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Bright Memory is an awesome achievement given it was developed by a one-man studio. It looks impressive, plays smoothly and is action-packed. While using well-known gameplay mechanics, it still somehow feels new and refreshing. While overall great, it does have its flaws. Character movement feels very slow making some sub-boss battles harder than they should. After playing this, I’m excited to get my hands on the complete Bright Memory Infinite project currently slated for next year.
Despite its auto-run mechanic, Kid Tripp is an addictive, fun albeit frustrating 2D platformer. Some levels will require practice in order to learn enemy and obstacle placement in order to prepare yourself properly. While I would’ve liked it better as a standard platformer, this is a unique bite-size game for those looking for a quick challenge.
If you are looking for a game that is best played in little chunks then I’d say this game could be for you. Surprisingly challenging with some interesting depth make this a much more interesting game than it appears on the surface. Unfortunately, the limited soundtrack and “same-iness” of the gameplay detracts from extended sessions of it. Granted, that could change based on how multi-player works out and with whom you are playing. But sadly, that was out of the scope of my ability to review.
Despite showing its age, Star Wars Episode I Racer is a competent and decent racer even as we’re jumping next-gen. Xbox players craving a sci-fi racing game akin to the F-Zero series can pick up this little gem to compensate although it might be too easy. Despite thin replay value, it’s surprisingly deep and easy to pick up. I definitely recommend this game.
Foregone is one of the best 2D platformers I’ve had the privilege of reviewing this year. But nothing is perfect; the lack of checkpoints between terminals can prove frustrating and sometimes the game feels relentless. However, the upgrade system, combat, boss battles make this game worth every minute of it. I definitely recommend this one.
Given the plethora of beat’em ups available, Shadow Gangs is an easy pass. From the unforgiving nature of the game, questionable detection issues in combat, the game feels rushed, half-assed and could’ve used a bit more work. There are so many better options out there. Don’t waste your hard-earned money on this.
Alphadia Genesis doesn’t reinvent the JRPG wheel. It’s a cookie-cutter turn-based RPG with little innovations. The game is story-heavy which can make it feel the game’s progression tedious. It’s easy to pick up and play with very simplistic combat. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the genre or simply wanting to dab into it for the first time, Alphadia Genesis is a great choice; just don’t expect too much depth.
I will start with the painful truth: There are no maids in Banner of the Maid. Well, not like I would have expected them. I will profess immense disappointment at this realization. But now that that is off of my chest that is one of the few bad things I have to say about this game.
Ty The Tasmanian Tiger HD is a pretty simple and straightforward 3D platformer. Fans of the genre will enjoy it, although might find that some mechanics haven’t aged all that well and also a bit too simplistic. It’s a nice diversity from the upcoming waves of AAA games and it’s perfect for gamers of all ages.
Unfortunately, it’s hard, near impossible, to recommend point and click games on consoles; Commander ’85 included; especially given the game gives you an option to actually type commands. The game is not intuitive, vastly tedious, slow and devoid of gameplay variety aside from moving around a cursor. Had it been more like Life is Strange, this could’ve been much better. This type of game is perfect of PC and mobile devices, but otherwise, this is a pass.
Twin Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Adventure is a fun and challenging take on a once simplistic game that we know as Brick Breaker. With the progressively increasing challenge from level to level to its bevy of different game modes, Twin Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Adventure is sure to keep players busy for quite some time. Despite the feeling that some bounces feel random and oft-seemingly out of reach bricks, it doesn’t bring down the experience at all. Definitely a surprise gem of the year.
Inertial Drift is a unique racing/drifting racer, but it feels counter-intuitive. While the game does have a reasonable amount of content aside from the drifting mechanic, it takes a while to get used to and the A.I.’s frustrating difficulty makes it a hit or miss. Personally, I found myself frustrated more than anything. I applaud the developer for taking a chance, but unless you plan on spending hours on end on this game, it’s a pass.
Never been a huge fan of the Metroidvania genre, but Minoria (along with Touhou Luna Nights) came out of left field to surprise and sink its teeth in me. The simplistic combat mixed with the various Incenses, gothic setting and its haunting score and the challenging boss battles makes for a great game. It won’t be a cakewalk and does require a bit of mastery of the dodging/parring, but within the first hour, everything feels right and clicks. If you can tolerate backtracking through the map and the deep exploration, Minoria is a must-play.
While the point-and-click genre isn’t in my top 5 of favorite genres, I was actually looking forward to give this game a shot. Unfortunately, Leisure Suit Larry Wet Dreams Don’t Dry doesn’t change my stance on the genre. Vague hints for puzzles, the constant peaking and poking everything/everywhere makes for a tedious experience. Fans of the genre will definitely enjoy this more mature themed experience.
Mask of Mists is a great and fun addition to the RPG genres. Fans of the genre should definitely give this game a shot; sure it’s not as huge as Skyrim or The Witcher 3, but sometimes it’s a nice diversion doing something smaller. It’s not perfect as you’ll possibly lose a bit of time going around in circles trying to figure out what to do, but it’s a peaceful game to lose yourself into.
The Suicide of Rachel Foster is one of the most enjoyable and tension-filled walking simulators I’ve had the privileged of reviewing. The game doesn’t necessarily rely on scares at every corner, but rather builds tension with what-ifs could happen around the corner. While the pacing isn’t ideal and makes the game feels rushed earlier on, it makes up for it in the latter parts of the game. With Halloween coming soon, this is the perfect time for this gem.
Johnny Rocket is a game to be avoided at all costs. It’s short, frustrating, cheap and full of questionable design. Cheap and unpreventable enemy attacks, questionable detection issues, unresponsive jumping, boring bosses, zero replay value, the only redeeming quality about the game is its unique visual presentation. I guess it’s something right? Given the amount of better run n’ gun available, don’t waste your time with Johnny Rocket.
To be honest, Cinders is one of the most enjoyable visual novels I’ve had the chance to review; a new take on a classic fairytale is an interesting way to go; it feels familiar and new at the same time. Thanks to the bevy of choices, replay value is through the roof, but as with any visual novel, it sometimes feels tedious going through the “same” story again, even if it leads to a different ending.
Touhou Luna Nights is definitely one of the best Metroidvania games. It’s fun, addictive, easy to pick up and play and features a setting that can be reminiscent of the Castlevania games. The time manipulation definitely adds to the fun factor as it can be used in a myriad of ways. Finding and using new skills that opens up more of the map is always one of the best things about Metroidvania games. If you can overcome and push through the difficult boss battles, you’ll definitely find one of the most action-packed experiences of the year.
Tony Stewart’s All-American Racing is an interesting, fun albeit shallow racing experience. The content that is there is pretty solid and easy to pick up and play; responsive and very simplistic controls combined with a plethora of difficulty settings is sure to make it enjoyable to all types of gamers and makes for a nice diversion from the bevy of racing sims we’ve seen this year. Unfortunately, it can get boring and tedious pretty quickly for non-fans of the sport. Doing circles on very simplistic circuits over and over doesn’t account much for a challenge. I understand there’s a limitation to the racing genre, but Tony Stewart’s All-American Racing feels empty and very limited.