RPGamer's Reviews
There’s a huge amount to enjoy about the game, be it the exciting combat, impressive presentation, highly endearing cast, fascinating adjustments to the original tale, or detailed realisation of Midgar.
Pokémon Legends Z-A turned out to be a pleasant romp, a delightful return to a part of the game world I hadn’t seen in over a decade, and the chance to learn many new and interesting words in French.
Guardians of the Galaxy is a solid experience that, while not a life-changing game, is the perfect palette cleanser for anyone wanting an RPG that doesn’t take itself too seriously and also doesn’t outstay its runtime.
For me, The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon is easily the best game in the Calvard arc thus far, and one of the greatest games in the entire franchise, though with the caveat that it is made possible by building on twelve games worth of context. New players should really avoid leaping in here and go back to at least Trails Through Daybreak, but series fans are in for a treat.
Kingdoms of the Dump displays plenty of effort and ideas stemming from a unique premise. Combat tries something new, but ultimately feels like a complicated way of doing something routine, and the platforming bugs can irritate quickly. However, the heartwarming and remarkably designed party members and its world, with something new to see around every corner, make that irritation disappear quickly.
All in all, Dispatch is a delight. It uses an entertaining cast, superb presentation, and quick pacing to provide a thoroughly engaging story that is further backed up by highly enjoyable gameplay elements. For those looking for a fun narrative adventure, Dispatch easily rockets up to the top of the recommendation list.
While it requires a lot of attention and is quite layered in its writing, players who love a great story with a relatively short run time should definitely check out 1000xRESIST.
Potions: A Curious Tale is a classic case of “what you see is what you get,” and while it may be met favorably by players captivated by its concoction of comfort, others are likely to feel side effects of disappointment and boredom after taking enough swigs.
Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved never really tries to venture too far from its inspirations, but emulates them with a lot of heart. The presentation and story work together well to provide an interesting, if perhaps not the most thrilling mystery. Those looking to relax with an enjoyable mystery will find plenty to like here.
Level-5 has translated its gameplay onto PC and consoles well, while keeping the series’ nature and enduring charm intact, as well as ensuring that fans will have plenty to keep them occupied ahead of any potential sequel. There are still plenty of areas for improvement: the non-story modes struggle to find a gameplay loop that is particularly engaging, and there are times where more of a challenge would be welcomed. However, with a solid revival to build upon, here’s hoping it’s a much shorter wait before the next entry.
Tales of Xillia Remastered is another successful feather in the cap of the series’ 30th anniversary Remastered Project. While the game itself has some wrinkles in the story department, and visually the game shows its age, it is still filled with fun combat, wonderful characters, and one of the best antagonists in the whole series.
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a very solid first foray into the Metroidvania/action RPG space for developer Primal Game Studio.
With a charming battle system that focuses on strategic positioning and keeps players thinking, there’s a lot to like in this wonderful indie title, with only the occasional pacing issue due to a meticulous adherence to its calendar system holding it back at all.
Persona 3 Reload is a beautiful game, and it being on the Switch 2, imperfect as it may be, means that more people will get to see that beauty for themselves and come away from it with a greater love for what games can really be.
Cairn: Mathair’s Curse is a game that’s well worth the time invested in it. While its gameplay might not push the boat out very far, it provides a solid foundation for an engaging storyline and entertaining setting. Heartfelt events, a good balance of zaniness and challenge, and a strong soundtrack ensure that those looking for another strong retro-styled RPG, or even just a fun RPG in general, are well catered for.
While it offers a whole host of improvements, the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake experiences end up being quite different. Dragon Quest I’s remake offers an amazing story upgrade but has frustrating battles throughout, while Dragon Quest II’s remake is one of the most amazing and memorable Dragon Quest experiences there is.
As it is, loot hounds will be happy with the constantly evolving magic circles and equipment, but the unbalanced progression and uneven presentation will not do this quirky dungeon crawler any favours in finding more than a niche audience.
Ultimately, Shrine’s Legacy is a game brimming with passion and care that misses the mark on a few key elements. Those looking to fill a SNES-era RPG hole in their hearts will certainly find something to enjoy here, as the game carries the charm of that era in its narrative, visual design, and structure. While combat can be one-note and awkward at times, and the dungeons are incredibly basic in their design, none of these problems prevent the game from being a fun romp.
Despite all of its environmental detail, scope, and promise of a wider, more exciting space-faring adventure, The Outer Worlds 2 is a disappointment. While it offers divergence and choice, its paper-thin satire, tonal mishmash, and balancing oddities see the experience crumble under the weight. In addition, the review build’s far too many immersion-destroying bugs, blocked questlines, and other sequence breaks ensure that the game’s issues outweigh its redeeming qualities.
The Lonesome Guild is a game that will find its audience through its visual appeal, but those wanting much deeper gameplay and story may be disappointed.