GameGrin's Reviews
A by-the-numbers roguelike that may not satisfy someone looking for something innovative in the genre.
Some odd priorities, excruciating pacing, and weak character writing keep this intriguing game from being excellent, even if its gameplay and presentation have received large improvements.
An enjoyable time capsule of a game that can unfortunately feel a bit unfair due to its age combined with some quirky controls. Non-stop retro action with great pixel art and two stunning soundtracks that is worth your time if it's something that appeals.
It's easy to see why Phantom: Covert Ops received the commendations it did at E3 2019, and it's now taken the second spot on my personal recommendation list of must-have VR titles. Here's hoping this isn't the last we've seen in the Phantom line.
There's a core gameplay loop that could have some substance, but it's surrounded by a confused interface, a simply awful tutorial, with surface-level complexity that needn't exist.
Even with its many imperfections, SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated ultimately succeeds as an attempt to spruce up a 17-year old game. It doesn't stand alongside the 3D platforming greats, but it's a fantastic, humour-filled tribute to a beloved show. People less familiar with the yellow sea sponge's exploits will find it harder to overlook the creaky, PlayStation 2-era quirks. It looks better, but that doesn't mean it plays better than it did 17 years ago.
If you want to learn more about the ocean, this would be a great experience for you. If you want a beautiful, relaxed experience about fish, Beyond Blue just about misses the mark on that, unfortunately.
Shantae and the Seven Sirens is easily the best in the series and one of WayForward's most enjoyable video games to date.
An extremely well put together love letter to a classic series of shoot 'em ups. Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade reminds us how brutal games used to be whilst allowing newcomers in gently. A tad expensive but polished to a sheen.
Summer In Mara is a beautiful yet frustrating effort that fails to live up to its massive potential. Despite its masterful storytelling, Chibig fills the game's remaining hours with repetitive fetch quests and an empty world not worth exploring. It makes me sad but for the wrong reasons.
A perfectly serviceable if underwhelming remaster that brings the Vita game to the PS4. A fine RPG that will keep you entertained but it's definitely not the best the Ys series has to offer. A bit of a missed opportunity.
Project Warlock wears its 90s first-person shooter influence on its sleeve. It's fast, violent and perfectly paced—a must play, whether you harbour fond memories of its inspiration or not. Besides some minor setbacks caused by level design quirks, Project Warlock was pure, unadulterated fun from start to finish.
Atomicrops is frenetic, challenging and addicting in the way that all the best roguelike/lites are, with a silly streak that helps give the title its own identity. A lack of content does harm the game's longevity.
A thoughtful update to a classic JRPG that brings it to a whole new audience. With a shiny lick of paint and some fantastic interface changes it's the best way to experience Shulk, Fiora and Reyn's epic adventure.
Despite its repetitive call cycle and crowded map, 112 Operator is a stressful yet enjoyable simulation/strategy game that truly shows the hardships of working as an emergency service operator. Plus, it helped bring closure to a childhood event that I didn't know I needed.
The Wonderful 101 isn't just a unique spin on the action genre, it's a title that oozes with enthusiasm in a way that very few games do, and although the remaster doesn't do quite enough to alleviate the daunting learning curve, it's one that action fans have no excuse to skip.
The platforming is dull, the puzzles are insultingly simple or totally unexplained and the game lacks enough character to be memorable or stand on its own. Unless you're really desperate, I would suggest you look elsewhere.
Fairy Knights is a poor excuse for a puzzle RPG, and a bad mobile port to boot. Even if you were interested in this game for whatever reason, the mobile version costs half as much and is near identical. This Switch release does nothing to justify its price increase, and the game as a whole is just not fun.
With more in the game than the concept might suggest, this is a fun to play title and exceeded my initial expectations of how the game would be. It's a little short and I would have liked more of it, but this is definitely worth picking up.
In the gameplay department, Cloudpunk simulates the boredom of a minimum wage job a little too well. Looking back, I'm happy to have played Cloudpunk, but I never want to sit through it again.