Rice Digital
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While Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA doesn't reinvent the wheel, it most certainly improves absolutely everything it can over its already excellent predecessors. It hits the nail on the head with just about everything it does, from the stellar combat to the almost Metroidvania world structure to the actual feeling of exploring a mysterious island inhabited by feral creatures. This is one of the few rare cases where the game's narrative is closely tied to its gameplay, making for something truly refreshing. If you have never played a Ys game before this is the perfect place to start, while longtime fans are sure to be more than thrilled with this latest adventure.
It's rare a game touches me in the way that Highway Blossoms has.
Fans won't want to miss it.
All around, The Shadows of Pygmalion is an excellent visual novel. Its strong production values and unique eerie story makes this a game that will keep you hooked as you slowly unravel the mystery. The interesting characters slowly grow on you making for a captivating drama, while the action-packed scenes serve as a perfect break of pace.
The way Kiwami weaves itself into a symbiotic relationship with 0 enhances the pair as a sequential experience.
Moero Chronicle is an addictive game which revels in its sexual appeal, and its core gameplay mechanics are solid. It's a game that clearly won't be to everyone's liking but there's a lot of fun to be had.
Every new cog in Sonic Mania looks right at home next to the old ones.
Is Bullet Soul Infinite Burst worth it over the vanilla version of the game that was released back in April? I say yes especially for the affordable asking price and given that Burst Mode is really fun to play with and considering the additional overhaul of Normal and Caravan modes. Newcomers to the series are also welcome to grab their copy as this is basically the definitive version of the game.
Having the upcoming sequel hanging over it doesn't do Mask of Deception any favours.
Episode Prompto is a mess of ideas that almost hit home.
Fallen Legion is a blast to play and its combat system falls among the best out there.
The definitive way to play Final Fantasy XII.
An enjoyable, engrossing adventure in two of my favourite worlds.
Ultra Despair Girls becomes a more enjoyable and more manageable experience on PS4.
If you're into Final Fantasy XIV, you're definitely going to want Stormblood, but it's not for everyone just yet.
With all its technical issues aside, Princess Maker 3: Fairy Tales Come True is still a blast to play. Getting to finally hear what your daughter likes and dislikes makes for a far more natural system. The streamlined scheduling prevents things from becoming too slow, while the adorable isometric pixel art breaths a whole new life to the world. And while it doesn't bring back every cool element from its predecessors it brings enough new things to the table to make this installment feel fresh. Still, it might be wise to wait until the game is patched to fully enjoy this classic.
If this change is what can breathe life into a stagnant series once again then I'm all for it.
If you are in search for the next evolution in SRPGs you won't find it here. What you will find is a perfectly enjoyable title that, while not without its faults, manages to tick all the right boxes. It has a unique story, likable characters, decent combat and just enough depth with its class system to keep it all enjoyable.
Since the Switch's launch, Nintendo has been showering us with an excellent new game every month and ARMS is no exception. Its tactical but accessible gameplay offers something for both the players seeking a challenge and those just looking for a bit of fun with friends. The plentiful online modes and equally impressive offline multiplayer mean this is one game you will be coming back to for a very long time. Now just don't forget to bring us LEGS Nintendo.
While it's definitely atypical for the series, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a polished masterpiece, and an absolute joy. Not only do I hope to see other earlier Fire Emblem titles given the same loving remake treatment, but I'd love to see some of the fine-tuning carry over into the next brand new title too.