Worth Playing
HomepageWorth Playing's Reviews
In the end, RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business is a solid and more focused version of the kind of things offered by the main game. The story is straightforward but good, while the flashbacks become essential to the story instead of acting as diversions. While the gameplay remains relatively unchanged, it is still a thrill to walk around as a nearly invincible metallic man. The addition of the cryo cannon is neat, even if you might not use it all that much. The game does lack polish in places, but the solid shooting and darkly humorous interactions with the tower's populace will make you more forgiving of some of the visual anomalies. If you're a fan of the franchise or shooters in general, you'll have some fun with Unfinished Business.
Overall, I found Back to the Dawn to be an incredibly fun and well-crafted game, especially for its budget cost. The excellent visuals and compelling gameplay systems make it one of the best prison escape games I've ever played, and I quickly wanted to hop back in and try a different run even after a successful prison escape. It's just a well-made game from start to finish, and I wanted to go back for more. If you're even slightly interested in the concept, Back to the Dawn is well worth playing and a great example of how indie RPGs can shine.
In the end, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a good game despite some design choices that can lead to moments of frustration. The viewpoint feels fresh since so few games use it, but the game's various indicators even things out when you compare it to other stealth titles. The strict failure conditions and seemingly rigid process for stealth puzzle-solving can be an annoyance, but it is helped by the game's fast load times and generous checkpoints. The use of team play keeps things interesting. For genre fans, Eriksholm is a good game to check out.
Overall, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 is an absolutely fun title if your main exposure to the series was Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2. You're essentially getting more of the same, but the formula was already solid enough that getting more of what you know in newer locations is a good thing. The conclusion is more complicated if you were an aficionado of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4. With the types of changes and omissions made, a portion of the game feels more like it was inspired by the fourth mainline entry in the series rather than a remake or remastering effort. Purists will be disappointed by these decisions. If you aren't bothered by the changes, you'll find this to be a very good title overall.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is the result of all the lessons id Software has learned from previous entries and wrapping the tweaked gameplay in a distinct and oddly compelling setting. It is simultaneously unmistakable as a DOOM game, but it also feels like a fresh approach to the series. I love everything about this game's combat loop, which feels much better integrated than the disjointed loops in the previous game, Eternal. Frankly, I am going to be sad when the next game in the franchise doesn't let me have my shield.
Overall, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered is a pretty by-the-book update of a game that was clearly made for the limitations of the PS Vita. It's genuinely fun to play and smash your way through enemy robots as your favorite Gundam, but it's a very shallow game. You'll probably get bored of the combat loop well before you do everything the game has to offer. Fans of the franchise will have enough fun to make it worth the cash, but those looking for something with more meat on the bones will probably be better off looking elsewhere.
In the end, Tamagotchi World is fine, provided you're willing to live with a number of caveats. The premise is fine, as is the implementation of the jobs in minigame form. The lack of tutorials is odd considering the young age of the intended audience. Additionally, the slow, grindy nature of the game can only keep you occupied for so long before the whole thing becomes boring, especially since there's nothing else to do besides these minigame jobs. If you're a fan of Tamagotchis, then this may be amusing for a short while, but everyone else looking for a solid set of minigames would be better served playing a number of other similar titles from the original Switch library.
Visually, Front Mission 3: Remake is a sideways upgrade. You have fully 3D maps and environments and higher-res models than the PS1 version, but the upgrade is rather lackluster. In some cases, I preferred the PS1 design for the Wanzers to the Remake's version. I also found the map a tad harder to read at times, since enemy mech designs would sometimes slightly blend into the background. It looks far better on high-resolution screens than the blurry and pixelated PS1 version, but I think the art design took a hit. The music is quite good, offering both the original soundtrack and a new remastered modern version that did a good job of remixing the music.
Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition is a great title all around and an excellent launch title for Nintendo's new system. Battle Hub may be silly, but it has lots more personality and more to do than most other titles do in their online lobbies. Fighting Ground does a great job of showing off the new roster and improvements to the fighting engine, while placing an equal amount of attention on both offline and online players. World Tour makes for a slightly nonsensical yet addictive adventure that can serve as a full-fledged Street Fighter RPG. All of this comes together with an absolutely solid presentation if you ignore the fights in World Tour mode. That one issue causes the score to go lower than what we originally gave the game when it came out two years ago. Here's hoping that Capcom patches the issues soon to place this version on par with the other console and PC releases.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is an improvement over Death Stranding in almost every way I can think of. It's larger, full of more things to do, and generally a more enjoyable experience. The plot is crazier than ever, which might be a plus or minus depending on your tastes, but if nothing else, it isn't boring. The only complaint I can think of is that the game is perhaps a touch too easy at times, and even that isn't a huge problem. If you liked the first game, it's very easy to imagine you liking the sequel. Just be prepared for things to be as unfathomably ridiculous as possible at every turn.
Your enjoyment of Survival Kids is going to be heavily dependent on your appreciation of difficulty in games. If you want something breezy or you're playing alongside someone who lacks the patience for a typical survival game, then what you'll find is fine for those wanting to get some satisfaction without putting in a ton of effort. However, if you're expecting a game that builds upon the lineage of the series, prepare to be disappointed because those elements have been drastically toned down, leaving you with a very casual experience that lacks any challenge. Unless you've got young kids playing alongside you, this is a title you may want to pass on unless it is marked down.
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a solid remaster of a genuinely amazing game. While not every change is for the better, almost all of them are understandable side effects of porting a game between systems that have very different capabilities. All of Bravely Default's strengths are still present, and if you're a fan of Final Fantasy V or Octopath Traveler, then you'll find a lot of those games' high points present. I would've liked to see more of an upgrade to the game's final quarter, but even with that, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is still one of the best RPGs on the market.
Overall, Yakuza 0: Director's Cut is a solid but unexceptional port of a phenomenal game. It runs smoothly, plays well, and is a ton of fun from start to finish. However, the new content adds nothing to the game, and if you already own Yakuza 0, then there's no major reason to pick it up again. However, if you're interested in learning about the franchise or if you've only played the recent RPG-like entries, Yakuza 0 is by far the best starting point for newcomers. The unnecessary extras don't prevent it from being arguably the high point of the entire franchise and well worth playing if you're curious about the Like a Dragon/Yakuza titles.
In the end, Hitman: World of Assassination - Signature Edition is a solid port of a very impressive game. The game is dense in that it may be difficult, and you'll encounter lots of trial and error, but that's balanced out by the fact that each level can be completed in a nearly unlimited number of ways. The presentation may not have a solid frame rate, but it certainly looks and sounds nicer than expected from a portable console. The lack of complete content on the system is a disappointment, as is the use of a Game-Key cart versus a regular one (considering the game's size), but the mostly online-only requirement for a single-player game makes this a less desirable platform to play on, unless you can ensure that you have an online connection at all times and situations. Still, if this is the only system you have, this isn't a bad way to play a game meant for those with a vicious but creative spirit in them.
Sonic X Shadow Generations is a fine game overall. Sonic Generations still holds up quite well after all this time, even if the additions feel slightly shoehorned, while Shadow Generations represents a refinement of the formula with a few additions that don't detract from the main game. For Switch 2 owners who never got this game before, this is a great version to get. However, for those who already have the game on the original Switch, the frame rate and resolution boosts aren't enough to ask for full price on the game and DLC again. Those in that situation can deduct a few points from the review's final score.
South of Midnight is a game that shows growth in Compulsion Games' titles. Even though the combat is predictable, it still feels good thanks to the usefulness of the powers at your disposal, and you won't shy away from a fight. The platforming is also well done, which makes it a shame that you can't explore more of the world. While the gameplay is better, the studio still knows how to tell a captivating story using a backdrop of Southern Gothic that isn't used too often in games. This is a solid adventure game and a trip well worth taking if you're a fan of the genre and narratives.
Bear in mind that Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is still a good game overall. The concept remains solid with an adventure mode that's endearing if you like silly stories and can overcome holes in the narrative logic. The modes really play around with the formulas of both games well, and the amount of content can keep a puzzle fan busy for quite some time. The lack of an upgrade path for existing owners and the marginal improvements for the Switch 2-exclusive version make it difficult to recommend a double-dip. If you never bought the game before and don't mind sticking with offline play, then you'll have a good time with this title and can give this a higher score. For everyone else, you can safely steer clear from this version.
Overall, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a very solid spin-off of the franchise. It does a good job of capturing what makes the Rune Factory games enjoyable while throwing enough twists and turns into the mix that it doesn't just feel like Rune Factory 6. The town building is engaging enough that I worry that a Rune Factory without it might feel lacking now. The combat is solid but simple, and the cast is likable but not super special. Only the general poor performance drags down the game somewhat, but fans of the Rune Factory franchise should find a lot to like.
Elden Ring: Nightreign is sure to be a divisive entry in FromSoft's catalog. It isn't the Elden Ring sequel that people might want, and it isn't necessarily a game that will appeal to those who love Souls titles. It's a weird, experimental concept grafted into the skin of a different game. It's an engaging and enjoyable game to play, assuming you meet it halfway. The core mechanics are strong, the boss fights are fun, and it's an enjoyable game. If you've ever wanted to see what a more multiplayer-focused take on the genre is like, Nightreign shines, but those looking for a single-player experience will want to look elsewhere.
Overall, Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 is the strongest game in the franchise to date. While the plot is more over-the-top than the first game, it creates a far more compelling and interesting narrative to the sequel, while also expanding and building upon the many gameplay improvements. The combat system has never been better, and the mechanics have been polished to a sheen. It has flaws, and not all the plot points are going to work, but it's proof that CyberConnect knows how to keep players invested in the franchise.