Analog Stick Gaming
HomepageAnalog Stick Gaming's Reviews
Warriors Abyss may be an asset reuse from the history of their respective franchises, but it takes those assets and builds a rather enjoyable roguelite around them. Yes, it is pretty repetitive as it doesn’t have the non-combat moments that made Hades so memorable, and the story itself is very basic, but the gameplay is what helps this title shine. With its low cost of entry and a massive cast of 100 characters, there is a lot to dive into, and is one hell of a time.
Lost Records’ opening chapter doesn’t quite provide enough of the mystery to have me excited for its next and final chapter. That said, the bonds created by these girls is a captivating experience that drew me in. While dialogue choices are the bread and butter of this experience, I do wish the reliance on the camcorder did something to flavor that story in ways that we just don’t see here. While Bloom is a fairly enjoyable chapter, here’s hoping that Rage can seal the deal.
Trails through Daybreak II is certainly my least favorite Legend of Heroes game, but given that I adore them all, that isn’t saying anything too negative. It’s certainly hard to follow up the stunning saga that came before, even with a cast that is as likable as what is here. While the more mundane elements of this game certainly stand out more than they have before, the core story that is told here is worth the trek, even if the narrative hook I’ve mentioned previously can zap some of the emotional impact we are meant to have. Regardless, Trails through Daybreak II is quite enjoyable and provides you with a solid adventure with a fun cast and some engaging moments.
Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos is a complete miss. It feels like a glorified DLC pack for a previous game that never approaches anything deserving of its own release. The story and presentation feel like the first draft of what could have been special, and the driving itself is lackluster and boring. A proper racing game along the lines of Mario Kart could have been impressive, especially considering the roster of console waifus throughout the series. Instead, it is a creature collecting driving games that is extremely disappointing and barely worth your time.
Despite its issues, Big Helmet Heroes is a blast. Its story bits feel unfinished, but the central gameplay that makes up 95% of the adventure is a true successor to Castle Crashers, making it a fun time with two players. While four players would have been ideal for being a party game, it’s likely something the studio will approach in a possible sequel, or at least that is my dream for where this series could go.With fun weapons, engaging abilities, and 28 other knights to unlock across 20 levels, Big Helmet Heroes is certainly a fun time with a friend.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter truly surprised me. It looked engaging from the few trailers that were released, but I never expected to be fully blown away, and yet, it’s a game that I adore. The game runs impressively on the Switch with not a single technical blemish. Arlo’s journey is emotional and engaging, with combat that suits the Warden of Wastes to find allies to combat this vampiric threat. With a wide arrangement of weapons and impressive abilities, you’ll find this to be a memorable adventure and one worth taking
Sniper Elite Resistance is a bit of a mixed bag, but it often does right more than it does wrong. The campaign is fine enough when you are playing with another player, but its story is lacking and its character models are incredibly subpar, especially compared to Sniper Elite 5. However, the multiplayer is what saves this entire package and is damn fun, making me eager to jump in once servers are properly populated. While it is more of the same, and that is both damning and expected, it is at least more of the same of a game that was incredibly fun. And hey, you get to smack a bunch of Nazis around
Eternal Strands may initially look generic and not offer much to it that hasn’t been done before, but it greatly opens up to have a flexibility with its powers and systems that I don’t see anyone doing. For a debut game from a studio with an immense amount of credits to their names, this is a solid adventure that is rich and rewarding in its system as much as it is to its story and charm. While it certainly is inspired from a wealth of games, it more than justifies its existence by actually making those components feel fun to engage with. People often say they want new games with fresh experiences, and Eternal Strands may be set in the familiar, but it is certainly one of those games to support and celebrate.
Dynasty Warriors Origins is a really enjoyable game and the best looking title in the series by a mile. The story may tread on familiar territory with being a tad bloated in conversation, but the bonds you’ll make with the massive cast of characters can produce some really fun moments. With a ton of weapons to master and a decent skill tree to work towards, Origins is a staggeringly solid comeback after the disastrous Dynasty Warriors 9. Whether new to the series or a veteran of the franchise, Origins is hands-down the best in the series.
Star Wars: Episode One: Jedi Power Battles Remastered could have been a charming beat’em up and fixed the list of issues that plagued it several years ago. However, with no real changes to gameplay, visuals, or its structure, Jedi Power Battles is the same bad Star Wars game it was 25 years ago. While co-op can alleviate some of the tedium and frustration in the controls, platforming, and combat, there are simply better games out there that also provide a better playing experience.
DreadOut Remastered Collection may not really be “remastered” and is more of a direct port, but it does provide a decent amount of spooks should you find the camera mechanic to suit what you want from it. I still think the camera needs to be more responsive, and that some encounters altered to address the size of the environment. Regardless, there is something still charming and well done about the presentation here that can, at times, make those issues sting a little less. If you’ve found enjoyment in the past with Fatal Frame and its sequels, then DreadOut may scratch that itch, just don’t expect too much.
Hollowbody is a pretty impressive game, especially one crafted by a solo developer. It reminded me a lot of 2021’s Tormented Souls, a Resident Evil clone that didn't look to reinvent the genre, but to contribute to its roots and provide that type of experience. There is enough here to keep you motivated to see it through, even if most of its environments tend to repeat a lot of the same overall aesthetics. It’s certainly a game of its inspirations and often does the genre right.
Xuan Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament is unfortunately a very poor experience, regardless of having the fundamentals of what should be a good game. From horrible presentation to constant mini-map glitches, there is almost nothing to like here. Combat is bland, environments are incredibly lacking, and the voicing acting and direction of this game is atrocious. Xuan Yuan is meant to be a treasured series in China, but nothing here is convincing me of it. Xuan Yuan Sword 7 was a very impressive game, but The Gate of Firmament is simply awful.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a stunning example of a licensed game that absolutely nails the source material. From incredible performances to jaw-dropping visuals, MachineGames clearly built this game with passion and respect for the franchise's legacy. While Troy Baker may have been at the bottom of the list to take over the role, his performance is honestly stunning and does a lot to immerse you into this beloved world. This isn't just the best Indiana Jones game, it's one of the best licensed games ever made.
The concept behind Star Trek: Legends is sound. Its narrative hook of combining several eras of the franchise is a cool idea that plays off well in character moments, but the story itself lacks a true threat to really have it remain interesting. The mobile trappings are certainly felt here, despite no paid storefront to be found. It can be a bit grindy, repetitive, and lacking that ability to pull you in, to lose hours into the night, but I did find a bit of enjoyment here, especially for the low price.
Stalker 2 sounds like an amazing game on paper with all the immersive elements you need to thrive. However, playing it is another story. There are some sound ideas here, but the gunplay, inventory systems, and countless bugs, just don’t do it any favors. Stalker 2 is a game you need to experience on its terms, so your mileage will certainly vary on how tolerant you are to its rigid structure. Regardless of the incredible story of what is behind this game’s history, I just couldn't find a compromise between what this game offered and what I wanted from it.
Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind may show its budget across the whole package, but it is certainly money well spent. There is a care and passion behind every pixel that is present across both the brawling stages and the arcade-like experiences of piloting the Zords. There is a joyous energy to this game that is infectious, and while it certainly has its own share of issues, I am eager to see what this team can do with a sequel that is refreshingly hinted at.
Voidwrought’s strong visual style and musical score enhance an already stellar game with a great sense of mobility and combat focus. The exploration of its world is constantly rewarding, with countless relics and souls to track down, always ensuring you find something new for your trouble. With a challenging series of bosses to vanquish, a world to explore, Voidwrought is wonderfully designed, even if its story is unfortunately disappointing.
Fans of the games have waited patiently for this series to return, or even to have the original games available on modern hardware. While this collection does a respectful job of preserving the original two games, I do wish more work had been done to make the environments really stand out as much as the vastly improved character models do. Still, the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Collection is a great attempt to improve these games, even if they never really played that well in the first place. While they are clearly dated in their design and feel, there is nonetheless something special about Raziel’s journey, and the technical might those games presented way back when.
Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 is a great game, that should be better than its predecessor if not for the technical hurdles it places onto the player. With that in mind, it is probably worth waiting until you can play without the limitations of your internet connection or data usage.