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Overall, I would definitely say this is a very solid game for minori. Although it may be lacking in the emotional impact compared to the company’s other installments, this is the first chapter of the Supipara series, after all. Despite it being somewhat short, this kinetic novel is worth every penny due to the richness in storytelling and visuals. As the first chapter ended with a very enjoyable cliffhanger, I look forward to the next release to experience more of Yukinari’s eventful life.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale perfectly embraces the “don’t judge a book by its cover” metaphorical phrase. It lulls you into a false sense of security with its charmingly simple visuals and cute anthropomorphic characters. The depth found within its story is unexpected, surprising, and frankly wonderful storytelling. The focus on mental health is eye-opening, self-affirming and a great opportunity to learn. This is all wrapped up in a therapeutic and fun colouring game with a powerful soundtrack.
Tanglewood is a brilliantly compelling platformer that boasts not only great gameplay, visuals, and music but compatibility with original SEGA hardware and a physical Mega Drive cartridge release to boot. I highly recommend trying it for yourself. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is an outstanding fighting game, but it’s one that is showing signs of repetition in the combat because, even though there is a level of depth to the game, it’s not quite as deep as other fighters on the market. Its target market should be pleased though, and it’s nice to see a Dragon Ball game become popular in eSports – I’m sure it’ll be amazing to watch at Evo! Dragon Ball FighterZ is a brilliant game that no fans will want to miss out on, and I’m sure I’ll be returning to it throughout the year. Seriously though, please let Videl be DLC!
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Legacy is a real treat for existing fans of Naruto. The four games perfectly recreate some of the best battles from the start of the series right up to the final showdown. If you already own the games then the only real benefits are the improved graphics and having all of the games on a current-gen console, which is arguably worth it because of how easy it is to switch between the games and play your favourite matches. Overall, as someone who had yet to play the earlier entries in the series, I am really pleased with the Legacy release and highly recommend it to all Naruto fans. It’s a must-own collection if you’ve never played these games before, but if you have then it depends how much the upgrade is worth to you.
I enjoyed my time with Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star on the PlayStation 4 even with its few shortcomings, but I really enjoy playing it on the Nintendo Switch. I feel as if the game was made for the Switch as it's a much smoother and more satisfying experience. While both the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch offerings will serve you well, I definitely recommend the Switch version as the definitive release to go for.
Puyo Puyo Tetris feels perfectly at home on the Nintendo Switch; the nature of the game just seems to fit what the Switch offers. I would say that is the best way to experience such a fun game as Puyo Puyo Tetris, but I have to factor in the cost. It is more expensive, and if the price is a concern, then go with PlayStation 4 but the Switch remains my recommendation. Don’t write Puyo Puyo Tetris off as a simple puzzle game that you may have played before because it's far from it. It features numerous game modes that will have you entertained for hours with friends and without. It’s so easy to jump in and out of games that you could play it anywhere and I recommend doing so; it makes those early morning commutes go by in a flash.
Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea brings the Dusk Trilogy to a close and joins its predecessors on the PlayStation Vita. With the lack of a Time Limit system, Atelier has never suited the handheld device better than with this instalment. The pick-up and play nature of the device works brilliantly with this entry and I can’t help but love the game even more for that. While I may be new to the Atelier series I can’t wait for more and I’ll definitely be picking up some of the other titles available on the PlayStation Vita.
Overall, this is a very solid game, especially for those that want to play something on the raunchy side. Though the story could be fleshed out a bit more, for a lewd game such as this, it is more than sufficient enough. There are no complaints at all about the gameplay, with praise of its high replay value. For any rail shooter or anime fans, this is definitely a game to pick up.
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.
To be quite honest, my most favorite aspect of the game was being able to speak with Noire as a “Player” and view the affectionate side of her, a contrast to her usually stern outward demeanor. It is like a subtle dating sim disguised in this strategic RPG. The gameplay was quite enjoyable with various unique aspects one would not see in other Neptunia or strategic RPG games. Going through missions may feel tedious at times, but one can take a break from fighting by visiting the Basilicom and having a chat with Noire to boost one’s spirits. Overall, it is a very fun game for franchise fans and newcomers alike, especially if one is a Noire fan. It is definitely a great addition to the ever-growing Neptunia franchise.
République is worth spending time with. It’s a well-made game that isn’t perfect, but has enough attentional content that makes it more than your bog-standard escape from one room to the next stealth experience. If you have some free time, help Hope escape from a life she wants to forget. If you do, Cooper will personally thank you from the bottom of his heart, and deliver a performance you will want to tell everybody about.
Though Neptunia U may not be the best installment of the franchise, it is still a very welcome addition. Admittedly, gameplay gets quite tedious with the constant slaying of hordes, but it is a game that will never tire in the long-run. The main story can be beaten in a few hours, but there is never a lack of great comedy in between. Remember to also take advantage of the viewer option. It is there for a reason, especially for situations where clothes are constantly getting ripped.
Disgaea PC is a great game to be introduced to this beloved franchise because not only does it include all content from the Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness remake, but also extra features. However, the sheer amount of customizability available can be overwhelming to those unfamiliar with strategic RPGs; with a level cap of 9999, the amount of grinding may sound daunting. However, the aforementioned content is more of a benefit than a setback because it allows players lots of freedom. Nonetheless, be ready to sink countless hours into this game if you want to fully experience what it holds. For a game originally released in 2003, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness underwent a number of makeovers to become the Disgaea PC we know today. Though gameplay cannot truly be modernised, it is still good enough to be still enjoyable to this day.
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.
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.
It cannot be denied that Neptunia U is a great addition to the Hyperdimension franchise, while the action may become repetitive after playing in long bursts; it’s an enjoyable and rewarding game. The characters remain charming; the puns continue to be hilarious and best of all the world of Gamindustri is still an absolute joy to return to.
Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online is another enjoyable entry in the Neptunia franchise, but I found it to be underwhelming compared to both other Neptunia games and the similar faux-MMORPG Sword Art Online Hollow Fragment. The number of dungeons is minimal, the majority of the boss fights are simple, and the quests boring. I still had fun playing the game, as the characters, their interactions, and the voice work behind them more than makes up for the game’s let-downs. If you’re a Neptunia fan, it’s well worth picking up on launch to see the latest adventures of the CPUs, but if you’re looking for an entry-point into the franchise, there are better games to choose from.
There’s not much to knock with Little Town Hero it’s a great experience with a praiseworthy visual style, soundtrack, and the sometimes hard but ultimately inventively brilliant battle system. Some minor frame rate stutter here and there, but nothing worth getting up in arms about. The game won’t be to everyone’s taste, whether that’s down to expectation as a Game Freak game or just the overwhelming nature of the battle system. If different and out of the box is an appealing trait, then Little Town Hero has it with a lot to spare.
My Hero One’s Justice continues to impress the further you dive into it. It’s filled to the brim with content that’ll keep you occupied for hours on end and that’s not even including the online mode. Not to mention that the game just works and works well. Online is simple and streamlined, the gameplay is exhilarating and the visuals are stunning. My Hero One’s Justice is well worth the entry price and more!