viewport's Reviews
The rebooted series' story and overall advancement of the games draw an interesting parallel to one another as the curtain falls on the trilogy. Lara grows from a frightened survivor to a ruthless hunter, while the games go from trying to find its footings to being at the forefront of the genre. Although Shadow of the Tomb Raider is not without its jagged edges and rough spots, it still aims to push the boundaries of what it can do without falling flat on its face. On its own, it's an amazingly fun game that feels a bit bloated with features at times. As part of a series, it polishes what the previous entries have done well and sets it up for any ambitious journeys ahead. Although the future of the series remains uncertain at present, I would gladly welcome another outing with Lara Croft.
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.
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.
While not without flaws, MOTHERGUNSHIP is a game I enjoyed playing. The gun crafting system in combination with the excellent use of visual animation results in a satisfying game built around player creativity. However, enemies, and rooms still feel repetitive especially when the game limits your ability to customize your weapon. The progression systems help to round out the package nicely making MOTHERGUNSHIP a game I'd recommend to fans of roguelikes or those intrigued by its core mechanics.
The artistic flair the game opens with gives way to a lot of mediocrity in the story and gameplay department, which makes the game wane between mildly amusing and boring. With more time spent fleshing out all of the main cast, as well as smoothing the combat, and improving some of the puzzles I think it could have been a much better game.
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.
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.
Shining Resonance Refrain prefers a plethora of systems that are either inadequately explained or only serve as a reason to include additional grind. It feels the game errs on the side of caution and sticks to what is familiar, creating an exceptionally average action JRPG that neglects polishing core systems into something intriguing.
While initially charming, I found Monster Prom didn't have the right elements to have any staying power for me. The charming characters, the multiplayer design of the game, and how it tries to engage players outside of the game are all great additions to the dating sim genre. However, the disjointed dialogue, repetitive nature of subsequent attempts, humour, and music all drag Monster Prom down a little too much for me.
Mario Tennis Aces is a great return for the racket-wielding plumber and friends. If you are looking for purely a single player experience, hold back on this game for now as you won't find much. For those with friends or a competitive spirit, this is one tennis game that you don't want to miss out on.
Despite a five year wait, Runner3 feels more like an add-on than a fully fledged sequel. Yes; it's fun, looks fantastic, and the new features and abundance of collectibles are welcomed. But the lack of content and lower quality retro levels leave me wishing for more. Although the core of the series remains joyful and functional, Runner3 struggles in launching Commander Video to the next level.
While the gameplay resonates with what roguelike players love and desire, Juicy Realm doesn't do enough to set itself apart from the competition. Still, Juicy Realm is a sweet change of pace from more hardcore roguelikes that warrants a playthrough for those looking for a more casual experience.
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.
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.
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.
Overall, Kirby Star Allies sticks too close to the safe boundaries with its conservative design choices. This is all but a blip in the series' long history, and I am hopeful that HAL Laboratory will be able to bring back to its former glory.
Although the game is far from perfect in its current state, it's able to present a unique experience on a shaky foundation that will keep players entertained.
Into the Breach evokes a feeling that only the best strategy games can accomplish: it makes me feel smart.
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.