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Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a game you can check off your list in a manageable timeframe, a nod to the simpler times of gaming. It’s a reminder that sometimes, you don’t need vast open worlds or endless quests to have a blast.
Featuring a visually appealing graphical overhaul and the addition of extra modes to enjoy, there’s absolutely no reason why any farmer worth their salt should overlook Rune Factory 3 Special. The latest installment in the Rune Factory franchise may be a re-release of a 13-year-old game, but don’t let that stop you from diving into this cornucopia of fun.
There are times Hammerwatch II can be a lot of fun. Exploring massive dungeons and taking down hordes of enemies is usually a good time, and Hammerwatch II captures that, at least if you pick one of the right classes. I can see a group of friends with a well-balanced party having an excellent time with it, and that’s really who these games are for, first and foremost. Ultimately though, Hammerwatch II makes too many poor design choices for me to recommend it to most players. There’s a good game in here somewhere, but it’s buried under too many flaws.
Warstride Challenges is a symphony. It borrows notes from many beloved titles, yet crafts its own tune. It made me feel badass, nostalgic, frustrated, and triumphant, sometimes all within the span of a single stage. With its blend of familiar mechanics and innovative challenges, it’s hard not to get addicted. Though it might feel daunting for FPS novices, for those who thrive on challenges and quick reflexes, this is a must-play. I walked away, hand cramps and all, with a sense of satisfaction and an itch to dive back in. For its maiden voyage, Dream Powered Games has crafted a compelling and adrenaline-fueled experience. Whether you’re here to race, shoot, or both, Warstride Challenges awaits.
Red Dead Redemption on Switch is a mostly fine port of a great game. If you’ve been dying to replay it or haven’t checked it out before, you should absolutely do so, but those who have already fully explored the old west won’t find anything new here or much reason to buy it again outside of the handheld factor. For some, though, that will be all the incentive they need.
While only one of the games in Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles is a classic, Rhapsody II alone is reason enough to check this collection out. For those who enjoy the first two games in the series, Rhapsody III serves as a nice enough conclusion to the saga, but it’s really only for the truly hardcore fans of the series. Anyone who enjoys RPGs of its era, though, will find something to like in Rhapsody II which is a true classic that’s now available to a wider audience.
Despite all the slating going on in this review, Goodbye Volcano High is likely to appeal to those who want an uncomplicated and down-to-earth narrative experience. There are glimpses of goodness within Goodbye Volcano High’s grounds, but the bland writing, cliched characters and needlessly protracted scenes don’t do it any favours. The rhythm action sections are swell additions that break up the long-winded cutscenes, but they too are overstuffed with timed button press prompts, as they end up feeling too hectic for their own good. Goodbye Volcano High overstays its welcome in spite of its 5-hour length, lumbering along without any significant drama until the climax approaches, so it’s questionable whether you’d stay the course or find something more dramatic to satiate your appetite for good videogame yarns. If this is indeed goodbye to Volcano High, then its demise will shed only a shrug of disappointment.
All that being said, Trine 5 is still a fine old time for puzzle platformer fans, even if it does feel like a series that needs to evolve going forward. Its reliably refined puzzle platforming combination can still be a joy to get lost in, and that eureka moment when you finally stumble across a neat way in which to combine the abilities of its roster never fails to delight. Fans who just want more Trine will feel right at home with Trine 5, and if the goal of Frozenbyte was to continue to appease the core fanbase with another solid entry, then I think they’ve successfully achieved that.
Starfield isn’t a perfect game. No game is. That said, for a game to have this much ambition and actually pull off almost everything it set out to accomplish is a remarkable achievement. I haven’t even talked about some of the game’s most interesting elements, such as how it approaches New Game+, which I can’t wait for more players to see. Starfield is a triumph that I’m confident players will be exploring for years to come, not only because it will remain incredibly compelling but because it will take that long to see anywhere near everything it has to offer.
If you were looking for the perfect excuse to dive back into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, look no further than Dimension Shellshock. With an addicting new game mode that will test your ninja skills, two new unique and exciting characters to master, and the chance to control the Lord of Kitchen Utensils himself, it’s a must-play update to an already stellar title.
Despite its solid upgrade system and the introduction of a few interesting ideas, like the Frost Grip and enemies that can be resurrected or supercharged by the anomaly, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle’s severe lack of polish and unbelievably frustrating combat execution hold it back from ever realizing its full potential. And, more often than not, make for a game that feels like it’s constantly working against the player’s enjoyment. With a few patches to iron out some of its more glaring kinks, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle could have been a solid survival horror title to snag at a discount. However, at least in its current state, this one’s impossible to recommend to all but the most desperate fans of the genre
As is, En Garde! doesn’t overstay its welcome, and its strong combat will carry players through its rather short playtime. While the rest of the game isn’t as compelling, and the characters and story, while fine, feel like a missed opportunity, I still enjoyed my time with it. A more fleshed-out sequel, however, could be something truly special.
Sure, it could be argued that in its opening hours, Sea of Stars doesn’t put its best foot forward, but when what follows an admittedly slow start is such a joyous experience, that’s nothing only a small blemish on an otherwise impeccable product that is easily forgiven. I’ve played a lot of retro-inspired RPGs over the past few years, and while I’ve enjoyed many, rarely have I come away with the opinion that they can hold a candle to their inspirations. Sea of Stars, on the other hand, not only manages to confidently stand shoulder to shoulder with the greats, but in many ways, improves on them to create an unmissable JRPG experience.
Samba de Amigo: Party Central is an easy sell for Samba De Amigo fans, but it’s also a must-buy for anyone who enjoys rhythm games. It’s got that fast-paced quirky gameplay to keep novelty-seekers on their toes with a tracklist that pretty much anyone will find familiar. Its single-player campaign is challenging while its multiplayer mode amuses — especially that World Party mode where the last monkey standing takes all. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the franchise or testing out your maracas for the first time, Samba de Amigo: Party Central will keep you shaking for hours.
As a fan of the Shantae games, I was delighted to play this sports-themed adventure by the same team. It’s not perfect, featuring some occasionally irritating controls and hard-to-read instructions. But with a bit of patience, you’ll find a solid adventure that reminds you not just why WayForward is such a great company, but why the Game Boy Color was such a classic system. If you’re at all a fan of retro or just want to play a simple and fun collection of mini-games, I’d definitely check Xtreme Sports out.
Hellfire is an incredibly engaging SHMUP with a unique weapon system, exciting environments to traverse, and plenty of challenge. Its fantastic soundtrack and interesting look make it a memorable experience that I would encourage any fan of the genre to check out. Just be prepared to die. A lot.
Fire Shark is still a ton of fun, and when you’re fully powered up with your weapon of choice and blasting through some of the game’s difficult bosses, it can feel like a fantastic example of the genre. The highs here are indeed high. However, certain design choices don’t work for me, and I came away from Fire Shark actually preferring its predecessor. While it may not be able to match Fire Shark’s best moments, it offers a more consistently fun experience from start to finish. That said, if you want a truly great challenge then make sure to check Fire Shark out.
Flying Shark may not be a classic that stands the test of time as a must-play, but it’s still a lot of fun in 2023. Genre fans will find a simple but well-designed SHMUP, which is still a lot of fun to play, while those who are newer to the genre will find an excellent starting point that does a good job of representing what the genre has to offer while not overwhelming them right out of the gate. This balance makes it worth checking out.
Slap Fight has some interesting ideas with its ship, which gets bigger as you grow stronger, and it’s more complex than average for the time power-up system, which gives you an extra layer to manage. It also has a great look, which stands out from other games in the genre. I just wish that the actual gameplay felt better. With a rather slow pace and a soundtrack that did little to engage me, Slap Fight’s interesting ideas never fully come together into a satisfying package.
Crime O’Clock’s unique spin on the hidden objects game genre is worthy of note and should be praised for its creativity; unfortunately, it delivery gets in the way of an otherwise mechanically fascinating experience. The first couple of levels will interest hidden objects fans, but the last few will lose them entirely. Had Crime O’Clock allowed its story to unfold naturally and ramp the difficulty up gradually, giving players the freedom to explore these full and vibrant worlds on their own, I suspect Crime O’Clock would have received higher marks. Alas, Crime O’Clock instead serves as a reminder that a great concept can be bogged down by itself if not allowed to flourish properly.