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Since the initial release of the game, two features have been added to Hyper Light Drifter. Shortly after release, a drop in, drop out local co-op mode was added, alleviating some of the difficulty issues for players with helpful friends. Even more helpful for players who found the game too tough is the more recently added Newcomer mode which disables some achievements but gives players more health and ammo at the start of the game.
None of those massive shifts in the landscape of AAA shooters would have happened without Titanfall, and it’s truly groundbreaking gameplay innovations. Titanfall 2 continues this trend of innovation by featuring a character focused single player campaign in a genre obsessed with over-the-top action,and by making really smart additions to multiplayer gameplay.
From what I understand, it’s been a difficult journey for Dopterra, starting from their Kickstarter campaign, beginning in 2014 to being released on Halloween 2016, but you can see the love and passion the developers have put into Creepy Castle. It has a compelling story, charm and humor with a sinister undertone, throw back aesthetics, a memorable soundtrack (composed by Marius Schneider), and a fun and unique battle system.
I walk away from One Night Stand the game the way one–sometimes–leaves a one night stand in real life. Part of me wants more, but I have no idea what that would even be. And, in the end, I’m just content with having had the experience.
Casting all of the positives aside, however, Gurumin 3D suffers from near game breaking technical issues — including the eye-bogging 3D function that nearly defeats its own purpose. The story of Parin is probably better played on Steam or, if you still have it handy, your PSP. While the whole experience is present and able to be enjoyed, the disastrous technical issues severely harm this port.
Overall, Inklings is a really charming, fairly small and challenging Lemmings style puzzle game. While the game has a lot of style and is a lot of fun it doesn’t really add too much of substance on the gameplay front.
Conception II isn’t ground-breaking with what it brings to the JRPG table. You will certainly find more polished turned-based games out there, but if you are looking for something in the same vein as the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei games that you can complete quickly, then Conception II could be an option to fill the time.
Sunless Sea far surpassed any expectations I had laid out prior. The rich lore and exposition of its game play and narrative intertwine with its massive map to create a powerful web of content. To add to that, the method in which the game is structured allows the player to experience hours of content; and this isn’t your random claim of ‘at least thirty hours of gameplay!’
In conclusion, Gearbox’s attempt at a little bit of fan service is acceptable. Retro shooter enthusiasts will relive their glory days in the World Tour edition of Duke Nukem 3D, and the curious will probably come away with a positive experience.
On the whole, I would recommend Seasons After Fall to anyone looking for another pretty indie platformer. Seasons After Fall certainly holds its own (minus the glitches) against other favorites within the genre, but doesn’t do enough to truly surpass its counterparts. Still, it can be quite calming and engaging for a short period of time and is certainly worth the playthrough for anyone looking for a new platformer.
Forza Horizon 3 isn’t just the best open-world racer I’ve ever played, it’s on the best racing games I’ve ever played, period.
Tempest is a sure-handed, extensive and bold addition to an already remarkable game. Not content with simply adding a little garnish to the meal, Amplitude have re-written the menu.
Mafia III is the type of game that fuels arguments about the lack of artistry and innovation found in today's AAA titles. It's plenty competent, with lots of content and functional game mechanics, but it's safe and repetitive and often feels like it's just going through the motions.
As a game, Zenith functions just enough to play. Its sloppy controls and buggy mechanics coupled with its sound issues and childish dialogue leave what little hope the story had to offer lost.
Event [0] leaves you wanting more. It makes you wish for a bigger ship, for a more robust chat feature, and for a few more puzzles. Obviously that means the game is doing something right, but it also feels incomplete. That said, Event [0] is a commendable experience, because it ventures into a new and exciting place.
With its updated visuals matching the majority of aesthetically pleasing RPGs on the 3DS (its style heralds Dragon Warrior), Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past gives fans the RPG experience they’ve been searching for while baptizing newer gamers into the Dragon Quest/Warrior family.
Miaou Moon is not a terrible game. It’s a cute, silly game about a bouncing, guffing space cat with some fun aspects and gameplay. Both the developers are very active on steam and itch, releasing new updates and improving the game.
Okhlos is a comical and chaotic game with dashes of strategy, but it is mostly just complete madness and obliteration. It gives you a wild rush of excitement but can get a tad repetitive.
Any and all gripes related to RIVE are minor, and none should obscure the fact that it’s a solid game filled to the brim with high-impact action. The game’s high points are thrilling enough to melt its flaws into a glowing hunk of molten metal. It’s a great little reference to the arcade shooters of yesteryear, recalling what was great about those games while firmly establishing an identity of its own. RIVE is not a game to miss.
But it would be remiss to end on a negative for this review of a very, very special game. Wheels of Aurelia is a narrative triumph, with dialogue that has more to say than the vast majority of games would ever dare.