Kakuchopurei
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Visions of Mana's earnestness and positives outweigh its negatives by a sizeable amount. At the very least, old-school 90s RPG fans should be glad that Square Enix did not forget about this classic series, now with a few more bells and whistles to make it quite a ride.
Gundam Breakers 4 is a return to action-slash-build-a-Gundam/Mobile Suit form after a long hiatus; the less said about New Gundam Breakers, the better. The combat is still fast and fun, with great controls and speedy gameplay. The plethora of GunPla base models and bits means no two Gundams online will be the same, both in aesthetics and practical use. The story mode is a great introduction to the Gundam Breakers process, though its missions could use more variety. But a few dud pieces aren't going to ruin the whole model.
Massive Entertainment did a great job of making players feel like scoundrels in the Star Wars universe. While Star Wars Outlaws won't be turning heads or wowing anyone with its gameplay mechanics, the painstaking amount of effort and detail into bringing the Star Wars underworld to life must be commended. It's a game any Star Wars fan should pick up, even if it doesn't have lightsabers or Jedi.
With a bunch of neat levels and charismatic themes, as well as fun boss battles that require you to parry like a champ, right down to the smooth and tight controls, Bakeru is a fun 3D throwback ride for those who yearn for a 2000s-esque style challenge and colourful ride through a fantastical & cheery-looking Japan. Some levels do feel a bit samey and can get pretty easy half the time, but Bakeru doesn't wear out its welcome with padding and will entertain you hours on end with its bright demeanour and tribute to Japan.
My Lovely Empress was a journey of discovery for me as a newcomer to both management and dating sims. The game challenged my strategic thinking, tested my patience, and ultimately rewarded my efforts with a richly immersive experience that even a beginner like me could appreciate. Its blend of mythological depth, intricate faction management, and supernatural elements creates a unique atmosphere that draws you in, even if the gameplay can feel overwhelming at first. The learning curve is steep, but the game’s intuitive design and captivating story make it accessible to those willing to dive in.
While beautiful to look at and immersive to a degree, Nobody Wants To Die is a game that plays itself most of the time while you get your jollies being in a sci-fi noir universe with its own unique storyline and lore. There is some semblance of replayability, but the save options and convenience are eschewed for no reason other than to force you to replay the whole game again.
Overall, That Time I Reincarnated As A Slime ISEKAI Chronicles is not a terrible game, it’s just a mediocre and bland one that’s purely for fans of the source material. Or if you miss the old combat system of the classic Tales Of games, but you’re better off replaying those old Tales Of games instead.
I'm all for old-school challenges, but if you're itching for a game that's trying to outgame Ghost & Goblins while adding unnecessary padding and really unfair advantages just for replay value's sake, you're insane. Somehow, Volgarr the Viking II will sate that bloodlust if you need a 2D hardcore action ride.
While simple in design, Cat Quest III offers quite a bit of a challenge for the first few hours until you find a favourite weapon or spell (or two) you can cheese with, like with the Orion Sword and lightning build I made up and hour-and-a-half in. Still, this doesn't discount the fun factor and charm the game embodies. Plus, the added New Game Plus mode, the Infinity Tower challenge, and Mew mode modifiers where you can make the game harder for yourself (like no leveling up or no upgrading equipment) will definitely sate challenge buffs everywhere. Simply put, Cat Quest III offers a lot for both casual and hardcore action RPG fans who want a bit of open-world on an indie game scale, a good chunk of feel-good equipment-based fighting and spellcasting, and a whole lotta cute. Just prepare to read through a barrage of animal puns in the story.
While not wholly a chillax game since there's combat, everything about Dungeons of Hinterburg screams "vacation", albeit with an impending disaster looming as you have to sort that out while you're getting your stamps and dungeon work cleared. While its conflicts are mundane, its puzzles and dungeon-trekking, as well as its social elements, make for a hearty combination to ease the soul, especially with the game's heartfelt message about work-life balance and its statement on commercialization in the tourism industry.
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.