SmashPad's Reviews
Its shortcomings aside, there’s quite a bit of enjoyment to be had with Quantum Break, thanks to its combat system. Platforming and puzzle-solving are rough around the edges, but if Remedy intends on making this a series, there’s reason to look forward to its future. But for now, especially since it can be beaten in under 10 hours, the game is best experienced during a week’s rental.
As through the motions as combat can feel on easier difficulties, it feels a whole lot more deep if you decide to play on a harder tougher difficulty, and whether you like things simple or you prefer to be challenged, Trek to Yomi remains pretty satisfying. Devolver Digital has another winner.
"...if you don’t mind what often looks like stop motion animation, painful jaggies, and just weird polygonal issues, you’ll find a Pokémon game that’s generationally unrivaled, which is a big statement in its own right."
The bottom line is while Far Cry 6 doesn’t do enough to separate itself from the series, the sheer amount of content alone and the solid narrative make it a worthy purchase.
For the sheer amount of content alone, New Pokémon Snap is well worth the price of admission especially if you already have an idea of what to expect. However, if you’re expecting the game to move the needle as far as real advancements in gameplay over the last 20 years, you’re not going to find that here.
Like The Missing Heir before it, The Girl Who Stands Behind features an enjoyable and thought-provoking story, but its style of gameplay will take some getting used to whether you’re a connoisseur of visual novels or not.
if you’re looking for an entry point into this series, this isn’t it (especially if you hate grinding). But if you’re a fan of the series like me? You’ll still find much to enjoy. Exploding Prinnies never gets old.
Obviously, if visual novels aren’t your thing then you won’t really care.
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.
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."
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.
...if you’re looking for a solid game to scratch that 3D platformer itch, SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated could be it–as long as you consider yourself a patient person that can get over excruciatingly bad load times, otherwise I’d consider waiting for it to drop further in price.
The Double Dragon And Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle is a decent collection that provides a look into a slice of gaming that a lot of people haven’t seen. What it doesn’t do is explain in any way why anyone under forty should care about it. It’s a missed opportunity, one that hopefully Arc might consider taking another shot at with a Volume 2.
Code Shifter as it is now is a flawed but charming game.
What makes the Control’s mishaps so frustrating is the fact that the game is absolutely terrific.
Fire Pro Wrestling World is a whole lot of fun and will definitely appeal to hardcore wrestling fans looking for a video game to satiate the craving of a WWE alternative.
Super Mario Party isn’t quite in the class of Mario Party 2, but it’s definitely a return to form for the series and should be a joy to play for any newcomer or fan of the long-running series.
If you’re on the fence about grabbing Madden 19 and you haven’t touched a Madden in a while, it’s an easy recommendation.
While the story mode was completely disappointing considering it was one of the more unique aspects in the game, the fact that the actual tennis is so deep more than makes up for that mishap.