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.hack//G.U. Last Recode brings a beloved franchise into a new generation with improved graphics, polished gameplay, and extra content. Fans of the franchise will definitely want to dive back into this deeply intriguing story and European players will no doubt be excited at the chance to finally play the GU trilogy for the first time.
Yakuza Kiwami has really brought me back into loving the Yakuza series again by remaking the very game that made me drop it. Now that is exactly what a remake should do. Now I’m really looking forward to the sixth game and the remake of the second. In the meantime, I shall catch up on all that I have missed.
Although Dissidia Final Fantasy NT lacks a good selection of different modes to play through, no doubt a side effect of starting life as an arcade game, there is a lot packed into the game for Final Fantasy fans to enjoy. The actual gameplay is solid and is worth checking out for anyone who likes to test their skills against other players online. Playing online with friends is probably the biggest draw as teamwork is key to success not to mention a lot of fun.
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker has done well to provide fans with a new Naruto experience and features some exciting mechanics that are executed really well. Ultimately, the game falls a little short in terms of content, something I would expect to see updated as time goes on. The biggest draw then is in playing online and with friends. By that token, it’s a really enjoyable game to play.
Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk is a good addition to the first-person dungeon crawling genre but tries to do too much and without a more compelling story to pull it along makes it feel more of a chore to play. The addition of Covens and how that affects the battle system and player customisation of the party is what really shined through during my time with the game.
All-Star Fruit Racing may not include everyone’s favourite platforming hero or even any memorable characters for that matter, but it’s a good attempt at a kart racer that features some unique differences to the usual formula and that makes it worth a look. You’ll also learn some interesting facts about fruit along the way.
Bad North, however, continually keeps you coming back for more as its beautifully simple designs and gameplay features make it so easy and accessible. It’s perfect for a quick game here and there.
Freedom Planet is a fun platformer that strikes just the right balance of difficulty. There’s a good amount of replayability to be had too with all the collectables and hidden areas to uncover. Once you’ve managed to do all that it’s a great game to speedrun.
Ultimately, Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition should please fans of the series and even attract a new generation of fans into the ‘Tales of’ franchise.
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.
Unfortunately, a lot of the issues we originally had with the game are still present in the Revival Edition but Nippon Ichi Software has added significantly to the game which also warrants praise. If you didn’t like what you saw with the PlayStation 3 version then this probably isn’t for you but for those that did enjoy it then the Revival Edition is certainly worth a shot.
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.
Dragon Ball XenoVerse 2, despite its minor issues and some of my own personal issues, is a fun and enjoyable game that any Dragon Ball fan should look to own. The huge amount of content on offer and its super smooth 60 frames per second will definitely serve to please. If you're looking for a Dragon Ball game to get stuck into, then this is definitely the one to pick up. Fully customisable character creation, a huge roster of Dragon Ball characters and a different take on a classic story all awaits you.
BlazBlue takes some hits due to a sloppy end to some of its story threads and the ever-present patriarchy that cripples all potentially perfect examples of pop culture, but other than that, you will not find a better fighting game anywhere else on this planet. We are officially on the Blue standard.
7th Dragon III Code: VFD will not appeal to everyone based on its genre but within that genre, it is a solid title. Long-time fans and newcomers will find something to like within this game. It's simple and never over-complicates its features making for a very enjoyable experience. I feel that this game is likely to fall under the radar for many but if you get a chance then I definitely recommend giving it a go, you will not be disappointed.
Nights of Azure was quite the enjoyable game, but the main story was quite short and can be completed within hours. For completionists or achievement hunters like me, a lot of time will be spent in the game after the final boss fight in order to grind tasks and levels. Overall, while the game was enjoyable, it was not that immersive, thus I did not feel attachment to any of the characters in the game. Nonetheless, Nights of Azure is still a great game to play for those seeking a new and quick JRPG to play.
Overall, Episode Gladiolus is well worth picking up. It’s a little on the short side, but playing as Gladio is an absolute joy and the extras help give it some re-playability. I will definitely be sinking a bit more time on it over the next few days and I can’t wait for Episode Prompto in June.
Taking you to magical worlds filled with lovable, memorable and frankly odd characters, Yooka-Laylee captures what made us love and hate 3D Platformers. If you weren’t a fan of this type of game in the past, then it’s very doubtful this new entry in the genre will change your mind. If you were a fan, then you’re in for a treat.
Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 is worth the purchase as DLC if you already own and like Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator. But in a niche market that is getting a bit crowded, I cannot recommend it be at the top of your list. Only when compared to fighting game releases of this year does it come out on top and that will not be for long.
I was first exposed to the franchise from watching the Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid anime series which led me to start with a negative bias coming into playing Valkyrie Drive: Bhikkhuni. Thankfully, Bhikkhuni was a much better experience than Mermaid ever was. Despite the story being quite lacklustre, the real gem should be the gameplay and the diversity of options available.