SavePoint Gaming
HomepageSavePoint Gaming's Reviews
Much like the base game, I can't say there's anything inherently wrong with Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker. It's not quite as immaculate as that modern-day classic, but it isn't trying to be. It's meant to be a fun little bit of post-game content that keeps players occupied for about 8-10 hours. Most of the mechanics, presentation, and lore carry over, so if you like Sea of Stars, then you'll almost certainly like Throes of the Watchmaker. It won't change your opinion of the base game, but if you're okay with then, you'll get along well with it.
As an experience, SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure has the makings to climb the summit of co-op games. Its distinct focus, coupled with the gameplay loop, aesthetics, and systems that are more welcoming of players of all skill levels. The brand of delectable chaos is best enjoyed with a partner, but even if you have to go it alone, the kitchen is still hot enough to ignite the culinary passion, and that’s always a good thing.
There is something to be said about cherishing the classics, and for what it's worth, I did enjoy my time with this remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny. It provides a lens back to when things were much more simpler and straightforward, where being able to complete a run in 6 hours and still having a good time was more the norm than the exception. Capcom could have made more significant changes to bring the game up to modern standards. Yet, in this form, we get to see how far games have come, albeit with a tinge of sadness at the missed opportunity to build even more hype ahead of Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
There are many parts of Blades of Fire that I admire or had fun with. It’s unique and inventive in ways that so many games aren’t nowadays. Unfortunately, its many moving parts fail to come together and create a cohesive whole. It’s far from being an outright terrible game, but it doesn’t come close to the highs that MercurySteam have been able to achieve with their other titles in recent years.
As a game, American Arcadia doesn't necessarily require much from the player. As long as you can get past the control issues and ever-changing puzzles, you will discover a tantalising tale that pulls you right in. When they say television is bad for you, I never imagined it to be in this way, and neither does Trevor, and that makes for something that should keep you glued to the screen for the next few hours.
Whether you choose to fight locally or online, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 has got you covered in all the best ways. Sure, not all of the games are made equal, and that's true both in the past and the present, but in terms of a collection, it is still a significantly outstanding one. It remains to be seen just how much more Capcom can draw from the well, but since we are here, let's enjoy the goodness while it lasts.
It is clear what Fallen Tree Games and Kwalee are looking to deliver with The Precinct, and there is room for such games to exist and potentially prosper. The premise is intriguing, but the delivery and execution have room for improvement. While the game is hoping players become a true force of good, much like the real world, the environment in which that is possible remains a mixed bag.
Ultimately, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is a hard game to recommend. It's not because the game isn't good, because it is, but it's because if you're looking at it solely as a game, it loses steam about 15-20 hours in. The story more than makes up for it, but asking a player to play for 25-30 hours before a game really opens up is a big ask. It is worth it though, if only for the sheer scale of branching pathways available to the player that present radically different and bonkers endings. Making a game like The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy was a big gamble, and while it's not clear if that gamble paid off for Too Kyo Games, it at least delivered one of the most ambitious, if uneven, visual novels of its generation.
From the first kill to the last, Doom: The Dark Ages is an undeniably exhilarating ride that rarely comes down from its high. The narrative sets the stage for more, the weapons and the Shield Saw make for potent combinations, and the level and world design tie it all together in one devilishly brilliant package. It has been more than 30 years since the franchise first kicked off the killing spree, and this latest entry represents the continuation of a new golden age for the Doom Slayer.
Outside of the gameplay elements, Pax Augusta delivers on its promise of helping aspiring leaders build the Roman city of their dreams. Going from humble beginnings to a megapolis is no mean feat, but it's mainly because the game tends to work against you. There is potential, and a project born of passion is always worth supporting. At the same time, it is always working against the clock, just like the sun setting on a once great empire, as better things loom on the horizon.
For what it's worth, Chains of Freedom is not a bad game at all. As a turn-based tactical adventure, it fulfils the brief sufficiently, with the sort of conflict and narrative that is simply par for the course. Being unable to offer anything genuinely new means that you really have to love the premise to see everything through, and at the end of the day, that's not for everyone.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may be predictable at times, but it's bolstered by its excellent voice cast and compelling turn-based combat.
A fun concept that never realises its full potential, The Fool's Apprentice messes up the management sim experience with technical and gameplay issues.
It may not be heavy on the narrative, save for a few interspersed cutscenes, but the star attraction of Path of Fury – Episode I: Tetsuo’s Tower is the engaging combat. It gets you into the action quickly and almost seamlessly, and has enough of a challenge to push you further and higher. Even if you are not chasing a high score or trying to find a new fitness routine, every run in Tetsuo’s Tower will inevitably lead down those paths, and it is extremely satisfying every time.
There is no denying that South of Midnight has some room for refinements when it comes to gameplay, but in this case, it does a good enough job in serving as the vehicle for delivering the impressive narrative at the heart of the experience. Intrigue and mystery permeate throughout Prospero, and every step you can take as Hazel in helping others and yourself is impactful and emotional in all the right ways. Framing events like a storybook is perfectly apt, and despite its gameplay, I have never felt more inclined to turn the pages until the very end.
Not having your full expectations met inevitably leads to disappointment, but in the case of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the quality on show positions this latest remaster attempt as being top of the pile. Visually stunning, the fluid action returns better than ever, rectifying the issues of Sigma 2 for an adventure that will help modern players get acquainted with an all-time classic series that deserves another shot in the spotlight.
The biggest highlight of Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is that it takes a bold step forward and tries new things. The open world is fun to explore and makes ingredient gathering incredibly satisfying, while the new action-focused combat mixes things up and keeps you engaged. As a longtime fan, this is possibly the best Atelier has ever been.
Ultimately, what can be considered the best selling points of The First Berserker: Khazan could also be its most significant drawbacks. The action role-playing adventure may be hardcore in name, but there are ways in which the developers have tweaked things to make it possible for more players to enjoy the game. It is also a more constrained journey with smaller levels that constantly funnel you into its biggest strength, the combat. Over 20-30 hours spent on an initial run, and more to see alternate endings, this bloodthirsty revenge tour was utterly enjoyable. The fact that I am now more interested in discovering the Dungeon Fighter Online universe is a testament to the quality, and positions this game as no mere pretender but a genuine contender for the Soulslike crown.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally delivers to players what has always been demanded, a franchise adventure set in the world of ninjas, shinobis, samurai, and ronin. It is somehow boosted and hampered by its dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, and their place in the narrative, but the underlying systems are where the game truly shines bright. There is still room for improvement, but if you are looking for a substantial adventure where gameplay is king rather than the storytelling, then feudal Japan beckons.
Without necessarily venturing into something fresh, Avowed gets the brief right in the other areas of an action RPG. A wonderfully constructed world, brilliant and engaging writing, and action that is just satisfying for the most part, it is definitely comfort food for those invested in the genre. Whether playing it safe is the right way to go depends on your wants, but for an enjoyable fantasy adventure, you really cannot go wrong with Avowed.