters 2 is still worth biting into, especially given its affordable price.
Death end re;Quest 2 serves up an experience that can be described as bloody interesting — literally. The game doesn’t shy away from disturbing imagery as well as portraying uncomfortable topics such as abuse, bullying and violence. The combat system, meanwhile, combines classic turned-based RPG battling with pinball physics, resulting in a unique experience. The game can admittedly be rough around the edges and it won’t be for everyone. If you like Idea Factory’s offbeat titles, however, Death end re;Quest 2 is another solid addition.
Just when you think you know the answers, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim changes the questions as you’re left guessing with how its sci-fi mystery unfolds. Admittedly, the game’s non-traditional narrative approach can be confusing and its reliance on popular science fiction themes can also make it feel derivative at first. Stick with it, however, and you just might find an unexpected treat. Add some fun giant robot tactical combat to the mix and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim actually lets you have your peach tart and eat it, too.
As someone who remembers playing the original Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, I’m surprised about how well the game holds up after more than a decade and a half. Admittedly, some aspects of its visuals and mechanics feel dated and schlepping around on bucket duty can be a pain. Overall, however, the game remains fun to play, especially when doing so with other people thanks to its new online features and crossplay. Pick up the free "Lite" edition if you want to try it out first.
Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris boasts one of the most fun combat systems I’ve seen in a SAO game to date, replete with a nice selection of weapon types and playstyles to boot. It’s just unfortunate how that fun combat is gated behind an unevenly paced narrative that tends to overstay its welcome at times — and I’m a proponent for more storytelling in games. The game won’t be for everyone. Folks who are willing to break through its wall of text, however, will find some great action hidden behind all that exposition.
Robots! Robots everywhere! Like a Las Vegas buffet, Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. MaxiBoost ON features an impressive roster that’s sure to whet your appetite for Gundam mechs. Admittedly, the Extreme Vs. series’ age is starting to show and the lack of a worthy campaign mode reduces players’ options. That being said, fun arena combat combined with the inclusion of oft-ignored mechs alongside the franchise’s more popular units make this a delight for Gundam fans of all generations who take the time to master its mechanics.
Trail of Cold Steel III brings its classic JRPG hijinks to the portable confines of the Switch for folks who like to have their cake and eat it on the go, too. Visuals on the TV are not as crisp as the PS4 version and performance also has some occasional hiccups at times. If the thought of getting your Cold Steel fix anytime and anywhere sounds appealing, however, then this is the version for you.
Origami King — even with its imperfections — is a bold attempt at reimagining the franchise. Fans who pine for the series classic RPG mechanics will likely be disappointed in the game’s combat system. A colorful and imaginative open world, however, combined with witty dialogue and poignant storytelling, make Origami King a welcome addition to the Paper Mario fold.
SpongeBob Square Pants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is akin to a time capsule, not just of the golden age of the SpongeBob cartoon but the 3D action genre that was popular two console generations ago. When it works, you can’t help but have a stupid smile on your face. When it gets bogged down, the mechanics can feel dated and the pacing a bit too long. For fans of the original, however, it’s worth a return trip for the nostalgia alone.
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva MegaMix is the kind of rhythm game that does wonders for your confidence. And by that, I mean you’ll be wondering where all your confidence went after the game grinds it into boba tea powder. Visuals continue to be a strong point and its nice selection of songs both old and new will have you tapping your feet unconsciously. Just be ready for a fight, especially in its harder modes, as this game definitely hits back.
All in all, Resident Evil Resistance and its various concepts certainly show promise. Heck, it can even be an adrenaline rush when things go right. As it is now, however, the lack of content prevents it from reaching its true potential. It’s not dead on arrival like Umbrella Corps was. Unless it gets more fleshed out, however, Resistance is more akin to an ambling zombie that’s holding on to life.
Sometimes, I feel like I was pretty much dragged kicking and screaming into this age of DLC and microtransactions. With its on-point, classic gameplay and plethora of easter eggs and unlockables, Streets of Rage 4 reminds me that you can punch back and maybe throw a Grand Upper or two to reclaim those good old gaming days from before. It’s just a joy to be able to happily walk those familiar streets once again without having to rage about what was once lost. From one old-school gamer, well played Streets of Rage 4 dev team. Well played. Now go and remake Guardian Heroes.
Sakura Wars doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights set by its predecessors but it remains a worthy attempt at not only resurrecting the long-dormant franchise but also modernizing it for a new audience. Despite its flaws, there really are no other games like it, and I think the developers should be commended for releasing a game like this one despite the risk it entails, especially when compared to more popular genres. If the idea of fun interactive storytelling mixed with a nice helping of steampunk and robot hijinks sounds good to you, then Sakura Wars just might blossom into your kind of game.
If you loved the Animal Crossing games of the past, New Horizons will definitely scratch your itch for the series and then some. And if you’ve never played the game before, now is as good a time as any to start. Admittedly, Animal Crossing isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re the type who craves more heart-pumping action. If you want a charming, laid-back game that tickles your creative fancies, however, this latest entry in the Animal Crossing series just might expand your horizons.
Final Fantasy VII Remake does the impossible by not only building on the original but surpassing it in some aspects. Admittedly, it has its fair share of stumbles due to uneven side quests, some shaky dialogue as well as pacing issues. Its excellent presentation and combat, however, combined with a more fleshed-out narrative that shows the developing bonds between its characters, make this a wonderful take on a timeless classic. I can’t wait to see what the series comes up with next.
Persona 5 Royal remains an excellent rendition of the classic 3D JRPG formula and all that entails. If you felt burnt out by the first game, this likely won’t change your opinion. If the original P5 left you wanting more, however, then Royal just might steal your heart again. And if you never got the chance to play the original but love JRPGs, then get this new version for sure. For fans of the genre, this is about as good as it gets.
U.A. High School’s heroes and their villainous rivals return for another round in My Hero Justice 2, complete with a bigger cast that builds on the fun combat of the first game. Unfortunately, the story mode remains bare-bones, which represents a big missed opportunity for a game whose roots lie in storytelling. It’s still a fun anime fighter that’s easy to pick up and enjoy. But it also could have been so much better.