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Ultimately, Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is an enjoyable experience if you’re just looking to jump into a gorgeous looking game and do some exploration and crafting mechanics. I feel that this game would appeal to fans of the Harvest Moon, Story of Seasons, and Stardew Valley games without a doubt. Even though it had an overly complicated crafting and trade system, and no combat at all, the exploration tied to being on this mysterious island and the beautiful art style and graphics used are reason enough to give this game a look.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is a brilliant addition to the latest remasters that Square Enix has been pumping out, and has satisfied my thirst this year for more Final Fantasy adventures after finishing XV last year.
Collar x Malice is one we at Level Down Games will highly recommend and be adding onto one of out top favorite visual novels. The story, gameplay, art style, love interest, and a fresh take on how a visual novel should be… this is one I will always recommend to my friends and family who are looking for a new game to play. If you decide to play this game for yourself you will not be disappointed.
Akiba’s Beat is a strong entry in the series, and one that I absolutely prefer over the previous ones. It’s a shame that the game received such poor critical reception, because I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an addicting battle system, fun and engaging story, and interesting characters. There are some negatives that can’t be ignored though, such as the amount of backtracking required, the times when the story just falls flat and isn’t as interesting as other portions, and not streamlining other features. All of that aside though, I still found enough enjoyable with Akiba’s Beat, and hopefully the series will continue on and continue to get even better!
Ever Oasis is all about trying to be as happy as possible and making a happy place for others to live. This is definitely a cute game and it's refreshing to be able to sit down and really enjoy a game with only minor things you would change. Between the peaceful music as you walk around the Oasis and the cute penguins who purchase items from the town, it is sweet and nice. Battles, puzzles, quest. This game offers so many great features it's hard not to enjoy.
The game fell flat at times and I wish they would’ve spent more time on the characters all together to help make the story a little better. With all the flaws present, you could still find yourself enjoying a game that others may question because of the slow yet fast paced of everything and the way it doesn’t really tell you where to go exactly. You’re forced to just explore every single section of the area you’re in to get to the next point in the game. All in all, The Caligula Effect is a fun game but it could’ve been better.
What Remains of Edith Finch will keep calling back to you after you’ve finished it, and in a way, you’ll want to return to get a better understanding for the story after you know the what and why things happened. My only complaint is that the game was literally over almost as quick as it began. You don’t get to enjoy the individual room sequences as much as I would have liked, because they end within minutes. Either way though, this is an excellent title, and I encourage you to check it out.
Valkyria Revolution is going to get a significant amount of hate from the roleplaying game community. Is it justified? I actually don't think so. Even though the battle system is such a radical change from the original games, the graphics are hit or miss in certain areas, and the cutscenes can be down right brutal and quite lengthy, there's still a lot to enjoy. An impressive cast of characters and interesting story, beautiful accompanying soundtrack, fun sphere grid leveling system, and a different take on the battle system more in line with action RPG's. Yes, I purposefully included the battle system in both the positive and negative category. People like myself are going to enjoy it for what it is. Others are going to downright hate it. Revolution pulls back and forth on many different strings, but because of the inconsistency, it's hard to recommend the title to anyone but the diehard fan base and those who already made up their mind on a purchase. I would implore you to try this game for yourself. You may just find that you're like me, after all.
Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls is a great addition to an already strong franchise with a fan base that is eager for more. Even though this is a port from the PlayStation Vita, it's still worth picking up if you skipped over it the first time. If you already own it, you're better off waiting for Danganronpa V3 when it arrives later this year, as nothing new has been added to the game. Either way, this is a must-own for fans of the franchise, and is a strong addition to anyone's library looking for a fun exploration and shooting game with an insane story and fantastic cast of characters. Just do yourself a favor and play at least the original game first. You'll have a much better appreciation for it if you do!
Trails in the Sky the 3rd is a bittersweet release that fans have been crying out for ever since completing the first two games. XSEED has delivered on a promise that many thought wouldn't be able to happen. A great send-off to a trilogy that introduced a ton of people to the franchise. Just be aware that a majority of the game takes place in one location. This is a must-play for anyone that has invested time in the first two games. Anyone else, I encourage you to hold off until after playing through the original two.
Wipeout Omega Collection is a great entry point if you've never played through a game in the franchise before. Wipeout 2048 is the true standout from the collection, with HD and Fury definitely showing a bit of their age. It's sad that nothing new was included in this package, as fans of the series have been eagerly awaiting what's coming next. However, those looking for a true Wipeout experience need look no further. While not as impressive as a brand new title would be using all of today's technology, this is still a great collection to own nonetheless.
Nex Machina is a gem, and one that deserves to be experienced and enjoyed by as many gamers as possible. I highly recommend this to anyone, but especially fans of twin-stick shooters and those that have been following Housemarque for years. This is definitely some of the most pure fun I've had with gaming this year, and that's saying a lot!
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 has several issues, and because of this, it's hard to recommend anyone to actually go out and play through the game. If you enjoyed the first two games in the franchise, there's a good chance you'll find enjoyment out of this title as well. But for those that are just looking for another first-person shooter to hold them over until the fall, I'd strongly suggest waiting the extra couple months.
Dark Rose Valkyrie is a great addition to the JRPG fans' library on PlayStation 4. While this game certainly isn't going to be for everyone, it is going to appeal to the diehards who are itching for more Compile Heart games, those looking for a deep system with their next roleplaying game, or anyone looking for a unique mechanic with the traitor and interview system. Playing through Dark Rose Valkyrie has made me extremely excited for Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online when it releases in the west this winter.
Mass Effect: Andromeda severely disappointed me with the way the game performed even down to basic things, and I have to reflect that in my final score. I have high hopes for the next installment in the Dragon Age franchise, and I honestly hope this game does not spell the end for Mass Effect. There's clearly another trilogy worth of content here. Please do not abandon ship.
Injustice 2 doesn't really deviate from the formula it has already established. Offering a fighting system that fans have come to know and love, a deep gear and unlocking system to keep pulling people back, and the ever popular online modes, this is a game that is going to see a lot of action out of fans until the next big thing comes along.
The level of creativity that exists within Prey is reason enough to give this one a chance. Veterans of other titles from Arkane Studios will instantly feel right at home, and that's a good feeling. There were a few hiccups along the way, such as game freezing and enemies glitching out, but other than that, it held up well. Offering a style perfected with the Dishonored series and a difficulty that does not mess around, Prey will keep you busy for hours on end.
Disgaea 5 Complete marks the return of the series to Nintendo consoles, and it feels like it never left. If Sony doesn't produce handhelds going forward, it's nice to know that the franchise will always have a home on future Nintendo systems. With all of the DLC included for free and the complete package that was offered on the PS4, if you have yet to experience this game, now is the perfect time to jump in!
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is an amazing game and after playing it I understand why it got so much praise over seas. It was funny, exciting, charming, and so much more. I cannot wait for the second part to come here. If you are looking for a game that has a great sense of humor and amazing gameplay all throughout this is the one I would recommend. It is also one of those games that I had a hard time even trying to find a flaw with. It was great being able to have a refreshing experience that you were able to just sit back and really enjoy everything it offered without being overwhelmed or feel like there's just so much to do and so little time. By far one of the better games I have played so far this year.
Fans of the series will find a lot to love in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, and if the over complicated nature of the series acted as a deterrent to you before then there has never been a better entry to jump in on. Intelligent Systems takes a good game and adds an insane amount of polish.