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The long-awaited continuation of the OneChanbara series in the English-speaking world is everything anyone that has played the series before would expect, it's just a shame that there isn't more of it. Playing through the story mode takes around 5 hours, and for some, this may be all they are interested in. The missions to complete, and quests to work towards while playing missions or story mode, help to extend the game length significantly. This is alongside the increasing difficulties of story mode that unlock each time you complete one; alas, these methods of extending playtime do not appeal to all. If you're a fan of the series, or just enjoy endless slaughter of the undead, the sub-£30 price of admission for the physical release is sure to please. For newcomers to the series, or those only interested in playing through the story, it might be worth waiting for a price drop. Regardless, at £54.99, the digital version would be an illogical purchase; you'd be better off buying two copies physically and donating one to a friend.
A tried and tested formula that’s hard to beat, no new evolutionary additions in this instalment but a series of refinement that makes for one of the best Warriors sub-franchisees to date. Being the first title in the series to be released on the new generation of consoles, everything has been amped up to get the most out of the new hardware. One Piece fans will enjoy the story mode that goes back to the series beginnings, following it to the most recent story arc in the manga and the whole raft of new characters it brings. The series also hits Steam for the first time so there’s even more availability for fans of One Piece and the Warriors franchise alike, you wouldn't go amiss with this awesome title.
This title has fast become a favourite of mine on the Vita, and despite the dub-only nature of the release it is definitely worth picking up if you have a Vita. The battle mechanics are enjoyable and intuitive, yet not too simplistic. The systems in place to determine the traitor certainly take some getting used to, but improve the game for the better. Though, if a character you're fond of, and is not the traitor, is voted out, you may grow to resent the remaining characters for their decision The English dub leaves a lot to be desired but, while annoying, it doesn't detract too much from the game overall.
This game has been made for fans new and old, meaning whether you've played the previous titles or not, you can dive straight in here. Sure, you won’t know who each and every character is, but you'll still be able to enjoy the story. If you're apprehensive, it’s time to push those fears aside, this is a must-own title!
This game is enjoyable, with mechanics that are easy to get the hang of. Unfortunately, the difficulty curve from tutorial to first mission seems excessive and was almost enough to deter me from the game entirely. Thankfully, after this mission, the difficulty curve seems less steep, allowing for enjoyment, especially as you work through dungeons multiple times to accomplish multiple quests. If grinding is something you don't enjoy, this game is not for you, but if you don't mind some as you work through the, sometimes barely differing, quests, this game will provide hours of fun.
Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below is a great addition to both the Dragon Quest series and Dynasty Warriors series. Taking the basic elements from DW and adding in a lot of DQ, making it a stand out title amongst a growing sea of DW spin-off titles. If you’re a fan of either series, then you will find something to like here; it’s both familiar and different, making for a unique and thrilling ride.
Tales of Zestiria is a good JRPG, but it always just feels like the same game in a different shell. If you didn't like Xillia or Graces, you probably won't be turned around by Zestiria. However, I like them because I know what I'm getting, an over-acted story with daft and sometimes creepy humour, all wrapped up in an action RPG that hides surprising depth.
Corpse Party: Blood Drive is a great new entry in the Corpse Party series and the final instalment of the Heavenly Host storyline. Be prepared to die in more ways than before, but also experience more ways in which to defend yourself. If you’re a fan of Corpse Party, you know what to expect, but newcomers get ready to start sleeping with the lights on. Blood Drive is more tension-filled and heart pumping than we’ve seen before and we love it.
As a big fan of strategy RPGs, I’m surprised at myself that this is my first foray into the Disgaea franchise. Often hearing of the series' brilliance, I’ve never found myself picking up one to play and I realise now what a great injustice that is. I will say, however, that past knowledge of the series may be a good thing, as the sheer amount of options available to you can be quite daunting. Outside of battles, I found my head spinning at all the possible ways of customising characters and the extra features available. Not to say this is a downside to the game rather a benefit that only adds to the game's long-term appeal. It’s clear that Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance has so much to offer that you may never truly achieve 100% completion, but be ready to sink in many hours trying. Even after the main story campaign, there’s just so much to keep you coming back for more; D5 is easily worth the price of admission and then some.
Atlus says it's “two full-length RPGs in one package!” which should make this a must-buy for players of the original and newcomers alike. As a player of the original on the Nintendo DS, I decided to relive the event of the Septentriones scenario and I do not regret it. The story is brilliant and the battles are just a joy to play. If you haven’t experienced the first game, Devil Survivor/Devil Survivor Overclocked, and are worried about jumping in at DS2, don’t worry as the stories are completely separate. With essentially two full-length RPGs contained within this one release, you’re sure to get your money's worth.
The game is an enjoyable experience, with the focus on flying action being a welcome change from the usual Japanese games we get to enjoy in the West. It would have been an improvement if the touch screen was utilised for the flying controls in some way, though, rather than just aiming with the circle pad. I played on 3DS, which is a decent option, but I recommend you try the game on Wii if possible, in order to make use of the control scheme initially intended by the original developer.
Indeed, Dancing All Night is at its best when it is celebrating everything that was positive about Persona 4. Especially in story mode where there is a lot of time for each character to show off what made them so loveable. A solid move, as only people who care about Persona 4 will buy Dancing All Night to see high polygon models of their favourite costumes from other games… dancing to a house remix of the dungeon selection music.
Sword Art Online: Lost Song takes what Hollow Fragment made overly complicated, simplifies it, and makes it a much more enjoyable and fun experience. If you’re a fan of Sword Art Online, then you owe it to yourself to play this. The ALO story plays no real part in this game, so don’t let that dissuade you. The flight feature works brilliantly and you can have some really epic aerial battles or just take in the beautiful scenery. Sword Art Online: Lost Song is a really enjoyable game whether you play it alone or with friends.
Overall, this is a fantastic game, doing justice to the Naruto franchise. It looks and plays beautifully, which is sure to please long time fans. It’s a shame on the story mode, but you can argue that starting at the 4th game in the series as a new fan wouldn’t be the best idea. If you want the full Naruto experience, then I believe checking out past games is the best option (or giving the anime or manga a try). CyberConnect2 have created a dedicated, passionate Naruto experience, one that this player will keep on enjoying for years to come. It’s a love letter to the fans, that are sure to be satisfied with what it has to offer.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is a good JRPG that will kill some time and provide some enjoyable turn-based battles. I’d recommend picking it up on PlayStation Vita if you can, as I think it would work well in quick pick up and play sessions. If you’re finding the opening hours a little tedious, stick with it; you will be rewarded, and with Trails of Cold Steel II confirmed for a western release, you’re not going to want to hang around as you’ll easily sink many hours into this game.
What can I say, this game is fun, addicting and insanely brilliant. Tearing myself away from it to write this review was a challenge in itself. The visuals are impressive even though it was originally only developed for PlayStation Vita. The basic game mechanic has been carried over from previous iterations and they are perfect. You can sink so much time into raising your Digimon, but it’s so rewarding that I can’t stop! If you’re a fan of Digimon or JRPGs, then buy this game it’s absolutely fantastic you won’t regret it.
I can honestly say that I had a blast with Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight. I look forward to future titles and I’m definitely going to hunt down the older ones. I’ve been a huge fan of dungeon crawling RPGs for some time now and EO easily pleases and then some. The mapping feature is brilliant and obviously a big draw for the series. The new cooking feature has depth and becomes rather addictive in itself as it opens up in the later game. If you’re a newcomer to EO like me, don’t feel afraid to jump in, each game is separate from one another and you’ll have a great time with it.
Megadimension Neptunia VII has not only become my favourite title in the franchise, but it is easily one of the greatest games I have had the fortune of playing. My playtime may only hover at around 26 hours thus far, but it's certain that I'll be investing significantly more time in this game. Neptunia has transitioned to the latest generation of consoles excellently, with the visuals being nothing short of a delight to behold; the same can be said of both audio tracks, and I'm not usually one for English audio tracks.
The story mode is easily the best part of the game a lot of attention and effort has clearly been put into it. Unfortunately, other areas of the game have suffered slightly but thankfully not to the point where it’s unenjoyable. The anime-like cut-scenes and character designs are highly praiseworthy and the new features in combat make battles just as exciting as previous Warrior iterations. Ultimately Arslan: The Warriors of Legend is a great game but feels somewhat lacking in some areas. The biggest question though is when is its sequel coming out?
I’m a little disappointed with Final Fantasy Explorers not because it’s a bad game but I feel that it could have been better with the addition of even a tiny bit of story. Lack of plot aside the game actually has some great features like the job system and it's crafting, let’s face it who doesn’t want to dress as Sephiroth while kicking ass as a Dark Knight or Dragoon. Multiplayer is clearly where the developers imagined this game to be played and it’s definitely where you’ll have the most fun. Given all the negatives, I still have the urge to continue on, there’s a solid basis to the game just not much more than that.