RPGamer's Reviews
The gameplay loop is so richly varied that finding new ways to break the game with a build is always entertaining, it is just a shame that the presentation surrounding this gameplay is so lackluster.
Flynn: Son of Crimson is a pleasant surprise that filled in some quiet hours this summer. It’s fun, fast, and occasionally frantic in its action, and is a good addition to any action-gamer’s library.
Persona 5 Tactica offers a captivating tale in a really cute world. The game is solid in every aspect, but the battle system and the soundscape are undoubtedly where the game shines brightest. The simpler mechanics may be initially dismaying for veterans of the series, but they fit the game nicely once the player gets used to them.
Dave the Diver is wondrous genre mash-up of adventure RPG and restaurant management sim that becomes so much more than the sum of its many parts. Its constant flow of new ideas, surprises, and engaging mechanics make it a highly enjoyable mash-up.
While it addresses many aspects lacking during the franchise’s first outing, the overall experience still misses the high-water mark it aims for, with a glut of gameplay systems and wonky mechanics rearing their ugly heads each time a measure of success is achieved elsewhere. It outpaces its predecessor in terms of quality, to be sure, but not enough to make for an emphatic recommendation.
The Man Who Erased His Name is a decent addition to the series, but it misses the mark in being a truly memorable experience.
Slay the Princess certainly isn’t shy about beating the player over the head with a surreal combination of elegance, raw emotion, and tense uncertainty. Fans of psychological or philosophical quandaries that aren’t too squeamish at the sight of blood will have a field day with this title.
Thirsty Suitors is a hilarious romp that focuses on family, culture, and the mending of broken relationships. While the execution of its gameplay has some flaws, the game has a lot of heart that makes players root for this crazy cast of characters.
Due to predictable story beats, odd gameplay design choices, and not allowing players to master most of the various mechanics in the game before the end credits roll, it’s hard to recommend Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story to anyone who isn’t already a fan of the source material.
Many players will be enraptured by the game’s style and will desire to get the bottom of its mysteries, as well as enjoy the risk versus reward element driven by Elise’s desires. If the game was more welcoming of players who can’t quite grasp its subtle puzzles and the precise reactions needed to get past certain sections, it would be an unqualified recommendation, but at present that does make for a significant caveat.
Some time-consuming interfaces and a distractingly chatty Princess cause some consternation, but fun dungeon crawling keeps players on their toes while well-balanced combat and encouraged character swapping keeps things fresh.
For younger gamers, particularly those just getting into the Pokémon series, the game and its predecessor could be a fine fit. However, the more experienced fans hoping for some engaging mystery solving and more interesting examination on casual life with Pokémon are almost certain to find the game lacking in both its storytelling and gameplay departments.
Individually, enough of its elements are enjoyable enough to engage with. The combat, particularly its shooting, feels pretty good. But so much of the rest of Starfield feels cobbled together so inelegantly that it can’t help but to get in way of the experience.
Fans of the series will certainly be able to appreciate its take on the formula and how it connects to the wider series, and despite the game’s weaknesses, its story should be more than strong enough to get new fans into the franchise.
World of Horror is a compelling game that begs the player’s attention, providing an addictive experience that one cannot easily run away from.
Long Gone Days is ultimately a case of tempered expectations. The combat and visuals have little details that show a lot of care has gone into everything. The scope of the story is where the snag comes in, as too many hard-hitting moments get lost in the brisk pace that it attempts to juggle everything, making many of them fall flat in execution.
It is a game that tries to compete with the popular farming sims, but never quite does enough to stand on its own feet. While there are kernels of good ideas, they are marred by questionable design choices, with quests and goals that never feel satisfying.
The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is a fun, breezy action RPG with an interesting story and great cast. Though combat can become repetitive and frustrating, it’s never enough to significantly detract from an addictive gameplay loop.
Although it never quite reaches the heights of the classic RPGs it takes inspiration from, Sea of Stars stands out as a superb, modern turn-based RPG due to its incredible polish and refinement.
Can I recommend OU? It is certainly an experience, even if it isn’t the sort of game I would seek out on my own. Still, it’s stuck in my head, and I must share.