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Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions! Is a fun arcade game that’s really easy to play. This probably isn’t the game that die-hard boxing fans have been waiting for but being able to play as characters from across different generations of the franchise has its obvious appeal. Fans of the films will enjoy unlocking all the characters for the chance to play their friends in versus mode during an afternoon session of gaming but without online mode, I don’t see it going beyond that.
No More Heroes 3 is a sensational return to the garden of madness, the vast improvements made from the last two games are really astonishing and worth the ten-year wait. It does suffer from slight performances issues when undocked but that is not a deal-breaker. Suda51 has done an amazing job at crafting Travis's best adventure yet, the only thing we want to know is "when will No More Heroes 4 is coming out?"
There’s a lot of depth packed into its relatively short gameplay time which can be completed in a few hours. But fans will enjoy their time spent in Wakanda which is highly engaging and sets a promising precedent for what could come in the future from Crystal Dynamic.
It has all the makings of a great fighter but just feels slightly sluggish in several areas. Although this is a nice first step in what could be a promising series from developers nWay and I look forward to what they do next with this franchise.
My only issue was that there wasn’t much consistency with the difficulty throughout, some levels and enemies were weak, then others would be really powerful in the next room. But in the end, this will just allow players to improve their strategies a lot faster. Also, the lack of co-op is a huge missed opportunity for this title. Greak: Memories of Azur is definitely one of the standout titles this year and shouldn’t be missed.
Shadowverse: Champion's Battle is a meaty game with so many layers to it, the game does a good job at getting new players accustomed but there's quite a bit to learn.
Dodgeball Academia is a real gem that could easily have gone down the dark road filled with anime and gameplay tropes. But it manages to stand out from the rest with its witty writing and a fantastic battle system that was just a great experience from start to finish.
Samurai Warriors 5 is a fun addition to the Warrior franchise, its rebooted story mode and re-imagined visuals feel fresh making this a great entry point for newcomers. However, for fans who have been playing these games since the first one, it will feel like the same hack and slash affair as before. Nonetheless, the new emphasis on character development is its saving grace by giving the players more to think about. Overall it’s still a solid Musou game that could be the starting point of a cool new direction for the series.
NEO: The World Ends With You is a great sequel that builds on the successful foundations of its predecessor. Fans of the original will relish this title, as it’s really worth the wait and helps to finally answer many questions left over for the last game. There is a great mix of combat and puzzles that will keep players on their toes. Saying that the overworld is very limited with next to no chances to explore Shibuya in its entirety.
The battle system is very intuitive and keeps gameplay from becoming too repetitive. The few issues like the constant loading screens and lack of autosave may frustrate players as it's a very long game. However these aren't deal breakers as Cris Tales is a wonderfully crafted game that strives to give the player a unique experience.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an addictive action RPG the fans of the series will relish. It doesn't quite hit the highs of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, but the slight change in approach is fully welcome and I'm looking forward to where Adol's adventure takes him next. The Nintendo Switch version is filled with performance issues that really hinder the experience, however, the game is incredibly fun and fans of the genre should still pick this up.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a masterclass in how to do a remaster. Nintendo has really gone out on a limb to improve the games overall performance and it really shows. The extra little quality of life additions will make this game more accessible for a lot more gamers. This title is a must-have and will keep fans occupied until Breath of the Wild 2 arrives.
With the raft of new features, the addition of Braking Point, vast customisation options and significant gameplay tweaks, F1 2021 is the most complete official Formula One video game ever made. F1 2021 has something for everyone, whether you're a newcomer to F1 or an avid fan of the sport, it's (almost) as epic as the real thing.
Kazuya is an intriguing addition to the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster, due to the fact that his lacklustre movement makes him somewhat limited. He may have the biggest move list in the game but players will have to be creative in getting them to land. His depth will create some very interesting strategies and having the ability to combine several attacks adds to his close-combat ferocity. He's not an instant pick-up-and-play character, but players who master his combos will cause some serious damage.
The whole adventure is a massive mountain to climb and that's without all the extra content. There are elements within the game that can feel overwhelming, but like other Monster Hunter games, players will only be rewarded by the amount they put into the game. There are some performance issues but that doesn't take away that much from the overall experience. Even though this may not be the Monster Hunter players are familiar with, it's a great game that Capcom has amazingly re-envisioned to bring a new audience.
This may please fans of the series but other than the overhaul in graphics I feel it plays too much like its predecessors. That being said, this is still a great starting point for those wanting to experience the Disgaea franchise or those looking for a solid tactical JRPG.
Scarlet Nexus is all about its combat which Bandai Namco have crafted very well, the sheer level of depth poured into it is amazing. The story will please anime fans, but it's not the most original tale, however, the writing during the character interactions is always entertaining and helps players to engage with each character. Bandai Namco has an excellent new series under their belt that really redefines the genre, especially with its stellar combat mechanics.
Legend of Mana Remaster is a great game that goes against the traditional forms of storytelling to create a unique adventure. With the monster taming and variety within the Land Make system, completing this game is a colossal feat and will require a couple of playthroughs to see everything. The addition of two-player modes makes this a must-have for JRPGs fans and newcomers alike.
Mario Golf: Super Rush is everything you could expect from a Nintendo sports game, with flashy graphics and competitive gameplay. I really enjoyed my time with the game and was deeply impressed with the nice amount of depth built into the Golf Adventure mode.
D&D Dark Alliance really brings the world of Dungeons & Dragons to life, with great monsters, tones of atmosphere and no microtransactions but is tragically held back by bugs and poor AI. The story is serviceable but I expected a little more from a D&D game based on a much-loved book series. Dark Alliance will appeal to D&D fans for its setting and characters and is a lot of fun with friends, especially when you work together to take down a might behemoth however, it feels like is severely lacking polish. If you were expecting a slower-paced, RPG, story-led experience this might not be for you, Dark Alliance is an ambitious, monster-slaying hack and slash but doesn't quite nail the landing.