viewport's Reviews
At its core, not much has changed in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; it's still the same hectic, rage-inducing karting experience from four years ago. The new additions make the game easier to access to those on the casual side of the spectrum while keeping things fresh for experts.
Studio MDHR hit it out of the park with their first game, as it manages to find a unique space in today's crowded video game world, along with presenting such a polished, complete product.
The improvements are a refreshing change for long-time players, and Capcom was able to revitalize the series for a new generation. A game that's truly deserving of its subtitle regarding reach and depth.
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.
Into the Breach evokes a feeling that only the best strategy games can accomplish: it makes me feel smart.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.