ZTGD's Reviews
Despite the drastic change in gameplay styles, Ultra Despair Girls succeeds not only in staying true to the overall tone and feel of the series, but also in providing a fresh experience to the fans that might have grown weary of the visual novel formula.
It's not a totally different game or remake, but it doesn't have to be. Zombi is still one of the best survival horror games of this generation. It's tense, split second decisions can make the difference between life and death, and inventory management is a must, a feature sorely lacking in most horror games these days. Every bullet counts, every health item matters, and Zombi still offers a fantastic time for those that never experienced it originally – and now at a great price.
The games themselves are accurate representations of the original NES ones. The visuals are sharper, but nothing has changed. As I mentioned the slowdown is still there. The controls are spot on, but I still have to adjust to the jump and fire buttons being backward like they were in the NES days. There is a button configuration for those that simply cannot stand it though.
Adventures of Pip looks like just another 2D indie platformer on the surface, but from the first level it shows it is so much more. The experience of the team involved shines through, making this one that definitely deserves more attention.
The remake is a fantastic trip down memory lane, bringing arguable the best Gears of War game back and better than ever. If you already own an Xbox One and enjoyed the franchise, this is a must have title. I expect some will be jumping on board in purchasing the system just for this title alone, and I wouldn't blame them in the slightest.
Sometimes funny, sometimes cheesy, sometimes downright scary and tense as hell, Until Dawn is one wild ride, and while not everyone will think it's worth the entry price, I couldn't be happier with the end results.
I don't think this game is for those new to the genre, but if you're a fan of rogue-likes and crave something super challenging, then you may just want to take a swipe at The Swindle.
Toy Soldiers: War Chest is a good game marred by some questionable business practices.
In short, Olli Olli 2 is everything a great sequel should be: across the board improvement that builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor without losing the magic that made it special in the first place.
Super Mega Baseball is a great throwback to the baseball games I grew up with and loved. It is the perfect couch multiplayer game with friends, I just really wish online play was part of the package. For anyone who has enjoyed the classic arcade-style baseball game in the past, the genre is finally back to its original, fantastic form. Do not hesitate to pick up Metalhead's latest no matter which console you own.
It's still not going to go down as a world class RPG that everyone should play, but If/Compa fans will get a lot out of it, and it does some interesting things with its mechanics that I think many JRPG fans will enjoy. It's simple in nature and complex when getting into the nitty-gritty customization and harder combat sequences. This is by far the best game the developers have released to date, and JRPG fans should check it out.
Everybody's gone to Rapture… but sadly not everyone will like it.
Velocibox walks that fine line between incredibly frustrating and frustratingly replayable. It is unforgiving and brutal in its design; but at the same time induces that 'One more go' feeling. This game is not for the faint of heart, or those that have slower than lightening fast reactions. But if you crave a simple, fast paced and demanding challenge, then this game may be right up your alley.
Commander Cherry is a niche title and one that most likely won't get a lot of love simply because people will judge it for the art design alone, yet it has some limited but fun moments. I can't stress enough how important your living room set up is needed for the camera to register players though, otherwise the game simple can't be played. Otherwise if you looking for something a bit different and unique that gets you off the couch and laughing with your friends, Commander Cherry might just be for you.
I was glad to see that SAO:HF was able to put forth a more earnest effort with its improved translation and gameplay tweaks but when it's all said and done, it's still not a particularly good game.
Sadly this "remaster" is nothing even remotely close to that. It is two games, somehow coded to run on new consoles, and a reminder that backwards compatibility is indeed a possibility. Nothing has been added, no care given, and sadly these games deserve better than that.
Phantom Breaker: Battlegrounds Overdrive is a solid game with a steep learning curve without much in the way of tutorials. For those with patience to learn its intricacies, it is extremely rewarding, and a ton of fun. For those looking for a casual romp through a mindless beat 'em up, this is not the game for you.
Submerged is not a bad game, but most certainly not an outstanding one. I enjoyed what it did for the time it took me to finish the story, but for players looking for more substance, there are other games out there that offer more.
If you're a fan of isometric RPGs and action, I think the choice is pretty clear, we have a winner. Victor Vran might be a title that gets judged before people really get their hands on it. I'll admit, I had no idea what the game was like and by just looking at it, seemed typical. Yet the amount of fun the game offers, providing players with more agility and faster action, really gives a sense of control some isometric games don't deliver. I was thoroughly impressed with Victor Vran, and I think most others will be too.
Fans of puzzle games in general, especially in the vein of Super Meat Boy and Trials will have a blast. This is one massive package that will take a while to master, and perhaps a few broken controllers in the process.