SmashPad's Reviews
This game is really more than the sum of its parts. The overall experience, from the character development, the devastating and mind-reeling revelations that plot throws at you, and even the new bits of content specially made for this game make it worthwhile.
$20 is a good price for the amount of enjoyment there is for Tools Up!, but given its age, you probably would be right to wait for a sale when the discount is more significant.
JRPG fans should know what to expect here. JRPGs are typically a slow-moving grinds, and Bravely Default II is no different. If you’ve never been a fan of the genre, it’s tough to envision this game changing your mind.
There’s not much that’s engaging about The Longing which makes it a hard one to recommend.
A game that is dark, funny, hopeful, depressing, nihilistic, anti-nihilistic, and yet so sincerely earnest that it almost brings a tear to my eyes.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a short but enjoyable and heartfelt experience that anybody looking for a chill game to play should try out.
It Takes Two is the absolute best cooperative experience you’ll find in the medium, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.
The careful integration of culture mostly through writing and basic level design is really what makes the game really special. I’ve been putting off my first Japan trip for years, and now since I can’t travel, Persona 5 Strikers sort of scratches that itch.
Super Mario 3D World is about as close to perfect as you can get with a Mario game, and the fact that it features online multiplayer makes it even better, but what really makes the package worth the $60 is the fact that you have one of the best Mario titles with a new game thrown in.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a real shot in the arm as far as livening up the formula, and while Falcom accomplished the mission of making Ys’ non-combat gameplay more exciting, the setting of Balduq left much to be desired–maybe it’s just me being tired of having to quarantine after doing it virtually all of 2020, but it can’t really feel good for Adol either.
"...if you’re someone that thoroughly enjoyed Ryza’s last adventure, you’ll absolutely love Atelier Ryza 2."
Sackboy: A Big Adventure takes the franchise in a new direction while still maintaining the infectious charm of its predecessors
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is a game that wears many hats, but doesn’t fit any of them quite right
Demon’s Souls is a testament to how maybe old dogs don’t necessarily need to learn new tricks to win best-in-show, but rather how a little grooming can go a long way
Trails of Cold Steel IV is to the Trails series what Avengers: Endgame was for the MCU, and I’m both happy and proud that Falcom had me along for the ride.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is a hardcore game built for a hardcore audience. If you’re in that camp, this might be the game for you
Shing! is definitely not for everyone. Genre purists might want to look elsewhere. However, Shing! is a good time, especially for those who are exclusively interested in the fighting part of a ‘brawler’ and for those who can muster the absence of online co-op.
Much like professional wrestling on TV, if you take it too seriously, you’ll end up disappointed.
The game isn’t bad. Is it a must-play? Definitely not. It’s an epic waste of time that I can easily recommend at a much cheaper price. This kind of game is really for a select cluster of intellectuals that don’t get crabby when it comes to trying new things.
If you’ve never played any of these Mario games, go ahead and take the plunge, but if you’re somebody looking for more, consider voting with your wallet and make Nintendo realize devoted fans deserve more than this. There are other compilation packs of great games with more effort put in for much less than $60.