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Overall, Luna falls into the trap a lot of experience games do. It looks amazing and has some cool features, such as VR, there just isn't much beyond the gimmicks. When you figure the adventure is about an hour, most of the gameplay is clicking things and it follows the same pattern throughout, it just doesn't have anything else to attract players. This doesn't mean you won't enjoy Luna, the look and feel, combined with just tending a garden might be enough for some, it's just not a title that will have much for anyone beyond that small niche.
There is a lot to like about The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr. Returning players have a myriad of things to do, with existing players having just as much and a trial to look forward to. Even if the Necromancer class is not the straight pet class some players were hoping, it's fun in its own way and offers further variety during set up or push a more offensive line up. Toss in a fresh location and dragons to overcome and it's a nice step forward.
While I could see this review of Dragon Star Varnir coming off as overly critical, I'd say it's more safe than anything else. There is nothing wrong with following a commonly used story, sticking to what you've done in the past and trying your best to make each experience a little different. I don't know if I'd say Dragon Star Varnir will stand out besides the lovely character designs, but it's a game that, if nothing else, fans of their previous work will likely enjoy.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II manages to hit both the best and worst parts of JRPGs. Where gameplay and visuals feel dated, even when it was brand new, it's hard to argue with the story. It's deep, engrossing and all about giving players a reason to invest in an otherwise okay adventure. For some this won't be enough, but if you can put up with an average gameplay experience, you'll be rewarded with story that more than makes up for it.
Blades of Time feels less like a loving remaster that we can now take on the go and more like a last chance at redemption. With frustrating elements, dated idea and less depth than a current Dynasty Warrior title, it's hard to understand who this remaster is for.
Overall, I found Layers of Fear 2 to be a mixed bag for me. While I do enjoy the puzzle solving, the majority of the game is too slow and uneventful to really make a huge impression on me. Sure it was fun playing the game more than once to unlock all of the endings, but I don't think this game is worth all of the effort.
It's quite possible Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth will be the final major release on the Nintendo 3DS and it's a solid send off. Fans of the franchise should be use to the exposition heavy dialogue sequences and the story takes a bit to get good, but once it gets there it's fun. Sure, making your own map isn't the best mechanic and dungeon crawlers are not the most fascinating experiences around, though Persona has more than enough charm to overcome these shortcomings. So, unless you want another bland and generic RPG, it's hard to say no to Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth.
Overall, Blood and Truth is amazing. I enjoyed it greatly and something I'll be playing for the foreseeable future. There were multiple times I forgot it was just a game, and where I actually cared for Ryan's family as though they were my own. The soundtrack was one of the better ones as of late, and gives me a reason to push grime on my friends and family by making them play the game. If you have a PSVR, this game is a must play.
Unruly Heroes has a lot of charm and is certainly fun enough to give it the time of day. Sure, the story is nothing new and the gameplay isn't going to turn heads but every game doesn't need to stand out in every way to be fun or entertaining. With a lovely art style and solid combat, it's easy to see the value if you enjoy platformers or games with simple combat systems.
To date, Resident Evil 4 remains one of the best titles in the franchise, with the Switch version being even better. Despite not being the best looking version of the game, the ability to play it on the go is a massive plus. Sure, the lack of gyro controls is a shame but it doesn't detract from an amazing series. That being said, returning fans really have no reason to return to it, as it's the same game as before.
Team Sonic Racing is ultimately a double edge sword. The concept is cool and the mechanics are there, it just won’t appeal to everyone. It’s hard to win a race and still lose, just like it’s a lot of fun to not have a last second mistake take away an obvious victory. If anything, it just changes where the source of frustration is. I wouldn’t say this is enough to ruin the experience, just that it’s less of a fix and more of a different experience.
If you’re not looking for a deep adventure, engrossing RPG mechanics or foes that test your builds limit, then this is a fantastic choice. Otherwise, you might be a little underwhelmed, though I’d argue there is still more than enough to get your moneys worth.
Atelier Lulua ~The Scion of Arland~ is a delightful return to the Arland series. Even if it isn't terribly different from previous titles, the story is fun enough to keep players interested. Add in some delightful visuals, cute girls and wholesome fun, it's easy to see why the series has been around for so long. Plus, limiting the time mechanics might take away from one of the series core features, it allows players to take in the adventure, while still being aware of the time it takes them to complete this or that. So, if you want a cute RPG that has a nice message, you really can't go wrong with this one.
The long and short of Bubsy: Paws on Fire! Is that it's a running game that isn't particularly difficult, doesn't really stress scores and feels rather hollow. Sure, it's fun and if you like repetitive tasks that reward you for slight improvements, it will certainly shine, otherwise it's just a bland game that is as forgettable as any of the other sequels. Add in a lack of online play or even interesting costumes and it's ultimately a game that coasts on whatever fame Bubsy has and is only really redeemed by having a platinum/variety of achievements that are not particularly hard or engaging to obtain.
Despite technical limitations, including subpar frame rates, glitches that were present in the original, and weak performance while docked, Saints Row: The Third – The Full Package remains one of the best open-world games on Switch. This makes it, like always, a solid choice for newcomers or those who want to explore a world on the go, assuming you can overlook the shortcomings.
It's important to understand A Plague Tale: Innocence is more story driven than anything else. It doesn't matter if there are some rough patches here or there could be a little more polish there, as it's largely about Amicia and Hugo's journey. When you start to see, not just in words, but how the two interact between scenes, you can start to see how the two develop. It makes for a thrilling ride, even if the opposition can be quite terrifying. Combine that with puzzles and it's a solid adventure for fans of story driven or strategic titles.
Life is Strange: Episode 3: Wastelands is going to ultimately appeal to long standing fans. Instead of worrying about narrative or pushing the brothers closer to Mexico, it's more about the characters and their lives. This allows some of the characters, namely Daniel, get a moment to explain their feelings though it doesn't do much for the overall experience. Given the path thus far, I don't know if it will be satisfying or if they'll make the most of the supernatural elements but at least the characters are strong enough to endure the storm.
With such an amazingly thought up location of the Helios, Close to the Sun is an adventure full of atmosphere, tension and a surprisingly lack of people. The puzzle elements never felt out of reach but had an element of thinking to them.
The main appeal of Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is going to be for newcomers and Switch owners looking to play on the go. In addition to Zodiac Age being the definitive experience, one that includes several additions that improve the overall experience, it even results in a more satisfying experience. Unfortunately, despite some steps forward, it doesn't stop this remaster from having muddy visuals when on the go. That being said, it really is a must have for JRPG fans and worth the cost.
The best way to describe Days Gone is good but not great. There is arguably nothing that hits a point where you absolutely must see it, something Horizon, God of War and a few other exclusives have, leading to a mixed reaction. Even if I come off rather critical of a number of elements, it's the type of game where I might not tell people it's a can't miss experience, though it never hits the point where I'd actively discourage anyone from bothering. So, if you're okay with a good game that has hints of something better or simply enjoy the genre, give it a go.