Kakuchopurei
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With an epic plot and a neat combat system that blends the best of turn-based and real-time combat, Trails Through Daybreak is a welcome new entry in the long-standing Legend of Heroes series from Falcom. The best part? You don't need to play through the past Legend of Heroes games as Trails Through Daybreak is a great starting point, featuring new and likeable characters, as well as a fun battle system to get into, all the while complementing its world-spanning plotlines.
For those seeking a break from the glossy realism of AAA titles and a plunge into the irreverent waters of indie gaming, Anger Foot offers a refreshing dip. It’s not flawless, but its flaws are forgivable in the face of its infectious energy and commitment to delivering a visceral if occasionally vexing, experience.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a riot - a fun party game with crazy stunts and iconic characters. It's a great balance of nostalgia and a modern experience, reminding players of the good old days while offering something fresh.
While hardcore action gamers may not find the game too deep, ZZZ’s combat is meaty enough to warrant repeated playthroughs and try out different character combinations. Despite its platinum shackles, there’s much fun to be had in following the cyberpunk anime adventures of Wise and Belle: video renters by day, rogue navigators by night.
Kudos to Polychroma Games for making a game that Southeast Asians can be proud of, standing tall amongst the likes of other similarly good games from the region. While there are some issues regarding the minigames & overall pacing, the story in Until Then is worth experiencing, at least for its more exciting second half.
Elden Ring's big expansion just adds more beautiful brutality and action RPGing carnage to its already-tough base. Shadow of the Erdtree is meant to test the mettle of the game's hardcore audience and isn't going to let up soon. This isn't going to change your mind about From Software's approach to its dungeon crawlers: it's either "get good" or go home and it intends to keep the messaging that way with its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. The expansion's new offerings and updates, as well as epic boss fights, are still as grand and challenging as ever to the point that you may see optional boss Malenia (both versions) from the base game as a "walk in the park".
Shin Megami Tensei V back in 2021 was an epic JRPG that really needed a better core story (or a superior method of telling it) and better hardware to run, along with some interface tweaks. The Vengeance revamp fixes all of that and adds in a lot more, making this entry the definitive version of an already-stellar post-apocalyptic demon-summoning Nahobino-ing experience. With a lovingly crafted world with warranted upgrades, a huge cast of powerhouses to summon and recruit for your uber-demon army, a banging soundtrack with more awesome aural extras added, and a better framerate for the overall graphical experience, this is one literal hell of an adventure to dive into.
As far as platformers go though, Umbraclaw is pretty unique. Give it a go if you feel like you had your fill with overpowered-at-the-end main characters in their 2D platformer games, and opt to rely on skill using a cat and its shadowdash.
XDefiant offers a refreshing hybrid of traditional and hero shooter elements, reminiscent of classic Call of Duty with its own unique twists. However, the limited content and customisation options make it clear that the game needs further refinement and expansion to truly stand out in the competitive FPS market.
Honestly, it would be a shame to miss out on such a delightfully frustrating game, even if you aren't into puzzle games. I have to say though, if you are looking for a game to destress with, [Paper Trail] isn't the one.
Pairing the bullet hell twin-stick shooting with a slow contemplative story and emphasis on puzzles is a strange combination, but Hauntii makes it work. It has its flaws, but the hauntingly beautiful visuals make the Hauntii a game that is worth experiencing to the end.
While the story & gameplay's broad strokes might be familiar, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2's execution, perspective, and overall production values are just stellar and highlights Ninja Theory's strengths in delivering what it does best: story-heavy cinematic gaming. The characters are fleshed out and well-written, with proper focus on your main character and her turmoils that carry over from the first game, the fighting feels weighty and challenging without being completely frustrating, and the HUD-less approach to presentation is welcome.
[T]his tribute to 90s shooters and anime culture is a helluva light show. Mullet Madjack comes highly recommended if you're into replayable corridor shooters tailor-made for 2024's sensibilities.
Like a well-crafted novel, taking its time to develop the plot and draw players into its world. Instead of relying on long cutscenes or complex side quests, Crow Country focuses on creating a slow, immersive journey that pays off in the end.
Animal Well makes a damn good first impression with its awesomely-crafted pixel art, moody aesthetics, and ambient sound work. And within hours while you're playing and even after finishing the game (6 to 8 hours tops), you won't forget a sight like Animal Well.
The only major issue in Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns is that it's not as detailed or fleshed out as the Tides of the Foscari DLC. But with such a steal of a price tag to use Contra characters and go hog wild on the rest of the game and DLC stages with overpowered superguns? There's really not much fault to find in that, if I'm being honest.
Upon completing Sand Land, I'm left with fond memories of its narrative depth, cinematic moments, and the occasional tedious journey. Engaging with the manga version proves far more enjoyable; the adaptation could have reached greater heights, suggesting ambitious goals that fell short in execution.
Ultimately, Stellar Blade is a game that focuses on style over substance with aa developer being overly ambitious for their first AAA console title. Let's hope that SHIFT UP continues to improve with their future games because with further refinement and a more specific tight focus on sharpening and honing its good mechanics instead of mixing everything in a mess like throwing crap at the wall to see what sticks, Stellar Blade could have turned out to be a much better game.
[Tales of Kenzera: ZAU] has its hiccups, but the music scores, the vocals, the beautiful settings, its overall feel; it really makes you feel empowered. The "I CAN DO ANYTHING" kind of powerful! For a simple baby-level Metroidvania gamer like me, I enjoyed it for what it is.
Lunar Lander Beyond offers a modern take on a retro genre, making it possible for a new generation of gamers to enjoy a classic genre with new accessibility options and visuals. However, the game's physics make this title an ordeal to go through and revolves around trial and error at times. If you need a throwback to the Atari classic, it's a solid effort.