Reno Gazette-Journal
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Polarized caps off the Life Is Strange saga with powerful storytelling and one of the more, well, polarizing endings seen in a video game. The middle drags on a bit and some gameplay elements aren't quite as dialed in. Then again, the series does such a good job with making you care that the journey becomes quite a compelling one, even if you may not necessarily agree with the final destination.
Ultimately, MH4U certainly won't be for everybody. If your idea of fun action involves the hyper fast gameplay of titles such as Devil May Cry or Bayonetta, MH4U more deliberate pace might feel plodding to you. Every swing in a Monster Hunter game must be done with thought and purpose as well as an exit strategy in mind as being rooted to one spot is a recipe for being hit by a monster attack. Like Mordor, one doesn't simply walk into Monster Hunter and button mash. You need to think about positioning, not tripping your teammates and cancelling attacks via rolling so you can re-position and attack again. It might sound complicated but it really isn't in practice. Just be careful and don't be greedy and you should do fine. The payoff is certainly worth it. For folks who give Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate a chance and jump on it, the game should prove to be a fun and wild ride.
Fire Emblem Fates builds on the strengths of Awakening by serving up three great games while presenting much improved storytelling that's backed by impressive production values. The piecemeal approach to enjoying the full Fates experience for those who miss out on the special edition is unfortunate as it unnecessarily punishes the most loyal fans. For gamers who want more Fire Emblem, however, having not one but three games to play in Birthright, Conquest and Revelation pretty much equates to gaming heaven.
You can go home again after all.
Overall, Majora's Mask 3D does a great job of bringing a beloved title back. The action remains solid and players have a bunch of stuff to do, including several well-designed side quests. If you loved the original or happened to miss it and would like to see what all the fuss is about, Majora's Mask 3D is a classic that stands the test of time. It definitely won't be a terrible fate to play it — in fact, I'd say it would be the opposite.
Fire Emblem Fates builds on the strengths of Awakening by serving up three great games while presenting much improved storytelling that's backed by impressive production values. The piecemeal approach to enjoying the full Fates experience for those who miss out on the special edition is unfortunate as it unnecessarily punishes the most loyal fans. For gamers who want more Fire Emblem, however, having not one but three games to play in Birthright, Conquest and Revelation pretty much equates to gaming heaven.
Still, those are minor gripes for a game that honestly turned out a lot better than I expected. It's nice to play a fighting game on the 3DS where I'm actually concentrating on my strategy instead of ways to make up for non-optimized controls. If you're looking for portable fighting game fix that's highly replayable and enjoyable for young and old alike, I highly recommended Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS. It's arguably the best fighting game on Nintendo's portable console to date and one of the best on any console for that matter.
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.
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.
Resident Evil 7 marks a return to form for the series after the much maligned Resident Evil 6. If you disliked the action of the last few main titles and prefer a more intimate, suspenseful experience, then make sure to eat up on this gory heaping of horror, just like Marguerite Baker tells you to do.
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.
From the red-light district of Kamurocho to the streets of Sotenbori, Yakuza 0 serves up a compelling open-world adventure with lots of action and oodles of content to keep both series vets and newcomers entertained. Add an intriguing story filled with underworld politics, good character interactions and a high level of polish and you’ve got what’s arguably the best entry in the excellent Yakuza series to date.
"Nier: Automata" features a mishmash of gaming mechanics that surprisingly works. Whether it be "shmup" shooting, 3D action fighting or even open-world adventuring, everything in the game comes together fluidly like a three-cheese dip. The art style won't be for everyone and it can get fetchy at points. For fans of Japanese action and RPGs in their various forms, however, this is one treat worth imbibing in.
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.
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.
Splatoon 2 returns with all the charm and quirkiness of the original plus some new features that make it an even more polished experience. Difficulty for the story mode bosses leans a bit on the easier side and the online experience has some minor hiccups. An engaging campaign that harkens to old-school action games as well as full-fledged online multiplayer that now adds horde mode, however, makes Splatoon 2 avoid the dreaded sophomore slump by serving up an even fresher experience in the shooting genre.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus serves up one of the best single-player shooting experiences for any console generation, thanks to an excellent mix of storytelling, gameplay and world design. The violence might be a bit too much for some and its take on difficult topics such as prejudice and racism might make some folks uncomfortable. At a time when loot boxes and microtransactions are increasingly intruding into the industry, however, The New Colossus proves that developers don't have to sell their souls to create a compelling game.
Overall, I loved my time with No No Kuni 2, thanks to its wonderful character designs, charming story and enjoyable game mechanics. The narrative isn't quite as chunky as the first game, which can be a good thing or bad thing depending on whether you like long expositions or want some more balance between story and gameplay. Some plot points also admittedly feel a bit hurried and Evan can sound unrealistically Pollyanna-ish at times. Likable characters, a plethora of side activities, fun combat and solid storytelling, however, make Ni No Kuni 2 a must-have game for folks who pine for the Golden Age of classic JRPGs. It's the perfect chaser after Persona 5.
I waited 13 long years to finally play Shadow of the Colossus. All I can say is, boy, was it worth the wait. It's undoubtedly a timeless classic that resonates even today.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a stellar fighting game that not only gets the job done but does it really well. With its faithfully impressive visuals and easy to pick up yet still surprisingly deep fighting mechanics, Dragon Ball FighterZ is is no mere cash grab that layers on the fanservice and then calls it a day. This is the Dragon Ball game longtime series fans have been waiting decades for and, boy, am I glad to be around to finally see it.