viewport's Reviews
Although Octopath Traveler has its flaws, primarily in the story department, it’s a game that is greater than the sum of its parts. The presentation of the game is extraordinary, the characters are likable, and the combat is addicting. If you are someone who is looking for a deep and engaging story, then this is not the game for you. But if you are a player that loves JRPGs that is looking for something a little different, this game won’t disappoint.
A fantastic co-op game, Overcooked 2 is an easy recommendation for those looking for a game to play with friends and family. The pacing, mechanics that encourage cooperative behaviour, the addition of a much-needed arcade mode, and accessibility all make for a decidedly fun game. The lack of variety in the arcade and versus' mode stages is a bit disappointing, as is how much of the game's identity is owed to what came before it, but these are only minor misgivings in the face of what Overcooked 2 does well.
HITMAN 2 tends more to the safe side and relies on the framework of its predecessor to provide more of its signature brand of assassination. The most notable change is the incredible size of the locations as well as spending that extra time to make sure each area has a purpose and feels satisfying to explore. The disguise mechanics leave a bit to be desired, but there is still the capability to take on challenge runs through the Contracts system that enact various restrictions. Plenty of reasons exist to keep going back into the locales, increasing replayability significantly and help keep the limited number of regions from getting too stale as Agent 47 continues his worldwide tour.
Mega Man 11 delivers one of the best Mega Man experiences in a long time. It beautifully captures the style of retro Mega Man games and excellently emits a feeling of nostalgia.
The art, music, exploration, and quests all make for a very enjoyable game, and the pinball concept is novel enough to distinguish the game from other members of the genre. The bosses and a large number of underwhelming upgrades don’t manage to overshadow what the game does well. While I found the pinball mechanics frustrating, your mileage may vary depending on your skill at pinball, and I still believe Yoku’s Island Express is worth a look in spite of this.
Whether you're a fan of the series and have been patiently waiting for a new entry or if you're interested in getting into the series for the first time, Valkyria Chronicles 4 represents the series well and provides an engaging experience.
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is an awesome entry to the anime fighter and crossover genre and ambitiously bring together four beloved franchises. It holds its own as being unique and fun to master, but it suffers from a more desirable story mode and unfortunate DLC model. On the other hand, it is beautifully animated, and the crossover has appealed to me enough to want to check out the source material for all the franchises. BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle was able to captivate me successfully; if you enjoy fighting games and are a fan of any of these titles, then this is a game you certainly want to give a swing.
Shadow of the Colossus remains faithful to the 2005 release, down to its problems. It masterfully utilizes the new hardware to amplify its immersion, yet remembers to maintain the importance of the original ideas and message. Even with its flaws, it's a game that everyone should experience.
Ni no Kuni II fires on all cylinders to deliver a satisfying and unique JRPG experience. While it misses some of the targets that it aims for, Level-5 have outdone themselves and created something that is worthy of calling itself a sequel to the original. From its brilliant visuals to its exciting combat, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom will keep players coming back for dozens of hours.
Kingdom Hearts III is the game that fans have been craving for all these years but at the same time is a daunting endeavor for rookies to dive head first into. While veterans of the series are used to Kingdom Hearts’ confusing plots lines and odd idiosyncrasies, the great moment-to-moment gameplay and awkward storytelling has a large potential to create a lopsided experience for first-timers. At its core, it’s a truly enjoyable game with adventures to be had, but is unfortunately bogged down at times by its own story.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker accomplishes what it set out to do by providing a delightful and straightforward puzzle experience. The worlds are breathtaking to look at, and the puzzles are perfect for bite-sized sessions wherever you may be. Although there are a couple of issues that could be ironed out, this remaster is a great pick up for any Switch owner.
Baba is You is a rare sort of puzzle game that I think everyone should play. It may not have the production values of a big budget game, but everything present works incredibly well together. The pacing, visual and sound design, level design, and implementation of its core mechanic create one of the best puzzle games I've ever played. What really puts it over the top for me is how it translates complicated logical puzzle solving into a concrete form that is easily understood. It's simple, accessible, and immensely gratifying.
It almost feels redundant to write it here, but Slay the Spire comes highly recommended. All of its mechanics work together to prevent repetition through encouraging the player to take calculated risks and forcing them to think strategically about how to utilize their available card selection. The variety is also delivered to the player as they continue to play the game, so as to prevent overwhelming with the sheer volume of what's available. The additional game modes in the daily climb, custom game modes, and mods help to fully round out a game which already has an immense amount of diversity. While I wasn't a fan of the art style, that is only a minor gripe against Slay the Spire. It is one of the most well-designed rogue-likes I've played and a decidedly engaging deck building game.
Not without its minor faults, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition brings the enhanced version that fans in the west have been asking for nearly a decade. Despite the age, the graphical improvements and still solid gameplay mechanics keep it from feeling antiquated compared to the newer entries in the series. The definitive edition of the game is sure to delight fans who had played the original or those getting to experience it for the first time.
In a slew of releases from Capcom for many of their well-loved series, Devil May Cry 5 continues the trend as a solid entry within the DMC mythos. By expanding upon the established combat systems and making sure the characters are looking slick and stylish while hacking through legions of demonic forces, the developers chose to spend their time tightening up what they do best, and it shows. Incredible combo depth, distinct character styles, and plethora or difficulties are sure to make for one hell of a ride.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 does a superb job remaking a classic of the series. The presentation and delivery of the whole experience shows an incredible amount of dedication from the development team to make sure the momentum obtained from Zero and Kiwami could continue for the series, perhaps driven even further as it has been confirmed this will be the last true remake for the series with 3 and 4 being released as HD remasters. In a world with room for only one dragon, the Dragon of Dojima soars.
Dead Cells is a fantastic game and an easy recommendation to fans of rogue-likes, or those who want a truly rewarding experience. The progression system will keep you hooked and so does mastering the game's combat. Punishing as it may be, nothing feels better than finally pushing a little further or unlocking a new upgrade you wanted. The weaker exploratory and world-building elements are negligible in the face of what the game does well. The art helps to round out the package to be one of 2018's finest games.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate delivers on what it promises to the player: a complete package of all things Smash past and present. A lengthy and engaging single player campaign, reasonable gacha mechanics, and a refined multiplayer experience all come together to create the ultimate experience. Although it's not certain if the series will continue or if Sakurai will be back at its helm, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate delivers more than enough to satisfy any gamer's appetite.
Once again, Nintendo manages to subvert expectations with something that seemed a little crazy at first. Labo proves that Nintendo doesn't need a mascot or franchise to carry it to success, just a bit of cardboard magic.
Into the Breach evokes a feeling that only the best strategy games can accomplish: it makes me feel smart.