Japan Curiosity
HomepageJapan Curiosity's Reviews
If you played Criminal Girls: Invite Only, then Party Favors will offer you more of the same with a few minor improvements but a slightly less engrossing story to pull it along. With less frustration from the Motivation system, gameplay is only made more accessible, it just comes down to whether that makes up for a slightly inferior story. However, there still remains a very solid and enjoyable RPG at its core that should easily please fans of its predecessor.
Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness does a great job and bringing the world that fans have come to love to a visual novel and while it could have been better in areas it’s definitely an enjoyable experience. I reviewed the game on PlayStation 4 but it would feel more at home on the PlayStation Vita which, thankfully; it is also available on. I actually spent a good deal of my time with it using remote play as it’s just a much more comfortable experience when you’re having to spend a lot of your time reading. Ultimately, I feel the enjoyability of this game really comes down to how much you like reading, though there is a minigame to mix things up a little but that’s only necessary to unlock gallery items.
MeiQ isn't the best Idea Factory International game I've played, but it isn't quite the worst either. It may just be because I'm not as familiar with this type of dungeon crawler as others maybe, but I found my time with it to be tedious, with barely any reward to be found, and my enjoyment itself being sparse and limited solely to the battles. This title may be the first Idea Factory International title I've played and hardly enjoyed, but I still look forward to playing their next title.
The score has to take a hit from how much of a chore fighting the computer is and some bad English localisation choices. Other than that, there is truly nothing else out there like Touhou Genso Rondo and it is a fantastic addition to any collection and a must-buy if you are a Touhou fan who has been waiting for seemingly impossible official English releases.
A.O.T: Wings of Freedom has easily become one of my favourite games of the year and I’m really happy to be able to say that. Any concerns or worries that I had going into the game were blown away and my anticipation was met and far exceeded. The game is equally challenging and satisfying and I highly recommend it to anyone. Well done Omega Force and Koei Temco on yet another great anime based title and I can’t wait to see a follow-up game soon.
When I first got the game, I played through it non stop, experimenting with all the characters while also going through their stories in arcade mode. This is a game I would recommend for both fighting game veterans and newcomers alike. However, be warned that players in network mode can be very competitive so I would advise getting used to playing the game before trying out ranked matches.
Though I did have a number of cosmetic complaints, the first two instalments of Muv-Luv overall were very enjoyable and I will definitely come back to replay the series to relive that enjoyment. It is ironic, however, that even though the two series are very good, they are just a set-up for the final part of the trilogy. I look forward to the day when Muv-Luv Alternative gets released.
For fans of both the series and the genre, this game is not a disappointment even with its seemingly hefty $39.99 price tag. Randomly generated dungeons, loveable (though shallow) characters, various minigames, and seemingly endless replayability make this a title that should find its home in your Vita library at one time or another. If you’re a gamer that craves a challenge, or someone that might even be new to the risk-it-all gameplay style of roguelikes, this is equally a great game to find yourself at home or find your footing in. Although the game is not perfect, it works in short five to ten-minute gaming spurts but could also hold you down for a few hours on end as you struggle to beat just one more floor.
I Am Setsuna does a great job of reminding us what we loved about the genre and what it was like to play a JRPG back when the genre was at its best. There’s enough here to make the experience feel fresh and new, without changing too much of the core gameplay. If you’ve been in the mood for a classic adventure on your PS4, then this is the game for you
Overall, Umineko When They Cry (Question Arc) is nothing short of a masterpiece. To put in other words, a chef-d'œuvre among visual novels. The story, characters, and music blend perfectly together to create this flawless work. If I had to nitpick, the inconvenience on parts of the UI would be my biggest gripe. This is a series recommended not only to visual novel fans, but also to those eager for a great mystery and story. Umineko is a work that transcends its medium and is a work nearly everyone should experience.
Megadimension Neptunia VII is definitely the best Neptunia game out so far for PC. Everything about the game was enjoyable from the gameplay itself to the dialogue and story. Idea Factory has hit the jackpot with this series and I expect more Neptunia games to be ported for PC gamers.
Integrity and Faithlessness is a little less than stellar it has to be said, it’s possible that my expectations going in were a little too high maybe. It’s definitely not a bad game, though I feel a large portion of this review was negative, but just not as good as I had hoped. The game does feature some gorgeous visuals, a vast open world to explore and a really fun battle system. Did the bare-bones plot affect my enjoyment, yes somewhat, but it’s still a fun and enjoyable game and I’m sure Star Ocean fans will enjoy it.
I’ve used a number of words throughout this review in an effort to praise various aspects of the game but none really express my thoughts well enough so they’ll have to do. Amazing, brilliant, fantastic – this game is all of those and more!
Grand Kingdom boasts some gorgeous artwork and a very unique battle system but somewhere along the lines, it decided to overcomplicates itself. The first couple of hours of the game can seem like an eternity when you have to read through essays on each feature within the game. First appearances can be deceiving and what feels like a lot of content quickly turns into a linear and repetitive system. That said the game has a really unique and enjoyable battle system that alone makes for a fun time. Once you’ve navigated through all the text dumps the game does become more enjoyable but also repetitive. If you’re interested in the strategy element of the battle system then it’s worth checking out but I don’t think the game will have any long term appeal.
Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- is a fantastic looking game and definitely a joy to play. Featuring an intriguing and deep story, complex battle mechanics and now a stylish mode that caters to newcomers making -REVELATOR- a great title to pick up for new and old fans alike.
Stranger of Sword City is definitely not the best dungeon crawler, but it still is one to recommend. Its style is quite unique compared to others of its genre and its high difficulty level can satisfy experienced players. Admittedly, grinding can be a tedious and time-consuming task, but it is a necessary evil that dungeon crawlers possess. The game can be overwhelming at first, but after getting used to the gameplay, everything will feel mostly natural. However, be sure to save often as one never knows when they might lose hours of progress due to a simple mistake.
The series about sexy shinobi schoolgirls has a reputation for being fun in terms of enjoyable gameplay and sultry visual aesthetics so quality is never an issue for Tamsoft in regards to the Senran Kagura franchise, and Shinovi Versus is no exception. This is a very solid game for those that want to get into Senran Kagura as the game has many things to offer. Admittedly, my biggest gripe was how repetitive the objectives were in story mode where it is pretty much a rinse and repeat of fighting mob characters in the beginning then battling a boss soon afterwards. Nonetheless, the lewds make tedious work more entertaining. Plot-wise, I have no complaints at all as the story develops quite nicely with some characters’ revealed backstories quite saddening to experience. Overall, Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus is a great game many should play, especially those looking for something sexy in their lives. I have no doubt that the sequel game Senran Kagura Estival Versus will also come to PC. And I will be welcoming it.
While the game focuses on one of the best storylines within the entire One Piece series, it’s met with some unnecessarily difficult and annoying battles that start to take the joy out of it. For a hardcore gamer, it’s a great way to test your skills but for casuals, you’ll quickly be screaming at the screen in frustration. It might not have the depth of One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 but it’s something different and still good fun.
Having missed out on Valkyria Chronicles during its initial release on PlayStation 3 back in 2008, I'm overjoyed that it’s now available on PlayStation 4 in the form of a remaster, boasting 1080p at 60 frames-per-second. This brilliant real-time, turn-based strategy fusion has quickly become one of my favourite games of the year. It’s been a real joy to play and I’ll be playing it to death for the foreseeable future. Now we just have to wait for the sequels to get remastered for PS4 too.
The game is quite enticing during the first run, however, the constant puzzle-solving can be quite tedious at times. The tediousness is exacerbated by Moin’s excruciatingly slow walking pace, taking a long time just to move from one point to another. It is unfortunate that game speed cannot be adjusted. Though the replay value is not high, the game presents amazing auditory and visual sensations. Admittedly, if Nippon Ichi Software develops another game like htoL#NiQ, I would probably play it. However, it must be kept short like this one or else my impatience towards the tedious gameplay may get the better of me.