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The low entry requirements and the unique nature of the game will keep you, your family and friends occupied for hours on end. Each game is a story yet to be written, an adventure of your own to craft. Fans of the traditional board experience will find a lot to love here as will those who like a good helping of strategy in their games.
Dead Cells is an addictive yet brutal game that’ll have you swinging from frustration to enjoyment in quick succession. It’s perfect for when you have a spare couple of minutes jumping in and out for a quick game.
F1 2018 takes the world of Formula One and faithfully recreates an all-encompassing experience in one of the best racing games.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a great game. The story isn’t as strong as it could be, the optional tombs, collectibles, and exciting exploration make the overall journey worthwhile.
It’s a must-own game even if you’re not a fan.
If you’re open to a game with turn-based combat and are looking for a charming adventure, then this is a title for you. It has a great amount of depth while remaining accessible to newcomers of the genre. If you’re already a fan of JRPGs then Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a must-own game.
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] is a solid addition to the previous game and just as fun to play. If you missed Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late when it came out, you really owe it to yourself to give this a try over the more extortionate fighting games.
Knack II is a fun, but disjointed experience. It's made better with a friend by your side. Although the story isn’t anything special, it’s still a decent adventure with extremely satisfying combat. This is not a game you’ll want to miss.
While this is the definitive Hakuoki experience, it is also the most complicated one. Best to be something that you pick up if you really love the otome games. If you do, then there are no other games out on the vita at the moment that offer you this much. Both in the scale of the story and even more so in the choice of romance options.
Overall, Atelier Sophie is a great addition to the Atelier franchise. Despite the story being quite weak, the character interactions made up for that, especially between Sophie and Plachta. I’ll be looking forward to playing the sequel game Atelier Firis.
Fairy Fencer F Advent Dark Force is definitely a must-buy for fans of the original game as it provides players with new experiences and improvements on existing features. Nonetheless, the game may feel stiff at times with nothing too ground-breaking. Overall, the game is a standard JRPG which can be fun enough for many players but may not stand out to those looking for something unique. Nonetheless, I am hoping for a sequel as I did enjoy the story, especially with Fang’s interactions with Eryn.
Final Fantasy XV no doubt has its issues and it’s far from perfect but it is one of the most enjoyable games of the year. The game opens with the statement “A Final Fantasy for fans and first-timers” and this could not be truer. The much needed and natural change in gameplay should definitely attract new players and fans alike. The planned updates should give players a sense of ease with regards to how well the game will be supported in the future. It should also give players even more reason to return after they have completed it. Give the sheer amount of content packed into the game is definitely a worthy investment and will keep you entertained for many, many hours.
Yomawari: Night Alone may be short and repetitive but like with other survival horror games of this type, such as Corpse Party, the replay value is extremely high and encourages you to die a lot and explore everything the world has to offer. Rushing to the end may leave you feeling unsatisfied, but know that there is a lot more to get from this game. Visually simple but very charming and a masterful use of audio throughout, make sure you’re using headphone, Yomawari: Night Alone is the perfect pickup for this Halloween season.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale clocks in at around 30 hours of core story but features a lot of side content and a fantastic farming simulation that you can easily pour hours into. There’s a good range of things to do within the game given its hybrid nature. Really fitting the pickup and play style this game is perfect for short bursts or extended sessions.
It’s a shame that Stella Glow will be imageepoch’s last game, but what a game to finish on. Based on the initial trailer and screenshots, I was expecting some great SRPG elements and an engaging story from Stella Glow and I can safely say it delivers on all that and more. Combining a brilliant soundtrack and fantastic visuals each map continues to impress upon each visit and with multiple ending the replay value is high. Strategy RPG fans this title is not one to miss and it’s easy to grasp for newcomers to the genre so definitely give it a try if you’re on the fence.